#this one was really fun to write!

[perpetualcynicism]

heyy there, for the impromptu drabble event...

image: A crane and a koi fish staring at each other through the water

oxymoron: antiquated youth

restriction: not editing a word... orrrr... use more dialogue than descriptions? you chose!

you're so right btw, xiao's tag is a graveyard rn -holds xiao gently-

There is a little fish pond somewhere in Liyue, where Xiao goes to see somebody from time to time. 

He steps over the moss-covered stones which surround the dwelling. Where he expects to find a mottled koi circling within, he instead finds a person, unclothed, sitting half-submerged beneath the water. 

It has been a long time since Xiao saw your human form; the last must have been during the Cataclysm, when you suffered a terrible injury which stripped you of near all your power, not to mention your life. Ever since, you have resided in this pond, where he has visited you. 

“Xiao,” you greet amicably from the pool. 

He returns the greeting, then, gesturing towards your body, asks, “What is the reason for…?”

You glance down at yourself. “Oh. Do you mean my form?”

“Mn.”

“I don’t know,” you admit. “I simply felt like wearing it today. Thanks to the herbs you bring me, I feel my strength beginning to recover enough to change my form as I once used to. And, since you often appear to me in a humanoid shape, I thought I may try to do the same.”

You suddenly fix him with an unwavering, black stare. For all your physical appearance of a human, it seems you have yet to adopt the characteristics of one. Blinking is one such characteristic. Clothing is another.

“Tell me, Xiao—what do you think? Does this form appeal to you? I myself think it quite good.”

He is briefly caught-off guard. “Yes, I… it appeals to me.”

You smile. “I shall wear it more often, then. I hear that the other adepti have also begun to adopt human shapes more frequently, as you do. Is this true?”

“It is true.”

“Perhaps there is an underlying appeal in it which I do not yet understand.” A brief pause. “And what of your own forms, Xiao? It has been some time since you came to me in your true shape. Do you dislike it?”

“Dislike…? No. But it has become habitual for me to appear this way.”

“May I see it? Your other one?”

“Very well,” he says, and in the next moment a crane, not a human, stands beside the pool. You shift closer, reaching out towards him. 

“Would you allow me to…?”

Xiao bends his neck forwards by way of reply. He closes his eyes and lets your touch roam across his beak; your webbed fingers, cold and sparkling with the water from the pool, to smooth through the softer feathers of his neck. 

You remove your hands, and he draws his neck back. 

“You have a very beautiful form, Xiao. Both of them.”

“…Thank you.”

“Hm. You appear so young, too—but so much time has passed, hasn’t it? Or I think it has passed. It is difficult to keep track of its passage when I have been in the water for so long.” You look at him and ask with vulnerable earnesty, “Are we old, Xiao, or still young?”

“I… perhaps it’s possible we are both,” he replies. “You also appear as young.”

“I see. Is that a good thing?”

“I don’t know.”

You sigh deeply and lean back into the water, so that only your face remains above the waves. 

“Is something wrong?” Xiao queries.

“Ah, nothing much. I grow tired, is all; maintaining this form for prolonged periods of time requires strength I have yet to fully regain. It astonishes me how you manage to maintain yours for so long without turning back.”

“It comes with practice.”

“I see. I will have to practice more, then. Oh, Xiao?”

“Hm?”

“Perhaps next time you come, we can walk together. I have not walked for so long.”

Your voice fades as you speak, and your form shrinks back to a long-whiskered koi, mottled white, red, black, and gold, hovering in the water. Xiao cranes his neck down and gently touches the tip of his beak to the top of the fish’s head. 

“Next time, we will walk together,” he says.  

[egophiliac]

I loved your drawing(and I love your style in general) with Leia in your recent post! If/when you have time can we see more of her in your style? I get so happy whenever I actually see people mention/talk about her and she’s not just forgotten because we didn’t get to see much of her. 😭

thank you! 💙💙💙 Leia/Leah/Lea/whatever is fascinating to me. she is the ultimate unknown. what was she like? how involved (or even aware of any details of the invasion) was she? Silver's basically a physical carbon copy of his biodad, so what did he get from her? like, I understand why the two of them kind of have to stay as these super vague and mysterious figures -- the whole point of them is that their story ended 400+ years ago and they're not really relevant anymore (and. well. the more that gets explained about them, the less that can just kinda be handwaved as "oh the politics were Very Messy") (we can sit here and theorize all day but let us acknowledge that, ultimately, canon gave us almost nothing about them post-Meleanor and we'd just be making things up). I do still wonder about her though! RIP Lea, we never knew you and we probably never will.

actually you know what, as long as we're here, I think I WILL go ahead and just make some stuff up about what Silver might've inherited from her instead.

[tourettesdog]

I am begging people to be normal about completed fics, and in particular one shots.

I am begging people to stop demanding more from authors, and insisting that one shots need to be longer or have sequels.

I don't think yall understand how many fanfic authors are one more "where's the rest of it?" comment away from throwing out any plans they might have had to continue an idea.

Unless an author like specifically says they might write more for an idea, just-- assume something marked as completed is complete, and respect it as it stands, please.

[britishchick09]

The Great Train Adventure: A Wadlow Sibling Fic

happy birthday to harold jr! this special fic starring him took 5 days to write (august 7th to the 12th)... and it's different from any i've done before! :o enjoy!

harold jr. loves playing with his train, but he wants more than just the living room. he dreams up a scenario full of stones, sisters, bandits... and lots of adventure!

 “Choo choo! Here comes the Wadlow Express!” Harold Jr. Wadlow announced.

A silver train zoomed down the tracks. It wound its way down before stopping abruptly. A huge hand was in its way!

“Oh no!” Robert exclaimed. “How will the train get around?”

It poked the hand a couple times.

“I don’t think that’ll work.”

“Get out of the way, Mr. Hand!” Harold Jr. said. “Please?” The hand barrier lifted. The train zoomed down the tracks before coming to a halt.

