#to the occasional decision to have two people say a line together

[bananonbinary]

if y’all aren’t listening to re: dracula because “oh its just the same as daily dracula just aloud” you are missing out on some incredibly chilling moments

[bethanywritesbooks]

my immediate thoughts on the first four and a bit episodes of netflix's avatar!

massive spoilers below!

okay I’m sorry but there is NO WAY sozin was actually present and storming the air temple. dude’s the fire lord. he would absolutely have been sitting behind a desk from the safety and comfort of his own palace and receiving the occasional update via letter at MOST. 

are we supposed to infer the airbender woman who gyatso nods at is aang’s mum? surely the camera lingered on her (and showed her having absolutely bananas-level tornadobending skills) for a reason.

gyatso with the kids :”( literally made me cry. 

honestly I was not as outraged as some people with the whole ‘toning down sokka’s sexism’ thing, bc I do understand some of his lines coming across differently/more maliciously in 2024 than intended at the time they were written. but I have to say … this version of katara opening the iceberg was not entirely convincing :/ like in the OG version you could see how she was so angry at sokka that it fuelled her waterbending enough to break the iceberg, but in this one she just … raises her hands? 

I get that this show is trying to be its own thing, but ‘will you go penguin sledding with me?’ is SUCH a perfect introduction to aang’s character, and I’m kind of bummed they nixed the line :/ 

and I get there are time constrains etc, but they didn’t include any of katara and aang actually bonding together, so it doesn’t really make sense now that she’s willing to go off and travel the world with him. 

the music is really good! 

GRAN GRAN DID THE THING! 

speaking of, why does gran gran know everybody’s business?

they definitely seem to have toned down zuko’s personality? like OG show zuko would not be having a back and forth conversation with iroh about the avatar, he would’ve just shouted at him and stormed off. 

I also really like the interaction between iroh and aang. iroh’s toeing the party line, but you get the sense that he believes differently. 

okay, I have to say this, and this is something I’ve been thinking since the first promo pictures came out. everyone’s clothes look too clean! our real clothes have were and tear, but these outfits don’t look lived in! it’s distracting me!

that said, paul sunghyung lee is completely spot-on as live-action iroh. completely captures the character’s personality and appearance. I want a hug from this version of iroh.

must admit I am glad that appa and momo are 100 times cuter and nowhere near as terrifying as they looked in [REDACTED BY THE DAI LI]. 

okay, heading into episode two. 

seems they have retconned zhao’s origin story, since this seems to be the first time iroh has met him? does this now mean zhao was not present at the zuko/ozai agni kai, like he was in the OG show?

SUKI!!!! 

suki’s reaction to meeting a boy she likes being to throw down and fight him, what a little weirdo (affectionate). 

oh, zuko. having the confidence to try and fight AVATAR KYOSHI is certainly … A Decision. one that a teenage boy would make! 

AVATAR KYOSHI LOOKS SO GOOD! 

avatar kyoshi if you are free to hang out on thursday night, I would like to hang out on thursday night when I am free, if you are free. 

hmm I’m kind of intrigued as to where they’re going with the live action version of zhao. because right now it seems like he’s a nameless commander — like we’re supposed to infer his letter is his first direct communication with ozai? he’s not been around the royal family before? by taking away this backstory, the show is missing out on the total hilarity of a middle-aged man having longstanding, personal beef with a sixteen-year-old.

listen, if daniel dae kim wanted to be in my tv show I would absolutely be like ‘yes, of course, how many close-ups do you want?’ but I do think the OG show not revealing ozai’s face until season 3 was a really smart decision. it built up so much suspense and mystery around this character (who is supposed to be larger than life!) and it had SUCH good payoff IMHO. I do kind of wish they had committed to this too but, like. if daniel dae kim was in my show I’d want his face in it, so I get it. 

time for episode three! 

azula!! introducing her doing undercover work makes sense for her character, given how she later infiltrates ba sing se. though I’m not sure it’s entirely believable that the people … wouldn’t recognise her? in the fire nation capital? she’s a (very!) public figure!

again, season 1 zuko would not have had the patience and self-control to compromise with zhao like this. 

mai and ty lee! I like that the show is already hinting at mai betraying azula for zuko — her first instinct is to defend zuko (even though she walks it back when she sees azula is upset), hinting at where her true loyalties eventually lie. 

being a teenage girl and getting led astray by a bad boy with a shaggy haircut is, unfortunately, a canon event for us all. 

katara brushing by zuko and him touching her scarf!!! not the 2024 zutara crumbs! 

‘zuko, don’t fire bend, it’ll draw too much attention!’ zuko: proceeds to have a huge smackdown fight w aang, destroying multiple vendors’ goods in the process. 

that lady smacking zuko for attacking aang was genuinely the funniest part of the episode. 

‘MY CABBAGES!’ iconic, outstanding, give him an oscar immediately!

episode four! 

more aang and iroh interactions! maybe they'll do a jailbreak together? 

loved seeing the iroh and ozai interaction, I hope we get to see more of their dynamic together. (I think a lot of ozai’s actions make sense when you remember he’s a youngest child.) 

loved the detail of zuko giving iroh lu ten’s broach (badge? pin? it’s late, my brain’s getting fuzzy), showing that his softer side was always there.

bumi’s voice and mannerisms and completely spot-on, but I’m not sure I entirely agree with his new characterisation. he seems so … jaded and bitter? yes, they’ve captured his silliness and eccentricity, but he’s also supposed to be wise, and I’m not sure if the latter is really coming across.

okay episode five! (it’s 11:30PM at this point, and I can feel myself becoming less and less coherent, so don’t expect as much detail at this point.) 

ooof. the CGI while the gaang is on appa seems … worse than in earlier episodes? did they run out of money at this point? 

this version of ozai seems more … pragmatic? he’s strategically playing his kids against each other, but IMHO animated ozai would never praise zuko (even if it was to put azula in her place) bc he didn’t like him enough to do that. ever. 

JUNE LOOKS SO GOOD.

okay I am too tired to keep watching, I'll watch more tomorrow.

[supernaturalcharlie11]

Ylfa has never been the type of girl who follows the path that stretches out in front of her. So when she was confronted with writing her story anew, she could only bring herself to write a few lines:

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who loved her grandma very much. Her name was Ylfa Snorgelson. But she was better known as Little Red Riding Hood.

She tucked the page away. There was no need to write more. She would stray from the path anyway. And she knew exactly what was waiting for her at the end of the story. An old friend. A part of her lost in the final battle.

The Big Bad Wolf continues to provide an end to all the stories, but she does so in a kinder way than her predecessor. She too has remnants of memories of an adventure that she went on when a part of her was still a little girl.

The day comes, when Death meets the first of her companions again. She finds Timothy Goose surrounded by his husband and son, falling asleep peacefully.

„Old friend“, he greets Death kindly. „Thank you for joining me on this last path.“

„Of course.“

And they walk together, away from something and towards something else that no one in the world could ever understand. Tim tells death about everything he lived through. A life filled with ink, love and an occasional pickle that Tim cherishes very much.

The next two familiar faces meet the Big Bad Wolf shortly after each other. Gerard had lived a life of adventure, finally laying down his life to protect a new ally. Next to death he makes his way down a path that leads into a similar direction as Mother Goose‘s.

Pib, on the other hand, has a lot of reincarnations left. Death, to him, is merely another stop along the way. But when he meets her, he looks a little wary.

„Rest here as long as you want“, the Big Bad Wolf offers. „You deserve a little rest.“

„Thank you“, Pib meows and jumps onto the back of the Wolf that he once knew so well. Prodding his paws into the soft and warm fur, he prepares a little spot to lie down and sleep without an open eye for the first time in his many lifetimes.

Rosamund greets Death like an old friend, bowing deeply as she leaves her life behind. A life filled with wonder and grace, with adventures and saving as many young maidens from what she once knew as destiny. Now she knows it’s nothing even close to that.

„I‘m not the first, am I?“

Death shakes her big head.

„Will I see them again?“

„I don‘t know“, Death admits. „Where this path leads is hidden even from me. But that doesn‘t mean it will be bad. Quite the opposite, I believe.“

And Death turns so that Rosamund might look upon her old friend again, who is still nestled in the warm fur.

„I don‘t think this path is meant for me“, Pib says looking down the road that some of his companions have already taken.

„Then let‘s stray together“, Rosamund smiles and opens her arms. Death watches as Rosamund carries the little cat down a way that even Death herself can‘t tread.

After that, Death spends a lot of time with people she doesn‘t know, but cares about deeply nonetheless.

Then, one night, an older man finds himself by her side. He looks at Death with love in his eyes, recognising something in her that the Big Bad Wolf has already forgotten.

„Will she join me?“, Pinocchio asks, lovingly running his now human hand through the dark fur.

„Was one lifetime not enough?“, Death asks, genuinely curious.

Pinocchio smiles: „Is it ever?“

The last one to join the other side is an old woman in a red cape. She has a spark in her eyes that tells of a lifetime filled with love, crazy decisions along no path anyone could ever form, and an absence of the pain that was once destined for her.

She looks at Death with kindness, not recognising her. But Death does. She looks behind what everyone else could see directly at the young girl who had once been her.

Many upon a times ago.

„Let‘s just sit for a while“, Death offers and the girl gladly accepts.

„Are you waiting at the end of every story?“

The Big Bad Wolf turns to look at her, memories of adventures and friendship returning in a way that Death never thought possible.

„This is not the end, Little Red“, she whispers quietly. „There are a lot of stories left to be written.“

[erenspussy420]

Sfw and nsfw headcannons for crewel and Crowley (seperately )? With female reader plz

SFW/NSFW for Crowley and Crewel! Hope you enjoy!

Fem Reader Insert

MDNI 18+ ONLY. Nsfw will be under the read more line.

Sfw: 

Dire Crowley:

This man is cheap, Like expect that during this relationship, however fear not! For he is so humbly gracious to have lavish vacations with you at the expense of the student body.

 Though for my fellow Crowley hoes out there, Crowley can be romantic. Crowley is doing his “best” and honestly it’s kind of endearing how this man flounders at trying his hand at “wooing” you. Expect plucked flowers and shiny things on your pillows, and over the top letters he has stuffed under the door of your room.

True to bird fashion, has attempted to make a nest for you and ngl it is pretty comfy.

He has horrid fashion taste, never let him pick out your clothes.

Crowley absolutely loves it when you stroke his hair, but really melts when you stroke his back, he covers you in his cloak like a bird covers themselves in their wings.

The more time you are with him, the more he trusts you enough to take his mask off. This is a serious matter, he even drops all pretenses of his goofy persona. You’re one of the few people in all of Twisted Wonderland who has seen his full face, that is something he can ever truly be grateful for.

He totally gives you sweet pecks throughout the day, though probably not in front of the students lol. He totally would in front of his staff members, likes to rub it in that he in fact does have an S/O

He totally humble-brags about you.

His hair is actually pretty nice to run your fingers through, and its unfair how nice it is.

Smells like parchment and ink, with a bit like a sharp wind from above. Bury your nose into him, and smell the soft scent of the forest.

Divus Crewel:

HUSBAND MATERIAL

Fuck, okay, he is actually the most reliable man here and competent as hell.

A real gentleman, and pretty respectful of your boundaries. 

A day starts with a morning kiss and ends the night with a goodnight kiss. His mouth was made for kissing and he's the type to kiss you slow but deeply.

This man will spoil you, clothes, dates, a stimulating conversation and he’s genuinely invested in you.

You get to wear his coat and it's so smooth under your hands. You feel fancy as fuck wearing it. Smells like him.

Unfortunately due to his job, and Crowley's malarkey, dates tend to be in between what little time you two can make for yourselves. However, even simple little dates between you feel sweet, and the vacations leave them quite…enthralling.

Honestly, Crewel helps pick out your clothes and upgrades your closet. Will respect your decisions in the end, but low key judges crimes against fashion. *aka Crowley*

Will make anything you want. Man has a binder dedicated to ideas he has for you. Seriously, color coded and seasonal outfits.Strolls through the town with you, fingers laced together. He presses a kiss on your knuckles that make you swoon.

Adores the hell out of dogs, so hopefully you like them too, or else this ain't gonna last long. If there is a dog near by you bet your sweet ass he's gonna pet it. Wait one day, he's gonna show up with a box of puppies and you can't even stop him.

He smells like expensive cologne, a hint of musk, leather and a subtle spice you can't name, but God does it make you wanna bury your nose into his skin. To his displeasure, he can't always get rid of the scent of potions on him. 

Nsfw:

Dire Crowley:

Okay, I'm gonna be super honest with you. I cannot see this is starting, than a hot hate-fucking in his office.

Birdman is submissive.

You're gonna have to pull the reigns here, he does top occasionally and ugh he's pretty good at dirty talk. He's into edging can you even belive the audacity of this man?

If you love marking, recieving or giving, he has lipstick for it you know. Just saying is all.

He has a cute dick, better than he deserves. Its smooth and girthy, and Crowley is pretty pale so is his dick. But his head is cute flushed pink. His balls are sensitive and he loses it if you suck on them.

This relationship started as a hatefuck to a romance

Despite Dire's shady self, he truly does care about you. Wants to make sure your needs are also being meet, having you cum around him, screaming his name makes his wing flutter in pleasure.

