#let them be desperate okay.

[lighthouseas]

no you don't understand. when byler kiss i need them to be gasping into each other's mouths and holding onto each other for dear life. i need them to be shoving each other into things and knocking things over because they're so desperate to be closer. i need them grinning like idiots against each press of lips. i need tears. i need forehead touches. i need hands running down each others' bodies. i need

[wikitpowers]

Ty reached out and brushed Kit’s hair away from his face, an absent sort of gesture that sent a shot of something through Kit, a feeling like he’d touched a live electrical fence.

let's talk about this again, shall we?

[strangewiggles]

You were spilling all my will out I was bleeding my last brains It's nothing like the nothingness That normally numbs one's pain

Goodbye, oh goodbye

some closeups for you

[solarkarii]

Ranboos super desperate he's just like me fr

[satisfactuality]

i have no artistic talents to speak of but please stick with me while i describe imaginary fanart,,

kristen and fig, bloody and barely still up + an impromptu symbolic marriage/handfasting/ceremony/whatever you want + cassandra and ankarna with cassandra in her idk form and ankarna modeled after fig (maybe a burn towns shirt? to kinda fit the bit-but-not-a-bit of the idk shirt) standing transparently over them

very much like a hail mary/divine intervention kinda vibe

[natjennie]

OKAY why do yall have to have the worst nastiest most rotted bad faith interpretations of things ever the episode was incredible what the fuck is wrong with you

[devildom-moss]

Roses for You (13)

This had all started when you noticed a link between a book on the language of flowers you had borrowed from Satan’s room and the current lessons from your Seductive Speechcraft and Magical Potions classes.

In Seductive Speechcraft, you had just reached a section on the effectiveness of spells using non-verbal communication: enchanting glances, dance, and offerings. Meanwhile, in Magical Potions, the professor had been discussing the significance of using specific quantities when concocting potions; they had spent fifteen minutes just providing examples – including adding petals from two different flowers when using them for a love spell.

You couldn’t resist discussing the use of flower language – utilizing the type, color, and quantity of the flowers – to specify the magical intent of an offering as a form of seductive speechcraft. Asmo and Solomon listened intently. The same idea popped into both of their minds, and before you knew it, everyone was looking into color and number meanings, searching for the perfect combination to convey their feelings for you and try to put you under their spell. The only rule for their little competition to charm you? Only roses are allowed.

Will you be charmed by their attempts?

Thirteen Roses - Thirteen

Word Count: +800

Secret admirer / Eternal friendship

“MC!” The small demon ran up to you.

“Hey, Serun, what’s up?”

Serun thrusted a bouquet of coral-colored roses towards you. “Delivery for the most popular human on campus.”

“You didn’t really need to add that last part.” Solomon sighed in response to Serun’s slight. He wasn’t going to deny that you had quite the growing fanbase, while his popularity had dipped, especially after he snuck homemade cookies into the last bake sale – which really confounded him. If anything, his baking should have made him more popular, right? No.

“Sorry, Solomon, but adding that was part of my delivery instructions. Can’t be helped.” Serun shrugged with a smirk. “Anyway, I have mail to pick up, so I’ll see you two around.”

“Thanks, Serun. Take care!” you added as Serun sped off down the foot path. You felt kind of bad for them; you were just relaxing in the RAD courtyard, so you might have been hard to find. The poor demon had a rough job. Maybe you should bake something for them? Anything but cookies. They were an unfortunate victim of Solomon’s bake sale debacle. The mail was slow for two days while they recovered; no replacement could do the job like they could.

The sweet scent of the roses wafted up to you on the breeze. You looked down to examine them closer: thirteen vibrant coral roses – somewhere between a deep pink and orange. They were gorgeous. A small card was attached to a ribbon tied around the thin vase; hoping to figure out who had sent them, you flipped it over. Unfortunately, the only thing on the card was a short message: “Meet me at Madam Scream’s at 3pm <3.”

Whoever it was, they were really putting the “secret” in secret admirer – although, thirteen roses could also mean eternal friendship. However, since coral was a symbol of desire, you were leaning towards the former. Solomon peered over your shoulder, reading the note as he did.

