#Gray writes stuff

[thexgrayxlady]

Notes: I was going through an old folder and found a mostly finished Mass Effect fic that I liked, but never posted so I cleaned it up a little and decided to post it. Both Mira and Kaidan are menaces to society wrapped up in distinguished bisexual packaging.

Trivial Pursuits

“Shepard, leave it,” Kaidan said. He gently laid a hand on her thigh under the table.

“But I’m right,” she said, glaring daggers at the offending trivia host from across the bar while sipping at the remaining half of the martini she’d been nursing for nearly an hour.

“Is it worth it?” he asked, slowly rubbing circles with his thumb and forefinger just above where her thigh met her new prosthetic.

“I’m right,” she insisted. Her thumbnail threatened to punch through their answer card. Her eyes were bright and shining, focused on the objective. He had to diffuse this before she started thinking of the poor Salarian like he was a new Jack Harper.

“It’s just for fun,” he said. The muscles in her leg were tightly coiled and he could nearly feel the energy rolling off of her. As much as he loved this focus and drive, he really didn’t want to get banned from the only bar within walking distance of the apartment with a trivia night.  

 “Don’t try that with me Kaidan. You’re as competitive as I am.” Her voice was flat, matter of fact. A comment on bad tactics. “Besides, it was a pirate question.”

“We’re winning,” he said, hoping to appeal to her own pride. “C’mon, winners get free fries.” And if her pride didn’t work, the word, “free,” was normally enough to distract her.

“And?”

“I’m hungry and you like free things,” he said. Typically sound reasoning.

There was a little uptick at the corner of her mouth and as absurd as this was, he couldn’t help but smile back at her. A year ago he wouldn’t have dared to hope for nights like these. There was still a long way to go, planets to rebuild, entire sectors to restabilize, and they both still had a lot of rehab in front of them, but slowly, things were getting better.

“I’m also right,” she said. She leaned back in her chair and fixed an imperceptible problem with her waistcoat. “Don’t worry, I know the rules. I’ll wait.”  

X~*~X~*~X~*~X~*~X

Shepard dropped onto the curb beside him, like a cat that ate the canary. “It’s just for fun.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“You’re not. You were completely in the right and I am so proud of you.” She threw an arm around his shoulder.  

 “We’re going to have to find a new trivia night,” he sighed, folding his hands behind his head.  

“A high stakes mission,” she said in a perfect deadpan, before hopping up with a delighted bounce and flashing a garrot wire grin.

“Vitally important to galactic security,” he said, taking her outstretched hand.

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Crafting Compelling Morally Gray Characters: A Guide for Fiction Writers

In literature, there is often a clear distinction between good and evil. Heroes are portrayed as virtuous and villains as wicked. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of morally gray characters - those who do not fit neatly into the categories of good or evil. These characters are complex, flawed, and often make decisions that challenge the reader's moral compass. In this guide, I'll help you explore the art of crafting compelling morally gray characters and how to make them stand out in your fiction writing.

What Are Morally Gray Characters?

Morally gray characters, also known as morally ambiguous characters, are those who do not conform to traditional notions of good or evil. They may have both positive and negative traits, and their actions may be motivated by a mix of good and bad intentions. These characters often blur the lines between right and wrong, making them more relatable and intriguing to readers.

Examples of Morally Gray Characters

Some well-known examples of morally gray characters include:

Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series: Initially portrayed as a villain, Snape's true motivations and actions are revealed to be more complex and morally ambiguous.

Jaime Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire series: Known for his arrogance and incestuous relationship with his sister, Jaime's character evolves throughout the series, showcasing his internal struggle between his duty and his personal desires.

Walter White from Breaking Bad: A high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer, Walter's character is constantly torn between his desire for power and his moral compass.

Why Are Morally Gray Characters Compelling?

Morally gray characters are compelling because they challenge the reader's perceptions of right and wrong. They are not easily categorized as heroes or villains, making them more relatable and human. These characters also add depth and complexity to a story, making it more interesting and thought-provoking.