Why he is so generous, he's more than willing to surrender himself to you as your toy to use. Tie his hands back and bounce on his cock till his balls are empty and leave him there dirty with his cold cum dripping down his balls.

You have his heart all in a twist when you grab his face to kiss him deeply when he cums in you.

This man has a fucking humiliation kink I just fucking know it. He praises himself too much, but the insults have him leaking crying "yes yes tell me how bad I've been! Spit on me!" Degrade him, step on him, call him useless, just as so long as you remember to reassure him he's still wonderful and that you love him.

Divus Crewel:

This man doms and there is no questioning it.

Dom/sub play have you seen that whip and collar. No way that man doesn't have that kink.

Mod is frothing at the mouth

He isn't into gagging as much as one would expect him too. Oh he totally is into it, but he perfers hearing your moans and pleas unfiltered as you try not to cum agaisnt his orders.

He has a big cock and we all know it. Thick at the base, the head a beautiful red hue, with this thick vein under it that feels good to run your tounge on. Curves slightly to the left. His balls are well rounded, and a bit heavy. Cums comes out pretty thick.

Loves watching you hump his leg to get off, though he might have to punish you to "behave" better.

He has so many toys for you, though getting a dildo of his own cock is a gift in itself and have to work for it. Plays with those vibrator with a remote, watching you squirm trying to find relief by squeezing your thighs as he presses the button for more power.

He's really fantastic with aftercare.

He gives you that hot kiss, tounge sucking when he presses his hips into you, cock hitting the spot that has you rocking into him for more.

He has custom lingerie made for you, the types that make you feel like the sexiest being in the world. This man will fuck the living daylights out of you.

Scratch his scalp,  tug his hair makes him buck relentlessly in you.

[witchofthemidlands]

i'm writing doctorjackrose angst currently in my recent fanfic chapter so you guys can have my brain rot as a result, i apologise in advance.

the fact that the two people eleven mentions by name is rose & jack as people he would want to spend time with to avoid his trip to lake is such a throwaway line but it makes me absolutely insane regardless because i can just imagine jack&rose being with any of the modern doctors & it still being as electric & beautiful as it was when they were travelling with nine (before satellite 5 obviously) because you cannot tell me that there were not polycule vibes between the three of them.

i mean, i can imagine that they would have so much fun with eleven. he's a near feral energy goblin & weirdly smooth in his own way so i feel like elevenjackrose would go on some incredible adventures. they would ALWAYS be touching one another in some way, there would probably be the most physical contact from this version of them & they would scare the locals of every planet they go to. eleven strikes me as the doctor who would attempt to be the big spoon & then decide that he'd rather enjoy being the little spoon between the three of them. ACTUALLY i can also imagine eleven innocently putting the three of them in bunk beds & being so elated about it that neither rose nor jack want to say anything but they nearly have & all three of them have somehow ended up in the same bunk before. I can picture them just being practically joint at the hip & just about get stuff done because they're always having a great time with one another & need to remember to stop being near indecent to save the world.

twelve, there would be ✨tenderness✨ (especially with rose, similarly to how the moment is with the war doctor) not as much physical contact as the previous regenerations but he'd probably link arms with rose & jack in an old fashioned manner as they’d walk around together. i think rose would adore twelve (both she & jack would tease him for the attack eyebrows though) & wouldn't even really take much notice that he looked a lot older than the previous regenerations because he’s got his usual big doctor personality, even more so as twelve & slightly more ✨unhinged✨ mean personally, i doubt jack would even speak to twelve at points due to the decisions he made concerning missy but despite all that, i think those three would have a wonderful time together. i can just imagine twelvejackrose all trying to fit in one big chair in the tardis library together to sleep whilst twelve rambles on about something. twelve would be the big spoon & would have his arms resting around both of them.

with thirteen i think thirteenjackrose would be similar to eleven where they’d have so much blissful fun together & be practically joint at the hip. her northern accent would be so nostalgic to both rose & jack. there would also be so much flirting between thirteenjackrose that the rest of the companions are nearly always facepalming (cue jack telling them that any of them are open to join in) i can also picture thirteen basically banishing jack to the tardis at first because she is sick of people assuming that he's the doctor & rose always finds that hilarious. people might disagree with me here but i think thirteen would be the big spoon between the three & would hold them both so close. i also think if rose&jack encountered the hologram that they would see thirteen as she is but it would occasionally flicker to other doctors probably both nine&ten.

[jacks-manidiary]

Daydreaming and alterhumanity, and how they intersect

(As a disclaimer, this essay assumes familiarity with both subjects and relating terminology. If you find a word you don't know, feel free to look it up on your own.)

On the surface, it may seem like neuronarration and alterhumanity are two quite different experiences. In one, you fully realize that you are merely an author watching events play out in your head - it's a world you tend to just visit, voluntarily or not. And alterhumanity is the trait of being nonhuman/an alternative identity consistently in your waking, non-dissociated state. But some of you may already be catching the parallels.

Most people perceive their daydreams from the point of view of their parame. In that moment, when you are immersed in the world around you, emotionally (and perhaps even spiritually) you are that parame. You feel it on every level, and many even report a feeling similar to dysphoria when that feeling is interrupted. So of course, it's no wonder that sometimes this connection will persist into the daily life outside of daydreams.

It's quite a common experience to use alterhumanity as a method of escapism, too. And even shifting just rhymes too well with the daydreaming immersion. For many alterhumans, trying to recall their other life can involve vividly perceiving the occasionally quite narratively dramatic events that happened. The two experiences are quite different, but it's easy to see how the line would blur for some.

Both daydreaming and alterhumanity come in a variety of shapes and forms, both involuntary and by choice.

In particular is of interest the veritbonding part of daydreaming that quite a few people experience - it's a case where neuronarration and soulbonding mix together, and I& think it demonstrates the way that daydreaming influences the life of the neuronarrator outside of the fantasy.

All this is to say that neuronarration can very easily become an integral part of your identity. I wouldn't be surprised if perhaps the other way around was possible too, alterhumanity turning into neuronarration, although I& myself& have not heard of such cases.

Now as for my& own experiences with this, I& have felt for quite a long time like my& parames were more than just parames - they were me& directly, on a deeper level.

When you experience the life of someone through their eyes and feel every bit of what's happening to them, when you don't just observe but also act and make decisions as that character, at some point you get attached. At some point, for me&, I& started feeling like the words I& had were insufficient.

And after looking around and seeing that nothing really fit, I& turned to the alterhuman community and, although still not relating entirely in every way, I& think I& found the path for me& to take with my& approach to my& parames.

I& hope this resonates with others who feel that these two subjects intersect, and would love to hear your stories or thoughts on this!

[thinkingisadangerouspastime]

L&O Fic Recs (Mostly Kincoy)

Notes:

Fics are listed in no particular order outside of website specifications

Most of these fics are Claire/Jack, but not all (there’s also character-centric fics, some femslash, at least one niche rarepair, etc.)

If you read, be sure to reblog (Tumblr), kudos (AO3), and leave a kind comment (all platforms)!

The summaries for the majority of these fics are the same as were posted with the story; for the one or two that had particularly vague summaries or no summary at all, I provided a sentence

Fics are complete unless stated otherwise

I may update this list occasionally in the future :)

Feel free to reblog with your own additions!

Tumblr:

Red and Pink, by fighterkimburgess; Claire/Jack, oneshot, unrated, 1.4k.

It’s Valentine’s Day 1996, and Claire Kincaid is making big decisions.

you’re too tall, by serenasoutherlyns; Claire/Jack, oneshot, unrated, 210 words.

Claire looks up at Jack as she says it, her eyelashes fluttering, her hand coming to grasp at his tie, watching with satisfaction as his eyes darken.

AO3:

Mine Eyes Dazzle, by GilShalos1; Claire/Jack, four fics, ratings include G, T, and E, 38.4k total.

A series of stories all set within the same fanon: Jack and Claire, and Jack after Claire.

lovers lost in time, by lonely_is_so_lonely_alone; Claire/Jack, 13 chapters, rated G, 22.2k.

She knew it was crossing a line – crashing through a boundary they had set themselves in those first, slow, weeks.

Her head screamed at her. Not again. Not again. Not again.

– tracing the relationship between Claire and Jack, from their first kiss to their last.

it was more than worth it, by faerialchemist (me!); Claire/Jack, 2 chapters, rated T, 32k.

Claire shook her head, lacing their fingers together. “How about we lay down some ground rules?”

Jack chuckled. “Rules, huh?”

“Yes.” A smirk twitched at her lips. “If you come within six inches of my personal space in the office, I have permission to taze you.”

(Or: 7 times people found out about Jack and Claire’s relationship + 1 time people were told.)

love in rushes, by serenaclaires; Claire/Jack (ft. a smattering of other Claire pairings, including Margot/Claire), oneshot, rated T, 500 words.

Claire kisses him like he might disappear.

Takeout Lives (or, The Turkey Effect), by missanotherboat; Claire & Jack & Adam, oneshot, rated G, 2.2k.

“Most people wait until Christmas to let it flow – memories, guilt, joy, pain – but I should have known you wouldn’t be caught dead in a conventional depression.”

the lock that kept it dark, by serenaclaires; Alexandra & Jack, Abbie & Jack, Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated M, 5.3k.

The first few times, it’s the smallest glimpses. A flash of dark brunette in the back of a courtroom that is gone as soon as he sees it.

passionately, i’d say, by serenaclaires; Claire/Jack, one chapter, rated T, 1.3k. Ongoing.

Jacqueline “Man-eater” McCoy, Claire recalls the sexist but accurate nickname among the many the new EADA had acquired.

match point, by faerialchemist (me!); Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 2.9k.

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Claire, Adam wants us to be in the office at 7 tomorrow.”

Claire bit back another sigh. “I’m well aware, Jack, but like you said—my car isn’t going anywhere right now. Not without a tow truck.”

“Then let me take you home.”

Claire stiffened, her traitorous heart skipping a beat at his suggestion. “I’m sorry?”

won’t you hang a picture?, by faerialchemist (me!); Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 3.6k.

She watched in silence how his toned back, his firm shoulders rose and fell with each slow breath he took, the consequential snores causing her to bite her tongue to hold back a laugh. If only the court could see him now—the fearless, fiery Jack McCoy sleeping on his stomach with one hand under his pillow and snoring like a disgruntled cat.

Maybe it was selfish, maybe it was childish, but Claire reveled in the fact that this sight was one reserved solely for her.

(Or: It’s 3 AM, and Claire Kincaid finds herself thinking about Jack McCoy.)

come on, babe (why don’t we paint the town?), by faerialchemist (me!); Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 2.9k. Part 1 of and all that jazz.

“Sounds lovely,” Jack said. He started commenting about the color, some stupid, quippy remark, no doubt, but Claire was only half-listening as she stood to slowly unzip her pencil skirt.

Based on the way Jack cut himself off with an awkward cough halfway through his sentence, Claire had a feeling her phone had picked up the sound just fine.

(Or: Claire gets ready for a night out. Jack listens in.)

find a flask (we’re playing fast and loose), by faerialchemist (me!); Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 5k. Part 2 of and all that jazz.

Of course, Jack’s age hadn’t stopped a few beautiful young women—and one handsome young man—from approaching him with a wink and a casual hand trailing across his chest. One girl had curly dark hair and was even wearing a short red dress.

But none of them were Claire, and therein lay the problem.

(Or: Jack tries to find Claire on her night out. Easier said than done.)

come on, babe (we’re gonna brush the sky), by faerialchemist (me!); Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 2.7k. Part 3 of and all that jazz.

Wincing at the stiffness of her shoulders and the thunder that continued to boom against the inside of her skull, Claire reached over to retrieve the folded paper.

It was a note, she realized upon closer inspection, a note scribbled in very familiar cursive. Its message was concise: You’ll need these.

Right.

Jack.

(Or: Claire wakes up after a wild night out. Jack is there, too.)

With Mechanical Assistance, by ememmyemmers; Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated G, 1.5k.

Too scared of his reputation as a man who sleeps with his assistants, Jack McCoy has hidden his growing feelings for Claire Kincaid for months. But one late night ride in the office’s ancient elevators might change it all… 

the saviours, by lonely_is_so_lonely_alone. Claire/Jack, Jack & Jamie, oneshot, rated T, 5.4k.

After Jamie’s disciplinary hearing at the end of Justice, she and Jack go back to the office for a drink.

Later, Abbie crashes the party.

And as always, things turn back to Claire, the ghost in the walls.

– Coda to 10x05, Justice

between friends, by lonely_is_so_lonely_alone. Claire/Jack, Jack & Jamie, oneshot, rated G, 2.9k.

After Jack walks out of the Grand Jury in 9x14, a old friend comes to visit him in DC

– Or Jack and Jamie talk about what pushed him over the edge.

three’s a crowd, by lonely_is_so_lonely_alone. Claire/Jack, Jack & Jamie, oneshot, rated T, 2.8k.

Jack and Jamie talk about the elephant in the room.

– post ep for Under the Influence (8x11)

belief, by lonely_is_so_lonely_alone. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 7.1k.

