#reading challenge 2020

[jackleopard]

"march was the season of: hacker, movie songs and soundtracks" the way this is literally when I was preparing to present my dissertation

[welcometoqueer]

I haven’t really seen any of the more recent U.S. election news hitting tumblr yet so here’s some updates (now edited with sources added):

There’s evidence of Trump cheating and interfering with the election.

Possible Russian interference.

Mail-in ballots are not being counted or “recognized” in multiple (notably swing) states.

30+ bomb threats were called in and shut down polling stations on Election Day.

20+ million votes are still unaccounted for, and that’s just to have the same voter turnout as 2020.

There was record voter turnout and new/first-time voter registration this year. We definitely should be well over the turnout in 2020.

U.S. citizens are using this site to demand, not only a recount, but a complete investigation into election fraud and interference for the reasons stated above:

Here is what I submitted as an example:

An investigation for election interference and fraud is required. We desperately need a recount or even a revote. The American people deserve the right to a free and fair election. There has been evidence unveiled of Trump cheating and committing election fraud which is illegal. There is some evidence of possible Russian interference. At least 30+ bomb threats were called in to polling places. Multiple, notably swing states, have ballots unaccounted for and voting machines not registering votes. Ballots and ballot boxes were tampered with and burned. Over 20 million votes that we know of are unaccounted for. With record turnout and new voter registration this year, there should be no possibility that there are less votes than even in the 2020 election.

Sources (working on finding more links but if anyone wants to add info, it’s appreciated):

FBI addressing Russian interference and bomb threats:

Emails released by Rachael Bellis (private account, can’t share original tweet) confirming Trump committing election fraud:

Pennsylvania's Centre County officials say they are working with their ballot scanner vendor to figure out why the county's mail-in ballot data is "not being recognized when uploaded to the elections software:”

Wisconsin recount:

[ID:

Multiple screenshots and images.

The first is a screenshot with a link and information for contacting the White House directly regarding election fraud. The instructions include choosing to leave a comment to President Joe Biden directly and to select election security as the reason.

The screenshot then instructs people to include any or all of the following information in a paragraph as a comment to the president:

32 fake bomb threats were called into Democratic leaning poll places, rendering polling places closed for at least an hour.

A lot of people reporting their ballots were not counted for various reasons.

This all occurred in swing states.

This is too coincidental that these things happen and swing in his favor after months of hinting at foul play.

Directly state that an investigation for tampering, interference, fraud is required, not just a recount.

The second image is from the FBI Twitter account that reads:

The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far. https://t.co/j3YfajVK1m — FBI (@FBI) November 5, 2024

The next four Gmail screenshots of an email sent to Rachael Bellis from Chris T. Spackman that read together as follows:

Dear BELLIS, RACHAEL E., The Dauphin County Board of Elections received a challenge to your absentee ballot you applied for in the November 5, 2024 General Election. The challenge argues that a provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code takes precedence over the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which requires states and counties to permit U.S. citizens who move overseas to vote by absentee ballot for federal offices based on their last U.S. residential address.

The full text of the challenge that was filed appears below this email.

You may respond to the challenge in any of the following ways:

1. Call the Bureau of Registration and Election at (717) 780-6360;

2. Email a statement to the Bureau at Election election@dauphincounty.gov. Any statement you submit regarding the period during which you lived in Dauphin County, any family or connections that you still have here, and why you are now residing abroad would be read into the record.

3. Appear in person at a Board of Elections hearing scheduled for Friday, November 8 at a time to be determined in the Commissioners Public Hearing Room, 4th floor of Dauphin County Administration Building, 2 S 20d St, Harrisburg, PA 17111. The meeting is also likely to be livestreamed on Facebook on the Dauphin County channel.

Sincerely,

Christopher T Spackman

TEXT OF CHALLENGE BEGINS

Dear Dauphin County Board of Elections,

I am submitting this challenge to an absentee ballot application pursuant to 25 Pa. Stat.

3146.8(f).

25 Pa. Stat. 3146.8(f) Any person challenging an application for an absentee ballot, an absentee ballot, an application for a mail-in ballot or a mail-in ballot for any of the reasons provided in this act shall deposit the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) in cash with the county board, which sum shall only be refunded if the challenge is sustained or if the challenge is withdrawn within five (5) days after the primary or election. If the challenge is dismissed by any lawful order then the deposit shall be forfeited. The county board shall deposit all deposit money in the general fund of the…

The rest of the forwarded email is cut off.

The last image is a screenshot of the official statement from the Centre County, Pennsylvania Board of Commissioners released on November 6, 2024 that states:

Centre County Working with Ballot Scanner Vendor to Export Election Results.

(Bellefonte, PA) -Centre County Elections Office is working continuously to provide mail-in ballot data in order to post unofficial results.

To this point, all ballots have been scanned, including all mail-in ballots.

Centre County's Election team and IT team have identified that the data are successfully being exported from the mail-in ballot scanners, but that the data is not being recognized when uploaded to the elections software.

Centre County's Administrator, John Franek, Jr. stated, "We have not stopped working, and we will continue to work until unofficial results are posted and reported to the Pennsylvania Department of State."

As a next step, Centre County has begun working with the equipment vendor to adjust configurations to make the two systems-the mail-in ballot scanner and the elections software where data are uploaded -compatible with one another.

We will provide updates as we make progress.

/end ID]

[sminkus]

my progress thus far for @batmanisagatewaydrug ‘s reading challenge >:)

there’s more sci-fi than i usually read bcoz i am taking a sci-fi class rn ^w^

20th C speculative fiction: the ones who walk away from omelas

published before 1950: the machine stops

sci-fi: roadside picnic

2024 award winner: the berry pickers

nonfiction: the soul of a stranger

i’m going to try and finish whipping girl (for social justice/activism) or careless people (for memoir) next. the book/prompt i’m most excited for is 2025 debut authors— i’m going to read florida palms when it comes out in july. i’m going to a book festival soon (iykyk) so hopefully i can find some books that fulfill some of the prompts there (especially bookseller rec)

[fingertipsmp3]

If anyone here keeps a reading/book journal what do you dooo. I feel like I’ve tried multiple options and none of them have really been perfect

[strab3rr]

(long story and no short sorry) GUYSSS I DID ITT

I INDUCED IT!!!!! I WAS PURE AS A FUCKING BABY

IDK WHAT TO SAY (ok enough w capslock)

i have so much to say and not a thing at da same time idk how

anyway i want to begin with thanking you @b4ddprincess bc youre the reason i realized why i started this thing. thank you for making my life better and make me realized what i need to do: nothing. (its same for you guys, all u have to do is nothing)

two fuckn years ago i said to myself that i need a better life, quiter life, less fight with everthing bc everything was so loud and not clear i was feeling lost like a child in the market, and i wanted to make things better for myself in every way, but the main idea of my reasons to wanting to get in the void was: making anxiety go and having better people in my life. but the ''voidlist'' just never stopped bc im kinda greedy(having the idea of controling on your life, the idea of that power makes you greedy. yes thats a thing) anyway the more i add to the list the more i feel like im movin away from my desires then i feel depressed bc ive overcomplicating it bc theres so many things to do but i dont do anything so nothing happend bc i was waiting to be someth happen. and then i started doing awkwardly silly things such as: void routines and challenges and (im embarrassed of this one bc i was too desperate) drinking water

youve read it correct drinking water.

i was sooo desperate for having those things id do anything to get them.