The Power of Relatability

One of the main reasons morally gray characters are so compelling is because they are relatable. They are not perfect, and they make mistakes, just like real people. This makes them more human and allows readers to connect with them on a deeper level. When readers can see themselves in a character, it creates a stronger emotional connection to the story.

The Element of Surprise

Morally gray characters also add an element of surprise to a story. Their actions and decisions may not always align with what the reader expects, keeping them on the edge of their seat. This unpredictability makes the story more engaging and can lead to unexpected plot twists.

The Exploration of Morality

Morally gray characters also allow for a deeper exploration of morality in a story. By challenging traditional notions of good and evil, these characters force readers to question their own moral compass and consider the gray areas of morality. This can lead to thought-provoking discussions and a deeper understanding of complex moral issues.

How to Craft Morally Gray Characters

Crafting morally gray characters requires a delicate balance of positive and negative traits, as well as a deep understanding of their motivations and internal struggles. Here are some tips for creating compelling morally gray characters in your writing.

Give Them a Strong Motivation

Every character, regardless of their moral alignment, should have a strong motivation for their actions. For morally gray characters, this motivation should be complex and not easily defined as purely good or evil. It could be a desire for power, revenge, or even a sense of duty. This motivation will drive their decisions and actions throughout the story.

Show Their Flaws and Vulnerabilities

Morally gray characters are not perfect, and they should not be portrayed as such. They should have flaws and vulnerabilities that make them more relatable and human. These flaws could be physical, emotional, or moral, and they should play a role in the character's development and decisions.

Create Internal Conflict

One of the defining characteristics of morally gray characters is their internal conflict. They are torn between their good and bad tendencies, and this struggle should be evident in their thoughts and actions. This internal conflict adds depth to the character and makes them more relatable to readers.

Avoid Stereotypes

When crafting morally gray characters, it's important to avoid falling into stereotypes. These characters should not be one-dimensional or defined solely by their moral ambiguity. They should have unique personalities, backgrounds, and motivations that make them stand out as individuals.

Show Their Growth and Development

As with any well-written character, morally gray characters should experience growth and development throughout the story. They should learn from their mistakes and make decisions that challenge their moral compass. This growth and development will make them more dynamic and interesting to readers.

How to Make Morally Gray Characters Stand Out

With the rise in popularity of morally gray characters, it's important to make yours stand out in a sea of similar characters. Here are some tips for making your morally gray characters unique and memorable.

Give Them a Distinctive Voice

A character's voice is an essential part of their identity. It should be unique and reflective of their personality and motivations. For morally gray characters, their voice should reflect their internal conflict and the complexity of their moral alignment.

Create a Strong Backstory

A character's backstory can provide valuable insight into their motivations and actions. For morally gray characters, a strong backstory can help explain their moral ambiguity and add depth to their character. It can also create empathy and understanding for their decisions.

Use Foils to Highlight Their Morality

Foils are characters who contrast with the main character, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. For morally gray characters, foils can be used to showcase their moral ambiguity and challenge their beliefs. This can add depth to the character and create interesting dynamics between them and other characters.

Morally gray characters add depth, complexity, and relatability to a story. By challenging traditional notions of good and evil, these characters force readers to question their own moral compass and consider the gray areas of morality.

[reimeichan]

Signs of having DID that I ignored (note that these are not exclusively signs of DID but they were for me):

I don't have amnesia, that's just short term memory loss because I have ADHD!

