#okay important to the vision is that you have to also imagine every kid and parent was decked the fuck out in glow stick jewelry

[faeriekit]

At the library we held a baby rave (rave for babies) a while ago and I was in charge of music. Most of the time kids and parents danced— parents mostly responded to classic disco tracks, kids mostly reacted to, uh, Bluey Dance Mix, but the funniest part of the whole thing was watching every single parent and kid stop what they were doing to stare upwards at this projected video of an Icelandic music group fighting Mothra(?) in their giant robot. With the power of loving your wife.

https://youtu.be/1zTbVRPh5EI

And, faintly in the background, surrounded by his equally entranced wife and kids, I heard a man go "Oh, it's like power rangers!"

Yeah, man. I picked it out for you. You're welcome.

[passingnotions]

On Set | Jihyo

smut, 900~ words

You find yourself balls deep in Park Jihyo and in front of a DSLR camera with a very, very bright studio light setup. You both have your knees up on the cheapest couch imaginable—white, tacky, stiff—as your arms hook and pull around hers. Her back has been arched like this for the better part of two minutes, tits presenting (and bouncing) for the camera as dictated by the director. When you finally let go, she moans. It’s performative, satisfactory. But you also know it’s real.

See, you and her go way back. A few years worth. Jihyo has been in the industry for so much longer than you and, despite it having been your first scene together all those years ago, you blew her back out like she fucking deserved—her words, by the way. Phew, that was new. What’s your name again? It stuck with her and you’re vainly proud of that, so much so that every time you’re arranged for a new scene together, she brings in gift baskets and goodies; pampers you in hopes that you fuck her the only way you know—the right way.

As if you’d ever disappoint.

And it’s funny that you’ve never hooked up off the clock—a shame. There’s always a point in conversation, during prep time, where you both laugh at the thought. You have always thought it’d be disastrous in the best of ways. Have to keep the magic on screen, however. 

Something important to note, to digress: this crew sucks at everything. Your agencies both wanted in with a new fledgling studio, your manager called it. Their content is good, consistent, but you’ll be damned if it’s not generic. However it goes and however trite their camerawork, they’re making bank, and you’re there to profit off both of your names alone. 

There’s a before, during, and after to things. The latter two are good: a pretty girl with a pretty face gets railed by some nondescript cock and some part of her ends up glazed white. The former, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Best summarized? Solid creative vision. Near-zero technical prowess.

So, the sound guy needs another break. Something’s off again, he says as you’re mid thrust. The director yells cut for the umpteenth time and you bury yourself to the base to check in with your costar.

“You’re fucking kidding.” Jihyo says under her breath, head turning back to you. She sets her toned arms on the backrest of the couch and lays her head. “How long has it been?”

“Two hours.” 

It should have taken three, but the timer will count four by the end—

You take another long back-and-forth drag inside of her warm, tight cunt.

—Not like you mind.

Jihyo starts pushing back onto it; an experimental one-two, hips bucking ever so slightly with the majority of your cock still inside her folds. You figure she likes the way your balls brush against her clit. You do, too.

“It’d be a shame if—” She shimmies a little side-to-side. “You filled me up and the cameras weren’t rolling.”

Edging for the last hour. How would you say the question lands?

Jihyo snakes a hand under her body to reach for where you’ve started to fuck, slowly, slowly, purposefully. She runs circles with her middle finger, and with a very serious tone: “Keep going.”

Your hands land right where her ass overflows onto her hips when she spreads the knees a bit further apart. Her arch settles. With a long drag back—and a tight grip of that muscled frame—you fuck into her. Once. This firm thrust that makes her whole body shudder. You catch her profile as her lips curl a smile.

“Keep going.” Her fingertips move faster.

And when Jihyo’s asking—“sure”—you keep fucking going.

Okay, the shoot does end up taking four hours, but not because of the staff’s lack of equipment know-how.

You are fucking. Truly, unequivocally, fucking. Like you’ve missed her (you have—she’s fun), like she’s missed you.

The sheer force it takes you to not cum right then and there—to help her reach that ever sought-after climax—is the same force with which you pound Jihyo into the cheap, faux leather couch. You’d swear, later on, how she near melded with the piece of furniture: nail scratches on the surface, the imprint of the seams on her skin. She loves all of it. It’s guilty-pleasure levels of abrasive. You don’t fuck like that on camera. Authenticity can’t be quantified on a payslip.

And for that short amount of time, the set dissipates; the crew vanishes.

Jihyo is cumming—you know this, her tells. Goosebumps all over her skin, from the top of her thighs up to her rippling, reddened cheeks, and the way her moans turn to breathy coos and needy whimpers. You revel in knowing you can split her apart. That same satisfaction ends you in tandem.

Because there’s no other way you would have it, without a doubt. This short burst of fire burns right through your core. Your hands grasp her skin for dear life as your legs cease and stiffen their motion. All of it—the money shot—coats Jihyo’s pulsing cunt in an instant. It sends ripples through you both as you struggle to maintain a semblance of composure. The load washes over your length in this pleasing warmth that has Jihyo shivering through the remainder of her orgasm. Slow quivers. A bit of contented laughter.

“Fuck yes,” escapes her lips before the crew fades back in, curses and yells accompanying an attempt to catch whatever’s left of your unsanctioned stunt.

You’ll take the extra hour.

[chainelunaire]

you go home at nine o’clock because of your job.

and your job.. well, you don’t exactly love it, but it needs a lot of time from you. it’s also not an exciting one. you just deal with papers - fold it, organize it, etc. that thing does not need much aside from your time, because there’s a lot of this shit, and somebody has to do it.

you’ve grown to be okay with a lot of things because of your job. and because of who you are - you’re not the brightest one, you’re not the worst. you are the very definition of averege in the world of every kind of fascinating. the most boring, ordinary person you’ve ever known is you yourself, truly. and you’re okay with that.

your boss, for example, is one of the brightest ones, and definitely not boring. quite the opposite, he’s very interesting to look at. you do that, when you get the chance, and it doesn’t happen often - he’s so busy, and you’re smaller than assistant, you’re basically no one. you highly doubt he knows your name. you hope he does, but he has a lot of things to remember, but he always strives to do more. you’d never even think to do that, but he - he does.

and he’s so kind.

like, not in a very obvious sense - sure, he’s funny and polite, not what you’re expecting from a guy who runs one of the best hero agencies, so it may cloud your vision a bit. no, you know that because you look at him and you see those small things he does for people around him. he goes far out of his way to make someone’s life better, he does that to strangers, and yeah, that’s what heroes kinda do, but he doesn’t save someone’s life every second of his own. he’s just... kind. it’s his nature, you see that. he’s around your age and he’s already so big, so famous and so strong. he doesn’t really need to be any more than that, yet he is.

he is kind. you know it doesn’t matter for a lot of people, they kinda take that for granted, but it’s important to you personally. you wouldn’t work here if it wasn’t for him, and he hadn’t even said anything to you, rather than “goodbye” or “have a nice weekend”. not something you should hold dear to your heart. he does that to everyone.

that’s why you do that. hold it dear to your heart.

he makes you believe that there’s something more to people. that they’re not all so malicious towards others, who have no power to protect themselves. and it’s really, really not because he’s a hero.

he’s a good man.

but you wouldn’t want his life. you know you don’t have so much strenght in you, to be kind to those who hurt you, who made you feel miserable because of who you were. you don’t do anything only because - well, it’s pointless, really, but you also hadn’t had the chance. you’re average and boring. your life means nothing in a grand scheme of things. you’re not someone’s rich kid, you don’t have useful quirk, or anything. you never really forget about that.

it’s eight fourty five. you need to organize your tutor’s papers, clean your boss’s office and then you’re free to do whatever. you don’t hesitate when you open your boss’s door - he’s always out by that time, going on a patrol or some meeting. you know he returns to office after, but you’re already at home, sleeping at this point. you heard from your collegues, he usually looked so much more tired and worn out after, moody and quiet. you can’t imagine that.

you wish you saw him more often tho.

so you do. his head is lying on his hands, while he sits at the table, wings closed. you see his chest rise from time to time. he’s definitely sleeping, and you definitely shoudn’t seen that.

but before you step out, you feel something sharp under your chin. you knew his feathers could do that, of course, but you never imagined your boss would slice your throat open in his own cabinet.

his eyes snap open in mere seconds, and you immediately feel feather disappear.

“sorry, sorry” he smiles so adorably, when he stands “didn’t mean to scare you, it’s just kinda subconcious.”

you nod, because you’re really not mad.

“sorry for interrupting, i’ll return later-”

“what time’s it?”

“eight fifty″

“shit” he mumbles. you don’t know what to do with yourself.

“sorry, can i borrow your phone for a sec? broke mine on a way here.”

“sure!” you say a bit hurriedly, but he doesn’t seem to notice. he types something and quickly sends, then returns it right in your hands.

you notice few almost invisible bruises on his upper hand. it wasn’t there two days ago.

“it’s fine” he says, noticing your gaze. you gulp. “nothing to worry about.”

you don’t worry about that thing in particular. you know he’s strong, he can handle a lot. it’s the fact that he slept in his own cabinet, and how many times he’d done that? when was the last time he got proper rest? what if this isn’t enough and it might end him in one of his battles.

you feel your heart clench.

“c’mon. say it.”

“i’m sorry, what exactly do you mean?”

“it’s clear you want to say something to me. go ahead. i won’t bite.”

of course he won’t. yet you say nothing.

“i’ll clean your office later, hawks-san-”

“you do that?” you nod “wow. thanks. must’ve been a lot of work.”

“it’s fine”

“you’re here so late” he chuckles a bit judgmentally. “that’s not really “fine”“.

“you are too.”

“yeah, well” now he just looks straight up annoyed, but clearly not with you “i’m already late, and i didn’t really notice when i fell asleep. should be somewhere else now.”

“where?” you ask absentmindedly. he sighs.

“somewhere i really don’t want to be, to deal with someone i’d rather never met. but i have a really pleasant job, do i?” you notice really bitter notes in his voice, it caught you a little bit off guard.

“then don’t go”

“ah, sadly, it doesn’t work that way” you both just stand silent for a bit, but you don’t feel uncomfortable. he stands before his table, so beatiful and so out of your reach, but you’re fine with that. he didn’t tell you to go out, didn’t lash out, even though it’s clear - he’s exausted. you fine with everything right now.

“may i ask you something?” he says after examine you for a bit.

“sure”

he closes his chin.

“have you ever felt like...like you have to do something bad, really really bad, but you don’t have another choice?“ his voice is low and tone careful. but you just shrug. he relaxes a bit.

“well, we all usually have one, it’s just even worse than what we choose” you answer thoughtfully, because yeah, you get what he’s saying. you think so yourself a lot. “how bad though? like from one to ten.”

“eleven.”

“well, shit”

he laughs.

“i think the most would understand” you think about those who hurt you and who didn’t. you know you’re grey - so is the world around you. it’s just a number of choices. “it’s just that they can’t accept what they would’ve done in your place”

“you think so?” he asks, and you can see, your words made him think, but nothing to ease his thoughts.

“yeah. kinda. i may change my mind later. i don’t stand on my points that strongly when i see it’s unreasonable.”

“that’s very wise way to deal with things, if i may say so.”

nobody ever called you wise. you wouldn’t call yourself wise for what you feel after him saying that.

“what do you do today’s evening after work?”

your heart skips a beat, even though you know he doesn’t mean anything more than what he asks.

“eat? sleep? i don’t have anything else to do.”

“damn, wish that was me” he laughs, once again, quite bitterly.

“i wouldn’t wish this life upon anyone, but it’s nice sometimes” you say, not really thinking about him.

“why.”

“why it’s nice?”

“no, i get that part. why wouldn’t wish this upon anyone?”

it’s complicated, you want to say. there’s a long, long story, you don’t really need to hear that.

“it’s boring” you don’t find what else to say. he almost scoffs.

“well, sounds great to me”

you know it’s not for him, you know he’s a hostage of his feeling of responsibilty, he wouldn’t handle this life. wouldn’t handle being unable to do anything.

“i doubt it’s for you” you whisper. he looks down. you wanna cry because of how sorrowful he looks right know.

“yeah, i know”.

the silence is crushing loud in your ears.

“hawks-san” you’re stuttering a bit, when his eyes immediately are on you, so bright and perceptive “maybe, you should rest a bit? it’s important to rest. you’re-”

“what, not looking as good as usual?” he smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “you know what’s funny? i know everyone thinks that, yet no one was brave enough to say that to my face. it’s amusing.”

“please don’t say that. that’s not what i meant.”

“i know” his gaze softens a bit “but i have work to do.”

“isn’t there anybody else to do that? i’m sure somebody would help if you asked.”

