#and i want to vote for them because i don’t think they’ll get like. anything. because none of you people want to talk about bigb.

[fogwitchoftheevermore]

actually hold on there’s enough poll options for this.

every single soulmate pair in double life had some crazy twist of fate attached to them in some way. from teammates in past lives to people who’d never spoken but were perfect matches.

to be abundantly clear. this is not your Favorite. but the one that you look at and go “literally WHAT god put those two together”.

[theriverdalereviewer]

FUCK THE DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS!!!

[quantumfeat72]

for the past few years i’ve had a personal rule that i do not sign anything i haven’t read - mostly because i genuinely think it’s a good idea, but also as a kind of social experiment - and i wanna share some observations

when i worked at an amusement park, i was one of like two or three people in a group of around twenty young adults who read the employment contract

i gave up on reading every TOS and privacy policy early on - now i only read them if it’s a website or company i’ll be giving personal information to (and even then i only skim them) - but i’ve never found anything super suspect in one

i also have an exception for when i’m made to feel like i’d be an asshole for stopping to read something. notable examples of this going into effect include the patient-intake paperwork at the ER when i went in a few months ago. (i really wish i’d just gone ahead and been the asshole in that situation, even though i have no reason to think there was anything bad in it)

i think the only time i was the only one to read something that the people who gave it to us actually wanted us to read was the waiver at a cat café, which included a lot of safety information about how to interact with the cats

one time i was approached by a guy with a petition who told me it was an anti-fracking petition (which was a real petition that was going around at the time), but the paper he handed me was a petition to instate a “citizenship requirement” for voting. i pointed this out to him and he tried to convince me that even though that’s what it said, it’s not really what my signature meant, and then named the university he graduated from as though it gave him some level of extra credibility??

i have more than once been given a HIPPA form at a doctor’s office where my signature certifies that i’ve been offered a copy of their privacy practices, when i had not, in fact, been offered a copy of their privacy practices. the last time this happened, the receptionist didn’t actually have a copy of their privacy practices, and had to get me to me sign it several days later once she got a copy from her manager

99% of people are very accommodating when you tell them “i want to read this before i sign it,” but it’s never what they’re expecting

on a related note, if someone thinks it’s important that you know what’s in something they’re giving you to sign, they won’t wait for you to read it - they’ll go through, point to each section, and tell you what it says. this is what happened when i signed my lease, and it’s actually a pretty common instance of using my asshole exception, because then i feel like i’m calling the person a liar if i stop to read it myself

the moral of the story is... like... we treat a signature like it’s the absolute most surefire way of saying “yes i understand this and agree to it,” but in practice there’s not even a pretense that a signature means you’ve READ whatever you’re signing. in fact, handing someone a piece of paper and saying “sign here” is one of the LEAST effective ways to make sure they understand and agree to something, and PEOPLE KNOW THIS, and we do it ANYWAY because what else are we gonna do? notarize it??

i don’t have a solution but like. that’s kinda fucked up, you know?

[fairyhaos]

❍ the 2k event: mingyu + tuxedo

vote for this fic in the poll!

alternative title: the wolf and the fox

pairing: mingyu x gn!reader

genre: spy au, club au, strangers to lovers, sexual tension

word count: 1220

warnings: slightly suggestive themes, illegal business, drugs mention

event taglist (send ask to be added): @slytherinshua @rubywonu @pepperonijem @amxlia-stars @weird-bookworm @hannyoontify @my-moarmy-heart @suminsfav

If there is one thing about his job that Mingyu despises, it’s going on undercover missions.

Not that he’s not good at it. Oh, no—Mingyu is one of the best, and he knows that, but sometimes he wishes he could have a simple, in-your-face fight with their enemies, rather than having to slink around and don fake smiles and fake personalities and stab people in the back.

“So, who’s the target this time?” Mingyu mutters to himself, smoothing down the lapels of his tuxedo as he eyes the rest of the aristocrats mingling around in the dimly lit room.

His earpiece crackles. “You’ll know them when you see them,” Wonwoo’s smooth voice replies.

Mingyu rolls his eyes, looking around in disgust as the richest people of their nation get high in this illegal drug party he’s infiltrated. “I need more information than that. Come on, I know Seungcheol trusts me, but I can’t find our target with my gut instincts alone.”

“Mingyu.”

“It’s not like I’m a bloody psychic or anything. Am I meant to go round and asking everyone for their names? Because there are a lot of people here. I don’t think I can do it. It might take forever.”

“Mingyu, come on, Cheol already told you. The less you know, the better.”

Mingyu scoffs. “Yeah, and I still don’t get it. How can less information help me on this mission? I don’t get it. Wonwoo, can't you tell me anything? Just one small detail? Pretty please?”

“Alright, just shut up,” Wonwoo says, and Mingyu can hear his eyeroll. He grins triumphantly. “I’ll tell you their name. They’ll introduce themselves as Y/N.”

“Wha— you’re going to give me a name? That’s it?”

“That’s all I’m allowed to give you. Good luck.”

“Y/N?” Mingyu says, lost. But the line has gone dead, and he huffs in annoyance, tapping his earpiece. “Wonwoo, come on, who’s Y/N?”

“That would be me,” a soft voice says from behind him, and it’s a wonder he hears you above the clamour of the club, but there’s something commanding and attention-capturing about your voice that makes him turn.

You’re standing right next to his elbow, having somehow managed to slink up to him undetected where he sits by the bar.

“Y/N,” Mingyu says, and gives you a once-over. Your eyes are bright, smile mysterious and deceptive, but there’s nothing that gives you away as a potential target. But then you smile wider, a brilliant flashing of teeth, almost predatory, and he grins. 

“Were you looking for me?” you ask, voice still deceptively soft, like you’re playing a game that only you know the rules of, and he decides that he’d indeed like to play your game for a while. A long while, in fact. Enough to figure you out, and then some.

He slides off the bar stool, reaching for your hand and brushing his lips against your knuckles. “Mingyu,” he introduces, looking up at you from where he’s still bent over your hand, lips quirking up into a smirk. “And I’d love to have a dance with you.”

And so that’s what you do.

You manoeuvre him into the centre of the floor with ease, and the music is thumping and the lights flash in a brain-aching way, but the two of you sway gently as if it’s the most romantic moment in the world.

Mingyu’s still trying to size you up, trying to identify the threat, trying to see if he’s meant to get you on their side or make an enemy out of you immediately. However, before he can say anything, anything to gauge who you are and what you want, you look down at where his hands rest on your waist, and then back up at him through your lashes.

“I think we’d make a good pair,” you say, flashing that brilliant smile again. “You and I. We’d work together really well.”

He tilts his head to the side, momentarily losing his focus as you lick your lips slowly. As if you want to eat him.

“Would we?” he says after a moment, and your smile widens. “In what way?”

There are a thousand innuendos there, and neither of you are blind to that. He expects some crude joke about positions and bedrooms, as would be customary of the vulgar aristocrats who frequent this place, but you reply with something rather different.

"Well, we will be like a wolf and a fox," you say, smoothing Mingyu’s suit shoulders and tugging at his tie cheekily. 

Hm, Mingyu thinks. Like partners in crime. And he’s not unaware of the way you had said “will”. As if this was something that would happen in the future.

Well. Mingyu certainly wouldn’t be against that.

"Oh? And who will be the wolf and who will be the fox?" Mingyu decides to humour your interesting talkings, allowing you to pull him forward, grinning. 

"Let me think," you hum, a smirk on your face as you fondle the folds of the tie before your eyes trail up to flutter at Mingyu. "I think you'll be the wolf."

Mingyu’s hands wrap more tightly around your waist, chuckling at the small noise of appreciation that leaves your lips. You’re still swaying across the floor, but the loud music has faded from your ears. It’s just the two of you and the electricity crackling in a protective shell around you. "And why is that, my dear fox?"

Your smirk grows. "Well, you're the bumbling one. The large, burly figure, perhaps not the smartest, but by God are you smoking hot." 

Mingyu chuckles, and he’s not even hiding the fact that his gaze is trained on your lips. “Smoking hot, am I?”

"Hmm, maybe," you tease. "And me, well… I’m sly. Smaller, sneakier, and yet still devastatingly beautiful, am I not?"

You lift up a finger to trace Mingyu’s jawline, and he leans even closer, eyes searing. 

"You are a sly one, that's for sure," he murmurs. Your scent is utterly intoxicating. Mingyu closes his eyes as you wrap your arms around his neck. It takes everything in him not to bury his face into your neck, or smash your lips together, or press you even closer against him and never let you go. 

But before he has the chance to do anything at all, you’ve disappeared, and Mingyu is left holding no one, only the faintest scent of your heady perfume being left behind. 

Mingyu opens his eyes, dizzy and disoriented, looking round the hazy club for where you might have gone. He sighs in frustration, stuffing his hands into his pockets and attempting to reach for his phone before finding— 

He huffs, letting out a dry chuckle as he turns out his empty pockets. "A sly fox, alright," he murmurs. "How bold of someone to steal from one of the renowned figures of the spy world," he smiles to himself, dangling your golden necklace from between his fingers, slightly-too-small silver rings adorning his pinkies. 

Y/N is an interesting person, that’s for sure.

Mingyu’s earpiece crackles again.

“Mingyu? Did you find Y/N?”

Mingyu stares off into the distance, where your figure has disappeared, a slight smile on his face. “I did.”

“Good. Because they’re going to be your partner on this next mission.”

“W— my what?!”

[hazbininlove]

Hopelessly Devoted - Chapter 2

-About 3.6k. Some slightly sexual discussions. Kind of a filler before I really get the story moving.

“What if we made a creature that could fly and walk and swim! Imagine that!” Lucifer says, his hands gesturing wildly around him as he pictures it in his head.

“Ever the ambition one, are you?” Esther replies, laughing into her hand as she sits on the bench in front of him. There’s a fond look in her eyes reserved just for him, and he knows it.

“Don’t tease me! You know it’s a good idea!”

“I do. I have no notes to give! So, what will this creature look like?”

He hums, tapping his foot a bit as he thinks. “Well if they can fly they should be feathery, like us! But like, all over!”

“And they’ll walk, so they’ll obviously need feet. But how will they swim?”

“That’s the best part! They won’t be like other birds, they’ll have wider feet! That’s webbed! And that way they can paddle through the water! And their feathers will be waterproof so that they can take flight without worry!”

Esther giggles at his enthusiasm. “And their colors?”

“Oh there’s definitely going to be a lot of variation in that. But the little babies are going to be yellow and cute and just waddle around on their little big feet,” he says, cooing at the images he’s imagining to himself.

“And what of their sizes? Will they be little? Big?”

“They’re gonna be little! Well, not too little. When they’re babies they’ll be tiny for sure, but as adults I suppose they can be bigger. Though I think it’ll still vary, maybe based on the color of their feathers,” he replies. He looks at her with narrowed eyes and a pointed finger. “The males will be bigger though.”

“Oh not this again,” Esther sighs.

“Nu-uh! Not again! Maybe they won’t be a lot bigger but still bigger! Or some features on them will be bigger!”

