#holy cow you know me so well in so little time?? i think i might have to consider us friends now???

[ixiot-ghostrebel]

La~La~la 🦇 anon here with a sagau idea!

I don't play genshin with sound on, I always have my headphones on and sing to some songs while I play witch got me thinking.....

What if reader started singing viva la vida/once upon a december or another song really well and it just so happened that they had characters who are really musical like venti Barbra and xinyan in their party?

It would start out really sweet like them complimenting their creators voice and vibing along, then turn into them trying to write songs that are more like our modern ones!

Venti accidentally inventing an acoustic ballad or smthn (I used almost all my spoons for the first half..)

xinyan making an unholy amalgamation of classic and rock

And Barbra trying out new scales while writing songs about the creator who has the voice of an angel and godly pitch

For a good idea of what I'm thinking try listening to, Viva La Vida (orchestral version) from annapantsu!

(Feel free to add )

OHOHOHOHOHO, 🦇 ANON YOU ARE COOKING.

I need to start crawling out of my hole and listen to the song you're recommending to me ASAP—holy cow, I live under a mountain at this rate (I'm like Azhdaha bro this is NOT good 😭 Watch me run with this blindly bc I keep FORGETTING to listen to the recommendations 🦇 Anon is sending me—)

I won't add any other characters, since the selection you have is already good!

Venti, Barbara, and Xinyan Wanna Jam, Too!

(Warning: Might be OOC!)

Venti

WISP BOI SHOOKETH. HE IS WHOOPING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS. MONDSTADT IS GOING CRAZY WITH THIS BARD IN TOWN GOING AROUND ABOUT THE CREATOR—

All jokes aside, he's over the moon to know that about your singing and your song preference. I feel like Venti would try to make his version of the songs you sing :D

By the time you meet in person, man's hands down worshipping your singing like his LIFE depends on it.

"Oh, Your Grace! Please sing your songs for all of Mondstadt to enjoy!" You can hear the literal excitement practically radiating in his voice.

He's very stoked and will sing along if you do decide to sing. Watch him brag this to the other archons (cough Zhongli and Ei mainly cough)

Barbara

The moment she heard the Almighty Creator sing, she thought both you and Barbatos blessed her. I mean, the winds, carrying your voice, to her?!

She's utterly shocked. She doesn't know if she's worthy of hearing your voice—But Barbara loves your voice! Of course the Almighty Creator would have the best voice of all of Teyvat!

She once caught herself humming the song you were singing to previously in the Church of Barbatos. Barbara was so embarrassed because the others managed to catch her humming that strange tune.

When you came around, Barbara was immediately the first one to ask you to sing—albeit a little timidly.

"Y-Your Grace! Uhm...Is it possible if you allow us Nuns at the Church to...hear you sing? Of course, you don't have to agree! We can sing the song ourselves if you wish!" Barbara just really wants to let you know that Mondstadt worships and adores you.

She would definitely make a choir version of the songs you sing. Be prepared to be invited and no, you're insisted to come. By everyone. :)

Xinyan

The first moment she heard you jam, she was loving it! Utterly loves the genre of music she hears from you!

From where she grew up (Liyue), there were some people that were very picky with their taste in music and usually called her rock'n roll a ruckus. To hear you sing something without a care in the world to a song that doesn't really fit to the usual old geezer's standards was utterly refreshing!

Sometimes, when she's given the honor of the stage, she would perform some performances to you and perform a rock'n roll version of the songs you sing. She has a musician's ears after all, she would remember how the riffs go and remix them to fit her style.

When you arrive, you better go out and listen! Xinyan would absolutely credit you and (if your up to it) sing alongside you!

"Haha, Your Grace! You're here—wanna hear my rock'n roll version of your songs?" She's good at remixing, it's almost unfair—

Yeah, none of them realize any of the songs you sang weren't your creation. Good luck explaining to them :)

Ghost Rebel Side Notes: WHY AM I TAKE 3 ETERNITIES TO WRITE EVERYTHING SOBBING. WHERE IS MY MOTIVATION OFF RUNNING TO ISTG—

Ahem, anyways—I hope you guys liked it :D I'm currently facing a bit of a time crunch atm so my response to requests will be even slower than it already is :') Sorry about that. I hope you guys love this post, though!

✦ Check out The Ghost Rebel’s Blog Description & Info Page to See if Their Mailbox is Open! ✦

[angelwings-crossbowstrings]

Blood Ties Chapter 10

Series Masterlist

Warnings: Typical TWD violence and gore, blood, injury, vomiting

A/N: This chapter is admittedly self indulgent. I love Daryl whump and I’ve been kind to him physically for most of the story so far. Not anymore! That being said, I feel like I should have split this into more than one chapter because—to me—the quality suffered because of the length. Anyway, on with the show!

Moodboard by @dannyo000

gif by @daryl-dixon-daydreams

The sun was shining through the open curtains when you awoke. You scowled at the rays but the gentle heat that your skin was absorbing seemed to sooth the irritation. You stretched stagnant muscles, not even venturing to suppress the moan invoked by the action. You let your head fall to the side, finding the opposite margin of the bed empty. Daryl had already left. You shouldn’t be surprised. He was a hunter. Your variety were early risers. Well, you were admittedly a bit of a slacker. 

Your stomach felt moderately uneasy but not unmanageable. Hershel must have given you that injection while you slept. Your IV was disconnected and a glass of water sat on the bedside table, this time closest to you. You picked it up after gliding your legs off the side of the bed, taking slow careful sips. You were just placing it back on the table when there was a soft knock on the door. 

“Come in?” You weren’t sure if it was Hershel or maybe someone else who lived in the home. It felt odd to invite them into a room that didn’t belong to you. 

Carol peeked inside and smiled before opening the door fully to enter, a young blonde girl right on her heels with a glass of something—colorful. “Hi, honey. How are you feeling?” You accepted the woman’s embrace. 

“Better.” You smiled reassuringly when she pulled back to get a look at you. “Who’s this? And what’s that?” Carol looked behind herself on one side and then the other before stepping aside. 

“I’m Beth. My daddy is the one that helped you.” The girl was just that: a girl. She was older than Carl and Sophia but still a kid. “We made you a fruit smoothie. Patricia says it’s good for you and shouldn’t make you sick.”

You offered her a tight smile and accepted the drink, fearful of not only the taste but the consistency of the thing. You’d never done well with solid things being made into liquids. With an uncertain frown, you took a small sip. Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Holy shit, that’s good.” When you took another drink, a smiling Carol put a hand on your arm. 

“Go slow.”

You nodded, tilting your head at the pile of clothes in Carol’s arms. “Are those for me?”

“Mhm. Thought you might like to clean up and change.”

“Oh my god, you read my mind.” You took another sip and made a grateful noise that had Beth giggling. “That is really good.”

It was early evening by the time you had showered and decided to venture outside. The nap in between was desperately needed. You were still a little weak from your ordeal. 

It was your first glimpse of the land. Beautiful fields with horses and cows out to pasture, while the blue, cloudless sky blanketed it all. 

Blue like Daryl’s eyes. 

You frowned, shaking your head at yourself. “Where the hell did that come from?” You brushed it off easily and approached the little camp your fellow group mates had set up. It felt odd being around them all without Daryl being somewhere nearby but it wasn’t bad per se.

Lori looked up from the bin of laundry and smiled at you. It was small and you could sense something behind it. Nevertheless, you returned it. It wouldn’t be a horrible thing to get to know everyone better. You made two steps in Lori’s direction before noticing Rick, Shane, T-Dog, and Dale huddled together out of the corner of your eye. 

Normally, you’d think nothing of it, except you happened to catch Dale risking a glance in your direction. His expression pinched, concerned. He was quick to look away but it was too late. 

“What’s going on?” You asked, stuffing your hands in the pockets of your jeans. The way they all looked between one another spoke volumes. There was something they didn’t want to tell you. 

Shane did that thing where he shoved his thumbs through the belt loops of his jeans and looked around at nothing before meeting your eyes. “Nothing for you to worry about, darlin’. We got it under control.”

You couldn’t help but sneer at him. “Don’t call me darlin’ and I can decide if I should worry or not. Rick?” The officers shared a look with Shane shaking his head but Rick seemed to disagree. 

“Daryl took a horse out today to look for Sophia.” 

You shook your head and raised a brow inquisitively. “Okay?” 

“The horse came back. Without him.”

Your stomach dropped before twisting with a feeling of dread. “You’re going out, right?” 

“Well, this is Daryl. We’re gonna give him until nightfall and set out first thing in the morning if he’s not back.” Rick explained. The incredulous expression you donned must have been enough encouragement for him to stammer out further explanation. “We can’t risk going out and not making it back before dark.”

“But it’s okay for Daryl—who could be hurt—to be out there alone all night, right? Are you fucking serious right now?” You were finding it increasingly difficult to keep your anger in check or your voice at a low volume. 

“Listen, missy, you don’t have a lot of right to say much of anything around here! Let me tell you something—” Shane began. You were having none of it. 

“Oh, shove it, Dudley Do-Right!” You hissed. You had spun away and started looking for Daryl’s tent, missing the undoubtedly furious—but comically memorable—expression on Shane’s face. “I’ll go find him myself.”

You heard Rick’s frantic footfalls before he stepped in front of you, palms out. “Wait, wait, wait. We can’t let you go out there.”

“Let me?”

Dale joined Rick, taking off his hat as he spoke. You weren’t sure why he did it other than maybe attempting to show you some form of respect. “Daryl would be less than thrilled if something happened to you.”

“I thought I didn’t have any rights around here?” You crossed your arms, eyes sliding to the side when you heard someone approaching from behind. When they didn’t move where you could see them, you felt your hackles rise. They must have not been informed that you were also a hunter. “If you touch me, you risk losing a body part.” You spat over your shoulder, venom dripping from every syllable. “And I promise you, it’ll be something you’ll definitely miss.” Shane gave you a wide berth as he circled within your sight, hands up as if he were being detained. 

“Look, Y/N, we know that’s Daryl’s baby.” Rick dropped his hands to his sides, bringing one back up immediately to rub at his forehead. 

“And how do you know that?” You knew it was a stupid question. The archer hadn’t left your side the entire time you were unconscious. After you awoke, he was at your beck and call: bringing you food, making sure you drank enough, watching over you as you rested. 

“You were unconscious. You didn’t see him when he brought you here.” Rick was trying so hard to be nice and you knew he meant it. He was a genuine person. 

“He was off the rails! Rantin’ and ravin’ like a lunatic!”

“Shane, you’re not helping.” Rick had tilted his head, directing his statement at his partner but keeping his eyes on the ground at your feet. When he spoke again, his gaze found yours, full of kindness and concern. “We just can’t take any risks.”

Regardless, you would not be deterred. “I’m not asking you to. In fact, I’m not asking at all.” They allowed you to sidestep around them, not following you but you could hear them muttering loudly amongst themselves. 

Finding Daryl’s tent was a piece of cake. You used what you knew of him to conclude that he would be the furthest from the rest. Once inside, you found your pack and knives sitting to one side, surprisingly in a neat pile. In fact, the entire space was orderly enough for you to scratch your head and second guess if you had indeed entered the right tent. 

His bedroll had not been used, the cot not set up. That made sense. He had spent the nights in the house with you while you recovered. You could still feel the warmth his body gave off even with several inches between you. Damn him for going off alone. 

He did have some goodies in his area that you were happy to borrow. Some dried jerky, a length of rope, some extra clothes (for him, just in case), a meager amount of medical supplies (also, just in case), and a flashlight. You’d give it all back. Maybe. 

Knives holstered and bag on your back, you bent down to exit the tent, standing to come face to face with Carol and Lori. Throwing back your head, you groaned. “Not you guys, too.”

“Daryl made it pretty clear that the baby is his.” Lori spoke first. “We’re gonna worry.”

“You’re new, but we’re all in this together. Daryl, too. He’s out there looking for my girl, after all.” Carol held out two canteens of water. “Maggie and Glenn aren’t back yet. That shot Hershel gave you isn’t gonna last much longer. You need to stay hydrated.”

Before you could react, Lori handed you two apples and a can of kidney beans. “You need to eat too. Fruit and protein are good for the baby and for nausea.”

“Thank you.” You turned to allow Carol to place the items in your bag, getting caught in a hug on your way back around. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

Carol nodded while Lori took your hand and squeezed. “We’ll handle the men. Go on. Daryl left out that way.” You turned your attention to the direction she pointed and gave a nod, jogging off before anyone could intercept you. 

Situations like this were when being a hunter and tracker was beyond beneficial; it could be potentially life saving. Finding the horse’s trail was easy. The shape of the hooves indicated whether the mare was coming or going, as well as the depth, indicating whether or not Daryl was in the saddle. 

He had gone some distance, that was certain. Being on horseback allowed him to cover more ground but he gave up the advantage of being close to the paths. It had to be harder to see any trails from horseback. Then again, he was a marksman with his crossbow. He was eagle-eyed for sure. 

You had been tracking him for at least an hour, the sun getting lower and lower. Rick and Shane had been right about one thing: Daryl would raze that farm to the ground if he came back to learn you had gone out alone. Still, you had to think he’d find it at least a little funny that no one volunteered to go with you. Big strong manly men letting the petite sickly pregnant woman go in the woods all by her lonesome. You snorted at your own thoughts. 

You paused to check the sun’s position in the sky, estimating you had about an hour of daylight left. Even if you abandoned the search and went back at that moment, it would still be dark when you made it. You weren’t hungry, which you considered might be a bad thing, but you were thirsty. Pulling the bag from your shoulders, you crouched to dig through the contents for one of the canteens. It was easily found toward the top. 