“We’ve arrived at Alton Station, folks!” Harold Jr. announced in a slightly deep voice. “This is your captain, Harold Wadlow, speaking. Have a great day!” Robert chuckled. “That sounds more like an airplane pilot.”

Harold smiled as he let go of his toy train set. “It’s always fun to go around the tracks, but I wish we could go around the world.”

“Around the world? That would take an awfully long time. Although it would probably be faster than eighty days.”

“I mean go somewhere other than the living room floor! Like when we went to Chicago last winter.”

“I remember that. You wouldn’t stop talking about the train trip when we got home! But then you moved right onto airplanes.”

“I love planes, trains and automobiles! But I love trains most of all right now. It would be so much fun to take another trip on one,” Harold Jr. grinned. “Or maybe an adventure! One beyond our imaginations!”

He moved a black box forward and flicked a switch, causing the train to move on its own! It was powered by electricity. He watched the train loop around the shining tracks as he began a new journey…

...

 It was a sunny summer afternoon. A sleek, modern train sped along the tracks.

A girl in an old-fashioned burgundy dress frowned as she rapidly waved a hand fan back and forth. She moved it away from her face while saying, “I do wish it wasn’t so stuffy in here!”

“Oh, Helena, you’re always complaining!” a girl with sausage curls said. “Crack a window or something.”

"Oh, I can't possibly do that. It would mess up my gloves."

"Well, I don't think it's too bad."

Helena looked down at her sister. “You’re still young, Bettina. You don’t know what it’s like to be a lady like me. All these buttons to button and corsets to lace!”

“I lace corsets and button my buttons and I’m perfectly fine,” Bettina said. “You’re just fussy.”

Helena crossed her arms with a frown. “I am not stuffy!” “Just this morning you said my curls weren’t tight enough. And here you are fixing the bow on my dress!”

Helena took her hand away from Bettina and looked out the window.

“Air troubles?” a deep voice asked.

The sisters looked up, seeing a tall man.

“Yes, it’s horribly stuffy in here.” Helena said. “Even though I’m perfectly fine!” Bettina added. “And it’s ‘terribly’. ‘Horribly’ seems too strong.”

“We can take care of that…” the man said with a smile.

He pushed a button on the ceiling. Air floated down onto sisters!

“Wow!” Bettina exclaimed. “Is this train magic?”

The man chuckled. “No, it’s air conditioning.”

“What an amazing thing! I wish we had this back in-” Helena stopped and gave a sheepish smile. “Thank you…”

“Mr. Roberto,” the man said with a smile. “I’m very glad I could help make your experience better. Would you like anything to eat and drink? Our specials are lemonade and soda.”

“A ham and cheese sandwich with soda for me!” Bettina replied.

“Tea sandwiches and lemonade for me,” Helena said. “Those won’t get crumbs on my new dress or harm my teeth.”

The sisters squinted at each other.

“Sandwiches and drinks coming right up,” Roberto said before going over to the aisle across from them. “And would you like anything, sir?”

A boy named Junior looked up from his book. “I’ll have a glass of lemonade. Or maybe a soda. Or both!”

Roberto chuckled. “Coming right up.”

Junior set his book down. This was his first time traveling alone. He was nervous, but so far everything had gone well. Conductor Wadlow had let him pull the whistle! Now, he looked out the window.

“I wonder where we are.” Junior said out loud.

“We’re in northern Arizona,” Bettina replied. “I’ve been following the route on my map the whole time!”

Junior leaned forward, smiling at the friendly girl. She held up a map of the United States and pointed at Arizona.

“Wow, I thought it would be like the desert!” Junior remarked. “Most of this state is nothing but a dry wasteland,” Helena replied. “But it’s nice up north,” She leaned back with a sigh. “I’ll be happy when we finally get to California!”

“California? That’s where I’m going! I’m visiting my friend, Ralph. I live in Illinois, so we’ve been pen pals up until now,” Junior replied. “Where did you guys come from?”

“From the-”

Helena gave Bettina an unladylike nudge and said, “From nowhere in particular.”

“But it’s a long way from home, that’s for sure!” Bettina added before giving a sheepish chuckle.

Just then, someone pushed the train car doors open with a cart. It was Addina the waitress.

“I have two orders of sandwiches and three orders of drinks,” she said as she stopped the cart in between the sisters and Junior. “Made with love, of course!”

Junior was handed his glasses of lemonade and soda. He took a sip of one, then the other. He decided that they tasted better separately!

"Mmm, delicious!" Bettina said before taking a big bite of her sandwich.

"How not ladylike!" Helena sniffed disapprovingly before telling Addina, "Thank you."

Addina smiled. "You're very welcome. Call if you need anything else."

She exited the passenger car. As soon as the door closed, a scream could be heard! Harold Jr. nearly choked on his lemonade in surprise. He and the sisters looked over their shoulders, watching as Addina stumbled backwards into the car. The cart was shoved aside, but it wasn't her doing...

"Take one more step and the giant gets it!" a rough voice said.

Out came a man wearing a bandana and a cowboy hat, both in black.

Helena raised her eyebrows and began to rise from the seat.

"Stay down!" the man ordered, pointing his switchblade at her.

Helena sat down, trying to keep her voice calm as she asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"I'm The Bad Bandit," the man said. "And I want something you have."

Junior didn't have anything valuable in his suitcase. He looked over at the sisters. Their blue eyes were fearful. Now that they were wider, he could see a speck of gold in them.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure we can get it without any trouble," Addina said. "Now if you'll just sit down and-"

The Bad Bandit's mouth couldn't be seen, but Junior could tell that he was frowning.

"I don't play nice,” he growled. “Not after what happened. Now if you'll get outta my way, we'll get this done a lot quicker!"

He brandished his switchblade again, pointing it at Addina's neck. Junior jumped up and grabbed her hand. She stepped near the seats, moving away from the bandit. Then she rushed into the seat in front of Junior, who confronted the bandit.

"Just tell us what you want," he said. "Then everyone can stay safe."

The Bad Bandit narrowed his eyes. "I want..."

