#also also the idea of them being work buddies is living rent free in my mind

[dogpastra]

gee, thanks, Mortimer!

[yuri-is-online]

I love the Fyuuture kid au. Could I ask for Ace!yutu, the idea of Yutu getting second hand embarrassment at Ace's flirting attempts makes me laugh so much, just yutu standing there watching ace self sabotage himself when it comes to Yuu wondering how Yuu and Ace managed to get together in the future. (Yutu has definitely judged his father a few times in silence)

Another thing that lives rent free in my head when thinking of Ace and Yutu is when Ace finds out that Yuu is basically dead in the future. That has to be a crushing discovering for him considering that he's (and Deuce) very protective of Yuu

(also the idea of Deuce's future co workers deciding that Yuu is a danger and basically cursed Yuu to die has to make him feel uneasy about weather he'd want to work for a company that basically sentenced Yuu to die once everything is resolved but that's a conversation for another day)

notes: they/them used for Yuu, for context on the fyuuture kid au can be found here and here.

Slight bit of clarification, the Magical Marshall's appear to be a government organization, or perhaps a type of law enforcement that each government has?  The way Deuce spoke about it made me think they sound similar to a counter terrorism unit, but either way your point still stands.  While Deuce never gets the complete picture of what happened to Yuu, he still knows in his heart it was his office that hurt them, and it's extremely difficult for him to live with.  The office stands by it's decision to the bitter end, no matter what he says or how many monster attacks are reported.  And if he gets too annoying, well they already made you disappear.

And with that lovely thought let's talk about Ace!

Ace! Yutu is a fairly normal kid.  He doesn't really have friends, maybe a discord buddy or two who he plays games with, but no one he really trusts to talk with about his family situation.  And he does see it as a situation, Yuu might be doing their best to make things normal for the two of them but the entire situation just stinks.  Yutu knows there's something wrong with it but he can't put his finger on what…

Very smart.  He taught himself how to count cards and got in trouble at school more than once for running blackjack games where he took a bunch of money from his classmates.  Not his fault they suck at cards!  And sure he could just cheat like normal (he's just as good at cutting the deck as dear old dad) but it's much more fun to do something technically legal.  It makes people that much more mad, which he finds really funny.

He tries to not talk about his dad that much, though he might make a joke or two about fatherless behavior. Much like Cater! Yutu, he assumes that his dad is probably dead and while he's very curious, he's reluctant to poke at Yuu's memories for fear of causing them more pain.  When he does think about his dad he tends to romanticize things, Yuu's description of him makes their relationship sound really sweet.  Marrying his best friend sounds great to Yutu, his dad must have felt really lucky to have managed to obtain that.

Getting isekaid doesn't phase this Yutu at all.  He was already so convinced something was off back in your world, learning he was a mage and all about Yuu's adventures just confirms all of his assumptions. Getting placed into Heartslabyul and being told that was Ace's dorm thrills him, doubly so when he gives Crewel his first migraine and gets told he's just like him. That's not to say Yutu is completely happy about his situation; his father is dead (Yutu refuses to acknowledge the monster wearing his face as a person) and Yuu effectively died ages ago, the curse placed on them just drew it out for a cruel amount of time. Yutu's angry, and what's worse is that he doesn't really have one person he can fix the blame on. He wishes Yuu or Ace were alive so he could ask who they blame, who he needs to seek out to get them justice. When the others propose traveling back in time he leaps at it without a second thought.

Crewel does try to tell Yutu about his dad, but his descriptions sort of go over Yutu's head until he actually meets him. To be fair to Yutu, he's not completely off in his assumptions about how Ace felt about Yuu, it's obvious that Ace was smitten with his parent from the start but he doesn't fully understand the denial Crewel is talking about. The blot monster Ace became is very cocky, and excels at misdirection so why would he be shy about flirting with Yuu?

Well maybe shy isn't the right word for whatever he's looking at now. Ace is reluctant to leave Yuu's side, but he has so many excuses as to why that it hurts his soul, wouldn't it just be easier to say "because I'm worried about you?" Instead of insulting Yuu's ability to take care of themselves and joking about you needing him but only joking! It's not like he really wants you to! And don't get him STARTED on all the little excuses Ace finds to touch you. It makes him seriously reconsider his whole opinion on wanting to marry his best friend thing because god if this is level of pathetic what it takes he doesn't think he could cope.

He assumes (maybe correctly) that Yuu is the one who made a move on Ace and that's how they got together in his timeline, something that high-key offends Ace when he finds out and he encourages you to be honest with Ace if you ever open up about your frustrations with him. That doesn't mean he ever gives Ace a break though, Ace is already suspicious of Yutu's intentions towards Yuu but his constant dunking on him has earned him Deuce's respect, so now he's lost both of his friends! What the hell guys you're supposed to be on his side!

Ace's distrust of Yutu doesn't bother Trappola Jr at all. On the contrary he thinks it's a good thing, the more he interacts with the first year group the more he appreciates how solid of a head Ace has on his shoulders. It doesn't make up for him being cringe, but it does make Yutu think he could maybe trust his dad with the truth.

I don't think any of the boys take the reveal of what Yutu's future is like well, but Ace's is especially bad. He thinks about all of the close calls he has seen you have, how afraid he was when he got those messages from you over Winter break, the S.T.Y.X. attack, every overblot he has ever seen, and now his own child is telling him that you made it through all that and his bad attempts at flirting but didn't get a happy ending. He has the same set of emotions that Yutu does, anger and grief that he has no one to really blame for. Yutu is sad he doesn't have an answer but grateful he isn't alone anymore.

The reveal makes Ace's teasing actually insufferable, he's so fucking cocky now that he knows you liiiiiike him back. See that boy over there? Actually living proof that you're into him, kinda cringe actually! He bets you used to have a crush on him too (just turn it around on him if you're in public he will melt.)

They like to try and out play each other in cards, Ace can't card count but he is better at reading people and better at cutting the deck so they have a pretty even win loss ratio. Yutu isn't above whining to Yuu about how his dad is being mean if he's on a losing streak, something that makes Ace fold quicker than he'd like. Neither of them will ever admit it out loud but they have a silent competition for your affection, Ace thinks you should be cheering for him since he's your future husband and Yutu thinks that you should cheer for him because he is capable of being honest about his emotions. When Grim starts whining for attention they call a truce and fight him instead.

Speaking of Grim, he has a relatively good opinion of Yutu in general based off seeing him as Henchuman 2 but when he finds out Ace is his dad? Respect ended he always knew that Yutu kid was a loser... all those times he refused to get him tuna make so much more sense now!

Learning about the future makes Ace even more protective of Yuu, and he doesn't make it much of a secret either. There's something about learning that your partner is supposed to die that makes you care a lot less about what your classmates think. That protectiveness extends to Yutu, but Ace is a bit more subtle with that. He understands that he isn't the version of himself that the kid needs to hear from, that he might not be able to give Yutu the support he needs but he loves the kid so much it sort of scares him. He's really looking forward to getting to be with Yuu and Yutu in the future, and if that means he has to put a little extra work in then so be it.

[total-drama-brainrot]

YOU. YOU'RE THE ONE THAT MADE REINA..

TAKE MY LIFE!

this sounds a whole like a request but do you have hcs for her and Ale??

they're "went through a traumatizing experience" buddies

(shh..I may or may not think that that cat is middle eastern and so has seen stuff..now I feel like I'm stereotyping the middle east my apologies)

Politely declining your life, since you probably need that for living purposes, but I'm super happy to hear that people like Reina!!

Considering Reina herself is a headcanon, I have a few ideas I can share!

The Burromuerto parents initially decided to give Alejandro the skrunkliest cat they could find to serve as a (not) subtle indication that they don't love/care about him as much as José, who got an objectively "nicer" pet. What they didn't anticipate was Alejandro being immediately smitten with the wet rag of a cat they presented him with, who he immediately names "Reina" - meaning queen.

When making the post, there were a few different mental images I had of Reina. For the most part I was thinking of that one video of the weird stray cat outside (because that video lives rent free in my head), but I also considered having her be some sort of street-worn Rex cat, like a Devon Rex, because they're the weirdest looking cat breed I know. And also because "Rex" is latin for "King", so it plays into the royalty motif she's got going on. But Weezerfan's and CuriosityCryptid's interpretations of her are so so great! I encourage everyone to just envision Reina how they want to!

Alejandro absolutely spoils her rotten. Reina starts out super skittish around the whole family, but Alejandro's the only person who has the incentive to work past her rational fear and get to know the sweetheart she truly is. As a result, the two of them become major sources of comfort for each other in the Burromuerto household. Reina becomes sort of an emotional crutch for Alejandro; he vents his frustrations to her and then smothers her in all of the suppressed love and affection he has in his heart.

Her initial skittishness stems from her time as a street cat, wherein she gained a lot of scars (and perhaps lost an eye or an ear, depending on how tattered you want to envision her). Keep in mind, despite being an absolute sweetheart, she's also feisty - a cat doesn't survive with as many battle scars as Reina has without being a fighter. Consequently, Alejandro gained many scratch marks in the early days of owning Reina before he gained a proper understanding of her temperence.

With all of the love and care she recieves, Reina quickly goes from being a mangy street cat into being a relatively normal looking cat, though her scarred appearence is far too distinguishable to mistake her for a normal housecat. Alejandro scrounges up money from his various competitions (and other unofficial odd jobs he works to build connections around his neighbourhood - the power of nepotism is a valuable asset after all) to buy her pretty collars and accessories and cat toys.

Alejandro had assumed that nursing Reina back to "presentability" would prove something to his parents. In fact, he thought Reina's whole existance was just another test from them to prove himself capable of caring for something dependant on him and/or being independant enough to be a pet owner (or something along those lines). So when he presents his parents with a well pampered Reina and is met with cold indifference, it hurts him quite a bit; didn't he do a good job? (There was no "test" or "challenge", his parents are just assholes.)

They're kinred spirits personality-wise. Both of them have gone through a lot in their limited years, and that unspoken mutual understanding helps them bond quickly. Reina also becomes just as vain as Alejandro once he starts buying her sparkly accessories and trinkets. Alejandro eventually learns how to empathise with other people through his experiences empathising with Reina.

Alejandro and Reina are equally as protective over each other. Reina hisses and swipes at anyone who causes her boy emotional distress if she's around to witness it, and Alejandro gets super jealous when other people try to give Reina attention - she's his cat. (Alejandro has issues with possessiveness and being second place, so having anything in his life as solely his is something he takes quite seriously.)