“not really, no” he shakes his head, sad smale never leaving his lips. “i can’t throw anyone under the bus other than myself.”

then don’t throw yourself under the bus, you want to say. but he’s still your boss, and while you can speak with him freely, that would be rude and unnecessary. it’s not your place to say him anything.

“i really should go” he says it so quietly. “take care of yourself, y/n. i hope your dreams will be good.”

you stare at the open window for a good five minutes, unable to move, unable to think. it’s windy and there are papers everywhere, yet you do nothing but stare at the place from where he flew out. then you compose yourself and start cleaning. it helps to clear your mind, it helps to stop your heart from almost breaking. you carefully close the door after, stand there for a few long moments and then almost run after your clothes.

it’s nine thirty when you leave the building. you know your boss is somewhere he doesn’t want to be, but it’s his job, because he’s one of the brightest ones, and you’re not. you know he’s miserable because he does something he doesnt want to do, and he can’t have what he wants. and what he wants is so, so simple and mundane. so boring.

but it’s late. nine thirty.

and you go home.

[letters-to-rosie]

talk revolution to me: arcane fanfiction playlist

there are few moments more exciting as a fanfic author than when someone makes something inspired by your work. in this case, we have a playlist made by @arrowdite, and in this post, because there were rationales for every song picked, I wanted to respond! the playlist is a work in progress, and this post is, too! thanks again, friend! 💖💖💖

check out the fic here!

1. Black Sheep - this is pulled from my regular Timebomb playlist. I think it fits the state we find Ekko and Powder in, regardless of the universe. Now that the truth is just a rule that you can bend / You crack the whip, shape-shift, and trick the past again

I really like the lines you pulled out on the past for this one. The vibe of the song, like sonically, is very Powder I feel, and the lines about the past really fit with how I just kind of drop the reader into the story, into Powder and Ekko's relationship in the main timeline, before I bothered to explain how they got like that in the first place lol. Their own lack of understanding about what really happened between them and the other's motivations when they were kids is such a big part of their arc, so these lyrics really fit, not just the ship in general but this... articulation, I guess lol, of them.

2. Run Wild - I imagine Powder listening to this song to hype herself up as she heads to The Last Drop in chapter 2. I think some of the lyrics in the chorus fit her when we first meet her, too: determined, but aimless. I’m on a mission and I won’t stop / No destination but it’s worth a shot

For two, she wasn’t going to go. She wasn’t. But then she got back to her apartment, dumped her bag out on the floor, and saw that stupid green eye staring back up at her. She has nightmares about green eyes, sometimes waking, sometimes sleeping. Her worst ones are the what-ifs—if she had just done something different that day, or any of the days preceding it, what kind of life would she be living? Some of the what-ifs hurt for their immateriality, while others make her happy for what she’s got. And with Viktor, the human manifestation of her meager impulse control, gone for the weekend, Powder put on some music, dolled herself up, and got on the move.

She'd be playing this while getting ready haha, dancing in her apartment and feeling angry in a way she can't express right. She really is wild in that chapter. And that aimless state is so important, because Ekko is kinda right when he says she's not offering any alternative, but that's not even what she's trying to do at that point. Plus, this song is just fun, and I feel like Powder would like it lol. I also really enjoy the Thutmose reference, bringing it back to Ekko!

3. Pathetic - Powder’s opinion of Ekko at this point in the story, revealed when he makes his first appearance in chapter 2. …It's been / 1460 days since we were alright / You're having trouble sleeping and I think I know why / 1460 days since we were alright / But now you're just pathetic, I said it

Okay, I just really like this one hahahahaha like?? I can't even describe what exactly it is about it, but after a couple listens, it just stuck in my head. But considering "pathetic" is a word Powder uses in their fight at the end of chapter 2, it gets that other layer of meaning. The irony here is that Powder doesn't know why Ekko has trouble sleeping—and in Ekko's POV, we see how different that night plays out to him. In her head, he's just this posturing villain, and he is like that a little bit, but she has no idea the cognitive dissonance she's about to inflict on this man. Until later, hehehe. It's also fun to imagine Powder dancing to this one with a hairbrush as a mic. I'm sure y'all get the vision.

4. Pieces Of The People We Love - A character song for Powder. She has lost a lot of people and carries their memories with her, across distance (Vi), change (Ekko), and even death (Vander, Tovan, Mylo, Claggor, her parents…). As much as it can pain her, she keeps those people close to her heart. I think this is one of her strengths. She may not know how to express it, but she has a lot of love to give. Like when her empathy is on display at the hospital; though she doesn’t know the people there, they get to her. She takes them with her. Decides to stop looking away. Start her club. In short, the pieces of the people she loves are what drive her to build a better future. And all our time together is tearing me apart / I can't hold you tomorrow but I hold you in my heart

I remember I was actually really nervous about writing Jinx as a main character, just because I tend to relate more to Vi in canon, but working on this fic led me to appreciating things that hadn't stood out to me before. Jinx literally keeps versions of the people she lost near her because of how heavily the trauma weighs on her. I wanted revolution!Powder to have some of that same energy. The song has this kind of anxious energy, and I feel like that connects well with how Powder feels throughout the chapter. She's really knocked off-kilter in chapter 3, and she has to decide how she's going to deal with not only what Ekko said but what she's going to do with these "pieces of people she loves," and that really is what motivates her. She takes off the blinders and decides to empathize with others. I'm like a proud mom lol I love her!

5. Memories - Chapter 5, Ekko and Powder’s reunion at the community center. How Powder remembers Ekko and how he appears to her now juxtapose each other in her mind’s eye. And it’s reciprocated: Ekko is baffled to see her. I imagine they’re both confused about how to rectify the discrepancy in their minds. My memories came back in the form of someone else / …Why won’t you love me now? Why won't you love me now? / …You shouldn’t be on your high horse, we’re not so stable anymore

Yeah, they were both very confused lmao. They both have very preconceived notions of who the other is, and they don't really take well to the disruption to that. I alluded to it in the notes, and he says it outright in chapter 20, but Ekko really thought Powder was following him lol. And Powder accuses him of stalking her, even though she's able to put together that he went to school in that neighborhood way back in the day and would probably have some connections in that part of the city. She's also very much on a project to knock Ekko off his high horse after he retaliates with that threat. But as the creator of this playlist pointed out in a comment on this chapter, Ekko's not the only one being self-righteous! Plus more Thutmose! Yayyyyyy (for those who might not know, he's one of the people who provides Ekko's voice for True Damage!)

6. Hard Times - Chapter 6, but applies to Powder’s whole situation. “Vi huffs. ‘You gotta stop being so hard on yourself, Pow.’ ‘Tell life to be softer on me.’”

Is this the time to admit that I fully fit into that stereotype that black people love Paramore? I have a friend who's black and Brazilian and apparently the stereotype travels lmao. But I actually hadn't heard this particular song before, and I really enjoy it! Another one for Powder to dance and have a crisis to. But the funny thing about the particular quote from chapter 6 that was pulled here is it was actually inspired by another song with kind of similar enegry? "Softer to Me" by Relient K, because I grew up during a time when "Sadie Hawkins Dance" and "Be My Escape" were big hits, and that band was pretty formative for my teen years. I used to listen to them and Paramore on playlists I made in the late 2000s, so the connection was really fun for me!

7. Same Soul - Another song pulled from my Timebomb playlist. This one is kinda meta. They’re in a different universe, literally, since this is an AU, so it’s like they’re meeting again in different bodies. But it also works in-universe, since they’re meeting again after so much has happened and they don’t recognize who they were to each other. Figuratively—but also, Ekko’s eyes are green now. Would your heart know if I met you in a brand-new set of bones? / …I’m just somebody that you used to know

Also just really love this one, particularly the chorus, and especially the one after the bridge. I also thought of it in connection to Powder's feelings about Vi and meeting her after her years in prison. There are places where I make it explicit that Powder's feelings about Ekko and Vi are interlinked in some ways (particularly the poem at the end of chapter 17). This also fits well with Powder's gradual realization of how different Ekko's life is and how he has different people in it, which comes out strongly in chapter 12.

8. Starboy - This song makes me think of Revolution-verse Ekko. He’s under so much pressure and has to present a particular image to be effective in a lonely, high-stakes role he doesn’t like to play. And from Powder’s perspective, he does certain things just to hurt [her]. Look what you’ve done / I’m a motherfuckin’ starboy

Ekko definitely plays mind games. It's one of the traits I pulled out of his Arcane portrayal and turned up to eleven to make an "antihero" version of him. The first verse of this song I feel like connects to that part of him, and the second connects to the part that is tired of the games that are part and parcel of the shimmer business and take up so much of his time to push back against, even if he dismisses them as uncreative (and even if that comes back to haunt him). Everything he does is pretty much calculated to keep that inner universe steady and keep his head on amongst all Silco's allies as he comes into that more... administrative role. And Powder does see him as having particular tools to hurt her because of their history, as well.

The mac and cheese is baked as it should be. It is Powder’s sole consolation in this stupid, awful world. She ought to be able to enjoy the scene in front of her, but she can’t. Every time she interacts with Ekko, she comes away feeling like trash. Their history gives him a unique ability to make her miserable, and she knows, somewhere deep in her bones, that Ekko isn’t going to let this lie. Their little peace is over, and as long as she keeps coming to the community center, she’ll likely have to prepare for battle on a regular basis.

9. Undo - Chapter 8, the argument on the bridge from Powder’s perspective. You've been pouring gasoline in your living room / Light a cigarette while you complain about the fumes / Who are you to talk? / …Oh, come on, just say something / No, go ahead, tell me, what do I need?

Some of these lyrics kind of parallel a song I am trying to advance as a timebomb song, "Percogesic" by Gallant. But I think the lyrics here— You're so shook when I look right past you So surprised you don't get an answer Guess no one told you, now I told you We're not living in the forties Ain't it weird to feel small 'n stuff? —connect very nicely to Powder not answering Ekko's question at the end of chapter 8, even though it doesn't surprise him. He will get an answer, just not directly, and that's the surprise! But the lyrics in general remind me of them, how Powder is unwilling to give him that power over her; even though Ekko's presence does make her upset, he's far from the only problem she has. As she says at the end of chapter 9, "...she will handle Ekko. But first, she has to handle herself."

10. < Coping Mechanism > - Powder lost a lot the night of the explosion, including Ekko—from her perspective, willingly—to Silco. She sees Ekko as an adversary, but it’s because she feels betrayed. Now that he’s back in her life, she’s forced to look at some ill-timed big feelings in chapter 9. I've wasted so much time / Hating myself for trying / ...Had your eyes locked on someone else / No, you couldn't help it / Or could you?

Somehow this playlist beat me to announcing my headcanon that revolution!Powder would be a Willow fan, haha. Their energies match in my head. Plus, bi solidarity! But anyway lol, the song mentions voices in her head, which is very relevant for chapter 9, and there's this sense that the lyrics are questioning whether the situation in the song is predestined or not. I also like these lyrics for them: Fun fact, I really wanna fuckin' make you cry It just isn't right, so enticing just like you Mastermindin' every fight Rivers flowin' from my eyes No emotion from your side Fun fact, I'm the worst, it's true Fun fact, I learned it all from you I need a coping mechanism now, every night

11. An Honest Mistake - Chapter 9. Powder’s Anniversary feelings catch up to her. My old friend / I swear I never meant for this / I never meant— / Don’t look at me that way / It was an honest mistake

Powder really does see the accident as an honest mistake (because it was!!!), and I haven't written it yet, but there's a reason Powder doesn't see Ekko's expression in the scene where he finds her mid-breakdown. She's assuming he's looking at her a certain way, and she doesn't even know. I love drama lmao

12. Our Own House - Chapter 12, the porch scene. Powder’s group becomes official. It’s the culmination of and launching pad for so many things in Powder’s life, and for Powder as a character. We built our own house, own house / With our hands over our hearts / And we swore on that day / That it’ll never fall apart

The porch scene!! It really solidifies Powder's friendships with her club, and it so much of the politics I've been trying to explore is about that "own house" building. There are a lot of things we can't change, but building solidarity with people around us and working to build something that will take better care of us than the current system does is certainly a place to start. This gets a nice theoretical resonance in a book I recently read for class, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò's Elite Capture: How the Powerful Took Over Identity Politics (And Everything Else). The theory is doing a lot lol, but he advances it in the hopes of putting forward this idea he calls "constructive politics," which is about building new rooms and houses, as he puts it, where we can create more equal ways of relating to each other and the world. A tall order, but I like to dream big. He also talks about how Pedagogy of the Oppressed was used in the liberation struggles of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau, and that is just super fucking cool haha.