i am simple. i want what everyone wants🎀🎀🎀: shifting realities bc i have so many crush and i need them to be crush me in bed(for 2020 girlies)

being an academic weapon is so easy for me🎀(bc of the urge to make my family proud) +dream collage

being the girl that everyone gets along w(basic needs)

being the girl who is pretty not cute(trauma response)

glowing aura(cats loves people w glowing aura yes thats a thing too)

dream body n hair(bc i deserve this🎀)

healthy (girlyfriend)friends(basic needs)

and of course him, my sp(i cant tell wich one at that time but i releived that its not him now, bc MY BELOVED CURRENT BF. guyss he is the one. dont u dare ask me how you know? i literally manifested him🎀)

then i realized i can have everything bc its my reality so why not add these:

new phone, +macbook air

dream apartment of my own

pinterest closet

lifa app for this reality

financially free-money(a lot. like really a lot)

knowing 4 languages like a native person(bc i want to be diplomat so bad) +sign language(its in general)

a little drama(its not gonna hurt anybody)

my parents being more lovable and away from me

every time i try to get in, either i was failing or falling

and im sick of it, sick of it so much i quit.(for a year)

then i go to the theraphy(ofc no im jk ilove being crazy)

one day i saw a post ss from tumblr about pure consciousness on pinterest and i was like whaat is thiiss. no mention of void so i thougt its a diffrent thing and i download the tumblr again and search everything abt it. and same excitement again after one year same thougts and same list popes up in my head. and i was like ok maybe this time itll happen.

still waiting to be someth happen so nothing happend, it was such a waste of time trying to get in while i was already be, i was already what i want to become. i was that girl that everyone gets along with but i couldnt even see bc i was too focused on wanting to be. but still tried every night and failed. and again tried-failed-quit circle bc.. have you ever met me🎀

4 month ago i saw the girl, iconic blogger and the goddess of my dreams, her @b4ddprincess thx again love u so much

a post pops in my fyp and i see the words ''pure consciousness'' i was like noo not again. and i was serious abt it i wasnt gonna read the whole thing but it attract me n i couldnt resist it so ive read it from the top to the bottom. and she got my interest so i stalked her page from the last and to the first post. it was quiet a beautiful journey for me. lasted like 3 days, the end of the 3rd day i was ''woaw it was this easy all along? u cant be serious.'' she was. i tried one last time, no breathing exercise, no ridiculous routines and no waiting something to be happen. it was just me being real me chilling out asf.

and it was this easy and it should be this easy bc being your 4d self is being nothing also being everything at the same time. if u wanna be everything you should be nothing first(as wizardliz saying: drop the old story, leave the victimhood, for being better stop being bitter etc.)u should make a space for everything first and then u can be everything.

for being 4d self of yours stop being your3dself.

sooo long story (no)short i am writing this from my mac in my new apartment(in middle of the night bc i couldnt sleep and then one tumblr notification reminded me i have a success story to share too) and my phone buzzing two minutes a time bc of my friends while im writing this, so if theres anything wrong ignore it pls.

oh u asking my bf how cute, hes sleepin in my bed now, exhausted from the work n school balance.

YWS SCHOOL!! im in my dream collage and im going to be in paris for a week. i deserve a vacation i guess(its for another conference), i kinda hate french men bc theyre so mansplaning(not like how i imagined, its hard to be friends w them)girls are cute but i feel like theyre aware im not permanent there so we just con buddies still cute and hepful for this foreigner.

and i canceled the lifa app thingy bc i can be my purest consciousness anytime i want, so i am my lifa app.

and thx to 4 languages i make a lot of money and that brings us to the pinterest closet, yesterday i realiased that. theyre not comes to me w an imaginary way like i imagined! i go outside for shopping casually and theyre there luckily i have enough money to buy them.

and my family theyre living in our hometown now so as i want it to be, we are away from eachother.

and the most magical thing: SHIFTING REALITIESSS

i did 5 world before i met w my bf. it was such a wonderful experience. if you have doubts abt shifting you can go fuck urself

because sir i did it and i am very sure that dean winchester being my husband is not a daydream, fantasy nor lucid dreaming. believe it or not he kissed me GOD HE KİSSED ME(someone should stop me i have a bf)

is there anything i missed let me see.. cats i have 2 cats now and theyre adorable. glowing aura-check

the girl who is pretty not cute- check +make anxietygo-checkcheckcheck

dream body and hair- check and check

i wanna give u a info i didnt have all my desires by being my4dself

not directly actually. but i have them all. and thats the point.

im not trying to be a blogger but if you have any question abt anything, id be happy to help

now i need to upgrade things in my farm byeess

loves, siena.

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

Sex witch I need your help. After seeing the books by black women discourse post I came to the decision that for every prompt that I filled in my bingo with a book by a white author, I’m going to redo with a book by a nonwhite author. Problem is that I was going to read revolting prostitutes for the social justice and activism prompt except as far as I know neither of the authors are racialised. As the resident pro sex nonfic reading person I know of, do you have any books about sex work activism written by non white people? Im doing my own research as well but thought I might ask you as well. Cheers and godspeed

hi anon,

I LOVE a fun little research challenge, and I especially enjoyed this one. it's awesome that you're so dedicated to seeing through the book bingo with authors of color, and that you're so passionate in this particular topic! I found a lot of books that I'm definitely adding to my own-to read list.

an anthology that I've had on my own list for a while is the anthology Working It: Sex Workers on the Work of Sex, which features contributions from sex workers with a wide array of racial identities, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds and has at least one Black editor, peech breshears (who I've seen referred to with both she/her and they/them pronouns, preferred identity unknown).

it also may not be exactly the type of nonfiction you're after if you're looking for something similar to Revolting Prostitutes, but there are also some very cool memoirs in this area. Maya Angelou's Gathering Together In My Name recounts her own time in sex work as a young mother, both as a pimp and as a sex worker herself, and for a more contemporary account of working in the porn industry there's Asa Akira's Insatiable.

some other very cool-sounding titles that I've amassed, listed chronologically:

I've Got to Make My Livin': Black Women's Sex Work in Turn-of-the-Century Chicago (Cynthia M. Blair)

To Live Freely in this World: Sex Worker Activism in Africa (Chi Adanna Mgbako, 2010)

Dealing in Desire: Asian Ascendancy, Western Decline, and the Hidden Currencies of Global Sex Work (Kimberly Kay Hoang, 2015)

Camming: Money, Pleasure, and Power in the Sex Work Industry (Angela Jones, 2020)

We Too: Essays on Sex Work and Survival (edited by Natalie West and Tina Horn, contains contributions by several writers of color, 2021)

But I Am Here: Speeches, Writing and Art from the Sex Worker Movement in New York City (edited by Kate Zen, 2021)

Not Your Rescue Project: Migrant Sex Workers Fighting for Justice (Chanelle Gallant and Elene Lam, 2024)

and as always if anyone else has a cool title they'd like to drop, I'd love to hear about it and I'm sure this anon would as well :3

[chondrichthyes-x-mantodea]

Imma say it, and I'm definitely going to be dragged out on the street by my hair: I can't stand how many libfem/TRAs are into alternative subcultures. The amount of "you can't be punk/goth/emo if you're transphobic 🥰" posts I see with fucking hello kitty all over the place is so odd to me. Yall say you go against the grain, but as someone who was heavily involved with goths, yall promote the most unhealthy view of sex and gender. This pro-kink, sex work is work shit is so prevalent in that community. I can't tell you how many shows I saw with people in fetish gear. For a subculture that says it's all about unconventional, left leaning beliefs, you'd think you'd be aware of how sex culture is an enemy to half the population. Taking weaponized sex and making it an exhibit is not changing anything for anyone, especially not the people hurt by that culture. It's just unveiling an unhealthy relationship with a natural process and broadcasting your version of patriarchy 2.0 lmfao. And back to TRA shit... do you really think saying "blue is for boys and pink is for girls" is some radically left leaning statement? You think that's PUNK? Be fucking fr. Seeing subcultures that were made for people to be outliers in beliefs come full circle and become so watered down is so weird. Seeing the corporate pride ass version of what it says subcultures are has to be one of my top ten most jarring things. I remember being in a show, and I could just sense the superficial activism around me. I hate it sm. Idk if any of that made sense, but as I've become gender critical and hateful towards sex work, I've felt super unwelcome and yknow what that's ok. I'm glad I'm not around a bunch of people who perform activism to seem tough while reinforcing patriarchy. There's no deeper thought in their brains. Regurgitating what the person next to you said about makeup being empowering while dressed in a black corset while saying your subculture is about challenging norms (and liking the music yes I know) is the cheesiest, most ironic thing I can think of. Sincerely, a gender critical radfem who is tired of alternative people who perform their moral superiority

Edit: Not to mention the goths who babygirlify male softboy singers who have cheated on their wives and have rape accusations.... you know who you are. How the FUCK are you gonna say you're left leaning and behave like that? Every time I went to a show from 2020-2023, it felt like I was listening to a hello kitty says acab Thomas Jefferson miku binder says kill terfs post being read outloud while someone shoved the mic up their asshole in the middle of the Target pride collection

There is such a clear apathy towards feminism within groups that "prioritizes" activism, and that became so apparent to me. Males within the subculture were just normal, but women always dressed super feminine and sexualized. Makes me wonder why feminism is the least serious of all activist groups. Are women the most profitable group to hate?