As for Reina's backstory? I didn't really think much on it other than "tattered looking street cat they found at an animal shelter", but again I'm happy for other people to interpret her as they see fit.

[lover-of-mine]

i don't think you're giving enough credit anna though, because at least to me it does seem during the hiatus a lot of the people that were giving BT a chance reverted back to Buddie. It's likely because they saw the writing on the wall for BT and also they woke up from the buzz of the newness of Tommy and realized there's absolutely nothing there. So a lot of people woke up from the spell of bi buck and realized the truth during the hiatus. I would say a majority of the fandom woke up. Sure there's still the dumb die hards who are filled with people who proudly say they have not watched all the previous seasons of the show.

Oh, no, honey, I'm fully aware of that. I've been watching people pop back into my notifications, suddenly back to interacting with my buddie shit, I've been watching people who were multishiping just go back to being mostly buddie, I've been watching the interaction with bt shit reduce. I just like poking at the people who went to war for Tommy simply because he's a man and now have to deal with the fact that they took things too far. The way people were going on and on about how he's the most compelling love interest Buck has ever had after exactly one kiss because they were blinded by the "Buck is bi" high and now don't know how to backtrack or to accept the fact that Tommy is a device to make Buck bi who had no development beyond that. Poking fun at the people who were spending a fortune on an actor to manipulate what counts as canon just for him to completely ditch them and force them to the reality that the show gave them NOTHING. Watch them scramble to act as if constantly dismissing Buck and poorly timed sex jokes is somehow a good thing. I know the majority of people who are multishiping are reasonable. My thing is not against the reasonable people who ship them. Reasonable people are not out in the world screaming about how awful Eddie and Ryan are. Reasonable people are not in people's inboxes calling them names just because they didn't fall head over heels for Tommy. Reasonable people aren't digging through interviews as if interviews prove something and wearing comments from 3 years ago as some fucked up badge of honor. Reasonable people aren't harassing actors as if having actor interaction somehow makes them superior. I know the majority of people are reasonable and understand the show and just wanted to have fun with the two of them but understand it for what it is on the show now that the high has settled. My problem was never and will never be with anyone who got caught up in the excitement but were enjoying it on their own playground. My problem is with everyone who continues to try and force this narrative that paints Tommy as a lot more than he is simply because he's a man and somehow act as if Buck's bisexuality is only valid for them if he's dating a guy. The people who want to say Buck's past relationships didn't work because he was dating women. The people who keep talking shit about Eddie simply because Eddie "is in the way". The people who try to act as if the relationship is perfect and Eddie should die alone just because Buck is getting dicked down. You can ship whatever makes you happy. You can write whatever makes you happy. You can headcanon whatever makes you happy. My problem is the insistence in manipulating canon to make Tommy seem better than he was written because they took it too far with no information and can't back out of it now. That's the only part of the fandom I have an issue with. I still follow people who ship them. I just don't interact with their pro shit, they ignore my anti shit and we exist in harmony. I just don't like the idea that I have to ship them or else I'm being weird about queer relationships or I'm ignoring Buck's choices or I'm just plain homophobic or couldn't possibly understand the complexities of their relationship just because I'm a woman. And I have a window to the worst of that because I live rent free in their heads for some reason and if I didn't make fun of the situation, I would lose my mind. I know people have woken up. I have never had a problem with that part of the fandom. I only have an issue with the ones who are still going to war over nothing.

[literarynecromancy]

𝒢𝓇𝒾𝓂𝑜𝒾𝓇𝑒 ❤ He/They/She ❤ Main Blog (Re)Introduction

Quick Overview

Heyo - My name is Grim(oire) and I'm a writer trying to get back into the habit of things! This is just where I'm going to store writing tidbits and maybe even post some of my original stuff on occasion.

(I'm also hoping to make a writing buddy or two so we can bounce ideas and hype each other up - but I'm almost effectively a social hermit so that is rather....hard. 😅)

I'm big on:

Fantasy, Mystery, & Romance as genres to both read & write

Worldbuilding waaay too in-depth

Tropes like Became Their Own Antithesis, Dark Magical Girl, & Jerk w/ a Heart of Gold

Many different fandoms (I grew up in a cinephile household) & their stories

❤️Quick Access to my pieces❤️

--Works In Progress & Tagging System Under Cut--

(Edited 05/23/2024)

All Things Concerning Chaos

An unimaginable evil once sealed away is unleashed upon the world due to the fuck-up of one man and his band of thieves. To make the situation worse, he drags the name of his ex down with him and get her and her daughter into just as much trouble by naming them as conspirators. Given prison collars and a time frame of three years they are tasked with finding this evil and resealing it before their time is up and the collars take their lives. ○Steampunk cities, trains, cults, and witches. All set in a world that takes place post an apocalypse. ○Diverse cast of over 12 notable characters! ○Told over the course of three different novels.

Death Rattle

Business partners Roswell and Necro work on cases involving feral Cryptalters that would take the Law & Order branch ages to figure out. With one of them being a Cryptalter himself and the other using a drug called Witchblood to gain Cryptalter-like powers: they make for a good one-two punch out of problems. But things are starting to heat up in the city. A known gang has gained a new head and working with outsiders to make life hell for the average Cryptalter and Ros and Necro are dragged into all of it fairly quickly. Especially when it seems like family is getting involved. ○Urban fantasy in a world that's trying to change with the times. ○Features characters that have lived rent-free in my and my partner's brains for over a decade. ○First book in a potential series!

The SKC Project (Working Title)

Murderers Will Foreman and Tina Greene meet due to playing the same underground game in which you get points for killing. The winner of this game takes home a disgusting amount of money and there are only two rules: 1) Do not harm other players 2) Do not get caught Unfortunately for them, they are having trouble with both of these rules. ○Will be released for free via AO3 or some other similar way ○Bad people doing very bad things ○Love letter to the early 2000s

Aesthetic Tag - For inspiration or general aesthetic things Haha Tag - For the funnies Resource Tag - for resources Advice Tag - for advice Askbox Games - to send some asks for me That Hopeful Thread - inspirational things to help keep me going Other Writers: Intro - Other writeblr's introductions Other Writers: Writing - Other's writing pieces Other Writers: Cool Shit - Other cool shit about other's projects ATCC: Funny - funny things about or reminding me of ATCC ATCC: About - Things about ATCC ATCC: Helpful - Helpful things for me to use for ATCC

Death Rattle: About - Things about Death Rattle and the world

[finalfrontierpioneer]

2023 Fic Recs!

Happy International Fanworks Day everybody!!! To celebrate, have some fic recs! These are some of my favorite works from last year! You know the drill- all completed last year, various ratings/lengths, nothing from multiple authors (although i was SO tempted, especially by @chocolateteapotsvis as always), and in complete random order.

Thank you to all of these lovely authors for brightening up my year! :D And also enabling my procrastination lolol

Halbarry, my otp, of course:

Onward to the Horizon by ChocolateTeapots @chocolateteapotsvis (Teen and up)

Five days, three Kaiju, and eleven collective hours of sleep. It’s one more fight. They just need to pull through. For Halbarry Week Day 4: Fantasy/SciFi

sometimes I feel it comin' on at the wheel by DynamicDuo (XylB) @halifax-jordan (Explicit)

"It'll be okay," Hal soothes. "I don't need to know what's troubling you right now, but whatever it is, it'll be all right." "It focuses…on what…I want," Barry says through gritted teeth, like each word is painful to get out. Or maybe embarrassing? He peeks up at Hal through his fingers with a meaningful look, as if hoping Hal will understand…through osmosis? "Buddy, I can do a lot, but I can't read your mind."

When I Come Back, I'll Wear Your Wedding Ring by ketchup_monthly (General)

hal has some issues he needs to work through, but he loves his boyfriend very much. barry just wants to get married. aka: i wrote yet another halbarry fic furthering my "hal is a huge romantic" agenda

Entropy (Has Got Nothing on Us) by RoboticNebula @roboticnebula (Mature)

Snapshots of Hal and Barry’s life together. For Halbarry week 2023 (25 August – 31 August).

star twinkled skin by Rexs_Blacks (Explicit)

Barry gets stuck in a wall. Hal helps out. Feelings and shit.

Buddie!

glue by ProsperDemeter (Teen and up) -this entire series is SO PERFECT

“It’s just…” Connor shrugged. “No offense, man, but… you’re twenty-five. Do you really want to be spending so much time falling for a guy with a kid?” “I’m not falling for him.” -- A month away from graduating the LAFD Academy, Evan Buckley gets introduced to new recruit Eddie Diaz and things certainly change for both of them after that. -- Another season one rewrite.

I'll Feel You Forget Me Like I Used to Feel You Breathe by turningthepages (Mature)

A car accident leaves Eddie without ten years of memories. He forgets meeting Buck, falling in love, getting married, and bringing two more kids into their life. As Eddie struggles to adjust to this new life, Buck struggles with being in love with someone who doesn't want to remember him. Oh, and they have really cute kids. or Just another Hollywood Amnesia story the fandom probably didn't need but lived in my head rent free for too long.

help me hold on to you by Ink_Dancer (Mature)

"You doing okay, Buck?" Eddie asked. Buck snorted. Loudly. It echoed. Eddie clicked his tongue. "Okay." He started moving again, coming over to Buck's side and starting to gather up an armful of takeout cartons. "What're you doing?" Buck asked. "I'm taking care of you," Eddie said firmly. "Because you're not doing a very good job." Or: Buck recovers slowly from the ladder truck, the Buckley-Diaz family goes stargazing, and Eddie and Buck get stuck in an attic during a house fire.

to your front door by hammersmiths (General)

Pepa’s been eyeing him all evening, so it shouldn’t be a surprise when she says, “Why aren’t you dating Eddie?” And yet Buck still nearly veers the car straight off the road.

maybe it's the way you lean on his shoulder by allyasavedtheday @littlespoonevan (Teen and up)

“Eddie,” she blurts. “Hi. Sorry. I didn’t realise you were here.” The sound of her voice makes him move and he quickly sets the knife down, offering her a warm smile. “Hey, Maddie. Don’t apologise; I’m not interrupting your schedule, am I?” “Oh no,” Maddie shakes her head quickly, waving the idea away. “The uh- the schedule’s been retired. I was just gonna make Buck dinner but-“ “Looks like we had the same idea, huh?” Eddie replies with a half-laugh. “Well, you’re welcome to join us. I’m making lasagne. It’s not quite on the level of Bobby’s famous four-cheese recipe but Buck’s still on a comfort food kick.” * In which Maddie realises there might be more to Buck and Eddie's relationship than she'd originally thought.

