#Threadfic

[munecchan]

💚🧡 The Proposal 🧡💚

[mathanlin]

Hero AU where school counselor!Phil has to deal with… interesting students.

Namely, the three boys he sees constantly bickering in the hallways.

And slamming cars into each other on the news.

Ridiculously, none of them know who the others are.

But Phil notices the *moment* new young vigilantes start popping up. The trio’s dropping grades, spotty attendance, and injuries only confirm it.

Or, y’know. Tommy mumbling, “What would you do if you were a hero?”

Phil helps in the least obvious ways he can.

Modifying their grades to be a bit less suspicious, leaving out ice packs by his office door (easy to steal), writing late passes without a bit of resistance.

But he can only be so subtle.

“So, Red.”

Tommy’s head jerks up. 

Phil almost laughs. “You’ve heard of him, huh? I figure he’s your favorite.”

Tommy shifts awkwardly in his chair — readjusting the wound Phil knows lies beneath his sweater. “Better than the fuckin’ Blade.”

Techno. Honors student. Flawless GPA. Volunteer. And vigilante.

Far closer to a villain.

“If only I could give the Blade a lecture,” Phil says, unable to stop a chuckle, and barely managing to not say, *You two have to stop beating the shit out of each other.*

Eventually, Phil gives up on subtlety & calls them all down to his office.

“So. I heard you’ve been getting into fights.”

Wilbur, drama kid — or Siren, smooth-tongued — is the first to act, eyes widening. “I’m sorry, sir?”

Then Techno. “Mr. Watson, I would *never.*”

“Then what’s that?”

Phil nods to the bruise beneath Techno’s turtleneck — from a hit Siren landed. Then, to Wilbur’s knuckles, ever so slightly battered.

And neither seem to notice a thing. 

Phil pinches his brow, sighing.

“Alright. Then Tommy. Care to explain the state of your shoes?” (Burnt, melted from running through rubble the Blade had created.)

*There* it is. Techno frowns, leaning back to peek — and Tommy quickly tucks his feet beneath the chair.

“Nothing.”

“Where were you all last night?”

Every single kid tenses. 

And starts rambling out excuses.

“I was— studying, of course—”

“Well, *I* was trying to get ice cream, and that bitch the Blade showed up—”

“Bitch?” Techno cries before catching himself. “I think you mean *Red* and *Siren*—”

“What the fuck?” Wilbur splutters. “Siren was trying to calm those two fuckers down—”

“Boys,” Phil says. “Look. All three of those heroes would be better *together,* right? Not fighting, not hurting each other?”

“Maybe,” Tommy finally mumbles, toeing at the floor, “but… why are we talking about heroes?”

Phil tips back in his chair, face in hands.

“Come on. Someone figure it out.”

Silence. 

Phil groans. “Wilbur, you quit band two months ago. Techno, Tommy, who showed up two months ago?”

More silence.

“Uhh… I don’t know.”

“Techno,” Phil says, almost desperate. “You tutor Tommy, right? What happens after he disappears from your lessons?”

“I… go home,” Techno lies. 

Phil lets out an exasperated sigh. “No, you go where *he* goes. And where’s that?”

Tommy’s eyes start to narrow.

“You like Greek shit. Like… the Blade,” he says quietly, staring at Techno. Then, at Wilbur. “And *you’re* a pretentious bastard. Like *Siren.*”

Phil raises an eyebrow, fighting a smile.

“And you’re a little shit,” Wilbur snaps, then— pales. “Like… Red?”

“*There* we go,” Phil says, letting out a sigh of relief. “Now, I have a plan. If you three work together, I truly believe that—”

It’s a shame Phil’s office is so tiny.

There’s no room for three vigilantes to sufficiently beat the shit out of each other.

.

.

.

Just the idea of the three of them curled up at Phil’s, working on homework before heading off to fight crime (together, for once). 

Phil being their “man in the chair” (even if he directs them to safer areas, too worried for anything more).

And of course, the best (worst?) part of being a school counselor — the actual *counseling.*

Except it’s not about what classes to take, or bullies to avoid.

It’s holding Wilbur as he sobs after killing his first villain to protect his brothers. (Because that’s what they are, now). 

It’s comforting Techno as he fails his first class, too busy with heroics to focus or study. 

It’s reassuring Tommy when his brothers get hurt, always ready to defend their youngest.

And it’s crying like a father when they graduate.

It’s *loving* them like a father, his home always open to them, filled with medical supplies and bedrooms for each kid, newpaper clippings pinned proudly on the fridge.

There’s a reason the city’s strongest trio of vigilantes always protect one specific man.

[phoenixtakaramono]

🔞 ‘The Price of Milk’ Butchlander Threadfic 🥛

For Butchlander Week 2024, DAY 2 PROMPT: Milk

SUMMARY: Have you seen Karl Urban’s obscure New Zealand 2000 movie: The Price of Milk? That’s it; that’s the plot. The gist of this short 🔞 oneshot threadfic is Butcher has been working undercover as a devastatingly sexy but unremarkable dairy farmer, and the main twist is the handsome amnesiac “John” who’s been temporarily lodging with him “until he regains his memories” might be hiding a little secret of his own. I am agog that seemingly no one’s written this fever dream of an AU before, where Butcher’s actor is a literal dairy farmer and you got Homelander with his milk fetish?? …Very well. I volunteer as tribute!

(The rest of the threadfic can be read here!)

If you don’t have a Twitter account, I have screenshotted the rest of the spicy half below the line break:

A/N - Thoughts? Opinions? I'd love to hear them! Sorry for the somewhat abrupt ending but this was 67 tweets long when I'd originally planned around 25, haha. If I'd do anything differently, I think I'd keep Butcher's alias as "ordinary civvie dairy farmer who immigrated from England" when the lovers reunite. That way it's even more fun(ny) when the truth comes out that Butcher is actually a badass secret spy working for the US government.

I want y'all to know he goes from this 👨🏻‍🌾 ➡️ to this 🔪 (iiiiit's the contrast)

(Now that you’re done reading, you can read my other 🔞 “milk” threadfic here. They’re unrelated alternate universes.)

[shiguangism]

Link Click/SGDLR Thread Fic. CW: They talk about death

Even if time gets reset with every loop, there are some intrinsic effects that propagate with the time travelling. They are so subtle that even Lu Guang doesn't know they're there, he doesn't notice either. They're buried deep inside Cheng Xiaoshi, he has new fears he never had. He rejects things he has liked before, it is completely irrational and sudden. Consequences of actions lingers deeper than imagined, nothing gets really destroyed nor erased, not even with time loops.

Lu Guang finally realizes this on a normal Saturday evening, three burgers and a bottle of wine in front of him. Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling are talking about anything and everything, he is listening to them, enjoying the rare relaxing evening.

"Lu Guang," it's Qiao Ling talking. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

The question makes him freeze on the spot. He doesn't know. How long has he been 21? He never went so ahead, he realizes he has never thought of that.

"I don't know... still here with this idiot," he answers. That's what he hopes. He doesn't add that he wishes they would finally reach 26 years. He knows it is much more likely they will still be 21.

Cheng Xiaoshi laughs at his answer, but it is meek. It lacks his usual happiness, especially when Lu Guang has used his most fond tone, when he said once again he would be his partner even in five years. A confirmation of forever again.

Qiao Ling looks at Cheng Xiaoshi worried, she knows something is wrong.

"Ahh what?" asks Cheng Xiaoshi, stiffing in his seat, next to Lu Guang.

"You're acting weird now. What's up?"

"Ahh it's just... can I be honest?"