[interact-if]

Our second edition of the Black History Month Author Spotlight series features beloved author, C.C. Hill (@when-life-gives-you-lemons-if)!

(CC is an absolute institution. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s than by doing a feature of the slice-of-life romance queen herself? CC is one the most inspiring, supportive IF writers out there, and it was a great honor to pick her brain! Read on for pandemic-setting feel good stories and Creole-based spells!)

Author: C.C. Hill

I'm from Haiti, born and raised. I love red wine, ice cream, and I'm obsessed with true crime podcasts.

Games: When Life Gives You Lemons (Slice-of-Life)

Synopsis: You play as an MC starting a new life in a small town called Lemon. It’s a story about self-discovery, love, and parenthood—a comfort story where the love interests want to sweep you off your feet.

Games: The Midnight Saga (Horror)

Synopsis: After finding yourself trapped in another dimension, you and your friends must fight for survival and defeat the monsters that lurk in the shadows. Make sure to grab a weapon as your quiet Halloween night turns into an out-of-this-world adventure!

Quote from the interview:

What mostly inspired Lemon in particular was the need for a feel-good story—a story where the character just needs a break. No magic, no monsters, just going through life and having the romance options fall in love with them no matter what. It was just the need for comfort, for feel-good moments, for romance, and a little bit of drama.

Read on for the full interview!

Tell me more about yourself! What are some things new readers or long-time readers might not know about you?

I'm from Haiti, born and raised. I love red wine, ice cream, and I'm obsessed with true crime podcasts.

Can you tell me a bit about what you’re working on right now and your journey into interactive fiction? What inspired the game/story you’re currently writing?

I'm working on so many things it should be illegal for my brain to operate this way. But mainly, When Life Gives You Lemons. My plan is to focus on the final part in March, do some beta testing, and submit it to Hosted Games in April for my birthday month.

I'm also under contract with Heart’s Choice, writing Spices of the Heart, with hopes of completing it this year. On top of that, I’m working on publishing my first visual novel, The Wedding. It’s close to completion, and I have the third quarter of 2025 planned for publication.

I only started writing interactive fiction in 2020. When the pandemic hit, I needed something to keep my brain occupied, and five years later, I’ve published three games and still have a ton of projects in progress.What mostly inspired Lemon in particular was the need for a feel-good story—a story where the character just needs a break. No magic, no monsters, just going through life and having the romance options fall in love with them no matter what. It was just the need for comfort, for feel-good moments, for romance, and a little bit of drama.

How has your identity, heritage/background, upbringing, or personal experiences influenced your storytelling or writing process? OR How does your work feature aspects of your identity / experience?

My first game, The Midnight Saga, was heavily inspired by my background and where I'm from. The story itself is based on an old Haitian folklore about not staying outside after midnight—if you do, the Keeper of Midnight will eat you. I took that idea and built the characters around it.

I even managed to include some spells written in Haitian Creole. It was a lot of fun to write, and even though Book 2 is currently on hiatus, this story has a special place in my heart because it was my first game. The characters are a representation of my people and the struggles they’ve gone through. I’m really happy that it was my debut story.

What are some of the most rewarding or challenging aspects of writing Interactive Fiction for you?

For me, it’s branching and being able to write an MC and other characters in a way that readers can truly connect with. Lately, I’ve been writing a lot of feel-good romance and slice-of-life stories, and I’m starting to feel like this is my comfort zone—and I want to stay here forever.

I never want to create a romance option that is inherently bad or purposely deceitful. My biggest challenge is writing characters who are flawed and complex—where readers can love them or hate them—but making sure they aren’t just villains for the sake of it. They’re simply existing in the world they were created in.

What does your writing process look like? Any rituals or habits? Any tips, tricks, philosophies or approaches that have worked very well for you?

My writing process is a mess. My brain gets pulled in so many directions. When I get an idea, I have to code it, shape it, and give it life—otherwise, it’s going to bug me forever. That’s why I end up with so many WIPs. I need to see them through, at least to a short demo, to see if they make sense.

My desk is also full of notes, and I basically write on anything—pieces of napkins, tissue boxes, whatever is nearby. One weird habit I have is that some of the best changes I’ve made to my games, those "spark" moments, happen when I’m in the shower. It’s weird and strange, but it works.

What’re you excited to tackle/implement/work on next? Or anything you’re looking forward to in the year ahead?

Keep writing romance and feel-good slice-of-life stories. Get When Life Gives You Lemons published this year. Focus on doing this full-time. Publish my visual novel.

Overall, just stay busy and be productive.

If you were to say one thing to your readers, other authors, and/or the interactive fiction community: what would it be?

To the readers—us authors don’t have all the answers. Sometimes, we start writing a story and end up forgetting certain plots or characters, which is easy to do when writing interactive fiction. So yes, we often write ourselves into a corner and just put a period there so the story can progress.

To the authors—write stories you love, something you would want to read. It makes it easier to keep going because if it’s a story you love, you’ll want to see how it ends, and that will push you to persevere.

This-or-that segment: (red = CC's pick)

Coffee or tea?

Early mornings or late nights?

Angsty or Cozy romances?  

Steady progress or frenzied binge-writing followed by periods of calm?

Introvert or extrovert?

Plotter or pantser?

[potofsoup]

i love your fourth of july comics every year but this years feels extremely optimistic about biden’s abilities in the face of him letting roe get overturned and funding a gen*cide at worst or letting it happen at best by taking the bare minimum of regulatory action… i mean can he really be trusted at all anymore to do the right thing or act in line with the people’s demands? and how do we know the people behind project 2025 won’t just rig the election again to get in under false pretenses?

Hihi! Thank you for reading and enjoying my July 4th comics every year! I am in a non-US airport en route to a month-long trip in a place with sketchy internet, so sorry in advance for sloppiness in my response (and potentially going radio silent).

But:

I don't think he "let" Roe get overturned, since that was the Supreme Court's overwhelming conservative majority, which really started with Mitch McConnell refusing to approve Obama's appointee and forcing it into a 2016 election issue. The fact that Trump got to appoint 3 Supreme Court Justices is what got us here.

Re: Biden and the Israel/Hamas war ... on the one hand, there's definitely more that he could have done, but on the other hand, they are a whole other country over there. It's Hamas that initiated the Oct 7 attacks and took the hostages. It's Netanyahu and his right-wing government who decided to retaliate to such extreme extent. Biden can talk about how he would really like Netanyahu to stop fighting and step down, but at the end of the day that's not his call, any more than he can stop the Sudan fighting that is near-genocidal either.

So, to come to your question #1: "Can he really be trusted at all anymore to do the right thing or act in line with the people’s demands"?

For me, it's a resounding YES. Guyz, he has passed so much good domestic policies. My spouse works in green energy and the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act halved his anxiety and gave him legitimate hope. The tumblr post I linked to in my comic has links to many of the other great things that Biden has done. Tbh I voted for him in 2020 because "a moldy onion is still better than Trump", and I've been pleasantly surprised. Like how he tried to cancel student loans, the Supreme Court overturned it, and then he came back 6 months later with a different way to do it that didn't lead to a court challenge.

