#And yeah that’s because I would die if anyone treated me that way let alone my mother

[illubean]

can i request headcanons of any hxh characters your choice (preferably including illumi, chrollo, and/or feitan) with a crush on/unestablished relationship with a gender neutral reader who refuses to fully align themselves with anyone but has an incredibly OP ability that requires their blood or body (can shoot blood in like spikes, detach their limbs to chase down and drag back runners, use their blood and/or tears to heal wounds, can just regrow lost limbs including their head, ect.) that would make being on their bad side more trouble then it's worth

so every fight they kind of /have/ to get injured to use it. Plus their ability weirdly doesn't seem to use nen (chrollo can't copy it and gyo doesn't show anything, ect.)

and when they're finally asked about it they're casually like "oh yeah, I'm not human. I was actually created to be an unstoppable force that infects and destroys humanity, but that's honestly too much work. Plus you give me snacks so I'd rather just hit whoever you tell me to." and their reactions to the fact this insanely overpowered goober they've fallen for is a stray shapeshifting little abomination who could have murdered the entire human race and that they're lowkey lucky reader likes getting bribed them so much

(Sorry if that's too long btw, I thought you'd like the idea but I couldn't think of a better way to condense it 😅)

HXH With an Unaligned!OP!Reader

Characters: Illumi Zoldyck, Chrollo Lucilfer, Feitan Portor Type: Headcanons, Gn!reader

i do not like how this came out but posting anyways lol...

Warnings: mentions of blood, experimentation and violence, reader isn't human if that counts as a warning

Illumi Zoldyck

the way you met Illumi was... not ideal to say the least

he was on a job to kill some scientist guy but little did he know scientist guy had quite literally created a monster

the day he was going to do his mission happened to be the day your power was finally realized

annnndddd Illumi walked in on you killing scientist guy and literally everyone else who worked for him

you had managed to pop your arms off and launch them like missiles, turn your blood into weapons and spikes around the room and also not die????? and grow your limbs back???????????

the weird part was Illumi couldn't sense any of your aura at all

he just assumed you were a super advanced nen user and were able to still keep up hatsu really well while fighting

which led him to the conclusion that he should either A. run away or B. try and get you on his side

when you noticed him just standing there you turned to stare at him like come at me bitch

"So? Are you here to poke me with more needles like the others? It won't end very well." "Actually I was here for the guy in the lab coat, but it seems like you did the job for me."

realizing he wasn't a threat (or trying to be because you know...you cant die) you let down your guard down

you ended up just following him around after that, not really having anywhere else to go so Illumi decided on plan B

turns out it took a lot less manipulating than he thought

he brought you to the estate and you agreed to help him with whatever for a popeyes chicken sandwich

watching how you wandered around the estate aimlessly and lounged about Illumi quickly realized you only use your abilities when threatened or bribed

so you become his personal little treat fueled killing machine

he takes you on missions with him because he doesn't trust you alone at the estate...

eventually he asks you about how your hatsu is so good and you're like wtf is that

and he's like What.

you tell him you we're pretty much created in that lab and they did all these tests and stuff and you didn't even really know how or why you had the power you did but you found out you did the day you met

and you were all like "they were so annoying and they told me to do stuff for free, I'd never kill you though you feed me :3"

he is so glad you are clueless and he got to you before anyone else because you could take over the entire world if you really wanted to

he is going to marry you ASAP

but again, you being clueless did not understand what marriage entails

and you agreed for the same reasons you agreed to literally anything else this man has asked of you

you are Illumi's most prized possession and no matter how freaky you are, he really does cherish you as normal people would their spouse

Chrollo Lucilfer

running into you on a heist was definitely unexpected

especially since you looked like you just got out of captivity

mistaking him for an enemy you shot your fist off at him and barely missed

and he was like woah im not an opp dw

then your hand grows back and hes like !?

he asked why you were there you explain that you were some sort of war weapon yada yada yada the guys got annoying you killed them and yeah

and Chrollo offers you to come back w him and the troupe and you're like sure if you feed me

so after the heist is over Chrollo takes you back to Phantom Troupe hq and then talks with the gang blah blah blah dismisses everyone and then takes you to wherever the hell and buys you whatever you want to eat

and while you're stuffing your face bro is like

"Your powers are pretty impressive. Mind telling me how they work?"

and not caring you tell him, mainly focused on your meal

and he's like huh what a useful ability time to steal it

one thing leads to another and he somehow gets you to touch his weird book and when he flips to where your nen should be the page is blank and he is insanely confused

and hes like "Why didn't my nen ability work on you?"

and you're like wtf is nen

and hes like oh my god I don't think this thing is human

so he asks

and you're like "I literally told you I'm a war weapon. A weapon created for war, but that's too much work."

now he is confused but also intrigued

he offers for you to join the troupe and you're like

"But being in a gang is so much wooorrrkkkkkuuuuhhhh"

you can literally destroy man kind but you don't because you're LAZY!?

you're not officially part of the troupe but you're practically an honorary member because you follow Chrollo around after your first encounter

and he decides it 's better than nothing

Feitan Portor

I can't think of a clever way for you guys to meet LMAO

umm uhhh idk maybe you were created to take out the chimera ants and happened to get deployed in meteor city the same time the troupe was hunting down the 'queen'

so when the troupe got there you were already fighting some ants

you look human enough but your abilities make Feitan think you might not be

soooo he tries attacking you before he ended up getting to the lizzard ant crocodile lady thing i don't remember what she was

and he couldn't beat you and you're like wtf do you want from me I'm trying to do my job

and hes like ??? you're not an ant?

and youre like no

and hes like oh and leaves you alone

then he throws the entire sun at the ant lady and leaves the building

he kinda forgot about you until he felts something lift the back of his cloak

and he's like !!?!?!??!

and he looks behind him to see you crawled under his coat and took the snacks he hides under there for himself

and he's like what the fuck

how did you even know he had those???? (you could smell it because you have super enhanced everything)

ok i just remembered his cloak got destroyed in this scene but pretend it didn't

anyways he snatches the bottom of it away from you and tries taking the snacks back out of your hands but you are quick to dodge

he's irritated but he just lets you have them he's too tired to deal with this

you end up following him after this like a lost puppy and the rest of the troupe is like ??????

but they can't get rid of you

and on the way out of meteor city you were like yap yap yap weapon yap yap created in a lab yap yap yap immortal

feitan could not care less about what you had to say but he was like ??? to the immortal thing

maybe you weren't a bad thing to keep around

[luimagines]

How would a female hero of courage interact with the chain?

Well- this is certainly a new type of Reader! I know I try to keep Reader as gender neutral as possible so this kinda defeats the purpose... but just once won’t hurt anyone. Consider it done anon!

It'll be in headcanon form. I hope that's ok.

Masterlist

Content under the cut!

Twilight

Weak

Drinks his respect women juice every morning like Uli taught him

And Ilia wouldn’t hear any complaints of it as they grew up

Midna made sure he kept up with his routine

And Zelda was the final nail on the coffin

Can’t say no to whatever she requests

Wild teases him a lot

And by teases, I mean secretly complains

“You let her get away it!”

“Yeah Cub, because I know she wouldn’t hesitate to throw me over her shoulder and call it a day. I’m not getting in her way.”

Doesn’t pay too much attention to it

Frankly, care less about that and more about her age

If she’s younger, she’s getting the same treatment as the rest of the youngins

If she’s older, then the more power to her

She can get away with much more

He’s soft

While others may forget, he tries to keep in mind her need for privacy and space from the boys

Especially since she’s the only girl

On her team, 98% of the time

Warrior

Oh no another one

It’s Linkle all over again

Or so he thinks

Protective to a fault, poor guy

But he’s just Like That TM

Reader would gather really quickly it’s because he cares and not because of anything else

He does the same to Wind and Twilight and Legend and even Time

Warrior is used to female fighters so this isn’t anything for him to blink at

Have you seen his game? It’s like three males total- him included, villains not included

How much do you want to bet that Warrior also knows someone from Reader’s adventure?

You know.... for flavor :D

Warrior is quick to make them feel a part of the team and respected

Warrior is the first one to ask for their opinion on matters and Reader always comes up with a point he (and others) were missing

“Thanks Girlie. I knew you were brought with us for a reason. Glad to know that you’re on our side.”

Big Brother Warrior adopts another one. A Saga

Legend

Is not above sacrificing her to do the work so that he can get out of it

Challenges her at nearly every turn

Even more so than Warrior

And it’s not because she’s female

It’s just that it’s activating his sibling behavior with a vengeance and he’s going to make it her problem

Reader found him annoying, pessimistic, dramatic and hard to get along with

It was like cats and dogs

Even if Legend actually likes her

However Reader gets talked down to in public and Legend goes off

Completely tearing the offender to shreds with his words alone- although he’s tempted to do so physically as well

Reader doesn’t think he’s so bad after that

They judge people outfits together, you honor

They are each other’s ride or die

Legend gets to the point where she’s the only one he listens to without question

The Chain try and get her to talk to Legend when they’re trying to prank him

Reader agrees more than half of the time

Hyrule

A bit of a lost cause...

Has no idea how to approach this

Hella awkward- poor guy

Ignores it on principle

Treats her like one of the guys, only be reminded that she’s not a guy

It’s like a slap in the face every time- he tries so hard to just be normal

Give him a break he’s not used to people as it is

At least the people he’s met so far are nice and she’s nice and different from any of them

Doesn’t want to treat her like glass

Doesn’t want to be too overbearing in a group full of guys

Doesn’t want to treat her as an outcast

Doesn’t want to intrude on her personal space

Is he over thinking it? Oh yeah defiantly

Another hero that means well but is in uncharted territory

However, he’s never been afraid of uncharted territory before and this is no different

He’ll figure it out

Just give him some time

Wind

Big sister?