13. Zanies and Fools - Chapter 12. The porch scene is such a pivotal moment for Powder, it deserves two songs. It may sound corny, but together, anything really is possible. (This song is a real-life reminder of that truth for me and I get emotional nearly every time I listen to it.) This song also recounts how Chance the Rapper met his future wife and I’m not saying that’s Ekko and Powder but I’m not not saying it 👀 I'm so powerful every time I look at you / No  memory of anything I couldn't do / …Everything will go right as it can / It's possible

It's true! If it weren't, there wouldn't be so much effort put into preventing solidarity on the part of the powers that be. If y'all will allow me a theoretical moment, there's this part in the Bible that says the wisdom of God runs contrary to people's wisdom, and I think that's interesting if we think of that in terms of how often we're told that humans are rationally selfish and human nature is greedy and violent and everything else. Acknowledging this is considered common sense, but we also know from practical experience that people are also often kind and generous, and we can choose to lean into that and cultivate it. Believing anything is possible is considered foolish, but how else do we change things, you know? Outside of the connection this could have to the porch scene itself, there's also a link to the way that Ekko sees Powder as constantly pushing what he thinks is possible, which is why she inspires him so much. They're so cute. Help lol

14. Montage - Chapter 13. Powder reminisces about the childhood she shared with Ekko. Tears soaked, we still make each other laugh / Fabricating a montage of our love / All the things we were gonna do fade away / We grew up and apart and we’re not the same

This one is a little funny to me just because it's so different from the song I chose to quote at the start. But it's a nice little flip side, because where I had a more... I almost wanna say cynical approach to that chapter, not necessarily in the content, but because I was the only person who knew where that moment would lead, it was almost like I was poking fun at it, but that's not how it is for Powder and Ekko. And she does make him laugh! That's how she gets through to him. The idea of the montage pairs really nicely with the play and the curtains that frame Powder's reminiscing in the chapter.

15. Let Me Down Easy - A song from Ekko’s perspective of chapter 13. Ekko expects Powder to tell him to fuck off forever when he offers, but it’s not what he wants. Despite how awful they’ve been to each other, despite expecting rejection, his care for her comes through. He holds her in higher esteem than she believes. I also like that the song mentions lemonade, a callback to the porch scene. It’s not a, a bad time, time spent with you / There’s cool lights and songs with good lyrics / We never have to talk again, whatever, up to you

Lol the lemonade needs to come back to tie things together in the plot. But this is a pretty good summary of where they are at this point. Ekko certainly doesn't think they'll be friends again, and he's willing to give Powder peace even if it means closing the door on the possibility that they could become close later. His care comes through, and he really doesn't expect the slightest bit of reciprocation, but Powder surprises him again (and gets ice cream for her troubles, lol).

16. Get Free - Another character song for Powder. I feel like this one could be Powder’s/this fic’s thesis statement: Not trying to get by / I’m trying to get free

I need Mereba to drop a new album because she keeps clowning us on instagram, and I have complained about this with a friend before lol. That said, I really think the title of the project this song (and "Black Truck," which gets quoted in chapter 25) comes from is really apt as well: The Jungle Is the Only Way Out. That phrase really sums up Powder's journey very well, and she really is trying to free herself from the structures that come more and more sharply into view as she applies herself to helping others and working towards change. And while this can be discouraging, she keeps pushing because she wants to be free. Very relatable feeling. Side note, I feel like "Sandstorm," another one of her songs featuring JID is a good timebomb song.

17. RICKY - An Ekko song. Particularly obvious in Chapter 16, at the hospital. “‘Catch more flies with honey than vinegar.’ Ekko scratches at his scalp. ‘But jealousy makes people do crazy things.’” His success doesn’t secure his safety. He has to deal with people he’d rather avoid or, at worst, would see him killed. But he’s successful because he takes wisdom from multiple—even contradicting—places, uses it the best he can, learns quickly, and doesn’t forget who he is. First they mockin', now they hoppin' / All on the wave 'cause they see me poppin' / Big-big-big large pockets, they start flockin' / Here's what I say when they ass keep knockin'

This is so funny to me lol. For reference, I quoted the title song from the ZUU album in chapter 6, and this is the track that follows it. There are a lot of themes (and I have a lot of feelings about Denzel's music, but this is not the time because otherwise we'll be here all day) about family and parenthood in Ekko's side of the story, so I think this is a good fit, even though it never occurred to me! He keeps things that belonged to his parents close and thinks about them often. Advice they've given him features in his inner monologue as well. But it's also true that people are trying to get things from him, and it's all catching up. (Chapter 16 also has a Denzel Curry song quoted in it, "Chrome Hearts" ft. Zacari and the Cold Blooded Soul Band; extra fun fact, I can rap this whole song lmao).

18. Dancing in a Daydream - Chapter 18. Ekko and Powder see each other at the club, on the balcony and dance floor respectively. This is, admittedly, the more angsty of the song options I had for this moment. I chose it because the lyrics describe a moment as temporary as the one they share. We've reached the palace but I'm betting that it won't last / Bright lights and mirror ball / We might be hurting but I'm ready for the free fall

It's fine if this is an angsty choice, because Powder's pretty angsty by the end of the chapter as she develops her plan to set things straight with Ekko, lol. The dream imagery of the chapter pairs nicely here. The song I picked for it is a pretty different vibe, and so is the song I could have picked but didn't think of in time, Kehlani's "Hate the Club," which is also a nice match. Between the three songs, you can choose your fighter lol. I like the name of this band, though. Fits the vibe, and me lol

19. Ego - Chapter 20. Ekko and Powder have a difficult conversation in Ekko’s hotel room. They’ve both been working on their egos, going by their ability to have one at all. (Thank you for recommending me this song forever ago, btw, it’s lovely.) Easy for me to care and you want me there / …I’m working on my ego

Y'ALL. This is my current favorite song. It has been since I first heard it. You gotta get like almost 4 minutes in before that switch comes in, but the strings and the bass... like it's truly magical. If you have headphones, I recommend using them. Done advertising lol. But that part at the end has nice lyrics for them too, as well as the beginning: Is that you, baby? Check when you're makin' no sense In this hotel bed Feels like, "What are we doin'?" Which is pretty on the nose lol, but I like it, and then toward the end: Don't wanna run Every time I get that feelin', I just rather be stuck Putting my favorite song at the most pivotal chapter, I'm emotional haha. The instrumental catharsis it provides matches the way the chapter is designed to build, too.

20. My Friend - By the end of chapter 20, Ekko and Powder clear the air. They reach a new understanding of each other. You’ve seen me from every side / Still down for the ride

These lyrics also capture part of why they work well as a couple; they work on most of their major issues before they even date, haha. On a more serious note, Powder really does get a real picture of what Ekko's dealing with, and to his surprise, she decides to stick by him and extend kindness. Just like in other situations throughout the story, Powder changes things by choosing to be understanding and kind. Perhaps it is cliche, but Powder/Jinx is a character who feels very deeply. I think it works.

21. Same Heart - You know I had to pick a song by Reed Shannon. This one has themes of reconnection while there’s action out in the streets. The moment Ekko and Powder part in chapter 21 feels like the start of something new, so I thought it fit. Baby, maybe we can do it again / Let’s restart, I’m your friend

In case you didn't know, Reed Shannon is Ekko's voice actor in the game AND in Arcane. As far as I know, he's the only voice actor from the game who reprised his role in Arcane. I love the 2000s r&b vibes on this one, very me. The fun thing is that Ekko realizes his feelings for Powder when he wakes up after the whole... hotel thing, and so there are a couple layers of meaning here. And it was just the night before that Scar was doing the stuff, so there was very much action in the streets! Really fun easter egg-type song to include.

22. Dirty - Caitlyn’s reveal in chapter 22 absolutely gets a song on this playlist. Full disclosure, I’m not convinced this is the one. But I like that it asks the question, “Do you love your neighbor?” because it has multiple meanings here: Piltover and Zaun are neighbor cities, and the rent strike is about helping your literal neighbors. And I like that some lyrics sound like they’re written by a schemer, like Caitlyn. I got a skeleton under the floorboard / I got a secret I need you to keep / …Aren't you fed up yet? / Do you have enough love in your heart / To go and get your hands dirty?

Caitlyn still has stuff up her sleeve in the plot! But she is very much a schemer, both in canon and the fic. Caitlyn's arc is very much about learning how the systems of exploitation that keep Piltover and Zaun in their places operate and using her influence to mess with that. Even if she doesn't get everything from the outset, she's determined to learn from Powder, and she's motivated by love, primarily for Vi, but also for the fellow people who are suffering under the name of the City of Progress.

23. Choose Me - Chapter 27, Powder and Vi’s fight. Powder is working hard to build a life she and Vi can be proud of, but they need different things. Vi doesn’t see what Powder does for Zaun and why, so Powder wonders how Vi can see her for who she is. How can Vi want her? I know there are places that I can't go with you / …I'd rather you choose me every day

OH BOY, there's a reason chapter 27's title has "tragedy" in it. Powder does want to be chosen by Vi, all of her, and not just the parts Vi understands. Vi's own trauma really does prevent her from seeing things from Powder's perspective. There are places she can't go because of how much pain they cause her, and while Powder's working on reaching out more, she wants the same from Vi. At the same time, Vi feels like Powder is choosing Zaun over her in a sense, so it works on both levels.

24. Call You Mine - Chapter 30. “Yeah, she decides later, lying in bed and looking up at the ceiling. She’s going to tell him.” Baby, can I call you mine, mine? / ‘Cause you're always in my mind, mind

This one is so hopeful! It's a big shift after the content of chapter 30, but Powder really is at that point where Ekko represents a bright spot in her life. They've been working to know each other better, and Powder's friends are cheering her on to go after something that would make her happy. It speaks to how sweet these two turned out to be in the fic, which was probably a surprise to everyone (including me lol, since it grew out of things I came up with as I was writing).

25. Hummingbird - Ekko and Powder steal moments when they can, resulting in long text convos and late-night phone calls. Pen pal on the night shift / She’s who I get away with / …And hummingbird, I know that’s our time / But stay on / Stay on, stay on with me / And hummingbird, I can never unsee / What you've shown me

The OG interlude! Even if it makes them both tired, they prioritize each other in those long convos and calls. You could almost imagine this playing in the background while the two of them are shown split-screen talking on the phone, lying in their beds.

26. Like 90s R&B - Ekko spends the night at Powder’s place and already she can’t wait to see him again. Feel like I was only seeking you, already got me feening for more / I spend all my time daydreaming, got me living for the weekend, oh no

I am an r&b girlie, what can I say. This one was a lot of fun! Powder really is in too deep, like the lyrics say. But so is Ekko, haha. I think the song will only fit more as they keep getting closer, getting frustrated with the things that make it so they can't be as open with their relationship as they'd want.

27. Offense - End of chapter 33. Powder announces herself to the wealthy of Piltover with her excellent award acceptance speech. Figured I should say some', but you don't wanna hear me vent / You can talk bad all day long, I will never be impressed / Dunno what I did to make you feel that you be earnin' my respect / …I said it with my chest and I don’t care who I offend, uh huh

Simz always has so much confidence in her music, haha. This song goes really nicely with the title of chapter 33, "polemics in free verse," which implies that Powder is attacking someone else's ideas through poetry. It really fits perfectly; Powder refuses to be taken in by the glitz and glamor, choosing instead to point out the people who make it all possible. All Power to the People indeed.

gif was sourced from here

[maldeldest]

WHAT IF HANS DIED IN THE FIGHT OF THE SNOW CASTLE IN FROZEN

Okay, I just watched a YouTube Video about none of the movie regarding the character of Hans makes any sense in the Disney Film "Frozen" so by some thinking I was like: Hmm but what if Hans actually died while the Fight in the Snow Castle".

Now this is somewhat dark for a Kids movie but taken in how many deaths we actually already saw in Disney movies mostly due to falling it seems logical that if they had the balls to follow this road they sure would make Hans fall down the stairs to Elsas ice palace. He fought Marshmallow and just like in the movie the Monster would get him down with him only that this time, Hans wouldnt be able to hold onto the saving edge and gets rescued. He falls down with him and dies.

That would be most likely, however a death I very much prefer, even though it would be way to violent for a kids Film is the Following:

Hans and the men made it into the castle and with one of my favorite lines "Dont be the Monster they fear you are" he stops Elsa from killing the two men of the duke. One of them holds their arrow at Elsa ready to shoot her, but luckily for the Queen Hans detects the danger and is able to guide to arrow to hit a chandelier instead of Elsa... only this time he jumps right in front of her. He saves her life but died in the process

Now what would his death mean and what would follow up ?

In both visions he would die as a hero. He died trying to save Anna and protecting Elsa.

Imagine Anna coming home, almost freezing to death, and asking to see her fiancee only to be told that he is dead. This would shatter Annas whole World, not only because she already lost her parents and now is told that another Person she loved is dead, but also she lost her one chance of being saved. Im sure one of the guards also told the story that Elsa is personally responsible for Hans death, so until the very end of the movie Anna would live with the thought her own sister murdered her fiance and she would slowly freeze to death.

