#IT BREAKS MY HEART EVERY TIME SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE OF MY TACTICAL CHOICES AND I LOVE IT

[blackcatanna]

I remember being excited when Fire Emblem Awakening came out back in 2012 because, although I couldn't afford it and knew I wouldn't be able to for a while, I thought that the price would go down eventually and I had loved Radiant Dawn so much (after picking it up second hand at a game store) that I didn't mind waiting. FLASH FORWARD OVER TEN BLOODY YEARS AND THE PRICE STILL HASN'T DROPPED AND ALL THE OTHER GAMES ARE ALSO ABSURDLY EXPENSIVE (not that I even have a Switch, just my beloved 3DS). SIGH. At least I still have my Wii and copy of Radiant Dawn for when I need to get my Fire Emblem fix... I CERTAINLY CAN NEVER PLAY THE FIRST PART OF THE STORY (Path of Radiance) LEGITIMATELY THOUGH BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOW SELLING IT FOR £200 ON EBAY X_X Good for them, I guess XD Maybe it's time to finally try making an emulator work...

[dilly-oh]

Haircare no Jutsu

He’s wearing the red hair-tie today, Kakashi noted with satisfaction, walking down the hallway behind Iruka. An excellent choice. It perfectly accentuated the subtle reddish tones in his hair, highlighting them to perfection. His ponytail bounced with every step, the strands gleaming in the sun-rays cast through the nearby window.

Kakashi had been obsessed with Iruka’s hair for longer than he cared to admit. But hey, everyone had their quirks, especially Jounin. At least his didn’t involve green spandex and dazzling teeth. He was practically normal compared to the others.

He daydreamed about Iruka’s hair constantly, imagining running his fingers through the silken strands, pressing his face against them to smell their subtle scent. He imagined pulling Iruka's hair free from that cruel hair tie, brushing it till it gleamed, then separating it into three portions and twisting them into a thick braid. No, wait, a French one? He couldn’t decide. Still lost in internal debate, he walked closely behind Iruka, eyes glued to his hair.

Which is why he failed to see the loose tile jutting out of the floor in front of him.

Now, the Copy-nin of Konoha, feared by countless enemies and Missing-Nin alike, did not trip.

He merely attacked the loose tile with his toe, lurched forward for a better stance, wind-milled his arms about wildly to ward off any incoming attacks from enemies, and face-planted into the nearest object.

Which happened to be Iruka’s ponytail.

One time, while on an A-rank mission to Suna, Kakashi, half-dead from chakra exhaustion, had accidentally fallen into a patch of prickly cactuses.

This was worse than that.

Iruka’s ponytail was not soft and silky, fragrant and luxurious as he’d dared to dream. It was like a briar patch, bristly as hell, the strands broken and split and dry as a bone. Kakashi counted himself lucky his hitai-ate was covering one eye already so he only had to worry about losing the other one. This close, he could see the horrible split ends and flakes of dandruff with awful detail.

“Yeeeoooowch!!”

The cry echoed through the hallway, reverberating off the walls. Several heads poked out of doors to stare curiously, caught sight of Iruka’s face, and retreated.

“That’s my line,” Iruka grumbled, turning to confront him while rubbing the back of his head gingerly. “What the hell was that about?” Kakashi just gaped at him for a long moment, aghast, his hopes and dreams crumbling before him.

“Good God! Is my face bleeding?!” he blurted aloud.

“It’s about to be if you don’t start explaining yourself,” Iruka snapped back irritably, crossing his arms. “Seriously, what’s your problem?”

“It felt like I fell on a wad of steel wool!” Kakashi cried. “What the hell kind of hair product do you use?! Bar soap?!”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Iruka huffed at him. Kakashi felt a glimmer of hope flicker to life. “I use my three-in-one shampoo, conditioner, and body-wash.” The glimmer of hope promptly whimpered, curled up, and died.

“Alright. That’s it. I’m confiscating this,” Kakashi said, twirling the red hair-band around his pinky finger. Iruka’s hair immediately flopped down around his face, sticking out in all directions like an unkempt bird’s nest and further destroying every one of Kakashi’s secret fantasies.

“Hey!” Iruka cried in outrage, shoving his hair aside. “Give that back!”

“You’ll get it back when you learn to treat your hair better.”

“Whatever, I have like three more,” Iruka snorted, rolling his eyes. He reached into his pockets, searching for a few moments, then frowned in confusion. “What the…?” He looked up to see Kakashi twiddling his fingers at him, each digit encircled by a colored band. “When- how did you- give those back!”

“Oh, I will,” Kakashi assured him, “but I have some…demands.”

“You’re holding my hair-ties ransom. You’re unbelievable.”

“Firstly, you-”

“I don’t negotiate with terrorists.”

“-let me wash your hair,” Kakashi finished.

“Ew. Why?” Iruka made a face. “That’s just an excuse to get me naked, you creep.” Kakashi huffed impatiently.

“You don’t have to get naked, just take your shirt off-”

“And then I’m already halfway there. Forget it.”

“-and then I’ll bend you over the bathroom sink and-”

“I SAID FORGET IT!” Iruka exploded, his face flushing a near-match of his hair-tie. “I have two jobs! I spend all day at the Academy babysitting children who are trying to kill each other, and then all night at the Mission Desk babysitting Jounin trying to kill each other. I don’t have time for stupid things like treating my hair with the ninja art of deep conditioning.”

“Then you’re not getting your hair-ties back,” Kakashi said with finality, squaring his shoulders.

“You know what? Keep them.” Iruka turned away in a huff. “I’ll just go buy more.” And with that, he stormed away. Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

“We’ll see about that,” he muttered, hands flashing quickly in a series of signs. Several clones puffed into existence and with a short word, dispersed on their newest mission.

---

“The HELL do you mean, out of stock?!” Iruka shouted at the store clerk in outrage. The man flinched back in fear, cowering behind the counter.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Ninja, sir, but someone came in not five minutes ago and bought the whole lot of hair-ties,” he babbled. “Every single one! We won’t be getting more in another shipment until-”

“Okay, fine, whatever,” Iruka cut him off, mind working furiously. “I’ll take… rubber bands. String. I don’t care, I’ll buy it.”

The clerk simply stared at him in mute horror, eyes wide. Iruka sighed.

“…They bought all of those, too, didn’t they?”

“…Yes, yes they did.”

Iruka paused, a sudden suspicion dawning on him.

“This person didn’t happen to have ridiculous silver hair and a mask, did they?”

The eyes went even wider, threatening to pop out. “Please don’t kill me,” the clerk whispered.

“Calm down, it’s not your fault. I’ll just…” Iruka chewed on his lip, mentally mapping out Konoha and his other prospects. “I’ll try elsewhere. Thank you.”

But it was the same story at every shop in Konoha.

So Iruka changed tactics. Not that it made any difference.

It didn’t matter who he begged one off of (Anko, Ino, even Shikamaru, who rolled his eyes in exasperation, as if he wasn’t embarrassed enough already), within five minutes it had either magically disappeared or snapped for no reason and his hair flopped back down over his eyes, prickly and annoying- not that Kakashi had a point or anything.

Even his own home wasn’t safe. Iruka didn’t know how, but someone had snuck in and removed everything that could even potentially serve as a hair tie, even rags and bandages. Iruka suspected Kakashi had won over Naruto with promises of all-you-can-eat ramen. He had half a mind to bring his complaint to the Hokage herself, before realizing she would probably find it hilarious and cackle like a loon for hours. So, no. Better to just deal with it himself.

---

Iruka was a hard man to break, Kakashi would give him that. After a whole week of this charade and no sign of the sensei’s resolve weakening, he’d earned his respect. But it couldn’t last forever. He had to give up at some point. Everyone had their limit. Kakashi smirked, raising a hand to study the red band still wrapped around his pinky. Yes, any minute now…

“I’m not going to break, so piss off!” Iruka shouted from inside his apartment. Kakashi, who’d been sitting on the roof, jumped. The man was more perceptive than he’d thought. His respect went up another notch.

“You sure about that?” he asked, popping his head in through the window. It was Iruka’s turn to jump. Then he swore, grabbed him by the vest, and hauled him inside the apartment, which was just as messy and unkempt as his hair. Because, you know, two jobs or whatever. Kakashi caught sight of a pair of pink boxers splayed on the couch before Iruka spun him around to glare point-blank in his face.  

“What the hell do you even care if my hair isn’t perfect? Life is not a fucking shampoo commercial,” he demanded. Kakashi shrugged.

“I had expectations. Dreams. How dare you break my fragile, innocent heart.” He swooned and clutched his chest dramatically.

“I’m gonna break something else of yours in a minute.” Iruka scowled at him, stewing in fury. “It’s none of your business, anyway. My hair, my choice. Deal with it.”

“I refuse.” Kakashi glared right back, refusing to stand down. “It’s a matter of honor.”

“Oh, please! Like yours is any better!” Iruka burst out, stepping forward to plunge his hands into Kakashi’s thick mane. “You’re always out on a mission, don’t tell me you have the time to- merciful God it’s like I’m petting one of those fluffy Inazuka dogs.” Iruka stared at him in shock. “How the hell do you get it so soft and silky? Haircare no Jutsu?”

“Don’t be silly,” Kakashi scoffed. Iruka just gave him a flat stare. “…Alright, yes, I infuse my shampoo with a little chakra for extra volume. Sue me.”

“I’m considering it, after all the harassment,” Iruka muttered darkly, his hands still in Kakashi’s hair. Kakashi had to fight back a shudder of pleasure as his fingertips scraped across a particularly sensitive area. Finally Iruka removed his hands (Kakashi stifling a disappointed whimper) and frowned in consternation. “…I just have to let you wash my hair once?”

“Sure,” Kakashi answered with a nod. “…And then you are legally obligated to follow a strict hair-care routine dictated by me-”

“ONCE.” Iruka held up a finger, expression firm. “That’s it. That’s the deal. Then you leave me alone.”

Kakashi weighed his options. He could keep running around Konoha, using up his chakra on clones and buying up every bit of material that could serve as a hair-tie, following Iruka around till he was old and even grayer and broke.  

…Or he could just wash his hair right now and be done with it.

“Alright, fine,” he agreed. “Let me wash your hair and we’re good.” Rather than look triumphant like he expected, Iruka hesitated, biting his lip uneasily and dropping his gaze to the floor.

“…Promise you won’t take advantage of me,” he said, voice quiet and serious for once.

Kakashi solemnly placed a hand over his heart. “I promise.”

And then Iruka took his shirt off and Kakashi had never regretted making a promise more in his LIFE. He truly was that tan all over, with white scars scattered here and there like constellations, accentuating the toned muscles and hard flesh.

“Oh, wait,” Iruka said, “what am I thinking? You probably need to go to your place and get-” Kakashi wordlessly held up his shampoo and conditioner bottles. Iruka blinked. “…Of fucking course.”

---

Iruka’s bathroom was just as untidy as the rest of the apartment, half-empty three-in-one shampoo bottles and dirty clothes strewn everywhere. For some reason, the fact that he was a complete slob did nothing to detract from Kakashi’s burgeoning attraction to the man.

“If you please,” Kakashi said politely, rolling up his sleeves and nodding towards the sink.

“I am not tipping,” Iruka sniffed haughtily as he stepped forward. His eyes lingered on Kakashi’s bared hands and arms for a moment before jerking away. He leaned over the sink, which, thankfully, seemed large enough to accommodate an impromptu hair-washing. Kakashi turned the tap on, careful to adjust the water temperature to a pleasant degree, then eased Iruka forward into the spray with a gentle hand. The other man grumbled, but kept still as Kakashi thoroughly wetted his hair, careful to get every bit. When he was satisfied, he pulled out his shampoo and poured a dollop into one hand, paused, then poured some more. Might as well make it count.

“Hurry up, I’m getting water up my nose,” Iruka muttered, head still under the spray. “And water all over the rest of me, too.”

“Yeah, sorry.” Kakashi forced himself to concentrate on washing Iruka’s hair and not his glistening, muscled back. He sank his fingers deep into the dry, bristly hair and scrubbed gently, lathering up the soap, making sure to pay special attention to the scalp and roots.

The shampoo was his own special recipe, imbued with his own personal chakra for extra strength and luster. He rinsed it out after several minutes, then applied the conditioner. After one more rinse, he was done, and he stepped back, allowing Iruka to straighten. Kakashi turned away to find a towel, snatched the cleanest-looking one from a shelf, and turned back.

I’ve made a horrible mistake, Kakashi realized immediately. I can’t let others see him like this. He’s too beautiful.

Iruka on a bad day was a knockout. Iruka, gloriously shirtless and gleaming, with his wet hair pooling like ink around his face and shoulders, was a vision fit for the Gods. Kakashi stood frozen, tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

Unaware of the other man’s dilemma, Iruka raked a hand through his hair, pushing the wet strands off his face. Kakashi gulped, his throat suddenly dry and tight. A long, tense pause drew out between the two of them like a taut bow-string.

“What the hell are you waiting for?”

“…Huh?” Kakashi stared at him, blinking.

“Make a move already, you idiot.” Iruka stood there in his shirtless glory, arms crossed over his tanned chest, wet, glistening hair framing his face. “You’ve already got me half-naked and everything.”

Kakashi sputtered incoherently for a few seconds, shaking his head.

“I...I can't, I promised-” he choked out.

“Oh my God come here.” Iruka grabbed Kakashi by the front of his shirt and reeled him in like a prize catch. Kakashi did his part, gaping at him like a fish, wide-eyed in shock. Iruka scoffed, then leaned in close enough for their lips to brush teasingly. “I never promised not to take advantage of you, dumbass.”

Kakashi was not about to argue.

---

Years later, he still kept the red band around his pinky, right next to the wedding ring that winked in the sunlight.

-End-

Months ago, I was chosen to be a pinch-hitter for the Kakairuzine (I would step in if someone had to leave), so I completed two fics in case they were needed. Since they aren’t, I might as well upload them here. This is the second and final fic. Enjoy!

[roseworth]

pls tell us more about fitzmom! i want to know her like you do 💛

i am SO glad u asked 🥰 strap in i wrote so much more than i thought i would

(disclaimer these are obviously all headcanons bc fitzmom has no canon personality so every hc i have for her comes from the love in my heart)

so first of all i like the name Celeste for her, i’ve heard a lot of different names for her but i use celeste (mostly because of the word “celestial” bc,,, moon lol)

some quick little things about her before i get into A Lot:

-she’s very sarcastic/snarky (like eugene 😌) but not because she’s a mean person, just bc she thinks it’s funny. she’s very confident and determined (stubborn) because if she knows what she wants, she’s not going to let anyone get in her way. this can often become a fault because she unintentionally steps on others or ignores their wishes if she thinks she’s right.

-she also wants to get along with everybody, and she’s a little rapunzel-ish in the way that if she doesnt get along with someone she’s Stresses Out and needs to make them like her

-also she’s bi. no reason other than that there’s no way i can look at her and think “straight woman”

i’m gonna put the rest of this under a cut bc it got,,, a lot longer than i expected sorry 😳 i just care very deeply about her

she wasn’t born into royalty. she grew up in the Dark Kingdom and lived there for years, but she was just a normal person for most of her life. her dad left when she was young so she was raised by her mom. when she was in her early 20s, her mom died and that was what pushed her to leave the dark kingdom for a bit. for the next few years she journeyed around the world and visited other kingdoms just to see what it was like, but the dark kingdom was always her home. she was in her late 20s when she came back to the dk

when she came back home, she expected to just settle back into a normal life, but she ended up meeting a dude that just happened to be the king. she didn’t even realize that he was the king at first bc she didnt bother paying much attention to what the royalty was up to. but one day someone says “so i saw you’ve been spending a lot of time with the king ;)” and she just says “haha what? that’s not the king that’s just ed.” and they have to tell her that he’s actually the king. when she asks why he never told her, he just said that he assumed she knew and didn’t care (and he was right, she didn’t care, but she at least would’ve liked to know 😔)

the two of them get closer. she thinks that he’s the weirdest person she’s ever met (in a good way) and he gets all flustered around her whenever she smiles. nerd.

she also cares a lot about the kingdom. it’s her home and she grew up with lots of the people in it, so she wants to protect all the citizens even before she becomes queen. she also is used to the Moonstone causing problems and wants to find a way to stop it just as much as anyone. she reads a lot about the history of the Moonstone and the different research that’s been conducted on it to see if there’s a connection she can find or a way to stop it. she doesn’t find anything, but she doesn’t like giving up.

edmund proposes to her, ofc she says yes bc she loves that nerd and wants to spend her life with him. technically there are rules against royalty marrying commoners but a) he’s the king so he does what he wants, b) she knows what she wants and won’t take no for an answer, and c) she knows almost the entire kingdom and everyone loves her so no one cares that they’re breaking one dumb rule

she tries to bond with the brotherhood and she soon finds out that they’re all just as weird as edmund and she LOVES it. she bonds with quirin and hector pretty much instantly. when she finds out quirin knows a little bit about farming (he farms as a hobby on the side. what a loser) she asks him to teach her everything bc she loves nature and likes to learn how to grow things. since she’s traveled a lot, she can connect with hector since he has random animals that he’s just kind of collected from places he’s been. he has a rhino that he just… brought home one day. she thinks that’s the coolest thing ever

but she has a bit of trouble making friends with adira since adiras really closed off and likes to keep herself distant. that doesn’t stop celeste from trying. she offers to help with adiras training. even though adira is stronger than her, she assumes she could hold her own for long enough in a sparring match. it doesn’t go well, so she tries a different tactic.

