#this is a scheduled post. there is a chance I may not actually be here when it goes up

[onesidedradiostatic]

doodled a dumb one-sided radiostatic thing that doesn't even comply with my hced events/timeline but I felt like drawing so I just drew whatever. enjoy

[certainempatheticturkeymuffin]

Saw a post about Mushang and it's similarities to Liushen, then thought about how interesting it would be to have those in the same fic — then I went down a rabbit hole that included Mobing and Gongzhi (for some reason?)

so... here's this plotbunny, it's really fucking long though, sorry!

(oops, it posted before I finished, sorry about that, it's fixed now!)

-

Shang Qinghua knew, theoretically, that his death would be at the hands of Mobei-jun. He knew that when he saved him, he knew that all these years of serving him, but... it's finally sunk in. That Mobei-jun is going to kill him. That the bruises and frostbite and broken bones are all leading up to his death. He wraps another cut and thinks, somewhat deliriously... that maybe he should've killed Mobei-jun on that mission.

Shen Qingqiu knew his fate — the fate of the Scum Villain. He knew that any goodwill he'd built up was destroyed the moment he pushed Luo Binghe into the Abyss. Knows that all those years of treating him well, only to betray him, may have actually made the situation worse. He thinks back on that day, suddenly realizing that he probably could've made it look like an accident — he could've had Binghe "accidentally" pushed into the Abyss during the chaos, could've faked a Without-A-Cure flare up to excuse his lack of rescue. Maybe, if he'd done that, Binghe would've had mercy.

Their weekly meetings become stilted, their tea goes cold, their snacks uneaten. They don't argue about Airplane's terrible writing, they don't even reminisce over AC or the internet. The air is filled with unease, polluting each of their peaks... until they both snap. They confide in each other, cursing the System, cursing their choices, and try to plan — to dig themselves out of these holes they've dug. The clock is ticking for Binghe's return. Shang Qinghua's wounds are getting worse — he doesn't know if his death will be expedited or delayed at this rate.

And so, they argue and plan and eventually come to a few conclusions...

Shang Qinghua needs the protection of the sect. Needs to confess and beg for Yue Qingyuan's protection as he abandons Mobei-jun. Needs the protection of someone Mobei-jun had no chance of defeating.

Shen Qingqiu, likewise, needs protection — but it's written that Luo Binghe cannot lose, not to anyone in the sect... no one, except for Liu Qingge, who didn't live long enough to fight him, who didn't have a single canonical fight for the world to measure him against. The War God. The one person that wasn't bound by the narrative.

They decide to deal with Shang Qinghua first — Binghe isn't scheduled to leave the Abyss for years, after all. Mobei-jun, however, is a current threat. Every meeting leaves Shang Qinghua with more and more injuries, injuries that the original goods never had to deal with. They don't know if this Mobei-jun is going to follow PIDW's timeline. They don't know how long it'll take before he beats Shang Qinghua to a bloody pulp. After some arguing, it's agreed to come clean to Mu Qingfang first — to test the waters. He's been treating all of Shang Qinghua's wounds since they were disciples, and he'd be good back up if Yue Qingyuan didn't immediately cave to Shen Qingqiu's demands. Of course, Shang Qinghua wouldn't tell the complete truth — no one needed to know that Shang Qinghua spared Mobei-jun because he was hot — but he wouldn't alter the story too much. Better to keep to small lies, easy to keep consistent.

If it goes poorly... they'll just run. They'll abandon the friends and family they've found here, and they'll use whatever plot devices they can find to disguise themselves. The only reason it's not Plan A is because Mobei-jun knows Shang Qinghua's qi signature, and the only artifacts they know that can change qi signatures are... annoying to acquire and dangerous to use.

-

Mu Qingfang isn't surprised when Shang-shixiong shows up with various injuries, absolutely covered in demonic qi. It's routine at this point to sit him down, perform a check up, and ask questions he knows won't be answered. So he does. He heals the cuts and bruises, sets and heals the bones, and does his best to calm the eternally-stressed qi lest his shixiong have a deviation. He asks how this happened, expecting the usual evasive answer (hating that his shixiong is being abused while he does nothing but fix the aftermath), and...

and Shang Qinghua answers.

His shixiong, after years– decades of asking, stutters out an explanation. That he's been a spy for Mobei-jun since that mission where he was the only survivor. That he did it because he was scared, that by the time he was powerful enough to do anything about it, Mobei-jun was a king, and it would probably start a war if he killed him. He says Mobei-jun's been hurting him more often, that he's terrified he's going to die, and Mu Qingfang carefully soothes his shixiong's qi as tears start to fall and he stutters out his plan to team up with Shen-shixiong to tell Zhangmen-shixiong, to beg for forgiveness — for protection, even if it means sitting in a prison cell. He just doesn't want to die.

And in the face of his sobbing shixiong, constantly over-worked and terrified, Mu Qingfang promises to help. Because what else can he do? Turn his back on the shixiong he's been watching slowly fall apart over the decades? The shixiong he's watched go from introverted to downright anxious — the shixiong he's had to pick up and put back together with increasing frequency. Even if he hadn't come clean, Mu Qingfang would've had to have done something soon, with the way the injuries were increasing in severity. He's just glad Shang-shixiong told him first, so they could approach the sect leader together. It wouldn't have been good for his shixiong's stress levels if he'd demanded the sect leader interrogate him to figure out what was going on.

So, the two meet up with Shen Qingqiu and demand a meeting with Yue Qingyuan, who, as always, immediately makes time for Shen-shixiong. Shang Qinghua stutters through his story again, Mu Qingfang regulating his qi, and Shen Qingqiu bringing out a particular icy glare whenever Yue Qingyuan looks like he's going to interrupt. Zhangmen-shixiong's face is carefully blank by the time Shang Qinghua finishes speaking, at which point, Mu Qingfang decides to speak up.

He tells Zhangmen-shixiong of the countless injuries over the decades, of his certainty of their demonic origin, even during that first meeting. He tells the sect leader that if Shang Qinghua is going to be punished for protecting himself, for preventing a war, then he'll need to punish Mu Qingfang too. As a head disciple, he should've reported any suspicious injuries to his shizun, as a Peak Lord, he should've immediately informed Zhangmen-shixiong of Shang Qinghua's continuous injuries and of their suspiciously demonic origin. He says that he has even less of an excuse than Shang Qinghua, who was genuinely afraid for his life and the well-being of his sect. Mu Qingfang simply didn't want to make the situation worse for him, ignoring all rules and expectations that would've had the situation cleared up sooner.

Shen Qingqiu, clearly approving of Mu Qingfang's ardent defense, decides to continue, stating that the sect hasn't experienced an increase in failed missions or other sabotage. He explains that, clearly, Shang Qinghua had been doing his best to protect the sect, even under such strenuous circumstances. He sees no reason to be harsh towards someone who'd been a child when it started, and who was so thoroughly terrified that he only approached Shen Qingqiu, as a friend, because he could see he'd end up dead sooner or later due to the beatings.

Yue Qingyuan lets them all say their piece, and sighs. He sees Shang Qinghua's terror, and he understands both Mu Qingfang and Shen Qingqiu's arguments. He says that this was a breach of trust, that ordinarily this would call for execution, but... Shang Qinghua has not caused harm to the sect, and had he continued, the only harm would've been to himself. As long as Mu Qingfang and Shen Qingqiu are willing to bear the consequences, Yue Qingyuan will allow this to be swept under the rug, never spoken of again.

Mu Qingfang and Shen Qingqiu are quick to agree, and Shang Qinghua's punishment is to update the sect's defense arrays... left unsaid was the expectation that Mobei-jun never be able to enter the sect again. And so, the matter is dealt with, and Shang-shixiong looks like he's had the weight of the world lifted off him once the arrays are complete.

So long as he doesn't leave the sect without a qi-cloaking artifact (courtesy of the Artifact Peak), he'll be safe. Mu Qingfang feels... thrilled, to know his shixiong won't have to suffer anymore.

-

Liu Qingge notices Shen Qingqiu's nerves as he cleanses his meridians. It's an unexpected change of pace, given the dour mood the man's been in for... months, at this point. The session finishes in silence, but there's an air of anticipation that has Liu Qingge... loitering, just a bit.

Eventually, Shen Qingqiu lets out a sigh, pours him tea, and starts to talk — quietly, as if ashamed of his words. He shares that, during the chaos at the end of the Immortal Alliance Concerence, his prized disciple broke a seal. It had been placed on him at birth, presumably by one of his parents, and revealed him to be a heavenly demon. He explains that he panicked at the sight of the seal, understanding what it meant, but his disciple looked just as shocked as him. He understood that his disciple was a demon, that he clearly didn't know that fact, and given the presence of multiple sects and the ongoing catastrophe... his disciple would die, if anyone else stumbled upon him.

Liu Qingge listens, as Shen Qingqiu shares that he pushed his own disciple into the Endless Abyss. His grief makes more sense now, Liu Qingge thinks. It's not just the grief of a teacher losing their favorite student, it's also the guilt of pushing that student into danger, even if it's to protect them. Even he would've hesitated to cut down the disciple, if he'd formed such a bond and the child clearly had no idea what was going on.

They continue sitting in silence, and Liu Qingge is almost ready to leave, before Shen Qingqiu speaks up again. He explains that Luo Binghe was a heavenly demon, and the last one — presumably his father — required the collaboration of multiple sects to seal away. There's a chance that Luo Binghe will survive the Abyss, and escape it.

There's a muted fear in Shen Qingqiu's eyes, as he states there's a chance Luo Binghe will hunt him down. That, given a demon's propensity for overreactions, he may take the entire sect with him. It wasn't like he explained his reasoning, when he pushed the child into the Abyss. All he'd know is that his caring shizun saw he was a demon and immediately pushed him into hell.

And Liu Qingge can understand that fear. Heavenly Demons were strong, too strong for even him to be confident in facing them alone. Even if this one was a child, if it managed to escape the Abyss... it would be too strong for Shen Qingqiu to survive. There's an obvious solution then: train until Shen Qingqiu is strong enough to at least run away.

He says that they'll go on hunts together, so Shen Qingqiu can fight those beasts he knows so much about, to get in practice as they look for any artifact that might help him. He says they'll spar, and he'll even let him face the Bai Zhan disciples for variety. Shen Qingqiu is... reluctant, but quickly realizes that it's probably his best option. With the condition that they return to the sect at least once a month to check on his disciples, he agrees to Liu Qingge's proposal.

They'll both train, and Liu Qingge won't let him out of sight for even a moment — not with a heavenly demon after his head.

-

The months afterwards are... peaceful.

An Ding grows used to the sight of Mu Qingfang, who arrives just before dawn every morning to share breakfast with Shang Qinghua before they must start work. They do each other's hair and gossip, sharing whatever happened the day before as they get ready. Without the constant fear, and with Mu Qingfang's help taming his curls (as the only other one in the sect with curly hair), the sect slowly comes to realize that Shang Qinghua is a total knockout, actually, it was just hidden behind frizzy hair, eyebags, and his constant terrified hunching.

There are still bad days, of course, where Mu Qingfang has to insist he delegate his work to his head disciple, or where Shang Qinghua ends up on Qian Cao in the middle of the night having a panic attack, but... they're growing rarer as time passes. Qian Cao learns to turn their heads when Shang Qinghua arrives with an early shipment or unexpected, expensive goods. They learn to mind their business when they see him comfort their Shizun after a particularly challenging day.

It doesn't really surprise anyone when they start courting. The only surprise is that Shang Qinghua is the one that started it, but even that is less shocking now than it would've been the year before. An Ding is happy that their shifu finally looks safe and healthy (he actually stops working at a reasonable hour now, even if it is still after sunset), and Qian Cao is glad their shizun has someone of his own to vent to (given the stress of his job and the various struggles that come with it).

As for Qing Jing, they're absolutely thrilled that their shizun isn't moping anymore. The loss of Binghe hit them hard too, but seeing Shen Qingqiu make the effort to go on hunts made it easier for them to move on too. They miss him, when he's gone, but he always returns with treats from various villages, and a week's worth of stories and lessons to impart. He's even compiled his own bestiary! Ning Yingying has taken to giving Liu Qingge sweets as a thank you for helping her shizun, and Ming Fan grows more comfortable in his old role as head disciple, with how his shizun actually sees him and compliments him, rather than missing Binghe. The Bamboo House is still... a very hard place to be. Without Shizun, it's empty, and even with his recovery, the vacant room seems to bring back his grief.

Seeing this, Qing Jing is both relieved and absolutely pissed when Liu Qingge offers up his spare room instead. Shen Qingqiu accepts, and it's become common for him to join the Bai Zhan disciples in their morning exercises before returning to teach on Qing Jing. They are, understandably, absolutely pumped to have another Peak Lord around to fight (on top of their own being around more often! Shifu teaches them more! And is he getting better at it? What miracles!)

They settle into a routine, and, though it takes an unexpectedly long time, they announce their courting to Yue Qingyuan, who looks both heartbroken and extremely happy for them. Qing Jing gives Liu Qingge a surprisingly scary shovel talk (though he's mostly amused, he respects their dedication), but are overall very happy that their shizun is happy. Bai Zhan is just cheering that another Peak Lord has basically taken up permanent residence, since Shen Qingqiu stays in Liu Qingge's house rather than the bamboo house. They enjoy the unique challenge he gives, and some of the braver ones tell their shifu that he better treat him right or they'll try to take him for themselves (he went particularly hard on them after that, but they had zero regrets — Shen-shibo is a catch after all!)

Meanwhile, Mobei-jun is... frustrated and heartbroken. He can no longer enter Cang Qiong Sect, and he can no longer find Shang Qinghua's qi signature. He doesn't know why — was Shang Qinghua caught? Is he dead? Why else would he just... randomly leave? He's stuck with Mobei-jun for decades, why would he leave now? What was the catalyst? Was he truly so uncomfortable with Mobei-jun's courting? Why wouldn't he just say so!?

The questions leave him angry and frustrated, with no way to get answers. It's only after he enters Luo Binghe's service (an embarrassing loss — would he have done better with Qinghua's advice?) that he finally gets... something of an answer. A potential explanation.

Luo Binghe has no friends in the demon realm, trusts absolutely no one, but he's still a kind person. When he sees that Mobei-jun is frustrated, all it takes is that curly haired boy (a face so similar to Qinghua's) asking for all the questions to come spilling out. Whether it takes hours or minutes, Mobei-jun doesn't know, all he remembers is the lesson from that conversation:

Humans court differently. Constant physical bombardment is known as abuse.

And Mobei-jun is sick.

He hurt Qinghua. He drove away the one man that stuck with him through everything, just because he couldn't be bothered to double check that his courting would be understood. According to Luo Binghe... it was a miracle Shang Qinghua hadn't left sooner. And the worst part? Mobei-jun can't right this wrong. He can't explain himself. Because Cang Qiong has new wards, and Shang Qinghua has figured out how to make himself thoroughly disappear, even though Mobei-jun does receive word when the Peak Lord is spotted during a trade deal. He can't get Qinghua back. There's nothing he can do.

So he stays by Luo Binghe's side. His curly hair, his similar face... these days, Mobei-jun curses himself for not digging into Shang Qinghua's history. For this boy is an orphan, a street rat, and now it would be near impossible to find out his true relation to Shang Qinghua, given that no one knew which humans Tianlang-jun had bed. It doesn't truly matter, whether he is a cousin, brother, or nephew, Mobei-jun will right his wrongs through Shang Qinghua's kin, unable to reach the man himself.

-

When Luo Binghe leaves the Demon Realm, he goes to Huan Hua, and things progress pretty much as they did in canon, with Shen Qingqiu running, absolutely fucking terrified, being force fed blood, and agreeing to be held in the Water Prison to avoid blowback on the sect. Only difference is that Liu Qingge tried to kill LBH, which almost caused an incident with Huan Hua, because no one believed he was a demon. In the water prison, Luo Binghe sees... a ring. He knows his shizun never wore that before, so he asks about it. Not wanting to put Liu Qingge in even more danger, Shen Qingqiu stays silent.

Gongyi Xiao helps Shen Qingqiu escape, and things continue to progress. When Liu Qingge squares up to fight Luo Binghe, he notices him wearing a ring, threaded onto a necklace, and so similar to Shen Qingqiu's. It doesn't take him long to process the fact that his beloved shizun is... already taken.

By Liu fucking Qingge.

He's thoroughly pissed off, he goes to attack, but pauses when he sees his shizun grip Liu-shishu tightly, shaking like a leaf. He looks like he's preparing to take his husband and run. The thought is... off-putting. Because Liu Qingge is the War God of Bai Zhan Peak. Why doesn't Shizun have faith in the man he married?

So he asks.

And Shen Qingqiu doesn't answer.

Liu Qingge still hasn't relaxed, ready to attack at any moment, and Luo Binghe is running out of patience.

"If Shizun finds this demon despicable enough to throw into the Abyss, he should let his husband kill it."

"That's not why he did it."

Liu Qingge's words throw him off balance. He expected the man to be shocked, hearing that his loving husband had done such a thing (maybe cause a rift in their relationship), he expected, maybe, to be attacked for being so disrespectful.

Liu Qingge then explains, because Shen Qingqiu is terrified into silence.

And Luo Binghe is crushed. Shizun threw him into the Abyss... to save him? Shizun was scared for his safety?

And suddenly Luo Binghe feels sick, when he remembers what he's done. How he hurt Shizun, who was too scared to answer. Who just wanted to protect him, only to realize later that he wasn't thinking straight — that his words were twisted in his effort to get Luo Binghe into the safest place possible in that moment: the Endless Abyss. The shizun that believed in his capabilities enough to be afraid that he'd come seeking revenge.

The fight drains out of him, Liu Qingge doesn't relax, but Shen Qingqiu behind him looks just the slightest bit more curious than terrified. Luo Binghe pulls out a note, written from Mobei-jun to Shang Qinghua, and drops it onto the roof. "This disciple apologizes to Shizun. Please ensure this message gets to Shang-shishu." He uses Xin Mo to teleport to a different roof, staying just long enough to see Liu Qingge hand the note to Shen Qingqiu, who collapsed bonelessly into his side.

He goes to the Northern Desert, rather than the Southern Kingdom. He arrives in the sitting area of Mobei-jun's quarters, and plops himself into a seat. He thinks, and thinks, and he's feeling absolutely awful by the time Mobei-jun arrives. He takes one look at Luo Binghe's disheveled state, and takes the seat next to him.

They talk.

Mobei-jun is a surprisingly comforting presence. He'd always listened and offered advice, but Luo Binghe didn't think he'd have the patience for talking him through... whatever the hell this is. Heartbreak? He isn't sure.

It helps though, and Luo Binghe feels much lighter. Mobei-jun had already promised to never darken Cang Qiong's doorstep, to never go anywhere near Shang Qinghua again, after what he'd done... Luo Binghe would just have to do the same. Even if all he wanted was to go back to Qing Jing, to his room in the Bamboo House... but Shizun is married now, there's no way he'd allow Luo Binghe to stay there permanently.