“Secret admirer, huh?” Solomon nudged you.

“Or someone wants to be friends,” you corrected him, suddenly flustered by the accusation. “I wonder who it is.”

“Well, there are thirteen roses here. Maybe it’s from Thirteen? Although that might be too on the nose.”

“Maybe.” You shrugged. “I guess I’ll find out.”

“Should I tag along – just in case?” Solomon asked – a tinge jealous that someone was accosting his adorable apprentice for a date.

“Nah~” you waved off his concern, “I’ll be fine.”

It was unexpectedly embarrassing having people eyeing the roses – and consequently, you –all day. You might as well have carried around a sign saying, “someone likes me.” Luckily, you had just enough time to drop the roses off safely at home before heading to Madam Scream’s. You would have teleported them home earlier, but you didn’t want to risk breaking the vase or damaging such pretty roses in the process.

When you arrived at the bakery, you recognized the characteristic bi-flag-colored hair. Thirteen was waiting for you with a pensive look on her face, anxiously hoping for your arrival. Maybe I should have just signed the card, she thought. Her face brightened immediately when she spotted you.

“You got my flowers?” She beamed at you.

“Thank you, Thirteen. That was so sweet.”

“Well, let’s see if I can be a little sweeter. Order anything you want. I’m paying.”

“For real? You’re the best, Thirteen!”

“Don’t I know it? Oh, but feel free to pile on the praise.” Thirteen laughed and took your arm to guide you towards the counter.

With your sweets and drinks acquired, you and Thirteen took a seat at a quiet table in the corner of the shop. You sipped at your drink, and Thirteen eyed you affectionately. She sighed. “Ugh, honestly. When I heard about this whole rose thing these guys have going on, I couldn’t believe how stupid and competitive they were all being. Still, I couldn’t let them have all the fun. I had to get in on it.”

“You’re pretty competitive, yourself, you know?” You glanced up at her. She feigned offense, placing her hand over her chest.

“Only when I care about something.” Thirteen winked at you.

Okay, so she definitely meant “secret admirer” when she sent the roses, right?

Thirteen was her typical, fawning, affectionate self throughout the date. She even insisted upon walking you home afterward. Her arm linked with yours half-way through, which was particularly useful when you arrived at your door, and she was reluctant to let you go. You felt her grip tighten briefly before she finally loosened her hold.

“Thank you for everything today.” You smiled and turned your back to the door to face her.

Thirteen leaned in, sending you into immediate panic in the hopes that she might kiss you. Instead, she inched closer to your ear and spoke low and sweet, “I know I said it with the roses already, but I want to be clear: don’t overlook me, sweetheart. I adore you, too.”

Lucifer (1) | Mammon (2) | Leviathan (3) | Satan (4) | Asmodeus (5) | Beelzebub (6) | Belphegor (7) | Diavolo (8) | Barbatos (9) | Luke (10) | Simeon (11) | Solomon (12) | Raphael (14) | Mephistopheles (15)

[caitlynmeow]

Despite her daughters’ countless attempts, Alcina’s answer towards having any pet at home is “no”.

She tells her daughters that it’s a lot of work to look after a pet. She is busy with work and her three bug spawns, the maids are busy with their duties around the castle, and the three daughters are a tad too spoiled to actually care for a living being.

This is partially the truth. But there is another reason that she hasn’t disclosed to her daughters. Her babies are sensitive and they have a lot of feelings. Once they form an emotional bond with anything or anyone it is hard to break from it.

Pets die, short and simple. Whether it’s a cat or a dog, the poor creatures have a short lifespan and she knows that losing a beloved pet will devastate her daughters and she going to prevent this heartbreak from happening in the first place.

Of course, her daughters will not know about this fact. For now, she is content dealing with the occasional request and the puppy dog eyes that nearly sway her, but mama knows how to stand her ground.