Someone as cool and kick butt as Tetra?

But like him? With the courage and the whole... not being like the others for whatever reason?

Admiration and following like a puppy

He looks up to the older heroes and obviously tries to emulate them

But something about her hits different

And he wants to do the same

It’s a shame he doesn’t know what it is

Wind is going to talk her ear off

(I hope she has the patients for him XD)

As he can see that Reader is older, he wants to ask questions about his sister, like why girls do x? Or y? Or z?

You know, things that they have in common but for the life of him, he doesn’t know why

So he might as well ask right?

Besides, if he asked Aryll, she might give him a half answer or not even know herself

But Reader should know, he trusts Reader’s judgment

Tries to wrestle her

A lot

Loses

Wild

Younger sister?

Hello? My old heart? How have you been?

He’s going to project so much

He means well by the end of the day and frankly it doesn’t matter if this hero is older than him

He has vague memories of a younger sister and it’s going to eat him alliiivvee

Gives her the best portions of food obviously and naturally serves her first

Will want to go horse back riding with her whether she knows how to or not

He can teach her! He can do archery with her! And sword fighting and shield surfing and cooking and and and and-

So long as his weapons and equipment don’t break on him anyway

He’s going to badger her about keeping her hair in decent condition and offering to braid it or brush it or just put it up for her

Who cares if he still has twigs and junk in his hair? That’s not his point

Is he a hypocrite? ... Just a bit

Might show off from time to time by taking wild animals momentarily just so she can pet them

Cut to Wild riding into camp on a bear

“Sissy! Look what I found!”

“Cub! Put him back!” Said literally everyone in the group.

“He’ll go back home on his own soon enough. I gave him honey glazed salmon as a treat. He’s so soft. Come see!”

Four

Well he just found his new best friend

Second to Zelda, of course

Is the one to ask for help with pranking people (mostly Legend) 

Together, they nearly get away with it every time

Does she know blacksmithing? Is that a thing they teach the girls where she’s from?

It’s likely that she doesn’t

Oh well! Four is just going to have to make sure she’s taken care of

Very protective of her

Is going to get in her way multiple times

But in an accidentally on purpose sort of way

He gets stomped on, trampled and run over more times than he wishes to admit

He knows she can take care of herself, she’s just as much of a hero as all of them are

But Four sees her and sees Zelda and he gets this urge to keep her away from danger at all costs

It’s annoying

But they laugh and poke fun and he tries to tackle her for the hell of it and never succeeds

He means well, but that’s a conversation about to happen

It’s somewhere on the horizon

Time

Oh thank god, someone who knows what they’re doing

Do they? 

Who knows. But Time is going to use their ability to wrangle the boys to his advantage because honestly?

It’s like herding cats otherwise

Or cuccos- at least he has experience with that

Doesn’t think too much of it

Also takes to her on the spot

The change of energy is nice but he’s to reassure her when the case may be

Like when the boys are a bit much or when they’re teasing her

Time says near the beginning of the trip that if they bug her too much to tell him and he’ll set them straight

Not to say that she can’t do it herself but honestly- why should she have to?

Clearly she’s been through enough as it is

They both spend quiet time together

May have fallen asleep on each other at some point

Denies it but also has a picture hidden somewhere in his belongs

No one knows who he stole it from because at least three of them have a copy

And yet he never approached them for it

The mysteries add on with The Old Man

Sky

Literally no different

This guy could not care less

Forgets half of the time

It’s not something he would pay attention to

Has to be genuinely reminded at least once

He’s used to being the “mom friend” so if they help out in that regard Sky is going to give them brownie points

Because these boys don’t care about those things and Sky is tired of having to remind people to chew with their mouth closed-

Help him

He can’t do this alone

Has to be prepared for all things all the time

If Reader could just lighten the load a little bit he would be eternally grateful

He would tell her story for years to come

Granted, he was going to talk about his friends anyway but this one takes special precedence

Is the one she vents to without a second thought

If she can help carry his role in the group than he can be there as her support as well

There’s no difference between the lives of heroes

It’s hard on everyone

[undertale-writing-times]

The yandere prompt “Don’t be scared baby, I’m not mad at you, I never could be mad at you. It’s them.” with Axe would be lovely!

I decided to swap it up a little >w>

Axe has been with Y/n for a few months now. Almost a year! He was very happy that he had a datemate—someone that he could trust and someone who could love him. He was very careful with them all the time! He knew that his claws could cut and his teeth could tear.

He always worried that he would accidentally hurt them.

But the other humans? Yeah, Axe didn’t care too much about them. Some were kind, while others saw the monsters as, well, monsters. Creeps that shouldn’t be above ground. A lot of those people always shouted, “Go back to the underground!” Or “monsters should have all died down there!” and that always made Axe upset.

Sometimes he wished that he did die down there; the ones that died were the ones that got out of it the best. Luckily, slowly, monsters were healing and getting better… even if pretty often cops shot them and monsters were treated badly compared to humans. People always assumed the worst about them.

It made him annoyed.

Today he was at the park, waiting for Y/n to get there, picking at the grass beside him. He liked sitting outside! The soft smell of grass and the breeze made him pretty happy. It was nice to relax and get his mind off stuff.

He should have been paying attention, though, because suddenly he heard a voice, and when he lifted his head, it was because the person seemed to be talking to him. It was a human girl that he didn’t know, but she was glaring at him and pointing at him, “Don’t you know that monsters aren’t allowed in this park?” She spat the word monster like it would make her sick.

“Hmmm… n…no?” he slowly shakes his head, frowning as he listens to her talk. “Anyone is a…llowed here.” He had been getting better with talking over the years of being above ground, though he still sometimes had issues, as he would admit.

The girl starts to shout and yell at him, making him clench his teeth, and he digs his finger tips into the ground under him, tearing through the grass easily. His tail started to whip back and forth quickly, clearly hinting that he was starting to lose his patience. All he had been doing was sitting here! Why was this woman going out of her way to get mad at him? And now people were staring.

He sank down, as if that would make him any less noticeable. He was a giant monster! A full 8’5, giant even when sitting down.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” they both heard, and they both looked to see that it was Y/n! He smiled just a little and raised his hand, waving at them. They rush over and snarl at the lady, “Leave him alone, you crazy woman.”

“Cra- I am just telling this gross monster to go away! He’s breaking the law.”

“Tell me which law, or get the hell away from us!” Y/n shouted, holding up their hand in a fist. The woman seemed to not want to fight because she cursed at Y/n then turned and walked off, huffing and puffing.

Axe looks at Y/n, seeing a strange yet familiar look in their eyes. It was a look that happened whenever other people talked to Axe… he put his arms around them, pulling them close to his chest, and nuzzled them, mumbling, “You okay? Not… mad at me?” he felt like he needed to ask that.

Y/n looks at him and lets out a soft sigh before hugging back and giving him a nuzzle as they mumble, “Don’t be scared, baby; I’m not mad at you; I never could be mad at you. It’s them.” they sigh out slowly and press a kiss to his skull. “I’m sure she won’t bother you again, and if she does, tell me and I’ll handle her.” he looks at them and smiles, nuzzling them back as he purrs.

They had a strange scent to them that reminded him of blood, but he decided not to question it. He was probably just imagining things. 

[badassturtles235147]

TMNT 2012: Father Splinter

LEAVE! SPLINTER! ALONE!

I have been reading these fanficts lately and the hate towards 2012 Splinter involving his love for his children...made me mad. I keep seeing things, like,

"Oh, Splinter favorited Leo and did not care about the rest of them."

Or

"He made Raphael feel so unloved and treated him so hard."

Or

"He loves Karai more than them because she is his bio daughter."

Or!

"Splinter does not care about Karai because he did not raise her."

Are you kidding me? None of this is true! Splinter 2012 is the best dad and sensei, and those who disagree, can fight me on it.

It is so obvious that Splinter loves and cares for his children, equally! He would die for them, he literally, died for them and did everything for them!

He never had a favorite. He never made Raph feel unloved. He does not love Karai more, but he does have a soft spot, like every father has with their daughters. And he does love and care about Karai, as much as his sons, he gets deeply depressed every time something happens to her.

I am going to explain the relationship with each of Splinter's children. Starting with, who everyone thinks is Splinter's favorite...

Hamato Leonardo!

This is very common, and I can kind of understand why you guys think Splinter favorited Leonardo and loved him more, because they spent the most time together and had a deep trust for each other but...no. That theory is far off.

From the start, it was obvious that Leo was an 100% Papa's boy. He respected and idolized Splinter so much, and as for Splinter, it was clear that he put most trust into his eldest son, more than the others but not because he favorited him, because he knew Leo would always watch out for his younger brothers.

Which brings me to, why I think, Splinter and Leo are actually close.

As we all know, Splinter reluctantly allowed the boys to go on the surface, after they guilt tripped him into doing so and after Donnie told him about April, with a heavy heart, he allowed his sons to save her, despite wanting them to stay in the sewers another year.

He chose Leonardo as leader without hesitation but in reality, it was a tough choice to make. The reason it seemed so quick, was because, well Splinter said it himself, he had already decided on it when Leo was much younger.

Leo does have qualities of a good leader. He is responsible, skilled, merciful, fearless, caring, can do well under pressure, and most of all...he is selfless.

What we all know and love about Leo, is that he takes care of others before himself. He is never ever selfish and though it is a great and noble trait, it is a trait Splinter slightly hates.

For one reason...

One thing we all know about Leo...is that he would sacrifice himself in order to protect his family.

