#diamond burr

[chimerical-creations]

Bindrune design and variant made for @rabidpelican. Black and white glass stones engraved by hand with a Dremel and diamond burr, and coloured in with metallic green porcelain paint.

[dingustripas]

I just finished watching Glass Onion for the third time so now you get to hear my rant about it but the details are out of order in the timeline because I’m lazy

(SPOILERS AHEAD)

When Miles lifts the gun off of Duke, we can actually see it pre-Blanc explaining it. The scene where the two hug you can see Miles take the gun and slip it into the back of his jeans.

Following the gun thing, we, the viewers actually SEE the gun itself (pre-Blanc’s explanation) when Miles goes back to the mini bar to put it in the ice bucket. Although it’s kind of hard to see it’s very clearly a gun but our eyes manipulate our minds into thinking it’s a drink because it is indeed a minibar.

They show how Miles places the drink in Dukes hand pre Blanc’s explanation but quickly distract us with the groups dynamic and Birdie.

Phillip is skeptical of Helen when she asks for Blanc, we can assume that he and Blanc have had negative run ins with people from jobs. Also Phillip might be judging Helen’s character, who she is, because he doesn’t want to put Blanc into a situation where he’s in true danger. He’s a detective not Batman.

Birdies mask at the beginning of the movie at the boat is just fucking chains across her face in diamond pattern.

Blanc doesn’t have a gag reflex when the dude in the white suit puts Miles “covid vax” down his throat. (Bc he’s 🏳️‍🌈)

Andi, when she first comes up with the idea for Alpha and starts working with Miles, is wearing dark colors. The dark blue pinstripe suit, her completely black ensamble when we see her at the Glass Onion (the bar). But when she’s challenging Miles she’s wearing both Black and white. At the trial she’s wearing a light almost off white suit. Why is this important? Because what color is Helen wearing when she shuts miles down? White. The color white is, in itself, a color that symbolizes Miles downfall.

Connecting back to the white idea, Whiskey is wearing all white (her bathing suit) when she reveals crucial information about Miles giving her the Taurus necklace for her birthday. (Which leads to his downfall when Blanc puts 2+2 together that he killed Andi)

“Im really bad at dumb things” -Blanc. The reason he didn’t catch on to what was going on with Miles earlier was because Miles is stupid. Miles is so dumb that he fucking befuddled Blanc because Miles is so stupid.

Blanc isn’t uncomfortable about his arousal around Birdie when she put her legs up on him while Miles talks about being ‘Disrupters’. He’s uncomfortable because he’s GAY and has a BOYFRIEND/HUSBAND.

There’s a bunch of owls and small trinkets of birds in Birdies room.

The movie, at the very beginning, with Miles mystery invitation box thing hints at where the envelope is hidden. The fibonacci sequence on the box has the center blocked out in black, where we will later see in the film is red which is where Miles is hiding the envelope. For fucks sake the movie even goes out of its way, with Dukes mother, to point out the sequence. (“The first one’s a fibonacci sequence” -Dukes mom).

During the dinner Whiskey is wearing the same golden chain body jewelry that Birdie was wearing earlier at the pool. So this could mean two things: 1. They have the same chain and 2. Whiskey borrowed the chain from Birdie.

Now connecting to my first point about the chain jewelry above. The reason why Miles likes Whiskey, despite her sleeping with him for the sake of Dukes channel, is because Whiskey reminds him of younger Birdie. Birdie even talks to Peg about how dazzled and amazed Miles was when he first met her and how she wishes it was like that again. Then when they’re smashing the glass sculptures, the first thing Whiskey smashes is a sculpture of a bird. Hence smashing Miles perception of her as another person he can use like he used Birdie.

“You have him turn around so he can have deniability” -Aaron Burr in Hamilton (Basically what Blanc was thinking when he walked out of the room)

When Blanc is trying to light his cigar in the “Smokeless garden” the reason the alarms go off is because because just the smoke and small flames from Blanc’s cigar could cause “another Hindenburg”.

The ending scene with Helen and Blanc after Blanc asks her if she’s ready to go home, Helen’s sitting stance mimics the Mona Lisa. Miles said “It all started with her” in reference to his success being inspired by the Mona Lisa. But it all ended with Helen and her stance at the end mimicking the Mona Lisa is meant to represent that. The beginning and end of Miles Bron.

Blanc refers to alchol as offering Helen “some courage”. Ofc as we all know alcohol is commonly referred to as “Liquid Courage”.

We should’ve known Miles was the killer for this simple reason: The glass he handed to Duke. Duke dying holding Miles’s glass is literally like a signed note. Duke died with Miles name literally written on the crime scene.

[asgards-princess-of-mischief]

Last Updated: 2024-02-01

Disclaimer: I am not the author of these stories, just sharing my favourite Johnathan Pine stories. Find the authors' links below. If you want your work removed, message me privately.

Legend: 〔E〕 ⇢ Erotic/Steamy | 〔F〕 ⇢ Fluff | 〔A〕 ⇢ Angst/Hurt 〔M〕 ⇢ Minor Angst/Hurt | 〔C〕 ⇢ Comfort | ♥︎ ⇢ Established Relationship | 𑁍 ⇢ Pregnancy/Children | 🚫 ⇢ Content Warning

✑ Cleaning Up by thezombieprostitute • 〔F᜶M〕 •

Summary: Something is budding between you and the new night manager at the hotel.

✑ Duty of Care by muddyorbsblr • 18+ • 〔A᜶C〕 •

Summary: "After Pine rescues you from a bloodthirsty mafia leader, he confesses his feelings for you while tending to your wounds."

✑ Holiday in Cario by iwillbeinmynest • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "Your friend invites you on a trip overseas but when she all but [ditches you] you find yourself in a rather uncomfortable position. Lucky for you the hotel [night manager] comes to your rescue."

✑ I Won't Let Go by holdmytesseract • 〔F᜶M〕 •

Summary: “Angela convinced Jonathan to attend a event - held by the Riverhouse, to take his mind off his lovesickness. Unbeknowst to him, you have a gig on exactly that event...”

✑ Leave Me Wanting More by the-purity-pen • 18+ • 〔E〕 •

Summary: Months of mutual pining finally culminate in a passionate encounter, but Jonathan makes sure to leave you wanting more…

✑ Mission Comes First, the by holymultiplefandomsbatman • 16+ • 〔A〕 • ♥︎ • 🚫 •

Summary: "Jonathan met you long before he came in contact with Angela Burr. When he goes undercover, you join him. Unfortunately, Roper catches and then tortures you to find out who sent you... while Jonathan has to stand by and watch, just like he promised you. The mission comes first, no matter what."

✑ Mr. Pine by sserpente • 18+ • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "Imagine surprising… your boyfriend at his workplace,… a fancy hotel in Switzerland and getting him all worked up by repeatedly calling him Mr. Pine.

✑ My Dearest Diamond by five-miles-over • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "After nearly two years… [you and Jonathan] rekindled your love via handwritten letters, until you [plan a] trip to London to see him. As he prepares [for your arrival], Jonathan reflects on his relationship with you …[carrying] out one last errand before you land."

✑ Paris by muddyorbsblr • 〔E᜶F〕 •

Summary: "After spending the last few hours pretending to be a loving couple while on a mission in Paris, Jonathan decides to lose himself in the fantasy of having you to himself."

✑ Pine by devilbat • 18+ • 〔E᜶F〕 •

Summary: After rescuing you from kidnappers, your father hires Jonathan to be your bodyguard allowing the two of you to grow close. One night, he breaks into your room, asking you to trust him, and although the attack left you wary of the world, you know one thing for sure: Jonathan will always keep you safe.

✑ Saviour by sserpente • 〔E᜶F᜶A〕 •

Prompt(s): "Imagine Jonathan Pine saving your life after you end up going after the same target."

✑ Secrets￨Prt. II by strangerquinns • 18+ • 〔E᜶A〕 • ♥︎ •

Prompt(s): "So desperate for it, aren't you? Well, if you want it so bad you'd better start taking it." + "Look at you, grinding against everything, you're really desperate for it. Aren't you?"

