#And the final stage - acceptance

[chizukeik]

oh in a blink

[namelessgakusei]

EP 3.1 This is how you shoot

Devil May Cry x Reader Insert

Warnings: It's DMC. Based on the New Netflix Series. Spoiler warnings for the actual show. Not proofread. Slightly canon divergent. (Y/N) Lore. Posted out of spite?

Note: This was on my drafts but like lmao it got accidentally posted.

EP 2.3 Amen. (prev.)

EP 3.2 Take Aim (cont.)

Synopsis: Your capture made you dream about a past long gone.

The front sight of a Glock aligns perfectly with the target, a few feet away from a child no less than five as they barely wrap their hands around the gun's grip. "That's right, baby. Keep that little tip of the triangle aligned to the mark. If you do, you'll land the shot." An older man gently says as he supports your form, correcting your stance and giving tips on how to have a better grip.

"Bang." You muttered when you pulled the trigger, the gun clicking into place as it releases no bullets, but it didn't deter you from "shooting". Your determination for a five year old pleases your father, with your face scrunched up in an exaggerated frown, he smiled as he ruffled your hair and brought you up in his arms. "That's right. That's right. You would make a fine soldier, yeah?"

"Are you teaching them how to handle a gun, again?" Your mother sighs by the doorway, arms crossed as she raises a brow at the sight. "They won't learn anything if they can't experience the real thing. They should know about the drawback when it comes to shooting a gun."

"They're only five." Your father protests as you keep your attention on your mom, who had gone over to pick up the empty gun you used for practice. "This is too heavy for them, I bet they can't even lift this properly on one hand." She frowns as she examines the weapon, weighing it on her hand, cocking it before aiming at the target in a swift motion. Like what happened to you, the gun clicks itself due to the lack of ammo.

"I'm going to build their strength, of course!" Your father laughed heartily and grabbed your mother's waist in one hand while he carried you on the other. "Then they'll join the army, get promoted, and soon join my squad!"

"You mean DARKCOM?" You asked, tilting your head to the side, lacking excitement that your father wanted to see in his children whenever he gives them the push to join the army.

"Of course, baby." He grins and leaned his head over yours. "We'll eradicate this world of demons, you and I."

"They can't even finish their food." Your brother snickers from the inside of the house, face smug as he teases you. "How can you expect them to survive in the army, Dad?"

Your family laughed as you struggled against your father's grip, knowing that you'll chase your brother in retaliation once you break free.

"Listen 'kay? Mum doesn't have to know about this, okay?"

"Okay."

"You won't tell? Promise?"

"Promise." You nodded with excitement, barely six years old as you trail behind your older brother and his friends. You noticed him sneaking out at night in the past few weeks and insisted on coming with you when you finally caught up. He seems to think that you'll tattle to your parents but you're not a snitch! Besides, you've never snuck out like this! So you agreed, nonetheless.

You don't know where they're going, but you have a rough idea of what they're doing, having seen "clues" inside your brother's drawers. Bullets. But not the usual calibers, no, there's a vial of something green inside.

You tugged at your brother's hand as he held yours to keep you two from being separated. "Where are we going?" But he only grinned, telling you that this is just like the training your father gives the both of you. "Shooting?"

"But better, we'll be shooting real targets." His friends all donned a kind of smile that looked a bit too smug. You can't quite pinpoint why this feels wrong all of the sudden, maybe you should've told your parents about this before. But looking back, you can't exactly go back on your own, as you've been going through dark alleys and corners. Just where are you headed that permits going to an abandoned warehouse?

"There's our guy!" A man laughs upon seeing your group, greeting them with a handshake and a hug. There are a few older men around the area, each in possession of rifles or guns, before landing their eyes on you. "Is this the young master?" One of them crouched down to your eye level and grinned, trying to coax you out from hiding behind your brother.

"They insisted on coming." Your sibling laughs and pats your head, telling you that it's alright to meet the others. At his words, the men around nodded and smiled at each other, noting that it's better for them to start early so they get used to it soon. At that time, you had no idea what they were about to let you join in, but with how you are right now. You deeply regret asking to come.

