#for me it’s which squad am i losing it over the most

[akkivee]

which squad are you hanging out with???????

[bigfatbreak]

more mlp au dumps

3 am palette cleanser. tis the season

additional fun for my dorky ass twibra au... twilight's friends mimic the elements of harmony in a way that reflects the magic of their pony selves (bc I said so lmao) and it's what brings her back from the brink after principal cinch grenade tosses her little magical collector in her face and blasts her with equestrian magic

details:

Chrysalis represents generosity specifically because of how she's selfish on behalf of her friends. she's absolutely willing to dupe other people and manipulate them if she thinks it'll help out anyone in the squad, even if the fallout could be cataclysmic. This has led to a really bad reputation following her around, and though its not really unprecedented, her friends still keep her around as she means well. It's a bit hard training her out of fawning over other people to try and make them stay, but she just wants everyone well-fed and happy.

Stygian has the loyalty blessing because he's the real ride or die. He would rather physically staple himself to his friends than possibly lose them, especially since he was subject to losing a friend group in the past which left him deserted at a really bad time. Meeting Tempest around that time was the only thing that kept him going, and now he's fiercely protective of his new friend group.

Spike is laughter because I love him. puppy power

Tempest gets honesty because she's extremely blunt, even though sometimes its to the point of insulting, she genuinely just wants communication to be established at any cost. Her straightforward attitude is very effective at stopping Chryssie's schemes and keeping Stygian grounded, and she doesn't mind being an anchor for the team, especially since she used to be team captain on her volleyball team before she lost her arm. The sense of "these people need me" helps anchor her as much as it anchors them.

Sombra can be exceedingly kind, showering people in gifts and lavish trips, assisting them in whatever programs they're in, and he's more than willing to put the effort in and sacrifice things of his own if it means his friends will benefit from it - but it stops there. His kindness is wonderful only to those in his close circle, and most importantly, to Twilight.

though their dynamic sometimes isn't the healthiest, they're all recovering from friendship issues of their own - some done to them, some because of what THEY did to others - and Twilight's the precious sun they seem to rotate around, as being a shut-in only focusing on her studies has given her zero inclination to have any sort of preconceived notions of other people. For friends with a bad past they're trying to work through, its incredibly refreshing, and they would rather die than lose her.

even more additional details:

Sombra collects pretty minerals, and wears a lot of jewelry as a result. He often compares Twilight to precious stones and seems smug about dating her.

Tempest and Stygian are room mates, but they're not dating, sharing a purely platonic relationship. (Stygian is gay and Tempest is a lesbian. they're each other's beards, basically)

Chryssie lives in an apartment Sombra pays the rent to, but only under the agreement that she stop dating people just to raid their houses. It's worked so far, at least according to CCTV footage

once the magic Twilight absorbed disperses into the team, giving them magic, Spike gets dragon attributes along with being able to talk. This means sometimes he eats Sombra's fancy gemstones and there's absolutely nothing he can do about it because if he yells at his gf's dog/little brother he'll get smacked. Sombra is in hell but everyone else loves it

[sashi-ya]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ part one: Aizen, Byakuya, Ukitake, Shunsui, ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤUryu, Äs, Kenpachi.

♡ tw: pregnancy symptoms. fluff, a lot of fluff. ♡ wc: mini scenarios ~3k total. ♡ coming next in part two ➛ kisuke, shuuhei, shinji, ichigo, ryuuken ➛ you can request for others.

𝐀𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐞. The man that has everything planned, widened  his chocolate orbs once the unexpected happened. It didn’t take him much to discover the truth, not because you wanted to hide it but because it was clear to him. Your body had changed; the little differences in your physique didn’t match the characteristics he had studied so exhaustingly about you. Those weren’t normal fluctuations in weight nor your cups size. But mostly, he noticed it on the way your hips slightly began to adapt to prepare for nine months ahead. Something that, inside of his own twisted thoughts, made his heart beat go faster.  

The black tea he was sipping that morning fogged his glasses, he still uses them to read. However, the many technical and biological aspects of hollowification were set aside for as long as you watched through the windows of squad five on an autumn day. Sosuke took his glasses off and stood up, as always, in the only way he knows how to… dominantly, like there was nothing nor anybody above himself. Big hands reached for your hip bones, nose that traced a perfect warmth path from the crook of your neck to your ear. “How many weeks?” he asked, because he knew. “I am not sure… are you mad?” you asked back, knowing this could potentially ruin his plans. “Hmm…Mad…? How could I?” he answered. You watched his smile suddenly go from a smirk to a soft, soft expression. Sosuke melt, Sosuke felt like he wasn’t as lonely in this world as he used to think he was…

𝐊𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐢 𝐁𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐲𝐚. Mornings have never been really lively; those days in which he calmly sat on his special chair, drinking his tea while you still stay in bed suddenly got interrupted by a rather suspicious behaviour coming from you. Two mornings in which you ran to the bathroom covering your mouth were enough to set the alarms for the Kuchiki clan head. “She is sick. SHE IS SICK” he panicked. Not again, not again…  he felt once again the fright, the fear of losing his lover. Byakuya didn’t need much more to ask you, however the idea of pregnancy -even for one of the most intelligent minds of the Seireitei- never crossed his mind.  By the third day, in which you thought you could run faster than him, his foot stopped the door from closing. “I called Dr. Yamada Seinosuke, he is coming to check on you” those cold words sounded like an order, yet, he was as scared as a lonely child. Byakuya felt unable to express any other feeling, if any at all. All the progress he made, seemed to be lost in just a matter of seconds. His hands couldn’t touch you; his arms couldn’t hold you. Deep blue eyes had turned every shade of black, and once again he felt himself drowning into the deepest waters of his  inner world. “I am not sick, Byakuya…” you murmured, after washing your mouth with a soft smile and your hands over your belly. “I’m sure you can quite understand why I am feeling this way…” Oh, how to repeat the way those deep blue eyes suddenly became the colour of a summer sky.

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐨 𝐔𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞. You weren’t nauseous. You didn’t even notice at first. But he did. Somehow, without even knowing, every night in your sleep your hands reached for his and dragged them to your belly. It was as if you were asking him to protect something sacred. And he could tell a piece of his own soul nested in yours, safely resting, surrounded by the purest love. His long locks rained on your cheek, on that morning in which snow as white as them covered the green hills of the Seireitei. “I am sure there is something you need to tell me…” he whispered, caressing your cheek with the softest kiss. “Wh-wha-t….?” your lips began to tremble, many tears sprouted from your sleepy eyes. It was as if those words where the sudden revelation of something “you didn’t know you already knew” “I will protect both of you, even if it might cost my life… you two will be always first”

𝐊𝐲𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐢. He noticed something had changed the moment he came home and discovered you sleeping on the couch made into a ball. What is happening with his lively sweet doll? Why is she sad? What is going on? “Honey… what is going on? I’m sorry it took me a little bit more to come back home, being the general Taicho keeps me a lot more busier…” he sadly whispered in your ear, as he lifted you up and carried you to bed. The scent of his skin immediately brings a soothing effect to your unknown cause of anguish. You were a total mess of emotions that you couldn’t handle all alone, and you didn’t even know why it was happening to you. Shunsui put you in bed, and when he got inside the sheets you immediately snuggled against his wide chest. “I… I don’t know why I am so sad, but I’m so glad you are back” you whispered, kissing a patch of slight caramel skin. His hands instantly landed on the crown of your head, pulling you closer, surrounding you with the type of paternal care and protection he had always had. “You know, maybe it is that time of the month…” he dared to murmur, sure he was about to get a soft punch coming from you. Of course, not everything In a woman’s life has to do with her… hormones… You widened your eyes, blinking rapidly while looking at a clueless Kyoraku. “I… it’s- been- two months…” your lips trembled. You suddenly realized that, while lost into nightly sex sessions with him, your period -nor Shunsui’s cream pie kink- represented a problem to you. “YOU DON’T MEAN… YOU – AM I GOING TO BE A DADDY????? I AM GONNA BE A DADDY!!!! CALL ME DADDY, OK?” “Shunsui, for the love of God… I need to take a test- we-” you giggled, still amazed and unsure but excited.  

𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐙𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐢. Carrying every child he could find in the Seireitei on his shoulders, Kenpachi is the ultimate father. He doesn’t even have to try. He never cared for your period, it never represented something that could stop him to love you and your body. In fact, the messier the better. However, those moments began to be absent, and he didn’t take much to realize. During that spring night, in which he indulged in some sake with his subordinates, he suddenly popped a question to them. “Oi, my woman hasn’t got her period in two months… what the fuck?” Yumichika choked with his drink, while Ikkaku definitely spitted all the contents of his mouth in a violent motion. “TAICHO?” the beautiful Shinigami asked, once he had recovered the composure. “TAICHO… ARE YOU SURE?” he continued. “Yeah. What is it?” Zaraki asked, confused by their sudden reaction -and honestly about to laugh at Ikakku turning red, even his head, from how much he was coughing- “She could be pregnant, Taicho… are you gonna be a father?” Yumichika assumed, particularly amazed by how his captain was asking something so important and yet so obvious as if it was nothing. Kenpachi’s eyes suddenly turned from wild to more softened ones. He left the sake bottle down and stood up. With no words said, he left, leaving his subordinates astonished. A loud thump on the door, woke you up all of a sudden. You sit down on the bed, not sure whether to grab your zanpakuto or not until you noticed the topping huge silhouette of your brute lover. “Kenny, the fuck is going on?” you ask, while grazing your right eye. “ARE YOU PREGNANT WOMAN?” he asked, shouting, and desperately requiring for you to give him the truth. You gasp. You hadn’t even taken a test yet and even if it was pretty possible, how did he notice? “HOW? I DON’T KNOW YET” you told him, urging him to close the door. You didn’t really want the whole barracks to know. Kenny sat right by your side and cupped you to his lap. “Come’ere…” he murmured, nuzzling on your hair. He was holding you with the care someone would have to grab a piece of silk paper. He scoffed, sweetly with his eyes shut and a big smile adorning his sharp manly features. “Nhh… yes, yes yes yes!!!” he celebrated, ripping the most beautiful smile from your lips.

𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐔𝐫𝐲𝐮. “Dr. Ishida, you have another patient” his secretary informed him by the end of his shift. “I have received every kid on the agenda for the day, is it urgent?” Uryu asked, he was used to treating kids whenever there was an emergency. Some paediatric patients can’t wait. “Well, is not urgent but the mother requested me with urgency that you please take a look at her baby” she said, walking into his office with two papers in her hands. She handed them to Uryu who soon discovered the next patient wasn’t even born yet. “But… (secretary name), this is a pregnancy test… I am not an obstetrician I shouldn’t- plus, whose tests are these? They don’t even have the name of the patient” the Quincy doctor stood up, a little annoyed and confused. “The patient is waiting on the ultrasound room; she has been already connected to the heart monitor by Nurse Inoue. Just please give the preggo lady a look. She specifically requested for a check-up by Dr. Ishida Uryuu” the secretary said, giggling and leaving the room as fast as possible. Uryuu remained silent for a few minutes, listening to those accelerated heartbeats coming from a few doors away. Even if he is a peadiatrician, OB and Neo are also located in the same floor as his, in his father’s hospital. He smiled sweetly, the sound of a new life thriving to become a beloved child in some months always melts his heart. He should go back home soon, but he couldn’t help it… there was something in that sweet beating melody that put a big smile on his face and called him to listen to it for a longer time. He put his coat on and thought of texting you “I’ll be home in a couple of minutes, just an urgent consult and I’ll be free” but he didn’t. He thought you were tired of excuses and him coming home late. Cleaning his glasses, he entered the ultrasound room, presenting himself without taking a look at the patient immediately. “Good afternoon, I’m Dr. Ishida. The secretary told me you request- (Name)…?” he stopped his words, discovering your barely bumpy belly and the sound of that heart coming from within you. “Good afternoon, Dr. Ishida. Would you like to meet the love of your life?” His eyes become waterfalls, Uryuu couldn’t move for a couple of seconds. He then, sat right by your side and with a soft peck on your lips, he whispered a heartfelt “Thank you, my love”…

𝐀̈𝐬 𝐍𝐨̈𝐝𝐭.

