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doubles and constantly are like beautiful twin girls. to me
#do you guys see. do you see my vision do you see#also not to be a demon but the same way constantly was probably *someone's* favourite song off cts doubles is definitely the fav out of omb#so easy to imagine swaying hips and a tambourine WHAT WHO SAID THAT#miles kane#one man band#if i tagged this i'd get executed on the spot
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Early spring
Tags: Fluff, pregnancy, Levi Ackerman, Levi × reader, fem reader.
The morning mist swirled lazily through the training fields, clinging to the dewy grass and the stables like a ghostly veil. The morning drills were going smoothly, with the cadets executing their maneuvers with precision and discipline.
The rumor mill had been working overtime, spinning tales of how you had both met, how you had fallen in love in the underground, and how you had both managed to keep the relationship a secret all these years. Some claimed you both eloped, others that you'd run away from home. Despite what may or may not be true, one thing was certain: Your relationship was a popular topic amongst gossiping teens and bored soldiers of the scouting headquarters.
As you walked by the training grounds greeting the cadets politely, the group exchanged knowing glances, Armin knew they were all thinking the same thing. It was obvious that you were pregnant, and it was even clearer that their captain was the father. The news had been spreading through the headquarters like wildfire, and even though they knew it was a private matter, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and curiosity about it.
Your pregnant belly, rounder and fuller by the day, strained against the fabric of your uniform, betraying the secret that you were trying to keep. But for your part you seemed to be taking it all in your stride, your cheeks flushed with embarrassment at all the attention but even still, a small smirk played at the corners of your lips now that the cat was out of the bag. And Levi, his expression was unreadable as usual. But there was a softness to his eyes when he looked at you that spoke volumes. It was clear that he was overjoyed at the news, even if he wasn't the sort to show it openly.
Sasha furrowed her brow. Based on her numerous siblings, she was no stranger to the topic of pregnancy and babies. "It's hard to say for sure," she paused thoughtfully. "but based on how she's been acting and how big her belly is getting, I'd guess she's at least four months along." Armin nodded in agreement, "Captain Levi has been even more protective and attentive towards y/n lately too."
Ymir spoke up, her voice tinged with amusement. "Well, boys and girls," she drawled, "I guess we all owe Ymir a drink for predicting this. I called it months ago that y/n would be knocked up by the end of the year."
There were a few snickers groans and chuckles around the group. Even though she was usually pretty outspoken, no one could deny that she was spot-on with this prediction.
As they continued to talk, the topic eventually turned to the future. Armin wondered how you and the Captain would balance your duties in the regiment with raising a child. Krista pointed out that the baby would probably be the cutest thing in the world once it was born. Mikasa agreed, adding that a baby was a wonderful thing. Even though there were still questions and concerns, there was an undercurrent of excitement and anticipation in the air.
Levi, always the picture of stoicism, suddenly appeared, snapping the group to attention. His eyes scanned the assembled group, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady and commanding. "Keep your eyes on the target, keep your minds sharp, and keep up with the training."
The group remained uncharacteristically silent. His piercing gaze continued to sweep across their faces, his expression unreadable as ever. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke again. "Is there something that's distracting you?." They knew that he wouldn't address the elephant in the room unless he was asked. A hush fell over the group as Connie ventured the question. "... When's the baby due, captain?" There was a collective holding of breath while waiting for his answer. Fear behind their eyes at Connies stupid question that was bound to get them assigned the worst chores for the rest of the month. Levi didn't seem fazed by the question in the slightest, and his expression remained unreadable. "We're not entirely sure yet, but we're thinking early spring." Levi calmly replied, and if they weren't mistaken, a hint of affection was present in his voice. The cadets exchanged glances again, a mixture of joy, surprise, and relief.
He paused, then added, "But for now, focus on training, brats."
They quickly resumed their training. And through the remainder of the day, whispers continued to circulate about the impending arrival of yours and the Captains baby. Some speculated about the baby's gender, while others discussed the potential names they thought would suit.
Later that day, you knock softly on the captains office door, waiting for permission to enter. Once you do, Levi looks up from his desk, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips upon seeing you. "You handled that well, love," you tell him, your voice quiet but sincere.
"Well, we've certainly got everyone talking," he said, gesturing for you to come over. You smiled playfully, taking a seat on his lap. "Well," you pause. "It's one thing to keep our relationship a secret from everyone, but it's another thing entirely to try to keep a pregnancy under wraps for nine months." You chuckle. "But we gave it a shot. I think four months is pretty impressive." Levi chuckles softly, reaching out to take your hand in his. His thumb traced gentle circles on the back of your hand. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving your face, his other hand wrapping around your waist and resting gently on the bump beneath your uniform. "We'll have to try harder next time."
#levi x reader#levi ackerman#levi aot#levi x y/n#captain levi x reader#levi attack on titan#levi ackerman x reader#dadvi ackerman#dadvi#dad levi#dad levi ackerman
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The Bride [0.2]
Masterlist
Pairing: billy the kid x fem!reader
Summary: Billy and Eleanor reunite in Silver City.
Warnings: foul language, mentioned racism
Word Count: 4,458
Tag List: @poppyflower-22 @ponyslayer
Life didn't get much easier for Billy. His stepfather's reckless spending on brothels and alcohol left them with dwindling funds, worsened by the bank's refusal to extend more credit. Forced to seek new opportunities, the Antrim family packed up and headed to Silver City.
Billy learned of a town called Silver City, and after the sudden and tragic death of his friend Carlos, he didn't find much more reason to stay in Santa Fe. It was about an arduous journey, a week-long trek through scorching heat, relentless mosquitoes, and the ever-present danger of snakes. Yet, despite the challenges, they finally reached Silver City, hopeful for a fresh start and a brighter future.
Though as it turned out, opportunities in Silver City weren't so good either.
While Kathleen embarked on a new restaurant venture, Henry flitted between jobs, proving too finicky and fragile for any substantial work. So Billy helped out where he could, working odd jobs here and there, and playing rounds of cards to make some more money. Sometimes he won big, other times he lost hard.
But at least he wasn't alone. Along the way, Billy crossed paths with Jesse, an older, more weathered individual with a cynical outlook on life. Jesse and his circle shared this perspective, yet Jesse saw a reflection of himself in Billy. Taking him under his wing, Jesse offered his help wherever he could.
Silver City was still a sprouting town, with newer businesses opening all the time. One of those businesses was a saloon, indistinguishable from the other dusty timber buildings around. But on the entire way over, Jesse was trying to talk the nerves out of Billy. He had reluctantly agreed to join up with Jesse's cattle rustling ring, he desperately needed the money after all. Joe had caught consumption, it was just another expense piling on top of all the other expenses his family had accumulated.
"Don't look so spooked, Billy," Jesse slapped him on the back, "You look like I'm taking you to you're fuckin' execution,"
"I'm not spooked," Billy assured him, but on the inside he truly was. He'd never been involved in any type of criminal behaviour, and while he knew it was wrong, he was also extremely desperate.
"You gotta get a better poker face," Jesse chuckled, "Don't worry. I'm gonna introduce you to a friend of mine,"
"What friend?"
Jesse's smirk only got wider, "You'll see,"
They strolled into the saloon, already filled with dusty, gnarly cowpoke, the distinctive smell of bitter whiskey and smoke immediately filled Billy's nose. There were a couple girls standing over card tables, watching with lacklustre while the men played silently. The energy at the bar was matched, men drunk and rambling amongst each other while bartenders poured and sweated over his glasses.
Jesse and Billy took up a spot at the bar, and Jesse gave a sharp, short whistle to get one of the bartender's attention. He motioned for two glasses of whatever they had.
"So, where's this friend of yours?" Billy asked, dark eyes darting across the crowded room.
Jesse took a brief look around as well, his smile growing when he spotted his friend, "Over here," he pointed out a young woman clearing empty glasses from a poker table. Her back was turned to them, her hair tied up tight in a ponytail, small and petite but she moved quickly.
Jesse led Billy over, "Billy, I'd like for you to meet my girl, Ellie," he grinned.
The woman turned around, her eyes rolling as she turned; and as she did, Billy swore his heart may stop.
"Jesse, how many times do I have to tell ya to stop telling everyone I'm your girl --?" Eleanor's words stopped short when she laid eyes on Billy, any inch of vexation in her suddenly vanished, leaving way for only disbelief.
Billy was equally stunned. Of all the places he'd hoped to find Eleanor again, this saloon certainly wasn't one of them. He had so many questions, how did she get here? How did she know Jesse? And what did she possibly have to do with cattle rustling?
Jesse was hardly the wiser to either of their shock as he continued talking, "Oh, come on Ellie, ya know I say it with the most respect and admiration or ya,"
Eleanor quickly resolved herself of her stupor and picked up her tray of empty glasses, "That's you all over, innit' Jesse? A perfect gentleman to every woman in town," she huffed, "Erm -- who's your friend?"
Play dumb, got it.
Billy nearly jolted as Jesse slapped him on the back, "This here is Billy. I'm taking him under my wing, so to speak," he grinned.
Eleanor scoffed, looking to Billy again, "And may God have mercy on your soul. Aren't you a bit young to be a cattle rustler?" she asked him.
Billy finally found his voice again, clearing it briefly as he spoke, "Aren't you a bit young to be working a saloon?"
"Touché. I'm Eleanor... or you can call me Ellie," she nodded to him.
"Billy," they all suddenly turned when a bartender shouted out.
"Ellie! I need them glasses lickety split!" he called, "I don't pay you to chat to the customers!"
"I'm coming, David! Keep your britches on!" she started for the bar, turning to the boys briefly as she muttered, "Meet me behind the building in ten minutes. Oh, and Jesse -- you're paying for those drinks this time,"
Jesse simpered, "Yes ma'am," and they watched her go back behind the bar.
Billy took a nervous sip of his whiskey, the singeing after taste barely left a burn on his mounting curiosity.
Sure enough, ten minutes later the three were cloistered in the shadowy alley, away from any prying eyes or ears. They had to be quick before Eleanor's boss would notice she was missing.
"Here," she threw a map at Jesse, "The cattle are gon' be on the North-East side of the property, just out by the forest. You'll have plenty a' cover there. But you gotta' move fast: there's two minutes in between shift change with the guards,"
"You don't gotta worry," Jesse assured her, "We'll be in and out before they know what hit 'em,"
"Good. Now, how about my money?" Eleanor's gaze darted between Jesse and Billy, her expression unreadable.
Jesse leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips, "Don't worry, darlin', you'll get your cut. Just as soon as our business is complete," he replied, a hint of menace underlying his words.
Eleanor's jaw clenched, but she maintained her composure, "I expect nothing less," she retorted, her tone firm, "Now get outta' here, before someone sees me talking to you,"
Jesse laughed, "You're too uptight, Ellie. We should go riding together sometime," he tilted his hat down, his eyes darkening, "Might relax ya,"
A familiar feeling swirled in Billy's chest: disdain, distrust, perhaps even a hint of possessiveness. He didn't like how close Jesse was getting, and given the unamused glare on Eleanor's face he understood that she didn't take too kindly to his advances either.
"You know the deal, Jesse," she drawled back, "I'd hate to have to tell the boss that you or any of the guys were giving his spy a hard time,"
And with that, Jesse put his hands up and stepped back, "You made your point. I'll have your money by the end of the week,"
"Alright," she looked to Billy again, "Don't get yourself killed," and she extended her hand to him.
"I'll try my best," Billy forced a brief smile, shaking her hand while taking the piece of paper she had clenched in her palm. He shoved the paper into his pocket before Jesse could catch on.
Eleanor left without another word, her icy exterior faltering the moment she had her back turned. Her heart raced, her knees tingled with every step she took. She had only dreamed about the day she might find Billy again, she just didn't realize how he'd be so wrapped up in her business.
Billy walked with Jesse, the note still clenched tightly within his pant pocket. He was ever so curious to read it, but he saw the way Jesse looked at Eleanor; he didn't want to get in between anything that didn't involve him.
"She's cold as ice, but she's smart as a whip," Jesse sighed, "We've made good money off her,"
"She's... pretty intense," Billy muttered, "Doesn't seem to like you very much,"
Jesse laughed under his breath, "She likes to put on a hard edge. Fact is that girl owes me her life," he then looked to Billy, his attitude turned cocky and cold, "... and she knows that," he started walking towards his boarding house, "I'll come get ya in the morning, get some sleep,"
"Alright," and he watched him walk away. Billy waited until Jesse had disappeared around the next building before he pulled out Eleanor's note. There was no message, just a building name and a time scrawled in pretty writing.
The Imperial Hotel stood grand and imposing, a beacon in Silver City, its doors welcoming a steady stream of transient souls. Eleanor stood beneath the awning, wrapped in a shawl against the evening chill, her brimmed hat shielding her eyes. She lifted her gaze at the sound of approaching footsteps on the gravel.
Billy's figure emerged from the shadows, his steps measured and wary, illuminated by the soft glow of scattered lanterns and moonlight. Eleanor stepped out from the building, she felt as though she was in the presence of an approaching ghost. She hadn't seen him in a year, yet he looked different. Weathered and worn.
"My god," she gaped, "You look like shit,"
Billy scoffed back, "Why, thank you. I feel like shit," he smiled nevertheless. Eleanor smiled back, it was the first time today she felt relatively... happy.
The hotel clerk was down for the night so Eleanor invited him inside. Billy noted how she didn't have much with her, the bed spread hardly appeared to be touched. He took a seat in a miscellaneous chair while Eleanor poured two glasses of bourbon.