Is he perfect? Hell no. There's tons of stuff that I wish he did more about, or he went further on, but also he's just one guy heading one branch of government who is heading into an election year. (Just like FDR promising not joining WWII, while behind the scenes doing all the Lend-Lease Act stuff). And "the people" have lots of demands, many of them conflicting.

I'd also like to push at the unspoken part of your question... "Can he really be trusted to do the right thing..." compared to whom? Because right now the answer is "compared to Trump." And compared to Trump... I don't even trust Trump to respect the results of a legitimate election. Heck, he might just take his favorite state secrets, sell them to the highest bidder (or just show them off to someone for funzies), and then claim Presidential immunity. A decent Democrat who got stuff done vs someone who probably wants to pardon himself and all his friends and do Project 2025 stuff is not even on the same level. (Do I wish that there was a viable Democratic alternative to Biden? Sure! But who?) Heck, at this point -- imagine if it's Kamala Harris vs. Trump. Who would you vote for?

As for your question #2: "How do we know the people behind project 2025 won’t just rig the election again to get in under false pretenses?"

We don't. But also what can we do besides showing up to vote?

Actually, I need bullet points for this:

The 2022 midterm elections brought in fewer-than-expected election-deniers into crucial electoral offices at the state level, which means that hopefully most state electoral boards will continue to have integrity

Yes, voting is harder but at least we can still vote. So it's about getting out there and getting your vote counted. For some states, it involves waiting in 8 hour lines. For some states, it involves bringing 2 forms of ID. Document. Track. Make sure it's dropped off in a real ballot box and not a fake one. Don't believe messaging that the voting is happening on a different day or location, etc.

A 50.1% majority is easily challenged. A 55% majority, less so. Which means getting people out to vote.

The more people know about and think about the reality of a second Trump term (versus being disappointed by a Biden term), the more they will be motivated to vote against Trump.

Finally, let's be real here: I'm braced for a 2nd Trump term. That said:

I'm still going to go and vote for Biden, because the only way to prevent a 2nd Trump term is to vote.

A Trump term where either the House or Senate is controlled by the Democrats will be *very* different from a clean Republican sweep.

Even with a clean Republican sweep on the federal level, States have so much more power now, and voting the state level stuff will help shore up Democratic goals for the future. States get to draw voting districts however they want. States get to decide on abortion policies. If you live in a deep Red state, there still might be things to vote for that make it easier to live in now, and turn it purple a few elections down the line.

So at the end of the day, it's "Vote AND". Vote and keep living your best life. Vote and tell others about Project 2025. Vote and have hope. Even if Trump wins, at least you'll have voted against him. Vote and stay to build up a progressive wave for the next election.

[renluluart]

Day 2: Character Redesign ✨

technically a redraw of my old manic art from 2020 time goes by so fast 💨

Feel free to use my art challenge list under read more:

[niuniente]

Physicist Nassim Haramein’s Prediction that the Universe is Rotating Receives a Second Strong Observational Confirmation

by Dr. William Brown, International Space Federation (7th of March, 2025)

In this fascinating 2020 study, researchers observed hundreds of galaxies spinning in synchronized patterns across 20 million light years—a phenomenon deemed "impossible" under standard cosmological models. The observed coherence implies that all of the galaxies are embedded in a large-scale structure that is rotating counter-clockwise. This synchronization should not be there according to the currently accepted cosmological model (the lambda cold dark matter or ΛCDM model).

While conventional physics still struggles with this discovery, Haramein's unified physics theory had already predicted it by demonstrating that mass-energy creates both curvature and torque in spacetime. Because of the ubiquitous nature of spin, which Haramein saw emerging within the mathematics, it led him to predict that we will observe spin across scale, including the universe itself!

Galaxies experiencing a uniform field of torque within a rotating universe will have non-random alignments, just as was observed.

The International Space Federation continues advancing research that challenges traditional cosmological principles to develop a more complete understanding of our dynamic universe.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

[mcytblraufest]

MCYTBLR AU Fest 2025: Battleship — General Rules and FAQ

TIMELINE (all times EST): 

May 1: Freeform tag nominations open at 0:00.

May 17: Discord opens at 0:00, Relationship tag nomination starts.

May 19: Freeform tag nominations close at 23:59.

May 24: Signups open at 0:00.

May 28: Relationship tag nominations closes at 23:59.

May 30: Signups close at 23:59.

May 31-June 1: Mods make teams. As soon as teams are complete: gameplay starts.

Aufest creation is expected to run for three weeks after gameplay starts, and will have a two week anonymous reading period after gameplay comes to an end. You can expect the discord to be closing down approximately one week into July.

ABOUT:

MCYTBLR AU Fest 2025: Battleship is a MCYT creation event inspired by the multi-fandom event Battleship where teams of artists, writers, podficcers and web weavers work together to clear game boards faster than the other teams. Each team's board will be made up of squares marked with tags, and a square will be cleared when enough works containing that tag have been posted by that team. Clear your team's board and find traps and treasure, beat word count bosses, and post works faster than the other teams!

AU Fest Battleship is based on the multifandom Battleship Exchange, originally created in 2020 by Soulstoned and Red Ranger, inspired by a community challenge in the Trick or Treat exchange. Without the generous use of the multifandom spreadsheets created by current Battleship mod Firebird, AU Fest Battleship would not be possible.

EXPECTATION: 

Artists can claim any tag clearly represented in their work, to a maximum of 100 tags per work.

Writers can claim any tag clearly represented in their work, with one tag per 100 words posted, a minimum of 300 words per work and a maximum of 100 tags claimed per work. (For example, a 3,200 word work could claim 32 tags, as long as each tag is clearly represented in the work.)

Podficcers can claim any tag clearly represented in the world they're podficcing, with one tag per 100 words of source material, a minimum of 300 words per work and a maximum of 100 tags claimed per work. (For example, a 700 word original source material could claim 7 tags, as long as each tag is clearly represented in the original work). Podficced works must have author permission.

Web weavers can claim any tag clearly represented in the work, with one tag per element of the weave, to a maximum of 100 tags per work, and a minimum of three elements per web weave. All elements must be clearly credited.

RULES:

You must be a member of the discord, for team communication.

Because of Tumblr, Ao3 and Discord TOS, you must be 13 to participate. You must be 18 to participate in an 18plus team.

Respect your fellow participants, even when you disagree on fandom matters

You agree to cooperate with your teammates to the best of your ability, even if you disagree about game tactics. Mods will discord jail people for extended arguing and asshole behaviour will get you kicked from the event.

All works must be mcyt-themed and set in an au— no canon-compliance.

The collection will be opened when at least one team has won the event and every participant has at least one gift.

All works must be complete and created for Aufest 2025.

All works must be gifted to a fellow participant in the event, respecting their DNWs and adhering to their requested ships and tags.

Dark or triggering topics or themes must be tagged for.

No AI-Generated content.

Don't be an asshole.

LINKS:

Discord: Here Ao3 relationship tags [here] Ao3 freeform tags [All Ages here] [18 Plus here] Ao3 Collection: [All Ages here] [18 Plus here] Overflow Prompt Collection: [All Ages here] [18 Plus here] Signup tutorial: Here

FAQ:

What is MCYTBLR AU Fest? MCYTBLR AU Fest 2025: Battleship is a collaborative gifting event where creators come together in teams to create fan works centred on MCYT and set in an alternate universe from canon.

How does it work? 

Nominations and Signups: The event starts with a ship nomination week, where participants nominate ship tags that they want to be available for the event. Mods release a list of event tags covering different aus, themes, or tropes that will be used in gameplay. Once signup opens participant sign up on Ao3 in either the 18-plus or the all-ages collection, using the ship tags nominated earlier, indicating which ships would make a good gift for them, and which event tags they opt into for each ship. For each request you can also fill out a DNW to list things that you do not want as part of a gift to you.

Gameplay: Mods will divide participants into separate teams, and each team will be issued a 10*10 bingo-style board with tags in each square. Participants mark "hits" by posting a work featuring that tag, and once a square is "hit" a certain number of times, mods will reveal if that square contained treasure or a trap. Teams will race to find all the traps on their board and move on to the next round.

