#but we can pretend it’s because i’m so good at cottagecore

[fruitymocha]

A Cottagecore Picnic with The Butlers Part 1: First Floor Edition

That time when the First Floor butlers took you on a cottagecore picnic

Featuring: Berrien Cliane, Bastien Kelly, Lono Fontaine (separate) x gn!Reader (you/your pronouns) (can be read as platonic, romantic, whatever you want)

Warnings: none :)

A/N: oh my goodness FINALLY, something Akuneko related! I had this idea for a while, but debated on whether I should actually use it for Akuneko or some other fandom, but I figured “this is a good topic to start with for them” so here we are. I was supposed to post this forever ago but lost motivation/passion for this for months. But now I’ve come back to the fandom with a fresh dedication (and also I have the game on my phone now, despite not knowing very much Japanese). But anyway, without further ado:

Let me restore your memory…

Is he making the food and drinks for the picnic? Of course he is! He can’t have the Master doing work, silly!

Obviously, you’d feel a little guilty for not doing anything (or at least I would-) so maybe you secretly made madeleines and snuck them into the basket because you know he loves them

I’m 99.999% sure Berrien planned everything weeks in advance, from the menu to the location, maybe even the specific outfits to wear (though he probably consulted Flure for that last part)

Obviously, this means that Berrien has the perfect spot for the two of you as well as the time

He brought bug spray, sunscreen, lip balm, the works! Also, he brought an umbrella just in case it rains. Can’t have the Master getting soaked to the bone and getting sick, right?

I can see him choosing a lovely open space with green grass as the location, and you’re absolutely under a giant tree for the purpose of staying in the shade (bonus points if there’s a body of water close by, like a river or lake)

You’re going there maybe a little too early for lunch (you arrive at 11:30 sharp because punctuality), but you start eating at around noon so it’s fine

Oh, and like the title says, this is a cottagecore picnic. It’s not cottagecore if there are no flowers, so you get your favorite flowers because you’re the Master and you deserve flowers.

Also, that means your outfits are very light colored and give off that fresh spring vibe

And perhaps you did a thing behind Berrien’s back again and decided to wear something that matches his outfit’s colors, even though he’s technically lower in social standing, but you cannot be stopped (and matching outfits does seem like a proper thing to do when it’s just the two of you and you’re in public)

So besides the madeleines you made as an attempt to contribute, what are you having on that picnic?

For savory food, he’s got various types of finger sandwiches, he’s got a charcuterie board (you know, those assortments of cheese and cured meats, probably with crackers too) unless you’re vegetarian/vegan, a platter of some assorted fruit slices and berries, and the “main” thing is two baguette sandwiches (if you follow a diet just imagine what’s in it is okay for you to eat)

For the drink of choice, he obviously brought his own tea blends as well as some classic teas for you, because this is Berrien we’re talking about here

Are we sure this is a picnic and not just a tea party on the ground?

Anyways, now for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: dessert

Berrien packed some fruit tartlets, some with strawberries, some with blueberries, some with kiwi, and some were just mixed fruit

And then of course he’d notice the madeleines as he’s unpacking everything, which leads to you awkwardly explaining how you felt bad for not doing anything to help so you made them to try and contribute

Which leads to a mini spiel about your position and how you not doing anything while the butlers do everything is what’s supposed to happen

But he’ll let it slide this once since you went through all the trouble and you had him in mind when you made the madeleines

Let’s just pretend you’re decent at baking here, and say the madeleines were pretty good

Good times for all :)

Except the fact that there are leftovers, and then you two stare at each other like “we’re gonna have to bring all of this back to the manor…”

But it’s fine, you’ll just eat the leftovers for dinner (even if some obscure etiquette book says it’s weird for nobles to do that or something)

So you pack up the leftovers and just sit and chat for a while after

Maybe if you’re up for it you even take a little stroll in the park

But obviously with the town’s canonically negative sentiments towards you and the butlers, you really can’t stay too long, so soon enough you have to go back to the manor

It’s okay though, you had the time of your life and you’d definitely want to do something like this again

Let’s be honest, it’s going to take a lot of convincing before he actually agrees for you to plan this cottagecore picnic

I mean really, he has the skills and attitude of a proper knight, of course your safety is top priority

But let’s say you use your brain and convince him by saying if he chooses a secluded spot and stays with you the whole time, it’s very unlikely you’ll be hurt

And if he brings up the Angel problem, just promise you’ll bring the book and tell him he’ll be coming along to protect you

In that case, he’ll say he’s coming with only for the sake of your safety, and it’s not exactly a lie, it’s just not the whole truth

To assume he’s not curious about this picnic of yours would be naïve. Of course he wants to see what kinds of food you bring (and maybe taste test a little)

So obviously you tried to make food behind his back but he caught you so he made you sit back down and tried his hand at it

It wasn’t too bad of an experience, actually, since he’s helped Lono in the kitchen before

There were no sweets made, but the menu was satisfying nonetheless

The location was atop a grassy hill where you could oversee the village nearby, and occasionally there were some clumps of weeds and wildflowers around.

You two got there at around 11:00 am, and planned to only be there for about an hour and a half

On the menu, there was meat stew (if you’re vegetarian/vegan, then it’s only for Bastien), crackers and hummus, multigrain bread, vegan herb quiche, and lemon tea

Being the Master you are though, you snuck behind his back and made yourself some apple hand pies

It’s still spring, so obviously you wanna wear something nice, and I think in this case Bastien will wear mid tone blues or greens

Meanwhile you’d probably wear whatever, since it never occurred to Bastien that you might want to coordinate outfits

There were no leftovers. None. I can guarantee it at least on Bastien’s end

He’ll never say it out loud, but he appreciated this quiet little picnic, and with some convincing, he may consider doing it again at some point

Needless to say, it was a success :)

Absolutely on board

He immediately starts planning the menu, and of course since he makes the food, it’s guaranteed to be bomb af

Of course you also tried to help but you weren’t even able to sneak behind his back and make stuff this time

He’s real serious about not having you lift a finger

As long as you promise to bring the book just in case of angels, he’s all for it

He probably chose a more wooded area so as not to risk any passersby finding you two (for safety reasons obviously)

You two went out at noon and brought basics like sunscreen, bug spray, and extra water, setting up in a small clearing in the woods

At some point Lono probably picks some wildflowers and gives them to you, which is such a sweet gesture

Are your outfits matching? Not at first glance, but the color palette is similar enough that you could make the argument

For the food, Lono decided to get real serious about it and made French onion soup, veggie pot pie, a vegetable focaccia, wild garlic pasta, and a mixed berry galette

As for the drinks, he brought white tea and violet lemonade

Obviously you being you, you gotta compliment the chef

And naturally Lono is happy about it, even if he does say it’s just part of the job

Another case of leftovers but instead of letting it go to waste, Muu gets to try some of it

Of course you aren’t allowed the leftovers because health reasons (I hear that leftovers, especially ones you have to reheat, aren’t the best for you)

But anyway you had a great time out there and Lono would be glad to go again if he also didn’t have to worry about making more food than normal

A lovely ending to a lovely event with these First Floor Butlers

~memory restored~

[dj-of-the-coven]

You know what I think is really frustrating about online lesbian spaces? There are two things that I immediately notice no matter which age group of lesbians (or sapphics) I interact with:

- Half of them go through women like napkins and use sex as their focal point of being (this is fine; I’m not making this comment derogatorily)

- Half of them want NOTHING to do with sex or sexual desire. Having sexual thoughts or feelings is considered gross and will get you ostracized for “feeding into the predatory lesbians trope”

Now I find both of these mentalities to be fascinating, mostly because I am a sex-repulsed ace demiromantic lesbian. Purity culture online is at an all-time high for some reason, and rightfully, I’ve been seeing many callout posts or positivity posts detailing how attraction and sexual desire is not something to be ashamed of and that not all lesbians can be your cottagecore bread-making sapphic fantasy. I do think this needs to be said. Even though I personally can’t relate to sexual desire, it should not be considered disgusting to have desire for women. However, I feel like these discussions leave ace lesbians out of the picture in a major way.

Purity culture does not help ace lesbians at all. What I’ve noticed from talking to many “sex purists” both online and irl is that they don’t actually hate the concept of desire for women. They just think it should be repressed, resented, and kept under wraps. They hate that the desire they associate with creepy guys on trains and in bars exists within them--that they may want a woman, and want her carnally. Sexual attraction is something to be hidden behind fans and meaningful glances, flirted with until it’s roaring but never to be acknowledged until unbearable. And when they break down, other purists are there, telling them that their fantasies of other women are predatory, that sexual urges are flaws that they must extinguish in order to be “good” gay people. This leads to a major resentment of ace lesbianism, because we don’t experience the urges that they are repressing. We don’t feel what causes them so much pain, and so they lash out on our communities.

I’ve noticed so many people speaking of ace lesbian couples with disdain. It’s as if the script flips the other way around; suddenly this purity culture aims knives at ace people for being over-represented in media when, in my experience that is simply not true. The pure “asexual” couples that we’ve been seeing in books, shows, music, and comics don’t represent me. Just because these ladies don’t fuck doesn’t mean I see myself in them. After all, aces can and do fuck. They can do it for any reason. A lack of sex does not ace representation make! I rarely see the things that actually define the ace experience to be represented in the mainstream. People in ace relationships have complicated views on attraction, both romantic and sexual, and I never, ever see it being brought up in the so-called “ace” relationships that are taking the lesbian community by storm.

Basically, the way that lesbian communities are structured right now is isolating aces, who don’t see themselves in the sanitized relationships, and toxic for those who experience sexual attraction because they repress themselves so much. We need to acknowledge that this purity does nothing for any of us. Aces are not being helped by representing only the most sexless of sapphics and allos are not being helped by demonizing the natural human urges that occur in most of the population.

Ace lesbians are not your enemy. Purity culture is. Now stop pretending that asexuals are what’s wrong with the lesbian community right now.

[plenilune]

nearly every day I am off work in the morning I do Tea Ritual to try not to be so depressed. Tea Ritual is that I have tea until the pot is done while playing music (it has been Clogs and Danny Norbury and Belbury Poly and Black Dresses and Lisa Hannigan and Japanese jazz compilations but today it was Lovesliescrushing). anyway today I fried toast and little sausages and it was very nice, a+ re-centering. do NOT @ me about the tree still being up.

[marshmallowprotection]

Birthday Title Screen

Saeran’s title screen underneath the cut alongside my thoughts and feelings on the matter. Under the cut simply because if you don’t want to see it, you can go and wait until it’s officially released by Cheritz in your time zone. Anyways, we know why we’re here.

It’s that time again and boy, aren’t we happy to be able to talk about it? Now, this title was advertised as Unknown so I expected Unknown. I didn’t expect my boy Suit Saeran to be on the title. The game tends to imply that Unknown is the just Suit Saeran, and vice versa, but I don’t agree with that notion but I’ve explained that one many times before but the game never confirms outright one way or the other so, you know how that goes. 

I’ll spare you that, I’ve got plenty of posts talking about that opinion for you to find if you want, lol. 

Either way, this is the first time that Suit Saeran’s gotten the pointed limelight like this. He’s usually meant to surprise the player because they may not see him in their minds as their trying to uncover the mystery and everything. But, we’ve got to say, Cheritz has thrown all spoiler fears out of the window. I mean, they just plastered Seven’s true name on a boat. 

I laughed about that but I digress, you’re here for the photo and you want to see me shriek like a banshee.

So, yeah, let’s just our obligatory scream out of the way presently. When I saw this one, I could think was: Oh my God, it’s BE2. The only reason my brain just decided BE2 was because of the framing of all the presents. In that ending, he gives you gifts, he gives you food, but “you’re not good enough to open them or touch them, toy.” He’ll give you all kinds of things but you know, you get what he wants when he decides. 

And crumbs, if you’re lucky on a good day, you know? 

That being said, it doesn’t have to be framed as BE2, but the presents and gifts just lead me to believe that this is the theme or the idea that it’s taking from to show the audience because what else am I going to be thinking when you’ve gone and thrust that idea into my face like that? Mmm, and I’ve been talking about that ending a lot lately. 

Here’s that post if you want to read more about BE2. It’s a tragic ending that is bad for both Saeran and MC. He’s trying to get you back like Humpty Dumpty but he can’t put you back together again. He realized too little, too late, that he liked you the way that Ray did, that he genuinely liked you for you. He can’t say that aloud, so he... tries cruel ways to bring you back, but it will never work and he’s doomed to despair. 

No hope for Suit Saeran if the kindness heart can be destroyed in hell. It means it’s only natural that he lose everything. 

I appreciate that he’s sticking to his goth theme, though, that party hat is just red and black.

Suit Saeran’s very... minimalist in the sense that he just picks things that are truly intense and sharp. That’s why he wears a suit. That’s because it’s the thing that he knows that can radiate power. Business men are supposed to be strong and forthcoming with their ability, that’s why he leans that way. 

His father is like that, the idea of what power and monster is feeds into how he chooses to dress himself. 

That’s why he just says, “Suit time.” If anyone was curious about that, anyway, I never seen people talk about that. Ray was given his clothes by Rika, he never got a say in how he dressed. The boys always pick something dark because it’s going to match their mood... their mood is how they pick colors and clothes if given the ability. 

That’s why GE Saeran is bright and cottagecore. It reflects the positive shift in his thoughts and perspective on the world. But, with Suit Saeran, he’s trying to emulate what he’s scared of and what he thinks that power is and this is the only way he knows how and it hurts to think about when you frame it that way, I do know that. 

Is that meant to be a stamp and playbook? Did Suit Saeran really make a whole illustrated guide for his puppet show? Is he really making acts and stories for all of this? He had to make those puppets himself. We know that Saeran is creative and can make anything, but those things are clearly handmade, hand-painted, I have a strong feeling that he made those clothes himself, too... 