"David couldn't pay my wage one day, so he paid me in whiskey," she sighed, handing him one of the glasses, "Straight from his 'private collection'. Cheap old bastard,"
Billy took a sip from his glass, the taste was bitter and burned while he nostrils became singed from the strong scent. Nevertheless he watched Eleanor take a seat on the bed, kicking off her boots and folding her legs like a young child.
"So, what brings you to Silver City?" she asked.
Billy shook his head, "You want the short version or the long version?" he asked.
"Whichever is less likely to cause you a headache," she said.
So Billy summed up... well... everything. Carlos was murdered, Antrim was a fraud, money was drying up so they had to move on. His mother was slaving away at a new restaurant, his step-dad was a penniless deadbeat, and his little brother had fallen very ill. Hence why he was entertaining Jesse and this cattle rustling business so he could get medicine for Joe.
Eleanor watched him talk, she noted how deflated he became the more he talked, he was missing that spark of mischief and optimism when they'd first met. He was so beaten down, scraping at the sides of the barrel trying to make his way back up. She felt for him, couldn't imagine the kind of shit he'd had to put up with.
"Jesus Christ," she shook her head, "I'm so sorry,"
He shrugged back, "It ain't got nothing to do with you. Ma says God has a plan for all of us, whether or not it's long or short... it's not up to us,"
"But it doesn't change the fact that he's your little brother, he deserves a chance to grow up, just like you," she replied.
Oh, he knew. He knew damn well how unfair it all was. Joe never did anything to hurt anyone, so why was he suffering so?
"Yeah, I know," he muttered, wanting to change the subject, "What about you?" Billy then asked, leaning forward in his chair, "How did you get here?"
She sipped her drink, pondering how much to tell, how much to leave out. Overall, she had traveled from town to town, living on whatever provisions she could scrape up while trying to survive as a single woman in the blistering terrain. She'd been approached, propositioned, threatened, nearly robbed how many times, and every time she dodged out of the fire until she got to Silver City.
"Jesse found me sitting outside the hotel down the street; they wouldn't let me board unless I had a man to escort me," she explained, "He offered me a job, a place to stay, I was desperate so I said yes,"
"What came first? The saloon or the ranch?" he asked.
"The ranch. Billy Matthews needed a care woman to do the cleaning, cook for this cowboys, and Jesse and his gang needed an insider who knew where the cattle were gonna' be," she replied.
"S'pose you're lady-like enough you can actually get away with it," Billy noted, a small, teasing grin tugging at his lips.
Eleanor rolled her eyes, "I suppose so," she simpered, "The saloon came later, a fall back just in case something... happened. It's a good cover for passing information,"
"And it affords this place?" he asked, wagging his finger around the room.
"I'm in town three nights a week. The rest of 'em I live out on the county line," she replied.
"County line?"
"Lincoln county," Eleanor glanced out the window, the town near-pitch black under the rain of subtle stars, "Jesse and 'em have a house out there. No one knows, no one checks on 'em. Kind of like a secret lair of sorts," she chuckled at the end.
"And they keep you safe?" Billy asked.
"Yeah," she nodded, "They're all outlaws and criminals, but they've shown me more decency than any man ever has. Barring yourself, of course,"
Billy tried to smile, but he couldn't help but sense the deflection in Eleanor. She was grateful to be alive, for the money she had and for how Jesse took care of her, but she didn't seem happy. Happy with life, herself. Billy only saw her truly happy once, no worries and at ease in his old home, tossing cards at each other and staring at the stars.
He came to sit beside her on the bed, staring out at the sky just like she was. The night glistened in silver dots, there was not a soul to be had on the streets below, and beyond the town the horizon of the desert called, beckoning to be explored for new adventures.
"What do you want, Eleanor?" he asked, his tone soft and cautious, "In life?"
She sighed softly, turning her gaze to meet his, "I want to step outside and not have to feel the urge to look over my shoulder all the damn time," she replied.
"Is the captain still looking for you?" Billy asked.
"I guess so. I haven't heard anything. But I also don't want to give anyone the power to hold... things over me," her gaze was dark, her deflection growing. Though Billy had a feeling she was talking about him, maybe that was why she didn't want Jesse to know about them?
"What about you, Billy? What do you want in life?"
Billy didn't have to think very hard about that one, "A good night's sleep," he said, "Because if I can sleep, I know I'm not worried about anything,"
Billy and Eleanor sat in silence, their breaths mingling in the stuffy room air. Billy’s mind raced with the reckless notion of grabbing Eleanor's hand and running away, leaving behind the suffocating constraints of their lives without a care. Meanwhile, Eleanor couldn't tear her eyes away from him, marveling at the way the moonlight highlighted his sharp features, his eyes sparkling with a warmth that made her heart flutter. She yearned to bridge the gap between them, to taste the promise of his lips, but the moment felt fragile, precarious. So, instead of voicing her desire, she pointed to the sky, her voice barely a whisper as she asked:
"Can we see Orion's Belt from here?" Her question hung in the air, a delicate thread connecting them, while the words they truly wanted to say remained locked inside.
Billy snapped out his train of thought, immediately sitting up and glancing out the window, "Yeah," he pointed off in the distance, "Those three stars, the little bright cluster. You see it?"
Eleanor nodded, though peripherally she kept her gaze on Billy, "Yeah, yeah I see it,"
Sure enough, Jesse came to get Billy the next morning. Billy was a ball of nerves all day, right up until he rode with Jesse to the edge of the forest and met up with another group of men. This was Jesse's gang, ten or thirteen brutish men, hankies drawn over their noses, whips and guns holstered to their belts. And while they were at first skeptical of Billy's appearance and know how, they let him join in.
Billy kept his focus as sharp as possible, but he couldn't shake the notion that this was the gang, the group of thugs that were taking care of Eleanor. As they yipped and herded the cattle along, Billy could just spot Matthews' ranch house off down the hill. He could picture Eleanor in his mind, peaking through the window, watching him and the others make off with the herd in the blink of an eye. And they were fast enough that they got away with it without so much as a twig snap of trouble.
And while the money Billy was paid was good, it wasn't enough to make a difference. Joe was too far gone, and in only another week he passed away. Kathleen was devastated, and despite her justification for God's plan, watching her youngest son be buried only made her more heartsick. Billy wanted to stay as strong as he could for her, that being said he was angry. Angry that Joe was taken so soon, angry at himself for not getting the medicine in time. Angry at Antrim for showing up at the last moment to beg and make his case for how he was a changed man. The only relief he had was finally being able to kick Henry Antrim out of their lives once and for all.
Despite his grief, Billy still had work to do, bills to pay. He continued running rustling jobs with Jesse for money, all the while practicing his shooting out in the fields. Jesse was much more of a practiced gunslinger, but even he had to admit Billy was a great shot. As far as he knew, Jesse didn't know about a thing between Billy and Eleanor. And while he doubted he would ever hurt Eleanor, he knew how rough Jesse could be, he didn't want to put either of them in a position to be hurt.
On his off days, Billy would go down to the saloon to see her, just talk to her. It was relaxing, she was relaxing to be around. They talked as if no time had passed; Eleanor would spill some of the gossip about the saloon's patrons while Billy would tell her the stories that he'd picked up on his travels. It got to the point Billy's visits would be the absolute highlight of her day, a shred of flickering happiness within her weary spirit.
Things turned rough yet again when Billy learned of his mother's sickness. Consumption, just like Joe. And while Kathleen was a devout catholic woman, even she professed how she wasn't ready to go yet. Billy shut down more and more, devoting his time to care for his mother, to make sure he was comfortable and at ease. He stopped coming to the rustles, stopped seeing Eleanor. All that mattered to him was his mother, she was the only family he had left. But just like his dad, just like Joe, his mother slipped away too.
Billy was the only one left now.
He wasn't the same, and despite Jesse's coaxing, despite Eleanor's promising that he would be alright, Billy didn't feel alright. He felt desperate, alone, and without many options. So, when Jesse offered him to help rob the home of Chinese family, Billy took his chances. It would be one job. One quick job to get him started, and then he'd pick up the piece from there.
Of course, no job ever went smoothly, and soon enough, Billy found himself in court, being sentenced for armed robbery. Eleanor sat in the back, her heart heavy and breaking as the verdict was read. Billy wasn't a criminal; he wasn't like Jesse. Jesse, the coward who couldn't even bother to try and save Billy, left him in that house alone at gunpoint. Eleanor's grief for Billy quickly morphed into anger —anger at Jesse's stupid plans, anger at Billy for being so easily influenced, and anger at the judge, who she knew was fully on the take.
Eleanor wasn't sure what to do from here, so she did what she was used to: keep her head down and work until she could move on. It was the way her life went; she found her people, got comfortable, and then something would happen to uproot her. Billy was going to spend the next three years in jail, and she wasn't content to slave away in Billy Matthews' ranch for that long. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted, but she was sure she wasn't going to find it in Silver City.
She said goodnight to David and started back to the hotel, the quiet night wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. The soft glow of lanterns cast long shadows on the deserted street, and the faint smell of smoke from nearby fireplaces filled the crisp air. The only sounds were the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant hoot of an owl, making her footsteps seem unusually loud. As she walked, Eleanor couldn't shake the heavy thoughts of Billy, but the serene surroundings offered a small measure of solace.
"Ellie," she stopped dead in her tracks, turning to find Jesse leaning against an awning post, hat missing, hands deep in his pockets, a solemn look on his face.
"Jesse," she muttered with disdain, "What do you want?"
He stepped out from the shadows, his lean figure illuminated by the pale moonlight. "I guess you heard about Billy."
She scoffed bitterly, "Yeah, I heard. Heard how you left him for dead on the Chinaman's floor. Nice work, hero." She turned on her heel and kept walking. Jesse followed her.
"Well, it was either one of us or both of us," he caught up to her. "I thought he was right behind me!"
"And he wasn't, was he?" she huffed back. "That's just you all over, Jesse. I wish you'd told me what you were doing so I could talk your dumb asses out of it!"
"Well, I wish you'd told me about you and Billy, and yet here we are," he hissed back.
She stopped again, whipping around to glare at his smug expression. "What are you on about?"
"I know Billy comes to see you. I see him do it. I see how different you've been since I brought him to you," he dropped his voice to a gravelly whisper.
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Whatever you think is going on in your feeble little mind, drop it. Nothing is happening, not with me and Billy, and certainly not between us!"
Jesse's gaze turned cold. "I saved you. You'd be dead if it weren't for me, Ellie."
"Oh, don't flatter yourself. This is not about us!" she snapped.
"What's it about then?" Jesse asked.
"We have a working relationship, that's as far as it goes!" Eleanor exclaimed. "You did with me what you do with everyone: bring new people into the gang and train them, protect them. You didn't protect Billy. You failed him, Jesse. Now he's gonna spend the next three years chipping jib rock and fighting over bread rolls with other inmates. Congratulations."
She turned to leave again, but Jesse moved quickly. He grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back. "Hey!"
"Don't you walk away from me, woman!" he seethed.
"Let go of me!" Eleanor growled, her mouth agape, eyes wide with rage.
"Or what?"
"Or I'll scream so fuck'n loud I'll wake up God himself!"
Despite his anger, Jesse knew how devious and petty Eleanor could be. He begrudgingly let her go, sniffling and wiping his nose from the cold. "I don't want to fight with you, Ellie. You know I care about you."
"… I know," Eleanor conceded. "What do you want from me?"
"I'm sorry I grabbed you," he nodded. "I'm just… you're right. I failed Billy. I haven't been able to stop thinking about him," he wandered over, kicking at the dirt and rocks. "He's like a little brother to me, ya know?"
"I do know," Eleanor nodded, her voice calmer, demeanor gentler. "I could see how you guys worked together. But being a brother and friend means protecting your own. Billy's not ready for this kind of life, Jesse."
Jesse shook his head, his gaze softening. "No one's ever ready, but we don't have a choice," he replied. "I'll come see you tomorrow. Let me know where Matthews is moving the cattle." He started walking away.
Eleanor watched silently, the tension, pent-up rage, and frustration melting away into a deep, aching sadness. She knew Jesse better than he knew himself, knew how much he was blaming himself for this. She should have seen it too, should have warned Billy not to fall in with Jesse. But even she couldn’t have predicted how things would unfold.
She looked up at the night sky, her eyes finding the familiar cluster of stars that made up Orion’s Belt. It was said to symbolize the eternal resting place of Osiris, and she wondered if the rest of the stars were other souls at peace. Maybe her mother was up there, staring down at her. Maybe Kathleen was watching her eldest son falter at the hands of poor influences.
Eleanor wasn’t a religious woman, but she said a silent prayer to those stars. Was she expecting an answer? Certainly not. Was she hoping for some shred of a miracle to get her out of this mess? Just maybe.
#billy the kid#billy the kid x reader#billy the kid smut#billy the kid imagine#billy the kid x you#billy the kid 2022#billy the kid x female!reader#william h bonney#william h bonney x reader#william h bonney smut#william h bonney x you#william bonney#william bonney x reader#william bonney smut#tom blyth#tom blyth x reader#original story#original female character#imagine blog
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Last chapter leaked and is so, so bad
Hi anon.
I've actually skipped looking at leaks this time (and would do so in the future) because I've wanted to experience one chapter in its entirety and not just have it vaguely translated. Besides, I started to really hate how popularized leak culture is in this fandom. It's gotten so bad to the point that some people don't even read chapters, they just read leaks and that's it.
I understand why you might think it's bad. I also think so. There's two chapters left and, as a fan of the story, I dislike the direction of everything. It feels rushed and forced... it isn't fulfilling at all. I'm happy for those who do think it's good but for me it's a hard miss. Landings in shonen usually aren't pretty though so I'm used to it. (and even though there are two chapters left it still wouldn't change much really.)
As a Yuuji fan though, oh am I having fun lol.
I'm going to put the rest behind the cut (which is my opinion on this chapter).