Stucky:

Werewolves in the Workplace by leveragehunters (Monkeygreen) @leveragehunters (Teen and up)

SHIELD was the only intelligence agency that assigned werewolf and vampire agents to work together in the field, but the program had been a staggering success. They compensated each other’s weaknesses, complemented each other’s strengths, and a werewolf could feed a vampire and shake off the effects faster than ordering a pizza. Bucky knew all that. What he didn't know was why this particular vampire, one Agent Steve Rogers, was holding out a protein bar. They were perched in the rafters of a warehouse, waiting for not-overly punctual arms dealers to show up and deal arms, had been stuck up here for a couple of hours, but none of that explained vampires suddenly offering snacks. In his near decade as a werewolf in SHIELD, Bucky had worked with a lot of vampires, and they all tended to be pretty much the same. Steve Rogers was different, didn't fit the vampire mould, and Bucky couldn't quite figure out why. Not that it really mattered. Steve was just someone he was occasionally paired with on SHIELD assignments. It wasn't like he was going to have any effect on Bucky's life.

Waking the Fire in Me by humapuma (Explicit)

Steve’s knees nearly went out from under him, but he grabbed onto the table to stay upright. He whined – he couldn’t help it. His chest cracked open, breaking him down until he was sixteen years old again, thin and sickly. The pale grey of those eyes was so familiar, but Steve hadn’t seen it, hadn’t even thought to look for it. How? A voice screamed inside. How did I not see? His entire being trembled as he whispered, “Bucky?” The Soldier’s usually cold eyes changed then, something flashed in them as his nostrils flared, harshly inhaling Steve’s scent before he said the words that finally made his buckling knees give out, forcing Steve to the ground. “Who the hell is Bucky?” A ghost found his way to the Avengers, asking for help - a ghost of a man long thought dead.

the time that's slipping by its_tortle @its-tortle (Teen and up)

“Hello?” she calls. Steve holds his breath again, even as he feels pressure build up behind his eyes. Because that’s his mother’s voice, and he hasn’t heard in twenty one (conscious) years. He doesn’t dare move. OR 'If Steve was going to travel back in time for anything before returning to his own timeline, it would be to see his mom again one last time'

Tongue in Cheek by rohruh (Explicit)

“No, no,” Bucky leans into his space, close enough that Steve can feel the warm tufts of his breath against his cheek, “go on.” “It’s just,” Steve’s not quite sure how to phrase this. He’s not sure what his motivation was in starting this whole conversation, really. “I guess I wish that I could kiss like that, is all.” Bucky stares at him, his eyes bright as the warm glow from the streetlight dances off of them. “I could teach you.” Steve’s mouth goes dry. “Teach me?” “Yeah,” Bucky snatches the joint out of his hand and leans back against the wall. “Give you a kissing lesson, or whatever.”

Backhoe by ZenaidaMacrouras @zenaidamacrouras1 (Explicit)

Steve Rogers is a seasoned activist and not at all afraid to get arrested while protesting the building of a pipeline. HOWEVER he is TERRIFIED when he realizes he’ll be chained to the same backhoe as Bucky “very handsome southern boy who also plays guitar and struts like a panther in his very tight, worn thin blue jeans” Barnes. Our brave, tiny Steve will find out once and for all: Can you catch on fire from blushing over your crush? May Contain: Extended descriptions of how to get arrested while chained to a backhoe, copious amounts of sisters, Appalachian accents, cheerful silliness interspersed with tragic background realness. Pining with a happy ending. Chicken related controversy. Tragic background realness mainly consists of parents passing away, because who doesn’t love adult orphans. Discussion of funerals. Very brief homophobic interaction in chapter 18 (marked in the chapter intro notes). There is no violence, but there are a few moments where you might think there might be violence. Overall this is a romance not a gritty, hard hitting documentary.

Various pairings:

Till You Find Your Dream by Kyele @timeforalongstory (Explicit) (Brudick)

You know, my child, that the orphanage cannot continue to support you once you become an adult.” The abbess sighs. “There is one path that is always open to you. You may choose a holy vocation, and take orders. The Sisters of Perpetual Grace will accept you as a postulant if you choose.” Dick had known to expect this. “Thank you, Reverend Mother,” Dick says respectfully, “but I cannot follow that path.” The Mother Superior nods. He looks unsurprised. “Then perhaps,” he says, “you would be interested to hear of another opportunity.” From the papers on his desk, the abbess removes a single sheet. “Are you familiar with Captain Wayne?” Dick accepts a position as governess to eight war-orphans, adopted by millionaire and WW1 flying ace Captain Bruce Wayne. The rest is inevitable.

Seven by HollyDB (Explicit) (Spuffy)

It's been months since Willow almost ended the world, and a tense summer has turned into an ominous fall in Sunnydale. Spike is back from wherever and acting weirder than usual, a new threat is rising that—for once—doesn't seem to stem from the hellmouth, and Buffy has no idea who to trust or what to believe. She also doesn’t have the luxury of time to figure it out. Some things never change.

Seven Lessons by Tessabeth (Mature) (Cazriel)

At Windhaven, teenage Cassian's in trouble again. As punishment he's paired with the strange shadowsinger who hangs around Devlon's headquarters. 40,000 words, ten chapters, complete. Some timeline tinkering. “You,” says Devlon, pointing at Cass, “need to learn self control. He’s got it. And you,” pointing at Azriel now, “need to learn to use those pathetic curtains you’re carrying around on your back, and this one knows how. So there you go. You’ve got a week. At the end of the week, I want both of you flying, and both of you able to put up a solid shield without blasting your comrades over a cliff. Now fuck off.” Azriel bends down to the Commander and murmurs something urgently in his ear. Tendrils of shadow writhe around his jaw. “No. No, I’ll manage it without you. I’ve let this go on too long; you’re too old for this bullshit. You can come back when you can fly. Go on, fuck off. And shut the door behind you.” Back out in the gelid dusk, the two look at each other warily. Azriel still says nothing. Cass sighs. “See you in the morning? Meet by the mess?” Azriel ducks his head in agreement, and disappears down an alleyway. It’s going to be a long week.

Desperate Times by Eienvine (General) (Sifki)

Sif sees the man’s lips curve up in a sharp, cruel smile. “I have long dreamed of seeing Odin on his knees, begging for his life. I cannot have that, but I can at least see his son beg for someone else’s life.” He won’t do it, Sif is certain; if there is one thing that can confidently be said about Loki, it is that he is horribly proud. And proud men do not beg. Not even to save her life.

Sit, Stay, Speak by Fenris13 @ragnarokhound (Explicit) (Jaytim)

“He’s not here. Just his suit,” he tells Babs, gathering up the costume. “The apartment’s untouched, but downstairs looks like a hurricane went through it.” There’s a crackling hiss through the receiver as she sighs, tense. “Shit. Okay. Is there anything—?” “That’s not all,” he interrupts, standing up with an apprehensive look at his unexpected new companion. “There’s a dog.”

and tell the ones you love (you love them) by LadyMerlin (Teen and up) (Jaytim)

Weeks pass and the clan remains occupied with the chaos that is Gotham. It’s no busier than usual, but Bruce feels himself tiring easily, still recovering from his involuntary jaunt through the timestream. Everyone is remarkably kind to him, giving him time and space to recover. Unfortunately, all that time gives him, well… a lot of time to think. To consider. To analyse the changes that have occurred during his absence. There are new alliances, new tensions, shifting fault lines in the geology of his family. He reminds himself that this is the best case scenario; that everyone is still alive and well, that things could have gone much worse. But he can’t help but feel there’s something he’s still missing. Something he hasn't been told. AKA: the one where Bruce learns how to use his words, and tries not to be too nosy about his children's love lives.

those kind of friends by gabrieeella (Mature) (Jeronica)

He remembered the first time he’d seen her wear her hair like that, the way it’d unsettled him a little. It was so Betty-like, and yet not Betty-like at all. Betty’s ponytail moved like spilled sunlight. Veronica’s swung around like a guillotine. Or, a series of unexpected late-night encounters force an ever-distant Jughead and Veronica to explore who they really are (and could be) to each other.

you dug my heart a grave by jilliancares @jilliancares (General) (Spideypool)

He’s laying there, groaning and in pain and clutching his ribs, but even worse— [Really? Is it really worse? Give it a good, hard think and tell me if this is worse.] —but even worse, sparks are flying. Literally. Or: Wade realizes that Spidey is his soulmate.

[diazsdimples]

Fic Writing Review 2023 🥳

Words and Fics

222,730 words published to AO3

1 fandom (9-1-1)

Most recent drop: sugar and spice and all that smells nice (Buddie | 6.3k | E)

Longest fic: Buck's Baby (By Accident) (Buddie | 119k | G)

Top Fics By Kudos

Buck's Baby By Accident (Buddie | 119k | G)

Fucking Finally (Finally Fucking) (Buddie | 3.9k | E)

Burning with Need (Buddie | 3.8k | E)

First Words (Buddie | 2k | G)

In sickness and in health (but mostly in sickness) (Buddie | 3.7k | G)

My Fandom Events in 2023

Didn't do any! I joined the fandom in June and didn't write anything until July 🙃

Upcoming Events and Projects for 2024

This all depends on how many babies need delivering next year ngl, and how much of the year I spend on call but here's the WIPs I have so far!

To finish/publish:

With you I'm home - I quoted 20 chapters for this because Buck's Baby was also 20 chapters but I am 100% playing this by air. In this fic, we see Buck and Eddie embarking on their first year of marriage. They have a 2 year old son (Aidan) and Christopher, who is 14. This fic will show them navigating parenting a boisterous toddler and a sassy teenager while they begin their journey to having a new baby.

Cat Fic!! - this has been sitting in my WIPs folder for months now and I haven't had the beans to write it recently! Buck has adopted a cat with a curious name that brings a whole load of feelings to the forefront of his brain (is he saying I love you to the wrong Eddie?) and also provides some excellent material to fuck with his friends.

AUs that live in my head rent free

GTA AU - Listen I know this sounds weird, BUT, Buck and Eddie are heads of rival motorcycle gangs and constantly engage in turf wars. They realise they have the same product dealer for their cocaine lockups, who has been selling them dodgy product, resulting in loss of revenue for both men. They come together to confront the man realise they work extremely well together and who knows, maybe rival MC gang members can fall in love!