they end up comparing research on the Moonstone, and adira tells her about her Sundrop theory. they go on a little quest to see if they can find anything about the Sundrop. they don’t find anything, but after adventuring together for days, they finally feel Connected to each other. adiras never had a girl friend since most of the people she spends time with are the brotherhood. so she thinks it’s nice that she has someone that is willing to spar with her and go searching for long lost magical artifacts #justgirlythings

celeste always wanted a big family. she has so much love to give to everyone and she just always imagined having children. when she first got pregnant she was ECSTATIC. she found a way to mention it in every conversation she had, no matter who it was with

but as it got closer to her delivery date, she was starting to get scared. she didn’t want to screw it up, and she wanted her kid to feel happy and loved all the time. she felt like it was so much pressure to have this kid that she had to raise to be happy and okay and make sure that the child was ready for the world. then she started stressing out over every little choice she made as if getting the wrong crib meant the world was going to explode

edmund talked to her about it and assured her that they were in this TOGETHER and no matter what happened, they would love their child. sometimes things were out of their hands, but they would make sure that that child had all the love in the world :’) that reassured her a bit, and she tried to work on letting go of control.

but then the Moonstone started getting worse than usual. now she not only wanted to protect her kingdom, but make the best life for her kid. it started up about a month before she gave birth, and she was getting nervous about what was going to happen.

after she gave birth to a lovely little boy, she kept an eye on the Moonstone. it was only getting worse, and she didn’t want her son to have to deal with it. she tried to stay away from it but she couldn’t ignore it.

when her son is about a month old, she tries to destroy the Moonstone. it doesn’t work. it shoots up a rock and kills her.

edmund is with her in her last moments. she knows she’s about to die and she feels like she failed. she couldn’t save her kingdom or her son. she tries to apologize to her husband because she was dying and she didn’t even get to destroy the moonstone. she just wanted to keep everyone safe and she failed. edmund promises her that he will make sure everyone is safe. that makes her feel better

she tells him that she loves him. she asks him to keep their son protected and happy. then she dies in his arms.

her death impacted everyone in and out of the kingdom. people everywhere were mourning the loss of the queen of the dark kingdom.

everyone in the brotherhood became more closed off after that. after her death, quirin swore to not get any more loved ones involved in the Moonstone if he could avoid it. he knows how dangerous it is and won’t lose anyone else he cares about to it. hector acts like he doesnt care as much as he does and tries to cover up the issue with anger. he knows that she was looking for the Sundrop with adira, and he wonders if that research is what made the Moonstone angry. he decides that if moonstone=bad and sundrop=moonstone, then sundrop=bad. adira is also extremely hurt, because she barely takes her walls down to form connections with people. so then one of the only times she allows herself to get close to someone, she ends up getting hurt. so she puts her walls back up and refuses to make more close relationships out of fear that it will hurt more when she loses them.

so basically no one is dealing with their loss in a healthy way

edmund is definitely not dealing with it well. he loved her with all his heart and doesn’t know how to go on without her. he realized that his son was in danger the longer he stayed in the dark kingdom, and so were the rest of the citizens. so he literally pushes everyone away and makes them leave. he doesn’t want his son to be constantly weighed down by the threat of the Moonstone, and he wanted to keep everyone safe the way he should’ve done for her. so he sends everyone away and pretty much spends the next 25 years wallowing in guilt. he never got the chance to process the grief because everyone was sent away so abruptly. in the empty castle, at first he to her every day and over time he just naturally starts voicing all of his thoughts to fill the silence

anyways years and years later, after the series, eugene wants to learn more about his mom but no one likes talking about her (bc no one ever bothered processing their grief so they just ignore it now) so he goes through old dk files and records by himself and tries to find anything about her. he finds the pages and pages of research she did about the moonstone but can’t really find much about who she was as a person

eventually he asks adira about the research they did together to try to learn more about her. adira tells him about their time researching together, and eventually tells him about her. adira says that ever since the forest of no return, she had her suspicions that eugene was Horace just because he reminded her SO MUCH of celeste that she wondered if they were related.

eugene is happy to know that he’s so much like his mom, since he spent his entire life imagining what she was like without knowing who she was. eventually he gets his dad to talk about her, and edmund realized he felt better about it when he could tell stories about the happy parts of their life together instead of replaying her death over and over in his head

okay i think that’s all i have for now i’m sorry i wrote so much i just Love this character whose personality i completely made up

[soulessrobot]

I spent a ridiculous amount of time yesterday thinking about Straw Hat Buddy Cop AUs and which one would be the most ridiculous partner dynamics. These can all be viewed as separate Aus or be forced into some big amalgamation of these ideas which would be the most dysfunctional police department in the world. 

Nami and Zoro: Alright not going to lie out of all of these this is probably one of my favorites and the one I spent the longest thinking about. I’m a sucker for Zoro-Nami interactions. This partnership is classic brains and brawn. Nami starts as a dirty cop that joined the force as part of the Arlong Gang. Nami hates the Arlong Gang but they have her home neighborhood completely under their thumb and if she wants to keep her people safe she has to compromise her morals. Nami has duped every partner since she joined the force and she thinks Zoro will be no different. Zoro has an incredible pain tolerance and discipline when he wants to be he can be a force of nature. His father Mihawk was the world’s best bounty hunter and Zoro learned his fighting prowess from him His sister, Perona, is a private detective who will sometimes help Zoro out by giving him tips. Zoro cannot read maps or operate the gps system. He by order of chief Garp is not allowed to drive the police cruiser because he can never get to crime scenes on time even when he turns his lights on. Somehow Zoro always seems to end up at crime scenes before they happen and prevent the crime though... Nami thinks Zoro is an idiot she’s not wrong, he constantly forgets his wallet places and she’s always covering his debts for him. They bicker almost constantly. Zoro is rather fond of it because it reminds him of Perona. Zoro saves Nami’s life in a shoot out. Zoro seems to know something is up with Nami even though everyone else missed it. After a particularly brutal case he tells her that she can tell him and he’ll find a way to help her. Nami declines but doesn’t know how to feel, she hasn’t had someone take care of her since before Arlong’s takeover. Zoro by accident ends up in the sights of the Arlong Gang and Nami has to make the choice of if she’s willing to sacrifice the one person who could actually help her. 

Franky and Robin: I’m torn on this one between making it a police au where they are actually partners or making it into a mob au where Robin is a FBI investigator trying to make a case against the Franky Family a group of robin hood con men. Either way Robin graduated top of her class and was recruited straight into the FBI from college. She’s worked with multiple sections in the FBI but her specialties are organized crime, forgery and profiling. She’s not usually in the field but as the targets of the Franky Family grow in notoriety she ends up going undercover to try and catch him. Franky is a con man whose running a Leverage-esque gig. He’s out for the little guy. His family would never screw him over they’re in it to steal the rich blind and give to the poor. Franky is an inventor who makes his own gadgets for their heist. Franky’s personality and ethics start to grow on Robin as she gets closer to her target she almost doesn’t want to catch him. Does she defect? Who knows?  

Sanji and Usopp: Sanji comes from a rich family with deep political connections in the city. He wants nothing to do with them. They’ve basically disowned him for joining the force.  Sanji has a serious weakness for ladies that has a tendency to get them into to trouble on their cases. He’s a real bleeding heart to the plight of women and kids. He has a serious vendetta about domestic abusers. Usopp has a keen eye for details and spots things that everyone else may have overlooked. At first Sanji is really disappointed he didn’t get paired with Robin or Nami but Usopp grows on him. Usopp wins Sanji over when they discover a shared love of supporting family owned restaurants all over the city.  Usopp sometimes catches ‘cantgetoutofthecruiseritis’ but its been getting less and less frequent with Sanji watching his back. 

Chopper and Brook: The weirdest team-up of the old man on the verge of retiring who the department loves and the wide eyed new recruit. Brook has a habit of telling Chopper things that are totally untrue about how the force used to run back in the day. Chopper is starting to get better at catching on to when Brook is trying to full a fast one on him. Chopper is still new but he tries his best everyday. He spends all of his free time studying first aid and non violent deescalation tactics. He visits a lot of people he helped to put away in jail and helps them find resources to turn their lives around. Brook has a lot of hope in what young people like Chopper will mean for the future police force. Brook has dozens of cassettes in his police cruiser with all different types of music on them. He has a rescue dog named Laboon who likes to howl along while Brook sings in the car. His cruiser is the oldest on the force.

Luffy and Usopp: Luffy in any police force AU is the maverick constantly on the verge of being fired. It’s not because he has some gritty vigilante code (though he does have a heart of gold!) but because he actually is dumb as rocks about processes and procedures but is like a blood hound with a ridiculously good instinct for tracking down the bad guys. Luffy doesn’t carry a gun and handles everything with his fists because that’s the way a man does it. His grandfather was one of the best cops in their country and everyone expects that from Luffy. Luffy does not care he’s here to kick the bad guys ass and help the little guy.  Usopp has always wanted to be a field officer because his father was a detective before he died on the job. On the force he’s been a beat cop and paper pusher in the office he’s absolutely terrified about doing undercover work. When he gets partnered with Luffy he’s so excited Their first ride together turns into a high speed police chase against kidnappers. Usopp is terrified and Luffy spends the whole ride laughing. Over time they develop a record case solving rate that no one at the department can figure out. The answer is they just bumble into it in a truly Psych-esque fashion. Now that I think about it Luffy and Usopp really do have Shawn-Gus vibes and a Psych AU could totally work for them. 

Luffy and Law: Lets be real this would literally be their canon relationship. Law has no idea what he’s getting into. He’s the lone wolf at the department and has no desire to be partnered with anyone let alone the grandson of the chief. Law’s sole motivation for life and for joining law enforcement is to take on Doflamingos criminal empire that killed his foster father and then got to walk. He’s spent years building a case against the man. Their first case starts as a robbery to a toy store and ends with them finding a multi-million blood diamond smuggling ring. Law still can’t answer how they got there but someone has to write the report and its definitely not Luffy. Law over time gets strapped with doing all of Luffy’s paperwork. Luffy is really excited to have Law as a partner and somehow worms the way into the other mans heart. They would both take a bullet for each other. 

Robin and Jimbei: Okay lets be real this would be the most serious partner team up. Robin and Jimbei would both be great detectives, they would follow the rules (or not get caught when they break them), catch the bad guys and one of them would end up as chief as police by the end. Robin might end up as a forensic investigator who makes morbid little jokes to watch all the newbies squirm. 

In summary none of the Straw Hats should be police officers except Robin but she’s way to good for it anyway. Please add your own thoughts about the hilarity of the Straw Hats in the force or use any of these weird headcanons/plot bunnies in anyway you want. I just had to get them out of my head. 

[vestigiallegs]

If their roles were swapped: how would Sam fare as a psionic and Ike as a lycomorph? How would their lives, personality and outlook change?

I actually answered this same hypothetical on my old oc blog years ago! However, my answer was pretty general, and with the development PT has had since then I have a better idea of what the specifics would be now, I think. Incoming longpost.

SAM AS A PSIONIC

SITUATION: Growing up in Rietveld would appeal to Sam for some of the same reasons it appealed to Isaac. Baby Sam ABSOLUTELY would have appreciated being stolen from her birth family, taken out of contact with her shitty father, and raised in an environment with some semblance of stability. However, with her general temperament and attitude I don't think she would ever have the same level of emotional attachment to Rietveld that Isaac does. In his most bootlicker moments, Rietveld IS his family, and a genuine savior to people like him.

Sam wouldn't share that take.

She would feel that the Rietveld Academy is more of a necessary evil. An organization with a good mission statement and a bunch of power hungry dirtbags looking to co-opt it into their personal army (a pretty on-the-nose assessment).

Adapting to her new life would be harder for her than it was on Ike, as she is generally allergic to rules and strict schedules and conformity. She would be a lot of trouble as a new recruit, hideously uncooperative and generally looking for problems. Of course, when you deal exclusively with kidnapped children, you see this kind of behavior a lot, so she wouldn’t actually be anything the Academy wasn't prepared to handle. Eventually she would tucker herself out enough to become somewhat system compliant (but she would always be looking for discreet acts of rebellion that she could get away with).

As she got older she would feel torn between wanting to put as much distance between her and Rietveld politics as possible, and feeling an obligation to every other psionic to try and effect change where possible. She would decide the latter was the morally right thing to do, and end up going down a very similar career path to Ike. In general, she would make a lot of his same choices, she'd just be more conscientious about it.

Assuming she was as psychically talented as Ike is, she'd have a similar time rising through ranks, garnering some level of recognition, reaching a sort of smalltime celeb status in certain corners of Rietveld. Eventually, though, her career would come to a ceiling. While this Sam would have learned to hold her tongue now and then, she is terminally pushy and nosy, and there would come a point where her superiors just... didn't want her any closer to sensitive information. Her career would lose steam in a much less dramatic way than Ike’s, and though she would remain respected people’s attention would drift as she settled into the life of a cog.

From here I can see two options.

1. She gets disillusioned and leaves for Verdamt of her own volition, growing even more disgruntled with Rietveld once she’s living outside of the system. She lives her best life but feels bitter that Rietveld stole years of her life from her.

2. She stays in her position for years, becoming one of those “cool middle aged mentor who is in a position of authority but not a jackass about it and looks the other way if you break a rule that hurts nobody” type characters who dies in a story’s inciting incident, either after discovering something they shouldn’t have and/or getting mercilessly betrayed by someone obviously evil who they fully trusted for some reason (fitting for her).

PERSONALITY: Sam as you know her, but with a much larger vocabulary. She has strategically polished her personality to come off as more intentional, charming, and rascal-y in order to balance her innate desire to mouth off and backtalk with her need to function in Rietveld’s existing hierarchy. Unflappably confident. Could function as a D&D party’s face without getting them all killed.

Cuts her hair short, very clean cut style, doesn’t smell sweaty. No tattoos. Still missing an eye.

ISAAC AS A LYCOMORPH

SITUATION: Ike's regular life is already stressful enough, and he is emotionally equipped to deal with psionic problems, he is not emotionally equipped to deal with lycomorph problems like Sam is.

First things first: he spent his entire childhood being raised ("raised”) by Seymour. Seymour is a career lycomorph hunter who has spent years tracking his runaway feral werewolf wife with the intent to kill her. He ABSOLUTELY expects his sons to follow in his footsteps, and when they are older, he makes sure they do. He raises his sons telling them they are obligated to help in the mom hunt and that every person they let her kill is second hand their fault. Terry grows up going “haha sure okay dad (turns to Ike and makes the cuckoo sign at him)”, but Isaac takes this to heart because he is just... really susceptible to guilt tactics.

You can probably already guess how Isaac would get infected and how Seymour would react to this.

Isaac knows his father is an awful, terrible man, even more than usual since he was actually raised (”raised”) by him. He KNOWS it. Even so, he finds himself completely caught off guard. He really for real thought “my dad would never murder me” was really a boundary Seymour wouldn’t cross. Of course, he also knows (”knows”) he shouldn’t feel hurt about this either, because executing the infected just makes sense, you know...

So this sad, wretched dogman is probably just going to let Seymour kill him, but luckily Terry is a voice of reason AS ALWAYS and kills Seymour before he can (something Terry has always wanted to do anyway).

Isaac copes very badly with being a lycomorph. While Sam adapts to her new normal relatively quickly, everything about being a lycomorph repulses Ike. He doesn’t like the transformations, they’re inconvenient and he finds them disproportionately painful. He doesn’t like being a naked wolfman once the change is over with. He hates eating carrion. He develops a psychosomatic weak stomach and struggles to eat enough for a lycomorph because he can’t emotionally bring himself to eat sub-human-grade food because THAT’S GROSS.

Luckily, good ol’ dependable Terry is looking out for him. No, really. Terry looks out for him. Not very well, because this is Terry we’re talking about, but he’s giving it his all and making sure Ike doesn’t die. (What makes you think Terry wouldn’t be there for his only brother?)

PERSONALITY: Absolutely VIBRATING with anxiety. Imagine one of those excruciatingly fearful, huge bite risk dogs. That’s him. Really hung up on and over dramatic about being a monster. Out of touch with what he likes and wants because he repressed like 3/4ths of his personality to get along with dad.

Looks like regular Ike got lost in the woods for a week. Doesn’t wax. Shakes like a chihuahua.

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Request: Two Loves (Vladimir x Reader x Felix Volturi)

Whilst you never considered that immortal life being easy. You didn't think you'd immediately be thrown into difficult situations. For example, you had just gotten your thirst under control, a little earlier than average but that only showed you were rather strong willed and could find the determination to control your thirst easier than others. That was the most difficult thing you had ever done in your eyes. After that, you were introduced to vampire life, officially as a Cullen. 

After some time you came across Vladimir. The two of you clicked, getting on almost immediately. Although your interest in history may have given you the advantage. Vladimir loved talking about his last experiences. 

Although not long after you also met Felix of the Volturi. Naturally, the Volturi wanted to meet the newest Cullen and so that's how the two of you crossed paths. What made you so attractive to Felix was your eyes. How you took in the world was so entrancing to him. The excitement of this new life was contagious and radiating to him. He enjoyed every second of your company and couldn't help but begin to want more. 

Things went up a notch when Felix began to flirt with you. In all honesty, he loved how bashful you'd get. The only missing element being you could no longer blush. That would have completed the sight. You weren't opposed. Felix was a fun guy beyond the Volturi guard exterior. Not to mention good looking. On the other hand, Vladimir was a sweetheart and grew on you big time. If anything, you had a crush on him before he took interest in you. 

You never anticipated both of them growing an interest in you. As soon as the two of them made their intentions known, you attempted to distance yourself. However, they didn’t seem to let you.  