Each posted work must be gifted to another participant, respecting their requested ships and Do Not Want, and featuring at least one tag that the person requested. Works should also feature one or more tags from your team’s board to accumulate “hits.” Gifts can be given to your own team members or members of the opposing team.

The rounds go 1) tag board, 2) word count boss, 3) a different tag board, 4) word count boss, 5) final round with every tag in play. Aufest gameplay is over when at least one team has cleared the final tag board, and every participant has at least one gift.

Reading Weeks: All the works are revealed once gameplay is over, and then we take two weeks to read and comment on everyone's works!

What type of MCYT is included? We welcome creations based on any SMP, whether or not they have a canon tag on Ao3. Mianite, DSMP, QSMP, Hermitcraft, 3rd Life, Lifesteal, Witchcraft SMP— it’s all welcome. Crossovers are also welcome.

Can I join if my Art is a Game/Fan Song/Bookbind? While we love seeing different types of art, for this round of aufest participation is restricted to the four types of creation mentioned above— art, fic, podfic, web weave— because of the difficulty of calculating points and processing works quickly during gameplay.

Is shipping allowed? Yes. Because there is no broad fandom-wide consensus about how Creator boundaries are to be enforced in specific cases (whether it's okay to write beeduo as /r or /p is an obvious one, or whether it’s permitted to ship Joel Smallishbeans) or between specific fandoms (Lifesteal approach to shipping and boundaries is different from HBG is different from DSMP), the mods will not be policing any specific understanding of boundaries across the event. The event's motivating ethos is Don't Like Don't Read, in that participants will be able to indicate through tags in signups if they are interested in a given relationship being interpreted as romantic or platonic, and what subject matter they're interested in, and this must be respected when gifts are given. NSFW will have to be opted into and is only able to be opted into if you are part of the 18plus collection.

Is NSFW allowed? Yes. NSFW works are allowed, but must be opted into, both in the signup and by being part of the 18-Plus collection. No one under 18 is permitted to join the 18-plus collection. For the comfort of the greatest number of participants, and to conform with Tumblr TOS, anything with the tags Underage Sex or Adult/Minor Relationship will not be permitted to be part of the event. 

How are Minors defined for the purposes of those warnings? We are primarily using the age within the work— so if the fic itself would require the tags. With recent server epilogues setting a "canon age" has become increasingly difficult across servers, and this is further complicated because of the fandom's tendency to both age up or age down their characters. It is no longer tenable to make a list of characters who are always minors (and by extension, those who are not), when we are taking about aus that frequently modify their ages anyways. As such, we are asking people to make sure that the work they create has all necessary characters being of-age in the work. In cases of ambiguity the mods will be interpreting with an attempt at good faith, but note that clear attempt to circumvent the content rules will fall under the "do not be an asshole" provision and could also result in a ban.

Note: the exception to this rule is if the streamer themselves is currently confirmed to be a minor. Even in an au, adult/minor relationships or Underage Sex would not be permitted in that case.

Are major archive warnings (noncon/graphic depictions of violence/MCD) allowed? Aside from content rules about underage, major archive warnings are allowed. Depictions of real life horrors such as genocide and slavery are not-uncommon motifs in MCYT fics, and the mod team is not interested in legislating which types of horrors, griefs or abuses are inherently worse than others and are therefore off-limits. Because holding writing to a quality standard or saying only survivors can write atrocities is unworkable from a moderation standpoint, the three mentioned major archive warnings (MCD, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Noncon), are permitted to be included.

However, Major Archive Warnings must be explicitly opted into during signups, and delivering un-asked for major archive warnings is grounds for a ban from the event. The major archive warning rape/non-con is only able to be opted into as part of the 18-plus collection.

What is a DNW? Participants will have the opportunity to fill out a DNW, which stands for Do Not Want. This is anything that has the potential to ruin a gift for you, and is where you opt out of content that would trigger, squick, or just render the gift unreadable for you. DNWs must be phrased politely, (so no "No foster aus because they suck and you suck if you like them"), and they must be reasonable, (so no "no blood/injury" if you also opted into graphic depictions of violence, and no attempting to box someone into a specific gift beyond what is depicted in the art, so no "dnw anything that isn't a modern au where scar is a theatre teacher and grian is a biology teacher and they live in a city named hermitopia and grian has a situationship with mumbo and scarian has a rivalry at a coffee shop for the half-price muffins and jellie has psychic powers she's manipulating the muffin market with"), and they must be specific and clear, (so no “no triggering content"). However, they can be as petty (disliking 1st person) or as broad-reaching (no modern aus, no specific ships not opted into, no crossovers with specific servers or fics) as you like. Deliberately breaking someone's DNW is grounds for a ban from the exchange. 

Is Dark/Violent content allowed? As long as it is something that the person has not DNWed, yes. For many of us, the source material that originally drew us to the fandom includes major character death, torture, murder-for-hire, death games, public executions, child death and more. The fanfiction that arose from the source material follows in that trend. We will allow dark content to be part of the event, but it must be tagged for. 

We also ask that participants use best judgement in delivering commonly triggering topics un-asked for. We reserve the right to ban people at mod's discretion for delivering unrequested triggering content, under the "do not be an asshole" rule.

Moreover, if your fic is rated E for any reason, (including violence or gore) it can only be delivered if you are on an 18-plus team, gifted to another 18-plus team member.

How can I get involved? You can participate in this event as a:

Author

Artist

Web Weaver

Podficcer

Mod

Can I participate as a pinch hitter? This event doesn't require pinch hitters in the normal way, because there are no assignments— everyone picks who they want to gift to, as many times as they want. However, the event doesn't end until everyone has a gift, so at the end of the event a list of everyone who doesn't have a gift yet will be posted, and it will be possible for anyone to make a gift for those people at that time. However, in the normal run of an exchange before 14% and 20% of an exchange is pinch-hit, with anywhere from a month to a day to make the gift, and in multifandom battleship the giftless list that gets released is closer to 2% to 3% of the event, with all gifts due ASAP. There are far fewer gifts due in this way, and the format and schedule is quite different. If you are planning to wait to pick up an assignment in this way, you should know that it doesn't work like traditional pinch hitting. If you know you want to participate in the event, you would do better to join a team (you can still pick your own assignment in a manner similar to pinch-hitting), or treat as a non-team-member during the event by picking from the giftless list.

Can I join as a Mod? This event is going to need a lot of modding, as the back end is intensive. We will need mods both to help moderate the discord and keep things collaborative and convivial, and we will need mods to do ao3 backend and spreadsheet work (the spreadsheets are extensive). Mod applications will go up in April. Because of the possibility of handling 18-plus material, all mods will need to be 18 or older.

You said spreadsheets? The spreadsheeting for this event is chiefly thanks to the ingenious Firebird, mod of the original battleship, who did things with spreadsheets we did not know were possible. This event would not work without her coding.

When do I have to join the discord? You have the option to join the discord as soon as it opens on May 17, and we ask that you join before signups close on May 30th.

How does team assignment/claims work? After you fill out your Ao3 signup, you will will out a google form that will ask you some questions that will allow us to balance teams (so that we don't have all the podficcers on one team, for example, or all the faster writers on a different team). Mods will balance the teams based on the google form. If you do not fill out the google form, you will be assigned a team at random.

I'm a slow writer, can I still be involved? Slow writers are an invaluable asset to any team, and are definitely still welcome. As long as you think you can get at least one work finished during the three weeks of the creation period, please, join us!

It sounds like you make works based on tags, but I'm a slow writer and I'm afraid my team is going to clear my board before I finish my work. Can I still help my team? Half the event tags will be on the first board and half on the second, so as soon as you see the first board, you'll know which ones will be on the second, and then you can aim for a work that hits tags from both boards. Let's say the first board is revealed and it has "storms" but not "rain". You start writing a work where rain storms are prominent. Possibilities:

you finish the work during the first board, and hit the "storms" tag.

you finish it during the first boss, and your wordcount goes to defeating the boss.

you finish it during the second board, and hit the "rain" tag.

you finish it during the second boss, and your wordcount goes to defeating the boss.

you finish it during the final board and both rain and storms are in play, and you hit both tags.

you finish it after the game ends and the recipient gets a treat.