He doesn’t believe in ghosts. Nope. Not at all. He is Jack McCoy, rational down to cynical. He’s seen all the world can offer, right under the floorboards of humanity and back out. He doesn’t believe in ghosts but – but – there’s a ghost sitting on the edge of his desk when he gets back from court.

– Every time Jack McCoy loses an ADA, there’s a familiar face there to talk about why.

Principessa, by listentothewordsyousay. Claire/Jack, four chapters, rated T, 1.2k. Ongoing.

Kneeling beside her hospital bed, he had the sudden, deranged recollection of the prince kneeling beside Snow White’s bed. Some Prince Charming he was, he thought bitterly.

Mistletoe, by listentothewordsyousay. Claire/Jack, two chapters, rated T, 558 words. Ongoing.

He stood directly behind her at the bar, just close enough for him to feel her shiver when he spoke softly into the curve of her shoulder. ‘I like the dress.’

A Dinner in Hot Pursuit, by listentothewordsyousay. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 599 words.

‘You’re wondering what sort of man I am, too.’

Aftermath, by GilShalos1. Claire/Jack, 10 chapters, rated T, 998 words.

Ten drabbles – a different take on “Aftershock”

In Limine, by GilShalos1. Claire/Jack, 10 chapters, rated T, 7.6k.

What if fanfic and reruns are the afterlife for dead TV characters? Claire Kincaid discovers that her life isn’t what she assumed it to be. But is there anything she can do about it now?

A Bad Idea, by HandwithQuill. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated G, 559 words.

Jack and Claire in the office on the night they become a couple.

Against All Good Advice, by castles. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated G, 754 words.

Five Season 5 snapshots.

De Jure, by VelvetMouse. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 1.3k.

This job got more interesting all the time.

White Knight, by GilShalos1. Jack & OC, 16 chapters, rated T, 7.9k.

Jack McCoy pays attention to the people he works with, especially the women… Even those who don’t want to be noticed.

Set early in the 24 years McCoy worked in the DA’s Office before his first appearance in “Second Opinion.”

Casual, by shonn. Abbie/Serena, oneshot, rated G, 217 words.

When opposites attract.

Case Files, by eastberlin. Abbie/Toni, oneshot, rated G, 247 words.

Abbie is a neat freak. Toni, not so much.

city glacier, by kimaracretak. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 3.5k. Recommended by @sit-drink-smile!

There’s a comfort to the ritual, Claire on the couch with case files, him on the phone, even the open bottle. All they need is Adam to poke his head in the door and scold them for still being around this late, and it’ll be just like it was before. But they’ve outlasted him tonight, and the building’s late-night quiet seems empty.

[ On survival, grief, and vampirism. ]

all i need is a taste, by faerialchemist (me!). Margot/Claire, oneshot, rated T, 1.4k.

Claire hums in agreement, undoing another two of Margot’s buttons. “Even I could kiss you better than—better than what’s-his-face, I bet.”

It isn’t until Margot’s back stiffens beneath her touch that Claire realizes what sequence of words has left her mouth.

FFN:

N.B. I highly recommend getting yourself an adblocker before reading any of these, FFN is going down the tubes.

I Did It My Way, by defyngravity. Nina/Mike L., six chapters, rated T, 9.5k.

Nina Cassady is relaxing at a bar after a long day of work, hoping for some alone time. But someone comes in from out of the cold…

The Moment to Turn, by snarkhunter. Abbie-centric, oneshot, rated K+, 1.3k.

Coffee, country music, and contemplation.

Aftershock: McCoy, by Cirocco. Jack-centric, Claire/Jack, five chapters, rated T, 38.2k.

“Aftershock,” mostly from Jack McCoy’s point of view.

Aftershock: Kincaid, by Cirocco. Claire-centric, Claire/Jack, three chapters, rated T, 18.8k.

“Aftershock,” mostly from Claire Kincaid’s point of view.

A Run Through Central Park, by LTP-girl. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 462 words.

Jack and Claire share an afternoon jog.

you remembered, by nevermore199. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated K+, 105 words.

Happy anniversary. Drabble, Jack x Claire. Written for Law and Order 100.

Delaying The Inevitable, by MandaLou. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 137 words.

LJ Community Challenge: Footwear.

cold as ice, by nevermore199. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated K+, 200 words.

It’s all so cold now. Oneshot, Jack x Claire, post-Aftershock.

All About the Coffee, by commasplice27. Abbie/Serena, oneshot, rated T, 904 words.

Abbie & Serena. Flirting. Fluff. Femslash.

Take a Little OneStep, by Bleeding Heart Sacred Soul. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated K+, 1.1k.

How she did it, he would never know, but somehow Claire convinced Jack to go ice-skating with her. JM/CK. Oneshot.

Bottles And Flowers, by Killer_Moth. Claire & Jack, oneshot, rated K+, 1k.

Second Opinion ficlet. It’s my take on Jack’s “drink” line to Claire.

Over Breakfast, by Sugar Kane. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 603 words.

Much has been made of Jack and Claire’s first kiss. What about their last?

Lunch Hour, by Teyerin. Alexandra & Jack, nine chapters, rated K+, 6.5k.

A collection of lunch hour gatherings between two coworkers.

L&O: Christmas Memories, by lupinskitten. Claire/Jack, three chapters, rated K+, 3.7k.

Forced to return home for the holidays, and bringing along her lover Jack McCoy, a nervous Claire Kincaid faces more than an icy lane. A Christmas Story for all the JackClaire shippers out there.

L&O: Impulse, by lupinskitten. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated T, 887 words.

One evening after work, McCoy and Kincaid take their relationship all the way.

L&O: Awakenings, by lupinskitten. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated K+, 1.2k.

After her first night with Jack, Claire reflects on past relationships and doubts whether their affair can escape the notice of coworkers. Sequel to “Impulse.”

Last Visit, by Animaltalker. Lennie & Ed, oneshot, rated K+, 531 words.

Ed decides to visit Lennie.

Doing Lunch, by Animaltalker. Jack & Serena, oneshot, rated K+, 436 words.

After she’s fired, Jack meets Serena for lunch and helps her plan out her future.

You Can’t Go Home Again: Trilogy, by fewthistle. Serena-centric, oneshot, rated K+, 384 words.

A drabble trilogy set right after Serena’s firing in Ain’t No Love. A little on the melancholy side.

The Gift of the Magi (The Law and Order Version), by AnneKB. Claire/Jack, oneshot, rated K+, 4.1k.

What do you get for the person who has everything?

Walk and Don’t Look Back, by Cirocco. Deborah/Rey, oneshot, rated K+, 4.3k.

Five months after Aftershock. Angst.

[oftatteredwings]

⸻  JESSICA ALBA. SHE + HER / have you ever     heard of  VIVA LAS VEGAS by elvis presley, well,     it describes YASMIN STEVENS to a tee! the 39 year old, and MUSIC AND SINGING TEACHER was spotted browsing     through the stalls at portobello road market last sunday, do you know     them? would you say  SHE is  more distrustful or more CREATIVE instead?     anyway, they remind me of early morning runs through hyde park, high ponytails, stiletto peep-toe heels, the high rollers table at the bellagio casino and tattoo shops, maybe you’ll bump into     them soon! 

time in notting hill ; 5 years.

ABOUT.

Name: Yasmin Stevens Nicknames: Yas Age: Thirty-nine Date of birth: 2nd October 1983 Birth place: Roswell, New Mexico Occupation: Music and Singing Teacher Romantic/sexual orientation: Biromantic/bisexual

ABOUT.

tw: depression, schizophrenia, bullying

Was born in Roswell to a pretty much single mom as her dad disappeared when she was only 9 months old.

He sent the occasional cheque up until Yas was around 10, but then vanished completely. She didn’t know him at all and still doesn’t.

Her mom was rather eccentric —- she ran the UFO museum and was completely obsessed with everything alien, every day she was coming home with another conspiracy theory.

Naturally it meant that Yas ended up known as ‘the weird kid’ in school, despite hating all the alien goings on in the town.

By high school she received a slight upgrade when she started singing karaoke around town. Instead of just ‘the weird kid’, she was ‘the weird kid with a set of pipes’.

Around that time, her mom had a complete break down. It was a combination of things, some asshole who had completely screwed her over and fact she was convinced she’d been abducted two weeks prior to the break-up. One definitely didn’t help the other. She was eventually diagnosed with severe depression and schizophrenia.

Yasmin’s grandparents took them both in so that they could look after her mom and she set out in search of work, picking up jobs here and there singing at weddings and parties.

As time went on the teasing she’d received when she was younger only grew worse, her bullies having found out about her mom. Kids were cruel, but she became hardened to it —- she became hardened to everything.

At 20 she’d finally had enough. Friends were few and far between, her mom barely even recognised her anymore, there was nothing in the town for her. So she left, packed up her car one night, filled the tank and just drove. She didn’t know where she was going, she just needed to leave.

For a while she settled one state over, taking one day at a time. She picked up a waitressing job and sang every night, finding herself a house share in Phoenix for a couple of years.

She made it to Vegas shortly after her 23rd birthday. Picking up a job doing what she loved was difficult at first, so she took to busking, almost getting herself arrested half a dozen times. One day, though, she was headhunted. Someone who had seen her sing told their friend about her who happened to be friends with a talent hire in the city. Several weeks later she was offered a job singing in the lounge at one of the big casinos.

While she was there she met actually met someone and they had a rather whirlwind relationship. They were moved in together after a couple of months of meeting, but he disappeared on her after only 2 weeks. It was safe to say this did absolutely nothing to help her start trusting people or letting them in again.

For the next 8 years or so she moved around, eventually heading to LA and singing there for a few years, but also taking on some extra training with the intention of turning her attention to teaching instead.

Her decision to come back home stemmed from both a decline in her mom’s health and the need for change. Within six months she’d moved the pair of them out of the country and set up home in one of the pastel coloured terraced houses that lined the streets of Notting Hill. News had reached her that the father who had been so absent all of her life had in fact moved to the UK and she has been on a mission to track him down ever since.

She’s now teaching music and singing at the local high school, as well as conducting private singing lessons in her spare time.

HEADCANONS.

Owns a black Pomeranian called Coal.

Has around 8 tattoo’s now and 10 piercings (9 are in her ears alone). The tattoo’s were supposed to be for significant events in her life, but in the end she just started getting random designs she liked when there weren’t too many moments.

Is actually pretty good at pole dancing after picking it up in Vegas.

Can play 7 instruments including the trumpet and harmonica.

Loves running. Perhaps a little too much.

Is convinced she’ll never actually have a family of her own.

Always wears high heels (unless she’s running, obviously lol).

Does have a soft side, but you have to keep chipping away at her rather hard exterior to get to it.

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

- paternal half-sibling/s (any family now located in the uk).  - maternal half-siblings (she has 2 younger siblings). - cousins on mom’s side. - good friends in notting hill. - exes. - flings/one night stands/fwb. - students. - people she met out in vegas/la.

[ilguna]

Anteric - Eumoiriety (f.o)

summary: secrets have more worth than you gave them credit for.

warnings; swearing. blood mention, gun mention.

wc; 2.8k

NOTES; I give reader a last name to fit the world.

–

Without a hint of hesitation, you watch as your best friend, Finnick Odair, turns to face the two metal bowls on his left, Dauntless and Abnegation. The two of you have known for years that he’d be leaving at the first given chance. Even if you wanted to, you could never beg him to stay here, not when this faction makes him so miserable.

He moves his hand over the burning coals of Dauntless, allowing his blood to run down the side of hand, sizzling blood signifies his leave. The Dauntless section explodes into cheer, celebrating their newest member. There’s a few of them that look a little shocked that a Stiff will be joining them, but they’re more delighted than anything. If their faction is appealing enough to draw even the selfless people out of their home, that must mean they’re doing something right.

Finnick retreats up the stairs to stand behind his new faction, and Haymitch Abernathy, the leader of Candor, doesn’t hesitate to call the next name. You watch in anxious silence as your turn nears. The decision shouldn’t be one at all, not with your aptitude result being Abnegation. 

However, watching Finnick go makes you doubt that you can stay. It’s not because you don’t like it here--or fit in--more of the fact that you and Finnick have gone through everything together. He was there for you when both of your parents died, and he was there when your brother had transferred to Amity.

You can’t pretend you didn’t know that this was coming. You knew that he would never stay, and he told you last night that he would be leaving. When you heard the news coming from him, you told him to do anything he had to, and that you’ll forgive him no matter what. At the time, you were picturing him leaving, just like he did. You never thought how you’d feel watching it happen, seeing him on the other side of the room.

You would never hold it against him, or go back on your promise. He’s been by your side since the two of you were kids, to suddenly say you hate him would be crazy. He’s not just your friend anymore, he’s your family. 

Which means you know that it’ll be difficult for him to start all over by himself. He doesn’t know anyone in Abnegation, and the key to passing initiation is to have some people on your side, you at least know that much.

If you were to leave, your siblings would have each other. Reed has Alyssum for thirteen more years, plenty of time for him to set up a family before her Choosing Ceremony, if she ends up leaving. 

Finnick is completely ripping up his roots and forcing himself to claim new land. With you there, it would be more manageable. 

“(Y/n) Gallows.” Haymitch says, his eyes landing on you next.