“I quite like the idea of a shorter male,” she says, a smirk on her face and she stands at full height and looks down slightly at him.

He blushes at her soft gaze, but pouts at her words. And suddenly an idea strikes him, and he smirks up at her. “You know what else of theirs is gonna be big?”

“Pray tell.”

He motions down his own body as his smirk widens. She looks confused for a moment, her head tilting slightly, before her nose scrunches and her hands are on his face and pushing him away from her.

“Oh gross! Luci, you fiend!”

“What can I say? If there’s anything about myself I’d like to give to my little creatures, why not let it be that?”

She groans and leans away from him.

“I kind of want to give it a weird shape,” he adds.

“Please don’t.”

“Come on! It’ll be interesting! How about we make it all coiled up?”

“Now why would you do that?”

“Because it’s kinda funny,” he says, laughing at her disgusted expression.

She continues to lean away from him, but there’s a twinkle in her eyes that tell him she’s still amused by him.

“Well in that case, I vote that the females have something similar. Except, they have false entrances to trick a male should she want to,” she adds.

“Oh that’s just terrible,” he replies. “I love it!”

“And the male has to do a dance,” she says, reaching a hand to stroke his wings. He shivers at her soft touch. “Show off some feathers, prove he deserves her.”

His wings flutter as he gives her a bright grin and tips his hat to her. “Oh I can show some feathers all right.”

——————————————————————————

Lucifer shuffles his feet as he walks behind her, kicking up dirt as he does. It’s been… well he doesn’t even remember the last time someone called him by his other name. It was definitely before his fall, and probably by Michael who often preferred that name because of its connection to the Divine.

Esther always preferred to call him Lucifer. If she called him Samael, it was usually in relation to work. He didn’t work with her now though, not for years since his fall, so the only thing he can assume is that she’s using the name to keep a distance between them in the same way she referred to him earlier as “Morningstar” and not his first name.

”Soooooo…. How’ve things been?” He asks, keeping his tone light to try and shift the mood a bit. He’s still upset about earlier, and he wants to bring it up again, but he hates seeing her sad, and he knows that she’ll only shield herself from him if he tries. Years may have passed but he still knows her. It’s the reason she hasn’t hidden her wings in all this time. She’s made them smaller than their true size, but they’re still present at her back.

”Don’t,” is all she says. He sighs at her curt tone. He wants to look away, avoid her gaze, but he also wants to stare at her and take the time to relearn all the details of her face.

She turns to face him when she decides they’re far away enough from the others. “Samael, I-“

”No,” he says, holding up a hand and looking up at her with a frown. “I won’t hear you if you use that name. You never used that name, so don’t start now.”

”Don’t make this more difficult,” she whispers to him. He can see the tears already forming in her eyes. “Please just let me do what I need to do.”

“Star, please,” he all but begs. His hand moves too quickly for her, and he holds hers gently in his. It feels as soft as he remembers, cold as it always was. “Let me explain everything to you. You know I’d never lie to you. I can’t lie to you.”

Her hand squeezes his, and he brings it up to his face, holding it against his cheek. He feels her thumb stroke his cheek. He smiles a bit at the touch and watches her close her eyes and let out a shaky sigh.

“Why must you always be so difficult, Lucifer?”

He wants to hug her. He wants his arms around her and holding her impossibly close.

“It’s part of my charm?” He settles for that, giving her a sheepish grin as she shakes her head at him. His smile falls as he presses his cheek further into his hand, holding her there. “I didn’t do anything with Lilith before the fall, or for thousands of years after. We were just friends, I promise. I… I empathized with her. I saw so much of us in her. Adam was supposed to be like me but he lacked any respect for his half. It was so different from us. We had our scuffles sure, but I always respected you, and I know you respected me too. I just- I thought she needed a friend, and there were no other humans so I tried to be that.”

“You never spoke to me of any of that. You stopped speaking to me about anything. What was I supposed to think?”

“I know!” His voice raises a bit, but he takes a deep breath and lets it out before he continues. “I know. And that was my mistake. I didn’t think, okay? I was just so caught up in everything, in talking, and I thought… I thought if I told you, you’d stop me.”

”Can you blame me?” Esther asks back. “Knowing what you do now, can you blame me for wanting to stop you? I always encouraged your dreams, Lucifer. I always supported your ideas. But you know that I also always wanted to make sure you’d stop to think before rushing in.”

”You definitely were the smarter one,” he joked. She strokes his cheek again, and he melts into her touch. “Lilith and I just remained friends. Charlie was… well depression’s a bitch and both of us were alone. I thought of you, of how I’m not allowed to step into Heaven, of how you would never be allowed down here, and we both let ourselves be stupid for a moment. And you know what they say! It just takes one time! I mean, I’m sure other people struggle but come on. I’m me!”

”Your pride will surely lead to your downfall if you continue with these jokes,” she says, her tone sharp. “Why you think I’d enjoy jokes about your intimacy with someone else is beyond me.”

He coughs, lowering her hand from his face and using his other to pull at his collar.

“Right, that was stupid. Uhhh,” he looks around, trying to figure out how to continue. “So uh, yeah. Nothing else happened. Just the once, felt like shit about it after, then woah! Charlie happens! And I don’t know, maybe we thought something else could happen, or whatever, but it just never did. I couldn’t forget you and Lilith… Well quite honestly I don’t think Lilith’s ever been romantically interested in anyone. Or at least no one that she ever told me about.”

He looks back at her with pursed lips, worried he’d further upset her. She smiles softly at him, but doesn’t say anything.

“What about you?” He asks nervously. He doesn’t actually want to know, but considering his own actions, he can’t say he’d blame her if she had moved on.

“No, never,” she says quietly. “It was especially difficult, at first. The others were worried I’d fall as well, so I was kept in Primum Mobile close to the Divine. I wasn’t allowed to leave for… let’s just say it was a long time. A few centuries ago, they decided it was enough and I could leave, but by then I saw no point. So I haven’t really been around others. Mostly the Seven, some of the other seraphs and archangels, but that’s about it.”

“So, who took my place in the Seven?”

“Raphael,” she replies. ���He’s not around often. He spends most of his time on Earth and has dedicated his life to hospitals and clinics.”

“And the others?” He asks cautiously. He hates that he misses them, especially after what they, what Michael, did to him. But they’re his family just as much as the sins are and he misses them.

“They’re well! I saw Ramiel a few days ago, she’s doing well. Gabriel is all over the place, as usual. It’s hard to catch him unless you happen to be close to the Divine as well. And Michael… he’s fine.”

“You don’t seem too sure of that.”

“It’s a bit complicated with him,” she sighs. She looks away from him for a moment before turning fully towards him. This time, she brings both of her hands to his cheeks. “I’ve never forgiven him for his part in your fall. And I’m still mad at him for causing my own seclusion but he’s- he’s been there for me. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s been the one to check on me the most throughout everything and make sure I wasn’t always alone.”

“Careful now, you almost sound fond of him. I hear Stockholm Syndrome can be a bitch to deal with.”

“Lucifer Samael Morningstar, don’t start with your jokes again,” she scolds him, now pinching his cheeks. “I am not in love with Michael, or any of the others. He did terrible things, yes, but so did you and he did them under orders of the Divine and you know that.”

She lets go of his cheeks but continues to look at him, her eyes a bit sharper than before.

“Sooooo… no one after all these years?”

“Some of us didn’t give up hope,” she mumbled as her arms crossed over her chest and yeah, yeowch that hurt, but deserved.

“I’m sorry. I know that’ll never be enough, I’ll always have that guilt and I can’t fault you for being upset but… I don’t regret having Charlie,” he replies, his tone serious. Because if there’s one thing he wants to clear, Charlie isn’t to be blamed for his mistakes. He messed up, all on his own. Well, it takes two but that's besides the point. Lilith isn’t here to take her side of the blame and it’s probably for the best that she isn’t here. “She’s so amazing, Esther. She’s so cheerful and bright and she reminds me of us back then. About all the best parts of us. I know the way she came to be isn’t ideal but she’s here and she’s my daughter. I love her more than anything.”

“I know, Lucifer,” she says. Her arms are still crossed and her eyes still look sad but she’s smiling at him. “Regardless of how she came to be, she’s here, and she seems like a wonderful girl. She reminds me so much of you when we were younger. Looks so much like you too. If it wasn’t for her height, I’d have thought you’d cloned a female version of yourself.”

“Oh! Ha ha! So jokes at my expense are fine, huh?” He hip checks her for it and she stumbles a bit, not expecting the move.

“Mine are harmless compared to your more crass ones.” She hip checks him back and he laughs heartily. “We’ve gone off track. I was serious earlier, Lucifer. We didn’t know what Sera was doing.”

“Well, she is the High Seraphim. There’s a lot of power for a person.”

“She’s the High Seraphim of the first sphere, and you know that! Her duty is to her sphere, not the entirety of Heaven. For that, Michael is involved. He leads Heaven’s protection. And even as the High Seraphim, there are still others far above her! Or did you forget about Seraphiel? Johoel? For Heaven’s sake Lucifer, time away from it all couldn’t have made you forget all of that!”

“It didn’t!” He replied. His own arms crossed and he turned away from her, pacing back and forth. He never liked admitting when he was wrong. “You think the exterminations were my first thought? I wanted to redeem souls! You know I never wanted to be the one to create evil!”

“I know,” she says. She stops his movements with an arm around his shoulders, pulling his back to her chest. “But you forget yourself at times. You are Lucifer, the shining one, the leader of the choir, but you’re also Samael the destroyer. It was your job to destroy sin.”

“And it was also my job to tempt it,” he signed, leaning into her hold.

“So much so that you became the first,” she tried joking to ease the mood. “I always did say your head was too big for the rest of you. It’s a miracle you can stand up straight.”

“Oh we’re back to this? It’s time for jokes again?” His tone was bland and she laughed, pressing her cheek against his.

“I never said it’s a bad thing. I’ve always believed in you Lucifer. I know you were just doing your job, wanting to believe the best in everyone. And I hate that you’ve never been allowed to see proof of that. But we can change that now. Yes, there are some sinners that deserve damnation but not like this. Not in masses like what has been going on with the exterminations. We need a system.”

He looks up to her dark blue eyes, and feels hope swelling in his chest. “We?”

“I did mention that I’d be coming back down every so often, didn’t I?”

“Why not stay,” he asks. “Here, with me. We could be together again, like old times.”

Her arm starts slipping away from him until he grabs it. He turns around and wraps his own around her waist.

“Oh love, you have no idea how much I wish things could be like old times.” She presses her forehead against his and closes her eyes. Her hands move to grip his jacket on his shoulders. His heart soars hearing her call him that and he pulls her closer to him. “But so much time has passed, and I sent eons believing you’d moved on. And it hurt me. It still hurts, even knowing what I know now. And I don’t even know how long the Divine will allow me this happiness to be here with you.”

“But that’s the beauty of free will, isn’t it? You get to choose what you want to do. You could stay! I’ll spend even longer making it up to you, to prove to you that you’re the only person I’ve ever loved.”