✑ Sleepy by thehiddlebums • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Prompt(s): "Your lover is snoring quietly and you can't help but giggle because it's so cute" + "Laughing at their messy hair in the morning."

✑ Slow Your Roll by ladyfluff • 〔C〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: Exhausted and confined to the house after surgery, Jonathan shows you unwavering care and support on your shared journey to recovery.

✑ Summer in Majorca by smolvenger • 18+ • 〔F᜶A〕 •

Summary: "A trip to Spain alongside Roper and his crew had you cross paths with a man mysterious as he is kind and heroic as he is handsome. He goes by Thomas and then Andrew [but is] secretly named Jonathan. You find yourself blossoming feelings for him. [However,] it seems he has eyes for Jed and not you..."

✑ A Complete Surprise by wickednerdery •

✑ After Glow by holdmytesseract • 〔C〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Andy & Liv￨Prt. II by ladyfloriographist • 〔F᜶M〕 •

✑ Buh-nana. by ladyfluff • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Dirty Talk by fadingfics • 18+ • 〔E᜶A〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Good Enough to Eat

✑ Home Before You Know It￨Prt. II by just-the-hiddles • 18+ • 〔F᜶A〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Life with You by lokispet-blog1 • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Not Alone by holdmytesseract • 〔C〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Paper Hearts and Glitter Glue by ladyfluff • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Photographic Evidence by ladyfluff • 〔A〕 • ♡ •

✑ Short and Sweet Fuse by ladyfluff • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Sneaking Around by anonymousfiction211 • 16+ • 〔E᜶A〕 •

✑ So Much More by five-miles-over • 〔F᜶M〕 •

✑ Step Outside by ladyfluff • 〔E᜶C〕 •

✑ Way You Look at Me, the by jewels2876 • 〔E〕 •

✑ Welcome to the World by holdmytesseract • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Will You Marry Me? by ladyfluff • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Within the Strongbox of My Heart by frostbitten-written • 〔A〕 • ♡ •

✑ You by imagine-upon-a-star • 〔A〕 • ♥︎ •

See Also: Navigation || Jonathan Pine Master Index

Authors: @anonymousfiction211 || @devilbat || @fadingfics || @five-miles-over || @frostbitten-written || @holdmytesseract || @holymultiplefandomsbatman || @imagine-upon-a-star || @iwillbeinmynest || @jewels2876 || @just-the-hiddles || @ladyfloriographist || @ladyfluff || @lokispet-blog1 || @muddyorbsblr || @smolvenger || @sserpente || @strangerquinns || @the-purity-pen || @thehiddlebums || @thezombieprostitute || @wickednerdery ||

[rom-e-o]

Just for us. (Modern AU) (Constance and Ebenezer)

I'm feeling rested and wanted to bring another fluffy, slightly spicy, saccharine sweet story for these two cute-patooties. 💗 

This fic is 18+ and includes sexual, post-coital scenarios and descriptions (nothing is explicit, but better safe than sorry, haha).

Full fic is below the cut.

The distant honking of a car horn was not the best way to awaken from an otherwise peaceful slumber, but it was Constance’s fault for falling asleep with the bedroom window ajar.

Hours before, she’d opened the window to enjoy the evening’s spring breeze. After all, she and her husband had just emerged from a fête held by the Lord Mayor himself. While it had been a beautiful event, it had felt like a crime to spend the golden midday inside. She had basked in the sun during the brief walk to the private car, and again when they returned to the flat and she entered the bedroom.

It was spring – a magical time of year where the skies stayed light blue even late into the evenings, and clouds rolled over from angelic white to a deep mauve. When the sun set at the perfect angle, the light dappled across the airy shapes in kisses and crescents as pink in color as strawberry cream.

The air wasn’t as sweet-smelling in London as it was in the upstate New York countryside – where honeysuckle grew unhindered, and the humidity thickened the nectar-tinted air into honey – but it was enough. She’d opened the shades and leaned into the light, still in her glittering gown and diamond choker.

Moments later, her husband had followed her. He slowly walked up behind her, giving her time to notice his presence before he reached out to hold her. Once his arms were about her svelte waist, he proceeded to place kisses upon her bare shoulder as they looked over the sunset.

He then hummed against her skin, the burr sending a ripple of gooseflesh across her tanned, freckled body.

“Gorgeous,” he had whispered, both in regarding to the view and the woman resting betwixt his arms. “Bloody gorgeous, you are.”

He nosed her neck, encouraging her to tilt her head back. She did so, and he inhaled a heavy lungful of her tangerine and vanilla perfume like it was pure oxygen. After doing so, he kissed the velvety skin, and Constance practically melted.

Moments later, his kisses upon her neck traversed a path from her sun-warmed shoulders. He noticed she had a bit of a sunburn on the protruding edges of her clavicle, right where the sun could caress the skin directly. He didn’t touch the skin as to not irritate it further, but made a mental note to apply some aloe there later.

After giving the flesh there bouts of proper worship, he moved to her lips. When their mouths met, it was his turn to whisper praise. His soulful voice created the most stunning moans when their mouths and bodies met, which she eagerly swallowed and returned with her own expressions of heady praise.

His hands remained wrapped around her waist, nestled around the narrowest part of her, even as she turned in his arms to help deepen their kiss.

After returning his enthusiasm and adoration tenfold with her hips and hands, he lifted her and carried her to the canopied, four-post bed behind them. It was a short journey, but that didn’t mean it didn’t require ceremony. For him, every moment with her called for cheers and celebration, as well as a flair of romanticism. If his former self could only see him now, he’d be disgusted … then secretly jealous.

With a twirl and a laugh, she landed on her back … and stayed in exactly that position through the rest of the evening.

Then, later that night, the spell was broken by a car alarm.

Groggy from the interruption, Constance glanced up and over to the antique clock her fiancé kept on his bedside table. The hands reflected a somber reality in their crooked placement; it was five past three o’clock in the morning.

The alarm was distant, but persistent enough to be annoying.

Did she really need to shut the window? Perhaps she could ignore it.

… It was quite persistent, unfortunately. It wasn’t one of those steady alarm tones that eventually blended out with the other ambient noise, like the hum of cicadas. No. This alarm had a rhythmic, pulsing tone that made it impossible to get used to.

She’d get it in a moment, she decided. Just ten more seconds, she concluded. She was so warm and comfortable.

After hitting the metaphorical ‘snooze’ button for the decision at hand, she allowed her head to drift back down toward the bed. Her copper curls cascaded down her back and curled into her peripheral vision in the form of lightly tousled spirals.  

When she felt her cheek collide with cologne-scented flesh instead of bedsheets, she paused. With a hum, she lifted her head again and directed her gaze to the top of the bed.

She found herself laying atop her husband, her cheek pressed to his chest and her bosom weighty against his abdomen. Her arms had found purchase wrapped around his torso. His legs caged her on either side. His spent cock nudged the softness of her bare stomach. His hand, large and lightly calloused, rested upon her upper back, his long fingers splayed across the planed of her shoulder blades. The placement was equal parts tender and protective, as he held her tightly enough to keep her close, but not secure enough to keep her captive.

He stirred sleepily as he felt her move. Blinking awake, he slowly lifted his head and glanced around. Reality slowly coalesced around him in blurring flashes of lightly and shifting shapes of shadows.

Upon laying eyes on her, a grin caressed his cheekbones. Somehow, his jaw remained sharp, even when his brow and the wrinkles around his eyes softened during slumber.

“Well, well. Good morning.”

His grip tightened around her, and he let out a pleasant hum. “And what a lovely sight to awaken to, I’d say. I could get quite used to this.”

His voice was still groggy from sleep, and his adorable smile caused a matching one to bloom upon her own face. By reflex alone, she reached a hand up to caress his cheek. He tilted his head to burrow against her hand, his sideburn scrubbing her palm as he did so. She giggled, slightly ticklish and enjoying the sensation all the same, stroked his cheekbone with the tip of her thumb.