At your own pace, you slowly make your way down to the middle of the room. All eyes are on you at the moment, most Abnegation teenagers have stayed so far, with the occasional outlier like Finnick. If they do transfer, it seems that Amity is what they were made for, something you’re not entirely surprised about. 

Your brother had gone to Amity, it’s only been three years since you saw him last, but it feels like a lifetime. You knew that’s what he had to do, though. Mox always had the heart of gold, softer than you and Reed, which is okay. He needed to go to a place where he belonged the most, where judgement didn’t come along so often. 

The thought of joining him is tempting, you do have to admit that.

You stop in front of the bowls, trying to picture yourself from your audience’s perspective, how they might be feeling. A little Abnegation girl, dressed in grey, never spoke out of line once in her life. Her family’s name has been passed around more times than it should. Two dead parents, an older brother gone, two kids too many for the Abnegation ideal.

Despite this, no one can claim that any of you are out of place here. You give up your spot on the bus, which has caused you to be late to class more times than you’d like. You don’t fight with the others, you always volunteer your time to people who need it. Whether it be tutoring or one of the factionless begging for food. You’ve always put yourself last in order to follow the rules.

For Finnick, it’s the opposite. He’s taller than the average guy, making him stick out in crowds, even when hunching. His voice is louder than it should be, people in grey used to glare at the back of his head when they heard him. And his first instinct has always been to think of himself and everyone else later. 

Well, that’s not entirely true. You’ve actually seen yourself come before him several times, all willingly on his part. He always took the initiative to make sure you were doing okay. Maybe asking you how you’re feeling, other times he’d force his way to the front of the bus line when you didn’t feel well.

You’ve returned the favor several times by being his alibi on certain things. Coming home too late, indulging in group gatherings when he shouldn’t, getting caught up in fights. It didn’t matter the situation, because as long as he was okay at the end of the night, you were there to cover him.

As you look over each element in the bowls, you note how blood stains them differently. Erudite’s water is now tinted a gentle pink, Candor’s glass is reflecting red, Abnegation’s stones are stained red. The only two that don’t show a sign that someone bled on them, are Amity’s dirt and Dauntless’ fire. Although, the Dauntless coals do sizzle upon contact with the blood.

Haymitch offers you the knife, and you take it without so much of a second look at him. Your body turns towards the left on instinct, leaving Erudite, Candor and Amity out of the question. 

You bring the blade across your palm, allowing it to pool while you dispose of the knife. Your fate says that you should stay in Abnegation, continue with the ideals that you’ve been living in for sixteen years, and become a perfect member of the faction. That’s not what will be happening, though.

Finnick has put you first so many times, and you think it’s your turn to do the same for him. 

You’ve heard a lot about Dauntless initiation, the first always being how difficult it is. This morning you went talking to the factionless to get any sort of insight on what initiation could be like. They told you many find themselves factionless because they couldn’t stomach what they had to do. In fact, a good amount of the factionless you talked to were ex-Dauntless initiates.

The stories they told you made you want to reach out to Finnick to tell him what he could go through. Initiation could’ve changed over time, but the factionless were saying that typically standards don’t change, and you had to agree with them on that one. You didn’t go through with telling Finnick, only because you know that doubt can ruin one dream, and you’ll be damned if you’re the one thing that holds Finnick back from doing what he’s destined to.

If they were telling the truth, and it’s actually as difficult as they say, Finnick’s going to need a friend to get him through it. And who fits that job better than you do?

As much as you’d like to stay, you know that this is the right thing. You move your hand over the Dauntless coals, feeling the warmth lick up at your palm when you pour the blood out. The blood disappears from sight, confirming what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life. 

Dauntless erupts into cheers immediately, making you flinch slightly from the intensity. You tuck your hand into your pocket, not wanting to get blood everywhere. As you make your way up to stand next to Finnick, you offer your new faction members shy smiles. They pat your back, congratulating you.

This hurts Reed, you can see it in his face, but in time he’ll forgive you. Eventually he’ll see that this is the most selfless thing you will ever do in your life. You just transferred to a place where you don’t belong just so a friend feels more at home. You give him a nod, and it seems that he’s already beginning that process of understanding.

The second you meet Finnick’s eyes, you’re able to see the confusion and concern. He knows you don’t belong here, he knows how out-of-place you’re going to feel. You told him last night that your result was Abnegation, but you never told him that it meant goodbye.

“Why?” he asks, not minding the looks you two earn from others.

You elbow his arm slightly, giving him a smile, “Why do you think?”

--

It doesn’t feel like it’s been a month, not with everything Dauntless has put you through.

You barely passed the first stage of initiation, which was exactly what you were told it was going to be. You were paired against the other initiates to prove that you could defend yourself in a fight. And after losing the first two fights, it finally clicked and you were able to win the last two. Your ranking at the end wasn’t the best, but you weren’t cut, that’s all that mattered to you.

The gun and knife training in-between wasn’t exactly your favorite situation to be put into, either. In Abnegation, self defense is, of course, seen as selfish, which is why practically the entire faction denies any sort of training to protect themselves. Even in dire need, they’d rather die before they did something so heinous.

You can see why, you can end up taking someone else’s life to save yours. The person could be a murderer and they’d likely try to take a more gentle approach to coax them out of the mindset, rather than take them down entirely. That’s the entire reason why Dauntless exists, you guess. Dauntless makes the hard decisions that no one else can.

The next stage was facing your fears, another idea that you weren’t too fond of. The hallucinations made you come face to face with nightmares you didn’t even know you had. That entire week was filled with sleepless nights, and waking up in sweat-soaked sheets. You weren’t the only one that was fazed by the stage, which was the most comforting part about that.

Everyone was broken and quiet. When the rankings finally came out again, you were sure that you were going to be at the very bottom, sure that you hadn’t improved and maybe even went down some. You were pleasantly surprised when you saw that you had gone up a number or two, meaning you made it past another round of cuts.

Finnick, on the other hand, couldn’t fit in more.

He was undefeated during the fights, anyone he came across either lost or they had forfeit before things had gotten too awful. He had the lowest time when it came to fear-facing, meaning he kept his golden spot at the top of the rankings. And he really was a natural when it came to shooting the guns.

If you hadn’t grown up with Finnick in Abnegation, you wouldn’t know any better. You’ve got yourself completely convinced that he was made for Dauntless. He even fits in with the Dauntless-borns, a feat that the other transfers haven’t achieved yet. Wherever they go, he’s not far to follow.

As much as Finnick tries his best to tone it down, the teasing hasn’t stopped yet. You thought that you’d at least lose the label of being a Stiff once you came here, but it must be written into your code. No matter how hard you try to loosen up, you find yourself retreating back into your nature. You know you can’t live the rest of your life this way, especially not if you’re going to be a Dauntless member.

It’s hard to break out of the shell, though. The most you’ve done so far is get your ears pierced and a small matching tattoo with Finnick. You can’t stand the idea of cutting your hair just yet, god forbid dying it. Everyone is so physical, and loud, and they take up more space than they need.

Dauntless is the complete opposite of Abnegation.

However, initiation is over. The announcement on whether or not you’re a member should be soon. The entire dining room is filled with people, far beyond the recommended capacity. You thought that it was far too busy and impossible to find a seat on casual days. Now, people are quite literally elbow to elbow to make room for more people.

It’s not the best feeling in the world, to be touching thighs with someone else. You know that no matter the situation, you’ll always put your comfort aside if it means to help others. One of these guys could be crying and you’d offer them a hug in order to get them to feel better.

Like now for example--minus the crying part--Finnick’s got your hand in a deathgrip, and it’s only getting tighter with each passing second. You can’t imagine a world where Finnick doesn’t make it into Dauntless, especially with his perfect scores, but anxiety can be odd sometimes. You’ve had a couple of stomach churns in the past couple of days, yourself. And it wasn’t for anything significant.

Finnick’s hand is warm in yours, and he’s been holding it since the two of you sat down at the table almost an hour ago. It hadn’t been so crowded then, you could comfortably cross your legs without kicking someone. If you tried that now, you’d earn glares from around you. Unlike Abnegation, Dauntless members have no problem with airing their problems.

You absently watch as Caspian gets on top of a table to give his speech. It isn’t until the words come out of his mouth, do you pay attention, “As you all know, initiation has just ended. We started off with nineteen initiates, ten of them being our own blood, nine of them being transfers. Now, we have thirteen initiates left, and only ten of them will be allowed to call themselves one of us.”

Caspian smiles, “To those who have made it this far, though. We offer you our congratulations.”

Cheering erupts around you, mostly clapping and stomping to reinforce what Caspian has just said.

He continues, raising his voice, “In Dauntless, we believe in bravery. In Dauntless, we believe in taking action. And in Dauntless, we believe in freedom from fear, and in acquiring the skills to force the bad out of the world we live in, so that the good can prosper and thrive. Initiates, if you have made it this far, you must also believe in these things. Which is why we welcome you.”

There’s no silence, only whistling and clapping.

“Tomorrow, in their first act as members, our top ten initiates will choose their jobs, in order of how they are ranked. Their rankings were determined based on a combination of three scores. The first comes from combat training, the second comes from the simulations, and the third is from today’s final examination--the fear landscape.

“The rankings will appear on the screen behind me.”

Finnick’s squeezing gets tighter as the names appear on the screen behind Caspian. You can see Finnick at the very top, in the first slot, confirming your thoughts. Your eyes wander down further and further, and find that you’re not dead last, just average somewhere in the middle. You weren’t cut.

Finnick lets out a breath, and when you look at him, you can see a relieved smile on his face, “You made it.”

“Forget about me, Finn. You’re number one!” You laugh, shaking his shoulder. He finally lets your hand go, which is throbbing slightly from the sudden release, “You’ve got the pick of the litter.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Finnick says, pausing for a moment.

“What is it?” you ask when he doesn’t say anything else. You thought that he’d be celebrating, but you’re watching as the smile slowly fades from his face.

It comes back in that instant, in the form of a bashful smile. You have no time to ask, as Finnick leans forward and presses his lips to yours. You cup his face, holding him in place to savor the warmth.

He’s the first to pull away, staring at you wordlessly, then he says, “Thank you.”

--

ANTERIC IS A SPIN-OFF DIVERGENT AU //MASTERLIST//

add yourself to the TAGLIST

[dollarbin]

World Party Week meets

Sandy Saturday's: Full Moon

I'm surprised that this week's Dollar Bin hero, Karl Wallinger, never covered Sandy Denny. He recorded plenty of the Beatles catalog before his untimely passing this week, always offering his own respectful (or perhaps I should say reverential) takes on everything from Happiness is a Warm Gun to McCartney's tossed off Man We Was Lonely.

But Wallinger never tossed anything off in the studio; like a later day Jeff Lynne, he assembled his textures with care and plenty of gloss.

And so we are left wishing on this Sandy Saturday that he'd had the chance to recreate one of Denny's perfect songs. Indeed, it'd be lovely to hear more covers of Sandy Denny beyond the many takes of Who Knows Where the Time Goes. I've heard very few other song of her's attempted (which makes sense: people cover Dylan because they're convinced they can sing it better than Bob, and who out there thinks they can sing better than Sandy?).

Even so, there are two Denny covers that come to mind as essential.

First, there's Linda Thompson's take on I'm a Dreamer. As Sandy's occasional singing partner and long time friend, Linda had every right to record such a track - and she clearly knew exactly what she was doing. She even let her husband Richard play some guitar behind her:

Not bad, huh? Check out my recent piece on Linda to hear more of this incredible voice, so frank and soaring at once.

The only other essential Denny cover that comes to mind is Yo La Tengo's humble take on By The Time It Gets Dark. Ira Kaplan understands that, unless you're Linda Thompson, the best approach is to simply pay homage (and not compete) with Sandy.

But if I had my choice for a World Party Denny cover I'd choose Full Moon, a track Denny's bumbling husband didn't even include on her final LP Rendezvous.

Take a listen; passing on this track makes Dylan's decision to put The Disease of Conceit on Oh Mercy instead of Dignity or Series of Dreams, or Neil Young's decision to leave Give Me Strength and Everybody's Alone unreleased for 50 years, look savvy.

Unlike just about everything else on Rendezvous, every effort in this piece works together: the strings rise and fall with a simple plan; the bass lingers and nimbly sways; Denny sings and strikes her piano without being bullied by the silly men in the room.

And the clarinet! Oh my good bananas, name me another piece of popular modern music that successfully employs a clarinet (my famous brother, red faced and ashamed for me, is likely assembling a list of 68 clarinet-riddled classics as we speak, alongside the list of great Sandy Denny covers that I failed to mention; and I guess I just thought of one clarinet track: Feist's The Circle Married the Line probably has an entire clarinet consortium playing in it, and that song is mighty fine).

Just imagine what Wallinger could have done with a song like Full Moon. He would have followed Kaplan's lead and sang it simply; his piano and guitar would trade off the solos and everything would be note perfect. The pace would be stately; maybe he'd even have brought in some of his own backing vocals. The full moon would be rising so high above the skies.

Wikipedia tells me that Wallinger had 20 years of unreleased new music in the can when he died. Let's get busy hoping his version of Full Moon is in that horde.

Imagine Karl right now in whatever afterlife suits your fancy. John Lennon's there, gleefully ranting and thoughtful all at once. But Karl knows what's up; he fist bumps John and passes him by, hunting for Sandy's certain glow in the heavens.