So he just... stays in the Demon Realm. He's an emperor now, surely Shizun wouldn't want him neglecting that duty? And even if he would've liked Shizun's advice... Mobei-jun would have to do. He had experience, and he's been nothing but helpful. Decision made, Luo Binghe embraces his status as the Demon Emperor, and gives it his full attention.

Without him, Shen Qingqiu's trial falls apart, even as the Palace Master accuses Liu Qingge of killing Luo Binghe. There's not enough concrete evidence for Shen Qingqiu's crimes, and the character defenses from the sect and his husband all speak louder than Qiu Haitang's slander. Even if Liu Qingge was in extremely hot water with Huan Hua, they couldn't prove he'd done anything either.

Shen Qingqiu delivers Mobei-jun's note to Mu Qingfang, asking him to be there when Shang Qinghua read it, because who knew what was in it. He agrees, and they read it as soon as possible, to get it over with.

It's an apology, with an explanation of their different cultures and a promise to never bother him again. It's a promise to right his wrongs through Luo Binghe, who he assumes to be related to Shang Qinghua through the boy's mother. It's short and blunt, and Shang Qinghua is... conflicted. He loves Mu Qingfang, and honestly, couldn't even dream of a life without him, but... Mobei-jun was his dream man. Thinking like that... perhaps it was for the best that they didn't end up together. The reality could never live up to the expectation.

More importantly, is him remembering his half-sister in this life: Xi-jie. Who had suddenly cut contact with him completely, and who he'd never managed to track down afterwards, not having known her full name. Shang Qinghua is crushed, to realize the protagonist was that close to being given a better life. Had Su Xiyan managed to contact him at any point, he would've taken her son in in a heartbeat. Mu Qingfang consoles him, and they decide, jointly, that it was for the best if he didn't pursue that relationship. Not with Mobei-jun promising to stick by the boy, and not with the way he'd treated Shen Qingqiu.

And everyone just... moves on with their lives.

Mu Qingfang and Shang Qinghua are happy together; they have three kids that get absolutely spoiled by their disciples, and they take care of each other, ensuring neither overworks too severely. Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu, without the threat of Binghe's return hanging over them, relax more. They enjoy peaceful days with the Qing Jing disciples, they have fun jointly beating up the Bai Zhan disciples and teaching them new moves, and their hunts aren't nearly as battle-focused as they were before, giving Shen Qingqiu a chance to study the beasts rather than immediately going to fight them.

Luo Binghe and Mobei-jun are rarely apart and treat each other as equals in all things. They value the other's advice when implementing policies, and they will each jump to the other's defense, whether it be physically or through words. It surprises absolutely no one when their affair is found out — at first a convenient way to control Xin Mo, eventually morphing into a proper relationship. They're the rulers of the demon realm, they need not abide by the rules, but... Luo Binghe enjoys planning the wedding, and Mobei-jun can't deny him that, even if it meant dealing with the paperwork of technically merging the two kingdoms but also not. Their broken hearts have long been mended by each other, and it's no surprise when they have six children, close-knit and loving, like the family they wished they'd had sooner.

-

Tianlang-jun rotted away, despite Zhuzhi-lang's best efforts. His last act was to give Zhuzhi-lang enough energy to sustain his human form indefinitely. He is purposeless, and alone, and he sits beside his uncle's corpse for far longer than he should have. There's nothing left for him, not with his uncle gone.

So he exits the cave, and he sits under a tree, out in the open. He is very clearly a demon within Huan Hua territory, so it wouldn't take long for a cultivator to stumble upon him and put him out of his misery. Sure enough, in the middle of his patrol, Gongyi Xiao sees a snake demon just... sitting there. He doesn't look hostile, nor does he look like he's going to move.

He also just... looks kinda pathetic.

So, Gongyi Xiao makes a decision. He can't, in good conscience, leave it there. If he does, and it attacks someone, that's his fault. He also can't just kill it if it's not even doing anything. So he decides to... initiate conversation.

It takes a while for Zhuzhi-lang to bother properly responding, but once he does, they get along quite well. He shares stories about his and his uncle's journies through the human realm, reminiscing as he starts to process his grief. Gongyi Xiao decides, maybe this demon isn't that bad actually, and before they know it, it's sun down and Gongyi Xiao is very late.

They meet daily, with Gongyi Xiao taking on more patrols than usual to make sure his demon is doing alright. Eventually, though, pieces of Zhuzhi-lang's story start to... click. They conflict with things he's been told by his shizun. Maybe Zhuzhi-lang is misremembering in his grief, but... he's concerned enough to start investigating on his own.

He finds a lot of dirt on the Old Palace Master, most of it completely unrelated to Su Xiyan, which is what he was actually trying to investigate. Eventually, he grows so disgusted with the sheer amount of crimes the old man has committed that he decides to just... start a coup. He's well-liked, so it's easy enough to get people on his side — it's even easier when he starts spreading rumors and has all of the man's misdeeds printed into a fairly popular book (more than a few publishing houses were burned down because of it, oops). He didn't... intend to replace the old man, but that's what happened and, hey, now he can bring his demon home and no one can fight him over it, yes sect leaders, he's perfectly sane, thank you.

Zhuzhi-lang learns that he's just as attracted to competence and beauty as Tianlang-jun, he just prefers his with a side of kindness rather than tsundere. He also finds it incredibly funny that everyone just... pointedly ignores his presence. A demon he may be, but their sect leader wanted him there, so there he would stay. The whole scenario brings to mind the forbidden romances his uncle loved to read about. As he settles in, watching Gongyi Xiao overhaul Huan Hua Palace and all its greedy rules, he thinks his uncle would want to see how this story ends.

-

AND THAT'S IT! My wrists hurt and i accidentally posted before it was done, lmao, but yeah. Feel free to write this, I feel like I'd start it and never finish lol

[becauseimswagman1]

Lightskin brothaaaaa

Kelvin Harrison Jr. x reader

Warnings: humiliation kink mentioned, voyeurism kink mentioned, suggestive flirtation, hint at bisexual!Kelvin, hint at bisexual!Aaron

----Reader asks Kelvin to have a threesome... kelvin has some qualms about it---- Reader is in a girl group btw-----

--------------------

Life after hard launching your relationship with Kelvin was actually pretty fucking chill.

The two of you went almost everywhere together, unlike your typical couple with busy schedules.

You practically lived in his skin and vice versa. Since y’all have been together, going on two years (secretly at first), the fans have gotten used to him appearing on not only yours, but your group’s social media doing dance challenges. He especially made appearances on Instagram since that’s where you’re the most active. Every chance you got, you posted relatable relationship quotes that the fans immediately knew were talking about Kelvin. You also posted a shit ton of pics of him being the lightskin ass clown he is.

But that’s surface level, let’s get into the real shit.

You wanted to spice things up (as if things could get any spicer, y’all two gots DOWN) with him by having a threesome, but he was NOT having it.

“What do you mean you want me to watch while another man fucks the shit outta you?!”

“Exactly what you think it means! It’s not like you’re not into voyeurism.” You really couldn’t see the problem here.

“As true as that may be, that shit is NOT happening with Trevante of all people!”

….There’s the problem…

“Cause he’s wayyyy buffer than me and I don’t have time for my girlfriend to say mildly mean things to me while she’s about to get fucked by a big strong man.”

“But you’re into that….”

“Shut it! That was ONE time!”

You laughed, “I said you nutted like a weak ass bitch then you literally shot so hard it got on the ceiling. And you wanna try and tell me you’re not into a little humiliation.”

“Fine, fine, whatever. Look, if we’re gonna do it, then who it’s with has to be my choice.”

“...what?”

“Yeah, it has to be. I need to do research first on candidates.”

“Candidates? Is this the presidential election? Baby, what the fuck? And what type of research are we talking about?”

“Don’t worry about that. Just know I got it handled.”

“...Are you gonna survey dick sizes? Is this about him not having a bigger dick than you?”

“No! No! Of course, not- maybe- okay No! It’s not. I’m just gonna do extensive searching for the perfect man. He’s gotta be really fucking hot, but not hotter than me if he’s gonna get my permission to touch you.”

You cooed, “Awe, babe! I knew you were bisexual-”

“Baby, no!”

“... Just a little bisexual…? It’s okay to admit it. We all are.”

“I’m not unpacking that right now!”

All you could do was laugh as he stormed out of the room like a diva.

—-----------------------------------------

After that conversation, neither you nor Kelvin spoke of the topic again. You figured he was taking finding a partner seriously, but not this seriously.

In secret, he had been conducting interviews, asking basic questions. Asking for kinks (if they had any) and their most recent STD test results (and if it’s been a while, then that they get tested). Ya know, standard shit. Nothing serious.

—-----------------------------------------

—--TWO MONTHS LATER—---

Kelvin had finally found the perfect person for the threesome.

The guy is someone he trusts, not only with his well-being but with you and your pleasure in bed.

—---------------------------------

“Baby!” Kelvin steps into your dorm like he lives there. He was so ready for you to stop being so picky about choosing an apartment. You also didn’t wanna leave your girls’ unattended, lord knows they’d burn the place down without you there, but the two of you wanted your own space. Kelvin wants to be able to love on you without someone popping up and interrupting.

“Baby, where you at?” He took off his shoes and walked around your dorm. It just seemed to be just you home today.

“Bae? I’m in my room!” you almost didn’t hear him due to your music being turned up loud through your headphones.

He walked in, “I’ve found someone.”

“Found someone for what?”

He sat next to you on the bed and sprawled out, “Someone for our rendezvous.”

“OH! A rendezvous? Bae, are we going on a quest? The fuck is a rendezvous, call that shit what it is.”

“Fine. I’ve found someone for our threesome.”

You snickered, “There you go.”

“Anyways, this guy is perfect. He’s tall and checks all of our boxes.”

“Oh… ours? As in our boxes? You must be finally ready to unpack-”

“No!” he put his hand over your mouth, “I’m not. Shh! The guy is Aaron.”

Your eyes widened and you spoke behind his hand, “Aaron?”

Kelvin moved his hand, “Yeah. I had listed what you liked about me and the traits you liked, that I didn’t have and came up with an extensive list of guys. And no Trevante wasn’t on it so don’t even ask.”

You slumped down in the bed a bit.

“After talking to all of them, Aaron ended up being the best choice.”

Your brows furrowed, “Wait… does he know it’s for a threesome?”

“Nah. I lied to them all and said I was doing a survey for this underground actor freaky club.”

You held back your laughter. Only your man would do this. “So we gotta ask if he’s down?”

“Yeah, babe. Aaron’s chill though.”

You looked at him, “Riiight, asking your close friend to have a threesome with you and your girlfriend is so easy.”

“Was that sarcasm?”

“You know it was.”

“It’ll be fine. We’ll talk to him over drinks tomorrow.”

“TOMORROW?!” you got up off the bed and started pacing around your room. “The fuck you mean tomorrow?”

Kelvin sat up, “Yeah. I’m ready.”

“You’re ready?!” you slowed down your pacing, “Like actually?”

“Yeah, babe. I’m more than ready, I’m excited.”

You sat down next to him, “If you’re confident then so am I. I trust you.”

He wrapped his arm around your waist and kissed your forehead, “I love you.”

“I know.”

He smacked the side of your head playfully.

“Fineeeee. I love you, too, my bisex-”

He mushed your face, “Sweet moment over.” —-------------------------

Tomorrow came way too fast. Luckily it was a rare day that y’all had the day off, so you had the whole day to freak out and get advice.

You walked into your favorite member's room.

“Damn, you don’t how to knock?”

“Hush. I’m having a threesome.” you plopped face-first onto her bed.

She shut the book she was reading, “A what?! I knew you and that lightskin were freaky frogs. Who’s it with?”

Muffled, “Aaron.”

“WHO?!”

You turned over on your back, “Aaron.”

“Oh, he’s hot. Have fun for real.”

“Have fun???? I’m supposed to fuck him in front of Kelvin.”

“That little cuck bitch. Y’all are nasty!”

“I know you ain’t talking, yo ass in a scandal now for sneaking around with most of the motherfuckers in my man’s friend group. You ain’t slick.”

“You didn’t even have to go there.”

“Well, I did. Anyways, I need help.”

“For what? You’re fucking tw…” she gags, “two hot men.”

You narrowed your eyes, “I heard that. You not slick.”

She rolled her eyes, “Whatever.”

“Kelvin and I are discussing things over with Aaron tonight over drinks. I just want things to go smoothly.”

“And things will, sis. Trust in your man, yourself, and most importantly, trust in that Henny.” she chuckled.

You laughed, “Bitch, you so stupid.”

“But that Henny’ll get you right. Nice and relaxed.”

“That’s true.” You got up off her bed, “I’m gonna go start getting ready.”

“Put on something sexy! And tell that lightskin that you wanna try double penetration!”

“Absolutely not!” you walked outta her room.

—-------------------------------

Kelvin walked into the apartment you shared with your group, per usual, like he lived there.

“Kelvin, what’s up?” the youngest member greeted him.

He smiled, “Hey, is she ready?”

“Almost. You want some water while you wait?”

“Nah, nah. I’ll be alright.” he went to the living room and sat on the couch.

“Lightskin!” the second youngest yelled as she sat next to him, “Y’all, uh, tryna have a threesome with A-A-ron I heard.”

Kelvin sighed, sometimes you were the bain of his existence, “Yeah and I heard you’re still getting death threats from fucking half of my friends and getting caught doing it, right?”

She nodded, “Okay okay. Coming with the jokes. I’ll leave you alone. I can see how nervous you are.”

Finally, you walked out of your room, “Is this whore bothering you?”

Kelvin stood up at the sound of your voice and walked over to you.

“Whore?? I resent that.”

“Sure you do. It’s practically tattooed on your forehead.”

Instead of answering, she just slumped down on the couch.

“Ready, babe?” he said kissing your cheek.

“Yeah, let’s go before I get the itch to ring somebody’s neck.”

And with that, y’all were off.

—---------------------------------

“When I agreed to drinks, I didn’t think you would’ve rented out a section for us. Why so secluded for some drinks?” Aaron said.

Kelvin smirked, “Oh, you know we just wanted some privacy for what we plan to talk about.”

“Talk about what?”

“Uh…” Kelvin trailed off, “Babe?”

Oh, he expected you to say this. You guess it’s only right since you were the one who brought it up to him.

“Aaron, we wanna ask if you’d be down to have a threesome with us. Total one time thing and it’s completely fine if you say no.”

Aaron chuckles and finishes his drink, “I think I’m gonna need another drink.”

“I think we all do.” Kelvin motioned for the waiter to bring y’all the bottle.

“Actually, leave it. Thank you,” you said to the waiter.

The waiter set the bottle on the table and walked off.

Aaron poured refills for you and Kelvin first then refilled his own and took a long sip, “Is that why you were you asking me about my kinks? I knew it wasn’t for a freaky-ass actor sex club!”

Kelvin chuckles, “Yeah, man... Sorry, I lied. I just wanted the best guy for this.”

“And what does your girl think?”

You took a sip of your drink, “His girl thinks you’re very sexy and that you look like you can fuck good.”

Aaron smirked, “Looks like you’re in luck, I never leave my partners unsatisfied. You’re both attractive and I’d never miss an opportunity to have two hot people in my bed.”

You smirk, thinking of a sly game to play. You slid your left hand onto Kelvin’s lap, switching between rubbing and squeezing his growing erection, and slid your right foot up Aaron’s leg, just resting the sole of your shoe on his crotch.

“Oh…” Aaron chuckles, “Someone wants the party to start early.”

“Seems like she does. Having fun baby?” Kelvin looks at you.

You smile a little, “Yeah, but I could have more if we get outta here.”

Aaron cleared his throat and then stood up, “I’ll get the check.”

“What a gentleman.” your boyfriend said.

Aaron leaned over to the side y’all were sitting on and said to no one in particular, “I’m always a gentleman.”

“Promise?” you said.

“Like I said, always.” then he walks away, searching for the waiter to pay.

“Kelvin he’s fucking perfect.”

“Yeah. I made a good choice didn’t I?”

“If your dick is anything to go by then I’d say you did. You’re hard as fuck.”

He glances down at his growing pain and holds in a groan, “Yeah, I am. Aaron’s hot as hell.”

“Thank you.” Aaron said, “Let’s get outta here. I got more liquor at my place and ya know, my bed. ”

You and Kelvin stood up quickly, sneaking glances at each other. Y’all knew a time would be had.

—---END—-------

Taglist: @itsbackwoodsbby @femdisa @luvrsluxe @ayeeeitsmiracle @sharmelasworld @papithetia @mzv11

(Pt.2 here)

Lemme know if you wanna be added to the taglist!!!

[shabbytigers]

other trans people: best practices for hiding stubble for people with light skin and dark hair? i gather “peach to orange color correction” is the top line, but it seems rife with chances to fuck up on color, texture, etc. is there a go-to first-line product for dummies? i’m looking for the equivalent of maybelline great lash mascara here, something reliable that isn’t a major investment

the situation here: five o’clock shadow 24/7 including when my skin is still damp from shaving. the shave is fine but much of the hair grows sideways and stubble is literally visible well before it physically emerges from the skin. improved shaving methodology and/or midafternoon touchups are unfortunately not going to be a solve

i would consider this a straight up lotto win, i’ve been passing 75% of the time instead of 1% for a couple of months now, but i’m actually trying to maintain gender presentation optionality for professional purposes 😭 i’m a freelancer (dependent on my established reputation with no invested employer to ask for support) and a dual citizen (my legal name and gender marker need to be consistent across passports, so the one from the neofascist regime where all my employers are dictates what i can do about the other one, if i am to travel safely and keep all the taxes on the up and up), so coming out professionally isn’t as simple as scheduling some tricky meetings and making a brave™️ linkedin post, it’s a legit hard problem

i should have considered all this before starting t, you may observe. in my defense, eight to ten years of judicious and prudent dithering allowed a lot of reading about transition and it all said beards are a late development and to set my expectations by cis guys mostly not having full beards till their twenties or thirties, so i figured five years or more. it’s been one year and nine months on the t that works (gel didn’t for me). in 20/20 hindsight i should have thought to ask other ashkenazi jewish guys about the hair thing. also, i had a full-time remote job and every reason to think it was stable, stellar rep, happy clients, sponsorship of both the agency ceo and the next-up holding-company guy. i could have geared myself up to come out there and/or five to ten more years of nyc-to-berlin payscale arbitrage would have put me in a position to semi-retire. sadly large-scale 2023 layoffs and a bad 2024 election = not as sanguine about it

regardless, i’m already old, there’s only so much of my life left to waste, no regrets. but also, this is a real problem (my effing parents clocked me in april ffs? they’re perfect i love them) and one that should be addressable, let’s gooo

[yvesdot]

How To Get Roughly 50 Notes On An Original Writing Post And Possibly Net A Single Reader

I had someone ask today how I get people to click through and read my writing, and I'm realizing that I've never actually made a post all in one place of everything I do to get a new piece of short fiction off the ground... so here you go! How to get (some) eyes on your work, even if it is not published anywhere of interest and you don't have a marketing team behind you.