“Good morning,” she whispered back, “Albeit barely.”

His confusion was belated as he registered the darkness of the room. His icy gaze darted to the window, noting the blue-pink swirl of the pre-dawn sky. Then, and only then, did the sound of the alarm seem to register.

With the next strident blare, understanding touched his gaze. “Ah.”

“Ah.” Constance chuckled as she parroted him. Crawling up hand over hand, she aligned their bodies so they could be eye-to-eye.

He scooted over to make room for her on the large pillow he relined against.

“One of the cons of living in a city, I suppose,” he said, rolling over onto his side to better face her. “Noise. People. Cars. The tube.”

As soon as she laid her head down, she turned her nose toward the fabric and inhaled the scent of cologne, musk, and him. “Mmhmm.”

“Though, I suppose you’re used to it, living in New York before London.”

“A little bit,” she said, shrugging guiltily. “I’ll confess, the sound woke me up a few moments ago, but I’m finding it a tad hard to get out of bed.”

He laughed and placed a kiss atop her crown, between the part on her slightly waved bangs. “Understandable. I’m certainly in no hurry for you to go anywhere either.”

“Here, let me…”

As Constance rose from the bed, beautifully nude before the window, Ebenezer was quick to wrap and arm about her waist and pull her back. She giggled as she felt him tuck her back in so he could sit up and reach for his dressing gown, which had been discarded nearby.

“We’re quite high up,” she said, “Nobody would see, sweetheart.”

“I’m sure you’re right, but just in case.”

The woman wasn’t going to opt out of any reason to stay in bed. The comfortable position was made all the better by the pleasant view she had of his wide back, long legs and adorable bum as he pulled on his robe. Such a simple task still caused his back muscles to ripple pleasantly, even concealed beneath the shimmering brocade of silk. Her fingers tightened their grip on the sheets slightly as she recounted every moment his fingers had skimmed the planes of his back, sometimes to hug him close, and other times to hold on when he felt like the sturdiest rock in the universe.

Once the robe was fastened about his svelte waist, he stood and went to the window. Pulling it shut and latching it back into place, he then backtracked to the bed. While doing so, he undid the ties on the bedpost in the upper right corner of the bed, which was nestled right near the headboard.

The velvet bed curtain fell back with a swoosh, casting a long shadow across the bed. She felt the weight of her fiancée tip the mattress as he climbed back onto the mattress. While he had opted to leave his robe on, Constance still ushered him back under the covers to cuddle. He, of course, obliged happily.

Once they settled, her head resting over his chest and their legs in a tangle, he let out a content sigh.

Darkness shrouded them in intimate secrecy, and a soft silence hummed through the room.

Constance purred her appreciation. “Thank you. That’s so much better.”

He couldn’t help but agree. It was better, but not just because the sound of the alarm had ceased.

“You know, it’s a pity it’s so early,” he croaked, a yawn nearly cutting his sentence off early.

“Why?”

“I’d like to stay awake a little longer. Enjoy this.”

She tilted her head back so she could lay her chin on his chest and stare up at him. Her cornflower blue eyes coaxing further explanation from him.

“Not that I mind showing the world that I’m engaged to a human Aphrodite,” he started, his voice shifting to a pleasant burr, “But this ... moments like this are what I treasure most.”

Ebenezer was a man who had spent many decades of his life alone and in complete solace. He’d grown used to not having another soul to whisper platitudes to or confide secrets in. When amazing news crossed his desk, there was nobody to call to share it with. His brother, of course, but he had his own life.

Now, Constance was part of his life, just as she was part of his.

“It’s just us here,” he whispered. “It … calms me. I never thought I’d feel so comfortable being so close to another person, but now that you’re here, I-I … love being with you. I like sharing moments with only you and keeping little moments like this to ourselves. Like little secrets.”

The words softened her already tender heart further.

 “Perhaps that sounds childish.” The admission came after a beat of silence.

“No,” she said, and the comment was genuine. “I understand what you mean. At least, I think I do.”

“Really?”

With a nod, she continued, “It’s like we’re sharing little love notes. When we’re declaring our love publicly by getting married and wearing rings, and doing the grand photoshoot for the local newsmagazines –”

“Oh, blast, I forgot about that.”

“—but those little gestures are nice to keep private. Just for us.”

He paused to taste the words on his tongue. “Just for us. Yes. Like feeling you under these blankets.” Scars, stubble and all.

“Or knowing all your favorite foods and sweets by heart.” Cognac, oysters, and sturgeon caviar.

“Or knowing the places where you’re secretly sunburnt.” Shoulders, and right above your bum.

“You saw?”

“Of course.”

After momentary shock, she laughed musically. “You always do.”

“Always.” The words settled comfortably over his heart as she laid her head down again on his chest. “Hey.”

She glanced up again, only for him to bring their lips together in a surprising kiss. It was dark, so his lips grazed the corner of her mouth at first, which resulted in a soft giggle. They swiftly corrected, aligning their lips and sharing a lingering but chaste kiss.

When they parted, Ebenezer raised a hand to her chest.

There, squarely over her heart, he wrote, “I love you.”

Another secret love note.

Realizing they’d be working themselves into an early morning sweat if they kept kissing, they mutually relented and sank back onto the mattress. After the exhaustion of the evening prior, sleep returned to the pair quite easily.

When the morning did come, Ebenezer stole out of bed at the first opportunity to head into the flat’s large kitchen. Once there, he filled a MacKenzie-Childs kettle (green with a purple and red floral pattern) and put it on heat. Then, he set their coffee pot to start brewing a fresh pot. He’d have his tea, and she’d have her drip coffee. Just like always. To him, it was routine poetry at this point.

After setting out their mugs, he reached for kitchen shears from the knife rack near the sink.

The walk to the flat’s balcony was short. The space was large, modern, and adorned with a modest smattering of plants that decorated it. Neither of them had the greenest thumb, but the smattering of practical offerings that grew in the heavily shaded space suited them just fine.

He walked to one plant in particular, and after a moment of examination, he clipped something off the end.

By the time Constance had awakened from the aroma of percolating coffee, Ebenezer returned to their bedchamber with another love note in hand.

On this occasion, it came in the form of an aloe leaf.

Thank you for reading! I had a ton of fun here but I always do with these guys and their world, haha.

What are your favorite foods? Mine are poi, M&Ms, mangoes, and musubi (preferably fresh from the convenience store).

TAGS: @quill-pen, @crimson-phantom-designs, @thedivinelights

[ad-caelestia]

catalysts in witchcraft

a catalyst by definition is: a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible.

in spellwork, a catalyst (by my own definition) is something you can use to amplify a spell or ritual and has the potential to manifest results quicker than you would have without a catalyst.

based on my research, all of the correspondences below are associated with either manifestation, energy/power, success; or, some or all of the above.

Botanicals: acorn, allspice, aloe, amber, angelica, balm of gilead, bamboo, belladonna (nightshade), bergamot, black haw, black walnut, carnation, carrot, cedar, centaury, cherry bark, cinnamon, cinquefoil, club moss, coffee, cowslip, cramp bark, daffodil, damiana, dittany, dragon's blood, ebony, echinacea, fig, frankincense, gentian, ginger, goldenseal, ham, hawthorn, lady's mantle, lovage, mastic, mint, mugwort, myrrh, oregano, paprika, parsley, peppermint, red pepper, rowan, sage, sandalwood, spinach, st. john's wort, star anise, sunflower, tangerine, vanilla, walnut, witches burr, wormwood (absinthe)

Crystals: amazonite, aventurine, carnelian, cinnabar, citrine, garnet, goldstone, herkimer diamond, honey calcite, lapis lazuli, pyrite, quartz, red jasper, sunstone, tiger's eye, yellow jasper

Colors: magenta, red, orange

Lunar phases: blue moon, full moon, black moon

Day of the week: sunday, monday, tuesday

Planet: sun, moon, mars, pluto

Constellation: andromeda, cetus, corona borealis, crux, draco, eridanus, hydra, hydrus, leo, lupus, orion, perseus, the pleiades, sagittarius, taurus

Zodiac sign: aries, leo, scorpio, capricorn

Tarot card: the star, the sun, the world

compiled from my personal grimoire & based on my own associations & research

© 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺 𝙰𝙳-𝙲𝙰𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙰

[witchfall]

speaking of truth

[Chargestep. Rated T. Features lingerie, but not NSFW, because what is River and Ricardo but two people who flout expectations constantly.]

