#his stepdad levels are just so high and he doesn’t even know it

[aeriondripflame]

do you think criston peels oranges for the green kids yes or no

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

a thought 🤔💭

Consider this post an offshoot of this one!

A lot of the world lore we receive comes directly from the 22-student main cast of NRC. However, this information they provide us with shouldn’t always be taken at face value 💦 Characters can be unreliable narrators; they won’t be 100% honest with us just because we’re the player.

There are points where they speak with sarcasm (so it negates the words they actually say). This happens a lot with Leona’s lines. Other times, characters intentionally say something to avoid implying something else or to cover up a less savory truth. An example of this may be Azul, who is highly concerned with maintaining his self image. Therefore, not everything he says may be entirely truthful, as the words may be intentionally changed to preserve his self image. We need to more carefully parse through and determine what is true and what is false or insincere of the information they disperse to us. It’s much easier, of course, to get a sense for their intentions by listening to their voiced home screen lines rather than just reading the text snd comparing it to their facial expressions, but voices aren’t always available.

Something else I was thinking about that goes hand-in-hand with this is how different backgrounds bias clouds the information given out or can provide an incomplete sample of the TWST population. For example, if you think about it, NRC only has ~800 students and we only see 22 of them. That’s a very small fraction of the total population of Twisted Wonderland (the whole world)—not to mention that almost 75% of those 22 come from at least upper middle class or at least “special” or privileged families:

Riddle’s parents are both medical mages, with his mother being particularly well-known in their hometown’s community. He had the privilege of studying magic since he was very young (which is notable since education is typically general and does not include magic unless you specifically go to a school for it like NRC).

Cater’s dad is a banker. I’m guessing he has to be pretty high up on the food chain to be traveling all the time (and far enough to separate Cater from his friends every time they do), as a regular low-level banker would stay put at one bank location and devote most of their time there.

Leona is a prince, and so is Malleus. Whether they are crown prince or not doesn’t matter because they still receive great educations and access to great funds either way.

Azul’s mom owns and operates the most famous restaurant in the ENTIRE Coral Sea. His stepdad is also a lawyer.

The Leech twins’ father has important connections and is highly influential in the Coral Sea; they are probably loaded because of this. (Popular fan speculation is the Leech mob family.)

Kalim’s dad is a wealthy trader and he is related to royalty; as the eldest son, Kalim is going to inherit the business. The Asim family’s enormous wealth is mention several times over in the main story, voice lines, vignettes, and events.

Jamil’s family is also said to be well-off.

Vil is an A-list celebrity and his father is as well.

We don’t know the specifics about Rook’s family, but they must be influential and deal in some kind of international business, as Rook mentions they have villas and warp pads (which require special clearance for) all over Twisted Wonderland.

Idia and Ortho’s family legit runs a secret government organization that studies blot. Idia himself is a child prodigy, and is set to become the next director after his father and grandmother.

Lilia is a renown war general and was close friends with his country’s crown princess and her spouse. He lives humbly, but he still has highly influential connections that a regular person wouldn’t.

Silver is Lilia’s adopted son, so by extension, he comes from a privileged background. Even if he technically grew up in a hut in the middle of the woods and didn’t live luxuriously, he still has Lilia’s social connections.

Sebek’s parents are both dentists and do you know how much money dentists make—

Ace, Trey, Jack, and Epel come from normal income families (excluding the portion in book 5 when Epel said his family’s farm has fallen on hard times).

Ruggie comes from extreme poverty while Deuce’s family has had financial issues due to being a single parent household.

And that’s not even to mention that NRC is all-male and mostly 16-18 year olds, thus skewing the perspectives we see in a “male” and “adolescent” direction. This will naturally limit the scope of how they see the world and how they speak about it, even if the characters themselves don’t intend for it to happen. In fact, I wonder if part of the reason the NRC boys aren’t open to accepting help or being open with others when they’re struggling isn’t purely a school-exclusive thing. Maybe it’s because 1) teenagers tend to be largely egocentric/focused on themselves anyway, and 2) society largely discourages men from showing “weakness” and NRC happens to attract particularly prideful students 😭 but the most obvious example of background limiting scope of perception are definitely the super sheltered, super wealthy characters (Malleus, Kalim, etc.).

Just getting our information from them won’t be entirely accurate to how the rest of the population acts or perceives things. We cannot 100% rely on what we know of the TWST boys’ behaviors to assess what everyone or everything else is like.

[emonydeborah]

SNW and DISCO spoilers

so I watched the Una episodes of discovery with no other context. So it’s just the episode where they find the sphere and the last two episodes of season two.

they really go buckwild on this ship. Tilly is being eaten by fungus and no one tells anyone. Jett and the mushroom man get high and slap each other out of it. Also did Jett appear from the vents? Michael is having a family crisis. Saru asked his friend to help him commit ritual suicide and I think a part of his brain fell out. Also I didn’t know he spoke so many languages so that was cool.

they are so dramatic here. The shocked and horrified stares around at each other made the finale an hour long otherwise it would have been like 30 minutes. I expect this from Chris but good grief. The letters goodbye one bye one? Sarek and Amanda somehow showing up ahead of a whole fleet to tell Michael they love her? The sibling fight as the ship is being fired upon? (that one tracks actually) I like it for the big moments but are they always like this?? And is the “eyes up” thing a thing and why doesn’t Chris do it anymore?

I do like the found familyness I am sensing. The whole fam banding together to go with Michael was sweet. And their goodbye to Chris. This is the level of found family where I’d expect to find at least a few of those foster kid fanfics where they refuse to leave each other and the foster parents get six kids at once. I have not looked but I would be disappointed if there aren’t any.

Pike’s stepdad energy is so strong. The whole crew does what they want and loop him in when they feel like it. They are fine without him and have their own system and dynamics going on. He knows it, too, which is hilarious to watch from just knowing him from snw. He really just intervenes to keep his genius stepchildren from straying too far off the mission. They are running around like overexcited puppies (“the sphere is trying to communicate!!!!”) and he keeps them from gnawing on the walls. But he is a good stepdad in that he is ready to throw hands and use his ship as a shield so they can get away from section 31.

then as soon as he gets back to enterprise he brings all of the evil fbi apparently. Una is not surprised and has tricked out the whole ship and the shuttles for battle without prompt. She went Chris was out of my sight for too long we need to be ready to fight the galaxy.

and some more Una notes: Katrina Cornwell seemed tall and commanding until she stood next to Una and it was hilarious how small she was. Took me out of the dramatic bomb defusing moment but I still had fun. And Chris knew someone was going to die from that torpedo and got Una out as soon as he knew there were no other options. My pikeuna heart.

And Una choosing violence with the interrogation sent me. SNW fans know she has been hiding and afraid of scrutiny her whole life, and this is how she shows it. What a woman. She did not even tell them her name. Did we know she was Una at this point or was she Number One all the way until snw premiered?

“Follow the queen.” *Chris immediately looks at Una* I see you Chris.

it is obvious that they did not know how they were going to open snw with Chris being depressed and Una going missing but I liked their shock and happiness when Spock showed up beardless.

idk if I am intrigued enough to watch this whole show but I like Georgiou being their personal annoying gremlin. “Everybody hates you. Congratulations.” Also queen Po going if I die I die.

did not like Una going “in English please” to literally another navigator. We know she’s a genius let her be one y’all. If it were a science person going off a thousand words a minute I would allow it. But Una was talking to a pilot. Do better.

IN GENERAL, a good time. I was there for Una and she was not there much, but that was expected I guess. I was not prepared for how emotional discovery's crew would be. They are all in their feelings at all times. I liked them as a crew and maybe I will return one day.

[everybodyscupoftea]

won’t hold back

college isaac x reader

i’m back besties with the immediate follow up of born to run!

(warnings: cursing, light editing)

He finished his run first, of course he did, and by the time you got back to your car, huffing and puffing, a text was waiting on your phone. You pulled it out, hands shaking a bit and your face split into a smile as you read it.

I’m in parking lot west, meet me there?

Climbing into your car, you cranked it up, turning the heat up as high as you could stand, breaking out into a slight sweat despite still being cold as your thumbs hovered over the keyboard.

I’m in east, just got finished so I’ll drive over

You backed out, heart pounding, and drove the few minutes to the adjacent parking lot. He was leaning against his car and waved at you when you turned in, not that he needed to because he was the only car in the lot. Parking next to him, you took one last deep breath and grabbed your hoodie off the back seat.

“Hey,” he murmured with a smile when you climbed out.

Waving shyly, you responded, “Hey.”

“Hungry?”

You nodded eagerly, “Starving.”

Isaac grinned, “I know a place if you trust me enough.”

Thinking back to the coffee shop he picked when you were first getting to know each other, you nodded, “Yeah, absolutely.”

After a pause and a speculative glance, he jogged around the car and opened his passenger door for you to climb in. When you hesitated, his eyebrows furrowed and he started to look uncertain, which you definitely didn’t want, he spoke, slowly, “Or did you want to follow me there?”

“No,” you reassured quickly, sliding in without any further concerns, “sorry, I was just caught off guard for a second.”

Isaac didn’t respond, shutting the door softly for you before heading back over to the drivers side, finally answering when he buckled in and cranked it up, “Why caught off guard?”

“Well,” you paused, unsure how much you wanted to admit. But then you heard your sister’s voice in your head go get your man and decided on complete honesty, “I was going to ask you out today, but I wasn’t really expecting you to say yes.”

He blinked a few times, hand freezing on the gear shift, “Why the hell wouldn’t I say yes?”

Ears heating up, you shrugged, “I don’t know, it just seemed like you were out of my league. You didn’t text me.”

“You didn’t text me!” he countered. Which you supposed was fair, but you’d been nervous. He was so attractive and outgoing and unattainable. He was so clever and good with words and you were just. Good at math.

“That’s fair,” you answered, “but I thought you might would have other, better options.”

“Well, you’re wrong, just ask my roommates.”

It was oddly reassuring, that his roommates had been putting up with the same thing your sister apparently had, and you couldn’t stop the wide smile crossing your face. Heart stuttering again, your palms got clammy as he pulled out of the parking lot finally, heading down the road toward the downtown area. 

Isaac parked outside a brunch place you’d passed a few times before but he’d gotten to check out yet, so you were excited. When he turned the car off, you waited for him to open the door for you again after catching his attempted discrete look in your direction.

“M’lady,” he spoke, pulling the door open and bowing slightly.

Giggling, you took his outstretched hand and stepped out, responding with an exaggerated accent, “Thank you, sir.”

“Anytime.”

He kept your hand, not that you wanted to let go, but your heart kicked up again, and you hoped that he couldn’t feel the sweat on your palm. If he did, he thankfully didn’t mention it, just swung your hands between the two of you, humming, as he led both you toward the door.

The brunch place was pretty busy, and the hostess smiled at the two of you, “Good morning, table for two?”

“Yep,” Isaac responded cheerfully.

“Inside or out?”

He looked at you, content to let you answer, and you shrugged, “Doesn’t matter to me,” you turned to the hostess, “do you have a suggestion?”

“It’s more private outside, and we have heaters.”

“Outside,” Isaac confirmed without further pause.

She raised her eyebrows, lips twitching a bit at his hasty answer, and she marked something down, before speaking again, “Follow me.”

“Private, huh?” you teased when she was gone, menus spread out in front of each of you.

He shrugged, grinning, “Yeah, I want to get to know you well, not just eat together.”

And you didn’t really have anything to say to that, throat tightening at his honest words. It was quiet at first, both of you focused on picking something to eat and ordering before he finally took a sip of the tea he ordered, clutching the cup with both hands. Isaac leaned forward, foot nudging yours under the table, and you spoke up, “So, how are your classes this semester?”

He grinned, “You really want to talk about school right now?”

“No,” you admitted, smiling sheepishly, “but I thought it could be a good ice breaker.”

“Okay, I’ll humor you. They’re good, but I miss studying with you.”

Your jaw dropped slightly, and you played with a string on the sleeve of your hoodie, “I miss studying with you too.”

“Have you been back to the coffee shop?” he asked.

Shaking your head, you reluctantly answered, “No, it felt like your space and I didn’t want to invade it.”

“I’ve been looking for you there,” he admitted, “I thought you liked it and might come back.”

 “I did,” you shrugged, “like it, at least. But the library and engineering building have become my home as of late.”

“Do you like the quiet?”

“Something like that. Less things for me to look at.”

Isaac hummed, “I get that. I like coffee shops because I feel like people are watching me and if I’m not productive, they’ll judge me.”

You snorted, “Well, that’s a way to pressure yourself into it, I suppose.”

“Yeah,” he nudged your foot with his again, “I normally like to be alone, but I wouldn’t mind some company every so often. If you can drag yourself out of your academic buildings to hang out with me sometimes.”

“No one I’d rather drag myself out of academic buildings for,” you teased.

Even though your tone was teasing, you were serious, and his smile confirmed that he realized that. You really liked that he picked up on your underlying meanings, it was something that lacked in your last relationship. That boyfriend needed things explicitly stated, which was fine, but a lot of your jokes were taken the wrong way or went over his head, and it caused a few fights.

Isaac took another sip of tea and leaned back in his chair, “So, tell me about yourself.”

“What do you want to know?”

He shrugged, eyes not leaving your face once, and you almost wanted to balk at the steady attention, “You decide.”

“Well, I’m not that interesting,” you started, only pausing when he made a noise in protest.

“I assure you,” he interrupted, “I’ll be interested in whatever you have to say.”

Squeezing your eyes shut for a second, pushing back against the sappy look desperately fighting to show on your face, you answered, “Okay, um, I’m from New York, but not any of the cities, more in the countryside. I have one sister and she’s pretty much my best friend.”

Isaac nodded, “Older?”

“Younger.”

“I had a brother, older,” Isaac told you, “but he died overseas.”

Your eyebrows furrowed, “I’m so sorry, Isaac.”

He smiled sadly, “Thank you. We weren’t really close, but it was still tough. Especially for my dad.”

“Are you close?”

Isaac snorted, “No, not even a little bit.”

It didn’t seem like he wanted to elaborate, so you decided to change the subject, “What about friends?”

His smile was small but pleased, “Stiles and Scott are my two closest. I grew up with them and they came here too.”

“Oh, that’s great,” you responded enthusiastically, “they sound like good friends.”

“They are most of the time. But sometimes they bully me. Like when I kept going on early morning runs to see this girl I liked instead of just texting her.”

You snorted, “Sounds like my sister.”

“I’m sure they’d get along then.”

“Sounds like,” you agreed, “we should never introduce them.”

“Amen,” he answered just as the waiter came over with your food. The rest of the meal was lighter, more focused on small talk than any heavy topics. You learned about his interest in drama and hatred of poetry. 

He ranted about the true villain in Hamlet for a solid five minutes, using his hands excitedly, emphasizing certain points by pointing his fork, and you were enthralled. Sure, you didn’t particularly care about Hamlet versus his stepdad, but by the end of his speech, you were more intrigued than before.

“I’ve never really understood poetry,” you admitted.

He nodded enthusiastically, “It’s so subjective. English teachers often teach it wrong. I want to change that. I want to help science brains like yours not hate English as much.”

“A very noble cause,” you joked, “but perhaps more difficult than you may think.”

“I don’t think so,” he mused, “because when we started eating, you didn’t know anything about Hamlet but now you have an opinion.”

You nodded, “That’s true, I suppose. Anyone who claims Hamlet is the true villain is incorrect.”

Isaac grinned, “Fuck yes.”

And then it was your turn to rant about physics and how the professors on campus made it ten times worse than it should’ve been. Isaac asked about some of the topics physics entailed, and to his credit, he seemed interested despite the boring subject.

“It could just be so much more pleasant, but the professors are so old and refuse to adapt.”

“A problem in English too sometimes,” he agreed, “but I’m hoping once I get to higher level courses, things will get more interesting.”

By the time he’d paid and the plates had cleared away, there were a few other tables of people around the two of you, and you knew it was about time to leave. You really didn’t want to, and it looked like he felt the same way.

“Ready?” you finally asked.

“I guess so.”

The walk to the car was quiet, and he didn’t hold your hand again, but your knuckles brushed his every so often. When you looked over, his ears were red and he was pointedly staring straight ahead. You reveled in the fact that a guy like him actually seemed flustered by your presence.