The #1 thing is presentation. You want to get people's attention, and once you have it, convince them to keep paying attention. Fortunately, people tend to be both reasonable and predictable, which means all you have to do is follow The Formula.

(original post link)

Here's the formula from the above post broken down:

[giant horizontal title card, preferably animated to catch the eye] OR [a few tasteful parallels, if you're good at parallel posts]

TITLE (linked to where you can read the piece) / wordcount

a quote that is representative of the tone, themes, prose style, and/or the "promise of the premise"

A longer pitch, featuring the overall subject of the piece (transsexual reality TV drama), any comp titles (Detransition, Baby), the main draw (in this case, watching trans people be awful to clueless cis people), major themes (performance), and any other promises you'd like to make (food romance and tigers). You can see that the quote I chose delivers on the promise of trans people intellectually outperforming cis people-- if I were a reader, I would be more likely to trust that the rest of the pitch was accurate based on that assurance.

If you have any positive reviews on your piece, say so. If it has won any awards or contests, say so. If your work has made people cry, Doja Cat - Say So. Always. Generally speaking, more personal and more detailed is better, but keep it to one or two people-- e.g. "when I gave this to my S/O to read he shot milk out of his nose so far I had to go clean under the couch" or "my favorite review of this piece is the reader who said they read it chapter-by-chapter under their covers because they wanted it all to themself." This should be one sentence.

Depending on where the story is published, what you usually promote, etc., it may be worthwhile saying the story is free. Use your judgment on whether the reader can tell.

I also like putting my links at the bottom so someone seeing this on a friend's dash can easily track me around the 'Net. They make me look more professional (I now include a link to my website) and they visually balance the post, in my opinion. This post also happened to have some additional links for bonus content.

This is not as high stakes as it seems. I'm not 100% happy with the pitch here, and I'm not 100% happy with the graphics I've used in other cases. These are some bones that help to sell the piece even when the details aren't as sharp.

REBLOGGING

When is the last time you read something the first time you saw it on your dash? I schedule reblogs of all important posts at least twice over the next 2-3 days, often three times so I can get the morning/afternoon/evening reblog. If your followers tend to be more active at certain times, go ahead and use those. In the past I've intentionally scheduled posts for times I knew more popular mutuals were active, and it has paid off!

I also schedule a reblog for a week and a month and sometimes even a full calendar year out, because I know there is going to be that person who tags the piece '#to read' and instantly forgets about it, only to get excited when they see it weeks later. I am very often that reader. The goal is to catch people when they're ready to read immediately, and this is a game of chance.

Every so often, I go through my entire #writing or #important writing updates or even just #popular tag(s) and queue two dozen posts before shuffling my queue to redistribute matters. This keeps my older work circulating, ensuring new readers get a chance to see older pieces and giving those older pieces another shot at dashboard space. (More on #popular later.) This sounds like a lot, which is why you have to space everything pretty far apart. Fortunately, this is the world's best site for cool things to reblog. I guarantee you that you can find something new you love to post in the meanwhile.

COPING WITH FAME

The post above is what I, a published author, consider "doing well" for a post about my writing on Tumblr. As of October 10th, 2024, over two years after its initial posting and over five years into my posting doggedly about my original fiction, it has 77 notes. More than half (43) are likes. Around half of the reblogs are me promoting my own work or the same very sweet person dutifully reblogging me every time I do so. Glancing through the reblogs now, I know of four people whom I can confirm have read it. Presumably, there are more who are completely silent and have never interacted with the post whatsoever. Genuinely: wahoo!! I am so grateful and happy for the attention and reception of my work.

This is the number one thing I suggest: focus on what you have, and not what you lack. Imagine your post from the perspective of an outsider: even one reblog means you convinced that one person to spread your art! How cool is that! This is also good advice because moping is simply not helpful; it will not get you more reads. (And no, neither will guilting others. Kill that vent post in your head!)

GETTING FOLLOWERS

I don't have that many followers. Of the followers I do have, people are very unpredictably active. When I hear about other people's follower counts I am consistently surprised, because people with half of mine will have fans and haters the likes of which I could not possibly dream of. I follow 500-follower folk who post "I ate a strawberry today" and get 6 asks ranging from "Wow I respect you so much for eating that strawberry" to "I'm going to come to your address at [REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED] and shove bananas down your throat for hating on my favorite fruit."

I point this out to establish three important things. 1) Be grateful for what you have (in my case, 0 anonymous hate asks about fruitpinions), 2) followers have far less impact on interaction than one might think, and 3) followers don't engage with the things you might like them to.

Think about yourself. Are you more likely to reblog a photo of a cat in a pumpkin (alright, here) or something advertising fifteen minutes' worth of writing, which could be, for all you know, bad? Or, for that matter, by a person you should not like to support? Reblogs on generically interesting things are 'safer' (unfortunately) than reblogs on art, and it makes perfect sense that people are skittish around the latter. People don't often reblog things they haven't read, and nobody can reblog every artpost on their dash. Having someone else put it there, however, is incredibly powerful—someone's vetted this post as Worth a Reblog, after all. Having more followers allows for much more of this.

(Followers don't guarantee any one sort of interaction, but having more of them is rarely bad. Rarely.)

Across my most popular posts, one theme becomes very obvious: people like things that apply to them or their blog. I try to post writing advice/opinions/memes every so often, because I know I have a loyal base of writerfolk who like to see that from me, and it's "easier" to reblog than my writing. This is simply the nature of the universe. I used to pretty frequently go into the #writeblr tag and check out what was recently popular so I could figure out how to serve the same base, and from time to time it worked.

You're welcome to examine the list of #writing posts that made it to 100 notes, because each tends to have a notable reason behind its success: a reblog with an exceptionally good review, a contest win, a wordcount that lends itself to pasting the whole thing in one go.

(Posts about my book's release are a notable exception, in part due to Blaze and in part due to my absolutely relentless flogging of their reblog buttons during the ~year of promotion. Also in large part to a dedicated circle of friends who passed the post around nonstop! Thank you so much!!)

A lot of people will tell you to attempt covert reciprocal promotion. You know—reblog a lot of stuff, in the hopes that people will reblog yours. If I could change one thing on Tumblr, it would be this: the culture that quietly encourages disingenously interacting with other people with a secret True Goal in mind. (On the autism website.)

Please, for the love of all that is good and holy, do not do this. If you comment on other people's work, do it because you're happy to do so. When I released Paper Tigress, I went through everybody else who responded to the same prompt and read their work, because I had the day off and I was curious. This has led to Paper Tigress having more comments on Reedsy than one of my contest winners, and even outranking the shortlisted story in the same prompt category. However, this would have been a waste of my time if I did not genuinely enjoy reading the other stories. I read 80+ stories, taking several hours, and gained 30 comments from the venture (half my comments are my responses).

Crucially, I do not promote other writers' work on Tumblr in the hopes of them reading or boosting mine. This is the #1 tip I see thrown around that I viscerally disagree with. While, again, I am grateful for engagement with my work regardless of the context, I do not want people suffering through my work in the hopes that I will promote them. I work a full-time job, and my reading calendar is perpetually overbooked, including with work by my absolute best of friends. Even if it wasn't, I think it would be quite insulting if I were posting works in the hopes that someone would choke it down like medicine. I post what I think is good so that people can read and enjoy it. If you are not enjoying it, I do not want you to feel as though you have to read it. My aim is to give to others what my favorite authors have given me, which is most certainly not A Bad Time Spent Being Dishonest In The Hopes Of Getting Something Back. You have better things to do with your time. Please be honest.

CONCLUSION

Realistically, the readers I have, I gained through being a published author for five years promoting my behind off on Tumblr, the least forgiving social media for promotion. People like it when you have a book they can buy, especially if it has Goodreads reviews that make it look like you have been vetted for them. Many people who follow me have read only Something's Not Right and nothing else. (Many people who follow me have read everything but Something's Not Right.) I have posted dozens of pieces on Tumblr and Wattpad (and AO3). I gained a small number of readers writing and posting fanfiction for the Locked Tomb Tri(?)logy, even though I marketed it absolutely terribly.

Just keep writing. Keep writing, keep posting, and keep making sure everyone who follows you knows you write. And keep writing because you want to. There's no better advice than that.

[doyoulikethis-videogame-song]

Ask Masterpost #7 (Admin Asks) -- 3/15/2025

Maybe I should change the posting date of these to Sunday so I stop procrastinating them on Saturdays, LOL.

Anyways, this is the first edition of non-blog focused asks (fun questions, personal questions, etc), so I'm not going to write up a summary since none of this is essential information for submissions or anything like that :).

Since I'm writing it up so late in the day I'm going to post it with my answers, but Mod Rae may update it with their answers so feel free to check back! In the future hopefully I'll be able to write it up in enough time to give them a chance :').

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@foulwinter asked: Ever heard of either of Sonic CD's soundtracks? I grew up with the US soundtrack but I love both of them. I think the war between which soundtrack is silly when you look at it from the perspective of having MORE Sonic CD music

Admin: I have never been a big sonic fan, so I have no horse in this race :'). But I do agree that it's nice to have more soundtrack per soundtrack!

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@pearlhoardingdragon asked: If you had to stick with one family of consoles for the rest of your life, would it be playstation, nintendo, or xbox?

Admin: PC 4 Lyfe (I never had enough money for consoles growing up </3). I'd probably pick Nintendo though, since I like the switch and DS.

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Thoughts on Yoko Shimomura?

Admin: LOVE HER!!! I haven't played a lot of the games she has worked on but from what I've heard from her she is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

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who's your favourite villain in ffxiv?

Admin: The only Final Fantasy villain I know is Sephiroth... and I think he's cute and silly 💔

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stance on Nerdcore video game songs? (Miracle of Sound, Aviators, JT Music, etc) both as submissions and just in general.

Admin: I don't think I have a strong/opinion-worthy stance on any genre of music, because all music that I like regardless of genre is good music. Simple as.

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Would you say you've gotten fulfillment out of starting this project? I remember you have it posted somewhere that you started this blog because you wanted to listen to new music, so what's it been like? Any favorites that stand out?

Admin: Yes!! This has been really fun and ESPECIALLY so since I finally figured out some things to help me maintain it without messing with my insane schedule within the last few months. I definitely need to make a proper list of my favorites but I think my most favorite song that I discovered 100% from submissions alone is #212, Tenebre Rosso Sangue from ULTRAKILL. (this wasn't an anon ask, but I forgot to write the blog name before deleting the ask to clear it from my inbox... </3)

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what is your favourite kind of bread, actually?

Admin: Any flatbread!!!!!! Pita bread, naan, roti, and especially tortillas <-- put it in my mouth

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out of every song posted, do you have a least favourite? if so, what?

Admin: The Ao Oni chase theme (#125) because it scared me.

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thank you for all your hard work hosting this blog. question: has it been fun to discover so many songs through the blog? the level of variety is really cool. out of curiosity, how much of the music would you say you have personally already known before they were submitted?

Admin: I'd say I've probably only heard 5-10% of the songs submitted here before :'). But that just means that this blog is highly effective at helping me find new music!

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my favourite kind of results are what i like to call the penis results. it usually happens when "like it/first time hearing it" gets the lead while "like/sounds familiar" and "don't feel strongly" take like 10-12% each. are there any specific poll results that you've found particularly interesting for any reason

Admin: 1. I'm calling that phenomena penis results now and 2. #689, which has the highest 'Like and Familiar' result of any song at 49.60%. The average % for this category is 19.19%.

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Have you ever gotten a submission on this blog that you’re disappointed more people don’t know?

Admin: EVERY NIER SONG EVER!!!!!!!! GO PLAY NIER REPLICANT RIGHT NOW IT IS 60% OFF UNTIL MARCH 20TH.

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Do you have a series you expected to get a lot of requests for, but haven't?

Admin: There's surprisingly few Persona requests, which I expected to be more popular. There's also one song in particular (not from persona) that I'm surprised I haven't seen yet (not naming it, I don't want to invite inorganic submissions!)

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what is your favorite piece of music outside videogames?

Admin: This is hard because my favorites are pretty much always changing (other than the one song I listen to obsessively multiple times a day, of course) and I can never pick just one anyways... I think I'd have to go with (as of writing this) 'With All Its Complexities' by Kyoumeni from her album 'And Then I Woke Up.'

[hogwartseighthyear]

wax paper

"your girl" series: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | (part 4)

(can be read as a standalone)

pairing: neville longbottom x fem!reader word count: 3.7k tags: rated G, house-neutral reader, fluff, established relationship, maybe a smidge of angst, no Y/N used summary: neville introduces you to his parents. note: cue me strolling in like it hasn't been over a year and a half since i last posted a fic. this is based on a request i lost a long time ago for something with neville's family (iirc). i might come back later and give it another edit since this was a bit hasty, but for now, enjoy and thanks for reading! (cross-posted here to AO3)

After spending the last several years living through an outright war, the months immediately following Voldemort’s demise were tinged with a sense of unreality.

You mourned for the lives lost and the destruction that had been wrought. You slept fitfully and replayed the worst moments of the Battle in your nightmares. Sudden, loud noises sent you diving to the ground with your wand in hand, reminding you of crackling spellfire, flashes of green light hurtling overhead, smoke in the air and screams ringing in your ears.

Yet, for every moment of grief and pain, there was hope and happiness in equal measure. Wizarding Britain was gradually reassembling. The Ministry was being gutted from the inside out, Aurors were hunting down wayward Death Eaters, repairs were underway at Hogwarts. For the first time in a long time, the future didn’t look so bleak.

And somehow, in the midst of it all, you’d started dating Neville Longbottom.

You’d both confessed your feelings just after the Battle had finished, when you and Neville finally managed to escape the cacophony of noise and emotion in the Great Hall and retreat to the quiet shores of the lake. The two of you were still singed and bloodied and covered in dirt, but it hadn’t mattered in the slightest. When you finally kissed him, it felt like coming home.

It was difficult to separate you and Neville that following summer. In all honesty, the amount of time you were spending together might have been excessive, if not bordering on codependent, but considering the hell you had just endured, neither of your families voiced any complaints. May, June, and July passed in a languid procession of warm afternoons in the back garden and hours of general lazing about around each other’s homes as you recuperated from, well, your whole adolescence.

You and Neville had already accepted Professor McGonagall’s offer to return to Hogwarts to properly complete your education, and while you were looking forward to it, you knew that it wouldn’t be easy. So, you greatly appreciated the chance to take a break from life before the fall term rolled around.

One day in early August, you were doing just that, lounging on the couch and reading a particularly interesting chapter in Dragon Species of Ancient Mesopotamia, when the fireplace whooshed with a burst of green flames. To your surprise, it was Neville who stepped through the Floo into your living room.

In a rare turn of events, you and Neville didn’t actually have plans to see each other until tomorrow. Today, he, Ginny, and Luna were scheduled to meet in Diagon Alley for an interview with Farida Wolff of the Daily Prophet, who was interested in writing an article on the student rebellion the three of them led during the Death Eaters’ rule over Hogwarts. Afterwards, Neville was planning on paying his parents a visit at St. Mungo’s; fetching money from his Gringotts vault; getting fitted at Madam Malkin’s for new robes; picking up treats for Seymour, the Longbottom family owl, at Eeylops Owl Emporium; then joining his gran in the evening for a belated birthday dinner with his great-uncle Algie and great-aunt Enid.

A glance at the clock told you that while Neville’s interview must have just wrapped up, he definitely hadn’t had time to finish the rest of his errands in downtown London already. There was no reason for him to stop by your place. And yet here he was, wearing a rather nervous expression.

“Hey. Is everything okay?” you asked, sitting upright, a worried frown quickly overtaking your face.

“Hi. Um. Yes,” Neville said haltingly.

“Are you sure?” you asked. “Did something happen during the interview?”

“No, no, the interview was fine.”

You waited for further explanation, but he remained silent.

“Neville?”

He dithered for a few more moments before taking a deep, steadying breath and finally looking at you.

“I was just about to go see my parents,” he said, standing a bit straighter, “and… I was wondering if… you’d like to come meet them?”

Your eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” Neville said, this time with more conviction. “I know they don’t really— They can’t exactly, you know—” He cut himself off, his mouth twisting. “But. I’ve already told them about us, and it would mean a lot to me.”

“Okay,” you said, unable to keep the slight tremor out of your voice. “I’ll come. Of course I’ll come.” 

Meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time was nerve-racking on principle, but meeting Neville’s parents was especially so, considering how fiercely guarded he was when it came to them.

He’d told you what happened to his mum and dad during the First War, but it had always been a sensitive topic. You remembered how agitated he’d been when his friends ran into them at St. Mungo’s a few Christmases ago. Neville was protective of his parents; he didn’t want anyone witnessing them in their vulnerable state. And yet here he was, asking you to meet them.

No pressure, right?

You smoothed your hands over your lap and looked down at your outfit: the soft, comfortable one you’d been lounging around in all day while you read. “Oh! I should change before we go. And fix my hair. Shit, wait, give me a few minutes,” you babbled as you stood from the couch, anxiety already churning in your stomach, but Neville caught you before you could rush past him.

“Love, you look fine,” he said.

“I look like I just rolled out of bed!”

You were too busy fretting over your appearance to notice the way Neville rolled his eyes, though his expression was still unmistakably fond. You refocused only when he put his hands on your shoulders and turned you to face him.

“You’re beautiful, I promise, but”—he stressed the word when you went to open your mouth again—“if it makes you feel better, I was going to suggest we Disillusion ourselves anyway.”

It took you a moment to catch on to his reasoning. “Oh,” you said with a sympathetic wince. “How bad was it this time?”

“At least ten different people asked for my autograph.” Neville kept his voice low, as if he were saying something scandalous. “I tried telling everyone I didn’t have a quill, but then some of them conjured quills for me, so I just signed what they asked. I felt like the world’s biggest prat!”

Fame was something Neville was still struggling to get used to. He’d been largely shielded from it these past few months, considering that the two of you had been living like hermits. But on the rare occasion he happened to wander out into public, there was almost always someone who recognized the Boy Who Killed Voldemort’s Snake.

“We’ll have to brainstorm some new excuses,” you said with a resolute nod.

Really, you should have remembered that magic exists when you came up with the quill idea, but to be fair, it was better than Neville’s plan to claim that he was sick with the highly-contagious doxy flu anytime a stranger tried to approach him.

After putting on a pair of shoes and casting your respective Disillusionment Charms, you followed Neville through the fireplace, Flooing directly into St. Mungo’s reception area.

The chaos inside momentarily stopped you in your tracks. You’d never had a reason to visit St. Mungo’s before, and you couldn’t help but gawk at the various witches and wizards gathered in the large waiting room. One man swaying unsteadily in line appeared to have his legs spelled on backwards. A woman whose entire body was covered in green boils napped in a nearby chair. There was even a man seated against the opposite wall with a continuous stream of soap bubbles pouring from his ears and floating up to the ceiling.

Neville, of course, didn’t seem to be phased by any of it. He’d surely grown used to such sights after visiting for so many years.

