#instruction manual like vibe

[puck-luck]

one bed trope by design | dawson mercer

warnings: fwb but unspokenly more, eldest daughter vibes in the first paragraph, teasing & annoying your partner, pet names, oral (fem!receiving), fingering, heavyyyy making out, dirty talk (it’s pretty sweet, actually), possessive!dawson, unprotected p in v sex, creampie, cockwarming, whimpering man (slay), begging (only a little), mentions/allusions to consensual somnophilia, and a little bit of a fixation on spit (as i am wont to do) pairing: dawson mercer x reader summary: the one when dawson comes over to build a bedframe for your guest room, demands multiple rewards,  and pouts when you try to make him test it out alone. he ends up getting everything he wanted, though. wc: 4636

You have a bone to pick with anyone who writes furniture-building instruction manuals. After all the years of “building things” (holding flashlights, standing aimlessly for support, fetching beers) with your dad, you would think that you’d be able to build a bedframe. You would think that you could read the directions, screw in some nails, glue some pegs into place, and your guest room would be all set. In another world, you’re flying through this process and the bed’s already done. Here, in this world, the real world, all you’ve done is sort all of your supplies and read the first page of directions and it’s been shit. The wording is unclear, the pictures don’t make any sense, the bags of supplies aren’t clearly labeled in conjunction with the guide in the manual, and you’re at your wits end.

So you call Daws. 

Your best friend in the world, Dawson Mercer, has always been skilled with his hands. Never mind the double entendre, you’ve seen how deftly Daws can handle a stick and a puck, so he is surely able to handle a screwdriver and a drill. 

In fact, continuing with the entendres, you know Dawson can handle a drill. On top of being your best friend in the world, you two had started hooking up in his second season at New Jersey, after you’d gotten a job in New York City and relocated. With just thirty minutes between you two and a lot of pent up feelings on both sides, it was only a matter of time until one of you broke and jumped the other. It ended up being him, but it was your fault.

It was a late night and you’d been up working on a proposal for your boss. It was well past midnight and you had work the following day, but you were in a groove and you couldn’t stop until the task was done. It had already been a tough day and you started to feel better when your work began to flow, but then you forgot a word and could not find it no matter what thesaurus you used or what questions you googled. You knew it was the perfect word for this proposal and it sounded so intelligent in your head, but you could not fucking remember it. It might’ve been the sleep deprivation of it all, but this sent you over the edge and before you knew it, you were calling Dawson and tearfully explaining your situation. He couldn’t understand you through the hysteria and was at your door as soon as possible, scooping you up and taking your computer away. You had explained everything again through your tears and he had held you in his arms, tucking your head away in his neck so you could hide from the world. When your breath evened out, Daws had registered the flutter of your eyelashes against his pulse and couldn’t stop himself from kissing you. It had been sweet and it was a long time coming. Things escalated that night about as far as you could go for the first time, with Dawson treating you like something that would break if he held you too tightly or looked at you too long. You both were shy but cared so much for each other that it just felt right.

You hadn’t defined it in the year since, but you know and Dawson knows that there is something special between you. You’re best friends and maybe, one day, you’d both be ready to commit to more.

For now, though, Dawson is the guy who’s going to sit in your guest bedroom and build your guest bed and maybe you’ll repay him if you felt like it.

Dawson comes over as soon as you call and walks into your apartment sopping wet. When he walks into your space, he shakes like a wet dog and you shriek. He gives you a toothy grin, your heart fluttering with fondness like it always does when you see the space between his teeth. “It’s raining out there,” he says unnecessarily, walking over to plant a quick kiss on your lips. “Where’s this bed you need your big, strong man to build, baby?”

You scoff and roll your eyes. “Big, strong man,” you mock. “Where’s that guy? I don’t see a big, strong man here.”

Daws pinches your hip for your comment, but it doesn’t really hurt.

“I’m turning my office into a guest bedroom,” you continue. You lean up and give Daws another little peck. “The bed is in there.” You reach around and give him a pat on the butt. “Go on, get in there.”

“You’re not going to help me?” Dawson calls over his shoulder, teasing you as he walks down the hall towards his daunting task. 

“Darling, you’ll just get distracted by me,” you reply. “I’ll be in here if you need me.” You take a seat on your couch and pick up the book you’ve been reading. You drape a blanket over your legs and lean back against the arm of the sofa, finding your bookmark and opening the book to that page. 

You can hear the rain growing heavier as you continue to read, as well as the sounds of Dawson putting the new bedframe together. He’s making quick work of it and takes a break at his self-proclaimed halfway point. He wanders into the living room and washes his hands in your kitchen sink before joining you on the couch. He sneaks under the blanket and lays between your legs, resting his head on your stomach. His hand reaches up, comes out from under the blanket, and rests on your chest. He palms your breast, just holding the weight of it in his hand. You place your bookmark and close your book, setting it down on the coffee table to your left. You lift the blanket and make eye contact with Dawson. You can’t help but think of your friend’s cat from university, who used to cuddle on your lap under the blanket just like this.

“Hi,” Dawson greets, smiling wide.

“Hi, sweet,” you reply and card your fingers through his hair, pushing it out of his face. “Have you given up on that bed yet? It’s impossible, isn’t it?”

“Mmm, no,” Dawson hums, purring like your friend’s cat used to when you pet him. He pushes into your hand just the same. “Just taking a break with my favorite girl.”

“Sweet talker,” you tease. Your hand moves to pinch his cheek like a grandmother would. “You’re trying to get in good with me, huh?”

“You always assume I’ve got an ulterior motive,” Dawson complains. “Maybe I just want to hang out with you.”

You give him an unimpressed look with a tilt of your head. 

Dawson snickers quietly, burying his head in your stomach. “No, you’re right.” He kisses your tummy, just next to your belly button. “I always have an ulterior motive.”

You spread your legs a little wider, allowing Dawson to fit his shoulders between your thighs comfortably. “What do you have in mind?”

“A snack,” Dawson replies in a cheeky voice, the smirk evident in his tone before he ghosts a fingertip under the hemline of your sleep shorts. 

Because you’re a brat, you twist away from Daws. You move to get up from the couch. “Shall I make you something?” You ask. 

Daws holds you down with his full weight, wrapping his arms around you until you’re effectively immobilized. You can’t see him anymore, having dropped the blanket when you moved to get up. “No,” he whines, drawing out the word and pulling you to him. He bites the side of your hip gently through your shorts. “Stay here, you’ve got what I need.”

“What you need,” you repeat, smiling to yourself. This is the side of Dawson that rarely anyone gets to see, even though he’s a happy-go-lucky guy most of the time. No one gets to see Dawson all whiny and eager to please, happy to get himself off by just getting his mouth on you. He’s sated like this, happy to stay between your legs for hours and make you come time after time, until you’re oversensitive and pushing him away. You’re happy to let him indulge most of the time, but that bed is still only halfway built. “Can you make it quick?” You ask. “Need you to finish building that bed for me.”

Dawson presses a kiss to your core, making you shiver. He hums in agreement. “Can we christen it after I’m done?”

You giggle and swat the back of his head under the blanket. “You wish.”

Dawson hooks his fingers in the waistband of your shorts and drags them down, removing them delicately and placing them on the ground next to him. He kisses down your leg as he does it and it’s even more arousing than it normally is, given that you can’t see him under the blanket and can barely guess his next move. “I do wish,” he agrees before moving onto your panties. “Can I earn it?”

“You can sleep in there by yourself and let me know how it is, since all my guests will be on their lonesome,” you say. You inhale sharply when Dawson dives in and flicks your clit with his tongue. “I think that would be more effective.”

Dawson bites the side of your thigh sharply and makes you jump. “Don’t wanna sleep alone,” he complains. “You’re mean to me.” He licks over your folds again, shifting to use both hands to spread you open so he can begin to eat you out properly.

“Fuck, Daws,” you groan, throwing your head back. You take a breath before continuing. “If I’m so mean to you, why am I letting you eat your snack? I could tell you no at any moment and make you go back to the guest room and work some more before kicking you out of my apartment and sending you home.”

“You’re talking a lot for someone who’s supposed to be enjoying herself,” Dawson mutters. You can hear his pout, not needing to see it to know that he’s annoyed that he hasn’t rendered you speechless. 

“Maybe you need to do better,” you breathe out, grinding down on the fingers that are slowly tracing your entrance, begging for them to enter you without actually saying it.

Dawson growls at that, taking it like a challenge and dipping his fingers into you and flicking his tongue against your clit quickly, giving everything he can to bring you to your peak.

You moan, reaching under the blanket to thread your fingers in Dawson’s hair. You tug at it and he moans, the vibrations making you shiver and bringing you just that much closer to your orgasm. “Dawsy,” you breathe out. “More.”

“Not much more to give, baby,” Dawson mumbles against your pussy, but pistons his fingers into you more quickly. “Giving you all I’ve got right now. Trying my best to make you feel good, sweet girl.”

“Feels so good,” you reassure him. “Need something else, need a little more.”

Dawson adds another finger, stretching you. He reaches up and pulling the blanket down so he’s not covered anymore. You can see your wetness dripping down his fingers and onto his wrist as he continues to move them inside you. You grip his hair as he brings his other thumb to your clit, rubbing in rapid circles. He spreads his fingers and leans in, doing his best to lick between them and get his tongue inside you. He looks up through his eyelashes at you when he does it and it’s that image, his wide eyes filled with so much admiration for you and determination to prove that he can make you feel so, so good, that makes you clench down and let your release wash over you. 

Dawson continues to thrust his fingers into you through your climax, mouthing over your clit and suckling at it until you’re squirming and panting. You pull him up your body by his hair, needing his mouth on yours. You keen into his mouth as he speeds his fingers up again. “Daws,” you gasp.