Inside the warehouse are cages that contain a few green humanoid creatures, with tiny horns that protrude on their heads. The older, bigger ones, grimaced at your appearance, speaking in something you fail to understand, but they look more concerned than afraid. Their fear returned moments later when one of the men kicked their cage, rattling the demons inside. Your brother hands you a strange looking gun, a bit blocky compared to the usual firearms that your father makes you practice with, before helping you aim at a demon that they let out.

That demon was about your size, they looked at you with wide eyes, arms raised in surrender while pleading to you in a foreign language. It looks weak, hunger-stricken based on the dip on their body and the obvious marks that littered around their skin. One of the men with you kicked them down when they reached out to you, sensing your reluctance to hurt them, but they weren't the only ones who noticed. The people around you kept talking about how demons are the pests of the world, of how they are nothing more than insects meant to be crushed down, and that you shouldn't hesitate in killing them.

"Kill it!"

"Shoot it. (Y/N)!"

"Shoot!"

You woke up with a jolt, before immediately squinting your eyes due to the sudden brightness above, although something seemed to have blocked it the moment you closed your eyes. Your neck aches a bit due to how stiff your "pillow" is, making you groan and turn your head, but something keeps bugging you.

Why the hell do you smell Dante?

It's not even a whiff, you genuinely smell the guy like he's smushing you close to his chest whenever he needs to protect you. While it's comforting at times, it starts to reek. Not only that, you can't move your legs nor your arms, are you bound? With an exhale, you open your eyes.

And there he is, looking down at you with an uncharacteristic serious face, and speaking with a gruff tone. "Hey you, you’re finally awake. You were trying to cross the border, right?"

"You walked right into that imperial ambus-"

"Are you seriously quoting Skyrim right now?" You squinted with a frown, making him shrug. Groaning, you squirmed as you recalled the events of last night. Right, you got caught. Damn it, this wasn't how you planned this out! ...It's alright, you can flip this out to your favor later. You tried sitting up but failed after a few attempts, the sleeping gas might still be in your system, and Dante's thighs weren't much of a cushion for your fall.

"No wonder the pillow was hard." You sighed with a deadpan tone, missing the glint on Dante's eyes upon your words.

"You know what else is hard?"

You never sat up so fast in your life, accidentally giving Dante a headbutt, granted, that wasn't your intention, but hey, at least you got to sit up!

taglist!: @mischiefmanaged71 @tamashithe2nd @im-just-a-simp-le-whore @96jnie @flwerie @deathrye

[mina-posts-nonsense]

hinata’s self acceptance journey via titles

immediate shame/disappointment because of his role as a decoy:

the ace is the standard he’s aspiring toward, the small giant was an ace “despite” his body, and so that means hinata is ashamed at being less than an ace and just a decoy.

envy at the ace title and denial of his role:

so there’s a link between body insecurity (height specifically) and how it restricts him to being “just a decoy” instead of an ace (which is cooler/better)

hinata is not against hard work, but the fact that he always has to work harder because of his body to be faster, to jump higher etc yet he still gets blocked by “high, high” walls bothers him, he can’t help but want height and power because it would help him play the sport he loves better.

that’s why although kageyama really REALLY tries to emphasise how cool being a decoy so many times, he can’t get through to hinata because he’s talking as someone who has those natural advantages that a tall body gives:

…which leads us to hinata’s denial of his role:

the issue is that kageyama has the freedom to choose his position (due to his height/skill) whilst hinata thinks that the only way he can be on the team is through decoy, it’s not a choice for him- he’s restricted by his body and skill so he denies it!

changing feelings toward his role:

this is where things start changing, because hinata starts to enjoy what the decoy role means: that the blockers view him as an actual threat- which is everything he’s wanted! to be taken seriously, to be to play the sport he loves at a high level!