We get explanations because of course we do. There were many fans who disapproved and called bs on the way the entire Sukuna fight was handled. I have to admit that even though I do think what Gege wrote makes sense, it still feels overtly complicated and just a tad plot convenient how everything played out perfectly. It's all just... I don't know. Too much explanation and little to do with imagination. I'm not a child so I don't need a chapter dedicated to spelling out little things that could've easily been mentioned at an according time (like during the battle).
Still... the way the powers work here in this story does require you to really sit and think and do require block after block of text. This is the one part that I never liked about jjk because explanations like these make character-oriented moments feel less alive and make all of them behave like a bunch of dolls because one moment you'll see them talking but the next panel you're met with a whole class on jujutsu. It was always bizarre to me how little interaction there was between characters... hell if you take away the class sessions, they rarely have moments where they talk amongst themselves for themselves instead of giving a lesson on jujutsu or strategizing. It's admittedly a bit strange but oh well... it is what it is ig.
There's a reason (aside from certain characters being hot) why jjk's tag on ao3 has a lot of works. Some people take what we know and expand on it in a far less Gege-way by having characters interact with each other. I have grown to like more characters in fics way more so than in canon. In canon, only a handful of characters get my love and I'm sad to admit that those that do (such as Maki and Higuruma), quickly slip out of that loving spot and now I can't really feel as happy as I did about them before.
On that note, I haven't felt anything when Higuruma showed up alive. Yep lmfao. I used to feel for this man a lot and he is one of my top 3 (aside from Yuuji and Sukuna) but... I can't say I am happy that he's back. Now his sword disappearing in Yuuji's hand is for nothing and him clearly dying in front of Yuuji was for nothing. I still do love him and can't really dislike him (absolutely not) but canon... man the story really is kicking me in the butt when it comes to execution because ever since 265, the story had been a literal mindfuck. When I think I have a sense of where it is going to go, it goes a total opposite direction (and usually the one that doesn't really fit the vibes of the previous chapter). To me... the story's now all over the place which is contradictory because everything is being spoonfed to the readers and everything is "fine and dandy".
I still will complain because Shibuya arc had me thinking that I'd be reading something different (like CSM did) but then... here we are. There are practically no real consequences (aside from Gojo) in the Sukuna battle but at this point I wouldn't be surprised if he, too, gets a pass and gets resurrected. I would love nothing more than to read a shonen where the dead don't come back and where there's actual troubling consequences but then that wouldn't really be a shonen but would be a different genre all together (a seinen) so... yeah. I'm not going to count in Megumi's sister (because she's barely even a character) nor reincarnated cursed spirits (because we couldn't really even invest ourselves in them before they were gone) so you could say the only real casualty of the whole vs. Sukuna (aside from the Merger which wasn't even a real threat since Kenjaku wasn't even that intent on that plan in the end) is my time.
I'm just joking ofc, but I hope you get my point. It's not rewarding, not fulfilling and definitely not a good conclusion for someone who could barely even invest themselves into other characters. I still can't give a fuck about Yuta, or Kusakabe, or Panda. I feel just as stone-faced as Nobara and Yuuji did during the latter half of 268 when Megumi joined them. It's all so... whatever. (and it's kinda hilarious to me because the fandom is losing their minds and meanwhile the characters are lowkey behaving like dolls lol)
Still for those who did enjoy this and do love how everything is unraveling and so on and so forth, good for them. I'm just stating my opinion. Some might get the impression that I would love for jjk to be a tragedy, and tbh, I would not but I really would've loved if Gege, as an author, made me care about the side characters more. Instead the side characters to me feel like empty husks and I attached myself to Yuuji because his development seemed interesting only for it all to amount to weird ass interaction with the entire cast and back to being benched. He's literally playing spectator now in this chapter and yeah... it's really disappointing.
Again, two chapters left and this is where we're at. Lol.
I don't want to be a killjoy but yeah. It's not all so bad really but it is frustrating how little there is about the world and in general how many things have been shelved in favor of what we got now. Instead of seeing these interactions (which was just recycled "ok so this happened which wasn't explained") we could've gotten explanations regarding Yuuji's linage, his talk with Gojo, or for that matter, had character behave a little less like npc's in a video game that repeat the same dialogue when you come up to talk with them.
What this chapter did reveal which was also funny (said with anger btw) to me is this:
So Yuuji's "gloves" weren't really a cool feature that came from swallowing his half-brothers but by mr. Chosen One himself. Le big sigh.
Okay so... the Yuta glaze. No offense to people that like him but since when did he develop this much that he overshadowed everyone (even the King of Curses) in the end? Not only is his plan this successful but turns out that without him, everything would've failed.
I'm just straight up baffled at the amount of attention he's getting because last time I checked he wasn't the one who brought back the literal threat of the series and had absolutely no connections with the secondary antagonist (Kenjaku). Instead of the supposed main character who never had gotten the spotlight in his own fucking story (which is just proving those haters right atp because truly what the actual hell is jjk about? Everyone but Yuuji.) to get something that belongs to him... Nope. None of that.
If you thought this was an actual serious story then well... jokes on you. This panel is actually lowkey hilarious but because I really had grown fond of the story I just find it frustrating.
Yeah I... I don't know what to say really but Gege really disappointed me with this. I'm not much hopeful for the future (because the writing does feel quite cheap) and therefore will stop treating jjk like I did before. Does this mean that I hate it? No. I'm just disappointed.
I will keep my head up for like two chapters more since I'm curious what else can happen but then will definitely move on. Not from the characters tho who (luckily) can exist outside of canon. Yuuji and Sukuna will always be my babies and others are still there in my heart even though I'm very much so frustrated with the story.
So yeah... there you go. I probably might skip answering asks regarding the chapters in the future bc I really don't care anymore. If Yuuji's linage get addressed (which is the only thing I care about atp bc everything else is starting to annoy me) I might be okayish with whatever the hell we get as the ending.
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SHINE: A SIMS 4 MODELING COMPETITION
Have you ever wondered, " WOW MY SIM IS SMOKING HOT, THEY WOULD KILL IT AS A MODEL"? Well lookie lookie, do I have a competition for you baby!
Welcome to "SHINE" an upcoming next top model competition, where every week you'll submit an edit based upon a prompt! You are talented and the world needs to see you...SHINE!
The competition will span from the 15th of May-17th of July.
Hosted on Tumblr
Each weekly round will feature a theme all contestants will have to follow and complete
Having complex or access to editing software is not necessary but it's a bonus having it of course.
You can expect a fun challenge, with creative prompts to get your creative minds working!
THERE WILL BE 10 participants [15 at most if I get a lot]
Fill in this document with a questionnaire about your sim-> HERE [THIS IS COMPULSORY]
You are free to submit your sim publicly on Tumblr or submit your sim submission privately in DMs to me. All I ask is you tag the sim submission if publically as "SHINETS4" and tag me ofc at @gashface
[I'd prefer if you post it publically, as it may help spread the news about the competition]
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS THE 8th of May!
You can only submit one sim.
If you drop out of the competition, you will not be allowed to join under any circumstance. This means you can go a week without submitting or however many but you won't receive any points but you are still in the competition. If you decide to drop out, that's final.
Any foul play, bullying, racism, homophobia, ableism or just overall being a dickhead will you GUESSED IT... get you removed immediately from the competition and disqualified.
You are free to be as creative as you want eg: changing hair or their style etc- THE THINGS YOU CAN'T CHANGE IS YOUR SIMS FACIAL STRUCTURE LOL OR SKIN TONE UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING SUPERNATURAL etc: FOR INSTANCE AND YOU MAKE YOUR SIM BLUE FOR IT. That is different obviously. If you are unsure, ASK.
Originality: How original or unique is your idea for the prompt; while being relevant to the week's prompt.
Story: This is where you earn points based on the description of your edit/idea for the week; and how thought-out it is
Execution: The editing/posing and overall feel of the submission [the image itself]
Style: Points related to the outfit/appearance of the sim related to the prompt and how fashionable or fashion-forward it is :)
All categories will be out of 10
1ST: CC REQUEST/Recolour- I will create something for you based upon a request [I'll do my best to fulfil the request] + This is a personal cc, and can either be made public or private depending on the winners' request. + I'll buy you a game on STEAM/EPIC if you use it [up to discussion]
2nd: Recolour request :)
3rd: A guaranteed spot in my next competition
I'm excited to see your submissions!! Don't forget to reblog/share the post to help support the competition I'm hosting <3
Big thank you to @mewo-ita who inspired me to do this :))
#sims 4#sims4challenge#sims 4 competition#sims4#ts4#ts4 modeling competition#SHINETS4#SHINE TS4#SIMS 4 SHINE#<3#Challenge#sims 4 challenge#ts4 shine
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gen's big ol' fanfic rec list!!
hey hey! as a way of sharing my love for some fellow writers in the one piece community, i figured i'd list, categorize, and summarize some of my favorite OP fanfics! i will link them all here, but they can also be found in my ao3 bookmarks :) i will also link this list to my pinned intro post on my profile for your convenience.
well, without further ado, i present some of my favorite one piece stories, organized loosely by categories of my obsessions <3
if i tagged you as an author and you do not want to be tagged, let me know ASAP!! :) i attempted to tag every author i could find, but if i missed someone, plz let me know!!
dofladile stories
figured we'd start strong with this ship, since they're quite popular!! most of these stories are quite dark, but i'm a huge fan of consistent characterization, and this is a villain pairing...
Funny Games ~ by ThisisVenereVeritas / @sourbat
rating: M warnings: creator chose not to use archive warnings genres: angst, dark, whump, modern AU, character study, conflict of interest, gender issues status: complete, (resolution in the comments of the fic) 27 chapters, 166,768 words summary: The path to adulthood is littered with traps and trickery that make life nearly unbearable. With each action is a consequence that worsens your chance of accomplishing the true goal. Doflamingo thought there was a way out of it, that he was immune to any surprises life tried to throw at him. But then someone he cared for threw a real curve-ball. A story about two boys risking the game called life. my thoughts: i think this was one of the first dofladile stories i read. it is dark. that "creator chose not to use archive warnings" carries quite a bit of weight. there is some dubcon, graphic violence, drug use/abuse, torture, murder attempts, suicide attempts, offensive language, etc, etc, etc. very very heavy topics. absolutely not a happy ending, not a walk in the park by any means. that being said, the writing style is glorious. the storytelling kept me smacking the shit out of that "next chapter" button. the characterization is spot on for a modern AU, the incorporation of certain events and characters is just perfect. not to mention the intense conflict of interests. this writer has some other shorter dofladile stories as well, and some really fantastic crocorosi!!
save tonight, save the show ~ by ghostwit / @hazeism
rating: E warnings: none genres: PWP, light humor? banter status: complete, oneshot, 1,821 words summary: "Ooh, don't debase yourself for me, Croco." “Maybe it’s the weather." (Set post-Roger's execution -- Before all the hurt and complication, where they're ambitious and hungry and just beginning to get a feel for each other, both of them feeding their own little brands of cruelty and learning where, how, etc. they can push each other.) my thoughts: one of my favorite authors, i just cannot get enough of their style. very stream-of-consciousness, mind-whirling, eye-candy of a read, every time. and every reread offers a little dose of something new. in this story, i am completely won over by the banter and characterization. i can be kind of picky with how certain characters are depicted, (especially characters like doflamingo) but haze has got the magic touch keeping their dynamic feeling lively and believable.
Just like kittens ~ by 123_crowbar_solo
rating: T warnings: graphic depictions of violence genres: dark fluff/humor status: complete, oneshot, 1,628 words summary: Do bananadile hatchlings play with toys, like kittens? Crocodile and Doflamingo make a bet in which more than ego may be at stake. my thoughts: i truly love the flow of this piece. this author is fantastic at writing these two constantly at each other's throats, but i love this take on them too, putting the knife down to make a bet instead. and of course, there is murder involved, because, well, it's doflamingo and crocodile. also. baby bananadiles.
New Low ~ by ghostwit / @hazeism
rating: T warnings: none status: complete, oneshot, 2,729 words genres: humor, canon compliant, character study, sexual tension summary: He gives his wrist a shake, waggling his brows, “Even villains like me deserve true love, don't'cha think?” Oh. What? my thoughts: sorry for calling you out again here haze but this one is my new favorites of yours. this story isn't dofladile-centric, hence why i listed it at the end. it's more of, "how would rosinante respond to dofladile?" and it is funny as shit. i believe in my bookmark i captioned it: doflamingo gets a boyfriend. corazon encounters a mental "error 303".
donquixote family stories
sometimes you just need some donquixote family shenanigans. you can tell i have a favorite author for when that craving strikes... mostly gen or T rated stories, fluff, humor and angst.
Thicker Than Blood ~ by ScriptedScarlet / @simplyscarlet
rating: T warnings: graphic depictions of violence genres: slice of life, coming of age, canon compliant, mild angst, character study status: complete, 22 chapters, 44,954 words summary: It was an ordinary day for the Donquixote Family, when the den den mushi rang with a call from one of their traffickers informing Doflamingo that they might have something of interest to him… The Donquixote Family did not quite know what they were getting themselves into when they took in the strange baby with horns, a fin, and a mouthful of sharp teeth. They were far from an ordinary family, and Dellinger was far from an ordinary baby. Jora discovers that it’s hard enough to raise a baby, much less a baby that bites, breaks fingers, and throws itself off the ship to swim before it can even walk. But Dellinger thrives under the doting care of Jora and his family. He grows to take the Corrida Coliseum by storm (and jazz hands), watches Baby 5 make bad relationship choices, tries to make Sugar smile, amasses a closet of the finest shoes in the New World, refuses to acknowledge gender norms, and sneaks out at night to go swimming with "his own kind." But the reign of the Donquixote Family is not a permanent one. A coming of age/slice of life story about growing up in a strange family, where 'normal' means something very different. my thoughts: this is another one of those longer stories like Funny Games that stole my heart and ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. when i was watching dressrosa, i fell in love with dellinger. like a lot of the family, he didn't seem to have much of a backstory. and then i found THIS lovely story. ugh. i accidentally started rereading it while skimming over to write this summary, it's just, it's so good, i love the way the family is portrayed, i love the perspective and story beats, the various bumps along the road. highly recommend for any donquixote family fans.