Silk feels nice.

That's the thought she clings to as Ortega stares at her like she's from outer space.

[or read it on ao3]

---

It starts with a magazine ad.

This shouldn't be a surprise, in this damn city, and yet Ricardo still must wrangle the confusion into a tight ball, looking at the lingerie advertisement River is holding before him, pointing at it with a delicate, pale finger.

"Do you like this?" she asks, like an interrogation.

"Uh," he says. 

Her mouth flickers into a half-smirk, half-shocked grin. "Is that yes?"

"You mean the underwear, right?"

She taps him under the chin with the magazine as a warning. He bites back his own smile.

"I would like it better if you were wearing it," he says, sly and smooth and slippery.

He braces himself for a full smack of the magazine, but he is spared this time; instead, he is captured by the wavering vulnerability of her lip. Slipped between her teeth. Back out again.

"Oh yeah? Is that what you'd like?" Half thrown as an insult, half challenge.

To which he could only swallow air and say, "It only matters what you like."

"Whatever," she snaps with no heat. But the energy settles around her, lightning gone to rest. A decision, marked by orange-mottled cheeks. "You buy it, then."

She sets the magazine on the coffee table, curls into his side like a burr, and leaves it at that.

--

He baits her curiosity expertly.

He has played this game long enough that he is the top-record holder in River coaxing; king code-breaker in River-centered magnetism. The right lure and he can capture the glimmer in her gray eyes, caught on something she won't let go, and then, not long after that, he can touch the soft, furious center she hides under porcelain stillness.

But she is the tactician of the two of them. So he has to act carefully.

He left the box, adorned with pretty black lace, under the same coffee table where the magazine fell, tempting her curiosity with it -- because how often does he leave things out like this, so fakely surreptitiously? This is how he plays the gift-giving game with her. Her heart doesn't know what to do with love so brightly woven into a gift directly handed to her, and more often than not, she defaults to a blank, teary-eyed state that makes him feel guilty.

This is better. She likes games. She likes surprising him back -- quietly showing off the gift, whatever it is. A tennis bracelet, icy diamonds on warm gold, glittering on her bony wrist (the fanciest thing she would allow him to spend his god-forsaken money on). A quirky baseball cap for a team she liked ironically, suddenly worn as she enters their bedroom, ready for sleep, just to make him laugh.

He has yet to figure out what he will do about a ring. No. That's another time.

So this...

Well, he does not expect his comeuppance so quickly.

He comes home early from the kind of day that is mostly sending emails and pinning leads on the board. He opens the door, fumbling with the lock while he holds a bag of food in his arm, yelling for her in the way that has become commonplace, the way he never thought he'd be able to do because once upon a time he was too stupid to believe their time could be limited (even though he knows, keenly, the ways life stops short). "River! Did you eat lu--"

Cut off by the sudden, iridescent flash of blue-shimmering silk darting into the bedroom and flinging the door shut behind her.

His heart takes off in five directions at once. His body functions like there's an emergency, depositing the food thoughtlessly on the counter, before he takes three large, bounding steps to his bedroom door. "...River?"

"I was just trying it on, I didn't...!" A shrill yell, and then a growly, high-pitched sigh through the door. "Why are you here?"

"Because I live here?"

He at least hears a cut-off snort of a laugh from that one. His panic subsides immediately -- and curdles into something else. "I mean, you're early," she mutters.

"Work was boring."

Nothing in answer.

"I was hungry," he continues. "And I thought to myself, you know who I bet got caught tinkering with her machines again and didn't eat? My girl, Red."

That usually does it. My girl, Red. Something about it softens the edge of her, makes her melt back into smiling at him. This time, he hears a sound like....groaning.

Well. He shifts onto a foot. "I can...leave?"

"No!" A single, snapped off syllable.

And then the door is yanked open to reveal a river nymph, trapped in his home.

She stares at him, face flushed, silvery-blue silk robe wrapped tight around her willowy middle. Her freckles look half ready to leap from her skin, sharp against her mottled, pale face, orange enough that she may be close to combusting. Her hair -- that fine copper close to strawberry blonde in the Los Diablos summer -- drapes around her face and shoulders in tempting sheets.

Her small mouth, curved in protective fury. Her eyes, glowing like the silver threads in her robe.

"Don't even start," she says, sharp.

He is fine with that. He does not, exactly, remember what 'start' even means. Not when an image from his long-dead, recently-revived dreams, stands in his doorway like she's thinking of how to hit him on the head.

--

Silk feels nice.

That's the thought she clings to as Ortega stares at her like she's from outer space. Silk feels nice. It's cool against her skin, which is nice because that skin feels too warm, and it's nice because she can hold it like a shield against her tattoos, just like with most clothes, except this time it’s only the thin sheet of silk protecting her skin from visibility and...

Silk feels nice. Silk feels nice.

The bra straps feel strange, scratchy on her skin. She's small enough everywhere that some days she can get away with wearing no bra at all. She's nothing like the voluptuous mistresses Ortega surely paraded about with in the past; the bra is more like a fancy couple of triangles, there for modesty. Why do people decide to do this for fun?

"River..."

Ah. That's why.

The choked sound of his voice makes her freeze up, but in a pleasant way. She holds still, hoping she isn't dreaming all of a sudden.

His hand hovers midair, like she's trapped behind glass. It's just the robe he can see -- just snatches of her bare shoulders and knees and collarbones -- and he's already like this. "Can I..."

A kernel of heat unrolls in her gut. She grabs his hand. Gently. Tries not to think about the way his eyes track the bit of robe that slips from her control. "It took me an hour to figure out how to put this on. We are going to eat first."

"I can think of something else we can-"

"No."

But damn him, she's smiling.

--

The tactical reason for this is because it's funny as shit. Maybe that's reason enough.

She pointed to one of the dining room chairs and Sparkles sat down like a good boy, legs wide in an invitation she promptly ignored.

And so now she is sitting at the ass-end of the table eating her panini while wearing lingerie that cost an amount of money she couldn't have fathomed for underwear, probably getting crumbs all over it, her knees curled up into her chest as she hums and eats and doesn't look at him.

"You aren't eating," she says, mouth full. She chances a glance at him and he watches her with a dreamy look on his face, head cradled in his palm.

"I'm having a great time watching one of my oldest fantasies come to life, actually."

Her skin warms. Again. "Me sitting in underwear at your table?"

"You sitting in underwear at my table while eating food I brought for you, yes, exactly. Glad we're –" He dodges a cherry tomato thrown at his ear. " –on the same page."

"Idiot. I'm not coming over there until you eat."

"Not falling for this one again, though you do tempt me so well."

Her smiles come faster these days, like in the Before times. Less ice and crust to cut through, melted away by ozone and laughter. "But I'll still have to wait 30 minutes…"

"Mi vida, we aren't going swimming."

Everytime he uses that name for her, a hook pulls, right in her gut, but instead of a wince of pain like she's so long expected, her body starts to go slack. Betraying her to an ocean of warmth, writhing inside her.

"Whatever," she says again. "There are rules."

"Always rules with you, my homebound little anarchist."

His smile is beatific and white as light. It turns blinding in her peripheral when she unfurls her legs from her body, placing her feet flat on the floor, and stretches.

