#which at the time and now is a MASSIVE risk!!! his family worried for him!!)

[catfishofoldin99colours]

'why are there freaks in the hermitshipping tag!' for one we're playing with a Very loose concept of them being characters at all considering they're just doing letsplays and not actually putting any spin on their real personalities or interactions which makes any and all 'character interactions' barely half a degree away from RPF already so like. Maybe start there ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[adventures-in-mangaland]

Even More Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs

I've discovered some amazing new authors since my last post! And writers I've already recced have published more great stories So here's another fic rec post!

Who? You mean your teammate in the Codependency World Cup? (series) by RoseGanymede95

I couldn't chose! They're all great! Basically a series of Edwin and Charles through the years and on cases pre-show. It scratches that adjusting-to-being-dead/newly-escaped-from-Hell itch and the authors writing is magic! It also fleshes out a really interesting conflict in the payneland dynamic: Charles' drive to protect Edwin at all costs clashing with Edwin's guilt over putting Charles at risk/depriving him of some ideal afterlife. Parts one and four also introduces Constantine/Johanna and part three revolves around an absolutely gut-wrenching temporary break-up. 😢

In Hell I'll Be in Good Company by laylabinx

Charles rescuing Edwin from Hell does not go smoothly. Just. Bucketloads of Trauma for both of them. And for you, the Reader. It's so good though!

your fangs in my neck (like an anchor like a vow) by shadowquill17

Vampire Edwin AU! It's great because it combines the (homo)eroticism of vampiric feeding with Charles' whole bisexual crisis and post-confession Edwin worrying about making Charles uncomfortable. Also Charles is some kind of demigod/immortal agent of divine vengeance which is an AMAZING detail and I desperately want to see some fanart!

The same author's ongoing story to the pain is also excellent though very angsty (cw temporary character death). I'm anxiously waiting for an update!

To Memory Now I Can't Recall by engineering_madonna

This is an amnesia fic and the most recent in an established relationship series. The first two installments feature the boys getting together and navigating their new relationship, so pulling the old 'character A forgets their whole romantic relationship with character B' trope hits especially hard! The whole series is lovely, but I am WEAK for temporary-amnesia.

Lemonade & Sunrises by paraph

A Quiet Place AU! The boys are alive, but they're the only ones. Very bleak but in a way that makes me want more!

1999 au (series) by websters_lieb

The boys figure their shit out in the 90s. Also, Edwin gets to read Maurice and queer theory. The cases in both stories are compelling and the author's writing and characterisation of the boys are excellent.

I also recommend offer me that deathless death which is about the boys' first meeting, Charles' funeral and the birth of the agency.

if I could reach the stars (i'd give them all to you) by ObsessedWithFandom

Charles falls first, Edwin falls harder. This is an AU of the author's excellent Charles' bisexual awakening fic, which I also highly recommend. It has lovely OCs and Charles having a sweet little friendship/romance with the boy he saved in canon, which actually makes his death a whole lot more tragic.

Came up from that lake of fire by ghostinthelibrary

Charles and Edwin get caught escaping Hell and promise to capture a demon-eating ghost called The Deathless in exchange for their freedom. With the added twist that they get to be alive again! An exciting case, high stakes and all the alive-again culture shocks and emotional/interpersonal drama you could ask for.

gig officially gigged by laiqualaurelote

Band AU! It shouldn't work but it does. Which might also be an in-universe review for the band tbh. Idk, I loved Edwin's massive obscure musical instruments and Charles being his unpaid roadie. Peak Found Family Feels.

No Rehearsing It, No Reversing It by DontOffendTheBees

Charles overthinks being in love with Edwin, my beloved. This time with increasingly flimsy pretexts for why they NEED to kiss. Just perfect Idiots in Love, no notes.

The Case of David Bowie's Made up Sexuality by williamvapespeare

The agency attempt to help a living lesbian couple deal with a haunting. Meanwhile, Charles struggles through his bisexual (re)awakening. With bonus past (living) Charles no-homo-ing himself to the nth degree. Pure of heart, dumb of ass, indeed.

The lamps are going out by CasiHuman

Vengeful Spirit Edwin AU! Has some interesting ghost lore and Edwin being convinced his touch is painful to Charles (love that trope!). Also features some of the author's adorable/hilarious fanart at the end.

just frame the halves (and call them brothers) by Anonymous

Crystal stumbles upon the ghost of Edwin's older brother, who hires the agency to free him and his platoon from the battleground they've been haunting. Case fic with interesting details about Edwin's family life and an awkward as hell family reunion.

the case of the very long ferry ride by obsceme

Sex pollen but with skin hunger, so it's more touching turned making out and hand jobs in a bathroom. Interesting use of ghost lore and it's cute and well written.

Form 239, Schedule L by sanctuary_for_all

Charles Rowland's Love Language is Acts of Service: The Fic. So many feels! Plus Afterlife worldbuilding and some quality Night Nurse rep.

don't go sharing your devotions (lay all your love on me) by Hephanna

The boys and Crystal accidentally summon an alternate universe version of Charles. He's very... handsy. Charles being jealous of himself is objectively hilarious and it looks like it could be heading towards throuple territory. Possibly even a foursome, if alternate Edwin figures out parallel universe travel. Which he probably will.

Still a Better Lovestory by Vamillepudding

Hanahaki disease! Charles is on the case but Edwin's being weirdly uncooperative about his own curse. I loved the worldbuilding (there's a whole sisterhood of washerwomen!) and the angst, plus the writing is excellent.

The author has also written Eternal Sunshine, in which Edwin is cursed to feel no love of any kind. It makes for an interesting character study, contrasting cursed Edwin, his public reserve and his actual personality.

[tonguetiedraven]

Can you write demon Ryu getting in a territory fight with another demon over Rin? (Funny and scary at the same time, like a cat fight lol) Set durring cram school, and Ryu being a type of demon you haven't written about before <3

I got @marble-wolf to help me with this one <3

Here's a snippet of the fic, and there's a link to the full thing at the end. Thanks for the ask!!!

-- -- -- -- --

Ryuuji had kept it a secret since he was little. As much of a secret as he could keep it, which had not been much of one in recent months. 

Konekomaru and Renzou knew, of course, because there was no hiding it from them. They'd grown up together as family, and he'd simply been too young to hide it for a while. 

He was certain Lewin suspected as well, mainly because his master was eccentric enough to think it and observant enough to notice the hints Ryuuji wasn’t quick enough to hide. 

He’d almost given it away to everyone in Kyoto the first time, and he knew he’d given it away with the reaper, but thankfully Rin’s flames had existed and kept Rin from realizing Ryuuji had frozen the reaper when it was trying to bite Rin, and Rin’s flames got the stupid demon to back up.

He often wondered if it was why Amaimon had gone for his throat that first time. 

Izumo figured it out when they were in the lab being surrounded by zombies, which meant at this point, Rin and Shiemi were probably the only ones that didn’t know. No one knew what Takara knew, and Yukio had probably figured it out in that closet. 

The rest of them finding out didn’t bother him, but Rin finding out worried him. For a lot of reasons. He didn’t want to be judged for what he was, and he didn’t want Rin getting weird around him. He wanted Rin to see him, and not that. 

Despite trying to hide that secret and be normal around Rin, Ryuuji struggled hiding the most around Rin. He’d struggled since the beginning, and he had deluded himself for a while that it was because Rin was a nephilim too and drew that part out of Ryuuji, but…

Truthfully, it was because everything about Rin drew Ryuuji in, and the demon part of himself was not content with Ryuuji’s decision to not do anything about his massive and distracting crush on Rin.

He was blaming the demon entirely for why they were here. Kinzou’s concerts were fun enough with ear plugs, but any kind of concert was always a bit of a risk for him. 

A siren couldn’t exactly sing without side-effects. 

Rin had come up to him with that toothy (fangy) grin and those big blue puppy dog eyes, and Ryuuji had gotten lost in them and come back to himself to find he’d agreed to going to a concert with Rin and the others.

Now he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Rin and Konekomaru, and thanking the Myōō that Kinzou was loud and trying not to look at Rin in his punk outfit. The white fitted jacket and the hoodie were very Rin, but the leather gloves and the ripped slacks with chains were another touch, and the blue studs in Rin’s ears were devilish and Ryuuji was entirely convinced they were there solely to break him.

Rin was bouncing in place and singing happily (but not very well.) His hand caught Ryuuji's sleeve and shook his friend with an excited noise.

He tugged and called, “sing with me!” 

He was high off the energy around them and Ryuuji seemed distracted. Rin would pull him out of it.  

Ryuuji’s eyes went wide and a small noise that was not a squawk left him. Thankfully it was entirely swallowed by the volume of the crowd.

“Sing?” He mouthed at Rin. Ryuuji couldn’t sing. Singing was a problem for him. 

Rin's eyes lit up at the surprise in Ryuuji's eyes. It was fun to draw out that expression.

“Sing! You don't need to sing good!” Rin comforted if that was the issue.  

Ryuuji’s problem was the opposite. He sang a bit too well.

Konekomaru bumped him with his elbow as Kinzou went back to the chorus of BRS. 

Ryuuji’s eye twitched as he tried to think what to do. He could fake it with most anyone else, but Rin with his stupid (attractive) demon hearing would know he wasn't singing because he could pick out voices despite the overwhelming volume of the music.

“Just like aria class,” Konekomaru whispered around a cough. 

Ryuuji glanced at him and did not glance at Rin and his big eyes and locked his gaze back on Kinzou who was bouncing around the stage with more energy than anyone should have when they were growling out their lyrics like that. 

Just like aria class. Ryuuji could keep the magic out. 

The first few notes didn’t make the world end, so Ryuuji let himself sing a little louder. He did like this song.

Rin's next bounce was a little too high as he gave an excited fist bump and sang with Ryuuji. His tail was wagging wildly and he really might ignite. (But if he did that, Kinzou might haul him up on stage because his flames were cool to the Shima.)  

A particularly high jump had Ryuuji stupidly looking over, and his useless heart gave a hard thump at the obvious excitement Rin had. He’d never met someone who just felt so strongly about every moment and let himself really feel his excitement without hesitating even though he had every reason to with the flames. Even his tail was out there for everyone to see. 

He sang a bit louder and a bit more earnestly, hardly noticing himself starting to lose control of his voice. 

He wanted to dance and sing like that with Rin. (And maybe a bit more.) 

Rin liked Ryuuji's voice. It was better than Rin's. He could actually carry a note.

Rin sang louder with Ryuuji and he could hear other voices too!  

Ryuuji let himself start to move a little with the music, feeling the pull of it and not watching his voice like he should. 

The music swelled louder around them as Kinzou’s song reached its climax, and the audience was dancing and jumping and moving together, and Ryuuji was singing the lyrics at full volume as the song ended.

Rin gave the loudest sort of cheer and he beamed at Ryuuji. He didn't look worried or grumpy or distracted anymore and Rin called that a win! 

Ryuuji's singing voice was great too!  

“Your voice is beautiful!” A voice was drawing Ryuuji’s attention momentarily from Rin, and at some point when he hadn’t been looking, he’d gotten himself surrounded by people. Mostly girls, though there was a boy too.

His eyes shot to Konekomaru in alarm who gave a tired sort of nod. 

“Please,” the second one asked, pushing in and reaching to grab his arm, stepping on Renzou’s foot to do it. “Please, can I have your number?”

“No! Give me your number!”

“Can I have a dance?”

“Can I record you singing?” 

Rin's face changed from his elated excitement to pure annoyance as he grabbed onto Ryuuji's arms (gently!) and pulled him back. 

“He's shy! Go away!” Rin hissed, obviously annoyed. “You can't just crowd people.” 

Especially not Ryuuji!  

Ryuuji’s eyes shot to Rin in brief confusion (and something excited about that defensive tone) and Konekomaru stepped between them with that distraction to quickly (and quietly) speaking a mantra to stop the bewitchment.

“We’re in a crowd,” the boy growled, “you can’t stop—”

The mantra took affect and the crowding teens backed up, looking confused as Rin pulled him further away. Izumo and Renzou had closed in on his other sides, keeping them back. 

Next time Ryuuji got invited to a concert, he was going to say no, distracting blue eyes or not. He was a siren, and singing had consequences. A lot of them.

[doctorbrown]

MCFLY JULY ‘24 ⸺ 「 9 / 31 * A NEW ‘PUPPY’ 」

August 7, 1895

“Are you sure about this, dear?” The sun streaks across the Train’s sleek lines and Clara marvels at the massive steel beast, powerful and elegant, carving its presence out of the otherwise dreary California landscape. Much like her husband, it is a fusion of the times, the present—by her account—and the future, blended seamlessly to create something larger-than-life that would put even Captain Nemo’s prized Nautilus to shame.

“I’m positive it’ll work. Besides, somebody has to test it to make sure everything is properly calibrated and I’d rather not put you or the kids at risk.”

It isn’t that she doubts her husband on this—he’d already invented a Time Machine once—that fancy metal behemoth propped up in the Delgado Silver Mine where it would wait for another sixty years until Mr. East—Marty came to retrieve it, facilitating the events that, to them, have already occurred.

He had been working diligently on this ever since they’d agreed that they couldn’t remain in this time, lest they threaten the space-time continuum and potentially jeopardise Emmett’s own existence. Even when she could no longer keep up with his future knowledge of science that still bordered the realm of science-fiction by this time’s standards, she had nothing but confidence in his ability.

No, it is the inherent risk that any scientific experiment entails that has her worried for Emmett’s safety, for time is the one barrier she has no hope to breach should something go terribly wrong.

But she can’t allow herself to think like that.

“I’ll be back in about ten minutes’ time from your perspective.” Emmett wraps his arms around her waist, radiating such confidence and conviction that Clara almost feels foolish for worrying so much.

“And not a minute longer,” Clara teases, leaning in to send her husband off with a fond kiss.

The train whistle blares, slicing through the tender parting and causing both Doc and Clara to leap a foot in the air. Laughter, muffled, yet still filtering out from the open cab, takes the place of the silence and if Clara strains her ears, now ringing from the sudden unexpected noise, she can hear Jules and Verne shouting at each other from inside the Train, the latter complaining how he wants a turn.

“I’d better go before the boys decide that I have to wait for them to be finished before I’m allowed to interrupt.”

“Boys, come out of there,” Clara calls, projecting her stern teacher voice that leaves no room for discussion or debate. “You know the Time Machine isn’t a toy and your father has very important work to be doing.”

Jules and Verne both groan, but in mere moments, they trudge their way out of the Train, carefully descending the steps.