“Baby,” he replies, then kisses you again. He slips his tongue into your mouth and you two make out, movements lazy. He continues to finger you through it, unwilling (maybe even unable) to pull out of your wet heat just yet. He’s laying on top of you at this point and the weight of him is wonderful, always comforting you like nothing else could.

You kiss for what feels like ages, just feeling each other. Dawson grinds his hips against your leg, pressing his hardness into you, but making no move to do anything about it. It’s lovely, this moment, and comfortable like you two had been in love for years and you could do this every day. In the least cliché way, you knew that Dawson was your soulmate, the person you were meant to find in any universe at any time. He wasn’t yours, but he was. 

“Love you, Dawsy,” you tell him between kisses. 

He hums in agreement.

“Can you go finish building my bed now?” You ask, your one-track mind itching to get Dawson back on task. You really wanted that bed to be finished today, just so you didn’t have to think about it anymore.

Dawson pulls away and glares down at you. “Here I am, making out with you with my fingers inside your pretty pussy, and you’re going to make me work?” He demands. 

You giggle, leaning up to plant a wet kiss, a real smacker, on his cheek. “Yeah,” you say, shit eating grin on your face when you settle back onto the couch cushions. “Go on.”

Reluctantly, Dawson slides his fingers out of you and gets off the couch, licking his fingers clean and adjusting himself in his sweatpants. “So mean,” he reminds you with a cutting glance before he disappears back down the hallway and into the guest room.

You return to your book. “Holler when you’re done!” You yell to Dawson. 

“I don’t know why I ever do anything for you,” Dawson replies, voice floating down the hall with ire. 

You laugh out loud, loud enough for him to hear, and get comfortable with your book. You read for probably another hour before Dawson summons you to the guest room to inspect his handiwork.

When you round the doorway, Dawson’s eyes grow wide, noticing that you never put your panties or shorts back on. He’s standing next to the bed as you approach and he licks his lips. “You’re sure we can’t christen my handiwork?” He asks again.

“No,” you insist. “Merc, you already got what you needed.” You roll your eyes and flip the bird at your best friend, chastising him for being insufferable in his desire for you. “You’re such a horndog.”

Dawson shrugs. “Can you blame me? I’ve seen you how beautiful you are naked, I’ve heard how pretty you sound when I’m fucking you, and I’ve been loving you since forever. Just because we’re not dating doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to ask. You’re lucky I ask because you know I could pick you up and take you, and you’d love it”

“Do you want me to call you a wah-mbulance?” You retort, folding your arms over your chest. You glare at him with an eyeful of reproach, but he’s right. He’s taken you like that before and it’s been incredible, something you’ll even ask him for on occasion.

“Want you to let me fuck you,” he replies in the same tone, mirroring your actions.

You two stare at each other before bursting out in laughter. You walk over and loop your arms around Dawson’s neck, pressing your body against his and giving him a chaste kiss. His hands rest on your hips, holding you tightly. He kisses you again.

“Go to bed, Merc,” you say when you finally pull away. You step back. “Let me know how the bed feels.”

Dawson bids you goodnight and  turns around. You walk to the door. You leave the room and make it all the way to your bedroom before you hear a crash and rush back in.

Dawson is smiling, proud of himself as you take in the lopsided bed. One of the legs of the frame has been hastily removed and if you’re not mistaken, you can see it peeking out from where Dawson’s arms are crossed behind his back. “Oh no,” Dawson says, voice dripping with sarcasm. “It broke. I guess I have to sleep with you.”

Your mouth drops open in disbelief and you let out a laugh. “Dawson!” You exclaim, still giggling. “What’s the matter with you?”

Dawson shrugs. “Well, I can’t sleep on a broken bed,” he tells you. “That would be unsafe.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t want that.” You play along, a small smile still written across your face. 

Dawson takes a step forward and bats his eyelashes at you. “I guess I have to sleep in yours.”

“You’re insatiable,” you tell him. You turn on your heel and leave the room, listening for the clatter of the leg of the bed before Dawson’s footsteps trail after you. Both sounds come, just as you expected, and Dawson’s hands find your hips again. He walks with you, pressed along your back, lips attached to the back of your neck. 

“I want you,” he teases, his voice light and melodic in your ear. He reaches his hand up and traces your neck. “Don’t I get a reward for building furniture for you?”

“You already got a snack.”

“Ugh, but then you took it away from me after I made you come,” he complains. “And you’re teasing me, not putting your panties back on before checking my work. It’s a little slutty, baby. Is that what you wear for all the people that come to work in your house?”

Now in your bedroom, Dawson turns you around and walks you back until your knees hit the edge of your bed. You fall down onto the mattress and bring Dawson down with you. He reaches up your shirt and grabs a handful of your tit, gripping it in a way that directly contrasts how he was just holding it on the couch. 

“No bra either,” he notes, nuzzling into your neck and breathing you in. “You give all these workers quite a show.”

“You know I only dress like this for you, Dawson,” you reply. 

“Wish you’d commit to the bit and just be naked all the time.” He kisses your shoulder, other hand sliding up your shirt to grasp your other breast. He kneads them both, rolling your nipples between his calloused fingers. 

“Wish you’d take an article of clothing off,” you retort. 

“I’ll take it all off for you if you want me to, baby, just say the word,” Dawson promises. “Can I take your shirt off? Wanna get my mouth on these pretty tits.”

“Only if you take yours off too.”

Dawson doesn’t waste a second, pushing up to stand over you. He grabs the back of the neck of his shirt and pulls it over his head, revealing his muscular body to you. His chain falls between his collarbones beautifully and it makes your breath catch in your throat. He unbuckles his belt and pops the button on his jeans, unzipping them and pulling them down his legs, leaving him just in his boxer-briefs. The dark gray briefs leave nothing to the imagination and you bite your lip, gazing at the wet patch on the front of the briefs, right at the tip of his dick. 

You reach up and Dawson grabs your hands, pulling you into a sitting position. You raise your arms and he kneels between your legs, pushing your shirt up and bunching the fabric in his hands before he pulls it over your head and reveals your body to him. 

Dawson kisses up your stomach, slowly rising from his knees. He lifts you up and gently places you down so your head is on the pillows at the top of your bed. He then leaves a trail of kisses down your neck, shoulder, collarbone, and sternum until he makes his way to your breast.

He takes your nipple in his mouth, flicking his tongue over it. He grinds down on the bed, rolling your other nipple between his fingers again. You moan and once he’s determined that your breast has received enough attention from his mouth, he switches to the other one. It’s slow and sensual, with Dawson taking his time and savoring the moment and the sounds that he pulls from your lips.

“Dawson.” You find your voice, signaling to him that it’s time to move on. 

“Mmm?” He continues to suckle on your chest, leaving a hickey on the side of your boob now.

“Fuck me,” you say. “Come up here and fuck me.”

“Yeah?” Dawson asks, pulling away from you to grin at you. “Need my cock, baby?”

You pretend to think. “Need is an exaggeration,” you tell him.

Dawson scoffs and leans down to kiss you, lining his cock up with your entrance. “No pussy gets this wet if ‘need is an exaggeration,’ sweet girl.”

You whine as he sinks into you and he lets out a breath that sounds like a groan, his head falling with the sensation. He presses his forehead against yours and bucks into you, holding back to take in the sensation of your heat around him. He always gets pussy drunk on you and goes too fast, loving the way you squeeze him and milk him for every drop. It’s only so long before he does it again and starts to really fuck into you, but he’s intoxicated now by the slow drag of your walls against his length.

“So warm, so wet,” Dawson groans. “All for me.”

“All yours,” you agree. You close your eyes and kiss Dawson, swallowing the moan that comes from his lips at your words. 

His hips start to pick up speed. “Yeah,” he says. “You’re mine.”

“I’m yours.”

Dawson’s hips move with desperation. It’s the easiest way to bring him to his climax, you’ve learned over the past year. He’s possessive over you and although you’re not boyfriend-girlfriend, he knows that you belong to him. When you admit it, when he hears those words come from your mouth, it squeezes at his heart the same way you clench down on his cock when he hits that spot inside of you.

“Dawsy,” you breathe out, clutching at his shoulders. “Feels so good.” 

With every thrust of his hips, he brings you closer to your second orgasm of the night. He thrusts forward and sucks at your neck, leaving wet kiss after wet kiss. His saliva cools on your neck as his wet, hot pants leave his lips. He grunts and kisses you deeply, his tongue filling your mouth as deliciously as his cock is filling your pussy. He pulls back and looks down, watching his cock disappear into your heat. 

“Fuck me,” he whispers, pressing a hand against your stomach and feeling himself inside of you. 

A wanton moan leaves your mouth, back arching from the pressure. Your mouth hangs open and Dawson leans up, biting your bottom lip between his teeth. 

“Feeling good, honey?” He asks quietly. “Love hearing you.”

“Yes, yes,” you chant, and you let out a squeal when Dawson reaches up to give your nipple a sharp pinch. “God!” Your stomach turns, so close to climaxing. With every light touch of his fingers and the consistent kiss of his cock to the spot inside you that makes you see stars, you inch toward your peak.

“Just me,” he says, cheeky but like it’s an afterthought. He soothes the pinch with a kiss before leaning back up to kiss you. His hips stutter and Dawson groans. “Gonna come, baby,” he says. “Gonna come with me?”

“Always,” you whine, voice high in the back of your throat but sounding far away, like Dawson’s fucked your soul right out of your body. 

“Come,” Dawson breathes out, hips stuttering as he moves them with abandoned fervor, chasing a high that’s just out of reach. “Come, baby, need to feel you. Need you to come on my cock before I do, please,” he begs. “Fuck!”