As for Elsa she would be overwhelmed for sure. Leaving out the possibilty that she developed a crush on the prince, not acting on it because her sister wanted him too out of side, it happened indirectly because of her. Her biggest fear is hurting someone she loves and him being so important to Anna is enough for Elsa to rather die than hurt him and now hes not only hurt, he is dead. If he died to protect her Elsa would probably collapse from guilt and pain and the guards have every oppurtunity to kill her. But if we imagine if they had mercy with her and only lock her up, she would face her death with pleasure because she thinks she ripped an innocent young man from him life.

If his family would actually care for Hans it would start a war between the two kingdoms because they blame Arendelle that their youngest son/brother is dead. But as we learned they are all abusive assholes who couldnt care less so I guess nothing to be expected here

As for Kristoff, since he never met Hans it wouldnt have that much of an impact on him, but out of respect and knowing how much he meant to Anna he would wait to ask her out and be there for her and Elsa in the grieving process, same with Olaf.

All in all everything I just described would make so much more sense than that lazy ass Plottwist we got.

[il-predestinato]

Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was interviewed by the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport: photo, translation

Max Verstappen is about to become 2022 F1 world champion. Will you have a feeling of annoyance or regret that day? Charles Leclerc: There is regret because the F1-75 had excellent performances, but we lost valuable points during the year. The right thing to do is to focus on my future: maximize the results in these last races, end well, work on 2023. The imponderable is part of our sport and every title is deserved.

Is Max Verstappen stronger today or Lewis Hamilton last year? Charles Leclerc: I don’t know: with Max I have occasions of comparison that I didn’t have with Lewis. We were too distant.

How many wins realistically as a goal this year? Charles Leclerc: My heart says 5/5, my head said 3 before Singapore.

Does your 2022 look more like a won or lost bet? Charles Leclerc: I look at 2021 and say what a step forward! Who would’ve bet one year ago on Ferrari being so competitive this season?

What weights more for you: satisfactions or disappointments? Charles Leclerc: I always focus more on negative things: I’m like this. I think this pays off because in the end it helps me improve.

When you do a mistake you insult yourself: don’t you think you are too hard on yourself? Charles Leclerc: To be honest with me and Ferrari means trying to improve. The mistakes hurt me, so I need to be hard to try to get out of that pain and make a step forward. But well, I’m not losing sleep on it.

What is this season teaching you? Charles Leclerc: To grow through the attention to details: it’s what made me not repeat the mistakes of Imola and France. But with experience the room for improvement diminishes.

What’s Carlos Sainz better than you at? Charles Leclerc: Maybe the use of simulator, maybe making the setups to which I didn’t use to give as much weight. But observing him I started to do that regularly.

Do you consider yourself a patient guy? Charles Leclerc: Certainly more than I was in the past, but it remains my flaw: my mistakes were due to impatience.

How many years can you wait to win the title? Charles Leclerc: I want it as soon as possible, if we keep working and improving like this it will come soon.

Before the 2026 season, the date indicated by president John Elkann. Charles Leclerc: Possible, but we need further steps ahead. I have faith in the Ferrari project. I say what I want clearly and we are in this together with the team, no different visions.

Likely goal for the next season? Charles Leclerc: Very difficult to say because it also depends on how rivals will work, which is completely out of our control. I’m confident. We need to continue to work hard and we will make it.

If Ferrari proposed you a lifelong contract would you sign or would you think about it? Charles Leclerc: To stay in red forever would be wonderful. To drive for Ferrari is every driver’s dream and I’m living it.

Is Lewis Hamilton for Formula 1 what Federer was for tennis? Charles Leclerc: Yes, both sport legends.

Does style exist in Formula 1? Charles Leclerc: Yes even though it isn’t clearly visible because there’s no athletic gesture in the foreground.

How would you define your style? Charles Leclerc: Aggressive and versatile. The capacity to adapt is the most important element: in quali you don’t drive like in the race, same goes with new/old tyres. I believe I’ve proved it when we switched to ground-effect cars.

How do you imagine your farewell to Formula 1? Charles Leclerc: I don’t do that but I would like it to be sad for Formula 1, that would mean that I left a mark on this sport and that’s my goal.

How did you imagine Formula 1 when you were a kid? Charles Leclerc: Like kart races: go, wear racing suit, start the engine and drive. Now I know days are full of meetings and never end. But I don’t mind, it’s okay.

Do you recognize yourself in the driver heroic dimension? Charles Leclerc: I see that in kids’ eyes. In Singapore a kid started crying when he met me. It was a beautiful moment because he was me when I dreamt of Formula 1. But when we’re adults we don’t have to believe that, of course: we’re not heroes.

When will a woman be in F1? Charles Leclerc: I’ve been following the women-only racing series for a while. Jamie Chadwick is doing very well and it would be fair to give women a chance in F3 or F2, in the hope of having one in the championship. But if a girl ever gets to F1, it should be for merit, not with the boost of the social message.

[brw]

If you could write a Wonder Man ongoing volume 4, who's your supporting cast, your villains, and your overall plot? And how much gay sex will Marvel allow you to hint at before they tell you to stop?

Gosh I wish I could put asks in my drafts and edit them still. Okay my ideal Wonder Man V4 does have a similar basic principle to V2, because I really think being active as an actor and as a superhero at the same time is one of the things that really sets Simon apart from other characters. And this would come across in some of the reoccurring cast members; I'm imagining a high-brow director whom Simon is supposed to have lunch with constantly to discuss potentially playing a part in a new project, but something keeps popping up before he can get there. Probably a parody of Wes Anderson or something. Two actors, one from his d-list projects and one who's actually pretty famous and just happens to like Simon as a person and keeps forgetting he is also an actor because they see him as a superhero. A film editor who absolutely fucking hates him but keeps running into him, the hatred comes from hours lost having to edit out Simon's red eyes when he forgets to turn them off. A few more people involved with filmmaking, and I want to get obscure with these jobs, I'm talking the Best Boys and some caterer he accidentally became friends with. Simon meets and talks to a lot of people on sets and modelling and interviews, and that comes across in his social circle which covers a wide array of all the different people who are part of the filmmaking experience.

But I also need superheroes as my supporting cast, so obviously Vision and their kids are there. I'm thinking just Vin and I'm not going to explain how he came back, he's just there and now spending time with his uncle. Bobby Drake is in California now, or was before all that shit happened in his mini? I think it'll be funny if Simon and Bobby get to know each other but don't really know how close the other is to Hank and manage to become pretty close without mentioning him once until like, Hank happens to stumble into the room and immediately tries to escape because he's terrified over the concept of these two getting all chummy. Hank Pym is going to be Simon's scientist of choice whenever he needs a smart guy, and you better believe I'm going to try and fix the weird "Hank Pym likes Simon more as a grandchild than Vision because Simon looks more human" deal they've got going on. Hank Pym's job is to smoke his pipe and give scientific advice while Simon has to stop XYZ from destroying California. Hank McCoy is going to be an elephant in the room who Simon pointedly does not mention but he does get visibly morose and somber every time the X-Men are brought up. Then after, I dunno, issue 12 or whatever, they eventually meet and after that point of reconciliation Hank is back in Simon's life actively.

Okay, villains! Eric, obviously, because you can't have a good Simon story for long without bringing in Eric. There's a lot I would want to do to fix Eric and fix his dynamic with Simon, genuinely would probably be a first arc of the series because it's that important to me I remind people these two have an interesting and nuanced dynamic and Eric does love his brother no matter how much he tries to pretend he doesn't. Some members of the Revengers, sans Tom Foster, who are bitter over Simon dropping them very shortly after getting captured. I think this is where Simon's pacifism will be more ironed out as a political mindset as much as a personal one. Maybe he and Tom strike an alliance to take them on together? Not sure. Alkhema I think will also be there to give us that Ultron vibe without Ultron actually being there. And because I'm insane, some villains from the original run of Guardians of the Galaxy when Hollywood was a thing are going to travel back in time to try and kill Hollywood when he was young and less powerful, and Simon learns he outlives essentially most of the human race and grapples with his immortality (again) (but fun this time because Vision is there to help with the realisation you will outlive everyone) (and they love each other and have a sappy moment over it together because I can do what I want). I'll also have some original villains I think but those are more single issue types.

OVERALL PLOT—Wonder Man is back in Hollywood and is looking worse for wear. Following Deadpool using up most of his money, Simon is desperate, taking up roles he normally wouldn't consider for the cash. But his return to the Hollywood studio set doesn't go unnoticed, either by his audience or by the many enemies he made last time he was in Tinseltown. One of these roles is a superhero reality show, which Simon would never normally consider but does give more and more thought as his financial situation dips. Being a pacifist, he can't go back to Avenging, a point he has to seriously consider and think about as things progress. Is it worth compromising his beliefs for money? Is it worth compromising himself as an artist, compromising his dignity in exchange for success? Is it possible to do what you love and what you're passionate about in this business and still make money? And how much can directors and producers use his body and powers for a scene before it slides from helping out, to exploitation? All questions will be thought about, considered, and maybe even answered by the end :) that's right, my ideal Wonder Man series is all about the exploitation of the arts under capitalism and the fact that many have to compromise artistic passion for money.

Which brings us to the last point–honestly Simon doesn't really have sex very often which is a saving grace where that's concerned. I think I would manage a few lingering or knowing stares with say, Freddy or so, and even an overtly homoerotic moment with Hank because people love those but the moment I start going down the inevitable "Simon is clearly not into women romantically or sexually, is very repressed about this but it still comes across he's into men" route I think is when I have problems. I also want Simon and Vision to have a talk kind of like that Malcolm in the Middle scene where the brothers both think the other is gay and go about it by saying shit like "and it would be ridiculous, really, if I hated you because you didnt like the same sandwich as me. I like cheese, but you might not, and that's okay" because I like fun and whimsy. I think I would make it further than you might think but when we hit homoerotic Wonderbeast scene #3, that's when the emails will start coming in I imagine.

[runin-reads]

trans masc anon again!! firstly ive reread ctts sooo many times like so many times i cant even count like just when im having a bad day or just want to feel comforted i reread ctts!!! its just like its so great to read about trans james and i just love the way you write him and trans james is SOOOOOO important to me!! also also YES!!! the devotion with sirius! like i think he'd be quite a loner if he'd met james later on bc like you said he's pretty picky with people but once he DOES like someone (james) its sooo .... literally like you said worshipful like im rereading POA at the moment and the way sirius and james are described ... AND AS FOR IDEAS ive been thinking about .... wait for it ... SIRIUS WITH A BABY SLING FOR AFTER HARRYS BORN idk why i cant stop thinking about it but sirius walking around with harry in a baby carrier strapped to his chest is like. the CUTEST FUCKING THING??!?! OKAY!!! and hes one of those parents that even though you know the baby IS secure in those slings he STILL puts a hand underneath harry you know JUST IN CASE JAMES (amused james voice) just in case of WHAT sirius? (flustered sirius voice) what if the straps GET LOOSE AND HE FALLS JAMES? (more amused james voice) thats not how it works and you know that but its like intensely attractive that youre so good with babies i think we should make 12 more rn <333 <- sirius being the most amazing dad in the world and james thinking its sooo hot okay hes spread eagle on the bed every night waiting 2 be knocked up again do you see the vision

Trans James potter is so personal to me too <3 I see a lot of myself in him: the false bravado, the compulsion to perform and the desire to be perceived a certain way.

Love your idea as well! Sirius is such a protective father over Harry and his other kids. Of course James thinks it’s sooo hot when Sirius goes into dad mode. I see the vision! They’re only teenagers when Harry is born so they got a lot to learn but ultimately they get the hang of it :)

Just imagine 19 year old Sirius Black, tall and intimidating, walking around with a baby strapped to his chest and his normally haughty face goes all soft when he looks down at Harry. I also imagine him as a dad who hates disciplining his children because of his own upbringing, so he tends be very permissive unless the kids are in danger. Overall he treats them like mini adults and always tries to be involved in their lives.

[witch-of-the-sands]

Alcor NPC Headcanons

So while I've been writing and planning Lulling Waves and Empty Skies over the past year, I've also been compiling a lot of headcanons about the main NPCs I've been writing about.

There have been a lot of original characters that I've had to make throughout the storyline since it's set in Fontaine, but I still have been obsessed with the members of the Alcor and Crux Fleet specifically. So like I did a lot of deep diving into Juza and Little Yue because they're more important to the plot in Lulling Waves and Empty Skies than in Genshin itself.