Qiao Ling is even more weirded out, and shares that with Lu Guang with a fast glance.

"What is it?" Lu Guang asks.

"About the five thing years... I don't know too where I will be."

"Is it just that? You scared me! Five years are a lot... don't worry so much."

"No, Qiao Ling... you don't get it. I feel... I feel like I wont- I feel I'm gonna die. Young."

"Cheng Xiaoshi!" Qiao Ling jumps from her chair, taking a few seconds to elaborate and react, "What the hell are you saying!? What the hell?? Why are you saying this thing??"

"Qiao Ling, wait!" he also gets up, trying to follow her as she storms outside the room.

"Why do you think about this stuff! You!! You think we don't care? No, don't follow me!" she runs upstairs, and Cheng Xiaoshi stops his steps.

"Lu Guang, I... shouldn't have said that, right? I didnt want... this..." he is sad, he was just being honest. It is an irrational thought, a conviction he doesn't know where it arrives from. It scares him, it is even scarier now, seeing what it does to also other people.

Cheng Xiaoshi turns around, finally looking back at Lu Guang. Frozen again in his sit, looking at him with an expression Cheng Xiaoshi has never seen before. It looks like he is panicking, as if he is not even there but still way too aware of everything.

"Lu Guang" he rushes again next to him "say something please... I'm sorry... I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said that... I'm... I messed up. Please, it's not true. It's not real! It's just my mind."

"Go to Qiao Ling. She needs you now." Says Lu Guang. It's not true, he needs Cheng Xiaoshi more than ever. He needs to touch his hands. To know Cheng Xiaoshi is there, that he is here. That this reality is real. He is freaking out, he messed up. He messed up so badly, everything is a consequence of his action.

"Lu Guang..." Cheng Xiaoshi looks at him, full of guilt, but doesn't dare to touch him. Lu Guang doesn't like physical touch when he is overwhelmed, Cheng Xiaoshi knows. But he doesn't know that now he needs to be crushed by him and his arms to go back to breath. And live.

"I'll be right back..." Cheng Xiaoshi runs to the stair, and disappears like that.

Lu Guang is not sure now if Cheng Xiaoshi will be back or not...

[falsebread]

Ehehheh who wants to see the fic idea me and @ghostly-quest are cooking up? Tbh they came up with most of this I’m just OwO F E A R A L about it!!

So! Here’s how it works, LB wakes up as SJ in a dirty ally way with absolutely no idea who he has become. No idea how he dies yet, but this is after the bingge v bingmei extra

And here’s the kicker, he gets a system! With tasks and points and even a nifty ooc lock! …not that he knows it’s there, and oooof is it a shock when it finally shows up- but we’ll get to that point!

See, I think LB and SJ have very similar mindsets, and for most of SJ’s childhood that mindset was just… survive ya know? So the ooc doesn’t kick in until way later-

He goes through SJ's trama, it's not pretty, it's not good, he loses the one person he thought he could trust, but on some level he can't believe he ever waited for YQY to come back for him. His revenge is bloody, brutal, and angry.

He goes through it. He survives. It's what he's best ast, surviving. He claws his way to power, he's always hated feeling weak, and here, with stunted cultivation (again) alone (again) and freshly traumatized. He knows what wu yanzi wants and has no problems learning from him…

At least until WY pushes a bit too far and LB kills him in a panic. Ifk what happened then, how he gets into the sect, but he does. And... he finds he absolutely cannot sleep.

He's upset. He should be safe here, he knows this peak, there's bullies sure but he's cunning and cutthroat. But... he just can't rest. He goes to a brothel to blow off steam, he finally had the money for it, and being with a woman to blow of steam was all he did in his past life

He just wants to feel like himself again. Between dealing with ptsd (old and new, not that he knows he has it) and sheer exhaustion, he falls to familiarity.

But...

When he's there he just.... cant

So he sleeps. Doesn't do anything with anyone. But here, he's away from the sect that so hurt him in the past, and men, who so hurt him in this life

Later, when he gets a fake cultivation manual from an older disciple, he's hit with de-ja-vu. It's almost funny, to him. He remembers mingfan and starts idly daydreaming about acquiring some specific ants…

Haha but he doesn't want to throw away this chance yet. He still doesn't know what this strange life is. It's the same peak he trained on, the same peak he destroyed. But he recognizes no one, and no names sound familiar. At least... not until he gets promoted to peak lord.

"Shen Qingqi" and the second he can, he flees. He tries to leave the mountain in a dazed rage. He's almost numb with it. And then he can't leave.

OOC

he can't get out. He hasn't unlocked the ooc feature yet. He didn't even know it existed. He has to laugh then. He refuses to cry.

He has well and truly become the same monster who poured tea on his head. Who beat him senseless. Scorned and abused him. Who still holds more power over him than he'll ever admit.

We end this fic years later. As he watches himself climb up those stairs with bright eyes and a young, gaunt face. Hopeful and sad, clutching at the false jade pendant under his robes.

And he watches, bitter, envious, afraid and alone.

He sees himself. And he has a choice to make.

[wisedawn13]

#lanuary2025 day 23: Lan Wangji's Birthday

Lan Zhan had never been one to celebrate his birthday. The idea of multiple people having their attention focused on him for a day makes his skin crawl. Don't even get him started on the whole 'singing Happy Birthday' thing.

So, suffice it to say, Lan Zhan has managed to avoid having birthday parties for the vast majority of his life. He takes time to himself and goes to a museum or aquarium or concert hall. Blessedly alone.

His brother, thankfully, respects his wishes to be alone on his birthday.

Then, Lan Zhan met Wei Ying and he knew things were bound to change. Wei Ying is a force of nature, all things beautiful and terrifying. He knew he was done for early on and resigned himself to that fact. Whatever way their relationship goes, he knows Wei Ying is here to stay.

Wei Ying is lounging on his bed one day, head hanging off the edge, ponytail brushing the ground, when he suddenly sits up and stares at Lan Zhan with a burning intensity.

"Lan Zhan," he begins, his tone making Lan Zhan shift in his desk chair. "How long have we been friends?"

"Almost two years," he supplies, uncertain.

Wei Ying nods. "That's what I thought. And I'm your best friend, correct?"

Lan Zhan blinks. "Yes, Wei Ying."

"Good. You're mine too, by the way," he adds quickly. "But seeing as we're best friends, we ought to know each other."

"We know each other, Wei Ying."

"Ah! But do we? I just realized I have no idea when your birthday is! Almost two years we've been friends and we never celebrated it once? Are you a monster pretending to be Lan Zhan and therefore have no need for these silly human conventions?"

Lan Zhan huffs a quiet laugh at that. "Perchance."

"You can't just say perchance," Wei Ying replies automatically. "And don't distract me with internet references I taught you! Why don't I know your birthday?"

"You never asked, I suppose?" He cringes at how that sounds.

Wei Ying pouts. "So, does that make me a bad friend?"

"No!"

"Hm... Well, I'm asking now then. When's your birthday?"

Something uncomfortable squirms within him at the prospect of telling Wei Ying. Wei Ying is loud and bright and loves parties. It's dangerous.

"January 23."

Wei Ying gasps. "That's in three days!"

Lan Zhan nods.

"Well, I'm going to sincerely hope that you don't have any sort of party planned otherwise I will be very hurt that I wasn't invited," Wei Ying responds, tone light but Lan Zhan hears an undercurrent of hurt.

Lan Zhan's eyes widen ever so slightly in alarm. "Wei Ying, no. Of course not. I... I do not like to celebrate my birthday, the attention is overwhelming."