“It seems I’ve forgotten that Samael is also known as the seducer,” she replies, tone sarcastic now. She leans forward and presses a kiss to his cheek before pulling away.

“You haven’t seen seduction yet, my love,” he smirks to her, looking up at her with half lidded eyes and a confident smirk. She laughs a bit before leaning away slightly. Not so far that she’s out of his arms, but enough to put some distance between their faces.

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself. I meant what I said earlier. Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible.” She smirks, poking him in the side. He startles and lets go of her, and she takes the chance to step away from him, wings extending. “So you better preen those wings and get them nice and ready for your next routine. I expect the dance of a lifetime and a beautiful show of feathers.”

Esther’s wings move and she lifts off the ground, just as a portal opens some ways above her.

“I’ll show you some feathers,” he says to her as the portal closes, a proud smile on his lips.

——————————————————————————

“Sooooo,” is the first thing she hears as the portal closes behind her. “How’d it go?”

She looks up to see Cassiel, Ramiel, and Uriel waiting for her, Michael off to the side watching all of them.

“It went well,” she replies, her cheeks a bit red as she hadn’t expected them to be waiting there for her.

“They want to know if you got back together with him,” Uriel says bluntly, getting straight to the point as always. Ramiel smacks her arm.

“Must you act so tactless!”

“Well, what do you expect me to say?! Don’t get me wrong, I love a good love story but after what he did to her? Love my brother, I do, but she shouldn’t fall back into his arms too quickly,” Uriel defends herself. Ramiel says and Cassiel shrugs.

“I can’t say I disagree,” Cassiel adds, wincing when Ramiel elbows him in the ribs. “What! She’s right! Luci shouldn’t get off easy after leaving her for thousands of years! And having a child with someone else, no less! She should make him work for it. And when she thinks he deserves forgiveness, I’ll be there to properly judge him.”

“You’re both impossible. Esther can judge for herself when she’s ready, not a moment sooner,” Ramiel says, moving closer to Esther and fixing her hair. “A wonderful woman such as yourself deserves a wonderful man at her side. I agree that you should make him work for your forgiveness, but remember that your forgiveness is yours to give. Not anyone else’s.”

“Do you really think this is wise?” Michael asks, speaking up from his spot farther from them. “He’s fallen, Esther, don’t forget that. He’s no longer the angel you once knew.”

“He’s not,” she agrees. He raises an eyebrow at her in curiosity. “He’s changed, no doubt, but so have I. He may have fallen but he’s still an angel, and I believe in him. The consequences of his actions may have been terrible but that doesn’t mean he meant for them to happen. He’s a good man, Michael. I know you know that too.”

“Good or not doesn’t change what’s done. Gabriel should’ve been the one to deliver that message to him, and all the messages moving forward,” Michael replies, stepping closer.

“The Divine chose me for this task. I will not question it, and neither should you,” Esther says, stepping closer to him in challenge.

His eyes soften at her as he moves to hold her cheek. She doesn’t pull away from him, but she also doesn’t lean towards his touch either.

“I just don’t want to see you hurt again,” he says to her. Her eyes are closed and she holds his hand against the side of her face. “He is my brother but you are also like family to me. Had Samael been smarter I’d have been able to truly call you my sister. It’s my job to protect you all. It pains me to see you hurt. It hurts me even more knowing that someone I trusted was the cause of that pain.”

“I need you to trust me now, Michael,” she pleads with him, squeezing her hand. “I know it’s too soon for anything to happen. I won’t fall back into his arms over pretty words. But I love him. I love him so endlessly I feel it with every fiber of my being and being apart from him hurts more than the pain I felt at the thought of his betrayal. Let me have this. I’m begging you.”

“And if you fall?”

“Then I fall,” she whispers, a tearing falling from her eyes. “Not to evil or to temptation, but to him. He is a part of me I cannot continue to exist without.”

“I don’t support this,” Michael replies, wiping her tears. “But should the time come, should you choose to accept him again, I will have to remind him of the consequences if he messes up again.”

“You softie,” Esther laughs. Michael smiles down at her. He hates everything about this, but he won’t question the Divine’s plans.

——————————————————————————

Just wanted to lay down some foundations for Esther and Lucifer here. This is going to be sort of slow burn but in the most teasing way possible. Esther will make him put in the work.

Also, I thought I’d drop my original idea for Esther. I changed it because 1. Most of the angels’ clothes looks very covered. Like even before his fall, Lucifer looks to be wearing a robe/gown like what Adam wears. When I first thought of her clothes, I was thinking of something that matched Lucifer’s current ringleader look, which I realized it wasn’t the time for.

Anyway I hope you enjoy! I’m already working on the next chapter and will hopefully have it up within the next few days.

Taglist: @dreamcatcher62 @art3misa635

[cherubkeery]

Here with you

Steddie x reader

The boys knew something was going on between you, Eddie and Steve. They could see it from a mile away. Lucas was the first out of the bunch to bring it up to the older boys. Maybe they’ll be honest.

“So, you guys and y/n?” He asked, he knew it wasn’t a three way kind of thing. Only that the two boys had a thing for you. But he wanted to milk out as much as he could. Both boys looked at each other then at the younger boys in front of them.

“What about her?” Eddie asked, almost defensively. Oops, wrong way to approach this situation.

“Uh- just we noticed you guys have a-.”

“Jesus Christ, we know you both have a thing for her.” Dustin said bluntly. Mike hit Dustin on the shoulder and Dustin just shrugged. He wasn’t one to hold back and he wasn’t going to do that in this situation either.

“Uh-.” Steve said.

“You don’t have to tell us.” Will said, he didn’t like this. He felt like it was heading in unwanted territory. Eddie had been quiet before this now he felt the need to speak up.

“No no, what are you guys trying to ask? If we’re in a relationship together because we’re not. We just- we don’t know who she would pick if she had to.” Eddie said, he sounded anxious. Eddie Munson wasn’t the anxious type. Maybe in high stake situations but this wasn’t that.

“What do you mean pick?” Nancy and Robin had entered the room and looked between all the boys. Jonathan and Argyle close behind, Steve closed his eyes and put his hand on his temple.

“Pick what? Who’s picking?” Robin asked after Nancy. Eddie put his face in his hands. The younger boys recoiled at the way the older kids reacted. This wasn’t how they wanted to get information on the situation.

Before they knew it, Max and Eleven walked into the room. They were laughing at something they said to each other. Then they saw how everyone in the room looked.

“You guys okay?” Max asked.

“We’re trying to find out who’s picking whatever it is they’re picking.” Robin replied, Nancy nodded staring at both boys then at the younger ones.

“They both like y/n.” Dustin said.

“Dustin!” Steve and Eddie said in unison. Dustin rolled his eyes. “What! You morons wouldn’t say it.” Steve threw a paper at Dustin’s head, Dustin pull out his middle finger.

“What about her?” Jonathan asked, sitting on the couch. Arygle had gotten preoccupied in the kitchen to care about their conversation.

“We don’t know who she would choose if she had to between us.” Eddie said, he was looking down at the table. Nancy sat down next to Jonathan.

“Why not put it to a vote? We put down who we think she’ll choose.” Lucas said, he felt bad about the whole thing already. Maybe this would help things?

Oh how wrong he was, when everyone had written on their little papers and Lucas had collected them. Steve had won overall vote. He looked over at Eddie, it seemed like he knew what the paper said before Lucas said it out loud. Steve didn’t even look over at Eddie, he knew.

“Steve won overall vote.” The look of hurt was written on Eddie’s face. Eddie didn’t speak, he didn’t say anything. Almost like if he knew what the verdict was going to be before he said it. Lucas winced, he didn’t realize this idea made things even worse.

“Uh-.” Robin said. “Who wants to watch back to the future? Yeah, let’s watch back to the future.”

Everyone sat down and didn’t say anything to each other. Eddie had left early that day and everyone in their own way felt guilty.

●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘

When you found out about the voting, you were pissed off. You hated when people tried to speak on your behalf. Or tried to interject themselves into your decisions. You stared at the party with anger. Steve stood next to you, the only person you weren’t mad at.

“It was my dumb idea, I’ll take credit for that.” Lucas said, a guilty expression on his face. You looked over at him.

“Look, whoever I decide to “pick” is my business. And my business alone. I don’t need anyone making it for me. And who said I was going to choose anyone.” You said, you felt Steve’s eyes on you as you spoke. You looked up at him, his eyes told you a story about heartbreak. One you’ve known because he told you and one you had to figure out by the way his eyes dimmed as he said it.

“I have to go talk to Eddie. Come on Steve.”

Steve drove you to Eddie’s trailer, silence between the two of you was louder than it usually was. Usually though, it was a comfortable silence. This one was too tensed.

“Uh y/n?” He said, his eyes still on the road.

“Yeah?”

“Not saying you have to choose, but uh I just need to know. Do you- do you like me?” He asked, you felt his eyes on you for a brief time.

“Of course I do Steve. But I also like Eddie. So you can see how that complicates things.”

Eddies trailer was in sight and Steve glanced over at you. He smiled a small smile at you.

“Choose wisely.”

Eddie was busy trying to tune his guitar to have heard you guys come in. Once he saw you guys at the door. He knew.

“You didn’t have to come all the way here ya know. I can take care of myself. Just fine.” Eddie said, placing his precious guitar back on the wall. You sighed and sat on his bed.

“Stop the shit, Munson. I know when you’re hurting. Right now is not the time for that.” You said, your arms were crossed. Both boys stared at each other before sitting on opposites sides of you.

“Look, I know you and Harrington knew each other longer. I get it. I’m the stranger who barge into your love story.”

You put your hands on your head. Shaking your head slowly.

“Never said I was going to choose. Never asked for people to speak for me, Eddie.” You stared him down until he looked away. You sighed, you turned to look over at Steve. There was a hurt expression on his face.

“I want the both of you. But I don’t know if either of you would compromise.” You went on. Eddies face turned into a mixture of confusion and suspension.

“What are you trying to say? You want us to be a threesome?”

“Polyamory is a thing, you know. And I know you never cared for what other people thought.” You turned to Steve. “You on the other-.”

“I’ll do anything, anything to be with you.” Steve said, his hand now on your back. Eddie looked at him and a smile began to form.

“Sounding a little desperate, aren’t we Harrington?”

Steve glared at him before looking back at you. “So that’s a yes?” You asked.

Both boys couldn’t make it to you fast enough. Both of them ready to devour you whole. They could try and see where it went. That was what they could do. Eddie had you by your back as Steve kissed you.

“You sure about this?”

“No shit.”

[viridianevergarden]

This again. I just want to break down my thoughts here so bear with me.

(I did the math and calculated ~ 7.9k people voted that 55%) 💀

First of all,

Elain doesn’t just enjoy gardening for the aesthetic, but rather for the fruits of her labor through hard work. Spring Court’s flowers and nature are only in bloom by magic (The High Lord’s). Not work. Not labor. But rather for convenience and aesthetics (to embody the very domain that one, being Tamlin, High Lord of the SC, resides in). That, to me, goes against Elain’s very enjoyment of the craft of her gardening.