You know, I like to imagine him drawing his emojis before he comes to you because he wants to make a good impression, but he’s a very specific artist and he gets angry when he can’t get things right, so I’m really thinking about him being out here in his workroom, painting fine details with a determined look in his eyes like—

“This’ll show that toy. This’ll show them how powerful I am.” 

Suit Saeran, honey, this is a gift within itself, you are a dork and I love you so much, oh my God.

TLDR; Suit Saeran makes puppets and makes their own playbook like this is going to a musical or the opera. 

He actually brought you the exact outfit. This means that he either made you that outfit, or he got himself, and then he made a smaller version. 

I like to think he’s crafty with sewing so I pretend he does things like this, but honestly, if you’ve made it this far, are you also thinking about the fact that he made a doll versions of the both of you to show you something? 

Because I can’t stop thinking about that. He really said, “Look at this, I made us, toy!” Like, I wrote a whole imagine once where MC and GE Saeran made each other plush dolls of the other person to sleep with. He just went out here and made puppets simply because he wanted to put on a show. He made y’all and I’m gonna cry what a fucking dork.

This is canon.

My God, I’m canon. 

Once again, I’m out here living my best life and nobody’s going to stop me on that front. Saeran wants to impress you and astound you so badly that he does not even realize that the handmade things that he’s making actually would be something that flatter someone. 

Like, he could use those to patronize me and berate me for control, but—

I’d really be sitting there compliment his fine eye and craftsmanship. It’s just that great. 

“Wow, Saeran. You did this all by yourself? These details are so realistic and finely tuned. This must have taken you hours... no, days, it must have taken you days to paint everything and stitch all of this together, even the little fine details are perfect. You’re amazing! When did you have the time to learn all of this?” 

He would scoff, “Of course, I am, you blubbering toy! Don’t suck up to me and think that you’re going to be treated nicely. I won’t tell you anything about me. You don’t deserve that. I didn’t do this to impress you, I did this to show you what I want from you. Now, be a good little toy, sit there, and do as I ask. I won’t repeat myself.” 

I find it interesting that he framed himself in the Savior’s seat here. Is that just a tie back to BE3, or is it simply his power play? I think it’s a comment on the fact that he struggles to know how much power that he truly has in his hands. That is to say, he says he’s the strongest, but the reality is, Rika is stronger then him and he bows his head to her. 

Even in his fantasy, she holds all of the cards and he has no choice but to bend.

But, with MC, he is trying to use them to control his idea of power... because it’s a fragile thing. It could break at any second. He screams and shouts all that he wants but he knows, deep down, he may be strong, but he’s not the strongest in this place. How could he be? That’s why Rika even says to you during those late hours—

“Mmm, you noticed? He’s using you to stabilize himself because otherwise, he would crumble. Thanks for your sacrifice to helping me win my goals. It wasn’t a pleasure knowing someone as bright as you, getting in my way and trying to turn them against me.” 

He only feels strong when something placates the idea in his chest. It hurts, even in his numb and confused heart, he’s hurting and he can’t figure out a way to get out of the dark labyrinth. Did he make the Mint Eye playhouse? Did he? I am saying he did. None of you are going to stop me. Saeran is a creative artist and I will not be contained any longer.

Cheritz confirmed. 

You’re a doll on a string in this for him. He wants to say that he bends and controls you to his whims, but... he’s also there. This isn’t just you being a toy, it’s Saeran realizing that he’s a toy, too. Why else would he make a doll of his person, then? This is about him not entirely getting it, though. He would make himself but not realize what he’s implying to know deep down, underneath all of his yelling.

When I saw him in the chair, I thought... this is him in relation to being the marionette king. That’s why they’re doing this, oh my God. It makes sense to frame the MC as a puppet or toy, they’re always “his eyes” and “his toy” and more and more and more. But, he’s also being played for a toy by Rika to get what she wants.

Who is really the puppet here?

Who is really on the strings? 

Look at that cocky bastard. Look at him. Look at him forever and deal with me screaming about him, oh my God. In conclusion, I’m having a lot of feelings at the moment presently and I think I’m going to go and lay back down because I am going to need a minute to unpack everything that I’m feeling and dealing with because Suit Saeran.

SUIT SAERAN!

[sleeperswakewriting]

Emily don't bonk me! But if you can save this request for the future I will appreciate it 🥺 what if ghost levi has a fight with her petra and somehow he ends in kindred spirits verse and scares cottagecore petra 😆 and they bond over life because she had a fight with her postman levi + tea + pancakes (no horny though but i ship them now ahaha❤️)

oh gosh, this was SO self-indulgent, I could never bonk you, Matri 💕no horny times ahead, this is all fluff. I think I ship it now too??

Rating: G

Word Count: 1.6k

The time in the multiverse had come to an end with each Levi and Petra returning to their universes. For most of the couples, it was like a bad dream (the Levis would attest to this) and for others, it was like an awakened fantasy (see: The Petras).

Therapist Petra in particular had a lazy smile on her face as she recounted the ridiculousness of the whole matter.

“This just affirms that we’re meant to be soulmates! We’re meant to be in every universe,” she sighed to her Levi over their nightly tea. As usual, he sat across from her at the dinner table while she ate and he observed.

“Did you have a good time with Fire Alarm Levi?” Levi asked, his color growing more opaque. While Petra didn’t need his permission, she graciously asked and requested for him to watch so that she could pretend it was him. Fire Alarm, the freaky bastard he was, didn’t mind roleplaying for Petra, and hot jealously turned the tips of his ears pink.

Petra poked at her oatmeal while she blushed. “Of course I did. He’s you.”

Scowling, Levi’s stare bored into hers, “Obviously not. He’s the one with the dick.”

“Stop it,” Petra snapped, her tone uncharacteristic as shame welled in her stomach. “You told me it was okay. And if you remember correctly, I was envisioning you the entire time.”

“He looks exactly like me, of course you were! Bet if you had the chance to visit, you would.”

Petra chewed the inside of her lip, the taste of the oatmeal losing all its flavor. “Can we drop it? I love you and I had the chance to be with you physically.” Petra’s watch vibrated and her eyes widened as she looked at the time. “Shoot, I have to go. See you at dinner.” And she gave an airy kiss to his head, her lips passing through, and Levi could feel himself growing smaller.

“Love you too,” he grumbled and watched the love of his life whisk away into the real world.

He paced. He was too restless to draw, too early to cook, and there was little to garden with the chillier air of autumn setting its course.

He was such a pathetic excuse of a man. Why did he end up without a body while the rest of the Levis were rich, got regularly laid, and at least could go on a real date?!

Levi floated back and forth in the living room and eventually settled to people watch on their balcony. The world looked so small from up here and it comforted him. He liked seeing the sky touch the horizon, the buildings cascading like a rolling wave, and the infrastructure of the city. Petra mentioned there was a beach town not too far from here, he wondered what it would be like to take her there.

Immediately, the image of her in a bikini made him color, and Levi drifted off into a daydream, his vision becoming muddled with the sound of a sea breeze and the honking of a ship horn.

“Levi! Come back, please.” It was Petra’s voice. Except it was softer, less confident, and longing dripped from every word.

“I have to go, do we need anything in town?”

Floor boards creaked while Petra moved and their voices became muffled again.

“…okay. See you later.”

“Bye.”

Regaining his senses, Levi recognized this place from the multiverse, except it was real.

It was Petra’s cottage.

And there was cottage Petra, standing outside her house, crying into a handkerchief.

Not wanting to scare her, but not knowing how else to make his presence known, he coughed.

A bright smile formed on Petra’s face and she turned around, expecting to see her Levi, but gaped as she saw him.

“Ghost Levi?” she squeaked. “How did you get here?”

He shrugged. “Not sure. Was imaging a calm place and I guess all your stories of the island made me think of here.” He looked to the used handkerchief in her hand. “You okay?”

Petra sniffed and turned her head to the side. “I got into a fight with my Levi.” She shuffled on her feet, clearly uncomfortable, but politeness wore through. “Do you want to come inside? I can show you around.”

He entered the tiny house and it looked like something out of Petra’s TLC shows. Except it was authentic, and he remembered that Cottage Petra was from the 1960s. It was curious since Levi and Petra had relatives that were very much alive during this time and they must literally be from a different universe. He listened with an attentive ear as Petra flitted about the home. Adoration was evident from how she lovingly described every inch, every meaningful item, and then they settled into the kitchen.

Her tears were long dried and forgotten while she spoke to him of her latest baking ventures, and he eagerly added onto her dialogue, enjoying prodding her mind for new recipes to try for his Petra.

“I love that you cook!” She said earnestly, donning her apron, then her face fell. “Wait, you can’t eat, right?”

Levi laughed. “Nope. But why don’t you sit back and let me cook for you? Do you like pancakes?”

Discarding her apron, Petra situated herself on a kitchen stool, fascinated that someone besides herself was cooking in her house.

“I make buttermilk all the time for me and my Levi. He doesn’t have as much as a sweet tooth as me, but we like to use up our fresh fruits.”

And so Levi did what he did best and began to cook. He could see Petra’s fingers twitching as she watched him assemble the ingredients, and with a smirk, he gestured her over. “You can mix if you want.”

Tying her apron with ease, Petra popped beside him, a smile so wide on her face that it could break his dead heart. She put on a record, the vintage tunes not usually Levi’s style, but it felt right with Petra beside him as she idly hummed and danced along to the music in her socks.

“Do you like raspberries?” she asked him, though realized the question was silly as soon as she queried. He pretended to be offended, went as far as to pool into the floor like the batter they were mixing, and Petra shrieked.

“Levi! I’m so sorry!” She wailed, collapsing to her knees to assist him despite his corporeal form.

Laughing echoed in the cottage as he fixed himself. “Sorry, I had to,” he said, taking the basket of raspberries from her hands. “I like messing with people. Life gets kind of boring when you’re me.”

“I think you’re fascinating!”

A blush rose to face, though only noticeable from his opaqueness, and he silently added the raspberries into the mixture, stirring them idly. Petra watched him, her lips pursing while her foot tapped, and Levi sighed in amusement.

“Have something to say?”

“You have to make sure you mix the fruit evenly,” Petra blurted, and Levi finished with her, “Or else the fruit will sink to the bottom and you’ll get a soggy bottom.”

She gave a shy smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep.”

He shook his head, “It’s nice having someone else to cook with.” A long pause passed between them. “Is everything okay with you and your Levi? You looked upset when I arrived.”

Petra went scarlet and Levi’s eyebrows rose to the top of his head. She fiddled with her skirts and began to anxiously mix the pancake batter while she started the gas on the stove.

“Oh, uh, we’re fine,” she stuttered cutely.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he offered.

She shook her head as she poured batter onto the pan, the sizzling mixing with the music. “I don’t think Levi would appreciate it. It’s, uh, personal.”

Levi flashbacked to their personal time in the multiverse, and he gave a low cough. “I might be an exception to that. As my Petra likes to remind me, we’re all just parts of each other.”

Biting her lip, Petra stared at the pancake with unnecessary meticulousness. “Well,” she began in a soft voice, “I want to try for a baby. After hearing Fire Alarm Petra talk about her work as a teacher, it got me thinking how much I want to be a mother. My Levi got upset because he thought I wanted to have a kid with Fire Alarm Levi because Fire Alarm and I,” and she halted, her face going an even deeper shade of red while she said just above a whisper, “you know.”

He did know because he was part of it, but Levi spared her the embarrassment and floated beside her. He took the ladle from her hand and gently set to the side while he looked into her honey eyes. “You would make a great mother,” he assured her. “Any Petra would.”

Her eyes glistened. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Levi said, reaching for the ladle and exchanged places. “And speaking of Fire Alarm, my Petra and I got into a fight about him. Dude’s a trouble maker.”

Petra shuffled while a gooey smile came to her face, clearly enamored with the rich man, but Levi chose to tamper his jealously while he finished off another pancake.

“Want to talk about it?” Petra asked, reaching for her kettle. “You said you liked to smell tea. I make my own brews sometimes.”

Instantly, the comfort of Petra’s home had Levi sharing all of his worries, and before they knew it, the sun had begun to descend, and several cups of tea had been finished off. They sat side by side in the meadow while Levi drank in the sunshine and reveled in the quiet.

Maybe he found a kindred spirit in this strange predicament.

[saiki-in-jsl]

Cinderella Kubokai AU (The Saiki Side Story)

A continuation of this. Do read this first though, idk if this post will make sense if you don’t.

So Kusuo pretending to be Shun at a royal ball where he has to socialize and find a suitable wife for Shun. Easy? No.

In fact, screw that noise, Kusuo strongly believed Shun didn’t like girls anyway, so it’d be a hassle to pretend to hook up with someone only for that relationship to fail when Shun comes back. So Kusuo literally avoids everyone during the whole event.

Then Shun’s mom eyed him like, “Socialize rn.”

Which basically forced Kusuo to talk to women. 

Obviously, he doesn’t want to embarrass Shun, so Kusuo acts accordingly to all the girls that come up to him. He smiles, nods, have small talk, and he makes sure he isn’t too charming but not too boring either.

Somehow, it backfires, and Kusuo isn’t sure if girls only like him because he’s a prince or because they’re easy to swoon. Or maybe it’s because Shun’s naturally good looking, something Kusuo isn’t afraid to admit.

Cue Teruhashi, a princess that attends ball for the sake of just blessing the event with her beauty rather than to actually get with someone. Now, we all know Kusuo, he’ll be nice sure, but he isn’t the type to get swooned. So Teruhashi’s counting the number of gasps and then suddenly; “Why is the prince not gasping at my beauty??”

Cue Yumehara, a fair maiden from a fairly rich family that always wanted a sweet prince and princess romance. You know what happens next.

Cue Mera, who Kusuo is pretty sure is just here to eat, and he doesn’t mind really. 

Cue Imu, who’s just really here for Teruhashi, but because Teruhashi is after Kusuo/Shun, a weird love triangle forms.