He watches as Wei Ying settles at that. "Good. Okay. That makes sense. I mean, I kinda figured but, well... You know."

"Mn," Lan Zhan agrees.

"So. Um. You can say no, that's totally fine, but did you uh... Maybe want to do something? With me? Doesn't have to be on the day, but like... Something a little special to celebrate you, just a little. Because I mean, you're special and I would like—"

"Okay," Lan Zhan interrupts. "What did you have in mind?"

"You—oh! Really? Okay, well I mean, I heard there's a new exhibit on musical instruments at the museum going on. So we could check that out and then maybe we could go get dinner somewhere?"

Lan Zhan's chest blooms with warmth at Wei Ying's thoughtfulness. He shouldn't have worried, he knows and trusts Wei Ying. Lan Zhan feels a small smile pull at his lips. "See, you do know me."

Wei Ying blushes, wide-eyed. "Uh, so is that a yes, or...?"

"Yes," Lan Zhan replies.

He's graced with the sight of Wei Ying's full smile, warm and bright.

Perhaps celebrating his birthday with someone else won't be so bad.

----------

Link to thread

[dummyminded]

Lokius Murder Mystery

Just had a thought. Lokius murder mystery where Loki is a detective and he's trying to solve the murder of a man killed in a hallway of a office building. He gets to the scene of the crime then BAM. The victim's ghost pops up! His name is Mobius and he doesn't remember anything! They both agree to work together to find out who killed Mobius but along the way they start to fall for one another and Loki begins to mourn the loss of a man who even in death, shines so brightly and sees the good in everyone. Mobius hides his own feelings because what if he passes on after this? Then as they find more clues, Mobius slowly begins to remember what happened. He was chasing after someone…Loki?! It turns out he and Loki knew one another, were LOVERS. Loki reveals he blames himself, that if he hadn't run away after their argument, maybe Mobius would still be here. Mobius kisses Loki, overjoyed that he can do that, and he's now more motivated than ever to find out who killed him, for Loki's sake. Even if they end up separated in the end. They find out that it was their CEO Kang and Mobius' best friend Ravonna who killed him together. Mobius was moving a bit too fast up the corporate ladder for their liking…and so they pushed him down it. They're arrested and Mobius surprisingly doesn't move on at all?! In fact he suddenly feels stronger than ever and also a bit heavier? Loki reaches for Mobius' hand and feels the warmth, the LIFE, in it. He's no sure how but he thanks whatever God caused this to happen and holds his alive husband close, promising to be by his side for all time, always.

[qtarosimp]

Childhood akaren threadfic, I think I may write this into a proper fic soon

[bluemooniegif]

things you said under the stars & in the grass

I'm cross-posting this threadfic everywhere cause it feels good to post something hehe :3 if you'd like to make a request based off the prompt list, feel free to do so on twitter, bluesky, or in my asks!

tags: pining, stargazing, open ending. aka I accidentally wrote something that makes me wanna rip my heart out weeee enjoy :3

~

"You okay?"

Reno glances sideways, craning his neck a little, scrunching up his nose when grass tickles his skin. "Yeah? Why?"

"Y'just got kinda quiet," Iharu says. Right now he's the perfect mirror image of Reno; laid flat on his back, hands crossed politely over his stomach. He's got grass and twigs and sand in his hair, which is unusually wind-blown and keeps falling into his eyes. Reno wants to brush it away and slide the tips of his fingers down the side of his face. He wants to trace his thumb along the outline of his cheekbone, curl his forefinger over his jaw.

"I think I might love you," he wants to admit. "I know you don't feel the same. But can I touch you? Can I kiss you? Just this once?"

"It's really nice out here," he says instead, shifting to look away. "The stars look so much brighter."

Iharu hums as though he's not entirely convinced. "It's pretty. Feels like they're a lot closer than normal."

It's not exactly a cold night, but Reno can feel the body heat radiating off of Iharu, and it makes him shiver. He swallows thickly. "Sure does."

A bird cries in the far distance. Something rustles through the underbrush nearby. Reno can feel his heartbeat, aching and mellow, where his left palm rests, just below his ribcage. He wonders how Iharu's heart might feel. If he were to check, would he find what he wants, or what he fears?

"Reno," Iharu gasps, gripping Reno's upper arm, "look!"

It takes him a moment to re-orient himself, and even when he does, Reno can't figure out what it is that Iharu's pointing at. "Where am I looking? What is it?" he urgently whispers, eyes darting across the open sky.

"Up there," Iharu points somewhere off to the right, "it's moving, see?"

"I... no," Reno props himself up on his elbows, squinting at the horizon.

"No, not that low, it's-- c'mere," Iharu laughs, tugging him back to the ground. Reno follows easily, allowing Iharu to position him so they lie shoulder-to-shoulder, heads tilted inward. "Look," he murmurs, extending his hand to the sky, "should be just past my finger."

And it is. A tiny light, the same blue-white as the stars around it, floating down towards the horizon.

"Oh," Reno breathes, eyes widening, "I see it! I see it."

Iharu draws his arm back, triumphant. "Cool, huh?"

"Really cool," Reno agrees, hesitant to look away for fear that he might not be able to find it again, "and pretty. What is it? A shooting star?"

"Too slow," Iharu hums. "Probably a satellite."

His hand has come to rest beside Reno's, almost comforting; almost enough to fill his heart with something close to hope. Maybe it's a sign? Maybe it's stupid. Reno closes his eyes and makes a wish anyway.

[doordaash]

as promised :3

fengqing bodyguard/royalty au‼️ PART 1

-

prince mu qing, stuck in an arranged marriage

ask anything else of him & he would gladly do it for his mother, the queen & his people

but this? he’s torn between his duty & his heart

because he’s actually in love with his bodyguard

his bodyguard, feng xin, who’s been by his side for years

his mother had no idea he had fallen for the gifted archer she had assigned to him when they were just 13, after his father had been assassinated

how could she have? he never told her..

he hadn’t even told feng xin….

yet the karma of keeping his mouth sealed so tight seems to have caught up to him

because here he was - standing next to his mother, as she explains how now that he’s 18, he’s of marrying age

he nearly lets out a small gasp, but masks it, as he realizes what she’s implying

“mama….surely you don’t mean….” he hopes his voice doesn’t actually sound as strained as he thinks it does

“qing’er….I’m sorry…..the court has my hands tied here…they demand you marry…..to produce an heir…”

“mama?” mu qings eyes widened, his composure finally cracking. he whips his head towards her, finding her head tilted forwards, a common posture she took when hiding her face

“i know, I’m sorry qing’er….they’re having candidates come to meet you as soon as possible….”

his mother didn’t raise her head to meet his eyes, as if ashamed.

his hands trembled as they curled into fists

“but i—”

he stopped himself, biting his tongue

he couldn’t tell her about his love for feng xin

yes, his mother was a caring woman, a caring queen, basically his best friend - if he was being honest

he loved her greatly…

yet, what if she found out her son had fallen for someone most consider palace staff

HE sure as hell didn’t think of feng xin as just some random staff member hired to protect him

no, he was mu qings closest friend & confidante, even if mu qing didn’t act like it at times

mu qings mother loved him & respected him greatly, always listening intently to what feng xin had to say, always making sure he was fed & had the warmest clothing for the colder nights

…yet would that change if she discovered mu qing loved him?

would she kick feng xin out?

he told himself no, his mother would never do something as cruel as that, not to anyone - but especially not to feng xin

but what if she did? what if she blamed feng xin for ruining mu qings shot at what she hoped would be a happy marriage with a complete stranger

no, he couldn’t tell her.