“This way,” he said, taking your hand and leading you through the double doors past the inquiries desk. He took out his wand to remove the Disillusionment Charm only once you’d reached a quiet stairwell.

“That felt a bit… unauthorized,” you said, patting nervously at your hair and hoping you were still presentable. “Will we get in trouble if someone finds out we haven’t, I don’t know, signed in anywhere?”

“No, they keep track of everyone who passes through the Floo. Whoever’s currently attending mum and dad probably already knows we’re on our way. Although”—Neville sent you an apologetic look—“they’re on the fourth floor.”

The last time you climbed four flights of stairs at once was during the Battle of Hogwarts, caught in a panicked crowd of students rushing through the castle and ducking spellfire. The months since then had been, for the most part, very slow-paced and sedentary. Your legs were not going to like this.

“Right. Well.” You straightened and took in a big breath. “Up we go.”

You and Neville were both huffing and puffing slightly by the time you reached the fourth floor. In the brief pause the two of you took to catch your breath, you made a mental note to find a magical solution to make climbing stairs more tolerable. Some sort of numbing charm below the knees? No, tripping would be entirely too easy. A Feather-Light Charm? Possibly, though if you cast it too strongly you might be liable to launch yourself over the whole staircase and into the wall.

Whatever. You’d figure it out later.

You followed Neville along the Spell Damage corridor, straight to a door at the far end, which happened to be the entrance to the Janus Thickey Ward. He knocked, and a few moments later a lock clicked from the other side and a middle-aged witch in green Healer robes answered.

“Neville, dear!” she greeted, reaching up to give his cheek a fond little pinch.

“Hello, Miriam,” Neville said, enduring her fawning. You had to hold back a laugh.

“I’ll say, it was such a wonderful surprise to see you were stopping by. And with company, no less.” Miriam turned her twinkling eyes towards you.

You introduced yourself, giving her hand a polite shake. “I’m Neville’s—” You paused, not sure how you should label your relationship in front of Miriam. The fact that you and Neville had started dating was something only your immediate families knew, so far.

You cast a questioning look at Neville. He nodded at you, a small smile curving his mouth.

“—girlfriend,” you finished.

All your other current anxieties aside, saying it out loud still made you feel embarrassingly giddy.

“Girlfriend!” Miriam exclaimed, beaming at you and Neville. “Oh, isn’t that just delightful! I’m Miriam Strout; I’m so pleased to meet you, darling. Come in, come in.” Healer Strout ushered the two of you through the doorway.

The Janus Thickey Ward was a long, open room with a number of beds lining the walls, each sectioned off by a set of floral-patterned curtains. Despite the somewhat sterile feel of the tiled floors and the off-white walls, the residents here were long term, and the collection of personal effects made the room a bit friendlier: things like knitted blankets, family photos, stacks of books, house slippers. You could even recognize a song by the Forty Phantoms playing on a radio somewhere nearby.

“Your father’s been a bit sleepy this morning, Neville, but he and the missus were both awake the last time I checked. I’m sure they’ll both be happy to see you,” Healer Strout said, locking the entrance once again with a wave of her wand. “Are either of you thirsty? We have a new elf in the kitchens that makes the most excellent cup of masala chai.”

“That’s alright, Miriam. We’ve got it from here,” Neville said.

“Thank you, though,” you added on.

“Of course, just tell me if you need anything.” And with that, Healer Strout stepped away to tend to a nearby patient who was standing on top of his mattress, stretching to pin a photo to the wall amidst an already-excessive number of portraits. All of which appeared to be self portraits.

He looked awfully familiar, in fact.

Wait. That wasn’t…?

“Gilderoy, you silly man, what have I told you about climbing up there?” Healer Strout called out fondly. “Falling down and bumping your head is the last thing you need!”

You whipped around to look at Neville. “Lockhart?” you whispered.

He nodded with a grimace. “Don’t make eye contact, he’ll take it as an invitation to show you his fan mail collection.”

The two of you hurried away.

Neville lost a bit of his steam as you neared the end of the ward, slowing his steps and running a nervous hand through his hair. You were nervous too, but you still made the effort to send him a supportive smile. He returned it, a bit wobbly, but there nonetheless.

And then before you knew it, you were standing in front of the floral curtain drawn around the very last two beds. “Mum? Dad?” Neville said. He grabbed the edge and pulled it open.

You’d seen photos of Alice and Frank Longbottom from their Auror days; Neville’s gran had several hanging proudly in her home. You’d always been struck by Neville’s likeness to his mother. Sure, he’d ended up with his father’s height and smile, but the rest belonged to Alice: his coloring, his round cheeks, his gentle eyes.

Now, though, it was evident that the life and verve you’d seen in those photos had been drained from Neville’s parents over the years. The familial resemblance was much more difficult to pick out in their current state.

Frank was propped up in his hospital bed with a heavy quilt draped over his lap, donning a thick, knitted jumper despite the warm weather. He gazed vacantly out the nearest window, which had been spelled to show a pleasant view of the English countryside. Meanwhile, Alice was sat in an armchair between the two beds, wearing a pink cardigan over her nightdress and fiddling with something small and papery in her hands.

They were both gaunt and pale as a sheet. Their hair had turned white, and their skin had creased and wrinkled, aging them far beyond their years. Neither Frank nor Alice reacted to their son’s arrival, and you had to wonder if they even realized anyone was there at all.

“Hi guys,” Neville said quietly, stepping forward and sitting himself on edge of his mother’s bed.

It took you a moment, but you eventually managed to unstick your feet from the floor, making sure to close the curtain behind you before taking a seat next to Neville.

He cleared his throat and continued. “It’s Tuesday, August 4th, 1998. I turned eighteen last week. Sorry I didn’t stop by sooner for my birthday, but I wanted to bring someone along this time.” Neville introduced you then, telling his parents your name.

“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom,” you said, your hands clasped tightly in your lap.

Again, they showed no reaction. Not that you thought you would get one out of them. You just weren’t used to it yet: speaking to someone so unresponsive.

Neville, however, was clearly well practiced in these one-sided conversations with his parents. “I know you’ve, erm, heard quite a lot about her,” he continued, casting a somewhat sheepish glance your way. “I just figured you should finally meet each other, now that we’re together. Though, really, I should’ve— I should’ve brought her ‘round a long time ago. She survived meeting Gran when we were twelve, after all.”

You huffed a laugh, remembering how terrifying the formidable Augusta Longbottom had seemed back then, nearly making you sick with nerves when faced with her hard, assessing eyes and stern tone. Neville had to assure you multiple times that his gran didn’t hate you the way you feared she might. In fact, after taking some time to warm up to you, she actually grew to be quite fond of you, often asking after you in her letters while Neville was away at Hogwarts.

You’d always remained quietly cautious of her, knowing how easily and often her sharp words could cut through Neville. There was no doubt Augusta loved him, surely, but that didn’t mean her standards for her grandson weren’t high, or that the comparisons she made between him and his father weren’t harsh. It was only over the course of the last year that Neville had finally gained his gran’s approval, and some of the bumps in their relationship seemed to have smoothed over.

“It wasn’t so bad. We get along pretty well these days, I think,” you said, looking to Frank as you spoke of his mother.

You weren’t expecting to find anything other than Frank’s blank stare still fixed on the window, unmoving, save for the slow rise and fall of his chest—which is why it was so startling when he sat forward and rose to his feet with a quiet grunt. You straightened your posture, briefly thinking he was going to approach you, but Frank’s eyes skipped over you and Neville completely as he shuffled past his bed.

Neville followed suit and stood. “Dad?”

“Is he okay?” you asked with a concerned frown.

“Yes, uh, he’s probably just headed to the washroom,” Neville said, already trailing after his father. “I’ll walk him there. We’ll be right back.”

They both passed through the curtain, where you heard Healer Strout call out, “You boys alright?”

“All good, Miriam, I’ve got him!”

That left you alone with Alice.

You floundered, unsure how to fill the silence between you, punctuated only by the crinkling of whatever Alice was still turning over in her hands. You tried to think of what a mother might like to speak about with her son’s girlfriend upon their first meeting, but you didn’t exactly have a frame of reference for this sort of thing. The only common ground you could find with her on short notice was, well, Neville.

“Neville is really good at Herbology,” you blurted. Then, sheepishly, “…You probably already know that, though.”

Great start.

“It’s what most people know about him. I mean, people who actually knew him before the Battle.” You realized a moment too late that the reminder that her son lived through the horrors of war might not be well received by Alice—assuming there was a chance she could understand you, even if she couldn’t respond—and you quickly moved on. “I struggled with it more the further along in school we got. I’m pretty sure the only reason I managed to pass my Herbology O.W.L. was because of Neville. He made this for me while we were revising that year, see?”

You reached underneath the collar of your shirt and pulled out the necklace that hung there more often than not. The pendant was a petal Neville had plucked from the flutterby bush the two of you had spent time tending to in one of the greenhouses. With the right combination of charms—and some help from Hermione, he’d later admitted—the petal had been hardened and polished, as though encased in glass.

You remembered how the urge to grab his face and kiss him had swooped through you when Neville presented you with the gift after your exams, and you remembered how little that urge had surprised you, even then.

“The fact that we only recently started dating feels rather ridiculous now, looking back on everything,” you muttered, rubbing your finger across the smooth edge of the petal as you peered down at it. “I can’t even pinpoint when I started… fancying Neville. I suppose I’ve always loved him in one way or another.”

You looked up to Alice, feeling somewhat shy and hot in the face after sharing something so honest, and found that her own gaze had risen to settle on your necklace. You stilled your hand and held it out for her to see. She stared for a long moment before returning to her fidgeting. Except this time, she began twisting something, the crinkling sound getting louder.

You leaned forward for a better look at what Alice held in her hands. It was a piece of Drooble’s Best Blowing Gum, you realized. The was a whole dish of it sitting on the nightstand behind her.

She unwrapped the gum and placed it in her mouth, then held out the wrapper for you.

“Oh… alright,” you said, taking the wrapper. Did she want you to toss it for her? There was a small bin tucked next to the nightstand, but it was clearly within her reach. Uncertain what to do, you smoothed out the waxy piece of paper into a neat little rectangle, idly admiring the gold foil around the edges.

It wasn’t much longer before Neville and his father returned. Once Frank was situated in bed, Neville returned to his seat by your side, smiling at both you and his mother. However, he froze when he caught sight of the Drooble’s wrapper in your hand.

“Neville? Are you alright?” you asked.

“Is that—? Did she give that to you?” His wide eyes darted back to Alice, whose jaw was working as she chewed on her gum.

“Yes. Was she not supposed to? I can throw it away—”

“No!” Neville’s outburst made you pause from where you’d risen to your feet, and he grimaced at himself, urging you to sit back down with a gentle hand on your arm. “No, no, sorry. It’s fine.”

“Well, if you’re certain.”

“I am.” He hesitates for a moment. “She’s… giving you a gift. It’s all she has to give, really. But it’s for you.”

You looked over at Neville in surprise, emotion suddenly twisting inside your chest. You could see some of it reflected in his face, the crinkle of his eyes, the slope of his mouth. A face you loved so dearly, made of the two people sitting across from you.

You swallowed a bit roughly and held onto the wrapper with care. “Thank you, Mrs. Longbottom.”

Neville pulled you into his side and laid a kiss on your temple.

[xjulixred45x]

OOOOOO, I LOVE YOUR DIABOLIK LOVERS X TWST FIC ONE!, may I request that the cast finally know her past and the time when Yuí get abused? 👉👈

I kinda answer that when i publish the first post about Yui in Twisted Wonderland, but obviously theres would be different reaccions and priorities for the guys.

also, important info, Yui probably wont say it the same way to one of the twst boys the same way she would tell the others (for example, she would´t tell Azul her traumas at the same time and way she would Riddle). All the relationships are diferent in their own ways, so Yui has different times of adjunment and, most important, being vulnerable around her partner.

i think there is some similutes, like in more chill and lay-out bfs like Leona and Idia, Yui would probably comment on somenting that happen in the Sakamaki House in a ligh-hearted way (maybe even JOKING about it bc she dosent know how to process the trauma in other way that is not religion) and the guys are just like "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WOMAN!? WE SHOULD REALLY CALL THE POLICE!" internally in the case of Idia, externally in the case of Leona.

Other cases, like Riddle and Kalim (and to some extend Vil), is more deep in the relationship, probably when Yui tries to explain one of her habits born out of PTSD (things like having a horrible sleep schedule, night terrors, the shivering at loud noises or very sharp objects, the list goes on).

they listen pretty carefully and in complete silence, in case of Riddle he tries to comfort her with phisical affection and ressurance that she never, EVER did something wrong, something to deserve THAT (Poor baby may cry a little at the idea of Yui being in so much pain and fear for so long). Kalim is bauling his eyes out as soon as Yui stops talking and gives the biggest bear hug ever seen, meanwhile freneticly telling her that she is the sweetest, most wonderfull and STRONG person he has know so far.

Vil also comforts pretty much with Phisycal affection and cuddles (and a night of self care of course) but he tends to gravite into the next category.

if we talk about Vil, Azul and Malleus, the most likely es that Yui talks about her past with the Sakajerks very late in the relationship, obs they notice her habits and the worrying sings, but they know Yui is going to talk about it when she feels safe. Besides, they are smart people, they can tell it was something very traumatic, whatever that is, theyre here to help.

As said before, Vil spoils Yui a little before going full ape shit (if there´s a chance of course). Suddenly he is pretty invested in studying the anatomy and mortality of vampires, ways they can die (and make it look as an accident), what kind of poison can be used against them ( he gives Yui a little talisman of this), or just suddenly thinks garlic is very neat.

The overall reaction of the boys is indignation, anger and hate towards those "people" who Hurt Yui in the past. But they know in diferents ways that the priority is making sure Yui is okay, and that she knows that she is safe with them

_________

(ESPAÑOL)

Respondí eso cuando publiqué la primera publicación sobre Yui en Twisted Wonderland, pero obviamente habrá diferentes reacciones y prioridades para los chicos.

Además, información importante: Yui probablemente no se lo diría a uno de los chicos de la misma forma que a los demás (por ejemplo, no le contaría sus traumas a Azul al mismo tiempo y como se lo haría a Riddle) . Cada relación es diferente, así que Yui tiene diferentes momentos de adaptación y, lo más importante, de vulnerabilidad con su pareja.

Creo que hay algunos similares, como en novios más relajados y tranquilos como Leona e Idia , Yui probablemente comentaría algo que sucede en la Casa Sakamaki de una manera alegre (tal vez incluso BROMEANDO al respecto porque no sabe cómo procesar el trauma de otra manera que no sea la religión) y los chicos simplemente dicen "¡¿QUÉ COÑO, MUJER?! ¡DEBERÍAMOS LLAMAR A LA POLICÍA!" internamente en el caso de Idia, externamente en el caso de Leona.

Otros casos, como el de Riddle y Kalim (y en cierta medida el de Vil) , son más profundos en la relación, probablemente cuando Yui intenta explicar uno de sus hábitos nacidos del trastorno de estrés postraumático (cosas como tener un horario de sueño horrible, terrores nocturnos, escalofríos ante ruidos fuertes u objetos muy afilados, la lista continúa).

Escuchan con mucha atención y en completo silencio. En el caso de Riddle, intenta consolarla con cariño físico y asegurarle que ella nunca, JAMÁS hizo algo malo, algo que mereciera ESO (la pobre bebé puede llorar un poco al pensar que Yui haya sufrido tanto y tenido tanto miedo durante tanto tiempo). Kalim llora desconsoladamente en cuanto Yui deja de hablar y le da el abrazo de oso más grande jamás visto, mientras le dice frenéticamente que es la persona más dulce, maravillosa y FUERTE que ha conocido hasta ahora.

Vil también se consuela bastante con afecto físico y abrazos (y una noche de cuidado personal, por supuesto), pero tiende a pasar a la siguiente categoría.

Si hablamos de Vil, Azul y Malleus , lo más probable es que Yui hable de su pasado con los Sakaboludos muy tarde en la relación. Observan sus hábitos y sus gestos preocupantes, pero saben que Yui hablará de ello cuando se sienta segura. Además, son personas inteligentes; se dan cuenta de que fue algo muy traumático. Sea lo que sea, están aquí para ayudar.

Como ya se dijo, Vil mima un poco a Yui antes de volverse completamente mono ( si es que hay alguna posibilidad, claro ). De repente, está muy interesado en estudiar la anatomía y la mortalidad de los vampiros, las formas en que pueden morir ( y hacer que parezca un accidente ), qué tipo de veneno se puede usar contra ellos ( le da a Yui un pequeño talismán para ello ), o simplemente, de repente, piensa que el ajo es genial.

La reacción general de los chicos es de indignación, ira y odio hacia las personas que lastimaron a Yui en el pasado. Pero saben, de distintas maneras, que la prioridad es asegurarse de que Yui esté bien y que ella sepa que está a salvo con ellos.

[fandomrewrites]

Legends Chapter 6: The Unbonded

Hello riders, Sorry for skipping last week, I had a really busy schedule and didn't have much time to work on this chapter. I was going to post yesterday but I currently have the flu and I spent the day sleeping. I'm feeling a bit better today so I had the chance to actually finish writing this chapter but it is unedited so at some point when I'm feeling better I will take another look and actually edit it. I'll be sure to let you all know if anything important changes so you can reread it.

Chapter 16-18 in Fourth Wing Pairings: Xaden x Younger Sister, Liam x Best Friend, Sawyer x Reader Warnings: Swearing, Violence, Death, Smut, Oral F receiving, fingering, unprotected sex, Spoilers from the book series Word Count: 6,927

Legends Masterlist

I have a feeling that when you bond, it's going to be to a powerful dragon. If anyone at this gods forsaken college deserves that power it's you. -Recovered correspondence from Cadet Xaden Riorson to (Y/N) Riorson

I slipped away from the screaming generals a half hour ago, and they still haven't quieted down. I'm leaning against Aether, he may be too small to carry me but he likes being close. When I stepped back in my dragons directions he shuffled close to me until his side was pressed against mine. I couldn't help but smile and scratch under his chin, causing him to say, "See. We're already great together."

"I never doubted you," I nod in the generals direction, "It's them I don't trust."

Now, I stand watching the flight field, scanning to see who bonded which dragons. My dragons have been pretty quiet at the moment, probably letting me get used to the fact I've bonded both of them. They've been quietly chuffing, talking between themselves, Andarna, and Tairn. Violet limps back over, she addresses the four dragons, "You four are causing a ruckus, you know." I stand up straighter as she approaches, making sure to stand closer to Tairn, "They're not going to let us do this."

I turn to look at Nyx, "It's not their decision, Night Orchid." Tairn must answer Violet as well.

A huge black dragon, bigger than Tairn, steps onto the flight field. I tense, "Codagh." I whisper. Codagh is the dragon that killed my father and all the other families of the marked ones. I can't stand him.

Aether nudges me gently, "He can't do anything to you, not here, not right now." I nod, my eyes staying focused on the massive dragon walking towards us. Codagh, Tairn, and Nyx all exchange grumbles. They're talking about me and Violet. "Correct!" Aether cheerfully replies.