Designer Unknown ~ by ScriptedScarlet / @simplyscarlet
rating: gen warnings: none genres: slice of life, fluff, humor, canon compliant (?) status: complete, oneshot, 2,498 words summary: Pirates and Marines alike are all out to make a statement on the seas, and their fashion choices say it all. But just where do those heavy coats, fancy pants, and ridiculous getups come from? How do Zoans not rip apart their clothes? Who coordinates all of CP9's ensembles? Where does one possibly buy a coat of thousands of pink feathers? And just where does Trafalgar Law commission all those customized outfits of his? A secretive designer in Saobody has been sewing for the biggest names on the seas for decades. Her work has been seen in every newspaper on both pirates and Marines alike. Oneshot. Slice of life. Takes places across multiple timeframes/non-linear. my thoughts: this story focuses on an original character who is a devil-fruit wielding tailor! explains some of the questionable outfit choices worn by pirates across the globe in such a humorous, whimsical way. i just love the subtle details and theories! general focus on the donquixote family, but it branches out to other pirates and crews as well.
Family Portraits ~ by ScriptedScarlet / @simplyscarlet
rating: gen warnings: none genres: family fluff, slice of life, humor, family feels, mild angst status: incomplete, 2 chapters, 2,782 words summary: Vergo did not buy a camera in Dressrosa. But the Donquixote Family did have a camera. And it was put to good use. Viola is cleaning the castle after the fall of Dressrosa, and finds things. Personal things. Things that she isn't quite sure what to make of. A collection of short stories about the Donquixote Family. Mostly one-shots, prompts or drabbles I've written on the side that don't really go anywhere else - ranging from serious to funny. I'll add to it as I write stuff. my thoughts: this story is so bittersweet. little reminder of "hey these evil pirates are human". really puts emphasis on the family as a family. second chapter is hysterical jora/giolla pov of getting her nails painted. a great light-hearted read!
Hearing Silence ~ by ScriptedScarlet / @simplyscarlet
rating: gen warnings: none genres: character study, angst, mild fluff status: complete, oneshot, 2,448 words summary: Rocinante observes his brother's 'Family,' all while reflecting on being trapped in the silent role of "Corazon." That is until one of the Family's new recruits tries to give Corazon a voice. my thoughts: i fell in love with this story so hard. finally another story with a rosinante & gladius friendship - although it's not that black and white, hehe. hence the angst tag. really great short read on rosinante's pov, nails that rosinante vs corazón dichotomy i'm obsessed with. and gladius is a prominent character!! what more could i ask
Monsters ~ by ScriptedScarlet / @simplyscarlet
rating: T warnings: none genres: angst, moral ambiguity, angst again status: complete, oneshot, 5,404 words summary: Rocinante survived his brother's attempted murder, and now works among the masked ranks of CP0, a double agent for the Revolutionary Army. However today, he goes with Vice Admiral Tsuru to visit Impel Down, and see a child that he abandoned. my thoughts: i think this is the angstiest story from this collection so far. nothing like a good cora lives AU, until you throw some guilt in there, some imprisoned dellinger. a not so friendly reminder that being raised as a pirate from a baby and then being sentenced to a life in prison after sixteen years is... an unpleasant existence, to say the least.
Field Trip ~ by 123_crowbar_solo
rating: T warnings: none genres: dark humor, angst, mental health issues, non-graphic genocide status: complete, oneshot, 3500 words summary: Annoyed at his pupils using the words "mass murder" and "genocide" interchangeably, Doflamingo takes them on a field trip to teach them the difference. my thoughts: one of those stories you feel bad for laughing at. if you appreciate some dark humor and like the donquixote family, especially doflamingo, this story is for you. has a delightfully satirical take on the donquixote pirates and doflamingo's strange whims/motivations, with a twist of his unavoidable mental health issues. love the approach to the strained brotherhood between rosinante and doflamingo, too.
doflamingo-centric stories
the psycho flamingo man got his own category, although it's kind of small (for now). these stories are stand-out character studies that do a great job tackling his wacky thought process.
Da Capo al Fine (second verse same as the first) ~ by freckledshoulderblades
rating: M warnings: graphic depictions of violence genres: time travel, time-loop fix-it, character study, PTSD, trauma status: incomplete, 2 chapters, 7,644 words summary: Left unchecked in Impel Down, Doflamingo has a visitor that declares their ability - an awakened Toki Toki fruit - and their intent to send him off into the far past to repent for his sins. When he wakes up, he's eight years old again and his father is gently knocking on the door, asking after his well-being. He carries with him the knowledge of everything he's lived up until being sent back - killing his father, killing Rosinante, running the Donquixote Pirates - and every action he takes is colored by that information. The Toki Toki user seems convinced there's a shred of good left in him, but he's not so certain anymore. my thoughts: the relationship tag for this fic is "donquixote doflamingo/the consequences of his actions" and i think that just fits perfectly. when i think character study, i think of this story. strips doflamingo of his power, aside from his memories, and forces him to relive the most harrowing (and innocuous) period of his life. gets a little gory at times. this writer also has some fantastic stories about rosinante!!
a brother is a person who never lets go ~ by theogonies / @theogonies
rating: T warnings: graphic depictions of violence, major character death genres: character study, prose poem, angst, dark, trauma status: complete, oneshot, 1,324 words summary: you came too late to take your brother home but you're bigger now. stronger, and smart enough to understand that home is the place at the end of the road, not the beginning. this time will be different. a prose poetry character study of donquixote doflamingo, his early life, and his relationships with donquixote rosinante and trafalgar law. my thoughts: another delight of a character study. the flow and prose of this is such a dream to read, for such a nightmare of a character. nails the motivations that spur doflamingo's heart and mind, and the mantras that must crawl around his mind. mind the tags if you check this one out!
cora & law stories
like many cora and law fans, i just don't think those several episodes of their adventure was enough. so, here are a few stories to remedy that absence! lots of hurt/comfort, adventure and angst lie ahead!
won't the waves crash on ~ by slycel / @lanhours
rating: not rated warnings: major character death genres: angst, adventure, canon compliant, hurt/comfort status: complete, oneshot, 9,730 words summary: “Stop being the good guy. There have to be better things you could be doing.” “So what if there are? I’m here,” Corazon said, tapping Law’s back lightly, “and so are you.” my thoughts: another one of those stories that i always start to accidentally reread anytime i take a quick peek at it. the portrayal of these two is just so good, the various elements of their adventure bring some real life into them!! a good blend of light-hearted banter and angst, ugh, some real gut-punching lines in this one. a must for cora & law fans, a MUST!!
From Your Lips To The (False) Gods' Ears ~ by HyperbolicReverie / @hyperbolicreverie
rating: T warnings: none (major character death) genres: hurt/comfort, angst, worldbuilding, language/linguistics status: complete, oneshot, 11,335 words summary: “How do you do it?” “Hmm?” Corazón hums around the cigarette between his teeth, cocking his head as if to listen to him better. “How can you just…change your accent at the drop of a hat?” Language was never anything particularly special to Law. It was just the different ways people said the same things. Until he was the only person left who spoke his. my thoughts: the worldbuilding in this story makes my mind spin. introduces and incorporates the idea of "what if there were different languages in OP?" with masterwork precision. and the way it ties into the cora & law relationship is the tragic cherry on top. you get a good dose of their adventures here too, and some heartbreakingly deep conversations between them. it is not tagged with major character death, but rosinante's death is referenced, (and made me tear up, dammit), hence why the warnings might look a little confusing. this writer also has another story of a similar premise that focuses on rosinante!!
Bridges and train tracks hem in a town ~ by Harmonica_Smile (Rescue_Remedy) / @chromatic-lamina
rating: T warnings: none! genres: character study, light angst, humor, modern AU, friendship status: complete, oneshot, 5,337 words summary: Sixteen-year-old Law wanders down the bush track away from everything at home, just for a little while, needing to be alone. Kid follows, not wanting to be alone. my thoughts: the atmosphere of this one is so tangible and oddly comforting. modern AU with a nice infliction of angst. it actually focuses primarily on kid and law, but i'm including it here because there is reference of an angsty state of life for cora and law, and i simply adore it. this writer has excellent prose and storytelling skills, and writes a wide range of other OP stories, too!
Before you leave ~ by Schangia
rating: T warnings: none! genres: AU, time travel, hurt/comfort? status: complete, 2 chapters, 4,015 words summary: There's a café that claims to take you back in time to meet someone from your past. Law has met many people in his life, but there are only two he needs to talk to one last time. Inspired by Kawaguchi Toshikazu's absolutely brilliant series "Before the Coffee Gets Cold". my thoughts: this is one of the most cathartic stories i've read. perfect balance between "too perfect" and "not satisfying", law gets only a few minutes to chat with the ghosts of his past, and the conversations he holds with these characters are just, perfect. honestly this story helps me sleep at night. i can't explain it. characterization is solid, pacing is great. good, good read!!
that's it, for now!! (i say, as if this list isn't absolutely massive). i may edit and add more as time continues and i run across more brilliant stories.
#fanfiction recommendation#fanfic rec#one piece fanfiction#fic reccomendations#fanfiction writer#ao3 writer#ao3 fanfic#writer support#dofladile#donquixote doflamingo#doflamingo#sir crocodile#one piece crocodile#donquixote family#donquixote pirates#one piece dellinger#one piece gladius#donquixote rosinante#one piece corazon#trafalgar d water law#trafalgar law#angst#hurt/comfort#character study
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LERA AND MARLEN AND TITUS JUMPSCARE!!!!!
Tag Crab
At the edge of his consciousness, just when the world seemed to disappear, he heard a hissing.
"Marlen! Marlen!"
In an instant, he rose and reached for Augustyn's sword, but realized there was no immediate danger. He stood wearing his favorite pyjamas in a cozy room in the city of Belaro that he shared with Storch.
But it was not Storch that awoke him, only Lera. She had a tense look on her face, as though there was some immediate danger.
"W-what's wrong? And where are the others?" Marlen questioned.
"They're drinking," Lera paused to swallow before she began speaking much quieter than before, "More importantly, Titus may kill me."
"Why do you think that?"
Lera started pacing and did so for a good long while. Marlen sat on his bed and listened intently when she finally spoke.
"Titus let me borrow his thunder magic tome. At first, he said I could only read it with his supervision, but he trusted me and let me take it out of the castle," she paused again and Marlen caught a glimpse of the horrible shame on her face, "I-I dropped it and the cover got wet and muddy. I dried the pages- it's still readable, I think, but I'm scared to return it."
When she finished speaking, she eagerly awaited Marlen's answer with her head hung low. She felt he took just a little too long to reply and she sank to the floor with her head in her hands.
"It was a gift from his dad, and- and I ruined it!" she cried.
But all that anxiety seemed a little much to Marlen and he did not share it in. Instead, he sat beside her and patted her back.
"Titus is a reasonable man, right? I mean, you just helped him take down Gradin! A little mistake like this is nothing compared to the great help you've been throughout this entire mess," he reasoned.
"That sword you have, the one that used to be Augustyn's. You'd be devastated if someone broke it."
"B-but I wouldn't kill them! I'd be upset, but I'd get over it," Marlen said, "If you're that scared of telling Titus, then I'll go with you."
"Really?"
"Yes."
He helped her stand and wiped the tears from her face. She stood outside his door while he changed. Shifting her weight from foot to foot, she considered leaving. It would be incredibly easy to just go to bed and save the problem for tomorrow. Such a bad solution would not be any good, but at least she would be able to wait a little longer before facing Titus.
Just as she eyed the door to the room she shared with her mother, Marlen's opened and he stepped out.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"No," she squeaked.
Hand in hand, they made their way through the quiet city. Faint music and laughter could be heard from busier streets. Citizens had been celebrating Gradin's death with music in the square every other day but Lera could not even begin to feel the same joy they did when such an unforgiveable crime hung on her conscious.
Before the castle, her legs failed her and she could not step over the threshold. Marlen pulled her but she would not budge.
"Come now, Lera. Titus isn't a monster, he won't kill you for something so small!" he insisted.
"I'll won't kill her for what?"
Lera's heart skipped a beat at the sight of lord Titus himself. She shook like a leaf in the wind and might have fainted if Marlen was not still holding her hand.
Titus wore something that looked unusually comfortable and casual for a man of his status. His hair was undone and his expression easy going.
"Hello there, Titus! Where are you going at this hour?" Marlen smiled.
"To a second-rate tavern that your brother found. Helga says the place is infested with rats, but Storch is the hero of Belaro, so I'll indulge him this once," he chuckled, "And might I ask why you two were looking for me at this hour?"
Now was the crucial moment when Lera must explain how she sinned and beg and grovel until he decided to be merciful and banish her to a cruel prison instead of executing her on the spot. She took a step forward, still with her head hung low.
With a weak hand, she handed him the tome.
"I-I-I d-dropped it and-and it got wet and I tri-tried to dry it, b-b-b-but it's a bit damaged in some parts and I'm so very sorry, I-I know how much it means to you, I really tried my best to dry it and get the dirt off the pages, but I don't think I did very well and I'm sorry if it's unusable now a-and I'm sorry it-"
"Lera."