You can’t control the scream that bubbles in your throat as you let go, juices absolutely soaking Dawson’s cock inside you and the covers beneath you. It wasn’t often that he made you squirt, but tonight was one of those nights. Your release burst out of you like a dam and left you completely boneless on the bed. 

It only took a few more thrusts for Dawson to whimper and shoot off inside of you. You’re like a vice around him, clenching down so hard that it’s almost difficult to thrust in and out of you. “Sweetheart,” Dawson whines, voice dripping with emotion. “So tight, fuck, love your pussy.”

He collapses onto you, his head on your chest, his hands on your waist, his weight pressing you into the bed the same way he trapped you onto the couch earlier in the night. 

You trace the lines of his face with your thumb as your breath syncs with his and you both come down from your climaxes. 

Dawson hasn’t pulled out yet, his cock still half-hard inside of you. He moves his hips slowly, fucking his cum into you at an excruciating pace. 

You plant a kiss on Dawson’s head and hug him to your body. “We should probably get up, Daws.”

Dawson shakes his head. “Gonna fall asleep right here.”

You let out a chuckle. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Dawson looks up at you with tired eyes. “Gonna keep my cock inside you all night, wake you up by making you come again.”

You let out a breath at that, clenching down on him subconsciously. You can’t help it. He’s so honest and he’s unabashed about how he wants you. 

He smiles, almost devilish. “You like that idea, huh?”

“Gimme a kiss,” you request, puckering your lips and waiting for him to come to you.

He does easily, unashamed and eager. “Could kiss you all night long.”

“Don’t, I’m tired.”

“Just think,” Dawson murmurs against your lips. “We could’ve done all of this in your guest bedroom.”

“Well someone broke the bed.”

“I wouldn’t have had to break the bed if you had just slept there with me.”

You two bicker like a married couple before you remove Dawson’s cock yourself and swing your legs over the side of the bed. He trails after you when you head to the bathroom, brushing his teeth with your toothbrush as you use the toilet. It’s all very domestic and you argue with him about the toothbrush, too, because he has his own and knows exactly where it lives (next to yours in the holder). You steal the brush from his mouth and leave him to rinse his mouth of the minty substance. You turn your back to him to hide the satisfied smirk on your face when you pop the toothbrush in your mouth without rinsing it of his germs.

When you make your way back to bed after cleaning yourself up, Dawson lays behind you and plasters himself to your back. He slips his cock back into your heat again and sighs, settling into the comfort of your heat. He presses a kiss to the back of your neck and breathes evenly until he falls asleep. You fall asleep with him, and if Dawson makes good on his promise of fucking you awake, that’s nobody’s business but yours.

notes: don't ever put me in a room with dawson mercer because i will make it my mission to stockholm sydrome that boy. welcome to my longest fic yet and man, oh man, did i have fun writing this.

[wildfloweronwheels]

Going to be thinking about last night's surprise songs for a long time... how you get the girl being an instruction manual on what to do when you screw up a relationship but also the happy vibes when someone gets it right + the albatross being a symbol of dead weight/something to be freed from + white horse being about an apology too late - you can't save me/fix this/you don't know what you've got till it's gone/ I need to leave for myself and then coney island - the slow painful relationship breakdown tinged with shades of other loss and memory, the fracturing of a forever that she wrote with william bowery. like jesus... with every piece of this puzzle, I flinch at the bigger picture

[mofffun]

instruction manual.

1 (ep5)

Moffun, I’ve had enough.

What happened, Rittan?

That Moffun scalper, I could only lock him up for six months.

Should’ve been the death penalty!

2 (ep11)

UAAAAAAAHHHH! I haven’t seen it yet! No spoilers!

3 (ep17)

That was a fine speech, wasn’t it? Should he say that?

No! No!

4

Rittan, aren’t you going to tidy up your room~?

It’s not messy. Everything is where it’s supposed to be.

You can’t change the fact it’s dusty~

5

Rittan, it’s time for work, mofu.

… Rita Kaniska will not be wavered.

6

Rittan. There are guests.

No. It’s time to watch Together with Moffun.

There are Bugnarok.

UAAAAAAHHHHH!!! Death penalty to all of them!!!

7

Moffun, it’s time for work once I wake up.

It’s fine if we sneak off work for just one day~

If I rest for one day, I might never get up again. Rita will work hard.

What a cog in the machine~

8

Rittan, what happened?

I got spoiled for Together wth Moffun.

It’s the end of the world~

Ugh…

9

Moffun, it’s colder than usual today.

Nothing I can do~ Hug.

You are so warm. I don’t want to move.

I won’t let you go anymore, mofu~

10

Rittan, welcome back.

Moffun, can I take a sniff?

You’re gonna leave dirt and sweat and bad vibes from the criminals on me.

Ugh… Rita will take a bath.

An example for us all!

11

Rittan, you’re in a good mood!

Moffun! A new friend! Chibi Moffun Premium!

Did you take that from the scalpers?

Someone gave it to me… someone kind. •̀.̫•́✧

12

Rittan, Morfonia took another paid leave~

That’s fine. Even though we’re so busy, she always finish work super fast and never takes a sick leave. She worked hard, I feel better she is taking days off.

Sounds like something you want to tell her yourself~

That’s favouritism. My neutrality will waver.

If you don’t tell her, she’ll never know~

[skeletonpunching]

Buddy Daddies music composer interview

Interview with Kitagawa Katsutoshi (music composer)

Interviewer: How did you first come to work on the music for this series, "Buddy Daddies"?

Kitagawa: Since it was a story about assassins, they were looking for music with a prominent horn section and a jazzy feeling to it. They told me that was why they brought me in, and I was like, "Gotcha." (laughs) That's how it started out. At first, I imagined the main theme, "Buddy Daddies Theme", as a cool, fast-paced jazz piece - something that would go with car chases and other action scenes.

Interviewer: What sort of requests were made for the background music?

Kitagawa: I received a slate of requests from the audio director, and had some briefings with the production staff, but there were already dozens of songs on the music list - it felt like an incredibly detailed instruction manual. So I really just followed that list and threw myself into the work. And I didn't just create songs inspired by the series - there were also cellphone ringtones, videogame music, songs for sports day, and so on.

Interviewer: The songs used in episode 9, for the sports day at (Unasaka) Miri's daycare?

Kitagawa: From their entrance music, to the song for the tug-of-war, to the music for the foot race - I came up with about six pieces for that episode alone. And what's more, they were all sports day exclusives; they'll never play anywhere outside that episode. (laughs) During the briefing sessions, I thought it'd be easy enough to conceive of all this, but when I realised how many songs there were in total, I was like, "Wait, hold up." I was seriously at a loss at first - it seemed like it was going to be an endless undertaking - but it turned out like running a marathon. I made steady progress on it every day, starting with whatever ideas came to me.

Interviewer: Was there anything you were particularly focused on, when it came to the main theme?

Kitagawa: The main theme is playing all the time, so it's absolutely vital. I was told to make it a cool jazz piece, but so-called "jazz" has a pretty broad definition. And if I just wrote the type of jazz I personally like... Well, it was pretty tough finding a middle ground. I didn't want it to feel like something from a straightforward detective drama; I wanted something cooler, more stylish... But focusing on stylishness was tricky too. I'm afraid I kept everyone waiting for a while, before I finally hit on something that made me go, "This is it!" Once the main theme was settled, I used that melody to branch out into various different versions, like ones with a slightly comedic vibe, or melancholy piano-only pieces.

Interviewer: Which songs were composed with the specific elements and premise of the series in mind?

Kitagawa: Miri's mother's song. It's a sad song, but it ends up being a key plot point in the series, so the staff and I had a lot of back-and-forth in order to nail it down. This one also has multiple versions with different arrangements. Miri hums the tune in the show, but without the chorus; she's only humming the intro. I had no idea about that until I actually saw the broadcast on TV - I thought, "That's where they're singing it?!" (laughs)

Interviewer: Out of the songs you composed for this series, which would be your favourite, if you had to choose...?

Kitagawa: Probably "Mission Complete ~ Theme of a Mission Concluded", which is basically used as a secondary theme. It features a band and horn section, and also contains strings; I think it's kind of stylish, and pretty fun. At first I thought this might end up being the main theme, but we ended up going with the current main theme because it had a more exciting vibe. But I'm very fond of this song as it is. And then there's "Battle of Spanish Joint".

Interviewer: That song is also used in the pre-broadcast trailer.

Kitagawa: I was initially picturing something with a breezier feel, but as we progress into the second half, the rhythm changes, and the scatting gets into a nice groove - it suddenly turns into a rock song. I liked being able to incorporate that too. Anyway, I was requested to make it more forceful overall. They asked me not to water down the performance and the vibes, so I figured I'd go for something aggressive - so aggressive they might get mad at me instead! And so it steadily got heavier and denser. (laughs)

There's also "Commence Operation", which is kind of like free jazz. The recording of this song was basically improvised; the score was just a few chords I'd dashed off really quickly, and then it was like "One, two!" and we were off. I was recording with performers I know very well, so that worked out, but since they had no idea what each other would be playing, there was a constant sense of danger that fit the scenes even better than expected. It turned out to be an incredibly cool song.

Interviewer: The songs with vocals, like scatting and choruses, are also very memorable.

Kitagawa: One of the songs with a cute chorus is "Watermelon Woman", which is kind of sensual. When those girls appear in episode 1, it's playing at their place, and I was like... well, if it's ever gonna play, it'll have to be there. (laughs) The chorus was also composed with that in mind. I was requested to give it a sexy vibe, but without being crude, so I played around with some Latin music I personally like.