again he’s just realising what kageyama tried telling him ages ago:

but there’s a difference between someone tall TELLING you that this role is cool and you, yourself, feeling cool even if it’s not a role you wanted at all. so that’s why i really like this moment here, where tsukki side-eyes hinata’s extra ass but where hinata actively WANTS to be a decoy!

choosing The Strongest Decoy over Small Giant:

i just really like this whole scene and meeting udai too, it’s hinata meeting his ideal and deciding he wants to be different, that he can go even further and establishing a new ideal for himself. even as a decoy his points are worth the same as an ace’s and even as a decoy he can be recognised as a credible threat. finally he doesn’t feel shame or the need to deny that role because there is nothing to be ashamed of in his role! he finds he loves it.

just look at everyone’s reactions, all this kid talks about his becoming the small giant yet he willing gives up the title to embrace something he hated/denied the whole time! everyone is confused but kageyama’s like “finally!” because he was waiting for this, he knew that words alone couldn’t prove to hinata how vital his position is, so he tried providing it through his actions time and time again (trusting him the final point, showing him that even if the blockers target him as much as the ace- he can still score points like the ace etc)- all he was waiting was for everything to sink in for hinata.

i like the reveal that he genuinely thinks a decoy is second to a setter (which isn’t a nickname so he just revealed he finds the decoy the best!!!) it’s hinata’s (chosen) image of the strongest telling him how brillant that position is and hinata finally internalising and believing kageyama’s words. it’s important to me that he grows to love it, he grows to accept himself rather than being 100% on board with reversing his dream/initial drive to play.

he just likes being a decoy so much he’s now a decoy for himself, hinata final form is just decoy inception~

[howlsofbloodhounds]

I find it a little strange that some people just don’t acknowledge that if killer stays with the bad sanses, being all “murderous and evil together so wholesome!!” then the person the gang supposedly love just won’t be there anymore given enough time.

Stage 4 will take over more and more and more, as it is getting worse even before Killer left with Color, and killer will attempt to kill even the ones he supposedly loves or die trying.

[writer-room]

Dragons Rising is too dangerous for us, cause now the writers have proved they care about their characters. Pixal still existing, Kai having screen time again, and finally acknowledging Lloyd is the grandson of God? This is too much power. One has not ever dared get their hopes up in Ninjago, not for anything.

And they're gonna be the death of me specifically, because now the chances that they'll acknowledge Lloyd's dragon heritage aren't at zero anymore.

[uhbasicallyjustmilex]

i am almost thirty years old. why must i still be plagued by the perpetual and unshakeable belief that everyone secretly dislikes me

[aventurineswife]

Stages of Shadows |

R O U N D 1

The lights in the preparation room were dimmed, casting a soft, theatrical glow over the contestants as they moved about, adjusting to the discomfort of their new performance attire. In one corner stood Robin, dressed in an intricate outfit befitting her reputation, yet there was a subtle tension in her posture as she glanced over the stage setup, breathing in the heavy atmosphere of anticipation. She straightened her costume, fingers trailing over the ornate details that made her feel both regal and vulnerable.

Her eyes flickered across the room, finding [Name], who was calmly adjusting their own attire. Though they'd exchanged few words before, the air between them held a strange familiarity mixed with a new layer of rivalry, now that they knew the consequences of failure. [Name] glanced at Robin, catching her gaze just for a moment—a fleeting glance that held no warmth, only a steady, unreadable intensity that sent a chill down her spine.

Taking a breath, Robin tried to shake off the unease. She had performed countless times before audiences that adored her, but here, it was different. There was no adoration waiting for her out there—only judgment and the cold, detached gaze of the evaluators. The stakes were terrifyingly real.

A low chime echoed in the room, signaling that it was time. Robin swallowed, her heartbeat quickening. She could feel [Name]'s presence behind her, steady and unfazed. It was as if the world beyond the curtain had melted away, and only the stage and their impending judgment existed.

As they were called forward, Robin gave a final glance at [Name], finding in their expression something between confidence and quiet ruthlessness. This was it—their first round, the moment to prove themselves or be forgotten forever.