“Small sips, small sips.” You reminded yourself. You didn’t yet feel nauseated but tempting fate was not an activity you regularly enjoyed. You did enough of that in the woods with Daryl and now had a baby in your belly for your efforts. You were screwing the lid back onto the canteen while simultaneously scanning the tracks you had been following, when you noticed a drastic change. “The horse startled.” You whispered urgently. You were quick to set aside your bag, moving low to the ground to inspect each print. “She reared. Fuck.” The next set of hoof prints were not as deep. “She threw him.”

You stood quickly, ignoring the very slight bout of light-headedness. “Daryl!” You whisper-yelled as loud as you dared. Efficient as you were, you could only handle so many walkers alone. Again, best not to tempt fate. “Daryl!” When you had made a 180, you saw a drop-off. You felt the nausea then, but it had nothing to do with your condition. You placed a palm against a tree, just in case you were to feel any sudden dizziness. You’d rather not topple over and go tumbling down the rocks into the bloody—water. “Oh fuck.”

The red was billowing out into green and yellow clouds in the water, showing it had been there long enough to dilute a substantial amount. “No, no, no. Daryl!” You moved hastily down the edge, following the water hopefully toward land. You had called louder only to be met with silence. Maybe he was out and gone. Back at camp and ready to have your head on a platter for going after him. Maybe he was nearby and would appear momentarily and call you an idiot for being so loud. 

Neither of those proved to be the case. 

When you spotted the gravelly riverside, you easily found the hunter. The sound you made was somewhere between a sob and a whimper. He was only halfway out of the water, his legs submerged up to his waist. The blood in the water was still a dark red, indicating active bleeding. There was something protruding from his left side that looked suspiciously like one of his bolts. Your first thought was that someone had taken his crossbow and shot him with his own weapon. However, it was lying just above his head, his hand loosely wrapped around it. 

You were past the point of thinking rationally. He could be a grade A asshole but he was your baby’s father. That was enough reason to try your best to get him out of the fucked up predicament he had somehow gotten himself into. 

It wouldn’t stop you from cursing his name the entire time though. 

“How the hell am I supposed to get down there?” You paced the ledge, pulling at your hair. The slope was steep and littered with rocks, limbs, and roots. You couldn’t risk falling. You wouldn’t. 

But there was so much blood. 

“Think, Y/N!” You crouched down, tapping your fingers against the dirt while willing Daryl to move. To yell. Anything. “When I get you out of this mess, Daryl, I’m going to string you up by—” Your eyes flew wide, a gasp leaving your parted lips. Scrambling back to your bag, you dug through it haphazardly until your fingers wrapped around the rope you’d swiped from his tent. “Yes!”

It probably wasn’t long enough to get you all the way to the bottom but it would do to get you low enough for a fall not to injure you. You’d have to be creative, regardless. You couldn’t rappel down; the length was definitely not enough for that. You also couldn’t tie it to a tree on the ledge either. It would take too much rope. You needed to move down the slope a bit and use one of the tree roots. 

Which meant taking a risk. 

“I swear if you die, I’m killing you.” You muttered, while shrugging your bag onto your back. Your ass met the dirt somewhat roughly in your haste to get moving. The body could only lose so much blood before—Anyway, you had to go. You moved down carefully, keeping your backside firmly on the ground whilst you prodded rocks and limbs to ensure they would hold your weight. There was a sturdy, sizable root just a few more feet. If it was embedded deep enough, you could use it to get you down safely as well as get you both back up. 

You were nearly there when your foot slipped from the edge of a rock. It was easy to right yourself, given how carefully you were moving but it didn’t stop your heart from leaping into your nose. Looking down, you realized you had grabbed your stomach instinctively. With a calming breath, you gave your tummy a pat. “We got this, little thumper.”

The root was easy to get the rope around, secured with a bowline knot. You then loosely secured the end around your waist, high enough not to snap taut around your belly if you were to fall. It’d probably break your back, honestly, but eh, you were optimistic. 

You let the slack fall and grabbed on a couple of feet below the knot. “Here goes nothin’.” You started down at a faster pace than before. You couldn’t slide on your ass the whole way, that would take forever. 

Daryl didn’t have forever. 

You called his name every few seconds, as quietly as you could while being loud enough for him to hopefully hear. You made about three-fourths of the way down when you heard a familiar sound that made your blood freeze. Your head snapped up to some foliage across the riverbank, panicked eyes zeroing in on the walker making a beeline for the same figure you were trying to make your way toward. 

“Hey!” You shouted. You waved an arm frantically but the stench of blood had the corpse’s entire focus. “Goddamnit!” With no alternative, you ripped off your flannel and put it between your hands and the rope. Bracing your weight mostly on the root above, you stood slightly and all but ran down the slope. Each time you misstepped, you threw your weight onto the rope. It would sling you sharply but with nowhere else to go, you could get right back to the descent. 

Unfortunately, the rope eventually ran out. 

Eyes on the walker getting entirely too close to Daryl, you scrambled to untie the line. “Fuck!” The corpse had dropped to its knees and was crawling the last few feet. You yanked your knife from the holster and cut yourself free in a single swipe, barreling toward the water. “Get away from him!”

It finally noticed you, looking your way while Daryl’s arm was in its rotten clutches. Your knife sank into its skull with ease. As much as the smell made you gag, you grabbed the thing as it toppled and pulled. You couldn’t let it fall into the water. Not with Daryl having an open wound. 

Panting through tears, you freed your knife and crawled toward the archer. If you had been one second later, he’d have been bitten. The way that thought devastated you down to your very soul frightened you. You checked his arm first, just to be sure. No bites. No scratches. There was no time to revel in that relief. You stopped to brush your fingertips over a cut above his right temple. From the fall, you surmised. 

The most concerning injury was that it was indeed his bolt impaling his side and it seemed to have gone all the way through. “Damnit, Daryl, what happened?” You felt lost, hands hovering while your chest began to tighten with the all too familiar heaviness of impending panic. “No, you can’t freak out. You cannot freak out.”

First thing was first. You had to get him out of the water. He would be lucky if bacteria hadn’t already seeped into his wound. You could only pray that Hershel had antibiotics in his possession. 

You shed your rucksack close to a nearby tree. The area would give you a view of the entirety of your surroundings. With Daryl injured, you would need to remain vigilant. You were responsible for the safety of three now. 

Moving him would be difficult. It would be pulling dead weight, and was most definitely over the weight limit a pregnant person should be messing with. But you didn’t have a choice. 

“Okay, little thumper. You just be strong in there while I get your dumbass father out of this mess.”

It was a struggle to get him angled on his right side. You couldn’t drag him flat and risk disturbing the bolt lodged in his skin. Hands tightly gripping his forearms, you began to pull, your boots sliding in the gravel. It was going to be quite the journey but you were moving him little by little. 

With a strained grunt, you paused and leaned forward to put your hands on your knees to catch your breath. Just as you leaned forward to grab hold of him again, a cold slimy hand grabbed onto your bicep, yanking you back. How had you not heard the walker approaching? Wasn’t pregnancy supposed to heighten your senses?

“Fuck!” You grappled with the corpse of a man, finding it tough to keep his clicking teeth away from your arm. He was pushing you back easily but you couldn’t let go to get to your knife. One wrong move would result in a chunk being ripped from your arm. Your muscles were tiring, being pushed to their limit. To make matters worse, you could see another walker shambling its way toward the scrap. There was no hope of fending off two of them. 

You cried out in frustration and lifted your foot to connect the toe of your boot roughly with the corpse’s knee, causing it to stumble. You had one shot. With your forearm pressing into its throat, you were able to grab your knife and sink the blade into the soft skull with a sickening squelch. There was no time to catch your breath as the second one slammed into your side and took off your feet. 

Your legs were pinned under its body, forcing you to battling at an awkward angle to stave off its attempts to rip into your thighs. Your knife was within reach, but grabbing it meant one side would be vulnerable. 

“Goddamnit! Get off me, you decaying bastard!” 

The walker shifted and gave you the opportunity to bend your right knee and place the sole of your boot against its abdomen. A solid kick forced it back. You were free to scramble backward and grab your knife, but when you lifted it to strike, you spotted another walker crawling toward you, its empty eyes giving you a glimpse of your fate. Ripped open, half eaten only to rise again; mindless and starving for a taste of flesh. 

This was it. You’d done all you could. You’d fight them to the death but they had you. It was only a matter of time before—

A bolt pierced the second walker, entering through its temple. It landed in the dirt with a dusty thud. You knew exactly what had happened and once the last walker was dead, you would survey the damage. You flung yourself forward and drove your knife through its right eye. It fell still, its weight heavy on your lap. 

“Goddamnit, Daryl!” You exclaimed. 

The hunter was on his knees at the water’s edge, swaying dangerously. The left side of his body was now void of the bolt, rivulets of blood dripping from his saturated shirt. His crossbow fell from his grip as he pitched forward to land on all fours. 

“Shit.” You wiggled free from beneath the walker, sheathing your knife before dropping to your knees beside Daryl. You laid a gentle hand on the middle of his back. “Hey, let’s get you over there so I can take a look at you.”

“Who—came with—you?” He asked breathlessly, his head remaining bowed as if he just didn’t have the strength to lift it. Hell, he probably didn’t. 

You knew he wouldn’t like the answer. You hated to upset him but you wouldn’t lie. “I came alone.” He visibly tensed, fingers digging into the dirt and rock below him. 

“Why—the fuck—would ya do that?”

“Because the horse came back without you. Because our baby needs their father.” You reached for his bicep and pulled him up onto his knees so that you were able to put his arm across your shoulders. “Because I was worried about you.” 

He gave you a look from the corner of his eye, his head still hanging. “S’a shit reason—to risk the—two’a ya.”

“Did you miss the other two reasons?” You shot back, getting your legs under you so you could lift him without pulling your back or stomach. “Selective hearing, I swear. On three: one. Two. Three!” You managed to get you both upright, but Daryl was quick to curl forward with a sound much too close to a whimper for your liking. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“S’fine. Just—” He trailed off with a languid wave of his hand. You took that to mean he was ready to move and began the short walk to the tree. It didn’t take long but he was somehow even more pale and sweating by the time you helped lower him to recline against the trunk. “Found—found her doll.”

“What?” You weren’t really listening. With his shirt pulled up, you could get a good look at the wound. It was still bleeding sluggishly, but still far too much for your liking. “Did you really pull out that bolt?” You asked while leaning around him to see the back as best you could. 

“Y’ain’t—ain’t listenin’.” The hunter gave you a weak shove, barely moving you at all. “Found—Sophia’s doll.”

“She was here.” Looking around, you saw nothing and you would not leave him to go track. “Where’s the doll?” Daryl jutted his chin toward a downed tree that was close to the shallow water. Even going that meager distance from him felt like you were leaving him unprotected. However, you knew he would hound you until you obliged his request. 

You jogged over, your muscles tired and stomach beginning to feel ill at ease. Sure enough, there laid the doll. You snatched it up and returned to him, taking a moment to place the toy in your bag and pull out supplies. 

“How did this happen?”

“Fell—fell on it.”

“Graceful.” You smirked, ignoring the weak middle finger lifted toward you. “Let’s get this bleeding under control and get back to the farm.” You raised his shirt again but this time he seemed to take notice and went rigid. 

“It’ll keep, just leave it.”

Your mouth gaped. “You can’t be serious.” You admonished him. “I’m not sure you noticed but there is a literal hole in your side. We can’t go back without some sort of treatment first.” His usually bright blue eyes were cloudy when he looked at you. “It’s nearly dark. Stop arguing with me and let’s get this done.”

“Ain’t enough—time to—get back tonight.”

“We can’t stay here, Daryl. We’re sitting ducks.” You started grabbing other things you needed even as he tried to talk you out of it: food, water. 

“I can. Go on—back. Come back—back tomorrow—with help.” He winced when he pressed a palm against the wound so he could shift to a more comfortable position. 

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Y/N, s’not—”

“I said no, Daryl.” You reached for his shirt again and he didn’t stop you but there was a panicked undertone in his eyes. “Just far enough for me to see the wound, okay?” A visible relief; his shoulders dropped and he let his head fall back against the tree. 

The bleeding had slowed, showing signs that it was beginning to clot. That was great news but it didn’t replace all he had already lost. The wound needed a proper cleaning and stitches, both of which you were not well equipped. You could handle it if you had the supplies. You’d sewn yourself up plenty of times. 

With a sigh, you got up to fetch your flannel from where you’d left it near the rope. You were already tearing it into strips before you returned to Daryl’s side. You tried to be as quick as possible; taping down gauze, folding pieces of your flannel to press over those. Lacking enough to make a compression bandage, you tied pieces of material together. 

“Almost done.” You had to lean into his space to pull the makeshift bandage around his back. His tired eyes flitted back and forth between yours while you found yourself glancing at his lips. You cleared your throat and sat back on your heels. “This is gonna hurt but just try to be as quiet as you can.”

Daryl watched you for a moment and then nodded. He visibly tensed and closed his eyes a mere moment before you pulled the material tight around the wound. To his credit, he merely grunted but the hard lines of pain on his face told a different story. 