And there's one song which I did the chorus for myself, and I think it's pretty neat - "Jolly Tutti". This also has Latin influence, and uses a type of drum called cuíca... You can hear it in the interlude; it sounds kind of like "ooho-ooho-ho". I wanted to include that, and the performers kindly fulfilled my request. I quite like upbeat Latin songs that include choruses and scatting, and make use of this sort of percussion.

Interviewer: Taking a look at the tracklist, there is also a song used in Miri's scenes.

Kitagawa: Oh, you mean "Franny! Rudolph! Francesco!" That's the theme song for the kids' TV programme Miri watches, but I had no idea what the specific footage would be like, so I went off my own image of "a ten-minute-long puppet show with three characters", and wrote the opening song and lyrics based on that. I decided the characters' names were Franny, Rudolph, and Francesco; there's a small one, a skinny one, and an enormous one. They're all puppets. (laugh) That's the premise I arbitrarily came up with for their great adventure TV show.

Interviewer: Looking back on the music composition for this series, what did you find the most memorable?

Kitagawa: Usually, I don't do that much background music, but this time I was told, "We want something in Kitagawa-san's typical style", and it felt like a privilege getting to do that. So I tackled the composition, putting in my trademark flourishes all over the place. There really were a lot of songs, so I worked on it regularly every day, chipping away bit by bit. This is the first time I've ever worked that way; it was really eye-opening to discover that I was even capable of doing this.

Also, I normally work with a variety of people, and I was delighted that so many people who've helped me out in the past could all come together for this recording. For example, Murata Yoichi-san in the horn section, Misawa Mataro-san on the percussion, and Kinbara Chieko-san for strings. These seniors were lending me their strength for the first time in a while, and that was kind of nervewracking but also refreshing. It felt like a nice dose of nostalgia. After putting together a lineup like this, I was sure it would be an amazing project, but the recording took place over two days, so there really wasn't much time to savour it. It felt like we were racing through it all at once, which was pretty rough. But it was fun.

Interviewer: Please tell us what you think are the selling points of this series "Buddy Daddies".

Kitagawa: All I can say is "the music". (laughs) Just a while ago, I was working on the mastering for the CD compilation; it was the first time in ages I'd listened to it all the way through in a proper studio environment. That was when it really sank in just how many good songs I'd made. So I do think the music is a selling point after all.

Interviewer: Finally, please give a message to everyone who is enjoying this series.

Kitagawa: Please do check out the music I composed based on the premise of "Buddy Daddies". The worldview might not be immediately apparent, but I do think that if you listen carefully, you'll be able to enjoy it while imagining the series.

[beauty-beast-week]

FAQs about participating in Beauty and the Beast Week 2024

Beauty and the Beast Week 2024 is starting soon! Here are answers to some questions I’ve gotten or that you may be wondering about before participating in the event:

Can I join?

Yes! This is an open event with no sign-ups. You don’t need to notify me or get my permission. Everyone is welcome.

Do I have to do something for every one of the prompts?

No! Just one is fine. You can do more if you wish, or multiple works for the same prompt, but none of this is necessary. The list of prompts is here.

Do I have to write about the specific plants in the prompts?

No! They are meant to be metaphorical and spark inspiration. Go with the vibe that the plant suggests to you. Some suggestions are shown on the prompt list, but you can interpret each plant however you wish. And if you do wish to depict one of the literal plants in your work, that’s fine too!

What should I do if my work doesn’t fit with any of the prompts?

That’s what day 7, the free day, is for! Anything goes, that day (provided you still follow the rules, of course!).

Do I have to create my art/fic/whatever on the day itself?

No! That would be super hard to do—I’m not that mean! Create it now, and just hold off on posting it until the day of the prompt you used.

Does my fic/art need to take place in the Disney BatB universe, or are AUs allowed?

As long as you have at least one Disney Beauty and the Beast character, you can stick them in whatever universe you wish. Make Belle a mermaid in a pirate AU, make Gaston an astronaut in a space AU, give Cogsworth and Lumiere a meet-cute at a coffee shop, or just keep everyone in the canon-compliant universe of the film. Anything goes!

Can I include non-BatB characters in my creations?

Sure! As long as you have at least one Disney Beauty and the Beast character, you can include whatever other characters you wish. Characters from other media, OCs, reader inserts, they’re all fine. And remember that there is no bashing of others’ characters or ships! Accounts that do so will get blocked. Review the full list of rules here.

Can I make [fill in the blank]?

Yep. Any type of fanwork you can dream up is welcome, not just fic and art. Crochet a Beast hat and post a pic of it, make a photo montage of yourself doing cosplay, make a music video, we love it all!

Is NSFW allowed?

Yes, with any sort of content and kink you like, but since there may be minors following this account, please tag it appropriately. If posting mature content directly on Tumblr rather than AO3, also use its community labels function and/or hide the content under a “keep reading” link. And minors—do not engage with content that is not meant for you.

Is AI allowed?

Absolutely not. This account will not reblog, include in master lists, or include in the AO3 collection anything that was made with AI involved to any degree. Even if you just use AI to make a banner to go along with your fic that you manually wrote, we will not reblog it. Review the full list of rules here.

How do I post my work so it gets included?

The most important thing to be sure to do is to tag the @beauty-beast-week account in your Tumblr post so we can see it and reblog it from this account. Also, please use the hashtag #batbweek and/or #batbweek 2024. Full posting instructions are here.

Should I post my fic on AO3 or Tumblr?

Whatever you prefer. If you post it on AO3 and also make a Tumblr post to link to it, we will reblog the Tumblr post. If you only post to the AO3 collection, we will have nothing to reblog, but we will still link to your work in the master lists.

I don’t post my art on Tumblr; can I still participate?

Yes, but you’ll need to send us a DM via Tumblr with a link to your work on Instagram, Twitter, DeviantArt, etc. We will then include it in the master lists.

I’m not going to get my work done on time; can I still participate?

Please do! We’re happy to accept late entries! We understand that life happens, so just tag us when you’ve posted it and we’ll reblog it, though it may not make it into the master list post at the end of the event.

How can I connect with the other people participating in this event?

Building personal connections between those in our fandom community is the main reason @firawren created this event, so while there’s no Discord server specifically for this event, there is the “Frozen Hearts Worth Melting” Discord server. It’s a super chill server for Beauty and the Beast and Frozen fanfic writers and artists; DM @loonysama if you want to join this server. Also, feel free to DM @firawren if you’d like to connect one on one; I’m always hungry for more BatB friends!

Did I miss any questions that you still have? If so, please reply to this post, send me an ask, or send me a DM.

[raccoonfallsharder]

Domestic Scenes in Space Travel✩°｡⋆

The Very Boring Adventures of Space Pilot & Sweatshirt Girl MASTERLIST

ratings vary | no use of y/n | f!reader | series

In Rocket Raccoon: Grounded (2016) / Issue #3, Rocket asks a stranger on the ferry to "make sure nobody does anything weird" to him while he naps, and the stranger just, like, abandons him while he's sleeping?? who does that? when a stranger asks you to watch their stuff in a coffee shop, it's a holy obligation. x100 if it's a hot local space pilot trying to catch some Zs on the ferry. get in loser we're gonna fix it

reader x rocket domestic fluff & smut with feelings. comics-based but you don't need any comics background knowledge to ride this ride.

full details, summaries, & lists of warnings in each link. return to main masterlist.

please check out this fuckin adorable sweatshirt girl art by @chittyblue it’s so cute i wanna fuckin die

Installment One ❤︎‬❤︎ The Very Boring Adventures of Space Pilot & Sweatshirt Girl 18+ only MDNI | 5/5 visits | complete | word count: 37,783. you meet rocket on a new york ferry and the rest is history. The First Visit. rocket evades SHIELD by hiding in your purse. ✩ The Second Visit. you and rocket eat omelettes in your underwear. ✩ The Third Visit. rocket finds you naked & takes care of your cat. ✩ The Fourth Visit. rocket teaches you about his tail. ❤︎‬❤︎ The Fifth Visit. rocket stops by for a visit. ❤︎‬❤︎

Installment Two ❤︎‬❤︎ Outer Space Safety & Spaceship Maintenance Training 18+ only MDNI | oneshot | word count: 9,853. The Ninth Visit. Study Night.

Installment Three ❤︎‬❤︎ Reconnaissance for Beginners: An Instruction Manual 18+ only MDNI | oneshot | word count: 14,329. The Fourteenth Visit. Date Night. Rocket: Blue River Score (2017).

Installment Four ✩ ❤︎ smut-free and 18+ only versions available Critical Interview Questions for Potential Room & Crewmates varies | oneshot | word count: 6,111 - 6,723. The Eighteenth Visit. Autumn vibes & kittens.

Installment Five Untitled 18+ only MDNI | pending | word count: pending. The Nineteenth & Twentieth Visits. Series Finale. Guardians of the Galaxy (2019).

A Kinktober Oneshot❤︎‬❤︎ Proof: A Moment in Space 18+ only MDNI | oneshot | complete | word count: 1,786. The Twenty-Sixth Visit. Just smut.

some explicit statements or references ✩ explicit scenes or fantasy sequences ❤︎‬ long, detailed, and graphic explicit content ❤︎‬❤︎‬ deliberately smut-free, mostly or entirely platonic ✮

[becauseimanicequeen]

I binged the first three episodes of The Trainee last night (because I couldn't wait any longer due to the great reviews I've read in my feed).

I was stumped after the first episode...

Not in a good way...

Because that first episode was so. fucking. boring.

And I'm not talking about the slow pace (I love slow-paced shows). I just didn't care.

Normally, I would've connected with a character like Ryan (or in a crowd of these many characters presented so quickly, I would've at least found one to connect with), but I just didn't care. I was more interested in Ryan's sister, and all I got to see of her in the first ep was two (?) short scenes.