he bit his lip, bending slightly in a bow, before all but stomping away from his mother & towards his chambers

he had half a mind to let the doors behind him slam, but he knew it wasn’t his mothers fault - and he refused to disrespect her like that. it was that stupid courts fault after all, & their bullshit about heirs

he shut the doors behind him slowly, before turning towards the hallway & coming face to face with feng xin - whom as usual, was waiting for him

“oh. hey.” he nods, cringing at the way his voice cracks

“what’s wrong? did something happen? are you hurt?” feng xin springs into action, noticing the littlest change in mu qings usual attitude & tone

he frantically looks over mu qing, simultaneously touching him as little as possible - since he “wasn’t allowed to touch royalty” (his words, not mu qings)

once feng xin decided mu qing was not in any immediate danger nor sported any wounds, he came back to stand before him

“the hells up with you?” he asks, eyebrow raised

mu qing sighed, pulling his arms around himself before swiftly walking ahead

“h-hey! your highness!” feng xin shouts, running after him to catch up

once beside him again, feng xin bends his head slightly to match mu qings height so that when mu qing turns, they’re making direct eye contact

“what.”

“what’s wrong? what happened?” feng xin asks again

“nothing, don’t worry about it” mu qing huffs, picking up speed in order to get out of the air that smells faintly of feng xin

“it is quite literally my job to worry about you, come onnnnn, tell meeeee!”

his eyes roll “if i tell you im safe, & moms safe will you drop it?”

“no, but thanks for trying!” feng xin smiles

mu qings heart beats three times faster & he feels his face heat up

gods…feng xins smile had always had an embarrassing effect on him

it always tore down his walls & made him feel warm & safe & trusting

damn you feng xin

he sighed, eyes flicking to feng xins smiling face once more before darting to the hallway ahead

“i have to….im……mama said….”

he bit his lip, pulling his arms impossibly closer in on himself

if he said it out loud, it would be too real

he looked to feng xin once more, seeking the bravery that the archer always radiated

feng xin nodded, gesturing for him to go on

with a deep breath, he rushed out “i’m getting married”

then, seeing the door to his chambers, he sped up even more, wanting to hide away forever

h-HUH?”

he could hear feng xins heavy footsteps race after him

he was so close to his chambers, so close….

he moved to pull open the door…..yet it was slammed shut, feng xins palm flat against it as he cornered mu qing

“married?! you’re getting married?!”

~to be continued~

(being posted on twitter in thread form first, if you’d like to follow along there!)

[surfpent]

The Parent Trap AU, where Techno and Wilbur are identical twins who were separated at birth and somehow ended up at the same summer camp eleven years later.

Wilbur felt as if he were on top of the world. He advanced toward his opponent and lunged, saber flashing in the sunlight.

The other boy stumbled back. He was quick to take advantage of the opening and attacked without thought.

In a blink of an eye, his opponent hit the ground and their counselor, Dan, was lifting his arm up in victory. “The winner and undefeated champion, Wilbur Soot!” he announced.

Underneath his wire-mesh mask, he was grinning from ear to ear. Fencing lessons paid off after all— he’d have to thank Mum after the summer was over.

After being let go, Wilbur gravitated toward the fence next to the arena, where his friends hung around and cheered him on.

“That was sick!” Fundy exclaimed immediately.

“Right? You beat him in like, ten seconds flat!” Tubbo was perched atop the fence, legs swaying. “I swear we’ve been here all day. How have you not lost once?”

He laughed, face burning red from exertion and embarrassment. “Don’t jinx me.”

To his left, Dan scoured the clearing for more participants. “Do we have any challengers?” he called, cupping his hands around his mouth.

“I’ll have a go,” an unfamiliar boy answered, masked and already snapping on a vest. He had an air of self assurance about him, lazily flipping the saber in the air and catching it with one hand.

Dan blew the whistle. “En garde!”

The boy saluted, saber in hand.

Wilbur raised his eyebrows. He welcomed the competition, yet hesitated briefly before returning the gesture.

With another blow of the whistle, it begun.

His first thought upon dueling the boy was that he was quick. If Wilbur came near he would simply glide away, the reflex seemingly automatic.

Through a flurry of thrusts and a parries, he attempted to knock the blade out of his opponent���s hand.

His opponent deflected the attack and whirled around, catching him off guard and getting him in the shoulder.

0-1

They danced back and forth for another eternity. Wilbur managed to get a touch in by going low, though now he was sweating and his opponent still seemed to be going strong.

1-1

Their sabers locked together and Wilbur swept them in a circle, hand steady.

His opponent twisted his wrist, breaking away. Then, to his surprise, charged directly at him.

He sidestepped, but his opponent pivoted last minute and forced him to hop back on his heels. Now off balance, Wilbur retreated, forced to parry blow after blow.

Focused on defending, he failed to notice the water trough behind him before it was too late. The back of his knees hit wood and within the millisecond only gave him enough time to let out a surprised shout.

He fell hard. Sun baked water buzzing with water skippers splashed around his ears and soaked through his clothes. Sputtering, he wiped the murky liquid from his mask and stared up at his opponent in disbelief. A chorus of laughter rung out in the clearing, to his mortification.

The boy had one hand over his mouth, as if holding back his own laugh, and the other outstretched as an offering.

Wilbur narrowed his eyes. He’d lost, but it wasn’t fair. There weren’t water troughs in fencing arenas— at least not in the UK— and he was doing well before the incident.

He took his hand roughly and yanked the boy in with him. Petty? Yes. Jerk move? Definitely, but it made him feel slightly better.

He careened into the space next to him face first, sending up a wave of water. When he surfaced he was thoroughly drenched. He couldn’t see his eyes but his body language implied he was glaring daggers toward Wilbur.

They were both silent as they clambered out of the trough, water pooling in the dirt below.

Wilbur unfastened his mask and crossed his arms over his chest. He refused to look at Dan or his former opponent.

“Looks like we’ve got ourselves a new champ, Mister Techno Craft! Let’s shake hands, gentlemen.”

Water dripped from his curls and into his eyes, forcing him to swipe it away. He still didn’t acknowledge the counselor.

“Boys,” Dan said warningly.

He rolled his eyes, heaving a dramatic sigh as he turned, hand extended.

His opponent, Techno, must’ve turned at the same time because their eyes met. His hand hovered in the air between them, mask dangling at his side.

Techno had curly brown hair that reached the nape of his neck and freckles dotted along his nose bridge.

His eyes were drawn to a birthmark below his lower lip. That would be all well and good if Wilbur didn’t have one in the exact same spot.

After scanning the rest of Techno’s face, he deducted he even had the same curved jawline and pointed ears as him. A portion of his hair was dyed pink and both his ears were pierced, but minus the cosmetics, they were identical. It was as if he’d just been transported into The Twilight Zone or something.

Dazed, Wilbur shook his hand. Surrounding campers close enough to see both their faces gasped.

“Why’s everyone starin’?” Techno asked, blinking familiar brown eyes. His accent was painfully American.

“Don’t you see it?”

“See what, exactly?” His tone was curt.

Maybe he was going insane. “The resemblance between us.”

“Uh, no. Not really.” He shrugged. “Your hairline is way worse than mine.”

Wilbur’s jaw hung open. “Hey!”

“Just sayin’,” Techno continued. “Plus those glasses make you look like a wannabe Harry Potter.” He mimed the circular frames of his glasses with his hands.

Some blond kid was crying with laughter over the fence railing. It wasn’t even that funny.