Vladimir was the first to take things to the next level. The Romanians had come to visit the Cullen’s and of course Vladimir paid extra attention to you and even Renesmee. Vladimir had a loving gaze as he watched you.  “I hear you haven’t been here since the confrontation with the Volturi.” You began “That’s correct, it’s a much brighter atmosphere since last time.” Vladimir responded. “I couldn’t imagine it.” You looked up at him, finally meeting his gaze.”To feel in danger like that.” Vladimir moved closer. “You won’t have to. I’d do anything to keep you safe.” Vladimir lovingly stroked your cheek. “Then it’s a very good thing that I’m not in danger.” You smiled at him slightly before casting your gaze to the floor. “Since when were you shy?” Vladimir teased lifting your chin up with his index finger. “I’m not, I’m just trying not to hurt you in the long run.” Vladimir pulled you closer, hands around your waist. “Vladimir…” You breathed a warning. “Don’t. Don’t shy away from me. It’s alright.” His hand moved to the back of your head and he planted a kiss to your forehead, another on your cheek and finally planting a kiss to your lips. You inhaled sharply, despite having no need to breathe. He broke the kiss to mutter one more time. “It’s okay.” Just as quickly he moved back in. After a moment he broke the kiss, his forehead resting against yours. “I’m not asking you to make any decisions right now. I know you’re still finding your way in this life.”  

That stance was short lived, time passed and things got difficult and feelings escalated. Felix and Vladimir were two totally different people yet had both successfully captured your heart. Naturally, you made effort to visit them both. However, the two used the time to try and win you over. It broke your heart. 

You were leaving the Volturi castle, your arm looped in Felix’s.  “Can i expect your next visit to be soon?” Felix looked down at you.  “Depends, when is soon?” You grinned. “I still have to make sure i’m not a nuisance to Aro, Caius and Marcus.”  “We’d certainly know about it if you were.” You chuckled in response and the smile faded from Felix when you reached the door. “You’re going to visit him now, aren’t you?” You felt a pang of guilt. You didn’t know how to respond, your own smile vanishing. “I... promised i would. It makes the timing easier.” You moved back slightly, not comfortable with in Felix’s gaze any longer. “Don’t look at me like that.”  “Like what?”  “Like i’m cheating on you.”  “I don’t-”  “You do.” You said quickly. “You might not want to think it but you feel that way. It’s clear in your eyes. As clear as day.” Felix didn’t argue. “I worry. I worry that if you chose him...i know its the wrong decision.”  “Felix, don’t do this.” You whispered. However, Felix continued. "He's offering you an eternity of running. He's offering you the position of a replacement. He already had a mate but she died. I haven't had one. I'm offering you a stable eternity, but I'm also asking you to be my one and only love from now until the furthest point that forever could ever be." Felix took your hand and kissed it before being gone in moments. 

Your mood was ruined after that. You felt awful and that no decision you made would be a winner. That all changed a few days later when you entered Romanian territory and approached their home. A smile grew on your face as Vladimir immediately opened the door and approached you with a grin.  “I knew you’d be here soon!” He called out. “Hi, i missed you.” You responded and immediately met him with a hug.  The night was going well, talking with Vladimir and Stefan about anything and everything. Stefan made a comment that he hadn’t seen such an energy in Vladimir in centuries. 

However, later in the night was a deeper conversation. You were in Vladimir’s room with him.  “So he’s upset?” Vladimir smirked. You shrugged. “I don’t know. he said he’s more concerned.”  “For you? About what?”  “If I tell you, please don’t get upset.”  “With you? Of course not. With him? He is already on my hit list.” Vladimir responded.  “He said he’s concerned because if i were to be with you, i’d be constantly on the run-”  “He can fix that by ensuring his coven stops hunting us down.” You shot Vladimir a look. “Alright, continue.” You paused looking to the floor. Vladimir furrowed his brow. “Hey, tell me.”  “He... said that i’d just be a replacement for your...” You looked up to see Vladimir’s eyes darken, anger building fast. “for your mate.” You finished. Vladimir was quiet, scowling for a few moments. “Disgusting.”  “What?” You asked.  “It’s disgusting he’d stoop so low to say such a thing.” 

After a few seconds, Vladimir's attention was brought back to you. "You don't believe him, do you?" "I never really considered it. I mean I know you had a mate-" "but you don't believe you're just a replacement, do you?" "...I don't know. You've never told me about your mate." "You know why! It was a millennia ago! Don't let him put these ridiculous thoughts in your head. You aren't replacing anyone!" Vladimir raked his hands through his hair in exasperation before pacing. "Honestly, I've never known such manipulation! I’m not even surprised he'd do such a thing. I'll tell you what it is! He's pulling every tactic he can think of because he knows you enjoy your time with me and he can't stand it! If this doesn't make your choice easier, I don't know what will!" You didn't respond. Vladimir stopped pacing at your silence and seeing your guilt ridden face as well as the uncertainty in your expression. "You can't be serious." "Vladimir-" you began. "This isn't supposed to be difficult-" Vladimir began but you cut him off. "No, it is. You know it's hard, don't try to minimize this. You're both making it difficult." "Because I know what I want!" Vladimir exclaimed. "I'm going to fight for you no matter what!" Vladimir lifted your chin, making you look at him. "Don't ever think otherwise. You mean so much to me and it'd break my heart if you ever thought otherwise." He harshly pressed a kiss to your cheek before leaving the room. 

With seemingly 'perfect timing' a month later both Felix and Vladimir visited you at the same time. "Oh hell." You deadpanned, looking between the two. Vladimir hadn't forgotten Felix's words either as he marched forward ready to lunge at the Volturi guard. On the other hand, Felix was ready and eager for the fight. "No, no, no, no, no!" You stood in-between them before they could make contact. "Don't do this, I don't want to see either of you hurt!" You pleaded. "You're a disgrace! Absolute scum!" Vladimir yelled at Felix who chuckled. "Only in your eyes, rat!" "Stop!" You shouted. "Ha! My perspective is far superior to yours! I'm not someone's lapdog!" "No, you just make others like (Y/N) your own lapdog, just like you did your mate." Felix argued. "And what would you know of having a mate? You, Italian scum, killed mine and I'm lucky enough to have the chance with another. No one has ever loved you enough to even consider you a mate!" Vladimir shouted. "Actually, I intend to save (Y/N) from such a fate. After all, we did your mate a favour. Your mate had to die to get away from you!" "Felix!" Your jaw dropped at the scene. "Please, as if you have a caring bone in your body. You don't have the ability! It's pathetic that you try to manipulate them into your arms. They'll see it. I promise you they will. They'll see how you manipulate them and they'll throw you away like the waste you are! I'll make sure of it!" Vladimir declared. "Admit your defeat and leave (Y/N) alone. You know damn well you've got nothing to offer them!" "You've broken everything I ever had to offer. Don't use them to break my heart." Vladimir said. "Then don't threaten to break mine." Felix cast his eyes to you. "You. I mean it. Don't break my heart.” "Listen I get that you two have history but can we really not have me as icing on the cake?" You sighed. Vladimir said nothing, simply turned on his heel and walked off. "Oh my, there he goes. Running as always." Felix smirked. A moment of silence passed before footsteps returned. "Oh, he's back." Felix said quickly. "Outside. Now." Vladimir growled. Alice quickly entered and forced you out the room. 

Somehow, Emmett and Jasper stopped the fight before it could happen and you barely caught Vladimir heading out the door. You caught his wrist. "Vladimir!? Where are you going!?" "I'm going to feed and then I'm going home." Vladimir brushed you off with a clenched jaw. "Why? You just got here?" "A few more of that scum is coming- that's why he's here." Vladimir scowled. "Are you angry at me?" "No! I'm angry with him and I need to go! We'll talk later!" Vladimir grabbed your face and kissed you on the lips before storming off. You brushed your fingers against your lips in shock from the unexpected kiss before hurrying inside. 

That was when you found Felix out the back still, Jasper and Emmett just leaving. "What the hell was that? What just happened? More guards are coming?" "I planned to tell you in more pleasant terms but in a week a few of us are coming here. It's being brought to Aro's attention that ...this is gone on for too long." Felix explained. "Felix...are you saying I'm going to be forced into a decision?" Felix slowly nodded. "It isn't final yet but it looks to be so." You sighed exasperated.  “and what do you suggest I do? I’m pretty torn as it is Felix.” Felix moved closer to you. “You have my sympathy, you do but…it can’t stay like this forever and I know what I want.” You stared one another down and Felix leaned in closer. You felt Felix’s brush against yours. “Don’t-” You stepped back but Felix pulled you back into him. “Stop. You’re not betraying anyone.” You gave him a surprised look. “You really thought that I didn’t know what you’re thinking about.” Felix chuckled, shaking his head incredulously. He leaned his forehead against yours, eyes boring into your own. “Why not let yourself have one little moment?” You had no response and Felix didn’t wait for one as he moved back in for another kiss. A kiss you couldn’t refuse.

The situation was clear. You had to make a choice. You had to break someone's heart. You couldn't find the words, it pained you deeply. You felt evil. Once Felix was gone, you immediately wanted to be alone. Before you could leave the room for some privacy, Jasper suddenly closed the door and held it. He turned to you. "Let it out. Now is your chance." You immediately doubled over, sobs overtaking you. 

 A week passed and you avoided the topic or said nothing at all for the whole duration. In that time, Vladimir and Stefan revisited once more upon finding out the Volturi went to see the Cullen's about the situation. Even then, you said nothing but it was apparent that it made you feel worse and worse. Jasper felt it, until finally he had to speak up.“You need to talk about it, (Y/N). It’ll only get worse of you don’t.” Jasper’s eyes were fixed on you. You had your back turned to everyone, silent and deep in thought. You didn’t respond to Jasper and Vladimir looked in between you both and moved towards you. Lightly he put a hand on your upper arm. “What is it? What are you feeling?” Your eyes flickered to him. “I hate myself for this.” Vladimir made you look at him. “Don’t…and don’t ever say that again. 

This situation had gone too long. So much so that the Volturi sent Alec, Jane, Demetri and Felix to at least hurry along the situation. To put it simply, you weren't amused. This wasn't a game and listening to Jane was becoming unbearable. Jane continued to seem the situation childish and hurtful, as though she knew the situation. Furthermore, she determined it all for your enjoyment and your fault. You seemingly made things worse by refusing to take responsibility for the situation and that was when you had to say something. No longer could you bite back your response. 

You suddenly locked eyes with Jane. "Bella, Edward, Vladimir, Felix, Carlisle, Jacob, Charlie, Jessica. Those are the names of the people I have hurt in the past year. I remember every last one of them. I remember what I said or did. You looking at me the way you are right now tells me you don't know how many times you've hurt people and you don't know how your actions impact people. You can stand there and question me or the Cullen's all you like but you don't get to judge me. You're the last person who could ever judge me. You don't get to tell me how to live my life because you don’t know a thing about the real world and you're the one who is making the situation more difficult." Carlisle moved to take your wrist, silently asking you to stop but you didn't brushed him off immediately. You weren't done. "Let me remind you because clearly no one else will, you're a child. You're lucky that Aro was the one who took you in because if it wasn't, you wouldn't be standing here! You are what? Twelve years old? Maybe thirteen? What could you possibly know about love or responsibility or even independence when you literally don't have the brain capacity! You've been shielded for centuries!" "You're pushing your luck-" Demetri began but you cut him off. "Oh let her torture me, go ahead. It doesn't change anything. Actually, I encourage you! Prove me right!" You stared Jane down who looked back at you with empty eyes. "Make your decision and know that you're a child. You don't know!” “Emotions are running high and logic is gone. It would be in your best interest to have a short interval-"  You cut Alec off. "My best interest!? Are you kidding me!? You brat!" You screamed and moved closer. "Enough!" Carlisle quickly pulled you back before you could move much further. "These two shouldn't be making any decisions! They're twelve!" You stormed off.

Carlisle entered the room with a solemn expression and your already present guilt only grew seeing the troubled look on his face.  You shook your head. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. i just saw red and wanted to ram them through a wall head first.”  “I understand this is difficult for you but you need to take a step back.” Carlisle nodded whilst attempting to reason with you. “She doesn’t understand, Carlisle. Jane. She couldn’t hope to get it. She thinks i’m playing games, leading them on and playing victim.”  “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.” Carlisle assured you. “We know who you are. We know the truth. Don’t let a strangers words get you so angry.” You slowly nodded.

Jane was the one to speak first. "We've decided to return in two weeks, giving this duration to make up your mind." You said nothing. You couldn't. "This meeting will be ignored now but the next will not. You'd do well to remember the Volturi don't give second chances." Jane finished.

Two weeks passed. You were faced with Santiago, Demetri and Felix. "We've given you more than enough time." Santiago began."This ends now." You shook your head, helplessly and Felix immediately took hold of your arms. His eyes full of sympathy. You looked over your shoulder to see Vladimir in the window. Felix noted the look in your eyes and swallowed. "Let me help you." Felix said smoothly. Your gaze snapped up to his in confusion. "Stay here and I'll deal with this right now." Felix moved past you and you watched him go. You spared a glance to the other Volturi guards. Then it hit you what he intended to do since Vladimir was in there. You broke off into a run, moving past him and closing the door before he could get there. 

Vladimir looked between you and the door. He was oddly at peace and seemed more concerned for you. "Please. Please don't do this." You pleaded quietly. "I can't take it. If you hurt him...I-" You couldn't finish your sentence and you were met with silence. 

 “Listen to me, sweetheart.” You heard Felix’s voice from behind the door. “Usually a door wouldn’t stop me and you know that.” You pressed your ear against the door. “I will let it this time.” You clung to every word. “I saw the way you looked at him. You looked at me the same way once.” You squeezed your eyes shut. “I know you have love for the both of us.” You could hear the bitter sweetness in his tone of voice, the sad smile on his face. You looked back at Vladimir before back at the door. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” You whispered, grabbing the handle of the door. “Don’t.” Felix said, grabbing the other sides handle. “Don’t let me in. If you do, I’ll go in there. I’ll kill him and won’t be able to do what I’m doing now.” “I’m so sorry…I love you.” It was a plea to him, you begged him to forgive you, not realising that in his eyes there was nothing to forgive. You felt pain in your chest as you clung to the door, the closest you could ever get to Felix. “I love you so much.” He responded. “That’s why I’m going to do this. As much as it hurts me and hurts you, something has to give and it can’t be you, sweetheart.” “Do what?” You whispered. “I love you and I’ll love you just as much for eternity. Whether it’s centuries from now, sooner or later. I know my coven is coming for him. He knows it. Aro is going to be rid of him one day.” Felix began.  Your eyes trailed back to Vladimir and you could see in his eyes that he -very much- did know this. “So I’ll let him have you. For however long he has left, I’ll let you have a life with him. Although, when the time comes, and he isn’t around anymore. I will do everything in my power to love you and give you the best life I ever could.” “It isn’t fair.” You whispered. “I know, baby.” Felix whispered back squeezing his eyes shut. “Don’t let me in. I won’t be able to give you up if you do. I’m allowing him to have days with you. Days I can’t ever have or take from you. I’m giving you those days- I’m giving up some of my time with you. I’m not doing this for him. I’m doing it for you. I don’t want you wondering what could have been for eternity. I don’t want to take that from you.” Felix pressed his forehead against the the door. “Step away from the door. It’s the only way I’ll let you go.” You bit your lip before slowly easing yourself off the door. You slumped to the floor and Felix turned and left. 

After a few minutes of silence, Vladimir approached you. “How am I supposed to live as though I won’t lose you at any time?” You finally asked. Vladimir moved to sit beside you. “I hate to admit it, but he’s right. Something had to give and it couldn’t be you. Don’t think about losing me. My issues with the Volturi go back further than you. The least we can do is not let you be destroyed or hounded by it. I know Aro will eventually come for Stefan and I. That was never going to change but to have you for as long as that may be. That’s a gift. I’ve had a long long life, (Y/N) and I’m happy to end it knowing the last chapter was with you. I’m honoured to be a chapter in your life.” “You told me not to hate myself for loving the both of you but I do.” Vladimir wrapped an arm around you and pressed a kiss to your forehead. “I know.” Vladimir tilted your face towards him before kissing your lips.

[ninjakasuga]

Sonsal Celebration Day 6

Day Six of the celebration of best furry couple by @boundforfreedomsonsal continues! Admittedly I’ve been watching eagerly for this day as this was honestly the first of the prompts I worked on. Having finished reading @archiesoniconline ‘s fan-project version of issue 249 and 250 (in which Sally was deroboticized huzzah) and the signs of Sally dealing with the obvious aftermath; I was inspired. Add in inspiration from a few pages of Glitcher’s Sonic Retold series, and well I had material to work with. I recommend if you want to see a faithful fan continuation of the pre-reboot Archie-Sonic era give ASO, a shot or even pay Glitcher’s DA page ( https://www.deviantart.com/glitcher ) a visit. Since the old comics are never going to see an official revisit we fans are the only ones who will see our beloved characters flourish so give these guys and other fan projects a looksie! Also the lovely, AMAZING art work provided for this prompt was by the amazing @foxinadress​  seriously this amazing artist deserves praise. I recommend not only giving his Tumblr a visit but check their various art platforms and Patreon.

One last Author note; there is some pushing of the PG-13 as per usual, but at this point you guys expect that from me. XD Also while this takes place in my little Sonic fic-verse, it’s out of chronological order, taking place between the Double Date and Surprise prompt episodes.

HURT:

Looking out at the forest beyond Sally Acorn didn’t seem to pay mind to the setting sun, nor did she react to the sounds of the far off cheers coming from the city nearby. There was a lot to celebrate, between the Deathegg being put out of commission, for Naugus being exposed and dealt with, everyone was in a party mood. As much as she didn’t care to dwell on it, the Princess knew a chunk of the celebration was for her own safe return after spending a few months as Mecha Sally.