Piano Teacher!Buck, Parent!Eddie and Student!Chris - this was inspired by my Musician AU Play me like a fiddle, and was vaguely encouraged on Ao3 by @theotherbuckley, and will be a oneshot of Eddie coming to Buck after being referred to him by Christopher's physical therapy. Buck is more than happy to take Christopher on as a student is fast delighted by his constant, bubbly optimism. Eddie watches as Buck teaches his son and watches Christopher's confidence in himself build and realises, fuck, he's slowly falling in love with his son's teacher.

His Dark Materials AU - Buck finds himself in possession of an alethiometer and the more questions he asks of it, trying to figure out it's true meaning, the more he finds himself being drawn towards a dark, mysterious man he's noticed hanging around the college lately. Buck's daemon is instantly drawn to Eddie's daemon and the two find themselves unlikely friends, embarking on a quest to discover what it is the alethiometer is trying to warn them about.

Single Parents AU - Buck is the single father of two daughters and has just joined the 118 and is struggling to find his place. He meets another single father at his daughter's school in the pick up line one day and Eddie reveals he's training at the LAFD but struggling with childcare while he does it. Buck suggests they combine childcare and offers to help Eddie train, and even gets him a position in the 118 when Eddie graduates. How long will they coparent their three kids before they realise they've got it bad for each other?

Misc. ideas that haven't quite developed into fics yet but exist!

Magic Au - Buck and Eddie both have the power to control their auras (which have a colour and scent specific only to them) and go through rigorous training to enable them to save the earth from the Elder Race threatening to take over (inspired by Michael Scott's Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

Detectives AU - I've been watching too many Scandinavian crime shows and want to write Buddie solving a grisly murder

Chances are I'll come up with more over the summer!

Tags and rules under the cut

Rules: Feel free to show whatever stats you have. Only want to show Ao3 stats? Rock on. Want to include some quantitative info instead of stats? Please do this. Want to change how yours is presented? Absolutely do that. Would rather eat glass than do this? Please don’t eat glass but don’t feel like you have to do this either.

Tagged by @jesuisici33 and @hippolotamus thank you my loves!

(no pressure) tagging @malewifediaz @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @theotherbuckley @disasterbuckdiaz @thewolvesof1998 @callmenewbie @cal-daisies-and-briars @daffi-990 @monsterrae1 @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels @rainbow-nerdss @wikiangela @steadfastsaturnsrings @spagheddiediaz @eddiebabygirldiaz @watchyourbuck @loserdiaz @smilingbuckley @fortheloveofbuddie @spotsandsocks (ignore if you've already done it!)

[critter-genfic-events]

Fights: A Critical Role Genfic Rec List

This week, we have nine (nein!) fics that feature fighting - the aftermath of a battle, fight clubs, verbal fighting, and fighting crime, to name a few. Check them out under the cut, and remember to kudos and comment!

stop making me like you by baehj2915 (2684,Not Rated) Warnings: None Pairings: Kaylie & Scanlan Shorthalt

Scanlan saves Kaylie from a barfight. Complicated feelings ensue

Reccer says: It allows Scanlan to try to be a good dad, in the only way he knows how - and also for both of them to be kind of a mess.

all her wounds in front by StarryCleric (4274,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Beauregard Lionett & Yasha Nydoorin

After freeing herself from Obann, Yasha joins a fight club to work through her problems

Reccer says: Great action descriptions, and also amazing work with getting into Yasha's psyche.

Liquid Courage by soyybeanboy (512,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: Veth Brenatto & Essek Thelyss

Essek is not built for battle. He's in the middle of a fight anyway.

Reccer says: It's short, funny, and has the exact same feeling as Essek bringing up his tiny fists to fight in canon.

Community Service by starkraving (5908,Teen) Warnings: Pairings: Essek Thelyss & Reani

Reani and Essek fight crime (whether Essek likes it or not)

Reccer says: Crimefighting is a type of fighting, and I have a soft spot for odd buddy cop pairups. Plus, the fic is one of my favorite comfort reads, it's funny but also allows Reani to be deeply creepy and weird.

a bone from the wall of house of myths by grayintogreen (10827,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

A Tombtakers caper fic, involving a spooky house and plenty of ghosts.

Reccer says: If you like the idea of the Tombtakers in their element (fighting ghosts and monsters), this fic is for you.

Especially the Lies by Operafloozy (7800,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Astrid Beck & Beauregard Lionett

After the finale, Beau tries to get the truth from Astrid.

Reccer says: The verbal sparring between Astrid and Beau is top notch, with both striking hits and neither being completely in the right.

i have been praying to the god of giving up by Princex_N (2252,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Veth Brenatto & Caleb Widogast

Caleb reflects after an argument, early in campaign 2

Reccer says: It perfectly captures where early campaign Caleb was at

watch my back, and keep the blade by jadeandquartz (3553,General) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death Pairings: Orym & Imogen Temult

Orym and Imogen go after Otohan on their own in a roaring rampage of revenge.

Reccer says: "Thull took our hearts from us, so let's rip hers out" lives in my head rent free and for that line alone, this fic is absolutely amazing. It's also just another brilliant look into what could have happened if the fight with Paragon's Call had gone worse.

Prowl by resonant_aura (5241,Teen) Warnings: graphic depictions of violence Pairings: None

Pike takes care of some business (by being a MONSTAH) while rebuilding Sarenrae's temple

Reccer says: A wonderful character study that also allows Pike to be a badass in battle

If you liked this rec list, follow along for more! We'll be posting a new list with a new theme each Monday. Want to make your own recs? Check out the rules, and then use the form to submit!

Next week, we're featuring Modern AU's, followed by some cuddling, FCG, and Forgiveness (just what you need after a fight).

If you're looking for some more, there's been some new entries in the critter genfic bingo tag! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!

[dailydragon08]

Random cute Luke x Reader headcanons that live in my head rent-free pt 8 (punk/edgy/grunge style reader edition, ft Han & Leia)

TW: descriptions of slightly revealing outfits on reader (deep v-necks and high slits in skirts, but nothing explicit or overly descriptive).

Han thought he was gangsta till you showed up I’m sorry I had to, I just love the idea of Han being like “sure I’m a punk” till he sees you and is like “way to one up me, kiddo.”

When he first meets you, is in awe of any body modifications you have. Loves all your piercings and tattoos, and is a sucker for nose rings (especially septum) and any tattoos that sort of wind up one of your limbs, torso, or neck.

If you don’t mind showing a bit of skin (deep V-necks, ripped pants, or skirts with high slits), Artoo is on drool-patrol for him.

If you have combat boots, is obsessed with them—especially if you’re his height and the heel on the back makes you taller than him (may or may not have some headcanons/a fic in the works about this).

Even though it’s not really her style, you and Leia bond over fashion/hair/makeup/jewelry. You both make a point to learn each other’s preferred styles inside out, will buy things you see that you think the other will like, and sometimes she takes you on shopping sprees with her. Definitely makes you her “help me choose my outfit for this fancy political event” buddy.

Along that same vein, Luke will also buy you things he sees that remind him of you and is so sweet and gentle when he gifts them to you.

ANH Luke is just staring at you slack-jawed and loses the ability to speak. ESB Luke at least is able to close his mouth and form halfway coherent sentences, but is a blushing, giggly wreck around you and constantly running his hand through his hair or rubbing at the back of his neck. ROTJ Luke (my fav) has the most composure and always convinces himself he’ll be nice and smooth—and a good 75% of the time, he succeeds, but does still slip up every now and then and blushes up to his ears.

Luke makes sure to always go above and beyond with his compliments since he knows how much care you put into each outfit (especially if you’re self-conscious sometimes). For example, he’ll say things like “that lip color goes really well with your skin,” “I love all your gold jewelry combined with the black clothes,” “the dyed pieces of your hair look amazing when the light catches them,” always notices whenever you wear/do something new, and definitely has his favorites from your wardrobe and gets SO EXCITED when you wear them. Even ROTJ Luke will be calm about it, but internally be like *brain vibrating*.

Whenever you go to formal parties with the OT crew, your style does mean you stick out a bit, but they all assure you it’s only in the best way. If anyone gives you grief, they’ll have the whole squad glaring at them until they apologize.

Seeing you in formal wear had Luke melting to the floor for the first time (I plan on making a separate part for this).

Going back to if you wear anything a bit leggy, especially if it’s a maxi skirt with a high slit, he relishes getting flashes of your legs. Especially if you’re Force-sensitive or just a good fighter and are sparring, he’s trying so hard to pretend he’s not getting super distracted by it.

If you two live together, he loves seeing all your different pieces in his closet and refresher and buys you different hanging/tabletop organizers. If he can’t find an organizer he likes, he’ll hand-build you one himself so none of your stuff gets mixed up or tangled together.

·         He’s an absolute master at untangling necklaces and bracelets. Especially if you like the stacked necklaces, he will work for literal hours to pry them apart without breaking them (you’re convinced his Force-sensitivity somehow helps with this) or complaining. But once he’s done, you will get a loud “AHA!”

Sometimes hand-makes you jewelry and gifts it to you on special occasions.

Once you’ve gotten together with him, when you’re apart, you’ll comm him a picture of your outfit of the day and he’ll respond with so much praise.

If you’re into posting your outfit online, he’s always the first to comment with heart eye, fire, clapping, and melting emojis. He’s not a big holonet person, but if he knows you’ve posted a picture, will get on specifically to hype you up before logging back off.

The first time you let him pick your outfit, this man was so psyched and put so much thought and care into it, then didn’t hesitate to tell you how amazing you look (“if I do say so myself”) and will frequently ask to do it again, of course with the caveat that you’re more than welcome to say no to part/all of his choices.

Calls you his “stylish girlfriend/boyfriend/partner” and has big proud that’s my SO energy whenever you get compliments on your style.

Tbf, he’d do this with any style, not just a more edgy one, cuz he’s the ultimate hype man, but this is just me being self-indulgent.

[telomeke-bbs]

bad buddy fandom getting-to-know-you-meme!

Got tagged by @tiistirtipii at this post here and @inventedfangirling at this post here. Thanks for tagging me! 🥰 (And sorry I've taken so long to respond. 🤦‍♂️)

name and whatever you want to share about yourself

You can call me Tel. I love writing, languages, linguistics, and learning about different cuisines and cultures. I live right in the middle of Southeast Asia.

when did you watch bad buddy/join the fandom?