Tubbo slid off his perch, frowning. “Want me to punch him for you?” he offered with a crack of his knuckles.

Wilbur waved him away and took a step forward, balling his own fists. “You want to know the real difference between us?” he began.

Techno seemed uninterested. “Let me guess, that I know how to fence and you don’t?”

He was about to punch his identical “twin” in his identical nose when Dan stepped back in.

“Okay, okay, gentlemen. Break it up,” he scolded. “Techno …” Dan did a double take upon seeing them together. “I mean, Wilbur, sorry—“

The lunch bell interrupted him mid-sentence and Wilbur was pulled away from the encounter by Tubbo before he could get into trouble.

“Do we really look that similar or am I going insane?” he asked his friends.

“Probably just a coincidence,” Fundy said, kicking a stone on the trail as he walked. “Freak of nature type of thing, yeah? Or a glitch in the multiverse— he’s like, the discount version of you.”

He huffed out a laugh.

“Please accept my condolences, Wil. I can’t imagine having your sworn enemy look exactly like you,” Tubbo added solemnly.

Wilbur glanced back and saw Techno being pulled away by his friends as well— one of them being the blond kid who thought him being compared to Harry Potter was peak comedy. He caught Techno staring back at him and quickly looked away.

He’d get his revenge soon, and he had the perfect idea for it. Wilbur would show Techno Craft not to mess with him.

—

They were returning from a morning hike and even Techno was feeling weary, boot soles digging into his heels with each painful step.

“I’m crawling into bed and sleeping for the next week,” Tommy groaned, backpack slung over his shoulder bouncing as he moved. Even exhausted, he still somehow oozed energy with exaggerated motion.

Quackity nodded. “I’m crawling into bed and sleeping for the next year.” He was the shorter of the two, and wore a navy blue beanie with various colorful pins stuck in the wool.

Techno wondered how he could wear a beanie in the heat of the summer outdoors without dying.

The trio rounded the corner, pine trees retreating and revealing the Pogtopia Cabin.

He expected to be greeted with cozy pine logs and screened windows, the usual sight, instead he was met with something abnormal. Techno froze. “That doesn’t seem to be a possibility,” he drawled, pointing at their cabin roof.

“What the hell?” Tommy and Quackity exclaimed in unison.

Every one of their cots were nailed onto the roof, crooked yet somehow stable. The British flag flew high in place of the American flag, stars and stripes no where to be seen.

“This has got to be some sort of hate crime,” Tommy muttered under his breath.

Quackity snapped his fingers. “I know who did it.”

So did Techno.

There was no doubt who was responsible. He’d only offended one British person so far during his time at Camp Manberg and that was Wilbur Soot.

Quackity’s face was scheming. A lightbulb must’ve gone off because he suddenly brightened. “Hey, I have a payback plan.”

“Yeah? What is it?” Tommy asked eagerly.

“I’ll tell you guys later. Let me get in touch with an associate of mine.” He rubbed his hands together, then ran off in the opposite direction— giggling all the while.

Techno mentally stalled and had to boot himself back up. “Alright, then,” he said hesitantly, gaze following Quackity’s retreating back. He didn’t know who his “associate” was nor did he want to know. “Now … how do we get our beds down from there?”

“Beats me, man.” Tommy shoved his hands in his pockets. “Dibs not it.”

“Bruh.”

—

The prank war continued, with Techno and his friends retaliating via rigged booby trap in the enemy cabin.

Quackity’s “associate” turned out to be an older boy dubbed Slime, who— and quote, “don’t ask why”— had a huge reservoir of honey, shaving cream, and maple syrup.

“No, you really don’t wanna go in there, trust me—“ Techno tried nervously, leaning all of his weight against the screen door in an attempt to keep it shut. His gaze wandered to the bucket rigged above.

Schlatt rolled his eyes, foot thumping against the wooden deck. “Give it a rest, kid. You don’t think I’ve seen some sick kids before?”

“He’s contagious,” he blurted out.

Wilbur, still in his pajamas, smiled sweetly at them from inside. “I have no clue what he’s on about. Come right in, guys.”

“Listen,“ Schlatt started and brute forced his way past Techno, yanking open the door. “I’ve had the pox before, no big—“

The bucket tipped.

Five gallons of water crowned both counselors, soaking them through and splashing onto the floorboards.

Schlatt let out a string of expletives that would’ve got him fired if any higher ups were around to witness. He stumbled forward, farther into the mess of a cabin. Dan followed suit.

Techno could only stand and watch in horror.

Wilbur backed away with a smug grin.

They both screamed, scrambling feet finding purchase on nothing but oil slicked wooden planks. Twine filled the cabin like a spiders web, so naturally they hit every possible one on the way down and triggered all the other traps. Feathers drifted in the air like snow along with glittery plastic confetti. At one point Dan tried to grab onto something to steady himself, only to trigger the next sequence.

Wilbur’s friends sat upright in their cots, shaving cream still formed into shapes of beards and wild hairstyles. The brunet one looked like he was having the time of his life, while the older was pale and looked like he was seeing death itself.

It summed up Techno’s feelings pretty well. He was horrified. Shouldn’t Quackity have warned them if they were doing cabin checks that day?

Soon enough, the counselors were covered in syrup and feathers and thoroughly filled with rage.

“That’s it!” Dan roared. “You two— start packing.” He jabbed a finger at Techno, then at Wilbur.

Wilbur’s expression dropped. “What?

“I have never, in all my time here,” Schlatt grunted, steadying himself against the doorframe.

“But I didn’t do anything!” Wilbur pleaded, gesturing around the ruined cabin. “It was all him.”

“The blame game, really?” Techno cocked an eyebrow. The last thing he wanted to do was get sent home because of him. Phil would be furious.

“Well? Get going,” Dan prompted, face red.

Wilbur scowled, turning to leave.

It couldn’t get any worse.

—

It got worse.

“Coming from two brothers that should be setting an example—“ Dan lectured. He’d taken a shower since the incident and no longer resembled a plucked chicken.

“We’re not brothers,” Wilbur spat.

He gave him a dead stare. “I’m sure you understand why I don’t believe you.” Dan nodded toward Techno.

The pink-haired thorn in Wilbur’s side held a duffel in one hand and had a backpack slung over his shoulder. “It’s true,” he responded slowly. “Pretty sure that’s the whole problem here.”

“Now, me and Schlatt have come to decision. Since we can’t send either of you home yet— we had to improvise.”

Uh-oh.

—

“You two will be sharing this cabin for the next six weeks. You’ll eat together, you’ll bunk together, and you’ll be doing all your activities together. Either you’ll find a way to get along or you’ll punish yourselves better than I ever could.” It’s said with finality, with Dan gesturing to the interior of the remote cabin.

Wilbur dropped his bag on the floor with a thump. He made sure to shoot Techno hard glare, saying, “you got us into this mess”.

The message seemed to get through just fine. Techno responded with a middle finger behind Dan’s back.

His nostrils flared.

—

They spent the next morning at breakfast in dead silence. A tacky sign with hurried marker read: “Isolation Table - Do Not Disturb”.

Wilbur could only stew in his misery, shoving forkfuls of salad in his mouth while glaring at Techno between book pages.

Meanwhile, Techno clicked away on his Game Boy, unbothered.

He wanted to slap the stupid machine out of his hands. Wilbur could tell it was going to be a long summer.

—

“Of course you do ballet.” Techno sighed inwardly, meeting Wilbur’s gaze in the wall mirror.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He crossed his arms over his chest defensively.

“Nothin’, nothin’. Just suits your amazing, definitely not stuck-up personality.” He made sure to lace each word with heavy sarcasm.