He dropped you off at your car and grabbed your wrist before you could get out, “Can we do this again sometime?”

You smiled at the slight shake in his voice, “Yeah, I’d love that.”

“Cool,” he beamed, “I’ll see you around?”

“Yeah. Text me sometime?” you asked, teasing him a bit even though both of you were guilty of not texting.

His lips twitched, “Or I’ll just see you in the morning.”

“Yeah, I guess you will.”

Suddenly, morning runs didn’t seem all that daunting.

[fatesdeepdive]

Entry 33: Dawn Breaks

No Supports or castle stuff today. It’s time to end things.

Birthright Chapter 27: King Garon

Corrin enters the throne room to fight Garon, who stands up from his throne wielding a massive axe. Garon compliments us for making it so far. When Corrin mentions the deaths of Xander and Elise, Garon calls Xander a pawn, showing no remorse. You know, I like Xander as a villian, but goddamn did he get the short end of the stick in terms of parents to die fighting for.

Corrin attacks Garon, doing no damage. Azura begins singing and Garon grabs her by the throat. What are you doing, stepdad? Garon orders Corrin to stand down, using Azura as a hostage.

Ryoma attempts to negotiate an end to the war and Garon asks Ryoma to hand over all of Hoshido. And also kill himself. Then Garon attacks Ryoma with a fireball. I don’t think Garon’s good at negotiations.

Ranjito, Ryoma’s sword, begins glowing for some reason. Like Fujin Yumi before, it upgrades Yato, this time into a cool curved sword with a white glow. Wielding the new Blazing Yato, which is really OP, Corrin manages to hurt Garon.

This chapter sees us charging through the throne room, taking on an army of tough enemies who my high leveled units cut through like butter. Wait a minute, didn’t we fight Iago in the throne room? Does Garon have two throne rooms? Yeah, that tracks.

Garon has powerful stats, as well as skills that stop criticals and reduce the stats of units who attack him. But also Corrin and Ryoma are really strong and killed him easily.

Then Garon gets back up and trunks into an ugly dragon that demolishes Corrin and shatters Yato. Ryoma and Takumi run in to protect Corrin and also get taken out. Garon attempts to breath fire on the princes and Corrin jumps in front of them, T-Posing to block the attack. Corrin falls over, presumably dead.

Birthright Endgame: Dawn Breaks

The final chapter of Birthright, which has a name that is far too close to that of the fourth Twilight book for my liking, begins with Corrin floating in a black void. She wakes up back at the start of the game, in her bedroom, with Flora and Lilith standing over her, telling her to wake up. Either we’re in hell, or the entire game was a flashforward.

Corrin doesn’t remember anything and acts like everything is fine. Xander and Elise walk in and tell Corrin to wake up. Corrin says she’s happy, as long as everyone is with her. Then she remembers everything bad that happened to her. Xander tells her she can either remain in the afterlife, or go back and fight. Corrin hears echoes of Ryoma and Azura being attacked by Garon and Corrin decides to keep fighting.

All of the units we brought into the final battle shout cheers of encouragement; all of them are nice, but kinda generic, with two exceptions. Yukimura begs for Mikoto to lead Corrin back to the world of the living, which is really nice. And Azama says that Corrin isn’t destined to die for another 72 years and 19 days, which implies he knows exactly when each of my units will die. Which explains a lot.

Overall, this scene is great. It’s blatantly reused from Awakening with less narrative connection, but it’s still good.

Corrin says goodbye to her fallen friends, with scene shifting between the Frost Village, Training Grounds, and Dueling Grounds. Also, now that I think about it, where the fuck is Gunter? Did he have something more important going on? I know that Conquest and Revelations reveal he’s still alive, but I’m pretty sure he’s dead in this story path. Dick.

Corrin awakens, wielding a repaired Blazing Yato. Somehow. The repaired version of Yato, despite having the same stats, can now block Dragon Garon’s attacks. Neat.

We aren’t given an opportunity to head back to Fort Kenshi between chapters, but that’s fine. This battle has us charging through the ruins of the throne room to take out Garon. Again.

At the start of the battle, Azura begins singing her magic song, weakening Garon. LITWAA leads into the final battle theme, which is great. I don’t praise this game’s music enough; all of it is good and this battle theme in particular is amazing. As Garon begins to weaken, he begs for Anankos to give him strength. I wonder if that’ll end up being important.

Garon hits hard enough to one-shot most of our units and has fantastic defensive stats. Unlike the last round, he doesn’t wield an axe, meaning we can’t take him out by abusing the weapon triangle. This battle would genuinely be very hard...on hard mode. On normal I can just bum rush him and end the battle in two turns. Fittingly, Corrin ended up with the final blow.

Garon transforms back into a human and tells us he should have killed us as a child. As he dies, he says that perhaps this is what he wanted all along, the sweet release of death. He mumbles about how he lost his mind and became something, then dissolves into bubbles. Corrin wonders about what Garon’s deal was. Unfortunately, we need to buy some DLC to find out.

Azura faints, having pushed herself too far to stop Garon. Azura says that she can die in peace, knowing that everyone else will be safe. As Azura fades away, she asks Corrin to smile for her, one last time.

I know I compare this game negatively to Awakening a lot, which it definitely deserves, but I’d like to praise it for using its anime cutscenes in the final chapters, something Awakening didn’t. It really helps the dramatic moments hit hard.

Ryoma is crowned king of Hoshido, promising to bring the world into a new age of peace. Ryoma upholds his promise and helps rebuild Nohr with Hoshido’s resources. Everyone cries tears of joy.

Corrin meets with Leo and Camilla, who mourn the deaths of their siblings, and finds out that Leo is now king. Afterwards, she heads to the lake where she met Azura. Azura’s ghost tells Corrin to look into the lake, to find something hidden deep, before disappearing. The final cutscene shows the Hoshidan royals, happy together, meeting at a statue of Mikoto.

The credits roll, giving epilogues for all of our units and showing their battles/kills. I’ll be going through all the epilogues in bulk at the end of Revelations, but I would like to note my top units: Kaze, Silas, Mozu, Ryoma, and surprisingly, Azama. Who had close to 2000 battles because I sent him and Azura alone into a battle to build Support and unlock a Paralogue and just let enemies beat the shit out of him for a while.

As well as my least used units: Selkie, Caeldori, and Rhajat. Which isn’t surprising, considering I used them so rarely that I haven’t even mentioned recruiting them yet. My worst non Paralogue unit was Yukimura, followed by Shura and Izana. My least used actual units were...Sakura and Jakob. Sigh.

Saizo. The unit with the least real battles was Saizo. That’s what I was getting at. Followed by Kaden and Takumi. That’s not to say any of them were bad, Takumi in particular is insanely overpowered; I just didn’t need to feed him kills to keep him useful.

After the credits, the game gave me the option to select a few units to keep and recruit in later playthroughs. I only chose one, my max strength, eight movement Blacksmith: Kenshi. We’ll be seeing him again, eventually.

Closing Thoughts

Replaying Birthright has given me a new appreciation for Fire Emblem Fates. It’s a very flawed game, but to be honest, I had a great time. I’ve focussed on the writing, primarily, but the gameplay in Fates is fantastic. It’s a solid Fire Emblem game and I like Fire Emblem. Hell, things like personal skills, the rebuilt weapon triangle, and fixing pair-up make it a fantastic Fire Emblem game. My only complaint is that it’s a bit easy at times. Part of this stems from me playing Normal/Casual for this blog; I started a Hard/Classic playthrough in my spare time and it fixes most of the issues. The maps, although not as phenomenal as Conquest, are still varied and creative.

And then we have the writing, which is very hit or miss. I’ve explained my problems with this game before (black and white morality, incest, half of the Supports are forgettable), but to be honest, I do enjoy a lot of Birthright’s writing. It’s rarely anything special, but it gets the job done and occasionally has these fantastic moments of drama.

Birthright is a solid game that deserves a spot in the Fire Emblem series. If you haven’t played Fates before, I would recommend playing it.

Now comes Conquest, which has even better gameplay and also...even worse writing. Yay. But first, I’m going to be going through some of the DLC and Paralogues for Birthright.

[normal-thoughts-official]

UWU I'm in the mood for some Raphael talk, I love the headcanon you've talked about in the chat about Raphael tolerating Alec only because he makes his dad happy (which is so damn valid of him), and it's one of my most fave things do you have more slightly silly headcanons about it?

you really want me to be beaten up huh may. you want them to come for me again. you want to ruin my life

okay disclaimer Alec stans pwease dont hate me uwu I'm not saying i hate Alec I'm saying that i dont think Raphael would vibe with him. especially after the whole punch which I'll never get over cuz like i KNOW rationally that alec didnt have the full story and if izzy was hurt and sitting beside a white shadowhunter he would go there and beat them up all the same cuz alec's like this, but I'm still upset eidndidjdid my boy doesnt deserve this okay

anyway with that being said

i dont think its Raphael like, genuinely hating him as much as them having nothing in common besides their mutual love for Magnus and desire to see him happy. so Raphael can tolerate him fine, but he's not exactly dying to be best friends. besides, alec's like, all of the most annoying things about shadowhunters (all serious, never fucking relaxes, must have a weapon close at all times, doesn't understand food, doesn't listen to music, doesnt-) that arent like straight up nazist bigotry. so hes just like. ugh. whatever. I'm here for Magnus. leave pls

i can absolutely see that tbh Raphael just goes to their house and is all like "Alec leave i want to talk to Magnus" and alec's like "this is my house?" and raphael's like "and?" and alec's like "Fine, ill take a walk. Magnus, Raphael is here." but he also kisses Magnus goodbye in front of Raphael because he can, in fact, be an ass

also i know i told u about that already but Raphael lowkey challenges him every time like. he'll come by Magnus' and bring food, and of course theres food for 3 because Raphael is not gonna be that rude and he doesn't want to make Magnus feel like Raphael wants him to choose between Raphael and Alec. Alec makes Magnus happy and Raphael would never want to make Magnus feel like his love or presence in his life is conditional. Plus, he doesn't actually hate him. Just a little.

anyway so he brings the food and he's like (clearly judgemental tone) "i brought hot sauce because i figured Alec doesn't usually eat spicy food" and he's obviously correct, Alec had never eaten anything with season in his life before he met Magnus, much less pepper. he's the kind of ultimate, boss-level gringo who puts salt on his food when he's feeling adventurous

so Raphael sits down and puts the food on his plate and he pours hot sauce into his plate while making unwavering eye contact with Alec (yeah raphael can eat in this because he deserves it and i said so) and it's an obvious challenge and it evidently works because Alec 1- is competitive, and 2- actually wants Raphael's respect because he knows how important he is to Magnus. so he takes the salsa from Raphael and starts pouring it too while maintaining eye contact right back, jaw clenched in challenge, looking all serious and Magnus is like "children, please" and raphael's all like "oh no no no, let him" but Alec considers that a win because Raphael is clearly trying to contain a smile and thats the first step to winning him over

so anyway Alec sweats and grimaces through the whole meal, cuz like, look yes he may have pain tolerance because he's a shadowhunter but he's also the bitch who reacted to taking a sip of beer like someone had farted on his face. he can't hide his reactions for shit, but fuck if he doesn't lick the plate clean (not literally like gross) and doesn't shed a single tear, even as he clearly can't keep his eyes open with the effort

Magnus is like "Alexander, you dont have to do this" and alec's like "(eyes squeezed shut, grimacing, drenched in sweat) do what? this is very good" and Raphael is smiling into his plate even as Magnus shoots him dirty looks

then Alec is like "i won. i ate it all" and Raphael is like "(looking at his red sweaty face and puffy eyes) really?"

also look ill always love the hc that Raphael resents Alec for his height and Alec doesnt even notice. Raphael is not short, god damn it, hes 175! thats TEN whole centimeters above the mexican average! he was the tallest boy in Guadalajara! RAPHAEL IS TALL, OKAY

EXCEPT everyone in the goddamn shadow world is apparently a god damn giant. Its humiliating enough that Magnus is 180. but Magnus is his dad, so whatever. but Alec is FUCKING 190. no one needs that much tall. no one! Raphael went from being the tallest boy in the neighborhood to the shortest, and boy he is so not pleased about it

but Alec has no idea because who cares? (Raphael. Raphael cares. deeply. he cares so much) it's not even good to be that tall, he keeps banging his head on things. so there will be moments like. Raphael is standing in front of the bookshelf, seeming very focused. Alec shrugs, figures he's looking for something, and puts the book he was going to put there up. Raphael shoots him a dirty look that might as well be a stab, and Alec's like ???????? did i disrupt you? sorry? and Raphael just crosses his arms like "you didnt do anything, i dont know what you're talking about"

in reality the shelf was too high up because Magnus adjusted his shelves to his and Alec's height, and Raphael refused to stand on his tiptoes or god forbid, a stool, to grab his book, so he was just glaring at the shelf until the book came to him or something. and when Alec put the book up he was mad cuz Alec could reach it fjdndid

later Alec tells Magnus about it like "i dont get what i did. is he just that private?" and Magnus is like "hmm. i have no idea, darling" but next time Raphael comes, the shelves have been spelled to adjust to the book picker's height

also this always makes me think of that scene in hsm where zeke tries to talk to sharpay and she goes "evaporate, tall person!" and leaves and i love that mental image tbh

also like. eventually Alec apologizes for the punching thing (look. look. Im still salty and Raphael deserves it okay) and Raphael is like. moved because something deep inside of him still believed it was his fault and he was a monster, and it's. nice. and Alec kind of extends his arms and Raphael is like "dont think so" and crosses his arms and Alec kind of very very slowly lifts his arm and pats Raphael's head once and Raphael wants to scream and Alec looks very awkward and sheepish and Magnus bursts out laughing

(Raphael doesnt mind, though, because Magnus is genuinely so happy all day that they had a good interaction. so happy. and Raphael thinks, okay, this is okay. it's good if it makes Magnus happy.)

(Magnus also pats his head and plays with his hair, but its okay because Magnus has always done that and Raphael doesnt mind. only from him though. and raphael's partners. but anyway)

plus whenever Magnus is like, upset, or sick or something, theyre like. an unit. because for all they have no common interests they do think very alike (autistic solidarity i guess) and are very practical when it comes to taking care of others, and they both just. adore Magnus, okay. so Raphael will arrive, make Magnus soup. while he makes soup, Alec stays with him and takes his temperature. once Raphael is back with the soup, Alec goes out to buy medicine, and Raphael stays with him to make him company. and so on. at some point Alec is almost falling asleep by Magnus' side and Raphael taps his shoulder and points to the chair nearby, and Alec nods and dozes off for a while. then its the other way around. Magnus isnt seriously sick, of course, but he doesn't usually get sick so it's an event, plus they're both Like This. and for all the grief they give each other, they trust each other to take care of Magnus. theres no argument about that

(Magnus was resting, but he did see some of these moments, and smiled a bit to himself before dozing off again)

also Raphael and Ragnor gave Alec the ultimate shovel talk (Ragnor doesn't trust anyone after Camille, and while neither do cat and dot, they were more chill), but it lowkey backfired because they were like "if you ever hurt him, we'll remove your kneecaps" and Alec was like "(nodding seriously) thats fair"

also i know we've talked about this already but i also love the idea that Raphael goes to their house and is all absentmindedly like "hm can i have some coffee" and alec's like "sure, ill make it :) you stay here and talk to Magnus" and when Alec comes back he hands Raphael his coffee in a "best. bonus son. ever" mug and then he leans back against the wall, sipping his own coffee from his "world's #1 stepdad" mug that he bought himself, trying to hide his shit eating grin, and Raphael scowls and deliberately holds it so his hand covers the words, and Magnus laughs and his eyes shine as he sips his tea.

(later, Raphael is like. guess me and lightwood have a dynamic now. gross. but he still rolls with it)

in short Raphael and Alec being little shits to each other but still building something of a relationship for Magnus and always taking care of him..... ultimate trope

[goddessdoeswitchery]

Hellenic Polytheism 101 Transcripts: Pillar of Hellenic Polytheism Sophrosyne

Hello and welcome to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101, where we will be moving onto to the next pillar of Hellenic Polytheism: Sophrosyne, which is, essentially, moderation, prudence, self-control, self-discipline, or temperance based upon thorough self-examination. Since we are coming up on a holiday season in the US, this seems like the perfect time to focus on Sophrosyne, and to remember it’s opposite, hubris, and how to avoid it. It is also important to remember that even in Ancient Greece, it was well understood that Sophrosyne could be taken too far, something we also understand still today.