Aiura isn’t here because she’s one of the helpers keeping real Shun safe; she’s the one that tells Kusuo what happened to Shun too.

Anyway, love at first sight isn’t real to Mommy Kaidou so she’s like, “Alright, all u girls who stuck with my son the most get to stay at the castle for four months and we’ll see which one my boy likes the most <3″

Each month Shun/Kusuo will pick which girl gets to go home, so it’s like some weird bachelor game. At first Kusuo says, “No thanks, Shun come home rn” by using Aiura’s crystal ball to transmit his message while Shun is looking at a lake water or something.

But Shun’s like, “But I like this temporary life, can you cover for me some more?”

Kusuo:

Shun: pls.

Kusuo: Just know I am not doing this because I’m nice, I’m doing this because I owe you one.

Shun: You don’t owe me any--

Kusuo: Silence.

So while Shun had a cottagecore romance with a criminal, Kusuo spent the next four months strategically making all the girls avoid him/like him less while also keeping Shun’s reputation polished.

Mera obviously left first, because honestly, no hard feelings. She ate her fill. Kinda.

Kusuo’s well aware Imu has a thing for Teruhashi, so he plays matchmaker and tries to make the two get together. It works! So the two leave together on the second month.

Unfortunately, Yumehara is kinda hard to get rid of, so hard, even I haven’t thought of an idea yet. So I’ll leave it. For now.

Other things:

“Shun, darling, how come you haven’t taken off your earrings yet? Don’t you like your other ones?” Mrs Kaidou

“I like this one. Best.” Kusuo/Shun *sweats*

-

“Hey, pal, where’s the chibi?” and “Hey chibi, where’s my pal?” constantly haunts Kusuo.

-

Teruhashi’s brother comes in at some point then proceeds to have a romance with Kusuke.

-

Meanwhile, Aren begins to realize then, “Wait this is the prince ?” But he’s kind of an idiot so whenever he sees Shun do something remotely amazing, that realization gets debunked in an instant.

“That’s a nice forest spirit you got there. Tell me, how much?” Saiko why are you like this fr.

Aren: No.

Saiko: Can’t argue with that. Just kidding, I can. Here, a bag of gold.

Aren: no.

Saiko: A box of gold.

Aren: no.

Saiko: A chest of gold.

Aren: no.

Saiko: >:(

Shun: Gold is kinda boring, I see it everyday (He says this because he’s a prince and he sees gold often.)

What Aren thought he meant; “I’m a forest spirit, materialistic things such as this do not matter to me.”

What Saiko thought he meant; “Ur gold ain’t shit, get out.”

[subwalls]

Tales from the SMP Presents: The Haunted Mansion

An ongoing exploration of how the Inbetween drives my Kingdom Hearts brain crazy with paranoia! Less of an analysis this time, because we got confirmation (VALIDATION!!), and more of speculation, but yeah!

First of all! I was right not to trust this fucker.

Just kidding, that’s not the first thing we’re gonna talk about here. First of all, a gentle recap!

As I’ve mentioned before, the Inbetween has some uncanny resemblance to the Kingdom Hearts world known as Castle Oblivion. Castle Oblivion is known for being the place where the main series protagonist lost all of his memories, and even had false memories implanted while he was getting deeper and deeper into it. 

You might be curious as to how the Kingdom Hearts protagonist escapes.

He doesn’t.

He needs outside help, and a lot of it, to get him out of that situation. Even then, it takes a whole year. He drove his own heart into the bottom of the abyss in his desperation to save someone he was tricked into thinking he knew, and he didn’t even regret it, because he was saving someone.

... A lot of people on Dream SMP have different ideas on what it means to save people.

Also, the castle also had a very plot-twisty secret where it used to be the lush and wonderful home of these three friends before they fell apart; one was lost to the Evil Dark Side™ (not real name), the other was trapped in the Realm of Darkness (real name), and the last one fell into a coma for TEN (10) YEARS and his body was left to be protected in the heart of the land, which was then locked and turned into Castle Oblivion.

So, pretty fucked up place! Not inherently evil, but the place of great misfortune and just... not very good for everyone there.

Let’s start at the beginning!

Welcome back indeed. Take notice of the wither rose in the pot, by the way, I’ll come back to this in a bit.

The first thing that stands out to me on this page is the smiley face, of course. It’s not the ever-iconic, ever-evil “:)”, but it’s similar enough that I think the callback is intentional. The smiley is c!Dream’s icon, of course, which... honestly makes me think that “:]” might be DreamXD, but that might be because I’m very very biased for the server god who simps for a dangerously apathetic cottagecore once-king.

Of course, it does also look kind of like Quackity’s face, and cc!Quackity has said something about big lore coming for him, but until further evidence is presented I’m disinclined to draw a connection there.

The Inbetween, as we’ve come to know the author of some of these books to be, being happy that Karl is continuing—it reminds me of the KH protagonist being told yes, good job, keep going, as he stumbles deeper and deeper into the castle that strips away memory after memory from his heart. Why does the Inbetween think that Karl’s time travel is important, his careful documentation of every story? Is it because the more he does it, the more he becomes attached? The more he becomes reliant on the Inbetween to feed the missing pieces of his memory?

Is it because the Inbetween, in parallel to c!Dream and c!Wilbur, prioritize the concept of story over the characters?

Things to think about. 🤔

Also kind of interesting that the Inbetween thinks Karl will eventually uncover “all [he] needs to”, which continues to make me think that the more c!Karl comes to the Inbetween the more he becomes... either dependent or over-trusting of it. Not sure. But weird things happen when it’s magic that tampers with memories, rather than trauma.

Basically, I’m getting “there is no war in Ba Sing Se” vibes.

The book continues to say that Karl probably has a lot of questions and that it would love to answer :] but never actually does. It’s trying to come off as helpful without actually being helpful. All it does is tempt him with the prospect of answers, and then draws him in deeper. “Continue onward, Karl.” But why?

Another wither rose pot.

Sidestepping the very innocuous, very surface-level information offered here (because that’s it, it’s nothing about the workings about the Inbetween, it’s just a little sweet carrot to distract with), I cannot even begin to convey the absolute terror that consumed me at the word “sleepy.”

I mentioned earlier that one of the original characters who lived in the land that would become Castle Oblivion went into a coma, right? But it’s more commonly referred to as sleeping. The game is even called “Birth by Sleep”, and there’s a whole thing about trying to get him to “wake up”. So the idea that time travel can take something out of the traveller that makes them tired, the idea that there is one specific room for sleeping quarters within the Inbetween, paired with that not-quite-right smiley face—I am traumatized, I tell you.

Yes it could be a “haha look what I did with the sentence, because day is a form of time and they time travel so long day is a funny term” kind of smiley, but. Kingdom Hearts has trained me to be suspicious of any talk of sleep.

There’s something just mildly unsettling about the way it continues, with the references to the “many Karls” and the “many many great stories” that sounds borderline condescending.

And now we get the, uh, “other” author. Notice how this one actually did not have a corresponding wither rose in a pot. I’m starting to think that the flower might actually be an indicator of the not-this-author-pictured-above, the probably-Inbetween-itself, so the fact that this book was found separately from a wither rose pot and it was tucked away under a tree... A tree, under which c!Karl will later find a bit of a refuge... yeah, different author. Or at least an author from a different time.

I’ll elaborate in a moment, but I do think that there’s three (3) mindsets/authors happening here: the sickly sweet Inbetween pretending to be good, the person trying to get c!Karl to distrust the Inbetween, and... someone who desperately wants c!Karl to stay in line.

This is the third... I don’t want to say author, because it too has the wither rose pot and is trying to keep c!Karl playing along with the Inbetween, but it’s much less coherent and much more desperate.

No “:]”, either.

Some possibilities I’m considering:

the Inbetween, but it’s like, a security subroutine or a glitch in the system,

the Inbetween, but it’s from a future wherein c!Karl has fucked it up to the point of desperation,

Karl / the other author, but it’s from a future, where trying to stray from the Inbetween resulted in something traumatic happening and they don’t want it to happen anymore.

Some fun possibilities to keep in mind. Anyway!

Ooh, the return of the wither rose pot.

For this part, the only thing I really have to say is that the repetition of the Inbetween trying to present itself as “a place to feel at ease” is... Well, as the lovely Fear has said in this post linked here, a place that tries and makes itself seem safe probably isn’t, because a genuinely safe place wouldn’t need to announce it all the time.

Very much sounding like a Ba Sing Se thing.

More importantly, the book actually says that it’s “wild” how the Inbetween is “so beautiful that even time travellers who go anywhere at anytime ever and they still choose here” with a good old “:]” tacked on at the end. That’s... that’s not just me thinking like that sounds kind of threatening, right? Like, time travellers can see anything anywhere, and they keep coming back to the Inbetween. Why?

Is it because they forget the beauty of anything else? Is it because it’s not beauty, but rather attachment and emotion that keeps someone going back to a place? If someone forgets their loved ones and precious things, then why would they go anywhere but the place where they’ve put all their stories?

Why did KH’s protagonist keep going deeper into Castle Oblivion even though he knew that the castle was taking apart his memories? Because he had one thing left: the fake, implanted memory, which told him that in order to save someone, he needed to push on no matter the personal cost.

So the real question is: are the time travellers coming back to the Inbetween because they want to, or because they no longer have a choice?

It regards all the different Karls with such... distant affection, too. “How beautiful,” it calls them, for wandering the blank halls with blank stares and blank hearts, none of which react to each other. It says that they “choose” to walk the halls, uncover mysteries, and tell stories. But what was the other choice? Was it really a choice at all?

Hmm.

Karl goes on to explore, and finds another book that does not have a wither rose pot, which tells him he has to go Under The Tree.mp3 and informs him that he “can’t afford not to”. Cool. Not ominous at all.

He finds another, which says the same thing.

Definitely not ominous. /s

The phrasing here is interesting, because it’s also phrased like a threat. Usually, when someone tells you that you “can’t afford not to”, you’re either looking at a scam or at the business end of a weapon. But the empty pages tell you that the author is trying to keep it down low. That’s one of the ways Minecraft players have found to express tone in the very limited form of Minecraft books, and it works splendidly.

Not to push my DreamXD agenda, but like... the door was iron. Iron doors are a weakness for Dreams and dreamons and, mayhaps, Dream’s dreamon.

I know it’s probably just because the iron door keeps in line with the color palette of the build but let me dream, alright.

Anyway, book content! And an interesting point of order: there is a wither rose pot. I said earlier that it might be an indicator of the Inbetween as an author, but that doesn’t make much sense now, does it? This is meant to be a place hidden from the “it” that I assume to be either the Inbetween itself or the one/s controlling it.

So why the wither rose pot inconsistency?

Unless it doesn’t mean that. Unless it’s just a metaphor for, say, memories withering away or something. Or maybe it’s just a pretty plant, for funsies! Who knows. If I had to guess, I’d say that (after much reflection) it’s likely less a mark of author and more a theme of, mm, memory status. The withering away of memories. It fits in with the Inbetween, because that’s what might be responsible for it, but the author/s of the book aren’t immune, either. They get blinks of clarity, with the hidden, tucked-away tomes, but they might not be completely free.

The next book, however, again lacks the wither rose pot. It might not be a coincidence that the one without the potential mark of a withering memory is the one that actually divulges some more information.

This book goes into slightly more detail about the warning, though not about whatever actual threat it is that the castle (which... Castle Oblivion, you know) presents.

It says that 1) it’s not what it seems, 2) the "truth about the other forms of you”, 3) this place “is not okay”, and 4) get in that portal we saw that was blocked off before.

We know that the Inbetween isn’t what it seems, but the “truth” about the other forms... Hm. This is, in fact, another Kingdom Hearts Thing. There’s a running joke that everyone on the very large cast of characters in KH that in the end, every person is actually either secretly a version of the antagonist (through possession or body splitting or whatever), or a version of the protagonist (through similar concepts). Multiple bodies and other forms is definitely a Thing in KH, though it’s not as oh-god-not-again definitely-bad as the sleeping thing.

I think the other forms have either become reliant on the Inbetween or have forgotten everything but the Inbetween, or both. Maybe more of the prior, since the warning is against trusting the place.

And, uh, this? Fucking terrifying. I love it to pieces.

Every single one of these books has a wither rose pot, and this is kind of why I think that the Inbetween or its master/s is, in some way, possibly functioning via routines and like... an AI. Or a genius loci kind of thing.

But good news, there aren’t 13 books, there are 14! This is important for Kingdom Hearts reasons, because Kingdom Hearts has a big thing about the numbers 13 and 7 (13 is the number of pieces of darkness, and 7 is the number of pieces of light, and this is equal somehow, don’t question it).

Now, 14 is an important meme number in the MCYT fandom, of course, but I don’t think it has terribly too much to do with the lore beyond a fun easter egg.

The books themselves trying to tell c!Karl to, essentially, go with the flow and the path that the Inbetween has set up for him is... something. I like the idea that it’s some future version of something trying to stop something from happening, but we all know it’s probably not going to work. Fun times.

And finally, this.

The Inbetween is a bit of a narcissist, huh? It won’t shut up about how it’s so pretty and irresistible and the whole definition of, like, a honey trap. Oh my god it even describes it as ~mysterious~ as a good trait, that’s hilarious.

More pertinently, it also calls the Inbetween “a time traveller’s dream”.

A time traveller’s. Dream.

Again, not to push my DreamXD agenda, BUT—

But! Getting back on track, the book expresses its eagerness to see Karl again, says their relationship is gonna be great, reminds him that his stories are important, and then tells him that he needs the Inbetween/author just like the SMP needs him.

Uh. He’s going to need the Inbetween?

Hello?

Why? How? So far it’s presented itself as being pretty and perfect but it never said anything about necessity! What’s going on!

Very much reminded of how Castle Oblivion was presented as “you need to keep going in even though it takes your memories away because there’s someone you need to save [fake but you don’t know that because you don’t remember anything]”, and I am afright.