“There. That’s the best I can do right now.” You were beyond concerned. The thought of spending the night there with the archer being so grievously wounded was intimidating. You knew there was no other choice. One of the canteens was on the ground beside you where you had placed it when grabbing out supplies. If he was going to stand any chance of surviving, Daryl had to cooperate. This should be fun. “I need you to drink some water. You’ve lost a lot of blood. We have to keep you hydrated until we can get out of here.”

“Nah.” Much to your chagrin, he turned his head. “Ya need—it more—than I do.” He was beginning to look dazed, fighting off the overwhelming urge to allow his body to rest. 

“Stop being a brat and drink the water.” You pressed the canteen to his lips, dropping your mask to wear your concern like a second skin. “Please. I promise I have enough for me too.”

You thought he might argue or once again refuse, but he finally parted his lips with a sigh. You tilted the canteen, flinching when his much too cold hand covered yours to help control how much he was getting. 

“I need to build a fire. Keep it small.” You weren’t really talking to him but he hummed in response anyway. He was cold and clammy. You’d bet money that would be worthless in that world that if you checked his pulse, it would be racing. “I think you’re going into shock. I need to get you warm.”

“M’fine.” His voice was quiet, too drained to offer up a convincing tone. 

You went about gathering what you could find that could hold the highest possibility of burning. “You know what, keep telling yourself that. Maybe your stubbornness will pay off.” Placing some rocks down so you could control the flames, you placed your tinder bundle in the center along with some sticks and wood chips for kindling. You had to do this the old fashioned way. Daryl was watching you with slow blinks as you went about your method. 

You thanked whatever deity that was listening for your experience in the wilderness. You were nurtured by the woods growing up. The trees were like family, offering shade, protection, and a means of warmth or preparing your meals. You had learned the ways to survive. Granted, back then, walking corpses that wanted to eat your intestines weren’t a thing. Scared as you were, you knew you could make it. You could make it. But now, you had to keep Daryl alive as well. 

“Finally.” You sat back with a smug grin, watching the fire burn. You just hoped it would be enough. “Come on, let’s get you settled closer to the fire. Then I’ll heat the beans I have. Daryl swatted at your hands. 

“M’fine here.”

You huffed through your nose. “No, you’re not. Your skin is freezing. I don’t have any blankets. We need to keep you warm.”

“Fine.” He began to lever his way to his feet, growling with annoyance once you swooped in to help him. “Can do it—can do it myself.”

“Shut up and let me help.” You didn’t let go and he didn’t try to force you. He was panting by the time you lowered him down to lie on this back. He couldn’t be comfortable. “Um, one second.” There wasn’t a lot left of your flannel but you could make it work. Folding it to the best of your ability, you gently lifted his head and placed the article  beneath it. As an afterthought, you pulled the clean shirt you had grabbed for him and draped it over his upper half. It would have to do for the time being. “Okay, just rest and I’ll wake you for some food and water in a bit.”

Hours passed agonizingly slowly. You had tried to get Daryl to eat but he had refused. At least he drank the water. You yourself had eaten a third of the can of beans. Everything seemed to be going alright until you found yourself regurgitating into the bushes. Your stomach was turning inside out, now rejecting even the water. 

Carol had warned you this would happen but you couldn’t wait. You didn’t regret it either. Daryl would have surely died had you not gone in search of him. 

Wiping your mouth on the back of your hand, you staggered back toward the fire. You were steps away when you realized that Daryl was—talking. And not just talking, but conversing. There’s no one there. 

It felt wrong in some ways to move closer; to be able to hear him. It was as if a person was sitting right next to him. Daryl’s eyes were open; mere slits but open. 

“Screw you.”

“A girl. They—lost a little—girl.”

“Shut up.”

“Tried like hell—to find ya, bro.”

Bro? Daryl had a brother. It was unknown if he was alive or dead. You only knew from Carol. Daryl never let you that close. He was hallucinating which was bad. Very bad. You took a step forward, ignoring your stomach’s protests for the time being. Should you wake him? 

“We went—back for ya. Rick an’ I, we—did right by ya.”

“I ain’t nobody’s bitch.”

“Don’t talk—’bout her like that. Y/N—she’s—diff’rent.”

Wide eyes blinked. He was talking about you. Granted, it was during a moment of psychological weakness but still. It felt even more wrong to allow it to continue. 

“I ain’t gonna be—like our daddy. My kid—ain’t gonna be like us. Like you or me.”

Your heart ached for him. You knew nothing about Daryl’s childhood but now you knew it wasn’t pleasant. Shaking your head, you kneeled next to his arm and placed a hand against his cheek. No fever. This had to be coming from the head injury. “Daryl.” He seemed to be looking right through you. Still, he lifted a hand and let the back of his knuckles brush along your jaw. 

“See, Merle? Told ya—she was diff’rent.” His hand fell away, blue eyes disappearing behind heavy lids. 

“Daryl?” You said urgently, fingers searching along his neck for a pulse. It was there, albeit a little fast but there. You felt weak and allowed yourself to fall back onto your ass, scooting until your back was against the tree. 

From what Carol had told you, Daryl’s brother was vile. He was toxic and the younger Dixon had changed slightly without his influence. She had said Daryl was brash and intimidating, preferred to be alone. Hated to be touched. Yet he had sought out your company twice a week like clockwork. He had talked to you, brief and unimportant statements and questions, but he had talked. He had let you touch him. Intimately. 

“She’s—diff’rent.”

It was dangerous to let your mind wander down the paths it had created from his simple words to a brother who wasn’t there. But let it wander, you did. Maybe Daryl didn’t just care about the baby. Maybe he was impertinent toward you because you had gotten too close. Maybe you had managed to penetrate the walls he had built to protect himself. 

Maybe—just maybe—you had allowed him to pass through your own defenses. 

And that was more terrifying to you than any walking corpse in a dystopian world. 

[istoleyoursk1n]

Hello! I know I just requested something else, but I also have another request if you're up for it 🥰 How about all of the companies with a s/o who's really short and wears a lot of layers but it's later revealed that they're absolutely ripped and ridiculously muscular but nobody would have expected it? I think it'd be hilarious to see everyone go "Holy cow you could crush my head if you wanted to 😯"

Thank you so much again!!

•❅───────────✧❅✦❅✧───────────❅•

How would they react to a Tav who wears a lot of layers but is secretly ripped

.

.

: ̗̀➛ ASTARION

“So you’re telling me the little garden gnome could have manhandled half of us if they wanted to? Gods. Am I to be thanking you for sparing me and my pretty skin unscathed all this time?”

Probably the one making fun of your height and holding things up above you so you couldn't reach them.

He didn't really see you as anything he should be threatened by so he figured he could get away with a lot.

Besides you never really tried to fight back most of the time so he found his own little source of entertainment with his playful little jabs at you.

Was very much startled when you shook those layers off to reveal your muscular frame, he didn't expect it at all. You didn't even look strong in his eyes, until now at least.

Suddenly he’s wondering why you haven't once tried to punch him in the face after the amount of times he's poked fun at you.

Do not punch his face though (0/10) would not recommend, he bites.

Questions why you even bother to hiding yourself in layers upon layers of clothing? Is it some sort of deceptive tactic he wasn't aware of? (It probably wasn't but he’s appalled that you’d even hide something like this).

Other than that, he's impressed. Who knew you were hiding your own raw strength behind layers of clothing? Quite the sight for sore eyes if he does say so himself.

Encourages you to show it off more often, who needs all those rags when you have such an impressive build?

: ̗̀➛ WYLL

“Hells, to think that behind all those rags was the body of a true warrior! Safe to say that I’ll never be doubting your abilities again.”

Truthfully found you rather adorable since you were considered the shortest among the rest of your travelling companions.

You seemed harmless enough, but, he never once believed that you were completely fragile because of it.

However, there were times when he’d often do tasks that you knew you were perfectly capable of handling yourself over the fact that he was unaware of your true strength.

There have been a lot of times when he jumped in front of you during battles, worried that you couldn't handle it yourself.

However, the shock that appeared on his face once all those layers were shaken off was priceless.

He might have been a little bit embarrassed as well seeing as how he might have underestimated you a tad bit which knew could be quite undermining on your end.

Immediately voices his initial surprise and how amazed he is that you seem to look as fit if not even more so than him.

You look amazing! And he wishes you could leave all the layers more often if it's something you are comfortable with of course.

You knew he was already quite fond of you but now wistful glances from him would come as often as possible in pure admiration of your raw strength. Safe to say he’d never be underestimating your capabilities again.

: ̗̀➛ GALE

“It seems that until now, I find myself learning new information about you… though, I must say, you possessing a rather athletically built figure wasn't one of them. Not to say I don’t appreciate the way you look.”

Wasn't quite sure why you were wearing that many layers of clothing. The weather was already relatively hot and still, you insisted on wearing such things.

I mean, as long as you are comfortable and happy with them he didn't seem all too bothered by it.

Found you endearing in his own way, seeing as he would often find himself craning his neck or having to bend his body to meet your eye level but it made it all the more amusing for him.

Similar to Wyll, he found himself underestimating your true abilities as you truly appeared harmless in his eyes. Sure, if you had to kill a goblin for your own survival you would but you didn't exactly give off brutish vibes.

Even so, that never made him find your company any less enjoyable.

Though, he was quite startled when your true form was revealed, and all those extra layers of clothing were taken off from you. He wasn't even sure if he was looking at the right person.

One moment you appeared as innocent and delicate as could be only for you to actually have the body of someone who's probably more physically capable than him.

You've probably given him another reason as to why he admires you all too much. The new look on you is a tad bit distracting for him and Gale can't manage to hide how smitten he is for the life of him.

If anything, now you’re all the more distracting to him, and it takes him a while to break out of that haze he's put himself in.

: ̗̀➛ KARLACH

“Fucking hell, all the things I could have known about you but I never thought it would be this! You’re absolutely ripped! A badass body for one of the coolest people I know.”

Was practically squealing from how adorable you looked, especially in comparison to her towering height. You were like a little puppy in her eyes.

She couldn't understand why you’d wear so many layers of clothing, it's not like it was cold, and she knew that if she were to try that herself she’d feel uncomfortable as all hell.

But she won't press on it, as long as you are okay with it then wear as much as you wish.

The moment she was able to touch you, she was off carrying you around. She had wanted to pick you up for the longest time but she didn't understand why you felt slightly heavier than she thought you would be.

Perhaps it's all the extra layers of clothing? Either way, she didn't care. As long as she got to mess around with her favorite travel companion then what the hell.

Freaked out the moment you actually revealed how ripped you are beneath all the rags. You were practically as muscular as her.

It only seemed to excite her more because now she's fawning over how amazing you look and what you did to make your body look like this.

You've only grown to be ten times more awesome in her eyes and to see you use your true strength makes her swoon. She couldn't have chosen a better companion to have alongside her.

Suddenly the extra weight she felt carrying you made a lot more sense. Not that she’ll ever complain. Even with the newfound information, she’ll never stop lifting you up in her arms for the fun of it.

: ̗̀➛ SHADOWHEART

“I suppose there's more to be known about you, isn't there? I was not expecting you to be as fit as you are but I can't say it isn't something I’d find myself grow tired of seeing.”

She didn't think much about the extra layers of clothing you wore other than it being for comfort or aesthetics. She's not one to care much for it.

You've been a helpful and valuable member of the group thus far, she saw no reason to underestimate you even in terms of strength.

It was rather amusing to have you around as a much shorter companion than her.

It wasn't something she ever mentioned or poked fun of but the coy little smile on her face revealed just how much she found the height difference amusing.

She was pleasantly surprised the moment you revealed just how muscular you truly are, even with her insight she never would have expected it.

Regardless, she's impressed with your stature, knowing that obtaining such a form would have taken a long time to have.

With or without all the layers, she still thinks you’re pleasing in her eyes, and whether you choose to use that undeniable strength is all up to you.

Though, she will take a moment to admire you while she can. She’d never force you to quit using layers of clothing but looking at you when you’re like this has its own appeal.

: ̗̀➛ LAE’ZEL

“Just when I thought we’d have to eliminate you for your lack of use. Chk, perhaps I was wrong about you, istik. Consider my blade unsheathed for now.”

Practically disregarded you at first. You seemed so weak in her eyes that she wasn't even sure what assistance you’d provide for her.

She finds the layers upon layers of clothing unnecessary and it isn't practical when charging into battle. She's told you to leave it multiple times to your dismay.

Unless you have done something to prove that you are fairly capable of handling your own battles, she's very blunt about how incapable you seem to her.

It's even worse if you’re short cause she just has more aspects of you to undermine you with.

She’ll come off as really mean but that's mostly due to how she was raised. She can easily spot disadvantages and she won't hesitate to point out each one, especially if you two aren't close.

Was genuinely shocked to see you without the layers and what your true strength truly holds. She would have taken all those demeaning words the moment you've proved yourself.

Besides, seeing you in your true glory probably woke something up in her.

She's infatuated by strong, powerful warriors and seems that you fit the bill.

You were everything she thought you weren't and she’d come to realize just how wrong about you she was. You could have probably even sparred against her if only she had given you the proper chance.

She’d come around to actually apologizing for her earlier jabs at you sooner or later but she truly has gained a newfound respect for you. You’ll never find her insulting you again.

: ̗̀➛ HALSIN

“You’re full of surprises, aren't you? Perhaps you never truly needed my protection, you've been blessed with a body that I’m certain nature itself worked tirelessly to perfect. However, I stand at your side in case you wish for any assistance.”

Thought nothing much of your extra layers of clothing. If anything it made you look all the more adorable in his eyes.

You could tell he was already enamored by you every time you had to look up to him to speak, the smile on his face never seemed to have disappeared.