“Earth shaker, you would not consider me sophrosyne if I were to fight with you for the sake of wretched mortals” Apollo says this to Poseidon in the Illiad, as Homer brings us a look at what Sophrosyne would mean to the same deity who brings us the Delphic Maxims, such as know know thyself, know by learning, exercise prudence, praise virtue, nothing in excess, know who is the judge, keep secret what should be kept secret, take sensible risks, be well behaved, be self disciplined, be sensible. This is not the only example in Homer’s work of Sophrosyne. In fact, there are a really a lot of them. I would definitely suggest you read both of them and look closely for examples of sophrosyne. Homer was very sensitive to the need for Sophrosyne in society and in an individual. On an individual level, sophrosyne prevented people form getting into serious trouble, both with themselves and on a religious level. After all, someone exercising sophrosyne would be very unlikely to become a spider after being cursed by Athena, right? On a modern level, someone exercising sophrosyne is less likely to face personal problems as well. You won’t wind up drinking to excess and getting into a car accident. You won’t find yourself challenging someone better than you to a fight. You won’t find yourself taking on more tasks than you can manage. You won’t find yourself spending more money than you can spare on things you don’t need. By exercising sophrosyne you can avoid a lot of trouble. On a societal level, we should try to exercise that same self control and temperance. After all, there is no reason for any country to spend more than 56 countries combined on defense spending. There is no reason for a city to cut taxes and not invest in repairing roads or assisting those who need it the most. There is no reason for a group of friends to go out in the middle of a pandemic to a bar just to have a good time. We can bring the ideals of sophrosyne to our own lives and encourage others to do the same, through voting and talking to others and being an example.

When we do not practice sophrosyne, we tend to fall victim to hubris. For someone who has spent any sort of time practicing Hellenic polytheism, we should all know exactly how bad hubris is. We’ve all probably seen it or heard it online. Recently, there was a lot of talk of witches online cursing the moon, specifically aimed at making Artemis or Apollo angry. Now, in the end, it was revealed to be some big hoax, a lie they told to make other witches start saying things about how they could tell someone had hexed the moon because their own spells weren’t as effective. Then the original hexers could say “Ha! We told you witch craft and the gods weren’t real, see? These guys said they noticed a change but we didn’t do anything, so clearly they must be faking!” The whole ordeal was a perfect example of what could happen if people fell victim to hubris, and many more sensible folks online pointed out that it was hubris, believing anyone could have an affect on a deity by cursing the moon. We’ve all seen other examples of hubris. Hellenic polytheists who say that Artemis would never let a man worship her, or a straight woman, or a woman who has had sex with a man. People who gatekeep, projecting their personal bigotry onto the Theoi. We’ve all come across. Hopefully, most have us have rolled our eyes and ignored it.

Even in mythology, hubris is painted to be among the worst things a person can be. Niobe lost her sons and daughters to Artemis and Apollo after she bragged to Leto that she was better than Leto for having more children. Arachne, turned into a spider for daring to compare herself to Athena. Antigone’s father, who lost his son and his wife for believing that his life was higher than the law of the gods. Oedipus refuses to accept his own fate and wound up falling victim to it because of his hubris. Ajax, believing he was entitled to the armor of Achilles and being driven mad and eventually killing himself. Icarus, flying to close to the sun, too prideful to listen to his father’s warnings. Orestes taking it upon himself to avenge his father by killing his mother and being driven mad.  Greek stories are teeming with examples of people who have fallen victim to hubris. In many of these stories, sophrosyne is pointed to as a virtue to aspire to strictly to avoid it’s opposite, hubris.

And yet, we can also take sophrosyne too far. For example, in the Bacchae, Pentheus holds himself as a champion of sophrosyne, as fails to understand that by being overly self-controlled and self-discplined and holding himself up as the model of sophrosyne, he ignores the moderation and temperance part. He tried to force everyone listen to him, to oppose the Bacchic rites, and, in the end, his obsession with only a part of sophrosyne causes his own death. The Ancient Greeks understood that there was such a thing as being too controlled. There was such a thing as a fatal exaggeration of one side of the many-sided virtue of sophrosyne. Thus one of the biggest keys to sophrosyne is moderation. Nothing in excess says one of the Delphic Maxims, not even self-control and self-discipline.

As we go through this holiday there a lot of ways you can apply sophrosyne to your life. One of the dangers of the holidays is becoming over-extended. For example, I have a large family. Like…..over 100 people kind of large. So large that we could probably fill a high school basketball stadium kind of large. It’s also got a lot of different branches. Mom’s side, which has dad and mom in separate houses. My ex-stepdad, whose family we still see. My dad and his family. My dad’s ex wife and her daughter and her kids, who I’m also close to. My girlfriend. My kids’ dad and his family. I always joke that we’ve got our own little 12 days of Christmas skit between grandpa jones, grandpa long, Uncle Cody, Uncle Andrew, my dad, his ex wife’s house, my girlfriend, the kids’ dad, his family, and we’ve still got to squeeze out time for our own holiday celebration too. Factor in the fact that, like most customer service based companies in the US, my job doesn’t allow us to take more than half of Christmas Eve and all of Christmas day off. Sure, we’ve got the Sunday before and after when I’m off as well, but that’s barely 3 days for 4 states and 10 places to visit. Factor in the budget for all those places and all those gifts, not to mention the drama that comes around when we decide where we’re having Thanksgiving at and you can understand why I bring up being overextended as a danger of the holiday season. Now, maybe that isn’t a problem for you. Maybe you become over extended by volunteering to work too many hours to help your more Christian friends have time off. Maybe you offer to do too much during Thanksgiving and wind up having to wake up at 5 am to get started on a meal that you can’t believe you promised to cook. Maybe during Halloween, you spend too much time focused on parties or trick-or-treating and realize that you would have had a much better time sitting at home, watching Halloweentown with a bowl of candy and some friends. Either way, we all tend to push ourselves too hard, especially once the holidays roll around and we start wanting to do everything so we can get every experience. We need to remember sophrosyne during this time. Exercise self-control and stay home when it’s something you want to do. Exercise self-discipline and avoid getting gifts when you can’t afford it, there is no shame in saying “Look, finances are strapped and I can’t manage more than X”. Exercise moderation and remember that you can’t actually do everything. Be prudent and accept the reality of whatever situation you are facing. Practice sophrosyne.

Thank you for listening to today’s episode of Hellenic Polytheism 101 where we discussed another one of the Pillars of Hellenic polytheism, Sophrosyne. Today, I relied on the Odyssey, The Illiad, Sophrosyne: Self Knowledge and Self-Restraint in Greek Literature by Helen North, A Period of Opposition to Sophrosyne In Greek Thought also by Helen North, Mythology of the Greeks by George Grote, and the Wikipedia entry for Sophrosyne. Remember, all links to the resources I used can be found on my tumblr at goddessdoeswitchery.tumblr.com, along with a transcript of today’s episode under the tag “Transcripts”. I look forward to speaking with you all again on October 18th, where we will be discussing Eusebia.

[shaineybainey]

“Noble Intentions”

Lab Rats [T]

The Lab Rats and Mighty Med teams face off with the greatest threat to humanity yet: The Incapacitator, a supervillain bent on becoming the most powerful in the planet. …Which makes things super awkward for Leo, considering that their newest nemesis is his father. AU. Lab Rats vs Mighty Med redux.

** DISCLAIMER: SEE CHAPTER ONE FOR DISCLAIMER **

tagging: @clockradio93 @vcnting @verified-dumbass @serpent-princess @weareoutofmaplesyrupdave @aaaaahhhhh1234 @lettersandwhiteroses @breanadaveport-mendel @cecespuffs @quimbionics @hollywoodendinq 

[ By the way, if anyone doesn’t like to be tagged anymore, just tell me through a DM. I appreciate the likes, but if the tagging annoys you, I’ll respectfully leave you out on the next one :) ]

TW: disturbing imagery, death of loved ones, panic triggers

V: Late Bloomer

Leo stirs, his whole body entirely too numb. He squints as his eyes sting from the flood of light shining all around him. He waits until the pain ebbs. Soon enough, he can make shapes, spot movements. But nothing is familiar.

Nothing except the overlapping Ms on the wall – one scarlet and one chrome.

“Leo? Leo, are you okay?” a shape – then a couple of shapes – approaches him. “How are you feeling?”

He withdraws from the faceless figure even though he recognizes the voice. “Chase?”

“Yes, Leo, it’s me,” the figure replies, but in Bree’s voice. He (she?) smiles. “You’ve been out a while. We’re glad you’re okay.”

“Where are we?” he asks, still trying to see through the gray haze.

“We’re on Mighty Med. It’s a hospital for superheroes,” says Adam.

“I know that. I know what Mighty Med is,” Leo says. He sits up. He sees a vague outline of a hospital room… How come he still can’t see anyone’s face? It makes his heart thump. “Who are you? Why can’t I see you?”

“The Incapacitator’s energy field must have been too much for you,” Chase replies. At least, it’s his voice.

“It’s going to be okay,” assures Bree. “The doctors said the blindness is temporary. In two days, you’ll be able to get your vision back.”

He searches their faces, still uneasy. The outlines of the shapes look like his siblings. There were four other people, although who they are he doesn’t know.

Suddenly, a worry hits him. “Where’s The Incapacitator?”

Though he doesn’t see their faces, he senses relief. “It’s over, Leo,” says Chase.

“What’s over?”

“Him. We defeated him!”

“What?”

“Yeah! He was holding you hostage,” says the figure that was Chase. Then, in Adam’s voice he adds, “It took us some time, but we figured out how to use his own power against him. Who knew it was that simple?”

“Wait. No, no, wait. I don’t understand.” He shakes his head. “You’re not making any sense. Who are you?”

“He’s dead, Leo. He imploded,” Bree says, a cold smile evident in her voice. “He died, as he should have.”

“No. No, that’s not true!” He tries to leap out of the bed, but the shapes hold him down. “What are you doing? Let go of me!”

“Why?”

Leo looks up quickly. He freezes upon seeing Krane towering over him, half of his body terribly burned just like the last time he saw him. A hole gapes at the place where his right eye should have been.

Krane grins wolfishly, blood on his teeth. “Isn’t this your fault? You should have reported him a long time ago. Maybe he would still be alive if you had.”

“We would still be alive,” S-1 agrees, appearing on the other side of him.

“You’re not quite the hero you think you are,” Krane says, his grip on his arm tightening.

The shapes press in on him, robbing him of breathing space. “No – Stop!” he screams. “Get away from me!”

But they only converge, closer and closer and closer until the shapes merge into a tangible cloud that wraps around him. Soon, the cloud turns into water that he plunges under, and then he can’t breathe.

He screams, but no sound comes out.

He gasps for air—

– Ϟ –

Leo wakes, gasping as if breaking through a surface. He defensively pulls his arm back from the person touching it, scooting away from him.

“Easy, Leo. It’s okay. You’re safe,” Joel says. “I won’t hurt you. It’s just me.”

Leo’s eyes quickly scan the room for danger. He’s in some bedroom, one he’s never seen before, and his father, wearing jeans and an ash gray t-shirt, is the only one there with him.

It all comes rushing back. Tecton, Chase, the energy lasso.

There was also the look of murder in his eyes as he grabbed him.

He retreats farther away from his father, afraid.

Joel chuckles. “Leo, I mean it. You’re—”

Leo flinches away from his touch, his heart calming but his brain still on high alert.

Joel sighs. “Right. I know. I overdid it. I’m sorry.”

“You were going to kill me.”

“I was never going to kill you. I would never. Why would I do that?”

Why would he? Leo doesn’t know. He used to think he understands why his father would do things, but now he doesn’t. “How could you lie to me?” he asks.

“Leo, you know I don’t like you being involved in the things that I do. Especially since you still stubbornly believe that there’s room for you in the superhero world.”

“But I am involved now. You hurt my family when I asked you not to!”

“I didn’t really hurt them! Everyone is still alive when we left.”

“You hurt Chase.”

“Well, the kid was kind of stupid.”

“He was still my brother!”

“Hey.” Joel points a finger at him. “Watch it. I don’t like your tone.”

The warning registers, but it does very little to allay his anger. “How could you do this? How could you hurt a lot of people like that?”

“Come on. It’s not like you don’t know that it’s just part of the job. They got in my way, I move them out.”

“But—”

“Leo, stop. Okay? Stop nagging me about this. It isn’t right,” Joel says patiently. “You know what I am. You know what I do. I understand why you’re mad, but everything I did was for a reason.”

Leo watches him indignantly as he gets up and heads towards a wardrobe. He simmers as he observes him dig through its contents.

It doesn’t make things any better when he comes back with a fresh set of clothes, smiling as if nothing happened.

His father observes him a moment before chuckling. “That must be some dream you had,” he comments. “I’ve never seen you this angry before.”

Leo says nothing and only looks away. He can’t stand his father at the moment.

“Since it seems like you won’t ask, this is the place I’ve been wanting to take you to,” Joel says. “It’s the house where I grew up. Nana’s and Pop’s house.”

Leo stubbornly keeps his mouth shut. Still, he’s moved to examine it closely. “I didn’t know it was still standing,” he mutters begrudgingly.

“Yeah,” Joel says, looking around the room fondly. “RT and I used to share this room, but when I turned 9, Nana moved Uncle RT to her sewing room downstairs.”

It’s fascinating that the childhood room of one of the most powerful supervillains in existence looks…normal. The room itself is small. Leo thinks it’s about the size of one of the sitting rooms in the Mission Creek mansion.

Pressed against the wall to his left is a study desk, a dust-covered stack of books, a decades old lamp, and a Duck Tales pencil holder sitting atop it. Right next to the study desk is the wardrobe. By the door is a shoe rack.

Everything looks so neat and normal that it’s almost disorienting. Sure, it’s obvious that not much had been touched for a long while, but he doubts that anyone would guess the kind of man the kid who used to sleep here would grow up to be.

“So, was I right? Were you having a bad dream?” his father asks. “You’re sweating like crazy.”

“Are we in Kansas?”

Though still a bit taken aback by his resistance, Joel answers. “Yeah.”

“Why did you take me with you? You didn’t need me.”

Joel shrugs. “Many reasons. Distraction, for one. Emotions run higher when there’s a hostage involve, especially when it’s a kid,” he says. “I know for sure it frazzles Tecton. That’s one of his weaknesses: his emotion tends to get the best of him in situations like this. He becomes more impulsive, more prone to make mistakes.”

“So you’re using me as a pawn.”

“I brought you here because I didn’t want to leave you behind with your new family.” He sighs. “Your stepdad is slipping. I want them to know how easily they could lose you. You’re valuable to me, Leo. I want them to feel the same fear I feel every day.”

Leo says nothing. He doesn’t know whether he should be grateful or frustrated that his father is once again stepping into his new life.

“You’re not going to tell me about your dream?” Joel prompts, smiling.

Leo stares at him, unsure. “I know you hate my new family, especially my stepdad, but you can’t keep doing this,” he says wearily. “What are we going to do if they find out that I’m your son? They’d think I’ve been in on it all along. It’s going to make a lot of things complicated.”

“Are you ashamed of me?”

“No, Dad, I never was! But after today, maybe I am.” Leo sighs. He hunches forward, gathering his thoughts. “This is putting me in a bad spot, too. I don’t want you to get hurt. I know you have your reasons why you do the things you do, and as we agreed on our deal I’m not going to interfere with anything unless it’s super bad.”

“But…?”

“But if I keep helping you, the superhero community might start viewing me as an enemy.”

“I only see that as an advantage.”

Leo only glares.

“Why do you insist on being one of them?” Joel asks. “You’re wasting so much of your time trying to earn their respect. You’re working three times as hard as your siblings, and they treat you like you don’t matter.”

“They don’t do that.”

“Yes. They do. You just don’t what to admit it.” Reading distress on his face, he says, “You’re a lot smarter than them. Take away your stepbrother’s bionic chip, and what is he? Just an average kid with an average level of intelligence.”