He lunged towards the sisters. Bettina grabbed Helena's fan and whacked the bandit with it, sending him to the ground! She pointed it at him and said, "No one touches my sister except for me, you hear?"

The bandit made another move, but Junior tackled him to the floor! He looked into the bandit's eyes for a moment, noting that it looked like a speck of dust was stuck in them. Then he saw a shiny object tumble out of his pocket. Junior picked it up. It was a purple stone.

Helena gasped. "Why, that's-"

Junior didn't hear the rest of her sentence. After absentmindedly rubbing his thumb against the stone, he appeared outside of the train!

"Ahhh!" Junior screamed.

He was holding onto the windowsill of the train. The window jiggled, moving alongside his hair, which whipped through the wind.

Helena opened it. She took a deep breath, enjoying the air for just a moment before calling, "Grab my hand!"

Junior took her gloved hand. She and Bettina pulled him into the train. He collapsed on the seat in a huff.

"What in the world just happened?" he asked.

"Helena saved your life!" Bettina replied in amazement.

"It wasn't entirely ladylike, but I couldn't leave you hanging," Helena said before shutting the window. "How in the world did you get out there?"

Junior felt the stone in his pocket and took it out. "I rubbed this and the next thing I knew, I was dangling!"

Bettina took the stone, gazing at it in awe before fishing through her dress pockets. "I knew it looked familiar…"

She held out an identical stone!

"Where did you get this?" Helena asked the bandit.

"I've had it for years," he replied before telling Bettina, "As long as you've been around."

Bettina frowned. "You don't know that. You don't know me!"

"You don't know me... but I do."

"Of course you do..." Junior smiled. "You're related to him!"

Bettina gasped. "What?"

"Oh my!" Addina exclaimed.

"H- How in the world do you know that?" Helena asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"I thought I saw some dirt in his eye... but it was really a speck," Junior said. "A speck of gold!"

“Just like our eyes…” Helena whispered.

She slowly walked over to The Bad Bandit.

“Helena!” Bettina exclaimed, reaching out to grab her sister’s arm.

Helena moved her arm and stood in front of The Blue Bandit. She slowly removed his bandana and hat. Hair just as blonde as the sisters and eyes just as blue and gold greeted her.

“Eugenio?” Helena whispered.

The Bad Bandit’s eyes sparkled as he smiled. “Helena.”

Helena grinned and gave him a hug. “Oh, I never thought I’d see you again!”

Addina wiped a tear from her eye as Roberto ducked into the car. He silently sat in the nearest seat and watched the happy scene.

“How do you know him?” Bettina inquired.

Helena let go of Eugenio. Tears were in her eyes as she looked at Bettina and said, “This is our brother.”

“Wha- We have a brother?”

“Yes, you do,” Eugenio said. “I left when you were just a baby. But it wasn’t on purpose!” He looked at the stone Junior held. “That stone is responsible.”

“He disappeared and we had no idea where he went,” Helena said. “We searched for years, but it seemed like he was gone for good…. until I found our stone in the attic. As soon as I saw the missing half, I knew what had happened. That’s when I knew we couldn’t stop searching for him!”

“Then you taught me how to use the stone,” Bettina remembered. “And we’ve been traveling ever since. I had no idea the person we were looking for was our brother!”

Helena nodded. When she looked at Eugenio again, her expression had changed to annoyance.

“I didn’t expect him to be such a jerk when we reunited!”

Eugenio flinched. “I’m sorry! I’ve been traveling through the decades trying to find you! It’s been hard adjusting to life in the future,” He lowered his head with a sigh. “I guess that jaded me.”

Junior’s eyes widened in surprise “Wait, did you just say… ‘traveling through the decades’?”

The siblings looked at each other. “You might as well know,” Helena said. “We’re from the nineteenth century.” “The stone helps us travel through time!” Bettina added.

“That’s why life’s been so hard for me,” Eugenio said. “It’s tough adjusting to the future multiple times. I had to relearn everything. I tried going back home, but the stone sent me further along! It was so frustrating…”

Helena put a hand on his shoulder. “Life will be a lot easier from now on. You can leave your life of crime behind and live with us.”

“We’ll go home together!” Bettina exclaimed with a grin.

“Yes…” Eugenio ruffled her curls. “Together at last.”

...

 The siblings reconnected throughout the rest of the journey. Junior was fascinated by their stories, especially Eugenio’s.

The train arrived in California all too soon. Junior followed the siblings to a secluded area in the station.

“Thank you for reuniting us,” Helena said. “I never thought I’d see my brother again!” Junior smiled, lowering his head as his face warmed bashfully. “It was nothing.” “Even though it was everything,” Eugenio ruffled his hair. “Thanks a lot, kid.”

Junior raised his head and said, “I wish we could keep in touch somehow. But you’re going to a different century!” “Oh, I don’t think that’ll be a problem,” Bettina held up the stone. “We have a little help!”

Junior grinned. “We’ll meet up as soon as I’m home! See you then!”

The siblings said their goodbyes. Then Bettina and Helena held onto Eugenio as he rubbed the stone. A second later, they faded away. They had returned to the nineteenth century.

Just then, Junior heard a voice call, “There you are!” “Ralph!” Junior called back.

He ran over to his pen pal and gave him a hug.“How was the trip?” Ralph inquired. “Was it fun?” “Oh, was it ever!” Junior replied. “It’s a trip I’ll never forget!”

...

 “When Junior came home, he found something waiting for him at home. It was a stone! Now he could visit the siblings, too. They remained friends for the rest of their time,” Harold Jr. concluded the story. “The end!” Robert clapped. “That was a great story!”

They heard sniffles and looked over their shoulders. To their surprise, Betty, Helen and Eugene were leaning over the couch.

“You’re crying over that?” Eugene asked Helen.

“What? It’s a beautiful story about family!” Helen gave him a look. “Don’t lie, you got a bit emotional during the reveal.”

“I didn’t expect the sisters to be related to The Bad Bandit!” Betty remarked.

“Even though we’re related in real life?” Eugene asked.

“Well, the rules of Storyland don’t apply to real life. It was such a great twist!”