I started watching Bad Buddy almost from the start, after a friend told me Ohm had a new series out. I went into it pretty blind, not knowing anything at all about its history or genesis. I'd liked Ohm's work in He's Coming to Me and was open to more from him, not thinking the series would be anything more than your run-of-the-mill BL. And was I ever wrong! I think BBS sort of grew slowly on me for the first few episodes, but it really took hold after Nanon's single tear at the end of Ep.4. And I lost it after The Kiss at the end of Ep.5, of course. The no-holds barred obsession really set in after I realized this wasn't any ordinary BL; it works on so many levels and the intelligence with which it was crafted is formidable.

Favourite ship/s

PatPran does it for me.

Favourite character/s

Love them all, but introvert Pran with his protective walls, defensive rituals and surreptitious signposting of his emotional state with doodles and symbols really struck a chord. Pre-Ep.10 Pran was like an extreme version of younger me, I sometimes think.

Favourite episode/s

Episode 11 – I love everything about the beach, and the two of them alone by the sea was like my idea of paradise. But I nodded sagely along when BBS gently pointed out that their beachside idyll was just a temporary respite and that paradise doesn't exist on Earth.

Favourite scene/s

Oof. So many. My all-time favorite is the opening scene of Episode 5 (see this link here for why) because it was layered so deep with meaning and messaging, beneath the happy surface theatrics. I sometimes think of BBS as one giant and intricate puzzle, and if you find and fit together the right puzzle pieces it reveals so much more to you. The amazing thing is that it kept doing this over and over again. Like how many themes and allegories can this one series have? But if you want to disregard all of that and just enjoy it as a well-crafted BL with stellar acting, you can too. And that is also part of its magic.

Some other scenes that still give me the chills:

Deeply-pining Pran looking on at an oblivious Pat sleeping peacefully in Ep.4 [4/4]; I've been there and I know exactly how his heart must have been rent in two at that moment.

The Kiss in Ep.5 of course.

Pat finding out in Ep.10 that Ming wasn't the unimpeachable hero that he thought he was.

Pran missing Dissaya in Ep.11 (this is because I still miss my late mom with all my heart; the grief is going to be a forever guest there I fear – you just learn to pack it away in a box and put it away in a quiet room in your heart, but it breaks free every now and then, just to stare at me silently with its unknowable face).

When Our Song plays in Ep.11 (especially when Uncle Tong does his voiceover and the soaring guitar solo kicks in, and then we see Pat and Pran back in front of their houses, bracing themselves to face their families again).

Ah that award-winning scene on the balconies in Ep.12, when Pat and Pran indulge in a joyful, all-smiles tin-can conversation for old times' sake, play-acting at being strangers, and then dastardly Director Aof toys with our hearts once again and has the music crescendo as he morphs them back into their kiddie selves dressed in the same clothes to show us that the bond between the two scamps had always been there, forged since childhood, and that they were never really enemies throughout it all. And amidst the nostalgia we're suddenly engulfed in a wave of bittersweet emotions imagining all the what-ifs and if-onlys and what-might-have-beens had those poor little tykes not been forced into that meaningless rivalry by their warring parents. But as the camera pans away we hear their young voices piping in the night, still innocent and so full of hope, reminding us that when those two little boys grew up they still managed to find a way to triumph over all the pitiless hurt imposed on them. And how privileged we were to have been able to share in the story of their journey.

One thing you would change about the show if you could

I've thought so much about this show, it's not just one thing. And don't get me wrong; I'm not tearing it down or hurling brickbats at this series I love so much. It just irks the Perfectionist Pran side of me that something so beautiful, deep, intelligent and heartfelt also has its little flaws here and there.

I think they could have done a better job helping us understand how and why PatPran's competitive dynamic launched them so suddenly into the madcap bet in Ep.7. The cinematography was inconsistent in a lot of parts. The English subtitling (especially of Ep.5) could have clarified some things, but instead made them more confusing. And Pat getting shot may have been necessary on an intellectual level, to nod at some trope, theme or other literary preoccupation perhaps. But the narrative didn't really need that moment of conflict and I felt BBS tipped over into unnecessary melodrama at that point.

what are your some of your favorite fanworks made by other people?

I adore the analysis, meta and backgrounding of BBS that you can find on Tumblr. So many intelligent, creative people looking at this show, but those that spring to mind:

@airenyah @bengiyo @chickenstrangers @dribs-and-drabbles @dudeyuri @grapejuicegay @inventedfangirling @kenmakaashi @lovelyghostv @lurkingshan @lurkingteapot @miscellar @neuroticbookworm @pandasmagorica @ranchthoughts @recentadultburnout @waitmyturtles

Fan art also by @hereforlou and @kit-teung. 😍

I've probably forgotten so many others, please forgive me if I have; if I've liked and reblogged your work it means that you've touched me with your intelligence and output and I'm automatically a fan.

What are your favourite fanworks you've made?

I mostly post observations and findings from research about the show, so they're not works of fiction or visual art, just essays really. They're all special to me in different ways, but I lean most to the one that talks about the etymology of Pat and Pran's chue lens, what they mean semantically and what they mean for the series (write-up linked here):

My post about the Ep.1 scene in front of Khun Noppharnach's Pharmacy (linked here) was another one where the pieces of the BBS logic puzzle fell into place in a way that satisfied my gameplaying side:

I'm also chuffed about my location posts (linked here; have identified almost all of them, such is the power of the Internet), finding out that the jeep in khanom jeep dumplings also means to court (linked here), and tracking down Baseball Mom (linked here).

‌

A song that makes you think of BBS (not in the show)

My obsessive mind can't let go of this song (I've written about it several times now) but Never (ไม่เคย) by 25Hours devastatingly captures the quiet grief over losing that special someone in your life (and tells us what Pat must have been going through post-separation from Pran in high school). Pat mentions it at Ep.5 [3I4] 0.35 but it isn't played in the show. I've got it on repeat now, and am well on my way to memorizing the lyrics.

Onward tagging:

@airenyah @bengiyo @chickenstrangers @dribs-and-drabbles @dudeyuri @grapejuicegay @hereforlou @inventedfangirling @kenmakaashi @kit-teung @lovelyghostv @lurkingshan @lurkingteapot @miscellar @neuroticbookworm @pandasmagorica @ranchthoughts @recentadultburnout @waitmyturtles

No pressure to play if you don't want to, or have already done it. But do tag and let the rest of the BBS fandom know if you have responses for us to read! 😍

‌

[antisociallilbrat]

I wanna give Ben some love, so here are some hcs about his individual relationships with each Loser

-Ben loves being an architect and very much sees it as an art, but he also still loves poetry and no one is more encouraging of his poetry hobby than Bill is. Even though Bill's not much of a poet, he does his best to give honest and meaningful responses.

-Bev is absolutely Ben's music/concert buddy. I'm gonna project onto Ben a bit here and say that he probably feels like he'd be judged very harshly by his friends for his music taste, when in reality they'd just give him a friendly ribbing. I think that Bev has helped him get past that and enjoy things fully

-I think it's a crime that the first movie gave Ben the historian role, however I'm gonna work with that and say that Ben and Mike love going to museums together. Ben has to travel a lot for work and he most often brings Mike so they can check off the major museums of the world during their travels

-I think Eddie helps Ben manage his body image issues. Ben has a lot of insecurities and has previously gone about things in ways that aren't physically or psychologically the most healthy. Eddie knows a lot about health and so he helps Ben achieve his goals in a way that's healthy and encourages him to go to therapy so that he can learn to create goals are actually achievable.

-Richie has made it his job to get Ben to have some fun every once in a while. Ben is very nervous about going out, but once he's actually out doing whatever Richie has planned or even things he didn't plan with the group, he's always grateful for the new memories. He's got a scrapbook of pictures he takes of the losers while they're out together

-Stan is the most level-headed of the losers and so in turn he is the one Ben goes to for advice nine times out of ten. Stan generally has his shit together once he's an adult and he can usually see things clearly. He helped Ben and Bev get together and he helped Ben realize he's bi and likes Bill as well (Denscom jumpscare).

Rose have I mentioned I love your brain worms?

-Ben and Bill have evenings in the library where Ben reads his poetry and Bill reads his works and oml this is so sweet it's going to give me a cavity

-Bev and Ben as concert buddies will in fact be living in my head rent free now, thank you for this. Ben teaches Bev all the songs and they wear matching t-shirts <3

-AAAA Ben and Mike are the history nerds you're correct. I love the idea of them going to museums and infodumping to each other about certain subjects

-Eddie would be the one to be completely supportive of Ben and his struggles with his weight <3 he would teach Ben healthy alternatives but he would always let Ben know that they love just the way is also

-Richie is the perfect loser to get Ben out his shell. He pushes Ben in fun and knows how to turn a stressful situation into a laugh, trashstack is so underated

-YES I feel like Ben was intimated by Stan a little first but once he learns Stan is actually very kind and levelheaded, he has no issues going to Stan about his issues

[c4ts4ndstuff]

Chrumblr's May Whump Challenge! Day Six: Tied to a Chair

@chrumblr-whumblr

Fandom: My Hero Academia

Word Count: 863

Note: The fantasy AU for MHA has lived in my head rent-free ever since I first watched the ending animation for it in season 2. I've been wanting to write fanfic for it for ages, but hadn't really gotten around to it yet. Reading this prompt, I had the perfect idea, AND it fits with Mer-May!

CW: kidnapping

Hitoshi woke up, and found he couldn't move.

He groaned, but it sounded strange and his mouth felt weird too.

Rolling his head, did he fall asleep sitting up? Where did he go to sleep anyway? He groggily blinked his eyes open.

He didn't recognize the room he was in.

Room was a generous way to put it, it was more like a closet. He was facing the doorway, light from another room streamed towards him, and when he looked down it let him see the ropes that bound his chest.

Heart racing, Hitoshi struggled against the ropes that bound him to the chair. 

He tried to cry out in shock, but a strip of cloth tied around his mouth muffled his voice.

"Well well, looks like our siren here is awake." A voice said, causing Hitoshi to jerk and look up. Across the room from him, a man leaned against a doorframe, smirking at him.

Hitoshi felt a jolt of horror, as he recognized him.

He hadn't gotten the guy's name, or his buddy's either. Hitoshi had accidentally bumped into him when he was entering this village's inn, hoping to convince them to let him have a little food, and place to sleep in the stables, in exchange for some work.

While he was going inside, they had been coming out and collided. "Watch where you're going, brat." The one smirking at him now, had shouted at him. 

"Sorry," Hitoshi had mumbled, trying to subtly brush past them. If those guys kept causing a scene, he would have to kiss supper, and having a roof over his head that night, goodbye.

The man had looked like he was planning to keep going, but his buddy, a stocky blonde, stopped him.