“But that doesn’t change the fact that—”

“That what? He creates things that work, that make money, and you don’t?” His father’s eyes have darkened, and Leo realizes that the smile was just a mask for the poisonous anger bubbling underneath. “Before you and your mother met them, you were heading towards great things. But look at what they did to you. They took everything from you. They took advantage of your loyalty, your sacrifice – and once they didn’t need you, they discarded you.”

“Please stop,” Leo mutters, the words hollowing out his heart.

Joel’s eyes soften when he realizes how it’s all hurting him. “I know the way I do things aren’t how you’d do them. But the world doesn’t look to me the way it does to you. It’s not a bright and warm place for people like us, my son. It just takes advantage of us and leaves us in the dark.”

When his son still won’t meet his eyes, he attempts a genuine smile. “I’m doing all of this for you. I don’t want you to experience the same things I’ve experienced. I know it may seem that I just want destruction, but really, what I want is a world where no one would take away anything from you.”

Leo knows what his father means; he knows the story. His dad and his uncle were only children, 10 and 7, respectively, when their parents were killed. They were able to get away from the murderers and hide in an abandoned house not far from here.

His grandfather had been close friends with a superhero at the time. They waited and waited for him, wishing that the man would show up and rescue their parents.

But the minutes only turned to hours, and hours turned to days. Even in the funeral, no superhero showed their face.

It was the day The Incapacitator was born. Injustices with no one to help only piled up, and the anger only increased until finally, everything he once was had turned into the man who sits in that room today.

Leo understands. Or, at least, he can sympathize. But why does it have to go this far? “You do know that if you drain the whole Earth of its energy, it’s possible that it would just implode in on itself,” he points out.

Joel laughs. “I just say that to spook the superheroes. You know them. They don’t do anything unless it involves drama.”

“You kidnapped me to prove a point. It’s not like you don’t.”

“I don’t. I prefer to be practical.”

“Practical? What if you get hurt?”

Joel shrugs. “Big game, big risks.”

“What if you die?” Leo asks, exasperated. “What if this is the one to end it all? You told me that your line of work is the one where people make you retire. Why would you put them in that position when you don’t have to?”

The expression on his father’s face changes. “I’m not going to explain anything to you.”

“I don’t need you to explain it to me. I don’t want to get involved in it.”

“Yes, you’ve made that very clear.”

Leo huffs. Why can’t he understand? “Dad, please. Don’t do this.”

“This is not your fight,” his father says decisively. “You’ve never wanted to be on the same side as me. I’m letting you. But don’t interfere with my plans.”

“It’s going to hurt a lot of people.”

“People die. That’s just what they do.”

“People? People like who, Nana and Pops?” Leo regrets the words as soon as they come out of his mouth. Horrifying still is the look of shock and hurt on his father’s face, turning the silence that ensues into something stinging.

He can kick himself. He should kick himself. He should have never gone that far. “I’m sorry, Dad. That was a terrible thing to say,” he apologizes. “It was hard on you when you lost them. I’m not as young as you were, but I don’t want you to die either. No matter how many offenses the law has listed under your name and how much they’re offering people for your capture, you’re still my dad. My world will also fall apart if something happens to you.”

For a moment, Joel only glowers at him. Then, he scoffs. “I can’t believe you know that they have a bounty on my head.”

“Well, I have to find a way to pay for college,” Leo jokes cautiously.

Joel chuckles. He’s still notably upset, but it’s obvious the tactic has worked. “So was that what you were dreaming about? That I died?”

Leo nods. “I was in Mighty Med. They told me you were dead.”

A smile teases at Joel’s face. “That upset you?”

“Of course. Who would ever want to wake up in a world where their parents are gone?” Remembering more of the dream, his frown deepens. “Krane and S-1 were also there. They told me it’s my fault that you died.”

“Krane. I took care of him a long time ago.”

“I know. It was the first time I asked you for help.” Leo hesitates before pointing out, “You know, you didn’t have to go that far. You could have just overloaded them and shorted them out. You didn’t have to…”

“Eliminate them? Of course I did. He was going to hurt you. He also didn’t seem to be the kind of guy who stops after you fire a warning shot.”

“You do know that what you did technically counts as being a hero, right?”

“Hm.”

Leo smiles for the first time. “You know, if Uncle RT finds out you—”

“Don’t.” Joel directs a steely stare at him. “Don’t mention any of the three of them anymore. I don’t want to talk about the dead right now.”

The smile on his face wanes. “Okay.”

Joel nods at the set of clothes sitting on the feet of the bed. “Change into that. You’re gonna be here a while so you might as well be comfortable.”

“Wait. You’re gonna be staying in?”

“Like I said, I’m practical. The longer you’re gone, the more desperate they’ll be. It’s easier to work with desperate people.”

“Aren’t you worried that they’ll find us here?”

“How? I fried your phone while you were sleeping, you don’t have bionics that—”

“You fried what!”

“—can trace, we’re in the middle of nowhere—” Joel smiles as he walks out the room. “They’ve got nothing.”

Leo feels like his brain has shorted out from that one information. “How could you destroy my phone? I worked hard to get that paid off!”

“I can always get you a new one,” Joel calls from down the hall.

Leo groans. That one was mine, though! “Why are you doing this to me?”

His father makes no reply.

Leo sighs, defeated. “You know, I feel like if I had superpowers, we’d be having a different conversation right now.”

His father slowly drifts to the door. “Why? Do you feel like you might?”

“I said if,” Leo says, irritated. “Let’s face it, Dad: I’m 17. Yours started showing up at 5. It’s time that we both accept that I’m a loser in that genetic department.”

“You know you’re not a loser,” says Joel. He shrugs. “You never know. Maybe you’re just a late bloomer. Maybe it’s just taking you longer.”

“Or maybe it’s really just not in me.”

“Could be trigger-based, too,” Joel muses. “Stress…”

“Had four years of that in high school.”

“Life or death situation?”

“Almost died five times, on my last count.”

Joel frowns thoughtfully. “Toxic waste?”

Leo deadpanned. “There ain’t no way I’m going to let you drop me in a pool of one just to see.”

Joel watches him closely. “Do you want superpowers?”

“I don’t think it’d make a difference at this point. I mean, it’d be cool,” Leo admits, “but if I just don’t have it, I just don’t have it.”

Joel nods thoughtfully. “Well, let me know. We could make a bid for the Arcturion if it’s something you want.” He smirks. “I have a better chance at it than she does.”

“Wait,” Leo calls after his father. He swings his feet off the bed, and it’s then that he realizes he’s chained. “Dad, what is this? Why’d you bolt me to the floor?”

“In case they do find us here!”

Leo fiddles with the lock a moment but decides to abandon it for now. “What’s the Arcturion? What’s that?”

“Do you want to help me with this one device I’d been working on? I could never get the mechanics quite right. Maybe you’d have an idea on how to fix it.”

“Yeah, sure – but what’s the Arcturion?”

Joel only chuckles. The real reason why I wanted this transponder, he thinks but as with all unspoken words Leo doesn’t hear it.

Not that he should. He has decided his son can’t know about it yet.

After all, it’s the true key for The Incapacitator to be the most powerful of them all.

[ofstarsandvibranium]

From Left Field

Fandom: Marvel (Single Parent AU)

Pairing: Chubby!Bucky Barnes x Reader

As requested by anonymous: I just got back from taking my son to the park and I saw a guy there that reminded me of a chubby Bucky. Now I'm just imagining chubby Bucky falling for a mother. It would be the sweetest thing in the world and he would be such a wonderful stepdad! 

A/N: this is gonna be a 3 part series! that’s it! NO tags! (except for @cametobuyplums )

You walked with Mason, his tiny hand in yours, as you approached the playground. He was your little mini me, the love of your life. Sure, things didn’t work out with his dad, your ex, but it didn’t matter. You loved Mason with all that you had. 

“Mommy?” the four year old looked up at you with curiosity. 

“Yeah, baby?” 

“Can I go on the slides?”

“Of course, Mase. C’mon!” you excitedly tugged him towards the slides and he followed you excitedly, his adorable giggle reaching your ears and bringing a big smile to your face. 

__________________________

Bucky jogged around the park once more. This was, what, his sixth or seventh lap? He honestly wasn’t counting. He was exhausted but he needed to get rid of the weight he’s gained. He just-He just has to. 

With his headphones on and hoodie covering his head, he’s pushing through another lap. His body is aching and he’s sweating like crazy. You can do this, Bucky. You got this. He thinks to himself.

His eyes glance at the playground and then back on the path. But something catches his eye, better yet, someone. As he continues jogging by, he watches as you descend down a slide with a little boy on your lap. Your son perhaps. His giggles and the smile on your face causes him to smile at the sight. It’s a cute sight...a very cute one indeed. 

As if feeling his gaze on you, you look up and Bucky immediately looks away. He’s kind of happy that he’s so red and sweaty already, so you don’t know that his cheeks are actually heating up more from you catching him. 

Just pay attention on jogging, Bucky. 

__________________________

About thirty minutes go by and you’re pushing Mason on the swings now. Every time he comes your way, you tickle him and he’s laughing as he swings away. 

“Stop it, mommy! It tickles!”

“That’s why I keep doing it!” you wiggle your fingers towards him and he squeals, trying to escape the torturous tickles. 

Rrring! Rrring! “Ice creeeaam!” a man with an ice cream cart yells. 

Mason’s eyes widen and he looks at you, “Ice cweam, mommy! Can we get ice cweam?!”

You chuckle at your excited little boy, “Of course, baby.” you help him off the swing and he bolts over to the ice cream cart, with you rushing after him. 

He’s bouncing excitedly as he looks at the options on the cart. Then he spots one, “Ninja Turtle! Ninja Turtle!”

“That’s what you want, buddy?” he nods and you smile at the man, “Hi. Can I get a ninja turtle and a choco taco please?” the man tells you the price and you hand him the money. He then gives you the Ninja Turtle popsicle and you open it, handing it off to mason.

“Yay!” 

“Mason, what do you say?”

“Tenk yooouu!” he says to the man and immediately chomps into the popsicle. You snort at your son’s savagery. As soon as Mason turns around, he bumps into someone and then drops his popsicle, “Oh no! Mommy!” 

You look up after putting away your wallet and rush over to Mason, “Oh sweetie, you gotta be careful!”

You look up and your eyes meet striking blue ones. You clear your throat and give a shy smile, “I’m sorry about my son,” you look at his hoodie and see a stain Mason’s popsicle left, “And your hoodie.”

The man gulps and shakes his head, “N-No, it’s, uh, it’s my fault.” he waves his phone in his hand, “Wasn’t looking.”

You shrugged, “Nonetheless, I’m sorry.” you run your hand through Mason’s hair, “Whaddaya say, buddy?”

Mason looks up at the man with teary eyes, “I’m sowwy, mister.”

The man crouches down to be eye level with your son, a soft smile on his lips, “Hey, it’s alright, buddy. It wasn’t your fault. It was mine. I wasn’t looking where I was going. What’s your name?” 

Your son rubs his eye, “Mason.”

The man nods and then looks down at the pavement to the now melting Ninja Turtle popsicle, “How ‘bout I get you a new one, Mason? Would you like that?”

You immediately step forward, “Oh! That’s alright! I could just-”

He shakes his head, “No, no. I’ll get him a new one since it’s my fault his is on the ground now.” he shoots you a smile and walks over to the ice cream man. You watch as he hands over the money and accepts the popsicle, thanking the man and heading back your way. 

You quickly take notice of the man’s handsome face, toned legs, and chubby stomach. He was quite the looker. 

He smiles widely and hands Mason the popsicle, “Here ya go, buddy!” 

Mason immediately smiles, snatching the frozen treat of out the man’s hand, “Thank you!”

You help him open it up and hand it back to him. Mason, once again, chomping into the popsicle. You snort and then look back at the man, “You really didn’t need to do that. Thank you...”

“Bucky.”

“Thank you, Bucky.”

He shrugged, “It’s no problem...”

“Oh! Y/N! Sorry, I’m Y/N!” you extend your hand out and he shakes it.

“Nice to meet you, Y/N. You and your husband are great parents. Mason’s a good kid.”

You nod, “Thanks, but I’m not married. Or dating. Just me and Mason, but it’s okay. The single parent thing ain’t all that bad. Staying at home eating mac and cheese and coloring on while your friends are out having fun on Friday nights? Great!” you exclaim sarcastically, making Bucky chuckle, “But seriously,” you rest your hand on Mason’s head, “I don’t really mind it. I love this lil’ booger to death.”

Bucky smiles fondly as Mason, who is in his own little world with just him and his Ninja Turtle popsicle, “Yeah. I don’t know you, but I could tell you’re doing a great job.”

“Thank you, Bucky.”

He then bites his lip in hesitation, suddenly rocking back and forth on his feet, “Um, sorry, if this is a bit random, but, uh, would you like to go out for coffee or lunch sometime? I just-I don’t know. I’d like to get to know you.”

“Oh, um,” you look down at Mason, who’s still not paying attention to anything but the popsicle and then at Bucky, “I’m not really looking to date right now, Bucky. My ex and I-”

Bucky shook his head, “No, no. It doesn’t even have to be a date or anything. We could just chat and get to know each other as friends. IF you’re comfortable with that.” he adds. 

You tilt your head to the side thinking about it and then you smile, “Yeah. Actually, I’ll take you up on that offer. I need more friends anyway.”

Bucky’s face lights up, “Great! Uh,” he pulls out his phone, “Shall we swap numbers?”

“Right! Of course!” you pull out your own phone, unlocking it and handing it to Bucky. With his in hand, you enter in your phone number and hand it back to him. You then accept yours after he’s done the same, “Well, thank you, again, Bucky for getting Mason a new popsicle.”

He shrugged, “Again, no problem.” he crouches down and looks at Mason, “Hey, Mason. It was nice meeting you. Can I get a high five?”

Mason smiles and high fives Bucky with a sticky green hand. You snicker as Bucky stands up and wipes his hand on his shorts, “Should’ve seen that comin’.”

You nod, “Yeah. You should’ve.” you then ask Mason, “What do you say to Bucky for the popsicle?”

“Tenk you, Bucky!”

“You’re welcome, Mason.” he nods at the four year old and then nods at you, “So just call or text me to let me know whenever you’re free. I’m free most afternoons, so any day should really be fine.”

“I’m usually free Friday through Sunday.”

“Alright, well, I guess I’ll check my schedule and get back to you.”

“I’ll be waiting,” you grin and watch as Bucky says good-bye to Mason one last time, giving a little wave. Mason waves, melted parts of his popsicle flying off. You snort, “Alright, buddy. After you finish your popsicle, we’re gonna go home and give you a bath, m’kay?”

“Okay, mommy!”

__________________________

Bucky was practically skipping when he entered the apartment that he shared with his friend Sam. Sam easily took notice of Bucky’s good mood.

“What’s got you all happy and skippy?”

Bucky plops himself onto the couch beside Sam, “I got someone’s number today.”

Sam scoffed, “Dude, no way.”

“I’m serious! Her name is Y/N, she’s so beautiful, and she has a kid-”

“YOU GOT A MILF’S NUMBER?!”

Bucky smacked Sam on the head, “Don’t call her a MILF! That’s disgusting, man!”

Sam frowned as he rubbed his head, glaring at Bucky, “What, so you don’t wanna fuck her?”

He looked at him with disbelief, “Can you quit talking about her like that? And it’s not that I don’t-”

“So you did meet a MILF!”

“Sam, I’m warning you. Quit calling Y/N a MILF!”

“Fine! Okay! Jeez! Go on.” 

Bucky settled and got comfortable on couch, “As I was saying: I met Y/N at the park and I bumped into her son, Mason, and he dropped his popsicle. So I bought him a new one and her and I started talking and eventually, I got her number.”

“So you gonna ask her on a date?”

Bucky sighed, “It won’t be a date, per se, she’s not looking to be with anyone right now.”

Sam grimaced, “Yikes.”

“I know, but, I mean, I still wanna get to know her, ya know? She seemed really sweet, kind, a good mom. Her son’s really great too.”

Sam shook his head, “This sounds bad, man. I don’t think you should get caught up in some woman who’s not looking to date and has a kid. You’re just gonna end up getting hurt.”

“It’s not like that, Sam. She seems nice! And you said I needed to make new friends anyway!”

He shrugged, “Whatever, Bucky. I warned you.”

__________________________

Two days later is when you got a text from Bucky in the late evening. 

Bucky: Hey, Y/N. It’s Bucky.