“Can we come too, Dad?” Jules asks, throwing that wide-eyed, pleading look at his father that usually has him folding.

“Yeah! Us too!”

“I’m sorry boys,” Emmett says earnestly, “not this time. But I promise that the next time we use the Train, it’ll be as a family.”

“He’ll only be gone for a few minutes,” Clara adds, to which both of the boys’ faces immediately fall, their expectations of some grand adventure dashed.

Emmett climbs into the cabin and retracts the steps and Clara ushers the boys back several feet, mindful of Emmett’s tales of the first Time Machine and its aggressive displacement method. The boys wave as the Train picks up speed and Clara finds herself holding her breath, her chest tightening with each crack of thunder resounding through the air in spite of the idyllic blue California afternoon. The shockwave rattles her bones and when the flash of light subsides, leaving nothing but a trail of fire and smoke where the Train was only a moment ago, Clara finally lets out the breath she was holding.

“Whoa!! Did you see that, Mom? Dad’s gone!”

Verne runs along the side of the tracks, chasing the ghost of the train with Jules in tow, and Clara stays rooted where she is, overcome with a number of complex thoughts and emotions. The reality of it thrills and excites—time-travel would open doors and wonders that she only ever dreamed about, only ever found through the escape of fantastic books—while paradoxically releasing hordes of butterflies in her stomach, each flutter of its wings an uncertainty, a yet unforeseen trouble, an obstacle to overcome.

The Twentieth Century awaits—she could practically grasp it in her hands now, alive with possibility and promise and peril—and they were going to greet it together, as a family.

Clara doesn’t know how long she stands there until she comes back to herself, pulling out her pocket watch to check the time. Two minutes until Emmett should be getting back. Jules and Verne have moved well enough away from the tracks now, likely chasing one of the small critters if their fixation with the ground is any indication.  

When the storm rolls in despite the conspicuous lack of overcast, Clara’s attention snaps back to the tracks at the same time the boys whip around, eagerly awaiting their father’s return. The Train returns with all the pomp and circumstance it deserves, steam rising from its engine, and once Clara confirms that it’s safe to approach, the boys take off, meeting Emmett at the cab.

“It worked, Dad, it worked—but it’s so loud!”

Emmett peeks his head out of the window, grinning triumphantly down at his family. “Right on time. The temporal displacement worked perfectly—in reality, I was gone for almost three hours.” Both Jules’ and Verne’s eyes go wide. “But according to my watch”—he digs around in his pocket, fishing out the watch—“it has only been ten minutes exactly. I thought I might have to recalibrate the Time Circuits, but it looks like—”

Something barks from inside the cabin and Clara and her husband exchange a look.

“What was that, Dad?”

“It barked! Did you get a dog?” Verne gasps. “Did you bring a dog from the future?”

“You remember me telling you stories of my faithful companion Einstein, don’t you?”

“Named after one of your heroes of the Twentieth Century,” Clara says, recalling the countless tales in which Einstein the dog made an appearance. She had known she would come face-to-face with her husband’s best friend—before Marty, that is—at some point, but she had hardly expected the large, shaggy creature sitting comfortably in the train as if this is old news, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

Einstein looks around at the unfamiliar surroundings, then appraises each new unfamiliar face in turn.

“And the world’s first time-traveller,” he says proudly, reaching down to scratch Einstein behind the ears. “I grabbed him from the lab when I could be certain Marty wouldn’t show up unexpectedly.”

“Does he bite?” Jules asks, his voice trembling slightly.

“Only if he doesn’t like somebody. But Einstein is an exceptional judge of character—he’s more likely to lick the skin off your face if you don’t push him away than he is to bite you.” Emmett ushers Einstein out of the Train and gestures to each member of his family, introducing them as if Einstein was possessed of human intelligence.

“I know this is all confusing right now, Einie, since I’ve only been gone a couple hours as far as you’re concerned, but I’d like you to meet my family.”

[factorialsotherfandoms]

TW: very serious illness, vomiting, choking, etc

A series of scenes of a very sick Forever, with massively variable amounts of time between them. They're random and disjointed, just like his ability to comprehend.

Forever is in hell, in absolute hell. Agony stems from his cheek and his hand, bleeding, black agony. Sweat pours down his face, but no matter what he does he feels no warmth. His entire body aches, so bad he cannot even reach out and pull a blanket back over himself. In his dreams he hears clocks, and smells gunpowder, and sees fire and blood engulfing everything - Richarlyson, the Favela, the Island - and crushing it all to dust. He screams for his friends, for his family, or he would if he could only get breath into his lungs.

Fingers touch his forehead - far, far from the agony in his cheek - and he tries to chase after him. There's soft words he doesn't understand from a gentle voice, and a spoon at his lips.

He tries to drink it, the warm liquid which tastes of nothing, he really does.

He chokes instead.

Hacking and coughing and wheezing, and he can just about hear sobbing tears as he's turned on his side, someone rubbing his back as he vomits half a spoon of broth and a great deal of stomach acid.

He was already exhausted, but even with help the action leaves him in the dark.

Even when his brain shuts off from exhaustion he can hear the sobbing, the begging, and he thinks - don't you know I want this to end too?

---

"Forever? I'm sorry I can't stay, but I need to go look after Richas. He's awake now! He misses you. So... You've got to wake up, okay? I don't want to risk him getting sick, too, so you've got to get better so you can cuddle him. You'll be okay while I'm gone? I hope so. I'll be back really soon, I promise, I know for all you pretend otherwise you hate being alone. I'd get Bad to sit with you, but... He's also sick, and I'm really worried one of you would end up killing the other. It's a different sick, and I don't think you'll manage two..."

---

Forever wakes in the middle of the night. He's too hot, or maybe too cold, and something's missing - where is Richarlyson, where is his son? Wasn't his son sick? He should find him - he needs to find him.

In a blur he cannot quite remember the details, but he knows he needs his baby. Blankets drag after him as he wanders the halls of his house, calling for his Richas in a voice barely audible as he does. His voice cracks and breaks on every note, and leaves him hunched in a coughing fit every third. Still, still, he needs his baby - where is his baby?

"Richas," he calls, wandering the silent hallways and empty gardens with nothing but a blanket between him and wintery air. "Richas?"

He isn't sure where he is, but he keeps looking for his son until the sun rises and his body gives in and collapses.

---

"Forever! Forever can you hear me?!"

"Shit, Pac, what happened?"

"I don't know, I don't know, I came with food and he was missing and then I found him here."

"Shit, okay, let's... Let's just get him inside. You get his legs, okay?"

"Okay."

"Fuck he's burning up - have you managed to get him to keep water down yet?"

"No, not yet, we might need to... He needs a doctor, Fit, a real one."

"One problem at a time, Pac; we'll get him inside then we'll work that out."

"I don't think we should leave him alone any more. I'd ask Bad, but..."

"But he's... Fuck. Okay. Let's just get him safe, I'll grab some IVs from the Order, and then we'll see who we can find. Baby steps, Pac, remember the baby steps."

---

It's dark and it's cold and the world is made of ice. After so long in the Nether, Forever's body can't handle it any more. There's a blanket over him, but it seems to do nothing for the frozen chill.

He reaches out, tries to find another, or maybe pull the cushions of the couch onto himself, but he doesn't find softness - he finds metal.

Confused he tries to wake up more, but then someone takes his hand.

"Go back to sleep," the owner of the hand tells him. "You'll... You'll feel better in the morning."

Forever tries to tell him it's too cold; he's gently shushed, the tears that drip onto his face equally cold.

The tears should be warm.

With that realisation, Forever is absolutely certain that he is going to die. In a single moment of clarity that reality hits him - he's going to die, and it won't be a death he can come back from.

"Please, Forever, sleep," the person with him begs again.

If he dies now... If he dies now he dies in the cold, but he won't be alone.

It's a better death than he could have hoped for, to not be alone when it happens.

---

"How is he doing?"

"It... It's.. He's... He's dying, Bagi. He's dying, and there's nothing we can do."

"Is there medicine that would help? Maybe if we ask the Federation... They hate us, but surely they don't want their President to die?"

"We're already giving him everything we have... Nothing seems to be working. I- I can't- We're doing everything! I don't know how to help him, I don't know how to help anyone!"

"Surely there's something else? There has to be? We- There must be a way we can help him. You made the cure for the happy pills, right? That's what Fit said - can you make anything for this?"

"I... I can try? The lab is still set up, but I'm not sure what else I can do... And it takes so long - I don't even know where to start, we don't even know what's wrong with him! I can't- I- I'd need to work that out first, and I don't... I don't think he has that long..."

"Anything, Pac, anything is better than this!"

"I know that! Can't you see I'm trying! I'm doing everything I can!"

"There's got to be something!"

"If there was don't you think I'd be doing it already?!"

"Pac!"

"..."

"... Pac?"

---

Forever wakes in agony and with a scream - he's burning and burning in fires of his own creation, a thousand totems shattered as the ground explodes around him. There's something on - in - his body, twisting and curling and fighting in. He sobs and he screams with everything he has, trying to escape what is already inside.

Meaningless words, meaningless voices, but the arms which grab him and pull him into a hug make sense.

He's in pain, he doesn't understand, his head is on fire and it's a struggle to breathe, but someone - anyone, he isn't sure who - is holding him like he /matters/.

He sobs into their neck and takes the gentle nonsense-noises he can, until a second someone starts nudging his face. He doesn't have the strength to object, even as they put pills in his mouth, and a glass to his lips.

This time he manages to swallow, but it hurts - it hurts so much, he feels them all the way down as his throat tries to reject them.

Fingers in his hair try to soothe him, but he sobs again as a broth is dripped from a spoon to his lips - it hurts less than the pills, the warmth soothes the daggers in his throat, but it hurts it still hurts it still hurts.

Forever must whine, because the soothing from the person holding him gets a little more insistent. The other voice is saying something, too, gently wiping spilt broth from his chin. He can't follow it even slightly, despite recognising their voice as his native Portuguese.

After a little bit they put him back under the now strangely dry covers. He tries to grab, to cling to the comfort; the person hugging him still lets go, but then sits beside the bed, holding the hand that doesn't burn and brushing sticky hair from his forehead.

He tries to focus on that instead of the agony as he drifts to sleep once again.

---

"Thank fuck for that."

"Phil?"

"We managed to get him to swallow your pills, Pac - and some food. Seems the fever might finally be coming down."

"Thank you, thank you - let me check."

"Go ahead, and Bagi's the one who actually got him to swallow. I was just moral support."

"Okay, okay..."

"How's he doing?"

"Bad. Better, but bad."

"Better is about all we can ask... You'll be alright with him?"

"Fit's coming soon; we'll be okay."

"You're doing great, Pac, just remember to get some sleep yourself."

---

Everything aches and everything hurts, but Forever can at least think when he wakes up. He's drenched in sweat, and even turning his head feels like more energy than he has. There's wires and needles and monitors covering him, but he's not at the hospital - it looks like his base.

Not the couch, though - he remembers passing out on the couch.

Instead he's on a bed he definitely doesn't own, and FitMC of all people is dozing on his couch. And asleep beside him, holding his hand tight, is Pac.

He looks at his friend, and breathes.

The breath becomes a cough, and it startles Pac awake. Forever watches his eyes jump immediately to the monitors, only relaxing when he's read them.

And then Pac's eyes turn down, and he asks "Forever?"

"Hi," Forever doesn't quite have the strength to form words fully, but he mouths them and hopes he's understood.

"How are you feeling?"

Forever decides on just pulling a face; it earns a laugh, which quickly turns to unusually quiet tears.

"I'll let the others know you're awake," Pac smiles with the tears. "Just give them a minute."

"What-?" Forever tries to ask.

Pac puts tablets to his lips, and makes him swallow them with a 'shhh'.

The things taste foul - too foul to be any concoction of the Federation.

"The eggs are all awake," Pac starts with that information. "Some are having a bit of trouble with the new eggs, but I'm sure it'll settle down soon. We haven't heard anything from the Federation except a new happiness system, and it's been quiet. But... But some people are still missing - Baghera and Cellbit and Max and Foolish... Maybe more. And Bad is also really sick."

"With-?" Forever's voice fails; his bad hand manages just about to twitch.

Pac shakes his head, "he won't let us see, but there's memory loss. I think... Maybe the nuke caught him?"

Nuke? Forever's body seizes at the very thought of it - of a nuke, or a world eater, or-

He can't continue the thought, because something small barrels into his chest. Small, with a mooshroom hat on, and Forever can't breathe for a moment from the sheer force, but it's Richarlyson - it's his son.

He zones out whatever the people who came with him say, too exhausted to follow more conversations - and, worse, one in English. Instead he somehow finds the strength to lift his arms just enough to hug Richarlyson back, pressing a kiss to his hat as it's the only thing Forever can reach.

""Richas," he manages to whisper. "I missed you."

His son clings to him tighter, and one of his friends brushes his hair, and Forever is still sore and in pain and can tell he's very, very sick. But it's okay, it's okay, because his family are here.

[racheyace]

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A Luke the size shifter G/t short story, a cute little fluff story featuring Luke just being himself at home around his family, plus we get a first look at his super adorable little sister Ivy! Thanks for the awesome suggestion @8-bitlurking, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Approx. 2.8k words

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Luke walked slowly down the long gravel drive toward his home, it had been a long day at school, and he was ready to flop on his bed and play some video games.

Luke’s Father, David, meanwhile, was shovelling hay in the field behind his family’s home, he looked up from his work for a moment, wiping sweat from his brow when he saw his son Luke meandering down the drive, he gave him a wave and a tired smile.

“Hey Luke! Wanna help your old man out?”

It had taken some great adjusting for their family since Luke’s unique abilities showed up when he was six years old, almost ten years ago now.

David was immensely proud of his son and the man he was growing up to be, any other teenager might use their abilities for petty or even malicious reasons, but Luke remained humble and never used his power to intentionally hurt anyone, in fact he tried not to use them on purpose at all.

When Luke was at home however, he was free to be himself, his family never made him feel like a freak in fact on days like today, his gifts came in handy when helping out with chores.

“Sure Dad, what’d ya need?” Luke dumped his bag beside the wooden fence post and ducked under it, stepping into the field beside his father. Since hitting puberty Luke had proven to be a tall lad, at his normal height anyway he stood a few inches taller than his father, an impressive six foot five.

“This is taking me hours to shovel, do you reckon you could help me lift it all over to the stables?”

Luke nodded and eyed the large pile of hay that had been stored in the shed, his father had been shovelling small amounts into a wheelbarrow and wheeling it over to the stable across the field, only being able to move small amounts at a time.