"Stay near Violet." Violet? My brows knit together in confusion. "For her not you. I've seen your memories, I know what you're capable of." Nyx says. The dragons empty the field, one after another flying off. Every rider and unbonded cadet are silent as they leave.

When the last dragon flies away, chaos ensues. I move closer to Violet as all the first years pile into the middle of the field, searching for their friends. "Rhi!" Violet calls out, I turn my head, noticing Rhiannon running towards us.

"Violet!" She crashes into her, giving her a tight hug, "(Y/N)!" She turns to me as soon as she lets Violet go, also pulling me in for a hug. "What happened?" She asks, gesturing to Violet's arm.

"Oren's sword," Violet answers.

"Look who rode in on the two baddest motherfuckers around!" Ridoc exclaims, scooping Violet into a hug.

"Put her down!" Rhiannon scolds, "She's bleeding!"

"Oh, sorry." Ridoc replies, placing Violet back on her feet. I shake my head as he scans me, notices I'm uninjured then picks me up in a tight hug. I laugh, hugging him back.

Violet smiles, "Are you guys alright? Who did you bond?"

"The Green Daggertail!" Rhiannon grins, "Feirge. And it was just… easy." She sighs, "I saw her and just knew."

"Huh," I say, "Ours just kinda snuck up on us." I wink at Violet causing her smile to widen.

"Aotrom," Ridoc says, "Brown Swordtail."

"Sliseag!" Sawyer says, slinging his arms around me and Ridoc, "Red Swordtail." We all cheer; we all bonded! Plus we don't have to deal with Tynan anymore, though only Violet and I know that at the moment.

"Trina?" Violet asks.

We watch as each of our friends shake their heads, Sawyer is the one who answers, "I saw her fall from the back of an Orange Clubtail."

"Damn," I mumble. I liked Trina. We weren't close but she was always kind.

"Tynan?" Ridoc asks.

Violet and I exchange a look, "I killed him." I say. Everyone turns to me, but I don't elaborate.

"In her defense," Violet speaks up, "He came after her first and he was trying to-"

She's cut off as Dain approaches, "He tried to what?" Dain pulls Violet into a tight hug. "Damn it, Violet. Just… damn." He pushes her an arms length away, "You're hurt."

"I'm fine," Violet reassures him, "But we're all that's left of our squad's first years."

Dain's eyes glance over the group, stopping for a second on me, "Five out of ten. That's… to be expected. The dragons are currently having a meeting of the Empyrean - their leadership. Stay here until I return," He says to us, then turns to Violet, "You come with me."

I narrow my eyes, watching as they go. Nyx told me to stay with Violet, but I can't exactly tell our squad leader I'm coming with them. Plus he's her best friend, he won't do anything to hurt her. I turn to the rest of my group, "I need to find Liam."

"Dain said to wait here." Sawyer says.

"Since when do I listen to Dain? I'll be back soon." I turn away from my squad, searching the crowd. As I walk through, I keep a hand on one of my daggers, just in case I need it. Blue eyes meet mine, "Liam!" I run forward, throwing my arms around his shoulders. He hugs me back just as tightly.

"I can't believe you bonded the white dragon." He says. He pulls away, looking me over.

"Nyx and I'm okay, are you?" He has a small scratch on his chin, I reach a hand up, running my thumb over it.

"I'm fine." He smiles brightly.

"Who did you bond?"

"Deigh, a Red Daggertail." Liam's hands squeeze my waist, "I knew we'd bond."

I smile, "I was trying not to get my hopes up."

He rolls his eyes, "You're one of the best cadets in our year, and you ended up with one of the strongest dragons. It's fitting."

"Deigh is supposed to be strong, isn't he?" I ask, thinking back on Kaori's lessons.

Liam nods, "He is." He looks at something over my shoulder, "That's not going to be good."

I turn, watching as Xaden and Dain talk, Violet standing beside Dain. I snort, "It's not like they can do anything here. I should get back to my squad though," I turn to give Liam one last hug, "I'll see you later."

"Yeah, be safe." I start to move back towards my squad but catch Garrick's eye instead. I smile, running up towards him.

He wraps me in a tight hug, briefly lifting me off the ground. "Who'd you bond? I just got here."

"Well, I actually bonded two dragons." I respond.

Garrick's eyes widen, "Did you say two?"

I nod, "Violet and I both bonded two dragons. It's why the Empyrean is meeting. She bonded Tairn and the little gold feathertail, Andarna."

"She bonded Tairn? Like huge black morningstartail, Tairn?"

"That's the one." I confirm, Garrick whips his head around, he stops when he sees Xaden with Violet.

Garrick snorts, "Oh, Xaden must be feeling great."

I watch Xaden interact with Violet and Dain, "Why do you say that?"

Garrick turns back to me, a smile on his face, "Sgaeyl and Tairn are mated. He and Sorrengail are going to be bonded for life."

I smile, "Glad I'm not the only one who's noticed the tension between them. Also didn't know Sgaeyl had a mate. I still don't know who my dragon is mated with."

"Your dragon has a mate?"

I nod, "Yeah, she didn't tell me who, said she would later."

"You didn't even tell me who your dragons are yet, maybe I'll know who the mate is."

"I bonded the other feathertail, the silver one. His name is Aether. And my other dragon is Nyx, the white one."

"The white dragon?" Garrick asks, brows raised. I nod, "Shit." He says. He quickly looks back towards Xaden then turns back to me, "Chradh is Nyx's mate."

My eyes widen, "What?"

Garrick nods, "Our dragons are mates. No one knows except for us. Nyx has always been private and they only mated the year before I came here."

"So when you said Chradh was talking about me to the other dragons…" I trail off surprised that Nyx didn't tell me who her mate was considering she knows I'm friends with Garrick.

"He was talking about you to the unbonded dragons, the ones that were already planning on bonding this year, but he was also trying to convince Nyx to bond you. The last he told me, she still wasn't going to bond. I didn't know she ended up choosing you."

"Well, there are worst people to be bonded to for life." I nudge Garrick's shoulder. He cracks a smile, dimple popping. Garrick and I have always been good friends because of Xaden. I trust him with my life, so I'm definitely alright with our dragons being bonded.

He catches my eye, "You need to be careful, the unbonded are going to try and come after you when your bond with Nyx is at its weakest. I don't want anything happening to you."

Garrick's serious, he's almost never serious. "I will be." I nod.

He sighs, "We should tell Xaden about our dragons, it's going to come out now that you've bonded Nyx and he should hear it from us." I nod in agreement, we both start walking towards Xaden, who is now alone with Violet. Xaden catches Garrick's eye, shaking his head. "Never mind. I'll walk you back to your squad, I'll tell Xaden when he's done." He places a hand on my lower back, guiding me back towards the squad.

Dain's eyes meet mine, "I told you to stay together."

I roll my eyes, "I was with the section leader," I gesture towards Garrick on my right, "No need to get your panties in a twist." Dain's jaw clenches but he doesn't reply. Garrick nods at me, smirking, before walking off towards Chradh. I feel a gust of air as Aether and Nyx land behind me. Dain walks off as well, the rest of the squad spreading out to be closer to their dragons.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"Everything is fine," Nyx confirms in her silky voice. I nod, turning to look at the dais where General Melgren steps up.

A hush falls over the crowd as General Melgren uses lesser magic to amplify his voice. "Codagh has relayed that the dragons have spoken regarding the Sorrengail and Riorson girls." I roll my eyes, Gods I really can't stand this man.

"While tradition has shown us that there is one rider for every dragon, there has never been a case of two dragons selecting the same rider, and therefore there is no dragon law against it," He states, "While we riders may not feel as though this is…equitable-" The way he says this implies he's one of them, no surprise there, "dragons make their own laws. Both Tairn and…" He looks over his shoulder and his aide rushes over, whispering in his ear. "Andarna have chosen Violet Sorrengail, and so their choice stands."

"Same goes for Nyx and…" Another brief pause as his aide whispers in his ear, "Aether, who have both chosen to bond (Y/N) Riorson." His voice comes out strained when saying my name, good. Let him be scared of me and the fact that two dragons chose me.

General Melgren steps back as the crowd around me murmurs, General Sorrengail takes his place. "Welcome to a family that knows no boundaries, no limits, and no end." Cheers resound through the field, I smile at the sound. "Riders, step forward."

"About five steps." Nyx says.

I take the five steps forward and wait, "Dragons, it is our honor as always," General Sorrengail calls out, "Now we celebrate!"

Heat blasts me and I feel pain on my sternum and right shoulder causing me to gasp. It's the same pain that happened when my relic from the war appeared. The pain stops just as quickly as it came, "You'll like them, Night Orchid."

I smile, knowing I just got my relics that will allow me to channel from my dragons. "I can't wait to see them."

*_*_*_*_* Xaden

I leave dinner early, heading towards (Y/N)'s assigned room. She's still at dinner but I want to ward it for her. Just as I finish warding the door, it opens. (Y/N)'s eyes meeting mine, "Xade? What are you doing in here?" She asks, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

"Garrick told me about your dragons." I reply, sitting on her bed.

She nods, "He also told me about Sgaeyl and Tairn." There's a small smirk on her face, "How do you feel about that?"

My eyes narrow, "I'm more concerned about you and Garrick being bonded for life."

(Y/N) rolls her eyes, "Garrick and I can handle ourselves."

"That's what I'm worried about."

She lightly laughs, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"People already think you and Garrick are fucking plus he said you were hot which-"

(Y/N) interrupts me, "Wait, wait, wait! Luca was the only one who actually said she thought Garrick and I were fucking and if anyone else thinks so we can't do much to change that. And when did Garrick say I was hot?"

I blink. Fuck, I shouldn't have said that.

Sgaeyl chortles, "Too late, best be honest with her."

"It doesn't matter when he said it. The point is, I don't like the idea of the two of you needing to be around each other for the rest of your lives."

(Y/N) rolls her eyes, "Would you rather it be Aetos?"

"I'd rather you're dragon not be mated."

"By all means, take that up with Nyx."

"I suggest you keep that opinion to yourself unless you want to be scorched." Sgaeyl replies.

"Yeah, no shit." I roll my eyes, "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

"You trust Garrick with your life. Why don't you trust him with mine?" (Y/N) asks.

I sigh, "I do. Of course I do. I just-"

(Y/N) interrupts once more, "You can't protect me forever, Xade. Especially with things that are out of everyone's control. Garrick is your best friend. Someone we both grew up with. There are far worse people that I could be bonded with."

"Yeah, you're right. It just sucks having to rely on someone else to watch out for you, even if that person is my best friend. And now I have Sorrengail to worry about…"

(Y/N) laughs, "Don't act like you're not happy to have an excuse to be around her more."

My eyes narrow, "What the fuck does that mean?"

(Y/N) rolls her eyes, "You're good at hiding your feelings to others but I'm your sister. I know you, and I know you're interested in Violet." She holds her hands up, "No shame in that, Violet's hot. I get it. I think you'd be good together."

My jaw clenches, "I'm not interested in her. But now my life is tied to her. Just like Garrick's is to you."

"(Y/N) is very observant. And you, my rider, are in denial." Sgaeyl says.

"Sure, whatever you say." (Y/N) replies, a smirk on her face. Before I can reply, someone knocks on (Y/N)'s door.

(Y/N) turns to answer it, Sawyer is on the other side, "Sorry, am I interrupting?" He asks, noticing me. "I can come back later."

"No," I stand up, "I was just leaving." I step past (Y/N), entering the hallway, I turn back to look at her, "You'll need to pull him through. I warded your door so only we can enter."

She nods, watching as I leave her. "I know you're worried about her, but your sister can handle herself. She's strong, if your memories are anything to go by." Sgaeyl reassures.

"I know. But she's still my sister, so I'm still going to worry."

*_*_*_*_* (Y/N)

I watch as Xaden leaves, then turn to look at Sawyer once Xaden is further down the hall. "What did you need?" I ask, smiling at him.

Sawyer lifts a hand, rubbing the back of his neck, "I was thinking we could celebrate, if you're up for it."

My smile widens, "Well, I won't say no to that." I grab his hand, pulling him through my door, then close it once he's inside.

I kiss Sawyer gently as his arms wrap around my waist, "Where's your relics?" He asks against my lips.

I pull back slightly, "Shoulder and sternum, I haven't gotten the chance to look at them yet."

He smirks, "Then let's look." He pulls my tunic over my head, tossing it to the floor. There's a small silver dragon on my right shoulder, one of its wings wrap around my back and the other goes over my collarbone, almost like Aether is giving me a hug. "Its beautiful."

I nod, "Yeah, it is." I look down, my bra is obstructing the view of the relic of Nyx. I reach down pulling it off then step in front of the mirror by my armoire. This relic is bigger then the one of Aether. Nyx's head is between my breasts, her wings are out like she's flying. They wrap around my ribs, underneath my boobs. Her tail curls towards my right hip. "Wow."

"I told you you would like them, Night Orchid." Nyx says through our bond.

"I never doubted you."

Sawyer is looking at me through the mirror, "I never thought you could get more beautiful."

I roll my eyes but my smile stretches across my face, "Where's your relic?" He pulls his shirt over his head then turns around, there's a red dragon covering the upper half of his back. I reach a hand up, gently tracing over the relic, "It's beautiful."

There's a moment of quiet before Sawyer replies, "Sliseag agrees." He turns back around to face me, my fingers falling back to my side.

Sawyer and I look in each others eyes, his arms wrapping around me once more. "Just kiss him already." Nyx says. I smirk at her words but do as she says. Our lips move in sync as I gently push him backwards towards my bed.

His knees hit my bed, causing him to sit. I straddle his hips, lips still locked on his. Sawyer flips me around so I'm laying on my back, legs on either side of him. He pulls his lips away from me, gently kissing my jaw and neck. He trails a line of kisses to my chest sucking my right nipple into his mouth. His hand reaches up to knead at my left breast.

One of my hands cradle the back of his head, lightly tugging at his hair. There's a wet popping noise as he pulls off my nipple, moving to the other side. "Sawyer," I whine, wiggling underneath him.

"Relax, beautiful. I got you." Sawyer whispers, kissing further down my body. He reaches my pants, tugging them down my legs along with my underwear. His fingers gently rub at my hips and thighs before he settles between my legs.

I look down, my onyx eyes meeting his brown ones. He smirks at me before he licks a thick strip up my pussy. I gasp, watching as he attaches his lips to my clit. One of his fingers prod at my entrance, slowly pushing into my cunt. He sucks harshly as his finger moves. "More." I gasp.

Sawyer complies, adding another finger. His fingers touch the spongy sensitive spot at my core making me throw my head back, "Gonna cum." I mumble.

I feel him smirk against me, "Cum, beautiful." His words push me over the edge. Sawyer helps me ride out my high before moving back up my body to attach his lips to me. I taste myself on his lips. My hands reach for his pants, tugging them off to release him. "You ready?" He asks. I nod, eager for more.

He grips the base of his cock, lining himself up with my entrance. He slowly pushes in, gasping against my neck at the feeling. "Gods…" I trail off.

"Don't think I can ever get enough of you." He whispers, he licks and sucks at my neck as I adjust to his size.

"Move, please." I gasp, my hips buck up, causing Sawyer to moan. He starts a slow steady pace. My nails scrape at his back as he leaves sloppy kisses over my chest and neck. "Faster."

Sawyer moves quicker and harder, one of his hands trace my body before finding my clit. He rubs the swollen bud in harsh circles, making me come closer to my orgasm. "Come on, beautiful. Let go." My pussy clenches around Sawyer's cock as I cum. A few seconds later Sawyer cums as well. I run my fingers through his hair as we take a moment to catch our breath. He pulls out, laying beside me.

"I would usually be up for another round or two, but I'm exhausted after today." I say, looking at Sawyer.

He chuckles, "That's alright. I am too. We'll just have to continue celebrating before breakfast."

*_*_*_*_*

Early the next morning Sawyer and I did in fact go for another couple of rounds before he slipped out my room, heading back to his own. A few minutes later I stepped out my door, about to go for my morning run. "Did I see Sawyer leave your room?" Dain asks, he's leaning against the wall opposite my door.

"Maybe." I smile at him, "Now are you going to ask about my sex life or are we going to run?"

Dain's jaw clenches, but he doesn't reply. Instead he turns, starting to walk down the hall towards our normal running path. Dain is suspiciously quiet throughout the run, that is until we come towards the end, heading back towards the college. "So… two dragons? How are you feeling?"

I shrug, "Good. Nyx and Aether chose me for a reason. I have faith in them."

"As you should, Night Orchid." Nyx replies.

"We'll never lead you wrong." Aether adds on.

"I know you guys won't. I trust you." I say back. "Violet also bonded two dragons. So I'm not alone in this."

"I know. For her sake, I wish they only allowed one to bond. She could had chosen Andarna." Dain says.

My eyes narrow, "Violet is capable of more than you give her credit for. Tairn wouldn't have chosen her if he thought she was weak."

Dain doesn't reply as we make it back towards the barracks. Breakfast is still going on, so I quickly separate from the squad leader, making my way towards the dining hall. As I approach my squad with my breakfast I hear a first year from first wing say, "Hey Sorrengail." She walks past the table, seeing me then tightly smiles, "Hi Riorson."

I narrow my eyes, nodding in acknowledgment. "She hasn't spoken a word to me since I took one of her daggers in that challenge." Violet says as I sit next to Ridoc.

"It's because you bonded Tairn." Imogen says, blowing her pink hair out of her face and sitting on my other side, across from Violet. "The morning after Threshing is always a clusterfuck. Power balance shifts, and you, little Sorrengail, are now about to be the most powerful rider in the quadrant. Anyone with common sense is going to be scared of you."

I smile at Imogen as she bumps her shoulder on mine. "Which is why you're now sitting with us?" Rhiannon asks, arching an eyebrow. "Because I can count on one hand the number of nice things you've said to any of us, minus (Y/N) of course." She holds up a closed fist.

Quinn joins the group, sitting on Imogen's other side. She brushes her bangs out of her eyes, and smiles at Gen's whispered words. Then Imogen replies to Rhiannon, "You weren't interesting enough to sit with before."

"I'm offended." I mumble, biting into a sausage. Gen smirks at me.

"I usually sit with my girlfriend in Claw Section. Besides, no use getting to know you when most of you die," Quinn adds, she tucks her blonde curls behind her ear again, "No offense."

I snort as Violet replies, "None taken?"

Heaton and Emery, the two third years in the squad, join our table. "I thought Seifert would make it." Heaton says. "Other than losing to Sorrengail, he nailed every challenge."

"He tried to kill Andarna and Aether." Violet says, biting into her apple. "I don't know how he died though, we left him alive."

I shrug, "Maybe another cadet came across him, or he woke up and he tried to approach the wrong dragon."

I hear Nyx chortle, "Lying to your friend, Night Orchid?"

"She doesn't need to know everything." I argue.

"Barlowe bonded though?" Ridoc questions, "Though from what I hear, his Orange Scorpiantail is on the smaller side."

"She is," Quinn confirms, "Which is why he's struggling this morning."