Bucky: Wait. You already knew that.

Bucky: Sorry, I’m dumb.

Bucky: Anyway, I’m texting you right now because I just got to work and looked at my schedule. I’m free next Friday and Saturday. Are either of those days okay with you?

You looked at the time and saw that it was nearing midnight. You were confused.

You: Wait. It’s midnight and you just got into work?

Bucky: Yeah. I’m a security guard Brooklyn Hospital. Graveyard shift.

You: Oh. That makes sense.

You: And Saturday is a better day for me to get a babysitter. So that day will work. 

Bucky: Great! How about we meet up Maximoff’s Cafe in Queens?

You: Actually, that’s perfect! One of my babysitters is from there, so I could probably just drop Mason off there!

Bucky: Awesome! I’ll see you then. ;)

____________________________

“Why did I put a winky face?!” Bucky quietly hissed at himself from the check-in desk in the lobby. He meant to just put a regular smiley face, “Now she’s gonna think you’re trying to date her?!”

Thus began Bucky’s internal anxious monologue.

She said she wasn’t looking to date anyone, Bucky! You fucked up!

But maybe if she knows you’re interested, she’ll eventually change her mind about dating. Woo her. Make her swoon. Show her that you’re worthy for her and Mason.

Dude...no. Respect her decision to not being open to date right now! Just get to know her in a friendly way and that’s it! 

You: I’ll see you then! ;D

Oh shit...she put a winky face and an open mouth smiley face! She totally wants to bang you. 

Can you just..shut up?

I’m trying to help him get laid! Not many women like to go for the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!

Low blow, man...low blow.

Bucky groans and lets his head fall onto the desk in frustration. 

[liongoatsnake]

Just Wanting to Vent

Trigger Warning about abuse for one’s sexuality:

To anyone that thinks asexual people don't face marginalization or whatnot for being asexual:

I have been sexually abused/assaulted twice by people trying to "turn me straight." Both people knowing I identified as “asexual.”

One was my step-dad who never called me by name and only called me by slurs (mostly “queer” and “retard”), told me I "needed a good rape" to "straighten me out," and sexually assaulted on a few occasions. On one occasion he even said, “You might be a faggot but you’re still a fucking queer!” He threatened to kick me out of my mother's house when I turned 18 and continued to make threats while he was alive. He also threatened to kill me on a regular basis (sometimes for being asexual, sometimes for being pagan), with the worst incident being when he tossed lighter-fluid on me while filling his lighter and teased about burning me alive. He only stopped when he died of a massive stroke when I was in my mid20s.

The other person was a supposed friend who decided he didn't like the fact I wasn't sexually attracted to him. When pressuring me and belittling me to "change my mind" about finding him attractive didn't work, he raped me. Twice. Then used the fact I wasn't officially out about anything relating to my sexuality,  gender, multiplicity, and everything else he knew about me to keep me from going to the police by threatening to out me to my still alive stepdad and use what he knew about me to make me sound like I was crazy to the police.

To add to this my step-sister for 2+ years, while she lived under my mother's roof ,never called me by name and only called me by slur words. (Faggot, Faggy, Homo Lobo, Queer, Queer-bee, Dyke, Retard, Mouth-breather, etc to name a few.)

I started being called slur words by other kids in middle school on through high school for unknown reasons. When I told people I wasn't interested in girls or guys people would responded that still made me those slurs. One phrase I remember all to well is one girl calling out "that just makes you even more of a faggot!"

Plenty of other shitty stuff has been threatened to be done to me or said to me (so many comments about being broken or unlovable for example) for the past 20-ish years (I'm 31 years old) offline alone, but those things are the worst.

Anyone who says asexual people don't face terrible shit for being asexual or just not being straight are just assuming because they don't see/hear about it that it doesn't happen. Not all asexual people face the same levels of shit, but it happens. It does matter if some of what I have faced is homophobia or whatnot, it still happened to me.  

[skold]

do all of them 👀 (the love ask)

GOD okay fine but only cuz i’m a lovesick heartbroken cancer venus

throwing it under a read more for length and i removed the questions i already answered

1. What do you search for in a partner?

emotional capacity/caring. interest in spooky things so we actually have shit in common. physical touch love language kinda energy. preferably also queer. says fuck gender roles. leftist.

3. What do you like about relationships?

god not to be such a cancer venus but literally everything

4. Do you get jealous easily?

kind of?? only in ceertain contexts. like if i’m in a d/s dynamic with somebody and it’s not romantic or exclusive then i might be low key jealous of their other partners but not to an extent where it’d ever be a thing. if it’s an exclusive kinda thing i’m pretty touchy about my s/o flirting with other people cuz of my own insecurities.

5. Have you ever had a jealous partner?

my ex bf wasn’t jealous so much as he was possessive. which was fine with me i don’t mind that

7. Where is the worst place to go for a date?

this might be an unpopular opinion BUT clubs/shows..... if i can’t talk to them what’s the point

8. What is the best thing to do on date?

taaaaalk i just want to talk to my person okay

9. Describe the worst date you’ve ever been on.

i went to the orange county fair with my ex gf once which like, it was alright, but it was fuckin hot and it was my last day in LA with her so we were both kinda sad and my dad also kinda ruined it by getting mad at me for how i spent the spending money he gave me to do whatever i want with lmao

10. Which is more attractive: a naturally attractive person or a person who puts in the effort to be attractive?

i have always said that anybody can be super hot if they style themselves in a way i’m into y’know. i mean. look at most of the band guys i’m into lmao most of them aren’t naturally that conventionally attractive or are downright weird looking

11. What is the best gift you have ever received for Valentine’s day?

i don’t remember if i ever got a valentine’s day gift??

13. When was the last time you got angry at someone you loved?

bro i get mad at my stepdad every fuckin day lmao

14. When was the last time someone you loved made you sad?

i am constantly fucking sad lmao but earlier this month i found out some of my friends organized something and didn’t invite me and that really bummed me the fuck out

15. When is it okay to be impulsive in a relationship?

i really don’t think impulsivity is necessarily a bad thing

16. What is the best way to break up with someone?

i mean. in person obviously. but if you’re long distance you should probably at least call the person lmao

17. What is the best way to ask someone out?

casually tbh pls don’t make it a Thing

18. Have you ever been asked to homecoming or prom? What was it like?

no lmao i was diagnosed with ugly fat and weird in high school so nobody ever was into me

19. Do you like planning dates or do you just go with the flow?

both are good!! like i like to have a Thing to do but then we can just vibe afterwards y’know

20. Do you believe you are high maintenance? If not, why not?

i probably am but only because of the trauma/mental illness cuz i need so much reassurance and comforting and i have a lot of weird hangups

21. Which is better: a lover who cares too much or a lover that cares too little?

imo there’s no such thing as a lover that cares too much?

22. Do you believe playing hard to get is necessary?

no lmao it’s fucking stupid. just level with me

23. Which of these do you prefer: an assertive partner or a submissive partner?

give me outgoing assertive in the streets and subby slutty in the sheets y’know

24. Does true love exist? Can you love someone fully despite all of his/her flaws?

yes!!!! i refuse to believe that it doesn’t

25. Are your standards “too high?”

i?? don’t know??? i don’t think it’s unreasonable to want a spooky leftist as the minimum requirements lmao

26. Have you ever fallen in love?

unfortunately..................

27. Is there an ideal age for marriage? What is it, if there is?

nah

28. What are your thoughts on arranged marriages?

[cancer venus noises] marriage should be for LOVE or for scamming the government

29. When was the last time you got rejected by someone you liked?

i don’t remember cuz i never shoot my shot lmao. probably when somebody ignored a tinder dm or something

30. When was the last time you rejected someone who liked you?

middle school?? i think??

31. Have you ever been cheated on?

no

32. Have you ever cheated on someone?

no

33. What are your thoughts on sex before marriage?

i do not care what other people choose to do with their bodies lmao

34. Do you know the difference between asexuality and demisexuality?

i mean i THINK so

35. What is the best relationship advice you have ever been given?

i honestly can’t think of anything lmao

36. Are you a heartbreaker or the heartbroken?

perma heartbroken

37. Can you love someone without knowing anything about his/her past?

i think so but like to truly love someone fully then no i think u do need to know someone’s past

38. Is the phrase “I love you” used too loosely? When should it be used?

i think as long as u mean it u should say that shit!! even if it’s platonic love or familial love y’know

39. When was the last time you said “I love you” to someone?

to my mom a couple hours ago when she went to bed

40. Are you the person who says “I love you” first or the type to wait for your significant other to say it?

i’m the one who says it first lmao

41. Have you met your significant other? If not, where do you think you will meet your significant other?

i’m single as fuck and i mean. probably on the internet cuz my person sure as shit don’t live in this horrible place lmao

42. Imagine if the people you knew in real life were the only people you could marry. Could you be satisfied marrying any of these people?

i would be happy to enter a scam marriage with any of my irl friends

43. Do you give second chances?

i be giving people infinite chances cuz i’m a fuckin clown

44. Have you ever been given a second chance?

more so as friends. my first ex gf and i broke up and we kinda tried the dating thing again but scrapped it cuz we just weren’t vibing but we’re still rly good friends

[aresfms]

「 harry styles. cismale. he/him. 」i hope that #lexsquad member「 ARES BYERS 」adds me to the squad ! the 「 TWENTY THREE 」year old 「 FINANCE 」 major has been apart of the squad since 「 DECEMBER 2018 」and seems to be the 「 THE RECUSANT」of the group.「 ARES 」is a「 SENIOR 」 and seems to enjoy 「 BOXING AND SOCCER 」but you can always find them at a squad party , too !

listen don’t say i didn’t warn you, this is a lil long. but if you guys are interested in any connections ( scroll down to the end for some ideas ) then pls hit me up. im so ready.

okay basically i’ll do a summary in case y’all dont wanna read his SAD story. tw: domestic abuse, abandonment, alcohol abuse. 

Summary: ARES BYERS, 23, SENIOR.

A finance major at LexU.

He’s currently doing both soccer and boxing, but soccer would be for his athletic scholarship. ( he has a full ride )

Boxing would definitely be like more of an anger relief thing and honestly, he defs loves soccer but he knows he can’t rely on that for a forever thing. plus he defs things boxing is good money, yknow that side hustle illegal shit

Loves art like a lot.

 He visits his siblings probably every other day or whenever he can because he really is so protective of them or he’d even bring them to campus all the time even though his “ step dad” hates it.

His relationship with his mum is still super strained because she really is in denial about her toxic abusive situation with his “step dad”  and hes trying to tell her hes going to get her out and she just does not want to.

His mum is an alcoholic and his stepdad is physically abusive to them like most of her past partners which is something ares has been dealing with since he was a child.

hes solely doing finance to get a good job to get his mum and siblings out of the situation theyre in now.

he wants sole custody of his 3 siblings but i mean, he needs a stable job and place to live aka finance

 has 3 younger sisters who he adores.

HISTORY STUFF ( YIKES SOZ ) Its long everybody.

 He was born to teenage parents who hadn’t even graduated high school yet. They had a pretty tumultuous situation and his dad really didn’t think they should have a kid, but his mum thought that it would bring them closer together and make his dad mature…. Which definitely didn’t end up happening.

once Ares was born his dad stuck around for about a year or two before basically abandoning them and offering to give up parental rights to his mum Alycia.

That’s when things basically just went downhill. It really messed with his mum, obviously she was supporting ares on her own with no support from anyone, no family and very little money, at the time she had been trying to go to school but had to give that up once she was the sole provider for Ares. And the fact that someone she thought was going to be her partner abandoned her just led her down a pretty dark path.

It was just his mum and him after this. There wasn’t a lot of stability for them. His mum for a while was the only family he had. his grandma wasn’t really very supportive of his mum having the baby and living with his dad etc and they’re relationship was quite strained too.

• By the time Ares was about 12 he was already probably mature beyond his years, his mum by then had basically gave herself up to alcohol and had some pretty bad shady boyfriends in the house. Ares would definitely still vividly remember like explosive fights between her and boyfriends where things got physical between them and even to Ares from multiple different boyfriends.

His schooling was just.. a mess he definitely repeated a grade or two because of the commotion of home life.

Regardless though he was still VERY protective of his mum even if he felt pretty abandoned by her, he was just confused why she was letting these people come around when they were better on just the two of them. But that really didn’t last long, his mum ended up having multiple other kids with different people.

 So he has Maeva, Orion and Lea who are his half siblings and theyre all under 12.

I  think he definitely grew up faster than most because he always felt an urge to protect his mum and his siblings now especially. he worried about them all. He was definitely an anxious kid.

• His mum ended up marrying but honestly Ares couldn’t hate his stepfather more. He would refuse and still does refuse to call him dad or stepdad because he truly thinks he’s a piece of shit. Like he knows he treats his mum like shit and hes had no problem being physical with the both of them and once ares got old enough he really did start fighting back which only made it worse.

There’s probably been multiple times where its been ares calling the police on him after he fought with his mum but as usual his mum always takes his side which honestly fucked ares up constantly but eventually as soon as he could he was working even at like 13/14 because he was desperate to save money thinking he could help his family get out of the fucking mess they were in.

 His number one priority is and will always be his mum and his sisters even though deep down I think he has some kind of resentment towards his mum he’ll always love her. He just wishes that she would take his side especially against his “ step dad”

Basically though once he was about that age he realised he really needed to start focusing on school, grades and sport anything he could so he had some kind of chance to get into a good uni and get his family out of everything. Like he knew he’d need somewhere he could get a full ride since theyd never be able to afford it and somewhere still nearby so he could look after his sisters still.

 His stepdad knew though that ares was working even when he wasn’t supposed to be and he really took advantage of that, he was definitely beyond lazy and ares basically always felt more of a parent to his sister than anyone else.

 So basically he ended up graduating – late however he was 19 when he graduated high school because of repeats and luckily enough he got a full ride to Lexington university and he really took it within a heartbeat. He ended up choosing finance not because its anything he’s interested in but because he wanted something that would pay really well so he can support his family, but he knew he didn’t have 8 years to do medical school etc.

Personality:

 he can have a shitty attitude won’t lie, like he’s very focused and set on what he wants and needs to do and he wants no one getting in the way of that.

He’s super into boxing to release a lot of the pent up anger he obviously feels and really because he wanted to know how to fight back all the assholes his mum had in his life.

He is can be extroverted and talkative but I think with the people who aren’t close to him or to people he doesn’t have a real trust in it’s probably a pretty surface level. Its never about his family or past in fact I think that part would be something very few if any people know about.

his sisters aka his pride and joy, he probs has pictures of them in his wallet.

He likes to keep things light hearted as a distraction from himself but he definitely doesn’t let people in easily.

He really tries to avoid confrontation because it’s so triggering to him but he does have a temper which is what scares him. He is like paranoid he’s going to become a product of his environment so he goes against that as much as he can but if people come for his family or anything he would lose it.

Can be aloof.

 Has a hard time trusting anyone has good motives or will stick around because of much he’s been abandoned and how manipulative the people in his mums were.

He’s cynical.

 He really holds onto grudges pretty easily.

His ass is pretty sarcastic and witty, a huge smart ass.

 He’s not into commitment right now or he’s avoiding. Like the only examples he’s ever seen of relationships have been a mess and it’s not exactly his priority. ( but lbr  whats the fun in that. )

 He tries to abstain from alcohol but he finds that pretty hard. When he does he tends to drink pretty heavily which is why he tries not to because he knows it obviously has caused his mum so much grief.

 Hes an escapist.

 He’s really super protective though, of the people he does have in his life I think he really wants to give those people the things he didn’t have so he overcompensates and would literally fight whatever or whoever for the people around him.

he hates authority.

•He definitely is really big into art but that’s also something really personal he doesn’t share much and he knows like that isn’t going to provide for his family which is exactly why he's done finance.

Connections:

MY FAVE PART!!!

Long lost half sibling aka the child his dad had after he abandoned him

Someone who is a super good influence on his sisters ( id die for this.. )

Strangers who found out they were hooking up with the same person then became friends or enemies. ( my man a nastie sometimes. )

A FWB someone he can mess with and end up talk a little deeply with bc they think its not serious.