A few horrible, painful months where she felt like she was trapped inside her own body, unable to do anything but the screaming impulses of Eggman’s whim. She’d be lying if she didn’t thoroughly enjoy seeing his shattered expression as he fled from the Deathegg as the vile creation was torn apart by explosions before crashing into one of his bases it was poised above. It almost made up for the hell she endured.

Yet that joy felt somehow hollow still and it bugged her incessantly. She was back home, her friends and family safe, the Kingdom was safe, and yet… Sally couldn’t fully feel right. She did not feel like she deserved to be there, enjoying the celebration with everyone else. The squirrel-munk hated how she felt, not when her friends, and especially a certain Hedgehog, fought like hell to get her back. Closing her eyes Sally felt the raging memories she tried to suppress coming back. Of her time as Mecha-Sally, from being used as a tool to harm, maim, and kill her friends. Thankfully the latter never happened, but plenty of the former happened; and then there was the recollection of when she was weaponized.

A deep shudder ran through her as she curled her legs closer to her chest, her breathing reaching almost hyperventilating levels as she tried to fight down the terror and panic. By the Neo-Walkers, the Almighty, and any Deity that truly was out there, it was like watching someone dismember you and be AWAKE through it all! In lieu of blood was oil, and yet every part ripped out might as well have been an appendage or organ! While a Robian was made of wires and metal they still had a ‘core’ representing their life-force. When Eggman was taking her apart and enjoying it, her ‘core vitals’ went crazy as if even as a machine her body and true mind knew of the violation being done to her. She nearly died just because Eggman wanted to be sadistic as he prepped her to be a killing machine against all she loved.

Even a week after being deroboticized, she couldn’t shake those vague but potent recollections. Sally was able to suppress and bury most of her trauma by focusing on deposing Naugus before he took the Kingdom down with him, but now that she was left alone to her thoughts; she couldn’t drown it all out.

So lost in her own mind, her ears didn’t even twitch as a familiar ‘sonic-boom’ echoed nearby, signaling the arrival of a certain someone. The flag on the pole she sat beside on the hill of FF Headquarters, began to wave and bob from the sudden gust of wind, along with her hair and vest. Yet Sally didn’t truly seem to pay attention any until a warm hand, gently settled on her shoulder.

“Yo Sal, you okay?! You’re shaking all over!” A concerned voice uttered as the hand moved from her shoulder, and now two entire arms began to gently wrap around her, pulling her into the lap of the owner of said arms. At the feel of his warmth behind her back, Sally instinctively nestled against him, and let out a shaky breath. “I-I’m okay Sonic, jus-just a little chilly is all.”

“Bullshi-er-baloney…” Quipped back the fastest Hedgehog alive as he self-censored himself from uttering a more potent and crass choice of phrase. As he gently rested his chin atop her head, Sonic softly began to gently sway his body, rocking Sally in their embrace as he sought to help her deal with her woes. “You can’t pull a fast one over on me, I know you Sally, and this?” He gestured to her entirely. “This ain’t the wind giving you chills.” His usual jovial tone was dialed all the way to deep concern as his hands remained locked around her waist. “Talk to me Sal, please talk to me.”

Swallowing hard, Sally none-the-less tried to ease his concern with false-assurance. Not easy when those emerald orbs looked at her like that. She loved his eyes but the way he looked at her with concern and love, it almost made things feel worse because she didn’t want him to worry about her. “It’s just a little shake, and bad memories I’ll be fine-.” Interrupting her, Sonic kept his tone even, but a firmness trickled in. “Sally, don’t play this off. Now isn’t the time to pretend you’re not hurting. We sent Naugus packin’ and Egg-butt is still reeling from his toys being broken. Right now the only thing this Hedgehog cares about is the well-being of the woman in my arms. You, numero uno, the one and only Princess Sally, Acorn. The woman I love.” His hand traced along her cheek, making her lip quiver. “You’re hurting, let me help you Sal, right now we have nothing to worry about but us right now. Don’t shut me out, not this time, or ever, please. Now’s the time to let it all out because we dunno when we might get another break.”

His pleas tugged at her heart-strings, his devotion and love for her making her feel wonderful; yet awful at the same time with how her conflicted mind felt. Yet those words she didn’t know she needed to hear, eroded what resistance had been left in Sally. She crumbled like a dam that had burst after too much neglect. Turning her body in his embrace, she buried her face into his neck and sobbed, and just gushed, everything in her spilling out in tandem with the hot tears, leaking from her eyes. “I still remember being weaponized, being taken apart piece by piece, Eggman not caring if he nearly killed me in the process. I saw my own limbs and other pieces just, discarded as he smiled and hummed to music!” A deep shudder ran through her body as she clung to Sonic even more. She began to hiccup but kept talking. “Then he sent me out after everyone… I wish it was a blur, but every image is potently burned into my brain! I remember being used against everyone… I-I almost killed you, my brother, Lupe, Antoine, everyone I cared for and loved… How I managed to not kill anyone I don’t know!”

Shaking her grip on him tightened as more hot tears rolled from her eyes, matting the fur of his shoulder and neck. “When I wasn’t out in the field he made plan out methods to attack the Kingdom, or how to use my knowledge of my friends to use psychological warfare to break you all… I was even tasked to come up with methods to-to assassinate everyone!” Her voice grew hoarse as the lump in her throat got worse, along with the hiccuping. “I made fifty plans for you alone…” 

Deep, burning anger, filled Sonic as much as his desire to comfort and console his best friend and love of his life. The latter won out, and so he mentally filed away his desire to race to wherever Eggman ran off too for the time being and pound his face into jelly. A rage that surpassed the killing desire he felt when fighting the original Robotnik one last time just burned in him, to the point it scared him. Mentally berating himself, Sonic tried to refocus his mind. Sally needed him, and not off fulfilling a vendetta. With one hand, he began to rub up and down her back gently, as the other rested against the back of her head; stroking her auburn tresses as she sobbed against him. “Oh, Sally…” Sonic wanted to make the pain all go away, but knowing he couldn’t just snap a finger and do so, the Hedgehog continued to cradle Sally in his arms.

Sonic was known for his fast-talking, use of quips, and using humor to play off the more dreary elements of what was going on. Keeping upbeat and focusing ahead and ready to move on without looking back much. This was not one of those times he could be flippant on the issue. Yet he wasn’t sure what to say, could he really say anything that could make it all better, even a little? He had to try. “That wasn’t you though-.”

Sally’s tear-stained face pulled away from Sonic’s chest, sending him a glare that could kill, if she didn’t look so emotionally wrecked. “Don’t bull-crap me Sonic Hedgehog, I remember doing all those things!! Me, all me! Eggman let me keep my free will so he could use my tactical prowess and memories and-.”

Interrupting her, Sonic let a low growl leave his throat as he shook his head fiercely. “That wasn’t you Sally Acorn!! I’ve been roboticized too, and I know how that song and dance went!” Shaking his head he placed a soft kiss to her forehead as he held her close still. “Buttnik didn’t give my mind as much leeway as Eggman gave you, but I wasn’t some common bot-job either. Point is you’re still programmed to follow their rules. Just like Robuttnik made me do as he wanted despite any freedom of tactical thinking he left me.” He grit his teeth trying to suppress both his memories of that time and his growing anger. 

“The same applies to you being made to follow that- that, F**King Egg-face’s orders!” He cried giving in and cursing, using a word even he rarely uttered which caused Sally to gasp and stare at him in shock. Something Sonic took advantage of to press on with his words. “Even if you were given some mental free-reign Eggman still wanted dominance and control, meaning he was still using you like a puppet. You were still doing things you did not want to do deep down, because the Sally I know, the Sally I love would never do any of that of her true free will.”

Lip quivering Sally sniffled again, her grip on him tightening some. A fresh wave of doubt, both of her current crisis and old ones creeping into her mind. “Sonic, why? Ho-how could you still love me after all I did? All that I put you and the others through-?”

He interrupted her again with a kiss, soft, and quick, after breaking it his hands gently frame her face. “Because I can, because I do love you, and want to help you through this. Just like you did for me after I was roboticized and used against you all. Remember I wanted to die, but you not only turned me back but helped me deal with the aftermath.” Gently ‘booping’ her nose, he flashed her one of his soft smiles. “I still owe you a makeup date since, well the last one got interrupted by all the blow-out from the Nicole paranoia.”

Softly hiccuping for a moment as she tried to compose herself, Sally found herself slowly smiling if just a thin one. “Even if your girlfriend is a mess? Sonic I-I don’t know if I can trust myself, even if a part of me knows you’re right…” Laying her hands over his, she shook as another wave of doubt and sadness took her. “That was still me, what if what I went through woke up some nasty side of me, a part of me that willingly became a monster to-to ‘get the job done’?”

Firming shaking his head, Sonic leans in, his nose touching hers as his emerald eyes stare into her soft blue peepers. “Then the monster’s gonna have’ta deal with having me around to poke her or wag a finger in her direction. That said I don’t think there’s a monster, just the most amazing woman ever doubting herself. I understand some of what you’re going through Sal, and what I don’t I’m still here to help you along the way. We’ll get through this together like we always do.”

A true, warm, and wide smile crept onto Sally’s face before outright overtaking it. Leaning closer, her forehead, and his touch as she let herself be lost in his emerald gaze. “I don’t deserve you.”

Making a ‘hmm’ of deep thought, the hedgehog just flashed his trademark cocky smile back at her. “Hmm, judges say that’s hogwash. I think the Princess deserves nice things.”

Sally lifted an eyebrow, her mouth quivering as she barely withheld making a ‘snerk’ sound. “So you’re a nice thing?”

“Ten out of ten agree, when you go Sonic, you don’t go back.” He chimed in a sing-song, cheesy tone. Just happy to see her expression lighting up.

A happy laugh left Sally’s lips as she slid her arms around his neck. “I’ll give you that, I’d be lying saying otherwise.” Leaning closer, still staring into Sonic’s eyes, Sally craned her head to the side still leaning in. “I still think I don’t deserve you-.” “Sal-.” She put a finger to his lips. “However, I am very, very happy that you still love and want me even with all my flaws, and baggage.” “Like I’m not flawed-?” She interrupted him again, “Not finished, the bottom line is- oh screw it! I love you too, now kiss me!”’ Deciding words weren’t enough and anything else she said would be a mere retread of words already spoken. She removed her finger from his lips and closed the distance. Planting a big, ol’ wet, and hungry kiss against the Hedgehog’s lips. To which Sonic’s only response was to make a surprised if pleased sound and eagerly return the kiss. Each tightening their hold on the other as the sun fully began to set, and soon the sky lit up with fire-works from the celebration in the city. Almost as if to mirror the setting sun, giving way to the moon and the night; their kissing grew more passionate. Simple lip-to-lip meshing gave way to dueling tongues and their grip on each other began to pet and rub at the skin under their fur, as a heat grew between them.

Shrugging a shoulder, Sally let her vest start to fall off. Noticing this, Sonic started to grasp the article to help slide it back in place, but one of her hands grasped his wrist to stop him. “Don’t.” She pleaded, heat in her voice, her still tear-wet eyes opening to look into his. “I need you Sonic, I want to feel you all of you, kissing me, holding me, on me, in me…” Her soft words carried a mix of soft pleas from the inner turmoil she still felt; intermingled with a sensual huskiness that underlined her desire to be loved and make the pain go away.

Any argument about being out in the open, died without Sonic even uttering the thoughts. Certainly, the concern of being walked upon was there; as far from prying eyes as Freedom Fighter HQ was, they were sitting on top of the grassy hill on top of it. Anyone could wander by and get, well one hell of a show. 

Sally’s loving, needy gaze, and soft pleas killed any objections as Sonic, helped her remove the vest and their kissing resumed. It was probably in their favor that the fireworks show went on as long as it did, dulling out sounds, a pretty distraction and if both Sally and Sonic were, to be honest, ambiance to the oldest dance they were engaged in without a care in the world besides each other.

Robotnik couldn’t destroy them, and neither would Eggman, they would endure as long as they had each other.

[gottawriteanegoortwo]

Wilford - Haunted

Dark isn’t the only one haunted by ghosts of the past. William takes time to reflect on current matters. Who knew a game of Cluedo could have such an after-effect?

(Minor note: The introduction is based on the original, UK version of the Clue board games. I Americanise enough things in my life while writing on this blog and I’m not bothered correcting this.)

Word Count: 1,183

-

It started as an innocent thing. Yanderplier and some of the other Egos were taking a break from studio research by playing Cluedo in the break room. Wilford had been roped in, eagerly snatching Professor Plum because “he’s hot”. Murder mysteries were always a fun way to spend time with the egos, since it allowed them to discuss various weapons and violent techniques in a way that wouldn’t get them in trouble with the egos on the more moral side of the scale, and provided new and exciting techniques for them to use in the future. Win-win!

However, at the game’s end, Yan put the pieces together and discovered that Professor Plum had killed Dr Black in the ballroom with the rope.

“It was you!” They laughed, triumphantly pointing at Wilford. “You’re a murderer! You hear that, Wilf? A murderer!” Wilford, to his credit, dramatically shrugged with a response of “Ya got me!” before deciding to ‘punish’ himself by getting a coffee.

Once the coffee was made, he returned to his office to sit and reflect.

--

That’s where he is now. The coffee is lukewarm, long forgotten on the heart-shaped coaster. Wilford’s attention is on the precarious position he’s in, where he is stuck in the past and the present at the same time. A moment where he is both Wilford and William, set into motion by the direct accusation of being a ‘murderer’. It’s a rare event, one that he somehow manages to forget every time it passes. With a shifted view on life, Wilford’s perspective changes a lot to fall in line with how William used to see things.

On his way back to the office, Wilford had spotted Dark discussing something with Google. With his straight posture and deadpan expression, it’s hard to determine anything from him. But as Wilford passed, William had noticed the choice of words, the focused gaze, the slight wave in his hair.

How can he forget that whatever Dark is was once his dear friend Damien? It’s so obvious, and that’s going beyond the sense of style that’s as stuffy as ever before. His accent still has traces of that high class mimicry. Both he and his sister have the same explosive temper, for crying out loud!

Ah, Celine…

To this day, his heart still yearns for her, even if he knows she’d not want to see him at all. Then again, they say you always have a soft spot for your first love. He knows that at one point when he met ‘Dark’, Wilford had asked about her. At the time, she was ‘sleeping’. Is she still sleeping? Or is she actually dead and the truth was too difficult to admit back then?

One twin might possibly be dead, one twin might possibly be alive within a creature. Both might not exist at all. What a terrible fate for two people with such potential.

William slumps forward onto the desk with a heavy sigh. When he’s caught in the middle, with full knowledge of what happened and what is happening, he knows this is all his fault. All he can think about is how he would want to turn the clock so far back to that fateful weekend. He doesn’t regret shooting the man he once considered a brother, so it would have to be the morning after. He knows it would be that last time he and Damien had a private conversation - or rather, a full blown argument. If he could turn the clock, he’d tell the truth.

He can imagine the scene so clearly. Admitting his crime to Damien - who is also qualified in a legal setting - is as good as a confession. The mayor would recoil in horror, at first questioning whether William was joking, then letting dread set in once William makes no attempt to clarify or laugh it away. Following that, Damien would call for Abe and repeat what just happened, even if it would be by William threatening that William himself would do it instead. The Colonel would be hated by all, yes, but the siblings would live. Damien could walk out of the manor with that friend from work, Celine would not need to step foot in the manor, and William would gladly spend the rest of his life behind bars if he could be content in the knowledge that for once, everyone lives. 

Slowly shifting his head, Wilford spots the photo sitting on the desk. It’s a group photo of himself, some of the other egos, and normal staff on a ‘research trip’ Wilford took them on to make sure his favourite hot chocolate cafe was still the best place for hot chocolate in the city. A heavy sigh pulls him up so he can tug the frame closer to him.

He’s the cause for awful things. Like Abe said one night long ago: he is the bad guy. So many people died and suffered because of him. And what’s his punishment for that? He loses his memories behind some giant mental block that only opens for small windows of time when someone calls him a ‘murderer’. How is that a bad thing?!  He’s the happiest he’s been since before the war! He can sleep soundly without waking with frequent nightmares. He can chat, play games and be silly but never be considered ‘odd’ or overhear whispers of an asylum recommendation. He can drink alcohol for fun, not as a necessity to drown feelings! He can even be openly affectionate to those he cares about without the fear of being seen as less than ‘manly’! How is any of this a punishment for his crimes?!

A good soldier knows when a wrong is being committed, and William would know precisely what to do, and what needed to be done to try and make amends. But that is itself a problem. William won’t be around long enough to do anything of the sort, while the man he now is won’t remember any of this dilemma. Leaving a letter or some sort of reminder would not clear up anything, and might cause more confusion. The last thing William needs is Dark knowing moments like these exist. He doesn’t know what else exists in that body with Damien, and he’s not willing to try it out. 

So what can he do, really? A man of tactical renown and practical approaches is powerless in a world where the absurd and the impossible reign supreme, yet the man he has become cannot defy reality enough to make real change to the situation at hand. It is with resignation that he has to accept that until one of these ‘egos’ turn out to be an actual time traveller, William can’t do a thing. Instead, he lifts a pen and writes a simple note:

“Scrap the coffee. Make a hot chocolate. Past you.”

 Once that is done, he drops forward and wills himself into a nap. William can’t do a lot of things, but future him can live without the guilt of the past weighing him down. It’s a nicer life that way. 

[astharoshebarvon]

I am just so disappointed and sad by what I read in a shoujo manga. I couldn’t understand what the characters were saying but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the author was insinuating.

I thought there was serious homophobia going around in it before but I thought maybe I was overthinking the whole thing. I know I wasn’t I was just trying to make myself feel better.

But now it seems like I was spot on with my observations.