He was probably extra protective of you under the assumption that you weren't as strong as the rest. Not that it was something he considered to be bad, but he wanted to make sure you wouldn't get hurt.

He’d end up doing most of the fighting for you, insisting that he's got it handled even though you knew you were capable of fighting the rest off yourself.

Regardless, it wasn't unpleasant to have Halsin come in to protect you despite your capabilities, it showed how much he cared.

He was startled when you showed your body beneath all the layers of clothing, even having to take a few seconds to stare as if he couldn't believe it.

This only seemed to make him all the more interested in you now that his eyes managed to catch a glimpse of the skin underneath all those rags, it was a sight that he would have imprinted into his mind.

Nevertheless, he will never underestimate you again but he’ll always be there in case you still wish for his protection. He could never say no to you.

•❅───────────✧❅✦❅✧───────────❅•

[welcometothejianghu]

Welcome to another round of W2 Tells You What You Should See, where W2 (me) tries to sell you (you) on something you should be watching. Today's choice: 괴물/Beyond Evil.

Beyond Evil is a 2021 Korean drama about two cops that solve a small-town murder that one of them might have committed. Also there's more than one murder to be solved. Also more than one of those murders happened twenty years ago. Also, the cop might have gotten away with at least one of those too.

It got sold to me on the strength of the main pairing, which is absolutely captivating and worth the price of admission. But the entire cast is amazing, the story is great, and it's all just so satisfying. I love everyone in this weird small Korean town. I love having emotions and various Korean foods with them.

I got five reasons why you should watch it! Read 'em!

1. Do You Want To See An Old Man Cry?

In fact, do you want to see every man cry? Do you want to see every man in the cast either cry or pretend to cry or be on the verge of tears at least once? Do you want to see the main characters, who are both men, cry multiple times, often while otherwise wet as well?

Well, buddy, Beyond Evil has got you covered.

2. Absolute Nightmare/Absolute Nightmare

I do not consider it a spoiler to tell you that Han Juwon (the younger one, on the right) is a very mentally unstable superboy. You already know everyone thinks Lee Dongsik (the older one, on the left) is psycho -- it's nearly the first thing you learn about him. But when you're introduced to Han Juwon, you're given the impression that maybe he's just cold, self-possessed, and competent.

No. He is an absolute freak. This is a freak4freak relationship. They are both completely unhinged. They have both been traumatized to nigh-unimaginable degrees, and they have each decided to make it the other's problem. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for both of them, they both get off on that real hard, and they get real mad sometimes about how hard they're getting off on it. It's delicious.

And yet what makes it great is how they're different flavors of freak. They've got the age difference (40 and 27). They've got the height difference (even though the actors are only like 1cm apart, the whole thing is somehow shot like there's a bigger gap). They've got the class difference (small town weirdo and cop royalty). One's a messy bitch, and one's a prissy prince. One has a whole network of people who affectionately endure him, and one has exactly 0.73 friends. One wants to take care of everyone else but not himself, and one has never looked out for anyone else a day in his life. One's a smug little shit, and one's ... also a smug little shit, but differently.

You have perhaps been given the impression that Beyond Evil is like Hannibal, and that Juwon/Dongsik is like Will Graham/Hannibal Lecter. It's not, and yet it scratches a similar itch, if that makes sense.

Don't let me give you the impression that this is textually gay. They do not smooch or anything, so don't be waiting for that. But holy cow, is it homoromantic -- and the leads know it is, and they roll around in it, and everyone else in the production supports their doing it. They have the kind of chemistry stars are jealous of. (It helps that the younger actor is a muffin who has a such crush on the older one.)

And that's even before the part where they get married live on national television. Is that a joke? You'll have to watch to find out.

3. Lee Changjin (and the other antagonists)

I'll talk in a second about excellent and despicable all the bad guys are. But I need a special moment for this motherfucker right here.

Lee Changjin is a wretched, scummy piece of shit who damn near walks away with every scene he's in. He's not the worst like a little meow meow -- he is the actual worst, and it's so good. He's sleazy. He's pathetic. He's hot as fuck. You meet his ex-wife, and you're like, no, honey, sure it was a bad decision, but I totally get it.

Clearly he has a special place in my heart, but all the bad guys in this series are done so damn well. Their realism makes them even scarier. They're not incomprehensible ghouls out there being bad just to be bad. They're (mostly) making calculated decisions based on keeping their own heads above water, and to hell with everyone else.

I'm not going to spoil the identity of the murderer for you -- but it kind of doesn't matter, because you find out who it is less than halfway through the show (and because there are multiple people in this show who've killed someone). There's something bigger and more awful at work here, perpetrated by people that you knew were bad news from the moment you met them.

Beyond Evil is a cop show that is not copaganda, because one of the biggest villains in the series is misuse of police power. The show stresses accountability for police misconduct -- to the point where that accountability hurts characters we want to see get away with stuff because, come on, their bad behavior was totally justified! But it wasn't! The ends do not justify the means here. The world is not better when powerful people use their power to get out of the consequences of their shitty, selfish actions, even when those shitty, selfish actions were objectively kind of cool.

Fair warning, a lot of this show is about complicated relationships with abusive, absent, deceased, and otherwise difficult parents. Those parents are not always (or even mostly) the bad guys -- but the bad guys are all shitty parents. And yet, their adult children are tied to them in complicated ways that do said children no favors. Some of the most heartbreaking pieces of the show are about how these kids break free from those parents -- or, more tragically, don't.

4. Just plain good television

This is a series that can be handled by Your Average American Television Enjoyer Who Can Handle Subtitles. Its quality is on par with a lot of well-thought-of English-language shows I've seen. It's a tight, well-plotted story that's clear enough to be easy to follow, which is sometimes a high bar for a multi-tendriled murder mystery. The small-town setting even gives it a good source of levity to break up the otherwise tight tension.

It's only sixteen episodes long, but there are enough reveals to make a rewatch more than worth your while. The first half in particular improves exponentially on the second viewing, because once you have all the information, events and decisions that you initially read one way, you can see meant something else entirely.

I was initially going to say that if this were in English, all those fans of things like the Wire and True Detective would be super-horny for it -- except that's not true, is it? No, shows like that (which I have seen, for the record) glorify cops who can't be held down by your damn system, so they have to say screw the rules to get things done, because they're too cool and manly for things like paperwork! While Beyond Evil acknowledges that there are some places where the Korean law system is janky and might let a guilty person go free, but that doesn't mean cops get to do whatever they want about it.

My declaration of the show's quality isn't just me judging by my own tastes. This show won the Korean equivalent of Emmys for Best Drama, Best Screenplay, and a well-deserved Best Actor for Shin Hakyun, who plays that incredibly handsome horrible old man. This is a show that actual people who hand out actual awards for good television thought deserved awards.

So I guess if you always wanted to get into those shows a certain kind of dude can't stop talking about, but you had reservations about how authoritarian/libertarian/misogynistic/homophobic/boring they are, Beyond Evil is here for you!

5. Written and directed by women

This one I think is important as hell, because this is a Dead Girl Show (i.e., a show where men kill multiple women as a major part of the plot), and I know a lot of people are justifiably wary about those. However, there are no hints of sexual assault. The violence is gendered, but it's not sexualized. The murders and postmortem mutiliations are handled with the appropriate horror, but it's not torture porn. And the dead girls are treated like -- and grieved like -- actual humans who matter.

I think a whole lot of this can be chalked up to the fact that both the writer and the director of Beyond Evil are women.

In fact, not only are they both women, they're women who don't do this kind of story all the time. Shim Nayeon has directed five things, four of which are comedy/slice-of-life series. Kim Sujin has written a few dramas about mystery-solving teams, but even more comedy and adaptations of webtoons. I have no idea how the two of them got put on this drama together, but it was a perfect match.

This is not to say that men would be incapable of pulling off a story like this. It is, however, a commentary on violence, and how different it looks if you've grown up seeing yourself everywhere as its object rather than its subject. Sure, you could just flip the script and make a story about a lady punchkicker! A lot of people have, and I've enjoyed many of them! But you could also choose to tell a story about gendered violence in a way that isn't just needlessly retraumatizing the people who have to live their entire lives under its shadow. Moreover, you could tell a story about how even good-guy cops can wind up unintentionally buying into paradigms where some women are valuable and some are disposible.

...And if it winds up being teensy bit of a fantasy story about a world in which so many cops give a shit about this violence, well, that's what fiction is for, right?

In short, you love a team of powerful ladies power-drunk on an Arnold Palmer of Respect Women Juice and Sad Man Tears.

Bonus: BANGER SOUNDTRACK

Oh, it's so, so good. (Spotify link)

Have I convinced you to watch it yet?

It's on Netflix, which may be easiest for most people! However, it's also on Viki, and I much prefer the subtitles over there, because a) they keep the flavor of the Korean terms of address, and b) they actually translate the damn episode titles (wtf Netflix?).

There's no bad way to watch it, though!

(ack, they're so cute~)

[softevnstan]

pairing. college!steve rogers x gender neutral! reader

summary. your best friend, steve rogers, is a goody-two-shoes boy through and through. there's always been rumors, but you know steve. and you know the most he's ever been up for with a gal was a peck on the cheek. he always tells everyone he's waiting for the right partner. well, apparently steve wants to learn how to kiss and you have some experience. naturally, things get a little interesting.

warnings. no specific gendered terms here; things do get a little heated but there's no sex or gendered bits mentioned. this is relatively tame and idk what else that might need to be here. kissing, everyone featured is 18+. y/n and steve are slightly buzzed. steve's praise kink (if you squint).

a.n. ok so i was listening to kiss me the whole time and just... do it. please. it enhances the immersion. god why can't i be in an 80s college love story, i deserve it. i'll do a part 2 (where things get way more interesting if yknow what i mean) if you guys want, just let me know.

w.c. 2.7k holy cow

“Excuse me?” The words come choked out from your lips, disbelief washing over you at the request your best friend had just made.

“I’m just saying,” Steve presses on, a soft pink dusting the apples of his cheeks and the tips of his ears turning red. “You, y’know– You have experience with this type of thing. Everyone just thinks I do.” The last piece comes mumbled from Steve, his head ducked sheepishly.

Even now, you’re still taken aback by the proposition. Sure, you know that Steve was just about as innocent as they come underneath. But you never would’ve imagined he’d be there, both of you in your dorm room, him asking you to teach him how to kiss.

You’d grown up with him, and knew each other like the back of your hands. There were countless times you helped cover for him - the first way you’d even properly met was at a middle school party and both of you had been locked away for seven minutes in heaven. You were ecstatic to potentially get your first kiss - maybe it was the countless grams of sugar in sodas that had you energetic or maybe it was just the natural excitement of a hormonal middle schooler.

But Steve had been scared. He’d been intimidated - poor little christian boy hadn’t had his first kiss yet and he didn’t want to waste it on some cheesy game. Not to mention Steve was already teased relentlessly for being such a small boy who didn’t have the best luck with girls (at the time, atleast - no one was ready for the way steve had buffed up towards the end of highschool; late bloomer, everyone decided when he’d finally grown into his bones and went from a boy to a young man).

‘Is it okay if we just say we did…?’ Steve had asked, sitting cross-legged in front of you on the bed of Susie, the girl you had geography with and whose parents were hosting the party. Her sheets were an ugly salmon with tacky pillows, and one of Steve’s nimble fingers was tracing one of the embroidered flowers in her covers.

Your disappointment was strong that night. The building bubble of anticipation had been abruptly popped right before you, and the mini-crush you’d had on Steve at the time withered knowing there wasn’t any sort of reciprocation. You'd had to physically stop yourself from letting your shoulders sag with the rejection.

‘Of course,’ you’d said with a smile, anyways. Steve was your best friend, after all. You didn’t want to make him uncomfortable, even if it did come at the expense of your feelings just a bit. Alas, you can’t make someone like you who doesn’t.

Being his friend was something you gladly seized the opportunity for - if you couldn’t be his partner, you could still be something to him.

‘Thanks… I really mean that. All of this stuff is so dumb anyways.’ Steve had tried to dismiss with a little awkward wave of his hand, and that feigned smile of yours bled into a genuine one. Hard to be upset with the guy when he was just so cute; Ocean eyes and soft pink lips that curled into a small smile, nimble fingers of an artist, freckles dusting his skin… You always saw Steve’s charm before anyone else ever had. Well, save for Bucky, his other partner in crime.

You’d both came out of Susie McCracken’s room, met by giggles and questions but Steve had just bitten his lips together and flushed while you’d lied for the both of them. 

‘What did you guys do in there?? Did you actually kiss??’ Bucky had inquired all too excitedly. ‘What else do you do while playing seven minutes in heaven, Bucky??’ you’d asked in turn, not a direct lie technically.

Bucky had thrown an arm around Steve’s scrawny shoulders and dragged him in.

‘Way to go, Rogers!’ 

You’re drawn back to the present moment as Steve looks at you intensely with those baby blue eyes. Only then that you realize he was still waiting on your response. That gaze burning into you, studying you made your face feel even warmer. The little puppy tilt of his head is too endearing; pulling at your heart strings. The offer is something out of a dream - and while you fear it may potentially alter the relationship you have with Steve, you’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“I don’t want to kiss someone for the first time and not be good,” Steve pleads his case, and it’s the childishness of the statement that breaks some of the tension inside of you - letting your shoulders slowly ease and you take an experimental swig from the can of beer that Steve had brought over per your request. “So do you think y’could teach me…?”