Breathe. Everyone knows the game here. Everyone knows you are doing this on purpose, to rile him up by a full view of your waist, by letting the light skim across the silk and the slight swells of your body and shadow of your bones. That's what he gets for teasing you. This is definitely all a punishment for him and not…

Not…

Therapy. For you.

That takes the wind out of her sails a little bit. Thinking about it.

Ricardo notices immediately, because of course he does. “Oh, hey. Hey. What happened?”

She gestures blandly to the screaming orange markings that crawl over her body. Complex circuitry she wishes could disappear, and yet…here she is, almost goddamn naked. A fully unshaded window is right behind her. There’s a joke in here somewhere. She will find it. Give her a moment.

“I dreamed of this too, you know,” are the words that fall out of her mouth.

Damn it.

She swivels her head to look at him, eyes wide, but he is completely still, brimming with expectation and curiosity and interest in her feelings. She could drown in those brown eyes and no one would ever know.

She groans. "Therapy has ruined me. Now it just all comes out like…puke."

He does laugh, so it wasn’t a complete failure. “Come here.”

“I did, though,” she says. “Dream of it.” She rises from her chair and uses her hands to sweep crumbs off her tiny excuses for titties and uses the movement to get the fucking words out. “Spent a lot of time. Thinking about a world where this could happen.”

“Me too, funnily enough. Do you think we met up?”

She chances another glance at him, at his strange teasing. It’s the shadows in his expressions that always interest her — the hints of the things he thinks he can keep out of her reach. Her arms linger in front of her navel, wrapping around her waist, while she rolls forward onto the balls of her feet. It’s her attempt at reflecting back his body language. His head, still on his palm. A fist on one knee. Foot tapping out some wild rhythm.

“That’s cute,” she says flatly.

He extends an arm out, mouth curving into a smile she absolutely does not trust.

“I mean it, you dickhead,” she says, smiling back despite herself. “I’m being serious.”

“I know,” he says softly. “I’m proud of you.”

And he means it, which makes her lip do that thing where it trembles like the fucking earth. She bites down on it, hard.

“River.”

She lets go. No blood this time. “You aren’t going to believe me when I say this.”

“Try me.”

“But I think this…outfit. Is helping.”

He does not say anything to that just yet, which feels like a win, finally, so she takes another tentative step toward him and then another and another until her thighs bump his knee.

“I’m already basically naked so what the hell else can happen to me. You know. I can just say…things and it doesn’t feel like I have to make a thousand calculations about what I intend to mean because I’m already. You know. I’m…”

She’s getting somewhere with this, she knows it. Her eyes narrow, but for once, not at him. To his credit, he’s kept very still, despite the heat rolling off his body.

“It’s easier to tell the truth when it feels like you have nothing to lose,” he says.

Truth without fear. Faith in what's said. This is their homework for the rest of their lives.

She puts her hands on her hips. She’s a living, red reed of a person. She doesn’t curve so much as jut out, sharp and angular and thin. And once upon a time, that was a defense against the worst that the Farm could offer. And once upon another time, she cursed this body in the mirror, thinking of Los Diablos’s most eligible bachelor smiling at some new woman, soft and lovely and smooth. Tall, usually. Can’t forget that.

The opposite of her, in every respect.

But now, these days, in this strange future she’s living in that broke all her expectations, she is certain that no other person has made his face do that.

Because they were the opposite of her for a reason.

“So what do you think?” she asks, finally.

He tilts his head.

She can't help it. She grimaces. She grabs his hand, the one knocking his knee, and squeezes it tight until the fear passes because she knows by now they both need it when her face twists up like that.

That old fear says he doesn't see the whole of her, just what he wants to see. No. Not true, she says back, not true. Look at her. Look. Isn't this proof enough?

“You aren’t going to believe me when I say this,” he says, voice low.

And something in his tone does it.

She sits on his thigh and crosses her arms over her chest and closes her eyes and nods. One of his hands braces her bare lower back and the other snakes around to her far shoulder, melting her fully into the solidity of him — his heat lightning, his musk, his certainty settled after years of erosion and cracks. “Try it now,” she says.

“Like a dream,” he says. “You’re like a dream.”

[absolutebl]

Tagged by @he-is-lightning-in-a-bottle thanks!

Here's the BL version!

coffee or tea

early bird or night owl

chocolate or vanilla

Sa-stawh-burr-eeee!

spring or fall

silver or gold

one silver dangly earring

pop or alternative

freckles or dimples

snakes or sharks

mountains or fields

thunder or lightning

egyptian mythology or greek mythology

ivory or scarlet

flute or lyre

opal or diamond

butterflies or honeybees

macarons or eclairs

typewritten or handwritten

secret garden or secret library

rooftop or balcony

spicy or mild

opera or ballet

london or paris

vincent van gogh or claude monet

denim or leather

potions or spells

ocean or desert

mermaids or sirens

masquerade ball or cocktail party

Here's just me:

Coffee or tea | early bird or night owl | chocolate or vanilla fruit | spring or fall | silver or gold | kpop or alternative| freckles or dimples | snakes or sharks | mountains or fields | thunder or lightning | egyptian mythology or greek mythology | ivory or scarlet | flute or lyre | opal or diamond | butterflies or honeybees | macarons or eclairs | typewritten or handwritten | secret garden or secret library | rooftop or balcony | spicy or mild | opera or ballet | london or paris | vincent van gogh or claude monet | denim or leather | potions or spells | ocean or desert | mermaids or sirens | masquerade ball or cocktail party

[victoriantreecat]

The wind made fuzzy patterns in the ever falling rain. The gentle shower tossed about before it came down to settle on the crop fields. The wooden parapets and walkways atop the cobbled-together walls were soaked through, water dripping down in dismal rivulets.

Martyn let out a heaving sigh. It was not bad weather, per se, just a little, well, cold and damp. And their little hut with its lattice roof was already full of water pooling in the enchanting well, as he could so clearly see from his perch by the door- the only really dry part in all of Dogwarts today.

The rain started getting a little heavier.

He sighed again, ran his thumb over the engraved blade of his axe, worried at the smeared dried blood that seemed to be sunk into the iridescent blue crystal even days after the test, glanced up at the rain trickling in through the roof, considered going down to the basement, dismissed that idea (the floor must be flooded down there, and the villagers complain like nobody's business when their feet get wet). Better he stayed up here , the drizzle wouldnt stop enemies, much as he would have loved it to. Yes, keep watch up here, protect his home. So he stretched his back and surveyed the misty air of the fort.

A gentle splash sounded beside him, the pattering of paws through a puddle, and he glanced through the latticed wall to see Ren coming up from the basement. Ren was glancing around, seeming to search for something within the rain-soaked walls. A brief smile of affection allowed itself onto Martyn's lips before he schooled himself and called out, accented,

"My liege, where are ye going?"

Ren's ear flicked up, and his shroud swirled around his shoulders as he turned towards the hut's entrance.

"Me hand!" He replied in the same lofty brogue. "I was comin' to find ye, me friend. May I come in?"

Something in his cadence was hesitating, Martyn thought, easily leaning over to lift the door latch.

Ren came around the corner, chill drops of rain starting to dust his crown- the water and the blood starting to flow mingled down. And as they came face to face across the threshold, Martyn felt a dread that he would see his king pierced by an arrow from an archer he had missed in the deepening shadow of this rain. But the king now passed bloodlessly through the doors Martyn held open, to stand cramped in the entry, between the gentle flood on either side. His boots were damp, the basement had indeed been flooded- Ren remarked as such, dropping the accent to a hardly audible burr. Still, that slight awkwardness peeked through.

"Well, me lord, what were you looking for me for then?" He gazed up, waited patiently, silently probed his king's countenance.

"Well uh, so I, I've been setting this up for about a week now, and, um, well I thought that today would be the best day to, well, show it to you…" He trailed off, all traces of his thick accent gone now. This was him honest, then, unreserved and unhidden. And he reached into his belt pocket and brought forth a few tiny pinkish crystals, each with an iridescent blue core.

Martyn stared down at them, poised and curious, as Ren stuttered on.