Couple that with the fact that she has completely neglected using those gloves that Lucien gave her. She put them down after they were gifted to her, not even bothering to look at them as if she didn’t care for them. She doesn’t seek protection from the labor of her craft. She doesn’t want to make it easier. She enjoys the challenge. I think Feyre’s perspective on that made it clear.

And again, why would Elain in her right mind willingly go to be with her younger sister’s abusive ex? Why would she? I’m pretty sure she is well aware of what transpired between the two. That she is aware of Tamlin’s actions. Especially when he is partially, if not entirely, responsible for her life quite literally being turned upside down. Having her mortality stripped from her and her love and happiness (or simply content) gone along with it. If she is so visibly uncomfortable with Lucien, who was an accomplice, I’d imagine she would also hold animosity or discomfort for Tamlin tenfold.

Secondly,

Regarding mating bonds being rare: This is a story that encompasses a main group of protagonists. 3’s are SJM’s specialty. Just because 3 brothers may get with 3 sisters does not automatically mean that mating bonds aren’t rare. As a fae romance series with mating bonds clearly being a significant staple throughout, we will encounter mating bonds. Especially with our protagonists. That just seems like logic to me. Even then, it’s been stated and shown time and again that not every mating bond works or is positive. That just because two individuals have a bond doesn’t mean they’ll have good chemistry.

Also take into account that our dear Inner Circle is not the entire continent of Prythian. The Inner Circle does not equal the entire population. So therefore, a small group of mated individuals ≠ a common occurrence.

What’s wrong with the storyline matching up to have a 3:3? Is the perfectionism so wrong? I think that the phrase “too perfect” should be replaced with “complete/completion”. One last brother to one last sister is the remaining piece of the puzzle. Yes, you can argue that the cliche of 3:3 is boring or too simple but this is SJM’s world. She is a cliche author. She always has been.

Lastly,

I believe that Tamlin has had his redemption arc. If you want to call it that at least. In my opinion, he doesn’t need one. His prime arc is over. The series is way bigger than just Tamlin now. I simply see no reason as to why SJM should take more time for Tamlin , who arguably has done more than enough, rather than anything else. I feel like it’d be a backward progression.

Not every character has to be redeemed.

Not every character should be able to find peace or become good after selfish or morally questionable acts.

Not every character calls for major development.

To me, it’s just bad writing to redeem and develop every single character.

Even then, Tamlin is a well written character. He doesn’t need more depth. (I think this post alone proves that people don’t understand him already). He doesn’t need Elain to come in and “fix him”. No one can. No one but Tamlin himself. And we see that if anything, he’s wasting away rather than trying to help himself. He’s wallowing in his grief, anger, and hatred. Be it for others -like Rhys- or himself. It’s on him. Hell, even Rhys tried to help him. Yet he remains unmoving. That is Tamlin’s choice. Elain shouldn’t need to be his catalyst for change. He should.

To Conclude,

I see no logical reason again as to why people think this is a possibility. It just seems like a terrible writing choice for the story of ACOTAR. Of course, SJM can indeed surprise us. She wields the mighty pen after all. But then again, why would she turn around and completely dismiss 4 books of chemistry with a certain shadowsinger just to pitch our third sister with someone like Tamlin or Lucien? If she had planned to do so before, why would there be 4 books worth of obvious chemistry? It’d be a waste. If she has planned or plans to have Elain go with Lucien or Tamlin, why hasn’t she written any semblance of true chemistry between them? If Elain should allegedly have a balance with Tamlin or Lucien, why isn’t there any chemistry? All I’ve seen from Elain is obvious discomfort.

“I thought it was obvious…” - SJM

I could write more about Lucien and Elain’s dynamic but I think that is a whole different matter that doesn’t pertain to the current topic so I’ll leave this here. Thanks for coming to my ted talk.

[yandere-sins]

Before reading: R18+, Mature Content Warning, Violence/Gore Warning, Yandere Warning

Oh, my, look what the wave swept in!

Yet another misplaced human in these wondrous waters, a… poor unfortunate soul, as my sister would say. It hasn’t been that long since another tribe—who was it? The sharks?—had been… blessed with an unusual mate. And now there’s you! How exciting! The orcas are a little temperamental, but I’m sure they’ll treat you lovingly– 

Oh… so you want to leave? Already?

Ambitious, are we? Escape the creatures and get back to land. Well, don’t you look determined? Think you can handle these three strong orcas all by yourself? I’d love to see it. I delight in everything happening around these depths of the ocean, as they are so dark and deep, with barely anything transpiring all day. But as of late, love, freedom, and misery swim hand in hand down here. Intelligence and instincts fight battles that are beyond your little human comprehension. I could not be more pleased with the beautiful bonds that are being woven under the sea.

But I will cheer you on, I promise! I might even have some tips for you, seeing how I’ve been around these sandy lands and great reefs longer than you have!

I don’t think you can trust anyone besides me, really, but you’ll need an ally if you want to get back home. But be careful choosing who you trust. Sometimes you have to take drastic actions to get out of a situation, but there are also times when you need to sit back, stay calm, and let someone else handle it for you. And as badly as I know you want to get out… don’t do anything rash.

These orcas have a fickle disposition, and you wouldn’t want them to decide you’re no fun or tastier than they initially thought. In fact, you don’t want them to think about you at all! Otherwise —ey w—t l— —u ——!

You wake up before the voice can finish. Open your eyes?

Welcome, welcome to Mermay ( & Merjune) 2023!

I think most of you have already understood what will happen, but I thought I'd give a small heads-up about the how, so we're all on the same page:

This will be an interactive story, which means you guys will have to work together to figure out how to continue onwards by choosing the right poll option. Every chapter comes with a decision at the end, and three possible choices. But only one will continue the story while the other two lead to 'Bad Ends' aka not continue the story. Your goal is to escape the three orcas because they won't always like your decision, unfortunately.

I can already tell you that if the majority votes for a Bad End, you'll be able to choose again at the end of it, hopefully picking the right option this time. The story will not stop just because the right option wasn't picked. But who knows? Maybe choosing wrong is actually the better option sometimes (;

To clarify, there are 5 main chapters (the right choices) in total, 10 possible Bad Ends and 1 True End. This is not a video game so there are no secret routes. Nothing will change if you choose certain options after another. Your goal ultimately is to finish this story. But... some interactions and information may or may not be hidden in Bad Ends that could be enjoyable to you as well. (After finishing the main story I'll let you guys pick some other options you would have liked to see if you're interested in that ^-^)

One more exciting thing! I was able to commission a good friend of mine to actually do references for the orcas! We're still working on them but I hope you guys will enjoy some visuals of the new bois ♥

And for good measure: Please read the warnings on the individual posts, as some of the stories contain disturbing content not suited for everyone. Don't read what you don't like.

Thank you for participating and I hope you guys will be able to enjoy the story as much as I do ♥ (If you have questions, please ask away any time! ♥)

[pix3lplays]

A winner has been decided for the 500 followers special! It became the 600 followers special oh my gosh thank you all so much!

The prompt will be: Asking them if they want a baby!

Thank you all so much to everyone who voted, and thank you for all the follows, I greatly appreciate it! Now let’s Do this Thing!!

Tw! Baby talk, reader is pregnant in a few of these so…pregnancy as well, Nanook is sorta toxic, also I’m just guessing what they’re like lol, it is TEEMING with hcs about how things could work in the honkai star rail universe, violence against Sampo

This is just my silly little ramblings, don’t take it to seriously lolol

And SPOILERS for Even Immortality Ends

-Asking the Honkai Star Rail characters if they want to have a baby-

Luka: Luka is training. You’re sitting on his back while he does push-ups, smiling to yourself, wondering if you feel even slightly heavier and he’s just too polite to say anything. You had a reason to wonder that…and while you were nervous to see his reaction, you knew it was going to be positive. It had to be. Luka loved kids, he always played with the Moles in his free time, he was always trying to set a good example for kids, careful not to curse around them or act rude. Yes. Luka loved kids. He was going to love hearing he was going to be a father. “Luka?” You prompt after his 67th push-up. “Hm?” he grunts out. “Do you want to have a baby?” you ask, and his arms slip out from underneath him and he lands on the ground with an unpleasant crash. “Oh my gosh, Luka, are you okay?!” you fret, getting off from on top of him, and doing your best to help him to his feet. “Wh-what makes you ask that?!” he asks when he’s up, awkwardly dusting himself off after his little fall. “Want me to be honest with you?” “Always!” he says it so genuinely. “I’m pregnant,” you confess. “Pregnant with your baby. I found out yesterday.” He grips your shoulders, his mechanical arm squeezing you a little tightly but not unbearably tight. He looks at you seriously. “You’re being real with me right now?” he asks, his blue eyes firm and hard. “Yes, of course,” you say, matching his intense gaze. Suddenly, Luka bursts into tears, lowering his head as he cries. “I can’t believe it…” he says. “I can’t believe it…you’re pregnant…” “I’m pregnant,” you laugh, shrugging his strong hands off of you as his grip tightens, so he doesn’t squeeze you too hard. He looks at his hands. He’s shaking. He’s shaking so hard. “Do you think they’ll like me?” he asks, looking up at you, his face tear stained, with a few stray tears rolling down his cheeks. “Oh, Luka…” you take his face in your hands, and kiss his nose. “Of course…” you say. “The baby is going to LOVE you.” “You think so?” he touches one of your hands that’s pressed up against his cheek. “I KNOW so,” you smile, and he finally smiles back at you, before pulling you into one of his crushing hugs. “I can’t believe this is happening!!” he whispers into your hair. “Too tight, Luka!” you squeak, and he apologizes immediately and lets you go, before he begins gushing about how excited he is to have a baby with you.