“I am not stuck up.”

“Then start acting like it.”

He could almost hear Wilbur’s jaw crack with the force of how hard he ground his teeth.

“Leave me alone,” he said.

“You leave me alone,” Techno retorted, setting down his boombox. He pressed a button and began blasting music. It had an upbeat tempo, the lyrics incomprehensible.

A challenge.

Wilbur seemed thrown off. “Fine, whatever.”

He went back to the barre, but Techno could tell the music was bothering him.

Served him right.

[mathanlin]

Fae/Foster AU where Fae aren’t trusted to speak for fear of making deals — and so each foster family is given the Fae’s name to immediately mute them. Like Tommy, the unwanted Changeling.

And yet the Watsons let him communicate.

By… writing on a cheap plastic whiteboard.

It’s an incredible gift. 

He’s practically giddy with joy, scrawling out words that someone *finally* listens to. And not just anyone — the kindest, sweetest people the world has to offer. 

And selfishly, Tommy wants more. 

“Thank you.”

He holds the whiteboard out to Phil after supper. He’s eaten their food & thanked them, gave them so much power. As if his name wasn’t enough. 

Phil… smiles. At *Tommy,* the inhuman, unwanted creature.

And that makes the silence worth it. 

Almost. 

Because it hurts. 

To not be able to laugh during meals. To not banter with Wilbur or ramble with Techno. (Even when they say, “You’re a great listener, Tommy.” 

Because that’s all he is.)

And to know that if he ever said, “I love you,” it would be accompanied by the acrid stench of the marker.

And silence. Always silence.

That’s what makes him desperate enough to try.

“Hey, mate.”

Phil turns around, halfway through a sink of dishes. His smile falters to a look of concern as he sees Tommy’s hunched, shaking frame.

And that concern evaporates as he sees the message scrawled on Tommy’s whiteboard.

“Can I have my voice back?”

Tommy’s stupid enough to hope.

That maybe a year with the Watsons was enough. That maybe he’d gained their trust through his quiet help & shaky smiles. By being *easy.*

But Phil’s face tightens, grip tightening on the silverware in his hand. 

They’re thinking the same thing, Tommy knows.

Fae are dangerous. It’s a good thing there’s iron everywhere — if worse came to worse, they could ward off Tommy with it.

(What Phil doesn’t know is that Tommy would let them. 

That he’d take the pain and rejection silently.)

“We need to talk.”

It’s not said to Tommy. It doesn’t involve him at all. Just Phil and his sons who he’s called to the living room, voice quiet as Tommy eavesdrops.

That doesn’t make the words any less gutwrenching. 

“You can’t let Tommy speak.”

The twins tense, but they… they don’t even argue.

Phil’s jaw tightens. “He tried to ask me. You two have his name, too, he’ll go after you next. We can’t risk anything.”

What isn’t said is, *He’s too dangerous to trust.*

But they all know it. 

Tommy somehow gets quieter.

Because horribly, it makes sense. The Watsons can’t risk their family falling into a dangerous Fae deal.

And even if they did give his voice back, he’d be different. Too loud, too bubbly, too desperate for their love.

So he cuts his losses.

“Just for one day.”

It’s Wilbur he approaches, months after Phil’s warning. The boy looks up at Tommy, his incredible, undeserved fondness masked by confusion.  

“One day for what?”

*To have my voice back,* is the true answer. 

But there’s more. So much more. *To say I love you. To call Phil Dad, just once. To call you and Techno my brothers. Just one day to speak, and all I’ll say is how much I love you.*

*I’ll be quiet after that.*

“To have my voice back.”

In the end, that’s all he writes. There’s not enough space to write out all those vulnerable truths, the stench of the marker making him dizzy.

And Wilbur’s face falls.

“Tommy.”

He sounds… doubtful. Tommy’s heart dares to rise, hands shaking as Wilbur stands, face drawn tight with grief, pain, and… guilt?

It only takes a second for that last emotion to make sense.

Because Wilbur snatches the whiteboard from his hands.

“You can’t be trusted with it.”

That’s Wilbur’s explanation as he stalks down the hallway, Tommy clinging to his side, mouth desperately forming muted apologies. 

And when Wilbur hands the whiteboard to Phil, those damning words still scrawled across it, Phil says the same.

That’s not the end of it.

The notebooks around the house are taken. So are any scraps of paper, loose pens, pencils, or markers.

And Phil, voice thick with grief, orders, “Tommy, don’t try to talk to us again.”

It didn’t have to be an order. Tommy would’ve listened.

But the end result is the same. Tommy stays silent, buried in his room, unable to even cry out. To ask for *anything,* let alone the chance to say, “I love you.”

And like this, he’s lost the chance to ever hear it, too. 

[phoenixtakaramono]

The Premise of this Threadfic: Homelander suckles on Billy Butcher’s d!ck until the stress and white noise in his evil blond head is gone. That’s it. That’s the plot.

CW: ⚠️🔞, some surface level Homelander whump because I think he deserves a lil pampering after the new episode. Vaguely inspired by The Boys 04x04 and Butcher’s gorgeous manly tatas

(You can read the rest of it here!)

If you don’t have a Twitter account, screenshots are provided below the line break so you can read this update on Tumblr as well:

A/N - I can't believe this threadfic has its own behind-the-scenes backstory, but the first 25 tweets of how this threadfic initially started had been very different from what you see in this version. It was full of poignant lore and future S4 speculation, a dive into HL's psyche regarding his traumatic upbringing, and commentary about Compound V causing madness and tragedy to tie into what'll happen to Hugh Sr, ect.… It’d been saved in my Drafts; I’d been ready to click “Post All” after I found the perfect GIFs for the starter tweet. But then I'd accidentally pressed "DELETE" instead of "Save”—and all that work, vanished. Banished to the ether. RIP to what could've been. 🥲 I wasn't about to retype all that in my second attempt so I ended up simplifying it. And that's how we arrived here. :) Hope y'all enjoyed regardless! <3

[sadgreekboys]

Escort Gojo 🤔

[wisedawn13]

#xiantober2024 Day 31: Batxian/Happy Birthday

During Wei Ying's highschool years all of the major universities with magic programs held tours and events so those looking to attend a school can find a good fit. Wei Ying went to them all despite figuring he'd go to Yunmeng.

What he hadn't expected was how much he actually enjoyed Gusu.

Gusu University had a designated magic school campus called Cloud Recesses; it was up on a mountain and quite secluded. There are also many rules (though it is significantly more lax than it was when founded).

Everything he had known about Gusu University should have made him feel least drawn to it.

And yet.

He attended a summer program there during highschool and frankly fell in love with the place. He also made a friend—or, he tried to anyway. He's determinded about it.

The point is, Wei Ying ultimately fell in love with Cloud Recesses and the programs they taught. Everyone who knew him was stunned when he announced where he would be going to university but he just laughed.

On his first day during orientation he saw him: Lan Zhan. The one he is determined to befriend. He wasn't sure what it was about him, but he felt drawn to him more than he'd ever felt drawn to anyone before.

Wei Ying sought him out constantly.

At first, Lan Zhan had seemed quite resistant to his charms (much like he was during the summer program) but Wei Ying is nothing if not determined. He persevered, never letting himself get too down about the fact that Lan Zhan seemingly didn't want to be his friend.

There was a part of him, deep down, that whispered things he didn't want to hear: that he was annoying, a burden, that Lan Zhan hated him and wanted nothing to do with him.

He doesn't want that to be true. He doesn't think it's true. Lan Zhan had begun to warm up to him.