Never thought some shoujo mangakas are going to sink so low as to make a character who seems/is gay try to break up the marriage of the main straight couple. Like seriously, you ran out of all cliché, lame ass bullshit that makes up most of shoujo manga plots that you had to drag a gay character into the mix.

God, just say you hate gay people and get out. No need to make them villain like in your story. Take lessons from Clamp if you really want to write same sex relationships or a lgbt character. Or maybe from the author of Hana Kimi. Because you are doing a shit job of portraying them the way you do. How can anyone even write garbage like this in 2020 and get away with it?

If you don’t know how to write lgbt character just write them out, do not include them. It’s annoying, highly disrespectful and gross.  

No wonder many fans of shoujo/shonen are also of mind : same sex relationships can be used for humor or comedic effect. We don’t want any real, serious relationships. We don’t like them.

Why are there so many shonen ai, yaoi, shoujo ai anime? Where are straight fucking anime?

Just shut up! Literally all animes are straight! Are you being willfully blind or stupid? There are so few shonen ai, yaoi anime. What the hell are you on to write such horrendous lies?

Ugh. I am still so disgusted by these comments.

Are writers really that upset because more and more people are liking shonen ai, bl, yaoi manga that they have to resort to these petty, horrible tactics in their manga to insult a genre that badly?

I was of mind to buy the manga because the art was very pretty, but now. No way in hell I want that homophobic trash in my collection. Pretty art will only go so far.

This behavior isn’t even surprising if I am being honest here. I have come across a lot of FM stories/fics which literally use derogatory words, slurs for gay people. And, yes, it’s mostly for MM relationship not FF. There is also apparently selective homophobia going around too. FF is fine, it’s MM which is wrong.

FF is fetishized like anything by straight story writers. It’s just so gross to read the straight guy fantasizing about two females as if they exist to make your gross fantasies true. Eww.

Then you have the real winners, the so called writers who want change, diversity in MM ships by turning one character into a freaking girl.

Just say you want straight sex, tons of babies and the dominant male spouting how much he wants to fuck the OFC and  see her round with his babies or some other cringe worthy dirty talk.

There’s the hard core truth which will never change, the genderbent characters are OFC. They are just self-insert to live your fantasies with the other guy. At least admit the truth.

Harry is a boy and will always be that. No amount of fem harry bullshit will turn him into a girl. Some even have the audacity to give the oc a brother who is exactly like Harry. Just say you hate Harry and same sex relationships and get out.

I sigh every time when I see the crack stories appear in my pairing, HP/TMR, tag. Just be brave and list them as oc fics. They are that and always will be that. Stay deluded forever thinking fem Harry exists. Why are they even part of the real, slash ship tag? Who the fuck is femHarry?

I wouldn’t be surprised if in said shoujo manga the male lead humiliates the seemingly gay character, or makes fun of him or does something equally loathsome. After all he has made his braindead, stupid, completely garbage of a wife cry, insecure. He deserves to be hurt.

The fem lead is just so stupid it’s not even funny. Most people read it because of the handsome guy, that’s the truth. The girl is so weird and dumb that I am surprised someone even came up with her character.

Then again most shoujo heroines don’t have anything between their ears. They are the ultimate Mary sues, doormats, crybabies or bamfs like anything. They share quite many features with the cracky ofc/genderbent females in fics.

Thank God for mangas like Akatsuki no yona! I would lose faith in shoujo genre if it weren’t for such good stories.

Since we are on the topic of bias, let’s talk about that too. I wouldn’t even be surprised if that weird as hell thing happens in that fanfic sequel anime. Straight ships get away with any bullshit, no matter how weird or strange they are.

There would literally be opposition if the same was shown in any same sex relationship.

Giving the example of Twilight to justify yourself, seriously? Bella tried to kill Jacob after she realizes what he has done. It was weird that he had feelings for Bella then all of a sudden his whole world is Bella and Edward’s daughter. Does that not sound strange at all? (VK has same bull. Ai was first after Zero, then became fixated on his daughter who also returns her creepy affections. Zeki and airen are just so bad. I’ll take Zero/Kaname any day.)

I read a very good post once and it may have been a joke post but it was so freakin true. Why didn’t Jacob feel any attraction towards Edward? Why only Bella? Renesmee was part of both of them or am I supposed to think Bella somehow made her on her own?

Not to mention it’s hilarious as hell when one self insert creepy ship tries to tell another self insert ship we are better than you. Nah, you are both trash of different varieties. One is a pedo ship, one is gross as hell. Thinking the only logical choice for someone is that person’s brother’s wife is amazing. They are both garbage ships who shat on every other ship of this disgusting pedophile.

These shippers vile, gross comments are all over deviantart and other sites. 

Not to mention the blatant disregard these assholes have for Inu no Taishou’s legally, wedded wife, Izayoi, Inuyasha’s mother. It’s truly shocking how vile people can be. We get it, you hate Touga/Izayoi because you all wanted what these two lovely people had, a marriage full of love and devotion which you all never got.

Lady Izayoi was no ones mistress, Inuyasha was never ever a bastard. Inu no Taishou/Touga married Izayoi, he loved her and his child so much that he died for them.

Die mad insulting them, they will always always be one of the best couple in this series. Pedo ship, sister in law /brother in law ship can only wish they were like them, they will never be like them. They are both vile.

Certified pedo’s mom was either a one night stand, or had friends with benefits relationship with Touga. He didn’t commit any infidelity, he didn’t betray her, he didn’t two time her. Her ass is chilling in her palace and has absolute no animosity towards him. The greatest disservice to her character will be if they were to make her a creepy pedo enabler too. I hope she never shows up.

Mates don’t exist in inuyasha, she was no one’s mate. More likely, youkai have no such things as bastards. Because that’s exactly what the certified pedo would be if that were not the case, Inu no Taishou and inukimi were never ever married.

I just hope they won’t bring back Touga and Izayoi in this disgusting and vile sequel, they are the only two people left in this series who are not goddamn pedo enablers.

No wonder they called the creepy woman, Zero. She is a fucking loser and a jealous bitch. Touga didn’t owe anyone, anything. He and Izayoi were good, happy, couple who loved each other and people can stay mad about it. She is wife, she is his wife, his only wife who he loved so much he died for her and their precious child. Inu no Taishou adored his wife, Izayoi, and their precious child, Inuyasha.  

I always thought Touga loved his sons equally and all the trials he put his first son through were so he realises he is wrong about many things. But now, it’s more likely he made as many plans as possible to humiliate him because he knew somewhere in his heart he was gonna turn out to be a fucking bitch. 

[princeescaluswords]

A Line Too Far

Yesterday, I had a spirited discussion with some anti-Scott individuals, including a BNF.  One of the things that stuck in my mind in that exchange was how one of them, at least, viewed the Some of Us Are Human speech in Lies of Omission (5x09) as something good.  They tried to defend it by saying that Stiles was praising Scott, setting him up on a pedestal.  

And it mystifies me, because this speech is the primary reason I have serious problems with Stiles on a fundamental level.  I don’t hate the character, but he would never be my favorite simply because when dealing with people he’s supposed to love and care about, he had no boundaries. And I’m not just talking about breaking into their houses, listening in on their phone calls, reading their mail, and making decisions about their lives, I’m talking about when dealing with them in a relationship, there was simply no limit to what he would do to achieve his goals. This particular speech, in my opinion, embodies that, as it is frankly the cruelest speech I can remember one television character giving another television character that they’re supposed to love.  Let me reproduce it for you as reference:

Stiles: Scott? Where did you get that?

Scott: This is yours? Why didn't you tell me?

Stiles: I was going to.

Scott: No, but why didn't you tell me when it happened?

Stiles: I couldn't.

Scott: You killed him? You killed Donovan?

Stiles:  Well, he was going to kill my dad. Huh? Was I supposed to just let him?

Scott: You weren't supposed to do this. None of us are.

Stiles: You think I had a choice?

Scott: There's always a choice.

Stiles: Yeah, well, I can't do what you can, Scott. I know you wouldn't have done it. You probably would've just figured something out, right?

Scott: I'd try.

Stiles: Yeah, because you're Scott McCall! You're the True Alpha! Guess what? All of us can't be True Alphas. Some of us have to make mistakes. Some of us have to get our hands a little bloody sometimes. Some of us are human!

That wasn’t praise; it was sarcasm, Stiles self-proclaimed ‘only defense.’  It wasn’t an acknowledgement that Scott was superior to him, it was an attempt to change the topic from Stiles’s behavior to Scott’s.   It was false, it was strategic, and it was cruel.  Under the jump, I’ll talk about exactly why.

The only way for me to possibly think of this speech as praise would be to extract it from all context and history.  It should be clear from what was happening during the scene that this was an attempt by Stiles to protect himself by attacking Scott in the most vicious way he could imagine – by attacking the basis of their friendship, by arguing that they simply weren’t equals anymore, and that he should be granted leeway because of it.  

While I think the setup was badly handled – in my opinion this scene would have been 20x better for the production and better for the character of Stiles if he had actually beat Donovan to death with a wrench during the attack -- the writing wasn’t awful, mostly because Stiles’s behavior was consistent from previous seaons.    He did something very similar with Lydia in Master Plan (2x12), when he shouted at a grieving girl, “See, that's the problem. You - you don't care about getting hurt. But you know how I'll feel? I'll be devastated. And if you die, I will literally go out of my freakin' mind,” in order to change the topic from what she desired to what he did.  He did something very similar with Derek in The Overlooked (3x10), when he tried to make himself feel better at Derek’s expense, “Are you telling me what to do now? When your psychotic, mass murdering girlfriend... the second one you've dated, by the way...”  in the middle of a highly dangerous situation.   And finally, he did the exact same thing to his father in The Girl Who Knew Too Much (3x09) with “You just don’t believe.  Mom would have believed me.”   Stiles sacrificed this emotional link with his father – his mother’s death – to get his own way.  These are all previous attempts to use cruelty to control people he supposedly cares about.   Stiles lashing out at Scott can’t be seen as anything else but another instance of the same.

And this speech, to me, is extremely cruel, especially when you take the context of their friendship into account.   I can go through it line by line and explain the mechanism of its ruthlessness.

Yeah, because you're Scott McCall! You're the True Alpha.   This is not only cruel, it’s hypocritical.   Who was one of the people who pushed Scott into becoming a True Alpha?  Who said “Look, you have something, Scott. Okay? Whether you want it or not, you can do things that nobody else can do. So that means you don't have a choice anymore. It means you have to do something” to Scott?   This was after Stiles had literally tortured Scott for not doing the right thing.   It was a seminal moment.   For Stiles to turn on Scott after setting him on this path is simply disgusting.  It’s not being delivered as a compliment.  It’s being delivered as an accusation, especially when you see what comes next.

Guess what? All of us can't be True Alphas.  He shouts this at Scott and he knows damn well that Scott’s never demanded anything like that of Stiles before.  In Night School (1x07), in Venomous (2x05), in Battlefield (2x11), in Chaos Rising (3x05), in Silverfinger (3x17), Scott has always been aware of Stiles’s limitations.   I mean, there was this exchange in Battlefield (2x11):

Stiles: It's going to be bad, isn't it? I mean, like people screaming, running for their lives, blood, killing, maiming kind of bad?

Scott: Looks like it.

Stiles: Scott, the other night seeing my dad get hit over the head by Matt, you know, while I'm just lying there and I can't even move, it just - I want to help, you know, but I can't do the things that you can do. I can't –

Scott: It's okay.

Stiles knows that Scott doesn’t expect him to be a True Alpha or even a werewolf.  He never even offered Stiles the Bite until it was possibly the only thing to keep him from dying of frontotemporal dementia.  Scott never expected Stiles to be anything but what he was: a human being.  And expecting a human being to tell the truth and not to murder people isn’t outrageous behavior.

Some of us have to make mistakes.  This is a key line.  Stiles has been there for all of Scott’s mistakes as a werewolf and a leader.  He’s been critical of Scott for his mistakes, in Heart Monitor (1x06), in Formality (1x11), in Frenemy (2x06), in Alpha Pact (3x11), in The Divine Move (3x24), in The Benefactor (4x04), and in Parasomnia (5x02).  Stiles has never hesitated when pointing out when Scott has made a mistake and has often mocked him for it.  So this isn’t praise; it’s sarcasm.

Some of us have to get our hands a little bloody sometimes.  Again, Stiles knows this statement isn’t true.  He was there in Night School (1x07) when Scott confessed that he wanted to kill people, Stiles included.   He was there in Motel California (3x06) when Scott confessed “every time I try to fight back, someone gets hurt.”   He must have been told that Scott held a dying Allison in his arms after leading her into battle in Insatiable (3x23) and he was present when Aiden died trying to fight for his cause in The Divine Move (3x24).   Does anyone think that Stiles didn’t learn about the fight with the rogue hunters in Monstrous (4x10) or Berserker Scott stabbing Kira in Smoke & Mirrors (4x12)?  Or that Scott didn’t talk to him about his failure to save Lucas in Condition Terminal (5x04)? The idea that Scott has never gotten his hands bloody was untrue.  Stiles knew it was untrue, but Stiles was seeking to change the topic from Stiles’s actions to Scott’s beliefs.  

Some of us are human!  And this is the ultimate cruelty.  He knows that Scott’s been afraid of losing his humanity since the night he was bit, a night Stiles played a role in.  He’s been there for every dark moment in Season 1 and for the manifestation of that fear – the shadow alpha -- in Anchors (3x13) and More Bad Than Good (3x14). Does anyone believe that Stiles didn’t interrogate Scott about his dreams in Time of Death (4x08)?  Stiles – as he habitually has with Lydia and Derek and his father – homed into his best friend’s weakness and struck at it with tactical viciousness.  

This was the scene that made me realize my problem with Stiles would unfortunately, never go away. Some people talk about the dog bowl scene or the assault in the hospital and those are all instances of terrible behavior, but all characters make mistakes.  To me, the final line was crossed in this speech.   This wasn’t about Stiles ‘showing love.’  This wasn’t even really about Stiles defending himself.  This was about Stiles’ expectation that he had the right to cross any boundary and Scott would still be his friend, which mostly seemed to consist of Scott doing as he was told.   The line was crossed not just because Stiles said these things, but because all the characters’ response to him saying these things was … nothing.   The characters never mentioned it; the production never mentioned it.  This decision gave tacit approval to Stiles’s terrible behavior.   Oh, that’s just Stiles, the show was saying.  He gets like that when he’s upset.  

Yep.  That was just Stiles.  And that’s my problem.

[belladonnaappreciation]

Blake Belladonna and Myself.

Here’s the thing. I’m gonna tell you a bit about some semi dark times in my life. So, Trigger warnings are applied here for those that suffer or have suffered from Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Sexual abuse from a partner or parental figure. And hopefully that will shed some light on what I am going to say about my connection to my favorite RWBY character. Blake Belladonna. 

When I was about two years old my parents divorced. My mother had met this man by the name of Robert Domin. They got married and as a two year old I was excited to have a dad again. Seeing as my actual dad was not allowed to see me at the time due to my mothers manipulative tactics and managing to get a stronger custody hold on us than she should have. So this man, Robert Domin, He seemed like the greatest father figure alive. I looked up to this man until I was about 5 years old.  That man went from what I thought was a blessing..... to a wolf in sheeps clothing. My mother often had to work a tad later than he did. She worked at a bank and actually did an amazing job. So she was often stuck working later. Rob would get my brother in the shower and when he got out I was next. He would wait until he heard the water running, since we were 5 and 6 we had to leave the door open just in case something happened there was no chance of it being locked, after I had began getting in the shower he would creep into the room without saying anything and approach me. I don’t know the reason..... nor do I think I ever will...... But he would grab me by the arm and proceed to spank me as hard as he could several times.  Now, spankings. Not the worst thing. But he would do it until I was unable to sit down without feeling like I had knives in my rear. (Attempted to say that as humorlessly as I could.But feel free to laugh at the other ways I could have said it.) And this went on for the next 4 and a half years. My mother never caught on because I would often hide the pain or just flat out run away to dress myself whenever she was home.  Jump ahead to 10 year old me. Despite the traumas left behind by Robert I was excelling at school. I loved books and had actually begun the Harry Potter series.

I thoroughly enjoyed the series! I wanted to grow up to be as sassy as Snape, as Brave as Harry. and as Courageous as Harry. I had good friends and things were..... happy. Aside from the man I still had to come home to after school. Fortunately we moved to Jacksonville, Florida. He decided to divorce my mother because he did not want to move to Florida. I had thought that things were finally going my way. Until I found out my mom had been seeing a man by the name of Douglas Humphrey. Now here’s the trip. Amazing at first. He took us mudding in a big old truck and with a couple of four wheelers! It was awesome! We watched NASCAR together, we went and saw the 3rd spider-man movie in theaters together! But it didn’t last long. I had broken my foot while playing around with my brother but he had told me it wasn’t broken. To walk it off. My mother wanted me to go to the hospital but he wouldn’t let her take me. When she tried to leave anyways he got scary..... I spent 4 DAYS crawling around the house and limping with tears in my eyes at school. I kept telling everybody I was fine at school. But finally my mom had him take me to the hospital because it got to the point where I couldn't even walk on it without crying. The doctors took X-rays and found I had a break in between my big toe and what I call the index toe. I’m sure there’s a name for it but that’s what I call it. The doctors had to do whats called “resetting” because my food had actually partially healed. But it was very much so incorrect. They had to break my foot again. And this time it hurt worse. When I cried, as all kids would, He smacked me upside the head and told me to “Man up”. That was the first time he had hit me. And it.... gave me a feeling of impending doom. I was terrified that he was gonna turn out to be just like Rob. And I can say that I was wrong..... He was worse. Not only did he let his children walk all over us and do whatever they wanted to us. But he would punish my brother and I for retaliating. He would push us, choke us, he even held us while his children would hit us. He would physically abuse our own mother in front of us.He caused my mother and my Aunt to turn on each other..... I had to save my mothers life from my aunt. My brother managed to get her outside and I went and helped my mother up and locked her and myself in the bathroom..... She had a broken nose.... several cuts and gashes all over her face. Our living room was a literal bloody crime scene. It looked like somebody DIED in there. I had to lie to child protective services. I HAD TO DENY MYSELF AN ESCAPE FROM AN ABUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. Because if I had left.... I’m pretty sure he would have killed my mother....  I was thankfully removed from that situation and sent to live with my grandmother back home in Illinois. Then proceed the best years of my life. I finally met my best friend. Was the guy that a lot of people avoided. But those who did interact with me either loved me or hated me. And.... I felt normal. I FELT SAFE for once in my life.