There was a time, where things were different. Where Äs didn’t feel pain, nor loneliness. A different outcome, where his body cured and the first steps out of that hospital were given holding her warm hand in his. No pain, no war, nor powers, nor Kings. It had been difficult to adapt for him; he didn’t know exactly what it was to make love. But he learned, naturally, by the calling of his heart and his needs. He also didn’t know what it was to love and be loved, but he discovered he didn’t need to try with you. And slowly but surely, a new family of you and him, happened. “Do you think I could be a good father someday?” he asked, while playing with your hair on a very orange sunset in the garden of your little house. “You wanna be a father, Äs?” you asked back, a little surprised by the right timing of his questioning. “I am a little scared… well, not a little… I am afraid of not being able to be one” he answered, looking right towards the fiery clouds of an autumn afternoon. His paler complexion, kissed by the dying sun rays, reminded you of those days in which it was too painful to be touched; and how hope was all that it was needed to progress. You look towards the crunchy leaves underneath your feet, and then grabbed his slim cold hand. “Follow me inside, there is something I need to show you…” “My dear Äs, I am about to grant you with a big power right now. Would you accept it?” you ask, covering his eyes with a black face mask that had been hanging there since covid. “What- yes? But what is it? You are scaring me” he murmured, confused. “Give me your hands” you ordered him, depositing something fluffy on his palms. When you took off the mask off his face, his black orbs fixed on the white pair of booties on his hands. “This…” “I am giving you a very strong power, the “F” one… Äs, you are gonna be a father… a fantastic father”

[gryffindormarveltwilight]

All We Need - Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Reader - Part 3

A/N: Here is Part 3 to the Jake x reader series, sorry for the delay! Also thank you everyone who has commented and reblogged the last few parts! as always any feedback or requests are always welcomed! x

Masterlist

Pairings: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x fem!pilot!benjamin Reader

Warnings: Mentions of Death, Angst, Fluff, Naval Inaccuracies

‘Uncle Ice, what are you doing here shouldnt you be with Sarah and Daisy.’

‘We are heading to the zoo later but i thought I would check in on you first after all it is your first time back in the air.’

‘You didn’t have to Ice, Jake and I are coming over after work to pick Daisy up.’

‘Doesnt mean i cannot come check on you plus i needed to make sure Mav hasn’t been fired yet.’ I let out a loud laugh which makes Ice smile, I always thought growing up dad’s were the most protective person when it comes to there daughters but however thought that has never been the only girl born into an aviator family. Ice, Slider, all of the ‘86 team all had sons except my parents so naturally I was the daughter of the group none more protective over me than Ice though, all my training graduations, the first time i ejected due to a birdstrike every achievement in my career Ice was the first one there, it was a running joke that I was secretly his daughter.

‘Thank you Uncle Ice, but i did well up in the air and managed to shoot them both down.’ That made him smile mumbling ‘thats my girl’ under his breathe.

‘And how about the other thing.’

‘I know in my head that Loki’s death wasn’t my fault but i can’t help blame myself.’

‘Have you spoken to Jake about it.’ I shake my head to which Ice gives me a seriously look.

‘He has enough on his plate with this mission and Daisy, I cannot be another distraction. I need to focus on making sure everyone in that room comes back alive.’

‘And that you come back alive Y/N.’

‘Ice….’

‘And that you come back as well.’ He said in a stern father like tone.

‘I will try Ice but if it comes down to me or a member of that squad as team leader i know the choice I have to make.’

‘Y/N….’ I hear behind me turning to see Phoenix and Bob holding their helmets.

‘Phe, Bob how much did you hear?’ 

‘Only the stiff about the mission and you making the choices to protect the team.’ Bob replies quickly. I nod and they walk past mumble a quick Sir as they pass Ice.

‘I think you should go check in on Mav, he just went up against Rooster .’ He nods and turns away

‘This conversation is far from over but some advice about Loki, talk to Jake you may think you would distract him but if he senses something is wrong with you that will distract him more.’ And with that Iceman walked off to find Mav, i took of running down the hall to where Phoenix and Bob were standing.

‘Hey, can you guys not mention what you heard to anyone especially Hangman.’

‘Athena, is what you said true that you not expecting someone to walk away from this.’

‘Yeah, its true, but it is also true what i said, I am doing everything in my power to train you guys to come home and on the mission I will do everything in my power to make sure everyone comes home.’

‘Including you, we can’t lose you Athena,’ Bob mumbles and i pull him into a hug which Phoenix soon joins

‘I will try for you guys okay. Now whose up in the air?’ And we headed off towards the rec room both of them throwing the occasional glance at me.

After going up in the sky a few more times against various pilots and remaining undefeated it was Mavs turn to go again this time against Hangman and Rooster, listening in on the radio I could hear snide comments from Jake’s Hangman persona as i like to call it before listening to Mav and Rooster fighting in a cobra formation, I look at Phoenix who looks mad and concerned when we hear Rooster get caught by mav and sent back to base.

‘Phe can i talk to him first.’ She nodded knowing I may be the only one Rooster will actually talk to. I run down toward the tarmac where he is getting out of his plane.

‘What the hell Bradley!’ I yell and shove his chest

‘It is none of your business Y/N.’

‘The hell it is not this is my team remember and on top of that I just had to listen to my brother and uncle get in a near deathly formation both to damn stubborn to pull up!’ I continue to yell at him and before i could stop what I was saying I yelled toward him

‘Mav didnt pull your papers because he thought you werent ready!’ Bradly stops in his tracks and turns to face me anger across his face.

‘What do you know Athena.’

‘Bradley listen…’

‘TELL ME!’

‘Your Mum asked Mav to pull your papers before she passed, she was scared for you to be an aviator after what happened to Goose.’

‘She what..’

‘I was there when she asked Mav, and she begged me not to tell you so I didn’t’

‘Yeah well you should’ve told me!’ I look down,

‘I know but I was 12 years old Bradley and terrified, what did you want me to do?’

‘Tell me Y/N you were my sister! I can’t talk to you right now.’ I stood frozen as he walked away from my Phoenix looking at me confused before taking off toward rooster. Mav came running over to me followed by Jake I hadn’t even noticed tears welling in my eyes for the second time that day.

‘Athena,,,,,Y/N?’

‘I told him Uncle Mav.’ I said in a small voice before Mav pulled me into a tight hug he was speaking to Jake behind him but I couldn’t make out what was being said before I knew it I was out of Mavs arms and into Jakes who gave me a tight squeeze before leading me toward the locker rooms to grab our kit. 

‘Jake, I am sorry i kept that i was an Ace and got a promotion from you.’

‘I know and its okay but Y/N what is going on with you, up in the air you are cool calm and collected like always but the moment you are on the ground something just changes I haven’t seen you like this since we learnt Ice was sick.’

‘The mission I got recalled from, it was a tough one, and rattled me a bit, i just need to get my focus right then i will be fine.’ 

‘Y/N, lets say i believe you, you know you can tell me anything. Want to start by what happened between you and rooster.’

‘I told him why Mav really pulled his papers and that it only happened because his Mum asked.’ 

‘How did you know?’

‘I overheard the conversation when I was 12 years old.’

‘And you never?’

‘I have never told anyone until today.’ Jake nods.

‘He won’t be mad forever, he just needs to process it.’

‘Can we got get Daisy, Mav has dismissed everyone, I need to see her after today and make up for leaving this morning.’ Jake smiles and nods. As we start walking to our cars I head towards mine before Jake picks me up over his shoulder taking me towards his, causing me to genuinely laugh which in turn made Jake smile.

After a short drive where Jake was updating me on what had been happening while i was gone we finally pulled into the driveway next to Ices car, before Jake can even put it in park I jump out of the car and run toward where i see Ice, Sarah and Daisy, Daisy sees me and starts running as she jumped into my arms. Ice and Sarah smile at the sight before Jake walks up and wraps his arms around both of us.

‘Don’t the look so happy Tom.’

‘If only they would open their eyes and see it.’

After an hour we left Ice an Sarah’s we headed home. As we walked through the door I had Daisy in my arms and Jake was holding pizza and ice-cream, we headed into the lounge room where Jake put on ‘Beauty and the Beast’ knowing it was mine and Daisy favourite disney movie, as the movie went on we finished the pizza and ice cream we moved onto the couch Jakes arm wrapped around me, me curling into his side and Daisy in the middle of us. My thoughts drifted between the movie and the mission before thoughts of how at peace i was in this very moment started to drift in making me smile. What I hadn’t realised was my shirt had slowly crept up the red scar that was slowly fading on my side catching Jakes attention making him crease his brows before he pressed a kiss to my forehead. As the movie ended i moved to grab the rubbish from dinner as Jake scooped up daisy moving her to her room.

I checked my phone seeing some messages from the squad saying they all decided to skip the Hard Deck tonight which i was grateful for. I grabbed a beer from the fridge before heading to the back deck on the swing chair Jake had installed. Too lost in my own thoughts i barely heard Jake come back out before i felt him sit on the chair and hesitantly wrap his arm around me. I felt a few tears escape my eyes.

‘I lost my wingman.’ Jake straightened up tightening his grip around me. ‘Loki and I were on a routine mission when we were intercepted by three hostiles, it was a dog fight the whole way back to the carrier, I managed to take out two but before i could take out the third which Loki was going up against he was shot down, he never even had time to pull the ejection handles. I disobeyed orders to get out of there to go back and get the third jet and i did it made me an Ace and somehow disobeying the orders earned me a promotion.’ I took a breath holding in tears. ‘I shot down the enemy but not before they got off a few good shots my plane was so damaged I am honestly not sure how it was still flying enough to take down the last one. As i hit the other plane they hit me, i was forced to eject and caught shrapnel of the plane in my side. The rescue team was quick to find me but i spent just over a month in a base hospital recovering, it was touch and go for a while.’

‘Why wasn’t i told you were in the hospital.’ Jake asked with tears in his eyes.

‘I asked everyone not to tell you, the only people who know are Cyclone, Dad, Ice and Mav. And Mav and Cyclone only know cause today was my first day back in the air.’ 

‘I wish you had told me I could have helped.’

‘I wasn’t going to tell you Jake, we need to be focused on this mission, i didnt want you to be worried and distracted by me.’

He didnt respond straight away instead moving to kneel infront of me. ‘I worry about you everytime you go up in the sky as for a distraction I was more distracted when I knew something was wrong but didn’t know how to help.’

I let out a small laugh which caused jake to look at me confused. ‘Ice said the same thing.’ He also laughed before moving back to his spot beside me. After a while i drifted off to sleep felling Jake pick me up and walk me towards the bed rooms. As he put me down on my bed he went to leave, before he could get far i grabbed his hand and asked him to stay, he slid into the bed beside me. Before either of us could fully get to sleep we felt a little body snuggle between us and mumble a few words which made me a Jake open our eyes wide and look at each other.

‘Love you Daddy, Love you Momma.’ Neither of us said anything just gave Daisy a quick kiss on the head before going to sleep.

The next morning, neither of us mentioned anything and Daisy had gone back to calling me Aunt Thena, there was a slight pang in my heart but I also reminded myself I wasn’t her mother despite being the closest thing she had to one, i missed the sadness on Jakes face every time she called me Aunt again, Jake secretly wishing she was my daughter. As the morning went on Sarah picked up Daisy and Jake and I headed to work. We had been there a few hours Jake in the air with Coyote and Mav myself and the other squad member listening in the rec room when I heard my name being shouted out i turned towards the door seeing a concerned Ice holding a crying Daisy in his arms. I shoot out of my chair and run over to them. 

‘Ice whats…’

‘MOMMA!’ Daisy screams and tries to launch out of Ices arms and into mine, I could feel the stares of the squad members as I took daisy into my arms looking at Ice for an explanation. I turn Rooster had followed me to Ice, he had apologised for his outburst yesterday as had I for keeping the secret, Roosters face had confusion and  concern written all over it.

‘Rooster, I need you to get Hangman back on the ground.’

‘HANGMAN! What Athena, what the hell.’

‘NOW ROOSTER!’ Without any argument he ran to the control tower as myself and Ice headed to the tarmac Jakes plane landing minutes later.

‘Athena what the hell why did you….’ His sentence cut off seeing me holding Daisy in my arms flanked by Ice. He dropped his helmet and sprinted over to me and tried to take Daisy out of my arms. ‘No I want Momma.’ Jake and i looked confused this was the 3rd time in 24 hours that she had called me that, sure shes called me it before but never this frequently. Ice gave myself and Daisy a quick kiss on the forehead and Jake a pat on the shoulder before saying he would meet us in the rec room. Coyote jumped out of his plane seeing myself, jake and daisy before running over to us concern written on his face.