Juza

So much time has been dedicated to thinking about him because he's just so cool :( there is no other reason for me to have so many thoughts about him tbh I just want to be him

Acne scars because I say so, I feel like he's a very weathered person in general. He definitely has scars from fights and ship accidents too, as well as some moles from the sun exposure

He's also very tan, I imagine him both with a darker complexion than in game in general as well as tanned from being on the ocean so much

Grew up with Beidou in Liyue Harbor (I don't care if Beidou's backstory says otherwise, this is canon in my brain because I wrote it down long before that was released)

Can wield most weapons to a certain extent, but he seems like he'd fight most with either his fists or a claymore (that or similar to the treasure hoarder who fights with a hammer!) this goes along with him growing up with Beidou

This one makes no sense whatsoever, but he's definitely unable to flirt with anyone, he absolutely just clams up and can't speak to anyone

Adding on to the previous, he's the best wingman of all time by the grace of the archons, the whole "coaches don't play" thing is his motto

Basically Little Yue's second parent (first is Beidou), but is still called uncle instead of parent, he would do anything for his little man I swear on my life

Little Yue

A lot of headcanons about him are absolutely just about him growing up tbh, so a lot of it is just ideas of him when he's grown up, but there's a lot of stuff that I kinda have for possible future works too.

Like the most important one is I personally believe he has a pyro vision as an adult, he's a very passionate person which is what reminds me of a lot of pyro characters

Takes over the Crux Fleet after Beidou retires! I know this is pretty much his canonical continuation of his life from his pieces of story, but I don't care he's the next leader of The Crux

He definitely eventually persuades Changchang to also join the fleet after a short amount of time, I also have a crazy idea for a continuation of Lulling Waves and Empty Skies based on this idea that I probably won't have the energy to write

Okay I pinkie promise I'm done with adult headcanons omg I didn't realize I had that many for his adulthood

One of the nosiest kids you will ever meet, he's the kind of kid who constantly plays the why game

He also basically refuses to listen ever! He's constantly sneaking onto the ship, probably a criminal in the making if not for Beidou teaching him morals

Yue is also incredibly street smart, I don't think we think a lot about how those who aren't rich enough to have personal tutors are able to learn, he's probably not the best educated when it comes to classical things, but he's a genius on his feet

Along with that, Ningguang probably ends up getting him some sort of tutor but he's a menace (Yue not the tutor) he doesn't seem like he'd be a fan of standard learning anyway

The Alcor as a whole

I don't have that many headcanons for the Alcor, but I can say that all of them are the epitome of it takes a village, especially when it comes to Yue

I tend to focus the most on Beidou and Juza (I may or may not be biased toward them a little) but every single person in the Crux Fleet, especially The Alcor, is imperative to shaping Yue's personality, goals, and life

I love them all so much

[versary]

this is an essay about the AFLW and how i'm mad at the AFL for making them play midweek games this season

the AFL is doing this thing for the current AFLW season where they're condensing rounds 4-7 so that teams will play midweek games as well as weekend games so that they can fit 11 rounds into 10 weeks. and you might be like, that doesn't sound too bad? except that aussie rules is extremely physical and very gruelling and recovery is very important. we went to the magpies eagles game last night, and i'm watching the lions bulldogs game right now and like, cool! i love watching footy during the week! however, i find it hugely disrespectful to the women and it's just another example of the AFL doing their best to undermine the women's comp.

you would NEVER see them pull this shit for the men. the men are their precious babies who need at least five days to recover between games and usually play every weekend unless there's an ANZAC day game or whatever. imagine if they decided to condense the competition for the men! there would be an outcry. also because the footy dropkicks here are like, you don't understand TRADITION and SPORT the way victorians do, okay!! it's traditional for me to have 14-16 beers at the MCG every weekend!! but the men are treated like professional athletes: they're allowed that recovery time to be able to perform at their best in the next game. the women are treated like semi-professional or even amateur athletes in terms of salary, length of competition, access to resources, &c., but it's expected that they deliver the same professional product as the men.

collingwood played on friday night, had three days to rest, and then played again on tuesday. they looked tired! it was upsetting! it led to more mistakes, and in a league where naysayers bang on about the lack of skills and the injury rate, i'm actually concerned that the injury rate will increase and then that will add fuel to the flame that's basically rampant in women's sport (oh, women are just not meant to play sport like this). plus the women's game already tends to be scrappier - if you add in less recovery to that, what will it entail?

the ALF have treated the women like this since the get go, though - the games are shorter, there are fewer players on the ground, and games tend to be at smaller ground and entry is cheap ($10!). (it's really cool, i do have to say, being at these smaller grounds because you can get super close to the game and it's pretty exciting haha. so like, while i want the game to grow, i'll be sad to lose that.) BUT they've always marketed the women's comp as 'family friendly' - the games are shorter so you can bring your kids! there are fewer players on the ground so there won't be so much congestion in the midfield and there will be more scoring! incredibly patronising from the AFL: why are the women the family friendly comp? why can't the men be family friendly?

when the league started, it was before the men's season so it kind of finished up during the first couple of rounds of the men's comp. in 2022 they played two seasons (!) and moved the start of the comp back to the bye week between the men's regular season and finals -> nothing inherently wrong here but they have given themselves no room to move. the women play 10 rounds - they don't even play every team in the fixture! if they extend the competition (which they should), then they can't push the end of the season back any later - it's already way too hot by the finals, and they'd only be playing deeper into summer. they're refusing to push the start of the season back. they're shooting themselves in the foot. they've painted themselves into a corner. it's frustrating. what's the long term vision?

both the men and the women should play 18 rounds plus finals, at the SAME TIME OF YEAR. quarters should be 20 minutes with time on for both the men AND the women. the men should be paid less and the women should be paid a PROFESSIONAL SALARY. give the women the respect they deserve. and fucking ADVERTISE the women's games, jfc.

[disturbedbeautywrites]

Hey! I was wondering if I could request a Steve Harrington X Reader imagine set in the last episode of season 2 (episode 9), where after Steve and the reader finish seeing Will at the hospital they go back to his house. His parents are on business trips, leaving Y/N and Steve home alone. So the reader fixes up Steve’s face and he realises hes in love with her; to which she stays in the guest room and ends up in his bed leading to them both confessing? Also, I love your writing, it’s just so perfectly detailed and sophisticated. You really have a talent!!!

Headache to heartache - Steve Harrington Imagine

A/N: thank you so much for the request! I hope you like it ☺️

Steve didn’t have many constants in his life. In fact, there were only 2 things he could ever count on. One was that his parents were always going to be away on business trips; especially if he had something important coming up. The second thing was that you were always going to be the one he could always call on.

As he sat in your passenger seat slipping in and out of consciousness, you couldn’t help but feel the worry completely and utterly start to fill your whole body. Steve was your absolute best friend and seeing him in this bad of shape because he was trying to protect the kids had you almost in tears. “Just hold on Stevie. We’re almost there.” The words came out choked and shaky as you pulled into the driveway of the harrington household. Steve had told you earlier that his parents weren’t home, so you knew it would be safe to bring him there to patch him up.

As the car pulled to a stop, Steve slowly came too. His vision slightly blurry as he saw you in front of him trying to help him out of the car. You had your arm wrapped around him, helping him walk towards the door. As soon as you got him inside and in the bathroom, he was almost fully coherent.

His gaze was focused on you as you rushed around to gather first aid supplies, his body slumped back against the toilet. You were talking to yourself, going through a list of things you needed to ensure his wounds would be thoroughly cleaned out.

He was trying to figure out how he got so lucky to have you as a best friend. Since you two were kids, you were always there for him. He always snuck in your window on nights his parents were being unbearable. You always were there when he needed girl advice, or even just humbling. You were his whole world, by now. Other girls came and went, but you had been around since elementary school.

His eyes lazily raked over you, taking in your every feature. Your eyebrows were scrunched in concentration and the tip of your tongue was sticking out from between your lips. Your hand was also headed towards his face, your fingers moving slowly to make sure that Steve was ready for this. “It’s going to hurt.. I’m so sorry.” Your voice was so small and fragile, as if you were worried you were going to break him. He was pretending to be out of it because of the head trauma Billy had more than likely given him, but really he was memorizing every single feature on your face.

Steve harrington had seen you a million times. He had seen you with tears running down your cheeks. He had seen you intoxicated the first time. He had seen you with ice cream and popsicle staining your face. He had seen you in every light imaginable, but never in this way. You were absolutely beautiful and you actually cared about him. It made his heart face and pound in his chest. He had to stop himself from leaning in and kissing you then and there, his teeth raking against his sore lips. You were absolutely radiant and it was taking his breath away.

“One more second.. and we’re done.” You took in Steve before you, a small frown on your lips. “That looks like it hurts so bad…” you mused, finding your fingers running over his cheek timidly before you put up all the medical supplies you had just used. You found yourself in front of him again, giving him a small sympathetic smile.

“‘M okay, really. Just tired.” The words barely came off his lips as he let out a yawn. “You can stay if you want. You know you’re always welcome.” He carefully stood up with your help, the two of you making your way to his room. He stripped his shirt off, taking in your disheveled appearance and his blood on your shirt and your jeans. He disappeared into his closet, tossing you a pair of his boxers and a clean shirt. He was excited to see you in his clothes, knowing how beautiful you always looked in them. What was happening to him?

However, as soon as Steve saw you standing in his clothes and the words almost left his lips, he already knew. He loved you. Oh, and it wasn’t in a best friend kind of way. He loved you in the way that he wanted to keep you safe, and he wanted to wake up to your face in the morning. He loved you in a lazy Saturday kind of way. But, he couldn’t tell you that. There was no way he could. “Goodnight, Steve. I’m gonna go sleep in the guest bedroom.” Your voice snapped him out of his trance, a nod following your words as you left his bedroom. Oh, he had it bad.

He walked over to his bed, crawling under the covers as he sat there and stared up at the ceiling. There was no way you would love him back. No way in hell. You were too perfect. But, as the time ticked by and there was a knock on his bedroom door, he realized he might be wrong. “Hey, I’m actually super worried about you. Can I sleep in here with you tonight?” Your voice poked from behind the door as you made your way into the all too familiar room.

“Of course. Come on.” Steve’s sleepy voice was music to your ears as you climbed into his bed when he held the covers open for you, your back finding his chest as it had a million times before. You guys had cuddled numerous times, in fact it was one of your favorite things about being best friends with Steve. There was times he was touchstarved and he would ask you to come cuddle with him. You would happily oblige. However, this felt different. “(Y/N)?”

You heard his voice and turned around in the covers to face him, your eyebrow cocking up at him. “I love you.” The words left his lips shockingly easy as you smiled at him and giggled softly.

“I love you too, Steve. You’re my best friend.” He felt his heart shatter as he shook his head, cupping your cheek in his hand. He had to get this out and he had to get it out now. Otherwise, he felt like he might explode.

“No, not like that. I love you in the way that I want to show you off to everyone. I want to tell everyone how amazing you are. I love you in the way I thought love was with Nancy, but more intensely. You’ve shown me what actual love is. I thought I knew before, but I realized I real-“ His words were cut off by your lips on his, the feeling sparking a million butterflies in both of your stomachs.

The kiss was easy and felt as natural as if you two had done it a million times before. Your hands were tangled in his hair, your lips moving in perfect sync as you smiled into the kiss. Steve mimicked the action, pressing his forehead against yours as he pulled away.

“I love you too.”

[phantomrose96]

Why Won't You Go Home

Disclaimer: I still don't go here.

...

It is exceptionally kind of Chat Noir to help with the search.

Maybe kind isn’t the right way for Marinette to think of it. Maybe it’s expected. Maybe it’s mundane. Maybe it’s rote, ordinary fanfare for a superhero of the city to lend his hand in a crisis. This search is just a normal superhero job for him. It isn’t personal to him like it is to her. She can feel it in the slow and stiff and disconnected way he picks through the rubble of the Agreste family mansion.

He looks up, and he catches her staring at him.

“M’lady?” he asks.

Marinette blinks. She’s short of breath. She shakes her head, and smooths her fingers over her black-dotted mask, and turns, and crouches to continue sifting through the scattered remains at her feet. “Nothing.”

“M’lady…”

She sweeps away a layer of ash—the pulverized remains of brick and stone and wood. Shards of dinner plates breathe in the open, blue-pattered rims chipped away. She lifts a piece, and it crumbles to ash in her numb and nicked hands, her fingers covered in bandaids from all the wanton cuts from glass she’d dug through so earnestly in the first three days after the collapse.

A hand falls heavy on her shoulders. She flinches. “M’lady…”

“It’s nothing, Chat.” She bats his hand off. “You take the eastern wing. I’ve got the kitchen.”

His presence remains beside her, heavy. “I went through the eastern wing this afternoon.” He crouches, attempting to force eye contact. “…And you’ve done the kitchen already.”

“I didn’t search hard enough.”

“You’ve searched enough.”