There were so many characters, and I just didn't care about any of them.

Also, I have never worked in an office (because I've always worked for myself), so that whole trainee thing and workplace environment is not relatable to me at all. (It's been interesting reading about other people's comments on the authenticity of the depiction of the workplace environment, though.)

The only things that kept me going were the pretty colors, the neon lights, and Off and Gun (who I can watch in practically anything even if I don't vibe with their characters).

The mere thought of having to finish another 9-ish hours of this (because I always finish what I start) felt like a fucking nightmare.

But, that's me, I always finish what I start.

And I'm so glad I continued.

It started to pick up by the end of the second episode (or around the time that scammer showed up and screwed Ryan over). At the end of the second episode, Ryan had my full attention and Jane started to work his magic on me. There were actually characters I started to care about now (almost as much as the pretty neon lights on all the fish tanks, which seem to be everywhere and constantly feed my obsession of getting a fish tank of my own).

Then I got to thoroughly enjoy the third episode, which was a very different experience from the first episode for me. (It seemed like I went on a roller coaster with this series last night, lol.)

Ryan showed how invaluable (and creative) he is. He did his job to the best of his ability. One small gesture of kindness from Jane (taping Ryan's shoelaces), and Ryan blossomed (which shows what a difference a small gesture of kindness and/or encouragement can make). It was just so palpable that Ryan was already gaining confidence in himself thanks to Jane's small gestures of kindness and encouragement. Ryan is such an important part of this team and everyone will realize that at some point (even Ryan himself).

And Jane, beautiful Jane. As many have already written, this is definitely Off's sexiest role so far. Jane could yell at me all fucking day, and I'd still stare at him with heart eyes. I'm completely bewitched by him, and I don't mind. I don't mind at all.

Don't ask me what the series is about, though (except trainees, obviously), because I mentally clocked out the first one-and-a-halfish episodes (out of boredom).

But now it's looking much brighter and I'm actually excited to see the rest of the 7-ish hours left of this series (because there are only 10 episodes, right?).

Please, just give me more of Jane (even if he's just reading an instructions manual for a printer). And Ryan excelling at his job. And Pah, too, because he's cute as fuck. And more neon lights (because I'm a slut for that shit).

[kensanwrites]

30 Hz Elite Student Affirmations Gamma Wave Concentration Binaural Beats Lofi Hiphop Studying Music

Welcome to our empowering video, "30Hz Gamma Wave Concentration Binaural Beats Elite Student Affirmations" – Elevate Your Study Sessions with the Power of Gamma Waves, Lofi Hiphop, and Positive Manifestations! 📚🎶

 In this session, we've carefully curated an experience that combines the focus-enhancing properties of 30Hz Gamma Wave Binaural Beats with the rhythmic vibes of Lofi Hiphop, designed to amplify your concentration and affirm your journey as an elite student. 

Join us on a transformative journey where we explore the Law of Attraction, the Law of Assumption, and positive affirmations tailored for academic excellence.

 🌟 **Gamma Wave Concentration Binaural Beats** - Immerse yourself in the heightened cognitive frequencies of 30Hz Gamma Waves, optimizing your brain for peak concentration during study sessions.

 📖 **Lofi Hiphop Studying Music** - Enhance your focus with the soothing sounds of Lofi Hiphop, creating a perfect background for immersive and effective study sessions. 

 🧠 **Positive Affirmations and I AM Affirmations for Elite Students** - Engage in affirmations crafted to align with the principles of manifestation, empowering you to believe in your academic potential and achieve elite student status. 

 🎓 **Manifestation Technique and Positive Thinking** - Deepen your connection with the Law of Attraction and the Law of Assumption, applying manifestation techniques to foster a positive mindset and academic success. 

 Join us on this academic journey where the power of Gamma Waves meets the rhythm of Lofi Hiphop, enhancing your study experience and propelling you towards excellence. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay connected with our empowering content. 

 🌟 Elevate your concentration, embrace positive affirmations, and manifest academic success with us. Let's begin this elite student journey together! 🌟 

 ****** Here are some user listening instructions to enhance your experience and maximize the benefits: 

 1. **Background Listening:** Let the affirmations play in the background during your daily activities. Whether you're working, exercising, or doing household chores, allow the positive messages to permeate your surroundings. The subconscious mind is receptive, even when you're not actively focusing on the affirmations. 

 2. **Meditation Mode:** Set aside a few minutes each day for a dedicated meditation session. Find a quiet and comfortable space, play the affirmations, and focus on your breath. Let the positive words guide you into a state of calm and mindfulness, reinforcing the affirmations at a deeper level.

 3. **Interactive Affirming:** Engage with the affirmations actively by repeating them aloud or in your mind. Use the video as a guide and affirm along with the positive statements. This participatory approach can strengthen the impact of the affirmations as you internalize them consciously.

 4. **Loop for Maximum Benefit:** The affirmations in this video loop three times for maximum effectiveness. Feel free to let the video replay or manually loop it to extend your listening experience. Repetition is a key factor in affirmations' efficacy, reinforcing positive beliefs and intentions. 

 Remember, consistency is key. Choose the listening style that resonates most with you, and make these affirmations a regular part of your routine. Whether in the background, during meditation, or actively affirming, these positive messages are designed to uplift and empower you on your journey. Enjoy the transformative experience! 🌟

[mcflymemes]

AS SAID BY GARRUS VAKARIAN

ASSORTED DIALOGUE FROM THE MASS EFFECT TRILOGY

i would’ve never thought of that.

what are you doing?!

they must be destroyed upon contact without exception.

as if we needed more reasons to avoid touching things in here.

why do people always assume we enjoy putting ourselves in harm’s way?

this wasn’t covered in my training manuals.

well, this looks fun.

some women find facial scars attractive.

they were all ignoring you and hitting on me. ‘bout time you got a fair shot.

why don’t we ever go anywhere nice?

it’s your call.

we shouldn’t be fighting. we have to work together.

that’s pretty... extreme.

there’s no pep talk like a military pep talk.

and here i thought i had my betrayal and attempted murder for this year...

now’s not the best time to become an optimist.

he’s not going to make it if we don’t help him.

we can disobey suicidal orders? why wasn’t i told?

he hasn’t reported your disappearance.

this guy couldn’t tie his bootlaces, let alone fight.

half of us don’t even trust you.

one less to worry about!

over the years i’ve grown used to the smell of dead bodies.

that’s probably a bad sign.

i love what they’ve done with the place.

just like old times.

whatever they’re after, i hope it’s worth it.

i’m hard to kill. you should know that.

it’s gonna be bad all over.

for whatever it’s worth, i’m with you.

you’ve waited long enough for this day.

just wait ‘til this war is over.

you came along and warmed my heart with your winning personality.

maybe you’d like to go work for them instead?

how do i not have one of those?

surprise on our side for once. i like it.

brutal, but it makes a certain kind of sense.

it’s all just... expected.

i know we’ve beaten the odds before.

staying out of trouble, i see.

you were wondering too, weren’t you?

see any action?

there’s too much at stake here.

next time, leave instructions.

it’s starting to feel like we’re missing something.

they’re taking it pretty well, don’t you think?

bad vibe to these guys. i don’t think we want to push it.

never do that again.

i’d say you managed.

excuse me, i couldn’t help but notice your sidearm.

can you tell me where the bartender hides the hard stuff?

now they’re just fighting dirty!

well, that went well.

pretty stark. you okay?

you’re real. a little crazy, maybe, but real.

he really had you boxed in.

you did what you had to, and i was there with you.

come back alive. it’d be an awfully empty galaxy without you.

you can’t do this solo.

you always were the best shot.

i love you, too.

listen. we have to go.

we didn’t kill these people. and we’re going to shut down the bastards who did.

looks like we’ve got a siege on our hand.

if anyone needs fresh clips or a bathroom break, now’s the time.

oh crap!

guess he didn’t like the food.

looks like we got the jump.

pretty extreme, but those were desperate times.

we won’t get a second chance.

that was me, sorry.

nothing like being stranded.

we’ll do more than that.

just the usual minor flesh wound.

what would these people have done if we hadn’t shown up?

i was there when you two had your thing, remember? just get a room and work it out.

stay angry. we’ll need it to get through this.

drinks will be on me.

one of my favorite places to fight!

[yuurivoice]

Just wanted to say that even though I do avoid exploring any tags related to me, I do absolutely recognize and appreciate a ton of you who regularly post awesome art, headcanons, and memes.

A lot of that is thanks to people sharing those fun, awesome things! Reblogs where I end up seeing them on mutuals blogs and stuff helps, so share and gas each other up!

There are people in this community that have been here for years, who have seen this entire corner of the internet shift and grow for better or worse. The OGs who have been around before I ever made this blog know how far the community has come, how much it's stayed the same, and how much it has changed. And I've grown along with it. My aspirations and hopes and creativity has evolved so much from just doing silly little posts as an anime twink to having a full blown web series.

Despite that growth, I am still just a guy trying to tell his stories and make some voices while doing it. I have a small team around me, and without them this would be even more difficult than it already is. We're not corporate, we're independent artists and freelancers and creatives just trying to do cool stuff, and are lucky enough that something worked.

I've failed so much over the course of my life. You see the results of things, and for the most part are incredibly kind and supportive. Thousands upon thousands have appreciated my work in one way or another, and that's a dream come true for me. I never bothered wanting anything more in my life than to share stories with people. I didn't have a bucket list, or many aspirations. I was at a dead end and ready to just give up. That mentality and the time spent going in circles did a lot of damage over time.

But you found me, whether it was 6 years ago or a week ago, and whatever support and vibes you've sent my way have mattered. I won't ever lose sight of that.