Back in the hanger all the daggers had come to see what was going on looking very confused about the scene in front of them. Before Fanboy broke the silence.

‘HANGMAN HAS A KID!’

Taglist:

@dory-98 @djs8891 @brooke-stinson

[seth-burroughs]

Anyway... headcanon post: Yomi is cognitively impaired. Sources? the depths of my twisted mind ;3

Sometimes has quote unquote good days where his symptoms don't get as severe (or he/others don't think they do), sometimes he gets worse, it varies on the phase on the moon, the earth's axis and the horoscope. (according to Guillaume, it's all because he's a libra) (he attempts to squash her like a bug every time but she's just too fast man.....)

Slow reaction times (although it gets weird sometimes). Sometimes it's delayed by just a second or a few, sometimes for way more which causes problems ranging from mild annoyance to literally almost dying via honda tire. An example of this is when he might walk to a crosswalk, forgets that he actually needs to check if any cars are coming, walks onto traffic, oh look a car. He notices a car car coming, stops, knows he should move out of the way in that scenario, but it just doesn't occur to him to do that, and he just stands there staring almost completely frozen, deer-style, until finally either, A.) he realizes "oh shit I'm about to get ran over so that's what's happening maybe" and fucking bolts to the side at literal last minute, or B.) the driver stops for him and is about to leave the car and scream at him about it, before noticing that's the director and almost shitting themselves from raw fear then profusely apologizing. You know those crosswalks at Kanai Ward, that detect pedestrians and stop oncoming traffic for them? While they were mostly created for the citizens, an also big reason why they were able to exist is because the Yomi Squad funded it so well in order to stop him from killing himself one day. The bicycle paths are still a problem though and have claimed many of his bones to this day

Knows the city pretty well (allegedly), and is able to get around via yomi autopilot. He just walks with zero (or extremely irrelevant) thoughts in his head, not paying attention to almost anything, just getting guided by habit/reflex/walking on the same path so often he just memorizes when to turn or enter while not even having to look where he's going, you get me right? He'll probably be fine. As long as he doesn't snap out of it and regain consciousness. In that case he's reminded he exists, looks around, thinks "where the fuck am I", remembers what he's supposed to do after a moment, but then forgets how he even gets there in the first place and is effectively lost. So what he does is to recount every single detail, instruction and direction in which path he usually takes to get him to a point where he is currently (which might. take a While), and then he finally remembers where he is and can carry on as usual. Do NOT disturb him in this state or he will completely lose his train of thought and get incredibly pissed he has to do it all over and violently take it out on you or perhaps even everyone around too.

^How he deals with the above things is that he simply very, very rarely travels without somebody else, which either Martina or F-Zilch (not counting occassional Cop Entourage as that's a bit different). If they aren't available, he either picks some other (preferably quiet, the chatty types are always the most insufferable) employee of his, or just goes alone or refuses to leave his house at all that day.

Sometimes when someone is speaking to him he can feel that he's not gonna register any word of what they're gonna say and just loses focus. No, he won't ask them to repeat themselves, that's for pussies like Seth, if he didn't hear whatever it is they wanted to tell him then maybe it just isn't that important. Maybe.

Takes an awful long time to shower, as soon as his skin makes contact with water he ceases awareness of existing and he has to wait until he remembers he's alive until he keeps going. (though that isn't the sole reason as to why he cannot do it faster. but it's a part in it)

Tries to make an effort to keep track of important events via lists, reminder notes and planners, or frequently ends up asking his vice director Martina about certain things that happened beforehand (if they did at all) or are about to happen, since he's for sure not gonna remember that himself. Usually, at least. Sometimes he does have his memory down to every detail but only concerning certain things his shit brain cares about more, such as "during that exact time that evening Seth blinked at you rather disrespectfully" or "here's that masked freak's speech to you that morning, perfectly recalled, down to the last detail, for you to dissect and get mad about for the remainder of the week"

All of these annoy, stress out and infuriate him greatly

[gasha40k]

It’s looking exceptionally bloody out here. Lots of good progress on my Khorne lads recently, and lots of good reading progress, too!

To start, I’m now about 3/4ths of the way through Khârn: Eater of Worlds, and it’s going pretty good so far! Lots of murder, which is par for the course for a World Eaters book. I like how the book expounds upon the Legion and its structuring quite a bit, as it’s one of the only Heresy-era novels where we get to see the Legion without Khârn or Angron. I like the Caedere a lot, I like how Dreagher is a normal person, and I like the human apothecary, Skoral, and her cool ceramite arm. I’m excited to see how it ends, but that’s enough book club.

A living myth known by countless infernal titles across the stars—the Apostate Scion, Betrayer of Valefar, Exile of the 8th, Deserter Lord—yet who himself claims none, Lord Akselos is a nigh-untouchable killer whose very name heralds the singlehanded slaughtering of entire worlds.

This is the Deserter Lord Akselos. Akselos was introduced to the blog a handful of posts ago when I first built him, but since then, I’ve not only fleshed out much of his backstory, but I’ve also given him a coat of paint and a nice base to go with it.

Billowing black cloak and beckoning hand for Khorne worshipping purposes, and definitely not because he is a bitter and melodramatic individual

I’m really happy with this mini. It may not be my best paint job, but I think it’s a solid kitbash, and all together, I think that he looks super cool. I am definitely satisfied with how he turned out. The painting isn’t super advanced but it’s cohesive and pleasing to the eye. This model also gave me a few challenges, primarily painting white. I’ve only used Wraithbone so I was a bit horrified using Corax White, but I think it turned out pretty okay.

Another challenge was figuring out how I’d base him. Because I want most of my World Eaters army to be visually similar, I figured that whatever base Akselos got would be the same base that I’d give my other World Eaters, so I had to decide on what would best fit both him and the rest of the army. I decided on some black, sort of mountainous rubble-rock with inlaid skulls (for Khorne, of course). I’m going to go over this and place some little patches of Valhallan White to break up the grey and I’m going to splatter the blood paint on the white snow, but this’ll definitely do for now.

Of his many names, Akselos is known most bitterly as Oathbreaker by the Ultramarines 8th Company, or at least by those few that remain in the 8th who still remember him.

I tried to keep the visual theme of asymmetry pretty strong throughout this model. Akselos’ soul is deeply conflicted, and has been for some centuries now. Currently, he is torn between two existences: that of the renegade Ultramarine, desperate for vengeance, and that of the Saint of Khorne, struggling to ascend attachment.

His right arm is made of Ultramarine bits. The Macraggean pauldron and Tacticus arm are all that remain of his old armor. Akselos wears this defiled heraldry as both a constant memento of his shame and a constant reminder of his hatred.

His left arm consists of Eightbound bits, who are the most daemonic units in the World Eaters roster. It’s visibly more corrupted than the rest of his body. After losing his human arm in a particularly desperate battle, the Ruinous Powers gifted Akselos with this charcoal black replacement. He pays for the gift by frequently nourishing it with the blood of the slain.

This won’t be Akselos’ actual squad, his escort squad will be a bunch of similarly white-headed Berzerkers built with Legionairy bodies to represent that they’re more renegade than WE

Akselos isn’t alone, though! I’ve officially “finished” my first squad of World Eaters. Again, the bases aren’t quite done. I’m going to add bloodstained Valhallan Snow to essentially all of these. I may also do place transfers here and there, and I’m definitely going to highlight Wally and Akselos, but the models and bases are done to a reasonable standard and I’m satisfied with calling them finished.

Shoutout to Wally he’s a day one

Here’s the squad leader, Kardon the Eternal, otherwise known as Wally the World Eater. Kardon is a veteran of unknowable age. Some claim that he fought for Khârn after Terra, some that he’s a hero from the Great Crusade, but all agree that he has been alive for millennia with the sole purpose of claiming skulls for Khorne. I think he’s a neat little homage kitbash and a solid paint job. Kardon looks purposely kinda simple so that he can either fit with a larger squad of 10 Berzerkers or lead a smaller squad of 5.

This is his squad of 5! Not much to say about the rest of these bozos, except that the first guy had a bit of a “stepped on” incident and I lost the haft of his axe, so he wields a little chain hatchet now. I like to think that the axe actually started as a two-handed Eviscerator, and over time, this guy has slowly whittled it down into a baby axe by hitting shit with it way too hard.

That’s all I got for now. Very happy with where this army is going. I hope to soon get my hands on Angron, and that’ll be a huge fucking chore, but it’s super exciting because I’d love to field that man. Beastly unit and awesome character. With Khârn, Invocatus, and Angron, I’ll only need Azrakh the Annihilator to finish my World Eaters canon character collection, and I’ll only need… a lot more units to boost my collection to 2,000pts. I’m hoping to eventually get my hands on the Combat Patrol to bolster my numbers, but that won’t be for a while since I’m a broke ass bitch. Thanks!

[outpost51]

The 51 Post

Figured I'd start some kind of digest!

Contents:

Things You Might Have Missed

This Week's Jams

WIP Breakdowns

From the Skwad

Around the 'Blr

Things You Might Have Missed:

I've got a taglist form now! Because who doesn't love a good form?

BRHP: Chapter 14 posted; Atria learns the meaning of touch starvation and really, really misses her dad.

WIP Intro: Caught in the Crossfire (18+)

WIP Intro: The Arsonist Chronicles (18+)

WIP Whenever (Open Tag): BRHP chapter 15 snippet; pop pop is having a time time

Crossing Over: the 5th entry into the Lighthouse in the Fog shorts; a new player has entered the fray, and a familiar face reappears.

Vampire Council lore and vampire origins lore

Aria/Omega snippety snip

This Week's Jams:

friends like these || Brassie [spotify/youtube]

Little Girl Gone || CHINCHILLA [spotify/youtube]

EVERGREEN || PVRIS [spotify/youtube]

Eyes on Fire || Gold Souls [spotify/youtube]

WHEN THE PARTY'S OVER || Cami Petyn [spotify/youtube]

Lizard Lady || Laura Doggett [spotify/youtube]

WIP Breakdowns:

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Chapter 15 should be coming out later today, with 16 slated for release sometime late this week or early next week. I'm finally in the chapters that don't require a ton of rewrites; most of what I've been doing is adding content. The whole thing is outlined through chapter 30 though! Since this is my entry for WIP Big Bang, updates will "stop" at chapter 18, since that's what I had published before the rewrites. After that, you'll have to wait for the release date! Which also means I have to wait for the release date for the serotonin, and that's going to be a nightmare.

Unlikely Adventures of Bitchface and Go F*ck Yourself

At this point, it's just a matter of making myself work on it. About a third of chapter 9 is written and the entirety of Act II is outlined.

Blinding Neon, Shades of Grey

nervous laughter

Stellar Parallax

Fuck, I missed this WIP. I missed Jane especially, she's so fun to write -- I'm about a third of the way into chapter 9 and it seems to be flowing pretty well? I just wanna get to the part where she and Saren beat the shit out of each other LMAO

Lighthouse in the Fog

Dunno if y'all saw, but the lighthouse keeper stories have a tag and a tentative title now! It's going to remain as a series of loosely connected shorts, and that may very well be what I end up doing with Xatal as well. Anyway, we have some lore groundwork laid! Look out for the 6th short later today!

In the Works

I still have questions in my inbox that I am absolutely getting to! I've also got a bunch of unanswered tags in my drafts and Notion. Losing a week and a half of planned answer time threw my schedule WAY off. Submission for SSSC #006 is in the planning stage. Hannah and the MILF Squad Get Up To No Good is about 30% written and fully outlined. I have... so many Kryterius prompts left to fill, and so many more spotify wrapped prompts left, send help. Still working on separating out the Daddy Issues smutshots, hoping to finish up the rewrites for the F!Shali one before the end of July. TIPYNTS is most likely going to come out in October, and by then I'm hoping to have a backlog of chapters to make posting more consistent.

From the Skwad:

Door's always open! 18+ writing server for both fanworks and original works! Camp is starting soon! We also have a flash fiction challenge and three bingo cards running until the end of the month!