ANYONE who is a kid of one of his mums exes, like someone she dated, bc whew why not.

a rebound, someone he used to try to get over his ex!!

a fucking roomie plssss :) ( or past roomie, he lived off campus for 3 years so defs room for multiples ) this person rlly saw... everything

someone who went on a couple dates/ messed around but then realised omg we’d be so much better off as friends, somoene who rlly has each others back.

ooo someone who has an unrequited crush on him

Or someone he hates but yknow someone who he has mad sexual tension with ( hate meaning they lowkey would ravage each other )

One of his close confidants, someone who is basically one of the few people he can confide in.

An “ex “ who he broke up without much explanation.

His dealer ( smh im the worst )

Some co workers that has his back.

Potentially someone he’s fought against esp someone who does boxing too. es

Someone on his soccer team.

he very into art, so potentially someone who he might connect or do that with, he defs shows stuff sometimes but VVVV rarely.

someone he maybe wasnt that close w/ but he knows from back home so they’d suspect about his home life and he just is not having the prying :)

Honestly any connections im down. THE USUAL, bestfriends, etc etc

[hollysmccabe]

[ HOLLY MCCABE. 24. CIS FEMALE. SHE/HER ] is here! They’ve lived in Silver Lake for [ 10 YEARS ] and are originally from [ DANVERS, MASSACHUSETTS ]. They are a [ EMPLOYEE AT GOOD VIBRATIONS ] and in their downtime love [ BEDAZZLING ] and [ PYROTECHNICS ]. They look a lot like [ KRISTINE FROSETH ] and live [ ON REDCLIFF ST ].

hi again, pals !! it’s andie ur friendly neighborhood trash back at it with another dumpster fire !!

here’s some links to check out holly’s pinterest board, and her inspo playlist. 

SURFACE LEVEL

holly’s originally (and proudly) from danvers, massachusetts where she gave her own version of an underground salem witch trial tour. until her parents found out. 

she moved to silver lake when she was fourteen, it really wasn’t by choice, her mom had to quite literally force her in the car. 

but she quickly adapted once she got there, and tried to see the bright side of things even when often times that was more difficult than not. 

 she’s got a bit of an issue with growing up, or at least acting like it sometimes. she really hangs onto things that mattered to her when she was a kid. 

she self sabotages af, she dropped out of college right before she was about to get her apparel textile science degree at UC Davis.

[graphic design is my passion meme vc] she’s very into patterns and texture designs hence her obsession with bedazzling™️ and pyrotechnics. 

she’s lowkey really sensitive, and can get bouts of sadness at any give moment. 

really is her own worst critic tbh 

loves!! all!! types!! of!! music!!

really values her freedom and free spirit™️

pro sex positivity, really is unabashed in working at a sex shop especially when she sees shy people come in. 

probably turns on the vibrators in the store and yells vibe check. don’t @ me

has casual sex for funzies. 

gets distracted by her own emotions toward people, but really only falls for people who aren’t good for her. 

lowkey breaks hearts of people she has no idea are into her. she’s really oblivious about that sorta thing.

gets taken advantage of for being kind, so she tried to stop but really it’s still there.

so instead she tries to act and saucy tough af, but is actually a soft bitch at her core.

loves cats, would definitely live with 50 at any given time. 

is very protective of her friends, tries to be the mom friend even tho she can’t even take care of herself.

has been homeless before in between dropping out of college etc. 

is roomies with summer, and contributes probably like zero other than being a general nuisance. 

BEYOND THE SURFACE

tw: death mention, cancer mention

her dad was a pyrotechnician in his spare time, he’d be in charge of the town’s fireworks for the forth and other events, and she’d always tag along with him. she was close af with him, and it bridged the gap for how distant she felt from her mom. 

that being said, her dad fell ill to lung cancer he refused to tell anyone outside of holly, because he didn’t wanna go through the treatments, and her being only twelve, she didn’t really know the reality of him allowing it to go into stage four. 

her mom found out after his funeral from an argument between her and holly that she’d known about his cancer, and her mom never really forgave her for it.

but as far as holly was concerned she felt like her mom was just looking for a reason to keep her distance anyway. 

her mom met a guy online six months after her dad’s passing, and before she knew it they were moving to silver lake for him, and she was stubborn because she didn’t wanna leave the place her dad was buried. 

from then on out she had a rocky tumultuous relationship with her mom and her stepdad. 

when she was acting out in high school, eventually her mom tossed her to the streets and told her that she wasn’t going to put up with her or her antics any longer, and holly couch surfed at friends houses in the meantime. 

she has a difficult time of feeling like she doesn’t really belong anywhere, and really buys into escapes from reality because it’s easier for her to cope. 

flighty with the exception of a few people. after losing her dad, she really doesn’t let herself get close to people in a way that’s truly unguarded. 

CONNECTIONS, PLOTS, ETC !

old classmates from middle school/high school 

bad influence 

good influence (she needs one)

friends!!! she’s a mess, but she loves her friends tbh

even friendships from her harassing customers in the store.

casual hookups

exes good terms/bad terms (she’s bi af so these connections are open to anyone !)

confidants

friends like siblings

drinking buddies

drug buddies tbh

people she’s ghosted could be friends or more or somewhere in between

concert buddies!!

enemies bc she can be annoying ok 

one sided crushes i’m betting she’s had a lot of these and vice versa since she never knows when people are into her 

someone she can’t quit because she lowkey hates herself and good things 

anything!! 

smash the like button and i’ll come to you for plots, or feel free to hmu ! 

alright that’s it, thank u for ur time 

[lcidback]

( diego tinoco + cis male + cis male ) oh them? yeah thats MARCO RUIZ. the SEVENTEEN year old JUNIOR. what do you mean, you don’t know them? They’re LAIDBACK, KIND, INSCRUTABLE and RESERVED and some even think of DENIM JACKETS, A REASSURING SMILE & THE SMELL OF THE SEA when they hear their name.

name :: marco santiago ruiz

nickname :: marco 

age :: 17

height :: 5′9

clubs/sports :: captain of the swim team 

traits :: stoic, loyal, level-headed & reticent, aloof, secretive

character inspo :: beck oliver, the mandalorian

background :: 

marco is the first and only son of ariana ruiz-miller, an urgent care nurse. he was the product of a summer fling, and his biological father had been long gone before ariana knew she was pregnant with him. 

his mother remarried charles miller, a cop. together, they had a daughter when marco was five. 

his half-sister, nicola miller, was born with down’s syndrome. due to their parents’ busy schedules, marco was tasked with babysitting most days. despite being a handful sometimes, she is marco’s best friend and they are extremely close. 

nicola inspired marco to want to be a special education teacher. he plans to attend a nearby local college so he can be near his sister. 

he has a girlfriend that he’s been dating since freshman year. they’re both wildly different in terms of personality, but they get along very well. 

he’s kind, approachable and helpful. he has many friends, though he has trouble opening up to them.

random facts :: 

actually isn’t too fond of swimming, he’s just really good at it & needed to join a team to qualify for a sports scholarship in college.

soft-spoken and quiet. he usually expresses himself through physical affection like giving hugs, high-fives, pats on the back, playful punches, etc. 

doesn’t call people by their first names (unless it’s his girlfriend.) he usually calls people by their last names or gives them a nickname. 

loves the sea. whenever he’s stressed out, he drives out to the beach and sits on the shore.

connections :: 

his girlfriend (wc posted)

friends from the swim team

people he sits with at lunch

close friends

childhood friends

person who was partnered with him for a school project

drinking buddy (shh, don’t tell his stepdad) 

[stunudo]

BAU Prep School AU: Class of 18

A Criminal Minds Fan-fiction Series

Welcome to the Frederick Buchanan Institute located in scenic Quantico, Virginia, a senior high academy that shapes the best and brightest minds. Its motto is “Behavior, Analysis, Unity,” the mascot the Submariners, colloquially “the Unsubs”. The small school supports the most accomplished faculty from across the country. 

2016-2017, Class of 18, Previous Chapter: Scavenger Hunt

Warnings: Infidelity, sexuality crisis and character death.

Break It...

Saturday March 24, 2018

10 am Grant Anderson’s Townhouse

              Luke had barely slept, the fear and worry cascading into frustration and self-pity. Grant had seen Phil propose, though Luke hadn’t responded to his ex’s messages for months. Luke was desperate; Grant hadn’t answered any of his calls and left his texts on read. He parked in front of Luke’s place and waited, too nervous to be turned away, too devoted to let Grant go without the truth. Without a fight. He took a deep breath and centered himself. He climbed from his truck and hopped up the stairs, knowing he was being watched. Luke cleared his throat and knocked on the heavy oak door. He counted to thirty and peeked into the framing windows, but there was no movement inside. He knocked again and waited fruitlessly.

              “You just missed him,” a wizened voice offered from the upstairs balcony.

              “That so? Thanks Mrs. Armenson,” Luke waved. “Any idea when he’ll be back?”

              “You know I don’t like to pry into you boys’ business,” the old lady whispered, patting at the curls at the nape of her neck. “The way he’d been talking it sounded like you had big plans. Honey, why aren’t you with him? Did you get your signals crossed?”

              Luke sighed. “Yeah, something like that.”

              They said their goodbyes, but Luke was even more disheartened then when he arrived. Grant had a special weekend planned and he had ruined. Well, Phil had ruined it, but the guilt was still on him. He waved at Grant’s upstairs neighbor and pulled off out of the angled parking spot on the quiet street.

Sunday March 25

The Hotchners’

8:32am

           Kate had been dying to get outside, the entire winter felt like she was trapped in one building or another. So, once they had the chance, and the weather allowed, she and Haley met for coffees with their nearly identical strollers. There was a great little bakery just passed the next subdivision that Haley had been meaning to try and Kate didn’t mind some carbs to balance the one-and-a-half-mile round trip. The air was chilly, but Kit and Jack were bundled up. Haley wore a windbreaker in FBI scarlet while Kate wore a Columbia fleece pullover, free hand tucked into the pocket until she built up her body temperature.

           Jack was babbling and pointing at the ducks in the pond as they passed, Kit sucked on his fingers and snuggled his plush stegosaurus that Penelope had “left behind” the last time she and Derek babysat.

           “Earth to Kate,” Haley giggled. “Where were you lady? You seem distracted.”

           Kate gave her best friend a tired smile, shrugging. “I guess I just have a lot going on this semester. I can’t believe it’s Easter next week.”

           “Early spring breaks can be a godsend, but something tells me that this stress or whatever isn’t—entirely--- student related,” Haley was an amazing listener and just as good at reading people as her husband. That’s why Kate and she got along so well: empathy.

           Kate shrugged and let the flush fill her cheeks before she faced Haley’s concerned eyes. She changed hands pushing the stroller and tucked her hair behind her ear, looking at her wedding band wrapped around her engagement ring as the truth bubbled inside her.

           “It’s been really difficult this semester, because of Tara,” Kate started.

           Haley’s features furrowed. “I don’t understand, I thought you got a long with her since she took Jason’s spot?”

           Kate swallowed back a groan and covered her eyes in embarrassment, she suddenly felt sixteen again. “It’s not that I don’t get a long with her, it’s that I very much get a long with her. Like, like her, like her.”

           “Like her, like her? Kate-- are you bi?! How did I not know this?” Haley’s voice went up into almost shrill levels before she got it under control. They were perched at a crosswalk, waiting for the lights to change to enter the parking lot of the bakery.

           “I don’t know! I don’t if that’s what this is, Hales, honestly. It’s just. We kissed on New Year’s and—” Kate was cut off.

           “Excuse me?! You what on New Year’s?! WHY AM I ONLY HEARING THIS NOW, KATHRYN CALLAHAN?!” Haley barked after her friend, who had started scampering across the street. By the time Haley and Jack caught up with Kate and Kit, they were wedging the door open to check if there was room for both of their strollers.

           “I need details, Kate, this is--- just--- Does Chris know?!” Haley was stage whispering as they tugged their sons from their seats. Tossing diaper bags and blankets over their shoulders as they wove around the cramped space.

           “It was a mistletoe thing, I froze. But it was—” Kate broke off, considering.

           “Magical?” Haley offered almost sadly.

           “Yeah.” They found a table, but there was only one highchair, leaving Kate to hold Kit on her lap since he was older, more prone to wander and squirm.

           “I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Haley looked hurt, which just added more guilt to the confusing chaos inside Kate.

           “I didn’t think it was a big deal at the time, just slightly tipsy bad choices. But now—” Kates eyebrows shot up telling Haley more than her words could articulate. They quickly placed their orders, taking turns watching the boys as they settled with their coffees and muffins.

           “What are you going to do?” Haley asked, tearing her croissant into Jack-sized pieces.

           Kate shrugged and shook her head. “What can I do? I married. We’re happy. This isn’t just something that changes all that. I mean, people have crushes, it doesn’t stop the world.”

           “No, but this has been months, Kate. Just, be careful. Okay?” Haley clasped her hand over Kate’s on the table.

           “I will, it’s not a bad thing. It’s just, confusing for now.”

           Haley gave her a compassionate grimace and the conversation moved on. To teething, spring break plans, Meg, redecorating the nursery into a big boy room, potty training and all manner of things that come up with young mothers whose lives are so intertwined. It was a mystery that Kate had kept the secret as long as she had, but it felt good to have it out there. Even if Haley was certain to tell Aaron later that night, Kate knew she had made the right choice in confidant.

Monday March 26

The Faculty Parking Lot

3:22pm

           Dave didn’t need to be at the school as many hours as he usually was, but without something or someone pulling him home it was easy to putz around the expansive kitchen. He strolled out to his two-seater sports car, nothing absurd like the students drove, but still the nicest among the staff. When the car beeped unlocked, he spotted a young woman approach. She looked to be in her late twenties with large brown eyes and a flawless russet complexion.

“David Rossi?” She called to him; some sort of folder clutched to her chest.

“That depends on who’s asking,” the suddenly suspicious chef replied. Life wasn’t always bountiful in his line of work; he’d been served a time or two in his youth from debt collectors mostly.

“Family,” she answered after gauging his expression. That threw the old Italian for a loop.

“Whose family exactly?”

“Yours. I believe—you’re my father, Mr. Rossi.” She paused, but the almost angry expression on the man’s face somehow pushed her onward. “My name is Joy Struthers, my mother is Hayden Montgomery.”

The wind rushed through nooks of the school, spiraling in the parking lot with biting freshness.

“And what makes you think that I’m your father? Hayden and I—that was a long time ago.”

“Thirty-one years ago, in August. Today is my thirtieth birthday. This is kind of a resolution for me.” She smiled brightly, the buzz of finding him and coming forward piggy backing on the adrenaline from her nervousness.

Dave was dumbstruck, the resemblance to her mother was apparent, but he couldn’t see himself in this beautiful stranger.

“I don’t know what to say,” he replied, almost sheepishly.

“I don’t expect anything from you. I just thought we should meet. I have some pictures and a copy of my birth certificate and an open DNA panel—if you want to verify what I’m saying.” Joy handed Dave the manila envelope. “That that and, if you want, maybe we could go to lunch sometime?”

“You live in Virginia?” He took the envelope but didn’t delve into the assorted papers.

“Just moved back, got a new job and luckily my husband can work remotely.”

“Husband?” Dave raised his eyebrows.

“Shawn, yeah, and our son Kai. We just moved from San Francisco.” Joy nodded.

“Are you telling me that I’m a grandpa?” He smirked now, digging in to find a recent family picture, his ex, beaming in the background.

“He’s almost four,” Joy explained proudly.

“How’s Hayden?”

“Good, she’s back in Paris for now. I had a stepdad; he was a really good man. But he died a few years ago.” Joy trailed off. “But that’s not why I’m here, not really.”

“Look, this is all a little much for me to process,” Dave started. “We’ve got spring break coming up next week--- why don’t we do that lunch you offered?”

Thursday March 28

Latin Class

3:08pm

           Iggy Cruz was restless, his leg bobbing in place the entire 8th period. It was the last day before vacation and he wanted nothing more than to leave these brick walls and pretentious uniforms behind. Senioritis is real and he had developed a severe case. The clock ticked the seconds away above the door and Luke Alvez knew Iggy wasn’t the only one who was lost it its hypnosis.

Finally, the bell rang out freeing them all, student and faculty alike for ten glorious days. He shoved his Latin book in his locker and impatiently waited for Rita to catch up to him after her math class. The halls were pouring out students into the lawn and parking lots, teasing warmth of the spring sun shining across the grounds. Relieved excitement flooded back on passing faces, countless voices echoing and floating away. Iggy nodded toward his car at Rita, who had started texting Jax the moment they were out of the building.