Welt Yang: Welt Yang has been a father before. He doesn’t talk about the experience often. You wonder if he’d ever considered having kids again… You wondered that because right now, you were aboard the Astral Express, pregnant with Mr. Welt Yang’s baby. He’s unaware right now, doodling in a sketchbook at a table when you approach him. “Ah, hello, y/n,” he says upon your approach, shutting the sketchbook and setting it aside. “Hi, Welt…there’s something I need to ask you…” He can hear the seriousness in your voice. His eyes narrow a little bit. “Yes? What is it?” he stands up from the table. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?” there was that classic Welt Yang Anxiety again. “Yeah. Yeah I’m fine…I was just wondering how you felt about…having a baby…?” It doesn’t even take him a minute. “Are you pregnant, y/n?” he asks, the serious tone not leaving his voice. You sigh. “You saw right through me…” “Wow…” he says. “We’re having a baby…” “We’re having a baby,” you agree. “Are you…opposed to the idea?” “No, no, just a bit…surprised.” “I’m actually pretty excited,” you say, putting your hands on your stomach. “Yes…me too,” Welt Yang smiles warmly at you. “This is a big responsibility, I trust you’re ready for it?” “Are you?” you ask in reply. “I’ve done this before, y/n…” the thought does put you at ease. Welt was an experienced father. Which meant things were probably going to turn out okay, right? “I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful parent,” he says, leaning down to kiss you. Welt is warm and soft and wonderful. “Thank you…” you whisper against his lips. You were really having Welt Yang’s baby. This was really happening…how exciting…

Blade: You’re TERRIFIED. You’d never talked about this with Blade…and you knew how he was…this was a man who wasn’t fit to be a father. He was violent, cold, emotionless, and most importantly marastruck. Your husband was a dangerous man. Realistically, you shouldn’t even have gotten with him. But here you were, pregnant with his baby, waiting for him to return from a mission. You had already told Kafka, begging her to use her spirit whisper to make sure he was as calm and collected as he could be when they got back, and she had said she would do what she could for you, but no promises. Blade was back, with that familiar, distant look on his face that you grew to love with time. “Kafka told me you wished to speak to me. About something serious,” he says, his expression not changing as the two of you walk to somewhere more private. You silently thank Kafka. His eyes are calm. The mara symptoms are down for now. “Yeah, something…happened.” “What happened?” he asks, barely seeming curious. You happened, you think bitterly for a second, before clearing your mind and giving it to him directly. He would prefer it that way. “I’m pregnant,” you say it simply, watching as his red eyes widen, just a bit. “I see…” he says, after a moment. He doesn’t say anything else. You wrap your arms around him, giving him a gentle hug. He doesn’t hug you back. “Do you want to have a baby, Blade?” you ask quietly. The answer is cold and concentrated. He speaks plainly, but with a hint of something that sounds like anger in his tone. “No.”

Luocha: Luocha had noticed the signs. The sudden cravings, the morning sickness…he was a doctor after all, he knew what the symptoms of pregnancy looked like. But he tried to deny it. He didn’t want to have a child. He just wanted it to be you and him…for eternity. So maybe if he ignored the problem, it would just go away. Maybe he was just overthinking and you weren’t pregnant… Luocha goes on trying to convince himself of this until one day he gets back to the hotel room you’re staying in, and you’re sitting at the table with a nervous look on your face. “What’s the matter, dear?” he asks, propping his coffin up against the wall. “I’ve been wondering…Luocha…how you feel about having a baby?” Play it cool, Luocha, play it cool. You knew this was coming… “Why do you ask that?” he inquires, sitting across from you and taking your hands in his. “Because…” your face lights up wonderfully, and it warms his heart…“I’m pregnant!” you announce excitedly. You’re so happy…so thrilled at the thought of having a child…he doesn’t have the heart to tell you he wants nothing to do with his future child. “Love…that’s wonderful…” he kisses your knuckles. “Thank you!” you say happily. “Luocha…I’m so excited…to think…we’re going to be parents!” “Yes,” he says. “We’re going to be wonderful parents, I’m sure of it…” You don’t hear the hesitation in his voice, the reluctance at the thought of becoming a father. You fall asleep happy in your husband’s arms. He can’t get any sleep at all.

Sampo Koski: you’re patching up Sampo after his most recent encounter with the Silvermane guards. He’s bleeding from his nose and his head, and you press the wound on his forehead with a warm washcloth as you attempt to stop the bleeding. “You’re so…Reckless, Sampo,” you sigh, removing the washcloth and seeing that your efforts to stop the bleeding have paid off. “Yeah, but that’s what you like about me, right?” his hands close around your wrists and he pulls you close for a kiss, and for whatever reason, you comply with him. “You can’t keep living dangerously like this…” you say when the two of you pull apart, and he blinks at you in confusion with those pretty green eyes. “What are you getting at-?” he asks it cautiously, curiously. You had never given him a hard time about his dangerous habits before. “I can’t afford to lose you. Especially not now…” He raises an eyebrow at you and smirks. “Baby, what are you trying to say? I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.” “I’m pregnant.” “Oh…” he’s quiet, he purses his lips. “OH. Y/n, I-” “Just don’t,” you say, bringing your fingers to his lips. “If you say anything, you’ll just make it worse. Just…agree to live a little less dangerously…just a bit? Can you nod if you agree?” He thinks for a moment, and then he nods. When you remove your fingers, he wraps you into a hug, surprising you. “I’ll…I’ll be safer…for your sake…” he says into your hair, and you suddenly feel tears welling in your eyes as you hug him back. “Good…” you say. “No more running from the guards, no more shady black market deals…I need you alive for our baby…” “I know…” he says, hugging you a little tighter. “Sampo…” you ask after a moment. “Yes?” “Do you Want to have a baby?” He thinks about it for a moment. “Yeah. You know what? I do…”

Gepard Landau: You’re waiting for your husband to get back from work, your heart pounding in your throat. It was a simple question you had for him really, but one that always made you nervous when you thought about asking him. Gepard had expressed to you before that he didn’t have the Best of childhoods growing up. His father sounded…borderline abusive…so maybe Gepard would feel that- You hear the lock turn, and you nervously rub your sweaty palms on your pants. “Welcome back, honey,” you say when he enters the house. He smiles at you, a distant, tired smile, as you come up to him and kiss his lips and lead him to the living room, helping him undo his armor. He sets his gauntlets down on the coffee table. You take a noticeable, deep breath. “Something the matter?” he asks. “Kinda…” you say. And now you have his undivided attention, the tiredness fading from his face. “What happened?” he asks. “Nothing happened!” you reply. “I’ve just been wondering…how you would feel…if I asked you…” “Go on…” “If you maybe wanted to…have children?” He stops removing his armor, and looks at you with even more serious eyes than before, then suddenly he can’t meet your eyes at all. “Wh-what would make you ask such a crazy question?” he stammers. He’s so flustered. More flustered than you’ve ever seen him before. “I was just thinking-” “You’re not pregnant are you?” he struggles to get the words out. “No, no, I’m not, it’s okay, Geppie, we don’t have to have children if you don’t want to-” “No, I Do want to, it’s just…I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet…” Your husband sits down on the couch, buries his face in his hands. “I’m sorry…” he says. “No, it’s okay, Geppie,” you say, unclipping his cape for him and folding it nicely. “Whatever happens will happen…right?” He looks up at you with a hopeful smile. “Yeah. That’s right.” You finish helping your husband take off his armor, and you don’t mention it again until you get pregnant.

Dan Heng: Dan Heng was busy reading in the archives when you approached him, a serious question on your mind. Well. May as well be blunt with him, right? He was always so blunt with you. “Dan Heng, I’ve been thinking of having your dragon babies,” you say, and he nearly, NEARLY chokes on his drink. (Yes I KNOW Vidyadhara can’t have children, just bear with me lol…) “What?” he asks, turning a slight shade of red. “I want to have your dragon babies,” you rephrase, to see if he gets it this time. “If you want to, of course, but I’ve been thinking about it hard and I think I’m ready for this leap.” Dan Heng is actually…flustered. At first he has no idea what to even say, before finally he pulls himself together. “Vidyadhara, like me, can’t actually have children, y/n…” “Then I want your Adopted dragon babies…I don’t care, I just want to raise children with you…” “You’re being completely serious right now, aren’t you?” You nod and he can’t help the small smile that appears on his face. “Let’s discuss this more tonight. I have work to be done…” he says, regaining his composure. Well. He didn’t say no. “Alright,” you agree, leaning over and kissing him on the nose. “Yeah. Let’s talk about those dragon babies tonight…”

Jing Yuan: Jing Yuan is in the garden, tending to the plants, interacting with the birds…he is truly at peace. And so are you. Your footsteps announce your presence, and you watch him stop moving as you approach, so you can wrap your arms around his waist and bury your face in his hair. He is warm, and smells nice. “Yes, my dear?” he asks, putting his hands over yours, and swaying gently for a moment, a calming gesture of his. “I was thinking…” He pauses his swaying and turns around so you can face each other. He takes your hands and kisses your knuckles. “Well?” he says. “Would you ever consider having children?” His eyes barely widen at the sudden question, and he lets out a hearty laugh. “Is Yanqing no longer enough for you? Want to give him a little sibling? He might be jealous…” Jing Yuan begins teasing you immediately, but you know he’s seriously considering your question. He sighs, a happy sigh. “You’ve beaten me to the question…” he says, grinning at you, letting that implication sink in. “Jing Yuan!” you reply. You don’t know what to say. “You too?” you ask. “Yes,” he says. “I can see it clearly now…you and I…in this garden…” he wraps an arm around your waist and looks out at the garden. “With three-no…four children…running around the garden, playing with the birds…” “Four children?” you repeat, feeling a little shiver run up your spine. Why are you not surprised he said something so crazy? “I’m open to discussion, of course. Would you rather five? Six?” Now he was just making fun of you again. He lifts your chin with his hand. “Let’s start with just one,” you laugh. Though, to be honest, you could see Jing Yuan’s vision pretty clearly too… “One it is!” he agrees, leaning in to kiss you. “We’re going to be wonderful parents…” he says. “Yes,” you agree, letting him kiss you. This was the start of something Wonderful.

Nanook: Nanook is looking at you with those piercing golden eyes. Usually their lover didn’t seek them out, unless there was something important to discuss. “What brings you to me?” the Aeon asks, tilting their head ever so slightly while they gaze at you. “Well…I’ve been thinking…”you say, nervously fiddling with the hem of your shirt. You had been married to the Aeon for a while now, and yet they still managed to make you nervous. “Speak,” the Aeon commands. You flinch a bit at the authority in their voice, but you knew they didn’t speak that way just to scare you. That was just how they talked. In the vast expanse of space, you speak what has been on your mind for the past year. “I’ve been thinking about having a child of our own…” you say it, and it sounds silly to propose such a thing to an Aeon… The Aeon is silent for a moment, their yellow eyes flicking to you, taking in the details of your face. “We have Millions of children, y/n…” the Aeon speaks. “I know, but…” well, in your eyes Voidrangers and lord ravagers didn’t really count as ‘children’. “Oh, you know what I mean…” you say in frustration. The Aeon rests their chin on their knuckles. They do know what you mean. Technically it would not be impossible for you to have a child with Nanook…if you spoke to the Aeon of Abundance… “What do you wish to have a child for?” Nanook asks. So simple a question, so difficult to answer. Truthfully, you just…really wanted a child. And as far as you were concerned that was impossible to make happen while you were wed to an aeon, but you thought you may as well finally bring it up. See if they can do anything. “I just want one,” you say, inwardly wincing at how pathetic it sounds. The Aeon is silent for a long moment, before finally, they flick their wrist, almost…dismissively…? “Very well. As much as it loathes me, you may speak to the aeon of abundance. They might grant your wish. Might,” they emphasize. “Thank you…” you try to keep your composure, but you’re just so excited. Meeting with the Aeon of Abundance was dangerous, considering how such a thing clearly didn’t mix with destruction, but you wanted that child and dang it if it meant confronting the Aeon of Abundance so be it!