Their truck was having issues and currently at the mechanic, so this task which was usually a simple one had become much more difficult.

Luke stepped backwards a couple of feet until he was a safe distance away from his father before closing his eyes and focussing.

Concentrating on the tight pulse in his skin, he urged himself to grow into his giant height, a staggering sixty-five feet, that should make things a little easier. Opening his eyes again, he looked down at his father who was smiling up at him. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to seeing things from such a vastly different perspective, but at least at home he didn’t have to worry about scaring anyone or keeping his gifts a secret.

David felt the ground quake beneath him from the dropping weight of his massive son as he kneeled down before him, and watched in amazement as Luke nudged the whole pile he had been working on into the palm of one hand. He’d seen him things like this before, but it was equally impressive every time.

Once the pile was loaded into his hand, Luke then offered his other hand to his father palm up and flat on the ground, asking permission to pick him up. Luke knew his father could easily follow him over to the stables on his own but even being used to being this size around his family, he still felt uneasy having them around his feet when one foot was easily bigger than their family care.

He would never risk the safety of those he cared about most, no matter how comfortable he felt around them.

“Thanks son.” David said, jumping onto the teenager’s hand with no hesitation at all before promptly sitting down, he was fully aware of the natural sway and motion of a giant hand, he didn’t want to have to keep fighting for his balance.

With all aboard, Luke slowly stood up and walked what was to him only a few steps over to the stables, the horses whinnied from within, undoubtedly feeling his arrival through the floorboards.

“How was school?” David asked casually sitting cross legged and looking skyward at his son’s magnified face from the palm of his hand.

Luke shrugged slowly, trying his best not to jostle his father around too much from the casual movement.

“It was fine, Matt was away, I think he’s got the flu or something.”

Luke lowered his hand to the ground, letting his father step off first before dumping the hay at the entryway of the stables. David nodded walking over to the hay pile to start moving it into the individual stalls with a rusty pitchfork.

“You should invite him over for dinner, your mother’s making a vegetable soup as we speak, it would be good for him as well, lord knows that boy doesn’t get anything green to eat at home.”

Luke sat down in front of the stable, idly pinching small amounts of the dried grass between his thumb and finger, thinking over his father’s words.

“Yeah, I guess I could.” Luke loved his friend, but he wasn’t sure he could deal with Matt’s high energy today; however, maybe sick Matt would be more subdued, he would think it over.

“He knows, doesn’t he?” David said casually, he continued to move the hay into different stalls not looking up at his son who still hadn’t shrunk back down yet.

“What?” Luke dropped the grass he had been playing idly with and his eyes shot up to stare into his fathers broad back.

“Matt knows about your abilities.” David reiterated, he dusted off his hands and crossed them over his wide chest before meeting his son’s large pale blue eyes.

“Wha- No, why do you think-?” Luke floundered for a good lie but let’s face it, he wasn’t very good at lying, he was honestly surprised with himself for keeping it from his family for a few weeks already.

“Matt hasn’t been round here in a few weeks; you’ve been acting funny when we bring him up, and Ivy read your journal.” He listed each on his fingers while Luke had dropped his mouth open in shock.

“So, it was either Matt knew about your secret, or you’re in love with him.” David smirked at the shocked expression on Luke’s face and shrugged like it was no big deal.

“Now shrink down already, I told you I needed your help and your big ass hands wont fit in the stables.” David gathered another fork of hay as Luke shrunk behind him.

“Ivy read my journal!?” Luke shouted once he was back at his regular size, still processing the revelation his father had dumped on him, his little sister had been snooping in his room, she had read about his most private thoughts and then blabbed them all to his parents!

Luke’s face was so red with embarrassment he thought he might be able to fry eggs on his cheeks.

“Yeah, sorry bud, she said she found it, and it was full of sappy stuff about Matt and how you wanted to tell him about your secret. Your mother and I have already spoken to her about the privacy issue, so it’s been dealt with.” David had finished spreading the hay in one of the stables when he turned around to find Luke right there in his face, cheeks red with embarrassment and disbelief.

“Dad!” Luke groaned in frustration; he couldn’t believe his ears.

“So, you did tell him then?” David continued unphased, grabbing a brush to start brushing down Mayfair’s golden coat, their blue ribboned, prized horse three years running.

Luke ran a hand through his short curly brown hair, threatening to pull it all out in annoyance. Luke closed his eyes taking a deep breath, he would deal with Ivy later, grabbing a handful of oats to feed to Mayfair he nodded his head in answer to his father’s question.

“Yes, Matt knows, but I didn’t tell him, he kinda found out…” His words faded into a mumble; he knew that his parents wouldn’t be too upset about Matt knowing his secret, but more so in the way he had found out.

“And how exactly did he find out Luke?” David’s voice was stern, and he knew he wouldn’t like what he was about to hear.

“After that big test, I kinda… grew. I made it to the forest though, no one saw me I swear, but um, Matt kinda followed me, so… Yeah.”

His father sighed and Luke waited with bated breath for the lecture to come.

“You don’t need me to tell you how dangerous that could have been, you and I both know how badly that could have gone.” David sighed again, closing his eyes to think. Over all the years Luke had gained a fair amount of control over his ability but he still wasn’t in complete control, his emotions always seemed to get the better of him.

“Maybe we need to do some more practice this weekend yeah? You need to stay in control of this Luke, it’s too dangerous for yourself and others if you continue to shift uncontrollably.”

Luke nodded in quiet agreement, their practice usually consisted of shifting all day until complete exhaustion and practicing calming techniques.

“I’m sorry Dad, I am trying.” Luke hung his head, absently petting Mayfair’s snout.

David pulled his son into a hug. “I know bud, it’s okay.” After pulling away from their embrace they both headed for the house, walking through the field in mostly silence until David spoke up again.

“So has Matt been, okay? Ya know, since finding out?”

Luke smiled widely then, thinking back over his friend’s dramatic reaction and constant wild chatter about being a superhero.

“Yeah, he’s cool with it.” Luke answered casually and thought to himself that Matt was more than cool with it.

“And you’re not in love with him?” He was actually going to kill Ivy.

“No Dad, I’m not in love with Matt.” Luke face palmed as they approached the back door, kicking off their boots before entering the house.

“Hey, just checking, your mum and I will love you and support you no matter what, we are very modern.” He said with his hands up in defence.

Luke groaned and rolled his eyes, why were parents so embarrassing.

“Damnit.” Luke heard his mother curse from the kitchen, he and his father eyed each other before heading into the kitchen to see his Mother peering through the gap between the kitchen bench and the oven. Her hand was reaching for something in the gap, her arm only going as far as her forearm before getting stuck.

“What have you lost honey?” David was at her side immediately helping her gently pull her hand back out again.

“Oh, I’m sorry, it’s my ring, I took it off to do the dishes and I must have bumped it, it fell down there.” Karly looked so guilty and so upset, David rubbed her back soothingly telling her it was okay, they’d just pull the oven out to get behind it, no problems. Luke had a simpler idea.

“It’s okay Mum, I’ve got this.” His parents turned to him to find that he was already shrinking and heading right toward the gap like it was no big deal.

Carefully stepping around his father’s socked feet he approached the space between the bench and the oven, it was a thin gap and even being so small he had to turn on his side and sidestep through. Quickly he realized just how often this space got cleaned which was definitely never, his clothes quickly were coated in oven grease and dust, but he persevered.

As he approached the wall, he could see a gold ring with small sapphires dotting the surface in an intricate pattern. He picked up the admittedly heavy chunk of metal and pulled it over his head until it sunk down to his shoulders like an extremely thick and awkward necklace before making his way back towards the light of the kitchen.

Finally stepping out from the gap, he pulled the ring over his head once more and held it up in triumph.

“Got it!” He shouted with a wide grin across his freckled features.

His mother knelt down in front of him with a soft smile, she laid out her hand for him to step onto, instead Luke approached her ring finger and pushed the ring until it fit snugly where it should have been all along, only then he stepped lightly onto her palm to be lifted up to her face.

“Luke you are precious, thank you.” She held him to her cheek in an appreciative hug before letting him off on the kitchen bench, where he proceeded to grow back to his normal height, legs swinging off the side of the cool white surface.

“No problem at all, though I might recommend cleaning back there, it’s gross.” He indicated to his grotty clothes; his mother scrunched up her nose taking in his appearance.

“Go take a shower and get changed, dinner will be ready in an hour.” She agreed.

Luke nodded and headed for the front door right as it opened to reveal a dishevelled looking twelve-year-old girl, her brown hair was coming loose out of her two long plaits, her face was covered in dirt and her knees exposed to reveal bruises. This wasn’t out of the ordinary for young Ivy though, she was a risk taker and if she didn’t come home from school dirty then she didn’t have an awesome day.

“Hey Ivy.” Luke said calmly, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall to peer down at her.

“Luke!” She shouted in excitement, a wide smile revealing two missing front teeth, she made to hug him, but he held a hand up to stop her, his expression serious.

“Got something you wanna tell me?” He asked carefully, the colour drained from her face, and she gulped audibly.

“Oh shoot!” She cursed before diving between her brothers’ legs and bolting down the hall to her bedroom.

Luke was hot on her tail, as quick as she could she slammed her bedroom door behind her and sat in front of it as he pushed on the door to be let in. The banging on the door went silent and Ivy let out a deep breath of relief, he must have given up already.

“Can’t get rid of me that easy.” Came a voice from beside her, she shrieked upon seeing Luke’s six-and-a-half-inch form beside her, he must have shrunk to get under the door, she stood quickly and jumped onto her bed, hiding under the covers.

Luke meanwhile grew once more back to his standard height and approached the bed sitting down beside the lump under the covers.

“Come on Ivy, I know you read my journal, I’m not mad, I just want a hug.”

Slowly she peeked out from under the covers to see a soft expression on her brother’s face coaxing her out gently, she relented and pushed back the covers. Quick as a flash Luke wrapped his arms around her pulling her into his lap and holding her tightly, she hadn’t noticed before how dirty he was, but Luke hadn’t forgotten.

Upon inhaling the scent coming from him she gagged and writhed to be let go but his arms held firm.

“Uh ah, no you don’t.” He chided.

“God Luke, you smell like a toilet, get off of me! What is this stuff!?” She screeched, the guck had smeared onto her clothes, through her hair and on her face, she wanted to be sick.

“Nope! This is what you get for snooping through my things!” He held her more tightly and smeared more of the guck into her clothes.

“Ahhhhh.” She screamed for help, but none came, only an overbearing brother who smelt like a skunk and unfortunately proved to be a lot stronger than she was.

“Okay, okay! I promise I won’t go through your stuff again! Get off of me, I’m gonna be sick!” She cried.

The pressure around her eased and Luke let her go, she flopped back on her bed panting and gagging dramatically, glaring daggers at her brother who only smirked mischievously at her.

“Pinky promise?” He held out his pinkie finger to her, it was also covered in guck, and she gulped before grasping the greasy finger with her own, quickly making a pinkie promise before snatching her finger back like it had been burnt. “So gross!”

Luke laughed, ruffling his little sister’s knotty hair before leaving the room and heading for his own little granny flat beside their family home to take a shower and change his clothes, he really did smell like a toilet.

He sighed in contentment as he entered his own space, his little sister irritated him, and his parents were becoming more and more embarrassing, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world, he felt like he could really be himself at home.

There was no one to hide from, no one to judge him or treat him like a circus freak, he could just simply be Luke, size shifter and all.

[itsjaywalkers]

gimme academic rivals and the feeling good one pls!!!!!

hiiii fra <333 i've talked about academic rivals here and posted a snippy here so . i'm gonna focus on feeling good instead

i think i've only mentioned this fic once??? bc at first it was supposed to be a silly brief one shot but when i started outlining it turned into a longer fic?? and since i wasn't planning on writing it any time soon it became my lil secret and i didn't want to bring it up in case it worsened the brainrot

unfortunately . i've been having thoughts about it . which means it's gone up on the list and i'm definitely starting it this year

but basically it's this idea of james being in really bad terms with his parents, he barely keeps contact with them, bc he's been running around with the wrong kind of ppl and doing not so very legal things to . earn money and basically survive . but now he's pissed off some very dangerous ppl and he owes a lot of money and usually he wouldn't worry too much bc he's pretty chill and careless in this one, and also a Prick, but his parents are at risk if he doesn't pay these guys back and . despite all the resentment and the fights he still cares about them y'know

he's searching for the quickest easiest ways to get as much money as possible when his good friend peter suggests seducing some foolish billionaire and rob them blind!! bc apparently he's done it a couple of times before, and it's simple and kinda fun !!! and james agrees immediately bc this sounds right up his alley and since he's soooo sexy and sooooo charming who could ever resist him right (picture me rolling my eyes so hard)

he begins to search for his victim right after, and he's about to choose randomly when he comes across a pic of the black family on the news, the article talking about this massive charity ball they're organising

at first he considers sirius, but discards him fast, bc he's the oldest, which means he's inheriting the business and he doesn't want to call unnecessary attention to himself. and then decides reg is the safest option <3

peter gives him this stupid list of rules to follow to make sure he doesn't fuck up but . i'm sure u can already guess james ends up breaking each and every one of them

[duchessofostergotlands]

It's funny how yesterday I was listening you stressing out British people don't emphatize with the riches' misery while strolling news about five millioners stuck in a submarine.

Lol, I speak only the truth!

In all seriousness, whether it’s right or wrong, it is hard to sympathise when people voluntarily chose to go in an obvious death trap, without doing any due diligence, to explore what is an actual gravesite because they’re so rich they have no understanding of personal risk and want to be able to boast about accessing things most humans can’t access. If our species was supposed to be at the bottom of the ocean we would be lol. This wasn’t about discovery or science but purely about profit and ego, and it’s killed five people. And the fact one of them chose to take his 19 year old son with him - there is no way that boy could have gone on the trip without his dad’s money and approval, and since I first drafted this it’s come out he may have been pressured to go - and now a family have lost two people in terrible circumstances makes it even worse. It’s just wasteful, frankly. I sympathise with their families, I wish things had gone differently, but it really is such a perfect encapsulation of how insane wealthy inequality has become!