Just like how Tang Shen had sacrificed herself to save her's.

I like to think that Leo, reminds Splinter of Tang Shen in some ways. I mean, it is clear that they both carried heroic and selfless traits but what scared Splinter the most about that, was that he knew, if it came down to it, Leo would sacrifice his own life to save another's.

No second thought. No hesitation.

We have seen Leo almost throw his life away willingly, time and time again. It no doubt scared Splinter.

I know he said, "When the world is at risk, it does not matter what you sacrifice...or who" but he said those words as a sensei, not as a father. It looked to me like he did not want to say those words at all but had to.

So yeah, I think that one of the reasons, why the two are close is because Leo carries traits of Shen that scare Splinter and he felt like he always needed to keep an eye on him and take care of him because Leo would not do it himself.

Leo takes care of everyone! His brothers, Karai, April, and even Casey.

But who takes care of Leo?

Clear answer - Splinter.

Because Leo does not know how to take care of himself!

He never confinds into anyone, unless pushed, never asks for help, and he never let his problems become everyone else's because he does not want to worry anyone. He hates being taken care of instead of the one caring.

That is how Splinter became the one Leo confinds in. He barely ever tells his brothers his troubles, because he does not want to worry them, but Splinter always needs to know what is wrong with his eldest son because he knows, if he does not, Leo would hold it in until he becomes too much to bear.

Though Leo is not the reckless type, he is reckless when it comes to himself and his health.

Splinter does not talk to Leo often because he is the favorite but because he worries the most about Leo. Leo takes care of his brothers and friends, but Splinter makes sure that Leo is also taken care of.

Being Leader comes with a heavy burden, Splinter understands and knows that well, it is the one thing that Splinter and Leo have in common.

Being Leader is not an easy job, it is a stressful and life in dangerous one. One move, one decision, and the whole mission could fail, and Leo's brothers could get hurt.

His whole childhood, Leo's only mission was to look out for his younger brothers. When you are a single parent, like Splinter, usually the eldest helps out, taking a bit of a parenting role.

Mostly, a mom. lol. "What kind of trouble could they get into?" Leo mocked Raph when he tried to get Leo not to worry about Mikey and Casey.

Despite being fearless, Leo obviously worries about his younger brothers as well as his father often. Those worries no doubt spiked when he became Leader and saw how dangerous real missions are.

Leo no doubt had a lot of self-doubt and fears of losing his brothers, at failing them. Failure is not something Leo is used to, it was never an obtion for him because in his young mind, he convinced himself that he has to always be perfect. The perfect son, the perfect brother and the perfect leader.

When in reality, perfect is not a reality, only a wish that everyone has but never achieve. Splinter tried to dig that into Leo's stubborn head. That there are no wrong choices, just choices and some things are just out of one's control.

Leo was so determined to be the best leader he imagines himself to be that he did not listen at first but to Splinter and his brothers, he already was the best. Leo just could not see that himself.

As much as Splinter did not want him to be too overconfident, he did not want his son to be too hard on himself either. Yes, Leo still has much to learn, that is why Splinter is always training alone with him, because he needs to teach his son how to lead.

He constantly has to be a guide for Leonardo, until he was able to do it himself. As mature as Leo was, he was still a child, and Splinter wished he would have stayed that way, him and his brothers, but fate had other plans and now, Splinter must prepare them for the worst of the worst.

The first time that Leo complains about his role and how he feels like his brothers does not respect them, Splinter understands but he also needs to make Leo understand that respect, is not something one gets, it is earned, and it is not something any self-respected leader, should act immature about.

Splinter agrees that his brothers should respect Leo more, but he also understands that his brothers do not mean any harm and are just arrogant with the burden their eldest brother carries. That is until Raphael step into his shoes and saw for himself.

Though Splinter did not like that Leo handed over his role to his second son, it was probably the best choice to get Raph to realize why Leo is leader, why Splinter chose him, and understand the pressure that his brother is always under.

So, Splinter is not giving Leo special attention, he is just preparing him and helping him with his role as leader, until he was grown enough to handle it fully on his own.

Leo can talk to Splinter about anything. There are never any secrets. (Except if he does something that he thinks Splinter would not be too happy about)

Leo also tries to know what is in his father's head, wanting to help him and make sure he is happy but Splinter, being too prideful, always has to be pushed in order to do so.

He held on to a painful heavy secret about finding out that Karai is his daughter Miwa for a long time, until Leo finally begged Splinter to trust him and to open up.

Splinter did because he did not want to make Leo feel like he did not trust him and he knew, Leo would not go tell his brothers, if Splinter did not wish him to.

Despite being a bad liar, Leo knew how to keep secrets. But after a while, he advice that Splinter tell the others.

So, I believe, while Splinter is constantly keeping an eye on Leo and is his guide, Leo is Splinter's voice of reason. Leo always seems to know what to say or what to do, to get Splinter to listen and not act so stubbornly (Which no doubt took years of practice, judging by how Splinter is stubborn as hell)

Examples:

"Sensei, we know you're trying to protect us, but we can't spend are whole lives hiding down here."

"Remember who you are! Hamato Yoshi!"

"Please, Sensei, tell me, trust me."

"I told you; he is too powerful! Even for me..."

"But Master Splinter, if the one time we could use your help, it's now."

So while Leo is constantly depending on his father to help him make the right choices with his leadership, Leo is also making sure that Splinter is not thinking too stubbornly or rashly.

Despite Leo never purposely disobeying Splinter or going against his word, there were a few times when the two disagreed on something and when Leo claimed his father, all wise Splinter, was wrong.

Especially when it involved Karai.

Leo wanted nothing more than to help his sister and to save her from Shredder. Leo cared about Karai, despite everything she did, he knew it was not her fault.

The other brothers at first did not agree with him, still mad at Karai for everything she has ever done to them but they slowly realized their wrongs and was willing to help.

Splinter, however, was not. Not when Shredder could kill all five of them in an instant.

"Isn't it worth it to save your own daughter?" Leo tried to convince him and it had hurt Splinter, but still, losing all of his children, was too great of a risk. "I am not willing to risk your lives or my daughter's!"

Though Leo had agreed not to, he went anyway, showing that Leo was slowly growing into his own leader. (Proud of you Leo for that bit of rebellion:) )

Leo slowly but surely, started to let go of his father always holding his hand, and started to make decisions on his own without his father's advice or guidance or permission and Splinter...slowly started to let them go.

Splinter his always going to be Leo's greatest hero. Since Leo was young, he has always tried to be like his father (And Captain Ryan), to be wise and strong like him, but Leo is not like Splinter.

I believe Splinter was flattered that his eldest wanted to be like him but at the same time, I believe he did not want him to. He wanted Leo to be himself and find his own way.

As much as Splinter hated it when his children did not listen or disobeyed, he also knew that young one's must discover their own way, make their own mistakes and find out who they are.

That is why Splinter told Leo to follow his heart.

Though Leo is always going carry his father's lessons in his heart, he has learned to be his own leader and to make his own decisions.

And Splinter, is very proud of the young leader he became and knew he would be fine, as long as he had his brothers and friends, he would be fine without him there to watch over him.

In conclusion, Splinter and Leo, have an open, honest, father and son relationship. It is not that Leo is the 'favorite', he just admires his father so much and Splinter is always just trying to help Leo.

And you know what, some siblings are just closer with their parents than others, does not necessarily mean that they are the favorite.

What do you think? Let me know! Raphael is next~

[desm0dus-draculae]

Yeah I act like I hate most people or I’m above them or I’m so so solitary but the truth is I’m just an autistic little bitch who sacrifices so much for people who don’t appreciate or deserve it, only to have no friends, so I like to pretend my social inabilities are actually parts of being a magical creature so I am not completely crushed by loneliness or extreme loving and longing.

Really, I’m too passionate about others for my own good. Being a vampire is kind of a way to train myself to stop being so dedicated to people who will take advantage of my kindness to manipulate or hurt me (doesn’t stop that from happening though). I mean, I’ve skirted around the law for incarcerated people because I wanted to be their friend and wanted them to feel like somebody cared for them. Whenever somebody, even people who shouldn’t have any impact on me, hurts me in some way, I’m crushed to the point of a depressive spiral, blaming everything on myself and trying to find a way to fix everything for them, not me. In my mind, I am a horrific, ugly person who doesn’t deserve a single friend, let alone any love.

What is a better antithesis to this than a vampire? Most consider the actions of humans to be insignificant, and many would fight back and make their emotions known if hurt. Yes, they are monsters, but revel in that fact, seeing their imperfections as impossible beauties. They don’t need to make soul-crushing sacrifices for a smidge of affection, they know what they are worth and don’t grovel for what they know they deserve more of.

To make a long story short, I was born to be a vampire, but it’s only when I really recognize how I treat myself and my life that I really feel like one. Deep down, the vampire me knows what I deserve and how I should act, but it isn’t often it can win over my people-pleasing, self-sacrificing, mopey human side. I really, really don’t hate mortals. I will eventually die too. In fact, something I say quite often is that I love everyone, and I can’t say that isn’t true. I’m not above anyone and I don’t enjoy being lonely, indulging in those stereotypical vampire traits just keeps me from feeling so useless and horrible.

Please don’t think all the otherkin things I say about myself are entirely indicative of who I am!! I’m a good vampire!! I swear I don’t bite!!