“Looks like we have a storyteller in the house.” Robert said, smiling at Harold Jr.

“I have more train stories if you want to hear them.” Harold Jr. said.

“Yeah!” Betty exclaimed, rushing to her brothers.

She sat beside the toy train. Helen and Eugene followed her soon after. Then Harold Jr. flicked the train’s switch, sending the siblings on a new great adventure.

[demaparbat-hp]

Imperfect Canvass

Read on AO3.

It's easy to forget, there, in Caldera. So they do everything in their power to remember. . The Blue Spirit and the Painted Ghost meet in the city each night, two souls in eternal search for repentance. Katara tries to find a way to kill the war, whatever it takes. Zuko, the Perfect Prince, offers her the only pieces of him that remain.

[bluerosefox]

Eldritch Kidnappings

hmmmm a Kon/Danny/Tim idea? Maybe? Depends if anyone wanna ship all three but leaving it open ended (or if Tim is already dating Bernard just make it a Kon/Danny only?). AND a deaged Ellie.

Red Robin and Superboy (the original) were at a JL meeting. It was boring to be honest. Nothing to much was happening besides the normal stuff for all the heroes there. No big crises or world/universe ending danger.

Or at least it was...

Because not soon after a glowing green portal ripped opened and a large eldritch creature stuck its huge head and half of its body out. Every hero there went on high alert and into fighting stances, ready to defend the Watchtower. Once the creature was halfway in the room its eyes snapped opened, glowing near Lazarus Pit green colored but like brighter? neon?, and darted around the room before stopping right on Superboy.

Without warning or words the creature quickly reached out, using at first two arms/hands before more sprang out and swatted away heroes in the room that attacked. It quickly took a hold of Superboy who tired use his strength to get free but found the being stronger than him. Red Robin, in a panic to save his best friend (and crush, shhh maybe) quickly joined in but instead of being swatted away like the others gets snagged by a hand and soon found himself captured as well.

Just as quickly as the creature appeared, it retreated back into the still open portal, dragging the two with and not caring at all of the powers, fists, or shouting being thrown at it.

Then it was gone.

Leaving the JL in a panic.

-x-x-

"-And thats why I need your help! I understand its a lot to ask but please, any help will be welcomed." the eldritch being, or rather Danny Phantom begged as he worriedly glanced at them.

So... It turns out the eldritch being was a young halfa ghost hero named Phantom that needed their help stabilizing his clone/sister/maybe daughter?

She was apparently melting and needed stable DNA when he had rushed her to a ghost doctor and was told. But Danny had no clue how to stabilize a clone and the fruitloop that cloned him the notes were bare bones and frankly terrible. In his desperate need for help Danny had sought out clues/advice from his mentor who basically pointed him to Superboy and Red Robin in his frustrating riddling way.

Superboy's DNA had the stable cloning gene/code they needed. Red Robin was smart enough to help figure out a way to put it Danielle 'Elle' Phantom. (it also helped that he had dabbled into cloning during his... bad year)

So yeah, Danny in his panic to save his clone went full on eldritch monster and opened a portal during their meeting and dragged them to the Far Frozen where Ellie was currently suspended in a ecto healing pod and was now begging for their help, promising them anything if they helped out.

The catch? If they put Superboy's DNA in Ellie she'll de-age to her true age and no longer be a 'pure' clone.

Instead she'll be their (Danny and Conner's) kid.

[sunny-knight]

THIS IS HOME

@forgettable-au Fan-Animatic ⭐️

The stars welcome him with open arms…

Work and Progress + Analysis below!

You can find the work in progress things here! because I wanna show the sketch animatic and you can only upload one video…

The entire idea was inspired off of THIS lovely little qna written a bit ago! havnt forgotten about it since! Despite what the AU might have you believe And recently I decided I could just draw out the fun part instead of go through the pain of storyboarding and cleaning up a nearly 4 minute long song 👍👍👍

Thats the idea though, theres no real plot, so no real context I can give other than the things the comic itself already provides. “This Is Home” just works incredibly well for this poor childs trauma, and it was a great opportunity to practice my composition and storytelling!!

Onto the deep analysis of every frame individually!!! (this is normal. this happens every time.)

The idea that Wingdings just eventually- gave up. Trying to connect with anyone. HURTS ME DEEPLY. I’m not sure if thats specifically because he just couldn’t get the font thing down, but I imagine that was a big contributing factor. But thats what specifically stops him here. He eventually slams his keys down on the board and says “IM DONE” and throws himself into a thing he can purely enjoy on his own- science. Even at a young age, I feel he only had 2 lives. One with Sans, and one with science. Then when those worlds combined when he became the royal scientist uhhh- I imagine it got worse.

Speaking of his young age, In these shots he’s also notably a tad older than the later depictions of his younger self with the scarf. Less full of joy and whimsy

“His mind is in a different place” is taken a tad more negatively than in the context of the song I feel, as he’s more or less isolated himself from everyone (but Sans) now in this “giving up” phase of his childhood. I wonder how Sans noticed/took that and if he tried to convince him otherwise, but in this case he just thinks he needs some time to himself.

Also let it be known that the words being crammed in at the “Give him a little bit of space” bit is on PURPOSE and a SILLY LITTLE JOKE/VISUAL GAG GIVEN THE LINE. I AM SO FUNNY.

The colors are also notably dark blues, that get greyer when Wingdings has given up. The light that Sans lets in ((looks into the camera, tearing up)) is still pretty cold despite it being brighter.

The berating is also in uppercase to show most of this is from Wingdings’ pov- I know he speaks in proper casing at this time, but I NEED SOME SORT OF INDICATOR, WORK WITH ME HERE. His main issue was his own self consciousness and desire to communicate properly, since it was said before on the blog that no one really picked on him for his inability to talk to them.

Then we have Papyrus!! The colors are similarly blue, but a lot brighter and a touch purpler and greener. Its from the same world, but not the same person. Also he’s wearing a yellow vest which is the complimentary color to blue ☝️

Papyrus is more heavily associated with warm colors in contrast to Wingdings, but this takes place very early on when he was very confused where his place was (or at least I assume thats what happened). He’s associating with warm colors (yellow) but is somewhat weary about it and still subconsciously clutching onto the comfort in familiarity.