Lan Zhan didn't walk away from him as often, he listened to him talk, he worked well with him when they teamed up for projects, he allowed Wei Ying to enter his dorm. He was sure that Lan Zhan didn't hate him but he wasn't sure if he liked him yet or not.

Wei Ying spent the first year of university enjoying his classes, honing his magical craft, and spending as much time with Lan Zhan as possible.

By the end of the year he'd learned one major thing: he was in love with Lan Zhan.

It was a quiet revelation, really.

They had been studying in Lan Zhan's dorm, Wei Ying sprawled awkwardly on the floor, when Lan Zhan silently handed him a pillow. Wei Ying had looked up at his best friend and thought, 'Oh, I love him.'

Simple as that.

Wei Ying promised to text and call Lan Zhan all the time over the summer and Lan Zhan quietly agreed to respond. He felt hopeful that he would be able to get closer to Lan Zhan next year.

They chatted often during the summer and it did little to lessen his longing until autumn.

He was climbing the final steps to Cloud Recesses when he noticed that Lan Zhan was standing at the gate, watching him. Wei Ying smiled wide, yelled his name, and launched himself at him. He wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan in a hug and then realized what he was doing.

Lan Zhan was stiff under him and Wei Ying felt reality wash over him. Lan Zhan hates people touching him. He was just beginning to pull back, a laugh and apology on the tip of his tongue when Lan Zhan's arms came up to hug him back. Wei Ying stilled and then melted into it.

"I missed you, Lan Zhan," Wei Ying murmured.

"Mn," Lan Zhan replied. "I missed you as well, Wei Ying."

Wei Ying gasped and pulled back to stare into his eyes. "Does that mean we are friends?"

Lan Zhan blinked, eyes wide in stunned confusion. "I had thought that was apparent."

"Ah. Well, you know..." Wei Ying trailed off awkwardly. "It's nice to have confirmation sometimes, I guess."

"I see. You are my friend, Wei Ying. I enjoy spending time with you and I missed you."

Wei Ying felt his face heat and he shoved Lan Zhan away gently, chuckling quietly.

The first few weeks of their second year of university went smoothly, better than Wei Ying even expected.

And then, towards the end of October, things changed very suddenly.

Wei Ying was alone in of of the labs, working on some experiments for one of his inventions when there was a shift in the air. He felt chilled and could sense a malicious presence watching him. He turned around but only caught the briefest glimpse of a person before a flash.

A blinding light filled his vision and he felt magic hit his chest, he was unguarded, never expecting something like this to happen in Cloud Recesses of all places. Whatever magic was sent at him was one fuelled by hatred, the acrid taste of it on his tongue before he passed out.

He came to with a groan, lifting a hand to his head. Only... His hand felt different.

His whole arm felt different.

With his heart racing, Wei Ying opened his eyes to find that his once human arm was now that of a bat. His whole body was that of a bat.

He was a bat.

Shakily, he tried to orient himself but everything felt so different—so much bigger—from this perspective. He tried to think, to remember what happened. Who in the world would curse him into a bat? Who would do that kind of magic on campus? And /why/ curse him at all?

Frustrated and disoriented, Wei Ying looked around the room in an attempt to gather his bearings. After a moment, he realized he was still in the lab alone, the sky was fully dark and based on the clock on the wall it was after 3 am.

He looked around the room, looking for any signs of who did this and realized that the door was fully shut, all the windows were closed, and he was trapped.

Panic surged stronger in him at that realization. He didn't know how to get out or how to turn back into a human.

He crawled along the floor and wrapped his wings around the leg of one of the tables as he tried not to let the panic completely consume him.

He was a smart and capable student, he had a deeper understanding of magic than most at his age he just needed to think.

He needed Lan Zhan.

He needed Lan Zhan!

Lan Zhan always helps him calm and focus but he's also one of the best mages of their age. He needed to get to him and he'll know what to do.

The problem was: he was currently trapped.

He could risk exploring a vent (but who knows what problems he might find in that uncharted territory) or he could wait until someone comes in and he can sneak out the door that way.

Wei Ying opted to wait and chose to figure out how to fly to kill the time.

Really, being a bat wasn't so bad. Flying was super fun. He just wishes he got to choose this and knew it was temporary for certain.

A few hours passed when he heard footsteps in the hall. He positioned himself above the door and flew out the moment it opened.

He did the same at the entrance and then he was outside.

It was...

A lot.

Very overwhelming to his tiny bat senses. He struggled to navigate his way across campus to Lan Zhan's dorm but he eventually made it without any issues arising.

He flew around, searching for Lan Zhan's window, thankful that his best friend liked to keep one open most of the time to let air in. He zipped in and flopped onto Lan Zhan's bed, exhausted. A quick glance showed the room was empty and he huffed. Of course. Classes.

Resigned to waiting until Lan Zhan returned, he opted to nap. Wei Ying cuddled up in Lan Zhan's bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

~

"—were not in class today and you did not answer your door. Please call me back, Wei Ying." Lan Zhan's muffled voice drifted into his ears.

Wei Ying twitched, not wanting to wake up. He was trying to figure out why Lan Zhan would sound so worried, he was right here.

It all came back to him when the thud of Lan Zhan's door closing startled him away and he saw his own little bat wings.

The curse.

He heard Lan Zhan gasp and Wei Ying whipped around to look at him. Lan Zhan was frozen by the door, staring at him with wide eyes. Wei Ying waved and tried to speak but all that came out was a small squeak.

"What?" Lan Zhan whispered.

Wei Ying launched at him, gripping onto the front of his shirt and climbing up to look at his face. Lan Zhan twitched and stared at him. Wei Ying pat him on the chest and squeaked pitifully.

He watched as Lan Zhan's brow furrowed and then shock set in. "Wei Ying?" he asked.

Delighted, Wei Ying squeaked and pushed off, flying around the room in little circles before landing back on his chest and very deliberately nodding his head.

Lan Zhan sighed in relief. "Did you turn yourself into a bat?"

Wei Ying shook his head and Lan Zhan frowned.

"Someone else did this to you?"

He nodded.

"I see," Lan Zhan muttered darkly. His hand came up to cup Wei Ying's back and Wei Ying took the opportunity to crawl onto Lan Zhan's forearm and hand upside down. Lan Zhan pulled his arm up to meet Wei Ying's gaze. "At the lab?"

Wei Ying nodded again. Lan Zhan really was so smart.

Over the next couple of days he and Lan Zhan (well, Lan Zhan mostly seeing as he was a bat and couldn't actually contribute much) worked to figure out the spell, the caster, and how to turn him back.

Lan Zhan set up some complex arrays in his room and set Wei Ying down in the middle and told him to stay. So, Wei Ying decided to nap to make sure he didn't accidentally ruin their progress. He woke to Lan Zhan cradling him gently against his chest, murmuring his name softly.

He yawned and blinked up at Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan smiled and Wei Ying felt like he could melt. "I know who did this." At that, Wei Ying perked up. "It was Su She," Lan Zhan replied, anger colouring his voice.

The name was vaguely familiar to Wei Ying but he couldn't place it.

He tilted his head in question and Lan Zhan let out a small sigh. "He is the one you said wanted to be me or fuck me."

Wei Ying huffs, eyes narrowing. Why would he curse him?

Lan Zhan seemed to sense his question because he continued. "I do not know why he did this but I told my uncle about the situation and Su She will be questioned about it all soon."

Nodding, Wei Ying still wanted to know what happened to him so he tapped himself on the chest.