I actually have a very good memory, I'm great at memorizing things (what do you mean that's not the same thing)

sure it may seem like my mood changes drastically but I've read online that's common in people with ADHD! it's hard for us to regulate our emotions!

so what if I have different preferences from time to time? that's normal right? like when your mood changes you may prefer different foods? what do you mean that's not the same as going from "I hate spicy foods" one day to "omg I LOVE spicy foods!" the next?

yeah okay I tend to space out in the middle of conversations then come back to and need you to remind me what you said for the past 10 seconds or so. that's just my ADHD inattentiveness. what do you mean that I only do this when stressed. what do you mean that's a form of dissociation.

speaking of dissociation, sure sometimes I feel like I'm watching myself say and do things without my own input but that's just because I was tired/stressed out

yeah sometimes I go on autopilot. my autopilot seems to have its own agenda sometimes though. weird.

sure I changed usernames a *few* times but isn't that pretty common? yeah I also wanted to change how I presented online and also my pronouns and stuff but again isn't it common for people to want to start over sometimes?

*making multiple accounts to play the same game because I play the game differently on different accounts and don't want to mess things up on one account*

oh yes, I'm genderfluid! I say that because my gender absolutely changes from moment to moment and sure it seems kinda tied to other aspects of myself like color preferences and energy levels and personality traits but I'm pretty sure that's just par for the course with genderfluidity?

"you're so different when you're around your parents vs when you're at school/work vs when you're hanging out with friends!" yeah that's called being a complex person we all have different masks we wear in different social situations and I'm no different even if it seems more extreme for me

"how was school/work/the hang-out/going to visit your parents?" I don't know I'm tired and have a giant headache and can't remember

"you said this to me the other day and it made me feel <x>" what????? I literally have no memory of this and that's so incredibly out of character for me wtf I would never do that I was probably just really stressed out and tired and had no filter on.

[dapper-lil-arts]

It's never too late to love, it's never too late to live.

[distort-opia]

God, obsessed with the idea of the Wayne Manor being haunted. Being placed under a curse, and everyone in the house being able to feel it, except Bruce.

Jason hears cruel laughter and Sheila’s voice, following him down the corridors. Dick keeps seeing movement out the corner of his eye; the room is suddenly cold and he swears he can hear the cheering of a crowd, the thud of bodies hitting the ground. Both Ace and Titus whine and cower, bark and then retreat at an unseen presence; all of Damian’s pets are unsettled, scared, and Damian dreams of dying, dreams of being dead, wakes up one night with a sword in his hand in front of Bruce’s bedroom door. Tim keeps seeing his father’s face in the mirror, stained with blood, mouth moving soundlessly and forming words he’s only ever heard in a phone call.

Death, death, death. It bites at their heels, taunts them with ghosts of the people they lost, the people they used to be, the people they fear of becoming. They’ve all been drenched in it; some have been dead themselves and spat back out, and now the house has become a gaping maw that feeds on it... but the worst of it is Bruce.

They bring it up to him, but he dismisses all the signs, as if he’s blind to it all. He keeps going on patrol, keeps being Batman, but every time the Family goes down to the Cave the Batsuits are black twisting monsters within their glass cases. It’s so cold they can see their own breaths. Bruce has dark circles under his eyes, looks pallid and exhausted, feels so very far away. There’s a swarm of bats following him around, screeching and red-eyed, and the first time he sees it Dick’s heart jumps out of his chest.

They’re always behind Bruce, faces empty and devoid of emotion. Bruce seems utterly unable to see them. Thomas and Martha Wayne, blood staining their clothes, dripping down. Wherever Bruce goes, they flicker into view as well, sometimes as horrid rotten corpses and sometimes smiling and loving, ghostly arms wrapped around him from behind; and Damian’s the one to shout when the image of Alfred, neck twisted and broken and eyes wide open, peers over Bruce’s shoulder.

The Wayne family portraits keep changing from day to day, moving within their frames. Thomas and Martha Wayne look more and more full of despair, and the child Bruce in the painting keeps getting greyer, torn, skin rotting away as if he’s being devoured from the inside. It doesn’t take long for them to realize it’s all coming from Bruce. The Manor is turning into the nightmares that plague his head, becomes a nest of fear and loss and grief that never healed. They need to undo it, save Bruce before he becomes the haunted house and the ghost that haunts it, before he turns into his own grave.