Steve, who was afraid of hardly anything, who picked fights with bullies and always tried to hold himself and maintain composure, now seemed so shy. It was endearing.

“Okay,” You say, with a click of your tongue. The reply shocks Steve; Causing him to jolt upright and straighten his back out.

“Really?” The word is breathless, and you grin - never pulling your gaze from Steve’s. Utilizing the moment of liquid courage to egg you through this.  “Really. C’mere,” you scoot on your bed, opening up a spot for him to come sit with you.

You watch as Steve picks himself up from the armchair, crossing the distance to you and only wavering upon actually having to sit on your bed. He sits on the edge as though he’s afraid to take up space, and you give a soft laugh. He’s helpless. Steve’s ears burn hotter at your laughter, but he can’t help but smile a little himself.

“What?”

“Nothing, big guy. Now c’mon, turn and face me,” your hand pats his shoulder, before letting your touch linger just a moment. Defined muscle even through his shirt; You’re not surprised but certainly impressed. It’s just a brush, really, and if Steve notices, he doesn’t say anything when he turns to lift his leg onto the bed. Folding his knee and tucking it under himself comfortably, he rubs his hands down his jean-clad thighs.

You lean in, knowing that Steve isn’t going to do it himself. “Just… Be still, okay?” you warn, still hardly in the belief that the moment itself was true. You were half waiting to hear this was some strange joke. “Uh-huh,” Steve breathes, a little bob of his head in a nod.

He swallows hard, and you tenderly lift your hand to cradle his cheek. Palm flush with his warm skin, and your palm must feel cool because Steve shudders out a stifled breath through his nose. Without further delay, you lean forward. Tilting your head upward enough to catch Steve’s lips in your own; Pressing tentatively at first.

Steve’s lips are… Soft. Pillowy. Which is surprising, because when eyeing him a few moments ago, you were worried he might need some chapstick. Eyes drooping closed, Steve gives a slightly audible gasp at first before kissing you back. Leaning into the touch, his hand lifts and hovers a moment before residing to cup the side of your neck. The brush of Steve’s calloused palm makes you hum, feeling the warmth that wraps around the side of your neck and simply holds. Thumbing at the slope of your jaw tenderly while Steve attempts to mimic the way your lips mold into his.

You both linger there far longer than you’ll ever admit. Only after a moment do you part ever so slightly to suck a shaky breath in through your barely parted lips. Steve seizes the moment of pause though to lean in and press you two right together again. This time you pepper his lips with soft, repetitive pecks. His lips are warm and soft; you’re able to taste your shared breath between one another as you both return for more. Steve wasn’t perfect right off the bat, you noticed. Pursing his lips too much at first, but with the insistent press, he slowly loosened up to kiss you more delicately.

Before you realize it, the hand of yours that was holding Steve’s cheek was sliding back into the short spikes of blond hair. Your blunt nails rubbed soothingly at his scalp, drawing a barely there groan from somewhere in Steve’s chest. The taste of beer was prominent on his breath but not uninviting.

Warmth filled your chest, butterflies swarming in your stomach when your lips kept meeting. Again and again. But rather than find yourself fully entranced with the moment like you’d prefer to be, you’re committed to the task at hand. Teaching Steve. So when you press your forehead to his and just barely part your mouths, you take the moment to breathe. Let some of the air come back to your head and ease the high of the experience.

“Your lips feel soft,” you utter airily, lips ghosting with Steve’s and curling into a delighted smile. “When you kiss someone, don’t rush it… You’re doing really good so far - don’t try to shove your tongue down anyone’s throat or anything, okay? Kissing is… a delicate art.”

That makes Steve snort, stamping a soft peck to your lips like he’s trying to get right back into the moment.

“Hey, hey,” you softly chime in, stubbornly pressing your foreheads together to keep Steve in place. Licking your lips, you chuckle. “Speeding into things ruins the fun, you don’t have anywhere else to be, y’know?”

Steve’s reply comes in a husky chuckle. “Note taken – what happens if I rush things…?” Steve doesn’t rush anything, he’s the king of waiting, actually, but you don’t tell him that. “Might spook someone a little… You don’t want someone thinking you’re just trying to get into their pants, after all.” “Oh gee, definitely not,” Steve agrees softly, seemingly sobering from the haze albeit slightly.

Your fingers mindlessly scrape along Steve’s scalp, nearly earning a purr from the man. Watching him through half-lidded eyes, you decide to try your luck.

“How do you feel about more than just a few little kisses…?” You timidly try; Not wanting to press and come across as pushy, but certainly not trying to waste an opportunity.

Looking at his face, you find his eyes are still closed. Long lashes kissing the tops of his cheeks, your stomach swoops and it feels like all of the childhood feelings you’d stuffed down years ago for Steve come bubbling to the surface. For a moment, it's as though the blond is in a daze before seemingly realizing he’d been asked a question.

Steve’s hand that isn’t cupping your neck, slowly and absentmindedly snakes to your side. Fingers brushing out over the fabric of your shirt, but still gentlemanly enough not to let his fingers go diving under to feel your skin. Even if it’s killing him not to in that moment. 

“Well, I-” Steve’s throat sounds tight, “ I need to know all I can, so…” You give Steve a barely-there nod that leaves your noses rubbing together affectionately. “Okay.”

You can feel your heart pounding in your chest, hoping that Steve won’t be able to tell just how much this moment means to you. You kiss him slowly and languidly, Steve’s lips parting slightly to allow your tongue to slip inside. It takes him off guard if the stuttering in his breath is anything to go off of, but Steve follows your lead nonetheless. It surprisingly doesn’t take Steve long to start to get the hang of it between the both of you; potentially the liquid courage flooding through both of you.

At some point, you lose track of the fact you’re even supposed to be teaching Steve something. Both of you scooted closer together, chests coming flush and narrowing the room between the two of you less and less. Your fingers card back through Steve’s hair, and the hand on Steve’s hip gives a testing pull. Taking the next step, you move to throw your leg over Steve’s thighs. Sliding right at home in his lap, his hands greedily coming to hug your sides and draw you in even closer against him. It certainly made kissing significantly easier, even in the few instances you’d both pull apart to swallow shallow breaths of air before kissing again.

You’d slept with guys before, though. Had a hook-up once or twice. With Steve, nothing felt nearly as rushed or hungry. It wasn’t like he was trying to shove his tongue down your throat; There was a gentleness to it all.

When settling in his lap, Steve took the moment to pull apart with a breathy chuckle. “Is this part of the lesson?” Steve rhetorically asks, and your answer comes with a playful roll of your eyes. “I thought it’d be easier,” you answer, feeling obvious. “...But if you’re not comfortable-” “I’m comfortable.” Steve interrupts before biting his kiss-swollen lips together.

You take that as the green light to continue, arms finding a comfortable home around Steve’s shoulders. Running up into his hair and cradling his cheek, you pull him right back down into another languid learning session. Only this time, you decide to actually give him a few pointers.

Trying not to acknowledge the idea of Steve kissing anyone else like how he’s kissing you (hey, at least you got his first), you kiss him breathlessly all over again. Soft tongue, slow and taking your time before retracting long enough to take a soft suck out of Steve’s bottom lip. “Don’t be afraid to tease someone, make them want to come back for more,” you purr against Steve’s mouth, taking a playful nip out of Steve’s lip. Steve on the other hand let a groaning drawl out of him, fingers tightening where they hold your side and coasting down towards your waist.

Steve doesn’t question - instead takes the pointer as a challenge. Drawn back in for another kiss, he decides to give you a taste of your own medicine and you’re not ready for it. The tease of Steve’s tongue on your lips, him kissing you deep and molding the both of you together just to pull apart right when it feels like things are too good to be true. Taking your bottom lip between his teeth barely, he gives a soft bite before a soothing little lick. He’s getting the hang of it with his mouth and you’re floating on cloud nine; Squeaking out a noise that you’d deny making if anyone asked.

“How’s that?” his voice is huskier than before; sending shivers up your spine and rattling you to your core. “G-Good,” you manage, swallowing and taking a moment to catch your breath. “Real good, Steve…”

That seems to do something to him, too, if the way he squeezes your hips are anything to go off of. His fingers flex tightly and he sighs out shakily before letting some of the tension bleed out of him and his palms rub soothingly instead over your hips.

High off the endorphins, you decide to give into the competitiveness in you. If you’re going to be the first one to kiss Steve, you want him to remember it (though that may be the beer talking). Nevertheless, you shift on your knees. Straddling his lap, you stand to lean over him and crush your mouth back to Steve’s. Nothing frantic or rushed, but you decide to take the risk of making things steamier. Hotter. Licking hot into his mouth, Steve groans; pressing hard into the kiss the way you do. Trying to combat you while his hands smooth down to your thighs. A delicious squeeze that makes you sigh through your nose. Brow knitting up, you give a soft tug at the back of Steve’s hair.

It earns a gasp as your mouths part, his head craning back. You take the moment to lean over him and press soft kisses to his mouth, taking deliberate time to give attention to his top and bottom lip; Trailing down from the corner to lavish the skin of his jaw in pecks.

“Oh God,” Steve sighs out rawly, and the words stab you right through the chest - it’s already seared itself in your mind how it sounds from Steve’s perfect lips. “H-How should I touch someone, Y/N? When I kiss them, show me how to touch them…”

And, well, you’d be cruel to deprive Steve of the answer. He needs to learn, after all. You’d be an awful friend not to help teach him.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - PAIN, all the pain you could want

except this is me, I don’t want it... whimper 

Dec 2022 Wk 1

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most.

Ongoing Series - Thai

My School President (Fri YT) 2 of 10 - this show is gloriously ridiculous and charming and exactly my preferred kind of BL. Tinn has NO GAME, but man do I love a whipped boy. Anything that harkens this hard to Love Sick gets my vote. 

609 Bedtime Story (Fri WeTV) 3 of 11 - It is nice to see Ohm play a character with more animated facial expressions. I’m liking this show a great deal, but I am really not wild about time loops. Crazy to see Stud & Sam on screen together again. Holy Friend Zone flashbacks batman. 

Between Us (Sun iQIYI) 5 of 12 - it continues to be great, I continue to worry about the fact that apparently only Taiwanese BL considers therapy a viable option for boys who actually, ya know, NEED it. WATCH ALONG HERE.

Ai Long Nhai (Mon iQIYI) 11 of 12 - More nothing is happening, but the nothing is shirtless again, so I’m good. 

Remember Me (Sun Gaga) 9 of 12 - Well, the sweet little BL with Gun & Golf is great. Bummer they only take up 20% of screen time. Golf’s parents are the best. That’s all I got. 

I Will Knock You (Fri Gaga) 4 of 12 - it’s boring, what can I say? 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai 

My Tooth Your Love (Taiwan Fri Viki) 10 of 12 - everything about this show is so stinking cute, even the crumbs are adorbs. So many smiley kisses! (my 2nd fav kiss, the 1st one being a crying kisses, I’m warped). Speaking of, is it just me or is the actor playing Alex 1000% hotter when he smiles? Please no Doom next week, Taiwan? Pretty please? 

Oh! My Assistant (Korea Thurs Viki) 3-4 of 8 - Amusingly, I’m referring to it as OhMyAss in my notes. I do love this one, it has such a Japanese feel to it. The episode titles alone are hilarious. Plus, kisses already? Korea? What’s going on? Meanwhile, this is my favorite bisexual awakening in cinematic history. It made me incandescently happy. 

Happy Ending Romance (Korea Thurs Gaga & Viki) 5-6 of 8 - Look, I can watch Leo be pensive & moody until the cows come home (and have in half of Vixx’s MVs*) but it is getting a little tiresome here. PLUS: this is a KBL they don’t have a lot of time to waste even on his level of evil beauty. I think this would have worked better as a romance if the Writer had known the Editor in (at least) a friendly way in the past/at school as well - so there was more established dynamic to their instant affection and shacking up. Apart from my qualms around the romance thread, the plot is actually pretty good. It’s very angsty and tense for something so simple, which suits this length of show. *I guess what I am saying is if Korea ever did a remake of KinnPorsche, Leo MUST play Vegas.

Choco Milk Shake (Korea Strongberry Tues YT) 10 of 11 - Pain. Argh. It was cruel to send them back, to all of us. Is there an ep 11, or is that a BTS and this was the end? In which case... in Strongberry I no longer trust. I guess we find out next week how shaken my faith is. 

Eternal Yesterday AKA Eien no Kino (Japan Thurs Gaga & Viki) 8fin -Fortunately I have no faith at all in Japan, I expect pain from them. So here’s your final review of this one: 

Smart boy in love with zombie incubus, keeps him alive with sex. Japan, king of thirst, gives us both that and PAIN: these 2 are drowning in yearning and loss. Careful with this one - you break it, you bought it, and it'll break you... wide open just to see what color your guts are. After watching, you too might be walking around alone, forgotten, and wondering why no one understands your loss. Not only does it not end happily, it ends hopelessly. That’s an automatic 2/10 from me. No exceptions and NOT RECOMMENDED.

Sure, it may actually be brilliant, but it hurt me and I’m mad about it. 

It’s Airing But I’m Not Watching It

War of Y (Thai Gaga) 20 eps - it’s just all too much for me.

2 Moons 3 (Thai Mon ??) 10 eps - Possibly a future binge watch. Rumor is it’s banal.

Love Bill  (Vietnam Sat YT) - Bah Vinh is back but I’m too distracted. Also there’s a lot of fund raising stuff going on. I’ll wait and binge.