"Let the kid go," Blondie had said, laying a hand on the guy's shoulder. Shouty cut himself off, looking from Blondie's hand to his face in confusion, before settling on realization. He continued to grumble to himself, as they walked out and left Hitoshi behind.

Hitoshi had wanted to feel relieved that they had left, but something about Blondie's smile made him uncomfortable.

The innkeepers had thankfully agreed to let him have some food and stay there, after he served customers for a few hours.

He had completely forgotten about the two men by the time his stomach was fuller than it had been in days, and he was going out the backdoor to go to the stables. Hitoshi couldn't remember making it there either.

Hitoshi was startled back to the present by a slap to the face. Shouty must have moved, and was now looming over him. Hitoshi stared at the wall for a moment, dazed, before finally realizing what the man had said to him.

Siren.

Shoot.

How did they know? After leaving the ocean, it hadn't taken him long to learn to keep that a close-guarded secret.

It was ironic. He had grown up ostracized by his mer-colony, for being half human. Like he had a choice in who his dad was.

Most mers looked down on humans. Sinking ships, controlling humans and luring them to their deaths, and guarding the coastlines from human entry were all well-regarded positions.

Hitoshi's humanness, meant he was considered lesser than other mers. Mer-powers would come less easily to him, and he would never be able to cause a raging storm, and sink several ships in one go, like some mers could.

Of course, not many could do that. But that didn't seem to matter much to them, when they could belittle Hitoshi instead.

By the time Hitoshi was eleven, he had had enough. If the mers wouldn't accept him, then he'd go to the humans on land. Being half human and half mer, when he was in the water he had a mer-tail, and if he got out of the water his tail would transform into a pair of legs. He could also breath both air and water.

His dreams of finding a place to belong, got squashed only a few days after he taught himself how to walk. He didn't have any family on land, his dad had died long ago. So he had wandered, until he stumbled on a village.

Instead of focusing on his weaker powers, and round ears like the mers had, humans zeroed in on his sharp teeth, and the song-like undertones of his voice.

Turns out humans are just as cruel about things as mers were.

One good thing about being on land, was that if he was careful, no one would notice he was only half human. Most people didn't seem to be aware of half-mers, or how to recognize them.

Blondie didn't stop his friend until after he heard Hitoshi speak.

He must have heard a mer, or a half mer's voice before.

"You're going to fetch us a pretty penny." The man in front of Hitoshi smirked, like he was already planning to do with the money once they sold him.

Hitoshi continued to gasp for breath around his gag, as he remembered the rumors he had heard about the mer-trade.

Hitoshi wasn't sure how he was going to get out of this.

[flydotnet]

WHUMPTOBER 2023 DAY 4: “I see the danger, It’s written there in your eyes.” Cattle Prod | Shock | “You in there?”

Well, would you look at the anomaly: for once, I'm not making Matsuyama eat the floor! He gets to be a bit of a caretaker this time, and not in a WY fashion, just in a "taking care of your soccer buddy" way.

I was originally going to write this one with a very similar premise but also with an OC, but my brain decided it wasn't Ziggy time - it was platonic JunMatsu time instead. To be fair to my brain, they're my favourite parallel in all of CT, and I don't write them nearly enough as their canon selves (the HSAU being another thing altogether in that regard). To say this all started from watching France 24 and seeing a weather forecast for Amsterdam, London and Paris one morning last week…

It may just be me, but God the idea of those two being roommates during international tournaments lives rent-free inside my head. It's done so since I first discovered Mikono's work on Twitter like a year and a half ago, but man, she makes a compelling argument.

Midway through writing this, for some reason that I can only call "JY Anime Is Ongoing Syndrome", my Misugi decided to become an assistant coach instead… when I was trying to set this fic during either the U19 tournament or U23 Olympics. So that was weird, but I guess this means this story is set in an alternate timeline where Misugi did end up becoming coach instead of a useless-ass defender one of Japan's flagship players. I like writing this guy as a bit more aloof and loopy than he'd be in canon, just because I like that characterization from doujins. It's a fun way to write what's otherwise a very serious character! Misugi can be a bit silly, as a treat.

---------------

A Dulled Blade Can Never Win

Summary: Fatigue, roommates and a bit of a bad heart day.

Fandom: Captain Tsubasa

Word Count: 1.3K words

AO3 version available here.

-----------

His heartbeat is irregular, today.

That’s the first thing that came to Jun’s mind when he woke up. Live for over twenty years with a sham for a heart and you’re bound to be attuned to its overly demanding needs, even while half-awake. The discomfort is an instinctive thing, like the sting of a bug bite or the sensation of needing rest. He doubts anyone not in his shoes would understand this to the unconscious level he feels. Who even thinks about their heartbeats? It’s like breathing, to normal people.

Well, maybe normal people do think about their heartbeats when they’re abnormal. They’re just not as used or attuned to their pulse as he is. Now, he only has to find out why: it could be regular arrythmia, it sometimes happen, but it could also be a lot more devious.

The thought remains on his mind for the rest of the morning. He follows conversations about strategies, tactics and who gets to be a starter player this time around. Coach Kira asks for his opinion and all he can provide is surface-level pleasantries, he’s sure of it. Or maybe he did just spew out whatever ideas he had brainstormed during the night. Who knows; not him, unfortunately.

It’s all very fuzzy and beyond him, at times, in this strange way that shouldn’t be the case anymore. You don’t live for over twenty years with a faulty heart to get distracted by its symptoms anymore. He’s swallowed the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy so long ago, why is it now biting him back? Can’t he just do his job properly?

Eventually, they’re back in their rooms. Somewhere in the haze of his heart bothering him for the nth time this week, he remembers he should research their next opponent – Spain, maybe? Or was it Brazil? Too familiar. Portugal, then? No, no, they’re already eliminated, have been for a while judging by the fact he can’t even remember… God, this is starting to look bad on his front.

Why can’t he focus? Even the lines in his book are starting to swim and make no sense. His heart is still beating too fast, and his head feels light on his neck. Perhaps he is about to slip into an attack and isn’t realizing yet. Maybe that’s what the haze is. Perhaps he should see Coach Gamo about this? Wait, no, he’s the med school student here, what is he even think –

Hey, you in there?

The voice is loud, strong and perhaps a little frustrated; yet it nonetheless remains calm and controlled. It snaps him out of that… was it a pensive trance? Or was it something else? Who knows, who knows… He didn’t even know he had slipped into one. That’s… weird. What was he thinking about? Ah, dammit, the page of the book is cornered, he must have done that when he jumped.

Right, yes, there is someone right in front of his face – his roommate, as it turns out. He hadn’t even heard Matsuyama come in, how long has he been here? Questions for another time, he supposes.

“Oh, it’s just you,” he nonchalantly replies. “What can I do for you?”

“You were zoning the hell out, so I was wondering if you were okay.” His eyes squint. “You don’t look like it to me.”

Oh no, not this spiel again.

“Why thank you for the concern, but I’m quite alright. I was merely just deep in thought.”

Of course, it’s now that Matsuyama has chosen to be a sceptic.

“Oh really? You’ve been like that all morning-long, man. What were you thinkin’ about?”

“Uh…” Good question, isn’t it! “Our next opponent.” Yeah that sounds good – what?

Somehow, during that very short snap of inattention, somehow, his suspicious teammate has found the time to lean in front of him and put a hand on his forehead. Soon enough, he’s started gritting his teeth, eyebrows knitting.

“Wait, you’re burning up!” He yells out immediately thereafter.

“That’d explain some things,” Jun thinks out loud with half his mind operating. “Wait.”

Goddammit. It’s not how you reassure someone like Matsuyama. Once he’s onto you, he’ll never let you go. If only he could’ve kept it shut…

“What do you mean, that’d explain some things?”

This is a good way to buy a one-way ticket to the infirmary, yes.

“Things being fuzzy, for lack of a better term. I thought it was just my heart playing tricks on me.”

“You sound awfully unconcerned about that.”

“You do tend to become used to things like this. I’m pretty sure you’d know what I mean by that.”

He has a chuckle at his comrade’s expense.

“Point granted, after some time, it must just be an annoyance.” His eyes squint again. “You’re sure you’re –” oh, now they’re wide open, “hey, wait, you’ve still got a fever!”

Well, looks like his diversion plan has failed. That’s the issue with trying to convince Matsuyama of all people: this guy never forgets. It’s like he has a built-in radar for people’s discomfort and he will do something about it, no matter the price and no matter how harsh his tone has to get (he usually apologizes about fifteen minutes later, twenty if you’ve really worried him. Don’t ask Jun how he knows that). Oh well, he’s tried.

Maybe that’s the reason why they keep sticking the two of them in the same bedroom, even after all those years and fine-tuning who goes along with who (and his roommate would be able to chart it all out, if you could read his handwriting). They just figured he’d pay attention to Matsuyama’s numerous bruises and he’d keep watch over his tendency to… embellish the truth, yes. Habits die hard and if those two aren’t the living showcase of that, then what is?

“It does sound like it, if you say so.”

“Well, you’re the future doctor of us two, so… Where do I bring you? The infirmary?”

“You could also let me be, Matsuyama. It’s just a—”

“I’m not doin’ that, no, not when I know who you are.”

“You can’t ask for a doctor’s advice and just ignore it.”

“That’s not medical advice and you know it.”

Oh… He isn’t even smiling.

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry yourself about it,” Jun tries saying with a hand on his chest (force of habit).

“There aren’t a lot of guys you could be saying that to here, but I’m certainly not one of them.” He kneels back down to his level. “Especially if it’s about your heart, then I’m not lettin’ that shit pass.”

Stupid force of habit.

“You don’t completely zone out like that, usually,” he continues. “You’re sure you sleep at night?”

“I do, yes.” Perhaps not much, but yes, he does get some winks in… when insomnia doesn’t hit, that is. “Although I’ll agree with you, I’m usually sharper than that.”

“To the infirmary it is with you, then.”

Jun sighs. For all intents and purposes, it’s very much affectionate.

“You really aren’t gonna give up anytime soon, won’t you?”

“Nope. It’s either you go willingly or I’m getting someone with bigger arms than I am to put you there.” Matsuyama sighs as well. “I hate that phrasing, but it’s for your own good.”

Eventually, Jun feels his shoulders lower.

“Fine, fine,” he replies as he gets up. “It’s an off day and seeking medical assistance for non-urgent situations is better than letting something potentially dangerous fester. I’ll go.”

His roommate follows, far more relaxed than before.