I was thinking about this topic after we did our episode and I think it’s about balance. I’m comfortable, financially, because I have parents who were comfortable financially, I studied in a place where higher education is free, I have no kids and no social life, and I’ve been hoarding money like Smaug since I was a child. But even I worry about keeping a roof over my head, I worry about what happens if I lose my job. I’ve been made redundant before and had that feeling of panic and fear that I’ll never find another job. I couldn’t find a place to live on my own on my salary in the city I worked in which negatively impacted my mental health and I’m already struggling with a severe mental illness. And I’m lucky, millions in the U.K. have it way worse than me. I’m not one of those people who thinks the rich can’t suffer or that their emotions don’t matter - that’s a slippery slope as that would dnd up with everyone except the one human who is worst off in the whole world being told they can’t suffer and they don’t matter - but at the same time normal humans all have this struggle. So when you see multi millionaires and billionaires - especially those who inherited wealth - they automatically have less on their plate to worry about in terms of financial security, they don’t have those daily worries we all have. And so when they do experience hardship it kind of feels to the public - or to me at least - like the hardship has to be more intense in order to balance the scale because they already start off so much higher. Does that make sense?

I do think actively celebrating deaths is a bit much. It’s cruel but more importantly it’s completely pointless and damages the cause, and I think is more often than not done so people on the Internet can feel better about themselves and show off to their friends. But I completely get why people don’t feel pity or sympathy either. There’s a massive cavern in the middle where most of us sit. I just think it’s knowing the time and place and manner when it comes to vocalising that view. Nobody can make you empathise but you don’t have to declare it, unprompted, in the most callous way you can think of

[justabooknerdposts]

possibly a fic of percy and annabeth with annabeths family, or ive always been curious about annabeths athena siblings, obviously she has to be very close to them(not just malcolm) and I think it'd be sweet to see their reaction to percabeth

*Tried to work in both lol hope you enjoy it!*

Annabeth had been nervous about this visit home. Things had gotten better between her and her mortal family over the last few years, but it could still sometimes be awkward. She'd probably be less nervous if she was on her own. But Percy was with her. And it was the first time she was bringing him to her dad's house as her boyfriend. Which seemed crazy, now that they'd been together almost two years and were at their last stop on their way to Camp Jupiter and New Rome University. But the last couple of years had been pretty hectic, especially with Gaea rising and Percy being kidnapped for six months. Plus, it was still a risk for Percy to fly, which made it tricky to get him across the country. So now here they were, driving the Prius down the street to her dad's house. And she was bringing her boyfriend to her family's house. Annabeth tapped her fingers against the car door, trying not to let her nerves show. She wasn't even sure why she was nervous. Her dad and stepmom had met Percy before. They'd just seen him a few weeks ago at graduation. But this felt different.

She flashed back to two years ago at Camp Half-Blood, after she and Percy had first gotten together. Once they'd climbed out of the lake and said good night, she'd crossed the green to the Athena cabin, unable to keep a huge smile off her face. However, when she opened the door of Cabin Six, a massive noise hit her, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. It took her a few moments to gather herself and realize that it was her siblings, cheering and whooping for her.

"Oh my gods," she said, once she realized what was going on. "Are you all serious?"

Malcolm was the first to come forward and clap her on the shoulder, although he was definitely not the only one with a massive grin on his face. "We're just really happy that you're happy," he told her. "And we just also want you to know that if you're ever not happy with Jackson, we will be happy to help you come up with a plan to end him."

"Oh my gods," Annabeth said again, trying to roll her eyes, but she was pretty sure she was blushing to the roots of her hair. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that. But thanks anyway."

Her other siblings came up to her, too, giving her hugs and fist bumps and handshakes. Some of the younger ones hugged her especially hard, and Annabeth knew it wasn't just because they were happy for her. It had been a hard week. Really, it had been a hard summer. And she suspected they were glad to have an excuse to get some reassurance. So she returned their hugs tightly and tried not to think about the campers whose bunks were now empty.

She could always count on her siblings in the Athena cabin to support her. She was less sure about how Matthew and Bobby would react. Truthfully, she was a little worried they were going to be rude or ask Percy weird questions or something. Not to mention what her dad and stepmom might do or say.

As it turned out, she shouldn't have worried. Her dad gave them both one of the warmer greetings she'd ever received from him, including an extra long hug that made Annabeth swallow hard to avoid choking up. Her stepmom also smiled and hugged her, then Percy, and welcomed them both into the house.

Matthew and Bobby's greeting was pretty standard for Annabeth but almost too enthusiastic for Percy. They immediately started asking him questions about fighting monsters. Then Matthew blurted out, "Is it true that your pen turns into a sword?"

Percy glanced at Annabeth, then at Mrs. Chase. But her stepmom only gave a small smile and a nod, then said, "Just go out in the backyard." Percy shot Annabeth a quick smile, then all three boys disappeared out the back door.

"Thanks again for letting us stay for a couple days," Annabeth said. "The dorms won't be ready for move in until after the weekend. Something about summer semester."

"You're always welcome, Annabeth," her stepmom said. She frowned, then said, "I know it hasn't always felt that way to you. And I'm sorry for that. But you are welcome here any time."

Her dad nodded. "This is your home, too, honey. Now that you're out here, I hope…I hope we'll get to see you a little more?"

He'd ended it on a question, giving her the opportunity to choose. Not so long ago, Annabeth might have scoffed, or shot back a harsh remark. Now, though, after all the things she'd been through, especially last summer, she found she didn't have it in herself to respond that way. They were trying. And she was willing to try again, too. A fresh start for all of them.

"I appreciate that," Annabeth said truthfully. "I'll try my best."

"We will, too," her dad replied. After a moment of awkward silence, he clapped his hands. "Now, Annabeth, if you have a minute, I was wondering if you might look at a project I'm working on. I've been trying to recreate a wing joint that mimics those pegasi wings, but I keep running into a hiccup—"

Twenty minutes later, Annabeth escaped into the backyard to join Percy, although she had managed to have a pretty enjoyable conversation with her dad about aerial stability and the flight mechanics of rotating joints. When she stepped out onto the back porch, she narrowly managed to avoid being sprayed by a jet of water.

"Hey!" she yelped, dodging out of the way.

"Sorry, babe!" Percy called. He was standing in the middle of the yard with the hose in his hand. Riptide was no longer anywhere to be seen, but he was now making the water do crazy shapes and powerful bursts, which Matthew and Bobby seemed to find supremely entertaining.

"Okay, but seriously, you can't get it higher than that tree over there, can you?" Bobby asked.

Percy smirked. "Challenge accepted."

As a skinny jet of water shot thirty feet into the air, Percy glanced over at Annabeth with a smile. She returned it, feeling grateful that things were going well. It made her hopeful for the next few years of their life in California. It was nice to know that the different parts of her family could get along.

[colorcodedbeanies]

S2E1-"Seven Thirty-Seven"

Season 2 let's fucking goooo. Said out loud "Jesse kill him" in this moment

TW: Sexual violence, addiction, police abuse, racism

So I mentioned in the last post that Tuco very much matches a white middle class Idea of what a criminal is. Violent, unpredictable, and indulgent, with a massive temper and hang-ups about respect. At the risk of poor meow-meowing him a little I think its interesting that this is complicated in this episode. Tuco PANICS when he realizes No-Doze is seizing, enough to turn the car around and seek out the closest help he has access to. When No-Doze dies, he gets angry, striking him again. This matches what we'll learn in future episodes (and in BCS). Tuco isn't necessarily violent for the hell of it. Rather, using makes him unstable, and that instability often manifests in actions he regrets later. To be clear: Tuco has definitely killed before and likely would have again had he not encountered Hank. He's certainly not taking any steps to protect himself or the people around him. No-Doze's death is really no one's fault but his own. The Salamancas in general tend to manifest their psychological issues and insecurities into violence directed at a lot of indiscriminate bystanders. But to me, even that capacity for regret and lack of control complicates that "stone cold killer" image that Walt and Jesse have of him. Gonzo is also complicated, worrying that shoving No-Doze's corpse under a stack of a cars "[isn't] very Christian", but I'll dig more into that closer to the end.

So we've got another pairing of eroticism and criminality, but this time its manifesting as explicitly sexual violence. Walt assaults his wife. There's no other way to describe it. She is telling him to back off and until she screams "stop it" he continues to ignore her objections. To me, there's two ways to read this scene. One, Walt is unexpectedly aroused by what happened. Something about the distress of the situation, (or very possibly, being yelled at and degraded by a bigger, younger man) created a sexual reaction in him. And/or, Walt is attempting to imitate Tuco as a way to cope with the fear of that situation. Tuco beats the shit out of No-Doze, Walt attempts to act out his fear and frustration on Skyler's body (including shoving her forcefully against the fridge). Skyler even explicitly attributes it to fear, though she believes it stems from his cancer anxieties. Regardless, this isn't going to be the last time Walt attempts to imitate brown men who humiliate him/terrify him in a desperate attempt to defend his own masculinity. Bringing my inevitable cuckoldry discussion ever closer (threatening).

I think its important to give some due credit: Hank is legitimately making an empathetic attempt at helping Marie with her issues. He doesn't always say or do the right things with the situation (clearly being more comfortable tossing her at a therapist than having honest conversations with his wife). But the thing with dealing with addiction is that there's rarely a concrete right solution. He does his best (for now) to not lay blame at her feet, provides her with multiple support mechanisms, and is resolutely in her corner for dealing with this. Which would be very sweet to see if it weren't also likely some tactics he would make fun of a meth addict's family for employing. Its hard not to connect Marie's issues and Hank's work when the show takes pains to show Hank smacking a prisoner's cell bars after a frustrating interaction with her. Hank may be frequently disrespectful and callous to Marie, but he clearly views her as worth investing in, worth coaching through this, and is clearly conscious that she can't be held meaningfully accountable for what she does unless she has the proper help in place too. An attitude that does NOT apply to anyone who isn't his rich white wife.

It is notable, though, that the Schraders have clearly left this all as a secret in order to save face and keep up appearances. I went after Skyler pretty hard for how she responds to her in the moment, but I want it on record: Hank very much ambushes her with information about her kleptomania, and then immediately asks for support without a word of apology for either her distress or for keeping this from her. What Skyler says isn't kind. It isn't nice and it isn't empathetic to her sister. But she's also not wrong that she's being asked to just box up her feelings at a point when she's already under an immense amount of strain, which no one has really bothered to reach out to her for. They really are Jesse and Jake aged up, both vying to be taken seriously while also being mortally afraid of admitting to weakness in their day to day life.

Walt doesn't nail down the lie about the meth, writing off Jesse's concerns. Specifically what he says is "How much salesmanship do we really need? That degenerate snorts anything he gets his hands on." This is going to bite him in the ass next episode, but is pretty telling of how Walt views addicts. Unthinking, ravenous, almost animalistic, and importantly, with no sense of self-preservation.

Gonzo is my final note: he dies doing something innately human. He dies going back to rebury his friend, another gangster that polite society doesn't give a shit about, because its the respectful, Christian thing to do. He dies slowly and in pain, bleeding out alone. This is all extremely funny to the DEA, who pose for selfies with his corpse and cackle about the idiot criminal.

[forgaeven1]

harwin survived au. a verse i should probably have written up ages ago, but i just didn't, so here we are, rectifying that mistake. so, in his survival AU, harwin was sent away ( or rather, he was taken away, wasn't he ) as per what happened in canon, except of course, he managed to escape the fire — lord lyonel strong did not. the ceiling already collapsed on him before harwin had even managed to get there. harwin suffered some burns on his arms, and at the back of his legs, when he was dragged ( and then later helped his men ) escape.

harrenhal burns for two days, killing nearly more than half the occupant and staff who was living inside of it. everything that happened after that was quick: funerals, massive relief effort, harwin attempting to mechanically help people and everyone beginning him to address him with his father's title which he was lowkey disassociating from. two days after having escaped, harwin's wounds develop an infection — leaving him to be on bedrest for nearly a week with fever. everyone thought he wouldn't have made it; he did.

his ascension as lord was held a few days after that. the affair was quick, unceremonious, with small company — while harwin broods, even when he tries to be optimistic about it, because it meant that he'd known there were very little reason to return to king's landing.

true to his words, letters with larys affirmed that he could not risk coming back. the king is angry, after all, he wrote that one time. the queen is still so upset. in another, you are no longer the lord commander of the city watch, brother. what use would your return serve ? your duty awaits you in our family's great castle. and then, worry not about the princes. they are safe. i heard the princess is wed to her uncle in dragonstone**. he is a foul-tempered prince, the rogue one, but surely even he would know better than to harm the young princes.

with that, five years have passed, harwin have long settled into his lordly role and duties. those who know him now would describe lord strong as a solemn man, slow to smiling. he is not so politically keen nor deceptively charming as his father had been, though he honours his words well, and he listens to his advisors with calm judgement. harwin strong never wed, and had strongly rejected any offers of marriages which came at harrenhal's door.

with king viserys' passing, and the kingdoms divided in two, harwin receives a letter to swear fealty to the rightful queen, queen rhaenyra targaryen, in dragonstone. he accepts the invitation, and immediately sets his journey to his important ( beloved ) past.

** this detail isn't set in stones btw. so yes, this differs with each interpretation my respective writing partner(s) prefers.

please don't reblog !!

[kopivie]

ZUUU i dont knlw how i forgot this, but THE REASON WHY SHE KILLED HER FAM IS NOT THAT— i changed it a while back okok.

so the reason why is bc of her BROTHER

so basically, her brother is like her family’s golden boy. he’s the heir, their prodigal child. he can’t see curses (since theyre jjk ocs now) bc he doesn’t have any cursed energy and isnt a sorcerer, right? which is another reason why she was gonna be sacrificed, since she CAN see curses, which means that she has cursed energy and not only that but her power is basically mind control and manipulation so she’s a “born sinner”. in short, she’s ‘evil’ and hence is the perfect offering to the cursed spirits her family wards off.

but her brother stops them from offering her and has them offer him instead, because she’s already married to the first son of another family and it wouldn’t look good if they get found out. but she learns of everything and is pissed, at her family and brother. she alr hated her family bc of how corrupt the elders and her parents are, pretending to be saints— ‘sacred guardians’ who ‘risk’ their lives for the safety of japan, when in reality they can’t even see the cursed spirits they’re ‘fighting’, all they do is chuck some poor person out the massive doors at the back of the house every 3 months. so she kills them when her brother is out for some diplomatic reasons and cuts down their house in the process (bc i imagine she has those swords the heart, love hashira has from demon slayer bc those are so cool?????). come daybreak, she’s arrested and sorcerers come in a rush to prevent a bunch of innocent people from dying from the flood of cursed spirits rushing out after the fall of her household.

her husband is one of those sorcerers who come and he has to watch her get taken away to prison.

the thing is, she didn’t kill any of tye cursed spirits that spilled out and kinda just.. stood there. like she was in another world. anw, she gets taken to sorcerer jail and has her mouth stitched shut and is placed in a soundproof room bc of her abilities. but she escapes (figuring this out, my daydreams havent started yet today😔) and now this is when he (her husband) is told to kill her by the elders because they worry that she’s gonna create some team or wreak(??? reek?? idk) havoc with her cursed abilities and her mastery of the sword.