[meownotgood]

aki cries in secret, he cries for every rookie who died under his supervision, he blames himself for every death he couldn't prevent and would do anything to protect someone if it meant not having to watch them die. he cries where no-one can hear him so they'll never know

[lovecolibri]

I know I talked about a "near the dock" cruise ship disaster would be a great opening because the firefam could help with the rescue and run into Bobby and Athena but also, I kinda think a ship crash/lost at sea story could be fun to have everyone THINKING Bobby is dead so we get some MCD angst from the mains but we see him and a few survivors together and eventually getting rescued. I just think it would be delicious and after this season said Bobby is Buck's dad and then did fuck all with it after that, it would be nice to have Buck just absolutely lost and I would love to see Athena lose it a little bit too and them supporting each other, and then finding Bobby and giving us more momemts like when Bobby was exposed to radiation and Buck was worried about him but dialed up to 10.

Bonus points if his gf *tries* to help but we already know she's got zero empathy about death and Buck realizes it's not what he wants and we never have to think about that again.

[aro-ortega]

constantly thinking about lonely!ortega

[cave-monkey]

I'm watching Monkey King 2009, and I know a bit of what happens to Six Ears later so I can't help but look at things through that lens, specifically the ways the FFM troop are a hot mess in a way that's actually kind of interesting and addressed in the show (to the extent a kid's show generally touches on those things). Like! The fact it's only the second episode and the troop is now two-for-two throwing Six Ears to the wolves at the first available opportunity! I decided to look back on what happened the last time they did this and go ahead and outline the thoughts I was having on it because, apparently(!), this was not a one-off! And I was not overreacting!

The very first fight scene in the series in Episode 1. Analysis, go!

Specifically, the part where a child is the one facing down the leader of the enemy warband, a combatant who already mowed through the advances of two experienced, trained adults with minimal effort, and the show...actually kind of goes a semi-realistic route with it?

Six Ears starts off strong and confident. He's basically an adult, his king put him up to this, of course he can handle it! He won't let him down!

And he does a pretty good job! It's very kid's show fun and punchy.

But then the Demon King of Havoc - an adult, a trained fighter, a blooded fighter - starts buckling down. And Six Ears slips up. And then he keeps slipping up.

It's not fun anymore. Six Ears is in way over his head and he knows it. So you get this (honestly kind of heartstring-tugging) shot of him glancing away while the Demon King approaches to look for his mentor and idol for help or guidance or something. He's a kid, he's scared now, and he wants his grandfather.

...and finds him asleep.

Now in most media I'd expect this to either be the mentor-figure feigning indifference or carelessness to encourage their pupil to handle the problem themselves (and implying in the process that they never doubted their pupil's ability to handle it - that they were never in actual danger), or this would just be building tension before the seemingly-oblivious mentor-figure suddenly intervenes at the critical moment.

But, of course, Six Ears isn't the actual protagonist, and that's not what happens. Six Ears looks to his king for help, finds none, and that's it. The Demon King of Havoc goes in for the kill and all Six Ears can do is run.

And he does, and he runs and runs and runs, farther and farther from his troop and anyone who can help because apparently no one was paying attention to the kid who was taking on the leader of the entire opposing force by himself, and he barely stays ahead of the sword, the trees the Demon King sends crashing down on him, and he's blatantly not able to do anything more than survive moment to moment.

And then he can't run anymore.

And the Old Monkey King doesn't show up. We find out he was never going to show up.

We get a shot of the Old Monkey King slowly waking up way back in the camp well after this scene, in response to Stone Monkey's hatching. (He also stands bolt right up, which is probably meant to be in shock at the giant stone rocketing into the sky wreathed in universe energy but I also like to think might also have been a "Where the FUCK is my KID" just so I can imagine someone was concerned about Six Ears during all this.)

Like, I cannot emphasize enough, Six Ears would be dead if Stone Monkey hadn't been hatching at this exact moment. An energy burst from the hatching blinds the Demon King long enough for Six Ears to bolt and start the chase again. That's what saves him. And then again when Six Ears manages to get the egg between him and a blow from the Demon King's sword.