After all, how much death can you take, how much grief can you fill yourself with, before you become it? How many ghosts can you preserve and chain to yourself before you join them?

[l-michalska-writer]

Worried prompts:

Are you alright?

What happened?

What’s wrong?

Who did this to you?!

I was so afraid you’ll never wake up…

I would make them bring you back to life if I had to.

When did you know you were sick?

What do you mean you’re not gonna make it?!

Don’t you ever again take a bullet for me, understand?

Do you need me here?

Watch out there for them, you understand?

Did you take your medicine?

You have to lay down at least for a one week.

Where is it hurting?

Can you feel something beside the pain?

Please, open your eyes.

If you got yourself killed, I would bring you back just to kill you again for your stupidity.

Did he hurt you?

Don’t you ever forget I love you.

I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.

What is it, honey?

Don’t ever throw yourself at the knife like that again, do you understand?

[ursafootprints]

One of my favorite things about Starker as a ship is how many angles there are to approach the ship from! We've got:

Light: minimal to no age-gap angst or drama, no one has a major issue with the relationship, healthy relationship, usually of-age Peter

Gray: moderate to heavy age-gap angst or drama, other characters concerned about the relationship (or it's expected that they would be,) may or may not be presented as ultimately healthy but it's at least a consideration to the characters because they'd like to be healthy

Dark: we all know what darkfic is lmao. Your grooming fics, your villain AUs, most Starkercest though some of those can ride the gray~dark line, outright unhealthy dynamics or your unrepentant characters/settings where the question of "healthy" doesn't even enter into the equation, etc. etc. etc.

They are all beautiful flavors and I've written for all of them, but I'm curious about y'all! Obviously the lines here can be a bit blurry/subjective, but in general if you had to choose:

[milla984]

Spencer Reid doesn’t shake hands.

That’s the first thing everyone usually notices when they meet him.

Spencer Reid doesn’t like hugging.

He’d just say it’s a basic inference based on both his not-so-subtle germaphobia and his tendency to avoid physical contact as much as possible, albeit not 100% accurate.

Spencer Reid doesn’t like to be touched by strangers but doesn’t mind hugging his friends.

It only happens on a few, special occasions: he then buries his head in the crook of your neck, so close that you can feel his warm breath on your skin and smell a hint of coffee mixed with his favorite aftershave, while his soft curls brush over your face – a silent confession he cares a lot about you.

The entire world disappears and words cannot define what it means to get lost in the moment when he holds you tight against his chest, wrapping his arms around your waist to keep you safe even if he’s the one showing his most vulnerable side.

Because for Spencer Reid, hugging is a serious business.

@matthew-gray-gubler-lover, @reidselle, @reidsbookclub, @thisiscalmanditsdoctorreid, @pretty-boys-book-club, @spookydrreid, @f-me-reid, @redwithjoon, @gublerpals, @foxy-eva, @hopefullawyerfishprofessor, @scorpiofangirl1109, @a-potato-wearing-plaid, @cynbx

»»»— read pinned post for taglist info —«««

»—— Gifset Masterlist link in my bio ——«

[mattodore]

found out while putting together matthias's oc page that his name has the exact same etymology and meaning as theo's name...

i’m sure this is information matthias is very normal about…

[instantsandwichkingdom]

Ok soooo

Overdrive by Conan gray and 15skk

Do u see my vision here, like just them doing dumb stuff like stealing a shopping cart and chuuya pushing Dazai around a target, or sitting on a roof and dancing under the stars, platonically of course(...) however eventually one of them (depends on whose like the main focus/point of view) realizes just how pretty the other looks and how much they wanna kiss the other, but being freaked out because they're dumb and also "omg I cannot be in love with this idiot. Besides he'd never like me like that" UNTIL it gets so overwhelming and without realizing it they lean over to kiss the other!!!!