[dieuleveut]

January 6th, 2024

happy new year!

sheesh where to start?

on January 2nd, a girl named Rachel reached out to me on Instagram.

Hi Juliet,

Not sure if you’ve ever been romantically involved with Gaige, but me and a number of women have come forward with information on his serial cheating for the past 4+ years. We’ll be meeting to share our stories and gain some level of closure from these situations.

Wishing you a blessed 2024,

Rachel

I got this message literally on my way to the company trip in Las Vegas. At first i thought this was some kind of spam, but with Gaige’s name dropped, it was factually real. Couldn’t believe it. I mean, i absolutely could but still. the events unfolding themselves were no less surprising to hear about.

Of course i responded truthfully. That Gaige and I had been sleeping together on and off for the past year and a half. Apparently this information lines up with another girl that he was in a relationship with.

There’s been a lot of supportive and open back and forth with Rachel. We’re sharing what we both know, about the cheating history and about Gaige’s person.

So far the names on the roster that Rachel has dropped are Wendy, Tiffany, Joanne, Cindy, Sue, Rose… I don’t personally have the full picture and timeline of events, but judging by the size of the roster alone is insane to me.

I’m not taking this as personally as I could be. Thank god that Gaige and I never became anything serious. So this to me doesn’t constitute as cheating or lying, though it certainly completes the picture of him being a shady white guy with an asian fetish. But still!! I got myself involved with another fucking cheater. He may not have cheated on me, but he’s a CHEATER. It’s unforgivable even as an accident, let alone as a multi-offender with manipulation tactics and intention. It’s beyond fucked up what he is doing to so many (asian) women.

AND this man is having/insisting on unprotected sex with Rachel. She mentioned that she got infections that she normally wouldn’t get aside from being with him. I thank god that he and I used condoms, but holy shit on top of being a malicious, manipulative cheater, he’s psychotically putting his victims at risk of disease and pregnancy??

Rachel is in cahoots with some of the other women involved, but I think that since my involvement with him wasn’t too serious, my involvement in the accountability plan might be optional. I’m going to give her some space with all the information that i had and dropped on her, and let her reach out if there is anything she needs from me.

As much as i would love to see the conclusion of this for story’s sake, i really am not that invested in him and perhaps it would be healthy to keep a good distance from the explosion that that conclusion would be.

—

The Vegas trip with all the Baron people was… interesting to say the least.

I picked up Lizzie and Denise on Tuesday and we drove there together. Lizzie is hoping to see absolutely no one we know there. We get into the hotel without a hitch around 6pm, and wait patiently for the group dinner plan at 8pm.

Everyone else rolls in a little later, and we eventually get into Ramsay’s Kitchen for dinner. Oh my god it was so mid?? for $150, we got a singular bite of salmon, a delicious crab cake, a mushy risotto, a SALTY beef wellington, and a crazy too sweet toffee pudding. Overall meal wasn’t bad, but I was super picky considering the price and the reputation of Gordon Ramsay’s cooking. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed.

Then we all went back to the hotel to chill. Smoke weed, drink, hang out. That was a pretty fun time with all the girl being kooky and Denise or Jenny occasionally busting a move.

We woke up casually the next day, with no early morning plans. Denise, Lizzie and I opt for a place called Hash House a Go Go. I don’t think those two care for American food, but they weren’t very decisive for anything else so that was the option I suggested we go with.

After a late lunch, we head back to the hotel room to wait and get ready for the company dinner. Company dinner was fine, the food was WAY better than Ramsay’s. maybe because the price point was free, and there was no reputation to judge. But the portions were huge and flavors so much more cohesive.

After dinner, we went to the Cosmopolitan for a clubbing night. It was HORRIFYING. Insanely crowded and the drinks were criminally overpriced. So we all ended up smushed in a tiny dance floor, completely sober.

We all eventually ubered back to the hotel, where the plan was to just smoke weed in someone’s room and rot the night away. But apparently one lone girl got left behind at the club. None of the girls I was with knew who she was. So I’m frustrated because which one of her actual friends fucking left her behind?

So we’re stuck waiting up for this girl to find her way back to the hotel, and my energy to party was buzzed so hard, all i wanted to do was sleep in my room.

The night is basically another night in the hotel. No socializing or partying with people we knew outside of our friend group.

I’m a little irked with my friends tbh. I understand we’re all introverts and socially anxious, but they themselves complained about being isolated from Baron. It has to be partially on them, doesn’t it? If they actively are not participating in the vibe, if they actively avoid people, how will other Baron people make them feel welcome?

Another thing that bothered me, was that this group of people are INSANELY indecisive or inactive. Like, when it came to actually planning anything, it was on me to decide the plan. Lizzie and Denise would say “we’re down for whatever” or “I don’t care what we do” but when an actual suggestion was given, they clearly had preferences.

I just wish that they were straightforward with their preferences so that we could have an actual discussion about what the plan should be. I wish they were more proactive about what they wanted to happen. I decided to be more laidback about this trip, not planning anything exactly and not being particular about any kind of schedule.

But i think that stressed me out more than it helped. The people pleaser in me wasn’t able to figure if people were happy doing nothing or if they actually wanted to do something. Overall, if i ever hang out with these girls again, i might have to be more aggressive with my planning activities in order for ME to have a good time. If they don’t like it, then they’ll have to learn to speak up. Because it drives me crazy to try and read people. probably because i’m a little autistic guys.

[iasconsumesmedia]

20 questions for fic writers!

I got tagged by @crestfallercanyon, thank you!

How many works do you have on AO3? - 68 apparently.

What’s your total A03 word count? - 219K words. Wow. Considering most of my fics are under 10K that's a lot of words. More than I thought.

What fandoms do you write for? - the Maze Runner and Teen Wolf mainly, but I've also written, or intended to write for a few others, like recently Avatar The Last Airbender

What are your top five fics by kudos? - All of them are Teen wolf fics, and essentially all Sterek: Mother's Day, It's only words except it's not, Thanks Dad, Provider, New Years Eve. I'm too lazy to link all of these. I've written most fics for Maze runner though, but the fandom is so small there and I don't write Newtmas, so none of those fics have any impressive kudos count.

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? - Look, I try. And I almost always do. But if all my comment would say is Thank You, then sometimes I don't. I am very appreciative of every single one of them.

What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? - Without You, I'm Nothing A Thominho fic where the Main Character Death is very very real.

What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? - Tricky to respond to, honestly, because what does happy ending mean? Most my fics include characters ending up together and in a happier life than before, but I think the happiest ending I've ever written was The Name simply because so many people were made happy in the end.

Do you get hate on your fic? - Not to my face, no. I'm sure I've pissed people off, or rather I hope I have, but if so they haven't told me so.

Do you write smut? - Occasionally, but I'm not very good at it and it often turns out a little too dry.

Do you write crossovers? - No, and I will not, and I also avoid them like the plague and frankly, if there's a hidden crossover in a fic I will stop reading and never forgive that fic writer.

Have you ever had a fic stolen? - As far as I know, no.

Have you ever had a fic translated? - Yes! For the translation event @its-tea-time-darling ran, don'tbeshy translated my fic Calm into French. That's one of my favourite fics I've ever written and also I think, one of my most appreciated ones.

Have you ever co-written a fic? - I have not, but I would consider it if someone felt we had similar vibes about relationships.

What‘s your all-time favourite ship? - Well. Hard to say, but I think it's Thominho and a big part of that is how well it works in canon. Even Trashner himself said it's the strongest relationship, even if he meant it as only platonic. But that's what I want to see to really ship two characters, that I don't have to add too much to canon to get them together. I also very much enjoy Thominho and of course Sterek, for probably very similar reasons.

What’s the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? - I have a WIP where the gladers are all Sorcerers and there's a thing about reincarnation and it's a Thominewt fic and I love it very much but hand over heart - unlikely it will ever be finished. It also isn't posted, so that only affects me.

What’s your writing strengths? - As a fic writer, I think I can take very small traits or lines and turn them into key features for a character and expand on them into some good fics.

What’s your writing weaknesses? - I think a lot about mental health and healthy relationships, and as a result, most of my characters know what advice to give each other and they don't get themselves into too bad situations. This can sometimes lead to more dull stories than if I enjoyed fucking them up. When I do fuck them up they usually make the right decision in the end.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic? - See this? This entire message? And also every single fic I have on Ao3 except one? Yeah it's written in another language already. I'm Swedish. This question is weird.

First fandom you wrote for? - Harry Potter. First I published for: Maze Runner

Favourite fic you’ve ever written? - Oh dear.

Hm.

You're just like magic, a Thominho fic, is one of them. But I tihnk other than that, all the ones I've already mentioned. But Also Hey there little red riding hood with Thomas in a Red hoodie and Teresa as a werewolf, which I still like very much and which has received very little love (but Thomesa fics aren't that popular at all in an already small fandom so)

I think everyone I would tag have already been tagged, but if you want to do this, do it and say I tagged you!

[kaisarion-tactical]

Decisions | O'Breckenridge

After recent events... this one hurts.

EB -> SO: Sorry, change of plans. Meet me in the mess for dinner?

SO -> EB: No problem. I’ll find you later.

The news that they’d been cleared of suspicion in Cliffords’ death was a relief to hear, but Eisley knew that it meant back to work. She couldn’t help feeling disappointed, knowing that it meant a change in her plans with Séan. She’d gotten excited about the idea of spending the afternoon together, just hanging out like two normal people, a pocket of normalcy amid all the chaos and suspicion of everything else going on. 

No rest for the wicked, she supposed. 

She pulled out her phone and fired off a quick text message, smiling sadly at Séan’s quick response and flexibility about the change in plans. The way that she could hurt this man if she wasn’t careful. 

She listened as Kit provided an update on the situation, and the squad discussed the next course of action. More hacking into personnel and other files, identifying people worth talking to for information gathering purposes. Sgt. Hadrin had been on security detail that night; Eisley would need to talk to him, find out if he saw anyone unusual in the barracks that evening.

After a few hours of focused research and discussion, Eisley stood. “I’m going to mess for dinner. You coming?” she asked Rachel who was hovering over her laptop, typing furiously. 

“Yeah, in a bit,” Rachel replied.

Eisley sighed. “Don’t just subsist on Red Bull, okay? I’ll bring you something back.”

She made her way to the mess, letting herself be carried by the flow of bodies through the hall. She made her way through the line: some chicken dish, a rare occasion that they actually had a real piece of meat. Scanning the tables, she caught sight of at a table with a few other soldiers and made her way over. 

She slowed when several sets of eyes turned toward her as she approached. Séan grinned when he saw her, and the others dropped their eyes back to their dinner, although Eisley could still feel the occasional lingering glance. 

“Sorry I had to change plans this afternoon. Kit showed up right as I was getting ready, and well… duty calls, all that.”

“Hey, no problem. I get it. Things change at the drop of the hat. It’s the nature of the job.” 

Eisley smiled. She found Séan’s foot beneath the table, knocking her boot against his. She glanced up and Séan was watching her, and they held each other’s gaze for a long minute before Eislely looked away, a soft blush colouring her cheeks. A moment passed and there was an answering tap of a boot against her own beneath the table. 

“I was thinking next time we have an opportunity, we should go to the range.”

“The range?” Séan returned. “What for?”

Eisley, eyes still downcast, shrugged. “I want to see you shoot. Maybe we could have a friendly competition.”

Eisley could hear the smile in Séan’s voice. “Yeah?”

She glanced up briefly. “Yeah.” 

There was another tap of a boot against hers beneath the table, except this time there was sustained contact. Eisley could feel her face heating again. They might as well have been holding hands. Her finger clenched around her fork at the thought. 

“Where are you on shift tonight?” she asked.

“Exterior checkpoint duty. Why? You planning to come say hi?”

Eisley rolled her eyes. “Just curious and making conversation. It’s probably not a great idea to distract you while you’re on shift.” 

A small smile pulled at Séan’s mouth. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said, but he tapped his foot against hers against the table once more. 

Eisley narrowed her eyes. “Tell me,” she pressed.

Séan’s ears went red. “I’d be distracted anyway,” he admitted. 

Eisley couldn’t handle this, her face hot once more at Séan’s words. “I said I’d bring something back for Rach since I don’t trust that she’ll eat dinner otherwise. We’ll make plans. For the shooting range.”

“Right. Just shoot me a text. You know where to find me.”

Eisley hovered for a few more seconds before picking up her empty tray and weaving her way through the tables and back into the line. 

She ignored the lingering glances as she went. 

[gwydionae]

Bound

A/N: Why is Leo so hard to write?? T^T

Fic posted on fanfiction.net >here<.

Prologue on tumblr >here< Previous chapter on tumblr >here<

Fic Teaser: Yoshi is forever changed when he loses a son so soon after his wife and daughter. Life in the lair is far from idyllic as a father’s desire to shelter his sons causes friction and rebellion. But as they are bound to him, their lost brother remains bound to others, the life he’d lost kept hidden from him. Fate tore them apart, but now it seeks to bring them together once more.

Chapter Teaser: Leonardo's top priority was always to protect the family he loved, even if that sometimes meant making decisions they would not agree with.