Considering how eager the generals are to throw Six Ears to Stone Monkey when they're still convinced he's a legitimate danger in literally just the next episode, presumably just days after all this went down, and I...sort of think they were fully aware Six Ears was likely going to die to the Demon King. While I hesitate to say they didn't care at all, they showed in Episode 2 pretty clearly that they definitely cared way less about a child of their troop's likely death than they did about saving their own skins. Not enough to back him up, not enough to go after him when he's forced to flee, not enough to take on the fight in his place.

Which is tremendously messed up all on it's own, but it gets worse because these generals are all for treating him like a young kid when it's convenient for them. They see him as a child! But they're just as quick to throw him under the bus of adulthood as soon as that's convenient for them. Whatever requires the least effort from them, that's what they want him to be.

Seriously, who the hell is taking care of this kid? Because at this point it sure seems like the Old Monkey King - who is very old and very tired and whose body is blatantly failing him - is stuck not only trying to keep his troop in something vaguely resembling working order and secure them as much as possible for his imminent death no one but him seems concerned with, but is also somehow expected to be the primary (if not sole) caregiver of a young child. Something he can't be. Like, geez, guys. Let the man wither away in peace without piling on him more fraying threads of the things he can't possibly tie up properly before he goes, thanks!

Not to mention how this would blatantly conflict with the Old Monkey King's need to have a successor as soon as possible, since the most eligible adults in his troop are, apparently, all lazy cowards who are entirely unsuitable. He brings it up like two or three times in the first episode alone, so this is clearly something that's stressing him out, and his best option is still a boy. Meaning Old Monkey King is in a position of having to desperately (but trying not to show that he's desperate) push Six Ears to grow up just a little faster because he doesn't know how much longer he has left. There's just not a lot of room for him to just let Six Ears be a kid, in those circumstances. He needs a king. He needs Six Ears to make decisions and lead and take risks, even if the ones he's taking are far beyond the sort of things that should be on a kid's shoulders. He can't be his mentor and his grandfather and his king. No one person can be all three of those. Something is going to give. And so the Old Monkey King makes his mistakes. He piles too much on Six Ears too soon. He expects too much of him too soon. He nearly gets Six Ears killed in the first episode. (He accidentally leaves Six Ears vulnerable in the future to adults who want to use him.)

It's a fascinating little set-up. Obviously not really addressed in the show, since it's for kids and framed from a kid's perspective, which is also sort of genius? I'm thinking of the second episode where the generals are more than willing to dump Six Ears on the sacrificial alter, even physically carrying him out the door, an adult on each arm, like he might wise up and get scared and run (and if he did, like they wouldn't let him), and all Six Ears does is laugh. He's a kid. We've all been kids who think some of the most messed up things are perfectly normal simply because you don't have anything to compare it to. This is just the generals being the generals, obviously. They're so silly :)

But adults were writing this show, and I can't imagine an adult writing this not knowing exactly what they were doing. Especially knowing what happens to Six Ears.

Anyway, long story short: I want to fight the generals with my bare hands. I do not want to fight the Old Monkey King with my bare hands, but I do want to give him a long, disappointed glare over his cups that I feel like he would understand perfectly.

Also, someone needs to wrap Six Ears up in a burrito blanket and stuff him in a pillow fort with Stone Monkey where nothing can hurt them. That would be nice.

[velcryons]

@wcrriorhearts -- one line sc

"It isn't fair! I don't want to be Rhaenys anymore. Why do you always get to be Aegon, Nyra?"

[icewindandboringhorror]

Current temperature inside of my room right now in the middle of the night whilst about to go to sleep... villain origin story...

[quietwingsinthesky]

the amount of time i spend thinking about Even carrying the metacrisis doctor’s fob watch is really quite disproportionate to how much ive fleshed out that part of the story in my head

[gch1995]

I’ve contemplated a lot about why Luke was the sort of person that Anakin felt inspired enough to turn his back on Sidious and the dark side for, while Padme, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka weren’t.