She looked up to meet his eyes but found she could not for all the tears that made her vision too blurry to even make out his shape.
"You know of hammerne staves, right?" he asked plainly.
Hammerne, hammerne, hammerne... Where had she heard that before? Some kind of staff for fixing things... But-
"OH!" she said aloud.
"There's no need to get so worked up over a book, especially when there are countless spells for undoing water damage," Titus explained.
"Right," her cheeks burned red with embarrassment at having forgotten something so basic.
"But I am grateful for your honesty, that's a good trait for anyone to have. Now, you two hurry back to the inn and get some shut eye!" he ruffled Lera's hair as he said the last bit and she giggled.
They went their separate ways, Titus to the worst tavern he would ever step foot in, and Lera and Marlen to the inn for the best sleep of their lives. They were in high spirits on the little walk back. With that weight off her shoulder, Lera could feel herself drift off the moment she lay down.
Just before sleep could claim her, Marlen pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"I told you it wasn't a big deal. Goodnight, Lera."
She could hear the smile in his voice but had not the energy to say anything. Worrying had sapped all her energy and the following day, she could not be woken until the early afternoon.
@crabknight
OWJWUHHH……..whhhheuhgh,,,,
WAAAAAAAAAhHHHGH VIX THIS IS SO INVREDIBLY SWEET WHAT THE HECK!!!!!! ohhhhhhh my frins. my frands. thgh
lera thinking she’s going to rot in a prison for the rest of her days for the hnforgive ale crime of getting a book a little muddy is a splendid premise and you have once again knocked the narration out of the park!! 13/10, made me smile :]
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Ok, I love this show, but if I could get rid of one episode and rewrite another while leaving the majority of everything else untouched. I'd chose---
Seeing Stars and Unhappy Campers. I'd rewrite Seeing Stars and delete Unhappy Campers.
Why?
Seeing Stars should've been a purely Octavia and Loona focused episode. The scene with Loona and Octavia would have hit harder that way.
Unhappy Campers, is bad, I love Millie focus, I like learning about Barbie but its executed badly, and while it is a Millie focused episode, the development and pov is mainly Moxxie's. Moreover, its more about them as couple than solely about Millie. If we wanted to addressed their issues as a couple, we could have done that in Exes and Ohs. Moreover the Barbie stuff we could swap out the Hellbies shot stuff for the Barbie stuff. A more serious parallel to Oops where someone he loves gets hurt, but he chooses family but still loses them anyway.
Also Millie development can be outside Moxxie and Blitz, this episode told us Millie thinks she plain and boring and after seeing Fionna and Cake, she's not too different from Betty in the sense that she does keep sacrificing to keep her boo happy cause he's too in his stuff. You could say Seeing Stars shows that. But we could have had this hinted at before on Millie's side. Have Blitz ask at least once, what she sees in him. When he's so goddamn whiny and single minded. But yeah anyway.
How would I rewrite Seeing Stars?
I would keep it the same up until Octavia broke into the office, and I would have Loona tag along with Octavia.
They would just focus on Octavia's journey, bumbling around L.A., refusing to address why they're there. (Oh hey look Like Fathers, Like Daughters. They are all bad at communicating.)
Blitz freaks about Loona, but then realizes Stolas would be mad, we'd still have that scene be mostly the same aside from Blitz freaking out too. We learn about how Stolas found Blitz in Truth Seekers or we have the gang employ another Hell Hound, maybe even bring back Tex again. Maybe Stolas has an idea of the books last use. But aside from that can't track it because it's in the hands of a rightful user. As well as the limitations of the human world.
They go to the human world, we can keep the Moxxie and Millie hijinks and other things up until the van. In the Van, Blitz and Stolas are freaking out about their girls, and Stolas wonders again why Octavia did this and wondering why Loona went with her. Blitz then ashamedly admits why Loona left and that he's a bad dad, and Stolas assures him he's not. They have a moment, Stolas tries to reach out and hold Blitz's hand to comfort him, just like he did at Ozzie's, but Blitz shuts it down immediately. Stolas is unhappy, looks down at his phone. He tries to bring up Ozzie's, "Blitz I know its not the best time but I just want to say I'm---" he gets cut off and they are whisked into the building.
Meanwhile, Octavia and Loona are still wandering L.A., Loona wants to go to a coffee shop, and Octavia tells her to do whatever she wants, but as Loona responds she spots a pet shop, or a dog pound. Cue trauma as she recalls the day Blitz adopted her. We focus on the hound trying to hurt her, her fear, her huddling into the bed, and distantly we can hear Blitz and the lady talking, same dialogue, "Oh that's Loona, she'll never amount to nothing" until Blitz says "I want to adopt her." "What?" "I want to adopt her." He says, looking right at her while holding the bars, his smile is soft and kind. Loona growls at him, but he doesn't stop smiling. And you see the brief bit of hope enter Loona's eyes, then we transition back to L.A. as Octavia is concerned for Loona. "Hey, hello, are you alright?" Loona gaze hardens. "I'm just fine." "You sure, because you looked like you were having a stroke."
"Can you just fucking drop it? I need some fucking coffee."
Loona leaves Octavia behind. Octavia looks hurt.
Back to the t.v. studio. We can have it the same. (the water joke can stay as well, we can just have someone pour some water on a plant or something before hand to better set up the joke, instead of just having it on a poster in the background, it can still be on a poster. In fact, have a person drink the water in front of that poster, so later when Stolas throws it at the director no one is confused about why he's burning.) Blitz still has has flashback moment, but instead we can see him signing the adoption papers, linking back to that photo on his phone in Ozzie's. Loona is done with the whole thing and Blitz is beaming. But he overhears people saying they are happy to be rid of her sooner than 18, and that she's a good for nothing. Loona is hurt. She heard too. Blitz notices. "Hey, let's go home."
Come back to "no she's mine and I love her!" chaos ensues, ends at lets go find our daughters.
Meanwhile, Honey, I'm in the house is a live taping right, so it could be broadcasting as Loona's in a coffee shop, we see Loona see Blitz calling the pug Loona and sayin "no she's mine and I love her" and the camera tips over as all hell breaks loose, Loona see's Stolas too. And then we have the moment of her throwing her coffee away and going to find Octavia. We can have the sinstagram again or, as Loona is thinking of where to find Octavia, she recalls the common theme of Octavia's wandering. The stars. She finds out where you can see stars and she goes to Griffth Observatory. We have the exchange about smog and cutting her dad slack. When Octavia asks why. Loona apologizes to Octavia and explains why she tagged along. About Blitz, and then says but at least he's trying. There more impactful, and gives Loona more of an arc in the episode.
The girls go find their dads, Stolas and Octavia hug. Loona can still kick Blitz in the nuts, saying "that's for saying you were gonna replace me with a new secretary," then she picks him up and sets him right, and goes "thanks for coming to get me." He tries to hug her, she pushes him away. "Don't push it old man." Then we have the moment with Stolas and Octavia, same as the og, cue fireworks, cute moment. Back to M&M. Everyone goes home the end.
#helluva boss critical#helluva boss#i know i just said in another post i dont think i could do the show better#but i do have some ideas about how some things could be restructured and perserve what's there#listen i was in the rwby fandom lol#to fix rwby you need to tear it down and build from scratch but then it wouldn't be rwby#but with helluva boss#all i see are places you could tweak things not many but some#its doesnt need fixing just little tweaks#here and there everything else is great#there are just ways that some female characters can have better arcs and development#long post
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Snippet: The kings jester
I laid there, holding the book over my head using both arms. My note taking was as useful as ever, from jokes my king and his family liked to their habits and behaviour. I flipped through the pages, some having poems, some jokes, some drawings. The jester’s handbook they called it. It wasn't all that wrong, it received that nickname because I always had it with me, but it's more of a notebook, really. I stopped at one page, ah… the dogs! Once, I tested a theory on soothing this family. When one would get upset, I'd simply asked, would you like a dog? Truth be told I still do that with his majesty. I’ve given him dozens of my dogs by now. They are fiery creatures of my own design; he takes them to battle or executions. Sooner or later, one will have fallen and I'll replace it soon enough. But my kings second daughter didn't like them at all. The first time I asked her, she hadn't even seen them yet, but she looked horrified and insulted, I had to save myself by saying she was right, elegant cats fit her more than some bloodhounds. The king sat himself next to me, his hand rested next to my head, he must be in a good mood to not scold me for laying so carelessly. Yet again I am a jester, it is expected of me to be a fool. We joked and chatted. "A dog, my king?" I teased, offering one like a mere drink. "HA! I should just lock you up and take all of your dogs for myself right now!" he responded, smiling brightly, joy in his eyes. It only took a second for me to think and close my book, smiling. "You'll have to catch me first." I smirked and bolted out of the room, hearing him laugh. Soon enough he got up to go along with my silly game of tag.
---x---
I don't remember what had set me off but it wasn't him. This game of tag was no longer a game and it was not because of anything he or I had done. I ran, feeling how I trembled and shook. Down to the cells I went. They were a perfect hiding place.
Thick grey stone walls, metal doors with only a small slid as a way to look into the cells and even those could be closed. Total isolation. No one would want to go here. I knew how to open them from the inside, they had one flaw and no one but me knew of. Every door had at least one flaw. I noticed a figure following me and I bolted into the first free cell, hearing the door lock behind me. I squeezed my mouth shut using both of my hands, my whole from pressed together to be as small as I could be, huddled together against the door in hopes that if someone were to look in, I'd be in the dead spot of their vision. I felt my own breath against my fingers, quick and unsteady, was I hyperventilating? The sound of the slid opening filled my ears. I almost didn't dear glance up but when I did, I was meet with the kings’ eyes staring down at me. Those yellow-orange eyes that I'd learned to respect... He looked calm, he wasn't saying anything, did he know I was hiding? He already knew better than anyone that I could free myself from these, no any cells. He looked to his left and a spark of rage fill him. He looked down at me again in a way that said "don't worry about it" before closing the slid and leaving me by myself. I didn't dare move...
Tag list: @shesadollette I posted it, you happy now? Also @kaiflameheart since you like king stuff
#writing snippet#jester oc#king oc#not a prompt#writing#original work#king stuff#fyp#I know how to tag posts yes#random thoughts#I've had this in my head since I woke up#royal x servant#fantasy
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The Most Annoying Man I've Ever Met
Ship: Wade Wilson x Gabriel MacHammer (Rival Mercenaries AU)
Word Count: 1217
Summary: Deadpool and Black Death have the same target in mind when it comes to making some cash. CWs for suggestive themes throughout, Wade being Wade, alcohol references, violence, brief blood/gore mentions, murder.
Tag List: @canongf @futurewife
It was Masquerade Night at the Black Rain Nightclub, and as badly as Gabriel had wanted to dress elaborately, he had dressed practically and appropriately for his job instead. He supposed his “uniform” still technically fit the event's theme, as he hid his identity behind a mask modelled after that of a crow’s skull, but that was beside the point.
Given the choice, he would’ve gone all out. Alas, he had a contract to fulfil tonight, and something lacy and alluring would’ve only gotten in the way.
He was watching his target from the opposite side of the club, fiddling absently with one of his pockets, when he suddenly sensed a presence to his left. Subtly glancing over, he spotted a familiar black and red suit.
“Deadpool,” Gabriel acknowledged respectfully. The merc whipped his head around as if he hadn’t purposefully stood beside them and gasped.
“BD!!” He squealed excitedly and threw his arms around them, to their slight disgruntlement. “What brings your cute little ass here??”
“I could ask you the same question, minus the comment about my-slash-your ass.” They coolly pried him off of them, returning their gaze back to their target.
“Awhh, you know you love my ass. Anyway, maybe I’m just here because I wanted to get a discount since I’m always in maskerahd.” He indicated his mask as he emphasized the word masquerade in a poor, vaguely French accent. Gabriel glanced at him again.
“Unlikely, considering you’re armed.”
Deadpool silently laughed at their observation before sighing dramatically. “Okay, fine, since you so easily saw past my brilliant ruse- is that one of your superpowers?? Anyway, I’m chasing a bounty.”
“What a coincidence, I’m currently pursuing a contract.”
“No way, that’s nuts. Hey, maybe it’s a sign! Can I get you a drink, my fine gentleman?” Deadpool winked and bowed, gazing eagerly at Gabriel with his empty white voids.
“And have my identity leaked to the public when I ultimately have to take my mask off to drink it? Thanks, but I’m not falling for it.”
He groaned. “Oh, you’re no fun. If you don’t want a drink, how about we just skip to it, then?”
“Skip to what…?”
He then leaned seductively against the wall. “How does you, me, a pizza, and a kingsized bed on Friday night sound to you, schnookums?~”
Gabriel stared at him for a long moment. “You don’t strike me as a man who even owns a kingsize bed. You have an extra large twin mattress at the least.”
“If I stole a bigger bed would you do it??”
"I'd rather go at it alone."
"I mean, hey, that's cool, I don't judge what gets people off. Can I watch?"
Gabriel scoffed, restraining himself from slapping his fellow hitman. "Gods, you're worse than a gnat. I always see you and I can't do anything about it. The answer is no, Deadpool, and it will always be no."
They turned back toward their target, who had begun to walk away from the bar. "Shit!"
"How do you know I'm not devilishly handsome under this mask?!" Deadpool called as Gabriel sped off, quickly following him.
"Piss off, you'll blow my cover!"
He looked over Gabriel’s head and toward the man they were now both chasing. "Hey, that's my bounty!"
Gabriel's eyes widened behind his mask. "No, that's my target! I was hired specifically to execute him!"
"Well, I guess a couple of people want him dead because I just saw an advertisement and wanted to claim some cash! No interview necessary!"