The scene ofc depicts Papyrus being incredibly uncomfortable about any photos of himself as a child. It still definitely…looooks… like him. it just feels really wrong.

Similar thing to last time with the fonts as well, uppercase, Papyrus’ pov, he just wants to know who/WHAT he is.

I enjoy the colors in the photo and how they reallly stand out from the rest of the shot, just another emphasis that the photo feels otherworldly to Papyrus.

This is the part where I start weeping pitifully. The tiny Wingdings to Gaster comparison- it’s just so upsetting, I want to know what this poor child would think if he saw what he ends up as 😭

Wingdings enjoyed dreaming about the real stars he MIGHT get to see one day with Sans. The scene is dark, as it still hasnt happened yet, but still bright and hopeful as he stares up at the light! Its always a possibility. But then we have Gaster, who finally did it. He reached the stars, he gets to look up and say “wow…. I really did it”. Staring up at the void before him. Without Sans…I feel he wouldn’t ponder on it much, and consciously he doesn’t see anything bad about his circumstances, but the crack going down his eye that elludes to a tear says otherwise in the suppressed emotions.

The world Wingdings lived in when he was small, seemed so endless…Despite the underground being small compared to the real world, his imagination was endless. He could dream, he could imagine, and create things, get and give new ideas! But now as an adult that just so happens to be a lovecraftian entity, everything is much more simple and straightforward. At least from his perspective…Gaster may be able to DO way more than he ever could as a small child, but his mind is pretty one track at this point.

I wonder how Gaster feels…Now that they’ve gotten to the surface. without him

Im not sure how Papyrus in the game or even in the comic feels about stars, but Sans for one doesnt have to daydream anymore. They’ve also “done it” just like Gaster, but the hug insinuates less of that and more a “we WON”. They share in this moment together more emotionally than anything.

Again, compared to Gaster and them, they enjoy the moment in their own ways- Gaster just the action of seeing the stars, and Papyrus in what the moment itself means. I feel those are the 2 wants Wingdings had and thats a lot of what Papyrus and Gaster are. 2 halfs of Wingdings’…whole…thing

Also the stars welcoming him with open arms is both in reference to Sans but also Papyrus welcoming/accepting/loving himself…

IN CONCLUSION:

…yknow ive never asked before, but if anyone has any questions or needs clarification im happy to-

[erinwantstowrite]

Dick and Tim would be REALLY good on reality tv,,, they're both charismatic (please do not forget that Tim makes friends/allies easily just like Dick can), handsome, CLEVER, and know how to play to a persona. i think they'd go on shows for fun and to de-stress. like one too many things piss them off in their daily lives and they could pretty much get a vacation from it just to go on these shows. no one in the family can talk to them and they get to annoy people, crack jokes, and get fun puzzles in the form of a literal puzzle or figuring out social dynamics of the other players.

sometimes they go on shows by themselves but mostly use it as a brotherly bonding activity. if it's a show where they can be a duo they're GOING to do it. and they're going in to play to a storyline, not to win. they don't need the money, they don't need the publicity, they just want to have fun. sometimes if they figure out that everyone on the show sucks and they get competitive, they'll win. but mostly their goal is "how can we make the funniest plot line look the most natural." or something like that. i know a producer LOVES to see them coming. i bet EVERYONE tunes in when they're on a show because they're fucking hilarious even if half of what they say are inside jokes. the rest of the family watches and they KNOW what those shits are pulling, they have betting pools where they guess what the two are gonna do next, they're the FIRST to make memes for both internet and for the family group chats.

one time they convinced Bruce to go (it's been many a years since he really had to play up the Brucie role, cause he's a dad now and the older he gets the more people expect him to mellow out, and even back when he was full Brucie, reality TV wasn't his thing). it was one of those survival based shows where you come is as a team and try to win together. Bruce got lost in the woods after going on a hike. The camera men literally lost him and Tim and Dick were playing it up for the camera. Dick cried and invited the other teams to a funeral. Tim had a speech that was basically "I think he's fine but this is my perfect opportunity to embarrass my dad with stories." The producers were like "we fucking killed Bruce Wayne oh my fucking god" and Bruce shows up at the funeral like "oh what a beautiful service my boys are so great." They won by pure luck and circumstances and they were actively TRYING to lose that game. They were gobsmacked at the end and everyone uses the moment they looked at each other in confusion and shock as reaction gifs

[somnimagus]

My page for @sheikahzine; about Impaz's duty to her village, empty of people and full of memories.

[id in alt text]

[sabos-husband]

Hi! was hoping for a request (this might get really specific) reader as a strawhat member who grew up with luffy (by extension also ace and sabo) back in foosha village, but actually used to be a slave for the celestial dragons before she arrived there, maybe never told luffy because in her mind, luffy was the epitome of freedom and she was ashamed of her past. The scenario I had in mind for the reveal was maybe in the middle of battle, her clothes gets torn and her mark is seen, maybe some strawhats have an idea of that mark is (maybe jinbei, robin and alike) while others don't (ussop? maybe?), while making the enemies ridicule her and how the strawhats react, but you can choose another scene that you think are more fitting! i just wanted to see how you'd write luffy because i love your writing style! the way you write flows perfectly and it's never out of character, you're my current fav writer on tumblr! so thank you!

★ Around the World

Monkey D. Luffy and Reader ★

Fishman Island Spoilers!! ~ Straw Hat!Reader ~ Feminine Reader (she/her) ~ Hurt/Comfort

a/n: Aww, that's so sweet of you! I appreciate that so much! Specific asks are wonderful, it makes it easier to write something as close as possible to what you want. Thank you for the request <3 I put the majority of this between Fishman Island and Punk Hazard, but there aren't major spoilers. Sorry this took a while!

As well, there's description of the reader's history with slavery and the trauma that came from that. I left it vague for the most part, though.