-🦫 and then she dies and angst angst angst. oh, and they’re doomed soulmates so ofc they’ll always be in the same world, same universe as the other.

they have names too :))) irrc, the girl was ume (for plum blossoms) and uh idk what his was😔 i lost my notes</3 but i take suggestions‼️ i think my og idea was that his name be smth correlated with autumn and fall, to symbolize their futile love. plum blossoms (in japan) bloom in like spring and a bit of summer, i think, and well autumn is in autumn. and by the time fall rolls around, spring is already long gone.

i think in one daydream i gave them a kid :D but like, that’s diff universe stuff.

OH! and she doesn’t die at 30/31, she dies at like 23-25

(fun fact: they, or specifically she, started out as a dc young justice oc bc i had just finished watching young justice. her brother came a bit later, also as a dc oc, and HE was supposed to be the one who killed her, but then j gave her a husband. then they jumped to jjk lol)

anw, time to write my chem lab report‼️ enjoy the lore🥰 (and, if you’re curious, yes, they do have birthdays. just say if you don’t mind me dropping that lmao :D👍 and i do kinda have their personalities)

OUUUUU OKAY MORE OC LORE I LOVE IT

it's actually funny, one of my gojo sibling ocs was alsp named ume! but my goodness, to have her kill the whole family and then have her husband witness the consequences of it all HAVE YOU NO SHAME?? NO DIGNITY?? WHERE'S THE HUMANITY?? (/lh /j)

[jrhughes]

Is Anything Too Hard For God?

(Sunday, October 1st 2023) 

Genesis 17:15-27 

 Golden Text:      11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful Who had promised.  12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. - Hebrews 11:11-12          

The birth of Isaac to Sarah was indeed a miracle. Sarah was no longer having her cycles. That time of child bearing years had come and gone. Sarah announced herself unable to have a child.  Sarah was 90 years old. Her husband Abraham was almost 100 years old.  We would imagine that it would be difficult for Abraham to believe that he could naturally be the father of a child. And he and Sarah had tried for decades.  All that Abraham had was the promise of God. Since nothing it too difficult for God, the Creator of all, the Promise of God was enough. 

Although we are not told where she was born, we believe that Sarai began her life in the pagan world of Ur, in the land of the Chaldees, which was located in the area now known as Iraq. We believe this because she was the half-sister, as well as the wife, of Abram, who would be later called Abraham and the friend of God. Sarai and Abram had the same father but different mothers, according to Genesis 20:12. Some believe that in  those days, genetics were purer than they are today, and intermarriage was not detrimental to the offspring of unions between relatives seems to be today. Also, people tended to spend their lives clustered together in family units, it was the natural course to choose mates from within their own tribes and families. 

When Abram encountered the living God for the first time, he believed Him (Genesis 12:1–4; 15:6) and followed after Him, obeying His command to leave his home to go to a place he may never have heard about (Canaan), much less seen. 

If you do the math it may be that the father of Abraham, Terah, had not passed away in this city. Abraham may have been mentioned first because of his importance in the plan of God. Sarai, and their nephew Lot continued with Abraham on their journey, allowing God to lead and guide them. With no housing and no modern conveniences, the journey must have been very difficult for all, especially for the women.  

Some time after they arrived in the land of Canaan, there was a famine in the land. Abram-Abraham did not seek God about the situation. We are convinced that God had a better idea then asking Sarai to tell half truths and risk being taken into the harem of Pharaoh in Egypt (Genesis 12:10). Perhaps God was going to prosper Abram-Abraham in the famine for all to see. 

Abram feared that the Egyptians would kill him because Sarai was beautiful and they would want her as a wife. So Abram devised a plan that saved him but put his wife into the danger of being a harem member and having the vessel that was to produce the line to Messiah corrupted. Abram-Abraham had not gone to God. God would have had a better plan. 

How about God prospering Abram in the famine and having all the people see it. Sarai told everyone that she was Abram’s sister but they knew that it was not the whole truth. It was intended to deceive. Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s house, and Abram was treated well because of her. 

But finally the true husband of Sarai became involved. God afflicted Pharaoh’s house, and somehow the half truth (lie) was revealed. Pharaoh returned Sarai to Abram and sent them on their way (Genesis 12).  

Sarai and Abram came back to the land now known as Israel. They had acquired many possessions and a great deal of wealth in their travels, so Lot and Abram agreed to split up in order that the massive herds of cattle would have adequate ground for grazing (Genesis 13:9). 

Sarai continued to be unable to become pregnant. Abram was, of course, worried that he would have no heir of his own body.  

But God gave Abram a vision in which He promised him a son and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15). God also promised Abraham’s offspring the land of Canaan. The problem was that Sarai remained childless.  

Not willing to wait upon God, Sarai, decided that God must have meant that they would have a child by a surrogate mother. So Sarai suggested that Abram have a child with her servant, Hagar. Of course we know that Abram should have gone into prayer and done nothing until he heard from God. But Hagar was young and healthy so Abram listened to his wife.  Sounds a lot like Adam listening to his wife Eve in stead of obeying the set will of God. So Abram at 86 went into this most likely 20 something young lady. 

They both knew that it would be the custom of the people of that era to treat the child born by Hagar as if the child were the child of Sarai.  

... Hagar conceived a son– Ishmael. But Hagar began to look at Sarai with contempt, and Sarai began to treat Hagar harshly, so much so that Hagar ran away. God met Hagar in the desert and encouraged her to return to Abram and Sarai, which she did (Genesis 16). 

Thirteen years after Ishmael was born, God reaffirmed His covenant with Abram, this time giving him the sign of circumcision as well as changing his name to Abraham. God also changed Sarai’s name, to Sarah, meaning "mother of nations." God told Abraham that He would give him a son through Sarah. This son– Isaac– would be the one with whom God would establish His covenant. God would bless Ishmael as well, but Isaac was the son of promise through whom the nations would be blessed (Genesis 17). Isaac means "he laughs."  

Now both Sarah and Abraham had laughed at the idea that a 100 years old man could have a son with Sarah, who was 90 years old and had been unable to become pregnant. They both thought it not possible.(Genesis 18:9–15). God asked is anything to hard for God? 

God remained faithful to His promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son. They named him Isaac, and "Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.' And she added, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age'" (Genesis 21:6–7). Though she may have previously laughed in disbelief and secrecy, now Sarah laughed with joy and wanted her situation to be known. God had been faithful to His promise and blessed her. 

But now we had the son of Sarah and the son of Hagar both from the man Abraham. But Ishmael, Hagar’s son, was mocking Isaac. Sarah had has enough Sara insisted that Abraham to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham was upset, but God told Abraham to do what Sarah said and that his descendants would be numbered through Isaac.  

...Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away, and God provided for their needs (Genesis 21:8–21).  

... Hebrews 11:11-12 uses Sarah as an example of faith:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful Who had promised.  12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. - Hebrews 11:11-12 (KJB) 

First Peter 3:5–6 uses Sarah as an example of a holy woman who hoped in God and who adorned herself by submitting to her husband. Sarah willingly left her home and stepped out into the unknown to follow Abraham, as he followed the directions of a God with whom she was unfamiliar at the time.  

MESSAGE TEXT  - GENESIS 17:15-27 

15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 

Sarah: Wikipedia reports: 

Sarah is a biblical matriarch, prophetess and major figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pious woman, renowned for her hospitality and beauty, the wife and half-sister of Abraham, and the mother of Isaac. 

. . . 

. . .Knowing Sarah to be a great beauty and fearing that the Pharaoh would kill Abraham to be with Sarah, Abraham asks Sarah to tell the Pharaoh that she is his sister (Genesis 17) 

She was originally called Sarai. In the narrative of the covenant of the pieces in Genesis 17, during which Yahweh promises Abram that he and Sarai will have a son, Abram is renamed as Abraham and Sarai is renamed as Sarah. There are folk etymologies that explain their old and new names. 

17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? 18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! 

Abraham did not think he had understood God. How can it be that child shall be born from me. Next year I will be 100. Can God do that? And as if that is not enough, Sarah would be ninety (90) years old. She no longer has her monthly period. She cannot really have a baby.  No I misunderstood.  God must be talking of the man child He gave us through Hagar. Oh that must be what God meant. 

Then Abraham said unto God that Ishmael, the son through Hagar, may he live before Thee God! 

19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. 

God makes it clear to Abram-Abraham that God meant what He said. It is Sarah that will be the mother of a son.  You shall call his name Isaac  Pronounce: yits-khawk'; Strong: H3327 (Isaac = "he laughs") 1) son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau). 

I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. God says to Abraham that this promise God has made will begin to be filled by Isaac and with the seed of Isaac (Jacob-Israel). Then the covenant and promises will continue on to all born in that line.  My covenant shall be everlasting (nothing will stop it, the covenant will last and go to all the generations of people that follow you Abraham. 

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. 

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful.  Although God knew this was not wise as these descendants of Ishmael would be trouble for the line of Isaac for centuries to come. God did as Abraham asked and blessed Ishmael and made him to be prosperous and fruitful (--bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be, make) fruitful, grow, increase.) 

I will make him a great nation.  God has also agreed to make Ishmael a great (mighty) nation. 

Be careful what you ask of God. He may fulfill your wishes even though it is not good for you.  Our attitude should be not my will but Thine, O LORD.  

21 But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. 

My covenant will I establish with Isaac. I will bless Ishmael but all my promises and My covenant ( Pronounce: ber-eeth'; Strongs No: H1285; 1) covenant, alliance, pledge; 1a) between men; 1a1) treaty, alliance.) 

22 And He left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 

And God ended his conversation with God. And God went up from the abode of man, from the Earth. 

The Sign of Covenant: Circumcision. 

23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Notice the circumcision was immediate in the selfsame day. Abraham wanted for himself and his family and all that were born in the house and all that were bought that were male were to have this sign or ownership by God in their bodies. How Abraham got all the men to immediately agree, it is a mystery, but not so much if God the Holy Ghost spoke to each man to desire to have and be a part of the family of God and bear the marks of ownership by God in their body. But for God the Holy Ghost I cannot understand how this was accomplished (the circumcision of the flesh on the foreskin of the male penis. This was all done on the selfsame say, as God had told them to do this.  

Circumcision: Wikipedia reports: 

Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common form of the operation, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin is excised. Topical or locally injected anesthesia is generally used to reduce pain and physiologic stress. Circumcision is generally electively performed, most commonly done as a form of preventive healthcare, as a religious obligation, or as a cultural practice. 

. . . 

When performed for religious reasons, it is most common among Muslims and Jews, among whom it is near-universal. Circumcision is an integral or established practice for members of these faiths, as well as among the Samaritans and Druze. 

In some African and Eastern Christian denominations male circumcision is an established practice and require that their male members undergo circumcision. It is commonly performed among members of the Coptic, Ethiopian, and Eritrean Orthodox Churches.  

24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.  25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him. 

Although the Bible says: 

10 This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.  11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.  13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.  14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken My covenant. - Genesis 17:10-14 

In that first round of circumcisions we believe there was no age limit. Abraham was ninety and nine (99) years old.  Ishmael was thirteen (13). All the men of the house of Abraham were circumcised.  

Wikipedia reports: 

Religious circumcision generally occurs shortly after birth, during childhood, or around puberty as part of a rite of passage. Circumcision is most prevalent in the religions of Judaism and Islam. Circumcision for religious reasons is most prominently practiced by members of the Jewish and Islamic faiths. 

Abrahamic religions 

         Judaism 

According to the Torah and Halakha (Jewish religious law), ritual circumcision of all male Jews and their slaves (Genesis 17:10–13) is a Commandment from God that Jews are obligated to perform on the eighth day of birth,[1][2] and is only postponed or abrogated in the case of threat to the life or health of the child.[1] Jews believe that Gentiles (I. e. non-Jews) are neither required nor obligated to follow this commandment, since it is considered binding exclusively for the Jewish people;[3] according to the Jewish law, only the Seven Laws of Noah apply to non-Jews.[3][4] 

In the Hebrew Bible 

Abraham circumcises his own penis.  There are numerous references to circumcision in the Hebrew Bible. Circumcision was enjoined upon the biblical patriarch Abraham, his descendants and their slaves as "a token of the Covenant" concluded with him by God for all generations, an "everlasting covenant" (Genesis 17:13), thus it is commonly observed by two (Judaism and Islam) of the Abrahamic religions. 

The penalty of non-observance was kareth (Hebrew: "cutting off") from the people (Genesis 17:10–14, 21:4; Leviticus 12:3). Non-Israelites had to undergo circumcision before they could be allowed to take part in the feast of Passover (Exodus 12:48). (See also Mosaic Law directed at non-Jews and Conversion to Judaism). 

It was "a reproach" for an Israelite to be uncircumcised (Joshua 5:9). The name arelim ("uncircumcised") became an opprobrious term, especially a pejorative name for the Philistines,... 

And now you know the full story of Circumcision. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Please forgive me of any and all sin, I have committed, since the last time, I asked. Thank You And thank You for Your lessons about Sarah and the unbelief of Abraham.  You spoke directly to him, but he still let the things he knew cloud his mind and memory so that he could not hear from You. You were patient but insistent upon him hearing and believing. Sarah had the same problems of unbelief, because all seemed so impossible in the way of thinking of men. But in spite of the initial unbelief You kept your promise, because nothing is impossible with God. Give us ears to hear and help us to understand that You can do anything. Let faith arise in our hearts and minds. Then we were blessed to find the willingness of every male in the house of Abraham. No doubt it was You, God the Holy Ghost who inspired them. Thank You for overcoming the ideas of the world. Thank You for blessing them and each one of us with Your truth and allowing faith to arise inside of our beings. Prepare us to hear and understand Your Truth, I pray. Make me fit to do Your service, LORD. Please protect me from all danger and evil and unrighteousness, I pray in the Wonderful, Awesome Name of Jesus. Amen and amen. 

May God bless you in all that you do for Him, Brother J.R. Soul winner, Bible teacher, Defender of the Faith

[storiesforallfandoms]

i’m giving up this life ~ thomas shelby;peaky blinders

word count: 1996

request?: no

description: after his wife takes a bullet meant for him, tommy finds she was holding a secret from him, and that it is time for him to give up on the gangster lifestyle

pairing: thomas shelby x female!reader

warnings: swearing, violence

masterlist (one, two)

Tommy closed his eyes as the shot rang out. For once, he was prepared for whatever was coming, and he even started to silently ask for forgiveness in his next life.