Gabriel growled in annoyance as he followed his target out the backdoor of the club, Deadpool hot on his heels.
“I’m getting the money.”
“I’d let you have it if I didn’t need to pay off several months' worth of rent! Besides, aren’t you like the golden child of the mercenary world? Your dad can pay you what you’ll be missing out on.”
“It’s my responsibility to carve out my own path, now. He wouldn’t pay me shit, he’d just be disappointed.” With that, Gabriel removed his fold-out staff from his belt, extended it, and gave Deadpool a hearty jab to the stomach, briefly slowing him down. As they moved forward, he crumbled, coughing and rubbing his midsection as he tried to keep up.
“Hey, wait!” He wheezed, “I-I’ll suck you off if you let me have this!! Please!!!”
Gabriel didn’t bother responding, too far ahead now and too close to securing his contract. He was following his target down an alley, now, and halted when he came to a sudden stop. They ducked behind a dumpster as he removed a box of cigarettes from his pocket. Their fingers twitched at the sight. Holding their breath, they snuck forward as the man stopped for a smoke. It was now or never--
A shot rang out, missing the man by several feet and causing him to run. Gabriel hopped up, looking back at the encroaching Deadpool.
“You useless fucking assmuncher, now neither of us are going to get paid!”
“I wouldn’t have missed if you hadn’t hit me with that metal stick!”
“It’s a staff and I should be shoving it down your throat right now for what you’ve cost me!”
“God, that’s kind of hot… bad Deadpool, focus! Well don’t let him get away!”
And off they were sprinting again, though it was much harder to catch up with a target that knew he was in trouble.
“I know a shortcut!” Deadpool announced happily as they reached the main road, barely glimpsing where the man was running next.
“So do I,” Gabriel responded less joyfully as he ran a large dagger through the back of the mercenary’s head. He knew the wound wouldn’t last long, but it would at least keep him from progressing too quickly.
“Motherfucker!”
Swiftly removing the blade from his skull, Gabriel continued after his target, climbing up the fire escape of a nearby building to get a better view from its roof. It didn’t take long to find the man attempting to hail a cab. Leaping across buildings, Gabriel began his strategic descent until he was practically on top of the man.
“Hello Moto,” they greeted with sadistic amusement before leaping down onto the sidewalk and wrapping their exposed hands around the man’s neck. He gasped for air and attempted to pry them away, but the moment their skin had made contact with his, it was over. Black, spidery veins pulsed up and down his neck as the colour drained from his face and his mouth contorted in a silent scream. When they released him, he fell like a brick. Breathing heavily and slightly sweaty from the adrenaline rush, Gabriel retrieved his phone and his personal copy of the paper contract he had signed. He placed the paper beside the man’s head and took a photo, texting it to his client, before pocketing his items and looking up and down the street. Seeing no bystanders, he slipped into a nearby alley and took off his mask, gratefully inhaling the cool night air.
“Wow, you’re even sexier without that mask.” A highly unwanted voice had reached his ears. Deadpool had caught up with him, a profusely bleeding hole still closing between his eyes. He giggled in a loopy manner. “Same can’t be said for me, unfortunately.”
#self shipping#self shipping community#self insert#self insert x canon#self x canon#self insert oc#oc x canon#gay self ship#trans self ship#self ship au#💣Bulletproof Boys💣#🔫🖤.s/i [Rival Mercenaries AU]#circus scripts
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So, initial SotO thoughts.
tl;dr: Liked it, not my favourite release.
More details below.
It's a little hard to compare to anything we had before since it's not quite an expansion but also a bit bigger than a regular LS release. Somewhere in between.
I liked it overall. I had fun (I don't think I ever didn't have fun with any release in this game). I do however have many smaller gripes that add up a little. Let's actually start with the biggest one:
The new maps
Well, obviously I loved the inclusion of chak on the new maps and seeing the little critters in a new shiny form was very exciting, but let's take the rose-tinted chak glasses off for a moment.
I like the fractal concept of the first map. It's interesting as an idea but I feel like it fell a little flat in execution. Rata Novus is probably the place that differs the most from the actual-Tyria version, and all the other fractals are just kinda... barely different? Like the Crystal Desert taken over by forged is just..... well, it's desert with forged in it. Like it already is in PoF anyway. And the Kaineng section kinda feels like that too, we have enough hostile jade bots in EoD anyway so... yea I don't know. Didn't do super much for me.
I wish NPCs were a bit more interactive. You can't really talk to many people at all. Core maps had so many random guys just standing around giving you little tidbits of dialogue. Especially the first map just feels very... barren.
Visually a great map nonetheless. Same goes for the second (non-hub) map we got, which is really unique in terms of architecture. We haven't really seen anything quite like it in the game before, so that's cool.
Exploration wise... ...yeah. I mean. Basically exactly what I had feared became true, no real exploration depth and at the very least on the first map you're pretty much expected to just skyscale to every point. Which goes really fast too, despite the whopping 50(or so?) POIs. I wish they had at least made some of the new masteries mandatory for reaching certain spots, but nope. Completed entirely without a single mastery leveled. Feels kinda pointless to introduce movement masteries if they aren't at the very least obligatory for certain events or map exploration. The second map makes the updrafts a little more useful since reaching some of the higher places can be a bit more tricky without it, but... yea I don't know.
I'm not exactly disappointed since that's pretty much what I expected to happen, but still I wish there were a few more interesting ways to get around places other than just straight up flying there. I guess I want more hidden stuff. Secrets. A jumping puzzle that spans half the map like in Draconis Mons. Well, for all I know they are there and I just haven't found them yet.
So yea, overall... visually beautiful; I'm glad about Rata Novus being a clownfest of snobs; I think if chak weren't in this I'd feel extremely lukewarm about those maps. That said, Amnytas has some of the highest quality grass I've ever seen in this game. Seriously what the hell is that grass.
Story and characters
I was worried about this for a bit while playing but the ending thankfully took the immediate worries from me for now.
It felt very... prologue-y. Which, in the end, it was. And I'm glad about that. I was so scared we were in another Gyala Delve situation of "here's an entire story that has absolutely no time to unfold and we'll abruptly end it pretending there was a conclusion". But thank god the epilogue made it clear that this was just the beginning to the storyline. (unless anet is preparing some clown make up)
So now that we had this introduction to the setting and first look into a new cast of characters I'm intrigued to see where all of this is going. I hope everyone we've met gets more screentime in the future and maybe some of them will tag along with us for the next adventures? The whole cast felt like it had a lot of potential. I want to see more of Gladium and Galrath. Isgarren seems interesting, I liked his dialogue. Sad about Mabon. Hoped Peitha would be a non-humanoid creature. Narcisse is cute. I like how they handled Zojja so far.
Didn't care much for the whole wizard tower story before SotO released, I'm decently interested now at least.
Gameplay-wise the player 2 experience was pretty miserable once again (Why exactly did I have to be a blue orb during the entire first flesh fortress instance? Why can I pick up and carry keys in the wizard's tower but then can't interact with the object they need to be used on? Seriously.) but that's nothing new.
As mentioned in another post, the German translation was a trainwreck of contextually wrong mistranslations, English sayings/proverbs translated literally into German when that is absolutely not how that works, misgendering (Zojja wasn't the only one with male pronouns - Yao was also back to that again) and entire chunks of voice lines randomly missing on several occasions. Seriously I don't know what went wrong here but please pay your localization team better. Or at least give them more context to work with.
Music
The few new songs I heard were nice. Lacking a bit in identity, but I guess it would be delusional to expect an EoD, HoT or IBS soundtrack here. GW2 music tends to be extremely high quality so I'm nitpicking on a high level with this one.
There is one battle theme that was really cool, though severely overused. I think it's the one that plays during rift events. Or like, during most of the release in general.
I can't quite explain why but I had several instances that made me think "this is what the PoF combat themes should have sounded like". The music as a whole somehow is very reminiscent of PoF. Like if someone took PoF battle music and went "chill a bit, please."
Was also nice to hear that one new ambient track that echoes the TD main theme and the Rata Novus theme.
Metas
They're okay. First map's meta drags on a little. Though I like collecting the essences. That one phase with the coloured bars is severely stressful. Second map meta is pretty neat. Was a little overwhelmed by it since it started literally 2 minutes after I got onto the map for the first time and I had no idea where anything was and just frantically followed the squad to find a giant squid bug demon on top of a huge tower. Seriously man give me a break. Fun experience though. Did it again on another day on an overflow map without a comm and we managed, though barely. Difficulty seems appropriate.
All in all...
Didn't completely blow me away. I liked it as a setup to something larger. Doesn't compare to any of the big expansions (though I do think the storyline in itself is at least more interesting than PoF, though it obviously lacks the polish of the expansion). If compared to LS seasons I'd say I had a better time with most of LS3 and LS4, and also large chunks of the Icebrood Saga.
I think how well SotO does in the long run largely depends on what gets added to it next. I'm excited to see more, and especially to get more context to all the new characters. Don't pull another Gyala Delve on me. Please.
And also.
Finally rid of the Commander title. Wayfinder is so much better.
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Tag Game
Tagged by @vaysh11, who I feel like I've known forever but it was still fun to learn a bit more.
Rules: answer + tag 9 people you want to get to know better and/or catch up with!
Favorite Color: any dark rich color. Forest green or maroon would probably lead the list.
Last Song: "Whistle" by Flo Rida. Definitely more risque than I'd usually choose, but I needed a wakeup mix on Pandora this morning.
Last Movie: Nothing recently. Probably Dune 2 in the theatres 3-4 weeks ago? But I have been re-listening to the 1981 BBC Lord of the Rings radio dramatization, which hopefully counts.
Currently reading: Brent Spiner's Fan-Fiction. Frankly the concept is much better than the execution, but the concept alone is still fun enough to be worth reading.
Currently watching: Call the Midwife
Currently Craving: sliced oranges
Coffee or Tea: iced sweet tea
Tagging: I'm always shy about tagging because I don't want to put anyone on the spot and never have a good feel for who likes doing these kinds of things. But if you're seeing this I'd love to see your answers.
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20 Questions (for fanfic writers)
tagged by @abcd-em, thank you beloved <3
1. how many works do you have on ao3?
26!
2. what's your total ao3 word count?
134,413
3. what fandoms do you write for?
mostly spidey and pilgrimage, but i dabble in other fandoms--mostly voltron, which i had thought i had escaped the sucking quicksand of but alas seems not to be the case
4. top five fics by kudos?
all the wonders i have seen (i will see a second time)
leave the rest to the gods
Unconscionable
when darkness comes upon you
sew your fortunes on a string
5. do you respond to comments?
i try to! transparently, i sometimes get overwhelmed and while i love receiving comments and re-read every single one a million times, i do sometimes have a hard time actually responding. i cherish every single one but also my brain was cursed by the gods.
6. what is the fic your wrote with the angstiest ending?
probably my pilgrimage fic, everything's growing in our garden. it's very rare that i write for vibes but phoebe bridgers' Punisher had me in a chokehold and that is definitely reflected in that fic, short as it is. it's my most "closure denied" ending, that i've posted anyway, and i think that ups the angst factor.
7. what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?
pilgrimage fandom gets the top spot here too, with love sent to me. it's probably the most straightforward romance/get-together fic i've written, and AU to boot, which are both anomalies for me. but i have a great deal of affection for that fic, and i love the tenderness of it.
8. do you get hate on fics?
the closest i get in spidey is generally people being demanding about updates, which i usually just delete. there is one particular troll in pilgrimage who crops up every once in awhile to leave "hate" comments on various peoples' fics, and i've been hit with that a couple times, but that's just a pathetic person wanting attention so it doesn't really count.
other than that, i really have the best commentariat anyone could ask for.
9. do you write smut?
yes! i firmly believe erotica is an important tool for examining characters and their relationships
10. craziest crossover:
i don't write crossovers exactly, so i'll cop out and point to the spidey/twilight fusion au since it is crossover-adjacent
11. have you ever had a fic stolen?
not to my knowledge! and hopefully i never will
12. have you ever had a fic translated?
again not to my knowledge! there are few things i would find more flattering
13. have you ever co-written a fic before?
alas, no. i love the prospect of it, and have gotten to the outlining/ideating stage with a few people in the past, but again i'll be fully transparent in that i'm not the most reliable person to attempt that kind of project with. maybe someday, and i'm definitely open to it!
but also: it's me, hi! i'm the problem, it's me.
14. all time favorite ship?
i'm a libra with adhd, asking me to choose a favourite is a hate crime.
from the lens of fannish engagement or creation, which to me is different but not unrelated to loving/shipping a couple as it is represented/written in the text, it's probably any combination of Ned/MJ/Peter, either platonic or romantic. i love an OT3, i love frenship, i LOVE where NWH left us and the possibilities we can explore with their relationships to one another.
15. what's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?
if i truly doubt a wip will get finished, i don't post it. everything i've posted is something i fully intend to finish, i just can never say when that might happen. i can't predict the future obviously, so maybe that'll change, but i re-read my posted works relatively frequently and have a genuine desire to see them all complete at some point. even the ones that i reread and can see how my writing has since improved, or think i could have executed better, i still have love for and interest in. if i didn't, i'd delete.
16 & 17. what are your writing strengths and weaknesses?
combining these two because my writing strength is a reflection of my writing weakness: i'm very good at elaborating on ideas, not so much on coming up with them whole cloth. what i mean by that is i'm most comfortable, as a writer, coming up with creative and even novel divergences from canon, and making the corresponding changes in characters and plot that would result from those divergences. i'm good at the "what if" of fic.
the converse is that i'm not great at speculation, of figuring out "what happens next". so much of my post-NWH stuff, for example, is about exploring potential emotional and relationship-based realities, but doesn't have "plot" in the sense of being developments of the story of Peter Parker as i imagine it might happen in the MCU. even fics like we said our dreams will carry us, which i bill as a kind of post-beyond the spiderverse speculation fic, doesn't actually deal with the nitty-gritty of what i think might happen in the next movie. how things actually happen in this imagined version of beyond the spiderverse is secondary to the emotional fallout of those events, and that's what i'm writing about.
both these flow from my primary analytical strength/weakness: i am great at interpretive analysis, and fucking terrible at predictive analysis.