Talk about subtle strings being tugged at here. I’m really seeing the beginning seeds of a dependency thing being sown, and if it weren’t for the side books painting giant neon warning signs everywhere, I don’t know if it would’ve caught on. An artificially cultivated concept of how important and great the Inbetween is, and don’t you just want to take all those stories from that messy world elsewhere but come back here in the end to take a break and exist and explore and oh, isn’t the Inbetween great, isn’t it wonderful?

Man, c!Dream wishes he was this good at subtle manipulation.

tldr; there are multiple authors trying to tug c!Karl in different directions via those books. The Kingdom Hearts parallels predict that his memory will be at stake, and he might not be able to escape without help.

[lnterjection]

Sleepy Bois Inc and DSMP Fanfic Recs

Uhhh I realized I have a ton of stuff in my bookmarks list and might as well compile a list of favorites because I’m always looking for good fanfics, and this might help some people. Most of these are SBI, though a few focus on things other than their dynamic with each other. Nothing explicit here. Feel free to suggest more recs. 

Fics set in DSMP universe/about DSMP (One-shots first, then longer fics):

One-shots and series of one-shots-

therein lies the madness by sapphicist - 2095 words. Currently says it’s one chapter out of three complete, but can be read as a standalone one-shot. Nice introspective fic on Tommy’s exile and his parallels with Theseus. In 2nd person, but it’s actually done nicely. Mostly angsty, can have hopeful interpretation depending on how you look at it. 

crazy how life goes on without me (2090 words, one-shot) by itisjosh - What if Ghostbur did remember everything, and just pretended to be clueless and vapid? Made me cry. It’s so good. Tortured my heart. 

the inner mechanism of a black box (13521 words, one-shot) by Bee_4 - only work of a series called “system theory”. “Technoblade lets himself get imprisoned for Philza’s sake. He doesn’t plan on being there long. Unfortunately, he’s underestimated Pandora’s Vault. There are things that will make even the Blade fall apart in due time, as it turns out.” Yeah so Techno’s mental health goes out the window in this one and its written brilliantly. There’s comfort at the end, if it helps? 

A State For One Man Is No State At All (5247 words, two-shot) by angstfortheangstgod - “A different version of the festival, in which Dream shows up unarmed, the Community House is left intact, a traitor is executed, and Tommy doesn't betray Technoblade.” Ranboo centric. Angst and comfort. 

All the Kings Men series by MollyPollyKinz - “After Ghostbur's suggestion to do Lads on Tour, Tommy finds himself reunited with his family. However, escaping from Dream is going to be harder than anyone previously thought.” A connected series of one-shots and short fics about Tommy, his exile, his family, and escaping Dream. Well written, good characterization, great studies into the characters themselves.

ad astra per aspera series by cacowhistle - Collection of one-shots that start with Tommy’s exile and expand to be about SBI and their dynamic with each other, including a resurrected Wilbur. Really, really well written and probably my favorite of the “Tommy exile fic groups”. 

the fall of a hero series by cracklesnaple - “After being threatened with being exiled yet again, Tommy takes the decision into his own hands. If those around him can't see that he's given up everything to make this nation what it is, then he's not sure he can stay in L'Manburg any longer.” Series about SBI and mainly Tommy, eventually crossing over into Mianite territory in a way some might enjoy and some might now. Writing’s good, though, which is what I care about.

Longer fics-

Rewind (101002 words, 25 chapters, unfinished, last updated Jan 17 2021) by Anonymous - Best time travel fix-it fic I’ve ever read period. Tubbo and Tommy travel 10 years back from a very messed up future to the first L’Manberg election. Concept may seen a bit weird at first but trust me, holy fuck this is amazing. 

second chances (hurt the most) (8841 words, 4 chapters, unfinished, last updated Jan 17 2021) by Anonymous - “Wilbur wakes up alone in a bloody room, and has to come to terms with living again. (How can he go on, knowing who's blood is on his hands?)”. Amazing fic where resurrection requires someone else’s life as sacrifice. Phil is dead. Wilbur struggles to come to terms with his father’s decision, and his second chance. 

all scotch, no soda (47466 words, 43 chapters, unfinished, last updated Jan 14 2021) by fishstixx - “Vulnerability meant trust, though, and trust was a thing not so easily given. Post-exile and canon divergent, follows the consequences of Tommy’s isolation. Expect chases, heists, bloodshed, and the mending of a family.” Features raccon hybrid Tommy being badass, and I live for it. I really, really love this one. 

DON’T FORGET THAT ICARUS FLEW. (16426 words, 6/10 chapters, last updated Jan 1. 2021) by orpheusaki - “The day before and the days that follow Tommy's exile; told through the eyes of The Blood God.” Techno (and Dream) is a god, and gods often forget how the intricacies of the minds of mortals. He’s trying to get better, however. 

what do you fall for? (16374 words, complete) by tablrcloth - Ranboo centric fic with Techno, Phil and Tommy. Ranboo realizes that playing L’Manberg’s politics is less than ideal for him. What can I say, it’s just really good. 

Breathing’s Just a Rhythm (12631 words, 6 chapters, unfinished, last updated Jan 17 2021) by MollyPollyKinz - “Tommy, Tubbo, Jschlatt, and Dream all end up in the past. (Oh, and the Chat comes too).” Great time travel fic. 

What World Have We Inherited? (73635 words, 12 chapters, unfinished and last updated on Dec 22 2020) by Anonymous (this one has a series with all their works, and they’re all AMAZING). Holy fuck this one is probably one of my favorite fics in the fandom so far. “Wilbur blows everything to hell on the day of the Manburg festival, just like he wanted. When the ashes settle, it's just Tommy and Technoblade. It's not good, but it's better than nothing. It's just them, healing up in a world that never wanted them.” Amazing characterization, worldbuilding, everyone’s internal thoughts are portrayed and written so well. Even if it never updates again I would keep coming back to it. I rec this Anon’s works so much. 

In June, I Changed My Tune (29489 words, 6 chapters, unfinished and last updated on Jan 6 2021) by KryOnBlock - Eret runs away and eventually becomes friends with Techno. Nice cottagecore aesthetic. I have mixed feelings about this one - the writing’s good, descriptions and characterizations are really good. Just that there’s consistent punctuation mistakes and it takes me out of the world a bit. Everything else is good enough for me to continue reading, however. 

stay with him (24353 words, 12 chapters, unfinished, last updated Jan 9 2021) by junipersand - I especially rec the first chapter, which can be read (and originally was) a standalone fic with the summary “Every ghost had a purpose to fulfill. So what was Tommy’s?” Utterly heartwrenching, probably the most emotionally gut-punching bit of writing I’ve ever read in this fandom. It continues with other lore stuff afterwards that eventually branch off from just SBI and Tommy, but man. I don’t think I can ever forget that first chapter. 

I’m not angry at you, well, sometimes I am (52801 words, 16 chapters, unfinished, last updated Jan 14 2021) by sircantus - After Tommy is exiled, he runs away to Techno’s house instead of going off with Dream. SBI decide some revenge and “world domination” is in order. 

Fics set in AUs outside DSMP happenings:

One-shots and series of one-shots-

Empty Crowns AU by UnderUrsa - the SBI + Tubbo are gods, and a family. Series of one-shots. Nicely written, what can I say? Some angst, some fluff.

Secure, Contain, Protect AU by blue000jay - Amazingly written SCP AU. Knowledge of the SCP universe would help with understanding some more meta things, but is not needed to understand most of it. Some angst, disturbing themes around memories but nothing terribly gory.

CLASSIFIEDS. (13804 words, finished). SCP pages on SBI, short stories and audio transcriptions as well as files, lots of good lorebuilding here. Features an escape, + Tubbo!

CONFIDENTIALS. (13232 words, finished). Centers on Dream Team.

ARCHIVES. (1270 words, one-shot). What happened after SBI and Tubbo’s escape from the SCP foundation.

old gods (new gods) AU by WriterWinged - the relatively well known SBI gods AU. Amazingly written, great character interpretations. 

the gods are cruel (none crueler then you) (1394 words, one-shot) - As much the grammatical mistake in the title hurts me it’s no doubt one of the best pieces of work in the fandom. 

and yet they find kindness (and so do you) (2/4 chapters posted) - continuation of “the gods are cruel”. 

there’s a risk to the world (but the kindest are strongest) (2/3 chapters posted) - continuation of “the gods are cruel”. 

SBI Antarctic Princes AU by ScripWriter -  One of several Antarctic Empire AUs, this one just has these two preliminary one-shots but they’re nice bits of fun and neatly written. All fluff and mild hurt with lots of comfort so far. 

Younger Holding On Another (1781 words, one-shot). Techno is a good brother and reassures and newly adopted Tommy. 

But Oh, Don’t You Know How It Goes (2511 words. one-shot). Tommy, Techno, and Wilbur have some “fun” at a boring gala. Phil is very exasperated. 

Antarctic Princes ‘verse AU by BirchWrites - AU where Techno, Tommy, and Wilbur are princes of the Antarctic Empire (well, Techno’s technically the emperor now), but this time the events of DSMP still happen (at least up to the 1st season).

Homeward bound for the arctic ground (10562 words, one-shot). Wilbur and Tommy travel to the Antarctic Empire in person to ask Techno for help in fighting Schlatt. Good worldbuilding and acknowledges Wilbur’s beginnings of insanity while still being rather light.

Surprise Hugs (2542 words, one-shot). Dream doesn’t realize Tommy is Techno’s brother and thinks he’s going to get killed for tackling the infamous Blood God.

Family Reunions (1396 words, one-shot). Fundy never realized he’s loyalty and Techno informs him unexpectedly.

Longer fics-

leave me your starlight (14620 words, 4 chapters, unfinished and last updated Jan 11 2021) by findingkairos - “Once upon a time, Philza Minecraft is the only person who does not shy away from the bloody teen that regularly turns the tide of war. This cements a friendship that will last wars, empires, worlds, and lifetimes.“ Amazing backstory fic on Phil and Techno’s relationships, one of my absolute personal favorites. Very well written and really digs into the intricacies of Techno’s character (or an interpretation of it, but hey, that’s what all fanfiction is).

I was a kid in a village, doing alright, then I became a prince overnight (21736 words, 5 chapters, last updated Jan 13 2021) by sircantus - another Antarctic princes AU, this time centering on 16 year old Tommy catching the attention of Phil, Techno, and Wilbur after thwarting an assassination attempt. Really well written. Actually, I rec all of sircantus’ SBI stuff because they do amazing work.

antarctic adage (26591 words, 4/7 chapters posted, last updated Jan 13 2021) by blue000jay - Another very well written Antarctic princes AU with Emperor/ruler Phil. Are we seeing a pattern yet? blue000jay is another writer I’d rec, with really great SBI stuff.

a renewal of faith, and of family (56684 words, 31 chapters, unfinished, last updated Jan 13 2021) by SolivangantStories - One of the only fics here that doesn’t feature SBI, this one is Tubbo and Dream centered. Basically, the DSMP!Tubbo is executed by Schlatt and wakes up in a world where Manhunt!Dream is trying not to die and is also actually a nice person, to Tubbo’s surprise and confusion. Not SBI and technically not even DSMP, but it’s really good so I’ve decided to rec it anyway.

[sungie]

lee felix ; strawberry fields

- - -

felix drops by your apartment as soon as you hit him with the “i’m back, wanna hang out?” text 

he’s already on your doorstep and greeting you with the biggest smile because “(y/n)! you’re back!”

but that cheery niceness lasts for a split second, and then felix wiggles his eyebrows and runs past you into your apartment and starts jumping on your couch (with shoes off, of course) because he threw them at you in a think fast type of stunt

but this is only because you’re finally home, felix says, and it’s not summer until you two get to do something fun together

plus you’ve been gone for two months and summer’s almost over :(

so, seeing as felix has been part of your woeful instagram story reposts, he’s seen the cottagecore hype you’ve been raving over, and how you’re always whining about wanting to run away, and so like any good friend, felix’s stubbornly decided that as soon as you get home, he’s taking you on an adventure 

and because he’s lee felix, he won’t tell you where you’re going, because it’s a surprise

as the two of you sit next to each other in the nearly empty metro, the two of you share earbuds and listen to music, sharing grins and watching the light stream through the windows when the metro passes from underground to above ground

and when it’s finally your stop, the doors slide open and the two of you rush out, bubbling with anticipation

because one, you’re spending time with your favorite person, and two, felix is just so happy because he feels like he’s chosen the perfect outing (+ he gets to spend time with you)

and then, when felix pulls up directions on his phone and the two of you walk down streets and then a dirt path with lots of trees and clouds in the sky, you finally discover the surprise

felix wanted to blindfold you so it could be even more of a surprise

but you said no because, “kinky”

felix: (o_O)

felix presents the area with a flourish.  “here we are.”