Caelus: Caelus is sitting on the cushioned couch of the Astral Express, tapping away at his phone, playing a video game when you approach him, sitting beside him and kissing his cheek. He was so sweet. So pure. You’re thinking about him playing hide-and-seek with those kids on Jarilo-VI and the thought is making you happy. “Do you like children, Caelus?” you ask. He puts his phone down and looks at you with those beautiful eyes of his. “I guess so…” he says. “Why?” “I’ve been thinking…” you say. “About having kids of our own.” He looks surprised. His eyes widen, and he bites his lip. “Really? You think we should have kids?” he asks, trying to wrap his head around the idea. “Well why not?” you ask. “You like kids…I like kids…I think we’d make great parents, don’t you?” “Maybe…” he shrugs. “I guess I’ve never…considered it before…” he thinks for a moment. You remain quiet while he thinks. “But I could see it,” he finally says, and a smile crosses your face. “We’d make a pretty great family.” “We would,” you agree. He slowly begins to smile, the look on his face so cute. Yes, you could see Caelus as a great dad. You knew he was going to love his kid…

[upat4amwiththemoon]

Lights out

Summary: Even the sun goes down sometimes.

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x female!reader

Warnings: just bit of angst

Word count: 1203

a/n: grumpy x sunshine from the Trope challenge! There’s still time to vote for characters on two tropes :)

Tags: @thought-of-you-and-me @strangegardentaco @rafecameronswhore @sayah13

To say Natasha isn’t the most expressive person is an understatement. Her face is almost always neutral, or as some would call it her resting bitch face. That some being Tony and Sam who never dare say it in front of Natasha.

Y/N on the other hand is never seen without a smile on her face. She’s always skipping around the compound, talking to everyone and laughing at their dumb jokes. They like to tell her jokes, mostly because they know she’ll laugh and they’ll get an ego boost from it.

Which is why, the rest of the Avengers were very confused when the two announced they’re dating a year ago. Sure, it’s said that opposites attract, but Y/N and Natasha seem so different from each other. The others were pretty sure the redhead disliked Y/N’s very optimistic and energetic personality. But somehow they make it work.

Y/N lights up Natasha’s world with her never ending smile and comforting her when she feels bad, while Natasha makes sure Y/N knows when to slow down and doesn’t forget to take care of herself.

But sometimes things don’t go the way they usually do.

“That wasn’t funny, Tony.” Natasha rolls her eyes as she stares at still laughing Tony.

“Oh come on!” Tony huffs. “You don’t think anything is funny. Just wait until I tell it to Sunshine, she’ll love it.” He grins, excited to present his new jokes.

“Can you stop calling her that, it’s weird.”

“Oh, I’m sorry miss no one else gets to call my girlfriend nicknames.” Natasha rolls her eyes again. “Besides everyone calls her that.”

“That is true, Nat.” Wanda comments from the kitchen where she is cooking everyone dinner, extra special as some of the team members are coming back from a five-day long mission, Y/N including.

“Whatever.” She mumbles, crossing her arms over her chest. “You guys better not hog her then, okay? She’ll be tired of the mission and she needs to rest.”

“Have you ever seen her tired after a mission?” Sam asks, popping into the room after hearing people talk. “That girl is like, never tired.”

Before Natasha can say anything, the main door opens. Her head perks up, recognizing Y/N’s footsteps, though they sound slower than usual.

”Sunshine!” Tony stands up, his arms wide open. “I got a new joke for you.”

“It’s very funny, Tony.” Y/N mumbles with the most monotone voice she has ever used and walks right past everyone to get into her room.

“I didn’t even start yet!” Tony yells after Y/N, not even noticing the sour look on her face.

“Shut it.” Natasha mumbles, jogging after her girlfriend. “Sweetheart?” She knocks on the door lightly, trying to listen for any sounds coming inside the room. “Can I come in?” When she hears nothing from the other side, Natasha opens the door.

Y/N is sitting on her bed, staring at the empty wall in front of her. She’s playing with her fingers, otherwise staying unmoving.

“How was the mission?” Natasha sits next to Y/N, giving her a small smile. Y/N shrugs, turning her face to the side so Natasha doesn’t see it. “What’s wrong?”

Y/N takes a deep breath. “Nothing.” She mumbles, looking down at her hands. “I just- I don’t-“ She groans, hiding her face behind her hands.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Natasha moves closer, setting her hand to Y/N’s back. “You can tell me anything.”

“I’m just tired.” Y/N whimpers. “The mission was a mess and everyone was bummed out after it, but I had to make everyone feel better. I didn’t want to, I wanted to be sad too, but everyone was counting on me to make them feel better.” Her voice cracks as tears start pooling in her eyes.

“You don’t have to, no one is expecting for you to be the sole supplier of positivity.”

“But they are!” Y/N turns to look at Natasha. “They ask me to list all the positives of the mission and then I have to make up some bullshit because I’m not actually seeing anything positive about it. Or how they are saying they’re glad I’m never sad, because otherwise the place would be much gloomier.”

Natasha frowns, she didn’t know how much pressure the others were putting on her to stay happy all the time. Of course she likes Y/N’s positivity as well, but she knows she has other feelings as well.

“I want to be sad.” The tears are pouring down her cheeks. “But I feel so stupid for not wanting to laugh and smile all the time.”

“Don’t say that.” Natasha lifts Y/N’s head up by her chin. “Your feelings aren’t stupid. I didn’t realize they were saying those things, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Y/N leans her head against Natasha’s hand, getting comfort from her.

It didn’t usually go like this. Most of the time it was Y/N making Natasha feel better after nightmares or occasional flashbacks. But still this feels natural. Which makes Y/N feels even more stupid for bottling all these emotions inside her.

“How about we go get some snacks before you take a shower, and then we’ll just stay the rest of the day here, watching your comfort movies and cuddling, hm?”

“What about the others?” Y/N remembers seeing multiple members of the team in the common area. She really didn’t want to face them right now, too tired to act happy.

“Ignore them.” Natasha pulls Y/N up. “You don’t own them anything, okay?”

“Okay.”

Natasha smiles and holds Y/N’s hand as they walk into the kitchen, past everyone else as they stare. While cutting some fruit and putting different candies to bowls, Natasha comes up jokes to make Y/N laugh quietly.

“Am I seeing things or have they changed personalities?” Tony whispers to Sam and Wanda, who are also looking at brightly smiling Natasha and gloomy Y/N.

“Something is definitely wrong.” Sam mumbles.

“Maybe she’s just tired, you guys.” Wanda comments, not wanting the two to disturb the pair. “Let them be.”

“She still hasn’t heard my joke.”

“Nobody likes your jokes.” Wanda mumbles, loud enough for Tony to hear, who scoffs.

“They’re talking to about us.” Y/N whispers, standing next to Natasha who is just finishing up.

“Just ignore it.” Natasha smiles, kissing her cheek before grabbing the plates. Y/N grabs their drinks and they walk back to her room.

Y/N lets out a sigh when the door closes again. She hugs Natasha tightly after they’ve put their snack away. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, sweets.” Natasha kisses the top of her head. “You can tell me when you’re feeling bad, in fact, you’re obligated to do so.” She grins, shaking Y/N.

Y/N giggles and nods. “I will.”

“Good. Now, go take a shower while I put on a movie for us.”

“Okay.” Y/N smiles and kisses her. “I love you.” She whispers before going to the bathroom.

“I love you too!” Natasha yells through the door with a giddy smile. Y/N has that effect on her.

[itzynabi]

produce 48 episode 11

word count: 1.5k

warnings: mention of throwing up and zombies

an: words in bold are japanese. her outfits in appearance: one, two

eve’s masterlist // produce 48

Eve entered the auditorium, skipping until she reached the chairs. She sat down in the front row, next to Miho.

Eve hesitantly walked into the booth. “What is this?” She wondered, sitting down on the mattress. She wiggled her butt, trying to get comfortable.

She was startled when she heard someone’s footsteps. Wanting to know who the person was, she peeked around the wall between the two booths, so that when the person came in, she’d be able to see them.

“You scared me!” The person exclaimed when they had opened their door and seen Eve.

“Bora sunbaenim?” Eve asked, pushing herself back into her booth in shock.

“You’re the first person to be peeking,” she told Eve as she sat down.

“I’m an outside of the box thinker.”

“Do you have any worries on your mind?”

Eve puffed her cheeks with air as she thought. “Um… I don’t think I have anything.”

“Really?”

“I’m too tired to be stressed about anything,” Eve revealed. “I don’t have the energy to stress.”

Bora laughed. “Why are you so funny?”

“Am I supposed to be serious?” Eve asked, also laughing.

“I’m supposed to be your counsellor.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I don’t like talking about my feelings and I can’t be serious for too long. I’m a nightmare, right?”

“Really,” Bora agreed. “Everybody else. told me their concerns, but you’re just making me laugh.”

“I’m more of the listening type,” Eve explained when they had both calmed down. “I listen to others when they tell me their concerns, I don’t like to be the one talking about my concerns.”

“You’re that style. You feel uncomfortable talking about your feelings to others.”

Eve nodded. “Yes! The fact that there’s a camera isn’t making it easier.”

Bora hummed in understanding. “Do you read comments about yourself? Under your fancams?”

“More than reading comments, I watch the fancam,” Eve said, her tone making Bora laugh. “I need to take notes on what I can improve on so I usually read about three comments and then focus on the fancam.”

“You’re really amazing!” Bora complimented, resting her arms on the table. “Since you’re so amazing, I’m going to give you a gift.”

“Oh, really?”

Bora passed Eve a small box. The young girl opened it, seeing small slips of paper. She read the writing on the first paper, sighing heavily.

“That was a heavy sigh,” Bora noted.

“I… I don’t want to talk about it,” Eve said, changing her mind about telling Bora how she was feeling.

“No! Tell me!” Bora whined. “Otherwise I’m here for nothing.”

Eve groaned for a few seconds before sighing. “Okay. I’ve… been afraid that I didn’t have any fans. Because I don’t think my recent performance was that good, so I think they got sick of me and just began voting for a different trainee. That was a stress for me, but seeing the letters made me feel better.”

“Didn’t you come in first place at the last ranking?” Bora asked.

“I did, but since it’s a survival show, the public opinion is what matters the most. If I don’t get a lot of screen time in an episode, I fear that they’ll forget about me. Or if I make a mistake, I’m scared they’ll decide I’m not ready to debut and they won’t vote for me.”

Bora nodded, beginning to understand where Eve’s head was at. “It must be hard for you. Whenever you’re scared, you can read those notes and gain confidence again.”

“Okay. Thank you!”

At the end, Bora came out of her booth and went to stand in front of Eve. Eve stood up so that she could give Bora a hug. “Continue to be amazing,” Bora encouraged.

“We will now reveal the four trainees ranking in fourth to first place, as chosen by National Producers,” Seunggi announced. “We will reveal them on stage.”

Eve sighed. She started singing 1 of 1 under her breath, using the song to calm herself down as she played with her fingers.

Miho wordlessly offered Eve her hand when she noticed the younger girl picking at her fingers. “You’re going to make it,” she said.