@teamdilf continues to absolutely baffle me with her productivity here we go: A Cheesy Situation is now complete, ch 16 of Alice's Adventures in Andromeda is live, ch 18 of The In-Laws and the Grandparents is live, A Night in the IKEA dropped which I'm absolutely dying over, and that's not even all of it. holy shit J i don't know how you do it but i'll have whatever you're having thx

@thetrashbagswasteland dropped ch 4 of the Sunseeker rewrite and I'm adsfdafdadsf yes. thank you king

@sparatus is tearing me to fucking pieces with Make Less the Depth of Grief. i hate you (i love you)

@uraniumwriting also obliterated me with their FFF entry.

@wrathbites is back and I'm literally beside myself I missed the Vampire AU so fucking much.

oops @commander-krios got me invested in Star Wars please look at this.

@starknstarwars updated Smuggler's Ruin aaaaaaaaaaaaa

A few of our members participated in Shenko Summer!! @dandenbo wrote Volta and @mrsd-writes wrote both We Got Here the Hard Way and Forever Home!

@regalbois dropped a new original oneshot and has been going bananas over Bioshock lately and gifting us MORE mlm deliciousness, ch 3 of Magnum Opus went live last night.

@inflarescent has a new wippppp aaaaaaa -- intro post for The Roulette Paradox here!

@discoeffect updated Far From Any Road and I am devouring the first book so I can read this one!!

Around the 'Blr:

Have you checked out the Writeblr Directory or Writeblr Cafe yet?

I'm literally still thinking about @captain-kraken's Heitha translator.

@void-botanist dropped some witch lore I'm eating with a spoon.

@tc-doherty ALSO popped off with the conlang.

The dates IRL are lining up with the dates in @elshells's Agent Ace EXCITING also a new chapter is dropping probably by the time I post this lmao

@liv-is dropped this GOLDMINE of relationship writing tips also TIL what Liv does for a living not sorry

@writernopal first of all made me absolutely CRY being sweet in the tags last night and also dropped an aasoaf 3 sneep while i was composing this thank you my friend i needed the energy snack

did y'all see Find the Word XVIII from @artdecosupernova-writing i'm going FERAL

@tabswrites's Silver Sentinels has a second chapter, I am VIBRATING

@oh-no-another-idea just slid in with this little diddy that i LOVE.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Outpost Updates Taglist: @tabswrites @writernopal @freedominique @asher-orion-writes @liv-is @starknstarwars @captain-kraken

Ask to +/- in the tags, replies, DMs, or HERE!

[look-how-they-massacred-them]

Preliminary Poll

Funtime Freddy

Submission reason:

i'm going to lose my Fuckign mind okay. fanon screws with him a lot too but only because of the stupid books. in the game series funtime freddy is very loud and eccentric and overly cheery/friendly but It's Five Nights At Freddy's(tm) and he was made by PuRpLe GuYe⁉️😱 so he's got the capacity to kill kids in particular. mind you he never Actually Does That in the games despite what nonsense you may hear he just was made To Do That as the end goal. and is generally only "aggressive" in the game itself bc he thinks the player is The Man Behind The Slaughter Himself etc etc and well not even that man's own robots like him. i cannot stress enough however that funtime freddy is a sweetheart and the personification of YIPPEE! he loves parties and surprises. he has a hand puppet named bon-bon who helps him calm down and whom he adores and is so sweet to. he'd kin pinkie pie if he knew about . kinning. or pinkie pie. Do you understand But Then the book series Fazbear Frights basically tells me, personally, to go fuck myself with count the ways, which stars my beautiful angel on earth being a complete fucking edgelord for no reason in particular and hanging onto his pre-established personality by a thread as he kills a teenage girl after Evil Infodumping to her about methods of execution??? what was that about. where am i. He Spoke French that should not be allowed. they kept describing his voice as "deep" when he literally sounds like speaking after breathing in helium. This Is Hell. so NOW everyone treats him like the most evil sadistic creature ever and will pull out every ableist description they can imagine when talking about him (oh he's PSYCHOTIC? he's a SOCIOPATH with NO EMPATHY? Actually Buddy He's A PASTEL COLOURED ROBOT BEAR!!!!!!) and this stupidity just gets hammered in by the Clusterfuck that is whatever the Shit And Fuck is going on with the lore Nowadays that makes me want to pass away. if you look online for any analyses or wiki pages or whatever about him now they're all going to say he's like the end-all-be-all of evil bc he's so murderous and he Loves It Lots And Lots. and then you pan to him and he's sitting there literally Giggling like Teehee For Men. i'm going to lose it. what did he do to deserve this. what did *I* do to deserve this

Propaganda:

his voice actor is autistic hence proof he is too (definitely sound logic). he's literally the autism creature. he's got a stutter and it's endearing to me. despite any Media Illiterate Takes that may suggest otherwise Upon his and the other sister location animatronics' escape from the underground rental facility He (and the others) just fucked off for 40 years. just vibing. literally him and the others Banned the one animatronic that had a bone to pick and a vengeance or whatever to fulfill from their club their Squad their Clique so they could just hang out in peace. i feel like i'm in the fucking twilight zone every time i see or hear anything about him nowadays because it feels like nobody else retained anything. in one ear out the other for 99% of this fanbase. i'm ready to do some bite of 87 shit

[gummybear1178]

F-14: Family of 14: You Don’t Know But...

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Also on AO3:  

Hope you guys enjoy! If you want on the taglist let me know! (See guys I am learning Tumblr)

Not fully sure where this story is going other than it will be IceMav and their 12 adopted dagger squadron kids!

The dagger squad is determined to find out who Maverick is married to, leading to some shenanigans and eventually the reveal! Followed by one shots featuring MavDad Icemav and Dadmiral with the Daggers!

Feel free to leave requests and ideas

The Daggers sat on the deck of the Hard Deck. Penny had been kind enough to allow the Daggers to make it their unofficial hangout. However, they hadn't taken her up on the offer much until Mav and Ice's house kind of became off limits for a few weeks.

Well, not so much off limits, more so they had semi banned themselves temporarily. Electing to one, let Mav rest and feel better, and two, not get in the middle of whatever was going on between Ice and Maverick.

"I wonder what happened?" Phoenix finally asked the looming question in the group.

"I don't know," Bradley admitted, knowing the rest knew he was most likely to know. "All I know is that the Flyboys told me the house is probably a no-fly zone for a bit."

A few Daggers snorted at his attempt of humor to lighten the mood.

"No, but really, all they've told me is it's something to be left between Dad and Pops. They claim they will be fine once they talk."

"And when will they talk?" Fanboy asks quietly.

Several of the Daggers heads went down.

"Usually, they don't take long. It's just a matter of them getting it out." Bradley watched the waves. "I barely remember a fight between them growing up, at least not one that wasn't over within a few hours."

Jake looked down at his water bottle.

He just had this family start to form. He couldn't lose it now.

"Kids, look, Maverick and Ice, they fight on occasion. They are also stubborn, which means sometimes it takes a minute for them to work it out. But they always do." Penny said, stepping out onto the deck.

"Hey, Penny." Several of the Daggers greeted. Others just nodded in her direction.

"While their stubborness may make it take an extra second to solve their issues, it also means that they are stubborn about loving each other. Those two have been through a lot together. They will get through this." Penny assured.

"How do you know?" Jake asked. A few glancing his way surprised by the raw tone to his voice.

"Becuase they always do." Penny stated as though it was a fact, and after the way she said it, the Daggers didn't think that it could be anything else.

"You know you are our unofficial aunt, right?" Fanboy asked, breaking some of the tension.

"Oh, trust me, I know." Penny rolled her eyes, "And I wouldn't change it for anything." She winked before heading back into the building.

Phoenix smiled, and with a renewed hope amongst the Daggers, she decided to suggest a change of topic.

"Alright, how about we play a game?"

"What kind of game we talkin'?" Javy asks.

"A get to know each other more game. We each know each other on varying levels." Phoenix explained.

Each Dagger chimed in a version of agreement, and so the game began.

"It's called 'You don't know, but...' and basically you tell everyone something that they don't know. It can be about yourself, a random fact, or really just about anything. Some of us know other better than others, so just not something everyone knows. Like your call sign. The point is to get to know each other better."

"Alright, Phe, you suggest the game you have to start us off." Bradley pointed out, leaning back in his chair.

And so the game was on.

"Alright, you don't know, but... I played softball in high school."

"I guess I'll go next, you don't know, but I am a huge Swiftie to the point my call sign was almost Swift." Harvard said.

"You don't know, but I got my first black eye in college from lightsaber dueling in the courtyard." Fanboy admitted/bragged.

"Only you." Bradley laughed.

"Hey, we had a many a people come try and join us. Also, I would like to point out it wasn't becuase I couldn't duel it was because my roommate was supposed to just go left then right and just keep repeating but then got confused and went the same way twice."

"If we ever doubted your call sign, that's all the proof we needed." Bradley laughed.

"You don't know, but I hate being called Bagman." Jake said, glancing down at the deck.

"Good to know Hangman." Phoenix said, but the look on her face made him know she took the statement seriously.

"You don't know, but I want you guys to call me Jake..." Jake added, having already taken a huge step out of his comfort zone. Why not take one more.

"Good to know, Jake." Phoenix amended, a small smile on her face.

Meanwhile, Javy watched his best friend with a smile on his face. Proud of him for opening up.

Javy knew that was a huge step for Jake.

Now, if only he could take another huge step when it comes to another pilot. Javy internally rolled his eye,  knowing that was going to be a much more complicated process.

"You don't know this, but I went to LSU, GEAUX TIGERS!" Javy said, allowing the mood to lighten and take the pressure off of Jake.

And so the game went on.

---

The tension in the house was palpable. Even the ever light hearted Fanboy would be able to feel it.

Maverick had finally started to feel better.

Which, on one hand, Ice was very happy his husband was feeling better. However, on the other hand, that meant the looming conversation was soon to occur.

Ice walked into the living room with a cup of tea in each hand.

Maverick sat wrapped in a blanket on the couch. He reached out a hand to take a cup from Ice as Ice sat down.

"Ice..." Maverick started.

Ice sighed, he knew that tone. He had been anxiously awaiting that tone.

"Conversation time?" Ice asked softly.

"Look -"

"I'm not objecting, I know the conversation needs to be had. So, let's have it. Where do you want to start?"

"What did you tell Cyclone?" Maverick finally settled on after a moment of pause. He had run this conversation through his head hundreds of times and he still wasn't sure how he wanted to start it.

"I told him that if someone tells you that you can't do something, you have to p

rove them wrong. That you will do everything to prove them wrong."

"Did you really think that I wouldn't do everything possible to make this mission go well. To make it succeed. To bring Bradley back alive?" Maverick's voice strained during the last sentence.

"Mav..."

"No, Ice, you are the one who has believed in me. You pushed me to be better, but never by making me believe that you didn't believe in me. Rather because I knew you believed in me. So, why, why would this time be different? Why would you tell Cyclone to not believe in me, why not have him believe in me and not have me fighting him every step of the way?"

"I needed to make sure you came back, you and Bradley and everyone else. I panicked, and I know you do well when you do something out of spite." Ice admitted.

"So, the encouragement of keeping my kid, our kid, alive wasn't enough?"

"It should have been. Deep down I know you would do everything to come back and make sure he came back, but my fears took over. My biggest fear was losing you; losing Bradley. I let my fear control me."

"And you've never done this any other time? Never?"

"This is the first, only, and last time I have ever done that."

"I'm going to ask again Ice, do you regret it?" Maverick asked, his eyes as serious as ever, he had already asked this, and Ice evaded. He would not evade this time.

"I-"

"Ice."

"I regret my methods. I regret that I told someone to esentially hurt you. I regret hurting you. I regret letting me fears take control of me. However, if that is the reason you survived, I don't know if I can fully regret it."

"Ice, we established, I would do everything no matter what. That spite it not the reason I survived and so did the Daggers. So, one final time, do you regret it?"

"Yes, I regret it."

"And you will never, and I mean never pull that again?"

"Never."

Maverick simply nodded taking the information in.

"Maverick, I always believe in you. I know not everyone has, and I never should have contributed to the doubt others have had. I never doubted you. I was scared. I acted irrationally. I am so sorry Mav... I love you."

"I love you too Ice."

"I know you went through years of superiors telling you that you couldn't do something and judging you just from your last name all because of a government cover up. I know all of that. I never should have told someone to act like that. I truly am sorry."

"I believe you Ice. This hurt, I am not going to lie. I do however, understand why you did, I may not agree with it, but I see where your thoughts went and why. I forgive you, but don't ever do that again."