The fic I'm writing is turning into a multi-chapter. Do I have to have it all written before I post? Mods will only process tags on works that have been marked as "complete", so yes, you do have to have it all written before you post. Remember, you can claim a maximum of 100 tags per work, so aiming for 10k there or thereabouts will allow you to be maximally efficient.

Can I post a comic? Comics are a great way to hit some more unusual tags! Comic away! However, substantially repeating material in an attempt to boost word count or length is not permitted, so comic panels copied with only minor variations may not be accepted.

What does AU mean in this context? AU stands for Alternate Universe and in this case means anything that would make the work not able to be tagged as canon compliant. Alternate endings, role reversals, complete setting or plot swaps, and crossovers all count. As this is a fest specifically to celebrate AUs, we ask that the AU be a significant and celebrated part of the work, not something that could be skipped if you aren’t paying attention. 

Can I look at the tags before creation period starts? The tag list will be released during nominations week, so everyone can get a look at it and consider which tags work best for their blorbos. We will be asking for community submissions in early May, so you might even get to help build the tag list yourself.

Can I create multiple fics? The spirit of battleship is all about creating multiple works, but we still want everyone to have a chance to contribute. Participants are capped at seven works per tag board or 50k per word count boss, to allow their other team members to contribute.

Can I use AI to help me with my piece? You must create your work yourself, as that is the spirit of the event. Works may not be wholly or partially created by generative text or art programs (so-called "AI") such as chatGPT or OpenArt.ai. Works may not be wholly or partially duplicated from other works, and may not contain substantial repeated material included in an effort to boost word count (such as paragraphs or comics panels that are copied with minor variations).

What if I need to drop out? We know that life is no respecter of event deadlines, so there's no hard feelings if something happens. However, if you are fully going to be unable to contribute for the rest of the event, please contact the mods, because boards may need to be re-balanced if your team is down a member.

I have a question not answered here? Send us an ask on tumblr, contact @antimony-medusa on tumblr or discord!

[batbabydamian]

what is your fav damian/robin outfit- canon, hc or elsewise? i love the way you draw damian btw!!

visually, it would have to be the Patrick Gleason/Jonboy Meyers Rebirth suit read Robin: Son of Batman (2015)!

Jonboy Meyers concept art and Robin: Son of Batman (2015) #1

so many iconic bits - his hood!! tunic!! red and green lace-up knee-high boots!! extra gold accents!! really solid shapes and details that can translate well in any artist's style!! idk it's a design that looks good in almost any hands, whether it's in rest or action

few of my fav artists drawing this suit:

Robin: Son of Batman (2015) #4

ofc Patrick Gleason!! chunky lace-up boot to face! fluttering gold accented hood/cape! also my excuse to show off this ridiculously cool panel look at Damian's stabby bracers and narrowly missing a scar to his eye

Super Sons (2017) #2 and #15

love how Jorge Jimenez leans into the drapery bits, like Damian's cape/hood and bottom of his tunic that really accents his slim design and sharp posing. he's probably my fav example of using Damian's suit details for extra energy in the secondary action down to his shoe laces!!

Adventures of the Super Sons (2018) Covers #12 and #3

it's Dan Mora LOL idk what else to say...anything looks sleek. the second pic is just cool posing to me - capturing the twisting and arcing leap in midair RAD

Challenge of the Super Sons (2020) #2

Jorge Corona's one of my absolute favs in the industry, his traditional inks and overall style is so shaped! textured! frenetic! it's always fun to see how he translates designs, and you can see his style/Damian evolution in Robin War (2015) #1, Nightwing (2016) #42 (DICK & DAMIAN + WIGGLES!!), Challenge of the Super Sons (2020) #2-3, and Robin (2021) #4!

The Boy Wonder (2024) #1 and Truth & Justice (2021) #6

Juni Ba's rendition of the suit!! especially adding that lil bird skull🥺 along with Corona, Ba's style exaggerates some details and proportions for extra appeal, like Damian swimming in his hood and cape!! his big ribbony boot laces!!

sentimentally, Damian's original Robin suit by Frank Quitely is my fav - the blueprint for his hood and lace-up boots!! it always makes me think of Batman and Robin (2009) especially #4 🥺

Dick calls out the disadvantage of Damian's hood, even physically challenging him. then it rains and Damian gives Dick this smug look, but Dick just smiles in good humor 😭

The Batman Files has a drawing and note that says it's Dick's design for Damian's Robin uniform, which contradicts the comic but i still think it's cute to mention!! like maybe Damian wasn't satisfied by Dick's work until he would add a hood, so there's older drafts somewhere in the cave lol

[ofmermaidstories]

SUMMARY: The call to be a Pro Hero has never been a question—not for Katsuki Bakugou, explosive and guarded, nor for Izuku Midoriya, protective and determined, and certainly not for Shouto Todoroki, who’s family legacy hangs over him like a shadow. Years after the War that upended Hero Society, these three men have helped rebuild a path to Pro Heroism for the next generation, tentatively heralding a new era of hope. But there’s danger lurking in this rebuilt world, danger that has the power to rekindle old fears and usher in new resentments, and as the trio branch out to find and end these threats, they each encounter a new challenge along the way—colliding with someone unexpected, and falling in love.

(A Pro Hero x Reader Trilogy; in which falling in love is a random chance all at once chaotic and exhilarating and incredible, for each of the Big Three)

The premise is simple: three heroes, three fics, and three different lives to live. Named for the Katy Perry song, The One That Got Away, the In Another Life trilogy was originally intended to be a series of five stand-alone fics that evolved, fairly quickly, into what we have today: three interconnected stories that let our Reader-inserts move throughout the My Hero Academia world, and eventually find where—and who with—they belong.

Started in 2020 when the manga was still on-going, the fics have diverged from the canon Horikoshi’s given us both in small and large ways. Despite where they separate (and where the fics have to stay faithful to their own canon, now), it’s always been my hope that they read like the love letters they are—to My Hero, to the boys, and to x reader fic at large.

i’m running to your side—flying my white flag

1. surrender (whenever you’re ready) [Explicit] — ao3

93k+

Bakugou Katsuki x Reader

COMPLETED ✔️

SUMMARY: You first meet Ground Zero when he's thrown, unceremoniously, through the glass window of your florist shop.

(In which Bakugou cannot stand flowers but finds himself coming back, anyway)

i’ve been reading books of old—the legends and the myths

2. something (just like this) [Explicit] — ao3

203k+

Izuku Midoriya x Reader

COMPLETED ✔️

SUMMARY: It probably says a lot about you that your first thought on meeting Deku, international Symbol of Peace, isn't something like "Oh, wow," or, "Oh he's so nice," but is instead the un-Plus Ultra thought of, "I definitely would've bullied him, in high school."

At least until those muscles came in.

(In which Midoriya is an absolute nerd for the release of his own hero-inspired comic book series—and the artist responsible for it)

all your flaws and scars are mine

3. still (falling for you) [Explicit] — ao3

TDB

Shouto Todoroki x Reader

WIP 🕙

SUMMARY: The first time you and Shouto cross paths, he nearly drowns you.

(In which Todoroki meets a jeweller by the sea, and learns the difference between the value of the lessons he's been given—and the precious things he chooses to keep)

🚧 UNDER CONSTRUCTION 🚧

i am actively adding to and editing this section, still. if you think something is missing, or you have something you’d like included, please let me know!!! i am going through all the posts and links i do have, manually, so i may still miss something and would love a gentle reminder. 🌷

🚧 🏗️ 🧱🔨🔧🪛 🚧

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] do u think bakugou ever gets so angry his mouth misses [Readers] when they’re making out?

Katsuki’s home for once, sleeping off the last few days in the darkness of his room, cocooned.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] what type of jewellery would Bakugou gift [Reader], if any at all?