Eve looked to her left and grabbed Chaeyeon’s hand. “We’re going to make it.”

“Please reveal them now,” Seunggi said.

Miho, Eve, Chaeyeon and Sakura were revealed to be in the running for first place, causing Eve to sigh in relief, putting her head in her hands.

After Chaeyeon was announced in fourth place and Miho third, Eve stared blankly ahead of her.

“There are two trainees whose ranks still need to be announced. Miyawaki Sakura from HKT48 and Kim Nabi from JYP Entertainment,” Seunggi announced. “One of these two trainees will rank in first place during this ranking announcement. Please come up to the podium on stage.”

Eve stood up with a sigh, hugging trainees that she passed as she made her way to the stage.

“Kim Nabi from JYP Entertainment, it’s your second time on that podium. How does it feel?”

“I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“Pardon?”

“Throw up. That’s what I feel like I’m going to do.”

“Ah, this must be stressful for you. You were first place last ranking so you must feel pressure to be first again.”

“Honestly, I don’t feel pressure to be in first place again because there’s nothing I can do to make myself be first. I don’t really know why I’m stressing so much, because I already know I’ve made it through to the last stage.”

He asked Sakura a similar question, getting her response before continuing. “I will now announce the trainee in first place. It’s Kim Nabi from JYP Entertainment!”

The trainees cheered for Eve as she gasped.

“Kim Nabi from JYP Entertainment received 373 783 votes in total. How does it feel to be in first place?”

“It feels nice,” Eve said, still a little bit in shock. “I didn’t think I’d be in first place, but National Producers voted a lot for me so I’m very thankful. I also want to thank all of the trainees for being really nice people, um… Even if we didn’t talk for a long time, I will treasure my memories with you. Once again, thank you to National Producers for letting me continue to walk on this path.”

“Kim Nabi-ssi, did you prepare anything in case you came in first?”

“Um, I didn’t think I would come in first, so I didn’t prepare a ceremony,” she admitted. “What should I do?”

“Ballet!” Yunjin shouted from the crowd of trainees that hadn’t made it, causing everyone to laugh.

Nabi jumped off of her box and did fouettes. After Sakura made her speech, they both walked up the stairs, stopping to hug trainees.

The trainees entered the room in order of their rank, gasping when Cheetah and Soyou entered after them. They explained the final evaluation to the trainees.

“Which part are you choosing, Nabi?” Soyou asked as Nabi stepped forwards.

“Um… I don’t know. I know which one I want, but there’s already a trainee there.”

“But since you’re first, you get to kick the other trainee out,” Cheetah reminded her.

“I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“You’re very nice and all, but you need to think about yourself.”

“I know, but I also have to think about how my actions affect others.”

Soyou sighed. “Which song do you want to do?”

“I’m In Your Care Now.” She groaned. “Okay, I’ve made my decision. I choose…”

“Are you still deciding?” Cheetah asked.

Eve nodded. “I just need to make sure it’s the right choice. Okay, I choose sub-vocal one,” she announced. She put her sticker in the block, moving Hitomi’s to the sub-vocal nine block as the other girl groaned. She stayed silent as she stared at the board. “I feel bad, can I swap with her?”

“No.” Soyou shut her down. “Once you put your sticker down, you can’t pick it up.”

“This is cruel. Hitomi, I’m sorry,” she apologised.

Team I’m In Your Care Now had their vocal class with the trainers. They were given feedback and told to consider changing the main vocal.

Eve, sensing the tense atmosphere in the room, shifted her eyes around. “Would you rather–”

“Oh my goodness!” Cheetah exclaimed softly, hanging her head with a chuckle. The rapper’s exasperation caused some of the trainees to loosen up.

“–give birth to a zombie or marry a zombie?”

Hoongki scratched his neck as he laughed. “How do you come up with these questions?”

“I just think of them,” Eve honestly said.

“This question is so… I don’t know which one I want,” Soyou admitted.

“But, just because you’re marrying a zombie, doesn’t mean you actually have to spend time with him,” Cheetah pointed out. “You can live in separate houses and only see each other every weekend.”

Soyou agreed, “That’s right.”

“Just sign the document and never see the zombie again,” Hoongki joked.

“What if you have to live with the zombie?” Eve asked.

“Separate rooms,” Cheetah answered.

“What if you have to be in the same room and same bed?”

Soyou sighed. “You, keep quiet,” she jokingly scolded.

Eve made a show of pursing her lips as she nodded.

tagging: @seolboba // @ateezivy // @ateezjuliet // @cafemilk-tea // @smh-anon // @alixnsuperstxr // @cosmicwintr // @girlzwfun // @txt-yaomi // @moongrlz

©️ kim nabi

[livsworld-ndstyle]

destigmatizing mental illness

i mention some laws that may not be the same in other regions but i’ll provide a link to other disability laws in regional areas.

p.s. before i begin tysm @wonkybrain-disorder for being the only vote:)

and no, im not gonna present super well-known responses., but the opposite.

1. choose your words wisely and carefully.

recently i’ve seen the “acoustic” and “restarted” joke flood across social media and if i’m being superbly honest it’s insane how neurodivergent people came up with it and the neurotypical population took it.

a lot of people in my school causally throw out the r-word, which is insane, because when i do hear it, i know they’re joking but that word isn’t a joke and i always feel like im in such proximity every time i hear it.

2. besides public education and teaching people about the meaning of mental illness, which doesn’t work, because either we don’t want to tell people about it because we’re scared of a reaction in the wrong way or any other rational fears, i’m not going to mention that.

what you should do is try and increase any form of accessibility services. if a person is in a wheelchair and paralyzed and all the building has is stairs, you are not being accommodating. the same thing has to do with if you’re an educator denying a student’s accommodations and treating them like crap in the education setting. well one, if the student has a disability under IDEA or ADA, IDEA being the individuals w disabilities education act and ADA being the americans w disabilities act.

here is the link i mentioned in the subtext under the title.

3. besides the education community, also spread awareness in the workplace!

a lot of people even with disabilities and mental health issues are presently seen in the workplace and it’s great to see the uptick in that statistic, but to continue that, we must keep pushing for equitable access to awareness in the workplace!

4. this may be a bit of a personal one for me and maybe some others- but i wish teachers wouldn’t make it instantly obvious that something is wrong with you - they’ll do anything to treat you differently and it turns a light on in the neurotypical brain that makes them think that everything they’re seeing is concrete evidence.

here’s a great video we watched in my health education class, if you’re willing to see a short video.

we watched this during our mental health unit and i loved that unit, its always a great one seeing attempts to make the world a better place!

5. also neurotypical people LOVE to say “everyone’s just a little bit + some random disorder”

it’s annoying to those who have whatever the disorder is.

like saying i’m autistic isn’t an adjective in the way that it’s a personality trait, because it’s not.

saying everyone’s a little bit autistic kills us all.

6. unsupportive parents.

there are parents out in the world who don’t believe in mental health for what it is and just think its an internet craze. if it was an internet craze, why are more and more people still getting diagnosed to this day?

[ i might add to this post later on if ideas come to mind, but that’s it for now! ]

i guess if you have more tips that i didn’t mention- feel free to comment or reblog this post!

also once again tysm @wonkybrain-disorder for suggesting this through the poll :)

[mrsbsmooth]

Do you know any of the tea about Jin from Kyle or Bea??? I don’t have the gems to find out for myself 😞

Hi love <3

Bea [Chat 1]

It was low-key. Drinks and chatting. Jin let her lead the whole conversation.

She was flirting with him but he was having none of it.

He seemed bored on the date. He asked her lots of questions but didn't seem that bothered about the answers.

Bea was a bit gutted. She did fancy him. But he kept talking about you.

It was completely platonic between her and Jin right from the start.

Casa Boy Chat

I'm not a shit-stirrer but

Before Casa kicked off, your OG boys were already chatting about it.

Now, this is weird. The script is saying that it was your LI who brought up Casa Amor, but I swear to god Max [in my game] said it was Oakley? Weird. Anyway, I'm pretty sure it was Oakley.

Bea [Chat 2]

Bea is talking to [OG girl] on the terrace (for me, Emel)

She's trying to stall to start with, but she opens up.

Jin shook her hand at the end of the date.

There were TWO OTHER GIRLS.

He was super platonic on his final date, but it was different with the first girl, they seemed to really hit it off. Her name was Sienna.

BEA_IDLE: They were chatting about pranking their mates. BEA_EMBARRASSED: They were both finding each other really funny.

If you're on a Claudia/WLW route, Bea hits on you. If not, she says she actually really wants to be your friend.

Anyway, here's the rest (without expressions)

BEA: The reason I was a little awkward with you at the start was because I felt torn.

PLAYER: Why?

BEA: I didn’t know whether to drop the truth about {0} and Sienna. I was the new girl, I didn’t want to cause any drama, y’know?

PLAYER: So, there really was a proper strong vibe between them?

BEA: I’ll be honest with you, {0}. It felt like his head might’ve been turning.I heard him tell her… Oh, I don’t know if I should say this.

PLAYER: It’s better to just be honest about it, Bea. Especially if you want us to be friends.

BEA: He said she was stunning, a head-turner for sure were his actual words.

PLAYER: And was she? A head turner?

BEA: Well, she was pretty stunning, yeah.

PLAYER: Did you speak to her?

BEA: Only briefly. She was super excited before the date. I think she said he was the only boy in the villa she properly fancied. She was buzzing to get to spend time with him.

PLAYER: Did she say anything about me?

BEA: She might’ve mentioned you.

PLAYER: Go on…

BEA: Something about how she didn’t see you and {0} lasting. And that she’d be a much better fit for him.

Is she for real?!

PLAYER: Is this girl for real?

PLAYER: Making big statements like that when she doesn’t even know me?

PLAYER: She has no right to comment on mine and {0}’s connection.

BEA: Yeah, she seemed like the type of girl who doesn’t hold back.

PLAYER: Sounds like it.

Maybe she is…

PLAYER: I mean, maybe she is.

BEA: Seriously?

PLAYER: I don’t know the girl. I wasn’t there on that date. Maybe they’ll end up being the loves of each other’s lives. You can never predict these things.

BEA: I’m not so sure about that {0}.

She can think what she wants

PLAYER: That’s funny.

BEA: Is it?

PLAYER: Kinda.

BEA: Are you not bothered?

PLAYER: I couldn’t care less. I’ve never met her. She can think what she wants.

BEA: Fair enough. I spoke to her after her date too.

PLAYER: What did she have to say?

BEA: She was mainly just gushing over how much she liked {0}. She said they had a lot of chemistry. And the date flew by because they were talking so much. Sounds a lot different to the date I had with him.

PLAYER: Sounds like she had a good time.

BEA: She was certainly a happy girl. Apparently they were on the same wavelength about a lot of stuff. She said she’d never clicked with someone like that on a first date.

[discussion of whether ot not the girl is lying it’s not that important]

BEA: There’s one more thing…

PLAYER: More?

BEA: {0} didn’t actually choose who he got to bring back with him.

PLAYER: He didn’t pick you?