However, the end didn’t come. There wasn’t even any pain that would’ve indicated he was shot. When he opened his eyes, he found his wife laying on the ground at his feet instead, a pool of blood growing around her.

The man who had attempted to kill Tommy was frozen in shock as he watched the infamous gang leader fall to his knees. He took his wife into his arms, cradling her as he frantically tied to stop the blood coming from her wound.

"Come on, love,” he begged. “Wake up, stay with me.”

Her skin was ice cold. Tommy’s hands were stained red within seconds of touching her wound. He was panicking, his mind wasn’t working properly.

Anger started to course through his veins, and in one quick motion, he pulled his gun and shot the man until he was riddled with bullet wounds. He scooped (Y/N) up in his arms and quickly carried her out of the room.

“Tommy!” Arthur called as Tommy emerged from the building. “What happened?”

“I don’t know where she came from,” Tommy said, still in a partial daze of anger and worry. “One minute it’s just me and him, the next I find (Y/N) in front of me after...she’s bleeding so much.”

Arthur opened the door of his car. “Get in, I’ll get us to the hospital.”

~~~~~~

The wait was agonizingly long. Tommy had begged to be in the room with (Y/N) as they operated on her, but the doctor was firm in having him wait in the waiting room. The Peaky Blinders may have had most officials in Birmingham under their thumb, but the doctors still held a certain level of professionalism no matter who their patients were.

Polly came to be with him while Arthur and the boys went to deal with the body Tommy had left behind. She was watching him pace back and forth in front of her. “Tommy, pleas sit down. You’re making me dizzy.”

“How much longer till we hear something?” Tommy asked, ignoring his aunt. “They’ve been in there for so long.”

“It takes time, dear. They have to make sure she doesn’t have any complications and she’ll make a full recovery.”

“Why don’t they know yet?”

Polly sighed as Tommy finally sat next to her. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and struggled to light it. His hand was shaking so much the flame wouldn’t stay over the cigarette. She placed a more steady hand over Tommy’s and guided the light to the cigarette.

“She’ll be okay Tommy.”

Tommy was blinking back tears as he took a puff from his cigarette. “Why would she put herself in danger for me?”

Polly took Tommy’s hand in hers. “Love makes you do crazy things, and she loves you so much.”

Tommy didn’t say anything. Instead, he took another long puff off his cigarette.

(Y/N) was an angel; a kind woman with a heart of gold who was strong and unafraid of anyone or anything. Tommy could never understand what it was that made her fall in love with him, and he’d never understand how she could love him so much that she’d risk her life for him.

When the doctor emerged and called (Y/N)’s name, Tommy was standing within seconds. “Is she okay?”

“She will be after some rest,” the doctor told him. “She lost a lot of blood, but you got her here just in time. We managed to extract the bullet and stitch up her wound. They’ll both be just fine.”

“They?” Tommy asked.

“The baby.” Tommy’s eyes widened, which answered any questions the doctor had. “You didn’t know.”

Tommy was shocked into silence. He didn’t even know (Y/N) had suspected she was pregnant. If she had known. Maybe she didn’t, or else she would have told him, right?”

“Can he see her now?” Polly asked, coming to Tommy’s side.

“Of course,” the doctor responded. “Go on in, Mr. Shelby.”

Tommy’s feet moved before his mind caught up with him. He found (Y/N) in her hospital bed, her eyes closed and the color slowly returning to her face.

He was almost afraid to touch her as he pulled a chair up next to her bed. She looked so fragile, like even a slight touch would cause her to shatter into pieces. He gently brushed her hair from her face, allowing his hand to linger against her face for a moment longer.

“I’m not worth this, love,” he whispered. “I deserved that bullet, not you. It was meant for me. I should be the one in this hospital bed.”

His hand moved from her face to her stomach, gently touching the spot where his child was growing inside of her.

“I didn’t even know. I continued to put your life in danger because of what I am, and because of that we almost lost our baby.”

With no one around to see him, Tommy let the tears freely run down his face.

~~~~~~

(Y/N) was unconscious for a total of three days. Tommy did not leave her side for a single moment. Each of his family came to visit their sister-in-law, and to make sure Tommy was okay. Polly often brought food for him, knowing he wouldn’t eat otherwise.

The doctors continued to give (Y/N) a shot that was meant to help give the baby nutrients to grow while (Y/N) was unconscious. Every time someone came in to give her the shot, Tommy just wished she would finally open her eyes again, that she’d finally be okay to grow the child on her own.

Ada was the last to visit, bringing a small bouquet of flowers with her for (Y/N).

“How is she?” Ada asked, taking a seat in the chair next to Tommy.

“The doctors say she’s stable,” Tommy responded. “They say it’s only a matter of time until she wakes up.”

“She’ll wake up soon,” Ada assured him. “She’s a fighter, remember? A real Shelby.”

This managed to make Tommy chuckle slightly, the first time in days that he showed even the slightest positive emotion.

“I suppose Polly has told the family our surprise announcement,” he said, his eyes trailing back to (Y/N)’s stomach again.

“Only me,” Ada responded. “She figured you two would want to tell everyone when (Y/N) wakes up, but she also knew you’d need someone while she’s still out. Someone who doesn’t have a cock between their legs.”

Tommy smiled slightly again. Polly always knew what he needed, what they all needed. For the woman who never birthed them, she was truly their mother through and through.

“I’m terrified, Ada,” Tommy admitted. “Not of having the baby, but that what I do - who I am - is going to put that baby in danger. I’ve known for years I’m putting (Y/N) in danger, but she’s always insisted she doesn’t mind. It was her choice to be a part of this family and this life, but that baby didn’t get to choose. We’re forcing him into a life of danger, all because of me.”

Ada put a hand on Tommy’s shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze, but she didn’t try to dispute him. Of course he was right, they all knew he was. Every Shelby man knew the risks of bringing a child into the world of the Peaky Blinders, even Ada knew when she gave birth to Karl. But for Tommy it was so much worse. Tommy wasn’t just a Shelby man, or just a member of the Peaky Blinders. He was their leader. He was the one with a massive target on his back constantly. He was the one their rivals would look to first to find a way to gain leverage over him - meaning they would look to (Y/N) and their baby first.

“I’m giving up this life, Ada,” Tommy said, the words coming out just as he made the decision in his head. “All of it, I’m giving it all up. The minute (Y/N) wakes up and is okay to leave the hospital, I’m taking her to the Garrison where we’ll announce she’s pregnant, and then I’m announcing my leave. Arthur can take over for me. Then, I’m taking (Y/N) as far away from Birmingham as I possibly can. Somewhere fit to raise our baby together.”

Ada was smiling at her brother. “I think that’s a perfect idea, Tommy.”

“Do you really mean it?”

The Shelby siblings looked over to see (Y/N) looking over at them, her eyes still blinking in an attempt to adjust to the bright hospital lighting.

Tommy jumped up from his seat and took (Y/N)’s face in his hands, kissing her face repeatedly. She giggled as he did so, before moving her head so he would kiss her lips. Ada stood as well, smiling down at her sister-in-law. “I’m glad you’re awake, (Y/N).”

“I’m glad you’re the first two I got to see,” (Y/N) responded. “Are those for me?”

“Yeah, I brought them,” Ada responded. “An assortment of your favorites. I figured this drab room needed something to brighten it up.”

(Y/N) smiled weakly. “Thank you, Ada. I really appreciate it.”

Ada gave (Y/N) a gentle hug before leaving her alone with Tommy. His touch was still gentle as he took her hand in his. She was still cold, but he was beginning to feel a slight warmth in her fingertips. It was almost like she was coming back to life all at once.

“I’m sorry I jumped in front of that bullet, Tommy,” she said. “Arthur tried to stop me from running into the building, but I knew what you were going to do and I just...I couldn’t let you...”

She trailed off, but Tommy knew what she meant; I couldn’t let the father of my child die.

“You have nothing to apologize for, love,” Tommy said. “I’m sorry I put you in danger, not just that time but all the times before as well. It’s not fair of me to keep doing this to you.”

“It’s your job, Tommy, and your family. I knew that when I married you.”

“But our baby didn’t know that when we created him.”

(Y/N)’s hand trailed to her stomach, the same way Tommy’s often had when he thought about the baby. “Is he okay?”

A smile tugged at the corners of Tommy’s lips. “It is a boy?”

(Y/N) smiled back at him. “Oh, I don’t know, but I have a feeling. Your mum had three Shelby men before she had one girl, and Ada and John have only had boys so far. I figure it only makes sense that we’ll have one, too.”

Tommy brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles.

“Did you mean it, Tommy?” she asked again. “About giving up the Peaky Blinders?”

“I meant every word I said,” Tommy responded. “I almost lost you, (Y/N), and I’m not risking that again. I’m not risking losing our child, either. This life was not meant for families, and it’s best to get out before we bring a little one of our own into this world.”

(Y/N) was practically glowing at this news. While she supported Tommy with whatever decision he made, she’d be lying if she said the thought of bringing a child into his world hadn’t scared her. To hear him come to the decision to get out all on his own made her heart feel warm and made her feel happy.

“I love you so much, Tommy,” she said.

“I love you, too, (Y/N). Rest again, love. When you are cleared, we have a lot to tell the family.”

[redrobin-detective]

Ben 10 lore that exists in my heart regardless of canon

- Ben’s personality in his mid-late teens is a mix of his Alien Force and Omniverse self. On the surface, he’s very cheerful and kind even if he is a bit of arrogant showoff. He makes jokes and plays around and acts as if he isn’t bothered by the things in his life. Those who know him best understand a good portion of his outward confidence and cockiness is just a facade to cover up his insecurities and to project the ideal, effortless hero. While sometimes seen as immature, most beings know Ben 10 means business as he takes his unofficial job and people’s safety very seriously. He’s clever, adaptable, charismatic and empathetic which makes him a formidable opponent and a loyal friend. Doesn’t open up easily but if you get to him, he become so dearly attached. 

- Drinks smoothies so much for several reasons. Comfort food go brrr, reminds him of the good easy times with him Gwen and Kev. It’s also a light but generally nutritous food to give him energy for heroing. Anything too heavy and he’ll be puking (both from physical and emotional stress). Though he jokes about his mom’s health foods, his are a crazy concoction of add in proteins and vitamins/minerals bc he knows he’ll out and out collapse without it. (Still has on occasion bc boy still doesn’t eat right/enough)

- While Fame is exciting for him at first he soon begins to detest it. Not the fans, no, he can’t bring himself to hate the people who look up to him. But he hates the constant attention, that he can’t walk outside without being mobbed. the only place he feels safe is his hometown where most people are so used to him and his weirdness that they don’t react much anymore. Takes to wearing a cape and face shield when going out anywhere so he can actually get things done without being recognized and mobbed.

- Part of the reason Bellwood isn’t concerned with Ben is partially because ben’s been weird and alien for as long as they can remember but also many don’t realize how famous/powerful he is. Yeah that’s just Ben Tennyson over there, sometimes he turns into funny creatures- wait what do you MEAN he’s the savior of the universe?? He cried over a spilled smoothie the other day.

- Does mostly online schooling by the time he’s 15. At first he tries to do half day things to maintain something of a normal life but it quickly becomes overwhelming and dangerous him/the school. Finishes his GED early but the Plumbers and Azmuth make him take additional college level and alien courses to prepare him for his future role. Ben gripes but really does love learning all these things, especially on his terms (ADHD and stress + the public school system do not always go hand in hand). He’s a quick learner when he deems the information important and is made accessible to his learning needs.

- Ben definitely has ADHD speaking of which, it was nearly uncontrollable as a child bc his free-spirited parents didn’t believe in medicating. Ben convinced them he needed it and after some trial and error, found meds that worked. As he became more involved in heroics/growing up he had to change his medicine regimen (resulting in him being a bit more off the rails in OV) and needed antidepressants and therapy to manage it better. As an adult he has a whole litany of coping mechanisms (good and bad yes) and regularly checks in with his therapist and doctors to keep things under control. 

- Has a complicated relationship with his necrofriggian children. Considers himself their mother and worries after them. They too feel a connection to their parent despite this being unusual for their species. A few visit (some more than others) while they grow while others maintain distance. Ben never breathes a word of them to the media for fear of them being targeted. Still he keeps an eye on them and ensures all 14 mature to adulthood (another rarity for the species). Checks in every now and again with the ones who don’t want to see him and those that do. Two join the Plumbers and Ben is both proud and worried. His youngest becomes partners with Rook Ben.

- Just in general loves kids, they’re his favorite fans and while he’ll grumble at pushy adult fans he always smiles and kneels down for the little ones. Not so secretly wanted to have children of his own but knew it was a risk overall and used a lot of that energy with mentoring and teaching. Eventually had Kenny later in life (late 30s-40s) and was over the moon, becoming such a loving and doing parent or as much as he could be with his hectic schedule. 

- Omnitrix can’t come off, never has at any point since it first latched onto Ben’s arm. Azmuth tried and failed to get the device off, doesn’t let Ben know for many years as he feared the consequences. The watch loves and protects Ben even beyond it’s programming making him much more durable to damage and releasing energy charges when he’s threatened. Not even removing Ben’s arm would separate them. They’re stuck for life.

- Ben does have Anodite heritage but the Omnitrix actively suppresses it and uses the built up energy to power the transformations which is why ben is mostly unaffected by what should cause a massive energy drain on him. Theoretically if Ben learned to harness and safely use his Mana at an early age like Gwen he would have been fine but letting it build up without safe outlet meant activation would have killed him. Omnitrix Ben, however, went his whole life not knowing of his latent abilities and how the watch saved his life.

- Ben’s eyes get more green and glowy as time passes from the Omnitrix. At first they think its a trick of the light but by the time he’s an adult his eyes are pretty much glow in the dark. His veins light up too after long stretches of using the Omnitrix. Its vaguely unsettling to people who aren’t used to Ben.

- Max and the Earth Plumbers work so, so hard to keep teen Ben on Earth when half the universe is blowing up their comm lines asking for The Ben 10 to help with whatever problem of the day. Ben himself doesn’t quite understand when he’s younger the prestige and expectations on his shoulders. Max throws up a million and one roadblocks so Ben can live as normal a life as possible while he still can. Still, while doing that he Still overloads Ben with expectations and responsibilities on earth and beyond. He becomes a soldier again with Ben as their greatest weapon. He never forgave himself of losing sight of his grandson underneath the hero esp after Ben’s breakdown. 