“Good. I’d have hated forcing your hand.”

“I know.” He walks to the door. “See you later, then.”

Before he can open it, however, Matsuyama follows.

“Wait, Misugi! I’m coming with you.”

“If you want,” he replies with a shrug.

Maybe one day he’ll be able to admit he likes having someone to rely on – but for now, they just make their way out of the living quarters in silence.

[kyurilin]

To finish off my writing posts for the end of the year, here's just a post about my other writing projects I have going on!

Obviously Stray, the erasercloudmic story from my pinned post is being worked on albeit slowly. I have maybe a third of it written (which is still 27k words) and it's done very similarly to Mic's Bullshit Life although it does switch characters up. @shabby-blog can attest that it's a fun read as they've read what I have and are currently my biggest cheerleader in actually getting it done one day

I have. Two entire alternate versions of Crumbled Rooftops. You can blame shabby for these entirely but also me. I feed off of angst and well. These are angst. One of them (called Everything Crumbles) is Crumbled Rooftops but Hizashi dies and Nemuri lives, which after the anime made Shouta almost watch Hizashi get hit by decay became infinitely sadder. It changes the entire dynamic of Oboro coming back by like, a huge degree but hey it's great for when I wanna be REAL sad. The other is All That's Left, and in this one Shouta dies so it's just Hizashi and Oboro having to pick up the pieces. This one was an excuse to push Hizashi to his breaking point and make people scared of his power tbh. Neither of these are likely to be posted and both of them are currently VERY early stages but hey if you ever want to read them and cry hit me up

Also Crumbled Rooftops adjacent, my doc aptly titled Here Be Crumbled Rooftops Angst Snippets which is literally what the title says. Basically it was a place to dump all the little side stuff before the story that lived in my head rent free so I could get it out of my head and somewhere else.

I have a document that STILL is just called AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Which is appropriate for the fact that it's an Erasercloudmic story where Shouta realizes he has a crush on both his friends and doesn't know how to cope, Nemuri teaches him about polyamory, canonly Oboro and Hizashi make out when they're bored and AREN'T dating yet and then try to compete for Shouta's affections only for Shouta to get so flustered he tells them he likes them both. Very early stages but I have IDEAS guys it's gonna be cute and I may keep the screaming title lmao. This one (when I randomly get the desire to start it) will be posted I promise I just have to write it.

I have an entire finished story I wrote this year that won't get posted, I wrote an urban explorers rooftop gang polycule story that is absolutely the dumbest thing I could have written, it reads more like an outline than a story, but I binge watched a bunch of urbex videos in a row and knocked it out in four days. It's lovingly called I Found My Heart in the Abandoned Roller Disco and no. You cannot read it. It's staying in my Google docs. You are allowed to know that Shouta and Oboro have a moment in an abandoned roller skating rink that is the cutest shit. But unless I ever get the urge to rewrite it the way I did the original doc for matching tattoos, urbex rooftop gang polycule is staying buried.

Oh. And one last one. Shouta's adventures through joining the hero course, trying his best to ignore the two loudest idiots on the planet (and failing), becoming friends with the two loudest idiots on the planet (and the class president and an upper class student), losing one of his friends, pushing the rest away, getting tough love from Nemuri Kayama, being occasional jogging buddies with Tensei Iida, and eventually running into Hizashi Yamada again. Lovingly being called Get in the Van Shouta, There's Cats in Here based on a playlist that me and Shabby joked Hizashi would make for Shouta in high school if he and Oboro kidnapped him to give him a better life, this is the prequel to Mic's Bullshit Life from Shouta's perspective. And yes this one is started, yes it will take me a long time to write, but there's so many little Shouta stories I've wanted to write that all have to do with my rooftop gang headcanons and I've been in my feels about Mic's Bullshit Life, so I figured what better way to tie it together by taking the mentioned high school stories from Mic's Bullshit Life and adding them to these other stories I would otherwise write as one-offs.

Anyways yeah I've not written as much as I did last year and I've still yet to start a few ideas I had last year, but at least I've been writing!!!! Can't say I haven't lol.

[captaindarksword]

"I wonder why people treat bb shippers soooo horribly ( sarcasm

reddit comments

In a world where Bumbleby was written better, a scene with Sun approving of Blake's choice to be with Yang would be agreed upon. But because of how our world is, the story decisions made, and how parts of this fandom are incredibly toxic...

Bruh Sun Wukong must be living rent free in their heads like who the fuck wakes up in the morning and comes up with this shit?

Psyga315 OP • 4d ago Okay, like, come the fuck on here. Cool it with the "I really want Sun to rub it in the antis' faces that Blake and Yang are fucking".

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Mystech_Master • 4d ago They’d totally have a scene that is basically Sun staring at the audience saying they were always just friends because he KNEW her and Yang were destined to be together or some shit like that which is meant to make Sun sound like a supportive bro friend guy but it is just stepping in the antis.

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SpudDan • 4d ago "About time you two got together. I knew right from the start that you were made for each other! Now come give me a nice platonic friendship hug, oh buddy ol'pal!"

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Dizzytigo • 3d ago Oh god, like Jaune going "I've been waiting for these two friends of mine to kiss forever!" Do not like, big ick from me.

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Narrow_Ad_7218 • 3d ago Well he's doing her mom so it works out

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u/Awest66 avatar Awest66 • 3d ago "And now I'll introduce you to my new close female friend with clear romantic undertones to show that I've moved on and there's no hard feelings"

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SpudDan • 2d ago Guess it would either be that or even worse: implying he started dating Neptune out of nowhere.

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u/Awest66 avatar Awest66 • 2d ago (Shudders)

That idea is all kinds of cringe.

(I hate

I remember when volume 2 had just released and saw how a Bee shipper wanted Sun to just die already so Blake and Yang can hook up.

fuck off with that

Psyga315 OP • 4d ago "This would make the antis furious, and I wouldn't feel bad for them at all given how many of them treated Bumbleby shippers horribly for years."

This sentence right here is the exact reason why Bumbleby shippers get a bad rap in the RWBY community.

Like, you guys got your validation. You got the kiss. But that's never enough.

You want to create pointless scenes of other characters (conveniently male characters) validating Bumbleby when it would feel more forced than the guy voiced by one of the head writers going "I've been waiting forever for this moment".

You want to make sure Bumbleby wins every single poll forever and when another ship beats them, even if it's legit, you start throwing a shitfit.

Hell, it even extends to other ships in RWBY. An obvious example is Black Sun, but we also see that Freezerburn, a WLW ship, also gets caught in this crossfire by virtue of Yang being shipped with Weiss.

And now, you simply want Sun to start praising Bumbleby like the second coming of Christ for the express purpose of treating "antis" horribly, doing no better than how Bumbleby shippers were treated.

It's even more insulting because for years, Bumbleby shippers have been dogging on Sun and, by extension, Black Sun shippers, calling Sun all sorts of names just to get at the shippers and make them problematic. And now you want him to be your mouth piece just for one more middle finger?

It's shit like this that's why people view Bumbleby as a toxic relationship or even why the homophobic Ruby meme took off in the first place. Because they made the bees furious, and I didn't feel bad for them at all given how many of them treated shippers horribly for years.

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mako-makerz • 4d ago StrawBana is a better Ship because the VAs are married. didn't they make Jaune "praise" them getting together??

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And how were the bumblebee shippers treating Sun for years?

Not the shippers harassing non-shippers for years trying to make it out like they're the victims. Bumblebee is bad. It has never been good. Get over yourselves and accept that your ship is a bad piece of representation. If the writers actually knew how to write, we could have gotten a decent queer romance, but no. No, we're stuck with this shit.

That's my problem with shippers is the fact that most of them don't really care about the story they latch on to. It's like the rabid shippers with a manga I read called d.gray-man. They got really toxic to anyone who dared not agree with there ship accusations of homophobia and hate . They also would demonize any female character as the devil while infantilizing the characters they were shipping. The only difference between them and wasps is the author of d.gray-man didn't cave to them.

[mrcspectr]

wake me (when it’s over)

Summary: In which Marc Spector dreams and often fears the things he doesn't understand.

Title from Wake Me When It’s Over by the Cranberries.

Trying to forget something that you know, It hasn’t killed you yet, but you cannot let it go, I’m trying to exist, trying not to scream, How it does persist, entrapped inside a dream.

Inspired by this fantastic piece that’s been living rent free in my brain for a solid week now. You should absolutely go reblog it because wow.

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: implied/referenced suicide, canon-typical violence, angst

He remembers the Duat, more than anything else.

He tries not to, really. Steven has been informing him, tirelessly, how unhelpful it is to look back on the past. That their time in death was quite long enough for the both of them to live through it all, he figures, and there's no sense in ruminating on the whole thing.

As if he needed the reminder.

The next time he had the body and some.. Alone time, he'd have to remember to get rid of all those self help books Steven had been reading.

They're not self help books, Marc, they're psychiatric textbooks on proven therapeutic methods of processing trauma. And while I’m at it, don’t even think about it.

"Personally, I liked it better when we processed our trauma with a talking hippo."

Would it kill you to take this a little more seriously?

"It might, actually."

Marc.

"I also liked it better when the tapes you listened to kept us awake, because now all they do is put me to sleep."

Marc!

"Okay, okay! I'm done, promise."

They were lying on the worn mattress in Steven's London flat, staring at the ceiling, a cassette tape turning on the bedside table beside them. It was the fourth tape in a set of ten, and they'd been at it for hours now.

Marc moved his head to check the clock radio; it read 2:03AM in a harsh, red light.

"Oh, no way."

Hey, what do you think you're-

Before Steven could think to stop him, Marc pressed down hard on the STOP button, the dull man's voice they'd been listening to since dinner coming to a halt mid sentence.

Thought you were done, hm? Clearly you're not done being a complete tosser!

Turning his head back up to the ceiling, Marc's eyes met Steven's miffed expression. There was a mirror fixed to the wood, enough to see his reflection down to his waist, so that he could see Steven's arms crossed over his chest.

They didn't need the mirrors to communicate anymore, not really. After spending so long not knowing each other, now they traded the body like an afterthought, having conversations out loud and sharing its voice until people on the street started staring.

It was as easy as breathing.

Posting the mirrors around the room was Marc's idea. It's not that he didn't enjoy the way they communicated now, he'd talk to him any way he could, now that he, well, could.

He just liked being able to see Steven's expressions sometimes, the way his whole face seemed to open up when Marc called him buddy. His look of concern when Marc was having a particularly rough day, without him ever having to say much of anything out loud.