18. thoughts on dialogue in another language?
it is. incredibly difficult to get right. i studied languages and translation in university, and i still hesitate to write dialogue in other languages into my fics. it's not just a matter of getting the language itself right. that in and of itself is difficult, but anecdotally speaking i find that most native speakers of a language who read fic are incredibly kind and polite when making corrections to the language.
what takes me out of a fic is the manner in which other languages are integrated, and how very poorly that is usually done. "oh sorry it's hard to switch back" has become a meme, but a lot of the use of languages other than English, when written by non-native speakers of the languages in question, read as just that clunky and incredibly disconnected from how polyglots actually speak and switch between languages.
having said all that, language is an INCREDIBLY important part of culture, which makes it an equally important part of the characters who speak--or whose families speak--other languages. as someone in spider-man fandom, Miles' Puerto Rican heritage and both his and Rio's relationships to that heritage and the spanish language are important elements of his character. when i write Miles, and especially Miles & Rio, it's important to me that that is incorporated. like anything, it takes research, and thoughtfulness, and humility--try your best, and be ready to be corrected if you get it wrong.
19. first fandom you wrote in?
harry potter (derogatory), back when i was a wee skelly
20. favorite fic you've written?
i once again point to the libra with adhd of it all, and then direct you to my favourites series on ao3
Tagging: @weezly14 @mysterycyclone @saltwaterpanda @gooddaygalaxy @ambivalentcats @shrinkthisviolet @anarchyduck and anyone else who wants to!
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Still Here/ 6
Pairing- Hongjoong x Named Reader
Word count- 2.4k
Includes- battle scene, death, talk of suicide
Tag List- @umbralhelwolf @fairygirl18 @jo-hwaberry @mingtina
@jaxxmine @yeosayang @delightfulmoonbanana @tannie13
@y00nzin0 @marsstarxhwa @yeosxxx
@seokwoosmole @jjongsbebe
@wisejudgedragonhairdo
@meowmeowminnie @woo-stars
@borntowalkaway @usagionthered @a-teez-4-exo @kjqueen05 @jejeyeppeo
@soibean1922 @san-realblkwife
Series Masterlist
Dongbuyeo, East Buyeo, Pre-Korea 7 B.C
Hongjoong POV
Ducking under a sword swing, I hold my shield up as the sword hits is hard, the tremor reverberating down my arm
Fuck
I use all my strength to keep my arm up and steady, then swing my other arm with my sword, shoving the blade into his stomach to the hilt
Pulling my sword out and I swing it to the next attacker, blocking his sword with mine, the clang of metal so loud
This surprise riot is not dying down
This small army is well armed
Most of them are the villagers from outside of the palace who hate the king
They are well coordinated as well, fighting like soldiers
And I know why
I have been looking for him since the fight began but I have not spotted him
Kang-dae
The former commander of the king's army
My friend
And the man who had an affair with the queen and was caught
He was arranged to be publicly executed but he managed to escape
I have not seen him for a year
I know he is behind this
And I know he is back for the queen
To take her with him wherever he lives now
And I am angry that he has caused this riot
Things between him, the king and queen are personal issues but he is making them everyone's problem
I am sure he rallied the villagers under the false pretense of killing the king because of the king's rule
He wants the king dead so he can have the queen
It is selfish, he is causing the death of these people because they are not winning
Even if they win this battle, the king will decimate the village, killing everyone for daring to riot
Side stepping another sword swing, I turn around, slicing my sword and cutting the head of my attacker off, blood spraying in my face and my clothes, mixing with the dirt already on me
I fight, killing every one who comes at me but I am getting tired
It seems like there are endless rioters attacking
There are so many bodies on the ground, soldiers and villagers, blood everywhere
I despise this part of being a soldier
Protecting the royal family is fine
Patrolling the grounds is fine
But killing people, my people, leaves a bad taste in my mouth
Slamming my shield in the face of a large man, I stab his stomach, then pull the sword up, cutting him up to his neck before I pull the sword out
"Hongjoong!"
I immediately turn around to see Kang-dae a few feet away from me
"I knew you were behind this", I growl
"I promised her I'd come back"
"You didn't have to bring all these people! You didn't have to sign their death warrants!"
"They seem to be doing a fine job of killing all of your faction", he taunts, "This is the price you pay for siding with the king"
I narrow my eyes at him
He has changed so much
He never was cruel like this
He considered us friends and now he has no care that he is killing us
And no care for the people either
"If all you want is the queen, then go get her and leave. Call these people off"
He laughs, shaking his head, "No. They want the king dead. They will not listen to me if I tell them to stop"
He has created such chaos and he seems to be reveling in it
I have to kill him
He is dangerous and he needs to die
He isn't the same man I knew
Gripping my sword, I run at him, stabbing my sword but he raises his blocking me easily
I slam my shield against him but it does not budge him one inch
He shoves my arm away, his fist hitting my jaw so hard that I hear a crack as I fall to the ground
Pain radiates on my face, blood pouring from my mouth, my body not following my mind's commands
My mind screams at me to get up but I cannot
I see Kang-dae's feet move in front of me
"I do not want to fight you Hongjoong"
Too bad
Once my limbs start working again, I manage to get on my knees, spitting out blood
My jaw is in massive pain and I think he broke something
"I want you to join me"
Not a chance
"No"
"Yes. Leave this poor excuse for a life and come with me. I can give you a better life"
"What are you talking about?", I manage to get out through the pain
He kneels in front of me, smirking, "I can give you eternal life. Immortality"
What nonsense is he speaking of?
No one is immortal
"Fuck you"
He just laughs in my face, "I know you do not believe me. I will show you"
He holds his arm out, pulling his sleeve up
He takes a dagger from his belt, then stabs his arm, dragging the blade through his skin, splitting it open
I gasp, trying to turn my head away, but he grabs it, forcing me to look at his arm
"Look. Watch"
To my shock, his arm heals, the skin coming back together as if it was never cut
How?
What?
What evil magic is this?"
"What are you?", I gape
He looks at me, his eyes changing into a deep red, black veins under his eyes and fangs in his mouth
Vampire
He is a vampire
The stories about the monsters killing and drinking blood are true
Vampires are real
And my former friend is one
"I can make you like me", he offers, "You were my closest friend and I do not offer this lightly. Only to you and my queen"
I shake my head immediately, "You are a fucking monster. I do not want to be like you. I would rather die"
His eyes, now back to brown, narrow at me, "Do not be an idiot. This is a once in a lifetime offer"
"I do not want it. I will not be a monster"
Forcing myself to stand, I hit him in the face but it does nothing
Pulling out my dagger from my belt, I slam it in the middle of his chest, slashing it down to his stomach
He just laughs grabbing my wrist and pulling the dagger out, his wound healing instantly
"Nothing can kill me", he says
Suddenly I feel a sharp pain in my stomach
Looking down, I find Kang-dae's knife buried in my stomach
He slices up my body, more pain filling my senses and I crumble to the ground
"Unfortunately you can die easily"
I feel my blood leaving my body, running into the dirt under me, my whole body immobilized and in pain
I feel my life leaving me
I am dying
"My offer still stands"
I move my gaze to him, "Never"
He chuckles, moving next to me, "Well unfortunately Hongjoong, I do not accept that answer. You are the perfect soldier, the best fighter and I need you"
"Nnnnnn....no"
I feel myself being lifted, my head tilting to the side, my hair moved from my neck
"You will thank me later for this"
"No", I whisper, trying to move but my body is too weak
I want to die
I do not want to be a monster
I feel pain in my neck and I realize he's biting me
"Get off", I whimper
I feel a sucking motion and I know he's drinking my blood
The more he takes, the more faint I feel, the weaker I am
I am on the verge of passing out when I feel something against my mouth, a liquid sliding inside
It tastes thick and coppery and I try to spit it out
"Drink it", Kang-dae growls, pinching my nose
I can't breathe and I open my mouth to breathe, more liquid filling my mouth and I swallow so I can breathe
The liquid passes down my throat and I gag, but more and more keeps coming
And I have to keep swallowing
Finally the thing against my mouth moves, the liquid stopping
I am trying to spit out the liquid when a fire inside me ignites and I scream in pain
It feels like I am being burned from the inside
I feel my limbs fail, then stiffen to the point where I cannot move them
What is happening to me?
It hurts so much, I cannot take it
I want to die, please let me die
"It is alright Hongjoong. It will hurt for a few minutes more, then you will sleep. When you wake you will be a strong, superior being"
No no no
I do not want that
I do not want to live forever
I do not want to drink blood
I do not want to be a monster
There is such an agonizing pain in my chest, my heart on fire
When will this end?
When will this pain stop?
The pain is too much and I allow the darkness creeping in to take over me, hoping I die
---------------------------
Hongjoong POV
She stares at me horrified
"He...he changed you against your will?"
I nod, "Yeah. When I woke up it was a few days later, night time and the battle was long over. My soldiers stopped the riot and the king was not killed. Kang-dae did get the queen and she was in the tent when I woke up. She was unconscious, changing into a vampire too"
"What did you do?"
"I killed her", I tell her honestly, "I don't know where Kang-dae was but he was stupid to leave me with her"
"How did you-"
"I cut her head off. To make sure she was dead. Stabbing Kang-dae didn't do anything so I figured I had to take drastic measures to make sure she was dead"
"Oh my god"
She looks so pale, like she may throw up
"Jagi, I...it was a different time back then. A lot more violent"
"I know Joongie. I just....it's a disturbing visual ok? I just can't imagine you....you're so sweet and nice"
"I'm the same as I was back then. Just a little more violent because I had to be"
I hope she's not reconsidering being with me
She's not seeming to take me killing well
"Did you cut off Kang-dae's head?", she asks, "Please tell me you did"
I'm shocked as I raise my eyebrow, "I uh yeah...I hid until he came back and then I sneak attacked him, cutting his head off. He didn't have a chance"
"Good. He deserved it for forcing you to be a vampire. But I'm not sorry he changed you"
"Uh-"
"I mean I don't know. I hate what he did to you but if he didn't I wouldn't have you but I know you didn't want to be a vampire and while he is an asshole I'm kinda glad he turned you but not because that was so wrong and-"
"Jagi, it's ok", I tell her, hugging her, "It's ok that you don't like him and it's ok that you're glad he turned me. I'm glad because I met you"
"You are?", she asks, looking up at me
I nod, "Yeah Jo. I love you. It's like I've been waiting for you all my life"
Her brows knit together, confusion on her face, "You never had someone? A girl?"
Fuck
"I uh..."
"It's ok Joongie. You can tell me. You've been alive for over two thousand years. I'm not dumb enough to think you didn't have wives or whatever. I mean I had boyfriends before you"
Yeah but her boyfriends never killed themselves to get away from her
"Joongie? You weren't alone this whole time were you?"
"Uh no. I had a wife when I was human but I didn't love her. It was arranged by my parents and I had to marry her. We were only married a few months before I was turned"
"Oh wow. Arranged marriage. You experienced everything huh?"
I nod
I did
Not every single thing but a good chunk of stuff that people this day would think is crazy
"She wasn't the only one was she?"
I shake my head, terrified to tell her
But I promised I wouldn't ever lie to her
So here goes
"There was one uh girl I loved. Kye-geum. In uh 300 AD. I saw her in Baekje. I courted her, fell in love and married her. We lived in a big house, I was a rich merchant at that time. We had a good marriage"
"Did you turn her?"
I swallow hard, "Uh no"
"No? What happened to her?"
Here goes
"Well one day my house was attacked. Apparently some townspeople found out about me and they came to kill me. Some how she got hurt, stabbed"
"Oh my god, I'm sorry baby"
Yeah that's not the worst part
"Back then, blood affected me more than it does now. I couldn't stop my eyes from changing. I could hold back the veins and fangs but not my eyes. When she saw my eyes she freaked out. I didn't tell her I was a vampire. I was going to before we were attacked. I tried to tell her I could fix her wound, I could make her like me but she didn't want it. She....she knew about vampires. Her cousin was a slayer and fed her lies about vampires. I...I watched her love for me turn to hate in mere seconds. I begged her to let me help her but she yelled at me, told me she hated me and said she'd rather die than be a monster like me"
When I glance over at her, she looks at me with such sadness
"She uh....before I could realize what she was doing, she stabbed herself in the heart"
"What?", she gasps
"She killed herself. She did it to get away from me"
I look down at her blanket, not meeting her eyes
Talking about Kye-geum doesn't bother me
I've had literally centuries to get over her
And I have
I feel nothing for her
But her actions are what instilled fear in me
Fear that no one would want me once they knew what I was
But Joanne, she wants me and now that I told her everything about me, I hope she keeps her promise and doesn't run away
Because I love her more than I ever loved Kye-geum and it will devastated me if she leaves
#still here fic#hongjoong fic#hongjoong fanfic#hongjoong fanfiction#hongjoong smut#kim hongjoong fanfic#kim hongjoong fic#kim hongjoong smut#ateez hongjoong smut#ateez hongjoong fanfic#vampire Hongjoong#ateez fanfic#ateez fic#ateez fanfiction#ateez smut
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR MOOTS BETTER !
Fill out the info sheet below & tag your friends to do the same ! Repost , don’t reblog !
🌊 🐇
Name / Pen-name : Meri!