The first gift Katsuki gives you after Christmas is a pocket knife.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] merms, what are bakugou and weeds up to this christmas? :)

Katsuki wakes up before his alarm, before the sun rises—the city spread out beyond his bedroom windows like a carpet of stars.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] i miss weeds and katsuki so much 😭😭

It will be proper twilight, when they leave together; Weed's hand in the crook of his arm.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] how are weeds and katsuki?

It’s a Wednesday, a normal day, and they are figuring it out.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] petition for you to write [Reader sending] bakugou horny tweets

light it up like an ELECTRIC STRIKE ⚡️: please please PLEASE Kacchan has blocked me and muted the groupchat PLEASE, I need him to see this, please just send him this ONE THING, PLEASE!!!!!

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] would [it] be important to bakugou for [his parents and weeds] to meet?

Masaru will just scratch the side of his nose under his glasses and think about a younger Mitsuki, who literally would not take no for an answer from him—and a younger Katsuki, who had the same laser-focus when it came to the things he wanted in his life.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] i am asking for royal au + florist au for [weeds/bakugou]

In his armour still, his forest-green cape, Ser Bakugou is dressed for war—solid and imposing as he stands on your threshold.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SJLT] what does [Reader] post [to instagram]? + [SWYR] things weeds would post

The one consistent has been art, good, bad and middling.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [IAL] it’s so cute that SWYR’s reader is a fan of SJLT’s comic

Kacchan has never asked for anything from Izuku—beyond that he doesn’t look down on him (beyond that Izuku live).

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] katsuki keeps a pot of strawberries for you in his kitchen;

When they finally fruit he’s disgruntled.

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] katsuki’s quieter than usual

So you wait. You let him have his silence, and you fill the space around it with your own presence.

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] he tells me he’s gentle when he wants to be—

The bed dipping under Katsuki’s weight wakes you.

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] you and bakugou walk home in the rain

“Y’re meant to go home, dipshit,” he says, disapproving

[DRABBLE 📖] [SJLT] bad touch (you and me)

Minoru’s skeleton nearly fists itself out of his asshole when a voice behind him says, “That was a kindness you just did, for Midoriya.”

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] if you were to write surrender today, do you think anything would change?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] what would have been the moment bakugou knew he had it bad for surrender's reader?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] what do weeds and bakugou fight about? and how do they apologise?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] do you think bakugou ever feels like weeds would be better off without him? :(

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] have you ever written/imagined Kirishima’s POV [throughout the fic]?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] how does bakugou and haru’s relationship progress?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] idk if you meant her to come off in this way, but [Reader] strikes me as [lonely]

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] i’m literally going to throw up from excitement if you actually make a bakuweeds oneshot collection

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] i am vibrating in my boots with excitement about the [SWYR] one-shot series!

[ASK ❔] [SJLT] did you have any inspiration for the kimono Reader is wearing in SJLT?

[ASK ❔] [SJLT] looking forward to our [gala] wear

[ASK ❔] [SJLT] could we have visuals of Reader’s outfits during the gala?

[ASK ❔] [IAL] double dates

[ASK ❔] [IAL] what city/prefecture does [the series] take place in?

[ASK ❔] [IAL] how [would] the Y/Ns react to fanfic about their heroes?

[PODFIC 🎙️] [SWYR] surrender (whenever you’re ready) — narrated by Chthonianqueen

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SWYR] surrender (whenever you’re ready) [plays on spotify]

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SWYR] and i’d give up forever to touch you: a suggested-songs playlist [plays on spotify]

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SJLT] something (just like this) [plays on spotify]

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SJLT] like lightning: a suggested-songs playlist [plays on spotify]

[ART ✏️] [IAL] bakugou & weeds, deku and & scribbles & bakugou/weeds, deku/scribbles, monoma/reader — by @groshia

[ART ✏️] [SJLT] you get to witness, in real time, as [Deku] leaps from the now open door — by @getstarried

[ART ✏️] [SJLT] izuku, just izuku. just as he is — by @handlethegbread

[ART ✏️] [SWYR] when you’re bakugou katsuki, — by @okeydokiescribbles

[ART ✏️] [SWYR] haru + the flower shop signs

[MOODBOARD 🖼️] [SJLT] the moodboard trend inspired me to make this little thing

[MOODBOARD 🖼️] [SJLT] SJLT is my all-time favourite fanfic,

[MOODBOARD 🖼️] [SJLT] this is just […] a collection of things that reminded me of this story

[BINDING 📚] surrender & the widening sky — @ladybirdk

[BINDING 📚] surrender (whenever you’re ready) — @/captain-liar

[PODCAST 🎙️] Canonically Incorrect, episode 75, season 2: Surrender (Whenever You’re Ready) — 10 December, 2022

[ spotify | apple ]

[PERMISSION STATEMENT:] You are more than welcome to print out any of the fics and bind yourself a copy for personal use, or otherwise record a [non-AI] reading of them, or translate into another language—as long as my ao3 username, OfMermaids, is credited somewhere as having written it. 🥹📚 I also love, love seeing and hearing about the work that goes into the pieces you create for yourselves, so if you’re comfortable with it, I’d love to see a picture of (or get a link to!) your efforts!!

final note:

This series is the result of several years worth of love and work, and most importantly, encouragement from the people who have come along and read the stories in it. Whether this is your first time discovering the trilogy, or you’re otherwise revisiting the boys, this is a note to say thank-you for being here. Thank-you for reading, and for being apart of something that has been so much fun to create. Fandom and fanfiction has always been about sharing the excitement with other people—so thank-you for letting me share mine with you. 🌷📖

[meazalykov]

switching leagues

jessie fleming x actress!reader

summary: jessie feels the same frustrations as you do.

back at ucla, you first noticed jessie because she was that quiet, intense girl with a soccer ball under her arm and her headphones on, always looking like she had somewhere important to be. 

she was a star on the field, and you were captivated, especially during one game when she completely dominated, her focus and skill undeniable. 

after the game, a mutual friend introduced you, and you were immediately drawn to her warmth and quiet confidence.

the weeks that followed were full of late-night study sessions, long conversations, and games where you cheered her on from the stands. she started coming to your theatre performances, too, even when they meant sitting through hours of experimental plays or improv. 

overtime, you guys started dating. it's been three years with the canadian and you both had big dreams, with her on the verge of a professional soccer career and you ready to dive headfirst into the world of acting.

in 2018, you got your big break with stranger things, and within months of season three’s release in 2019, your life changed. fans loved your character, heather, and suddenly, everywhere you went, people recognized you. 

jessie was there, watching from across the ocean after joining chelsea in london in 2020. you visited as often as you could, but with each year, the goodbyes got harder. juggling your career with twelve-hour flights became a challenge, and though you were proud of jessie and everything she’d achieved, the longing for a life together poked at you.

during a recent visit to london, you sit down with her in the dim light of her apartment, trying to find the right words.

“jess, i don’t know how much longer i can keep doing this,” you admit, fingers fiddling with the hem of your sleeve as you glance up at her.

she watches you, her brown eyes soft, concerned. 

“what do you mean… like… the long distance?”

“yeah. it’s…hm.. every time i come here, i feel like i’m stealing little moments of a life that could be ours,” you say, sighing. 

“and then i go back to la, and it’s like i’m just waiting to see you again. i know it sounds selfish, but… it’s hard seeing other people moving in together, planning their lives with their partners.”

she nods slowly, looking down. 

“i get it. and it’s not selfish. honestly… i feel it, too. every time you leave, it just feels like something’s missing.” she sighs, leaning back against the couch. 

“sometimes i wonder if… maybe i’m holding onto something that’s keeping me from what i actually want.”

you look at her, heart pounding. 

“jessie, what are you saying?”

“i'm saying i might not renew my contract with chelsea…” she shrugs, giving you a small, almost shy smile. 

“i’ve been thinking about it. my contract’s ending soon, and if i stayed, it’d mean more of this… this distance but if there’s a way for us to be together, really together, i think that’s what i want now.”

the relief in your chest is immediate, and you can’t help the way your face lights up. 