Marinette twists away from him. She dips her hands back into the rubble, silkenly demolished, grated down like fine beach sand so near the epicenter of the destruction.

Chat Noir’s hand grips hers, and he stills it.

“He’s not here,” Chat Noir says.

The jolt seizes Marinette by the throat. Tears she thought had long dried up well up unbidden. She blinks to clear her vision. She cannot speak through the knot in her throat, so she shakes her head, and pulls her hand away.

“His bedroom,” she answers, as the only words that can bubble out.

Chat shifts, until he is right in front of her, crouched to her level. “Carapace searched his bedroom already. Rena did. You did.” He grips her shoulder. “I did… He’s not there.”

“I’ll search again.”

“You need to go home.”

“There were 12 bedrooms in the mansion. Four floors. Dining and recreation rooms on every floor. A home theater. …Hawkmoth’s basement. We haven’t searched everything.”

“We have.”

“We haven’t.”

“You need to sleep.”

“I don’t.”

“Ladybug.” He takes her chin. “Look at me. Please just look at me.”

She has little choice. She’s staring into his green eyes, his tinged sclera. Chat’s brow is creased with worry, his eyes lined with exhaustion.

“I know you have a family, Ladybug. I know they have to be worried. Don’t do this to them. Don’t do this to yourself. You’ve done everything you can. There’s nothing more you can do.”

She pulls away from him.

“My family’s fine. I’m fine. What about you? Why don’t you just go back to your own family if you think they’re more important than Adrien?”

Chat’s tired eyes hold hers. His expression remains firm, blank, unwavering.

“Adrien’s gone, Ladybug.”

And it would have hurt less had he slapped her firmly across the face.

Marinette bounces to her feet, teetering unsteady, face flushed and eyes wet. She’s still blinking through tears, fists tight at her side, and it takes restraint to not try to deliver that pain back to Chat Noir. “Easy for you to say. You didn’t know him! You never met him! He was just some kid to you. You don’t care, do you? Maybe this was all some victory to you, huh? Hawkmoth is dead and his base is demolished and you just don’t care that Adrien was—”

“Clearly I do care. I’m still here. I’ve been here. I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t care.”

“You DON’T care. You search like you’re barely even trying to find him. You’ve given up! Everyone else has given up except me! You don’t get it!” Ladybug slams a hand to her chest, palm open, feet spread, and the words erupt from her throat. “I LOVED him. And I never told him! Don’t tell me he’s dead, Chat! Don’t tell me I couldn’t save him in time. Don’t tell me I couldn’t tell him in time, and I couldn’t—I couldn’t…” Marinette’s resolve wavers. Her body is fizzling with static, light and numb. She tilts, and slowly lowers herself back to a crouch before her balance can fail her fully. “…You can’t tell me he’s gone. He can’t be gone…”

There’s an agony that rips across Chat Noir’s face, one which he holds, and then stifles, and then buries, to the point that Marinette may have only imagined it in the first place. His stance goes looser. His eyes dip, until he’s staring down into the sand-fine rubble of the Agreste manor whose ash has coated him nearly fully gray.

“…I’m sorry, Ladybug…” he says, and he means it. “I shouldn’t have said it like that.”

Silence lingers on the wind between them. Every which way it blows, it smells of demolition.

“No I’m… I’m sorry for yelling,” Marinette mutters, face buried in her drawn-up knees. “I shouldn’t be yelling at you. You’re helping. …You’re the only one still helping. I’m so tired, and I’m so scared, and there’s no one else left helping.”

“You shouldn't blame the others for leaving. The search was called off a full day ago.”

“I don’t blame them.” Marinette lifts her head. “…But I just can’t leave.”

Chat pushes himself up from the ground, rising to full height from his crouch. He extends a hand for Marinette to take. “If you’ll go home, Ladybug, I’ll stay. He won’t be left alone if I’m staying here.”

Marinette blinks as Chat’s hand swims in and out of focus. She processes his words. “…Then what about you? If I leave, and you stay, then you’ll be alone…”

“Worry not, M’lady.”

“…And what about your family then?” She extends a shaky hand. Chat clasps it, and carefully, gently, he lifts her up. She’s eye to eye with him again, her vision darting from his one pupil to the other. He is the only pillar across acres of leveled land, decimated to nothing. “You haven’t left yet either, have you? You’ve been here just as long as me. You haven’t left. They must be worried about you.”

“No one in my family is worried about me, it’s fine.” His grip on her hand tightens. “My friends… are worried. But that’s because they’re good friends. They’ll be fine.”

“Chat…”

“I’m right, aren’t I? You haven’t been able to go home because you can’t leave him alone here… I’ll stay then. I’ll keep searching, I promise, as long as you promise me you’ll go home to your family for tonight, and shower, and eat, and sleep.”

"And you?"

"Hmm?"

"Why haven’t you left yet…?”

Chat lets out a simple chuckle, and he offers her a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Just worried about you, M’lady. It’s that simple.”

Marinette blinks, and rubs her eyes through the mask. The sensation of grit digs into her knuckles. It’s coated her entirely. She blinks again, and her vision, her balance, is still hazy. She’s just now feeling the weight pulling so heavily on her chest, and protests die in her throat. “…Okay. Okay then, Chat. …Thank you. Thank you, I’ll—I’ll go home, okay Chat.” She looks up. “But I need you to promise me something too.”

“Anything.”

“When I get back, then you’ll go home and rest.”

Chat’s smile lingers, the dead and plastic one. His worn eyes hold hers, and Marinette realizes for the first time since the search began that there’s something uncomfortable nested deep in them, something staring at her like she’s the last thing holding him together.

“…Chat?” Marinette asks again.

“Hmm?”

“When I’m back, you’ll go home.”

He reaches a hand out, and he ruffles her hair. “You’re very tired. M’lady has been awake for far too long. The sun’s setting now. You should get going.”

“Chat.”

“I’ll only need a quick cat nap, M’lady, once you get back. I needn’t go anywhere.”

“That’s… no, Chat.” Marinette shakes her head. She pushes his hand away. “You also need to shower, and eat, and sleep, and see your family and friends, Chat. Promise me you’ll do that. Promise me that’ll happen once I’m back tomorrow.”

She’s staring deep into his eyes, watching that restrained and uncomfortable something bloom closer to the surface. She’s staring into glassy pools that are slipping harder to recognize, and Chat’s plastic smile remains on a face so absent. His eyes refuse to see her no matter how directly she stares into them.

“We’ll talk tomorrow, Bugaboo.”

“Chat.”

“Please.”

“Chat.”

“Tomorrow, I promise.”

“Chat—” She grabs his shoulder, and pulls him a fraction closer, in hopes that his glassy eyes might finally see her back.

“Yes, M’lady?”

“Why won’t you go home?”

He is covered in ash and soot. His face is uniformly streaked with dust, and it mangles into his hair, soaked four days deep. And his four days sleepless eyes stare through her. He hitches his plastic smile higher until the corners of his mouth waver. He opens his mouth to say something, to say something, to say something.

“Sure then. Tomorrow. As soon as you’re back. I’ll go home. I promise to give my pillows a good few extra fluffs for you.”

And his face is unrecognizable by the time the words leave his mouth.

Marinette tugs him closer, until he is pressed against her. She wraps her arms around him and squeezes. Hesitantly, he returns the hug, with a force that presses the air from Marinette’s lungs, until he clings to her like she were the last thread holding him up above a chasm.

Then all at once, he releases her.

“Go. Go, Ladybug. Go home.”

She breathes deep, and her ribcage stutters. She nods.

“Tomorrow. Early. I’ll be back. Then it’s your turn.”

“Naturally. In the meantime, I’ll check the bedroom again, alright? I promise to leave nothing unturned.”

She backs away, and turns, and lingers. And somehow, even with the way her body stutters and stalls, she’s still gone faster than Chat realizes. He’s left alone with the setting sun tinging all the leveled debris orange. He exhales, shudders, and wills himself to not breakdown on spot. Not until he’s sure Ladybug is far away.

He moves, as promised, to the bedroom, taking the phantom trace of demolished hallways and doors out of habit. He stands at the center, and shifts ash with his toe, and silence falls around him like a blanket.

He sets his hands to the air, clasped around a pocket of nothing. He bounces his palms closer, once, twice, fluffing the air, and fluffing it again, so as not to break his promise.

[universalistotalis]

Too Far

Angst!!!

Atsumu Miya x Female Reader

Word count: 1.5k

Loving Atsumu Miya was absolute bliss. You loved every second of his affection, his skin, his warmth, his laugh, and his jokes. That giant bastard may be a crackhead to his friends and family, but with you, his affectionate side just pops out of nowhere. His eyes filled with love when he looks at you. His arms opened so wide to envelope you in an embrace so tight, your feet lift up the floor with ease. His words laced with care and love with a hint of playfulness at the side and they never failed to make your insides scramble everytime.

You shake your head from the daydream that you’ve consistently been having since the start of the relationship.

God, you loved him so much, didn’t you? You gave your whole world to the man of your dreams. You sacrificed time, effort, patience, you name it, just to have one second by his side.

And because of that love, you became an absolute fool.

Who were you kidding, right? THE Great Atsumu Miya will never settle. Who were you to tame that wild beast? How special did you think you were when he had a sea of people under his spell, his command?

Just face it, you’re nothing to him.

And so you did. You left your shared apartment after waiting for him to come home for the nth time. Who knows where he was, who he’s with, what he’s doing. You were done thinking of an imaginary Atsumu who will love you wholeheartedly. That’s just not going to happen.

After many sobs and insecurities flooding in, you were ready to face the world again. Even more ready to face Atsumu. He’s nothing to you now. There were no grudges held in your heart. There were no tears in yours eyes. But more importantly, there was new love formed in your chest and that’s reserved for the most important person in your life. You.

“Damn, y/n!!! What happened to you?!” One of your friends cheered as you met to go to a club on a Friday night. Work was pretty hectic lately and you all agreed to a well- deserved night out.

“No kidding, you’re literally glowing!!!” Another hyped and slapped your ass playfully as you walked through the doors. “Let’s get wasted tonight!!!”

And my god, your whole group did. You all danced to your heart’s content, ordered liquor until your head got rid of all inhibitions, laughed at each other’s faces and jokes… overall, it was a night to remember.

“Y/n?” You heard a voice behind you followed by your right wrist being cased within the hands of another.

You were just on the verge of getting sober so you wonder if the image right in front of your eyes was real or not. He used to stand with his chest puffed out in confidence but now, he looked deflated. Under his eyes were dark circles, proof of him not sleeping well. His usual playful demeanor was gone and the man in front of you now looked so lost, confused… lonely.

“Atsumu?” You squinted, not believing the sight in front of you.

“It really is you.” He slurred and you had a whiff of liquor on his breath. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been doing great, Miya. Thanks.” You smiled, genuinely.

“Where’s my sweet nickname?” He joked. “You look so damn happy celebratin’ with yer friends tonight, huh? That happy to be rid of me, ain’t ya?” He chuckled darkly.

You were taken aback with what he said. What does he have to do with you having a great party?

“Miya, don’t do this right now. I have to go.” You tried to excuse yourself from his intrusion.

“I hate it. I hate it so goddamn much.” He whispered, closing the distance between you two and caged you on the wall behind. “I’ve been a mess since ya left, sweetheart. Seeing you having the time of your life makes me feel so damn angry. Am I that easy to forget?”

“Atsumu, I—“

“Come back to me.” He puffed. “Come back to me and I promise to treat ya right. I’ll do everythin’ ya want, just please… I love you.” His voice faltered at the end as whimpers of his cries followed. Never in your whole life did you think you’d see him break down because of you. But here he is! AND you never thought of hearing those three words with utmost sincerity from his lips. But again, here he is!

A nostalgic smile lifted from your lips and Atsumu stared at it for a while. The alcohol in his system was enough to make himself go haywire but your smile sent him spiraling. He meant what he said. He missed you to death. He needed you back.

“Come back to me, please.” He repeated and leaned his forehead on yours.

“I’m sorry, Miya.” You said as you held his face in your hands. “Thank you for being honest with me. But it’s too late. I’ve moved on from everything and you should too.”

His head violently shook no as more tears spilled from his eyes. He’ll do everything for you except let you go. “I’ll be better. Please, I’ll be better! I’ll try my best to keep ya, baby, that’s how much I love you! I can’t—“

“Then try your best with the next person because it won’t be me, Miya. I hope you understand.” You said while wiping his tears. “That relationship was too toxic for me and I can’t go back.”

“I’m sorry.” He said, voice too slow and too low to even hear but you did. “I’m so sorry.”

“Atsumu! You prick!” Your head whipped to the left at the familiar voice that boomed. Osamu barreled over to where you were but his steps slowed as he saw your figure caged inside Atsumu’s arms.