you’ve arrived at a strawberry farm, and when the two of you greet the person working there, you both each get one of those small mesh square baskets and are told to fill it up with as much as you want 

price is based on how much it weighs

as the two of you walk toward the field, there’s a little bit of adrenaline coursing through you because of course it’s not an outing with felix unless there’s competition

and really, this was supposed to be cottagecore but you’re more in the mood to beat felix’s ass at strawberry hunting

at first you’re both walking together in the same lanes of the meadow and just slightly lowkey trying to find the biggest strawberry

they smell so nice and you both really have to resist the urge to eat them before you pay (but because you’re both good humans you don’t)

then finally all pleasantries disappeared when you and felix both saw the biggest strawberry at the same time 

and without thinking the two of you lunged for it

felix was screeching in your ear and trying to push you away and you poked him in the ribs and stepped on his foot, and then it turned out the other half was all mushy, and you were both so mad 

this strawberry picking just turned into war

now you and felix split up into different rows of strawberries to find the biggest strawberry, and the rows are so short so you can see each other from across the plants and you both start teasing each other and making fun of the other

the mhm tension™

but while you two take momentary truces, you both take the time to realize how cute the strawberry farm is because nearby there’s a little town with brick and cute boutiques, and there’s a stand that sells special mini apple donuts and freshly squeezed apple juice because there’s an orchard nearby, and there’s even a little petting zoo nearby at the farm

the sunlight is so warm and feels so nice against your face, and there are clouds in the sky, and it’s so beautiful 

plus the sunlight makes felix’s freckles even cuter but you don’t tell him that

before you both count strawberries, felix wants to take you to the apple donut place

and the donuts are so, so cute

they’re mini-sized and smaller than your palm, and they’re dusted with cinnamon sugar and are warm to the touch

you pop one into felix’s mouth, but you kind of miss, and then his nose gets dusted with cinnamon, and you just ... really want to kiss it off, but you can’t because you and felix are just friends

it makes you so sad

but then felix takes cinnamon sugar from the bottom of the apple-donut bag and spreads it in a line across your cheeks 

and now you’re so smiley 

when you two finally finish the donuts and sit down on a table, then you make the rules regarding the strawberry hunt

whoever found the biggest strawberry gets to have the other person answer a question or do something 

felix is so smug when he shows you his chosen strawberry.  he’s so smug, he thinks he’s won already, and there’s this teasing smirk on his face as he can’t stop laughing at you 

“i’m ready for my kiss” 

wait what

felix explain yourself 

but then, you show him your strawberry and yours is bigger than his by like a centimeter

at first felix doesn’t believe you 

but then you both actually measure it with your fingers and when it’s evident you’ve won felix is sad boy

it lowkey looks like he got deflated, and then he pretends to dramatically cry, because he’s so annoying, oh my god

“so mean, (y/n)” 

now that you’ve won, felix has to do something for you, or answer any question 

you’re really trying to think of something good, and half of you is tempted to make felix buy you that apple lotion you saw a few minutes earlier

but you’re also not going to be that mean 

and you also want to make this good because, hell, felix can do whatever you want!  but since you’re still a little confused from earlier, you decide to be more casual about it 

“who do you like?” 

felix blanks and turns pale 

“uh, that’s what you want me to answer?” he bites his lip and tilts his head to the side.  “you can ask me anything, or make me do anything, and you want to know that?” 

you think about it for a second, and he almost has you convinced to choose something else

but you know felix well enough to know he’s lowkey trying to sike you out, and you’re not having it.  not today, bitch 

you shrug, “you always deflect the question, so yeah.  that’s what i wanna know.” 

felix laughs and smushes his face in his hands

and he’s just so cute, half of you doesn’t even want to know his answer 

felix sighs, and after a while he just looks at you with this look that says you’re impossible

“you don’t have to answer if you don’t want,” you finally murmur, unable to look him in the eyes, “i don’t know if i want to know, actually.”

“well, uh, i kind of want you to know, actually,” felix counters, tapping you on the hand with his fingers.  “because i like you. sorry. it just happened? i don’t know, you can get mad at me if you want.”

you stare at felix with wide eyes

and he looks so adorably sheepish and is really flustered, “but you’re still obligated to be my friend, alright?”

and then, while you’re still smiling in shock, felix reaches over, steals your strawberry out of your hands, and eats it

you’re snapped out of your trance instantly

"felix!”

felix quickly snatches his box of strawberries, and runs away from you, but not before reaching across the table to poke you on the cheek 

“lee felix, i’m going to kill you!”

“haha, no you won’t, i’m too segsy to die”

>:((

“felix, i’ll kiss you”

felix freezes and stops running.  his eyes are so wide, oh my god, and he looks so blushy and really soft

when you approach him you feel slightly bad 

but not really

and then you take the opportunity to whack him in the shoulder, steal two strawberries from his box, and eat them 

felix looks so offended 

he whines and wraps you in his arms, giving you a bunch of kisses on your face 

and then you lean up to kiss him on his nose, grinning at him

felix.exe has stopped working

- - 

continue on your journey?

[thoughtsimscaredtoshare]

Right, I’m finally doing this for real. Anyway, aesthetics.

It’s taken some time and courage to actually get back on here and type, but I’m here so I’ll count that as a win. I’ve decided to start with an easy topic to get my toe wet, so to speak. 

Aesthetics are interesting, but they expose certain situations we may have and that’s interesting too. Some examples:

1. We limit ourselves unnecessarily and ironically.

Unnecessarily because we’re perfectly capable of blending aesthetics, although it may take some planning and confidence. Ironic in particular because for all we preach to each other about being whoever we want to be and forgetting about labels and boxes, we’re prone to labelling and boxing ourselves into certain aesthetics. 

Ultimately, we are real people, not fictional characters. We have many interests, and multifaceted identities which can change over the years. These things inform our style, so it’s natural to like multiple aesthetics and move on to different ones. 

And even then, our aesthetics will never convey our identities more than our words and actions will. It’s important to remember that.

3. We may be reluctant to grow up? Or not adjusting well as teens or adults? Let me explain. 

Kidcore is a great example of this. It’s my understanding that this aesthetic is based on reliving childhood or extending your childhood. That seems like a sign of someone struggling with some trauma or just accepting change through escapism and clinging to the past, or a romanticized past. 

I’m not saying we shouldn’t enjoy things from our childhood or bright colors. I myself sometimes play my childhood Pokémon game when I’m stressed or bored (Soul Silver, for the sake of clarification). I like children’s fiction and cartoons (Tuck Everlasting, Inkheart, Over the Garden Wall, for example.). 

I’m saying that we should be careful how much and often we indulge in these things, and why. The why matters a lot and probably the most. If we live out our daily lives with aesthetics like this, then we might have problems we’re not truly addressing which can seriously affect us in the long run. 

4. We may be reluctant to live in the real world at all. Again, I’ll explain. 

Some of us are so invested in fantasy aesthetics, that I end up wondering if we’re so unsatisfied in the real world that we pretend we’re somewhere else. I say this while thinking of aesthetics revolving around goblins, mermaids, royalty, etc. 

Again, the risk is not in the enjoyment itself. It’s the how much, how often and why that truly matter and are indicative of our situations. 

Fantasy is great; it’s a testament to the creativity of the human mind. But to live healthy lives, we also need to acknowledge and appreciate the real world we live in. We need to participate in it somehow, albeit in small ways. 

I think escapism can be a serious problem and can hurt us more than we think (a topic for another entry, I think).

To conclude, I’ll add a list of the aesthetics I like, because why not? I like academia (light, dark, chaotic, romantic, art), christcore, vintage, cottagecore, fairycore, fairy grungecore, goblincore and naturecore (especially the tropical variety). 

I think that’s all of it. I feel kind of good and that’s a start. 

[merthur-fanfics]

Chapters: 3/3 Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin) Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwaine (Merlin), Percival (Merlin), Lancelot (Merlin), Leon (Merlin), Elyan (Merlin), Knights of the Round Table (Merlin) Additional Tags: Crossdressing, the crossdressing is not meant to be sexual, but it goes in that direction?, Cottagecore, Mutual Pining, Arthur and Merlin just spend a lot of time going "hot damn" and "no homo", Hence the title, Sharing a Bed, Fake/Pretend Relationship, horny bois, Episode: s02e09 Lady of the Lake, it's the canon's fault for planting this idea in my head, Uther is alive but we have all our favorite crackheaded knights because the author says so, Crack, Sexual Tension, Crack Treated Seriously, rated for ~sexy thoughts~ nothing explicit, Arthur Knows About Merlin's Magic (Merlin), Leon and Lancelot are mom friends, and they are seriously considering putting their kids up for adoption, Long-Suffering Leon Summary:

“There is no way in hell I’m dressing up as a woman,” Merlin huffed, crossing his arms stubbornly as his breath fogged up in the cold air. 

“Come on, you have to!” Gwaine pleaded, pulling his best puppy eyes.

“Why? So that Arthur can call me a girl some more?”

The prince made a face. “First of all, calling you a girl has nothing to do with your feminine figure and everything to do with how you’re an absolute pansy!” Percival laughed, earning a threatening glare from Merlin. “Second of all, you’re not doing this for me, you’re doing this for the good of all of us.” 

“Hear that, Merlin?” Gwaine piped up. “All of us. This is the future of Camelot we’re talking about! We’re going to catch our deaths out here if you don’t do it!”

“Gwaine,” Leon sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “Please stop.”

Merlin grinned “Thank you Leon—"

“You’re not going to convince him by pressuring him or taunting him.” The red headed knight turned to Merlin, a pleading expression on his face. “We request this of you humbly, Merlin. Please dress up as a woman.” 

[delusionland]

vanya write-up:

the hargreeves are not good people. we love them, for their dysfunction---for their soap opera drama---but everywhere they go, the destruction of the universe follows. and it’s not just vanya, loathe as the siblings are to admit it. it’s all of them. but the way the universe seeks to destroy the hargreeves at every turn, a kind of ‘constant state of apocalyptic soap opera flux’ because of the time bearu and fate & alien puppeteering----vanya is the most interesting to me.

because all the hargreeves think very little is their fault, loathe as they are to admit it. their father bred into them very little sense of empathy for the world around them (with the exception of diego and klaus) and/or even each other---their mistakes are products of their upbringng, they think. even when they’re self-aware, even when they’re joking about their trauma, they have never dealt with themselves and their effect on the world around them, and it shows. even diego and klaus feel completely removed from the world at large. they are superpowered ALIEN GODS and, even worse, FABULOUSLY WEALTHY CHILD CELEBRITIES. 

they do not understand how to be normal everyday people, because they can’t be. even klaus & diego’s connections with the outside world are fraught in terms of willful voluntary dissociation (klaus’ drug use) and co-dependent patterns of self-sacrificial protector / protectee in diego’s own brand of heroism. even when they try to get better---when they try to be a part of the world---they mess up, they fuck up, they SOMETIMES try to get better---but they still have a chip on their shoulder that says ‘daddy fucked me up and now i’m a perpetual fuck up that doesn’t WANT TO BE HERE facing my actual soap opera apocalypse problems i’d much rather be pretending they don’t exist while also taking them for granted and accepting them as a normal part of my life that i can never change.’

why is vanya the most interesting, then? because she, unlike the rest of them, was never tortured, was never branded, was never a celebrity to the same extent, and did not even realize her powers because of brainwashing to believe herself inferior to her siblings and mediocre in every possible way, even in art, even in feelings---and it gave her a near-universal victim complex, that causes her to hurt other people, and pretend she’s not hurting them, that she’s actuallly in the right, that she’s the SENSIBLE one, she’s the NORMAL one, she knows what she’s doing, because she’s just AVERAGE and that means she’s OBJECTIVE, and even when she’s technically worse than them---she knows BETTER.

vanya canonically has a rage bubbling beneath the surface, anxieties, extremely powerful feelings and the ability to change and destroy, that she is numbing with prescription medication that she probably EXTREMELY needs to quell the rage in her heart.

she was KILLING WOMEN who just wanted to take care of her, AS A CHILD. none of the others were killing people they weren’t TOLD to kill. she has no understanding of the worth of people’s life until she’s an adult---and even then, she still hurts people, knowing what their life means, until she is literally willing to destroy the universe, turning off what little empathy she has gained in order to be the most special & interesting & ARTISTIC FINAL one-night-only one-woman show as a last plead for her family to go ‘you’re so SPECIAL, VANYA! YOU’RE SO COOL!’

she’s an artist at trying to make you feel bad for her. she’s an artist at ‘look at me : ( please look at me. i’m so sad even though i’m going to try to be there for you---and make it about how good i am : ) because i want to be good so bad : ) i’m just a girl... who wants a sister... i’m just a girl... who wants to be part of a family... even though i weaponized their trauma against them... to finally, just for once, be the center of attention.... and it didn’t even last very long... because the book wasn’t GOOD... because i am physically stopped by the laws of the universe from figuring out how to be a good writer’

like vanya has done BAD THINGS even before she ended the world. talking about her family’s trauma in such a public way without their permission is INEXCUSABLE. there are so many steps you have to take to publish a book like that, so many ways you have to go, i see that they are hurting, and i am going to LITERALLY profit off of that.

vanya WANTED to hurt them. some part of her felt they DESERVED it.

even denying herself all her rage until it left her the catatonic center of attention---vanya is essentailly violent, and is always dealing with the same lack of empathy her siblings are.

vanya has no friends, no relationships, except her siblings. she cannot function as a person JUST THE SAME WAY THEY CAN’T, and she blames THEM for it.

vanya is not an innocent little uwu cottagecore lesbian! she never saw kindness as a child except from a MONKEY and a robot she claimed was just an extension of her terrible father and who she LITERALLY tried to murder and she does not understand human relationships, and her brainwashed inferiority complex, plus the medication dampening her senses & emotions without changing the root cause of her problems... makes her so, so much worse.

[blewink]

Two Meant To Be //kth Chapter Two

previous chapter // next chapter 

warnings: fingering, dirty talk, college au, dom!taehyung, sub!reader, lil bit of exhibitionism, Ta’s a lowkey tease this who chapter, and some fluffy stuff near the end

word count: 4.9k

a/n: I accidently added in an extra character in the last chapter, i’m gonna fix that but i thought i’d address it. but this chapter is way longer than the last one but i had a lot of fun writing it! I hope ya’ll like it

-blue 💙

After hours and hours of walking around the mall and trying on dozens of dresses to find a few that actually flattered you well. Jennie had a few pictures from the night of Wendy’s party since you apparently looked really good then, you made sure the dresses you bought has a similar silhouette to the dress of that night. You also bought some jackets and tights since the weather had gone completely freezing over the past week and you hadn’t updated your wardrobe for winter yet. Your friends would say you were very committed to keeping style and overall vibe to “pastel child meets cottagecore whore with a little bit of some risque form fitting clothes.” Although you did like spicing things up sometimes and went for all black outfits too.