For so much of your life, Luffy's been a constant. Even when you ran around Gray Terminal with Sabo and Ace, terrorizing all the people you could find for all the money you could grab, Luffy wasn't far behind for most of it. It took the Bluejam Pirates torturing Luffy for hours before his loyalty dawned on the three of you.

It then took Bluejam setting fire to Gray Terminal for you to truly consider Luffy special.

When Sabo took to the sea, swallowed by flame, you held Luffy tight as he wailed. When Ace left for the sea, aided by nothing but a burlap sack on his shoulder and the wind in his sails, Luffy had promised he would follow. When Luffy left for the sea, you were there, standing by his side. His very own first mate, meant to weather the Grand Line by his side.

You hoped with all your heart it'd stay that way. You hoped that it was all he'd know about you—you, his first mate, with nothing else of her past beyond the Grey Terminal's walls and Foosha Village's people.

Of course, nothing you want ever comes so simply.

You can still remember the shrieks of laughter that burst from Luffy as you both clambered into barrels—it made sense that he would wind up into trouble on the sea, but the first day takes the cake!

Your life has been non-stop ever since. From the very moment you both step foot on Shells Town with Koby in tow, the crew grew and grew to numbers that made your pride in Luffy bloom.

Zoro was tough with a sword and reliable when you need him, but his difficulty with directions always made your head spin. Nami was quick with her hands and quicker with her mind, just like how she could never stand to let a Berri slip by. Usopp was sharp as a tack with his constant innovations and steady sharpshooting, even when he ran at ten knots an hour away from danger. Sanji was nothing short of a first-rate chef and one of the strongest men you knew, despite how often he lost himself in the wild pursuit of women.

Then there came the Grand Line. It brought Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbei; thinking about the people Luffy drew to himself never failed to bring a smile to your lips. It's not like you could ever speak against them for their affection towards the captain—it's what brought you away from the safety of Foosha Village as well, skirting past the World Government you hated and feared for all your life.

It's like second nature, how much you love Luffy. Every single one of you would give anything for your captain.

"Anything" changes for you sometimes, though. Late into the night, long after the moon took its place in the sky, you wrestled with the dark. Could you keep this secret from your captain? From Luffy, the person you've known all your life?

(No, you'd remind yourself, not all your life.)

You think of the little boy you grew up alongside with, with a smile so bright you had to shield your eyes. The wind whipping his hair and threatening to carry away his straw hat as he lights up with laughter. You think of how your captain looks at you with the stars in his eyes, declaring that he will be the next King of the Pirates, and you believe him with all your heart.

Even after Ace died, his flames swallowed up in magma, you were there two years later. Luffy had gone through hell and back with you—couldn't that be enough?

It was thoughts like those that kept your secrets to yourself.

It was some foolish, childish part of you that thought you could have kept it up forever.

~

The day was as usual. It was nice, even. You had just finished helping Sanji with the groceries—to his chagrin, of course.

As much as he adores your company, he detests making such a sweet lady do manual labor for him, and he lets you know. Often. It was charming for the first while, but by the time you help Sanji put away the groceries, you're just glad it's over with.

The snack he rewards you after with, though, makes you sure that you'll help him next time. After he waves you off to begin lunch prep, you're quick to escape back to the docks.

You have some time to kill, you think. It's the last stretch until the log pose is finished setting and you've sort of lost track of the group... Thinking back, Zoro and Usopp got tied together, so you don't have to worry about searching for the poor swordsman. Nami stole Chopper to carry the clothes she was planning to get with Robin, while Brook and Franky were the ones assigned to watch the ship. That just leaves you with... Oh, seas.

There's a burst of screams that tear through the town's square, punctuated by a shriek of excited, almost maniacal laughter.

You're missing Luffy.

You're off like a shot towards the commotion before you can even think, weaving and pushing your way past the people. The crowd thickens as civilians shove past you. It's like swimming up river, but with every step you take, that familiar laughter gets closer.

When you finally burst from the mob, your feet catch on an unconscious marine. You stumble forward.

It's like breaking through a shield into a bubble—a ring of civilians gather to enclose Luffy as he's circled by marines, too duty-bound to flee but too cautious to fight.

Your captain hasn't put nearly as much thought into his approach. He barrels fists-first into the nearest hoard; the soldiers go flying like playing cards against a cannon. Sure it's charming, but he was supposed to be on board the Sunny, like, a hour ago.

So, Luffy deciding to gather the marines?

It sure isn't ideal.

Gathering your courage and tossing aside your exhaustion, you steel your nerves to storm the castle and extract your captain. And speak of the devil; Luffy whips his head around to stare at you.

"Oh! Hey!!" Luffy yells, with just a bit of manic glee. Great. You step forward—

—And a marine steps in your way. Really great.

As you fall into your fighting stance, you watch your captain dart from view. Well, whatever. You'll find him after you kick this guy's ass.

The marine wielded an odd weapon, like brass knuckles with claws soldered onto the palm. He hadn't bothered to clean the last victim's blood from it, and if the rust near the joints were to tell you anything, it was clear that he neglected to clean the blood of anyone from the weapon.

It feels like a warning.

It feels like a trophy.

Your captain rockets past him without a second thought (it's unlikely there was ever a first thought) to explode into another group of soldiers. It's like dynamite dropped in a haystack, the way navy officers go flying here and there.

The marine's eyes fall on you.

You can barely remember the fight afterwards, shamefully. You remember how it starts though.

He lunges at you with the speed of an animal, his clawed hands outstretched to sink into your flesh.

You dodge, he pivots, you aim to strike before he finds his footing—every move you make is to drive you closer to Luffy so you can cut and run.

Your mindlessness makes you sloppy. You don't even notice the way you're babying your secret, cradling it away from the fight. Of course that fucking marine notices.

Seas, you don't even know this marine's name, and yet he could still read you like a fucking book.

It's your last mistake.

When he slips to the side, too close for comfort, you jump back. His hand raises to tear out your eyes.

You raise your arms to guard, falling for the feint—the marine weaves past you, bearing his claws, and digs into your flesh.