"They're uh, they're my first time making, like, rock candy." The sticky crystals glinted in the dull rainy light as Ren continued. "With a sugar kinda syrup and some roses I found. Err, yeah."

"Milord, thats genius!" Martyn chuckled, eyebrows raised.

"Er, would you like to try one?" Ren's tail was wagging just slightly. "I uhm, I used little chips of diamond to start them, so dont break your teeth!" His lopsided grin showed a little peek of his canines. Martyn reached out to take one of the tiny grains, marvelling at their ephemeral beauty as he plucked one from Ren's calloused palm.

"They just came out of the syrup, my dude, so they're still a bit, er, sticky." Ren looked a bit sheepish, and at this distance, Martyn could see the pinkish residue pooling on his hands. His own fingers had the stuff on them too.

"Yeah, they sure are," he agreed, before popping the little sweet into his mouth.

It was a starburst of sweetness, rosy and round. It bloomed on his tongue, tasting of spring and sunsets, a gentle reprieve from the cold. It was bliss.

Martyn opened his eyes, let the corners of his mouth relax to a contented smile. He met Ren's eyes through his sunglasses.

"Thank you," he said, quiet as the rain that seemed to soften, falling on the fields. "Thank you, Ren."

[the-worst-bracket]

The Worst Bracket Begins!

Polls are going up starting Wednesday, April 19th, 32 per day! Bracket and list under the cut.

Round 1

Bracket A (4/19-26)

Mineta Minoru (My Hero Academia) v  Anglerfish from Dark Bramble (Outer Wilds)

Iago (Othello) v Barbas (Skyrim)

Brendan (Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) v Mimic (Dark Souls)

Dan (Dan vs) v Pink Diamond (Steven Universe)

Jurgen Litner (The Magnus Archives) v Lily Tucker-Pritchett (Modern Family)

Lonnie Byers (Stranger Things) v Zeus (Greek Mythology)

Lemongrab (Adventure Time) v Steve Cobs (Inanimate Insanity)

Alex Eggleston (Yiik) v Larry Butz (Ace Attorney)

Jerry (Undertale) v Po (Teletubbies)

Billy Hargrove (Stranger Things) v Old Man Who Snitches on Haru (A:TLA)

Kai Winn (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) v Ashfur (Warrior Cats)

Mr. Burns (The Simpsons) v Boscha (The Owl House)

Octavian (Heroes of Olympus) v Makoto Teruhashi (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K)

 Robbie Valentino (Gravity Falls) v Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Walter White (Breaking Bad) v Guy Mortadello (Papa Louie)

Medusa Gorgon (Soul Eater) v Snowball (Pinky and The Brain)

Bracket B (4/19-26)

Rohan Kishibe (JJBA) v Jin Guangshan (The Untamed)

Agravaine (Merlin) v Michael (Wii Sports)

Scout (TF2) v Mitsuhiro Higa (Danganronpa)

Creek (Trolls) v Berdly (Deltarune)

Manfred Von Karma (Ace Attorney) v Jeff Winger (Community)

Nazeem (Skyrim) v David (Animorphs)

Simon Laurent (Infinity Train) v Mayuri Kurotsuchi (Bleach)

Kikimora (The Owl House) v Cronus Ampora (Homestuck)

Michael Tritter (House MD) v The Director (Red v Blue)

Eridan Ampora (Homestuck) v Lila Rossi (Miraculous Ladybug)

Skadge (Star Wars: The Old Republic) v Lord Henry Wotton (The Picture of Dorian Gray)

Claptrap (Borderlands) v Jodie Foster (Dungeons and Daddies)

Bill Hawks (Professor Layton) v Carcer (Discworld)

Bender Bending Rodríguez (Futurama) v Izaya Orihara (Durarara!!)

 Corrin (Fire Emblem) v The Dark Lord (Miitopia)

Cybelle (Carole and Tuesday) v Jasper (Steven Universe)

Bracket C (4/20-27)

Gul Dukat (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) v Admiral Zhao (A:TLA)

Hordak (She-Ra) v Rachel Berry (Glee)

Book (Battle for Dream Island) v Darth Maul (Star Wars)

Jessica (The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself) v Lester Papadopoulos (Trials of Apollo)

Pong Krell (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) v Aaron Burr (Hamilton)

Armand (Vampire Chronicles) v Gamzee Makara (Homestuck)

Dorodoron (Futari wa Precure Splash Star) v Weiss Schnee (RWBY)

Christopher Taub (House MD) v Tate Landon (America Horror Story: Murder House)

Izzy Hands (OFMD) v Princess Daisy (Super Mario Bros)

Spike (MLP:FIM) v Atlas May (Lackadaisy)

Clutch Powers (LEGO Ninjago) v Orin Scrivello (Little Shop of Horrors)

Thanos (MCU) v Minecraft Skeleton (Minecraft)

Frank Burns (M*A*S*H*) v Lieutenant Nolan (Star Wars: The Bad Batch)

Carter Pewterschmit (Family Guy) v Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)

Miyo Takano (Higurashi When They Cry) v Borsolino (One Piece)

Hiyoko Saionji (Danganronpa) v Pennywise (IT)

Bracket D (4/20-27)

Pierce Hawthorne (Community) v Ren (Ren and Stimpy)

Whirlpool (Wings of Fire) v Cinder Falls (RWBY)

Thaddeus Campbell (Dishonored) v The Grabber (Black Phone)

Takumi Ichinose (Nana) v Heimskr (Skyrim)

Gale Weathers (Scream) v Lee Kiyoung (Regressor Instruction Manual)

Ianthe Tridentarius (The Locked Tomb) v Alvin Marsh (IT)

Director Ton (Aggretsuko) v Angelica Pickles (Rugrats)

Pencil (Battle for Dream Island) v Odalia Blight (The Owl House)

Kyubey (Madoka Magica) v Newman (Seinfeld)

Jacob Hill (Abbott Elementary) v Gregory House (House MD)

Rachel (Tower of God) v Monkey D Luffy (One Piece)

Dame Alina (Keeper of the Lost Cities) v Miki Kawai (A Silent Voice)

John Winchester (Supernatural) v Kyouichi Saionji (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

Magikarp (Pokemon) v Hippeux (Animal Crossing)

Elmo (Sesame Street) v Saint Charlos (One Piece)

Melli (Pokemon Legends: Arceus) v Dr. Janet Lubelle (WTNV)

Bracket E (4/21-28)

Martin Blyndeff (Epithet Erased) v The Blue Border (Scott the Woz)

Calico Jack (OFMD) v B.E.N. (Treasure Planet)

Doogal (Doogal) v John Gaius (The Locked Tomb)

Crawlings (The Mysterious Benedict Society) v Liza Lotts (Scott the Woz)

Zolf J Kimblee (FMA) v Baron Draxum (Rise of The TMNT)

Kaito Momota (Danganronpa) v Nandor the Relentless (What We Do In the Shadows)

Logan Roy (Succescion) v Mike Wheeler (Stranger Things)

Fermet (Baccano!) v Seymour Krelborn (Little Shop of Horrors)

Emperor Belos (The Owl House) v Taylor Kelly (9-1-1)

AM (I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream) v Jar Jar Binks (Star Wars)

Stuart Little (Stuart Little) v Vinsmoke Sanji (One Piece)

Bibble (Barbie: Fairytopia) v Dennis Nedry (Jurassic Park)

Byakuya Togami (Danganronpa) v Grima Wormtongue (LOTR)

Moe (Calvin and Hobbes) v Balloon Boy (FNAF)

Felix (Red vs Blue) v Klorgbane the Destroyer (Regular Show)

Bro Strider (Homestuck) v Jughead Jones (Riverdale)

Bracket F (4/21-28)

Count Olaf (A Series of Unfortunate Events) v Mort (Madagascar)

Mantle (Dr Stone) v Phillip Anderson (Sherlock)

Eisuke Hondo (Detective Conan) v Drosselmeyer (Princess Tutu)