We turn our heads to see Jack being pushed to the side by other first years, "Don't worry - I'm sure he'll make up for his lack of social standing in other ways," Rhi mutters, eyeing Violet's tray, "You have to have some protein, Vi. You can't survive on fruit."

"It's the only food I can be sure isn't tampered with," Violet replies.

"Oh for fuck's sake," Imogen scrapes three pieces of sausage off her plate and onto Violet's, "She's right. You're going to need all your strength to ride, especially a dragon as big as Tairn."

I nod in agreement, "Mm, exactly. Diet is important when you're flying."

Imogen and Violet stare at each other for a moment, Violet finally looks down at her tray, breaking off a piece of the sausage and eating it. "What's your signet?" Rhi asks Emery.

Air rushes down the center of the table, rattling the glasses. Air manipulation, same as Garrick. "That's epic." Ridoc says, "How much air can you move?"

"None of your business." Emery replies.

"Sorrengail," Imogen calls, grabbing my attention, "After classes let out today, you're mine."

Violet swallows her food, "I'm sorry?"

"Meet me in the sparring gym."

"I'm already working with her on sparring-" Rhiannon starts.

"Good. We can't afford her to lose any challenges," Imogen cuts her off, "But I'm going to help you with weights. We need to strengthen the muscles around your joints before challenges resume. That's the only way you'll survive."

"And since when do you care about my survival?" Violet asks, eyes narrowed. I bite my lip, all the marked ones are worried about her connection with Xaden. If Violet dies, there's a good chance he will too. I know Violet is stronger than a lot of people give her credit for, but she's definitely not indestructible. Far from it.

"Since now," Gen replies. "Squads are about to be condensed at morning formation. We'll be down to two in every section, " She continues, "Aetos kept the highest number of his first years alive - hence the patch - so he'll be allowed to retain his squad, but we'll probably gain a few when they strip the other squads from those who weren't as successful."

*_*_*_*_*

A few hours later, death roll has been read and our squads rearranged. The bonded first years stand on the flight field in our newly issued flight leathers. We each stand in front of our dragons, Nyx stands directly behind me, the other dragons and cadets give a wide berth around her. Aether stands to Nyx's right, under her wing.

I look towards Violet who stands under Tairn, everyone gives them a wide berth as well. "Andarna isn't here?" I ask.

"No need for her to be here when she can't carry Violet." Nyx replies.

I turn to look at Aether, "But Aether is here?"

"I insisted. I like being close to you." Aether answers.

"Stubborn child." Nyx mutters.

I giggle, "I like being close to you too, Aether."

I turn my attention back towards Kaori, "… And at only ninety-two riders, you are our smallest class to date." He pauses, "There are forty-one unbonded riders who would kill to be standing where you are," Kaori continues, "And your dragons know that your bond is at its weakest point right now, so if you fall, if you fail, there's a good chance your dragon might let you if it thinks the unbonded will be a better choice."

I roll my eyes, if one of the other cadets is a better choice, why not choose them first? "Some dragons don't make smart decisions, Night Orchid." Nyx says to me.

"Now we're going to mount, then follow a series of specific maneuvers your dragons already know. Your orders are simple today. Stay in your seat," Kaori finishes. He turns sprinting towards his dragon, climbing it's foreleg to mount.

I smile, turning to sprint up Nyx's leg. Once we're all seated, Kaori's dragon launches into the air. Tairn is off first, following closely behind is Nyx. Aether doesn't launch but instead stays on the ground, watching the class. "Aether isn't going to follow?"

"He won't be able to keep up. It's better for him to stay on the ground." Nyx replies.

"I'm fine down here, (Y/N). I know my abilities. I just wanted to see you." Aether says. Gods he's the cutest. Nyx huffs. Kaori and his dragon banks right, we follow him into a steep dive. My legs tighten around Nyx, keeping me seated.

A few seconds pass before I see Violet fall off of Tairn. I suck in a breath, "She'll be fine." Nyx says as Tairn flies after her, catching her between his front claws. He tosses her up into the air, catching her on her back.

"She was doing fine?" I ask, confused.

"Tairn was holding her, like this." Nyx uses magic to hold me in place before releasing me again. "Her mind is strong, but physically she isn't capable of holding on."

"Makes sense, though I wish I didn't have to see it."

"No worries. We're in front now, Night Orchid." Violet falling made Tairn and her lose their place, making Nyx fill the gap, flying directly behind Kaori and his dragon.

*_*_*_*_*

Later that night, I meet with Liam. We're in his room, I'm curled up in his bed with a book while he sits at his desk carving a piece of wood. "Where's your relics?" He asks. I sit up, placing my book to the side, then pulling my shirt over my head to show him.

His eyes widen slightly as he watches. "Pretty right?" I ask. The relic of Nyx is slightly hidden behind my bra but he can still see most of it.

"Very." Liam mutters, eyeing me. His gaze snaps to the one of Aether. Trying not too look at me inappropriately.

I smile at his actions, "Ever the gentleman."

Nyx snorts, "I believe there's a saying, 'you have him wrapped around your finger.'"

"Don't I know it." I pull my shirt back over my head, "Where's yours?" I ask. Liam pulls his shirt off, his relic is on his right shoulder blade, one of the wings wrapping around his arm, and the daggertail curving down Liam's side. I tilt my head getting a better look, "It looks awesome."

Liam smiles, "Yeah, pretty badass if I say so myself."

"Oh, absolutely." I smirk. He pulls his shirt back over his head, then picks up the block of wood and his knife once more. "What are you working on this time?"

"Deigh." Liam replies, he pauses briefly, "I want to do Nyx and Aether as well."

"I'd love that!" My smile widens. I turn back to my book, it's a mystery, my favorite genre. I always like trying to guess what's going to happen. There's a sudden rush of energy. I shake my head, trying to get the feeling to stop. After a quick moment it goes away but there's a tingling feeling left behind.

Liam eyes me in concern, noticing my odd behavior, "Did you just start channeling?" I ask Nyx.

"I did, Night Orchid." Nyx replies.

My eyes widen, "This soon?"

"You can handle it. I wouldn't have started channeling if I had any doubts."

"Well I do trust you." I mumble aloud, Liam's brows knit in confusion, "Nyx just started channeling to me." I answer his unasked question.

He nods in understanding, "Seems like she has a lot of faith in you."

"She does. And I put the same amount of faith in her."

He takes a second, working on his carving of Deigh before replying, "I heard Nyx and Chradh are mates."

I nod, "They are. Don't be weird about it. I already had to have a conversation with Xaden."

Liam laughs, "I'm not going to be weird, just curious how you feel."

I shrug, "Like I told Xaden and Garrick, there are far worse people I could be bonded for life too. I trust Garrick with me life. That's good enough for me."

"True. You could be bonded with literally any of the first years or older cadets that hate marked ones."

"And wouldn't that have been lovely." I say sarcastically.

"Just the best." Liam replies, a smirk on his face.

*_*_*_*_*

The next day at lunch, we sit as a squad once more, with the exception of the new cadets added to the squad who sit a table away. Violet joins us a little later, her new archives duty taking up her time. "It was the coolest thing ever!" Ridoc exclaims, continuing the story, "One second he was sparring against that third year with the wicked broadsword skills, and then Sawyer-"

Rhiannon interrupts, "You could let him tell the story."

"No thank you," Sawyer replies, shaking his head. He stares at his fork in fear.

Ridoc grins, continuing where he left off, "And then the sword just twists in Sawyer's hand, curving toward the third year even though Sawyer was way off the mark," He grimaces in Sawyer's direction, "Sorry, man, but you were. If the sword hadn't decided to warp and go straight for that guys arm-"

"You're a metallurgist-" Quinn says, stopping Ridoc from his rambles. "Really?"

Sawyer nods, "That's what Carr says. Aetos dragged me straight to the professor when he saw it happen."

"I'm so jealous!" Ridoc grabs his chest, "I want my signet power to manifest!"

"You wouldn't be so excited if it meant you weren't sure if your fork would stab into the roof of your mouth because you can't control it yet." Sawyer says, shoving his tray away from him.

"Good point." Ridoc replies, looking down at his own tray.

"You'll manifest when your dragon is ready to trust you with all that power," Quinn says, then finishes off her water, "Just hope your dragons trust you before about six months and-" She makes an explosion sound and mimics it with her hands.

I narrow my eyes, as Imogen scolds her best friend, "Stop scaring the children. That hasn't happened in…" She pauses thinking, "decades." We all stare at her, she rolls her eyes, "Look, the relic your dragons transferred onto you at Threshing is the conduit to let all that magic into your body. If you don't manifest a signet and let it out, then after a bunch of months, bad things happen."

"What a way to go." I mumble, taking a sip of my water.

"The magic consumes you," Quinn says, making the explosion sound again.

"Relax," Gen says, "It's not like a hard deadline or something. It's just an average."

"Fuck me," Ridoc shakes his head, "It's always something around here."

"Feeling a little luckier now," Sawyer states, staring at his fork.

"We'll get you some wooden utensils," Violet says, "And you should probably avoid the armory of sparring with… anything."

Sawyer scoffs, "That's the truth. At least I'll be safe during flight this afternoon."

Rhiannon sighs, "I like it better when we have it in the morning. It's way worse after we've eaten breakfast and lunch."

"Agreed." Violet says between mouthfuls.

I shrug, "I don't mind either way. Flying is thrilling."

"Again, you're not human." Rhi says, a small smirk on her face.

"Finish the turkey." Imogen orders, "I'll see you tonight." She and Quinn stand up, clearing their trays.

"Is she any nicer when she's training you?" Rhiannon asks, she turns to look at me, "You don't get an opinion, she's always nice to you."

I laugh, then turn to Violet who answers, "No, but she is efficient." She finishes the turkey, then we begin to clear out the room with everyone else. "What's Professor Carr like?" She asks Sawyer and me.

"Fucking terrifying." Sawyer answers. "I can't wait for the entire year to start wielding lessons so everyone can enjoy his particular brand of instruction."

"He's kind of an asshole. Definitely my least favorite professor." I add.

We walk into the courtyard, the November air chilly. "I knew it would work!" Jack exclaims, he drags a girl from his squad under his arm.

"Isn't that Caroline Ashton?" Rhiannon asks.

"Yeah." Ridoc tenses. "She bonded Gleann this morning."

"His rider died on our first flight lesson." Violet replies.

"So I guess the unbonded still have that shot they're looking for." Rhiannon mutters.

"Yeah," Sawyer nods, "They do."

*_*_*_*_*

After flight lessons, we head back up to the academic building. We move slowly, waiting for Violet to catch up after her talk with Dain. Xaden and Garrick are leaned up against the wall, "Be right back." I say to the squad, then without waiting for a reply I move towards my brother and his best friend. "Boys," I greet, smiling brightly.

"Hi, Smiley." Garrick says pulling me in for a hug.

Xaden glares, pulling me away from Garrick, "Hey," He replies, pulling me into his side. Garrick chuckles, holding his hands out in surrender. I shake my head then see Xaden raise an eyebrow, I turn noticing he's looking at Violet who is currently flipping him off.

I laugh, though it's cut off short as a first year screams in pain, "Make it stop!" He's holding his head, "For gods sake, make it stop!"

Xaden steps forward, placing himself in front of me and moving towards Violet's side. Garrick stays beside me, a hand on my wrist. "Jeremiah!" Someone from his squad calls out.

"You!" Jeremiah spins, pointing at a third year, "You think I've lost it." He tilts his head, "How does he know? He shouldn't know!" His tone shifts, like he's speaking someone else's words.

"Oh gods." I mumble. He's an inntinnsic.

"And you!" He spins again, pointing at a second year, "What the hell is wrong with him? Why is he screaming?" He turns again, focusing on Dain, "Is Violet going to hate me forever? Why can't she see that I just want to her alive? How is he…? He's reading my thoughts!"

If this was any other situation I would had laughed at Dain's thoughts. Ridoc stumbles backwards from Violet's other side. "Make it stop!" Jeremiah calls out again, he draws his sword. "Can't any of you see? The thoughts won't stop!"

"Do something," I hear Violet beg Xaden.

"Start mentally reciting whatever bookish shit you've learned." Xaden orders her.

My mind goes blank, I know bookish shit as well but not like Violet, I can't just pull that shit out of my ass when I'm panicking. But singing always calmed me down. So instead of thinking of academics, I think of songs.

I hum to myself, "Long live the reckless and the brave I… don't think I wanna be saved my… song has not been sung… so long live us."

Jeremiah turns towards Garrick, cutting off my thoughts, "And you! Damn it all to hell. He'll know about-" The shadows around Jeremiah's feet curl over his body, stopping on his mouth and preventing him from saying more.

Professor Carr pushes his way through the growing crowd and someone calls out, "He's an inntinnsic!"

Carr grabs Jeremiah's head with both hands and twists, breaking his neck. He bends down scooping up Jeremiah's body and turns out of the courtyard. Xaden and Garrick walk away, nodding at me before they go. "Maybe I don't want a signet power after all," Ridoc murmurs.

"That death is merciful compared to what will happen if you don't manifest one." Dain says.

"And that," Sawyer says, "Is Professor Carr."

*_*_*_*_*

I'm in a dreamless sleep, that is until I start hearing a voice. "Wake up!" It calls, loud in my head. "Wake up!" What is Aether doing? It can't be time to get up yet.

"Now, Night Orchid! Wake up!" Nyx adds.

Then together they both yell, "WAKE UP!"

I jolt awake, springing out of my bed, "What's wrong?" I question, looking around my room for a threat.

"It's Violet, she's under attack! Go to her!" Nyx instructs.

I'm in a night dress but when I hear Violet is in danger that thought leaves my mind. I grab a dagger and a sword and rush to Violet's room, two doors down. I burst through her door, there are six unbonded cadets in the room.

"Attacking a cadet in their sleep is against the codex!" I scold, lunging for the cadet closest to me. I kick her away, she lands on Violet's bed. I block a strike from another first year as Violet fights against the others.

The first girl I attacked is back up, I aim my sword for her throat, she's too slow to block the strike. She crumples to the ground, reaching for her neck. I take a brief glance at Violet to see she's pinned under one of the cadet's arms. I aim my dagger…

Taglist: @desprrssooo-espresssooooo @galaxystern08

[sophieinwonderland]

Conservative Twitter has actually convinced me that James Comey is a genius who is playing the Trump regime like a fiddle!

Over the past few days, I have been scrolling through Twitter and while most of the conspiracy theories about the 8647 posts are out there, there were some things that were actually true.

One of which is that James Comey has a book coming out right now. His book, FDR Drive, just released today on May 20th. Just a few days after his infamous 8647 post.

And looking into this, everything seems to have been strategically planned to get his name everywhere through the Streisand Effect.

Comey probably learned from history: this happened in 2020

This was one thing that I didn't know about before. But apparently there was an incident during the 2020 election when Governor and Gretchen Whitmer did an interview with a pin that read 8645 in the background.

Back during that election, Trump's camp apparently weren't committed to completely redefine the word, only arguing that it could be used to call to kill someone. This time around, they have gotten more brazen with their redefinition of words.

Repeating what I've said before, 86 means to remove or get rid of something. While there are rare cases of it being used as a euphemism for killing, mostly in fiction, that's no different from how just saying to get rid of someone can be used as a euphemism.

But there's a very good chance that Comey knew about this incident.

Now, I should note that James Comey denies knowing that this was a possible interpretation at all. He maintains that he just happened across these seashells that spelled 8647 and his wife worked in the serving industry where it was used as a term to get rid of food and they both discussed it and he thought it was clever and took a picture.

It's a perfectly adequate explanation that I am certain he and his wife will both stick to. And it's very convenient that he had a witness to support his story who has spousal privilege and cannot be forced to testify against him.

And I'm sure it's just a complete coincidence that this was posted 8647 days after 9/11.

Yeah, that seems to be correct! The seashell post, was made on May 15th, exactly 8647 days after 9/11

This is either the biggest coincidence in history, or it was premeditated to make the conspiracy nuts go wild.

Because they are going really wild over this. I've seen them claiming that because of the date, not only was he calling for an assassination, he was actually calling for a terrorist attack like 9/11.

The date has only added fuel to the fire.

And it has helped get his name out there. Nobody was talking about James Comey 6 days ago. Now everybody is talking about him and is repeating the numbers 8647 everywhere!

And now his book is releasing!

If this wasn't intentional, it is the greatest stroke of marketing luck to ever befall someone releasing a novel.

Here's what I think

James Comey knew about the incident in 2020. He knew exactly how the Trump regime would react to his seashell post because they had done it before. He knew that they would be enraged and put his name in the media again.

He scheduled his book release for 8,652 days after 9/11, with the intent of posting that image 8647 days after 9/11.

He was aware this would be protected speech.

But just to be safe, he built in plausible deniability to the story. He wasn't writing the numbers himself, he just found these seashells on the beach somebody else arranged. His wife was there and she could back up his story if it was necessary. He totally had no knowledge of what the numbers meant.

He couldn't be certain if Trump would respond immediately, so scheduling the book for 5 days later gave plenty of time for Trump to catch wind of it.

I'm willing to bet that he also has conservative media contacts who would get the story into the news, and possibly even contacts in the Trump administration who would make sure that Trump himself saw the story.

I doubt that he actually expected Trump to send the secret service after him, but I imagine he's glad that Trump did because it propelled the story even further.

Now James Comey is doing interviews because of the incident, giving him a chance to further promote his new book as it's released.

If this is the case, the level of planning is absolutely genius and I am absolutely here for it!

Is there actually anything Trump can do about it?

So let's deal with this. James Comey is being investigated by the secret service.

Despite this, the United States still has freedom of speech and Trump hasn't become a true dictator yet. This means that there is an incredibly high bar to actually prove Comey committed a crime.

They would first need to prove that Comey himself arranged the seashells. This is going to be nearly impossible because he has one witness who is backing his story, and nobody else was there to contradict it.

After that, they would need to prove that there was an actual intent of encouraging assassination with this post. Because again, 86 has a lot of meanings and killing isn't actually a common one. Even if Comey was trolling and posted this because he knew how Trump would interpret it, I don't think that would necessarily mean that he intended it to mean "kill Trump" to his followers or believed anybody but Trump would take it to mean that.

Conservatives have been claiming that this is a threat, but even saying "kill Trump" probably wouldn't constitute a threat. It might be considered inciting violence, but typically inciting violence means that you are intentionally inciting an imminent crime.

I am not sure that making vague posts would clear that bar.

There is just no way that this gets a conviction from a jury

So most likely, this investigation will go nowhere. There will be no trial. And if there is a trial, Comey will win easily because it's protected speech.

And if it goes to trial, Comey can probably get out on bail and stretch the trial out and continue writing and publishing fiction books, making sure they get the same publicity. He might even be able to reach out for movie deals if he keeps his name in the media enough.

The harder Trump and his regime try to go after James Comey, the more he will be able to profit from it.

And if this is a marketing strategy, it's kind of working on me...

We didn't even know that the former FBI director was making fiction. Now that we do, I have to say I'm intrigued.