After finally meeting up Wendy and Mina, it didn’t take long for Jennie to spill the beans to them. As soon as the words left Jennies mouth, the two girls started squealing and jumping around like children. You weren’t gonna lie, this familiar rush of liking someone was a really good feeling, it made you excited for what was gonna happen next. Mina whisper shouts,”I knew you liked him, I really did.” You could feel your cheeks straining from smiling so hard. “Okay okay! The whole mall doesn’t need to know!” You tell them. The chaos then got interrupted by Jennie clapping her to make an announcement. “Alright girlies, in honor y/n having a crush,”  she draws out the last word and nudges your side, “I say we should have a nice dinner today. And not just some fancy restaurant, we should make it ourselves.” You all nod in agreement. Jennie continues, “Then it’s settled. I’ll call the boys and see if they can go to the grocery store to buy some stuff.” She pulls out her phone and calls Namjoon. “Hey Joon, so the girls and I want to have a nice dinner with the roomies.” You hear Namjoon’s muffled voice on the other side of the line. “No, no specific reason,” She giggles and looks at you, your cheeks surely turning red. “Alright, well take Jimin and Chan with you. Tae’s gonna help us when we get home. See you soon, bye.”

On the drive home you get a text message from Taehyung, you feel your stomach flutter and you open the messaging app.

Tae🐯: hey do you know why joon left me home all alone? he said jennie had something   for me to do.

You:  idk, jennie just wanted to do something fun and we can’t go against the birthday girl

Tae: yeah you’re probably right. anyways, how are you holding up? yknow with the breakup…

You: i’m doing a lot better, thanks for checking up on me tho :)

Tae: yeah ofc, i care abt you a lot and i just wanted to make sure you were okay

Wendy’s voice takes you out of your trance, you look up confused as you didn’t hear what she said “Sorry, what did you say?” Wendy and Mina laugh causing Jennie to ask what was happening, since she was driving and didn’t notice what happened. Mina answers, “I was calling her name but she’s been smiling at her phone like an idiot.” The car erupts in laughter and you try to hide your face in your hands. “Come on guys, don’t make fun of her. It’s kinda cute, it’s like a first crush.” You're relieved that you had Mina on your side at least. In an effort to stand up for yourself you say, “He just texted me to see how I’m holding up.” Mina lets out a small ‘awe’ then says “That’s so cute.”

      After about twenty minutes and more teasing from your friends, you arrive at home. Yes, you live with your friends in a giant house and no,  it’s actually not as bad as some might think. Everyone puts in their share for rent and you actually prefer living with other people as it makes you feel more safe. As you and the other girls pull out all your bags from shopping, you see Taehyung walking out of the house and towards the car. Seeing him now, your mind couldn’t get rid of Jennie’s words. The thought of him thinking of you in a romantic way makes you feel a little lightheaded. “Hey girls, any of you need help with your bags?” Mina, Wendy and Jennie in unison said no and left you with a few extra bags so you wouldn’t be able to hold all of them and you would need the help of Taehyung. “What was that about?” he asked while giggling a bit. Flustered, you don’t answer his question and try to grab all the bags. You don’t notice him making his war to your side of the car until you feel a hand on your waist. Immediately causing you to gasp and drop your bags.

   You’re beyond embarrassed at this point and you feel you could crawl in a hole and die. “Hey are you okay?” Taehyung's deep voice fills your ears causing your body to shiver. “Y-yeah I’m okay, could you help me carry some stuff though?” He nods, “Yeah, of course. But let’s get you up first.” He reaches his hand to you and you grab it, pulling yourself up. You pick up a few bags and Taehyung grabs the others. As you were walking to the front door, you noticed how cold it was outside already and it didn’t help that the wind was picking up too. Taehyung matches your pace and then he asks you, “Are you still gonna go to New York for Jennies birthday?” You respond, “Yeah I’m not gonna let Lucas ruin my best friends birthday and I love New York too much and I’m not missing out on that.” You let out a soft laugh before you finally reach the front door.

   Once you were finally inside, you made your way up the stairs to your room, Taehyung following close behind you. You reach your door and you set your bags down to open the door, and walk into your room. Walking over to your vanity you set your bags down and when you turn around Taehyung eyes move quickly to meet yours. Was he just looking at your ass? No. You’re just imagining things. He walked over and placed the bags next to the ones you had. “Thanks for helping me out” you say. He grabs the back of his neck and says,” Yeah no problem” A couple seconds pass without either of you saying a word. You’re staring into his eyes and he’s staring back. After about fifteen seconds of this he clears his throat. “So I’ll see you at dinner.” You say a quick yeah, feeling down that he hadn’t said anything. He closes the door making sure to look at you before the door blocked his view.

   He stood with his back to your door for a couple seconds and let out a sigh. He didn’t understand why he didn’t say anything, you looked amazing but you always did. He didn’t know how you felt and it was tearing him up inside. He decided it would be better to not do anything stupid and just walked to room. After Taehyung left, you decided to try on your dresses again and pick one to wear to dinner. You’re half naked with a dress half way up your legs when the door busts open. You scream and try to cover your body but it results in the dress falling down. It’s Tae. He starts apologizing profusely “Oh my god, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to barge in.” At this point you grabbed a towel and covered yourself. “It’s okay, just knock next time.” You nervously laugh. “Oh yeah right, well Jennie wants us to make desert. So you should come down to the kitchen when… you’re done changing.” His face getting mildly red near the end of the sentence. “Oh okay I’ll be there in a few.” He makes his way out but your heart is still pounding.  It takes you a couple minutes to compose yourself, but you change into a loose t-shirt, some small shorts and a pair of fluffy socks because it's still a little chilly.

  You hear Jennie's voice telling Taehyung about the desert and once you enter the kitchen they both stop talking and look your way. Confused, you say ”what?” Jennie quickly says, “What are you wearing?” “I thought we were baking so picked out clothes I don’t mind getting dirty.” She shakes her head and sighs, “God, what am I going to do with you?” You make a face to Taehyung, mocking Jennie, and he giggles back. Jennie interrupts your moment, “Anyways, you guys are in charge of making a pie. Can I trust you two to not burn the house down?” She cocks her eyebrow up. “Um yeah probably” says Taehyung. Jennie lets out another disappointed sigh and walks out of the kitchen. You make your way to the fridge to get the ingredients to make your pie filling and dough.

  While you're searching inside the fridge when Taehyung says, “Can I be honest? I have no clue on how to make a pie.” You can’t say you’re surprised, Tae was more of a cook than a baker. “That’s alright bub. Not to brag but I’ve made a few pies in my day.” You close the fridge and head to the cabinets to get a bowl. When you set the bowl and your other utensils, you look up to see why Taehyung was so quiet, you notice his gaze is again on you. You clear your throat, causing him to snap out of his trance, out of pure curiosity you say, “Liking what you see?” You regret saying those words as soon as they come out of your mouth. “Oh my god, pretend I didn’t say that! Let’s just ignore that.” You make your way to your bowl and start mixing your ingredients as an uncomfortable silence fills the room. You hear his footsteps come closer and you look up at him, his eyes seem darker than they were just a couple minutes ago, “What if I did?” Your jaw drops a bit, leaving your lips parted just a bit. How were you supposed to respond? Did he have feelings for you? Your emotions were all over the place. He lets out a little laugh as his face gets closer to yours to where you can almost feel his lips on yours, “I think you’re enjoying this a little too much baby” The pet name causing you to blush and his eyes look down at your lips and he continues, “And you’re drooling a bit.” He taps your bottom lip and walks to the other side of the kitchen, sitting back in his previous spot.

 Feeling flustered, your actions were a little jumpy while you finished the pie. Not to mention that you could practically feel his gaze burning on you. Finally you put the pie in the oven, when you look up you see Taehyung distracted by his phone. You place your hands on our hips and clear your throat, when his eyes meet yours, the familiar darkness is still there. “Gee thanks for being such a great help Taehyung.” You made sure your words were coated in sarcasm. “You said you had it covered, didn’t you?” His eyebrow cocks up at the end of the question. You graon in anger and storm out of the kitchen while shouting, “You’re going to be the death of me Kim Taehyung!”

 He always enjoyed teasing you like this, he liked seeing you get all flustered just from his words. He couldnt help but think of all the things he could do to you, fuck, now he’s hard. He didn’t understand why affected him this much but he needed to get ready for the dinner. You found yourself in your room with dresses all over the place, it was surprisingly hard to find the perfect dress to wear to something so casual yet so important. You ended up choosing a form fitting, simple black dress. It only took you thirty minutes to pick it but it was perfect. You quickly curled your hair a bit, did some soft glam makeup,  picked out a few gold accessories and finished with a few sprits of sweet smelling perfume. You were lowkey feeling yourself when you looked at  your complete look in the mirror and you even snapped a few pictures and posted your favorite two. As if on cue, your alarm went off, indicating your pie was ready. You made your way to the kitchen as fast as you could, which wasn’t that fast since you had your heels on.  

      Luckly, when you took it out it was perfectly golden and not burned. You sighed in relief and sat on the countertop. It was only a couple minutes when Jennie came rushing in, “Oh thank god you’re here, can you help me set up the table?” You nodded but were still confused by her urgency as your friends were never ones for punctuality. “Jennie, why are you so stressed? It’s just gonna be us and the roomies.” A loud, sarcastic laugh comes from Jennie, “I wish, my mom just called and she’s on her way. I ordered pick up from some restaurant because we’re not going to have time for cooking, the boys are picking that up.” You two were now in the dinning room, you were placing the plates on the long table. “Why don’t you ask the girls and Tae to help us? Wouldn’t it be more efficient for more of us to help out?” Jennie gives you a small smile after mentioning his name. “Yeah you would like that wouldn’t you?” Your face heats up for the hundredth time today, seems like you’re going to have to get used to this.

The boys had finally arrived and you were all in the living room sitting on the couch. It was funny seeing you all dressed up but cuddled up on couch. Jennie was telling the rest of the group about her mother’s surprise visit, you looked over to Taehyung to see his reaction but not so surprisingly, he was already looking at you. You continued moving your gaze, pretending you didn’t see him. Jennie’s lecture was interrupted by the doorbell, indicating her mother’s arrival. You all quickly stood up and fixed your apperances, you smoothed down your dress and walked to the door with the rest of your friends. You all stood in a small group as Jennie opened the door. “Hi Omma!” Jennie said in an overly cheerful voice, her mom gives her a hug. Her mom turns to look at the rest of you, “Hi Mrs. Kim!” You all say while bowing.

After all the greetings and catching up, you made your ways to the dinner room, which had already been set up by you and Jennie. While you were each picking a seat, Taehyung made his way next to you. Once Mrs. Kim sat down, the rest of you did too. The rest of the night was filled with laughter and new memories, the food was delicious too. But every now and then you would find yourself getting distracted by Taehyungs hands. The way his fingers gripped around the utensils making his veins prominent, made you feel a little hot. It also didn’t help that he was constantly sneaking his hand down to rub your inner thigh. This was tourture for you, it had been months since anyone had touched you like this. You were able to ignore it for most of the night, that was until Mrs. Kim was saying her goodbyes. You were all gathered at the entrance and you felt Taehyungs hand on your side, giving small squeezes causing you to stutter with your words when talking to Mrs. Kim. Once she left you all made your way to the living room again.

Jennie was the first one to throw her her body on the beanbag next to the couch. The rest of you doing the same soon after. Your feet were starting to feel sore so you were eager to get your heels off. “Well that went well.” You all laugh at Jimins remark. “For real though, the food was pretty good, Jennie where did you find that restaurant?” Chan questions as Jennie sits up to face the rest of you. “It’s my mom’s favorite,” Jennie says as she fixes her hair, “We used to eat there a lot when I was younger.” A comfortable silence falls between the group, but only a minute passed before Mina stands up. “I think we all need to de-stress, how about a movie night? We haven’t done one of those in a while.” A movie night was exactly what you needed right now, so you were very excited, and it appeared so were your roomates. A couple of minutes of bickering later, you all had decided on a movie that none of you had watched yet, which happened to be a scary movie. You weren’t fond of the movie selection but you figured it was bound to be fun. You were now in your room changing into pajamas you had worn earlier, you were too lazy to get a pair of panties so you remained commando. A buzz from your phone interrupted you removing your makeup. You walked over to check what it was, a text from Taehyung. Your stomach fluttered again, yet another sensation you would come to get used to.

Tae: hurry the fuck up, we’re all waiting for you.

You checked your phone to check the time, but only three minutes had passed since you made it to your bedroom. You hurried to remove the last of your makeup and brush out your hair. You picked up a few blankets and a stuffie, and made your way to the living room. To your surprise, you found yourself in an empty room. Where was everyone? “I didn’t think you would get down here so fast.” Taehyungs deep voice fills the room from behind you. You turn around to see him in a loose white t-shirt, hands in grey sweat pants and his hair a ruffled mess. “I thought you said you were all waiting for me?” Your eyes follow his body as he makes his way to the couch. He lets a small laugh out once he’s on the couch, “You really will believe anything I say, wont you?” He pats the side next to him, indicating you to come sit with him. You roll your eyes, you should have know he would something like this. “Why do you keep teasing me Tae?” You sit next to him, leaving enough space between yourselves. “I like seeing how flustered you get, it’s cute.” Before you could answer, Jimin and Chan walk in, Namjoon not too far behind them. It’s only a couple more minutes, when the girls come in too. What did he mean by ‘cute’?

The movie had already started but you didn’t know what was going on, your mind was too busy repeating the words Taehyung had said. You shook your racing mind and tried to focus on the movie. Some girl was hiding in her bedroom from the intruder, at least you think that what you think was happening. She’s on the floor behind the side of the bed when the door opens. She covers her mouth to prevent the intruder from hearing her breathing while the man in the background walks to the closet, the floor creaking underneath him. The music gradually getting louder and louder, suddenly the intruder does a jump scare, causing a few of you to scream. It caused you to jump and reach for the person beside you, who happened to be Taehyung. You gripped his arm and buried your face into his chest. Once you realized you were practically on his lap, you let go of his arm and whispered “sorry.” He placed his hand on your thigh and started rubbing small circles with his thumb. He brought his lips to your ear before whispering, “No need to appoligize sweetheart.” His voice caused you to shiver and you weren’t going to lie, you were a little turned on.  