Hiram Burrows (Dishonored) v Chat Noir (Miraculous Ladybug)

Vriska Serket (Homestuck) v Prince Diamond (Sailor Moon)

Marty (Steven Universe) v Hibiki Shikyouin (PriPara)

White Diamond (Steven Universe) v Norman Osborn (Marvel)

Stregabor (The Witcher) v Cedric Jeanne Elmir (I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss)

Barney Stinson (HIMYM) v Charlie Bradbury (Supernatural)

Griffith (Beserk) v Chloe Valentine (Be More Chill)

Scott Pilgrim (Scott Pilgrim) v Lionel Luthor (Smallville)

Lydia (Skyrim) v Shadow Weaver (She-Ra)

Rand Ridley (Inside Job) v Jun Kawanakajima (Ultra Maniac)

Krusty the Clown (The Simpsons) v Fire Lord Ozai (A:TLA)

Joseph Sugarman (BoJack Horseman) v Huey Emmerich (Metal Gear)

Anti - Pops (Regular Show) v Kylo Ren (Star Wars)

Bracket G (4/22-29)

Ross Geller (Friends) v Akito Sohma (Fruits Basket)

Henry Bowers (IT) v Junko Enoshima (Danganronpa)

Winner Sinclair (Chibi Vampire) v Evil Do-er/Dark Blue (Animation vs Minecraft)

Clint (Stardew Valley) v Luke Castellan (Percy Jackson)

Kokichi Ouma (Danganronpa) v Colin Robinson (What We Do In The Shadows)

Spy (TF2) v Ghetsis (Pokemon)

Billy (The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy) v Queen Vanessa (A Hat In Time)

Doofus Drake (Ducktales) v Servantis (Ben 10)

Elias Bouchard (The Magnus Archives) v Francisco Guerra (Paranatural)

Tingle (The Legend of Zelda) v Hawt Saus (Chikn Nuggit)

Trishna (Papa Louie) v Mark Brendanawicz (Parks and Recreation)

Unparalleled Innocence (Rain World) v Morgana (Persona 5)

Lady Gisela Sencen (Keeper of the Lost Cities) v Vanitas (Kingdom Hearts)

Suzy Johnston (Phineas and Ferb) v Kaidou Shun (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.)

Souichi (Junji Ito) v Dr Hotti (Ace Attorney)

Morgoth (LOTR) v Sarah (Ed, Edd, and Eddy)

Bracket H (4/22-29)

Han Sooyoung (Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint) v Barney the Purple Dinosaur (Barney)

Andy Bernard (The Office) v Lars Barriga (Steven Universe)

Dio (Zero Escape) v Caillou (Caillou)

Gideon Gleeful (Gravity Falls) v Balgo (Burn the Witch)

Joshu Higashikata (JJBA) v Toby Flenderson (The Office)

Touga Kiryuu (Revolutionary Girl Utena) v Teledji Adeledji (FFXIV)

Chairman Rose (Pokemon) v Donnel Udina (Mass Effect)

Father (FMA) v Harumi (LEGO Ninjago)

Akio Ohtori (Revolutionary Girl Utena) v Richard (Requiem of the Rose King)

Miranjo (Ranking of Kings) v Kray Foresight (Promare)

Xander Harris (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) v The Worst (Ben 10)

Hisoka Morrow (Hunter x Hunter) v Doc Scratch (Homestuck)

Tony Stark (MCU) v Sakura Horuna (Naruto)

Sir Tristan the Cold (Penumbra Podcast) v Clay Puppington (Morel Orel)

Bling Bling Boy (Johnny Test) v George Constanza (Seinfeld)

Quiche (Tokyo Mew Mew) v Enji Todoroki (My Hero Academia)

[mymanyfandomramblings]

character ask game: Lapis Lazuli, Greg (su), Aaron Burr (Hamilton). (you don't have to do all [or any]. it just occurred to me I could ask about Hamilton and then I had to)

Lapis Lazuli

How I feel about this character

I like her. She's not really one of my favourites, but I do like her.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Lapix x Therapy :)

Jokes, but I'm not a big shipper when it comes to SU, and I'm not intrigued by very many Lapis ships

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Platonic Lapidot ftw! I don't want them to be in love, I want them to insane best friend who commit Shenanigans together.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I don't think she was abusive to Jasper, however I definitely don't think she was innocent at all in that relationship.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

We got to see more of her 'adjusting to Earth' arc

Greg Universe

How I feel about this character

I love him. He's my favourite and most beloved SU character. I adore him, and I cannot overstate how much I love him.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Rose Quartz. They truly were made for each other

My non-romantic OTP for this character

I love the Greg-and-Vidalia single-parents friendship. I will always read about them

My unpopular opinion about this character

Not sure I have one.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I wish he got to fight the Diamonds in Reunited along with the CGs and not just hide in the house.

Aaron Burr-Hamilton

How I feel about this character

He has a beautiful singing voice, and is a great foil to Hamilton

All the people I ship romantically with this character

uhhh

I cannot emphasise enough that I'm not really a shipper when it comes to Hamilton

Theodosia, I guess

My non-romantic OTP for this character

I'd like to think that he and James Madison could have been friends

My unpopular opinion about this character

He's sympathetic, but not always in the right

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

that they at all talked about his life post-killing Hamilton

[imvasic]

[ID: Three flags with seven equal horizontal stripes, which are very dark brown, dark brown, brown, blue, light orange, muted orange, and dark orange. In the middle is an off-white diamond with a thin bright blue outline. The first flag has a gray silhouette icon of a kookaburra, and the third flag has a set of tan wings outlined in very dark brown behind the diamond. /End ID.]

kookadernic/alderburra

kookadernic (coo-cuh-der-nick)/alderburra (all-der-burr-uh) - an aldernic term for those who have or wish to have a body related to laughing kookaburras in any way.

("kooka" from "kookaburra" + "dernic" from "aldernic") ("alder" from "aldernic" + "burra" from "kookaburra")

requested by anon! very excited to get a bird related request :] hope you like it!

[chimerical-creations]

Bindrune design for @kestus. Engraved into a glass stone using a Dremel and diamond burr, then painted in with green porcelain paint.

[atom1o6]