Fast forward to age 19. I’ll keep this one a bit shorter.  I was in a semi-broken home living with my mother once again. Except there wasn’t any man trying to hit me. Or abuse me. A guy who was a bit of an ass hole but relatively harmless none the less was there instead. I had two baby sisters who I love so very much and are my best friends to this day. My mother and I got into a fight about money and she kicked me out. I wound up living on the streets. I thankfully had a job. But would constantly be found couch surfing or sleeping either inside a McDonald, which I had to buy something every couple hours to not be kicked out, or I would be sleeping under a highway bridge near my job. I met a guy who was really sweet. He said he wanted to fix the injustices that had been done to me. Just to clarify I am Bi-sexual. But I avoid men romantically for reasons you are about to learn. He sought to right the wrongs and love me for me. He wanted to help me heal. My traumas. My scars. My past. He made me feel..... whole. To this day I can’t recall his last name. But his first name haunts me. ad I hadn’t realized just how much until I met a particular character in RWBY.

ADAM. The fall of beacon hurt. But the part that hurt the most wasn’t Ruby losing two friends. It wasn’t Penny. It wasn’t Pyrrah. It was Adam. Fucking. Taurus. I couldn’t recall previous mentions of his name from earlier in the show. But Blake catching sight of him as he butchered Yang at the end of Volume 3. The terror in Blake's eyes struck a very personal chord with me. I have seen Adam after he and I have gone our separate ways..... and it truly is that terrifying.

My heart sank. You could hear the despair filling her soul. And it hurt me. My anxiety was at a high and honestly..... Hearing her say his name..... Adam... It terrified me. Adam Taurus represented everything I HATED about my Adam. The lies.... manipulation..... the mental and emotional abuse.  Admittedly I had written Blake off as the stereo typical moody, edgy, goth teen character. Because I had neglected to watch trailers for anyone except Ruby. I was certain Ruby Rose was going to be my favorite because she was fun and exciting and bad ass. But I would only be proven wrong in time.

Come Volume 6. Learning more about Blake’s past and her struggle with Adam. Her demons haunting her constantly. We all know why she ran. And why she feels the need to take on Adam alone. But you can see during their whole fight. She not fighting to beat him. She is NOT fighting to best her abuser. She is fighting to SURVIVE against someone she knows she could not beat on her own. But she still feels as though she HAS to try. Because this is HER battle. This is HER demon.  She does not even register the idea of asking Yang for help. And this.... also hit home very hard. I have been struggling with my demons for years. Not letting anyone in to understand them. Until I met my current group of friends. one of which is here on tumblr. And she helped me realize why I love Blake so much. ( @songbirdforever​ )  Blake realizing she could let people in and help her with this fight.... It helped me open up more to the people I care about.

Much like when Blake is able to set her fears aside and show a resolve unlike anything she has put forward with Yang being there. She gains the will to fight her demon. Yang, her friend, being there. Even though Blake did not tell her she needed her. And that Blake did not WANT her to be there out of fear of Yang getting hurt. She didn’t have a choice. She knew Yang would never leave her until she knew she was safe. 

Blake's Demon had already lashed out and maimed a loved one (Yang) once already. And seeing that same loved one face her demons with a resolve that she could not bring to muster up herself gave her a reason to stand firm. To stay her ground and tell him that she is not afraid anymore. Together. Blake and Yang kill Adam. Almost in mental synchronization they know what each other needs to succeed. This is a bond forged in fires that were kept by the demons of the past and fueled by scars. 

This is why I love her so much. She has not only shown me that it’s okay to not be able to fight your demons on your own. That sometimes you lose the struggle and cave.... But whether you know it or not.... someone sees your struggle. And there is going to be that one person that will always be there for you whether you want them to be or not. In your darkest hour the person you need will find their way to you and help you fight these battles. The victim turned victor. 

She has found someone she can confide in.... and someone who can help her heal. And it makes me so happy. In conclusion.... Blake's demons and my demons share a scary amount of beats. Including the point of us both being mentally and emotionally tortured by a man named Adam. A man who promised us safety and love. A man who betrayed us and only when we were all but destroyed did we manage to escape.

She found her Happiness. And I hope to one day be in the same light that she is.  Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this. I hope this explains why I have absolutely nothing but love for Blake Belladonna and can even see myself in her. As well as my undying support for the bees. This post is.... a lot more personal than I ever thought I would have gotten on this sight. But I couldn’t fully express my love and identification of this character without telling you what I have. And if any of you ever need an ear... I am always here to listen. I love you all. And I want you all to know you have a friend in me. Now I end this post with a question: Is there a character in the world of remnant that you find yourself identifying with? Why? BONUS BLEP:

[of-dxnger]

ʻ   /   let  me  introduce  you  to  a  prized  member  of  our   mens lacrosse team   ,   nicholas “nick”  black .  this   cis-male  aries   has  been  a  student  at  our  institution for  3 years  and  is  currently  a  twenty one   year  old   junior .   through  the  halls ,   he  has   always  reminded  me  of   maxence danet-fauvel  ,   but  there  is  always  more  than  meets  the  eye ,   like  the  fact  that  his father has covered up the deaths of two of nick’s friends over the years.  coral  cape  has  made  their  future  just  as  bright  as  their  smile ,   i  assure  you .  ʼ      (   muse #7 ,  billie ,  25 ,  gmt+10 ,  she/her   )

your friendly neighbourhood nerd, hi. hit me up on discord ( one salty nerd#9483 ) if you want to plot. below are some facts and details about my misunderstood child nick.

~DOSSIER !

Name: Nicholas Xavier Black Nicknames: Nick Age: 21 D.O.B: 13th April Height: 6″1 Degree: Business/Economics Nationality: French-American Languages: English, French Gender: Cis Male Orientation: soooooo bi

~ HISTORY !

TRIGGERS: death, drugs, alcohol.

ʻ   /   The taste of his power is rotten; leaves left to fester beneath an autumn sky. Emotions like an ensnared animal, vicious, writhing, raw. That is how he grew, a black pit that demanded attention from everyone around him. His ability was to infect those around him, until it consumes everything and leaves only a vacancy for disdain.

His father had been a strong presence in his life, not always a positive one. The two of them butted heads almost every chance they got these days. Arguements about nearly everything, his lack of commitment, not attending mass, fighting, drinking and drugs, his choice of partners, turning up in shirt and jeans rather than a suit. Nothing he did was good enough so he stopped putting in the effort. It didn’t help that his little sister was the apple of his father’s eye. It had been harder growing up with that, constantly in competition, but it hadn’t taken him long to realise that it wasn’t worth it. He didn’t need his fathers approval, she could have him.

He wasn’t a mother’s boy either, but he certainly had a better relationship with her. He felt bad for leaving her in the house all the time with him. It wasn’t that he was violent to anyone in their family, by no means. But there was something corrupting about him, he didn’t want her to become like him. She was too good. She was usually the one that could get him to go against his own interests, a worried look, a pout, heaven forbid tears. Letting her down or breaking her heart wasn’t something he ever wanted to do, that was why he still did well at his studies, he never caused too much of a scene, although that was by his standards, not hers.

ʻ   /   Look at me walking around, all Black, free and ungrateful. How dare I, skip a “Hallelujah” to tell you the church is on fire.

Church had always been a big part of their family, they’d always been catholics the Blacks, every sunday was a family trip to mass. Neatly kept hair, fresh pressed clothes, polite hand shakes and smiles reserved for those that he was supposed to respect. It was exhausting. He went and did as he was told, sitting there quietly daydreaming, musing to himself. His attendance waxed and waned, but everytime his mother fussed and worried about him, he felt guilty and would go for her. There were many aspects of being catholic that bothered him, but he was more concerned with being himself, it was why he didn’t feel ashamed when he discovered he was into guys as much as girls. His father had given him a warning to not let it ruin his future, Nick had laughed, and clearly ignored him. His father was so hellbent on imagery and what the public thought of their family, but Nick couldn’t care less.

He’d found himself in the cathedral at university twice in his three years there. The first was when he was just in there for the peace and quiet. He may have been a little high, and laying down on the pews with the stained glass windows bathing him in a kaleidoscope of colours was mesmerising. The second was when he’d gotten so stuck in his own head, panicing and re-living past events, a panic attack wrapping its way around his heart, the only place that made sense to him was the church. Strange, but it worked.

ʻ   /   Prayers whispered on trembled lips; a wish, a hope that he wasn’t beyond redemption. Pressed to his forehead were the rosary beads of a long dead family member that he’d never met. 

Seventeen. How does one learn to cope with losing a friend? Losing someone is never a thing that someone should have to go through. It is only made worse by the fact that no one knew what happened exactly. There was a party, being the rich and spoilt kids that they were, there was of course alcohol and someone had drugs even though there wasn’t supposed to be, that was a problem with spoilt kids, they didn’t like rules. Bryce had been drinking a lot and there was supposedly drugs in his system but Nick was sure he hadn’t taken any, everyone knew him and everyone had talked to him or interacted with him to some degree, so there was an easy to follow timeline. Up until Bryce died. Supposedly falling down the stairs, a nasty wound on his head. But it never sat right with most of the peoeple that really knew him. Friendships dissolved, suspicions tore people apart but the world moved on. What Nick didn’t know was that his father had helped keep the story from reaching the media, had kept certain aspects of the case quiet. He’d never been overly religious, but after this his faith began to falter, he hadn’t properly attended church in a few years, but now he almost felt ashamed to.

Nineteen. He and his lover at the time, Tobias, were perched at the top of a building, not that high. But high enough. Legs swaying in the breeze as they looked over a city that he would one day rule. They’d been up there to talk, somewhere private, yet calming. Nick was calling things off. After sitting there so long in silence, the boredom and finality in his voice was abbrasive even to himself. Tobias hadn’t taken it too badly, obviously there was emotion and as he went to stand up off the ledge and leave, he’d slipped and was dangling from the roof of the building. Nicks fingers gripped so hard at his jacket and wrist, wishing that he had more upper body strength, or the will to lift up other. But after what felt like forever, there was an emptiness in his hands, followed quickly by the disfugred body below. The first thing he did was call his father, call it intuition, or perhaps because he knew deep down that his father wasn’t above dealing with such things. It had taken him so long after that to trust himself to let anyone in, he’d tried rationaising with himself that it was an accident, but it had taken so long for him to truly believe it, there were still times when he didn’t think it was. He’d let go. He never went back to church after that. Occassionally walking by it and considering it, his rosary beads still hung in his room, not quite ready to get rid of them compeltely, but he felt damaged, damned even.

Was he due for another death? After all, things came in threes and he was twenty one now.

ʻ   /   Trust given without being earned loses meaning; a rotten power he inherited from his father. He tastes it in the smiles of his lovers and the glances of his classmates, in the teachers who congratulate his achievements, and the friends who invite him to party after party. He is wanted and praised, yet not loved.

It was his last name, his family. It opened so many doors, a situation he was willing to take advantage of when the time called for it, but it also meant that a lot of people that tried to ingratiate themselves in his life, were fake. There only to get in good with the family and make their own opportunities. It was bareable at a young age, even invisible. But as he grew it became more obvious and more exhausting to deal with. To the point where he tries to hold off on people finding out he is a Black.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be part of his family. But sometimes the name came with too much baggage. Some his own, some his siblings or parents. But the reverse of his wanting to stop people trying to use him for what his family could give them was to fiercly protect what was his. His friends, his loved ones, those that he truly cared about... there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He’d crossed a boundary once before for a friend and it didn’t bother him as much as it should have. But that’s who he was in his core, protective of his own, once again much like his father. It was infuriating how much of his father he saw in himself when he looked in the mirror.

ʻ   /   Calloused fingers tracing his bloodstained lips – only to have it wipe away. Shrill screeches of the final whistle, they’d won again. Smug grins were worn that could rival the devils. Yes, they had a reputation for being a rougher team, but it just meant they did whatever it took to win. The blood clinging to net of his crosse, lightly spattering his lips only confirmed this.

Lacrosse had been an exceptional distraction when he’d first started playing for the university during his first year. But it became a rather delightful way to channel his anger and frustration while using his smarts to play tactics. His father told him he should have gone into something stronger, but that was part of the allure of lacrosse, the rebellion. Nick was able to have something that was truly his that his father couldn’t ruin. At least not yet. It was almost a ritual of his to step off the field and smoke a joint before hitting the showers. Something to help mellow him out a little before his shoes hit the flagstones of the university.

Getting his hands dirty wasn’t something he was afraid of, there were plenty at the university that focused on nothing more than books, looking down their noses at sports. Hard work and getting down in the mud were things he guessed he’d picked up from his father, but he knew that his fathers penchant for getting his hands dirty had grown into something more twisted and sinister since he’d left university. It would not be the path that he walked.

~ TL;DR !

From a catholic family.

Has daddy issues.

Sees too much of his father in him (and hates it).

Knows someone who knows someone. Has used drugs. Only shares his stash with a select few.

Likes to be the centre of attention, usually not in a good way.

Antagonistic.

Will start an argument/fight because he is bored.

Is remarkably intelligent.

He finds everyone attractive, super bi, used to feel bad about it, doesn’t care anymore.

May or may not be responsible for someones death.

Lowkey thinks his soul is damned.

~ CONNECTIONS !

( plots are open to anyone and everyone regardless of gender ^_^ )

~~ THE RIDE OR DIE ;; someone who has become increasingly close with nick, they share almost everything with one another, inseperable is a word to describe them, but not so clingy. { OPEN! }

~~ THICK AS THIEVES ;; friends, cause who doesn’t need friends. he’s never really had many close friends. { OPEN! }

~~ THE TEMPTATION ;; someone that acts as a corrupting/distracting influence. { OPEN! }

~~ THE FORBIDDEN TASTE ;; a relationship kept on the down low due to whatever reason, someone he is attracted to. { OPEN! }

~~ THE GIRL NEXT DOOR ;; living next door or down the hall from one another, they could hang out, maybe not? do they get along or merely tolerate one another? { OPEN! }

~~ THE LOVER ;; someone he has been seeing, this is not only about the physical, but the attraction of personalities. neither has taken the initiative to ask themselves if this could be something more. { OPEN! }

~~ THE SAINT ;; a friend or just someone who looks out for nick and often acts as a conscience or moral compass to him, or rather they try to. { OPEN! }

~~ THE EX ;; whether it was a one night stand, a small fling or something more serious, things were broken off for whatever reasons (plots). this could have been a mutual agreement or ended on bad terms. { OPEN! }

~~ THE THORN IN THE SIDE ;; not quite enemies or rivals, but someone that bothers him, or gets under his skin easily. { OPEN! }

~~ THE RIVAL ;; someone that he has a rivalry with, both equally matched, and the tension can be caused by anything, mutual friends, lovers, goals etc { OPEN! }

pinterest

playlist

anyways that’s my boy, i’m terrible at these so please feel free to message me with any and all plots ^_^

[aion-rsa]

Ghost of Tsushima Review: A Beautiful Homage to Akira Kurosawa

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Ghost of Tsushima is a daring departure for Sucker Punch, who since 2009 has worked solely on the Playstation-exclusive Infamous series. While those games were steeped in modernity, offering sprawling cityscapes players could explore from top to bottom via superpowered “conduits” Cole MacGrath and Delsin Rowe, Ghost of Tsushima’s open world is set in feudal Japan. It’s here that we meet young samurai Jin Sakai, who must defend his homeland, the titular island of Tsushima, from an invading Mongol army.

Right off the bat, the shift in time period and milieu to 13th century Japan is notable because Sucker Punch handles it so brilliantly, especially for the team’s first foray into the samurai genre. Japanese history and culture are woven into every single facet of the game so elegantly and organically that you’d think the team had been developing games set in feudal Japan for the past decade, not sci-fi superhero romps. More than anything, Ghost of Tsushima is a moving homage to Japan, its history, and its people.

The story opens with a massacre. A massive Mongol army, led by the cunning Khotun Khan, storms the beaches of Tsushima and is met by the island’s woefully outnumbered samurai contingent. When the leader of the samurai challenges Khotun to a one-on-one, fair fight, the Khan renounces the honorable gesture in gruesome fashion, literally setting the courageous samurai on fire in front of both armies. The rest of the samurai are obliterated on the beach, while Jin’s uncle, Lord Shimura, is taken prisoner by the Khan. Jin is also fatally wounded but is miraculously nursed back to health by a new ally, a thief named Yuna who needs his help in return.

These opening moments set the tone for the rest of the game. The philosophical conflict between honor and deception is the beating heart of the story and permeates the gameplay in riveting ways. As you fight to take back Tsushima from the Mongols, you can approach enemy encounters in two ways. You can choose to fight honorably, like a true samurai, and challenge enemies to a “standoff,” a quick-reflex mini-game of sorts in which you and one of the baddies face off one-on-one and see who flinches first before one of you slashes his blade through the other. You’ll then have to take on the rest of the enemies all at once, which is no easy task.