           She followed without looking up, sliding into the passenger seat with practiced ease. Iggy cranked the bass on his stereo, covering all of the commotion around them. He pulled into the line of cars waiting to leave the parking lot and wind off the long drive back to the secluded road that kept F.B.I. hidden in the woods. Rita started squealing at something on her phone and Iggy gave her the older brother stink eye before looking back to the car in front of him. They had progressed three car lengths in the time it took Iggy to regain his focus; he floored the gas to catch up. At the last second, Iggy saw Mrs. Todd as she was thrown against their hood. He screamed, swerving too late and tossing a hand out to hold Rita back. They slammed into a car still parked, airbags deploying, momentum tossing the math teacher back to the ground. Iggy’s face fought the air bag, his leg pinned as the driver’s side door and wheel caved around him.

           Time froze as Rita panicked, Iggy was talking, but people were screaming and running all around them. The curtain of white couldn’t hide the horror forever.

 Alex Blake’s flat

11:13pm          

           Matt Simmons hadn’t been home. After the ambulances cleared the parking lot, he stayed with Hotch, Penelope and Kate with the kids making statements to the cops. Their parents were less than agreeable, but a teacher had died, and two students were on their way to the hospital. It was a long day, even for a former warfront journalist. He found himself driving after stopping for coffee and something doughy to chew on. When he realized where his car (and subconscious) had taken him, he parked in a hurry. Long legs pulling him up the stairwell along the back of her building.

           He didn’t text her in warning or call ahead, he simply knocked. He knew she wouldn’t be asleep. In fact he wasn’t sure she would ever let herself be that vulnerable.

“Matt? What is it? What’s the matter?!” Alex answered, in a controlled concern, smooth and soothing. Her eyes were wide, but her full lips were in a straight-lined frown.

“Let’s go somewhere,” he offered.

“Now?” She asked, squinting, taking stock of his state.

“Yeah, now, tonight,” his eyes sparkled as lip quirked in a sexy smirk.

Alex’s mouth opened and closed a few times, swallowing the air as she considered it. “I don’t know, we leave Monday for New York—”

“I can call Emily, there aren’t that many kids going. Derek and Penelope can handle it, maybe JJ will go too, now.” He had crossed the threshold, brushing the thick strands of hair from her face. He loved the silver sparkling in the dim light, the deep lines around her lips as she tried to reason out of his request.

“Alex, let’s go, after everything today. I don’t want to keep playing this game. I want you. I want to be with you. Just let me?” His thumb stroked her cheek and she finally remembered to breathe. This wasn’t supposed to happen to women her age, whirlwind romances were for nimbler souls. She thought she was passed this kind of sensationalism. She was wrong and that was never easy for her to admit. She placed her hand on Matt’s broad chest, feeling him real and solid and impossibly able in front of her.

“Alright,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

“Yeah?” Matt pulled her chin up to lock into her fathomless eyes.

“I said alright, Simmons, don’t make me repeat myself,” she huffed, rolling her eyes before reaching up on tip toes to press her lips to his.

^*^*^

[ljfeed-spn-j2-bigbang]

2019 Master List

Here (finally!) is the 2019 masterlist. If you see any errors, please let me know. Extreme thanks to

firesign10

for coding the list again this year! We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude!

Jared/Jensen

Fic title:

I'll Worship You Like You Should Be

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

backrose_17

Artist name:

sandy79

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

R

Word count:

21.5K

Warnings:

Mob Boss Jensen, Baker Jared, Possessive Jensen, Bottom Jared, Jared in Panties

Summary:</b> All his life, Jared had wanted a fairy tale romance. He thought he had found that ending with his high school boyfriend and first love Stephen Amell, but when he is left at the altar all his dreams come crashing down. The surprises don’t end there: when he learns that Stephen not only ran off with Mob Boss Jensen Ackles' latest fling but also some of his money, Jared’s world is changed again as he finds himself the guest of Jensen until they find Stephen, Colton and the money. Jared never expected that the love he was searching for was with Jensen Ackles of all people.

Fic title:

The Seven Warriors

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

crimsonepitaph

Artist name:

dollarformyname

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

R

Word count:

76.5K

Warnings:

violent imagery, slow build

Summary:

Jensen is a normal guy. Not terribly social, but he's fine going at it alone. At least until the afternoon his boss - 6'4, long hair, determined to save the world one software app at a time - calls him in for a meeting. Suddenly, Jensen finds himself inexplicably connected to an ancient legend - the myth of the Seven Warriors - by a mysteriously appearing tattoo. He struggles to figure out what the tattoo, the nuclear bomb exploding in his chest every time he gets close to his boss, and the motley crew of almost-strangers they gather have in common. Maybe that they all change Jensen's life forever…

Fic title:

Ashes of Eden

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

ohwillothewisp

Artist name:

ilaeth

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

R

Word count:

20K

Warnings:

Language, past abuse (non-graphic), minor character death (not graphic), canon character death in non-canon ways, referenced suicide.

Summary:

Jensen's life is idyllic, at least that is until he is abducted by a mysterious stranger and taken into a cabin in the woods. Jared sees Jensen as the key to getting what he needs: a better life for himself and revenge against someone who deserves it. But the more he begins to understand about the man he abducted, the less confident he feels in what felt like the perfect plan. At first Jensen wants nothing more than to escape and get his life back on track, but in time he begins to question what it is he really wants. As time passes and secrets are revealed, both men begin to learn more about themselves and each other, and must decide what they really want.

Fic title:

The Secret of Wind

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

twoboys2love

Artist name:

tx_devilorangel

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

36K

Warnings:

mentions domestic abuse in past, homophobia, description of physical assault by friend & lots of angst! :D (see notes on fic post)

Summary:

Jared is weeks away from his 17 birthday and out publically when he meets his brother's best friend, Jensen Ackles. A summer romance blossoms... but Jensen's life is a lot more complicated than Jared knows and soon there are secrets and untold truths tearing them apart.

Fic title:

When Your World is Ripped Away

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

jdl71

Artist name:

bluefire986

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

116,185

Warnings:

Graphic description of rape, Graphic description of medical examine, Graphic description of rape aftermath/effects to the human body, Hurt Jensen, Shy Jensen, Protective Jared, Bullying, Homophobia, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Established Relationship, Rape, Violence, Depression, Top Jared, Bottom Jensen

Summary:

Jensen is a shy, insecure and bullied sixteen year old. He has no friends; he prefers books and drawing to people, until he meets sixteen year old Jared who moves three houses down from his. Jared is outgoing and instantly takes a liking to Jensen who only sees Jared as eventually being one of his tormentors when Jared finds out that he’s gay. Jensen desperately tries to get Jared to leave him alone. Jared refuses to give up on Jensen; standing up to those who have bullied Jensen in the past and announcing to everyone that not only is he gay, but he’s in love with Jensen. Jensen takes a chance on Jared and not only finds a friend, but a boyfriend and eventually a husband. They’re happily married, until one night when their world is ripped apart by an act of violence.

Fic title:

The Flight of the Tombaugh

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

tsuki_no_bara

Artist name:

cassiopeia7

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

PG-13

Word count:

29K

Warnings:

Ridiculous cameos. Half-assed understanding of space travel and spaceship speed. Traces of Chad.

Summary:

Jensen and Jared are smugglers, traveling the back lanes of settled space in Jensen's ship the Tombaugh. Then one of their friends comes to them with a job – help a fellow criminal get a girl off a frozen moon and return her to her stepfather. It seems like a simple thing for a lot of money, but it turns out the girl has a secret and she's convinced her stepdad wants her dead because of it. Jared wants the girl to live. Jensen wants to keep his ship. Their decision to do both will lead them to space stations, far-flung settlements, and the edge of galactic nowhere, and pit them against cops, cultists, other criminals, and ultimately their own desperate decisions.

Fic title:

Love Is A Natural Disaster

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

all_the_shrinks

Artist name:

tx_devilorangel

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

20,280

Warnings:

None given

Summary:

Jared Padalecki, Eagle Scout and science teacher, spends his days in the mountains of a quiet little corner of the state of Washington. It’s an idyllic paradise, the Cascade Mountain Range are some of the most beautiful and some of the deadliest volcanoes in The United States, But Jared is content leading his scouts and being alone.

Dr. Jensen Ackles, is one of the leadings volcanologists around, second only to his mentor Dr. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, volcanoes are his passion, his one love. But that wasn’t always the case.

When Jared notices all the signs that their active volcano is getting ready to erupt, he calls the USGS, who sends in his former boyfriend and the man he walked out, Jensen, to investigate.

Can they put their feelings behind them long enough to save the town, or will everything be destroyed in one catastrophe or the other?

Fic title:

True Beauty is Found Within

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

tullysg

Artist name:

mwitczak13

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

44K

Warnings:

check tags on Ao3

Summary:

It’s a tale as old as time, but not quite as you were told.

Jensen has one rule: to only sleep with a person once and never to get attached, he knows better than that, having truly learned his lesson in the past. Jensen knows he’s a heartless asshole, as he’s often called, and honestly doesn’t care. That’s why he’s less than pleased when his neighbor Chad brings an ugly homeless guy to live in the basement of their apartment building.

Jared has a good heart, but is cursed when he says ‘no’ to a girl who turns out to be a witch, causing the memories of who he is and his exterior beauty to vanish. Jared is doomed to remain like this unless he finds someone with a cold heart who would fall in love with him before the last petal falls. Jared knows that’s impossible, so he slowly loses hope as the clock ticks.

After all, who could ever learn to love a beast?

Fic title:

Breathless

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

samantha_novak

Artist name:

sillie82

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

PG-13

Word count:

26,158

Warnings:

Depictions of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Very mild sexual content (dry humping).

Summary:</b> Jensen is a lonely English professor with an allergy to nuts. Jared is a paramedic haunted by a college tragedy. When the two meet, they're immediately attracted to one another and form a relationship, navigating through busy schedules, Jared's fears brought on by his past, and meeting each others' friends and family.

Fic title:

Clamor

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

firesign10

Artist name:

a_biting_smile

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

31.5K

Warnings:

Violence, VERY rough sex, dubcon

Summary:

Jared Padalecki's lover is the 500 year old vampire, Jensen Ackles. Jared, a 22 year old college student, is eager to be Turned and become a vampire himself, since he's Jensen's mate and true love. Jensen, however, is making him wait. There's still a lot of human things to experience like sunrises, surviving a car accident, a rival dance club opening near Claret, and oh yeah...becoming the pawn in a battle with the new evil vamp in town—the voluptuous but deadly Alaina Huffman.

Fic title:

It's Just a Dimension Jump (to the Left)

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

disneymagics

Artist name:

fridayblues

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

R

Word count:

49K

Warnings:

Show level violence, minor character deaths, strong language, m/m in epilogue

Summary:

Jensen has had a rough life with all the scars, physical, mental, and emotional, to prove it. He keeps them all hidden because he learned from an early age what telling the truth will get him, a room in a home for troubled teens and antipsychotic meds. But no matter what anyone else says, he knows monsters do exisit. From the time he was fifteen years old, he's been on a quest that has consumed his whole life. Maybe, when he reaches the end of his quest, he can lead a normal life again. Maybe, he can even reconnect with his high school sweetheart, Jared. Nah, that's just a fairy tale and fairy tales don't come true. Not for Jensen.

Fic title:

The Nobleman and the Sword

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

winterwolke

Artist name:

aggiedoll

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

R

Word count:

23.5k

Warnings:

None

Summary:

Every Noble gets to choose their Sword. They use them to fight, empowered by their very own magic. Jared lost his Sword. He couldn't control his magic and accidentally killed his trusted one. He lives a reclusive life in a secluded keep, far away from the arduous intrigues the other nobles play to gain power and wealth. He has sworn to never pick a Sword again, no matter how direly his kingdom might need him. But there is a prophecy, and Jared doesn't know yet that prophecies sometimes come true.

Fic title:

Fire Front

Link to art:

//sweetheartdean.livejournal.com/361.html">Here

Author name:

kelleigh

Artist name:

sweetheartdean

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

41K

Warnings:

Age Difference. Mild Violence and Injury.

Summary:

Before his 18th birthday, bitter foster kid Jensen Ackles was given a choice between prison time or military service. He chose the latter and spent the next decade channeling his rage into training and multiple tours overseas. When he’s finally discharged, he moves to Boston to live with the only person who ever gave a damn about him, but the anger that’s plagued him since he was a teen refuses to let him settle into a normal life. Pushed to the brink, Jensen discovers the world of illegal fighting and uses it to burn the violence out of his system. Empty warehouses, rundown factories, and foreclosed clubs become the arenas where Jensen fights for money and relief.

One night, after emerging victorious from his latest challenge, he finds a young man waiting for him, offering him a prize he won’t refuse. Jensen sees so much of himself in the skinny, stubborn kid, and he’s torn between his desire to corrupt and his need to protect. Jared Padalecki is lost, working at a small diner and trying to make ends meet. He’s stuck between a home that doesn’t want him and a dangerous world filled with people who wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of him. Jensen finds himself fighting to keep Jared from repeating his own mistakes while at the same time battling the rage inside him. Will it consume him before he can save Jared, or is Jensen the one in need of saving?

Fic title:

Island in the Sun

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

mangacat201

Artist name:

bflyw

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

R

Word count:

28K

Warnings:

graphic depiction of violence, drugs, hostage situation, extortion, allusion to combat injuries, passing issues of body dysmorphia due to cybernetic enhancement.

Summary:

It’s not your typical meet-cute: Jensen, a nano-cybernetics specialist, saved Jared - mortally injured Afghan war veteran - by replacing and rebuilding several of his limbs and organs with cybernetic nano-technology. After struggling with trauma, the otherness of his body, his new extra-human abilities and a very ambiguous relationship with his saviour, Jared has to go on the run from the US government to keep his life and sanity with only Jensen at his side. Now, still fugitives, they’re trying to carve out a life for themselves without tripping any nets of the military and intelligence, when the greatest threat they’ll be facing actually comes from a wholly unexpected direction…

Fic title:

Waving Through a Window

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

1bad_joke

Artist name:

fridayblues

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

63K

Warnings:

underage drinking, teen sex, low self-esteem

Summary:

Surviving to his junior year at James Madison High, he was just... nobody. He was content with being on the outside always looking in, because that's all he's ever known. He had his best friend, Chad, and an undying love for star cheerleader, Jensen Ackles. That was enough for him, because he didn't dare want for anything more. One day, everything changes into what had to be a fever dream.

Almost too good to be true.

Fic title:

Back of the Bus

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

jessie_cristo

Artist name:

dancing_adrift

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

R

Word count:

35K

Warnings:

Underage, Mildly Dubious Consent, Attempted Rape/Non-Con

Summary:

Jensen Ackles and his parents are the newest permanent residents in the small desert community of Rachel, Nevada - the closest inhabited area to Nellis Air Force Base and the infamous Area 51. They moved to Rachel to settle down and place roots; to build a normal life. If only they’d known that life for them and everyone else in the world was about to get as far from normal as possible.

Fic title:

The Sceptre and The Stone

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

zubeneschamali

Artist name:

quickreaver

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

31K

Warnings:

None

Summary:

Jared has been making a living as a smuggler while his city and country have been under occupation by the Iron Lord. It's dangerous work, but it keeps his mind off the way things used to be, and how unlikely it is that they can ever go back. Unlikely, that is, until he gets a package to the one man who could change the world—if they don't both get caught first.

Prince Jensen has been in hiding for five years, the last of the rightful rulers of his kingdom. The plans he's been painstakingly making for recovering the throne and restoring magic to his people are brought to a head when an uncommonly skilled smuggler delivers him what he most needs. As he puts his plan into motion, though, he's going to have to figure out how to deal with said smuggler—including the way he makes Jensen want things that have nothing to do with regaining his kingdom.