“Y/n.” He said, as if in a daze.

“Hi Osamu.” You greeted awkwardly since Atsumu’s stare is still hard and focused on your face. The alcohol seemed to have a toll on him and he was beginning to doze off. Either that, or he still did not process what you’ve been saying.

“Stop it, man.” Osamu came behind his twin and caught him by the collar. He turned to you next while carrying a limp Atsumu in his embrace. “I’m sorry for his behavior. He drinks more than he can take. He’s been out of it since… you know… your break up.”

You smiled sadly. “Oh.” Well, what were you supposed to say to that?

“Y/n!!! Come back here!” One of your friends saw you and waved you to the table.

“That’s my cue to go.” You smiled.

“Yeah.” Osamu nodded.

“Osamu, you’re here!” Atsumu woke up from his reverie and comically hugged his brother, surprising the both of you.

“You know what? Y/n was here! I told her I love her but she didn’t believe me! Tell her! Tell her for me! Maybe she’ll believe you! Help me man, I can’t lose her!”

Your chest burned at the sight and at his words. How you longed for him to say those three words in the past. But it’s just too late.

“Stop it, Tsumu.” Osamu whispered, heart aching for his twin. He saw how broken he was these past few months but then it was his fault after all. He shot you an apologetic look. “I’m sorry for this again. Take care, Y/n.”

“Take care too, Osamu.” You smiled. “Take care of him too.”

“I will.” He agreed then proceeded to take Atsumu to their table.

“It hurts, Samu.” Sudden whimpers came out from Atsumu’s mouth after a few steps. “It fucking hurts. I don’t think I can take this.”

“Imagine how she felt, you bastard.” Osamu sighed. “She really was a keeper, wasn’t she?”

Atsumu hummed in agreement. “She was. She still is.”

“Look, she’s gone, Tsumu. You need to move the fuck on and stop tormenting the poor girl! You’ve caused her enough pain.” Atsumu then was dumped harshly on the cushions.

“You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” The saying rang in Atsumu’s ears, echoing louder and louder as the music in the club intensified throughout the night. It mocked him to the core! He drank himself to oblivion for months now, trying to forget your presence in his life. Visions of you were everywhere! You were in his room tucking him to bed. You were in the kitchen whipping up a random recipe from the internet. You were in his living room, dancing to his playlist even when you heard the songs for the first time. You were in the stands cheering for his every move. You were even on his morning jogs, passing his water bottle to make sure he’s hydrated.

You took care of him in the best way possible and he can’t believe how involved you were with his life. How did he not see that? He didn’t realize that what he bothered himself within the past were temporary things that brought temporary bliss. You were his life, his love. How could he throw something so serious? So permanent?

He watched you from afar, drunk as fuck but visions still sharp as a hawk on your side. You were happily talking to your friends, rewarding them with your gorgeous smile and wonderful laugh. Maybe this was his punishment for ever breaking someone as pure as you.

He may be close to where you were but he can never be too close to be yours again.

Okay wait HAHAHA I love Atsumu but I wanted to write an angsty post about him so here it is! This was inspired by the song “Bedroom” by JJ Lin and Anne- Marie. I just love that song so much, I have it on repeat rn.

ALSO YOU'RE SO WORTH IT AND YOU DESERVE THE BEST! Just reminding y'all in case you forgot. <3 hope you liked this one! <3

[tripleaxeldiaz]

elmosolyodni for the wordstuck prompts 💕

elmosolyodni: to slowly break out into a genuine smile when being overcome with emotions, like love or utter happiness.

read on ao3

As much as he wanted it to be, as much as he wanted it for himself, Eddie’s never been great at romance. 

His proposal to Shannon was more like a suggestion, a stuttering statement that tumbled out of him when she showed him the positive test six months after their first date. And he didn’t give it much thought again — didn’t have time to think about it — until a couple months into his tour, when his team was swapping stories about wives and husbands over dinner and someone asked, “So Diaz, how’d you pop the question?”

The fact that he didn’t have a story to tell stung more than he thought it would.

He tried to make it up to her — bought her flowers when he was home, took her out for their anniversary every year, but between parenthood and redeployment and the growing chasm between them when he came back the second time, any notion of romance felt harder and harder to hold onto. And when she left, amid the panic and shame and anger, there was also a sadness, a resignation that the romance he’d quietly craved just wasn’t meant for him. He had bills to pay, a kid to take care of, a life to rebuild. Sweeping gestures from him or for him no longer seemed important.

That all changed when he met Buck, as most things in his life did.

Even before they started dating, Eddie wanted to do things for Buck. He wanted to buy him the shirt in the window display that reminded him of his eyes, wanted to make sure that they always had his weird Icelandic yogurt in the fridge for when he stayed over, wanted to wrap him up when he got that broken look on his face and remind him that he is loved by everyone and especially by Eddie. It was a physical need, one he felt in his gut every time, but he’d shut that part of himself off so firmly that all he could do was hope it didn’t linger too long. Buck needed a friend, and he’d be damned if he did anything stupid enough to ruin what they already had, what they’d already built.

It took a bullet ripping through his abdomen to make him realize what a terrible idea that had been.

But a year later wounds are healed, PT is long done, and he wakes up next to Buck every morning feeling happier than he has in almost a decade. He gets to buy the shirt for him, stock up on yogurt, and press himself into Buck’s space until his eyes get their spark back. He can fantasize about the house they’ll buy or the dogs they’ll adopt once Chris moves out.

He can see a titanium ring in the display case of the jewelry store at the mall and perfectly imagine what it would look like on Buck’s finger.

And he can make it all the way to his truck after buying it before the panic starts to set it.

He doesn’t register driving to Maddie and Chim’s until he’s frantically knocking on the door, hoping he heard Buck right and that Maddie’s off today taking care of a sick Jee-yun. The door flies open, and he sees Maddie’s face go from pissed to surprised to confused as she zeros in on the velvet box held limply in his hand.

“Uh, Eddie, that’s really sweet, but there are a lot of reasons why this would never work.”

His laugh is borderline hysterical as he gently pushes into the apartment. “It’s for Buck, but I— we haven’t really— I don’t even know if—” He doesn’t realize he’s pacing until Maddie takes his elbow and steers him to the couch, hands him a glass of water, and pushes him to sit.

“Breathe. Drink,” she says, and he does as his mind keeps spinning. She sets the empty glass on the coffee table and sits in the armchair across from him. “Okay. You want to propose. That’s a good thing, right?”

“Of course.” It’s the best thing, at the very top of a list of things he thought were untoppable.

“Have you guys talked about getting married?”

It wasn’t so much a conversation as a shift in language — one day the phrase “if we get married” changed to “when we get married” and neither of them thought twice about it because it felt so right.

“Sort of,” he settles on.

“And you’re sure he’d say yes?”

“Yes.” There’s few things in life he’s ever been so sure of, no matter what his earlier panic was making him think.

“So what’s the problem?”

He slumps back on the couch, hands running through his hair. “I don’t know how to do it.”

Maddie squints at him. “Eddie, it’s a pretty hard thing to mess up. And you’ve already been married, so don’t you have some practice?”

“That was different,” he says. “Shannon was already pregnant, it was more like a to-do list item than anything else. I didn’t even get her a ring until a couple months later.”

“Well you’re already a step ahead there, so that’s good.”

He sighs, pulling the ring box out of his pocket again and opening it. The thin line of silver running through the black glints in the sunlight, and he can still picture Buck wearing it so clearly, he’s just not sure how it gets there. All he knows is this aching need he can feel in his chest to make sure that however he does it, it’s enough — more than enough — that Buck knows exactly how deep his love runs, exactly how desperately Eddie needs him in his life and by his side.

Maddie moves to sit next to him and takes the box, and Eddie falls back into the cushions again. “I just want it to be perfect for him,” he says quietly. “Romantic. All the stuff people dream about when they think about getting engaged. But I have no idea how to do that.”

Maddie studies the ring for a minute before shutting the box, pressing it into his hand until he looks her in the eye. Her gaze is steady, piercing, and very (scarily) reminiscent of her brother’s. “You are asking him to marry you. It’s already perfect.” The reassurance helps, and it’s easy to smile back at her when she squeezes his hand. 

“But,” she says, reaching for a pen and notebook on the coffee table, “a little romance never killed anyone, so let’s make some lists and figure out what you do and don’t want to do.”

Lists sound good. Eddie can work with lists.