- Rook partnership with Ben ends not long after Omniverse with his promotion to Magister. Ben tries to play it cool but the thought of another loved one/teammate leaving his tears him apart. Max revealing that Ben most likely wouldn’t get a new Plumber assigned partner since he’s almost an adult and won’t need it and Rook accidentally missing their last smoothie run due to a scheduling mishap causes Ben to snap and have the nervous breakdown that had been building for almost a decade. He completely loses it for a little while and needs to take an extended leave of absence from school and heroics that lasts about a year. Spends time recovering both on Earth and Galvan Prime, does some diplomatic training, learns about aliens, actually confronts the stress and loneliness of his life. He comes out the other side stronger but still fragile and exhausted.

- Ben’s above mentioned breakdown brings him closer to all his friends who didn’t quite realize the extent of Ben’s burden. Rook had been under the impression Ben didn’t like him all that much so the knowledge that his departure was the final straw for friend/hero’s collapse was shocking. Ben and Azmuth also become closer, the Galvan becoming fiercely protective of the boy seeing as his Earth family didn’t do well to keep him safe. It takes years for him to get over his anger at Max for putting so much on his grandchild. Ben makes more friends, in and out of the hero business, finally gets a therapist and gets some of his burdens eased a bit. It’s not a sure fire fix and Ben has several smaller breakdowns the rest of his life but its something.

- Azmuth was straight up suicidal before he met Ben for the first time. Ben gave him back hope for the universe and his ability to create items for peace not weapons. The boy infuriates him, frightens him, frustrates him but Azmuth cannot deny in his heart of hearts that he loves Ben dearly. He’s very upset at Ben’s breakdown and doesn’t know how to handle the worst of the initail outbursts. Azmuth talks Ben down from a suicide attempt. He reaches out to Ben that he Too felt overwhelmed by pressure, thought himself only good for war. Ben’s arrival in his life saved him and now he will do the same for Ben. It’s the first positive step forward in Ben’s recovery.

- For no other reason than I like it, Azmuth primarily refers to Ben as Benjamin (mostly to annoy the kid but he likes the way it sounds too) and Ben in softer, more serious moments. 

- Professor Paradox continues to flit in and out of Ben’s life. He says its because Ben is the most equipped to handle universal peril (true) but he’s also just very fond of the boy. Ben, existing in so many forms and having such importance also exists a beat outside of normal reality which Paradox identifies with. Ben is naturally attuned to time related problems because of this (instantly IDing Spanner as from the future before being told later deducing him to be his unborn son). Plus Ben named him, way back when. He’s just drawn to Ben.

- Adult Ben, while being seen as an impressively skilled fighter and champion, really has his strength as a universal diplomat of sorts. Based out of Earth, he helps mediate and defuse conflicts, advocate against tyranny and overall preserve peace and balance. He’s not perfect, he makes mistakes and sometimes is forced to become violent (and yes kill) but overall is regarded as a peacekeeper, something younger ben simply couldn’t understand. 

- Gwen gets her degree and primarily does work with advocacy and teaching about magic/alien culture. While she and Ben are still close, there’s a bit of a frustrated divide in that she isn’t helping him share the burden of the universe. Gwen never wanted to be a hero and has enough worth to not shackle herself to a job that’ll burn her out. Ben loves heroing but gives too much of himself away trying to fix everything. They get into screaming arguments that it wouldn’t be so bad out there if she just helped him but she refuses to budge and says he shouldn’t make himself do so much. They always make up and thy still are each other’s closest relationships.

- Ben marries Kai in a political move, Kai is Asexual and Ben Aromantic. They didn’t love each other but they got on well enough and Ben was really feeling the stress of carrying the hero burden so Kai also being involved made him feel like he wasn’t alone. Both were also so tired of the universe constantly asking about their love life and said ‘fuck it we’re married leave us alone’. Gwen was always mad about it feeling Ben deserved better but the two of them were happy with it. They had separate rooms, mostly separate lives but they became strong friends and supports with their strictly platonic marriage. They had Ken via Invitro in an incubator and were loving if extremely busy parents. 

- Also from the moment he appeared, Ben knew that Spanner was his future son, Kenny. He played ignorant and then was kind of deliberately teasing him in future encounters. He knew the rules of time and didn’t want to disrupt things further even if he was angry and worried as heck about why Ken felt the need to time travel. When future Ben catches up in the timeline, Kenny gets SUCH a lecture. 

- Ben isn’t quite immortal but he’s also not entirely human anymore either. The Omnitrix not only keeps him safe from most harm but it lightens the effect of aging. Ben 10 is active many, many years when most humans would have been forced to retire. He’s not sure how long the watch will keep him alive and it terrifies him. Gwen too is functionally immortal however she ages like a normal human, then when her natural death came, shed her skin and became a fulltime Anodite. So in the end, it was her and Ben together wondering which of them will die first. Gwen has trouble retaining her humanity as pure energy and swears she’ll let herself fizzle out when Ben goes. When that’ll be however...

[violettelueur]

— JUJUTSU KAISEN EPISODE FIVE || CURSE WOMB MUST DIE II 

↳ featuring : itadori yuji + fushiguro megumi + kugisaki nobara + gojo satoru + ryomen sukuna + zenin maki + inumaki toge + panda from jujutsu kaisen

↳ warnings : swearing + violence + mention of blood + mention of organ + mention of death + EXTREME grammar issues

↳ form : story

↳ published : 24 february

↳ pronouns : she/her

↳ word count : 4.8k

↳ synopsis : within the jujutsu world, there were three famous clans to be aware of, the Kamo clan, Zenin clan and the Gojo clan. However, unknown to many sorcerers there was one last family that was known to be apart of the three, only for them to disappear after the golden era leading some to speculate that they had died in battle after the sealing of ryomen sukuna, but....

↳ previous episode : curse womb must die I

↳ next episode : after rain

↳ barista’s notes : back again with another episode of jujutsu kaisen everyone ╲ʕ·ᴥ·　╲ʔ and we have ended the detention centre arc and now will be moving on to the training arc! isn’t that crazy, you have finished episode five ʕ ᵒ ᴥ ᵒʔ i’m not really good with fight scenes, so if you care confused, don’t hesitant to ask me anything to clarify! WE ALSO FINALLY MEET THE SECOND-YEARS!

BEFORE READING, I NEED YOU TO BE AWARE OF THIS:

1. the whole story belongs to Gege Akutami and the credits go to them and them only

2. the spell curses used belong to Tite Kubo due to them being the ‘Kidos’ being used on the manga and anime ‘Bleach’ - but none is mentioned in this chapter

2.5 for the ‘cursed spells’/kidos (bleach) i will link this video here and tell you the time stamp to check out what i am intending to show - remember i add a few twist here and there by adding the katana to link with Y/N’s cursed technique 

Destructive Curse Spell number four: Byakurai : 3:35-3:40

Sentan Hakuja : Wiki Page

‘Cursed Energy Web Technique’ : video (4:23-5:27)

3. if you are confused on anything, please don’t hesitate to message me since i know this whole thing is so confusing

“If you can, please send a grade one sorcerer or higher but that won’t be necessary if I don't die,” you sternly commented, leading both Fushiguro and Ijichi to shiver at the statement you just announced.

Still shaken at what you had just said, Ijichi sent himself off before closing the window to prevent any cold raindrops from coming at him as he drove away from the area you and Fushiguro were standing in right now.

“If you don’t want to listen to me, I ain’t going to listen to you at all then Fushiguro,” you stated with a frown painted on your face before looking back at the building behind his body.

Taking your katana, you looked at the bottom of the handle to find a metal loop at the bottom with a red charm tied before it was simply slowly unwinded by you as you prepared for the worst that was about to come.

“What are you doing L/N?” Fushiguro asked in a worried tone, causing you to turn to look at him with a deadpan expression.

“Just preparing for the worst Fushiguro”

                                               ꕥ

The rain was still unsettled as you stared at the building of the detention centre that was in front of you with a nonchalant look present on your face. Carefully, you hook your katana on the side of your left hip rather than the usual spot of your back since you knew you were going to need extremely quick access to your weapon if your prediction of what was going to happen was going to become a reality.

Suddenly, there was a swift but noticeable change in the air causing you to grab Fushiguro’s sleeve to pull him closer to you in case of any attacks that would happen since he was standing behind you, out of your central view.

“The Innate Domain’s closed off, the special-grade is dead!” Fushiguro stated to you in a shocked but quiet tone, causing the grip you had on his sleeve to tighten since the feeling in the pit of your stomach was becoming agonising to the point where you wanted to vomit it out.

Yet, you weren’t fearful for yourself but rather the wellbeing of the shikigami user behind you and the classmate, who was still inside the building at this current moment in time.

“We just need Itadori to return safely now,” Fushiguro hopefully whispered, yet you had given no response since you knew that the chance of the mentioned classmate coming back with himself out rather than Sukuna was extremely low.

“That’s almost impossible, from what I can recall, him and Sukuna haven’t even agreed to a bi-” you began to explain, only for a sudden aggressive presence to stop you in your tracks to which Fushiguro also felt as you both froze on the stop you both were standing in right now.

“Sorry, but he’s not coming back”

A familiar voice from behind you spoke leading to both of you and Fushiguro to freeze on the stop before you came to the sense that what you had predicted was proven right. However, you didn’t foresee that he was coming straight to the both of you, even when he had threatened it clearly before Fushiguro dragged you away to search for Kugisaki.

“Don’t be so frightened, I’m in a good mood right now, let’s chat for a bit,” Sukuna calmly mentioned as he processed to make his appearance in front of you both since you refused to look in the opposite direction.

“This is what he gets for trying to use me without any kind of pact, feels like he’s having some trouble switching back,” Sukuna pronounced as he turned to the side.

‘To be honest, it was surprising for him to switch back after eating the finger without the pact’ you thought before letting out of Fushiguro’s sleeve once you was comfortable that he was out of harm's way, ‘besides that should be enough cursed energy for now,’ you internally spoke before taking a quick glance on the same area where you hand was as you processed to place the same hand on the handle of your katana.

“Still, though it’s only a matter of time,” Sukuna stated, as he gripped onto Itadori’s school jacket before unexpectantly ripping into shreds to showcase his muscular upper body, revealing the strange back marking he adorned on his chest.

“So, I thought about what I can do right now,” the King of Curses uttered before raising his hand to suddenly puncture a hole within the middle of his check, shocking both you and Fushiguro from his gruesome action as hints of blood started to pour from the corner of his lips.

‘Shit! I haven’t finished preparing,’ you pondered in a panic manner, as your hand was still on your weapon’s handle, transferring some of your cursed energy to your katana, making sure it had reached to the tip of the blade within the wooden casing for what you were planning to execute.

“Wh-what are you..” Fushiguro stuttered as he looked at the scene in complete horror, only for a massive pool of blood to pour in the middle between Sukuna’s legs before forcibly ripping out the most vital organ needed for Itadori to come back alive.

“I’m taking this brat hostage,” Sukuna declared, as he proudly and sadistically presented the heart he had taken out to you and Fushiguro, causing you to internally become repulsed at the scene since you still needed to concentrate shifting a tiny amount of cursed energy needed to your katana.

“Hostage?!” Fushiguro snarled as he shifted back slightly.

“Yeah, I can live without this, but that ain’t true for the brat,” Sukuna informed you and Fushiguro, as he then tossed the heart to the side like it was a piece of trash he needed to get rid of quickly.

“Switching out with me means he dies. Also, for good measure,” Sukuna mentioned before revealing a finger in his hand causing you to look at the cursed object he had just now swallowed with widened eyes.

‘I thought it wasn’t his finger that the special-grade curse consumed! Fuck!’

“With that, I'm free as a bird, you can be frightened now, I’ll kill you both for no particular reason,” Sukuna declared as he flexed his hand leading you to rapidly unleash your blade from its black wooden casing for the first time since the unfortunate day as you were now prepared to fight against the King of Curses.

“Our positions are reversed now,” Fushiguro muttered under his breath (to which you heard) before he determinedly looked at the curse right in front of him as he positioned himself in a fighting stance causing a wave of anxiety to consume you.

‘One of his divine dogs are already down, if he risks another shikigami, that possibly will also get destroyed in the process’

“You just don’t get it, he’s..Itadori’s coming back even if that means he’ll die, that’s just who he is,” Fushiguro determinedly stated while staring down at Sukuna.

“You give him too much credit, this guy’s just a little tougher and denser than other humans” Sukuna countered back with a smirk on his face before processing to wipe off the blood staining his lip with the back of his hand. 

“Just a moment ago, he was scared out of his mind, on the verge of death and prattling on about his regrets and all that nonsense, I know for a fact he doesn’t have the guts to kill himself,” Sukuna taunted as he smiles smugly at both of you.

‘A special-grade has the ability to used Reserve Cursed Techniques, so it wouldn’t be hard for him to use it on his heart, I just need to slide down somewhere around his chest area to force him to do that’

Shifting your eyes to the side, you noticed Fushiguro’s hands were shaking leading you to internally sigh since you knew he was thinking the same idea as you, while probably debating the fact on how he could make Sukuna revive his heart before Itadori switches back as well as how he was going to battle against a special-grade.

“Should I make the first move then?” you rhetorically asked, before swiftly throwing your katana towards Sukuna like it was a spear, only for him to dough the weapon even at its immense speed.

“You think that was going to hit me?! Maybe you ain’t the fighting type as I suggested!” Sukuna roared in amusement, not noticing how you seemingly suddenly grabbed onto thin air (like you were holding onto a hanging support handle on a bus) before pulling your arm back in a fast motion, resulting in the attacking blade unexpectedly return back to you as quick as it was thrown, for it to then slash a massive slit on Sukuna’s cheek causing the curse to look at you in complete surprised before you swiftly moved forwards towards him, grabbing the handle of the travelling blade to attempt to slash down on your targeted area, only for Sukuna to dodge as quickly as he could.

‘Damn, but that should be fine for now’

However, before you could even attempt to get another chance of getting a slit around his check area, you heard incoming footsteps from your side leading you to deck down as you suddenly saw a leg swing above your head, indicating to you that Fushiguro had made a move to attack the cursed vessel, yet once again Sukuna managed to dodge against as well as the incoming punches that came along with Fushiguro’s attempts.

“Interesting, not only the girl managed to injure me but you use shikigami, but you’ll still come at me yourself?” Sukuna questioned, as he seemed amused at both of you and Fushiguro.

However, before he could mention another word there was a light pressure placed on his right shoulder causing him to turn back, only to find you in a lower stance with your index and middle finger to be pressed upon his shoulder blade.