So many stories out there are written by people without life experience to back it up. Which is fine, because stories are driven by imagination. But I am curious about the authenticity that a former FBI director could bring to a crime story.

And I just take great pleasure in watching somebody perfectly manipulate Donald Trump and his MAGAts to profit off of their predictable overreactions!

8647!

[vitaminseetarot]

Strawberry Full Moon Zodiac Reading 🍓🌕🌺

*･ﾟ✧Masterlist | *･ﾟ✧Ko-Fi

Hey y'all, I'm back with another reading! This time, I'm going to be looking into collective readings for the four elemental groups of the zodiac over this full moon period.

I am still in progress with the Nostalgia Pick a Card series as I've been enjoying it a lot, but I've also wanted to start another series that involves more general collective readings outside of pacs. It's not just about doing fresh new stuff on my blog, it's also because I've started a new job and have just now managed to find a schedule that actually works, cause for the last two weeks training has had me running ragged! I want to make sure that in between work I'm still posting stuff regularly, even when it's not always the long form content.

This post will cover the next two weeks after this Strawberry Full Moon, so please enjoy this zodiac reading however you like, whether you're reading for your Sun, Moon, or Rising signs. You can use whatever sign and chart system you prefer, but my background with astrology is mainly tropical placidus for anyone curious.

Fire Signs - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius 🔥 Earth Signs - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn 🌸 Air Signs - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius 💨 Water Signs - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces 💧

Fire Signs - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius 🔥

Fire:Ancestor:Star, Conjunction - Alliance, 10 of Wands, 4 of Swords; Algol - Defense and Alliance; "I am a compassionate and understanding being."

Hey fire signs! The word "alliance" has shown up twice in your reading, and it's not really a common word to get twice! This reading will likely be more spiritual than the other piles because I'm feeling so much activity from the other side. This could be your actual ancestors reaching out to you, or it could be spirit guides or deities you work with. Externally, this could be a large group or community of people you network with. Either way, you will be working closely with this group over this next fortnight.

This could be a group you already have been working with for quite some time, as the 10 of Wands represents a completion of spending energy. From the looks of it, you've spent all that you could to make everything function. The overwhelming advice here is to rest, rest, rest, fire signs! You have a lot of energy to make dreams a reality but your gas tank doesn't run on infinite mileage. There could be two factions here: one group that is sucking away at your reserves, and another group that wants to help you get better. It could be your spirit guides chiming in to remind you to remember yourself in between the commotion of the collective ocean. It's important to lean on the side of those who wish you wellness at this time.

"Algol" means "pain", and where the suffix -algia, "pain condition", originates. If you're not careful with your body and vitality, it could run up some kind of deficit in the coming weeks. Make sure to take time out to rest, specifically away from whatever group or network is creating this stress and sleep debt. I get that you have the power to walk away from this if you wanted to, so that this may be something you deeply care about and feel protective over. But it's okay to take a step back and feel right in your own self before helping out the rest for once. You cannot do the flapping for them, fire signs. I feel the need to reiterate again and again that you are fiery, and that taking time off will not extinguish the flame but make it burn stronger. Your care for your community is laudable, and this full moon period will give you the chance to lend that same warmth inwards.

"Protect yourself from those who do not wish you well, yet offer your help to those who most need it."

Earth Signs - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn 🌸

Land:Flower:Star, 3rd House - Communication, Ace of Swords, 3 of Cups; Aldirah - Glorification and Invocation; "I deeply and completely love and accept myself."

How's it going, earth signs? This is going to be a rather social time for you, even if you're the type to want to cozy up at home. I hear you'll be "blossoming" or opening up to others in a way you may not be used to. I'm also feeling a bit of blushing in the cheeks… the good kind of blushing! It seems some of you who have graduated or just got out of school have been feeling the extra attention and eyes on you and your progress. You could be trying out a new look that gets a lot of comments, like new nails or clothing style.

Maybe you're not used to the commentary or the events going on, maybe you're not used to feeling the validation of quiet hard work being completed. But I get that others are praising you for how you are growing and changing. If it's not school, people are noticing you glowing up overall and it's giving off the energy of openness. Your energy is having a charm effect on people, earth signs, so let yourselves loose and enjoy the company. It's not always about doing the next thing. Even Tauruses need this reminder about the power of inertia: if it's hard to start, it can equally be hard to stop. So let yourself stop and smell the flowers of your own achievements. Put your graduation bouquet in a nice vase and put it on display, try out that new shirt at the party.

This full moon period could grant you some insights into what it means to receive love and the sense of reward for doing good. No matter what the results were, there's an energy here that wants to warmly allow you to indulge in being congratulated. You may gather some small revelations over the power of being able to receive a genuine compliment from people, even strangers. Even if you believe you could have done more, or did better, you're realizing that validating the good vibes that others give you creates positive feedback. People like it when you thank them for admiring you, people want more heart-centered relationships and interactions. It's just that many of us get awkward and close up and create false impressions. But deep down humans enjoy being recognized, and embracing that in yourself with self-love will extend to your social circle in ripples.

"Success is determined by your mindset, treat your journey with patience."

Air Signs - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius 💨

Sky:Snow:Star, Capricorn - Achieve, Queen of Cups, 8 of Pentacles; Alichil - Guardianship and Protection; "I am grounded, grateful, and feel protected in this world."

Hi, air signs! It looks like you'll be very work and career focused over the next two weeks. Your elemental energy card looks like a threshold to a dreamier world, and it feels like your ambitions are tied with your soul and emotions like you're working on something you deeply care about. This is going to be a positive time for you if you were looking to get more productive, as the Queen of Cups softens the perfectionistic tendencies of the 8 of Pentacles. This is a sustainable kind of energy, not the kind that blasts rapid fire through projects, but steadily carves and polishes an image away as it was meant to be finished.

Some of you may have been a little worried regarding a security of some kind. I'm seeing interviews a lot here, as the portal signifies stepping into something new. So you may be spending some time wondering if you got the position or scholarship. My grandmother is Capricorn and often would tell me "if you've done all you can do, then stop thinking about it." In other words, anxiety can only get you so far, air signs. There is no need to fret over how things are going to go if you have already completed your tasks. There's an earthy energy here to let you land on your feet and perch for a change, to feel stillness and peace in the midst of all this striving and conquering.

The Queen of Cups reminds us that even when we're working hard, taking a moment to sip water can be like a break in itself. The tiniest things you do for self-care's sake will not go in vain in helping you reach the next pinnacle. It might not get you there faster, but there's something to take from the tortoise's race here. Affirm to yourself that what is truly meant for you will work out for you. The word "protection" shows up twice in your reading to clarify that your intentions are protected at this time. This full moon period will allow the right things to fall into place without the need to move harder and do overtime in order to fulfill them. You don't need to exert so much to prove to your guides that you're worthy for the next adventure. The mountain waits behind the queen for whenever she's ready to make her dreams real.

"Do not fear to lose what you already have, your heart is a guardian, and your soul the brightest star."

Water Signs - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces 💧

Water:River:Earth, Libra - Balance, 2 of Wands, 9 of Cups; Algebha - Strength and Benevolence; "Love is my guiding truth and I follow it."

Hello there water signs. Over this full moon you will be encountering a win-win situation in your life. Something that was previously serving as a blockage will now pass through and the result will almost be better than if that influence wasn't there. It's like if you couldn't find the dress you were looking for at the boutique, but you found something that looked and fit even better, so you end up happier for it. The outcome is worth the steps it took to get there as whatever is manifested will balance any given area of your life. If something has felt off kilter in your life, some of it should straighten out over the coming weeks.

Collaboration plays a big role in your reading, with the two streams of water wrapping around the tree. There could be someone in your life facilitating you in whatever you're figuring out. They will be supportive and encouraging, and they will listen to your concerns with interest. If you have some kind of scheduling conflict, for example, whoever this is (like a manager, for example) will help work with you to make a good compromise in your schedule. If you need help with carpool, there may be someone who will coordinate with you to find a fair solution.

The important thing is that you are listening to your own inner truth in asking for what you want. Others may not know exactly what you need, so it's important to voice out your struggles when they arise. You will find that more people are happy to help you than you may think. I feel a self-denying energy in this pile, as I got caught in multiple distractions before doing your reading and when I uploaded your picture, it came out blurrier than the others at first. It's like you're saying "I'm fine, I'll figure it out on my own," when there is support here for you, including support from spirit guides. When you're honest about what you need, then other people can meet you halfway. Remember that with many great things, it takes two, and spirit wants you to recognize your inner truth and the sacred boundaries you create to honor that truth. Boundaries are to be expressed, not hidden. So don't be afraid to ask for support as things will likely turn out for the better when you accept and empower yourself through teamwork.

"Speak your truth and unleash your soul, listen to the roar of your own heart."

This reading has not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or infection. Please ask your physician before going online.

2025, @VitaminseeTarot ™

[watchthisqqq]

The Eighth Sense Meta/Analysis Masterpost

More details here

@aliceisathome

The Eighth Sense DELIVERED baby.

@bengiyo

I’ve been thinking about The Eighth Sense almost nonstop since I finally watched the first two episodes yesterday.

@candygalaxyyy

It’s 4 AM for me rn, I should probably go to bed because my sleeping schedule is a mess… but I’m dead set on understanding the timeline for the eighth sense.

@colourme-feral

Just thinking about how friendships are portrayed in The Eighth Sense and how you often stumble into a friendship with no idea about how it will end up being.

@chicademartinica

A little post for @cupcakeeditor and the anon who asked me to elaborate on fatphobia, body dysmorphia and ED in The Eighth Sense

@dekaydk

The Eighth Sense

@eighthsensed

some thoughts on jaewon's therapy scenes

@emotionallychargedtowel

The Eighth Sense e5 & e6: portraying trauma with nuance

Following up on my post about episodes 5 and 6, here are my thoughts on the mental health side of episodes 7 and 8 of The Eighth Sense.

The Eighth Sense episodes 9 and 10: All we can do is try

@ginnymoonbeam

Was chatting with friends about The Eighth Sense and what we expect from the ending, which got me onto a broader ramble about genre and expectations.

I've been enjoying reading theories and analyses of The Eighth Sense ep 6 from lots of different perspectives.

@hanjiwoos

Was episode 6 real?

@heretherebedork

Until or unless JaeWon is ready to take a step towards healing, no amount of JiHyun wanting to heal his wounds or save him will do anything.

All I can think about it how we saw Uea realize that he still had hope and could still grow and heal because he was so supported by King and Jade and his aunt and his sister and the people around him and how JaeWon, in contrast, is struggling more because he doesn't have any kind of support system outside of JiHyun and his psychiatrist because two of his friends just want him to stay exactly as he was and any change on his part is met with mocking and aggression.

My Nightmare Ending for The 8th Sense.

JaeWon is trying to convince himself, in his heart, that he doesn't have a chance or a future.

JiHyun desperately trying to avoid being flirted with by a girl while his friend keeps encouraging him to be more romantic and JiHyun is just... quietly thinking about JeaWon, thinking about the bus, thinking about the trip, struggling to come to terms with not with his feelings but the sudden space from JaeWon.

@hvenart

While I personally don’t like hand-held camera work in shows, I think it works really well in the eighth sense.

@imminentinertia

I may have some feelings and possibly some actual thoughts about Hedwig and the Angry Inch's appearance in The Eighth Sense.

Today's the day when everyone is required to add their thoughts on The Eighth Sense ep. 6, yes?

iguessitsjustme

It’s been a few weeks since I binged The Eighth Sense and I have some thoughts now that I’ve processed the whole show.

@indigostarfire

A very long post of me rambling so I could connect the dots and map out the factors that led Jae Won to shift out of his deep depression and isolation from Ji Hyun.

@jemmo

ive been thinking a lot about age in the eighth sense, in terms of age gap and the roles of hyung and sunbae and dongsaeng and the behaviours they entail, and the label of the country mouse, and how, with the events of the end of ep 6, they are paralleling jihyun against jaewon’s younger brother with the accident and how I think there’s a crux at the heart of this that is jaewon needing to see jihyun as not his younger brother.

ive had this ramble bubbling under the surface since watching the first 2 eps of t8s, but talking to @heesulovebot and @bengiyo ‘s posts have finally managed to organise my thoughts, about why this feels so queer and un-bl, and i think it’s because, even though unspoken, the characters recognise this as queer too.

ive just been lying in bed, thinking about the eighth sense, this whole morning, trying to figure out and put together my thoughts and my conclusion is I just can’t do it.

@lurkingshan

On Jae Won and Pran

Am I the only one that did not interpret episode 6 as a straightforward continuation of the narrative?

@maxescheibechlinichacheli

The eighth sense doesn't feel like a normal korean bl.

@mikuni14

Little thoughts about JaeWon :)

@mineonmain

Who’s the Antagonist in The Eighth Sense?

@piganatur

actually what jaewon said in the photography shop cut x1000000 times deeper than the english translation of it

@ranchthoughts

The Eighth Sense has this way of filming where the background of shots are SO hazy and out of focus, and I love it

@respectthepetty

What is tradition?

All's Fair in Love

thoughts on the eighth sense finale?

@shortpplfedup

I think it's important to understand than Eun Ji doesn't even like Jae Won.

@suckteeth

At first, I was just happy my favourite director got name-dropped in the show, but then I got to wondering why this particular movie was chosen, so here are my (rough) two cents on it!

@talistheintrovert

OKAY. let's clarify some stuff for people who are confused: the entire episode is not a dream sequence.

there's something so inherently queer in the way The Eighth Sense is being acted and ESPECIALLY in the way it's being filmed, and the cinematography and editing choices that keep taking my goddamn breath away.

@the-conversation-pod

Summer 2023 Ep 2 - The Eighth Sense

@toastofthetrashfire

Queer and Crip Temporality in the Eighth Sense and Giovanni's Room

@trilliastra

jaewon is traumatized to the moon and back, he's mentally ill, father is an asshole, friends are even worse.

@usertoxicyaoi

no bc. like. the eighth sense is getting EVERYTHING right.

so i don't know if whether jaewon is doing this on purpose (i 100% think he is), where he completely contradicts himself - his words say one thing his actions say another -, or he "forgets" the minor details of his interactions with jihyun, just to make jihyun and him have a conversation or to include jihyun into one, but yeah, noticable examples are:

@waitmyturtles

Okay friends, everyone get your spoiler tag filter on, please, because we’re doing this: The Eighth Sense, episodes 7 and 8.

More The Eighth Sense thoughts as I process, process out episodes 7 and 8.

SPOILERS AND ANALYSIS FOR THE EIGHTH SENSE, EPISODES 9 and 10.

Fuck.

Alright.

@wei-ying-kexing-apologist

Eighth Sense Ep 2 Rewatch

Episode 3 Rewatch

EIGHTH SENSE THEORY

Was chatting with @waitmyturtles last night and she sent me this screenshot from the Instagram story of The Eighth Sense director

The Eighth Sense Ep. 1 Rewatch Thoughts

*lies down for a nap*

movingtoanewblogsoon-deactivate (Does anyone know where this blog moved to?)

I come here after going through the tag on Twitter and I'm livid because what we're not gonna do now is pick sides and blame it all on Jaewon by completely disregarding his trauma.

Wait! I just realized Aeri and Eunji have the same surname and this could be entirely coincidental or the show could have used that to highlight even more clearly the difference between them and the subvertion of the "women are always villains" trope in bl that it initially seemed to have reinforced with Eunji.

This part bothered me since the very first time I watched the trailer. The first sentence is definitely Taehyung questioning Jaewon about his relationship with Jihyun.

Please comment below if there is a post I should add!

Masterpost of other shows

[ladykailitha]

Icarus Part 3

Hello! If you haven't seen it yet, I've got a set schedule for what story posts on what days now (as seen here) and this one as well as Well Met By Moonlight, Batshit Soulmates, and Never Hold Back Your Step... will still be posting just on rotation until I can finish some of my WIPs. (I may be stretching myself a bit thin having six going at the same time.)

In this one we have the concert. Eddie stumbles on something big and doesn't know how to deal with it all. And Uncle Wayne is bestest as always.

@emly03 @redfreckledwolf @itsall-taken @rozzieroos @mira-jadeamethyst

Part 1 Part 2

****

The day of the concert dawned abhorrently cheerful and bright. Not a cloud in the sky or any accidents that would prevent Eddie from having to take Dustin to this event. He wouldn’t deign to call it a concert. He had heard the album and seen their posters, but he refused to wander over to YouTube and watch videos of their concerts, interviews, their music videos.

He didn’t want to be even more disappointed that they were all flash and no substance then he was sure he was going to be for the next two hours.

Dustin rolled his eyes when Eddie parked in the huge concert parking lot.

“You’re just salty because I like them as much as I like Corroded Coffin,” he huffed getting out the car. “You have to concede that Abaddon’s vocals are killer.”

Eddie scoffed. “Do not. I haven’t heard them live. Way too many artists use autotune too much these days.”

“You sound like that meme,” he sneered, “‘Old Man Yells at Cloud’.”

Eddie swatted at him playfully. “Am not.” Dustin raised his eyebrow skeptically and he threw his arms in the air. “I’m not. I am a very serious musician, Dusty. The last thing metal needs is some band that can’t write or even play their own instruments. This isn’t pop.”

“You are such an asshole,” he said and turned toward the entrance, leaving Eddie to jog to catch up with him.

Eddie sighed and put his arm around Dustin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I am being an asshole. I turned into the person I swore I would never be. Those shit for brains critics that hated Corroded Coffin when we first got on the scene. And that was wrong of me.”

Dustin sighed, too. “I just want you to like them too. They are so good if you’d just give them a chance.”

Eddie breathed out through his nose. “Yeah. I can at least give them that.”

They got to their seats and Eddie was a little impressed at Claudia Henderson’s Ticket Master foo. They weren’t front row, but they were only a couple of rows back so you could actually see the stage without having to strain their necks and smack dab in the center of the row.

Dustin would have the best time. And now it was up to Eddie not ruin it for the kid. Because yes, he was still a kid as far as Eddie was concerned. Twenty-one was so fucking young. That was how old most of the band was when they got their record deal, after all. They weren’t prepared for what came next, that’s for sure.

They got settled into their seats and Eddie watched as the rest of the crowd shuffled in. They were all about Dustin’s age with very few exceptions in either direction.

There seemed to be a color theme going on with the girls in the audience though. They were grouped in clumps of red, black, blue, or white. Which made sense if each band member stuck to a certain color palette.

Well he was about to find out, he supposed.

The lights dimmed. The crowd quieted down. The spotlight lit up the drumkit first. And Eddie knew that Gareth would be drooling over it. It was all black with black metal fittings. The kit seemed to collect light almost like a blackhole.

Then from the ceiling, a man dressed all in black being lowered onto the stage with large black raven wings on his back. He wore a black hooded coat over what, Eddie couldn’t tell. It was all black. The shirt, the pants, the boots. Even his mask was all black with even the eyes appearing closed. His feet touched the ground and the crowd went wild.

“Azrael!” the announcer called out.