Bound: Chapter 3

2005 - Hamato Leonardo, age 8

The dojo was Leonardo's favorite place in the entire world. Of course, he had barely ever left the lair, so there were very few places that had a possibility of topping such a list, but even so, his young mind had difficulty imagining anywhere better. The warm, colorful rugs felt soft under his feet, the large dividers depicting fierce ninja warriors inspired him to train hard, and the impossible tree breathed new life into him every time he sat beneath it. But perhaps most of all was his awe at the sheer number of weapons that lined the walls.

Each one held a story, and whether about a fight for survival or a more simple tale of childhood training, he sat in rapt attention, eager to hear every last word. The kama had once been merely gardening tools, used to harvest rice before thieves and raiders helped them realize a different purpose. A corrupt policeman had once carried the jitte before an ancestor of the Hamato Clan had revealed his wickedness, taking his place and wielding it for the good of the people. But Leonardo's favorite story was about the twin katana, passed down from father to son with each new generation, their bearers always destined to become great warriors and leaders.

His brothers did not carry the same love of such stories. They had listened well enough any time a new one was presented, and they did have their favorites—Raphael enjoying the intense tale of the ambushed warrior who fought for hours with only a pair of sai while Michelangelo laughed at Splinter's own recollection of his difficulty mastering the nunchaku. But often during retellings Leo would catch the older of the two yawning, his gaze drifting toward the younger who would get so caught up in pretending to act out the scenes that he'd wind up creating a story of his own. Mikey would be reprimanded for his distraction, and Raph would jump up, grab his hand, and drag him off to play elsewhere. The quiet was welcome, Master Splinter's captivating voice echoing loud and clear once more, but as the story finished and their sensei retreated to his room, the sudden emptiness of the dojo brought with it a loneliness that compelled Leonardo to run and seek his brothers' company.

The three had grown up playing together. Whether games of tag, wrestling, or imagining themselves proud ninja, it had been rare to find them separated. As they continued to grow, however, a shift began to take place, one that Leonardo did not immediately recognize.

He had always been the one who most enjoyed their sensei's stories, both recalled from memory or read from thick tomes, so it was no surprise that he took to learning to read the quickest of his brothers. Mikey had trouble focusing his attention on any single task for too long—an issue that Splinter attempted time and time again to correct with little success—and Raph only studied because he hated the idea of Leo being better than him at anything. But Leonardo would read for fun, enjoying the feel of the books in his hands and the dramatic worlds they transported him to. As such, he was often found sitting quietly with their sensei, occasionally whispering a meek interruption of the silence with a clarification on a word or phrase. He enjoyed those times, but inevitably his young body and mind would grow restless, and he'd politely excuse himself before running back to join the more raucous pastimes of his brothers.

Their dynamics, however, had shifted. Where once they would all content themselves with taking turns at playing the villainous clan leader invading their home, Leo found himself occupying the role more and more often. And when he'd find them in the midst of hide-and-seek, he was always immediately made the seeker. His attempts to argue against such bias were met with indignation from Raphael who insisted that the two of them had already had their turns; it was Leo's own fault he hadn't been there at those times. Occasionally Michelangelo would convince Raph to switch things up, but it often wasn't worth the effort, the size of his brother's temper growing perhaps even more steadily than his body.

This particular day had been one of the increasingly rare times when all three brothers had spent it in perfect harmony. Morning training had gone smoothly, their schooling had involved a cooperative math game that they won with flying colors, and Mikey had even gotten a light chuckle out of Splinter over dinner. So when the evening fell, signaling that it was time for their sensei to head out for supplies, and the three boys were still playing happily and together, he allowed them the privilege of staying awake until he returned.

The prospect had been thrilling. With Master Splinter gone, they were free to be as loud as their vocal cords permitted or run as fast as their legs could carry them, even in rooms they normally avoided so as to leave their sensei in peace. This, of course, meant that every one of them headed straight for the dojo.

But it was soon after entering that Leonardo began wondering if this had been such a good idea. Michelangelo had been quick to shimmy up the tree, something Leo instantly pointed out they did not have permission to do. Raphael had then gone over to the wall of weapons and removed a long bo staff, claiming that Mikey was a spy from another clan that needed to be dealt with while holding the staff out to his older brother with a grin, waiting for him to take it and join in.

Leonardo could only frown. They were too young to be wielding real weapons. Master Splinter was often reinforcing the idea of how dangerous they were in untrained hands; what if one of them got hurt while he was away? He tried again to remind his brothers of their sensei's warnings, plead with them to listen, but Raph merely rolled his eyes, promising to not touch anything sharp as he kept the bo for himself and prodded at a giggling Mikey with the end of it.

Visions of ninja warriors past breaking the bones of their opponents by smashing the staff into them filled Leonardo's head as he watched Mikey gleefully swing from the tree, narrowly avoiding Raph's reach. His continued words of caution and alarm fell on deaf ears, however, as the youngest plucked a pair of nunchaku from the wall and began swinging them around wildly. One moment the dojo was filled with delighted laughter, the next, shocked silence as a dull thwack stopped everyone in their tracks. Michelangelo had hit himself in the eye.

Leo and Raph had both run to him before the first cry of pain could even escape his mouth. A closer investigation assured them that it was not bleeding, but Leonardo was quick to take his sobbing brother by the arm and lead him out of the dojo and down to the kitchen where he sat him on a stool and made to grab for an ice pack. By the time he had gotten Mikey to calm down enough to hold the ice pack himself, Raph entered as well, guilt from what had happened written all over his face.

Raphael told them that he would take the blame, claim fault for Mikey's injury; they were roughhousing, and he'd been careless. It wasn't as if it would be the first time, and he had made sure to replace the weapons they'd borrowed, hiding the evidence. Mikey was already suffering enough; no reason to get him in further trouble.

Leonardo didn't know how to respond. Sitting quietly while Michelangelo weakly protested and Raphael stubbornly stood his ground, the eldest contemplated the proposal, a seed of anxiety planting itself in his brain. Both of his siblings had disobeyed direct orders from Master Splinter, and if they'd done so once, it was likely they would do it again, especially if their sensei remained ignorant of the infractions. Such rules were in place for a reason, the exact reason that had his baby brother sniffling with an ice pack pressed against his eye. He did not wish to see either of them hurt like this again.

And so when only a short while later Splinter found his sons still in the kitchen, demanding to know what had happened, Leonardo opened his mouth and told the whole truth. About Mikey climbing the tree, Raph with the bo staff, and finally the incident with the nunchaku. The surprise on his youngest brother's face was nothing to the betrayal on the older's.

Raphael and Michelangelo both got punished for their disobedience, and though Splinter praised him for his honesty, Leonardo couldn't help but feel slightly despondent when he walked into the dojo the next morning and found all of the weapons previously lining the walls had been hidden away. Both Raph and Mikey—sporting a patch over his eye—were unsurprisingly cold to him during training, and all attempts to play with them afterwards were met with glares and loud proclamations from Raphael about how whatever game they were playing required only two turtles.

Over the next several days, Leonardo contented himself with reading, believing that given enough time his brothers would eventually allow him to join them once more. But as days turned into weeks without any sign of Raphael changing his mind, Leo began to fear the damage was irreparable. Once his patch had come off, eye fully healed, Mikey would agree to play with him every once in a while, but Raph would never join, always stomping off to his room on such occasions.

Leo tried to explain, make his brothers understand that he had only done what he had to protect them, to keep his family safe. Master Splinter's tales of loss and sorrow were proof that loved ones could be taken at any moment without warning. But they didn't seem to care enough to listen, and so he dedicated himself to carrying that heavy burden alone, even if the ones he sought to protect rejected him for it. ________________________________________

2012

Leonardo could only groan in frustration as the van's doors slammed shut and the vehicle took off down the alley, the human girl locked inside by the armored turtle—the turtle that looked just like him and his brothers. Now was not the time to dwell on the matter, however. Peeling his gaze away from the retreating van, he turned toward Michelangelo who he was relieved to find awake, an anxious Raphael crouched above him with wide, green eyes. He quickly hurried over to them.

"We can't stay in the open like this," he said, sheathing his katana as he knelt next to Mikey opposite from Raph. "I'm worried about possible internal injuries or a concussion, but we have to risk moving him. We have to get to the sewers."

Raphael nodded sharply, but Michelangelo made a weak attempt to sit up. "I'm—I'm ok..."

A sudden coughing fit had two hands shooting out and gently resting on the younger's plastron, his older brothers both stalling his movement as Raph said stiffly, "You just got fried—you are not ok." He looked up at Leo before continuing, "The closest sewer entrance should be right in that alley." He jerked his head toward the space the van had recently occupied. "You go first. I'll lower him down to you."

The ease with which his younger siblings had navigated the manmade streets and rooftops earlier that night had been indication enough that this was not their first trip above ground, so Leonardo didn't doubt that the manhole would be right where Raphael indicated. Knowing that time was of the essence, he merely frowned and stored that information away for later. With a nod, he darted into the nearby alley, blue eyes peeled as he searched for their exit to the sewers. Upon spotting it, he quickly leaned down and pried it open, glancing up at Raphael who had carefully scooped Michelangelo into his arms and was steadily making his way over. Entering the dark underground, Leonardo balanced himself on the ladder as Raphael gently lowered their brother down to him. Ignoring the further assurances that he was fine and could descend the ladder himself, Leo eased Mikey into the sewer until they had reached the bottom, the younger forced to sit still as the eldest examined him more closely.

The only notable outward signs of injury were a small bump on the back of his head from when he'd fallen and burn marks on his arm where the electric shock must have originated from. He admitted to his muscles feeling sore and pain in the area of the burns, as well as having a headache and feeling slightly dizzy. The occasional coughing was worrisome, but he was responding well to all verbal and physical inspection, able to answer questions easily and moving extremities on command. Pulling out the roll of fresh bandages he had need of more often than he'd like, Leonardo carefully wrapped the burns before reaching out to take Michelangelo in his arms.

"You don't have to carry me," said Mikey with a pout.

"We have to get you back to the lair, and I don't want you falling because of a dizzy spell," said Leonardo calmly before looking up at Raphael. "We need to keep him as steady as we can, just in case. Reach under his shoulders and knees, and grasp my hands." As Raphael gave him a stiff nod, he turned back to Michelangelo, "Wrap your arms around our necks."

"Fine," the youngest mumbled, wincing as he moved his arms to do as he was told.

The lack of further argument sent Leonardo's thoughts spiraling down a rabbit hole of the worst possible scenarios as he and Raphael stood, cradling their brother between them. Raph's own silence throughout the entire ordeal was evidence enough that he was similarly anxious. He was only ever this quiet for this long when Mikey was unwell or the volatile turtle himself was fast asleep.

The trek back to the lair felt like it stretched to eternity, Leonardo trusting Raphael's directions as the events of the night played over and over in his mind. It was hard to believe that merely a few hours ago they were all having dinner together, discussing the fate of someone who very well may have just come close to killing Michelangelo and successfully kidnapped a young girl.

There was a time when he was much younger that Leonardo dreamed of being the one to someday find their lost brother and bring him home. That vision of an unknown turtle excited to be reunited with his family had faded as he'd grown, however, Master Splinter's vague and melancholic assumptions about what had befallen Donatello fully convincing him that anything left of their brother would be unrecognizable. And yet on merely his second misadventure to the streets above there'd been no mistaking the three-fingered hands, green scales, and large shell as that of a mutant turtle. It was impossible to know for sure if it was truly Donatello—he was a fair amount taller than the rest of them with gapped teeth and eyes that more closely matched their sensei's than any of the three brothers—but the similarities were uncanny.

Master Splinter had taught them that everything happens for a reason. His tragedy in Japan was what lead him to New York, which in turn lead to him buying four turtles as pets, their strange mutations, and ultimately providing them all with a new family and purpose. So what if—just what if Raph's tantrum lead them on a chase across city rooftops to the exact place they needed to be in order to reunite with the one they'd lost?

Feeling the weight of the all too quiet Michelangelo in his arms made him wonder if such a twist of fate was a divine gift or devilish cruelty.

Thoughts on exactly what he was going to tell their sensei still scattered and confused, Leonardo suddenly realized that they were already standing at the entrance to the lair. Carefully lifting their younger brother over the turnstiles, they made it to the bottom of the stairs before he motioned to Raphael to lower Michelangelo's legs to the ground.

"Give him some medicine for the pain, then find the honey for his burns," he said as he gently extricated himself from Mikey's grasp. "Remove the old bandage, put the honey on a fresh one, and rewrap his arm. I'll get Sensei, and meet up with you."

Raphael didn't even open his mouth to argue, simply giving him a short nod as his grip tightened around Michelangelo's shell, and he began leading him in the direction of the bathroom. Trying to ignore the wincing and coughing, Leonardo heard Raphael's voice finally escaping in whispered reassurances, his tone soft and soothing in a way he reserved solely for the youngest's ears. Closing his eyes, Leonardo took a deep, calming breath before turning toward the dojo with determined steps.

The smell of burning incense gifted him the smallest ounce of relief. A part of him had been worried that their sensei had noticed their absence and gone searching for them. They all had been trained in first aid, but none of them had been in a situation like this until now. Master Splinter's mere presence helped ground his thoughts. He quickly approached the sliding doors at the back and lightly knocked on the frame.