I wanted to say that because I know I am not as ingrained into my own community as an active participant and that may make me seem distant, or stuck up, or something. It's not for any sort of disdain or lack of appreciation though, it's just me, and trying to keep my head clear.

You don't get an instruction manual when you're suddenly a niche internet micro celebrity. They don't tell you about scrolling through fan art at 3am and then seeing the nastiest, most mean spirited, bad faith takes about your work you've ever seen. Shit is weird, man. And it's not for me, because I give way too much of a shit about my art, and that's a flaw. My skin has gotten thicker over the years, but what happens on days when your mental health is in the shitter? Weeks where I've been fighting my demons and losing can't afford me the grace to step on a weird internet landmine brought on by the symptoms of being a creative trying and failing and succeeding all at once in a world where everyone on the internet has an opinion they want to shout into the void.

And people can do that! It's my responsibility to look after myself and set those boundaries for my own comfort, not anyone's fault for just doing their thing on the internet, ya know? Once you put yourself out there, you have to accept that people are gonna people. Same irl, shit, I've been a fat kid my whole life, I'm certainly no stranger to people being obscenely rude for no reason other than they like the sound of their own voice.

I just wanted y'all to know that even though we're well beyond the "little internet family" vibes that some creators foster, I'm not up in some ivory tower (ha, said the thing) looking down like a curmudgeon. I am rooting especially hard for all the fellow creatives out there on their own journeys, wanting to share their passion and dreams with the world as well. I want you to win, and succeed, and find fulfillment with whatever drives you to make things.

Guess I was in my feelings a little bit and just wanted to say that I do see many of you and am thankful you've allowed me to play some kind of role in entertaining, comforting, or inspiring you. That means the world to me.

[hazbinhazbinhazbinreblog]

How would Vox hide his golden tickets

He's obviously not making chocolate so he'd have to hide them with whatever tech he makes

Anons forcing me to think rationally rather than just vibing with the silly incorrect quotes and jokes (not a complaint I like thinking about these things too)

At first I was thinking about hiding it folded up in one of those instruction manuals that come with phones that no one actually reads, but then an idea crossed my mind of not using golden tickets at all. What if it's something never publicly announced but all the details were on like page 37 of the terms and conditions and you just had to be one of the people crazy enough to read it all to notice it was there

[mitigatedchaos]

VOL - Value-Over-LLM

(~700 words, 3 minutes)

3) Ken, an estate campus resident: "Cycling through my neighborhood this morning, I can't help but appreciate living in a place that values sustainable transportation and community spirit! 🚴‍♀️🌳 #EstateCampusLife"

I instructed Nous Capybara to generate 5 fictional characters after reading about the hypothetical country I've mentioned before. On previous runs I didn't specify to make ordinary people, and got pairings like:

An influential [country's politics] philosopher and political thinker known for her radical ideas about the role of religion in governance and societal order.

"The path to true enlightenment lies not within abstract notions of good and evil, but in the practical application of morality and ethics in our daily lives." - Hera

A high-ranking member of [country's military], known for his exceptional strategic thinking and leadership skills in [country]'s wars and conflicts.

"In times of war, it is often those with the sharpest strategies who emerge victorious. But in peacetime, it is the leaders who can adapt quickly to changing circumstances who will prevail." - Shu

With respect to both the text and the knowledge base of the model, with respect to meaning, we can think of LLMs as moving sideways and downwards - they generate a related text in the text-space, which generally has less meaning. This can result in an information gain if you are not familiar with the meaning of the original text, or with that portion of the LLM's knowledge base, or just haven't thought about it much yet.

In my opinion, LLMs as a technology, by itself, are likely to be at least as consequential as email.

First, I expect this to reshape how human beings communicate with each other. A ChatGPT subscription costs about $20/mo. The existing generations will get used to nearly-unlimited, on-demand, LLM text generation. Future generations will grow up with LLM text as a baseline.

This is likely to socially devalue text that sounds like an LLM. I can already feel the outline of socially lonely people turning to LLMs in some way, and this generating a vibe of, "All your friends are puppets," / "all my friends are flesh and blood," where the latter will be seen as the result of superior social ability and fitness.

It may lead to the devaluing of all generic business talk, or push some individuals to a higher level of consciousness or understanding. These conditions may spark new artistic or philosophical movements, and are likely to change the way society views itself.

It's unclear what follower-personalities, whose beliefs are more socially determined, are likely to do in the face of the text onslaught, as they are not currently reading text into a coherent model for evaluation. Some of them may be "trapped" by this technology and fail to reach a new level of development.

Future teenagers will likely project retro nostalgia for the pre-LLM era and its greater authenticity.

There will likely be development of a writing style which is deliberately LLM-illegible, but it would likely be an awful lot of fucking work to read.

Second, humans are likely to accumulate a ring of text information and spreadsheet type data that can be fed into LLMs and related systems. Right now, it's difficult to get the information back out, because you have to do it manually, which is high attention. An LLM's reading of this data will be low-attention, but cheap.

What's in this ring of text information is likely to depend on copyright or intellectual property law, but the provisioning of textbooks or articles for inclusion in LLM use may emerge in the coming decades.

Automatic summarization, even of middling quality, is a big deal. LLMs still have the issue where processing a large document at speed requires a tremendous amount of VRAM, but documents could be summarized in a hierarchy, and then searched and processed in a multi-step process.

Regardless, the text information is likely to include the user's own creative content.

A lack of access to this ring is likely to result in reduced mobility, for lack of a better word.

Third, an increasing body of text will likely be written for LLMs. I don't mean messages or queries. Rather, the goal of an article is to add information, so text will be written as LLM source materials.

Fourth, what you get out of an LLM depends a great deal on what you put in. People with a higher aptitude can get more out of an LLM because they better understand the limits of the system, but also because they ask the right questions.

Fifth, constant exposure to text generation of this kind might also result in atrophy of skills in reading and writing.

It's difficult to tell at this juncture. What seems more likely is a split. Some people will focus on what gives them the advantage, writing in a way that provides a very rich and understandable information source, providing "value over LLM." Others will let the machine write everything and gradually pay less and less attention to it, and would eventually find it challenging to write a quality email on their own even if they were forced to at gunpoint.

The effect of the latter may end up being be similar, in some ways, to online environments in which someone's avatar is "physically" present, but the operator is not at-keyboard, and you don't know when the operator will be at-keyboard, and if they don't want to answer you they may pretend to be not-at-keyboard. (This is one reason to avoid brain-computer interfaces, as they could lead to a society of people who are never anywhere - even online.)

It may be necessary to apply some class of future social conservative policies, such as banning the use of LLMs on school grounds, but we will see.

[oldtvandcomics]

Ranking my Tarot decks because why not

I don't do any witchy things, but I do love Tarot, mostly for the art. Those cards are frikking expensive, but I did build a small collection over the past... fifteen years or so.

Deck 1:

It came with a box. And a book of instructions. I lost both, because I was like twelve at the time. Unfortunately, the name of the artist was lost with them. (Don't ask where the little bag is coming from, I believe my sister got it with something or so? But it fits the cards perfectly, great little bag. 10/10 for the bag.)

The cards are nice enough. The Big Arcana is pretty standard, the Small Arcana for some reason is just the number of the name of the colour. So, like, Five or Cups is five cups. Six of Cups is six cups. Seven of cups is seven... You get it. This makes it very difficult to know which card means what, and all the symbolism is lost for most of the deck.

3/10

Deck 2: De Tarot Boek-Box, artist Juliet Sharman-Burke

Pretty small cards, that came in a cube-shaped box that I still have, manual included. The pictures are all VERY pretty.

It's my favorite deck, and if I ever use Tarot cards, then I use this one. So I have an emotional connection by now, and also, I repeat, I frikking love these pictures.

10/10

Deck 3: The Welcome to Night Vale Hayworth Tarot Deck, artist Jessica Hayworth

(I am just seeing that there is a second Welcome to Night Vale deck?!?!)

Based on the podcast. Some of the cards feature characters, but most seem to just aim for The Vibe. Which it's doing a pretty good job at.

Not my favorite Tarot deck, but that is mostly just a matter of taste.

8/10

Deck 4: The Literary Tarot, created and designed by Dani Hedlund, card artists Shan Bennion, Isabel Burke, Bradley Clayton, Sam Dow and Ejiwa Ebenebe

Behind this deck is the Brink Literacy Project, a nonprofit promoting literacy. They had famous authors pair cards with works of classic literature. They did replace the traditional Small Arcana colours with colours that fit better to the theme of literature: Quills, Ink, Parchment and Light.

Oh dear, do I have conflicting feelings about this one.

First, this deck is objectively speaking GORGEOUS. Very beautiful, both because of the golden elements on every card, and because the drawings are nice to look at. Second, some of the matches made between the work of literature and the Tarot cards are just perfect (I'm still not over Don Quixote as The Fool). However, I don't actually like the idea of replacing the Small Arcana colours. Also, I had to import the deck, and it cost me a fortune. Not saying that I regret it, buuut...

My real problem however is that it race- and culture lifted quite a few of the cards, presumably to look less white and eurocentric, but... No. Just NO. There are moments when you can play lose with skin colour in your adaptation of classic literature, and then there are times when you absolutely CANNOT. If you are making a deck of cards with just one picture to represent a book, then you need to stay true to that book, and this includes things like the race and the culture of the characters. Doing otherwise does injustice both to the culture in which said work was created (and if that culture was racist AF, then we STILL CAN'T IGNORE THAT), and to the people of colour you were changing the characters into. Non-white people have their own classic literature. Countries from the global South have got their classic literature. FUCKING INCLUDE THOSE WORKS INSTEAD OF DRAWING JANE AUSTEN CHARACTERS AS BLACK!