The Star Always Follow You (Vietnam YT) - same Team RL peeps we have seen before (Sunshine, Stupid)

Till the World Ends (Thai YT) 10 eps - ?

Why You... Y Me? (Thai Weds YT) 10 eps - It's not primarily a BL, but another meta show about BL shipping, with side BLs. @heretherebedork is watching it, ask them about it.

Gossip

Here’s that rumor, by the way. 

I refuse to believe it. GMMTV is simply forbidden to do pain, it’s not their brand and I’ll be very mad if they do. 

In Case You Missed It

Semantic Error movie (Viki) the repackage did have some nice added footage but I wasn’t wild about some of the new scene cut choices. Still, not substantial enough changes for me to deeply lean one way or the other. I prefer the original but that might just be because that’s how I consumed it first. *shrug* 

GAP the series (Sat YT) is a classic office set romance. WATCH IT! It’s GL and this studio needs our support! I’m enjoying it but not chronicling my journey. (Also, the stairs are back.)

Next Week Looks Like This:

Starting December 2022: 

Dec 13 - Never Let Me Go from Thailand, GMMTV’s YT, 10 eps -  GMMTV’s answer to KinnPorsche this is a mafia, attack dog (whipping boy + bodyguard) suspense BL. I’m delighted to see Pond Phuwin get a crack at something that’s not FUTS. Jojo (3 Will Be Free) is directing, so we know the action parts should be decent.

Dec 15 - The Director Who Buys Me Dinner from Korea, iQIYI - A new production house employee whose director (absolutely perfect in every way except that he seems to have lost his mind) claims to have lived 3 lives and insists that they have to date if they don't want to die.

Dec 16 - Candy Color Paradox AKA Ameiro Paradox from Japan, Gaga, 8 eps - A stakeout throws Onoe, a reporter, together with photographer Kaburagi. Kaburagi's haphazard work style goes against Onoe's ethics. Yet, in joint pursuit of a scandal, the two move from enemies to lovers. Adapted from manga Ameiro Paradox by Natsume Isaku.

Dec 21 - The New Employee AKA The New Recruit AKA Shinib Sawo from Korea, (prob Gaga or Viki) - From WATCHA (Semantic Error) virginal Seung Hyun scores the office internship of his dreams but on his first day at work he gets into it with his cool reserved boss. As you do. Stars Moon Ji Yong (Once Again). Based on Moscareto's web novel of the same name, directed by openly gay & queer activist Kim Jho Gwang Soo (Just Friends?). 

Dec 28 - H5: Love in the Future from Taiwan (prob Gaga or Viki) - A cheerful and energetic student from 2000 travels to the future (2022), works as a deliveryman, and meets his first customer, an heir with a domineering personality. Directed by Nancy Chen (HIStory 4, Papa & Daddy).

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

Between Us

I love him, your honor. (Ai Long Nhai) 

I catching another bad case of side dish addiction syndrome (GameVee in 609 Bedtime Story) 

We stan a dorky wingman with an imaginary umbrella trope. (My School Pres) 

(last week) 

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #146

I woke up feeling pretty good today. I have some 6 hours of sleep, which is still not ideal, but it's better than what I have been getting over the last few days. I did a little better with hydrating. And it's not Mother's Day today. I feel a little better.

I made a tea today for myself. I didn't have the energy to capture the brewing process this time, but I did get some of the nicer-looking swirls:

I thought the surface swirl looked kind of like a dragon turning its head to look behind it. So that was pretty cool!

...Today I made the vanilla rose tea; it's one that I think you might really like. I was inspired to go to an online place called Adagio to make my own tea blend that I thought might suit your tastes, given that it is known that you enjoy vanilla and roses. I ordered it in a little tin, and on the little tin, I had them put the picture I found of you sipping tea while looking out a window. I've seen a lot of pictures of you, drawn by other people. The one of you drinking tea is by far the best one I've ever seen so far. But there's this other one where flowers of many colors are being braided into your hair; that one comes in second place. There's another one of you in a t-shirt, with your head in your arms, looking over affectionately at a curled-up and contented-looking cat.

...My favorite images of you will always be the ones in which you look happy, contented, and at peace.

After tea, I decided to shower. My mind has been funky, and one of the best ways to clear up a funky mind is to go in a warm place that smells nice. Most of my soaps are scented with roses, lavender, chamomile, or some combination thereof; I think you would like them. ...When is the last time you were able to enjoy a hot shower, with soaps that smell nice? Or a hot bath? I think you might enjoy the soaps available at my house, but given your height, I'm not sure the shower here would suit you well. You'd be welcome to use it anyhow, though (all of my friends are allowed to make use of our shower, beds, and washer/dryer), if you decided to visit; no one would bother you or get weird at you.

I blasted tunes while in the shower. There's a playlist I like to use specifically for it; it's filled with acapella renditions of various video game songs, done by an artist called Smooth McGroove; he's an amazing human being (and very kind, caring, and empathetic!) who is very skilled with the use of his voice. I love singing along with his various tunes!

...I felt A LOT better after that. Holy cow. Well enough, in fact, to begin pulling the lilac blossoms away from the greens:

Today, I even found a weird lilac blossom with six petals instead of the usual four:

...I decided that the non-standard lilac blossom is my favorite one.

In order to make good lilac syrup, you have to take the time to separate the blossoms away from the greens. This process takes a long time, but failure to do so will result in a bitter syrup. I spent three hours doing this alongside a different playlist, and I'm still nowhere near done. I'll have to continue tomorrow, assuming the remaining lilacs aren't too wilted by then...

One of my friends also invited me to a gathering of polyamorous people today. Apparently, it takes place at a local restaurant on the second Monday night of every month. I was really scared about going because I normally don't fare very well in large groups, and I really don't know how to social in general; I don't know how to politely insert myself into other people's conversations, and I don't know how to talk about myself without the other person getting overwhelmed, so normally I just watch others mingle and listen to their stories. One can learn much by simply sitting and listening, and I'm better suited to that than to speaking anyhow.

My friend, with whom I've been friends for 16 years, was with me, and he introduced me to various people. I was surprised to see one of my other friends there, too, but I suppose I shouldn't have been, given the fact that they are very active in the polyamory community. The room was chock full of neurodivergent people, and for the first time in a while, I didn't feel out-of-place. There were lots of folks in colorful outfits and gender-non-conforming clothing, and it was amazing to see! I wore my favorite shirt, along with my usual Eevee hat, cardigan, boots, and jeans, and the plush I carry everywhere, and I didn't at all feel self-conscious about it in this space.

There was, however, one older gentleman present who was dressed in more ordinary clothing, looking a little lost, out-of-place, and lonely. I noticed that the other people there were avoiding him, most likely because of his age and his style of dress, so I made it a point to approach him and to include him in my little group with my two friends and all their friends. I was delighted to discover that he has a very vibrant mind with many interests and a very omnivorous taste in music, games, and movies! He started out being very shy and uncertain, but I did my best to make him feel safe, and gradually he started opening up and talking very animatedly about the things he likes! Speaking with him was absolutely delightful! It was his first time going to this sort of activity, too, and I hope that next time, he will feel more confident and at ease instead of unwelcomed and avoided.

He spoke on being kind of an outcast when he was growing up and going to school. This was something I could very much relate to. We exchanged contact information, and I'm hoping to be able to get to know him better over time. I exchanged contact information with 3 other people in that space, too; I'm very much looking forward to getting to know them as well! One of them creates music and then puts it on a place called Soundcloud (that's where the acapellas I've made are!), and although I won't be able to listen to it tonight because I have to go to bed soon, I'm very much looking forward to listening to it tomorrow!

I didn't take any pictures of the people, because having your face in places is dangerous if you're a non-standard human; in addition to being polyamorous, lots of the people there were LGBTQ, and folks like us are very much hated in my world, to the point where people try to fire us from our jobs, ostracize us from our communities, or even torture and kill us - it's really very unfortunate. But I did get a couple pictures of some nearby flowers, and the scenery along the route to the place, and some pictures of the crafted flowers on the tables:

...Oh, and!!! I managed to snag a picture of a bird-of-prey in flight. They're always so far away and difficult to capture with my cellphone camera, but... well. It's the black speck in the sky. Here:

...Yesterday I said I felt disconnected from everyone and everything and like I don't belong. Today, I was invited to a place where there were a LOT of people like me, and just like that, a few new potential friends were simply dropped into my lap. This is unprecedented. And also very interesting. And also strange. But not in a bad way. I suddenly feel even more foolish about the bit of stupidity I pulled yesterday, ahahaha... 😅😬😓

...Tomorrow, I will pull more lilac blossoms from their greens, and then finally get started on steeping them in hot water to make syrup; it'll be very good. I'll probably be pulling blooms out of greens all day, but that's fine; it's very meditative sort of work. And autistic brains like mine tend to be well-suited for repetitive tasks like this; I can't complain.

I need to try to actually go to bed on time today, so I'm going to end today's letter here.

Hey, Sephiroth? If you're out there, reading these, listening to me, and cheering me on a little from where you are (impossible, I know, but maybe we can pretend)... thank you. Thank you for existing. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being yourself.

I love you. And I'll write again tomorrow. Stay safe for me, won't you?

Your friend, Lumine

[weltato]

Since @marvelmaniac715 made such a great case for watching the UK Touring Production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and it's one of my fave shows anyway so I HAD to go and watch it. I went to watch it.

Here are my thoughts as written down during the interval and just now when I've got home.

Dancers were dancing with one hand over an eye, hand in a star shape towards Jesus (this is throughout)

Omg the Pharisees are SLUTS like wow the moves tho!! They shmoovin fr, dancing like pole dancers with the sexy sexy hips

The fact that Jesus and Judas are blatantly shown to be friends and they're laughing and they're not being mean towards each other, even Mary is nice to Judas but then there's the mic handover from I Don't Know How To Love Him and Judas just snatched that mic from her and she kept holding on like "nope."

Also, Judas took the mic away from Jesus in the beginning AND JESUS PLAYS GUITAR AAAAA MY LITTLE GUITARIST HEART IS HAPPYYYYYY

Omg the liquid silver oh my word such an AMAZING touch, it's blood money duh, so it's money made of blood or blood made of money or however you wanna interpret it but it's gorgeous.

Speaking of gorgeous, in IDKHTLM Mary gets a golden spotlight on her that to me looks like the sun shining through stained glass

I HAVE THOUGHTS ON THE DANCING JN YHE TEMPLE SCENE WITH THE GLOWING CRUCIFIXES AND THE GLITTER

The Pharisees are always moving with their arms held out in a cross position to act holy when they AIN'T have you SEEN THOSE DIPS!?

Pilate coming out to stand on the cross and is handed a cable to put into his guitar and then he PLAYS IT and sings about his dream while Jesus watches and Jesus was also the only one to see the Pharisees come on stage earlier

ALSO CAIAPHAS' HAIR IS SO COOL CAN WE JUST LINGER ON THAT FOR A SEC IT'S A BRAIDED THING OMG IT'S GREAT AND HE WEARS LITTLE GLASSES TOO

AND THE PHARISEES' MICROPHONES ARE ALSO THWIR STAFFS AND THEY HOLD THEM UPSIDE DOWN AND THATS SOOOOO COOL AAAAAAA

In the beginning, (there was nothing) Jesus was circled by the ensemble and lit up in white and then he had thrown crowns held out to him, then at the end he was given the crown by Judas who had SILVER AROUND HIS NECK NOW THAT'S SUCH A COOL DETAIL!!!

And at the end when Jesus came down of the cross, he put his crown on the stage cross on the floor and sat on it and AT GE SAME TIME Judas put his microphone down as he sat and they looked to the audience THEY ARE BST FRIENDS AND UOU CANNOT CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE 

ALSO HOLY COW DID PILATE LOOK LIKE HE HAD A  *M O M E N T*  WITH JESUS THEY HELD HANDS AND SHARED A MIC GUYS

THIS VERSION OF HEROD IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVE EVER HE WAS SO COOL SO FUN

THINK MAESTRO FROM DOCTOR WHO

THATS THE VIBE I GET

THE GOLD AND THE SHEUGGING OFF OF THIS MASSOVE GOLD TRAIN AND CLOAK JUST TO BE IN A SNAZZY GOLD LEOTARD TYPE THING AAAAA

I loved this show so much, omg

Jesus and Judas at the end was one of my fave moments

There was also one dancer who I feel might have been the dance captain bc they were dancing for everyone's entrance and had slightly different moves and the one who threw glitter at Jesus for the lashes SPEAKING OF-

HOLY MOLY THE LASHES WAS DONE SO WELL IT WAS SO COOL WITH THE GLITTER THROWING AND THERE WAS GLITTER ALL OVER THAT STAGE I FEEL FOR THE CLEAN UP CREW

Jesus is left handed :)

Going back to the thoughts I had about the temple scene:

- the glowing crucifixes were *mm* magnifique, then there were taller ones too!

- also, Caiaphas was there and tipping glitter between bowls like it was money

- and the dancers POURED FLITTER ON THEMSELVES AND IT WAS STILL VISIBLE ALL THROUGH THE REST IF THE FIRST ACT LIKE DAMN THAT'S GONNA STICK

FINAL HING

WHEN JUDAS DID HIS SELF ENDING BIT

HE THREW THE MIC IFF WITH A RED ROPE ATTACHED TO IT

AND IT STAYED THERE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW JUST IN THE BACKGROUND

THE SYMBOLISM IS AMAZING EEEEEEEE

AND THE CHOIR GOING FROM VEING LIT IN RED TO LIT IN GOLD WAS WONDERFUL!!