He left his hand on your lower thigh for a couple minutes until he started moving upwards. Your thighs had always been sensitive and you wondered if he still remembered that, even over a year later. You almost panicked, thinking maybe one of your roomates might see you but you realize you have two blankets over you and Taehyung. His hand starts rubbing you over your clothed core, you let out a small whimper. “Don’t make any noise baby, you dont want our friends to hear what a little mess you are for me, do you?” You shake your head. He continues his movements, rubbing right over your clit, you feel your wetness already seeping onto your shorts. His actions stop as he reaches further up to the top of your shorts, his fingers playing with the waistband before they delve into your shorts. Your breath hitches as his hand is now touching your bare cunt, “No panties?” He tisks, “Were you expecting something like this to happen?” You don’t answer his questions and the sensation of his touch makes your skin feel as though it’s on fire. His other hand reaches your chin, forcing you to look into his eyes, “Answer me when I ask you questions, kitten.” The new pet name causes you to gush a little more, you could tell he felt it too because of the cocky smirk he has on. “Does kitten like being called names?” It takes everything to respond to him. “Yes,” you whisper. You’re still facing him when he plunges a finger into your needy cunt. You slap your hand over your mouth as moan threatens to come out. Taehyung smiles at your reaction, he always loved how reactive you were to him touch.

You two were now facing the TV again while his finger was sliding in and out of your pussy agonizingly slow. It was probably for the better, if he was going any faster, you were sure your roomates might hear your pussy squelching. His thumb circled around your clit causing your walls to tighten around his finger. Once he added another finger you felt yourself getting closer to your release. His pace picked up a bit causing you to bury your face into your blankets. “Are you close baby?” You nod, as you’re incapable of opening your mouth without a moan coming out. Only a few more trusts later and you open your mouth in a silent scream as your orgasm overtakes your body. His fingers ride you through your high and your body shakes as he pulls his fingers out. His fingers glisten in the light provided by the TV, he takes in index finger into his mouth, tasting your release. He then orders for you to open your mouth as he sticks his middle finger into your mouth. You suck on it, circling your tongue around his digit while tasting yourself. He pulls his finger out, “Good girl.” The praise makes you feel warm. He puts his arm around your waist for the rest of the movie, his hand rubbing your side until you stop shaking.

About an hour later, the movie finishes and you look around. Your roomates are all fast asleep leaving you and Taehyung as the only ones awake. “Should we wake them up or leave them here?” You ask worried as you all had class the next day. “Uh I say we be good friends and wake them up. You get up first, losing your balance and falling to the floor. Taehyung giggles, “Damn, I wonder how you’re gonna walk once I fuck you for real.” You ignore his comment, “Stop being a dick and help me up.” He walks over and picks you up, you stare into each others eyes before you say, “Are we gonna talk about what’s going on here?” You still weren’t sure what was going on between you two and you wanted to see how he felt about all this. He pats your side before saying, “We’ll talk about it in a bit but lets wake them up first.” Not exactly the answer you were expecting but you’ll take it. You walk over to Chan, who’s sprawled all over Namjoon, you snap a quick picture before shaking the two to wake them.

You walk each of your friends to their rooms, you make sure to set alarms on all their phones incase they forgot to. Once you close Wendy’s door, you turn to walk to your room, which was straight across from hers, Taehyung’s there leaning against your door. You walk up to him, “I assume we’re talking about this now?” He moves out of the way so you can open the door, “Of course.” You walk into your room, keeping the door open for him to walk in and closing it behind him. You switch a light on so it’s not too bright. You turn on your heel to face Taehyung “Um I need to change first, my shorts are… well, they’re ruined thanks to you.” “Oh it was my pleasure baby, no need to thank me.” He replies slyly. “Okay well turn around then.” He turns his back to you and you step out of your shorts. They’re practically drenched and you throw them in your hamper, making a mental note to wash before you leave for New York. You walk into your closet, opening a drawer and grab a pair of clean underwear and slip them on.

When you walk back out, Tae’s sitting on your bed so you make your way over and sit on your bed near him and cross your legs. “So, do you have any questions for me? Because I know I have a few for you.” You ask nervously. He licks his lips, “Just one I think,” you look at him curiously. “You’re sure you and Lucas are done? Like for real this time? Because this has happened before and you just went right back to him in less than a week.” This was true, Lucas always found the right things to say to make you take him back. But this time, he hadn’t reached out to you in days and you felt ready to move on. “I can assure you, I’m not getting back with Lucas. Not tomorrow, not next week or ever.” You give a small smile to really seal the deal. He smiles back, “Okay that’s good. One more thing,” He pauses, “When was last time someone touched like how I just did?” Your face heats up and you lift your pillow to hide your face. You feel the bed shift as he moves closer to you, his feet now up on the bed crossed just like yours. He grabs the pillow from your hands and makes you look at him, “There’s no need to get shy with me kitten. Answer my question.” You bite your lip nervously, “It’s been about three months.” Taehyung hums in response. “Well I’ll be making those months up to you from now on.” His hand nw on your cheek. “So what were your questions for me, kitten?” You almost forgot about them but your glad he brought them up. “Do you intend on having a serious relationship with me?” Your eyes tear up a bit at the thought of him saying no. A shocked expression crosses his face, “Of course I do. I don’t want to use you like that, I would never want to hurt you.” You nod your head slowly in response, “Okay I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.” He nods back, “Yeah we are. One more thing,” He pauses again, “Let’s take this slow okay? I don’t want to make you do anything you regret.” You giggle at his sudden softness in words, “You say that as if you didn’t just make me cum all over your fingers.” He laughs a little too, “Oh baby, if you think that’s going slow, I’ve got a lot to show you.” You looked at him and the way he looked in the light that was barley there, he was nothing short of beautiful.

You snap out of your trance, “Alright alright, it’s time for us to go to bed.” You hop off your bed clapping your hands together. Taehyungs still on your bed looking at you confused, “I was wondering if I could stay here with you tonight. If that’s okay with you?” You were taken aback by the idea of having Taehyung sleep in the same bed as you. “Um yeah sure, that’s okay.” He giggles like child before pulling your blanket over himself, “Come on I can’t sleep without my kitten.” Your heart swells as you crawl back into bed. You settle yourself under the blankets facing him, his draps his arm around your waist and pulls you closer. You can feel his breath on your face, “Can I kiss you?” You nod and tilt your head up. Your lips connect and your eyes fluttered shut. You felt your stomach fluttering and you wondered if this was how a real kiss was supposed to feel. When you pulled away, you looked into his eyes and everything felt calm. He pulled you closer so you were now laying on his chest. The hours of shopping and baking finally catching up to you as you drifted into sleep.

tag list: @wangxian-nation @supersamzzz @jujujangona526 @togetherminmin @dreamsndrabbles @annietaeyong

[sortavibing]

hiii (◕ᴗ◕✿) can i request for a match-up for the haikyuu boys? i'm a 4"10 girl with wavy black-brown hair that reaches my waist! my eyes are black brown too, & my skin tone ranges from tan to fair! i am also asian! ｡◕‿◕｡ i am quite thicc (yes thicc) but i am toned! i'm an enfp but despite my extraversion, i can be quite shy around new people and i can be a bit distant, too! i have a sharp sense of wit & humor, i can be talkative but i'm not boisterous i guess (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ i do have a talent for reading people & the situation tho! when i do feel comfortable, that's when i can get talkative! i can snap back sarcastically if the situation calls for it or if i feel like it but other times, i'm pretty chill. i do not have a concrete aesthetic (◕દ◕) i'm fine with sporty, athletic aesthetics & street fashion, i'm cool with cottagecore & looking dainty, sometimes i dress in a 90s style, whatever goes according to my mood! i'm not very athletic bc i never took up sports although i've been told to do so before. i've been told i'm very smart & talented, gifted even, but ig i'm burnt out HAHAHA point is, i'm not a very bookish person but i'm definitely not dumb either 😌 my hobbies include watching anime, listening to music, playing games, and napping! in a relationship, i can get confident but tbh i am screaming internally HAHHA usually, in my relationships, i'm the louder one! i am very tolerant and am usually the one to adjust to my S/O! i am very sensitive but i usually won't say anything to my S/O if they did something wrong. i'm a huge sucker for soft, pure relationships but also SPICY ones (人 •͈ᴗ•͈) if it helps, my type of guy is usually the strong silent one, the socially selective one, or the really cocky, sarcastic one! i'm also lowkey a sucker for height differences teehee

(ps i kin oikawa! yes we both have issues about inferiority & superiority & we can become narcissistic to hide our insecurities,, bonus: i'm a burnt out A+ student)

 pt.2 of request: hii (◕ᴗ◕✿) same girl here! the 4"10 asian enfp! i'd like to add i have strong facial features too! i have long eyelashes but they're not noticeable so i look like i don't have them ಠ︵ಠ i have thick eyebrows, thick lips, & deep set hazel eyes! i wear glasses! when i wear them, i look very scholarly & soft but i've been told that without them, i look kinda bitchy & intimidating HAHAHA

hello! thank you for requesting! please the gifted kid burnout is real for me😐ahaha i should be studying for a social studies test and writing a la essay but whatever i’d rather do this. anyways, here’s your matchup!

i match you up with atsumu!

this man is the cocky sarcastic person you are looking for :) he will never give up an opportunity to make a shady comment that is really obviously shady, and he KNOWS he’s really good at volleyball, and he will not hesitate to offhandedly mention it in a conversation. just the vibes atsumu gives off radiate that “i know i’m better than you” energy, but it doesn’t mean he’s disrespectful or anything, he just knows he’s hot shit and he isn’t afraid to say it.

he loves to show you off to his friends, because he wants the whole world to know that he was able to get such a beautiful girlfriend, and he also wants osamu to never forget that he got a s/o before him. atsumu will always compliment you whenever you guys are out in public, because he just wants you to know how amazing you are.

atsumu is really clingy, and he is a big fan of pda, so if you are comfortable, he will always be around you, with his arm wrapped around you shoulder, waist, or holding your hand, because he loves being around you, and if he’s able to do it whenever he wants, that’s an added plus. he will always ask before he does anything more touchy, like kissing, because we stan a man who asks for consent😌

every couple of weeks you guys binge an anime together, and the entire time atsumu will make comments about what he would’ve done, or how much he hates a character. you guys have gotten into many playful arguments over anime plots and fight scenes, and they almost always end in you hitting him with a pillow, and then atsumu playfully tackling you until you have to surrender.

you guys also really like to play video games with each other, and atsumu’s favorite game to play with is super smash bros, because you guys get really competitive, and sometimes even bet things on who you guys think will win. atsumu may or may not lose on purpose just to see you smile when you beat him :)

when you and atsumu nap together, atsumu likes to be the big spoon, and he always likes to play soft music while you guys just talk about whatever until you guys fall asleep. atsumu also likes when he is laying on his back, and you lay on your stomach on top of him, and he runs his fingers through your hair while humming along to the music.

he will make dirty jokes in public to see how you will react, and if you do react, he will keep on doing it until you get mad at him. if you fire back with a dirty joke, he will just stop midsentence in surprise, and then quickly rethink his life and stop talking. for the rest of the convo, he will be in a slight state of shock, because he thought he was the dirtier of you guys, but then you proved him wrong.

before he met you, atsumu had bad music taste- like he only listened to trap remixes and the wii menu theme, but once you introduced him to your favorite songs, he quickly became hooked and started sharing the same taste as you. he still likes the wii music though, so if you guys are listening to his playlist, it will randomly pop up, and he will quckly skip it, and pretend that he doesn’t like the song. (ok but it’s a bop tho🤠)

he really likes when you come to his volleyball games, so for a few days leading up to a game, he will offhandedly mention it, until you offer to come, and then he’ll pretend that it was your idea, while poorly masking his excitement. once he sees you at the game, he will immediately point you out to his teammates, and whenever he performs a good serve or set, he will look at you and wink.

overall, you guys are a couple that can really act like themselves around each other, and you guys aren’t afraid of what the other will think of them. people envy you guys for your chaotic energy and care for each other, and atsumu thinks you are so pretty and smart, so he is sure to remind you about this every chance he gets.

i hope you enjoyed!

[kinetic-elaboration]

December 2: 1x26 Errand of Mercy

Errand of Mercy is truly a trip. I’m swiftly losing my ability to be coherent because I need to go to sleep but here are some attempts:

First of all this is, of course, a straight-up, pure, unfiltered Kirk/Spock episode with a tiny bit of unrequited Kor/Kirk on the side. Like, we’re not even going to pretend to find stuff for the rest of the crew today. I see you, Gene Coon.

This is the first Klingon ep. I just... the actual Klingon-centric episodes ARE good, but the Klingons in general are pretty boring and I legit don’t understand why they became the standard Star Trek villain. (DC Fontana apparently thought that it was because their make up was simpler v. the Romulans, acc. to Amazon trivia and....I’ll buy that.)

Is the “cultural scale” called the Richter cultural scale? I seem to recall another scale with the exact same name....

I get why there would be such a scale but they are dead wrong about where the Organians fall on it.

Anyway not to harp on this yet again but @ fanom this isn’t the military right?? Lol

Oh, no, it’s Code One! No idea what that means but the music tells me it’s a big deal and it’s bad!

“Curious how often you humans manage to obtain that which you do not want.” He’s talking about war but I can think of some other things that fall into this category.

I think it’s pretty funny that Kirk records his Captain’s logs in public.

CAPTAIN SULU.