Anywayyyy

[thoriffix]

The first time Zane injures himself badly enough to need proper repairs, Jay is utterly terrified.

Because sure, he knows robotics. He's invented a few robots in his time, to varying degrees of success, and he knows well enough how everything works. But this isn't some pancake-making robot he threw together out of scrap, that he can throw away if he messes up and start over with some other junk. This is Zane.

If he messes up here, it's Zane who'll pay the price. One of his best friends is at stake. He can't afford to screw up. And that knowledge is making it way too easy to picture screwing up.

He stares down at the inside of Zane's rib cage area, a twisted mass of wires, some broken, and swallows. Zane's insides spark ominously at him.

…it's a lot of pressure.

"Jay?"

Jay looks up to see Zane, craning his neck up from his horizontal position on the table, frowning worriedly at him. "You have been staring at my wiring for quite a while," he continues. "Are you alright?"

"Hey, I'm not the one on the operating table here, buddy!" Damn. Why did he say it like that? That puts even more pressure on it. He's not medically trained! He's not trained for this at all! "Are you alright?"

"Yes," says Zane, although he shifts slightly and a slight wince crosses his face. "I am alright."

"Cool. Cool, cool." Jay taps his fingers against his thighs. It's overwhelming. He's not even formally trained in robotics, nowhere near! Sure, he has the blueprints from Zane's dad about how he works, but that doesn't mean he's able to fix everything. "Say, uh, Zane?"

"Yes?"

"Do you, uh- would you rather have somebody else do this?"

Zane cocks his head slightly, looking confused. "Why?"

"Um. Because I'm, y'know- I'm not exactly trained in this stuff. I just kinda know what I taught myself in the junkyard, with scrap metal n' stuff. And I don't wanna mess anything up, or- or hurt you, or anything. Are you sure you want me to do this?"

He keeps tapping his fingers against his legs, face creased up as he stares at Zane's face, trying to read it. Zane just blinks at him, and then smiles. "Of course, Jay. I trust you."

Well, that's very sweet, but Jay doesn't fully trust himself. Not with this. "Okay, but, buddy - I really don't want to mess you up. What if I break something in you, and then you're hurt or damaged or- or y'know, I make it worse, or-"

He cuts himself off, because Zane's face is starting to look like a deer caught in the headlights, and him continuing to freak out would probably make it worse. He bites his lip instead, worrying it until he can taste the sharp tang of blood, and then Zane reaches to place a hand over his.

"I trust you," repeats Zane. "I would not have asked if I didn't trust your abilities."

That's… true. It had been Zane who came to him, holding his side and walking awkwardly, when they'd got home. Jay wonders, not for the first time, how Zane processes pain. He clearly does, particularly given the way his face had been pinched uncomfortably, and the little pained noises he's making when he moves too much. He's sure Dr Julien was a good man, but giving his son the ability to feel pain when he could've spared him from that? Jay has to question why.

He nods, bouncing a little on the balls of his feet, and then takes a deep breath. Okay. He can do this. He knows how to do this. Zane's in pain, and he can fix it. Trust yourself, Jay. 

He reaches over for the wire cutters, squares his shoulders, and gives Zane a smile. Zane smiles back, entirely trusting, and Jay gets to work.

[thexgrayxlady]

I kind of want to write the Jack meets younger Chase fic, but it would absolutely go from comedy high int, no wis shenanigans to little Chase wanting to capital M Murder his future self very quickly.

[lastleaf]

Just for fun, I made a list of all my stories from the last few @thgseasonofhope fic exchanges. All three of them are so different from each other and at least one of them would never have existed without my giftee's prompts (which is good, because it definitely brought me out of my comfort zone).

and that has made all the difference 

Eighteen-year-old Cinna interns for longtime stylist Tigris during that year's Hunger Games.

Rated: T

Words: 2159

______

Crave 

Katniss develops some unusual cravings in the early stages of her pregnancy. Post-Mockingjay

Rated: M

Words: 1,467

______

Something Sweet

Pre-canon. Reminiscing about happier times in her past, Lucy Gray would like to create some sweet memories for the younger members of the Covey.