"Never."

"So, we can tell the kids the parents have made up so they can come over again without fear of feeling like they are in an igloo with the cold tension?"

"According to Viper, they have been referring to our house as a 'no fly zone' so I think we can change that status. I missed our Daggers."

"They missed you too." Maverick smiled as he leaned against Ice's side. "I'm not telling them why we were fighting. Just we had a disagreement, we talked about it, and it's over with. They don't need the details."

Ice nodded silently as he tucked Maverick's head under his chin.

The world was back on it's axis.

---

"Alright Grand-Daggers, I've been told today will be my last day as your instructor, however, I am in town for longer so this will not be that last you see of me. The impending last day though, does mean it's time for some good stories." Viper said with a growing smirk. "For this, I have brought in a guest instructor, Grand-Daggers, meet your other Grandfather, Jester."

"Greetings, grand-daggers, I do believe it is story time." Jester dramatically walked in, swinging the door open.

"Now, how about I tell time Maverick made a excel sheet detailing who he thought reminded him most of from pop culture characters. However, in trying to send it to the flyboys, he accidentally sent it to the whole base. Cain, a 1 star admiral at the time, was not happy to be matched with Skeletor, however, Stevens, a 2 star admiral at the time, was very happy to be matched with Luke Skywalker, and well, he took care of Cain."

"I mean it's Luke Skywalker, ofcourse he was very happy." Fanboy agreed.

"Leave it to him to somehow send an email like that to the whole base." Yale laughed.

"Though, Bradley over there did convince Ice to go as Batman for Halloween one year becausae he was going as Robin." Jesters began the next story.

"Yea, then convinced every other flyboy who was stateside to join in. By the end we had most of the Justice League and a few villains." Viper added.

"Who was Mav?" Halo asked.

"Green Lantern, more specifically Hal Jordan because he was also a military pilot. Air Force though, so Maverick made sure to wear his bomber which of course has his Navy patches. Claimed he was improving the character. Which techinically he was."

---

Short, but it's something. Hope you guys enjoyed. Sorry it took sthe o long, hopefully another chapter or 2 in August. July is questionable. However, it's been months so I wanted to get yall something.

As usual, let me know what yall thought and what yall want to see!

Thanks for reading and continuing to comment!

[thebahwrites]

Hey!!! If you’re still doing prompts then please do Icemav + talking about death please :)

Icemav + Death talks To read listening: I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab for Cutie CW: Heavy angst, injury, blood mention, car crashes death talks I don't usually add these to these warmup prompts but today I woke up and chose violence so I'm putting this under a read more, no one dies but you get the idea.

Love of mine Someday you will die But I'll be close behind I'll follow you into the dark

"What do you think there is? At the end."

"Mav, stop talking, for once." Or don't. Tom couldn't think quite clearly, which was a first for him — so much for being ice cold when it got down to this. It did occur to him that maybe this was why relationships of people in the same squad weren't allowed because right now thinking became some form of extreme exercise, the convoluted kind ; like trying to find space in a crowded shelf for another knicknack. His hands are shaking, why are his hands shaking? Had the ice finally made all the way into his bones?

"You'd miss the sound of my voice, admit it, Kazansky." Maverick jabs again but there's just the slight hint of strain underlining the words that make Iceman even colder, ironic as it was. It was so damn cold but Tom isn't sure his hands are shaking because of the snow falling around them. It hurts.

"Yeah I would." He's forced to admit to at leas try and focus on something here.

"There's nothing else for you to do, Tom, give it up." Pete hums, talking all too casually for someone whose head and neck were bleeding so heavily that Tom felt like getting sick. The kind of sick he'd feel when a missile rushed right by his cockpit but didn't hit, swerving by the skin of his teeth. He still wouldn't let up, hands wrapped around the man in his arms, cradling that, thankfully so warm, body like it was his mother's fine china. Maverick had always been smaller than him, alright, but right now he felt small. Fragile, even. And Iceman who was never afraid, the man who never hesitated, felt like a helpless child.

"Ambulance's gonna be here soon, c'mon, just keep me busy here." Mav offers and if the man hadn't just been sent through the windshield of their car Ice might have strangled him right there — how dare he be the one comforting him? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Trust that creature to be a maverick of his own.

"Even if you were dying, which you aren't just so we're very clear, this isn't a conversation I ever felt like having, you know?" Maybe it's a snippy response, snippier than it normally would have been — as if he isn't feeling like discussing death and mortality with a man bleeding out on the side of the road in his arms.

"I'm not afraid of dying." Pete's words aren't, somehow, a surprise.

"To no one's surprise, Mav." Maybe there wasn't, in fact, anything he could do other than keep the man's focus and attention on this conversation; even if it meant indulging in what was at best a terrible topic and at worst a terrifying telling of this car crash they found themselves in. Ice runs shaky fingertips over Maverick's bloodied forehead, not really doing much but it felt warm under gelid digits.

"Are you?" Of course Pete would ask that. Tom sighs through his teeth, caving to the whims of that stubborn little man, pushing into that conversation. Pete Mitchell could always get whatever he wanted from him, whatever it was, that short man recklessly held Tom Kazansky's heart in the palm of his hand.

"I am, actually." Ice admits defeat all to easily, finally peeling his gaze away from the man on his lap, eyes falling on the Christmas lights around them, red and white and yellow, the spotty other colorful hues here and there. "Wanting to live is what keeps me fighting to not lose, I think that's where we differ, Mav." It's not that Tom didn't think about it often, he just had better things to think about most of his time. But he looks down and catches curious, though bloodshot, green eyes watching his face ever so attentively.

"I don't know what's at the end, to answer your question but I don't think it matters that much either... I think it's the whole of the journey that counts." His voice feels steadier now, watching Pete's features ever so closely, they're all alone in the world for now. Surrounded by the distant lights, fading Christmas carols, quietly falling snow and the smoldering wreckage of the car; all vague witnesses to this small tragedy. Maverick's blood dripping ever so quietly, staining Iceman's jeans into a painting he wished to forget. "I think... whatever's at the end, it's the whole of my life that should make it count... maybe afraid isn't the right word, the thing is, I don't want to die, I want to stay here, with you."

Tom wonders if he's said the wrong thing when Pete falls silent, which in any other setting would've warranted a finally! from him. But it doesn't, instead, he only knows the man hasn't passed out because he can see pondering eyes.

"I think I lied." Maverick finally speaks, voice a little shaky, hands coming up to find Iceman's wrist, a thumb sliding into his pulse point. "I think I am afraid of death... just not mine."

If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark

[animementrash]

I could've died

Characters: Levi x reader

Tags: angst, canonverse scenario, hurt no comfort, implied levi x reader

A/N: woo! third day in a row posting! thank you very much to those who have taken the time to read/like/reblog my work I deeply appreciate it! Also I keep on posting AOT related stuff because I had an AOT brainrot and most of my saved works are related to this anime but I also have some content for other fandoms which I'll eventually post. This is my take in the "hurt no comfort" area, I'm not very fond of this topic but a little heartbreak is good from time to time(? Once again thanks for reading and feel free to message me any request/comment!

There is a high-pitched beep that brings my consciousness back, I wake up with a gasp and look around to find my horse patiently waiting for me in the open field. I get up still confused and make my way to it.

“I could’ve died… I seriously could’ve died” That’s all I can think about while I ride my horse as fast as I can to reach my squad after a titan grabbed me in the middle of the ground, it happened so quick I didn’t have any time to react, all I could feel was my ribs hurting and the screams of my team members, everything went blank and then I woke up in the floor. I guess Levi or someone killed the titan but didn’t stop for me since we have explicit orders to retreat as soon as possible.

“Hey guys! I don’t know who killed that guy back there but thanks for the help! I was seriously scared!” I say once I'm near them, our horses racing through the muddy field make it difficult to communicate while riding. Some do glance back and others just keep riding, I then spot Levi at the front of the formation, his horse is going faster than ours.

“Captain Levi!” One of our squad members calls him, maybe he’s trying to let him know I’m back in the formation but Levi never replies, he keeps on riding with his gaze fixed straight forward.

“It’s alright! I’ll talk to him once we get back to the safe area!” I tell the guy and he just keeps riding in silence. Was Levi angry at me? I guess the fact that I got caught did make him upset so I hope his anger has cooled down once we reach the barracks.

“Be careful guys, seems like a storm is approaching!” I alert the squad; the sky is filled with clouds and the sun is soon hidden behind a gray curtain. Again, nobody replies and I start to feel as if not only Levi but everyone is upset with me.

We move forward and after a couple minutes my horse starts to lose its strength, maybe it was also hurt during the assault.

“Guys, I’ll slow down for a bit, my horse isn’t feeling too well” I announce and meet silence once more, with a sigh I slow down the pace and let my horse rest. The team moves at the same speed and sooner than later there is a considerable distance between us but I remain calm since we’re no longer in titan’s ground. I feel a knot form in my stomach and the urge to cry when I see them get away, I feel ashamed and useless, they seem to be very angry at me. I let the tears roll down my face taking advantage in the fact that nobody is around me.

About half an hour later I am finally back at the barracks, I leave my horse in the stables and make my way to my squad, they’re all reunited next to a bonfire except for Levi.

“Hey guys, I really want to apologize for what happened back there, it was a rookie mistake that could’ve cost my life and I am sorry for worrying you all…” I speak with a shaky voice, some of them have their backs turned towards me.

“Guys seriously, if there’s something I can do to fix this please let me know…” Tears fill my eyes and blur my vision, I look down to avoid being seen crying and blink the tears away, that is when I see it. The muddy boots of my team mates are all pointing away from me, nobody is turned towards me, but the worst part is when I look to where my boots should be and all I see is air. I’m not there. “I could’ve died” echoes in my mind over and over and slowly turns into “I died”. I look up and see their crying faces and understand it’s because of me, I look around and try to find Levi but he’s nowhere around.

“Levi, I am sorry” With that whisper my presence dissipates and somewhere inside the barracks Levi allows himself to let out a broken sob.

[actual-bill-potts]

For the Director's Cut game! I'd love to hear your commentary about the latest chapter of And All His Towers Cast Down, especially the questioning scene in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. That was brilliantly terrifying and this part in particular just lives rent-free in my head: “Finrod can feel the moment when Sauron realizes what he has done [...] he feels his face re-form, his bones knitting together - no - no, please - ‘I will un-make and re-make you, as many times as it takes’ “

thank you so much! and many apologies for my late response to these, afjdklsafd ive been sick and am now catching up on work and yes, Finrod and co ARE sitting in a corner staring at me as I determinedly ignore all my WIPs lmao but anyway. ok. going to talk about the entire chapter. under a cut as it's going to be a bit long lol.

So, chapter 13 was not initially planned at all. In fact (and you may be horrified to hear this), pretty much the entire first half of this fic has been mostly unplanned, because when I started working on towers I did not intend to include Finrod as more than a side character! You can kind of see it in this post which was what towers came out of - I wanted to write a story about Lúthien and Maglor, partly because they are a fascinating character combo and partly because I was really interested in the political implications of such a team-up for both the Noldor and the Sindar.

Like, with Finrod alive, Lúthien (presumably) feeling very positively towards at least one son of Fëanor, and Morgoth having been dealt a crushing blow by the combined might of the Noldor and the Sindar, does Thingol back down? Do Celegorm and Curufin? Would Lúthien and Beren feel the need to retire from the world if they had met more people who wholeheartedly supported their love, rather than being attacked at every turn? And (because this is a theme I remain fascinated by in the Silm) does any of it make any difference at all? After all, the Noldor are at war not just with Morgoth but also with the rest of the Valar, so how would being under the Doom play out during a Nirn that included the support of all the Elven kingdoms? These were the questions that I was really excited about answering when I started this fic.

When I began to write it, I was going to have the rescue play out in a chapter or two, max, and then have Finrod and maybe even Maedhros join the Silmaril squad. It was going to be so epic - but as I was writing, characters started to push back on what I was saying, lol. For instance, it took some convincing for the pragmatic Maedhros to want to even try to find out what happened to Finrod (never mind rescuing him!). No way, no how was he going to go to Angband. And after watching ten of Finrod's closest friends die for him, Beren would knock Finrod over the head with a chair and run away before he'd let Finrod follow him on any more of the quest. So that was right out.