Pronouns : She/her (okay with they/them too!)
Country / Region : England.
Timezone : GMT
Age / Age group : 25, as of this month!
Favourite colours : Pink, turquoise/teal, yellow, cream & brown, and maybe green too???
Favourite foods : How can you expect me to choose!! if I listed them all I'd be here all day ;~; I suppose a couple are cheesecake, custard (and sweets/cakes generally tbh), spaghetti bolognese, salmon... I've gone too braindead to think of more, sorry :')
Non - RP Hobbies ? : Watching/reading anime, manga and visual novels (when I've got the executive function for it), music, video games, decoration/design, and working on my own stories/songs! I'd love to stream someday, but I'm a bit too nervous to start atm, haha. Same with blogging about some of the things that are important to me - I'd love to do more in that regard, but I'm not really sure where to start.
Favourite animal : BUNNIES and sea creatures in general!! In particular, octopi, sea otters and sea turtles have my whole heart <33
Any allergies ? : I actually have had an allergic reaction to something like. once in my life, but unfortunately I have no idea what it was to, otl ;w; so uhhh. I guess my answer is a "not really"??
Favourite Season : Ooooh, I can't choose. Aesthetically, maybe summer or winter, with autumn close behind. In practice, I'm terrible with temperatures that are too hot or too cold, though!
Scents you like : Vanilla and coffee! Though my sense of smell is pretty bad generally, I'd say these are my favorites.
Coffee / tea / hot cocoa : Tea (with a bit of sugar!). Hot cocoa can be great too, and I don't like the taste of coffee, but I do benefit from the effects of caffeine, so I tend to drink lattes instead.
How long have you been in your current fandom ? : for BSD, it's only been about a year! Actually, I'm pretty sure I got into the series sometime around December 2022, since that's when I first made my Chuuya blog?? It's pretty quickly risen to the spot of my favourite piece of media ever though, at least currently, so congrats to BSD are in order, I think!
Do you prefer to ‘ wing ’ your threads or discuss plots with your partner during or ahead of time ? : I enjoy both! I think my favourite thing to do is to have or discuss a general idea for the starter/thread, for example like... "my muse is time traveling from the future to meet yours", or "my muse discovers a secret yours is hiding," so like basic plotting, and then just seeing where things go from there. But I absolutely enjoy winging it too/just seeing what happens, and I love just as much when my partners have something they particularly want to explore and let me know, so I'm pretty flexible in that regard, I think! (aka send me your wishlists >:) )
Are you okay with getting to know your RP partners outside of writing / becoming good online friends or even offline friends ? : 100000%, honestly I would love this so much! But full warning in advance, I am... very bad at being active and replying to messages quickly in general, otl. I don't have many friends irl as a result of this, even though I really would really like to make more... unfortunately my functioning issues in most areas of my life are pretty bad and this extends to maintaining conversations too. HOWEVER, you're absolutely always welcome to message me whenever you'd like, even if I haven't replied to your last message yet! I find that this can help prompt me to reply to my old messages as well, and I can promise you that my slow replies are absolutely not an indication that I don't want to talk with you or of how I feel about you - I'm just very awkward and find socializing hard, but that doesn't stop me from really enjoying talking with you nonetheless!! (This applies to my RP reply speeds too, tbh) There's way more I could say on this but I might make it it's own post tbh, this section is already getting too long. tl;dr i love you all, let's be friends!! <33
Finally , what are your favourite genres of RP ?: I'm not so good at defining genres, so instead I'll say - I love angst and conflict between characters but also resolving conflicts too, seeing characters get to know and relate to each other better... I'm a big fan of threads with supernatural elements, in particular those that are shocking to the characters, and of secrets being revealed generally too! Exploring character's insecurities and beliefs and having them change their perspective is great as well... basically, I'd say I enjoy "meaty" threads with lots of emotions or action over like slice-of-life, casual interactions, but even those can be fun if they're well done, honestly!
Tagged by : @chaosbled ( thank you so much!!! ;w;)
Tagging : I haven't been logged in enough to know who's done this already if I'm honest so I'm just gonna say anyone who wants to and hasn't done it yet - say I tagged you! <3
#ooc#( memes. )#this was so nice to do!! I love being tagged in these kinds of memes tbh#i hope i didn't go on too long with some of these answers but!#<33333 you all. i'm excited to see what you all have to say if you do it; too!
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Turns Out, You’re good at Dodgeball
Summary: Rex’s team vs y/n’s team in a heated game of dodgeball. Who will win?
Pairing: Rex x Reader
Tags: It’s pretty much just fun and games with a bit of flirting on the side. There are a few hints towards nsfw though
If y’all find something that needs tagged, please tell me! I’ll gladly tag it here
word count: 2k
"Y/N, I can dodge blaster fire. It's hardly fair for me to play," With a hand on her hip, Ahsoka shrugged to the two team captains. You challenged her with a grin.
"That's exactly why I want you on my team. Jedi are infamously masters at dodgeball. Besides, wouldn’t it be good training for you?"
She shook her head, "I'd consider it if the other team had Anakin, but seeing as he's busy with the Counsel, I'll officiate."
"As you wish, Commander," eyes searching the group of eager clones. "Styke, then," you gestured to one of the few sharp shooters in Torrent company. Those men were keen on having excellent aim.
Rex raised an eyebrow at you, then called on the next sharp shooter. Once all of the snipers were chosen, you called on Echo. Fives was taken by Rex, so you went for Tup next. Eventually, you were down to shinies whose skills were untested by either of you. Rex chose the last man and you were down to business, pulling your team aside for a game plan.
"And remember to go for the knees or just past the shoulders," Styke pointed. "Firstly, they might go to catch it, but if your throw it fast enough, they'll miss. Most importantly, some will expect you to aim for the feet, so don't do it till they stop jumping up to dodge. When that happens, light them up."
You nodded, "Try to remember how people dodge as well. Use it against them later."
"Also," Echo chimed in, stretching an arm, "Get the best players out first. Rex, Fives, Lucien, Parkour, and Kam are good as far as I'm aware. Though we have a few shinies who might make a name for themselves today," he sent an encouraging smile to the newcomers.
After your team drew up a plan to take them by surprise, you finally asked, "Anything else?"
No additional advice was given so your team dispersed, making their way to the end of the gym so they could start. Ahsoka called out a few rules such as "no head-shots because of Hog."
A shiny frowned, muttering to himself, "Hog?"
"We don't... talk about Hog," Tup hummed, tightening his bun.
"Rest in peace, Hog's beautiful nose," Styke thumped his chest respectfully. Echo wiped an invisible tear from his eye.
After both teams were ready, Ahsoka whistled loudly and the majority of the guys rushed to the line. As an experienced dodgeball player, you stayed back. Your team had a plan of attack that would take a few minutes to come into action. You wanted Rex to think you were unprepared. In reality, you were watching each of his men to understand their defense.
Rex's team executed a well-made formation, sending shot after shot towards your men. Only a few fell. They adequately dodged most of the fire that rained down on them. You spotted one clone gunning for you and pretended to be oblivious, then as the ball whizzed toward your waist, you caught it. It stung a little, but you held it up to show him he was out. Peering around, you realized that your guys had followed instruction well. They now had the majority of the dodge balls.
At that, you smirked, meeting Rex's gaze from across the gym. He realized your plan with an irritated groan and started shouting instructions to his men as you cried, "Spank ‘em, boys!"
As if they'd trained for weeks, they lined up in two rows. The first wave fired at the five men Echo had pointed out earlier. Multiple shots hit others, but Lucien, Fives, Kam, and Rex remained standing. Then the front line kneeled and out came the second volley of fire. Fives, Kam, and several others immediately fell. Then you chucked your ball at Lucien and it hit him in the side as he dodged one from your men.
After nearly half of his team was taken out, you realized that Rex still held a ball. That was when it hit you: he hadn't thrown a single one yet. What was he waiting for?
His plan came into motion and you froze, realizing your mistake. He'd known you would go for the ones you knew played well. When his shinies released a volley of deadly shots to your men's torsos, you internally slapped yourself, wishing you'd thought to guard them from that. That attack took out a hefty portion of your guys so you decided to act.
"Echo!"
You were joined by him soon and you quickly explained your idea. "Sounds good, Sarge. I'll let the others know."
You watched the pattern Rex's team went with. They agreed on one target and pattered him till he fell. It's hard to dodge several balls at once. As the last of your men were informed of the plan, the other team changed strategy. So you came up with a more offensive version of defense: as soon as one man threw the ball, aim at his feet. You led them in this, sending your shots and telling others to do the same.
This worked quite well and soon your teams were even. You called Echo over to formulate another plan. He jogged over and stopped. Just as he turned away from the others, a ball was thrown at him. You warned him and he used a ball to deflect the shot, but the one in his hand slipped free. He sighed, shooting a glare at Kix, who had released that shot. The medic returned a devilish grin.
"That's for skipping out on your medical last week!"
"Shove it, Kix!" Echo called, jogging to the out of bounds line.
Soon the teams were both down to four, and you wondered why they didn't target you yet. A few more throws and a caught ball later and it was you and a shiny against Rex. He watched you like a hawk, prowling along the back the wall. You called the shiny, whom you learned was named Tyler, and gave him your plan.
"If we aren't careful, he'll wait till we're out of munitions." You eyed your captain as he paused, arms crossed. Fives whooped support at him, leading Echo to cheer you and Tyler on. This encouraged the whole lot of clones who'd gotten out to begin a loud ruckus of support. "He's only thrown a ball once this whole game which means one of two things: he didn't want to reveal his skill yet, or he has a hurt shoulder."
"I bet it's the former," he said. "Head up!" You looked up as Rex jerked his arm. It was a fake to make the shiny dodge.
"Wait—" you began just as Tyler ducked into Rex's trap. It skimmed his shoulder and he groaned, falling onto his back dramatically.
"Remember me, brothers!" He draped an arm over his eyes. The crowd laughed, and a few of them offered fake tears and condolences.
"We shall never forget you, Tyler," you bowed your head, offering him a hand up while still eyeing your captain. "Good job,"
He sauntered to the edge of the gym and joined his boisterous brothers.
"Just us now, Y/N."
"It was meant to be," you winked at Rex, picking up an extra ball. What you'd given heed to the shiny about was right: Rex had most of the balls on his side. You decided you'd let him collect them all.
You both stood at the ready. Tension broke when you sent a ball zinging past him. He hardly flinched, dark eyes trained on you.
As you reached for another ball, he threw one at you. You rolled out of the way and got to your feet. The speed at which it zipped by was terrifying. You shot two more at him and reached for another. Soon, he had all but one.
"I thought your aim would be better," he tossed a ball into the air and caught it again, frowning. "Guess blasters are more your speed."
"Maybe I'm making myself seem weak," you chided, moving back to the center of the gym. He cautiously mirrored you. "We're the last two people standing and you're mistaken if you think I'll let you win."
"See, now you're trying to dristract me with small talk—"
You launched your final ball at him, nailing a ball in his hand. To your chagrin, his grip was strong. Without missing a beat, he shot a ball at you. In one swift movement, you collapsed low to the ground and caught it.
An uproar came from your team of twenty clones on the sidelines as they jumped up and ran to you. You didn't break eye contact with a shocked Rex who let a smile etch onto his face. Before you knew it you were enveloped in your guys as they congratulated you and cheered.
You eventually got out of the throng of celebrating clones and made your way to Rex's salty team. With a grin, you pushed through to Rex and extended a hand. "Good job, Cap. That was impressive."
"Thank you. It was a good game," he nodded, shaking your hand, "Maybe Anakin should've been here—he might've considered promoting you after that display."
You chuckled, "Dodgeball isn't a battlefield."
He shrugged, an amused glint in his eye, "No it isn't. I reckon we should play again now that I know your strategy."
"I'll still kick you in the shebs,"
"Maybe tonight I'll consider it," he winked. The boys around you both let out a collective, "ooohhhh!" and you rejoined.
"Doubt you could handle me," you smirked into his devilish eyes for effect, "I haven't always been a soldier."
The boys let out a similar response only to be interrupted by their commander. "Alright boys, time's up! Skyguy just commed." She stood at the edge of the gym and continued with the room mostly quieted, "He wants all officers to report to him immediately. The troops are to prep for takeoff by 1700."
Disappointed to not be playing another round of dodgeball but excited to be headed back to the field so soon, the group dispersed. You fist bumped several of the men on the way out and received jabs that you naturally returned. You met back up with the other officers with an easy smile on your face.
"You know it isn't appropriate to openly flirt with your C.O., right, Y/N?"
"If I remember correctly, Echo," you raised a brow, "he started it."
Rex's eyes met the ceiling sarcastically before they found you, "Might get yourself in trouble with those kinds of accusations."
"In trouble with who? The Chancellor?"
"Or your captain," he drawled.
You chided, "Maybe that was the plan,"
"Get yourselves a room, you disgusting plebes," Fives gagged, speed-walking to get in front of the laughing group.
"Yeah, you two need a room," Echo echoed, catching up with his twin.
Your trek continued to a conference room where you met with your general. He began a briefing with the officers that would enter you all into the real galaxy again, ending your short break. Afterwards, you and Rex planned the next dodgeball battle for whenever you might next return to Coruscant, where you promised to take him out.
———
Do people actually strategize in dodgeball? Idk but it would really make the game more intense
At the end of each one shot, I like to add a little Q&A to interact with readers. Feel free to comment a response! Q. If you had to chose one P.E. activity, which would you erase from your memory?
A. The Fitness Grand Pacer Test. No question
masterlist
#Tcw fanfic#clone wars#the clone wars#ct 7567#ct 5555#ct 1409#rex x reader#captain rex x female reader#captain rex x reader
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