It's over before you can even feel the pain.

You barely hold back a yell as you leap back, clutching your body. Warm blood trickles down the strike until it stained your clothes, sending panic shooting up your spine.

Like a curse from whatever gods left, that damn marine had struck you where you were weakest. There wasn't any time—by the time you whip around to clutch the wound, to hide your shame, it was too late.

"That pirate! She's... branded!"

A chorus of gasps tear through the crowd like a terrible symphony. You cling to the ribbons of your ruined attire like it could still save you.

Shadows claw at your vision as you struggle to breathe. Warm blood trickles down your limbs and your mark aches with a fresh, searing pain—it's grown with you, stretching over your skin in a reminder you can only try to forget.

You hear Robin gasp like she was struck herself. Oh seas, when did she arrive? You want to tuck yourself into a ball and hide from the prying eyes boring into your skin. You're sure she understands, if only because she shares your terror of who gave you this cross to bear, but it scares you. Somewhere, Usopp murmurs to her, "what is that?"

They know. They know.

The marine barks out in a fit of laughter, teeth bared and fingers curled around his claws. "What the hell is Straw Hat doing with government property?"

You think of Foosha Village, dodging your family and bathing in the river at night. You think of the clothes you had to give Makino back, too ridden by fear to wear them.

You think of your crew, sleeping soundly while you were working up the nerve to change your clothes in the dark. You think of Nami, with her skin graft and her new tattoo and the jealousy so strong you choke on it every time you see it. You think of how no one knows what was before that pinwheel tattoo except for the people she wants to know.

You think of your captain. You think of Luffy.

Oh seas, Luffy.

Tears cloud your eyes as you struggle to breathe. When you turn to your captain, you can barely see him—your vision swims, revealing splotches of color you'd recognize anywhere.

His haki rolls off in waves, so suffocating you can taste his rage on the back of your tongue. You see soldiers buckle and civilians collapse.

Your words escape before you can even think.

"Luffy, help...!"

A fist rockets past you. The sound of crunching bone hits you as air whips your cheeks. A mangled yell of pain is the last thing you hear from the marine.

"She doesn't," your captain growls, "belong to anybody."

~

You're brought into the medbay as soon as the Sunny left the docks. The silence is suffocating. You could barely look at Chopper as you shed your clothes, letting it slip until your shame was bare.

If you could guess, you'd bet it was nothing but professional courtesy that's keeping Chopper from reacting. That fucking mark takes up almost the entirety of the flesh, like a wound that can never heal.

The young doctor is kind when he cleans the blood. His touch hovers above your laceration when you hiss and tense. He's patient too, only continuing his work when you allow him to.

You hate this. Seas, you fucking hate this. You slump forward when Chopper continues his work.

You both pretend to not notice the tears that fall.

When he backs away, wound cleaned and bandaged, you don't turn to look him in the eye. You just turn your head and nod at Chopper.

The doctor straightens up like he always does after he works, but there's a new nervousness to him. His hooves are pressed together, like he's trying to quell the shaking. It makes you grit your teeth.

"The wound isn't bad," he says quickly, "but you'll need to rest. As for t-the rest, I couldn't..."

You nod. "Thanks, Chopper. You don't have to worry about... that. You're the best."

You watch the tension evaporate as he grins at you, leaning side to side. "That doesn't make me happy, you bastard!" He giggles, spinning. He sways a bit longer before he tamps it down, clearing his throat.

"But," he says clearly, "you can talk about it—"

"—Chopper—" you try to say.

"—Listen! It's important!" Chopper stands straighter like it'll give him the confidence his next words demand. "I-If you don't want to talk about it to me, it's okay. But... you should talk to someone. Nami, or Robin, or maybe- maybe if we call Jinbei, he would understand—"

"Chopper," you cut through. It hurts your heart to see the young doctor wilt. "It's okay. Thank you, but I'm alright."

"Okay... But- consider it? Please?"

You look away. "I will," you murmur.

Even though you don't see his face, you know Chopper knows you're lying. You know he won't push you farther, though. He hops down off his stool, shucks off his doctor's coat, and offers you the spare clothes Nami had lent you. She was kind enough to waive the fee this time too. You can't find it in you to appreciate it.

Chopper turns away as you get dressed again, which makes you smile. It makes you feel like you have some control again.

(You can't help but study your bandages. They're wrapped snug around you, but the edges of the brand sticks out like a hand print seared into your skin. You can still see the three pointed claws under the stark white of gauze.

It's the first time in a while you've really observed it. Every other time you forced yourself to look, all you could see was the red-hot brand and the wicked smiles of the demons who held it.

It's just as ugly as you remember.

You wish you had killed that marine, even if it wouldn't have changed anything.)

When you finish getting dressed, you signal to Chopper. He turns around, offers you a smile too bittersweet for someone of his youth, and reaches for the door.

"Oh, Luffy," Chopper comments idly. You can't stop how you flinch at the sound of his name.

You were dreading seeing him. It makes you want to cry again; how long has it been since you've dreaded being near Luffy?

The ringing in your ears swallow up the gentle words Chopper offers. Your bandages crush your ribs as you try to breathe—there isn't enough air, like that fucking marine took it all when he- when he—

The hands on your face smell like sun-warmed rubber. It's hard to say they're cradling your face, when Luffy just smacked his palms against your cheeks and squished them together until you were looking at him. When you blink, he blinks back at you.

"Are you there?" Luffy asks simply.

"Um, y-yes Captain," you force out. He nods thoughtfully.

Though, Captain isn't the right moniker. You aren't talking to isn't Captain Monkey D. Luffy, world-renowned Worst Generation pirate, capable of toppling kingdoms and challenging the World Government, feared by the powerful and adored by the powerless.

No, the boy in front of you is simply Luffy. The Luffy you've cherished since you were small, with a smile so bright and a heart so full—for all your life, you've never known how you got so lucky to have him.

Luffy pushes you to sit before he flops down next to you, bobbing with the mattress springing under his weight. You avoid his eye.