That's all :))

Also, here's what the stage looked like at the end:

[fowlblue]

Choose violence asks!

8, 18, 20, 21?

Ooo yes, lemme think-

8. Common fandom opinion everyone is wrong about-

I’ll list two, because they’re similar- buckle up, this will be a little long.

1: The JEAN SCENE from TAC holy cow. Ya’ll. Angeline wasn’t trying to ‘change him’ she was reaching out because she has very good reason to be concerned about his well-being at the time. Artemis had been expressing all sorts of concerning behaviors, don’t you dare tell me Angeline Fowl, having went through what she did while Tim was missing, would not recognize them for the red flags they were. Could she have phrased it better? Yes. But it clearly wasn’t meant to be read as ‘she wants to make him a normal child’ it’s meant to be read as ‘the exact same situation as when your grandma buys you clothes you don’t really like and you have to pretend you’ll wear them’. It is not that deep.

(Also, like… if you want to read into it, Artemis only started wearing suits after his father’s ‘death’ when he had to take on the role of adult in the family. More likely than not, Angeline assumed that him continuing to do so might have been him being unable to ‘let go’ of that period in his life, as opposed to simple preference).

2. This is really a rant for another post, but the idea that Angeline and Tim shouldn’t have been concerned at all about their children and the fairies, and should have willingly let them run off on adventures with them, rule-and-supervision-free? Like… that would be bad parenting!

Let me phrase it like this- if my 12-14 year old child (or children!) were running off with strange adults, off to other countries or even fantastical worlds, and the only supervision they had was someone who has been raised to obey their orders with little question… that would be bad! We as the audience have the benefit of knowing Holly and Co. are friendly, but Angeline and Tim do not, and aren’t given much reason to think so in-series. It’s like a much more extreme version of your pre-teen running off to go hang out with the high-school students known for causing trouble, it’s a bad idea. What happened in DAC was bad, don’t get me wrong, and far too extreme, but they weren’t entirely incorrect in wanting to limit and monitor their children’s interactions with fairykind, especially when fairykind is blatantly hostile to humans.

18. It’s absolutely criminal that the fandom has been sleeping on-

Uncle Foxy. Fowl Senior’s time in Russia. Butler in general beyond ‘Artemis’s real dad’ (he is more than that, why not love him for HIM). The potential fun of Tim and Butler being buddies. Jon Spiro, my beloved. Need I go on?

20. Part of canon you found tedious or boring

Hmm… probably the LEP/Haven parts? I like Holly’s POV and I love Foaly as a character but otherwise, most of the fairy society stuff kinda bores me?? It’s like… basic sci-fi tech society stuff, not really my thing.

21. Part of canon you think is overhyped.

I answered this here!

[halfagone]

Fanwork creators self rec! When you get this, reply with your five favorite fics/art/podfics/etc. that you've made, then pass on to others. Let’s spread the self-love 🌼(No pressure if you don't want to though!)Hope you have a good day! ✨

Oh wow, another one! I guess I'll just have to do five more of these, thankfully I have enough for that. 😅

First off, I guess we have:

I have not touched this fic in a hot minute, but this is technically my first DPxDC fic? I just passed its one year anniversary as well, but I haven't updated it in months now. There is a lot more I want to do for this story, but it's just so long that I really have to have to time and schedule to work it all out. Maybe when LL's Ascent is over I can pull through with it. And maybe Off With [the Demon's] Head. And maybe bloodlines and maybe- well, you get the idea. XD

This one took a little while longer to gain traction from what I've seen, but I am really proud about how I whipped this out so quickly for the event. I had been between ideas at the time, and I just needed something to get me into gear since the DP/DC Crossover Week was the first time I'd ever done a prompt week. But this was my first work of that event, so it holds a special place in my heart.

I know it's not the most popular fic from me but I am really excited for what this fic will bring and what I plan on doing with it. Horror as a genre is very fun and interesting to play with, but there are so many visual horror elements that don't always come across the same way on printed word as it might as onscreen. So it's an intricate process to try and incorporate those elements in a way that readers can still feel the fear and tension even when they can't see it as clearly as through a movie.

I wrote this fic in like... 10 hours I think? So much work, holy cow. But I do really love the Danny x Cass relationship so it was a great opportunity to share more of it with the world. I wanted to include Cass' canonical struggle with illiteracy and being essentially mute from a young age, and I am glad I could make it work in a relationship when communication is so important.

So this is the first sapphic relationship I have ever written. Like, fully blown sapphic relationship. weekend wonders technically includes a sapphic relationship as well, but I haven't written enough of that fic to really explore it. It's such a shame that f/f fics don't do well though, because they are a lot of fun to explore. And I did get to include my girl Cass in this one, so it was a good experience for my first full-blown fic.

[noenvyy]

Hi there! I saw your comment about having anosmia and wanting someone to describe smells like how people described color for blind people. I don't know how well I could do it or what smells you're curious about, but I thought I'd at least try. 🙂

Coffee:

Doesn't taste anything like it smells. It smells like morning. And like relief. A whiff inspires relaxation, which is funny considering the stimulation if you drink caffeinated. (Said by someone who hates the taste and won't drink it; still smells like everything will be okay.)

Fresh-cut grass:

Smells like summer. Like a warm breeze and blue skies. Like life and nature and green.

Chlorine (specifically a swimming pool):

Weirdly, it smells clean. It's a heavy smell, like you can feel it on your tongue, but not unpleasant. Smells like a poison (and technically is in large quantities), but doesn't feel bad.

Skunk:

Bad. Takes your breath right out of your lungs. Smells kind of like death or rot. Makes you want to claw your way away from it. Repulsion.

Smoke (like a campfire or burning leaves):

Smells like cool air and early nightfall. Faintly smells like a warm drink like spiced tea or cider. It also makes me think of black leather. Peace.

@chaotic---calm Holy cow!! This is so beautiful! I can't believe you put this together after seeing my post! Literally tearing up as I read these! It's summer where I am right now so I am going to be thinking about your descriptions of chlorine and grass and smoke 100% of the time! Your writing is beautiful!

Thank you so much!!🌸🌻🪷😭

If it's not too much trouble...any chance you might be able to describe the scene of jasmine and green tea? Since I can't smell, I've always been a little obsessed with picking a "signature scent" that I can wear so I can have some idea of what I smell like.

I am constantly drinking jasmine green tea so I kind of just decided whenever I pick scents to wear that I would go for the ones that have jasmine. Funny enough, I do have a sense of taste but I am sure that my tastebuds are probably also messed up in some way because of no smell.

I know what jasmine green tea tastes like to me, (kind of bright, maybe grassy, if I over steep it which I often do in order to taste it, it develops kind of a tangy mildly acidic flavor) but I am curious if the smell would be different. And of course I have no real idea what jasmine flowers smell like on their own.

Any chance you could take a whack at those two?....

[ixiot-ghostrebel]

I have another brainrot cooking, so in the meantime, have this:

Alrighty, so the new archon who's name I can't remember, right?

From what I've seen of them, they're pretty cocky and prideful.

I can imagine when The Creator visits their nation, they just flirt with The Creator every chance they get

And the other archons (except for Venti because he does it too even though it's to a smaller scale) are just HORRIFIED awaiting The Creator's reaction.

Now The Creator does not give a shit and just fucking FLIRTS BACK

And all of the archons (except for her because she's smug asf) are just:

OMG FURINA & CREATOR RIZZING FR LOL I LOVE THIS. If only I had good flirting skills, man—I'll have to lightly go over that part 😔 SOBBING. MY SKILL ISSUES—

@royalrose2011 THIS IS SO GOOD THOUGH—

Furina Flirting w/ Creator: Archon Reactions?

Furina be slaying out here fr—and you're living it! When did she become—

The other Archons are being caught off guard.

(Warning: Might be OOC!)

Venti

Man is flabbergasted. I mean, he knows he does the same thing and all that—flirting with you and stuff—but to see Furina just flirt in every single moment she gets, every single moment you're in HER nation—holy cow!

He's both amazed and shocked! He should write a poem about this! This was a thing to remember for the ages!

And perhaps he should show this to Zhongli and Ei to watch them wither. And he should present it to you! You love his poetry, and you certainly tolerate his little flirting too!

"Ehe, this bard has found the inspiration for a new ballad! I'll be right back, everyone! Good luck, blockhead Zhongli!" Cheery boi goes on his merry way to write the best poem the Creator has ever seen.

Safe to say it was worth the wait. You absolutely loved it.

Zhongli

He got a heart attack, seeing Focalors flirting with you so shamelessly. This was blasphemous! Even Venti, that absolute airhead, wouldn't go this extreme!

Children these days, and their lack of mannerisms. Zhongli can only sigh, sip his tea, and try his best to not throw a rock at the Hydro Archon. At least she's keeping you in good spirits and amused.

"Lady Furina, please don't get into Their Grace's personal space too much. Allow them so breathing space, please." If he thinks Furina is trying to get a little too close to you, Zhongli will plant his foot down. He has meteors to send as warning if Furina would not bid to these warnings.

Raiden Ei

Aside from the Puppet Shogun's general dislike to how close Furina was (Ei can't blame the Puppet Shogun), Ei feels real uncomfortable watching Furina getting all confident around you.

She's not uncomfortable of the flirting—after all, she too also deals with Venti's dealings, but Furina was a whole new level she has yet to fully understand.

"Furina. Watch yourself." Bodyguard Ei—that's her new job now. She's trying to give you that personal space you need that Furina is trying to take. "I will not hesitate to strike twice." If there's anything sketchy going on that Furina does, Ei is stepping in with her Musou no Hitotachi, no excuses.

She really does know how you tolerate this.

Nahida

She's in between giggling at Furina's antics and entirely shocked with how well you're taking it.

She thought you would've...how should she describe it...dislike how confident and smug Furina was doing. Then again, you were also tolerating all of Venti's antics too...

Nahida isn't really sure what to do, to be honest. While she loves Furina for keeping The Almighty Creator amused, she doesn't know how she feels about the constant flirting. In a sense, you were spending more time in Fontaine than anywhere else now!

"Your Grace, can you come hang out with me for a little while?" Nahida asks you with this cute little pout. "I would like to spend more time with you too in my nation!" And boy, are you now conflicted. Furina being a slay queen, or Nahida being cute child—who would you want to spend more time with?

Furina

While she appears confident and smug, she is most, upon all else, stoked and ecstatic of the fact you love her antics! Now, was that a new perspective she has yet to see!

With her keeping you around her awesome, extravagant nation, she can show all of Teyvat how her nation was the best nation of all time! And the popularity of Fontaine itself was increasing—more mora for her economy!~

Of course, she had it all planned out from the start! Who could make such a masterpiece and grand operation other than the Hydro Archon herself?

"Your Ever-Elegant Almighty Grace!~ Please, Allow I, Focalors, the Hydro Archon of Fontaine and God of Justice, send us off with these fine cakes. You are, however, by far, sweeter than any divine dessert!~" You snicker, liking the way this is going. Furina is even more cocky and smug when the other Archons try to intervene and take your attention away from her.

She has truly become the god that outshined all of Celestia. Hoho, the way their faces looked! She's absolutely stoked!

Ghost Rebel Side Notes: It feels great to be motivated! I hope you like this post :D I find this one real amusing LOL—Furina would really do this. If Furina would flirted with me, I honestly wouldn't know how I would feel LOL. I still love Furina though—high hopes that when Furina is out, Furina Wanters will be Furina Havers!~

✦ Check out The Ghost Rebel’s Blog Description & Info Page to See if Their Mailbox is Open! ✦

[satocidal]

You might be surprised but I also get the looking mean often. I think the biggest difference is that my culture doesn't entertain being fake nice as much as others (as someone who interacted with the brits, they're the epitome of it, I'm sorry)

Honestly, asian cultures oftenly get mingled when provided by people who didn't interact with said culture so all I know about India is basically the sari (I think that's how it's named? The colorful dresses are so pretty and the jewelry, omo) and most people practicing Hinduism or Buddhism (I'm still not sure of the difference, if any, between them? I know also there's a river in India that's like sacred and I know the cow is also quite a sacred animal?)

I think (again, not sure) Buddha's from there.

Honestly, when I think of India, as many not so cultured ppl, I do think of the Taj Mahal, elephants, River Ganje (?), Buddha and the many arms statue T-T

I also think of curry and spices (y'all got some delicious curry. And I say this bcs I actually ate indian food made by the right ppl lol)

I'm curious about traditions such as weddings, funerals and general holidays mostly

For example, my country (Romania) is Christian (ortodox) but got such a rich history and traditions that many of the traditions we have are quite more pagan than actually Christian (we were a pagan country a long ass time ago, after all)

So yeah, I'd say I'm a basic white girl (tho eastern europeans aren't exactly…well, basic in the european white history 😅 but not exactly the point. Tho we are not like brits and americans, that's for sure)

~🦊

Your perception is so cute😭 but yes I assumed you might’ve gotten that comment lmao- like I just knew lolol

So, let me say that our traditional cloths does include saris and kurtas- but like as we get urbanised, people are lesssening the usage of them. Like mainly grandma’s (or like 35+) women wear it on a usual and even they, to keep it comfortable prefer kurtas as daily attire. Most of us though, like we just go with basic causal wear. So they’ve become more of a traditional-only-when-events-are-around type of a deal for most of us

And like there’s so much more than saris, there are lehengas and anarkalis and ghagharas and shararas- like a lot of beautiful stuff frfor. And there’s different sort of method of embroidery too

Hinduism is very different yet similar to it, both focus on attainment of nirvana but where Hinduism is very life-concerned, like focusing on the present—Buddhism, at its core works for giving up worldly pleasures (Hinduism, like ancient one at least, divided human life into 4 age ranges—the last which began at like 65+? Or 50? That range focused on the same stuff as Buddhism) and then Buddhism is a little stricter and not discussed on idol worship where in Hinduism is core worshipping

Elephants 💀? Not tigers? They are our national animal lmao- the Bengal white tiger<3 but well, that’s how india is portrayed usually so I don’t blame you. There are many more beautiful things than the Taj btw and the Ganga is very holy to us- belief leads to say that your sins get washed with every dip in her (I’m an agnostic so idk but we’re very respectful to the religions usually- even the atheists I’ve met, they also act good towards Hinduism)

If you read our mythology and scripts the many arms will make sense lmao but this ask is getting long so I won’t get into it rn lmao-and we have a plenty of festivals. Like a lot.

Also like apologies but tell me about Christianity here (I’m not a fan at all of conservative Christian’s and all) and I’ve like mostly onky judged Christian’s so yes💀

[seasonal-writes]

If you want to, please elaborate on tango and impulse... their dynamic is so so good<3

-🍂

well i meaaan.. if you really wannaa heaaar.. cracks knuckles SO. essentially, if it wasn't obvious, Tango and Impulse have been attached at the hip for a LOOOONG time in this canon. Impulse's official "title" is like, Personal Guard to the Heir. His only assignment, unless stated otherwise, is to ensure Tango's safety and well-being—meaning they practically "grew up" together because he was constantly tailing him and keeping watch. so you can imagine they know each other veeery well, because Tango's had Impulse as a guard for like, ten or so years? they're genuine friends, of course! best friends, i'd even say, asss tango was actually lowkey a recluse/kinda sheltered? so he'd interact with whoever he had in the castle's vicinity in the Nether, and that happened to be Impulse. so this random, older kid's assigned as his guard and tango's like "it's free real estate" and YES they used to get into trouble together. Impulse has turned his head at maaany of Tango's shenanigans, and Tango never stood for Impulse being punished for anything by higher ups. And when they tried to find Tango someone else after too many convenient "I just wasn't paying attention"'s from Impulse, Tango had a melt. down. That was the first time Impulse ever saw Tango have a real moment of rage, and you can imagine that there were more than just a few scorched painting to deal with, and that Impulse was immediately re-instated as his personal guard. i was actually JUST talking to a friend of mine about how it's canon that Impulse is a few years older than Tango, and he was given this position while training to be an official knight. so i always look SO FONDLY on the image of a tall and quiet, awkward young Impulse with a training sword next to an equally-as-awkward teenage Tango at like, parties and events 'n things. we were making jokes that Tango turns to him like "You gotta start talkin' to some people, buddy. You look too scary." and Impulse is just like "I don't get paid enough to talk to people." It's so funny to me, and that definitely says a TON about their dynamic. Impulse is definitely still quiet, but they're very chatty in private moments—which I tried to capture in chapter six. Impulse is literally a shadow when he's around more than just his prince, and i love the aesthetic of that claim with his blackstone armor and wallflower tendencies. But if there is even a slight change in Tango's tone to indicate discomfort, he's hovering right behind him with a glint in his eye and his weapon drawn. He's also bulkier and a little taller than Tango, too. So he's intimidating as hell.<33 ANYWAY. they're very close. and while Tango might not see it all the time, Impulse is insanely devoted to him. Like, Impulse would die before he let Tango get hurt, he'd break any rule and go to jail before even a hair on his head was disturbed. It's your usual Knight and Prince dynamic, but instead they're long-time best friends and the selflessness is cranked up to an 11. I also have this idea that Impulse doesn't know what he'll do without Tango to watch over. Sure, position change. Sure, there will be changes. But his purpose has been one thing for so long, and i'm sure the idea of Tango running away would be wildly devastating to him. so uh. do with this information what you will. i love them so much and i'd fully recommend sitting and thinking about all the scenarios of two goofy childhood buddies being put into things beyond their age, but still having each other at the end of the day. Or defending each other. Or just being soft pals. i'm so normal about them, can't you tell?

i'm also SO sorry for how long this is, holy cow. i just get very excited about all the characters and these two are a special case to me.

[kexing]

And at last we head into the finale with Triage ep 12-13:

Tol: If I fail this loop Tin’s gonna end up dating DEAR and not ME, this is the WORST

Jinta: Or he could still, you know, die

And we’ve come full circle with having Fang help with a matchmaking lunch, this time with Tol getting a surprisingly big brain play to directly ask her for help hitting on Tin. (With I think only one previous interaction in the bank with her. In a previous loop)

Oh don’t bother growing a spine now, Evil Gopher. It’s not like I’m gonna believe you’re suddenly not down for all the murder in your side gig.

HA, Tol is so happy about how getting the parents involved turned out. Tin’s all stunned over getting strong-armed into a study session sleepover while Tol is giddily in the corner like “That’s right, your ass just got entrapped, babe!” (also I couldn’t find anything when I looked it up, but Tol’s dad is definitely the dad from Ghost Host Ghost House right?)

You know the kisses very well might be bringing the memories back, but I find it so much funnier to think that that theory was Tin just making some romantic jot notes like he was scribbling in his diary and then Tol latched onto it with both hands all “So True Love’s Kiss will break the spell? I’M ON IT.”

Awww, Singgap get their own pinky promise moment.

Regressed!Tin’s been so angsty that Professor and Gopher are actually seeing him as a potential recruit for the side of evil.

Can Varit just catch a break? I know everybody’s going through it in this show but the boy was finally in a loop where he’s getting recognition and he wants to live and the plot still won’t leave him alone.

-

Oh come on it’s even worse for Varit! Poison?!

I love how all of Tol’s plans are, to put it mildly, not the most well thought out, but damn if he doesn’t throw his all into them.

Evil Professor watching Tin get thanked by the patient’s mother: ah dang it he’s getting his conscience and compassion back. This totally ruins my organ stealing job offer

Tol’s main thought process has essentially been “Can we kiss now? Or now? How’s about now? Is now good?” And when he finally has a chance of it actually working he gets INTERRUPTED CURSE YOU EVIL PROFESSOR

Everybody in this hostage situation is taking a moment to remark on how stupid Evil Gopher’s plan is.

Oh I could watch Gap conk Evil Gopher in the face with that pole 100 times.

Tin has gotta stop saying “We’re in this together and I’m not going anywhere.” He knows the universe has a twisted sense of humor and he’s basically DARING it to jinx him.

I just love Jinta so goddamn much.

Evil Professor’s dead, Evil Gopher’s snapped and locked up, Varit’s thriving, Singgap are flirting in front of patients (amusing Doi and annoying Pin), Mai’s mom woke up! Happy endings all around!

This show really set up a coy “Oh no, we’re totally gonna have a bittersweet open ending where it’s uncertain whether they’re gonna meet again~” but nope! Hella Big Damn Kiss at the magic love clock tower! Same energy as Tin rocking up all “Oh I don’t think I really remember... but maybe some of that True Love’s Kiss action will help?~” I mean I had the biggest dopiest smile on my face so I can’t complain 😁

And a little bone throw for the Manner of Death crowd, nice.

Whew! Holy cow MJ, this was a show and half of an amazing time. This is undoubtedly up there in the top tier of top tiers. I hope the holidays treat you well to match this gift you brought me 💜

yay!!!! YOU’VE MADE IT!!! merry christmas!!! ❤️💙

TOL HAS PRIORITIES LIKE HIS UNDYING JEALOUSY AKJDSKJDKSKDKSDKSK

tol @ fang “i know we don’t talk but you GOTTA help me date your friend. please it’s a matter of life and death”

lmaooo right!! after so much shit!!!

tol’s loop is SOOOO funny akdjkskd like. at the beginning of the show he’s so cool and detached but by the end of the show he’s fake drowning to get a doctor to kiss him. so unserious

and yes!! i think it’s the same dad!!

tol was like “so is anyone going to kiss this man to break the goddamn time loop cycle???” and did not wait for an answer

singgap my beloveds!!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰

REGRESSED TIN IS A MENACE AKDKSKKDKSKSDK

LET VARIT CATCH A BREAK CHALLENGE!!!!

right 😩😩😩 wtffff

TOL IS A MESS AND A HALF BUT HE HAS THE SPIRIT

CACKLING. noooo tin! don’t get your feelings back, you’re so sexy ha ha

tol just wants to kiss that man, why’s it so hard 😩😩😩

it is stupid lmaoo GAP IS A BADASS IN DISGUISE OKAY

true that tho. every time tin promises not to leave tol, the universe is like BITCH! YOU THOUGHT! and separates them

jinta, the protector of the dumbass queers. gotta love him

happy ending very well deserved!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳 tho they gotta drag tintol’s happiness like PLEASE HAVE WE NOT SUFFERED ENOUGH

but aaaaaaaa YES!!! the clock tower kiss is legendary. we gotta love how they wrapped it up so nicely! NO BITTERSWEET ENDING IN THIS HOUSE NO SIR!

mod always!!!

AAAAAAAAAAA I’M SO GLAD YOU LOVED IT TOO!!! i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: triage is top 10 bls of all time. it’s just sooooo good!!!!!

thank you for watching it!!! (she says like she made the show akskaksksk) we’re here to share good things!!!

happy holidays beloved!!! may 2023 be a wonderful year for you!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙💙💙💙

[cordrot]

name:      cherry!  pronouns:    she/her.    she/her preference of communication:     i prefer disco usually!   i feel like things normally start off on tumblr ims and then it’s a natural progression to discord,   but i also don’t mind just hopping straight in from disco!  most active muse:    currently,   it’s tess because the brainrot is so unbelievably real but @ltdice is always taking up most of my (1) braincell so there’s that too experience / how many years:     god i really don’t know how long i’ve been doing this i mean it’s been so long?!   it’s almost a bit of a blur really but i’m pretty sure i started out when i was around 12 years old so that would be around   ...   12 years now.   holy cow that’s half my life platforms you use:     tumblr and disco!   i’ve been a lot more active on disco lately just because things are a bit busy with work and what not and it’s also just a lot easier / more accessible.   but i am still predominantly on tumblr,   esp with the creation of this tess blog because this has really bolstered my muse to be writing on here!  best experience:      honestly?   i think this past year and a bit has been my best experience on here simply because of the people that i’ve met and gotten close to?   i’ve been writing on tumblr for a really long time and for a lot of that time,   i was writing in groups and we all know that the lifespan of groups is not particularly great so i was involving myself in a lot of stop/start development?   and then when i finally made the switch to indie,   i was definitely enjoying it more too but i also think that the connections i made initially were a lot more surface level and not as meaningful to me in comparison to the connections i have now?   like i truly appreciate the friends i have made on here so much,   no matter how much or how little we chat,   i know that there’s a genuine level of support,  care and connection there?   which has really made my time on here so much better honestly!  rp pet peeves:    oh gosh i don’t know i feel like honestly not a lot actually annoys me on here idk if that sounds weird maybe i just don’t follow annoying people ... lol but i’ve never been a fan of guilt tripping of course,   like making people feel bad if you’re lacking interaction or something when you might not be trying to get interaction yourself?   i also am not a huge fan of,   i don’t really know how to word this,   but i feel like entitlement might be a good word?   like if you follow someone and then softblock them because they haven’t made an attempt to interact yet but you haven’t either?   everything on here is a two way street and i think sometimes people forget that!   you have to put in effort and interest to get it back from others as well.   because i also think maybe sometimes people forget that this is just a hobby and sometimes we’re not always around all the time but that shouldn’t be taken as a sign of disinterest either!  fluff,   angst,   or smut:      honestly i am a sucker for angst i just love?!   being hurt!   it’s as simple as that!   but i also love fluff so much because i think it’s so wonderful to be able to develop and write about the softer sides of relationships/friendships/etc it’s just so sweet!   and smut is totally dependent on the relationship between the muses + the relationship i have with the mun too.   i feel like in past years i haven’t written a ton of smut just because i don’t think i’m really that good at it anyway but in more recency,   it’s been something i’m more interested in exploring if the circumstances call for it!  plots or memes:     both!!   i love chatting about plots like i could ramble all day about plot ideas and dynamics etc,   so it’s something i enjoy a lot!   but i also think memes are a great way to get things started too which is why i always frame my memes in a way that makes it easy   ( or,    i would hope so at least )    for people to use it as a starter if they wish to!  long or short replies:   i think i probably fall somewhere in between long and short,   really?!   but it all depends on my mood as well as the thread itself.   i can definitely write a lot if the situation calls for it best time to write:      if i’m working from home,   i like to write during the day sometimes if i have a bit of free time here and there but i do most of my writing i think in the evenings!  are you like your muses:      in some ways,  yes!   i tend to be drawn to quite chaotic muses so in that case yes because i am very chaotic?!   but a lot of the similarities between the muses i like writing are the fact that they’re certified badasses who can kick your ass and look good doing it but i can confirm that i am ..... not that so 🤍

tagged by:    @gunbash  ily!!  tagging:      @dtperez , @51163 , @battlehood , @cordecept , @infectd , @lth4ngman , @destage / @enhaunts , @wolfehunt , @statesangria , @batfall , @riverspat , @engests​ , @gurrillero​ , @wtrss​ and anyone else who wants to do it tag me!!