The other option is to fight like a “Ghost,” sneaking into enemy camps, killing the bad guys in their sleep, poisoning them, using intimidation tactics to scare them into fleeing battle. It’s an effective way of evening the odds between you and your foes, but it rails against everything the samurai stand for.

Countless games offer the player the option to approach combat either stealthily or head-on. This is far from a novel concept, and in this respect, the combat in Ghost of Tsushima offers little innovation. But what is innovative here is how Sucker Punch has taken the classic device of stealth vs. frontal assault and given it new life by expertly integrating it with the themes of the story.

Jin meets a handful of allies on his journey, each with their own multi-chapter story arcs that delve into their respective backstories. There’s sensei Ishikawa, a master archer whose protege has gone rogue and joined the Mongols. Lady Masako is a warrior and grandmother whose entire family was murdered by the Mongols, though she suspects they may have died after someone close to the family conspired with the enemy.

Each of the characters explores the honor vs. dishonor theme in unique and surprising ways. The dichotomy is most starkly represented in the clash of ideals between Lord Shimura, who is unshakably honorable and would rather die than gain an unfair advantage in battle, and Yuna, who understands that, to beat an enemy who fights dirty, you may have to put honor to the side for the sake of saving your people. Of course, Jin is caught in the middle and struggles to decide what kind of man he wants to be.

Aside from the ties to the story, the gameplay is fun and engaging. The swordplay combines parries and dodging with a more strategic approach to melee, as you try to find ways to build up your enemy’s stagger gauge. You can also use “ghost weapons” to give you an edge in battle, like kunai (throwing knives), smoke bombs, arrows, and more. There are also four stances to master, with each being effective against a different enemy type. Switching between stances is integral to combat and becomes second nature over time. There’s also an insanely cool fifth stance that I won’t spoil here, but it’s spectacularly badass.

Stealthing is strikingly similar to what you’d see in an Assassin’s Creed title (this is a compliment), and the game gives you myriad ways to kill enemies without raising alarms, like throwable wind chimes and firecrackers that allow you to manipulate their positioning or hallucinogenic darts that turn them against each other. Again, this is all stuff we’ve seen before, but it’s pulled off well here.

Release Date: July 17, 2020 Platform: PS4 Developer: Sucker Punch Productions Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment Genre: Action-adventure

Unfortunately, there are little gameplay flaws that needled at me, especially in the later hours of my playthrough (it took me around 45 hours to finish the game). The swordplay requires quick reflexes, and mastering parries and dodging is absolutely pivotal to your survival. The problem with the swordplay is subtle, and a little difficult to explain, but I’ll say it like this: in most games that are particularly challenging, when I die, I feel like it was my fault because I made a mistake, I just wasn’t fast enough, I hadn’t mastered certain skills. But on many occasions in Ghost of Tsushima, I felt like I died because the game didn’t give me a fair shot, like it was the game’s fault that I failed, not mine. It’s possible that I just wasn’t very good at the game, but it felt at times like I wasn’t given a choice in the matter. Your mileage will vary with the game’s difficulty level.

There are other things that bugged me, too, like the unreliable climbing mechanics (I swear, sometimes hopping onto a rope or branch that’s literally right in front of you is way, WAY too difficult). But overall, I had a great time playing the game and felt super powerful by the time I’d filled out my skill trees, which is no surprise considering the game was made by the same folks who made Infamous.

On a nuts and bolts gameplay level, Ghost of Tsushima doesn’t feel all that unique — there is some very familiar open-world stuff here. But on a presentation and storytelling level, the game is out-of-this-world amazing. Visually, the game looks stunning. The late-stage PlayStation 4 graphics really deliver, and coupled with the strength of the art design, Ghost of Tsushima is a true head-turner. The character models look fantastic and can emote on a level that supports the drama of the story. And while the different suits of armor that Jin acquires offer unique gameplay perks, I honestly just collected and upgraded them almost exclusively as an aesthetic indulgence. They look so freaking cool.

But the real stars of the show are the environments, which look picturesque from every conceivable angle. The wind-swept, verdant hills of Tsushima are intoxicatingly pretty, to the point where I’d get caught up ogling for minutes on end at the smallest of details, like the way the moonlight bounces off blades of grass or the way Jin kicks up crimson-red leaves that have blanketed the ground over time. I could go on forever about the dynamic day/night cycle, the beautiful rendering of different fabrics and materials, the horse animations. But instead, I’ll just say that this is the most breathtaking game, visually, that I’ve seen in recent memory.

A lot of love also went into infusing the game with Japanese cultural references, particularly in how the developers pay homage to the samurai genre. Each mission, for example, is bookended by cinematic intertitles that evoke old samurai cinema, Japanese characters, and all. But without a doubt, the most obvious/most amazing homage is “Kurosawa Mode,” which presents the game in black and white, with one of the best film grain filters I’ve ever seen in a game, resulting in an experience that looks almost exactly like a film from the iconic Japanese auteur’s oeuvre, right next to Sanjuro and Seven Samurai. If you’re a long-time fan of Kurosawa, turning the mode on may even elicit an “I’m not crying…you’re crying!” response — it’s that pretty.

I initially intended on playing the entire game in Kurosawa mode but quickly realized that it would be problematic to do so for a few reasons. Some missions require you to “follow the (insert color) flowers,” which is obviously impossible in black and white. And in combat, blockable enemy heavy attacks are signaled by a blue glint, while unblockable ones have a red glint. Combat is tough enough as it is, so…yeah. I only turned the mode on when I was riding on my horse through the countryside and I felt like treating myself to some eye candy.

Taking time to smell the cherry blossoms and have a respite from the game’s many missions and side missions is crucial because Ghost of Tsushima is a long, long game. The missions aren’t overly repetitive — most of them feel really special actually, like when you climb a mountain in freezing cold weather and must race from campfire to campfire on your ascent, or one armor quest comprised of several one-on-one duels with straw hat swordsmen scattered about the map, each with a distinct personality. But 40-plus hours is 40-plus hours, and while the main tasks of infiltrating enemy camps, liberating farms, and searching for special gear can lead to questing fatigue at the tail end of the game, the nice thing is is that you can always slow things down and just enjoy the scenery to break things up. There’s even a nifty photo mode to play with, and if any game warrants a photo mode, it’s this one.

Jin’s story isn’t just a means to an end, or a lazy excuse to drag the player from gameplay scenario to gameplay scenario. The story is incredibly well written and profound in its messaging and imagery, so much so that I believe it’s one of the best modern entries in the samurai genre, regardless of medium. All of the characters you meet and the little tales that unfold across Tsushima are filtered through Jin’s inner struggle with what honor really means and whether or not it’s worth dying for, which gives the story an incredibly strong narrative backbone. Despite the game’s epic scope, Jin’s journey actually feels quite intimate and personal. The same could be said of Kurosawa’s best work, and that’s just about the highest compliment I can give.

The post Ghost of Tsushima Review: A Beautiful Homage to Akira Kurosawa appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[etherealwaifgoddess]

What He Wants (Pt. 7)

Main Characters: Bucky Barnes x Enhanced Reader

Summary:  On going series of Bucky getting his shit together and falling in love with you.

Warnings/ Content: Grumpy Bucky cursing, some angst. Nothing terrible though.

Word Count: 1725

Author’s Note: Hello lovelies! Rock bottom is behind us and our boy is awake and trying to figure out what to do next. He’s still in rough shape but we’re starting the climb back up to a better place. 

If you missed the first few parts, you can read them here: One Two Three Four Five Six

XOXO -Ash

What He Wants, Pt. 7

Bucky wakes up almost a full day later in a sterile white hospital room. It takes him a moment to orient himself in the room, panic filling his chest before his current memories rolled in. It is too similar to waking up in a HYDRA facility, his memories wiped, his body healing from the latest round of experiments they had performed. His breath comes in ragged sobs and he pulls desperately at his hair, trying to focus on the present. 

“Hey Rumpelstiltskin.” You say, startling him. 

His face pales and for a moment you think he’ll pass out again. Just as quickly though his cheeks heat, embarrassed to have his moment of panic witnessed. 

“What day is it?” Bucky asks, his voice full of gravel. 

“It’s Sunday. You’ve been out almost a full day.” 

He curses under his breath but makes no attempt to continue a conversation.

You go on anyway, needing to fill the silence. “We had to evac you to the nearest military hospital, you still had bullet fragments in your leg. You were in surgery for over an hour but they said you’ll be back on your feet in a few days because of the serum. You might have a slight limp for a while though, there was considerable damage to your calf muscle.” 

For the first time since he’d woken up Bucky looks down at his right leg which is wrapped up and slightly elevated in the bed. “At least it’s still attached” he jokes grimly. 

“Not funny.” You chide him. “We’re going to have to talk about what happened.” 

“Why? Shouldn’t you be off hacking into someone else’s brain?”

You let the barb pass, refusing to be baited by someone who currently looks like he can't sit up on his own. “Nope, the mission was a success. I’m back on my own free time now and I’ve decided to hang around and piss you off some more. So, would you like to tell me when exactly you decided to off yourself?” 

“I… I wasn’t… It’s none of your concern. I’ll be out of here by tomorrow and you can go back to pissing off the other people in your life.” 

“Stop dodging. And there are no other people in my life. It’s just me, and all I’ve got is time.”

Bucky winces slightly at your confession. He knows what it was like to have no one but yourself and it is more painful than he’d ever admit. “I’m real sorry to hear that.” 

His sympathy shocks you, as does the pain radiating from him. The agony you had a glimpse of two days ago must have been only the tip of the iceberg for him. “It happens.” You brusquely move on, refusing to let him keep dodging the subject. “You said something before you went down on the compound, a name, Stevie. You were talking to Steve Rogers, weren’t you? Is that what this was all about, losing Steve?” 

Bucky would have rather taken twenty more bullets in the leg than have this conversation with you. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Steve was my best friend and he lived a full, happy life. I’m glad he got to live the life he dreamed of for all those years, even though it meant we lost him so soon.” His words don’t match his eyes and for an ex- assassin he is a pretty terrible liar. 

“But what about you? Your life?” 

“Well, doll, that was almost not a problem. But you had to butt in.” 

“Damn right I did. What about your life, Bucky? Shouldn’t you get your happily ever after too?”

Bucky straightens himself a little at your use of his name. His insides clench curiously at the sound of it tumbling so delicately off your lips. “My happily ever after died the second I fell from that train back in 1944. Every moment since has just been a prolonged purgatory.” 

His words hit you like a ton of bricks but you steel your emotions, not wanting him to see how much his pain affects you in fear he’ll clam up. “I’m sure you still hate me, and you absolutely can, but I have to think that our paths crossed for a reason. I only know what I’ve read in your file and heard of in the news, and none of it adds up to the guy sitting in front of me.”

“Sorry to disappoint.” 

“See, there it is. You act like a tough guy but it’s all bullshit. I promise I won’t go near your mind without your explicit permission but I want you to come back to The States with me. I have a place that’s secure, only Fury knows where it is and he’s a tight lipped son of a bitch.” 

“Why in the hell would I go back with you? Why would you want me to? And I will never, ever, give you permission to fuck with my head. I had seventy years too much of that shit.”

You switch tactics, desperate for him to give himself a chance. “How did it feel, seeing Steve come back at the end of his life? Knowing he had found a way to get married, have a family, grow old with the love of his life. You had what, three months with him before he passed?” 

Bucky’s whole body shakes, he looks so frail under the flimsy hospital gown, dark circles haunting the undersides of his eyes. It’s like your words sapped him of any remaining strength he had. “Why are you doing this?” He whispers, barely holding on to his emotions.

“Because I want you to think, Bucky. Think about what you want the rest of your life to look like. You know what Steve did with his, how happy he was. I know he was ‘Captain America’ and all, but why does that mean he gets a happy ending and you don’t?” 

“If you knew half the shit I’ve done over the past seventy years you would already have the answer to that.” 

“Nope, not buying it. I’ve seen the files and I know what they did to you. You had no choice over what you were doing.”

“Still did ‘em though.” 

“Yes, physically it was you. But mentally you were checked out. That’s how mind control works, and they did a hell of a job on you.”

“He’s still in there, the Winter Soldier. Deprogrammed or not, he’s still lurking, waiting for a chance to pop back out. The world is better off if I eliminate the risk” 

“Bucky, of course he is. He’s part of you, you can’t just erase him. Deprogramming will remove the triggers that bring him out but that’s it. You need to make peace with that. The world will be better off with you in it. You have the potential to do so much good.”

“Like what, huh? What good can I do? Most of the world will never see past the monster and I can’t keep doing these missions. I’m so fucking tired, doll. I’m just done.” 

“So retire. Walk away. This mission payout was high enough to live on for two lifetimes, take it and come back with me.”

“I don’t take money from missions.”

This is news to you. “What? How do you survive without it?”

“Savings. Steve. And the Avengers. SHIELD knows not to deposit my pay, they gift it to a handful of charities I picked out when I signed on. I won’t profit from warfare.” 

Your heart sinks in your chest, he has more good in him than he realizes and you become even more determined to help him see it. “Well, I have enough stashed away from mine to keep us afloat. Do you know what I do back home?” 

“You sound like a fucking shrink.”

“Good call. I work with returning soldiers and trauma victims. I was one year away from graduating with a psychology degree before the attack on New York. The therapy center near my home is kind enough to look past my lack of a degree considering how close I was to finishing and my unique qualifications. I get to use my ability for good, to help people move on with their lives.”

“So I’d just be homework then.” Bucky wonders for a moment how much his life would have changed if you had been there when Steve tried to save him the first time. If you had been able to bring back the past Hyrda erased when they created the Winter Soldier. Your angry snap at him breaks him from his thoughts. 

“Hell no. And stop it. I want you to come back with me because I think once you get your damn head on straight you would be a great addition to our team. You would be able to help us care for some of these guys with a level of empathy that you are uniquely equipped to give.” You purposely squish down the tiny part of you that’s screaming you also want him to come back so you can keep getting lost in those pale blue eyes and help mend his aching heart. 

Bucky shifts, uneasy at your proposition, and forgets they had taken off his metal arm. Where he expects to brace himself, he finds just air and he topples over, scrambling with his right hand to keep himself from falling off the bed. The hole in his right leg pulls and he swears. You’re a mess, he screams internally at himself.

You jump up as soon as you see him tip and grab his shoulder, trying to steady him. He jolts at the contact, staring into your eyes with a mix of fear and surprise that takes your breath away. Bucky shifts himself up, trying to get comfortable and your hand lingers along the wide plane of his shoulder. You rub it soothingly above where the metal starts and he shudders. No one had dared to touch him in years except Steve, and even he never went anywhere near the mutilated part of Bucky’s body. Your soft fingers rubbing at the sore muscles make him want to beg you to keep going. His eyes shut, rolling back in his head for a moment. 

“Okay.” He finally murmurs, startling even himself at the decision. 

Tag List Lovelies: @my-current-fandom-is @blacklightguidesnic @amazonianbeauty

[rosethornewrites]

Fic: Someday

Relationships: Hiei/Mukuro, Hiei/Kurama | Minamino Shuuichi, one-sided Yuusuke + Hiei

Characters: Hiei, Youko Kurama, Mukuro

Additional Tags: One-Sided Attraction, Past Relationship(s), Developing Relationship, Loss of Trust

Summary: An ultimatum, and an impossible choice. The consequences. Hiei/Kurama, Hiei/Mukuro, hinted Yuusuke/Hiei.

Note: Written in 2006. I think the irony here is that this fic, which I started in Summer 2003, has very personal resonances for me. This is ironic because the echo of this fic in my own life didn't come until Spring 2004, when I had set this fic aside because I didn't have time to work on it. The more I think about it, the more I see the presentation of the choice with consequences echoed in my own life. It's a long story, but I decided, just as Hiei did, that someone who gave me a choice so impossible and with such a high threat associated with them wasn't worth my time. This fic was heavily inspired by Morgan D's Eien no Hakusho timeline.

AO3 link

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He had made things very clear through his actions, in Hiei's opinion. Things were over between them. Kurama preferred the Ningenkai, and had rejected the Makai. Hiei wondered what the youko would do when his human body died. Would he accept it, or would he do as he had before: escape death. Would he return as the youko? The fire demon quickly decided that he didn't care. It changed nothing.

Hiei scowled in the direction of the portal. It wasn't like he hadn't expected it. He had known that Kurama was going to decide to remain in the Ningenkai. It had been all too obvious. The fox had his mother and family in the Ningenkai. It had hurt that he wasn't going to leave, to come to the Makai, but Hiei had known that he wouldn't, and the knowledge took some of the sting away. But the rest...

He felt dense, because he hadn't seen it coming. He had expected the fox to decide to stay in the Ningenkai, but he hadn't considered that Kurama would also cut him out. He had thought that Kurama's choice would just mean that their relationship would be long distance. Instead, Kurama had essentially delivered an ultimatum.

"Perhaps it would be better if you stayed in the Makai, Hiei," Kurama had said. He hadn't really even broken it off. His message had been that Hiei had to choose between their relationship in the Ningenkai and his place at Mukuro's side in the Makai.

The memory was painful. He had been too shocked to protest, choosing to leave instead. When he had tried to return the next night to ask Kurama what exactly he had meant, he had found the window locked, as it had never been before. It had been a clear message that Kurama had, in fact, meant that it was over unless Hiei did something drastic to negate that. He couldn't help but feel that he had deserved it.

He had been prepared to live completely between the worlds, taking every opportunity to visit. That had changed. He would visit, but his visits would now be infrequent and short, with most of his time devoted to serving Mukuro as best he could. And even on his visits, Kurama would no longer be a priority. Yukina would be the one he visited. He owed it to her for being too much of a coward to tell her who he was. He owed nothing to Kurama; not anymore.