“There’s a war happening, so Mr. Spock and I will just leave the ship... together.”

“You’ll get out of here, Sulu, and leave Spock and I... alone.”

“You’ll fall back to rendezvous with the rest of the Fleet in the Laurentian system.”

Why do these people show no interest in us beaming down into their village? Hmmm, I wonder. If the Organians really were what K and S think they are, beaming down in that way would be uh a bad idea.

Spock seems much less awkward at gesturing than Kirk does.

Finally, by the end of the season, they’ve figured out the context for the Enterprise: Starfleet, the Federation, etc.

I wish the Organians were our alien overlords and taylor.

So the Klingons are a military dictatorship.

Kirk finds them so frustrating. I feel like this ep falls into the genre “Kirk is frustrated by hippies.” All this generic peace talk and faultlessly chill attitudes are just not him.

“I’m a soldier, not a diplomat.” That’s why Spock likes him so much.

The Organians are trying to follow the Prime Directive but Kirk is making it SO HARD.

“Space vehicles.”

I know the Klingons are actually supposed to be in yellow face but you know what it looks like black face to me and I RE-ALLY wish they had not done that.

They look good in those Organian outfits. Love that they kept their command and science colors lol. I feel like this is the sort of outfit AOS Kirk wishes he had in that boring ass closet of his.

Mr. Spock does not look like an Organian.

I MUST know more about these “not uncommon” Vulcan merchants. “Dealing in kevas and trillium.”

KOR IS SO INTO KIRK. This flirting is the least subtle. “You’ll be taught to use your tongue.” “Where is your smile?” “You’re a ram among sheep.” “I need your obedience.” “You seem to be in command.” Is all of this supposed to sound sexual or...?

Right up there with “a stallion must first be broken.”

Whereas Kirk is so not into this. That expression says, “Don’t even think about talking about Spock’s tongue.”

The mind sifter is actually a crazy advanced sci fi machine and STID wanted us to think Klingons don’t have warp usdfsf go fuck yourself.

Kirk is so turned on by Spock’s mental strength.

Every spare moment of this ep is given over to K/S flirting. They legit act like an old married couple. “I thought you were going to fight that guy.” “I just might.” Or whatever.

I love that Kirk’s method of fighting is to literally launch his WHOLE BODY at enemies.

Whereas Spock’s there just running awkwardly in the background. He is Not coordinated friends.

Kirk’s speeches ARE admirable. He is lacking context here but in general if they WERE an oppressed people, this should be inspiring.

“For some reason, he feels as though he must destroy you.”

This Kor and Kirk scene... Kirk literally canNOT stop himself from flirting. His default smile is Charming. “Nothing...inconsequential [was destroyed] I hope...” Flirty smile, wink.

GO CLIMB A TREE I MEAN WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT.

We are the same species...tigers...hunters

Is this not the same cell they always use?

I feel an “and there was only one cell” fic coming on...

The Organians are actually kind of hilarious. They’ll basically let these rando aliens do whatever they want, as long as they do no violence. That’s it, that’s the one rule.”Your captors planned to do violence to you, and to that I said...naw.”

THIS is real Pacifism @ Commander Spock.

Kirk ready to go out in a blaze of fire for a bunch of annoying hippies like “I’m going to white savior you now, ungrateful Organians.”(I say this with love; I love him.)

Can you believe Kirk and Spock are about to die in an unwinnable fight of 2 against Lots of Klingons, and they’re using their last moments to FLIRT AGAIN?

Gene Coon loves writing dialogue in which Spock calculates statistics and Kirk is turned on.

Also can you BELIEVE he just pulls Spock along by the arm? Any excuse to touch him.

Okay the Organians are officially tired of your bullshit.

Too hot! Hot damn!

“We find interference in others’ affairs most disgusting.” Prime Directive! Like I said!

This is basically the plot of A Taste of Armageddon except in that ep Kirk was the Organians.

“People have the right to handle their own affairs.” Is he wrong though??

The Organians are like “okay, we all had our fun here, now get out. Seriously.”

Can you imagine how fucking weird it would be to just randomly see this alien dude materialize in the White House, or, like, Starfleet San Francisco HQ, or wherever the “home world” of the Federation is supposed to be? Just a little throwaway line in there.

By the end Kor is just straight up hilarious. He’s giving off real Ian McKellan in Vicious vibes when he says “I can handle them.”

“I guess that takes care of the war.” Yep! Very efficient!

The “it” in “It would have been glorious” is DEFINITELY not the war lol.

Good game, good game.

“I was furious with the Organians for stopping a war I didn’t want.” I’m sorry but could not THAT have been the plot of STID?

“Spock, your math was wrong the whole time.” And now Spock and Kirk can BOTH sulk lol.

Those were all of my liveblog thoughts and it’s late but.... I had so many additional thoughts on this episode... Like a lot more.

First, I love when humanoids turn out to not be humanoids, that’s one of the best things.

Second, I think this is a very gutsy episode to air at the time, and that it would still be a gutsy episode to air now. I feel like it’s one of the peanut gallery’s favorite criticisms of ST nowadays to say it’s “colonialist” but this ep makes it pretty clear it’s not--that’s the opposite of the lesson of this story.

To attempt to explain better: I completely and unironically love Kirk but I do recognize that like all 3 dimensional characters he has flaws. In this ep, I thought that while his speeches and general point of view and strategic plan were definitely right for situations a population is oppressed--that people do have the power to fight back against dictatorships, even when the odds are bad, and that it is worth it to have the courage to fight back against such oppression--he was ultimately shown to be wrong in this instance because he wasn’t actually coming into that situation. He didn’t understand as much as he thought he did. He thought he was going to be the savior here: taking control for peoples who didn't know better, saving them from oppression, and then gifting them with technology and advancement as he understood it. The Federation wouldn't have enslaved them, but the Federation did want to use them. But the Organians really truly didn't need help--the native people understood their own needs better than the outside people. That's the lesson I took from the episode. Your intentions can be good but if you're coming into a foreign situation looking to control it, without understanding the actual people involved, you’re not being a true friend or ally, and you're likely to do no more harm than good. Opposition to tyranny has to come from the source, the oppressed peoples themselves.

When he refers to “weak, innocent people” standing in the way of superpowers in the beginning--he’s not attempting to derogatory, but that is a pretty demeaning characterization.

I also thought it interesting that the Organians can take any form they want and put their society at any stage of "advancement" they want and they chose a basic agrarian aesthetic. Cottagecore rights.

Kirk really had a confirmation bias when it came to the Organians. He had an image of them--innocent, weak, oppressed--and he only took information that fit with that characterization, rather than listening to them and what they were saying.

My mom and I also discussed whether this was IC or OOC of Kirk. I’m of two minds, myself. I think Kirk at his best is much more open-minded than this. His core morality is good faith, peace, friendliness, and care for all life forms, and there are plenty of examples of this (Charlie X, Mud’s Women, and The Corbomite Maneuver all immediately come to mind.) But he does have a blind spot that I think comes up often enough to be canonically part of his character: if something is threatening or killing his crew, or his people more broadly (the Federation), then ALL he cares about is neutralizing the threat. Rare alien? Possible scientific discovery? Might not have the full details of the situation? Doesn’t matter. I’m thinking The Man Trap, The Devil in the Dark, Arena. He wants to protect aliens, but not if the alien is killing his crew. He wants to make overtures of friendship, but not if the new being has already been aggressive.

I mean like I said... a part of me is like "no he is better than this!" but another part is like... well he does have that 'soldier' side of him, he is intensely loyal to his people. The “evil” Kirk of The Enemy Within. I think he just sometimes gets these blinders in certain situations when he's just sure he's right, which is very human.

Also although he's between McCoy and Spock on the continuum of "an objective right thing exists for all people and in all situations and we should always follow that morality" and "morality itself is relative, we should be respectful of alien ways of living even when we don’t understand them" I think in general Kirk and the show is more like McCoy. There IS a right morality here. (I’m thinking of The Apple or even A Taste of Armageddon.)

I also maintain that to say in 1967 "the very personality trait of being warlike is a common denominator between enemies at war" is a dramatic statement.

My mother suggested that Kirk was “strangely appealing” in his desire to save the Organians, with or without their help, and I do agree... I think that’s the complexity of the episode. The overall thrust of the plot is that Kirk was wrong--he’s left embarrassed at the end. I stand by what I said above. And they certainly go out of their way to show that the Klingons and Federation have something in common--namely, as I said, their very capacity to wage war, and interest in waging war.

BUT, as much as I get the point that they have certain similarities with the Federation--and I think this concept of 'these war-worthy disagreements seem trivial to an advanced and neutral species' is interesting, and even more so in comparison with A Taste of Armageddon which, as I said, is this same scenario from the Organians' POV essentially--at the same time it's a bit irritating to hear the democratic Federation compared to the oppressive dictatorship of the Klingons. Like yeah, okay, none of them are light beings and they both wanted to destroy each other--point taken. But would the Federation park itself on a random planet and kill 200 people the first day? I think not. So in this sense Kirk IS right. The Klingons are an adversary worth fighting, just not over the Organians.

I don’t know what I would think of his position if the Organians were being harmed but were also just...actually sheep. Like I guess I would say "well they have to have a reason.” And in fact they did--their bodies cannot be harmed, so they really don't care if the Klingons pretend to harm them. But I just can't comprehend people being like really honestly okay with that level of oppression, as opposed to too scared or too beaten down or too brainwashed to fight it, which is different.

...And from there we went into a discussion of curative v transformative fandom and yet more on what’s wrong with AOS sdfasfjsaldf it’s past 1 am I can’t be stopped BUT I SHOULD BE STOPPED.

[kurooskorner]

hi there, love! your stupid cupid event seems fun! i would like to join 🤩💘 i would like to be matched with a male character please, tysm!

game #1:

i go all out when it comes to gift giving because i love spoiling my s/o! i’ll give him a hoodie, sweater, or any apparel (go-to gifts i swear— for valentine’s, b-day, and christmas.. mainly because i like dressing him up lol) and also something practical- something he actually needs like a water bottle, earphones, some gadget, volleyball gear, or the like (so it really depends on what he needs at the moment. nevertheless, my wallet’s ready to 💸 for him i swear). along with those, i’ll also give him 3 bento cakes (those cute small aesthetic cakes)!! something like the photo below. 3 cakes of different design, shapes, and texts: “i love you, *his name*”, “happy valentine’s day!”, “lol ur gf is so pretty” HAHA i love cakes bc they really have that celebration vibe, and also it’d be nice to have a sweet treat for a sweet day 🤍 lastly, i will give him a handwritten letter of how much i love him! keeping it old school like that 😛

game #2:

i’ll dedicate carpenters’ “close to you” to my s/o! i think that it perfectly captures how lovestruck i am with him 💗 the song captures how much i adore him & his pretty face i imagine slow dancing with him as we listen to the song~

game #3:

i’m 5’2, with dark brown eyes & brown medium hair with highlights. i enjoy traveling, going on adventures & sightseeing, and filmmaking! i mostly edit travel vlogs or photo diaries of my adventures. i like anything that has to do with nature bc it is so relaxing and beautiful 🌱 however, i do not like extreme sports or activities or the like bc i don’t really like exposing myself to risky, too exhausting, nerve-wrecking activities. i like pretty things wahhh & i’m very girly haha and i guess it’s expressed in the way i dress up (cottagecore x ethereal aesthetic). however, despite my seemingly demure appearance, i have my chaotic moments too (im def one of the jokers of the grp!!) uhm.. i like listening to soft pop and pop rock (old or new); bit of an old school in my music taste hehe. i enjoy watching sitcoms and ANY film!!

that’s all~ thank you so much coco! i’m so excited for this 🤍 all the love and happy valentine’s day~ i hope you have a lovely day!

hello love! thanks for participating in stupid cupid! I hope you've had fun and enjoy it!

your match is...oikawa!

game #1 - when i first read your response my mind kept saying another boy but as I read deeper into it my mind changed and went straight to our resident pretty boy! i bet you have impeccable taste in clothes much like he does so he'd love any kind of apparel you gift him :) sweater, hoodie, etc! he would love it! when you mentioned a gift that he would need, I just couldn't stop thinking how much he'd love it! he plays volleyball and often things happen that end up having players to buy new headphones, equipment, etc. so I whole heartedly think he'd love any of what you give him!! to he honest he'd probably do the same for you and I just know he listens so he'd definitely get you something you need or he thinks you need. tooru gives me the "i pretend I don't like sweets but I really do" vibes and I can 100% say he'd love the bento cakes, would even tease the boys about how cool you are and how delicious they are :) - (i apologize if that was a lot but I really appreciate your answer! it was super detailed and helped me match you efficiently!)

game #2 - the moment you play this song for him he will forever associate it with you and all your happy memories! from laying under the stars and basking in one another to days out with the team and you supporting the, he will absolutely love this song, and he'll definitely love that you call him pretty :)

game #3 - you sound so sweet! (personally I'd 100% befriend you!) I just know oikawa absolutely adores everything about you. he's an adventurous boy himself so if you walked up to him and said "hey let's go explore" he'd agree in a heartbeat! i canon him to be one of those plant dads since it makes him feel like he has some consistency in his life and I think you'd definitely help him with it, he'd start to associate you with consistency and it's true love! as you mentioned you're a jokester and oiks is not unfamiliar with joking with his buddies so I wouldn't be surprised if he ropes you into pulling small jokes/pranks in your friend groups (often ending in iwa chasing you two around...oops?). traveling is a big thing for you two, oikawa plays volleyball and he's damn good at it so he gets many opportunities to travel anywhere and everywhere, for games, events, etc. and you're always by his side, he never wants to go anywhere without you! he knows your love for traveling and makes sure to include you when he travels! overall oikawa would be your perfect match, no doubt about it!

thank you for participating and I hope you've enjoyed your time on 'stupid cupid' !! also thank you for the detailed response, it was greatly appreciated :)