Azrael settled on the throne and picked up black drum sticks.He counted time above his head and played a wicked solo to the adoring crowd’s absolute delight.

Dustin jumped up and down, screaming.

The spotlight moved to the right side of stage and the next band member descended from the ceiling. Large bat wings adorned his back and he was dressed in red leather fetish gear. Complete with tight leather pants that looked painted on and a matching harness highlighting his bare chest, peeking out from the red leather hooded coat.

His guitar was fucking gorgeous, though. A Warlock, much like Eddie’s own. It was custom painted red with black flames licking up the neck.

Eddie rolled his eyes, but it seemed he was the only one who thought the whole thing was over the top judging from the screams from the girls in the audience.

He didn’t just land gently on the stage like the drummer did, oh no. He fucking stomped onto the stage with a howl.

His wings, like the drummer’s ascended back into the rafters as the announcer shouted, “Asmodeus!”

And then Eddie really did roll his eyes. The demon of lust. Of course he was.

But seconds later Eddie’s jaw dropped to the floor as the man wailed on his guitar driving the crowd further into the frenzy.

Once he finished his solo the crowd quieted again and he could see why. Because just then, descending on gossamer wings that shimmered like starlight, was their bassist.

Everything about him was midnight blue and shimmering like the night. His mask was the face of the moon. He had his own hooded coat, but it was like the night sky, with some kind of crystal or gem sewn in to make the coat glimmer like stars.

His bass was something that Brian would have sold his own mother for and they were as thick as thieves. Eddie didn’t know much about basses considering his sweetheart was an electric guitar, but he could tell it wasn’t expensive but was perfect for his style. A style he showed off with gusto to the audience’s obvious delight.

“Astraeus!” the announcer cried.

Eddie decided that this one was his favorite. It played up the whole mysterious thing without the over the top flash of the guitarist or the sheer void of the drummer.

The audience hushed as the three members of the band began to play what was clearly the lead singer’s entrance music.

And holy fuck was Eddie screwed. This man was descending like a fucking angel sent from God, Jesus pose and all.

He was all in white with an opaque lace mask that had his mouth and chin cut out for him to sing. That surprised Eddie somewhat. He figured that the guy would have his whole face covered like everyone else in the band and that he could lip sync.

But nope. Apparently no one in this band did anything by halves.

The lead singer was wearing a sheer mesh crop top under the hooded floor length coats the whole band was wearing. Only his was white with a silk powder blue lining.

Eddie winced in sympathy. They must get boiling under the lights with those things on.

A few feet from the stage floor there was an explosive pop! And the feathers from his wings flew out into the crowd who was now screaming as if their life depended on the sheer volume coming out them. He looked over at Dustin who was no different.

When Eddie could see the stage again, this angel’s wings were now skeletal and gothic.

He landed in front of microphone whose stand had been decorated with a scarf in each of of the band members’ signature colors.

“Abbadon!” the announcer yelled for the final time.

And Eddie was in love. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Dustin must have seen his expression because he was suddenly tugging on Eddie’s arm and screaming, “I told you!!”

“Indy!” Abbadon growled, grabbing the mic. “Thank you so much for having us! Let’s get this started.”

Then he began to sing and yeah, Eddie knew that the guy had charm, but this was a whole new level of epic. He was enthralled.

He didn’t utter a fucking word for several songs. But then it happened. Eddie couldn’t believe it. He hurried to snap a picture to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

But there it was it in living color. He turned to Dustin to see if he saw it too, but the kid was too busy screaming and jumping up and down.

Eddie’s jaw fell.

That couldn’t be right, couldn’t it? That Dustin didn’t know? Eddie looked back up on stage and a lot of the puzzle pieces started slotting in place. His heart sank a little.

He shook his head to clear it of dark thoughts. He didn’t know the reason for any of this and leaping to conclusions would only get a shit ton of people hurt. Especially the boy next to him.

Eddie let the music wash over him. Let the magic of metal soothe his soul. Soon he was jumping up and down and headbanging with the rest of the crowd. Right hand flashing the devil’s horns, left hand out to steady himself he let himself enjoy the band’s stage presence.

****

To say that Eddie’s mind was fucking blown would be an understatement. He pestered Dustin all the way home with rapid fire questions. Where did the band tour last time? What was their schedule this time? Was it a six month tour or an eighteen month tour last time?

Dustin answered each question with growing excitement, thinking that Eddie had finally grown to love this band as much as he had.

Eddie on the other hand felt a growing sense of dread. Well... maybe dread was the wrong word. It was certainly a sinking feeling. One he really had to exam closely.

At least he could honestly say that he fell in love with the music before he found out his little secret.

And fuck what a secret it was.

He dropped Dustin off at home and drove out to the ranch that he had gifted to Wayne when Corroded Coffin first made it big. It was a beautiful, sprawled out home surrounded by acres of land and Eddie loved it even more than Wayne did.

Eddie stumbled through the door and was surprised to see Wayne drinking hot chocolate and reading a sports magazine in his expensive recliner. And yet, at the same time, not really that surprised.

“You do realize I’m no longer that fucked up kid with anger issues,” Eddie huffed on his way to the kitchen to grab a beer, “that were almost as bad as the troubles with the law, right?”

Wayne chuckled. “Maybe so. But you’re still my boy and I’ll keep worrying about you until the day I die.”

Eddie popped open the can of beer and sat down on the sofa. He leaned his head back on the back cushion with a heavy sigh.

Wayne raised an eyebrow. “What’s stewing around in that head of yours?”

Eddie slowly raised his head. “What would you do if you accidentally found out something about a friend that they were keeping from everyone they knew?”

Wayne set down his magazine. “That would depend on the secret. Is it hurting anyone?”

“Is what hurting anyone?” Eddie asked. “The secret?” Wayne nodded and Eddie frowned, really thinking about it.

“Maybe some feelings,” he said after a moment. “But it’s not dangerous like they committed a crime or anything. It’s not even about their sexuality.”

Wayne hummed thoughtfully. “And is it a big secret or a little one?”

Again Eddie was forced to think hard about what that meant. “I guess it depends on the person, but in my eyes it’s pretty big.”

The elder Munson nodded. “Do you feel hurt by this secret?”

“Yeah, yeah. I guess I do.” He bowed his head and let out a shuddering breath.

“Is there a reason you think he wouldn’t have told you?” Wayne pressed.

“Of course no–” Eddie stopped as his brain caught up to his mouth. “Shit.”

Wayne raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Eddie admitted shyly. “There’s a pretty good reason why he wouldn’t have told me. And now I feel like the shit friend.”

Wayne stood up and pulled Eddie into a big hug. “Maybe so, but you have the time to course correct and show this friend that you are worthy of his secret.”

Eddie nodded. “Thanks, Uncle Wayne,” he mumbled into Wayne’s neck.

“I’m just glad I could help.”

****

Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @danili666 @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @val-from-lawrence @goodolefashionedloverboi @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @vecnuthy @irregular-child @yikes-a-bee @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @dragonmama76 @scheodingers-muppet @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman @eyehartart @dawners @y4r3luv @cryptid-system @thespaceantwhowrites @tinyplanet95

[takaraphoenix]

February Schedule

As you may or may not have noticed, the schedule I keep on AO3 never covers all my fics. Partially because so far the Mischief Monday and the Friday Ficlets have been a bit more spontaneous, partially it's also due to the pathetic character limit on the AO3 profile though; it is at times a struggle to put four Wednesday Oneshot summaries on there.

Since I am very confident in the February lineup, I thought I'd try something different and post a full schedule for the upcoming month on here!

Saturday Update, February 01:

Little Red and the Black Fox, chapter 2

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: Superhero/supervillain AU, where Petopher are a married couple of vigilantes, while Stiles is the seemingly innocent best friend of their daughter's but in reality doubles as the hero Little Red and the vigilante the Black Fox. Since chapter 1 introduced Peter and Chris' side of the story, chapter 2 will introduce Stiles and his life up to this point.

Mischief Monday, February 03:

Praised and Pampered

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: Chris and Peter noticed that Stiles had a bit of a praise kink and they turn praising him into a game between them, for the most mundane things like doing good research. It is absolutely wrecking Stiles.

Wednesday Oneshot, February 05:

It's For the Best

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: Deaton and Theo convince Scott that it's for everyone's best if Stiles is mated off to a good match, since the omega is now off age and completed his Emissary training. That'd forge a strong alliance for their pack and allow Stiles to actually act as an Emissary. They arrange a marriage to the mated Alpha Pair of the neighboring Hale Pack, since they're both alphas.

Friday Ficlet, February 07:

Daddy's Gonna Take Care of That

Ship: Stargent

Summary: During the virgin sacrifices, Stiles is freaking out. Chris offers to help out. As the title suggests, Stiles doesn't just lose his virginity, he also discovers he may have a daddy kink.

Saturday Update, February 08:

The Clever One, chapter 8

Ship: Steter

Summary: In this canon divergence, Stiles and Peter are True Mates and Stiles realizes that in the parking garage and afterward claims his role as Alpha Mate (even though he makes it clear Peter will have to work for it if he wants them to work). They build their new Hale Pack together, as equals. Chapter 8 is going to cover some much needed Stiles and Derek bonding (pool scene, my beloved), an investigation into the kanima and Lydia reluctantly joining... not the pack, but the plot.

Mischief Monday, February 10:

The Death and Resurrection of Allison Argent

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: The Hale Pack and the McCall Pack are abducted by a court of divine judges, three of their members are to stand trial for breaking the sanctity of life through unauthorized resurrections: Peter, Allison and Stiles. Two will come out with a not guilty verdict and one will plead guilty - and it's not the person anyone would have guessed.

Wednesday Oneshot, February 12:

Rest and Recovery

Ship: Stetalion

Summary: A canon divergence where Peter was actually tended to and recovered in a supernatural rehab center after the fire and met Deucalion there. The two are a mated pair by the time Stiles checks himself in to deal with the aftermath of being possessed by the Nogitsune.

Friday Ficlet, February 14:

Valentine's Heart

Ship: Steter

Summary: Look, Valentine's Day is a Friday this year, I gotta write something for it. And what would be more romantic than Stiles getting the ripped-out heart of Gerard Argent? It doesn't take a genius to guess who his secet Valentine is.

Saturday Update, February 15:

Guns and Gags, chapter 7

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: Peter and Chris are a married couple who own neighboring shops, Peter a sex shop and Chris a gun shop. They're also looking to add a third to their relationship, each smitten with an irresistible twink and unwilling to budge on their own choice to give the other's a chance. Until they realize they both fell for the same twink. In this final chapter, we're honestly mostly gonna have smut and BDSM. So much filth and pleasure, they're gonna go out with a literal bang.

Mischief Monday, February 17:

Unexpected Revelation

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: Witches are terrorizing town and some of their magic interfered with Stiles' suppressants. He's been passing as a beta for years thanks to them and never actually went through a heat. So when this sudden, unexpected, first heat hits, he has no idea what's happening. Not a heat sex fic, pure comfort and reassurance for Stiles.

Wednesday Oneshot, February 19:

New Body, New Me

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: Yet another post-Nogitsune fic, but the first one actually written after my 3B rewatch, so this one will be more centered on the little things I kind of forgot. Like the fact that the Nogitsune stole and kept Stiles' body and left him in a whole new one. Or just how ready Chris was to kill Stiles. Or the fact that it was wholly Peter's plan that allowed them to save Stiles.

Friday Ficlet, February 21:

The Lore Keeper's Origin

Ship: Stetalion

Summary: Prequel to The Lore Keeper's Legacy. The story of how Peter, Deuc and Stiles got together when the Alpha Pack first came to Beacon Hills and how Stiles got the position of the Alpha Pack's Lore Keeper.

Saturday Update, February 22:

Defying the Death Date, chapter 3

Ship: Steter

Summary: In this soulmate AU, where you bear your soulmate's birthday and, after their death, their death date, Stiles realizes that Peter is his soulmate when Stiles and Derek kill him. Instead of using Lydia, Peter uses his matebond to Stiles to resurrect himself, haunting Stiles instead of Lydia and making his soulmate fall for him this way. In this final part, Peter is actually going to resurrect himself, finally.

Mischief Monday, February 24:

The Runaway Omega

Ship: Stetopher

Summary: After Derek lost the Alpha spark and Peter took one from a member of the Alpha Pack, the Hale Pack left Beacon Hills for a fresh start. A year later, they're surprised when Stiles stands at their door, a packless freshly turned werewolf.

Wednesday Oneshot, February 26:

Partnered Shoot

Ship: Stetaliopher

Summary: Oooh boy am I excited for this one! My first proper OT4 for Stiles and his DILFs, where all angles will be romantically involved, and it'll be a Neckz 'n Throats AU. The two biggest werewolf softporn magazines, Neckz 'n Throats and Visionary, are having a crossover shoot. For that, they pair their biggest names with each other - Peter from Neckz 'n Throats and Stiles from Visionary. Deucalion, Stiles' husband and the CEO of Visionary, hosts the shoot, while Peter's husband Chris is going to take the pictures. Chris and Stiles are in for a surprise when they realize their respective spouses have history.

Friday Ficlet, February 28:

Empty Battery

Ship: Steter

Summary: Stiles just wanted to masturbate before Peter came over for research, but his damn vibrator died halfway through. He plugs the stupid thing in and opts for a cold shower out of frustration because this fully ruined the mood. Maybe he shouldn't have plugged it in out in the open where Peter could very plainly see it when the wolf gets to Stiles'. But then who needs a vibrator when the very subject of his dirty fantasies volunteers to help out?

[cripplecharacters]

TW for drug usage + medical ableism

While I was looking through the disability tags I saw a couple of posts talking about people being denied their medications over assumptions that they’ll use it for recreational purposes. Idk how common this is because I’m not currently on any meds but there were multiple posts with a lot of notes so I presume it’s not rare.

So here’s my problem: one of my characters has a history of substance abuse during their backstory (the addiction is at their lowest point), and a bit before the actual beginning of the story they start the path to recovery. Part of this recovery is of course getting sober, but part of it is also getting support for dealing with their disabilities (idk if it matters but they’re a mix of physical and psychological) and some of that help comes in the form of getting medicated. Because these are both pretty big things for the character so get mentioned a lot, and because they happen in like the same segment of the story, I’m worried that it may give the impression that the character is taking the medication to use recreationally to readers, which isn’t a stereotype I want to employ at all. Do you guys think this could be a problem?

Hello,

Keep in mind that if he has a history of substance abuse disorder, his doctors are going to know that and probably will not put him on a Schedule 2 medications. Depending on where he is in his recovery, they might play it safe and avoid Schedule 3, too, or at least Schedule 3 medications that are related to what he was previously addicted to. Schedule 4 and Schedule 5 should be safe. So I would recommend finding lower-schedule medications for the conditions he has and learning about those. They won't be as powerful as things with a higher chance for addiction and there will be a huge difference in what his day will be like if he takes ibuprofen for pain versus morphine.

But really, if you show him taking his medication responsibly and describe how it helps because of how bad his symptoms are without it, it likely won't give the wrong impression. It's not like he would be randomly pulling a random Vicodin out of his pocket and taking a pill whenever he feels like it, he would take his medications at certain times, with certain amounts of time between doses, or in extreme circumstances like taking something for a panic attack. If you write him using his medications as he should and being careful (in my experience, usually a bit overly careful because he really wouldn't want to go through substance abuse all over again,) you won't have a problem. Writing about him using medication responsibly won't look like him recreationally abusing substances. I think you should be fine.

If you have any questions about using medication with a history of substance abuse, feel free to send an ask!

Mod Aaron

[xxnashiraxx]

WIP Wednesday - Kinktober Teaser (2)

I don't want to reveal this prompt yet because I'm still working out the kinks (haha I'm so funny), but it may be giving itself away here a little bit. Or it could still be mysterious!

I am hoping to post it this weekend, maybe Sunday in lieu of a WSTFMD chapter since the release schedule changed. It all depends on how I feel after I get back home from visiting relatives (and if I actually finish by then)! But the good news is I have 2,500+ words so far and I've barely even scratched the surface of the smut, so there's that to look forward to if you so choose. 💕

Enjoy! (subject to chaaange minorly)

“Astarion… what happened? Are you okay?” She asks, watching his head cock to the side as he listens to her. Her worry blossoms into unease as he remains silent, taking one careful step toward her. She feels the hairs on the back of her neck raise in response, but she holds her ground, careful to keep him cradled in her gaze as she notices two other large masses of fur behind the one he’d been hovering over. God, he’d taken down more than one? Her heart aches for him and as she refocuses on him she notices he’s covered the gap about five feet, so close she can see the stillness of his chest and the light wounds over his skin more clearly. “Please talk to me-” He snarls and she clamps her mouth shut, eyes widening. It’s too late to get away. He’s too close- too fast. He’ll be on her in a moment, and for some reason, he isn’t recognizing her. There’s an animalistic gleam to his eyes- sharp and keen as a predator tracking its prey. She feels her throat close and her pulse speed up frantically, watching in horror as he scents the air and gnashes his teeth. Shit. She turns on her heel despite every hiking guide she’s ever read telling her to always back away slowly- they always say that, what is she thinking? “Okay- I’m sorry! But can you please snap out of it? I can’t run faster than you!” She shouts over her shoulder, cursing her stupid sandals as they obstruct her leaps and bounds. She tears off in the direction of camp she has a vague recollection of, though truth be told, she’s too turned around and shaken by her lover’s strange shift in behavior to recall which way she’d come from. She can hear him behind, footfalls light but deafening in the quiet of the trees. She heaves for breath, lungs burning, terror closing around her rapidly beating heart. He’s so close that she can smell the blood in the air and the scent of his perfume, beckoning to her. She chances a glance, instantly regretting it when she trips over a tree root and falls flat on her stomach into the damp soil and leaves. “Ah!” She cries when he overtakes her, chest pressed against her back and hands closing like a vice over her arms as he holds her down. It hurts, especially the way his knees pinch her waist and her wrist bones grind together, gasping for air under the weight of him. Her cheek is barely cushioned by her hair and she looks up at him, eyes wide as his eerie, vacant red orbs spear through her. His lips part to reveal his fangs, the pair at the bottom elongated to match and shining in the dim light from above as his blood-stained tongue flashes over them. She’s never felt so afraid- every nerve ending wired and circulating adrenaline at the speed of light. “Astarion, please,” She pleads, whimpering when he tightens his grip on her arms. He lowers his face until she can feel his frigid breath against her neck, moist and fanning over her ear and upper back. He growls, low and gravelly, before opening his jaw wide. “No!” She shuts her eyes, bracing for the killing bite, but it doesn’t come. His lips find the mark he’d left her with earlier in the night, mouthing at it as a soft whine leaves his throat. He’s… never made that sound before… She shivers when his fangs press over the indents and his hands start to unclench, body slipping over hers until one knee presses between her thighs and nudges them open. Oh.

If you guys have anything you'd like to share! 💕 I crave your writing!

@khywren @verbenaa @inkymoonbunny @ladyduellist @kalmiaphlox @justabiteofspite @elinorbard @preciouslittlebhaalbae @roguishcat @pinkberrytea