"Sorry to disturb you, Sensei," he said, trying to mask the concern in his voice, "but Michelangelo has been injured. He received an electrical shock, and—"

He was cut off as the door was abruptly shoved open, Splinter standing before him with sharp eyes, brows creased with worry.

"Take me to him," he said as he left the confines of his private room, not even bothering to close the door behind him.

With a nod, Leonardo hurried toward the bathroom, Master Splinter on his heels. Upon arrival, they saw Michelangelo sitting on the toilet, bandage slowly being removed by Raphael. Next to him was the retrieved honey and fresh gauze, a glance at the sink further revealing an open box of pain medication as well as a nearly empty cup of water. Leonardo watched their sensei's eyes pinch in confusion as the burn marks were revealed, his tail anxiously twitching behind him.

"What happened?" Splinter asked, gently reaching out to more closely inspect the burns. "How did such an injury occur?"

"It was Donnie, Sensei."

As the words fell from Michelangelo's tongue, it was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. Time seemed to stand still as the name of their missing brother hung between them, Master Splinter's fur rising, ears erect and eyes wide. Raphael shot Leonardo an unreadable glance before returning his gaze to their sensei.

Mikey pushed on, voice growing in intensity. "It was really him—another mutant turtle! And he was with a bunch of dudes that all looked the same and talked real weird, just like you always said! He was just like us, except taller and—" A sudden coughing fit cut off his words, Raph instinctually reaching out and placing a hand on his shell.

Master Splinter's calm but firm voice rang in the bathroom as the coughing quieted down, "You received these injuries while in the city above?"

If the same warning bells ringing in Leonardo's head were also going off in Michelangelo's, he gave no indication of hearing them, barreling on with his fantastical sounding story without hesitation, "Yeah, they all came out of this van and—"

"Do my words mean so little to you that you disobey them the moment my back is turned?" The sharp rebuke, laced with a deep despair that filled Leonardo with guilt, at last sobered Mikey's enthusiasm. "I only seek to protect you, protect what we have, and yet you disregard my warnings." His gaze swept around to each of the brothers before returning to the burned arm cradled in his hands. "We may not understand the complete extent of the damage from an injury such as this for some time. We are fortunate his heart still beats, but his lungs may yet fail, and I do not know if there is anything I can do if such a thing were to happen."

Leo stiffened at their sensei's disturbing report, and he noticed Raph's grip on Mikey's shell tighten.

"It's my fault, Sensei," said Raph, clearly forcing a strength into his voice he did not feel, "I was the one who—"

"Excepting blame is of little importance now. We can only hope that our collective faults do not bring further tragedy upon us."

Leonardo did not miss Raphael's flinch at the implication of Master Splinter's words while he himself focused on his breathing in an attempt to keep his heart from racing out of his chest. For the first time that evening, Mikey's gaze reflected their uneasiness.

With a sigh and a softened tone, Master Splinter turned to Leonardo. "Go and heat some water to fill the hot water bottle. Leave it under Michelangelo's blankets to warm his bed." Glancing next to Raphael, he said, "Prepare the honey bandage so I may use it when ready."

"Hai, Sensei," came the unison response as Leonardo swiftly strode out of the bathroom and headed for the kitchen, grateful for the opportunity to actively help. Doing as he was instructed, he waited for the water to reach the proper temperature before filling the bottle and taking it to his youngest brother's room. He quickly tidied the messy bed and placed the warm water bottle under the covers before returning to the bathroom in time to see the examination finished, Master Splinter gently rewrapping the burn marks. Instructed to grab an ice pack for Michelangelo's headache, he left once again, returning with his cargo just as Master Splinter walked out of the bathroom, Mikey being helped along by Raph close behind.

Nodding his thanks to Leonardo, their sensei took the ice pack and passed it to Raphael. "Take Michelangelo to his room. Do not leave his side. I will be with you both shortly."

Watching his brothers head off to Michelangelo's room, Leonardo braced himself as Master Splinter turned to him, gaze hardening as he said, "Come with me."

"Hai, Sensei." The eldest gave a slight, stiff bow as he followed the ninja master up the stairs and into the dojo, seating himself properly on one of the colorful rugs, waiting for permission to speak.

Master Splinter briefly entered his private chamber, retrieving his walking stick before exiting again, sliding the door shut behind him. Making his way back to stand in front of Leonardo, the turtle noticed he was leaning on the stick more heavily than usual as he took a deep, calming breath.

"I do not know what exactly took place that lead the three of you to venture above, but I can guess well enough," he said at last. "Even so, as the oldest of your brothers, as their leader, you carry an especially heavy burden. It falls on your shoulders to guide them when I cannot, to keep them safe, no matter the situation. They are your responsibility because I believed you to be capable of bearing it."

Leonardo did his best to show no outward signs at the use of past tense, but still he felt his jaw stiffen as shame poured over him. He blinked but refused to break eye contact as Master Splinter continued.

"The injuries Michelangelo suffered..." He paused, seeming to be considering his words carefully. "I know he was insistent that he came into contact with—" The grip on the walking stick tightened as his tail twitched. "—with Donatello. But with the severity of his injuries, I feared his memories of the situation may not be completely in tact. And so I ask you, my son: what happened tonight?"

Despite all of his pondering of exactly what to say, how best to describe the encounter, Leonardo still found himself hesitating under his sensei's penetrating stare. At last, he spoke.

"Raphael was unsatisfied with our conversation over dinner. When he chose to leave despite your warnings, Michelangelo decided to go with him. I tried to stop them both, but I failed to do so and wound up chasing them through the city. Their knowledge of the streets and rooftops lead me to believe that they had made similar trips in the past, but before I could ask them, Michelangelo pointed out two humans standing next to a van. They were identical, and Michelangelo claimed that he had heard them talking strangely."

Leonardo paused as his eyes glanced down to Master Splinter's hands which were now grasping his stick so tightly his knuckles were turning white. Raising his gaze once more, he could see his sensei's calm facade beginning to crack, the barest hints of hope and despair mixing on his face. Leo's hands curled into fists in his lap.

"As a human girl came walking around the corner, the two identical humans went to grab her while two more just like them came out of the back of the van. However, there was a third individual with them, one that not only looked different but wasn't a human at all. It looked like a mutant turtle—like us."

The mask of stoicism finally crumbled, Splinter's soft brown eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears. "Donatello," he murmured barely above a whisper.

Legs itching to jump up from their formal position to offer comfort to the one who had raised them, given them so much, Leonardo willed himself to remain seated as he pressed on with his recount of the night. "Michelangelo, convinced it was Donatello, headed straight for him, while Raphael and I attempted to hold off the others. While dispatching the two closest to the girl, I discovered that they weren't human at all but robots with strange, pink creatures controlling them from inside their chests."

Describing them out loud made Leo realize exactly how bizarre the whole situation had been, but recalling what had happened next flung it once more from his mind. "It was at that point I heard Raphael call out Michelangelo's name. I didn't see what happened, but Mikey was lying in the street while Raph began attacking the other turtle. He was covered in some sort of high-tech battle armor, though, and he began flying around shooting at us. I went to help Raph, but in doing so, I left the girl behind, and the other turtle grabbed her. I tried to give chase, but I wasn't fast enough to reach them before they drove off, and I couldn't leave Raph and Mikey behind."

Splinter's ears had drooped during the retelling. "This... other turtle," he began quietly, "he was attacking you?"

Leonardo swallowed the lump forming in his throat at the sight of his sensei's despair, nodding. "Mikey said that he was the one who caused the burn marks on his arm. The other turtle grabbed him, and... Sensei?"

Splinter was no longer looking at him, eyes closed and head bowed. A rush of panic ran down Leo's spine as he noticed him swaying slightly before his legs gave out beneath him.

"Father!"

Springing to his feet, Leo reached out just in time to catch Splinter under his arms and carefully lower him to the floor. The usually tall, proud ninja now sat hunched over, hands on the well-worn rug trembling as he gasped for breath. Heart pounding, Leo felt his own composure slipping away as he fought to remain strong.

"You have to breathe, Sensei," he said, ignoring the crack in his voice as Splinter looked up at him. "Breathe with me."

Leonardo began counting as he slowly took a breath through his nose and then released it through his mouth, relief washing over him as his sensei mimicked the action. The two sat like that for several minutes until at last Master Splinter pushed himself into an upright seating position, hand resting on Leonardo's shoulder.

"Thank you, my son."

As grateful as he was to hear the strength return to Splinter's voice, the grief and worry still visible on his face stayed Leo's hand, leaving it resting gently on his father's back. It was small in its offering of comfort but all he could think to give. He had never seen him in such a state, their firm foundation, so rarely even shaken, for the first time appeared broken and weak.

"Even if those robots were the same men that took Donatello fifteen years ago, there's still a chance that the turtle attacking us was someone else."

Leonardo's words held no real conviction, so it did not surprise him when Master Splinter shook his head.

"The three of you venturing above ground and discovering another turtle tonight of all nights..." His eyes were focused as he held Leonardo's gaze, "Everything happens for a reason, and it is impossible for me to accept this as anything other than a sign that it is not too late. We have been given a gift. Whether it contains a means to gain back what was stolen from us or merely permits an end to our ignorance, we must not allow it to be taken from us once more."

Gripping his walking stick firmly in one hand and Leonardo's shoulder with the other, Master Splinter rose to his feet, pulling himself up to his full height, his eldest rising with him. Standing at attention with his arms at his sides, Leonardo asked, "What should we do?"

"I cannot leave Michelangelo, but I dare not send you and Raphael to search for your brother alone," he said, the regret behind the words enough to renew Leonardo's guilt over his failure as a leader. His tone suddenly shifted, however, the mask of stoicism finally settling once more onto Master Splinter's face, "We should know by tomorrow night the full depths of your brother's condition. If no signs of further internal injuries appear, he should be well enough to stay behind on his own to rest. I shall then assist you and Raphael above, searching for any indication as to where Donatello may have gone."

An uneasiness settled in Leonardo's stomach at his sensei's words. While mere hours ago the idea of being able to join their ninja master on a mission would have thrilled him, he could not shake the image of Splinter collapsing during his debriefing, breath ragged, countenance contorted with raw emotion. If this was how he reacted to simply hearing about their long-lost brother, he wasn't sure it would be wise to find out how he would react to seeing him in the middle of enemy territory. On top of that, the turtle they were trying to save appeared to have no interest in being saved. He was working with his kidnappers, and there was no way to tell if it was by choice or coercion. After the way he ruthlessly attacked Mikey and Raph, Leonardo couldn't help but believe that the most likely outcome of their second meeting would involve an end rather than a beginning. And for the first time in his life, Leonardo worried that Splinter's desire to protect his family combined with the guilt over a son's loss would create a devastating chemical reaction, destroying the life they'd worked so hard to build for themselves.

He hesitated, before opening his mouth to speak, "Our number one priority has always been to protect this family. I understand that Donatello is one of us, and if that was him tonight, we have a duty to at least try to bring him home. But he's dangerous. And after what just happened..." he paused, the idea of voicing out loud their master's weakness feeling taboo and ominous. Steeling his nerves, he filled his words with a confidence he did not feel, "My brothers and I will handle this. We know what he is capable of. There is no need to put yourself at risk."

"No." The response was firm and immediate. "I am responsible for losing him. A father will not send his sons to correct his mistakes without him." Without waiting for a rebuttal, Master Splinter began walking toward the dojo's exit, saying, "We must check on your brothers. Come."

Following behind dutifully, Leonardo remained silent. He had known his proposal would be rejected before he had even considered saying it aloud, but that did nothing to ease his concerns. He had inherited his father's strong will and desire to protect that which he most loved, and that desire was what sent a shiver up his spine at the idea of Splinter coming face-to-face with an unrelenting Donatello. He knew that if it came down to their long-lost brother or the rest of their family, both he and Raph would not hesitate to choose the latter. The fact that the same could not be said for their sensei was not something he was willing to ignore.

Leonardo decided then and there that he would do whatever he could to leave Master Splinter, a father who had never finished grieving, as far from his lost son as possible until he could make sure that the reunion would be a happy one. ________________________________________

A/N: They're all messed up in their own ways, but they're trying their best. A special thank you to Diporae for helping make the first aid at least slightly more believable and cheering me on when I was struggling—I hope it turned out ok in the end!

As always, critics and grammar police appreciated!

Chapter 4 on tumblr >here<

[newronantic]

HAIKYUU!! FICS

so this is mostly gonna be for myself to keep track of my favorite fics i’ve read, but hey if anyone else wants to check some of these out then thats great

MHA one is up!!

ill keep updating this as i read more, feel free to send me suggestions!

KageHina

plain as day - emleewrites

In which Hinata has spent the better part of the last twenty years putting his heart and soul into volleyball, hoping to be recognised, to be noticed. And yet he spends all these years also thinking of himself as rather plain, beyond his lack of height and bright hair, and not really noticeable at all.

In Transit - Mysecretfanmoments

Hinata finds that he likes standing close to Kageyama on buses and trains. It doesn't mean anything--probably. Maybe.

I like the way your clothes smell - Mysecretfanmoments

Power outages, ghost stories, and the presence of a certain orange-haired boy lead to bad decision-making on Tobio's part. He'd planned to keep his crush a secret; the universe has other plans.