[vickyvicarious]

I think the letter DID look sus to some olden readers too, given how the "Hawkins" in Nosferatu deliberately sends "Jonathan" to become prey for his own gain. So it's another interpretation to me :p

Though canonically I think Mr Hawkins cared about Jonathan but, like you said, he was likely very much an employer and not openly fatherly. Jonathan's reaction to the praise indeed seems like he doesn't get it that often. Mina did say that Mr Hawkins only treated Jonathan like a son now at the end of his life. And neither of them expected to be in his will! And Jonathan at the hospital "writes" very professionally to him (pretty much "I apologize for the delay, however, I got the job done"). But despite that, Jonathan was attached to him emotionally (see his "second father" when he is sure he's going to die).

(sorry I tapped send before I could clarify that the first paragraph refers to Nosferatu!)

Oh yeah, it's definitely possible to read Hawkins' letter as ominous/sketchy. I just am really attached to Hawkins' and Jonathan's relationship, so it doesn't occur to me to go there unless I try. But it's not a giant leap to make based off this letter! I am not familiar with Nosferatu myself (or more film adaptations actually) but I think there's a lot to play with in making this relationship too more using Jonathan.

Anyways, back to Hawkins and Harker... I agree with you. I think they both put on a professional attitude with one another and it really was only internally that they expressed how much they actually cared. So Jonathan isn't used to seeing much praise from Hawkins, and would never think to ask for it/initiate emotional exchanges, but he has worked decently closely with him for a while. I feel like even with Mina he might not say anything about just how much care he has for Mr. Hawkins outside of "he's a very good boss and I admire him a lot," because I think even expressing such a feeling one-sidedly and in private would feel like he is overstepping. (But I imagine she'd still be able to tell based on how he talks about him/how proud he gets when Mr. Hawkins entrusts him with a new responsibility or whatever.)

I personally think Mr. Hawkins probably has thought of Jonathan quite fondly for a while now, but not in a way he'd be comfortable expressing openly. He remains professional and just a boss interested in fostering talent, and if he privately pays more attention to how Jonathan is doing than he would someone else, no one has to (gets to) know. But even though he has felt warmly towards him, a lot of his actions later on in the book are motivated by guilt and loneliness. I do like to imagine that Hawkins sometimes thought of eventually entrusting the firm to Jonathan if he proved himself over time, but the speed at which it happened was dictated strongly by his guilt that he had sent Jonathan on that trip and whatever happened out there all but destroyed him. Add in the fact that Hawkins was getting extremely sick (and thus likely more sentimental as he neared his own death), possibly to an unexpected degree since gout alone wasn't usually fatal... Basically I feel like he went all-in very quickly on 'making it up to' Jonathan as well as opening the flood-gates of treating him like a son and being much more demonstrative with his care. Because, after all, Jonathan was such a good kid and he really didn't have anyone else in his life based on the funeral attendance. He wanted to leave this world with some kind of family at his side. Not to say his feelings of love weren't genuine, but they would not have been expressed that way under normal circumstances (and he might not have even realized how much he cared until Jonathan had been missing for a while). I bet it felt like a very abrupt change to come home to, but a welcome one. The kind of thing Jonathan might daydream about if he ever let himself go there, but which he would never actually expect in reality.

But pre-castle... yeah, I envision it all as quite professional on the surface on both ends.

[thatswhatsushesaid]

"JGY would have to have a heart for that to happen" I'm not even a hardcore JGY stan but that made me so mad like ??? JL mourned for him in the aftermath of Guanyin Temple iirc and if there was truly no affection LXC would not be secluded in canon lmao

this is unrelated but I also have to laugh bc yeah SMS is bitter but like. So is the majority of the cast in some way??? especially LWJ (I saw a tag somewhere describing him as Snapecore and...I mean....I can't quite disagree)

jin ling is gutted by his death in the novel AND in cql! like it is more explicit in the novel because the text gives us a glimpse of his interiority, showing us that moment in his childhood where jin guangyao gifts him fairy, who is his lifelong companion!

Fairy was waiting anxiously outside for his master, barking a couple of times. Hearing the barks, Jin Ling suddenly remembered that when Fairy was still a clumsy little puppy that couldn’t even reach his knees, Jin GuangYao was the one who brought it over.

Back then, he was only a few years old. He fought with the other children of Koi Tower, and didn’t feel satisfied even after he won, smashing everything in his room as he bawled his eyes out. None of the maids and servants dared approach him, afraid to be hit.

Grinning, the younger uncle of his snuck inside to ask, “A-Ling, what’s wrong?” He immediately smashed half a dozen vases beside Jin GuangYao’s feet. Jin GuangYao, “Uh-oh, how fierce. I’m so scared.” He shook his head as he left, pretending to be scared.

The second day, Jin Ling refused to go outside or eat anything as he sulked. Jin GuangYao walked around right outside his room. With his back against the door, Jin Ling shouted to be left alone, and suddenly the bark of a puppy came from outside the door.

He opened the door. Half-squatting, Jin GuangYao had in his arms a glistening-black puppy with round, wide eyes. He looked up and smiled, “I found this little thing but I don’t know what to call it. ALing, do you want to give it a name?”

The smile was so kind, so genuine that Jin Ling couldn’t believe Jin GuangYao faked it. All of a sudden, tears fell from his eyes again.

Jin Ling had always thought crying was a sign of weakness, treating such an act with contempt. Yet, apart from a flood of tears, there was no other way to release the pain and anger in his heart.

He didn’t know why, but he felt like he couldn’t hate or blame anyone. Wei WuXian, Jin GuangYao, Wen Ning—every one of them should be responsible to some extent for the deaths of his parents, every one of them gave him a reason to loathe them with all he had. But it also seemed like every one of them gave him a reason that made him unable to do so. But if he didn’t hate him, whom could he hate? Did he deserve to lose both his parents when he was young? Was he not only able to seek revenge, but also unable to hate someone purely and entirely?

He somehow didn’t want to let go. He felt wronged. He’d rather die together with them and end everything.

- EXR translation pg 1019

he is crying from pain and betrayal and ALSO the loss of jin guangyao specifically, which the next passage makes clear:

Watching him cry soundlessly as he stared at the coffin, Sect Leader Yao asked, “Young Master Jin, why are you crying? For Jin GuangYao?”

Seeing that Jin Ling said nothing, Sect Leader Yao spoke in a tone with which seniors often scolded juniors of their sect, “What are you crying for? Hold back your tears. Someone like your uncle doesn’t deserve anyone’s tears. Young Master, I mean no offense, but you can’t be so weak! This is the kindness of the fairer sex. You should know what’s right and what’s wrong, and straighten up your...”

If this were at the time the leader of LanlingJin Sect was still the Chief Cultivator who led the entire world of cultivation, the sect leaders of other sects would never have had the guts to patronize the Jin Sect’s disciples no matter what. Right now, Jin GuangYao had died already. Nobody was able to uphold the LanlingJin Sect. Its name had also been pretty much ruined, and likely it wouldn’t be able to rise again in the future, thus some people dared.

Jin Ling had thousands of thoughts and feelings whirling around in his heart in the beginning. Hearing Sect Leader Yao’s comments, a fire surged into his heart. He roared, “So what if I want to cry?! Who are you? What are you? Won’t leave me alone even for crying?!”

Sect Leader Yao didn’t expect to be shouted at either. He was a sect leader that had some fame as well.

pg 1020

....also i'm low key losing my mind over someone describing lwj as snapecore lmfao

[makingspiritualityreal]

Firstly, I love your posts soo much!!

Maybe it is the effect of pluto and sun transiting the Aquarius!! that I have an idea..just hear me out.

I wish there were some free open astrology forums that helped people by telling them one positive life event that individual can look forward to based on their charts.

In fact, it would be so nice if the predictive astrology could start offering predictions about more positive events to look forward to such that it becomes slightly easy to bear with what's happening at the present.

Just saying...

💛

Are Predictions Important in Astrology?

I appreciate your message, and it is an excellent time to talk about my perspective on the subject.

I am not a fan of predictive Astrology. I say this as a person who completely understands how it is to feel such despair that you feel like you can't go on another second without having the assurance that your life will get better soon. That's also why people turn to more abstract means of divination, such as tarot.

However, these tools should be used to understand the flow of your life and what your current growth path is about. They're not a take out menu that you pick from. Insistence on predictions has caused many astrologers to be treated very instrumentally. Some people think a psychic is someone who's supposed to just deliver the version of the future that the client is going to like to hear. "you will get married in a year and it will be a June wedding" yeah right lol.

I know many good astrologers. I have yet to see even the best ones I know make a single accurate prediction. When events such as death, loss or illnesses in my family were happening, it was always a surprise. We're not supposed to know such things. Fun fact, my psychic abilities were tingling, up to a year ahead even, but I always ignored them in key moments.

I will explain it to you through an example. My mother died prematurely when I was barely out of high school. She was a single mother, and her death put me on the outs with the rest of my family, that showed their true colours in a difficult situation. It was a shock to everyone because she was very physically healthy and fit, and way too young to die and yet it happened.

A year before her death, she left me alone for the summer in the condo where I grew up with her. I was working in my hometown at that time, in between college semesters, and she found an extra paid summer job with some of our family members that live abroad. It was the first time in my life, that I was without her for that long, and to be frank, I loved the independence, like any very young person does when you let them "off the leash". I remember very clearly the day she left. We used to have family pictures taped to a glass door on a living room cabinet. My grandfather was an avid photographer and we always had plenty of photos with him around. One of the pictures was a close up of my eyes. Because the glass cabinet was positioned close to the living room window, the sun was always streaming in on it. That can cause discoloration in printed photos. On that day, the picture of my eyes had the sun leave long marks on it in such a way, that they looked like tears.

I believe this to be the strongest psychic experience I've ever had, even though I still had years of spiritual learning ahead of me at that point. Because upon seeing that picture, I knew my mom was going to die, and that it was going to cause grief in my life, even though it took over a year for that prediction to come true. I never told anyone about it, and never took that feeling seriously.

Why? Because it was so unbelievable. Because logic was against it. Because I had my own personal feelings and egoic consciousness, that had completely different feelings and desires about my life circumstances. And because it wasn't yet the time of my life when I was mature enough to treat my spiritual journey seriously.

And that is how it was meant to be at the time. Looking back on it now, I remember the feeling of prediction more as a moment of awareness. It was like seeing an inevitable chain of events unfold. Something in my consciousness was smart enough to be able to see so far ahead. Spiritually, I believe it was a warning from my spirit guides, and in a way a friendly one. "Get used to being alone and handling life alone for more than one summer vacation because it's soon gonna become your reality". But I couldn't take it seriously, because my mom and I were fighting a lot at that time, so missing her was not what I had in mind at all. I craved independence, and that feeling was my reality, which I took more seriously than some abstract premonition. In a way, knowing didn't really help me at all in the moment.

And that situation shows perfectly what the problem is with predictions. Human beings are limited by their egos and their flaws and their lack of perspective. That makes them reject whatever doesn't currently fit into their narrative. People don't want a real prediction. They want to hear they're going to get the cookie they're craving. Then they want it over and over and over again.

I understand my journey now, so many years after all these events. But it took so much growing up, that no prediction would ever fix.

There is always something to look forward to in life. Don't try to control it, and let it come to you. When the Universe wants to put you through a certain experience, it will, and there is nothing you can do about it.

[docholligay]

Hood by Emma Donoghue

My wife loved this book when she was a young gay depressed Catholic, and I think you would have to be to put up with Pen. Even she said she didn't like it anymore, as an adult with a marriage and life.

This is about being gay in the 90s in Ireland, and I guess when you don't have a lot of choices, you spend your life with the girl you've been with since high school even if she treats you like shit, even if she steps out on you, even if she tells you that she sometimes just wants to run away from you, that you loving her is too much. But don't worry, she'll always come back to you, and, by the way, you can work while I volunteer or whatever I want to do, so, that's great too. I'm just too ~Cara~ to have a job. By the end of it, I was sitting here like, "Pen, the only good thing Cara ever did for you is die."

I was going to punch Pen in the face. My god, girl. I know it is rough being gay in a place where that is not okay, but you don't actually have to sacrifice your self-respect. We flash back to a time when they were walking together, and Cara literally ran away from her, ran and left her alone, far and fast, and when Pen saw her later, all she says is, "I just wanted to get away from you" and Pen remembers this with hurt YEARS later, and Cara never remembers it.

The only person I like in this novel is Kate, Cara's sister who moved to the US when she was young and is there with Pen going, "Oh no, I'm never coming back here ahahah, I was impatient for Ireland to catch up, so I fucking left. Don't call me Cáit, I haven't let anyone call me that since I left school and it's not my fuckin name anymore" Which is interesting in a number of ways, but also because...the author basically fucked off to Canada from Ireland, so Jill tells me, and I'm wondering if that isn't the author saying a little bit, "Yeah some of Pen's ruts are Pen's problems. You can just leave, girl!" Kate and Cara are the only two you ever see really refusing to take what they're given, and we see Pen have feelings for Kate, also, so it might be that Pen is so useless in that way that she needs a person who is willing to destroy anything to be where they want to be. To run, and leave everything behind and down with love, and home.

All of which would have been fine but the narrative seems to think that Pen is tragic rather than admit that she is part of the fucking problem here, and she made her bed in a lot of ways. This is probably a fine book for other people, but for me the ending with...what? Her getting to finally be friends, at least for one night, with Cara's friends, I'm supposed to consider that happiness? Maybe. Maybe it could be, and I think I would have liked the ending a LOT better, actually--It's not bad in and of itself--minus the fact that we have hundreds of pages of Pen being a sad, sad doormat and then alternately mourning the boots that won't tread on her anymore.

[aria-ashryver]

Taking the opportunity on the @choicesfandomappreciation 🌸Self-Love Day🌸 to write myself a goddamn love letter because hell yeah, me @ me, look at you go!!!

A little sad that I haven’t seen anyone on my tl showing themselves the love an appreciation they are due, so to anyone who happens to see this: you are so worthy of love.

There is one person who is going to be by your side 100% of the way, every second of your life, and that’s you. Be your own best friend. One of the sweetest acts of rebellion you can seize in a world that wants nothing more than your continued pain and conformity is to take a stand and love yourself without shame.

You are so important, sunshine. I’m proud of you for being here 💛

On that note!

(Burying the rest of this under the cut, bc I myself am inherently a walking trigger warning at this point.

TW: incurable cancer / illness / mentions of death)

Dear Aria,

Been a bit of a shitty year, huh? 🌻

If things had gone your way, you’d be halfway through your first pregnancy by now. Instead, the only thing in your body is, to quote your oncologist, one of the worst tumors he’d seen in his entire medical career.

You didn’t ask for this. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would ever ask to get sick, let alone to land themselves a diagnosis of cancer so aggressive it had already metastasised in the time between diagnosis and your first dose of chemotherapy. 

This could have gone really, really bad. A diagnosis like this, even ten or fifteen years ago -- you’d be dead by now. Five to ten years ago, you’d have won a few years to settle your affairs; you’d have lost your ability to walk when they operated on the cancer in your hip bones, more mobility, depending on whether they operated on the cancer in your spine.

Had they operated to excise the tumor in your breast tissue and your lymph nodes right at the time of diagnosis ~6 months ago, you’d have needed a full mastectomy. A couple weeks later, and your tumor was so large, they couldn’t have safely operated on you anyway. Another week and you found out you were stage 4, not stage 2. 

Stage 4 cancer patients aren’t a good candidate for surgery, as it happens. They might yet turn you down. Once your cancer has metastisised, that’s kind of it. You’re up shit creek, my love. You’re in “incurable” territory. You can (and will!) get rid of the tumors with chemo -- and your oncologist is pushing the surgery department to treat you as functionally stage 3, because, by no small miracle, the cancer in your bones is showing signs of sclerosis I.e. repair.

You are healing. 

But the cancer is going to come back. It might come back as ovarian cancer next time, or lymphoma, but the doctors are certain that, left untreated, that “next time” is guaranteed.

Its okay though, honey. You got onto a really good chemo regime, and part of your treatment plan is preventative medicine. Yes, it’s going to mean hospital visits for the rest of your life. But it’s gonna be every three weeks, instead of weekly. It’s gonna mean visits that last only an hour or two, instead of like seven. 

…Yes, it will mean you can never carry a child. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know that is one of the things that broke your heart the most. But you always wanted to adopt. That dream of a family isn’t dead and buried, and neither are you. You and me, we are going to keep it that way, ‘kay?

I know you are exhausted. But you are facing this beast with relentless joy, and I’m proud of you for that.

I know you are terrified that the chemo will stop working. I know you don’t want to die. You won’t. That isn’t your story. You have too much joy to grow and too many smiles to bring to let this be your final chapter. 

I know you are sicker than you let on, to anyone, maybe even to yourself. But you know what the really cool thing is, though all of this?

✨You’re still writing.✨

Your nails have shredded away from their beds as the chemo attacks your cells, but you are still writing.

The nerves in your hands, in your arms, are getting progressively more damaged, but you are still writing.

Your regime is one of the more intense ones; you come home from treatments and your grasp of language is all but gone; it is impossible to think straight… but you take a deep breath, and refuse to get frustrated at yourself for something that is not your fault, and you. Keep. Writing.

Sometimes you have to step back from your laptop because the nausea is too much; your muscles are cramping so terribly you can’t possibly sit at your desk for another second; the headaches split your skull open.

Constant nose bleeds. Blurred vision. Fatigue so intense you don’t even have the energy to cry about it. So many injections and IV lines you're getting scars on your hands.

Through it all, you come back, and you write.

You’ve been handed a diagnosis out of nowhere that could have broken a lot of people. I know at times it would be easier to crawl back in bed and put your life on hold while you try to get better. Instead, you’ve said “nah, respectfully, fuck that” and tried your damndest to find something to smile about every day.

I know your lung capacity is reduced from the chemo toxicity, so you can’t really sing any more. Your heart’s capacity to pump blood around your body is damaged, so you can’t go dance like an idiot in your bathroom any more when you need a pick-me-up (let’s be real, you looked like a dork anyway). And write now, writing is so, so, so fucking hard.

(Not that anyone would believe that, based on the length of this post lol. But people don’t see how many times you’ve had to take a break to shake the pain from your hands. Because you try not to talk about it. But now is the time to talk about it. Now is the time to say: I see you, my love. I see how much you are hurting, and I’m proud of you that you’ve chosen to keep on going.)

You are going to get better. You’ll live with the potential for more cancer for the rest of your life, yes, but you’ll live. You’ll live, and you’ll write.

(Hey, did you know you've managed to add 63,721 words to your longfic since your diagnosis? And done a lot of original worldbuilding and lore and nuanced character studies? Good job! Cool story! Hell yeah, queer vampires! 🖤🩸🥰🦇🔥💪💓)

You have stories to tell.

The story for today is I love you.

The story for today is they all lived happily ever after.

Don’t let that light go out 💛 I'm rooting for you.

All my love,

Aria

xx

[sofreddie]

The Parts You Hide

Summary: Sam hates being Dean's secret.

Characters: Bisexual!Sam x Closeted Bisexual!Dean

Warnings: Wincest (Not Related), M/M, Angst, Implied Smut

SW: Sam/Dean (@samwinchesterbingo)

DEAN BINGO: SECRETLY DATING (@spndeanbingo)

LGBTQ: Secret Relationship (@lgbtqbingo)

WC: 724

A/N: This sort of feels like a possible sequel to 'Omega In Need', but it's not because I want to take that story in a different direction. So this is a stand-alone piece.

Sam sat quietly at the end of the bed, watching as his lover redressed after their romp in the sheets. He sighed heavily. He should be used to it by now. It was the same every time for the year they had been together. He would dress. And he would leave.

"You okay, Sammy?"

The deep, gravelly voice of his lover brought his attention back into focus.

"Yeah," Sam sighed with a tight smile, turning his gaze back to his feet. Sam felt the bed dip beside him, the warmth of another person reaching out to him.

"You wanna try that again?"

"Dean-" Sam protested, feeling on the verge of tears but not about to let himself cry.

"Did I hurt you?" Dean inquired. "I know I got a little worked up, but we haven't seen each other in a while-"

"Maybe we'd see each other more if you stopped hiding me," Sam spat as he angrily rose from his seat and began pacing the room.

When Sam met Dean, he was immediately swept away by the handsome man with the stunning green eyes. Dean made him feel seen and loved and wanted. He made him feel like less of a freak. Dean was bisexual just like him, enjoying men and woman depending on the mood.

Things were different with Dean, though. The way he touched and held Sam. The way he would sometimes fuck him senseless, or sometimes be so slow and gentle Sam thought he might die from the intimacy.

But Sam quickly realized that anytime they saw each other in public, they were just friends. Even worse, Dean had a reputation for being a ladies' man, a love-em-and-leave-em type. Everyone thought he was straight and he wanted to keep it that way. It made Sam's stomach churn.

"Sam, we talked about this-"

"No, you talked and you decided, Dean."

The silence between them was thick and heavy. Dean couldn't meet Sam's eyes.

"I can't keep being your dirty little secret, Dean." Sam accused. "I'm in love with you. With all of you, even the parts you hide."

"Sam," Dean shook his head. "I can't…no one can know."

Dean's words cut him deep.

"Then maybe this should end," Sam stated in defeat, dressing quicker than he ever had before and trying to ignore the aches he usually cherished.

Dean froze at Sam's words. He didn't want it to end. But he wasn't ready for anyone to know about them. Maybe he never would be. He never expected to grow feelings for the beautiful younger man, but they snuck up on him and smacked him like a truck.

But he still couldn't let anyone know.

"Maybe I should go," Dean said as he worked his way to the door. "Give you some space."

"And that!" Sam added, pointing his finger at Dean. "You always leave. You never stay with me after you get what you came for. Is that all I am to you? A secret, dirty fuck?!"

"You know you mean more than that," Dean responded, his tone far too calm.

It wasn't the first time they'd had this argument. Dean would promise to try and Sam would let him back in. The calmness in Sam's tone told him Dean was done having to do this again and again. He wanted Sam to just accept what they had.

"Maybe you should go," Sam challenged. "If we can't be more than this…if we can't have a normal relationship…" Sam shook his head, unwilling to vocalize those thoughts completely, but it was enough for Dean to get the point.

Dean didn't want to lose Sam, but he just couldn't see how they could ever have a normal relationship. His friends and family just wouldn't understand. Everyone would look at him differently, and treat him differently. Maybe Sam just needed to cool off. They could talk about it again when he wasn't so emotional.

At the click of the door, Sam let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He'd made up his mind. When Dean inevitably showed up again, he would turn him away and end things for good. It didn't matter that he said it many times before. He meant it this time. He deserved to be more than just another part of Dean that he hid from the world.

PART 2

FOREVERS:

@lyarr24

@hobby27

@kazsrm67

@maliburenee

@440mxs-wife

@writercole

@spnbaby-67

@all-alone-he-turns-to-stone

@leigh70

@laycblack

DEAN WINCHESTER:

@slamminmine

@deandreamernp

@awkward-and-indecisive

@akshi827878

SAM WINCHESTER:

@b3autyfuldisast3r

[bread-and-roses-too]

I honestly think my opinions on the whole proship/antiship thing boil down to:

Representation matters, anyone in a minority group knows that. I got more bold about my queer identity when I realized I wasn't alone. In the same way, abusers feel more bold when they see people fetishizing and normalizing abuse. It's important for us to remember that abusers are, at the end of the day, people. They also to a certain extent seek validation for their actions. Portraying abuse as ok and even sexy in fiction is that validation. Just because your fiction doesn't directly harm someone doesn't mean you aren't encouraging harm. Don't give abusers fuel to justify their behaviors and we won't have a problem.

It also annoys me when people say "well we consume violent media and that doesn't make us violent or encourage violence" as an excuse to fetishize abuse because 1) violence can be and often is justified in media that glorifies it, and 2) glorification of senseless violence can be dangerous. You know how we don't give serial killers cool names anymore? Yeah, that's because treating serial killers like celebrities can cause copycats to appear or encourage killers to rack up a body count worthy of the the name.

I don't believe consuming media that fetishizes abuse will turn someone into an abuser, but I do believe based on the evidence we have that allowing media that encourages abuse to thrive is dangerous. Because any law banning works that fetishize abuse would also likely hit some people writing about their own experience being abused as collateral, it's up to the court of public opinion to let abuse fetishization die in the dark. That's also why I don't excessively talk about the whole shipping drama (also because I think reducing abuse prevention to "shipping drama" is vile).

[crazy-fangirl2524]

Why all for the game series got us all so hooked

An attempt at combining everything I’ve read on tumblr and recent (re)discovery I have from rereading the books for the fourth time:

We all know it’s the characters. But why? Yeah they are real and raw and resonant with us. Neil and Andrew and Kevin and foxes story captivated us. Let’s start with Neil:

Neil Josten. A runaway that stated so many times how alone and lonely he is. How he is a nobody. He insisted on all that and couldn’t care more or less for his teammates throughout the first book. But his character development is astounding. We can see him actually choosing to stay in the end of the first book. When he decided to strike a deal with Andrew who he didn’t trust at all to stay. He rationalised it at Andrew letting him stay because Andrew was the main antagonist throughout the first book even though we have been hinted throughout the book that the real threat to Neil’s life is his father. So he deal with the easier one first.

Then in the second book, we can see glimpse of how he is becoming “real” and how his teammates treat him as a friend but he didn’t even realise and in just less than half a year he managed to have friends and by the end of the second book he is literally willing to die for them. He cares for them. His teammates care for him. And most importantly andrew.

Yeah Andrew is the main focus and let’s just say all of us were as shocked as Neil at his confession in the third book (unless we all knew from the start but) even after reading the books multiple times. It is actually not that obvious that Andrew likes Neil. Because neil himself didn’t notice.

Here is a sidetracked paragraph about the narration. The narration is flawless. The pov is strictly neil and it is so neil that all he cares about is exy and survival and so that’s all we cared about in the first book. But as his priorities shift in the second book. We begin to care for the others too. He doesn’t waste his time describing the setting of places or cloths or people. There are barely any descriptions except for the court and during the exy games. Until the third book when neil begin describing Andrew when he realised his feelings. The narration got us hooked from the start when he didn’t even tell us his real name until riko said it. And the narration allow us to feel his fear and confusion and apathy and did it so seamlessly that we can’t help but fall in love with exy as neil did and slowly for Andrew and the foxes and of course neil himself.

People talked about the plot holes and ridiculous plot of yakuza and a fake sport and shit but is the plot really that ridiculous? There are books about faeries and vampires and romances where it literally would never happen in real life and people want to argue that a make up sport and yakuza is plot holes??? The fast pace plot itself is what got me hooked first and not the characters (but the characters are what made me stay) the pacing and narration is perfect and I don’t know why people cant see it. Everything make sense and it is all possible just because it’s not the usual thing that is written in books and do I have to remind you all this is an entirely fictional series??

Now onto Andrew. Andrew minyard is first presented as the antagonist and one of the threats and then into a teammate Neil valued and then suddenly boom he is the freaking love interest. We were as shock as Neil at first but rereading for the nth time it is so obvious from the way neil can understand Andrew whereas even his family and those closest to him couldn’t. Not for the lack of trying though (yes they all tried, just maybe not hard enough but I’ll say it is also because it’s impossible for them)

Andrew minyard is impossible. He didn’t let anyone in. He doesn’t explain himself at all or anything or his actions. Neil josten is just smart enough and on the same wave length as him. Nicky and Aaron and Kevin and the rest of the foxes couldn’t understand Andrew because they don’t think like him. Neil josten came to the conclusion that Andrew killed his mother for Aaron because he cared for him. Nicky cannot because he could never kill anyone so he cannot imagine why Andrew will do it for someone even though it’s his brother and to his mother of all people. Neil understand because he understand how Andrew works. Yes you can argue others can try harder and try to ask but will you still ask if you never get straight answers? Why is it only renee ever got close with Andrew? Because renee is the same as Andrew and she understands. No of course I’m not blaming Andrew for not explaining himself because god knows he doesn’t have to to people that he know won’t understand him. But I’m also not going to blame the people that doesn’t understand him. Yes we can say the foxes are wrong for always calling Andrew soulless and a monster but what else are they suppose to do? They see Andrew as violent and Andrew never bothered to correct them and Andrew is violent but they just cannot see the reasoning behind it.

Andrew minyard has been through so much and after the foxes realised just what he had been through (they don’t even know about his childhood only know about drake they don’t know it was since seven years old they don’t know it’s more than one person) they begin to understand his boundaries more and that’s when they get closer.

Andrew minyard is so strong for surviving all that. Imagine since a baby, since you are seven. It’s a miracle that he hasn’t killed more people or killed himself. It makes perfect sense why he is the way he is and yeah people get mad that why in the EC Nora was like Andrew will never heal and stuff but that’s just EC you can interpret and imagine after the books yourself. In just the last book you can see how much Andrew has opened up once someone truly truly understands him and see all of him without flinching away.

It can’t be anyone else. Of course it is Neil josten because Neil is the only other person that understands protecting yourself. Using whatever means. And Neil josten understands the possessive claim Andrew has because Andrew never had control over anything in his entire life (just like how Neil runs all the time) and Neil josten is just as possessive of his people as Andrew minyard are (Neil holds on so tightly too. He is willing to die for the foxes by book two already) yeah renee understands Andrew but she was saved whereas Andrew was dammed even more. Wymack has already been there and done that so it is different for him. Bee is still just a psychiatrist she can only understand so much. So of course it is Neil. Neil who can challenge and understand and push andrews buttons just right.

Now Aaron minyard. For as long as I remember the fandom has make Aaron minyard into someone that has always hated Neil josten. That isn’t the case. Aaron didn’t hate Neil josten. He just didn’t care for any of the foxes. He only hates Neil josten when he gets with his brother and justifiably so. He hates Neil josten becaude Aaron minyard tried so hard to get to know his brother and all he got in return is a dead mother and a brother that is not willing to speak to him. Imagine you are Aaron. You are desperate and then you found out you have a brother and you tried with him but he rejected you again and again and then last straw was when he seemingly killed your mother. The one thing you have always had. And then your brother doesn’t talk to you again. Aaron’s grief of course won’t allow him to see it how Neil as an outsider can see. And then this fucking outsider come in and wreck the team got one of the teammates killed even and he’s the fucking son of the butcher and he lies and lies and lies and he gets with your brother. Your brother who has been a sexually assaulted victim for who knows how long. And this liar and mafia kid comes in and get with your brother. Your brother and entire family and team love and trust this guy even though all he does is lie and make trouble for your team. (Yes Aaron understand neil is not really the bad guy and Aaron literally did not care about Neil even after everything until Baltimore and neil and Andrew is obviously a thing) so yeah Aaron justifiably hates Neil because his brother that apparently killed his mother for him and saved him from rapists but is more willing to trust someone he met less than a year ago than Aaron himself.

Now Kevin day. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t care for him at all in my first read. After rereading again and all the tumblr post I’m literally in love with the man. People say he is a coward but we all know he isnt. The way he manage to relearn an entire sport with his nondominant is not only impressive but also nearly impossible. He did it through sheer determination and spite and fear. Exy is all he has and he’s so goddamn good at it. His relationship with Andrew is so precious. He is the first one to see something in Andrew and actually try to give Andrew something. He is andrews first friend that isn’t related by blood that isn’t forced to be by Andrew’s side through any family obligation or whatever. And Andrew trusts Kevin enough with his medicine. Kevin trusts Andrew to protect him from his biggest fear and nightmare and abuser. Kevin is willing to teach Neil even when he knows Neil doesn’t have a future. He is willing to waste time and effort in neil because Neil cares about exy as much as he does. Neil chose to sign with the foxes because of kevin. Neil wants kevin to make it. When he realised kevin hasn’t escaped either he does his damn best to get kevin out of it through winning exy games and trying his best to get them to championship. The book doesn’t end with Neil beating his father. The book ends with the foxes beating the ravens. Ends with kevin winning against riko. All for the game. Neil played and survived all for exy and half of it is also for kevin. All for the game. These two are like twin flames that their lives are nothing compare to their love for exy and obsession for each other.

Nicky hemmick. The guy that doesn’t have to take care of his cousins and were under absolute no obligation to help them and provide them a home and drop his entire life in Germany and leave his boyfriend and get treated like shit by them and as a joke by everyone on his team. Yeah nicky assaulted neil and that’s no excuse and it’s not justified at all. Andrew minyard assaulted neil and drugged him too. All the monsters assaulted neil. Just because Nicky’s assaults are different from Andrew doesn’t make them more wrong. It’s all wrong. And if we are going to hold accountability to the characters every single one of the foxes including wymack are all wrong and should go to jail. So yes I don’t condone nicky on kissing Neil but I don’t think that’s what the fandom should always hold against nicky. If nicky had punched Neil instead yall wouldn’t have this big of a reaction. (And yes of course I understand why the fandom is more freaked out over Nicky’s sexual assault but I don’t think we should all hate nicky for it) nicky knows it’s wrong and yeah his commenst are too much but he toned it down and even stopped after Andrew said so and after he can see how Neil is genuinely not interested. If nicky is really the predator yall make him to be Andrew minyard will be the first one to kill him.

Also about exy. The way neil describes it oh my gods how can you NOT be obsess with exy as well? And the way Andrew Kevin and neil is so so good at exy that you just feel it like most of us aren’t sport fans but exy makes us into one. Imagine being the FASTEST STRIKER like you don’t get it the fastest fucking striker and then you earn 3 MILLION per year on average as a pro exy player like. And and. Andrew minyard shutting down the goal. Someone recently calculated that remember the 150 goals shot and he only let in 13??? The games are 90 minutes. That’s more than one goal per minute. No wonder Andrew couldn’t lift his arms afterwards. And they were playing against the “best” college team. Andrew minyard doesn’t even train. It’s all raw talent. And Kevin day. Already drafted to court before he even graduated university. Exy stadium seats (at least the foxhole court one) has 65k seats. It’s Taylor Swift concert seats. Imagine that many people watching and obsessing over exy. And remember Neil’s awe when he first practiced with the cousins and he’s like you guys are so good. Every single one of the foxes are so so good at exy. How can you not love them and they genuinely love and care for the sport and that makes you care for exy too.

And they are all so fucking smart. Everyone hates dumb characters. Not a single one of the characters are dumb. They are all smart as fuck. Aaron studies med alongside with fucking exy (and all the mafia and trauma and a gf). Andrew minyard has an eidetic memory. Neil josten survived on the run for eight years. He is fluent in three languages and know at least five. Kevin day is a history major.

And you know how good a series has to be one the author hasn’t given us any content since 2016? It’s 2023 right now it’s been seven years and this fandom is THRIVING. I have genuinely never seen a fandom where there’s no more content yet it is still this active. Yeah some people leave. But most don’t. And there’s always new people. New content. Yeah maybe this fandom can sometimes get toxic but most of it is so so amazing. We genuinely has amazing edits and fanarts and the fanfictions oh my gods and just you guys are amazing.

In conclusion if you have make it this far congratulations I just love aftg too much this is literally just a love letter to aftg. I’m so tempted to write an actual thesis on aftg with quotations and sources but I’m too lazy and yeah maybe I’m just repeating everything people had already said and pointed out before but I just want to remind everyone again why we love this series it’s because of the characters and how real they are and how they show us that there are second and third and fourth and fifth chances and that we all deserve it and that we will make it we can survive and if even the foxes can then why can’t we?

[shugokairifatewin]

I was going to wait until Chapter 116 released to give a full length rant, but it's been eating at me the last few days and we really need to talk about Chapter 114 and 115 of Seraph of the End. As always, spoilers ahead, be aware! Unpopular opinions also ahead; I'm pretty heated about this one, just a warning!

*~*~*~*~*

Let me start by saying I am hurt. I am offended. And I am betrayed. Because Kagami really over here hyping up this whole family-always-sticks-together BS with Guren and Yuu and the rest of Squad and even Mika jumping in there like yeah this is my family, and it's great and it's wholesome and we're making progress-

Only to turn around one (or two? I can't recall) chapters later and plunge a sword through Yuu's heart - and mine as well.

Mika has always always always been my favorite character. He has suffered. He has died, he's come back. He finally freaken started finding peace of mind as Yuu's demon. And I would fight wars and burn worlds for this man to have some damn peace and happiness with his boyfriend best friend and family. And Kagami TEASED US with that glimpse of happiness and acceptance and then CRUSHED IT.

And frankly it makes me sick. I'm so done with the greedy ass manipulative people who have been twisting knives in the backs of my favorite characters for YEARS of this story now.

This whole damn time, Guren KNEW that Mikaela was going to have to die AND HE HAS MANIPULATED THE EVER LIVING SHIT OUT OF YUU KNOWING THIS. This whole fucking time, he's been saving this kid, keeping him alive, feeding him false hope and bullshit about family this and keep living because some day you'll find a reason again that - ONLY FOR THIS INGRATE TO KILL THAT VERY REASON OF EXISTENCE FOR HIS OWN ENDS! I am hot mad about it.

Guren has always been a rollercoaster character for me, love and hate and despise and love again and pity, but this shit is unacceptable. Sure, he wants to save all of humanity and that's a noble goal but the means to an end he's used is absolutely unforgivable.

I'm going to feel terrible for saying it but I hope Yuu razes them all to the ground. He has been used and manipulated, treated like crap left and right and frankly I don't blame him for going off the deep end. In fact, I'm cheering you on my guy.

Moving on from my intense, undiluted fury at Guren and the crappy way he's treated Yuu and Mika, who literally just want to live their best lives in peace, I am broken and in pieces over Chapter 116. I haven't cried this much since Mika died and turned Demon.

To see this expression on Mika's face while Yuu is crying is literally enough to rend my heart in two.

And then when Mika started crying too, I LOST IT. I almost threw my phone I was so emotional. KAGAMI WHY

I FEEL PHYSICALLY UNWELL. My boys are crying 🥺 they are hurting and I cannot handle it.

And can we talk about how we got to see Mika grow from suspicious, angry Vampire who only cares about Yuu and making sure he's okay to caring, compassionate Demon who would give up his life for all of humanity? Only for Guren to not even bar an eyelash at killing him? I just can't.

AND WHEN MIKA TELLS HIM THEY'LL BE TOGETHER FOREVER -

MIKA DESERVES HAPPINESS. YUU DESERVES HAPPINESS. SHIKAMA DOJI AND ANYONE ELSE BE DAMNED THESE TWO DESERVE A FREAKEN A CHANCE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES.

IF GUREN SURVIVES THIS SERIES AND MIKA DOESNT I'M GOING TO RIOT IN THE STREETS.

THEY HAVE BEEN HURT ENOUGH. LEAVE MY BABIES ALONE.

This has been weighing on me for weeks now. I needed to get it off my chest.

That is all.

[turtlesocksv2]

Kinnporsche Rewatch 13 Thoughts

Pete Trailer thoughts: Pete looks so good here. When he took the gun...yes. I would like to see Pete Fuck Shit Up. Aren't you tired of being nice? Don't you want to go apeshit?

god, Porsche can you please look a little less like you want to die being back in the family compound. You're not being very subtle. I know Kinn's an idiot who is just happy to be here, but like...you're not going to fool anyone else. how can you investigate Korn if Chan shoots you in the head on sight for being Sus as fuck.

The transition shot from the awkward family lunch investigation to vegas at the safehouse cooking for Pete focuses on the attic, a delicious choice. Theerapanyakuls Be Atticwifing.

Honestly this scene with Gun and Vegas is heartbreaking. Vegas was so proud of himself for making a good meal for Pete and then Gun had to ruin everything.The way he hits Vegas with the ring so that it leaves a mark of the family crest. Ouch. also, I need to know more about Vegas's mom too. What on earth was she like that Gun invokes her here and tells Vegas he's like her.

It's so interesting that Porsche still wears his bodyguard uniform here. something something trying to distance himself something something trying to not be seen something something. Kinn can tell something is wrong and he wants to help! Porsche almost tells him what's wrong! but then here comes Daddy Chan to summon Kinn to his father's side. was fucking Korn watching the cctv or does he just not want porsche and kinn to have enough alone time to collude?

In this moment, if you let Pete anywhere near Gun that man would be dead so fast. Pete "I will kill abusive fathers" Saengtham.

Time for more 💕Tankhun being right hours 💕 Tankhun is the only one who knows Pete is in danger! Tankhun is literally always right!!! You tell Kinn that he's a fucking idiot who didn't do his due diligence! Also, yeah, I'm pretty sure Porsche had no idea that Pete had gone into the minor family's house.

Vegas hit with the realization that He's Fucked Up. He fucked up baaaaad.

When I watched this the first time, I thought to myself: If Pete doesn't crash the funeral that Tankhun is throwing for him, i will be so deeply upset at the missed opportunity. And then I was rewarded and it was amazing. Tankhun's funeral outfit is perfect, no notes. Pol and Arm fucking booking it when 'zombie' Pete shows up from the dead - Ah May Zing. what kind of bodyguards are you?! and Porsche crawls up Kinn like a fucking spider monkey.

this is THE PetePorsche scene. Porsche is so quietly furious that anyone would dare hurt The Bestie. Pete refusing to talk and holding himself together with the power of denial and force of will. He begs Porsche to let it go. Porsche drops it but very much does not let it go.

I am dying to know what kind of Debrief Pete had with Chan, because there is just no fucking was Chan bought Pete's bullshit or let him squirm away.

just want to say it's high key hilar for Kim to be wearing a shirt that just says 'human' on it.

Porsche just straight up coldcocking Vegas twice in pure righteous vengeance. And Vegas just takes it! Because he knows he deserves it and this is the only chance he might get at seeing Pete again and getting to apologize. But also, Vegas loves a good mystery apparently and the fact that his dad and uncle secretly knew Porsche's parents? and are clearly weird as fuck about porsche? Well that's a mystery! And he's gonna solve it. Theerapanyakuls Be Nosy. (Vegas and Kim would NOT get along. But I would like to see them team up to investigate something. as a treat for me.) The fact that Gun has a picture of Namphueng in his office....i have to wonder if he has a picture of Vegas's mom. Somehow I doubt it.

God, you know we're on a Porsche corruption arc when the need to know about his parents connection to Korn is enough for him to bargain with his Bestie's safety and wellbeing by putting him in front of the man that Porsche knows kidnapped and hurt him, no matter what lies Pete is actually telling him. at least he gives Vegas a shovel talk.

God Vega and Pete are fucked up (affectionate)

The graveyard scene is very cute but oof, Porsche's face when Kinn tells his parents' gave that Porsche taught him how to truly trust people. that's guilt, my friend.

Do you think any poor Deutsche Bank employees working late could see them having outdoor pool sex. And i know, I knoooow that logically the edge of the pool is not the edge of the building and yet literally all i can think is "oh my god please rail him carefully or Porsche is going to go TUMBLING naked down into the street below. Please. Porsche hold on to that wall!"

Tankhun ready to track Porsche and Chay down himself! love him so much. also LMAO Chan clearly just sprinted down to the entrance to intercept Kim. Chan does not get paid enough! Whatever it is that he is getting paid it is Not Enough!

Interesting that we're just getting trigger flashbacks now, when Porsche has been around gunshots a lot. But he was actively thinking about it, so I guess it makes sense. Also, in Porsche's flashback before ANY jedi-mind tricks and lies that Korn was the one standing and Gun was seated across from Pat at the table. Korn Shot First. Also interesting that we do not get to see who shot Uncle Thee - it was Chan on Korn's orders to tie up lose ends once Porsche left and was obviously hunting him down, based on the fact that Chan calls Korn in the next scene to confirm Thee is dead and Porsche is in the wind. (Also, Kinn brought Pete with him to chase after Porsche!)

If Porsche had just shot Korn right now, everyone would have been a lot happier. Like, I'm just saying. Anyway, love the Incest Reveal Cliffhanger that is immediately walked back next episode with Namphueng revealed as a foster sister, not a blood sister. And apparently I've been spelling Namphueng wrong this entire time.

[bridgyrose]

Kale and Arrelle stuck together and found a mirror that could body swap them

(Melly, I know this is you, and you're going to enjoy this)

“If you think its so easy being me, then you try it for a day!” Arelle yelled at her twin sister Kale. “You’re always treating every day as if tomorrow doesnt matter, that no matter what you do wont have consequences.” 

Kale scoffed as she strummed her lute, losing her train of thought with the song she was writing. “Everything I do is wrong no matter what I do. So yeah, maybe I dont care about the consequences if I’m always in trouble.” 

“You impersonated me during training!” 

“It was a joke!” Kale stood up, her tail swinging around for a moment as she put her lute on her back. “I didnt hurt anyone.” 

“You nearly got me expelled from training!” Arelle glared at Kale. “There’s a chance I wont be able to be a guard now because of you!” 

Kale rolled her eyes and practically danced around the garden as she hopped from rock to rock. “Why would you want to be a stuffy old guard anyway? All they do is sit around and yell at people. ‘No singing in the town square. No magic at the inn. Leave the ale alone in the tavern. You better not be pulling fish out of the streams!’” She sat down and sighed. “But you get to do whatever you want. The pride of this village. No one ever gets angry at you.” 

“If you think its that easy, then you be me for a day!” 

Kale paused as the world around her and Arelle seemed to stop as the mirror-like pond started to glow around them. She moved away from the way from the water, eyes glued to it as a soft voice spoke through the wind. 

“*Arguens sororibus opus est ut expendas in die inter se est scriptor calceamenta.*” 

A flash of light blinded Kale for a brief moment as she stumbled in her step, hesitating when she felt leather gloves around her fingers… and then the feeling of a missing tail. She looked over the pinkish tan skin on her arm and reached for the glaive on her back. 

“What the hell did you do, Kale?!” 

Kale stumbled back as a puff of smoke left her fingers… Arelle’s fingers? She shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around what happened. “I didnt do anything! And will you please calm down? My… your magic isnt exactly… stable.” 

Arelle growled a bit. “Just give me back my body!” 

“I’m not thrilled to be you either.” Kale grabbed the glaive from off her back and twirled it around for a moment before dropping it, wincing as she heard it clatter against the rocks. “Besides, maybe it’ll be good for us to see what life is like for the other. You did say that I have no idea what its like to be you.” 

“Alright, fine, we be each other, and then what? How do we switch back?” 

“I… have no idea…” Kale picked the glaive up from off the ground and paused when she saw Arelle’s reflection looking back at her. Her smile faded as she looked over her human features, feeling like she couldnt recognize herself anymore. “I’ll find a way for us to switch back, but until then, let me make this up to you and live your life while we’re stuck like this. You said things arent so easy for you, then let me see it.” 

“Kale-” 

“You get to sit back and relax. Until we… I find a way to fix this, you dont have to worry about training or responsibility, just taking it easy and seeing how my life is.” 

Arelle sighed and pulled Kale’s lute off her back, finger picking at the strings for a moment. “How sure are you that you can fix this?” 

“Not very… but that doesnt mean I wont try!” 

“Fine. But if you screw anything up for me-” 

“I promise, I wont mess things up again.” Kale paused and looked up at the sun. “Though… you may want to start making your way to Lord Bunterton’s.” 

“Why?” 

Kale looked away and blushed. “His son requested a… private concert.” 

“Kale-” 

“Just make sure to keep him happy!” Kale yelled as she ran out of the garden. “You can do that, right?” 

“Kale, get back here!” Arelle yelled after Kale, chasing after and nearly tripping over her tail. “You know I dont know how to play music!”