Fic title:

You've Got to Be Kitten Me

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

dugindeep

Artist name:

blondebitz

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

36K

Warnings:

character with anxiety

Summary:

Jensen lives a routine, solitary life with little to no interaction and he likes it just fine. He’d rather not deal with the fuss and rejection of making and keeping connections, so when a stray cat shows up at his apartment building and begs for attention every time they cross paths, Jensen does what he can to ignore it. Of course, that doesn’t last long and he finds himself carving out a space in his world to make it feel at home. Along the road of pet ownership, Jensen meets the very nice and very handsome Dr. Jared Padalecki. The veterinarian's open, warm personality gets to Jensen the same way his new cat has, and Jensen fights against his own hang-ups to get to know him.

Fic title:

First We'll Take Manhattan

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

candygramme

and

spoonlessone

Artist name:

sandy79

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

36,021

Warnings:

Show level violence. Minor character death

Summary:

Jensen is a fashion designer looking for a model to be the ‘face’ of his line. Enter Jared, an aspiring Broadway actor who hasn't ever modeled, but Jensen believes he's perfect for the part. Jared has no idea what he's getting into. There's glitz and drama. There's the excitement he craves, but there's also heartbreak and misery lurking just under the surface.

In the rush to get everything ready for fashion week, things get complicated. Jared joins Adrianne Palicki and Aisha Taylor, his other models, and Jensen, along with his staff, get busy putting outfits together for him.

Fic title:

Black Cat Mercantile

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

deadlybride

Artist name:

beelikej

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

45,795

Warnings:

None

Summary:

Searching for materials for a new sculpture he's planning, Jared gets sent to a magical salvage shop in a bad part of town. The proprietor's got a great artistic eye, a criminal conviction, and an attitude that could earn him a punch to the face. Jared finds himself coming back, anyway.

Fic title:

In the Coils of a Snake

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

sanshal

Artist name:

emmatheslayer

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

27,850

Warnings:

a/b/o world, gratuitous nudity and violence, d/s, captivity, forced feminization (wearing of skirts), whipping, humiliation, non-consensual branding/tattooing, mentions of rape/non-con etc.

Summary:

Jared was an undercover cop determined to cut the head off the criminal hierarchy of his city....only question was, would he successfully manage to behead the snake or would the snake swallow him first?

Fic title:

Like a Wave Crashing Over Me

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

soy_em

Artist name:

yanyann

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

24K

Warnings:

mild past homophobia

Summary:

Jensen’s happy with his life. He lives by the sea, spends his days taking photos of the landscape around him and doesn’t really talk to his neighbours. He’s content in the world he’s created for himself. Until Jared shows up on his beach, and for the first time in years, Jensen wants to find a way to overcome his shyness and let someone in.

Fic title:

Beast Master

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

junkerin

Artist name:

bflyw

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

20,400

Warnings:

None

Summary:

Jensen is a special agent working now for the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) after a dramatic event killed his partner. Now he is investigating a case of illegal toxic waste dumping.

Jared is a ranger in Yellow Stone Park. He lives with his dog Sammy up alone in the park and his main social contacts are his friends and colleges Chad and Gen. He discovered that some one is dumping toxic waste in the park (he found several dead animals). Oh and there is the thing that he can talk to animals.

The two are now working together to stop the pollution of an untouched nature. As the two walk through Yellow Stone they both discover there is more to each other than what is visible at the first sight.

Fic title:

Why Can't I Breathe (Whenever I Think About You)

Link to art:

Here (nsfw)

Author name:

sometimesalways

Artist name:

emmatheslayer

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

Warnings:

None

Summary:

Jensen Ackles is a well-known name in the gay porn industry — at least his on-screen persona “JR Richardson” is. Already an industry veteran at age twenty-seven, he has the freedom to be selective with his gigs, a healthy love of casual sex, and zero interest in relationships. When his friend, sporadic fuckbuddy, and former scene director Jeffrey Dean Morgan calls him up with a rare request to audition, Jensen is completely unprepared for the force of nature that is Jared “JT Austin” Padalecki, or their immediate chemistry both on set and off. As they quickly become best friends (with benefits), Jensen discovers that sex is infinitely more complicated when feelings begin to get in the way.

Fic title:

Marconi Plays the Mamba

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

tcs1121

Artist name:

2blueshoes

Genre:

RPS

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

35K

Warnings:

None

Summary:

Jensen is a local Florida weatherman who is known for his handsome face and winning smiles. Although he gave up the dream of becoming a real meteorologist, he is extremely passionate about the weather. And, eventually, Jared.

Jared is a brilliant computer programmer whose company, PMC (Padalecki, Morgan, Collins) gets contracted by Jensen's TV studio to revamp their software. Jared speaks fluent Mexican Restaurant Menu Spanish and has strong affection for weather. And, eventually, Jensen.

It's all fun and games until deadly weather threatens their town. Then, it's up to them to save Coconut Bay.

Sam/Dean

Fic title:

Another You

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

annie46

Artist name:

aggiedoll

Genre:

SPN

Pairing:

Sam/Dean

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

22K

Warnings:

Season 14 spoilers, canon divergence, major character death, other universe Sam & Deans

Summary:

Dean dies fighting Michael one last time and Sam must let him go; left without his brother and knowing that he can’t bring him back Sam goes into free fall until Castiel persuades him to go on a vacation. While staying in a remote cabin Sam thinks he sees his brother and starts seeing him in other places. Finally he manages to confront what he thinks is a spirit, but this is a real person – a Dean from another dimension – one where Dean and Sam have been brought up differently and one where Dean and Sam are more than brothers. This Dean is searching for his Sammy and Sam agrees to help him…soon he becomes too fond of this alternative Dean and they fall into a relationship that might change Sam’s life forever.

Fic title:

Into the Great Wide Open

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

amypond45

Artist name:

sillie82

Genre:

SPN

Pairing:

Sam/Dean

Rating:

R

Word count:

28K

Warnings:

sibling incest, mention of underage sexual attraction in the past

Summary:

A hundred years ago in a dystopian AU world where monsters have won the West, foster-brothers Sam and Dean reunite after a six-year separation and go in search of Dean’s mother through the Colorado Rockies. On the way, they fight monsters, meet an Angel of the Lord, and find gruesome evidence of a lost battle and abandoned human settlements. Eventually, they admit their true feelings for each other. But will their love survive when Sam learns the truth about his birthright?

Fic title:

Black Velocities and Shining Movements

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

dimeliora

Artist name:

amberdreams

Genre:

SPN

Pairing:

Sam/Dean

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

39,990

Warnings:

Violence, Graphic Sex, Original Character Death, Drugging, Severe Injury

Summary:

Set in Season 2, Sam has sustained a terrible injury trying to protect his brother. He finds himself in a tiny, idyllic village being cared for by Dean. Unsure if his paranoia is wholly justified or the result of brain damage, Sam finds himself fighting not only to recover but to understand what is unfolding around him.

Fic title:

The Road to Come What May

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

roxymissrose

Artist name:

merakieross

Genre:

SPN

Pairing:

Sam/Dean

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

37,761

Warnings:

this is a PWP of many words, sprinkled with a wee pinch of ghost story.

Summary:

A few years back, Dean grabbed his brother and declared to the world, enough! They’d needed to take a breath, and thanks to an unexpected gift from their father, they were able to settle down, act like civilians, at least for a bit. And yeah, maybe Dean had screwed up a lot in the intervening years, but he hoped settling down in their home again, he could make it up to Sam. What the hell—let some younger, fresher guys handle the world and its problems.

Fic title:

Dancing on the Head of a PIn

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

storyspinner70

Artist name:

phoenix1966

Genre:

SPN AU

Pairing:

Sam/Dean (unrelated)

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

24K

Warnings:

werewolves, Alpha/Alpha, unusual A/B/O dynamics, fae magic, violence, explicit elements of D/s, explicit sex, graphic violence, minor dub-con, unrelated boys

Summary:

Dean is an Alpha shrouded in mystery and darkness – quite literally. Sam is a revolutionary forcing change in the world the only way he knows how – with guns and blood and death. Dean makes a living doing what other weres can’t; no questions, no concerns – until a job to kill Sam becomes a drive to protect his mate instead. After a brutal betrayal, he finds his mate tortured but alive and takes him to a pack he sees only in Sam’s mind. Pack politics, an age old prophecy and magic Dean has no business wielding breed fear and cowardice that spreads from the forests to the pack lands. Sam and Dean hold their own against the fear and hatred from their pasts, but dealing with their own unusual mating and Sam’s need for something only Dean can give him lead them into a battle both are determined to win.

Fic title:

Aubaude

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

smalltrolven

Artist name:

stargazingchola

Genre:

SPN

Pairing:

Sam/Dean

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

28,736

Warnings:

Spoilers for season 14.

Summary:

Sometimes the place you live requires a lot more upkeep than you’d ever imagined. Dawn breaks over the lands that surround the bunker, and things are never the same for Sam and Dean. They each have half of the day, dusk to dawn for Sam, and dawn to dusk for Dean to both figure it out. Cas, Jack, and Mary help the brothers discover the deals the Men of Letters made with four ancient beings who have been protecting the four directions around the bunker. It was all for a good reason, and the brothers didn’t know, but they still must pay the debt that is owed. In the few moments the brothers have together at dusk and dawn, the relationship once severed is re-made into something unbreakable.

Fic title:

Keep This Secret

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

ellerkay

Artist name:

blindswandive

Genre:

SPN

Pairing:

Sam/Dean

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

23,423

Warnings:

Sibling incest, angst with a happy ending, guilt, shame, denial, some depiction of PTSD

Summary:

Sam and Dean travel to the fairy realm hoping to make a deal to get Adam released from the Cage. The price: their shared secret.

Fic title:

Homecoming

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

runedgirl

Artist name:

blindswandive

Genre:

SPN

Pairing:

Sam/Dean

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

29,150

Warnings:

None

Summary:

John Winchester likes to say that his son Sam is the epitome of an Alpha, a chip off the old block. Together they hunt the monsters that killed Sam’s mother and older brother, leaving Sam with only fragmented memories of his lost family. John has taught Sam to mistrust Omegas, who are relegated to the lowest rung of society, stigmatized and marginalized as lacking in both strength and intelligence. That doesn’t stop Sam from falling for a sex worker named Dean, a man as strong and smart as Sam who he is surprised to find is an Omega; but that’s not the only thing Dean is hiding. There is a much bigger surprise in store for Sam and the beautiful stranger.

Other Pairings

Fic title:

Not Fit to Live on Land

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

suedeenimh

Artist name:

beelikej

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jensen/Genevieve

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

24K

Warnings:

Dubious Consent, Non-Consensual Body Modification, Oviposition, Eggpreg, Non-Human Genitalia

Summary:

Legend says mermaids lure sailors to their doom, but what do they want with them, anyway? Hapless sailor Jensen is about to find out the hard way. Gen and Jared are half cold-blooded fish, and they need a warm-blooded human's help for their offspring to survive, but unless the three of them learn to speak each others' languages, it's going to be a rough ride. Can Jensen bring himself to let love in—literally?

Fic title:

A Land of Love & Ruin

Link to art:

Here

Author nam

whispered_story

Artist name:

phoenix1966

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jared/Jeffrey/Jensen

Rating:

NC-17

Word count:

45K

Warnings:

minor character death

Summary:

After a virus wiped out most of humanity and turned some people into zombies, Jared is trying to get by on his own—until he's saved from zombies by Jeff one day and they set out to travel across the country to Texas together. Jeff makes no secret out of the fact that he's interested in Jared and despite his trust issues, Jared soon gives in to his own attraction to Jeff.

But Jeff has someone waiting for him in Texas and even though he insists Jensen is just his best friend, Jared knows his feelings run a lot deeper. He plans to enjoy his relationship with Jeff for as long as he can and then let him go when they get to Texas. But Jeff refuses to give up on them.

And then Jared meets Jensen. He expects to be jealous of the bond Jensen shares with Jeff or for Jensen to want Jeff to himself. But Jared gets along with Jensen as easily as he did with Jeff, and he falls for him as hopelessly as he did for Jeff. As a relationship blooms between the three of them, they set out to make a new life for themselves in a changed world. But between finding food and shelter, the approaching colder seasons as summer draws to an end and the threat of zombies as well as other survivors it's not always easy.

Fic title:

For the Heirs to Come, Be Brave

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

ameraleigh

Artist name:

thesaltyghost

Genre:

RPS AU

Pairing:

Jensen/Misha

Rating:

PG-13

Word count:

34K

Warnings:

Mild violence, Coarse Language, Character Death, Sexual References

Summary:

What would you do if you woke up and the whole world was gone, what if normal became anything but, Jensen Ackles has been separated from everyone he loves as the world around him literally crumbles. In a desperate bid to reunite with his childhood best friend, Jared, Jensen risks life and limb to find him so that they can track down their loved ones and find somewhere safe to ride out the end of the world. Along the way, they have to fend off Mother Nature's wrath as she gives them everything she's got as well as the desperate survivors who will stop at nothing to make it out alive.

Fic title:

Another Uninnocent Elegant Fall

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

raving_liberal

Artist name:

yanyann

Pairing:

Dean/Castiel

Genre:

SPN

Rating:

PG-13

Word count:

35,400

Warnings:

references to off-screen character deaths and Sam going full dark-side, mild violence

Summary:

Feeling lonely and considering the plight of Heaven without enough angels to provide the necessary grace to keep the lights on, Jack searches throughout the multiverse for other nephilim. These nephilim would have been his “siblings” (the half-angelic children of his family—Cas, Sam, Dean, and Mary—from alternate universes) if the angels hadn’t systematically destroyed them in every dimension. One by one, Jack’s siblings appear in the bunker: Sam’s beautiful daughter, Ophelia, who falls head over heels in love with Maggie; Cas’s small and serious son, James Junior; MJ (Mary Junior), the daughter of Mary Winchester and Michael, who would have been born instead of Dean in her universe and who wields her own angel blade; Sonny, whose Enochian name is too difficult to pronounce and who is a result of Sam’s darkest possible timeline. As the family expands by unexpected leaps and bounds, and the Winchesters wrestle with parenting and their own might-have-beens, Dean and Castiel grow closer amidst the chaos. An aggressively positive alternative season 14.

Fic title:

Covered in Wilderness

Link to art:

Here

Author name:

geeky_ramblings

Artist name:

red_b_rackham

Genre:

SPN AU

Pairing:

Mary Winchester/John Winchester, Mary Winchester/Bobby Singer

Rating:

PG-13

Word count:

20,880

Warnings:

Canonical Character Death

Summary:

The Road So Far:</b> When Mary made the deal with Yellow Eyes to save John’s life, she had no clue that she would have ended up burning up on the ceiling of Sam’s bedroom but what if she didn’t? What if it was John who went into the nursery that night and suffered Mary’s fate. Now it’s up to protect her family from the demon Azazel but she doesn’t want anything to do with the family business or have any part in raising her son in the life. She will anything to protect her boys including getting a little help from a friend.

Gen

Fic title:

Thursday's Child

Link to art:

Author name:

paleogymnast

Artist name:

killabeez

Genre:

SPN AU

Rating:

R (language and violence)

Word count:

69,000

Warnings:

Graphic violence, time travel, character death, vague references to offscreen sexual assault and prostitution (not Claire)

Summary:

At the end of all things, Claire Novak finds herself alone, when an unexpected entity offers her a choice—fade away with everything else across all the multiverse, or take a chance to save her sisters and forge new connections with a different version of her family, and maybe restore a future to at least one version of reality. But making the choice to go on will mean giving up everything she has ever known and loved, and traveling through time to a different world, a broken world lost in time, where she doesn’t exist, a teenaged Sam and 21-year-old Dean have been separated for years, and the Thule Society have infiltrated the mysteriously named “Department of Internal Services,” and history is not what she knows. The road will be long, but if she succeeds, Claire has a chance at saving the Alex and Patience she knows. If she fails, all existence will be erased.

Fic title:

We are merely players, performers and portrayers

Link to art:

Author name:

carafindel

Artist name:

amberdreams

Genre:

Gen

Rating:

R

Word count:

20K

Warnings:

None

Summary:

A season 6 casefic. Dean and RoboSam end up in Florida again after "Chained Heat" and before "Appointment in Samarra." Dean's working two cases - the monster he and Sam are hunting at Disneyworld, and the case of Sam's missing soul. And he's got a lot of soul-searching to do. Which sounds like a bad joke, but his life has turned into a bad joke, so. It fits. With flashbacks to season 4, soon after 4.03, "In The Beginning."

from Supernatural and J-Squared Big Bang Challenge! https://ift.tt/31L39Is