While Anakin does become a hypocrite who no one was obligated to forgive after he turned dark, regardless of his tragic circumstances and compromised agency, I think Luke was the one who finally inspired him to turn back because, in spite of as “above it all” as Obi-Wan, Padme, and even Ahsoka wanted to believe they were, they still had many of the same issues Anakin developed of feeling pressured to be people pleasers to corrupt authority figures, expectations, and rules that they knew were wrong out of fear of the unknown under compromised agency, moral hypocrisy, pride, manipulative tactics, selfishness, and/or an exceedingly vengeful side in their anger that they were not willing to pull back on when they dueled him or other enemies that piss him off.

Padme, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka loved Anakin, but they were also prideful, self-centered, and terrified people who were too afraid to admit that their methods flawed, too afraid to take a stand against the standards of these broken systems they were born into, too afraid to admit they were wrong, too afraid to take risks to do better, and too afraid to admit that they weren’t as “above it all” as they pretended to be.

Luke Skywalker being Anakin’s son is definitely one of the influencing factors that inspires him to turn back to the light. However, it’s also because Luke is self-accepting of his bad decisions, flaws, and mistakes. He’s aware that the old Jedi Order was deeply flawed, hypocritical, and misguided, in spite of their good intentions. He’s unwilling to stoop to the same level as his enemies. He won’t let himself get carried away with baiting his father into a fight when he gets angry, and start making justifications of how he’s “right” just because he has good intentions, just because he was fucked with first, just because he’s not a Sith, or just because it’s “too dangerous” to take a risk to be honest, kind, and offer one of his enemies (his father) a better opportunity when he sees that he really is also a victim of Sidious who is still struggling against his darker instincts and searching for freedom and love from family. He refuses to enable Anakin’s slave mentality and ultimately refuses to let his father believe that “Anakin Skywalker is dead.”

This isn’t saying that Anakin is an innocent, that Luke was obligated to forgive him, or that his victims didn’t have valid reasons to fear him and resent him. Of course, they did. The point is that in those little moments where he tries to reach out to Ahsoka, Padme, and Obi-Wan about being unhappy with the Jedi and keeping secrets of his marriage before going dark, backs off, says “Don’t make me destroy you,” or lets them go, they all had an opportunity to refuse to further perpetuate the cycle of abuse by acting in anger and vengeance. They could have refused to encourage his sense of compromised agency. They could have broken the cycle of system sting abuse, crime, and oppression with Anakin in those instances by being the bigger person.

Instead Padme and Obi-Wan encouraged him to continue to stay with the Jedi and/or keep his marriage secret when they knew their systems were corrupt, and knew he was becoming increasingly emotionally/mentally unstable and unhappy in ways that made him a danger to himself and those around him out of fear of the unknown by pretending that he would just get better if they told him he would when he tried to say otherwise.

Instead, Ahsoka ended up declaring that she’d “avenge her master” when he refused to join her right away and told her “Anakin Skywalker is dead because he destroyed him.”

Instead, Obi-Wan egged him on into a duel on Mustafar by using Padme as bait, and refused to back off after getting him to let go of Padme from his reckless blind rage/paranoia force choke before killing her when he thought she brought Obi-Wan to kill him and even got him to a point where he could tell Obi-Wan “Don’t make me kill you.” When Anakin cornered him again 10 years later for revenge that he clearly didn’t want as much as he had convinced himself he did because he still cared about Obi-Wan deep down, tells Obi-Wan “I destroyed Anakin Skywalker, not you,” and even gives Obi-Wan a chance to run away, Obi-Wan allows Anakin to continue to believe that Anakin is dead, convinces himself that he is, and he runs away to compartmentalize his own guilt over how he mistreated Anakin.

Instead, another ten years later, Obi-Wan more or less encourages Anakin/Vader to kill him by just standing there after confronting him in A New Hope, and saying “I’ll become more powerful than you can ever imagine.”

So the reason as to why Anakin can’t be inspired to atone or do better by Ahsoka, Padme, or Obi-Wan isn’t just because he’s a deeply flawed person. It’s because they are too, they live in denial of it, and let him live in denial of it, too.