“jessie, i can’t believe… you’d do that?”

she reaches over, taking your hand in hers. 

“i would. for us.”

a few weeks later, you’re back in los angeles, barely holding yourself together after reading a script from a commercial you’re casted in. 

as you decide to put the stack of papers down to take a break, there’s a knock at your door. you’re not expecting anyone, so you’re surprised to open it and find jessie standing there, holding a suitcase, her face glowing with excitement.

“jessie? what… what are you doing here?” your eyes flick to her suitcase, heart pounding.

“hey,” she says softly, her smile widening. 

“i have some news.”

your heart races as she pauses, letting you soak in the moment. “so, i’m not with chelsea anymore. i signed with the portland thorns,” she finally says, biting her lip like she’s holding back a huge grin.

“wait… you’re… you’re back? like, for good?” you barely dare to believe it, eyes widening as you look from her to the suitcase.

she laughs, stepping inside and setting her bag down. 

“yeah, i’m back. i mean, i’ll still be based in portland, but it’s only a two-hour flight. and i thought… maybe we could finally talk about moving in together?”

you pull her into a hug, holding her close as her words sink in, feeling the warmth of her body against yours after so long. 

“jessie, i can’t believe you actually did this.”

she laughs, wrapping her arms around you tighter. 

“believe it, love. i’m here. and this time, i’m staying.”

masterlist

[httpswritings]

We've created an artist — Alexia Putellas x Jenni Hermoso x Child! Reader

Warning: angst, abandonment issues, hitting. avoid reading if you feel uneasy about these topics.

Word count: 1386.

Summary: Alexia and Jenni had a daughter back in 2020. They split up in 2022 and Alexia started dating Olga the same year. In this fic, Jenni and Alexia do not end up together but they do face some challenges coparenting.

A/N: I almost sobbed writing this lol. It's pretty dramatic but it's worth it. 🫶

Through 2023, Alexia began introducing Olga to you. She started to make some comments about “her friend Olga” so you could get used to her name. Then, she gave you some gifts her friend Olga gave you; they made you really excited, as they usually were toys, fluffed animals, cute pieces of clothing from your favorite cartoons, etc. As you got used to Olga being in your mother's life, she eventually introduced her to you.

It went well. Olga was caring, all smiles for you. She was a bit timid, which you thought was wonderful, as you found her to be a delicate and loving woman. Alexia ended up telling you Olga was, in fact, her girlfriend and not her friend. It didn't change anything between the three of you, as your mother, Jenni, was also around, and everything carried on well.

While you were going through the life challenges of a two-year-old, your mother, Jenni, had to explain to you that she was going to be away for some time. It was not an easy, but necessary, decision for her and her football career. Even if you did not understand it, the psychologist your mothers talked to said it was crucial for your well-being to explain to you why Jenni was going to be away for some time, even if it sounded odd. She kept in contact with you through video calls, calls, and gifts she kept sending you and visiting you in Barcelona anytime she could, giving up any opportunity to visit her family in Madrid as you were her priority. The reason she didn't bring you to Mexico is because she didn't have any family there, while Alexia had her whole family near her. You still got to spend some time in Mexico when you visited Jenni with her family, especially your uncle, Jenni's brother, who you always had such a great time with. Because of these trips to Mexico, being far away from your mother, Jenni, wasn't that tough. Of course you missed her, but you saw her every month for a few days.

The World Cup came, and it was the best moment of your life. You got to spend about three months with both of your mothers and their teammates, especially the one who was closer to them. You celebrated your third birthday during your stay in New Zealand, as you were born in July.

September arrived. You started kindergarten when you were already three years old. You had a great start, coming home amused by how much fun you had at school each day. Alexia was the one who picked you up from school most days, but some of them you were greeted by Alexia's family, Olga, or Jenni's family when they came to visit. 

It took you almost a month before you started having an issue with Jenni not being able to pick you up from school. Your class was quite diverse, with different kinds of families: with one parent; with two mothers or fathers; with one mother and one father. But you had two mothers in your life; you wanted one of them to pick you up from school, just like you noticed some of your classmates were.

“Where can I go back to Mexico to see Mami?" you asked Alexia as she was picking you up from school. “Where's the «Hello, Mamà»?" she said as she tried to avoid the question. “Hello, Mamà. When am I seeing Mami again?” Alexia smiled at your innocence. “Soon, baby, soon.” You did not keep asking her about it, as you noticed tears threatening to escape your eyes. But that didn't imply that you were taking Jenni's absence well. The videocalls with Jenni kept getting quicker, as you couldn't bear seeing her through the phone for too long.

“What's up to her, Ale? Is everything alright?" Jenni asked one afternoon, when you didn't even spend one minute talking to her. Alexia tried to hold you but snapped back at her, “Leave me; I want to leave.” Afterwards, you went to your room to play with some toys.

Some weeks later, Alexia told you it was time to talk to Jenni, but you refused. “I don't want to talk with her.” “What do you mean you don't want to? Mami is waiting for you, baby. Did something happen?” “No. I'm not talking to her or to you."

Alexia sighed. She was usually calm when it came to you. Whenever something happened with you, she would sit with you and let you express yourself, even if that implied crying out of frustration because you couldn't go to the park. Something not a big deal to her but a huge deal for you at your age.

“What do you need, my love?” She kept asking you questions with a delicate tone. Olga got nearer and caressed your cheek, to which you responded by smiling. Alexia was dealing with some discomfort in her knee, which had her very worried. Still, she managed to keep calm and try to understand you. But you kept quiet. Worryingly quiet. Your mind felt so loud inside that you noticed your sight getting blurry. Images of Jenni came to your mind in a rush. You loved Alexia, but you needed Jenni's gentle and motherly touch.

Alexia began to lose her patience, and you shouted, “I need Mami. I want Mami. I want her now.” Alexia tried to calm you down, but you refused to let her touch you. “No! Don't touch me. I want Mami, not you”, as you got out of her embrace, slightly hitting her on the arm, running to your room, and shutting the door harshly.

It was the first time you did something like that. Getting out of Alexia's embrace the way you did wasn't a big deal for you, but Alexia felt like the whole world was collapsing. Olga rushed to hug Alexia, but her mind was repeating the moment of you hitting her. “Ale, baby, come back, please. Look at me.” Alexia's eyes had no expression overall. "Alexia." Olga said as she made Alexia look at her.

“She doesn't want me, Olga.”

“Yes, she does. Alexia, Y/N adores you. She just needs Jenni here too. She knows she has you here, in the room next to hers, at home. She's going to see you when she wakes up. She's going to have lunch with you. She plays with you at home. You both go on walks. She knows it, baby. But she also knows she can't have all that with Jenni. She doesn't have her other mother with her.” Alexia nodded, trying to understand Olga. “Y/N probably isn't aware of what she has just done. It was her way of expressing it. Later, you can explain to her why she can't hit people, even if she's sad, but right now, let her have some time to go through her anger and calm yourself down before talking to her.” Alexia finally hugged Olga back. “Thank you, Olga. Thank you.”

Half an hour later, Alexia came into your room, finding it empty. She freaked out as she called out your name, but you didn't respond. She went to her room. Still, you were nowhere to be found. “Alexia, she's here." Olga said. Alexia rushed to an empty room in the house, used for nothing in particular. You were sleeping on the floor with a drawing next to you. As Alexia got closer to you, Olga got out of the room to leave you both some time alone. In the paper, you drew yourself, with Alexia and Olga to your left. Olga was dressed with a timid smile and in a dress. Alexia was dressed the same way as you, in a fairy costume. This was enough to make Alexia cry. In the drawing, you also drew Jenni next to your right. She was drawn with a huge smile, emphasizing her dark black hair.

Alexia took a photo of your drawing and sent it to Jenni. “Look, we've created an artist. A very talented girl, Jenni. Talk to you in a couple of hours, as I know it's still pretty early there in México.” Then, she took a photo of you sleeping on the floor and sent it to her too. “Even geniuses need some sleep 😴 ”