(Art by @zassyoku_DD on X)

On the stage, as the haunting notes began to fill the air, Robin and [Name] slipped into the music’s flow, voices weaving together in a bittersweet harmony that held the audience in rapt attention. Their voices rose and fell, merging effortlessly, blending vulnerability with strength, creating something beyond a competition. Each note seemed to bind them, transcending the stakes and the darkness looming at the edge of the stage.

The lights dimmed to an intimate glow, spotlighting the two of them as they sang. At that moment, their eyes met—two gazes locked, capturing a warmth that melted the cold tension of the competition. Robin’s nerves faded as [Name]'s eyes softened, reflecting gentleness. There was no calculation, no rivalry—only the connection between two souls bound by the intensity of this shared moment.

They sang the next verse, their voices intertwining with a vulnerability that was raw and tender. Without realizing it, they stepped closer, their hands brushing as they reached for the same note. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Robin’s lips, one that [Name] mirrored, as if they both understood something unspoken—that, for now, nothing else mattered. Winning, losing... it all faded away.

As Robin gazed into [Name]'s eyes, the final note lingered in the air, resonating softly in their hearts. Her gaze drifted for a split second to the scoreboard, the ominous numbers sealing her fate, before she looked back at [Name] with a serene acceptance.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile, and she whispered, so quietly it was barely a breath: “Please take care of my brother.”

For a moment, [Name] didn’t understand, still lost in the warmth of their shared performance, still captured by the closeness between them. But then, like a thunderclap, the words sank in. Their eyes widened just as something warm and wet splattered against their cheek—a spray of crimson that stole the air from their lungs. They staggered back, the weight of realization crashing down as they watched Robin’s body fall.

Time seemed to slow as they fell to their knees, numbness spreading through their limbs. The stage lights cast a stark glow over Robin’s form, her body lying still, surrounded by a pool of her own blood, a final soft smile gracing her face as though she’d found peace in her last moment.

A single trickle of red traced the curve of her lips, frozen in time.

[Name] reached out, trembling, their fingertips brushing the cold stage floor just inches from her. The crowd’s noise, the distant cheers, the indifferent faces of the judges—all blurred into a single, painful silence. The friend who had been beside them, who had shared this stage, was gone.

They could only stare, horror-stricken, the emptiness sinking deeper as Robin’s words echoed in their mind. The weight of her last request crushed them, etching itself into their heart like a scar: “Please take care of my brother.”

And in that moment, as the reality of her absence set in, [Name] felt their own smile fade, replaced by the raw, aching emptiness of loss.

The world around them felt distant, blurred at the edges, as if time itself had halted to mourn her passing. But reality crashed back all too soon—the firm grip of a guard’s hand yanked them upright, snapping a cold metal collar back around their neck. The sharp click of the lock echoed, sealing them back into the relentless, unyielding grip of the competition.

The weight of the collar pressed into their skin, a brutal reminder of their place here, as if the warmth of her last touch and her parting words were already slipping away. They didn’t struggle, didn’t fight; they simply stood, eyes still locked on Robin’s peaceful form lying amid the crimson stain on the stage. That faint smile she wore haunted them, searing into their memory as something to carry with them—a fragile comfort and a haunting wound all at once.

[Navigation]

[bird-butch]

it kind of destroys me that kim is the one who's more outwardly affected by chuck's death than jimmy. and it's not because she cared about him more than his own brother did, chuck was never much more to her than her boss (and her partner's brother who was pretty rude to both of them). i'm sure she is sad that he's dead, but she's not really grieving that as much as she's grieving the way jimmy is so clearly in pain but won't allow himself to express it or even admit to it. not even to himself. when she breaks down crying as jimmy reads chuck's letter, it's not about the letter itself. it's the absolute lack of emotion jimmy displays as he reads it. the total disregard for his brother's last words to him. she's breaking down because she's realizing how broken he is in a way that can't be fixed. because he won't even try. won't even admit there's something wrong. and it's not like she's ever viewed him as something to be fixed, like so many others have, she just desperately wants to help him be okay. because she loves him. but she can't.