Chaotic Neutral - akaraka

Who's this Kageyama person on twitter and is he gay?

1: Anonymous: see title

2: Anonymous: curry king

3: Anonymous >> 1: It's the curry king, obviously. Have you been using his memes this whole time without knowing who he was?

4: Anonymous: 1) Hinata Shouyou's boyfriend 2) See above

jellyfish - mysterytwin

At the beginning of his last year at Karasuno High School, Hinata Shouyou starts a list and calls it THINGS TO DO BEFORE GRADUATION, all with high hopes that he’ll be able to complete it before his time runs out.

TsukkiYama

Try This On For Size - CloudMonsta

A lot changed for Yamaguchi Tadashi over the course of high school. He started trying on dresses, for one.

The Great Yamaguchi-Tsukishima Split (Capitalization Necessary) - WyYeuw

"But no, the current situation isn’t normal. This situation requires the full attention of the team.

No, what’s really concerning this time around, is that Yamaguchi is the one ignoring Tsukishima.”

Yamaguchi confesses. Tsukishima fucks up—like, really fucks up. The volleyball club notices and loses a week’s worth of practice.

IwaOi

Terrarium - sausaged

He's practically a professional at being proactive (lies, lies, and lies when it comes to Iwaizumi).

At this point, is he really happy with just staying best friends forever? Will he be writing journals and collecting rocks forever (he will, he knows, but that is aside from the point)?

Can he really tag his Instagram photos with #YOLO if he doesn't actually put that phrase into practice?

A story about Oikawa Tooru, Iwaizumi Hajime, plants, and rocks.

They Say it Rain Diamonds on Jupiter - exsao

"You're in love with him."

Hajime considers denying it. He considers deliberately choking on his drink to express surprise, to create a distraction by spitting onto the man in front of him's pristine white shirt and causing a commotion. Instead, he swallows his mouthful of soda and heaves a small sigh once his mouth is free.

"Yeah," he says instead.

He's never been good at lying, anyway.

bait and switch - Stylographic_Blue_Rhapsody

Oikawa's university volleyball team knows he's in a long-distance relationship with someone from high school. They imagine a sweet-faced girl that matches his sarcasm with patience. They are so incredibly wrong.

my heart is where it’s always been - foreverautumn

Iwaizumi places his phone down carefully.

Oikawa. Pining after someone. There’s no way.

(Iwaizumi knows he shouldn’t care who Oikawa might have feelings for, but within the span of three days, it’s somehow the only thing he can think about.)

KuroKen

Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life - todxrxki

Kuroo Tetsurou runs a private Twitter account where he's constantly tweeting about how desperately in love he is with Kozume Kenma. Little does he know that Kenma sees all the tweets and keeps referencing the account in an attempt to get Kuroo to confess to him. / Or, five times Kuroo didn't notice Kenma hinting about his private Twitter account, and one time he finally did.

the things that get caught in the valves of his heart - ghostpot

Emotional competency is not exactly Kuroo's strong suit. Kenma finds it quite amusing.

Accidentally In Love - todxrxki

Kuroo frowns, but then slowly, the corners of his mouth lift up into a smirk. "Well, if it's so unbelievable, why don't we give it a try?"

Kenma glances up at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Let's do the 36 questions to fall in love," Kuroo says, still smirking stupidly. "If we don't fall in love, then you're right, it's bullshit. But if we do somehow..." Kuroo waggles his eyebrows. "Then I win." / Kuroo decides he and Kenma should do the 36 questions to fall in love as a joke, but they both start to realize they might actually be in love already.

the galaxy is endless (i thought we were, too) - cosmogony

TW: major character death

Kuroken AU where the last words your soulmate will say to you appear on your skin when you turn 16, and how Kenma and Kuroo learn what this means over the course of their lives

even if you’re ahead for a bit, i will catch up - ghostpot

Kuroo first confesses when they're sticky-fingered, wide-eyed kids, and subsequently every day after that. Kenma takes a while to come around.

you’re the brake lines failing (as my car swerves off the freeway) - ghostpot

Kenma thinks that Kuroo looks ugly with his head bent against the arm of the couch like that. Then Kenma thinks that he wants to marry him, and is promptly thrown into the 5 stages of grief.

teach me the way home - icespyders

“Don’t go far off, not even for a day, because —

because — I don’t know how to say it: a day is long

and I will be waiting for you, as in an empty station

when the trains are parked off somewhere else, asleep.”

Kuroo and Kenma grow up in transit.

in this universe - crossbelladonna

Living with Kuroo is sometimes, just like this. It always feels surreal like he's living half a world and a lot of things rush by too quickly. Kenma feels like he'd watched him come and go in a blink, eyes wide and wordless as the shared space went snug in an instant and far larger in the next.

All this, and a glass of water.

Beginning’s End - todxrxki

Somehow over the course of Kenma's lifetime, he’s never really had an opportunity to miss Kuroo. He’s always been there. Even when they went to different schools, Kuroo would meet him afterwards so they could walk home together, shoulders brushing, Kuroo occasionally taking the opportunity to guide him when his nose was buried in the newest video game. The thought of Kuroo not being there anymore is uncomfortable, to say the least. / Kozume Kenma's third year and the changes the year brings in himself and his relationship with Kuroo Tetsurou.

All I Want for Christmas is You - todxrxki

“Kuro,” he says. “You’re a single guy.”

“Yeah, great, thanks for pointing that out.”

“And my parents already know you, plus they already know you like guys or whatever so… what if you pretended to be my date for Christmas dinner?” / In which Kenma recruits his housemate and best friend Kuroo to be his fake date for Christmas.

BokuAka

just to miss the sun - rosevtea

Everything begins to implode when MSBY Jackals outside hitter Bokuto Koutarou crashes Akaashi's livestream.

Operation BokuAka - kazzydolyn

After spending two whole years watching Bokuto and Akaashi pine for one another, the rest of the Fukuroudani Volleyball Club has had enough. When everyone meets up for a reunion dinner, the team decides to play matchmaker and finally get the two of them together. Unfortunately, their plan starts to fall apart when they discover that Akaashi is already dating someone. And apparently so is Bokuto. What a strange coincidence.

bitter - silvercistern

He accepted his classmate's chocolates gracefully, then declared his lack of interest with as much dignity as he could muster. She deserved the courtesy. At least she'd acknowledged that Valentine's Day was all about her, and not about him in the slightest.

Because if any of these girls had taken the time to actually get to know him, they’d quickly realize something even more important than his lack of interest in girls.

And that was that Akaashi hated sweets.

In Another Life - LittleLuxray

TW: major character death

Sleeping didn't come as easy as it used to. Bokuto knew this, and now Akaashi did, too.

The hospital AU that no body asked for, but that I took upon myself to write.

120% yes - pissedofsandwich

TOKYO FRANCHISE COMING SOON @OnigiriMiya

in reply to @bokkun_official 

Congratulations! In celebration of your historic engagement, please DM us so we can send you a free membership code with a 25% discount on every fourth purchase!

Kissing Ace - karasunovolleygays

It happens right after training camp.

Akaashi Keiji has a secret he has guarded since he was a child. He won’t go so far as to call it a fear, but more of an aspect of himself of which he is horribly mortified. No one on the team knows about it, and Akaashi does his best to keep it that way.

But years of dodging hugs and casual contact come to naught in the blink of an eye and the swipe of a hand.

daisy rings and frivolous things (i am deliriously in love with you) - gabstar

Akaashi Keiji is in love. Bokuto Koutarou is a star. Everyone on Fukurodani has a gambling problem.

SakuAtsu

The MSBY Black Jackals Read Thirst Tweets - isaksara (syailendra)

Sakusa’s eyes are very dark naturally, sucking in all surrounding rays of light and crushing them in his pupils. For an athlete, he is rather pale. His lips look very pink in comparison. Atsumu is suddenly catastrophically aware that in this instance, ‘accent’ is a euphemism. “Good enough for your Olympic-size ego, Miya?”

(In which Atsumu realizes that he is attracted to Sakusa Kiyoomi in the most inconvenient way possible.)

A Liar’s Truth - internetpistol

In which Sakusa Kiyoomi is raised to believe that gay people go to hell but then takes one look at Miya Atsumu and thinks, then why the hell did God make them so fucking hot?

[yinses]

relationship headcanons

gojo satoru x instructor!reader

rating: t

a/n: we all obsess over gojo, now it’s time for him to simp over you

— you’re a teacher over at the sister school and have been rivals with gojo since before your own graduation. you’ve come close but have never bested him, so you’ve put all your frustration into raising the next generation of sorcerers to be stronger than his class ( and ofc to take out curses)

it’s all seriousness for you but fun and games for gojo. not everyone simps for him, believe it or not. the man is challenged on the daily but it’s less of an annoyance when it’s you. maybe because you don’t call him out for it. there is no boisterous demand for a showdown or obsessive rivalry. you bide your time and out your efforts into your students where it matters the most.

he can tell you want to make a bigger point. that the entire jujusu kaisen institution doesn’t need to rely on him to solve their problems. you truly believe that you can bring stronger comrades to the table. the goal of besting him was just a side objective

— you’re attractive. he’s attractive. there is no denying it. maybe under different circumstances he might have already taken you to bed by now but the chase is more thrilling. he’s known you for over a decade now but he doesn’t know the intimacies of your past. it’s a gamble how many people you’ve dated or what your experiences are like, but he does know he definitely has a chance.

the sexual tension is always there. more prominent for gojo because honestly he finds you determination so fucking sexy. the man is dominant but to be pinned down by your thighs ascends him. he has your number and is never not in your inbox. you rarely respond but he knows you read them, especially since he squeezes little updates about his class progress in between romantic poem quotes and blasts from the past.

you never answer his facetime calls but occasionally you’ll indulge a regular call, if only to voice appease him enough to stop him from filling your voicemail box. as you’re preparing dinner in your kitchen, he’s going on and on about little things that shouldn’t matter. but he doesn’t really have anyone else and it shows.

the man is an open book. confessing sprinkles of his frustrations around jesting stories about his cute little students and the bakery he now coined his favorite just two kilometers from his house.

sometimes he reminisces about school. about how visiting the sister school to see you was his favorite part of the semester. but he also delves into his own small class and how he misses the shenanigans the use to raise yaga’s blood pressure frequently. sure shoko is still here but geto- fuck, the guilt cracks in his voice. you don’t say anything still, what could you anyway to a man you shouldn’t adore baring his soul to you? but before a decision can come to head he’s swapped back to his usual self.

‘so that bakery has this delicious tiramisu. why don’t you let me eat it off of you one of these days? i love dessert in bed.’

across the city, gojo smiles so hard his cheeks sting when you hang up on him, shoulders more at ease than they’ve been in days.

— he never shows up for his meetings with yaga, god forbid there be a special invite from the croaking old bastard. but fuck- if you’re there? the man is on time just so he can secure a seat next to you.

you know this guy manspreads. thighs wide enough to align them with yours. you’re not jumpy, reading easily between the lines as you give him a curt glance from the corner of your eye. it’s a useless scold, because you only recieve a cocky grin.

god and does it egg him on. this man feeds on crumbs of your attention. his arm lounging comfortably along the back of the couch, fingertips dancing along the edge of your shoulder and tickling the collar of your neck.

it’s the fact that you’re consensual to it all that keeps him going. sure you bite back and huff with your cute little irritated pout- but you never say no. and that’s all the fuel he needs.

he can hear everyone just fine- like they’re sitting right there. but catch him leaning close, shoulders knocking together while he whispers in your ear. he’ll ask you to repeat things he definitely did not miss. ask you to explain things he obviously comprehends. you roll your eyes but coddle him anyway if only to cure your own boredom.

bonus: off to the side, miwa watches the two adults conspiring, foreheads just a breath away from tapping. she’s rooting for gojo if only for the benefit of seeing him around more. she’s been wanting to ask you to invite gojo-sensei to guest speak for months.

— fighting with you is basically foreplay. he’s never been so intimate with his infinity, absorbing every punch and jab. not enough to hurt terribly , but it’s physical contact from you and he won’t pass it up.

he’s supposed to be showing off for his students. itadori, his biggest fan, front and center as his own personal cheering squad. he can beat you but not demolish. you actually bring a challenge, which is why the two of you are often a treat at the exchange event.

gojo wants nothing more than to pin you down when the two of you grapple close for comfort. he knows he can get away with a nice hard grind or two, even thinks you’ll let him.

but his inner thoughts are his own downfall when you manage to get on top instead. not that he’s complaining. his infinity is strapped tight to his body, just barely keeping you at bay as you try to force your limbs to keep him in place.

this is bad. so bad because you’re leaning close- the hair from your sloppy bun whispering at his cheek. and your face is right there, near enough that he could flinch and you would be touching.

it’s entirely too intimate for a fight between instructors at a public event but damn he’s willing to let his guard down. besides what the fuck is he supposed to do when he can feel your mouth moving against the barrier.

‘is this how our first kiss is going to be? just you, me and the infinity?’

jesus fucking christ if you thought he was strong enough for that. it may as well be ‘pass go’ for gojo. because one second you’re held up by the invisible void and the next you’re tasting something sweet.

he’d just eaten a pack of chocolate covered cherries.