PART 2

My Shot LAURENS Ooh, Who are you? MULLIGAN Ooh, Who are you? LAFAYETTE Ooh, Who are you? MULLIGAN/LAFAYETTE/LAURENS Ooh, who is this kid? What’s he gonna do? HAMILTON I am not throwing away my shot! I am not throwing away my shot! Hey yo, I’m just like my country, I’m young, scrappy and hungry, and I’m not throwing away my shot! I’m ‘a get a scholarship to King’s College. I prob’ly shouldn’t brag, but dag, I amaze and astonish. The problem is I got a lot of brains but no polish. I gotta holler just to be heard. With every word, I drop knowledge! I’m a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal tryin’ to reach my goal. My power of speech: unimpeachable. Only nineteen but my mind is older. These New York City streets get colder, I shoulder ev’ry burden, ev’ry disadvantage I have learned to manage, I don’t have a gun to brandish, I walk these streets famished. The plan is to fan this spark into a flame. But damn, it’s getting dark, so let me spell out the name, I am the— HAMILTON/LAFAYETTE/MULLIGAN/LAURENS A-l-e-x-a-n-d e-r—we are—meant to be… HAMILTON A colony that runs independently. Meanwhile, Britain keeps shittin’ on us endlessly. Essentially, they tax us relentlessly, then King George turns around, runs a spending spree. He ain’t ever gonna set his descendants free, so there will be a revolution in this century. Enter me! 9 LAFAYETTE/MULLIGAN/LAURENS (He says in parentheses) HAMILTON Don’t be shocked when your hist’ry book mentions me. I will lay down my life if it sets us free. Eventually, you’ll see my ascendancy, HAMILTON And I am not throwing away my shot. I am not throwing away my shot. Hey yo, I’m just like my country, I’m young, scrappy and hungry and I’m not throwing away my shot. LAURENS My shot! My shot! And I’m not throwing away my shot. HAMILTON/MULLIGAN/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE I am not throwing away my shot. I am not throwing away my shot. Hey yo, I’m just like my country, I’m young, scrappy and hungry and I’m not throwing away my shot. It’s time to take a shot! LAFAYETTE I dream of life without a monarchy. The unrest in France will lead to ‘onarchy? ‘Onarchy? How you say, how you say, ‘anarchy?’ When I fight, I make the other side panicky. With my— HAMILTON/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE/MULLIGAN Shot! MULLIGAN Yo, I’m a tailor’s apprentice, and I got y’all knuckleheads in loco parentis. I’m joining the rebellion cuz I know it’s my chance to socially advance, instead of sewin’ some pants! I’m gonna take a— HAMILTON/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE/MULLIGAN Shot! 10 LAURENS But we’ll never be truly free until those in bondage have the same rights as you and me, you and I. Do or die. Wait till I sally in on a stallion with the first black battalion have another— HAMILTON/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE/MULLIGAN Shot! BURR Geniuses, lower your voices. You keep out of trouble and you double your choices. I’m with you, but the situation is fraught. You’ve got to be carefully taught: If you talk, you’re gonna get shot! HAMILTON Burr, check what we got. Mister Lafayette, hard rock like Lancelot, I think your pants look hot, Laurens, I like you a lot. Let’s hatch a plot blacker than the kettle callin’ the pot… What are the odds the gods would put us all in one spot, poppin’ a squat on conventional wisdom, like it or not, a bunch of revolutionary manumission abolitionists? Give me a position, show me where the ammunition is! Oh, am I talkin’ too loud? Sometimes I get over excited, shoot off at the mouth. I never had a group of friends before, I promise that I’ll make y’all proud. LAURENS Let’s get this guy in front of a crowd. HAMILTON/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE/MULLIGAN/ENSEMBLE I am not throwing away my shot. I am not throwing away my shot. Hey yo, I’m just like my country, I’m young, scrappy and hungry and I’m not throwing away my shot. I am not throwing away my shot.

holy fuck this is a rlly long song

It really is

:3

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Hey man what are your favorite bands/musicians?

Death - Chuck Schuldiner

Slayer - Jeff Hanneman

Dio - Vivian Campbell

Ozzy Osbourne - Jake E. Lee

Sepultura - Igor Cavalera

Deicide - Brian e Eric Hoffman

King Diamond - Andy Larocque

Krisiun - Max Kolesne

Black Sabbath - Cozy Powell

Obituary - Donald Tardy

Six Feet Under - Allen West

Cannibal Corpse - Jack Owen

Sepultura - Andreas Kisser

Iron Maiden - Clive Burr

Anthrax - Scott Ian

Kiss - Ace Frehley (original)

Pantera - Dimebag Darrell

There are many others, but it would be an endless list!

[agaytransrat]

Me: *is scrolling through TikTok*

My brain: hey you know that Simpson Steven universe thing

Me: yeah. What about it

My brain: well-

Me: no

My brain: let me finish!

Me: no. I don’t need a stupid idea in my brain

My brain: …

Me: …

My brain: what if you did a Hamilton version

Me: FUUUUUCK-

Yeah so that happened to me.

Something is wrong with me.

Go ahead and tell me this is a stupid idea and that it’s cringe.

Ik

But I’m a tell you guys my character for this

Btw there is two versions

——————————————————————————

Version 1

White Diamond- Angelic

Yellow Diamond- Peggy

Blue Diamond- Maria

Pink Diamond- Eliza

Steven- Phillip

Greg- Alexander

Purl- Aaron

Garnet- Jeffmads (ship name)

Amethyst- John

Peridot- Lee

Ruby- Jefferson

Sapphire- Madison

Bismuth- Mulligan

Lapis- Samuel

Jasper- King George

Spinel- Theodosia Burr (Wife)

——————————————————————————

Version 2

White Diamond- Jefferson

Yellow Diamond- Aaron

Blue Diamond- Madison

Pink Diamond- Alexander

Steven- Phillip

Greg- John

Purl- Eliza

Garnet- Mullette (ship name)

Amethyst- Peggy

Peridot- Lee

Ruby- Mulligan

Sapphire- Lafayette

Bismuth- Washington

Lapis- Maria

Jasper- James

Spinel- ???

[sardonic-sprite]

I'm Back!

Wow, so Lent is over now, so my tumblr fast is also over and I'm still a little in shock, lol. I had hoped the past six weeks? I don't know, Time is weird, would be more productive but at least I got SOME stuff written/posted. Anyway, I have one more month of school and then fucking FINALS so expect sporadic updates at idiot-o-clock hours of the night, and maybe yell at me to sleep, eat, study, or drink water whenever i do post 😅

I am up to SO EFFING MANY wips rn on so many different fronts you guys have no freaking idea 😭 so here's a status report for EVERYTHING on or going on sardonic_sprite. (Its gonna be a monster post, y'all, bear with me)

in absolutely no particular order:

Wayne4Ham: We have a LONG way to go with this one, so just be patient and I'll slowly but steadily plug on through. Aaron Burr, Sir, should theoretically take me no longer than end of april

Wayne-Crazy: there's like 4 specific requests on it, plus a few 'series' i started, but after those, say 6-7, i'll probably mark as complete and only re-open if someone offers me an idea

Batman Beginners: i'll tell y'all up front, this one will take me forever. i don't even know what all I intend to cover, but know that i'm halfway done with the DITF arc, and it'll probably come out in the next two months

Just A Kid: this was my shits-and-giggles fic that got like 3000 notes in a weekend lmao. it's something i do intend to continue bc its so fun and i enjoy the concepts in it, but i don't have plans to actively write more of it in the immediate future.

Rev Wayne: just gave y'all Jason's fic, so the next probably won't come until late in summer, extrapolating from my few data points. if anyone has ideas for timmy's intro, let me know, i'd love some inspiration

Celeb Batwaynes: reported separate from wayne-crazy for reasons. i think theres like 12 specific requests plus 2 ideas of my own. i may put out a poll for the next one to write, but not until after school's out, because these fics are HUGE time-eaters for me. speaking of, are non-tumblr-users able to vote on polls?

Welcome to Gotham U: this was again, me doing shit bc why not. will probably add more in the style that i first posted, but i doubt i will write any prose for it. if you would like to give it a try, please reach out, i'd love to see what you write!

One Diamond: every time i touch this i make the cliffhanger worse lmao. i finally do have a direction, but execution is gonna have to wait a while.

The Young, Innocent, and Righteous: this is mostly just for me anyway, but i'm just gonna say that i'm waiting until i finish watching miraculous season 5 before i go any further

AS you wish: i have 5 more requests to do and i am so sorry to everyone waiting you do not deserve this lmao. i promise im trying, i love your ideas, it just takes me a really long time to fill in the rest and then actually write it. the next one on my list is particularly hard to pin down and so it's halting the ones behind it to. if not before, then after finals i will sit and bang my head on the keyboard until something good comes out

Light Isn't Fadin': soooooo many people have asked me about this one oof. SOMEDAY, i swear. right now its a huge, nebulous, hulking monster and im sorry it's just not happening yet.

A christmas carol: wait until december. please

Father's Day: june.

A Little Problem: over the summer, i will watch marvel movies until they once again hijack my brain and fuel this to completion. maybe.

easter eggs: how the fuck did i forget this lmao. i'm doing as much as i can in april, but when the month is done, i'm sorry, we'll all be waiting until next lenten season. hopefully it won't come to that.

aaaaand i THINK that's finally it. there's also a bunch of random paragraphs in word and google docs that may appear, not to mention ideas that kidnap me in dark alleys. but i also have like a good half dozen other wips for other places that im trying to attend to, so please be forgiving if it seems like its taking a while to post something as sprite.

as always, i love questions, comments, concerns, even some complaints, so feel free to interact.

See ya when I see ya!

sprite