This deck had one, self-appointed job, and it failed it.

4/10

Deck 5: The One I Put Together, artist Thiago Corrêa (and me, I guess?)

I bought the entire pack as stickers from Amazon. There was no artist credit as far as I could find, but this is the same deck as they sell in the shops that is designed by Thiago Corrêa. It's all cats. I then spent two very fun days cutting black paper into card shapes, drawing little doodles on them fitting each card, then stuck the stickers on the cards and wrapped the whole in bookwrap foil.

Also, I included an ace Pride card sticker, because I had bought a pack of ace Pride stickers at the same time and I love the idea of a Tarot deck with a bonus wild card.

First of all, Corrêa's art is gorgeous.

The finished cards are very small, but they do look good. Most importantly, I've had a blast assembling them. However, I don't think that I would dare to use them as actual cards, because I would worry that they get damaged while shuffling.

10+/10 art project 1/10 Tarot deck

[findafight]

here is the spotify link to Robin and Steve's Epic Platonic Soulmate Mixtape (vol.1) I'm going to say they made this version in the early spring of 1985. fic link

track list and explanations under the cut!!

Side A--the queer side

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler: I'm gonna take a wild guess and say y'all know why this is here

Rainbow Connection by Kermit: also self explanatory. and a bop. AND about rainbows. what more could you want?

Bangkok/One Night in Bangkok by Murray Head (Original Chess Recording version): 1) a banger. 2) from a whole musical written by the Bs of ABBA 3) Steve likes to listen to musical while vacuuming his pool :) 4) queer vibes. "the queens we use would not excite you" "i get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine" also to note they DID probably shave off the first minute of instrumental, but not all of it. I used this version and not the radio edit because in my heart of hearts I believe Steve picked up the Chess concept album in the fall of 1984, vibed with it, (I've answered an ask about stobin and the musical chess where I talk more) and that's the version he has.

Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy by Queen: tbh always sounded gay to me, and it's such a fun song, I think they'd vibe with it and agreed it's a silly little nod to steve's previous rep.

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard by Paul Simon: GAY GAY VERY GAY SONG "it's against the law...what their mama saw/it was against the law" HMM also it's catchy and has so much potential to be an angsty queer ballad too. (also Robin's dad is 100% a Simon and Garfunkle stan that's just. a fact to me.)

I'm Coiming Out by Diana Ross: iconic song claimed by the gays. for the obvious reasons. bit on the nose but this is for THEM.

Sunshine (Go Away Today) by Jonathan Edwards: About not letting someone control your life. It's catchy and heartfelt, dreams about the future. Steve's Vecna Song for me.

You Can't Hurry Love by The Supremes: stobin are losers in the love department, and it's a great and hopeful song about not rushing into things. The Supremes Version because Robin is influenced by her former Hippie parents, and Steve by his Aunt Evelyn and her love of 50's and 60's music. They have appreciation for the Oldie Goldies.

Lady Marmalade by LaBelle: Disco baby. I also feel this was a song for us queer folk. maybe because I'm queer and I like it. it's great, and robin loves hearing women sing about having sex.

Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler: throwback to the first song on the mixtape Steve gave Robin at the very beginning! now with the Upside Down between them it means more too. it's also SO FUN to belt in the car. frantic and with a good beat. I don't think I need to justify this one haha

Believe it or Not (theme from Greatest American Hero) by Joey Scarbury: Robin LOVES this stupid show about a cringe fail teacher with his cringe fail life getting a super suit from aliens and then losing the instruction manual. It just feels like a show she'd like even though it's so silly. The theme song is actually great tho. I think it'd really tickle the part of Robin that feels overly average and a bit trapped in Hawkins, but feels those confines lessen when she's with Steve and getting to feel like there's more out there for her. Personally, I first heard it on cassette of top 100 tv themes (along with MASH, Law and Order, Hawaii Five-oh, Andy Griffith etc) sitting in a booster seat in the front seat of my family's motor home on a long summer road trip in the early 2000's, as my dad drove and told me what show each song was from. (Steve buddy I understand your dream so much ok. There's nothing quite like being a kid and going on a roadtrip with your family. magical.)

Side B--The Besties side

You're My Best Friend by Queen: Love song for your best friend me thinks yes :)

Stuck With You by Huey Lewis and the News: the only anachronistic song on the playlist, but I couldn't NOT put it on. lavender marriage stobin REAL. They're stuck with each other :) also look at Steve. He is a guy who listens to Huey Lewis. We know this. He heard this song a year before it came out and was like robin :') it's us....I'm stuck with you...I'm so Happy about it :))

Stoned Soul Picnic by The 5th Dimension: Robin's parents are former hippies. This song is fantastic. Pure vibes. Steve and Robin are going to get rescue cats that are bonded together and name them Sassafras and Moonshine for this song.

Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles: Bop and a half. Sing along song.

Both Sides Now by Judy Collins: 1)gorgeous song originally by Joni Mitchel but this version is a bit faster 2) Robin's former Hippie parents influencing her taste strike AGAIN 3) she tries to convince Steve it's about being "queer like him" and he doesn't buy it but "I've looked at love from both sides now/.../I really don't know love at all" and "Oh, but now old friends they're acting strange/ And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed/ Well something's lost, but something's gained" hit different for him

Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel: I chose this billy joel song because it's 1) catchy as all hell 2) about having sex 3) mentions dying and stobin are like We didn't die!! hell yeah! Steve's a pianist and tbh he loves billy joel. who doesn't. it was between this one and piano man i guess, tho i love many Billy Joel songs that are "deeper cuts" ha. and "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints/the sinners are much more fun" line is like. what are they gonna do. not be an emotional queer teen about it?

Raspberry Beret by Prince: it's catchy, and whilst originally I had put La La Love You By Don McLean here, I like this one better. Robin is definitely a Prince fan. and a beret fan. happy coincidink. and its a fun song! about loosing your virginity to a hot girl in a barn!

Indiana Wants Me by R. Dean Taylor: okay originally I'll admit I put this on the masterplaylist because. obviously post-s4 Eddie running away angst song even if it's more folk-rock than metal. I think Steve and Robin would listen to it and really vibe with wanting to go home but not being able to. even if it's not literally. also they live in Indiana and like. you've gotta respect a song about where you live. ALSO the cop sounds in it. so good.

Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen: a song? about being disillusioned with the American dream after seeing the institutional failures of the government??? very Steve. the whole album is great, and I know I've reblogged a post about Steve and the album (My Hometown hits different). It's angry, frustrated, passionate. Being queer in a small town where the government covers up it's human experimentation and alternate dimensions probably makes you feel a lot of things. All with the veneer of Americana.

Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) by Peter Starstedt: purely self indulgent of me. I adore this song. I think Steve heard it, and thought of Robin. The remembering, the deep knowledge of another person, the longing. When he told Robin that it's a song he always associates with her she tears up a bit, because it's so tender and loving, and a bit silly. Like. Steve knows she'll be amazing and can't comprehend anyone not seeing it. It's sooo tender.

Thank You for Being a Friend by Andrew Gold: Golden Girls didn't air their first episode until fall 1985, and obviously when it does Stobin are loyal viewers, (Steve is in love with Bea Arthur. as is right) but this song came out in the 70's. It's fun and cute and catchy! They love each other and are so, incomprehensibly grateful that they found each other.

[i-drop-level-one-loot]

Pssst hey poke poke wanna rant about Diablo II is it any good Iv been considering getting into the series

Absolutely!!!!!!!

Oh my fucking God, ok ok ok...

So. I love it.

Diablo II remastered is my favorite in the series, and I can't even verbalize how much of a fucking gremlin I become over this game, bro. Dude. Okay so. Hot takes, coming in, but the second one is my favorite in terms of art design, gameplay, and overall vibe. It's also a pain in my ass. But a good pain lol.

In terms of playability, something a lot of people complain about with older games is the lack of explanation for a lot of gameplay mechanics (not just Diablo, if you play older games you probably know what I'm talking about), so the first two games even remastered can feel sluggish, unnecessarily difficult, and confusing. Which are very valid criticisms, I don't side with gamers who complain about new games coddling their players however. Straight up, the horadric cube in D2 doesn't have an instruction manual. Bless the internet.

Diablo 1 and 2 have just an incredible atmosphere and artistic design. It's dark fantasy. The angels are sick as fuck. The cover art; o r g a s m i c. Like,

And for some people who didn't grow up playing Diablo II, the learning curve is really steep. But I enjoy it! I love starting new characters and then deleting them again because I found a better build. Experimenting without looking up guides for point allocation and gear.

This is the cover art for Diablo II: Resurrected.

This is how I want to feel going into my fights. This is my enemy. Sexy as hell. I would recommend this game, it's one of my all time favorites. The characters are connected through your battlenet account, so if you buy the game for your Xbox and for the Switch as I did, you play your same game. Which is probably a no brainer for people who played video games for a lot longer than me, but I didn't have a console until I was in my twenties.

If you ever get this game, and wanna cry when encountering the first boss, I will give you my ultimate guide to how this dumbass cheesed their way through the encounter without dying ❤️

Also, secret level, near the beginning of the game you go through a portal and you can pick up a dead guy's artificial leg. Keep it. Later, you can use it with the horadric cube to unlock the best fucking level of all goddamn time. 🐮

Now, the other games... Diablo III.

The gameplay was way too easy (for me at least). After the first boss the story gets better, but everything about the third game is super different.. It's art is super stylized. It feels cartoonish in the lineup. It isn't dark, even with the body horror and literal demons, because everything feels colorful. It's the anime inspired fantasy roleplay version of the grim dark heavy metal fantasy games. I liked the story, because I was so invested in Diablo II that I needed to experience what came next, and I don't regret playing it, it was fun, but it didn't have that replayability factor imo. That's just me though.