Rated: T

Words: 1,290

[a-strangers-thoughtss]

Especially when people don’t understand their nuance

Like do you even realize that characters are a reflection of humanity? And humanity is messy as hell! Like there is no such things as a perfect person who does no wrong! Stop acting like it!

People mess up, all the time! (Especially younger people) That’s what makes us so interestingggg, that’s what lets us growww

[mitsuki91]

Okay I think I decided it.

I have two snowbaird starting plot in my mind.

One will degenerate in some sort of fuckery college!AU and our beloved Coryo will end up with both Lucy Gray and Sejanus and I will force myself to write plenty of smut because I am naughty and silly.

One will be more serious, only snowbaird (sorry rip Sejanus but the starting point is after canon) and will have some angst (but still an happy ending, don't know how yet but it will have) and fluff and two people who have to learn how to trust themself again. Still plenty of sex because oh boys these two can not take their hands of each other.

So! What do you want to read first?! 😂 So I can start more plotting 😂

(and yes, before all of this I will finish the serie of "The play of songbirds and snakes", I promise)

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

Yall the 80s rock au has not left my brain so here’s some random ideas:

Dorian is a rising pop star (possibly even moving away from being a child star) who meets Basil in the same way he does in the book. Basil paints him and then introduces him to Henry. The only difference is that Basil does this out of the belief that Henry might be able to talk Dorian out of becoming a full pop star. Obviously, that doesn't happen. Henry becomes Dorian's producer/songwriter while also taking on a more mentor-like figure for Dorian. A lot of the songs Henry has Dorian perform are much more provocative and explicit than what Dorian used to do. 

Basil is still an artist, just with a small expansion from portrait painting. He still does that, but now he also doubles as sort of a talent scout/Henry’s designer/muse (he doesn’t know, but all of Henry’s songs are complaints about/odes to him and their relationship).

Henry was specifically a punk rock star in the 70s, in lieu of the Sex Pistols and the Clash. Henry was popular because he was controversial, charismatic, and pretty, all things that captured the hearts of the UK. However, much of popularity was contained in the UK, though he had like one or two world wide hits. Still his name is still considered legendary for the time. 

By the time Dorian meets him through Basil, Henry has long stopped performing his own songs, more or less writing and producing them for other stars. He despises Pop as a genre but since that is what sells now, he has had to pivot away from punk. Dorian becomes a sort of new hope for him because Dorian, being pretty and charismatic, could be the mix for the two genres.

Also this AU/Adaptation would take more of a focus on the complicated rivalry/relationship between Dorian and Henry. Because Henry, despite being hopeful of what Dorian could be, is also very resentful for the fact he is basically making his own replacement. I am using the “Henry as a bitter ex” characterization, so, along with that whole thing regarding Basil, now Henry literally has to watch Dorian reach higher heights in the same career he had. I think that conflict would take mainstage in the third act, replacing the Hetty Merton thing.

Dorian's corruption is a mix of the og book’s and 80s entertainment industry. While some stuff is definitely Henry’s fault, a whole lot of it is also just the entertainment industry being an exploitative place in general. Dorian grows worse as the years go by and Basil’s portrait of him does its usual thing.

CW: for mention of false accusations and grooming

Also, I think I figured out a way Basil doesn’t die! So England in the 1980s also had a moral panic regarding the LGBTQ+ and grooming (exactly like the ones of today). When Basil finds out about the portrait, Dorian doesn’t get the chance to murder him (for reasons) so instead, he outs Basil and falsely accuses him of grooming him, Basil’s rep is shot to pieces and he has to flee from his home country because no one is willing to believe his side of the story (except Henry, but at this point he is far too involved with Dorian to make a difference. Maybe this is the point where Henry’s dream breaks or something else which transitions into the third act.)