And then the more I thought about the rescue, the more fascinated I became by Tol-in-Gaurhoth in general; it really represents a turning point in Leithian for a lot of characters. Lúthien and Huan come into their power and start taking control of the narrative; Finrod dies; Beren loses most of his agency (I find it fascinating that pre-Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Beren drives most of the plot - he becomes an outlaw, he makes it into Doriath, he decides to go on the Silmaril Quest, he goes to Nargothrond, etc - and afterwards he turns into something of a McGuffin for Lúthien, which is to say that most of what he does is either run away from Lúthien or follow her around); and Sauron and Morgoth go from having the upper hand to being caught by surprise over and over again. The difficulty in writing an AU about a key moment in the story - Finrod's death - being interrupted by new characters and events is that you still have to deal with the ramifications of that key moment, and now there are more people around, lol.

So anyway, after spending a lot of time thinking about this, I ended up wanting to tell two main stories with towers. The first is the story I originally meant to tell, that of Maglor and Lúthien wrecking Morgoth: but with the added twist that Maglor, particularly after watching how haunted Maedhros was in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, is motivated at least as much by guilt as he is by a desire to stick it to Morgoth and fulfill the Oath. He feels guilty that he didn't rescue Maedhros, and he feels guilty that he is going to Angband now and not then, and the sight of Finrod immediately post-Sauron's-hospitality is bringing a lot of painful memories back for him, so he is...not thinking very clearly. He is going to have to face a lot of that in Angband, both facing the stark reality of where Maedhros was for (REDACTED amount of time), and eventually accepting how fucking insane it was that Fingon's rescue actually worked.

The second story I want to tell is that of Finrod's reckoning with his own trauma and his own failure. Somebody else sent an ask about Finrod's character in this, so I won't go too much into all that here, but to summarize: Tol-in-Gaurhoth in many ways represents the failure and destruction of nearly everything Finrod worked on and valued in Middle-earth. Characters in the Silm tend to deal with failure by. well. murdering people. but our boi is pretty unique. How would he deal with being so thoroughly hurt in a universe in which he survives?

Both of these stories are about to actually kick off in the next few chapters (ahhh, chapter 14...where the original iteration of this story started...), but as I was working on chapter 14 onwards, I felt that towers as a whole needed a little space to breathe between the conclusion of what is essentially the World's Longest Prologue and the start of the "meat" of the story. Hence Maglor's conversation with Maedhros, which sets out the main (internal) conflicts their characters will be facing. For Maglor, it is:

Maglor drew a deep breath. "I only - the truth is that I should have done this - this quest - when you were captured. Thou art as precious as a Silmaril to me," he added, slipping into Quenya in the privacy of their chambers, "and I wish that I had had the courage to do as Lúthien did. That I am going now, and not then: it damns me. Did I care so little for our father's jewels - did I care so little for thy life - that I was content to sit behind walls until the daughter of Thingol reached out her hand and did what we could not?"

Maglor is intensely driven by guilt and a sense of competition with Lúthien, which will drive him to do. some Things.

For Maedhros, it is this:

Maglor laid his head on Maedhros' shoulder carefully. Maedhros felt his tears wetting his tunic; but he did not mind. "It is all right, Makalaurë," he said. "It is all well. Do thy great deed; and in fulfilling the Oath perhaps we will find a way to unmesh ourselves from Doom. I would like that," he added, very quietly, "for our younger brothers."

Maedhros, hearing about C&C's actions in Nargothrond, and watching Maglor be so torn apart by the Oath, is fully realizing here the impact the Oath is having on his brothers. A large part of his arc will revolve around dealing with the political and personal disaster that is Nargothrond; and he is counting on Maglor and Lúthien, maybe more than he himself realizes, to repeat Fingon's great deed.

And then we get to the Tol-in-Gaurhoth flashback! Finrod's arc in the coming chapters will be all about recovery and coming to terms with what happened to him - so it ought to be clear in the reader's mind what actually did happen to him. I tried to use my understanding of the characters of Sauron and Morgoth, as well as the canonical events of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, to work out what the experience most likely entailed (apart from the obvious, uh. getting eaten by wolves thing). We know that post-Silmaril-burning, Morgoth is incapable of assuming a fair form. From this we can extrapolate that likely those who serve him have something of a grudge against beautiful things - and Finrod is canonically very beautiful. So I think he would be a very tempting target for Sauron to smash into a pulp, alas.

Also, as several authors here on tumblr have pointed out, it's somewhat ludicrous that Sauron looked at the incredibly powerful golden-haired Elvenking in the company of a mortal and didn't recognize Finrod - unless Finrod managed to keep up some sort of enchantment that prevented Sauron from recognizing him. There's a lot of different ways this could go, but I essentially interpreted it as Finrod keeping up a spell of misdirection - Sauron knows there's something about him, it's on the tip of his tongue, but Finrod is preventing him from fully realizing their importance. So Sauron is essentially playing with his food here - I'm of the opinion that if Sauron knew what to look for with regards to Nargothrond, Finrod would stand no chance. Finrod certainly thinks so, anyway, and so he's using everything he can to keep Sauron from looking at him as anything more than a plaything. Unfortunately Finrod is a) very pretty and b) very much beloved, which gives Sauron lots of room for entertainment.

Unfortunately, and I do hate to admit this, the "unmaking and remaking" thing was almost a complete accident - I was almost done with the scene, and then I thought, "wait! I never mentioned facial injuries! fuck!" so. sauron got to be extra creepy to cover up for my lack of planning. xD

[naraozu]

This post is about criticizing and liked moments of Cosmic Fury I disliked how ollie was turned to evil by poison, what I mean is that I dislike how they are overusing the brainwashing or poison technique's. The A Squad has turned evil on their own accord which I really liked and I would like for the rangers to turn evil on their own accord but then get redemption. I liked the fact that Ollie did hurt Amelia and the producers didn't hold back on him being evil, he literally threw his sword at her to kill her. I am glad they aren't holding back on the seriousness. I love how realistic Javi losing an arm was, he gone into shock and he does have negative thoughts but he's still trying even though he thinks it's worthless but gradually overtime he gotten really happy and learned how to work with his prosthetic arm.

Amelia just like gave up on ollie after two failures and its not in her list of important to get him back. Remember how when the evil rangers are brainwashed and their friends would do everything in their power to save their friend as soon as possible? Amelia after two tries literally gave up on him till episode 8 rolled around, sure you guys might say she had other responsibilities but when did that stop the past rangers on saving their friends?? Amelia never had the tendency to go and save Ollie immediately, she kinda just let it sit there till an answer pops up. Dude, Ollie's mother even worked every day maybe every night to find a solution to help Ollie get back to the good side and all of a sudden Amelia takes interest in saving Ollie again? This just DOES NOT sit right with me at all.

I love how Fern is based off Solon's power, the way that Solon had short circuited from saving Fern to her touching Solon and then exchanged power that made Fern morph because she went to save Solon, i'm in love with this idea so much. Heckly being a spy was a great idea because he used to be a villian and I do not think the villians know this BUT SEEING HIM MORPH WAS SO FUCKING HYPE!!!!!! Javi shaking those peppers and salts over an earth globe >.< Javi banging and drumming on kitchen ware lmfaooo IZZYFERN!!!!!!!!! THEY HAD SUCH CUTE AND REALISTIC MOMENTS! The part "I wanted to keep you safe but I forgot what I loved most about you.. you are unstoppable." AND THE BEST OFF ALL!! JAVELIA SCENES!!! THERE WAS SO MUCH JAVELIA SCENES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[davidmariottecomics]

Burning a Resource (Or How I'm Leaving Twitter)

Hey again! 

Yesterday, I drew and posted a little comic on my various socials (reposted here) about how I'm gearing up to officially shut down my Twitter. And I want to talk a little bit about why it isn't an immediate thing that I'm doing, and some thoughts I've had on losing what has ultimately been a really valuable resource in my personal and professional life, particularly in light of how it has gotten people jobs. 

Why am I Leaving?

The long and short is I can't ethically stay. I find Elon Musk to be detestable as a human being and wish him nothing but ill-will, in the same way that he uses his money and resources to push ill-will upon the world. And under his reign--because he certainly treats it as a kingdom--the site had gotten a lot worse in a bunch of ways. For months, people have been describing the overall site's decline into far right views and activism. You can see all the problems of greed and bad business sense at work as so many functions have gone offline or been shunted to only being accessible behind a pay wall. There're increasing problems of the user experience--I know someone who has basically given up on Twitter because the site makes them "verify their identity/that they're human" multiple times a day, and then directs them to the Twitter Rules, without any sort of guidance on how any rule that Twitter has may've been violated. And, yes, there are a lot of services that I've elected to use despite having compunctions about them, but that's uhh... living in a capitalistic society and having to make decisions on how far you're willing to flex and while that's not a morally great feeling, it's part of how we have to exist at the moment and being cognizant of the decisions we make around these things is an important part of navigating further use. And this point, I am not going to keep using Twitter. 

Why am I Staying? 

That all said, I'm not leaving this exact moment. I'm not sure of my exact exit date. By the end of 2023, certainly. But I have a few things I'd like to wrap up before I go, and I want to briefly walk you through them. 

First off, let me just say, this is also very highly influenced by my age. I am of the age when I have never worked at a company that didn't have a social media presence while I was there. I watched in real time as platforms like Twitter and Facebook became a regular part of business--through promotion and connections--and how that was added to workflows as I was coming up. I think a lot of the people who've had an easier time detransitioning from socials are folks who were not trained onto it from a young age. But that's not my case and I want to make sure that the business and personal aspects of my life that have been entangled in Twitter are compensated for in other ways. 

To me, the most important loss that will come from this is of community. And that's why I've continued to stay above all else. There are a lot of folks I'm connected to on Twitter that I don't have connections to other places. Functionally, I like Bluesky a lot. I'm about to hit 1000 followers, which all told, is pretty good. I have over 4 times that on Twitter, but I would guess a significant portion of that difference is not on Bluesky because it's invite only. And while I may have connections here and there on other platforms, they're pretty diffused and I am not using most of those platforms regularly enough to actually know who all is where. Like, despite everything I just about Bluesky, it's my second largest platform above Facebook (not counting the IDW Sonic Squad page), Instagram, and on anything else, less than 100 people are set-up to regularly see my posts, and that makes the way I use social media harder to do. 

And the primary way I do use social is to find and connect with creators and help promote their projects. So, this week, I'm setting my Twitter up with scheduled posts and through whenever I deactivate, I'll still have my posts going out about new projects that are important to me and to the people who worked hard on them. I think their work deserves whatever boost of recognition it might get from my social presence there.

In the coming weeks, my other big project will be to get as much contact info as I can. I have found so many artists that I really like on Twitter and I want to be able to reach out to them when I want/need to. I want to make sure my friends and I exchange ways to communicate outside of this. I'm taking this upon myself because that's, I dunno, my role? Editors tend to be the ones to reach out when we have a project. So I want to make sure I'm doing my part of be proactive about keeping that up. 

Finally, I want to make sure that I'm not completely out of touch with the other personal and practical parts of Twitter. I follow Genshin Impact because I think the game's fun. I frequently get updates on it through Twitter and should probably make sure if I want to continue those updates, I'm aware of how to get them otherwise. I follow journalists and sex workers and activists and unions and smart people whose thoughts I don't want to lose and dumb people who post real funny and just like... my friends and I'd like to make sure they aren't lost in the ether either. 

How We Collectively Move Forward Earlier this week, Becca and I got to do something pretty cool and talk to a class of sequential art students. If you were one of those students and are now reading this, hi! But we were asked to attend to give sort of a really cumulative look at working in comics from the point of view of an editor who has been at this for a long time and from a working freelance artist who does a lot of tabling at shows and indie work and is also still looking to get in and start doing work at bigger companies. As part of that, we talked to the kids about the advantages of tabling at and attending cons and how to go about meeting editors at shows and generally, how best to get the attention of an editor.

One of the things we talked about was with Twitter becoming less of an option, one of the more accessible ways to get on an editor's radar is going away. Not that editors like to be cold DM'ed necessarily, but as someone who has found a lot of talent through specifically Twitter and who recognizes that interstate, much less international, travel for cons is expensive and taxing, it sucks to lose that resource. And that's compounded by a lot of other resources going sideways--like, DeviantArt and ArtStation and some of the other art sharing sites have become hotbeds of AI theft bullshit and were full of NFTs before that. Some of the other potential social sites that could be used to promote your art like Cohost or Mastodon or TikTok are not always the best at discoverability or a good match to how you interact online (I don't really use any of those platforms). It's tough.