Hiei battled his way to Mukuro's fortress, dealing with the idiots who wished to challenge him harshly and quickly. He would continue to serve Mukuro and only her. There was nothing left for him except that, and he had essentially promised her that he would not strive for death again. Instead he would be her heir, and live only for that purpose.

Hiei entered Mukuro's chambers to find her waiting with tea. He scowled as he realized that she had been expecting him. He sat in the seat across from her and accepted the cup that she poured for him, noting with approval that it had been liberally spiked and pointedly ignoring the implication of that.

"He broke it off," Hiei said after his second cup. His voice was casual, as if he were conversing about the weather.

"I know," Mukuro replied, her voice somber. "He rejected the Makai, Hiei. You are a part of the Makai." There was an uncomfortable silence before Mukuro spoke again. "I'm sorry, Hiei."

Hiei downed another cup of 'tea' before responding. "Actually, he implied a choice..." He looked up, then back down at the empty teacup in his hands. "Stay in the Ningenkai with him, or leave permanently." He set his teacup down and walked to the window, refusing to look at Mukuro, not wanting to see the look on her face. "I suppose I deserved it." He looked out at the landscape, at his decision.

The fire demon didn't realize that Mukuro had moved until her hand was on his shoulder. He risked a glance at her and found her gazing out the window with an inscrutable look on the uncovered half of her face. He looked back out the window, not bothering to shrug her hand off.

"Hiei, there is no excuse for what he did." Her thumb moved, massaging his shoulder lightly in a comforting fashion. "I'm angry partially because he issued you that choice, and it could have meant that I would lose you. But I'm mostly mad because you deserve better than that." Hiei didn't respond. "You were willing to take the hard road. Instead, he gave you the short end of the stick." She turned him around and looked at him closely. "That wasn't fair to you. You don't deserve to be abandoned like that."

Hiei's eyes widened at her words. The word 'abandoned' echoed in his mind, calling up unwelcome memories. He stood there for a while, his face expressionless, his eyes faraway and pained. Then he shook himself out of his stupor and shoved past her, breaking her grip on his shoulders. He was out of the room before she could call his name.

She sighed and leaned against the wall near the window. He was grieving, at least, which meant that he could get over it. She hadn't wanted to say it, but it had been necessary to gauge his state of mind. He had reacted, but his expressionlessness worried her. She wanted to follow him, but she knew he needed time alone to think. If he hadn't returned in a few days, she would go find him. She would just have to deal and ignore her worry until then.

Hiei found himself sitting on a tree branch, looking at the sunset without seeing it. He fingered the gem hanging from the leather thong on his neck, his mind lost in turmoil that belied the tranquil surroundings.

Mukuro had been right, though he didn't want to admit it. He had hated her for saying it at first, but he realized now that she had only been speaking the truth, as much as it had hurt. It had taken him a day and a half to understand. Kurama had abandoned him. He'd done worse than that, really. He had tricked Hiei into opening his heart, and then he had shattered the illusion that he finally had somewhere to call home. All that was left of what the Jaganshi had thought they'd had was broken promises.

It was the Koorime all over again.

The thought made him clutch the tear gem in his fist as he fought the emotions that came with it. It cut deeply into his soul. He had thought Kurama loved him. Hiei stood, finally seeing the sunset as the sky turned a familiar shade of red. He wondered if he would always be reminded of the fox by mundane things. He answered his own question as he noticed that the leaves of the tree he was in were the same color as Kurama's eyes.

He ran from his feelings.

--

Hiei returned three days later, bloodied from battle and exhausted from using the kokoryuha. He had been at the border, routing out trouble, Mukuro knew. Her scouts had reported his whereabouts, along with the not-so-mysterious disappearance of a gang of ne'er-do-wells that had been terrorizing border villages. She had been meaning to deal with them, and was glad that her heir had taken the initiative.

Hiei slept for nearly twenty-four hours after he returned, and afterward maintained a silent, impassive façade that cracked at nothing less than complete exhaustion, when vulnerability took over his features as he slept. Mukuro didn't worry at first, and in fact relished their training battles, in which they fought until Hiei had exhausted his youki. But after several months of this with no change, she was starting to feel irritated.

Hiei had withdrawn from the world, throwing himself into training and his duties. He was barely alive, with no fire in his eyes, as he had been when he had come seeking death in the battle against Shigure, before he had believed he found a home. He spent the entire day moving, fighting, anything to exhaust himself and keep himself from thinking. When he was idle, the fire demon stared blankly into space, removing himself from the world, to a place where he didn't have to think and simply existed.

Mukuro was, frankly, sick of it. Nothing she had tried worked. She'd been hard on him, completely dominating him in battle and giving him no room to move. She had once left him on the training field, unconscious, in pouring rain, and he had woken six hours later completely soaked and filthy. Even giving him mundane duties did nothing. He never complained or even looked at her reproachfully. It was like he wasn't even there.

Finally, she tried one last tactic. During training she didn't lift a finger against him. She barely defended herself, deflecting his attacks just enough to leave her without injury. She let him wear himself down, expending all of his youki while she did nothing. When he collapsed to his knees, panting and sweating, he still didn't look at her.

"How much longer are you going to go on like this, Hiei?"

The fire demon finally looked up, exhausted and confused. "Like what?"

"Like you've already died."

Hiei flinched. "Does it matter?"

Mukuro stepped forward and knelt beside him. "Yes. It does."

"Why?"

She frowned at him. "Because you're not dead, and cutting yourself off from the world isn't going to make it stop hurting."

"Maybe I should be dead."

Mukuro hit him across the face, none too softly, watching as his head snapped back at the force. He stared at her, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You're alive, Hiei. I'd prefer that you stay alive."

She pulled him to his feet, but he pushed away, sprawling on the ground, unable to stand up again. "What does it matter, Mukuro? What's the point?"

"Why doesn't it matter?" she countered.

He stared at her silently for a moment. "Because I'm tired of it mattering. I'm tired of the disappointment. I'm fucking tired of being unwelcome."

They stared at each other for several minutes, Hiei's breathing short and exhausted, Mukuro's quick and angry. Finally, she responded. "You're welcome here, Hiei."

"For how long?" the sanjiyan demanded. "How long until you get tired of me? How long until you're finished with me?"

Mukuro bit off the angry response that was on the tip of her tongue and resisted the urge to hit him. It hit her suddenly: that was the reason for his behavior the past several months; he assumed that she would abandon him as well. He was distancing himself. She regarded him silently and chose her words carefully. "As long as you need a place to rest and call home, you're welcome here."

He looked at her suddenly, and she could see the tumult of emotions in his eyes: relief, confusion, pain, exhaustion, sorrow, grief, love. Then he averted his eyes, breaking contact. "Thank you," he whispered.

When she pulled him to his feet this time, he slumped against her, unconscious, and she tenderly picked him up and carried him to the fortress. She brought him to her quarters and set him on the bed, leaving him there to sleep as long as he wanted.

--

The Makai had been, for the most part, a peaceful place since Yuusuke had returned ten years prior, when Keiko had been killed by a vengeful demon. She had been nearly fifty, but Yuusuke had barely aged a day. He had approached Hiei, but the fire demon had refused his advances, happy by Mukuro's side and in her bed. Instead, they had trained Yuusuke, and he had, three years later, gone on to win the Makai tournament. He had been in power of Raizen's old kingdom since, winning a second tournament. He would, unless a suitable challenger appeared, win a third time in another two years.

Despite the peace, the three kingdoms continued their border patrols, which was what Hiei was doing today, separated by a bird call from the rest of the squad. He didn't expect the vines that attempted to trap him, but easily destroyed them nonetheless. Having seen the vines, he wasn't surprised by the voice that called out from the foliage.

"You've grown." The voice was playful, amused, and filled with lust.

"What do you want, Kurama?"

The youko stepped from the ferns. He approached Hiei, his gait slow and provocative. He finally stopped less than a foot from Hiei. "You."

Hiei snorted. "You had me, and you told me to leave."

"That was fifty years ago." The fox moved to hold him, kiss him, and Hiei sidestepped him.

Kurama smelled of musky roses and something more indistinguishable, a strange mixture of human and animal. It was fitting, given that the creature before him was no true youko. But where the scent had once evoked lust, Hiei felt nothing. "Did you really expect me to wait, Kurama?"

The youko seemed taken aback, and Hiei continued. "You rejected the Makai, fifty years ago. How ironic that you changed your mind. Didn't want to adhere to the short human lifespan?"

The youko lips thinned. "My mother died a month ago."

Hiei turned away. "My condolences."

"I'm free to be with you, Hiei."

"But I'm not free to be with you."

Kurama's eyes narrowed. "Mukuro. That bit-"

"Mukuro, Yuusuke, Bui, Shigure. It doesn't matter who." The Jaganshi cut him off, glaring. "You were free fifty years ago. We were together fifty years ago, but you sent me away. Now your mother's out of the way, so I'm supposed to throw myself into your arms and let you fuck me until you get bored again?"

Kurama moved to slap him, but touched only air. "Fuck you."

"I don't think so. Those days are over, Kurama." The youko stared at him. "You can't just abandon me and expect me to wait around for five decades. You made a decision, and now you have to live with it."

They stared at each other for several moments. Finally, Kurama spoke. "I missed you, Hiei."

"And I missed you. I missed what we used to have. But we can't go back to it, Kurama. It's too late." He closed his eyes, warding off regret. He had nothing to regret. "It was too late when you gave me that ultimatum."

The youko was silent again for a few seconds. "I'm sorry, Hiei."

Hiei smiled sadly. "I'm not." He left Kurama then, continuing his patrol. The past was behind him, and there it would stay.

[i-say-vol-you-say-tron]

How to Write Romance by Someone Who Has No Idea What They’re Doing

Hi. I’m Lilly, and I run this garbage heap of a blog. I’ve decided to start a series of tips on tropes I’ve come across in books and movies, and I would appreciate it if you could send requests on what you want to hear about. There is a slight mention of rape and abuse, as some people still think these are valid romantic tropes, but that should be all for warnings. Thank you!

Reminder that tumblr doesn’t like the word f*ck, so it’s censored. No funny business in the comments.

ALL THESE TROPES, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY ARE REFERRED TO, ARE MEANT TO APPLY TO ALL GENDERS AND SEXUALITIES. ANYBODY CAN BE A GOOD PERSON, AND ANYONE CAN BE A PIECE OF SHIT.

(Trigger warning) Abuse/Rape

Note: I do not condone abuse or rape in any situation. I do not excuse it whether it was done by a man or a woman. However, I recognize that this is a thing that happens to real people and is also used in fictional works. This is not a proper resource for writing abuse/rape victims, and I encourage you to do further research on this topic if you wish to write about it.

Do Not: Have the character afflicted give their abuser “a chance to change their ways”. Not one single chance. Chances lead to abuse happening more than once, letting the cycle repeat. Stop it. Don’t use rape as shock value. Don’t have the rape victim fall in love with their rapist. It’s disgusting and demeaning to those who are actual rape victims.

Do: Have your character afflicted identify that they’re being abused - whether physically, emotionally, or mentally. Have them get out of the situation as soon as they can. Let your character deal with the trauma. Have them flinch, get panic attacks, be afraid to enter a relationship. Use their past abuse as a motive for them to work for a better life for themselves.

Stockholm Syndrome (aka “abductor/abductee” or “master/slave”)

Do Not: There are mainly don’ts for this, and do I really need to say why? Denying someone human rights is not okay. Treating someone as an object is not okay. Forcing someone to love you is not okay. I would usually just advise to ignore this trope altogether, but I actually have two ways of this trope done correctly (so read the do’s before commenting)

Do: Two examples of how to do this right are “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Ancient Magus’ Bride”. Neither woman in these stories is treated like an object, abused, or had their freedom taken away. Belle from BatB is allowed to roam the castle, use its library, and request food and drink whenever she wants. Chise from TAMB sold herself into slavery and was bought by someone who not only treated her as an equal, but used every resource at his disposal to help prolong her life. Both of these women are treated with equality, respect, and their feelings developed naturally and not by force.

Amnesia

Do Not: Have someone manipulate the amnesiac’s memories/feelings. This is forcing romantic opinions on someone who has probably just gone through something traumatic. If you do choose to have someone manipulate the amnesiac, make it clear that they are the antagonist and not the love interest. Do not have someone pretend to be in a romantic relationship with them prior to their accident. This is emotional manipulation.

Do: If the amnesiac had a relationship prior to this accident, have them go slow. Have them be aware of the situation and attempt to be helpful. Have them realize the protagonist might be uncomfortable if they were to start acting as a couple right away.

Blackmail (“Date me or else”)

Just don’t. It’s creepy and weird and legitamtely terrifying. Feel free to use it for drama, but not for romance.

Enemies to Lovers (or hero/villain)

Do Not: Have them be abusive. Abuse is not cute. It is not justified in any situation, no matter how much you hate someone. Even if you claim to love them, that doesn’t justify hurting them in any way, shape, or form.

Do: Have them realize that they might not hate each other. Slowly construct a healthy relationship. Start with having three tentatively work together. Have them harmlessly tease each other until they realize the other isn’t as bad as they thought.

Boy Hates Girl (“He’s mean to you because he loves you”/“Boys will be boys”)

Do Not: Let the bully have romantic attention. Something like this is a gateway to abusive relationships. If you allow someone to show their “love” by hurting someone, then you are failing at showing them how to deal with feelings in a healthy way. The bully doesn’t learn how to express their feelings properly and the victim doesn’t learn that this kind of relationship is toxic and wrong.

Do: Have the victim fall for someone that treats them write. Make sure this new person is genuinely kind and helpful, and that they are someone who doesn’t use the bully’s actions as a fear tactic.

Celibate (“I choose not to fall in love.....except with that one person”)

Do Not: Have someone pressure the celibate into being in a relationship. They made a vow, they chose what they want to do with their life. Respect that choice and move on.

Do: Have the celibate develop close platonic relationships with those around them. Use this trope to focus on character development rather than romance.

Long Distance Relationship

Do Not: Use this for drama. Do not have one partner accuse the other of cheating while they are away. Do not have them actually cheat while their partner is away. I suggest to avoid this trope unless you have a valid, well-written reason for keeping the characters apart. Alternatively, you could use the long distance aspect as a reason for two characters to break up, due to the idea that they’re drifting apart over the distance, but stay away from unfaithfulness as it’s tired and overdone.

Do: Have them be lovey-dovey despite not having seen each other in ages. Have them still be engaged in their relationship no matter how little time they spent together. Have them dote on each other because they won’t be able to stay for long. Have them book a flight only to see the other for a few hours before heading back to where they came from.

Love at First Sight/True Love/Soulmates

Do Not: Have them fall in love immediately. Sounds weird, but relationships take time. Mirror real life. You wouldn’t marry someone you just met (eat your heart out Disney). Even people in arranged marriages take time to know the other person and make sure they actually like them and they’re not a piece of shit.

Do: Have them spend time with each other. Have them learn each other’s interests and likes. Have them become friends before starting a romance.

Cheating (just read before commenting)

Do Not: Have the protagonist find their “true love” by cheating on their partner. It’s not dangerous and sexy, it’s immoral and wrong.

Do: Have the protagonist be cheated on. Want to reveal that a side character is a piece of shit? Now you know how to do that. If your protagonist falls in love with someone else, have them let down their current partner easily. At least have them think things through before breaking it off, or even have them realize it’s just a stupid crush and that they should stay with their current partner.

Love Triangle

Do Not: Just don’t. It’s been done to death. Let it die. It’s also weird. “Hey I like two people and I can’t choose. Fight over me.” Like wtf? If someone did that to me, I’d be out of there in an instance. Have fun with the other person, because I’m never talking to you again.

Do: Write a healthy poly relationship instead. Don’t like it, I don’t care. This is my list.

Fridge (“My partner is dead and I’m on a mission to avenge them”)

Do Not: Have them fall in love after being immediately introduced to the love interest. They just lost someone they loved - they don’t need a replacement. Don’t have your live interest try to seduce them or pressure them.

Do: Have them fall in love.....later. Much later. Like “Book Two” later. Let them grieve. Let them mourn. Give them time to heal.

The Nice Guy

This is the person that is absolutely terrible, but still believes they’re entitled to date people because they’re “such a nice guy”. Someone literally juust died because of this, so please stop using it as a romantic thing.

Do Not: Make this person the love interest.

Do: Make this person an antagonist/villain/random annoyance. An example of this done right is the movie Megamind.

The Age Gap

There are different variations of this trope, so I’m going to list all the versions I can think of:

Do Not: ⁃ Pedophile: Have an adult character date someone who is a minor. This includes minors who “look/act mature for their age”. It’s still illegal you sickos. This also included teenagers putting advances on people older than them. ⁃ Immortal/mortal: 300+ monster dating an eighteen year old (I’m looking at you Twilight)

Do: ⁃ They’re both young, but consenting, legal, and a few years apart (ex. 18 + 19/20) ⁃ Both are consenting, legal, but are older adults with a larger gap (ex. someone in their 30s and someone in their 40s)

Opposites Attract

Do Not: Have one person invested in the relationship and one person doing f*ck all. An example of this would be two roommates. You wouldn’t want one doing all the housework while the other sits on their ass and does absolutely nothing. “Opposites attract” means personality traits, not willingness to be in a relationship. It also means don’t do “ugly vs pretty”, “plain vs interesting”, etc.

Do: Have their personality traits vary. Have one be organized and the other scatterbrained. Have one like chocolate and the other vanilla. Have them argue over what type of music is better. Have them differ on little things.

Please send me requests on what you want me to do next!