BEA: It was down to a public vote. So, I’m thinking… Maybe Sienna would’ve been here instead of me, if things had been different.

Hope that helps love <3

[shejustcalledmeafish]

Behold an extensive but not complete because he does it so much compilation of John Hart’s fourth wall breaks in The Sins of Captain John (made for @4thwallbreakersshowdown but also serves as general propaganda to give the boxset a listen for Torchwood fans)

Transcript below the cut, but first an important content warning that Scene Six (timestamps marked in the transcript) has background sex noises, so just be aware where you’re listening. There aren’t any major spoilers for the boxset, though.

Have fun and Vote John Hart for Ultimate Fourth Wall Breaker!

Scene One: The Restored (0:01-0:09)

John: Or maybe, if I’d known this was an audiobook, I’d’ve bought the complete Buffy on DVD! (Heavy sigh) Well, before you go asking for a refund, let’s set the scene.

(Five seconds of John’s theme song plays)

Scene Two: The Restored (0:14-0:28)

(Background space station falling apart noises)

John: I reckon I’ve got about four hours before I’m sent tumbling into the icy black void of space which is just long enough for me to tell you [sigh] how I got here. So, strap in, get comfy, and let’s give the fourth wall a bloody good seeing to.

(John’s theme) 

Scene Three: The Restored (0:33-0:46)

Sir Thomas, dying: I pray that I shall find the gates of paradise open, and that a choir of angels—

John: Yeah, yeah, yeah, very moving. But this scene has been going on for ages and we’ve a zombie apocalypse to avert, so maybe, we should get going.

(John’s theme) 

Scene Four: The Restored (0:51-1:11)

(Faint screams in background)

John: (giddy) Plus, if this was a film or a tv show, it would look so, so cool. Cue exciting music!

(Exciting music plays, accompanied by horse snorting and galloping. The music continues to climax)

John: Heeyaw! (Whip crack) Heeyaw!! (Whip crack)

Mohisha: Heeyaw! (Whip crack)

(Horses galloping intensifies)

John, yelling: This is probably the single most visually impressive thing I’ve ever done!

(John’s theme)

Scene Five: Peach Blossom Heights (1:16-1:43)

(Background space station falling apart noises)

John: (grimly) This is it, John. Beginning of the end. (Much less grim) Or, for you listeners at home, the halfway mark. (High-pitched voice) ‘Yay, Captain Jack is in it,” I hear you squeal. Except for you, over there, tweeting angrily around your cats(?) that (nerdy voice) “actually, I think you’ll find his name isn’t Captain Jack Harkness yet” yeah, I see you. While we’re at it, strictly speaking, mine isn’t Captain John Hart either. (dramatic mock gasp) I know! But listen, isn’t continuity boring?

(John’s theme) 

Scene Six: Peach Blossom Heights (1:48-2:28)

(Genial, generic, elevator-like music plays)

John: Basically, while many listeners were totally on board for all the gratuitous sex following my previous outing The Death of Captain Jack, we received some complaints (background sex noises begin) ranging from (gruff voice) ‘utter filth!’ to, uh, (higher-pitched voice) “you people should be locked up!” So, you’ll just have to picture the scene without any of the more explicit sound effects or dialogue. (sharp inhale, voice now giddy) I mean, in reality, this went on for hours, but, who wants to hear that?

(Notable pause)

John: (faux shock) You do? Shame. Take it up with the people who wrote all those strongly-worded emails. You have them to thank. Anyway, maybe they’ll release it as a bonus disk or something. Moving on.

(John’s theme) 

Scene Seven: Darker Purposes (2:33-3:01)

John: Suppose it was nice while it lasted. I hope you’ve all enjoyed yourselves. So, why don’t you get comfy, and we’ll see how this absolute clusterfuck comes to a conclusion. …where’s the theme tune? We’re meant to have a theme tune.

Scott Handcock, irl director of the boxset: (slightly muffled as if over an intercom) Uh, is it not playing?

John: No! Scott, it’s not playing, I can’t hear anything.

Scott: (inaudible), how ‘bout now?

John: Nope. (starts whistling)

Scott: How about… now!

(Torchwood theme starts playing)

[lacinkaju]

My European Poem

by Julia Cimafiejeva

This poem should be written in English. This poem should be written in German. This poem should be written in French, In Swedish, in Spanish, in my adorable Norwegian, Maybe in Finnish, Danish and Dutch. Baltic languages should decide for themselves. No Belarusian version for the poem, No Russian version for the poem, No Ukrainian version for the poem. The rest are at your choice. This poem should be written in the languages Of human rights organizations, Of those multiple expressed concerns by European politicians.

So Shall I get used to the thought That I could be taken to prison By the men wearing black, By the men in plain clothes, By the men with four fat letters On their fat black backs? Otherwise, my country Won’t gain any freedom. And it could not work anyways, As usual.

Shall I take it calmly that I Could be beaten and ultimately Found guilty for that because (They would say) I cried anti-state slogans like “Freedom!” Or “Release all political prisoners!” Though I would not need to cry them out at all (Like my Facebook friends and thousands of Someone else’s friends) In order to be arrested or beaten.

I won’t have to cry anything, I won’t have to do anything, Just stand silently, just be. I know I have to get used to that thought Just in case, because it’s so likely to happen. (Oh, my! I haven’t saved those telephones yet Whom to contact in case of detention.)

I can’t say that in Belarusian, I can’t say that in Russian, I can’t say that in Ukrainian, Only in English: I am afraid, Only in German: Ich habe Angst, Only in Norwegian: Jeg er redd. That’s enough, for other variants, Please, use Google translate. The translations should be more Or less accurate. These are not Those strange East European languages With their funny Cyrillic letters.

I’m afraid Like you would be in my place, If you lived in a country that is not free Where they’ve had the same president For 27 years. Oh, my god! more than Two thirds of my life I’ve spent Under the power of a crazy person Whom I’ve never voted for! (I can’t say that in Belarusian.) But my parents did. All the time they voted for him, All six times, and I think They’ll do that for the seventh, I’m just afraid to ask. Once a young daring girl, I got a slap on the face from my mom for not being “patriotic” enough. And my dad used to be a local election commission member. I’m afraid to ask whether he was honest While counting the votes, I am not sure. Thank God, he is on pension Now, but the rules there Are still the same. I can’t say it in Belarusian, I can’t say it in Russian.

Sorry, it’s a long poem, Because it’s a long story, I spent more than two thirds of my life Under the power of the man I’ve never voted for, Who harassed and suppressed and killed (They say).

And when I come to the literary festivals abroad, And when I speak English I try to tell the complicated history of my country (When I am asked) As if I am another person, As if I am like all those European poets and writers, Who do not have to get used to the thought That they could be arrested and beaten For the sake of their country’s freedom. As if my ugly history is just a harsh story That I can easily put out from the Anthology of Modern European short stories because It’s too long, And too dull.

When I tell it in English, I want to pretend that I am you, That I don’t have that painful experience Of constant protesting and constant failing, That nasty feeling of frustration and dismay. I want to pretend that I have a hope, Because when I tell it in Belarusian I realize, we all realize, there is none We can look forward to.

So forgive me my nagging in a half-broken English, My Eastern European never-ending complaints, As having read the books you’ve read, I still want to have a hope, I still believe I have a right for a hope, That hope could build its nest On my roof and sing its songs In Belarusian (Not in Russian).

[saints-who-never-existed]

Episode Ten: Random Rewatch Observations

Here we go. I’ve honestly held back so long from doing this one, in part because I never want to series to end, but also I had to gear myself up emotionally for the trauma...

1. God is it any wonder Little looks so miserable when you see the vast expanse of grey nothing he’s staring out at? There’s no real hope left but no real choice but to keep going.

2. Also strikes me that wee George Chambers is the last Boy standing, isn’t he? Young and Evans are dead, Golding’s gone to the dark side.

3. It’s so cruel of them, Le Vesconte especially, to let Little go on his inspirational rant before they drop the truth bomb about the vote but it’s also clear to see why it’s done that way. If they’d discussed it privately beforehand then each could’ve argued their case, and Little might more easily have been able to refuse (for all the difference it would make in the end). But telling him about it right out in public, in amongst all the men, is very deliberate and completely forces his hand. Just godawful!

I also have to wonder if it’s that old problem of them sticking so rigidly to rules and procedure again, even unconsciously. He’s the highest-ranking officer now, perhaps it’s protocol to wait until he speaks first?

4. Note that he says “two able-bodied lieutenants” here. Like, it would be one heart-breaking thing if deep down they resented Jopson his new position, didn’t see him as equal, but they do! They clearly see him as one of them and that’s worse because they leave him behind anyway!

5. God they’re all so deliberate in the way they talk about things as well, like they’ve been rehearsing it and justifying it to themselves over and over again. The ill won’t be ‘left behind’, they’ll just ‘stay’.

6. Might just be me but I believe the pitch of the title theme has been lowered significantly in this episode – a sign of their sharp, terrible descent? I’ll need to go back through the other episodes at some point and note if it’s altered at any other point, but I don’t think it is.

7. Oh Goodsir, baby girl! He’s so shaky and sore and unsteady on his feet and clouded in his mind already here, it’s gut-wrenching.

8. Also interesting to note what he remembers about David Young, even if he can’t remember his name – “he was afraid, he wanted us to run”. Young’s death was awful and memorable enough on its own, but it’s got to be extra-traumatic as a doctor, I think – to see someone so afraid and know that even with all your knowledge and skill, you can’t do anything about it.

9. The piles of cans left outside the tent are just a complete slap in the face, they really are - serving only to comfort those leaving, not those ‘staying’ behind who, with the exception of Jopson, are completely unable to leave the tents to get to them anyway.

10. Something about Goodsir dying with no shoes and just his little woolly socks on is so personal and horrendous to me.

11. I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that they had a better on-screen death for Tozer but ran out of time/money to film it and that’s a tragedy to me. Like, even if it was just him going down swinging and getting a good shot in as he goes (as the off-screen sound-effects imply here) then I’d love to have seen it. Tozer and Hodgson in particular are both worthy of redemption in my book.

Does anyone know more specifically what they’d planned for Tozer’s death?

12. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – “Close…” takes EFFORT. I have to imagine that a person literally seconds from death would be hard pushed to speak at all or make any sound beyond vague groans of pain, but he doesn’t just do that. He puts physical and mental effort into croaking that one last and very specific word and the fact is that we’ll never truly know why!

13. Another thing we’ll never know is why he’s separate from the others too. It echoes Hodgson’s isolation actually, now that I think about it – just as with the chains, we don’t know if it’s something he did to himself or something that was done to him by the others, and we’ll never know.

14. Also! Crozier would it kill you to touch the man! That hand holding back by mere millimetres from brushing through his hair will haunt me the rest of my days. Here’s a man who throughout the entire story has been well-established as showing comfort, affection, and solidarity through physical touch and he doesn’t truly get it in return even in his final moments! (I know Crozier touches his shoulder etc. but it’s just not the same to me and I’m still distraught!).