Even now, when Steven was very clearly annoyed with him.

He had to keep from smiling. It would only get him in more trouble.

"It's time for bed."

We’re already IN bed. And sure, right when we were starting to make some real-

Marc can't help it now, and rolls his eyes. "You don't actually believe this crap works, do you?"

Doesn't really matter what I believe now, does it? Gotta try something.

The irritation on his face had melted away now, replaced with worry, his eyebrows knit together in concern.

"Hey, I'm the only one who gets to look like that."

Steven ignores the joke, which is surprising considering the nature of it, but Marc notes the measured focus in his tone.

Think you'll have another one tonight, then?

Marc sighed, pushing all the air out of his lungs until he felt his body sink further into the bed.

"I dunno, Steven. I told you, it's always random."

He'd been having nightmares for weeks now, ever since they came home. It was to the point where dread would creep in on him in the late evening, gnawing at the pit of his stomach until nightfall, reminding him of what was to come. He never went more than a few days without one.

Some nights he was pleasantly surprised, sleeping the whole way through with no interruptions. Other nights.. well.

How long's it been now?

"'Bout three days. I'm due."

Well with that attitude, it's no wonder we haven't got to the bottom of it.

"Steven."

I'm serious Marc, I've done all this research and you've made almost no effort to-

"Steven, I'm done talking about it."

Then how about you listen instead, yeah? Ever since we got back, it's like sometimes.. sometimes you're still there, Marc.

He looks away from him, closing his eyes against the cool fabric of the pillow. Sometimes it feels like the mirrors make it harder to hide, but it doesn't matter. Steven always sees him anyway.

Do you still think about all that? Everything that happened back then?

That's not what it is, not even close. The truth of it all, their childhood and all the pain that came with it, feels more like a dull ache now than a nagging wound. Ever since he shared it with him, let him shoulder some of the burden, it was much easier to carry.

He felt lighter, even.

Steven was convinced that, somehow, Marc still carried some of that blame, and he never could find the words to tell him just how easily Steven had scraped that feeling from his bones. How his insistence and his honesty had shined a light on all his darkest places, made him see himself anew.

No words ever felt like enough, so he doesn’t say anything. He hopes Steven understands anyway.

So he lets Steven think what he wants, because it’s easier than explaining the alternative.

It's easier than telling him about the fear that's replaced it. The way he can still feel his knees digging into the sand even now, how hollow he felt looking down at Steven's frozen body, hand reaching out to him.

Even though Steven is back with him, the way he was always meant to be, Marc remembers being in that place without him. Looking at an empty shell of the person who meant the most to him, and how it made him feel empty too.

How he was powerless to save him, and the only solution that made sense was to kneel down and join him.

It was a different kind of blame, a different ache. He was afraid, because now he'd tasted that loss and it clung to him like damp fabric.

Now he was just a man. No longer Moon Knight. No longer anyone’s fist. And it was a painful reminder at times, just what was possible to lose.

Marc?

His eyes snap open again, and he wonders how much time he's spent lost in thought. Only seconds, he hopes.

"Hm?"

You know you can talk to me, right? I mean, I shouldn't have to tell you that, but. Ya know.

He looks up at Steven, and the look on his face is so honest and endearing, he almost forgets the way it all feels. He makes it so easy to let go of things, and Marc is thankful, again, that he left that field behind for now.

Again, he can't help himself, and so he smiles. "Yeah, I know, buddy. I know I can."

Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've had the very smart, incredibly unique idea of actually getting some rest for once. Can’t believe you didn’t think of it. You should try it, sleep is conducive to learning you know, and I have a big day planned for us tomorrow, and-”

Marc groaned in mock exasperation, pulling the blankets over their head. He needed to hide the way his grin had started growing the minute Steven began prattling on again. It wasn’t just his, though, but one he was sure they shared.

He didn’t need the mirrors for that.

Good night, Marc.

“Night, Steven.”

He's there again, like he always is, but it's all wrong.

He's wearing the suit. He'd never worn it there before, had he? It was only ever that pale, threadbare outfit, the one he’d worn in the hospital all those years ago, picked out of some long buried memory he’d rather stay forgotten.

Wait.

The suit.

The suit?

Before he’d even opened his eyes, Marc knew it was there, wrapped close around his body. The way it always made him feel just a little trapped, a little claustrophobic. He could take it off any time he wanted, would will it away in a moment when his work was done, but he could never quite shake the feeling that he was suffocating in it.

His lungs constrict at the thought, breath catching in his throat.

When he looks down at himself, the crescent moon on his chest, the hood hanging low against his brow, he thinks the cloth wraps even tighter around him.

Maybe he imagined it.

Okay.

Breathe. Okay.

It’s fine. All I have to do is just. Take it off, right?

Back then, the idea alone was enough to send the armor slipping away into nothingness, waiting in the darkness of somewhere far away until he needed it again. But now, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how many times his thoughts echoed the word away, away, away, still, it stayed.

He takes a fistful of the fabric of the cape, pulls it as far away from him as his arm allows, jerking it taut. But it still doesn’t tear.

Panic began to settle just beneath his skin, on the edge of boiling over.

The smell of sand wafts over him, ancient and familiar. Looking towards the horizon, as far as his eyes can make out through their glow, sand dunes and a deep purple sky. The only sound the erratic beating of his own heart.

I’m alone out here.

“Steven? Are you there?”

Marc prods at that spot in his mind where he usually resides, but there’s no response, no presence but his own.

He feels hollow again, a ringing in his ears that he can’t seem to shake.

“Boy, are you gonna be disappointed.”

Marc is jolted back to his senses, turning to address the voice that spoke up behind him. Eyes widening, he sees.. Himself.

But it’s not himself, and it’s not Steven, either.

There were dull, heavy circles under the man’s eyes, but the bright intensity of his glare made him seem too alert, too focused. He wore a black jacket, collar pulled up flush against his neck, a flat cap arranged neatly on his head. His hands were balled into fists at his sides, but besides that, he remained still as stone.

“Not who you were looking for, hm? I mean, kinda. But not really.”

The man chuckles to himself, allowing him what felt like a pitying glance. They were on level ground but Marc still felt like he was looking up at him, somehow.

Marc decides at that moment that he doesn’t like the guy. At all.

“So when do you plan on letting me in on the joke, pal?”

He speaks up again, this time a little less teasingly than before.

“You don’t deserve it, you know.”

Marc blinks in his direction, not sure if he even heard him right. “‘Scuse me?”

“You. Don’t. Deserve. It. What you’re wearing. Do I need to spell it out for you?”

“I- wait a second. Do you even know what this is?” He gestures down at himself, cape billowing out behind him.

“Of course I know what it is, hermano, this ain’t my first day.”

His condescending tone is finally settling in now, and the heat of Marc’s annoyance is creeping up his neck, across his cheeks.

“I don’t even know who you are.”

“Don’t I know it, boss. But I know all. About. You.” He punctuates every word with a step forward, making Marc falter a bit.

“Anyway, doesn’t matter who I am, we’re here to have a conversation, right?”

Marc throws his arms up in exasperation. “There’s nothing to even talk about, nothing to deserve here. It’s a-”

“What, a punishment?” the man spits it out, a bad taste in his mouth. Like he’s thought about this conversation, a thousand times, has predicted every answer Marc could give and picked it apart until he knew the flaws in it by heart.

Marc’s own heart starts racing again.

“Because you’re so good at taking those, right?”

Marc stands in place, says nothing. He knows he’s proving the point with his silence, but the words won’t come to him, the weight of the admission sitting in his rib cage. The man starts to pace around him, a wide circle carved out of the sand by his footsteps.

“Yeah, and that’s the whole problem with you, isn’t it? I am so sick of your self righteous bullshit. Your oh woe is me crap, it’s exhausting.”

“Who even-”

“You can’t just take something for what it is, find the point in it.”

Suddenly, he throws his hands out, shoves Marc back into the sand so hard it cascades out around them. He stands over him a moment, deep browns of his eyes seeming to blacken through his glare, and considers the way the cape fell open across the ground. The need to be close to it is so immediate, so blinding, he drops to his knees, pinning Marc to the ground along with it.

“You bury yourself so deep in shit that you can’t appreciate what’s been handed to you.”

Marc wonders, for a second, if this is what he looked like during all those fights. Frenzied, delirious, a quiet sort of hysteria. He understands now why people ran.

“G-get off of me-”

“Why? Isn’t this what you want? To keep this? Don’t you miss being the hero? You can’t protect anybody without it.”

He grabs a fistful of the cape in his hand the same way Marc had not long ago, gestures with it, knuckles sharp against the black gloves he wore.

“I know you think about it all the time.” He taps a finger of his other hand against his own temple, that ghost of a sneer playing across his lips.

“You may keep your secrets from everyone else, Spector, but you’ll never keep them from me.”

Without warning, he digs his fingers deep into the gauzy wrappings directly over Marc’s heart and pulls, hard. As the fabric rips apart with a sickening noise, he feels a searing pain burning across his chest, like the man’s taken his skin along with it.

And he doesn’t stop, taking piece after piece, scraps blowing away in the wind. Marc tries to reach up at him through his fury, pushing away at his face but it’s no use. Everything feels so heavy, so impossibly far away.

The burn is stronger now and Marc’s in agony, the pain consuming him so completely that when he tries to cry out, tell this man to please, stop, I’ll do anything, you can have it, no sound comes out.

Marc Spector is an open wound, heart exposed to the desert sands.

And he feels the man grip it tightly in one hand, squeezes it as he leans down to whisper in his ear.

“Now it’s my turn.”

Marc!

Someone’s screaming.

Oh, it’s him that’s screaming. How long has he been screaming?

It takes him a minute to come to, feeling eventually dripping back into his limbs. The panic takes a bit longer to subside, his whole body damp with sweat as he starts to regain his hearing.

Finally, he can make out the words leaving his mouth.

“Stevenstevenstevenstevenste-”

Marc, hey, Marc. I’m right here. It’s Steven.

He’s still in bed, but it’s a wreck. Blankets thrown across the floor, sheets tangled up and around his legs. He’s ripped his shirt off at some point, but it’s so soaked beside him that he couldn’t see putting it back on again. He’s not sure where the pillows went.

Breathing slowly returning to normal, heart beating steady in his chest, Marc reaches up, feels the skin intact there.

Letting out a shaky sigh, he looks up at the mirror again.

Steven’s expression is a mixture of horrified and pained. He wants to shy away from it, but Marc knows he won’t fall for that scheme anymore.

Marc. We have got to do something.