"You have something," Luffy states simply. It isn't a question, nor an accusation. It makes you flinch regardless—through all your tears, you can barely see the way your hands ball into fists in your lap.

He waits until you can find your words once again. It's kinder than you deserve.

"D-Do you- want to see it?"

"I don't care." Luffy just sort of... tilts his head at you. "I want to see you."

It's such a simple sentiment. It makes you feel like you've swallowed a thousand blades.

"I'm-... I didn't- I'm sorry, Luffy," you force out. The nails you dig into the stark white gauze don't put any pressure into the skin below it. Luffy frowns anyways.

"You can't apologize," he states simply. "You don't have to."

"But I- I lied—"

"It's okay." Luffy kicks his feet out. "I know you. I don't care about the rest."

All your words slip from your mind. If Luffy minds the silence, he doesn't show it.

Shame floods your chest. All these years hiding your past, unraveled just like that. You stare at your lap.

"They," you admit softly, "had me for so long. I- I never thought I'd be free."

He doesn't respond. You don't need him to—the words rush out before you can think. You stare into your open hands.

"W-When I escaped, I promised myself something. I said, they'll never control me ever again. But- I just... I've always been so scared! It's like- It's like I never even left—"

"Sabo is dead," Luffy says suddenly. "Ace is dead."

When Luffy looks forward, it isn't at Chopper's desk. It isn't at the medicine scattered along its surface, nor is it the kit the doctor had used to patch up your wounds. No—Luffy's gaze pierces farther, looking past the desk and the ship and the sea.

When Luffy looks forward, it's into the fire he left behind.

"But you aren't. You escaped. You're here with me."

Even without words, you understand. You can see the fire, too. "I am."

"You're not theirs anymore. You're mine," Luffy says just as suddenly, "but you aren't mine."

You don't respond. You wouldn't know how even if you tried.

Luffy turns to you with the same inferno that swallowed up your shared home. "You're my crew. You're my first mate. But I don't own you. No one does. That brand doesn't mean anything."

Before you can gather your thoughts, you feel Luffy's hand press his straw hat into your lap. It feels as warm as the sun he had been standing in just moments before. Luffy grabs at your hands to wrap them around its brim.

"You don't belong to anybody."

You could cry.

Luffy shakes your shared hold. "Say it."

"I-I..." You sniffle, "I don't..."

Luffy's eyes don't look away from you. They aren't mean, nor are they worried—they're fierce, just as sure of your power as they were the day he met you.

"I don't," you say finally, "belong to anybody."

When you collapse into his arms, shaking with every sob that wracks through your body, there is no shame when his hands brush over your mark. All you feel is warmth as he pulls you tighter.

You're not property. You're free.

You're a pirate—and no one is freer than a pirate.

[iamhereinthebg]

I've been wanting to draw Nene dancing with them since a really long time 🥺

[mirage126]

R.I.P. Killer /jk

[remcadll]

Gen obsessed with how.. *dead* your Jason's color pallete is. Like, that's corpse pale right there. Not a spec of blood left flowing in there (also father Todd's skin being full of color in comparison is a nice touch)

THANK YOU I love making him look a bit ghoulish. Guy who's not supposed to be alive but yes he is. no he isn't <3

[katabay]

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A KNIGHT...

the visual inspiration for this was a combination of Frederic William Burton's Meeting on the Turret Stairs and also Bernardo Cavallino's The vision of St. Dominic receiving the Rosary from the Virgin

this was supposed to be just a one off illustration to get the thoughts out of my system, but then I started thinking about medieval politics and warfare and plagues and a castle and home as both a place of refuge, a prison, and a tomb, so perhaps they will end up as ex voto characters as well.

you may say, hey! that rosary looks like it has too many beads! it's a fifteen decade rosary, probably. dominicans are really into marian devotions. it works out.

also. spiral style stair cases. oh boy. it was that unexpectedly more difficult than I originally thought it would be to draw. the more I think about it, the less I understand them, even though I had a million photos of the stairs in front of me while I was drawing it.

⭐ I have a tip jar (ko-fi)!

⭐ and other places I’m at! bsky / pixiv / pillowfort /cohost / cara.app

[chronicowboy]

my dreamdreamdream scenario for eddie and buck getting trapped is buck having some kind of internal bleeding but hiding it and he's like leaning against walls to take a breath whenever eddie isn't looking but he's too slow one time and he coughs up a mouthful of blood just as eddie rounds the corner to check where he's gone and then eddie's flying into frantic medic mode and he's ripping his gloves off and shoving his hands under buck's shirt and his eyes are blowing wide and he's pulling the shirt up and there's so much bruising and there's blood on buck's lips and they're trapped and eddie can't do anything about it so he shoves his shoulder under buck's armpit and drags him along but there's a big wall of rubble blocking their exit so eddie props buck up against the wall and gets to work on digging at it and he tells buck to keep talking so he knows he's awake and buck's telling him about tectonic plates between wet coughs until he just starts saying eddie's name and eddie just asks him another question to keep him talking. eddie voice. what's a divergent boundary again? small buck voice. two tectonic plates that are slowly moving away from each other producing rifts. and eddie gets this pained look on his face but he can't look back because he's got to get buck out and then buck is saying his name again and again and again. buck voice. i'm really glad i got to see chris one last time. eddie voice. don't you dare, he can't, he could lose bobby buck, every kid has to lose a grandparent at some point, he can't lose another parent. and buck smiles and his teeth are bloody and eddie can't breathe but buck is staring up at him like he's figuring something out. tell maddie she was right, it wouldn't be so crazy. and then he passes out <3

[egophiliac]

so on the subject of the "Crowley is secretly Revaan/Laverne/Levin/please Twst give us his name" theory, I think my feelings are best summed up as "I don't really buy it, but it's funny". like, in all seriousness, I'm not opposed to it; I have enjoyed the writing in Twst so far and I'm willing to trust that whatever happens will, you know, make sense and not be terrible. but I'm just not really convinced by the current evidence! maybe that'll change once we learn more, we'll see!

with that said, may I propose a few alternate theories about the possible Crowley/Revaan connection: