#i back down from a challenge

[justsomeguycore]

wait it would be literally so funny if i’m like this because my mom never encouraged me to follow my dreams and i didn’t realize it til i was 30

[sodapopper]

See, here’s the thing: Darrel Curtis isn’t safe.

He’s not gentle or kind or emotionally sensitive, he’s not someone who puts you at ease. Darrel Curtis carries himself like a man condemned, with blood on his hands and no conscience left to care about. He could kill you with no effort. He could send you running with only a glance.

Darry is a 20 year old guy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. He drinks. He swears. He fights. He’s bigger than anyone he knows and he takes pride in it, in his power, raw strength simmering in his hands, his shoulders. He’s known and respected by gangs—not just a bunch of school yard buddies messing around with each other but real gangs, the kind with reps and rap sheets. Those same gangs form a line behind him at rumbles. They know him, and they rally at his back, pushing him forward to start their fights.

Darry is not a soc wannabe. He’s not upperclass, not even middle class, and he’s certainly not refined. He had potential to go far in life, but it was rough, uncut, the unmined earth of his intellect and the raw power of his hands. Uncivilized. Dangerous.

He’s a landmine waiting to be stepped on and a blade without a sheath. Control is his weapon. Stubbornness, his shield. He could mess you up at the drop of a hat but chooses not to, and that’s what’s really frightening, that terrifying self-control. A leashed dog. Rage simmering in his eyes, ice cold.

Darrel Curtis isn’t safe.

But he chooses to be.

He puts the collar on himself, and every day, in the shadow of that caged power, his brothers know his gentleness a little more. Violence is innate, animalistic; so is love. Darry fights dirty, and loves like a man facing execution. Teeth clenched. Fists tight. Eyes ahead, nothing left to see, no other goal than the thing he’s set his mind to. Darry loves like it’s a fight he’s not willing to lose. Darry loves as if he’s going to die tomorrow.

Darrel Curtis isn’t safe.

[carrotsofthepirabbean]

Well I haven't stopped thinking about my fossil hunters AU. So there.

[shaylai]

A quick doodle I made for a friend 🐥

[king-candybug-backup]

[WARNING FOR FLASHING LIGHTS]

OOPSIE DAISY, MADE ANOTHER TURBO AMV, BUT THIS TIME IT'S CURSED 😂

I blame @simpingforcys for this one because one of my friends dared me to make a King Candy thirst-trap(??? IF YOU COULD CALL IT THAT LMAO) after seeing the last AMV and also browsing a bunch of your thirstposts, so thanks for the roundabout inspiration, fam. 😂😂😂

I'm supposed to be writing. Instead I'm indulging the simps with VERY cursed content. But I am also a simp, so I guess I still win??

[s0fter-sin]

prince!ghost and lord in waiting!soap

ghost is a warrior prince, next in line after king price and it’s always been accepted he would be the lone ruler; never one for entertaining the courts or indulging foreign rulers trying to consolidate their power. he hardly acts like a prince at all, in name only when he spends more time as a pseudo captain of the guard. price has never begrudged him that, not when he himself has been a lone king since his inauguration

though he’s a warrior prince, he’s never lost the favour of the people; many see him as a guardian even if he doesn’t interact with the people as much as benevolent and stalwart king price. who he does interact with is the kingdom’s children; always ready to bend a knee and listen to bright voices, to praise stick swords and shields or hear the plight of a struggling family. it was a common belief that if he wasn’t out protecting, then he was with the protected; face covered, blonde curls shining in the sun

soap’s always loved ghost. as his lord in waiting, it’s been his job to attend him since they were young and even as a child, he’d idolised him; his skills in battle, his surety. he thought his life would be nothing but service, clothing a brat prince and making sure his shoes shined. but ghost has proven more than that; he treats him as an equal, consults him on strategy and court politics and over time that idolisation turned into love

and ghost has always felt the same. he’d begrudged the idea of a lord in waiting, not wanting someone always in his business but then came this spitfire who never missed an opportunity to push back on him; to make him dig deeper. johnny is more than some mere servant; he’s his confidant, his best friend, his… everything. he could be simon with him, not prince ghost

but simon figures that out too late

king price gets word from king shepherd, a kingdom they’ve only recently stopped feuding with and he’s offering up his son, prince graves, as a way to bond their kingdoms together and firmly put war behind them. price is ready to deny him, he doesn’t fear war from shepherd, when he sends some ancient laws that leave him unable to refuse. he hates it, hates that he’s ruining ghost’s happiness and feels like he’s betraying his adopted son but there’s nothing he can do

graves comes to their kingdom within the month and it’s clear from the moment he walks through their gates that he’s the opposite of ghost; arrogant and conceited, his ceremonial armour glossy and untouched by battle. he’s dismissive of their servants, of their ways, of their people and ghost hates him

graves insists that the wedding happen as soon as possible, pushing the craftsmen and cooks beyond their limits to prepare and every moment ghost spends with him, the more he dreads his wedding day. every evening he retreats to his room, exhausted, and it’s all johnny can do to keep him afloat; trying to keep him positive as ghost falls away and simon breaks in his arms. he wants to whisk him away like the old tales, the pain his oldest friend and love is in making his heart ache but all he can do is promise to be there with him

but it seems graves wants to take even him away

“soap’s been my lord in waiting since we were children,” ghost protests, voice barely clinging to civility. “i wouldn’t want to lose such a valuable worker.”

“there are plenty of decent servants in our kingdom; you’ll forget this one soon enough,” graves waves away, carding a possessive hand over his curls and it’s only bc he’s looking for it that soap sees ghost’s jaw twitch beneath his neck gaiter. “it’s custom for one marrying into our kingdom to embrace all that it has to offer, leaving who they were behind to become someone better. you’re entering a new life with me; you don’t need the baggage of this dreary place.”

soap feels sick as he walks behind them, his blank expression hiding all sign of his breaking heart.

“soap is beholden to me,” ghost declares. “we were sworn together by the old laws. i’m afraid a custom isn’t enough for me to break a vow to the gods.”

graves lets out a disgruntled noise, tugging harshly at one of ghost’s curls with only a thin veil of fondness; his conceding smile not reaching his eyes.

“i never made a vow to the gods,” johnny points out later. “price gave me to you because he was sick of me setting fire to the kitchens.”

simon hums and sets his freshly cleaned armour aside, turning to him with a twinkle in his eyes he’s barely seen since sheperd’s missive. “you pinkie swore that you would never leave me; that’s more powerful than any promise to the gods,” he says and soap’s thrown back fifteen years, to a willow tree big enough to touch the sky; to two boys from different stations who didn’t care that one was dressed in silk and the other in scraps.

johnny feels a lightness he hasn’t in a month as simon winks at him. “besides, do you really think graves is smart enough to figure it out?”

the days pass quickly, graves’ veneer of affection growing ever thinner, and before either of them are ready, it’s the eve of ghost’s wedding.

he’s said nothing, done nothing but stare at the wedding robes graves had tailored for him in the fashion of his kingdom and johnny doesn’t know how to break the silence. he draws out each second as he fusses with the cape piece and ensures the shoes shine in the fire light until he has no more excuses.

he sighs as he straightens up, brushing off polish onto his pants. “i suppose this is where i leave you,” he says with a weak smile but it quickly dies when simon still doesn’t look at him. “i’ll be here in the morning to help you get ready… good night, simon.”

johnny bows and makes for the door, trying to convince himself he didn’t just say goodbye.

but he’s stopped by simon’s hand loosely wrapping around his wrist.

he looks back as simon finally tears his eyes away from the robes, looking at him with such clear longing it almost brings him to his knees.

“i don’t want graves to be the first man to touch me, johnny,” he confesses and johnny’s breath hitches. “i don’t want to be married to another… not when the one i’m set to wed isn’t you. but if i have to do this… please let me feel loved one final time.”

simon’s thumb brushes the back of his hand; their kingdom’s greatest warrior caressing him with a touch light as silk. he doesn’t pull johnny in, doesn’t need to; johnny’s already sinking into his touch.

desperation and love tinge every movement; johnny dancing his fingers over simon’s neck gaiter until he all too happily removes it, baring his scarred cheeks and lips. johnny kisses each one, willing his love and his touch to linger above all others as they move together; sharing breath, sharing body, sharing soul the way they wish they always have.

when ghost makes his way down the aisle, it’s not in the fine embroidered robes graves had laid out for him. he’s in his battle armour; dark and weathered, the sign of the ghost, the warrior prince, going to battle. the only thing missing is his helm, tucked under his arm.

showing his hair; curls gone and shaved tight to his skin.

a thing done only in a time of great mourning.

graves looks irate and it’s the only spark of joy ghost feels as he stops before the altar; set beneath the willow tree where johnny promised himself to him. one final insult.

ghost is silent throughout the ceremony and in spirit and in grief, so is the entire gathered kingdom until the priestess reaches the final vows and suddenly, a great roar rises above the crowd as seemingly every child in the kingdom swarms the altar.

ghost is too shocked to do anything but let them push him away from graves, bullying their way between them like they’re preparing to protect him just as he’s always protected them.

graves is furious but the children stand firm in the face of his threats until he moves to strike one-

and freezes as soap’s blade finds his throat.

“you would dare hurt these children?” he growls, sword following graves as he stumbles back. “you’ve kept up your charade the entire time and here is where you show your true colours. i think it’s time i show mine.”

graves splutters as johnny turns to the priestess and king price, falling to one knee and offering up his blade. “your grace, i wish to challenge prince graves for the hand of prince simon!”

his voice rings clear and he feels the eyes of every person in the kingdom.

but he only cares for one man.

who is watching him with more love than he’s ever felt.

“who are you to challenge me?” graves sneers. “you’re nothing more than a servant; no better than the dirt on my boots.”

johnny doesn’t bother to look at him, too caught in the love in simon’s eyes and the grateful look on king price’s face. “then you should have nothing to worry about. you’ve been crowing your accolades from the rooftops since you got here; let’s see if you live up to the hype.”

because simon only ever introduced him as his lord in waiting.

never as sir soap- his second in command and one of the greatest swordsmen their kingdom has ever seen.

[johnnykeanytourney]

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE KEANU REEVES CHARACTER NAMED JOHN?

[peaches2217]

*gently opens the door, then kicks it the rest of the way open as dramatically as possible*

Mario normally being fully verbal but going nonverbal when his PTSD flares up so part of the reason he struggles to tell his loved ones when he’s struggling is because he physically *can’t* and this is a new development and he’s embarrassed so he just. Hides until it’s over and then pretends it never happened because he’s fucking terrible at balancing his pride and his coping mechanisms

This is now canon to my ‘verse.

[yourgoldennotebook]

Spotted at the Palace Hotel: S. and B. having a heart-to-heart.

[acotars]

vent in the tags sorry it’s a big bummer

[last-of-the-lot]

Okay so I have been obsessed with EPIC for a while now, and I was scrolling recently and found this little snippet floating around. Looking at the person made me think of Vex'ahlia from Critical Role, which immediately made me think of a Critical Role/Epic AU.

But instead of the normal dynamic of Odysseus and Penelope my brain immediately defaulted to Percy being the one waiting at home and making this challenge to the suitors to string Vex's old bow. And like... I don't argue with my brain when it comes to creativity. Then it started to snowball. I do not need to write an AU right now, but it won't leave my head.

Oooooh I have so many thoughts.

[mysimsloveaffair]

My tiny princess ages up to a much bigger princess. Of course, I pull out my camera to take pictures of my beautiful little girl.

(Tambara’s Aspiration: Playtime Captain Traits: Mean, Topnotch Infant, Happy Toddler, Neutral Confidence)

There’s no delaying the inevitable. Maia relights the candles on the cake, apologizing that she didn’t have time to make two, and I blow them out again and age up to an adult. 

[time-is-restored]

MAFUYU'S WL2 CHAPTERS HAVE HARMED ME IRREPARABLY.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE KNOWS SHE'S IN A DREAM? WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S GOING OUT OF HER WAY TO FIND NIIGO? WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE PULLS IDENTICAL SAD SMILES AT SEEING ALL OF THEM INTERACTING WITH HER LIKE A STRANGER? CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME?

she was SURPRISED when her mother said they 'had a talk' about mafuyu not being a doctor. she doesn't remember that conversation. she didn't KNOW what their relationship was in this world until her mother explicitly told her.

she reached out to ena THROUGH airi (when she shouldn't have otherwise even KNOWN about her) so they could all practice drawing together. she let mizuki suggest clothes for her to wear (going on a whole expedition with her classmates just to engineer a chance to take them to her boutique) bc there's no other way for her to interact with her?????????????

she literally said that kanade's songs give """"everyone"""" a warm feeling when everyone else has referred to them just as being 'cheerful' and 'popular'. and then the way she pushed kanade to list all the things she wanted to do... insisted on doing all of them in what might literally have been experienced by them AS a montage... it's like she's trying to gift kanade experiences + memories that she otherwise wouldn't have? and it's such a clear parallel between all the expeditions/trips niigo take HER on in the prime timeline in the name of finding herself?

i was already betting everything on kaito being the vocaloid to sing to her but his use here is now like. infinitely crazier to me in the context of the actual story. the 'hold onto your true feelings' vocaloid sings to mafuyu to comfort her in a world where she doesn't have her friends. and then she acts on those feelings by bringing them as close together as she can? because? she loves? her friends?

[nabi-unveiled]

When my husband found out I was writing this blog, he asked if I couldn't "just write a children's book instead".

Work notified me yesterday that, because I am "so far ahead of schedule" on my own project, they'll be temporarily moving me to write for the children's department (elementary school) to help someone get back on schedule.

I told my husband his dream has come true.

He is not amused.

But I am.

[dataframe]

ID: Yue Qingyuan, as hosted by Xuan Su, in sleeping robes. It opens a door and stares at the viewer with a neutral frown. END ID.

(wip) xuan su's so fucking funny... why do you look so pissed off all the time my friend

[veinsfullofstars]

You know he’s gonna call your bluff every time, rat man.

(ID: Kirby series fanart comic of Daroach smugly teasing Dark Meta Knight, only for the latter to turn around, grab him, and kiss him without hesitation, leaving the rat dazed and flustered instead. Transcript under the cut. END ID.)

“Veins, are you peddling your Darkroach agenda again?” Wh- That’s- Listen, I… Ye- Nnnnmaybe. Maybe. 👉👈

Started some time in summer 2023, finished 10/22/23, updated 10/25/23, updated for color correction 11/02/24. NOTE: This was originally posted on my deleted account on 10/22/23.

—

Not a lot of dialogue, but have a transcript anyway:

Panel 1

*Daroach leans smugly towards DMK, who stands with his back to the rat, his fists shaking slightly at his side*

Daroach: *confidently* You wanna kiss me so bad it makes you look like an idiot!

Panel 2

*DMK turns sharply and grabs a startled Daroach by his cape with one hand, removing his mask with the other*

Panel 3

*DMK yanks Daroach forward into a firm kiss, nearly knocking the rat off balance; DMK’s wings unfurl behind him, and a fierce blush spreads over both of their faces*

Panel 4

*DMK then shoves Daroach away, who reels back on one foot with hearts in his eyes, grinning like a fool*

DMK: *facing away, his wings curled around himself, quickly putting his mask back on* Hmph. Idiot.