As has been said time and time again, it's neither fair nor particularly productive to have a significant portion of your work day be crossposting a million times and places and slightly different formats hoping to have your work hit where and when it needs to. Making comics is often a 2nd shift job, or a 4th & 5th shift job as you're trying to do more consistent work--be it a day job or non-comics freelance, plus caring for a family of some sort, plus the act of making art being a different job from the act of promoting it being a different job from the act of actually running an independent business to do all these things. 

My only real solution is, y'know, collective support. On my own website, I have a Friends page with links to the sites of people I like and have worked with or like the work of. I know that the Cartoonist Cooperative has a talent database of their members. There's a fairly new Adult Artist Webring. One of the best things I think creators can do with their peers is equivalent exchange projects--be that getting blurbs from or having your friends/peers post about your new project on their platforms, exchanging promos of projects on Kickstarter updates or just reposting each other's stuff, making ad swaps so if you have an indie project, you can put an ad for your friend's thing in it. I think other people should of course have Friend-type pages on their websites, and I am always appreciative when an artist reaches out or declines a project and recommends some other folks they know. It's a major part of how things build in this industry and how we do maintain connection outside of social media spheres. 

And, from an editorial perspective, one of the things that's really tough to navigate sometimes is how welcome you are in some of these spaces. I've mentioned Discords before, and while they can be a really great communal resource to the artists in them, there are a lot of very regular, valid reasons why artists might not want an editor in that space. So it does have to be considered and measured where and how folks are presenting themselves to get that visibility and traction. 

My last thought is y'know do try your hardest while also, again, accepting that this is a ton of work all the time and is often done on top of other work, to figure out what makes sense for you to reach out to people. If you aren't able to go to cons and meet editors, or you're only able to go to cons where you don't think many editors are attending, how do you move forward? Well, maybe your solution is to do a lot of anthologies that have a mix of talent involved and might get some extra eyes on your work because it also includes people who are known names that editors follow. Maybe your solution is to get an agent who can send your work out to editors on a regular basis and let them know when you're looking for work. Maybe your solution is to get a hold of cool comic and zine shops and see if they'll do consignment on your books, even if you aren't local, because they're local to where publishing is. Maybe your solution is to look up if a company has a talent director/scout type role and to reach out to them, rather than editorial directly. There are alternate ways to both social media and cons to get your work in front of hiring folks eyes, thought they also require a bit of leg-work and luck. 

Because I've talked about it a lot, here are the other places you can find me online. 

Bluesky Instagram My Website Patreon Tumblr Buttondown Linktree I am on Cohost, Mastodon, Facebook, and LinkedIn, but don't really use them actively, so not linking here.  You can email me, though I ask you please follow my rules on the contact page.  If we know each other, you can ask for my Discord handle or my phone #. 

Until next time!  What I enjoyed this week: Blank Check (Podcast), Solve This Murder (Podcast), One Piece (Manga), The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon (Book), Reverse 1999 (Video Game), Joe Pera Talks with You (TV show), Witch Watch (Manga), Freakazoid (TV show), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Troy Little's graphic novel adaptation), drawing a little comic and generally trying to do a little more art to go with my writing, when the cats do understand their new litterbox. 

New Releases this week (11/8/2023): Godzilla Rivals: Round Two (Editor on most of it) Sonic the Hedgehog #66 (Editor) Sonic the Hedgehog: Knuckles' Greatest Hits (Editor) Sonic the Hedgehog: The IDW Art Collection (Editor)

New Releases next week (11/15/2023): Godzilla Rivals: vs. Mechagodzilla (Editor)

Announcements: If you'd like to have me on your podcast, Twitch stream, at your convention, signing at your store, talking to your students, whatever, feel free to hit me up via my contact page. To those first couple things, sorry a few podcasty/Twitch-streamy things have been delayed. We've been having some headphone/mic technical issues, but that should be fixed soon. 

Wanna support me? Visit my webstore, my Patreon, my Kofi, or my eBay. And you can always visit Becca's portfolio/shop/Patreon/Twitch streams too.

It may feel futile as all polling already shows we aren't being listened to, but email, call, or fax your representatives to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and the stopping of a genocide. There are also plenty of places to donate your time and money. 

Pic of the Week: Enjoy a little comic about leaving Twitter. 

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Field Training Date

🍒 Warning: Detailed spoilers for a date, 拉练之约, which has not been released in EN 🍒

[ Released in CN: 28 September 2022 ]

[ 1 ]

From across the bus window, the afternoon sun leaves a gentle warmth on my cheek. The swaying carriage leaves me feeling drowsy.

A vibration in my pocket rouses me awake from the tiredness. With my eyes closed, I feel around for the “answer” button on my phone.

??: We didn’t divulge anything, did we? Does Captain Gavin know that you’re coming over to visit him? What exactly did you tell him...

The moment I pick up the call, Tang Chao’s blustering voice can be heard from the other end of the line.

MC: I didn’t divulge anything, but it’d be difficult for Gavin not to know if you continued to announce my plans this loudly.

Tang Chao: Sigh. Why didn’t you tell him that you’re coming over?

MC: Your field training is in such a faraway place this time. I didn’t want him to pick me up from such a long distance.

Tang Chao: What a grand display of romance. When you reach the entrance later, just tell them who you are.

The person at the other end of the line suddenly lowers his volume before  hanging up quickly in a guilty manner.

I watch as the scene before me gradually unfolds. The thought of being able to see Gavin soon puts me in a wonderful mood.

As the STF has been conducting field training in a remote city, it’s been almost two months since I last saw Gavin.

With great difficulty, I’ve made it to the only resting day of this two-month long field training. However, the STF regulations prohibit members of the squad from leaving, and only allows family members to visit.

Gavin couldn’t bear for me to take a plane to the city, followed by a five-hour intercity bus ride and a walk up the mountain on foot. As such, he rejected my request to visit him.

But to me, the length of the journey didn’t matter at all. Being able to see him was most important. Which is why I secretly asked Tang Chao for the location of the base.

MC: I hope my “unsolicited visit” wouldn’t bring Gavin any trouble...

After dragging my huge suitcase with much difficulty, I finally reach the final flight of steps of the mountaintop.

In front of the awe-inspiring entrance field training base, I notify the sentry about who I am and am guided to the dormitory building.

The simple dormitory building is submerged quietly in a patch of gold. Looking up, I squint against the sunlight and am stunned in place.

On the balcony of a certain dormitory on the third floor, a familiar figure is currently stretching his arms.

I smile, taking out my phone and planning to send him a text to toy with him. However, the screen shows me that Gavin had sent me a text three minutes ago.

Gavin (text): What are you doing now?

I tilt my head to the side, giving it some thought. Then, I key in some words.

MC (text): I’m admiring a handsome guy as he stretches~

The figure upstairs stiffens in his movements. In the next second, his gaze lands on me accurately.

Gavin: MC, what are you doing here?

[ 2 ]

MC: Why did you lose so much weight?

Gavin and I are sitting next to each other on a simple bed in the dormitory. My gaze sweeps over him, and I find myself pinching him on the arm.

MC: You’ve become tan and your hair has grown longer too. Wait. Why do you have so many bruises?

A resigned and soft chuckle drifts to my ears, and a powerful pair of arms grip my restless hands tightly before bringing me into his arms.

Gavin: That’s what field training is like. I’d lose weight, get a tan, and there aren’t places to get a haircut. 

Gavin: But that’s enough about me. Why’d you come over without saying anything?

MC: I missed you…

I bury my face in his chest and give him a nuzzle. The familiar scent makes me feel at ease.

MC: After all, it’s almost two months since we last saw each other. Since it’s a rare opportunity to visit you, of course I had to seize it. Which is why I used some clever tactics to obtain the address of this location.

Gavin: It was Tang Chao, wasn’t it?

MC: ...how’d you guess that quickly?

A hint of a smile surfaces on his lips. He lifts his hand, brushing strands of hair behind my ear.

Gavin: He loves to meddle in other people’s business. Also, he volunteered to do some tasks today, which was suspicious. He probably wanted to redeem himself.

MC: Will he be able to escape punishment?

Gavin: Nope.

Gavin shakes his head, his gaze resolute.

Gavin: Once he returns, he’ll get his punishment.

MC: Pfft.

I quickly stand up straight, acting as though I’m ready to accept punishment from a superior.

MC: Captain Gavin should punish me too. Otherwise, I won’t be upholding justice. It was because of my longing for Captain Gavin that I asked Squadmate Tang Chao for urgent assistance. He was simply helping a citizen of Loveland City, so the “main perpetrator” was me.

Seeing that I’m pretending to be solemn, Gavin blinks while contemplating for a moment.

Gavin: In that case, your punishment is to drink less coffee when working overtime next time.

MC: How’s that possible... I rely on it to boost my energy levels and continue living!

My shoulders droop as I whine. The lifts the corners of his lips slightly.

Gavin: If you feel tired, you could give me a call. No matter how late it is, I’ll pick up.

His sincere tone warms my heart. Just as I’m about to say something, I hear an ear-piercing alarm.

“Ding ding ding.”

Not knowing what’s happening, I watch as Gavin picks up his phone and turns off the alarm.

MC: You set an alarm for 3pm?

Gavin: This is my alarm for additional training.

My brows furrow in confusion.

Gavin: The new recruits are very strong. If I don’t do additional training, I won’t be able to face them if I can’t match up to them during training.

MC: Wait. Does this mean that you’re giving yourself additional training?

Gavin nods.

MC: But isn’t today the only day of rest you have in this two-month long field training?

He freezes for a moment. As though realising something, he averts his gaze.

MC: You aren’t resting on such a precious resting day?

Gavin: Cough. Well...

MC: That won’t do. Resting is the top priority of a resting day.

Gavin’s Adam’s apple bobs up and down a few times. In the end, the corners of his lips lift in resignation and he takes my hand.

Gavin: MC, I'll get proper rest. But I have one final set of this additional training. This set is the only core training for today. Core strength is very important - it trains my strength and endurance in combat. That way, I won’t get hurt easily. Just let me complete this set, okay?

He pinches my hand, blinking his clear eyes slowly. His sharp features actually seem a little pitiful.

His choice of words and logical reasoning leave me in a daze, and I release a sigh.

MC: Okay then. But once you’re done, I’ll help you to take a little break.

Gavin: A little break?

I arch my brows in a secretive manner.

MC: You’ll find out later.

[ 3 ]

MC: 385, 386...

A pair of strong and muscular legs are hooked onto the end of the bed, taut outlines appearing due to the strength of his abdominal muscles.

My gaze shifts up and down along with Gavin’s repeated crunches, and I’m unable to tear my eyes away for even a moment.

The person who is being watched keeps his scorching gaze focused on a certain spot in front of him, and his entire body seems to be filled with vitality.

His movements cause the bed frame to release regular creaking sounds. Even though he has done over three hundred consecutive crunches, he’s able to maintain a regular rhythm.

Although he doesn’t say a word, his breathing, which gradually grow heavier as he curls and relaxes, showcases the great difficulty of this exercise.

Gavin: [delicious noises]...

Sweat slowly drenches his t-shirt, causing it to stick to his skin. The muscles underneath the translucent fabric are faintly visible.

His muscles rise slightly with each exertion, and his veins quiver along with them.

But Gavin doesn’t have much of an expression. His thin lips part when he breathes out, droplets of sweat gliding down his flushed cheeks.

Every single droplet seems to pelt into the depths of my heart, tickling it and also making me feel an inexplicable dryness in my mouth.

MC: 398, 399, 400!!! Done!

I cheer while walking forward, grabbing a dry towel and wiping off his sweat.

MC: I thought the 400 crunches would be split into different sets. I didn’t expect you to finish all of them at one go. Are you very tired?

Gavin: I’m okay. The last set of training is usually the lightest.

MC: ...this is considered light?

He takes the water in my hand with a “mm”, and I detect a hint of pride in the slight arch of his eyebrows.

MC: Wait... the last set? What sets did you do before I came?

Gavin twists the water bottle while recollecting, a serious expression on his face while he responds without putting much thought into it. 

Gavin: Carried a 20kg load while running 6km, 2 hours of target shooting, 2 hours of kickboxing...

MC: ? You did so many sets of training? But it’s only 3pm... What time did you wake up?

Gavin: 6am.

MC: That’s before dawn.

I can’t help but purse my lips, feeling an ache surging in my heart.

MC: Didn’t you tell me that you only run and do boxing every day?

He freezes for a moment, then scratches his head with slight awkwardness.

Gavin: Fundamentally speaking... it’s true that I run and do boxing.

I release a sigh, deciding not to say anything more to this “terrible” person. I turn around and open my suitcase.

Gavin: These are...

MC: A neck and shoulder massager, pillows, patches for pain relief, snacks, hair-cutting scissors...

Gavin is stunned in place as he watches me retrieve various objects from my suitcase.

Gavin: Did you prepare all of these?

Grabbing two pillows, I place them on the simple bed, trying my best to find the most suitable angle.

MC: Yup. Before coming here, I already knew that you were having a very tough time. Eli told me that the living and eating conditions are harsher during field training, and that there aren’t places for you guys to get a haircut during this period of time.

Gavin: ...

Gavin: That rascal Eli betrayed me as well?

His frown of annoyance is pretty comical to me.

MC: Captain Gavin, you can deal with them next time. For now, please hand me the water basin and water bottle.

Gavin: Why do you need the water basin and water bottle?

I pat the “recliner” that I had constructed on the simple bed, holding his shoulder while inviting him to sit down.

MC: Because I’m going to be your hairstylist today~

[ 4 ]

Gavin: You’re going to cut my hair?

Gavin’s eyes widen slightly, revealing a rare hint of surprise.

MC: There’s nothing to worry about.

I drape the cape that I had prepared beforehand over him.

MC: I did lots of homework before coming here! Aside from learning how to cut hair, I also researched on massage techniques and how to accelerate the metabolism of lactic acid to alleviate soreness in your body.

I say this while rubbing his shoulders. He shirks his neck stiffly before gradually relaxing.

Gavin: MC, there’s no need to trouble yourself. We should take a break together...

MC: Don’t move! If you keep struggling, I’ll have a reasonable suspicion that you doubt my skills.

Gavin: Of course not.

MC: In that case, listen to my commands and sit down obediently!

Gavin: ...as you command.

He cooperates, tilting his head upwards as he lies on the edge of the bed. Sunlight enters the room, softening the sharp lines of his chin.

MC: I’ll begin now~

I cup some water in my hands, damping his hair gently.

His soft hair floats in the water basin, matching the pair of sparkling eyes which are staring at me, causing my heart to become incomparably soft.

I pour shampoo onto my palm. After lathering it into foam, I rub and massage circles into his hair gently.

Gavin seems to be feeling comfortable as he closes his eyes. Seeing him like this makes me feel playful, and I clear my throat.

MC: Mister, if you’re satisfied with my service, you could choose to sign up for a membership card.

Gavin is stunned momentarily. Then, the corners of his lips curl upwards.

Gavin: There's no need for that.

MC: Huh? Does this feel uncomfortable?

Gavin: Nope, it’s really comfortable. It’s just that I can’t bear to let you serve me all the time, so forget about it.

There’s an obvious sincerity in his pretence of being polite. At this moment, I feel encouraged and satisfied, and wash his hair even more meticulously.

That pair of bright eyes continue to watch me, causing my cheeks to heat up. I wipe my hands before covering his eyes with my palm.

MC: Just enjoy it!

He chuckles mischievously before complying, hugging his arms and enjoying the experience.

The air gradually becomes quiet. Gavin’s breathing turns regular, and he seems to be asleep.

This person always seems to have no concept of tiredness when he's with me. But he’s definitely very tired...

With this thought in mind, my actions turn gentler. I find myself holding my breath, afraid that I’d disturb his rare time of relaxation.

After a moment, I carefully wipe his hair with a dry towel, then prop his neck up with a pillow before trimming his hair.

Even though I took a few classes earnestly, it still takes up quite a lot of energy and focus to cut Gavin’s hair.

By the time I’m done cutting his hair, an hour has gone by. I release a huge breath. Just as I’m about to examine the results, I notice that lots of stray hairs have fallen into his collar.

I pick up a small brush, prepared to clear them out. But when I happen to look down his collar, I noice a huge patch of red near his heart.

I’m taken aback for a moment. My brows furrow instinctively as I take a closer look, realising that those red patches are sunburnt skin, and there are several bruises beside them.

MC: ...

There’s a slight stinging sensation in my nose. I reach out, wanting to touch that startling patch of skin. However, the person in front of me suddenly stirs.

Lifting my head, I see that Gavin is staring at me, bleary-eyed.

Gavin: What’s wrong?

MC: Tell me the truth. Are you hiding anything from me?

His bleary eyes blink twice, and he seems to have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about.

MC: Do you remember what you always said when we talked over the phone?

Gavin: That I missed you a lot?

MC: [blushing] ...not that!

I clear my throat before bringing the conversation back.

MC: Whenever we talked over the phone, you would only share trivial details. For instance, how a tiny dragonfly landed on your hat during training, how Tang Chao complained about not feeling full after eating five bowls of rice... Since you always shared these light-hearted things with me, I started to genuinely think that field training might not be that tough.

Gavin: It really isn’t tough.

He takes over the conversation. I cut to the chase, tugging on his collar and signalling with my eyes for him to look at the “proof” of him being riddled with injuries.

Gavin: ...these are actually okay. For the previous field training, we had to walk through a forest and handle our own food and shelter. If we weren’t able to find a cave to stay in during torrential rain, it was normal to spend the night in the mud.

The more I listen to his words, the more upset my expression becomes. Gavin quickly realises this, and he immediately stops.

Gavin: ...in short, I’m doing very well.

He brings me into his arms, pressing his head against my chest while acting slightly coy.

Gavin: I feel especially happy when training ends and I get to read your texts where you ask about my well-being and share details of your daily life.

My eyes land on his fluffy head, and my heart softens into mush.

MC: In that case, you shouldn’t be doing additional training on your only day of rest. You’re working hard enough on normal days...

Gavin lifts his head with a soft chuckle. Then, he shifts backwards and lies down on the bed before pulling me down to lie beside him.

Gavin: Do I look like I’m having a very tough time?

MC: Not really. I understand the nature of your work and know better than anyone else that Gavin is such a person. But I can’t bear to see you suffering any hardships. Haven’t you heard of the saying - that if you like someone, you’d find him very “pitiful” and can’t bear to see him suffer even the slightest hardship?

Gavin: I see.

His smile climbs into his eyes, and his serious gaze lands on my face.

Gavin: Reporting to the Commanding Officer - I won’t be as “pitiful” in the future.

MC: Hmph, that better be the case...

I purse my lips, pinching his cheeks unhappily.

MC: But despite what you said, you’ve always had strict standards for yourself. I’m afraid I can’t make you loosen up. I understand you very well, and I know that you have your own aspirations and requirements for yourself. So... there’s only one thing I can do.

Gavin: What is it? 

I clear my throat, meeting his eyes with a serious expression.

MC: Next time, I’ll always keep in mind the hardships you go through and your tiredness. Since Gavin doesn’t know how to care for himself, MC has no choice but to care for him!!

Gavin doesn’t respond. Volumes of affection surge in the depths of his eyes as he looks at me. In the next second, he reaches out and brings me into his arms.

The setting sun casts a lingering yellowish warmth over us, as though wanting this warmth to pause here forever.

Gavin: The things you said have made me forget all of the hardships. All that’s left is happiness. 

MC: I never knew that my words were that miraculous?

I joke with a chuckle, and a resolute voice drifts into my ears.

Gavin: In order for the squad to remain cautious and not fall into deep sleep, the bed frames are very hard. But now that I’m hugging you, I actually find that this small bed is really comfortable. Thank you for coming here and giving me a day of rest. And thank you for caring about me on my behalf.

An uncontrollable smile dyes the corners of my lips. Feeling contented, I take a deep breath and fill the depths of my heart with Gavin’s scent.

It seems that the tiredness of my journey this morning is finally taking effect, and my eyelids grow heavy. But something occurs to me, and I poke him on the chest.

MC: Gavin, aren’t you going to look at yourself in the mirror to see how the haircut turned out?

Gavin: No need - I have a lot of faith in your skills.

Hearing this frank response, I feel even more contented as I nuzzle into his arms.

In my daze, I secretly agree with what Gavin said.

Even though this small bed is very hard and very tiny, it also seems very comfortable and very huge.

For a moment, I feel as if -

This is the entire world.

✧ Call l Moments

[kim-ruzek]

Thoughts on Violet and Carver?

Stellaride?

Cruz and Severide?

I'm not a huge fan of Violet and Carver, but they're growing on me. My heart will forever belong to Hawkami, but I have been open to a new romance with Violet. I mean, I hoped we'd get a non-romance story line for her since god, she's so much more than just her relationships and I wish CF got that, but CF is terrible at getting things like that. And now Gallo is gone, so they - my second faves - are through, I'm not against Carver.

I didn't watch a lot of last season (me and cancer story lines are not friends, especially when my babe Sev is gone) but I did watch the later half of it, and I kinda dug their vibes then but eh, I was still unsure.

And in the premiere, I just felt awkward during their scenes. BUT this episode, this episode I felt something for them. They were cute, and I loved Vi being both awkward and so into him while also being cocky and confident. And I do like Carver. I don't have much attachment to him as a character on his own, but with others, he's a nice balance against them and him and Violet could be cute. I also think they play against each other nicely, which will be needed for when Sylvie goes.

Really, I just think Violet is really pretty and I just need her in relationship so I can see cute/steamy scenes with her... for science, of course.

Now, Stellaride. Stellaride, Stellaride, Stellaride.

My heart adores them. And this most recent episode, ugh I loved them so much. They were being so married, so husband and wife, and I just loved it. It felt like Stellaride - what I fell in love with, what they built over the seasons. Them pushing the beer back and forth, Stella giving Kelly a bit of advice, it was everything.

I do not, however, like the drama that's going to on-going and coming up. Apart from the bathroom scene, the premiere made me so sad. And I don't want this to become a whole thing and I really don't want it to break them apart.

Especially with us losing so many characters, we need the stability of Stellaride. I know the other older house members have stable relationships, but none of which are both on-screen mains, and I just need them to be the reliable married couple.

I think I could end up possibly liking the relationship drama, if all it is is just a rocky bump in their long and happy road, because let's be honest, CF will never not let them have drama and Severide does get tunnel vision when it comes to arson cases. But if it's a means to break them further apart, then I'm not here for it.

Thing is, we won't be able to know until the season is done, which means I'm going to be dragged through the scenes by my anxiety and I'll overall hate the experience because I'm fearful they're breaking apart my darlings and I'd just love it if for once all my ships are happy and together at the same time.

Cruz and Severide. I actually really like this plot line. Because there will be growing pains. (although this is when the six month jump doesn't help, because Sev's been back longer then he's been gone lol. I mean yes, we can infer it's been six months of little instances like that, where Sev dismisses him and to go six months without an apology is a Lot but still). And I'm interested to see where it'll go.

Although I am fearful it's going to lead to Kelly leaving for arson which I won't love.

I think the root of the problem is that Kelly isn't fully happy with squad atm because of arson and also he's feeling a bit insecure in his leadership, as - probably subconsciously - Capp and Tony probably still look to Cruz as some sort of leader, and treat Cruz a little less like one of their own rank and more equal rank to Sev. So he's been extra harsh and nitpicky to Cruz, to gain that control back.

But I will say, Cruz was absolutely in the wrong to go and get that drone. If anything happened, as Sev said, it would've been on Severide's back and at the end of the day, it is just a drone.

But I also think Kelly was unfair in his reaction to Cruz. Kelly himself has been the one who defies his higher ups, and while it is different as he is a LT, it still is a fact. And Kelly is a little bit of a cowboy himself so calling Cruz out, it's a little hollow - especially when you factor in that Sev has probably been extra harsh/dismissive of Cruz these past six months.

So while I think ultimately Kelly was in the right about the drone (although Kelly before would've been in a place to hear Cruz' case for getting the drone and before Cruz would've been the person who still defers to someone else for the last decision whereas for three months he WAS that person making those choices) Cruz is definitely right to feel upset and dismissed by Sev.

This got long! Thank you so much for asking!!!