“Destructive Curse Spell number four: Byakurai,” you chanted, before a high-density of cursed energy was discharged from the tip of your index finger to form a concentrated bolt of lighting leading it to pierce a noticeable hole on Sukuna’s shoulder surprising him as well as Fushiguro, since you angled it well away from him getting hit before you once again attempted to swing your katana down upon his back to execute your plan only for him to dodge it come again.

‘Fuck sake! You make it so easy to hit you the first time but when I want to slice you down, you suddenly dodge it!’

However, before you could use another cursed spell, a shikigami made its way to attack Sukuna leading you to discover it was Nue only for Sukuna to once again avoid the strike of its sharp talons before Fushiguro aims to get a hit at Sukuna, only for the King of Curses to block them with his arms. Yet you couldn’t help but internally smile the second you saw the wrist that you were holding onto earlier had made contact with Sukuan’s arms.

‘If plan A doesn’t work out, B will do just fine for now’

However, your hint of internal happiness quickly ended once you saw Fushiguro take a hit from Sukuna’s fist causing hints of blood to escape from his mouth leading you to quickly stand up straight as you rushed over to the scene. Yet, before you could even attempt to attack the curse again, you felt a presence underneath you causing your body to instinctively move again before a large snake appeared from the ground catching Sukuna within its mouth lifting him in the air as he was stunned with surprise at the fact of his sneak attack.

“Gang up on him!” Fushiguro yelled out to his shikigami, leading Nue’s wings to surround itself with purple lightning as it attempted to land a hit on Sukuna, only for him to duck at the right moment before it tried again, only for it to have the same result.

“Fushiguro, deactivate the snake now before it’s destroyed!” you screamed at your fighting partner. However, before he even got the message you suddenly saw fragments of what seemed to be the snake’s skin falling down in front of you before noticing Sukuna was already behind Fushiguro, tightly gripping onto the back of his dark blue sorcerer jacket.

“Hey, what did I just say? Let’s use the open space!” Sukuna shouted, before aggressively flinging Fushiguro up in the air before following the sorcerer himself, leaving you behind to witness his inhuman strength.

‘Shit, they’re going to get to the edge of the evacuation area!’

Reaching into the depths of your skirt pocket, you quickly pulled out a long, white cloth before letting it spin around you at a large radius as it slowly began to enclose the gaps that were making you visible to the world.

‘Sentan Hakuja,’ you internally chanted before the cloth coiled you complete before speedily teleporting you in front to what seemed to be like a construction site or an abandoning building, you weren’t quite sure. However, what you were sure of was that Fushiguro and Sukuna hadn’t noticed that you had arrived despite the vast entrance you had made from your cursed technique - but what you were most afraid of was the fact the Nue was gone, causing you to worry at the fact that now that shikigami was destroyed.

“What a waste of talent, but the girl back at that place, she knows how to use her technique extremely well,” Sukuna announced, causing Fushiguro to look at the King of Curses in both confusion as well as frustration at the fact he had mentioned you, worried if he was about to get killed, Sukuna would hunt you down next.

“Whatever, either way, that won’t be enough to fix this, you’re risking your life over stupid shit,” Sukuna stated as he pointed the hole on his chest. However, it seemed like you had enough of the conversation.

“Activate!” you yelled out before stabbing your katana to the ground, causing both males to turn around to finally notice you. However, it was too late for Sukuna to have the opportunity to counter what you were doing as he felt something restraining his arm’s movement before noticing what seemed to be a blue web-like strand attached to both his shoulders, yet when he turned to you, you seemed to be in the same situation but with one arm free.

“L/N!” Fushiguro yelled out in a panic before noticing that you were not at all afraid but rather calm despite the situation that you both were in now.

“What is this?” Sukuna questioned, as he observed the web-like structure you had created only for you to glance at him with a deadpan expression on your face.

“It’s just a simple web I created from pure cursed energy that is retaining the both of us right now,” you answered as you continued to peer at the confused King of Curses, who was trying to rip away from the strand-like he had with the shikigami snake, only to no avail as he struggled to move his whole upper body in general.

“How come? You didn’t touch me except for the cursed technique you used?!” Sukuna roared as he glared at you only for you to then let out a sigh of frustration.

‘It’s such a drag to explain…’

“I transferred some of my cursed energy to Fushiguro’s wrist as well as to my katana, so when they made contact with you, it allowed me to connect the strands of the web to those areas where you had been hit, also the protective spell I placed on the back of Itadori’s neck before we went in the detention centre was surprisingly still intact, allowing me to track you and the chain at the end of my katana to restain you further,” you thoroughly explained, before clicking your fingers causing the sudden but slow reveal of the long black chain (attached at the end of your handle - on the metal loop where the red charm was) that you had concealed with your cursed energy to appear surrounding you and Sukuna at a large radius while the extra length was tightly wrapped around his upper body.

“That was how I pulled my katana back at the beginning of the fight if that’s what you were also wondering,” you commented, leading Sukuna to look at you with a larger smirk than what you thought his reaction would have been.

“You possess such intellect, such skill, such power and such talent and yet you refuse to go against me with your full potential, are you mocking me?” Sukuna asked, before laughing causing you to look at him suspiciously, yet you couldn’t let that bother you at all, right now all you needed was for Itadori to switch back even if he was going to die.

“Even though I technically didn’t save you, Fushiguro did but I would like to give my answer I guess,” you commented before running your hands through your wet hair trying to push away the strands that were concealing your vision slightly. 

“I should have exorcised you back then, in fact it’s my duty as part of the L/N Clan to, but I know you’re a good person at heart Itadori, I knew that since the day I saw you back at school and probably Fushiguro saw that as well when he decided to save you,” you explained with a smile, as you began to notice the markings gradually disappear from his face and body causing you to slowly deactivate the cursed energy web that was immobilising you and Itadori while the chain that was coiled around him slowly began to loosen its grip on him.

“It was for selfish and emotional reasons but that’s fine though,” Fushiguro stated as his posture relaxed once he noticed that you were slowly lowering your guard, “I’m not a hero, I’m a jujutsu sorcerer, so I’ve never once regretted saving you,” he then announced with a smile on his face.

Suddenly, itadori looked at you with a smile on his face before turning to look at Fushiguro, who was behind him. “I see, you really are smart, Fushiguro, Gojo,  you’ve put more thought into this than I have,” Itadori mentioned with a smile, as he pushed his hair back, “I think your conviction’s a proper one, but I don’t think mine is wrong, either,”.

Suddenly, more blood started to drip down from his wound causing you to move forwards to make sure that Itadori didn’t fall down completely. “Oh, sorry, I’m almost done for, guess I won’t have to worry you guys, Kugisaki, or Gojo-sensei, live a long life,” Itadori faintly stated to you both before falling straight into your arms causing you to fall to your knees due to his heavyweight causing your skirt and high-knee socks to become soaked in the rain that already bathed your hair and face.

The rain only grew heavily as seconds went by, only reflecting on the disappointment and devastation that was coming from both you and Fushiguro, as you both stayed silent letting the rain consume you both for the time being.

Maybe after the rain, he might come back.

‘Please come back’

                                               ꕥ

“So you had your suspicions?” you questioned your adopted father, as you leaned against the railing of the balcony, while he stood next to you leaning against the same railing.

“There was a special grade there, sending the first-years to rescue five who may or may not be alive is out of order, even if you are capable of exorcising it Y/N,” Gojo explained causing you to realise where this was going.

“So what you are saying is, since you indefinitely suspended Itadori’s execution, that got some higher-ups upset, leading us to go do that mission, in order for Itadori to be killed?” you suggested, leading Gojo to turn silent at your comment, leading you to get the answer you were expecting even if no words were exchanged.

“You’re strong though Y/N, you effortlessly fought like Sukuna was just a normal curse,” Gojo complimented you, only for you to give him no response since it was not a good time for you to be praised.

You failed at saving Itadori.

“As a special grade like your father, I need you to look out for Megumi and Nobara for a while, train them to the best of your abilities since we got an event coming up!” Gojo cheered, leading you to present him with a glare.

‘What a drag...I really can’t be bothered to be in an event’

“I’m going to check on the others Gojo-sensei, I’ll see you later,” you stated before standing on the feet as you than processed to walk away with your hand up, as a way to wave him ‘goodbye’.

“Call me dad for once Y/N~” Gojo shouted, leading you to groan in annoyance before making your way to the entrance, where you knew Fushiguro and Kugisaki were since Gojo did take you away from them when he found you sitting with them on the stone steps near the entrance of the school.

After some time, you finally managed to reach your destination as you found yourself standing at the top of the extra steps above your classmates, before noticing a few new faces further below, leading you to become perplexed since you weren’t expecting any other sorcerers to come by today - well...that’s what Gojo said.

“Don’t tell me the other student died as well?” the female sorcerer question, leading you to look in her direction in confusion since she seemed a little familiar to you for some reason.

‘Ah, she was the person I saw when I moved into the dorm, but she didn’t really see me’

“I’m right here,” you commented, leading to everyone that was in your view to look up at your direction to find you standing with your arms crossed before you steadily made your way down the steps as you processed to stand a step above between Fushiguro and Kugisaki, who were still seated on the same spot they were in when you had left them for a few minutes.

“You don’t even have a scratch on you,” the female sorcerer commented, as she noticed you didn’t have any patches or bandages like the other two first-years had once you observed you.

“She’s a strong sorcerer,” Fushiguro commented, leading you to kick his back before commenting that he was a strong sorcerer as well.

“Ah! Are you the special grade, Gojo was mentioning about?” the large Panda asked, causing you to give him a glance before answering, “I don’t believe I’m a special-grade sorcerer but if that what my drag ass of an adoptive dad ranked me, then I guess I am,”.

“Who are you guys?” you then asked since it seemed like they had already done their introductions for Kugisaki. Although, it seemed like your female classmate was in the same sort of confusion as you since she noted to you that she had no idea who the fellow sorcerers were.

“Our second-year upperclassmen,” Fushiguro nonchalantly answered before he continued by introducing them to you and Kugisaki.

“Zenin-senpai is the best of all the students at wielding cursed tools, that’s the Cursed Speech user, Inumaki-senpai, he can only speak in ingredients of onigiri and that’s panda senpai,” Fushiguro introduced everyone causing some questions to manifest in your head.

‘Zenin ha?..she doesn’t seem like the one that my mum was talking about, so I don’t have to suspect her but is there anything else to add for Panda-senpai?’

“There’s one more, Okkotsu-senpai, who is the only one I can openly respect, but he’s overseas right now,” Fushiguro added, before slowly standing on his two feet.

“You’re not adding more about the panda named Panda?” Kugisaki asked as she looked up at the shikigami user to gain some information, only to be ignored.

“Man, sorry about this and when you’re in mourning...please forgive us for that,” Panda apologised before placing his hands together as a sign to be forgiven, even though that sign reminded you about something else.

‘Ah...that’s the same hand gesture for one of my cursed spells’

“The truth is, we’d like you to participate in the Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event,” Panda explained, causing you to recall about an ‘event’ Gojo had mentioned to you.

“Oh, that’s what he meant,” you whispered before Kugisaki interrupted you by repeating the event’s name in confusion.

“What’s that?” Kugisaki asked as she turned to Fushiguro looking for the answer.

“It’s a get-together with the other Tech school in Kyoto, though isn’t that event mainly second and third-years?” the erratic-haired sorcerer answered your classmate before questioning the invitation since all of you were first-years.

“And those stupid third-years are suspended right now, so you need to participate,” Zenin explained, causing you to look to the side with an annoyed expression on your face since you realised that this meant you had to cover up your tracks more than you were bothered to do.

“What do you do at this event? Smash Bros? I won’t lose if it’s the Wii version, I’ll Meteor Smash so you can’t come back” Kugisaki randomly mentioned with a determined look on her face as she formed a fist, causing you to look in her direction with a confused face since you didn’t know how she came to that conclusion in the first place.

“Then let’s make a 3-man team, the exchange event has the principals of the Tokyo and Kyoto schools each propose a form of competition to be held for an entire day over the course of two days, though that’s how it is on paper,” Panda informed you and Kugasaki, who were oblivious to what this event was in general.

“Every year, the first day is a team battle, and the second day is individual battles,” Panda explained, leading Inumaki to agree with him by saying ‘salmon’ as his confirmation to his classmates' explanation.

“Individual and team battles? We fight?! Against other jujutsu sorcerers?!” Kugisaki shouted after realising what the event really entailed, causing you to look at her before lightly smacking the back of her head.

“You just realised that?” you asked in a dumbfounded tone.

“Yeah, it’s a jujutsu battle where anything but killing goes,” Zenin confirmed with a huge grin causing you internal sigh at the fact that you had to hide the use of your cursed technique since that would blow your cover entirely.

“We’ll train you up well so you won’t get killed. Yeah, yeah, yeah!” Panda declared before he started to throw some air punched after every ‘yeah’ he said.

“Wait, do you have time for that? I thought we were short on jujutsu sorcerers,” Kugisaki asked since she concluded that there were only six of you right now.

“That’s a good question, For now, we are. The glim emotions people harbour from late winter through spring cause an outburst of curses in the early summer, so that’s our busy season,” Panda explained as Zenin then explained that some sorcerers are busy all year long, but since things are settling down soon, it should be fine.

“So, you’ll do it, right? You just had a partner die on you, after all,” Zenin asked, as she was waiting for all your responses.

“We’re in!” Fushiguro and Kugisaki simultaneously answered with determined looks on their faces before turning back to look at you, waiting for your answer.

Letting out a sigh of frustration, you knew that you had no way out of this since they looked so motivated for you to join, even if you disagreed with them.

“This is such a drag, but fine, I’ll join in too,” you replied with a small smile on your face leading them to nod at you before turning back to your seniors.

“But if I decided this training and exchange event is pointless, I’m quitting instantly,” Kugisaki mentioned.

“Same here,” Fushiguro commented, causing you to kick both of them on the back much to their surprise.

“So you drags make me do this event, only for you to dip when it’s pointless for you, besides I heard there are some interesting sorcerers in the Kyoto side, so prepare yourselves,” you stated before stepping down the few steps you were in front of before standing between them.

“Well, people this cocky are all more worthwhile to train,” Panda mentioned with his arms folded with a determined look on his face.

“Bonito flakes,” Inumaki said in a softer tone.

Looking up to the sky, you couldn’t help but brisk in the sunlight that was shining lightly down upon you, leading you to raise your hand over your face in order to not be blinded.

‘I wonder how I’m going to hide from this one now?’

© violettelueur 2021 : written and published by violettelueur - do not steal or repost