and then at his reinstatement hearing, she cries again, but this time because he does sound sincere, and genuine. she thinks, here he is. he's finally letting himself grieve. he's finally letting himself move on, by acknowledging the past and the hurt instead of ignoring it. here he is. he's himself again. but then he reveals it was all a performance. he has never been less himself. he's changing his name even. running again, from his past, from himself, from chuck. and he reveals that he thinks of her as a sucker for falling for any of it.

[mechncheese]

slides in here because, this is a good thing i swear!!, it’s you fault i’ve started shipping skyfire/jetfire and thundercracker. i never realised how much i love and need them >w< also,,, it’s not weird to have a different ship name for them from everyone else, right? i love thunderfire but, they are my firecracker and no one can stop me x’D

Oh no another one slips onto the quicksand and it’s my fault </3 OOPSIES, BUT YOU SEE THE POTENTIAL, YOU SEE THE VISION ! You can call them whatever your heart desires bahaha, firecracker is also quite cute !

[tethrarisms]

How my Veilguard fics will be from now on (in this house we refuse canon)

[ogorodami]

As much as it pains me to admit, I don’t care about Alicent anymore. I don't root for her and I also don't hate her, I simply don't care.

Sooo... I have processed and officially hate her now.

S2 Alicent is exactly what many targ stans desperately want Sansa Stark to be: a snivelling weakling who would betray her family to save her own skin.

The Targtower siblings deserve so much better than to be seen as her fail clones. No, they are not her human-shaped disappointments. It's the other way around.

[larkwinged]

have an idea …. for…, gulps…

sunday

[peachy-psych3]

even though this is killing me, i need you like the air that i breathe

inspired by these two illustrations

[somethingsomethingcomic]

gay and stupid

[minetteskvareninova]

Fun fact! In 2004, Neil Gaiman published ‘The Problem of Susan’ which featured explicit bestiality porn.

Fun fact! That is completely unrelated to his crimes, or else the fact that he's literally the villain from Calliope might've given him a fucking pause.

I am not saying this to defend him, but to defend all of the other people who write weird shit like that and AREN'T actual fucking criminals. Once again, as with Rowling, there is this impulse to come back to the works of this person and prove that, actually, what they wrote makes it abundantly clear that not only were they always the bad guy, but that we could've known that from their writings or along. Or at least, they want to justify the feeling that their favourite works are tainted by claiming that it's not just by association, but by their content. And I understand the impulse, I really do, but I think that's the wrong way to go about it. Again, lots of people who write weird shit, even suspicious shit and are perfectly nice in real life.

When I feel the urge to burn Gaiman's books (which I'll never do, because I absolutely don't want to explain the people I live with the whole sordid situation) I justify it differently. It is not a condemnation of the works themselves, but very specifically their author regardless of contents. It is a warning, a statement of principle. No matter how good you are, how smart you are, how morally and emotionally impeccable your books - if you fall short of very basic human decency you had the audacity to espouse, you are dead to me.

But of course, that is only my point of view. We are all coping with this differently. I am not saying you are a bad person if you still love his books. I am not saying you are a bad person if you don't anymore, and in fact have a visceral reaction towards the first group. What I intended to be my last post with the Neil Gaiman tag was a statement of the way *I* cope with the situation.

And it's funny to compare this situation with Rowling, because I still have a mild, detached affection for the Harry Potter books - mostly because by the time she publicaly went off the rails, I was out of the active Harry Potter fandom for years and had no parasocial affection for the author herself. Neilman is different. His crimes feel like a personal betrayal, and the only way I can cope with that is either denial they happened (which would of course be terrible), or violent hatred and rejection towards not only him, but everything good he might've brought into my life.

In that way, it's like having a friend to turned out to be a rapist. Funny how that works.

[ohprcr]

🍾 welcome back Minsik!