“Rule number one,” she says, already scribbling, “no sporting events. Nothing kills the mood faster than seeing your face on a Jumbotron…”

~~~~~~~~~~

In the end, none of the lists really matter.

Because two weeks later, they’re sitting on the back patio after dinner, night air cool and lit up around them by the lights Chris insisted on hanging for his last backyard sleepover. Buck’s going on about a patient who tried to insist he could do CPR on himself, and Eddie’s hypnotized by his enthusiasm, the expressiveness of his hands and the joyful blush on his cheeks. He says something that makes both of them laugh, bubbling through the quiet of the neighborhood, and Eddie knows, immediately and with every part of him.

He has to ask Buck now. It’s not the candlelit dinner and walk on the beach he’d decided on with Maddie, nor is it even close to as big and bold as anything else they’d come up with. But none of that matters now because his skin is buzzing and his heart is pounding and he doesn’t want the ring burning in his pocket a minute longer — he wants to swear himself to Buck right here, in this moment that is extraordinarily ordinary and perfectly them. This is a story he wants to tell people over and over, to their family and friends and anyone else who will listen.

The universe must still be trying to make up for the hell it put him through last year, because the playlist coming through their portable speaker changes to something softer, romantic, and Eddie takes his chance before he talks himself out of it.

“Dance with me,” he says, standing and offering his hand to Buck. 

“I’m sorry, are my stories boring?” Buck laughs as he takes his hand, folding into Eddie’s space like he’s always meant to be there, arms wrapping around his waist and pulling him close.

“Never,” Eddie says, and he pauses, because the one thing he and Maddie didn’t talk about was what he actually wanted to say to Buck when he asked. And now that he’s here with very little preparation, the huge, all-encompassing feelings he has for Buck refuse to be wrangled into a few measly sentences. None of the words he can think of feel big enough to capture how deeply his love runs, and he can feel his skin start buzzing for a much more unpleasant reason.

Hands squeeze his waist, zoning him back in and focusing him on Buck, on the crease between his eyebrows and the worry around his mouth. “Everything okay?” he asks, because he always knows when Eddie gets lost in himself, sometimes even before Eddie figures it out. 

Buck knows him better than he knows himself. He doesn’t need big, poetic monologues for Buck to understand what’s going on inside his head.

The buzzing changes again, fueling his determination as he slips his hand into his pocket. “I love you. So much it’s almost scary. But I’m more scared of spending the rest of my life without you,” he holds the ring up between them, “so will you marry me?”

Buck freezes, stopping them both from swaying with the music. Eddie watches his eyes flit between the ring and Eddie and back again, holding his breath as he waits for an answer. Finally, Buck’s eyes lock on Eddie and stay there, a soft smile growing and growing until it’s so incandescently bright that Eddie’s afraid he might have to look away or risk losing his vision.

And then, just as quickly, Buck drops his hands from Eddie’s waist and runs back into the house.

Eddie honestly isn’t sure what to make of this, the only thought running through his head being what the fuck just happened here. But then Buck’s running back outside, still smiling and not-so-secretly holding something behind his back, and now it’s Eddie’s turn to glow.

“You’re joking,” he says quietly, cheeks already hurting from a smile that feels permanent and eyes feeling a little wet.

Buck shakes his head, his eyes shining too as he holds up the velvet box. “Bought it like a month ago when Chris and I went to buy him a new backpack, I had to bribe him with a new video game to keep him quiet. I haven’t even gotten a chance to tell Maddie yet.”

Eddie wouldn’t be surprised if the sheer amount of joy coursing through his veins was making him float a couple inches off the ground. “Is that a yes then?” he asks.

Buck’s laugh is loud and sharp, and Eddie can’t think of a more perfect sound. He takes the ring out and tosses the box aside, holding it up next to the one in Eddie’s hand. “Only if you’ll marry me too.”

It’s a flurry, then, of rings on fingers and breathless kisses and whispers of I love you, I love you so much. The whirlwind settles and they start swaying to the music again, holding each other even closer, and Eddie revels in the new weight on his hand that ties them together. He feels light and loved, completely enveloped in this romance that he’s finally able to give fully and receive just as well. 

Buck takes his hand and places a kiss just below his ring, and Eddie knows this is just the beginning. They have a lifetime of love and happiness ahead of them, and Eddie finally feels like he deserves it.

[bagsley]

my top ten favorite wincest fics of all time... completely unsurprising that over half of them are candle beck!

Last Day on Earth by candle_beck

PODFIC

Sam has one day to live. You can imagine how Dean feels. (Probably my favorite wincest fic of all time. Dean’s frantic heart-stopping terror over Sam is just the most familiar version of him, you know?? It feels so true.)

Dean turns on his brother, fists Sam's collar and hugs him very hard. His face feels hot and slippery against Sam's neck, and Dean doesn't care, thinks clearly: fuck it. Fuck it, as Sam hugs him back just as fierce, fuck the highway and the night sky and the scripture being read in the background, the heavens and the earth and the light, the cattle and the creeping thing and anything else you can name. Every matchstick, every initialed square of sidewalk, every abandoned heart--fuck it all.

Ascalon by candle_beck

PODFIC

There are dragons in the world. (Breathlessly beautiful. Fantastic use of second person pov.)

You've always loved your brother and you've always been fucked up on one level or another, and somewhere along the line it got all screwed up in your head, all your history rewritten.

You love Dean because you're fucked up. You're fucked up because you love Dean. Being fucked up and loving Dean are the same thing.

Until at last, inevitably: the manner in which you love Dean is fucked up.

You should have seen that coming.

But he makes you so stupid.

American Myth by candle_beck

PODFIC

As long as you have a car, you are free, and other lies my country taught me. (Sam and Dean lose home, but only for about five hours.)

“Well, what the hell am I supposed to do about it?” Dean asks, a lace of impatience through his voice. “Apparently I bug you just by existing, so really, Sam, what do you want?”

That blows through Sam like a hurricane, blasting out the corpses and debris, the black curse shadowing his life, the twenty-odd years of vigilante violence and brotherhood, stripping him down to the elemental, and he looks at Dean feeling crystallized, thinking in astonishment, you.

Flying Weight by fleshflutter

Recently soulful Sam, vampire Dean. Sam feels in constant bitter competition with the ghost of his soulless self. (Whew.)

There's a moment he remembers very clearly, one of the last he does remember: He's in the graveyard at Stull, and his arm is drawn back, fist clenched with the force of mountains, and the sun catches his eye, and just for a heartbeat, Lucifer is blind, can't see a damned or blessed thing. That's when Sam sees Dean.

That's the moment Sam hangs his humanity on.

Welcome to Fog City by candle_beck

PODFIC

Sam's one blind spot is big enough to drive a truck through.

It was also mortifying, paralyzing at times, but Dean wasn't even horrified so much as familiarly resigned. Already he'd grown up as a refugee with demons trying to kill his whole family, and now he was irrevocably attracted to his kid brother too. Clearly Dean Winchester's life was a spectacular cosmic joke, a series of rugs to be pulled out from under him, and luckily his sense of humor was dark enough that he could at least appreciate the absurdity of the whole thing. This was just one more ridiculous cross that God had given him to bear.

So Dean went on through the highway world. Radio stations delighted in informing him that the hits would keep right on coming, and Dean didn't know what to expect next. Leprosy, maybe. A plague of locusts. The violent loss of one of his hands.

Instead, Sam left, ran away to California one lovely day in the late summer. It was not the worst thing that could have happened, but it was certainly in the top five. The weight of that particular cross had nearly smashed Dean into the earth.

Second Map of the World by candle_beck

They're on a lucky streak, and then Sam does something ill-considered, and the plot thickens.

Dean drove out of Topeka as if trying to outrun the shock wave of a nuclear explosion. Ninety, a hundred, a hundred and ten miles an hour, blowing past strings of red taillights, huge rattling trucks like dinosaurs with loose bones. Dean had the tape turned up loud enough that the speakers fuzzed. His hands were locked on the wheel.

The Firefly that Loved Metallica by fleshflutter

Dean's soul in a bottle.

[Sam] faces down demons and drives a four-day old corpse across the country on a hope so thin it wouldn't stand up to a light rain.

Waiting Games by Nutkin

Sam's having sex visions.

Dean's dug into himself deeply, become this tricky maze of raised hackles and sensitive spots that he's starkly open about. So open about, in fact, that it's like they've been worn into calluses, like they aren't even vulnerabilities anymore. He can bark out at Sam that he's the most important thing in his life, and it doesn't sound like he's admitting something private - it's just the same way he'd say, Give Satan my best, before ending a spirit. He picks and chooses the things he's embarrassed by, the things he lets become issues, and the way he feels about Sam isn't one of them. It's not a bruise that can be pushed on - maybe it was, once, but in the time Sam was off going to keggers and building a fort of textbooks and love letters, Dean just cemented it into one of the things that drives him.

Be Awake by candle_beck

Dean has a concussion.

"I'm sorry," Sam said as he sat Dean down on the bed, stepped back. He had a hard flush on his face, a downcast shadow in his eyes. "Shouldn't have gotten mad, I, I shouldn't have left you out there."

Dean shook his head, smiling dazedly at him. Sam's edges were blurred and his hair looked funny, fuzzing out like a halo, but the lines of his face stayed sharp, Dean's last remaining constant. He couldn't remember what Sam was talking about, but he said:

"It's okay, Sammy,"

because it was, and Sam would see that, Sam was smart. Dean wanted to get that serious look off his brother's face, win a smile from him no matter how far south the night had gone, but the fog was building in his mind again, rolling down hills to obscure his cities, ground his airplanes, wreck his ships.

Dean held his wavering head steady, fixed his eyes on Sam's face with the last of his focus. He managed to say, "Exit light," and then pitched backwards on the bed.

Gone Again by candle_beck

Harrowing and suffocatingly, inevitably heartbreaking. They never stood a chance.

The dream is different this time.

This time they’re in a motel room and the walls are on fire. It’s Sam’s fault; every time he touches something it goes up in flames.

Dean can hear his hair crackling and he jerks his head, watching the sparks fly. Sam’s close enough that Dean can see the firework reflection in his eyes. He flattens his hand next to Dean’s head and an outline of fire flares around his fingers.

“You gotta stop,” Dean says, barely able to breathe. These motel rooms are as flimsy as cardboard; if one part burns the whole thing will go.

And Sam’s laughing and shaking his head, licking at Dean’s throat and it’s hotter than fire could ever hope to be.

“I was made for this,” Sam tells him. “So were you.”

Dean’s eyes are raw and torn and wet but it might be blood. His shirt is smoldering and growing holes like black-edged tumors that Sam follows with his fingers, smearing soot on the bare skin of Dean’s stomach. Stuff that won’t wash away, like the blisters Sam’s mouth is leaving on Dean, the mad incendiary glee in his eyes.

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

What if some Cullen stayed behind on a new moon to be with Bella? How do you think the story would have occurred?

They wouldn’t.

Remember, we see the series from Bella’s perspective. We get a front row view to her devastation at being left behind, her depression, and the fact that Bella is put into more danger because of it and ultimately the Cullens come back.

At the end of New Moon, the reader goes, “What was the point of this damn novel? Why even have them leave in the first place if they just come back?!” Well, it was to show that Edward and Bella can’t live without each other, introduce the wolves without the Cullens getting in the way, and start the Volturi plot threads.

Regardless, a lot of blame falls on the Cullens for daring to leave in the first place. Someone should have put their foot down and demanded to stay (several did but they ended up leaving anyway). However, from their perspective, I don’t think they necessarily made the wrong choice

Why The Cullens Had Good Reason to Leave in New Moon

They’d been living in the precarious world for months now where a human is in on the secret, really shouldn’t be in on the secret, just waiting for something to happen.

Edward plays human boyfriend, knowing that he’ll one day abandon her (he plans it, even, from the moment he first sneaks into her bedroom). He has no intention of turning her into a vampire.

Which means, for the rest of them, walking on eggshells trying and failing to think what happens next. Because this is not sustainable.

Eventually, the Cullens will need to move. It’ll be a while yet, Carlisle will probably spend another few years as a doctor in Forks while the “children” go to university somewhere. But eventually, one day, they will leave the area.

If Bella’s human, she’s not coming with them.

And if she does come with them... Bella will be this sole aging human living with immortal creatures. She can’t do the high school routine with Edward very long, would have to find her own thing to do while somehow still moving with this family, and it wouldn’t be sustainable. Bella would live a very miserable life that’s not all that different from if they had never killed James in Phoenix (on the run moving from city to city, protecting this secret from anyone who might ask, having to hide her relationship with Edward if they even manage to keep that alive).

It would be a miserable life and not good for her. Even Bella, the teenager who wants to be with them forever, sees that. She can’t stay with Edward and be human, if she’s joining the Cullens then she has to be turned.

Adding to this, hanging around Bella is very dangerous. There’s a reason their worlds are separate. Jasper might be the one who cracks first, but something was going to happen one of those days. That papercut could have very easily been Edward. Bella could accidentally scrape herself in front of a hungry Alice. Bella helping Esme in the kitchen might accidentally cut herself. Every time Bella spends any time in their vicinity, she’s playing Russian Roulette.

She just happens to lose at her own birthday party.

Jasper’s attack, and every single member of the family besides Carlisle having to vacate the house, is a wake up call that if Bella’s staying human then this isn’t going to work.

Leaving in New Moon is their last chance to give Bella a human life and future. Bella’s young, she’ll move on and make friends and live an ordinary life in the ordinary human world. I do think, for all of the Cullens, none of them realize the extent of her depression and she staked all her self-worth on the aliens who she only met a few months ago and who barely even know her.

And that’s important and I think people forget that, Bella barely knows these people and they know even less about her.

Bella spends her time hanging around Edward and maybe Alice.

She has had one conversation with Carlisle, the night he stitches her up no less, never seems to talk to Esme at all, barely even sees Jasper, Rosalie barely knows her, and for all Emmett thinks she’s hilarious that’s because she’s just Clumsy Human (TM).

None of them have any personal attachment to her.

Then you have Edward throwing a fit. Yes, Alice is adamantly against doing this, thinks it will be a disaster, but Edward’s the one they’re going to live with. More, Edward does have a point, this isn’t sustainable, Bella has no idea what she’s getting into, and if she can live a human life with her human family then she probably should.

Little did they know that they were leaving her to the mercy of Victoria and Laurent, relying on the protection of the shapeshifters who might unintentionally maul her at any moment, or that she’d become mired in depression and eventually attempt suicide.

Well, Alice knew, but her visions are also flighty things that while holding true for a moment don’t necessary hold true for years.

So, I can see why they leave, and why characters who are dubious about it are convinced to leave.

For what it’s worth, I also think they thought Edward’s breakup with Bella was an amenable thing where he logically told her why he was doing this.

Edward, remember, does not ask Rosalie or Emmett’s assistance in stealing the stereo out of Bella’s car. He didn’t tell them about stealing her photos and memorabilia and sticking it under the floorboards. Given Edward’s behavior in Midnight Sun, I’m sure he didn’t tell them that what he actually said to her was that she was a distraction and he’d gotten bored. Given that he had a very reasonable explanation to break up with her, I’m a vampire and you’re human and this isn’t working out, I’m sure they thought he was mature and reasonable about it.

He wasn’t.

Who Would Even Stay?

More, if anyone stayed, then you know Edward would be staying with them. Glaring at them constantly for ruining his leaving town plan. HOW DARE THEY.

And is Emmett really going to bail on Rose so he can hang out with Edward’s weird squishy girlfriend? Carlisle tell the family to go on ahead without him, he’ll catch up, while he sits there awkwardly with Bella and says “Sorry about all of this.” Rosalie, who loathes Bella, sticking around just to spite Edward. Esme staying with Bella and infuriating Edward and causing him pain (Edward’s Esme’s basically highest priority, she’d never do this). Jasper hanging around the girl he just tried to eat?

I’d say Alice is your best bet except... This isn’t the meta for it, but throughout the series it’s clear for all that Alice likes Bella, she likes Edward a lot more. Bella is nice, but Alice has her priorities in order and is more than okay with the significant odds of Bella dying horrifically if it means everything might work out the way she wants it to.

So, given that hanging around Bella would cause a rift with Edward, she’s not going to do it. Also, I’m sure the way she sees it, it’s best to get this out of the way now so that Edward learns his lesson.

And what would they even do then? If Carlisle’s family has moved then he can’t stick around town for long (maybe the premise is they moved on ahead of him to set up the house but that will only last so long). If it’s any of the “kids” they have to hide in the bushes all day as the family will have left them behind. If it’s Esme, why didn’t she go with her family and her kids to the new city?

So it’d just be them hanging around, doing nothing to... make Bella feel better? When it’s really Edward who she wants to see rather than rando Cullen she barely knows hanging out in her yard?

Basically, I can’t see a single one of them staying behind.

But if Someone Did Stay

Then, as I said, Edward would stay too.

And Edward would never forgive them for this. They would be dead to him, forever. I can imagine, in his upset rage and helplessness, Edward would say even worse things to Bella to make it clear the entire family should leave.

It’d be a shit show all around.