Before anyone complains, yes I played RoS and Death was sick as fuck, these are just my silly little opinions playing the games. But like, it just didn't frustrate me, or make me feel like I was in a life and death war. But, if you like power play fantasies, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, necromancer broken as fuck. Kept having to raise the difficulty while playing because I blasted through everything.

Before I go on, you know that trope where angels are dicks? Cuz these games are full of angels that are huge dicks. Best angel in the entire series is in the third game, he's the best character, I won't say his name because they act like it's supposed to be a surprise that he's an angel but ahshgsjsj..... I replay for him, and Diablo, but other than that it's only fun to play with someone who hasn't experienced it yet so I can vicariously feel their enjoyment. If that makes sense.

And my ultimate disappointment, Diablo IV.

The story is awesome. The cut scenes are cinematic. Lilith is superb. They went back to the same dark realistic atmosphere of pre D3.

I'm just really bitter about microtransaction hell, season passes in a game that just came out and was so pricey, and end game content that felt like a chore instead of a game.

It was super rewarding the first playthrough, don't get be wrong! The story was so fun, and the monsters were delightful bastards. They brought back the Butcher from part three, but unlike in D3, he was a huge asshole in D4, sunnova bitch lol

The game was so fun until we got to the end game and season of the malignant.. the developers keep arguing with the community whenever they bring up valid criticisms instead of addressing what's lacking. I wish the game wasn't so expensive, because I would recommend it if it was just a fun game..? I liked it, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the developers do something better with season passes or with future dlc expansions.

I hate real world currency in game shops and a lot of season passes. DLCs I understand. I like. But a season pass that's ridiculously expensive on top of an already pricey game that doesn't add enough new content for actual gameplay and instead makes you grind for a new horse skin? And grinding.

Ugh. I still really enjoyed it, but I can't in good conscience recommend it because the price makes me feel guilty. It's great, until you beat the game. It's open world, but the missions are limited, and the grind isn't rewarding. Again, crossing my fingers they make it more fun with future updates.

Such a bad bitch. Fucking love her. Mommy. The initial game is great. Just not for that price. Open world games should be playable forever, and that's what D4 promised, they just didn't deliver.

Sorry if this is a mess, I'm about to fall asleep ❤️ but yeah, I fucking love this series, even when I don't. The story and characters and the atmosphere when it's there.

[brandwhorestarscream]

Lockprowl ask

I had suggested IDW lockprowl, because I saw an interesting fanart about them

It has been a looong time since I read IDW and I'll be completely honest: I had no recollection of IDW Lockdown and had to look him up to refresh my memory on his design. Do I remember his personality at all? No. Is he still a husky voiced bounty hunter in my heart? Yes

I'm gonna recycle an old concept here, and say that Prowl is actually the one that gets sparked first. Maybe they're actually a couple and this is a schmoopy alternate timeline where all is well and they're happily living together, married and content. Maybe it's like canon and they have a very on again, off again relationship.

Regardless. Prowl is the one who's sparked, and there's immediately worry of the baby growing too big for him to safely birth. This wasn't planned at all, and situations where the carrier's frame is too small can quickly turn lethal. Prowl in a slight panic immediately jumps to termination, but Lockdown suggests an alternative: a transplant. There's no way the bitty's size could be too big for him, and, well. He's not averse to the idea of being a parent with Prowl.

They caught the carrying cycle early so the transfer would be swift and painless. The earlier a baby spark is moved, the better, generally. Prowl consents to the operation, and they get scheduled right away. Thankfully, it all goes extremely well: the newspark anchors to Lockdown with barely a flicker, and his carrying protocols online to begin preparing to begin designing and constructing their sparkling's body.

Prowl is... not quite anxious, about being a sire. Worried, maybe? Weary? Bracing for impact? No, he's more like... apprehensive. Yes, that's the word he'd use to describe himself. He's apprehensive about parenthood. After all, having a baby is practically a full time job. They need a lot of care, around the clock. They're so fragile and so easily impressionable: one seemingly tiny, inconsequential mistake could follow them for the rest of their lives and shape what kind of person they could become. They need constant love and attention smd supervision, and they're both so busy. Perhaps it's pessimistic but he's approaching this with shrewd realism: as it stands now neither of them are ready to properly care for a sparkling. They're making a baby, an entire person. Someone that will someday be a fully fledged adult with a functioning psyche that they are responsible for sculpting. If they mess this up they could make the worst serial killer the world has ever seen, so they need to get their act together and be perfect parents.

He becomes... idk. Is there a word for like a groomzilla but for expectant parents? Because he's like that. Super anal about everything, down to the tiniest detail. Everything they buy from blankets to cradles to pacifiers goes through rigorous investigation, he reads instruction manuals and manufacturing info cover to cover, and he is extremely strict while choosing everything. He's already making a road map they'll need to follow to put their kid on a path to proper adulthood: they'll need to make sure they build the little one's confidence with children's groups early on, and make sure they are always readily available for the first several years or else the baby could develop attachment issues. They'll need the kid to be learning their glyphs by X age, and to be able to count by the time they're Y. He's narrowed down a list of acceptable schools for every age range, as well as researched the possibility of homeschooling just in case the public and private education institutions don't live up to his high standards. He spends a 20 hour period doing nothing but reading every recent study on sparkling psychology he can find, and he's already reserved a private room at the best hospital Cybertron has roughly around the due date.

Lockdown is honestly shellshocked. He gives me the vibes of an old fashioned, small town or perhaps country mom: as long as his kid is well fed and isn't bleeding and has a smile on their face, he knows he's doing alright. He'd definitely have a more hands off approach to parenting, letting their baby explore and make choices for himself. Isn't that enough to build confidence? Prowl rebukes him saying they're going to responsible for a living person, and they owe it to their sparkling to give them the best possible life. They're making the decision to bring them into this world, a decision that the baby has no say in, so they should at the very least give them the best possible chance to succeed and live an easy life.

To keep him busy, Lockdown let's Prowl take the reins on the majority of the prep. If he wants a fancy stroller without a certain strain of plastic in it, that's fine. If he wants to flip through hover cradle FAQs til his optics cross to find the most perfect one, so be it. It keeps him busy, and Lockdown honestly doesn't care about make or models or even color schemes. He's not too fussed about what they get, so long as baby is happy and healthy.

When the big day comes, Prowl thought he was prepared. He had everything squared away, had prepared extra energon and an overnight bag for the hospital and had transport on standby. He'd gone over his checklist every day since they enter the last few decacycles leading up to the due date.

But then Lockdown starts having contractions and he fucking blue screens. He's been running his systems so high strung and stressed that when the actual trigger happens, his processor crashes. Like actually crashes. Lockdown just grunts and presses a servo into his belly, gritting his denta and saying, "Yeah, it's time for the hospital, darlin'." and Proel gives him that standard deer in headlights look, optics flashing brighter than they ever had and something audibly pops in his helm. His lights go out and he drops like a sack of flour, smoking a tiny bit, and Lockdoen sighs. Rolls his optics, picks Prowl up under his arm, and heads to the hospital on his own.

Prowl comes to about half a megacycle later, once they've already been checked in lmfao. He's such a mess, he'd be drenched in sweat if he was human, and Lockdown nor Ratchet have ever seen him this flustered. Ratchet is delivering because Prowl insisted: there's no one better to do the job, and he'll trust no one but the autobot's CMO. Primus knows Ratchet is the only person Prowl would trust to save his life in a dire situation, he's the only one that Prowl trusts to safely deliver their sparkling.

He's pacing all over the delivery room, going over his checklist and feverishly looking through their hospital bag, so grateful that Lockdown grabbed it. He apologizes profusely for fainting like that, but his partner isn't fussed about it. At this point the contractions aren't painful, just a bit uncomfortable, and Lockdown switches between laying in the berth watching TV and doing laps around the room with his mate for several hours. It's his first sparkling, after all: it's going to take a long time before the sparkling is in the right position and his body is actually ready to deliver. It's a rather long labor, thankfully uncomplicated, but they're at the hospital for about 15 hours before they actually get to a point where they can start pushing.

Prowl, thankfully, doesn't pass out again, but has no idea what to do with himself while the medical team is setting up the stirrups and taking measurements and telling Lockdown to get ready to push. He's not sure if he should stand with his partner and hold his servo or if he should stand behind the doctors and watch firsthand as his sparkling is born. In the end, he does both, standing parallel to the berth with his left servo holding Lockdown's, the other peering over the privacy screen and watching the very moment their sparkling is born. Lockdown handles his labor like a champion, pushing out an exceptionally chunky sparkling in less than 15 minutes.

Their son is a big, round little marshmallow, black and white with a set of little green horns and huge blue optics. He's healthy and strong, latching onto his carrier's fuel lines without issue. Prowl is mesmerized by him, he's so proud in that moment, and Lockdown is on cloud nine cradling their newborn. He's so cute. So round and warm and snuggly, he never wants to put him down. Prowl's plans have all gone out the window--yes, he even had strict plans for post-emergence bonding--but he's lowkey short circuiting. He looks so tiny being held in his carrier's arms, and there's not a coherent thought in his head while he watches his son, mystified. The first time he holds him, he nearly crashes again. It's a good thing he's sitting down 🤭 the baby happily snuggles against him, content and starting to blindly suckle at his chassis in soft, wet kisses searching for more fuel. Prowl hasn't cried a day in his life but he gets damn close in that moment, and immediately turns to Lockdown to utter a heartfelt, whispered, "Thank you, for giving us this miracle."