Thankfully Lan Zhan understood that. "He used a complex array to combine a transmutation spell with a timer lock spell and linked that to a confession spell. Essentially, he turned you into a bat and you will stay a bat if you do not confess your biggest secret by your birthday."

Wei Ying's eyes widened in horror.

What?

"I am sorry, Wei Ying."

No. No. No. No. No.

"I wish there was another way."

This was not how he wanted to confess to Lan Zhan.

"It is nearly your birthday. Crafting a counterspell array will take too long."

No...

He never planned to tell Lan Zhan how he felt. He cared too much about his friendship to potentially ruin it by confessing to him. He sure as hell never intended to confess as a /bat/ in order to avoid /staying/ a bat forever.

This was such a mess but he only had one option.

Wei Ying will confess his feelings to Lan Zhan, turn back into a human, and hope that things won't get weird between them. Sullenly, he nodded.

Lan Zhan set him down on the floor in front of his laptop. It was already open to a blank document. All Wei Ying had to do was type.

He glanced back at Lan Zhan to see him already turned around, giving Wei Ying privacy to write out his confession first. He truly is the best.

Wei Ying's heart ached as he set out to type a simple message.

'Lan Zhan. I am in love with you.'

It took him a while, but he did it.

He crawled off the laptop to the side and sat awkwardly. He took a breath and let out a few squeaks to get Lan Zhan's attention, closing his eyes as soon as Lan Zhan started to turn.

Wei Ying heard a gasp and then felt the tell-tale sign of magic coursing through him.

He was human again.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan breathed. "Wei Ying, do you mean it?"

Steeling himself, Wei Ying smiled and opened his eyes. Whatever he planned to say left him the moment he saw the raw /hope/ painting Lan Zhan's face. "Yes," he whispered.

Lan Zhan shuffled to kneel in front of him. "Wei Ying," he breathed, taking his hands. "I love you. I am in love with you. You mean the world to me."

"Really?"

"Of course. How could I look at you and not fall in love?"

Wei Ying laughed wetly. "I feel that way about you."

Lan Zhan smiled. "Mn."

Wei Ying pulled Lan Zhan into a tight hug, relishing the fierceness in Lan Zhan’s hold. "Are we gonna have to thank Su She now?" he joked.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan chided, clearly unamused at the prospect.

Wei Ying chuckled. "I know, I know."

He couldn't help but smile. He was incandescent with glee. Lan Zhan /loved/ him!

"Lan Zhan, can I kiss you?"

"Yes."

Their first kiss was a shy, chaste thing. But it didn't take long for it to devolve into something heady and passionate. He had never been happier.

When they pulled back to catch their breath, chests heaving against each other, Lan Zhan pressed a kiss to his head. "Happy birthday, Wei Ying."

Wei Ying smiled. "Happy birthday indeed. Kiss me more?"

Lan Zhan eagerly obliged.

~

Later, Lan Qiren would tell them that Su She admitted to casting the spell because he felt jealous and wanted Lan Zhan to himself (stupid really) and was later expelled after having had his magic locked.

No one knows what came of him after that.

Lan Zhan would later buy a bat plush to gift to Wei Ying for their one-year anniversary alongside more gifts for Wei Ying's birthday (truly, he spoils him). Wei Ying will laugh and hug the plush.

"I made a cute bat, didn't I?" he'd ask.

Lan Zhan would smile and agree.

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Link to thread

[dummyminded]

Here's a Valentine's Day Gift for you Lokius Legion 💚🧡

Loki walks out of his and Mobius' apartment wondering if he's still asleep. The halls, the rooms, even looking out the windows he cannot escape the sudden bright reds and pinks decorating every little thing they can. Loki's first instinct is to go to Mobius but he can't seem to find him anywhere! He'd ask someone if they weren't busy making out everywhere. And that's another thing weird about this maybe-dream. THE RANDOM SPIKE OF PDA?! That's supposed to be THEIR thing. Grossing their co-workers and friends alike with their courting, making it into a fun little game after he and Mobius decided to stop running around in circles, just to see who can make their companions cringe more. When he FINALLY finds one of them (B15) she just TEASES HIM. B15: Not so fun now, huh? Loki: So…This ISN'T some fever dream concocted by whatever sugary dessert Mobius had us try last night? B15: Why would you eat dessert at nigh-…Y'know what? I don't want to know. B15: And no Loki, I am HAPPY to say that this is all in fact, real. Loki: Well then, what the HEL is all of this??? B15: It's Valentine's Day and since we all decided we would slowly introduce ourselves to holidays we thought this would be the perfect one to start this year off. Loki: We??? B15: Me, Mobius, a couple of board members. Loki: And where was I when this was happening? 🤨 B15: Did you already forget about the tree thing? Loki: Don't. B15: Well you asked. Loki: I will refrain from doing so in the future. B15: Anyways, Valentine's Day is a holiday where lovers celebrate their…love. Loki: Then why all of…THIS 🤢 B15: Oh cut us some slack this is our holiday in…EVER.

After some more banter in which Loki learned this day for Valentine was as gooey ("Like you and Mobius?" "Shut up.") as it looked and sounded, B15 gave Loki some coordinates to go to So Loki put them in his tempad and went through the familiar orange door…And immediately understood what the fuss was about. There stood his beloved, dressed in a tux, holding a bouquet of Myosotis sylvatica with a soft blush to go with his bright grin hey were on a cliff that stood tall over an entire field full of all kinds of flowers, a round table covered with a cloth with two plush chairs, and a single candle already set up. He smiles at the smell of the tea. The food on the plates however, gives him pause. Loki: Midgardian breakfast? For dinner? Mobius: I gave you extra sausage and bacon 🥰 Loki: I should've known you would've noticed. Mobius: Always, Darlin'

Mobius then gives Loki the bouquet in his hand and then wraps an arm around his waist, guiding him to the left seat 10/17 Loki's favorite (The best in his opinion) human then uses his other hand to pull out the seat and gently urges him to sit. Mobius then excitedly shuffles to the opposite side of the table to his own chair. Mobius: Happy Valentines Day, Loki.

Loki felt his eyes start to water and a lump form in his throat. All of this…for him? He hadn't even planned for this day, hadn't even known of it, and yet Mobius his wonderful partner, had just made it one of his favorites. He had never had so much effort (at least not willingly) put into making him feel this way, this…happy? no, much more than that. An indescribable feeling. A feeling that grew as they spoke about everything and nothing, eating food made by Mobius himself (slightly burnt) And then Loki's heart practically exploded as Mobius, in sync with the sudden glow of the Myosotis sylvatica he could now recognize hidden in the field, kneeled down clumsily (He had seemingly forgotten about the field's specialty and scared himself.) and pulled out a ring Before Mobius could even open his mouth, Loki jumped on him, no longer able to contain his emotions about it all. A long while after, both naked, covered in a blanket he had conjured, Mobius turned to look at him with a shy look. Mobius:…I'm guessing that's a yes? Loki: Of course it's a yes. Anyone who would say no is a buffoon not worth your time. 🙄 Mobius: Oh really? Loki: Yes. In fact not just a buffoon, an imbecile, a fool who shouldn't be allowed to breath the same air as you. Mobius moved his head to lay on Loki's chest and they spent the rest of the night like that, taking turns goading the other to shower the other with compliments, matching smiles following them into their deep slumber.

This came out late but yes, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY LOKIUS LEGION! I haven't written in years and I haven't wrote a threadfic at all PERIOD. So I hope it's not too bad…(Fun fact, I forgot to put the 17 at the end of the slashes on Twitter IM SO EMBARRASSING FR 😭)