#wow the new interface is uh...something for sure

[plaguelily-art]

And a little concept page for Link, whose design I am...still struggling with a bit (it's not as intuitive to draw). The "armor" design is actually just the light armor for all the Hylian guards, and I think Link wears it for exactly one chapter but I figured I'd toss together a ref anyhow. Still tweaking color palettes though because my art looks so different depending on which monitor I'm viewing it on...

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2023, Summer Digital (Adobe Photoshop) Redesign and concept for this story and its character iterations belongs to me. Link is a character from the Legend of Zelda series, and belongs to Nintendo. Artwork belongs to me.

This image (published by the artist to deviantart.com/plaguelily, plaguelily-art.tumblr.com) may not be reproduced, copied, edited, republished, reuploaded, distributed, or redistributed in any way, and I do not give permission for the creation of any sort of derivatives of my work including the use of the work in datasets used for generation of AI art or any other sort of procedurally generated image program or software. Thank you.

[wandafiction]

How Much?! - Just Us Chapter 3

Warnings: Suggestive themes

Word Count: 1644

Series List | Chapter 2 | Chapter 4

================================

The elevator ride was calm compared to the car ride, Wanda was lent against me with one arm wrapped around mine and the other holding my bicep of the same arm. Her head was leaning against my arm just below my shoulder, now I could take in how tall I was compared to her, a relaxed smile on her face as we both looked at one another through the reflection in the mirrored walls of the elevator. 

I also don't feel like slamming her up against the wall and making her cum once again. I think she feels the same, as she seems more relaxed than when we were in the club and the car. Maybe I should offer her a drink and chat before anything else. No, I will offer her a drink, and we will do this at her pace. She has never been with a woman before...well now she has...but I want to make sure she is comfortable this whole night. So her pace.

"Penthouse suite?" Wanda's gaze moved from looking at me to the sign in the elevator letting us know we had arrived.

"Uh, yeah this is my floor. Well two floors." I shuffled on my feet a little, I always hated showing off my wealth too much. Nothing screams rich fucker like a 2 story penthouse at the top of an already expensive apartment building practically made for the richer people of New York. 

"Do you mind me asking what job you have to be able to have a two floor penthouse?" Wanda's voice wavered a bit trying to gauge what I would do. 

The elevator bell dinged, the doors opening straight into the entrance hall. And before you think 'oh surely anyone can access the penthouse then'. No. The building has an interface system where you have to have a key card, or if you're like me and sometimes forget your key card, a password as well to be able to access past a certain floor. However, even then the cards and passwords are linked to a particular floor number so you can't access anything but yours. The only way someone could possibly get into my pent house without any of that is with a guest password, and each one of those is different so you know who accessed your place and when.

Pretty neat if you ask me. My friend Tony Stark came up with the idea when building this place, making sure I specifically got the top floor and allowed me to design my penthouse myself. He is a good friend.

Anyway, back to Wanda's question.

"No, it's fine. I am a business woman, CEO of a tech company that works in the medical field and also a partner in my friend's tech business." 

"Wow, so earning the big bucks." I stifle a laugh.

"Yes, something like that. Drink?" I pull her to the kitchen area where I have a large wine fridge and then another fridge with beers and other alcoholic beverages in it.

"Red wine please." Wanda makes herself home on one of the stools at the kitchen's island. 

"Any preferences?" I turn with the best two bottles of wine I have holding them up to her. "Château Ausone 2003 or Château Lafite 2010?"

"I don't know. I've never had either before. Whatever you think is best for tonight." She looks like she wants to ask another question as I open the Ausone.

"You can ask me Wanda." I turn around with a wine glass in hand passing it off to her, as she looks slightly confused about how I knew.

"How much does a bottle of Ausone cost? Because you opened it like it wasn't that much. I mean it sounds posh and expensive. Sorry it doesn't matter." She takes a sip of her drink to stop her rambling. 

"It's okay Wanda I promise. You're allowed to ask these questions, you're just curious I get that." 

"Okay well how much does it cost?" She asks with a cheeky grin on her face. 

"That one is the St Emilion Grand Cru. So roughly $1200 a bottle." I hear Wanda choke slightly at my answer, but she quickly covers her mouth recovering from her momentary choke.

"Sorry, but that's more than my monthly rent. Wow. It definitely tastes like a $1200 bottle of liquid courage." She then takes another sip, now obviously savouring the drink.

"Well you can't blame me for that one. It was a gift, it's been sitting there a while. So why not treat you to it." I raise my glass to my mouth watching her reaction. 

"Oh so this is your saving for a rainy day wine?" She jokes.

"Exactly. I had no one to share it with till now, so I thought fuck it, otherwise it will never get drunk otherwise." She hums in response. "Any other questions for me princess?"

"Why the name princess? Also is it rude if I ask how much you earn a year? I mean I'm just curious, you know, expensive wine in a two story penthouse. You have to be bringing home the bacon right?" Wanda places her empty glass on the counter, and I move to top it up again as I think of an answer. 

"I don't really know. It was the first thing to pop into my head when trying to fluster you, which worked by the way." She blushes slightly as I continue. "I mean I don't call anyone princess, never have. It just seemed fitting. And as for how much I earn, are you sure you really want to know?" 

"Hmm, I mean I don't have a name for you. You're just y/n. Why? Is it a lot?" Wanda tilts her head in question. 

"Y/n is just fine. I don't need to go by anything else. Define a lot. What is a lot of money for you Wanda?" 

"Well I have a 2 bedroom apartment that costs me around $1000 a month. I'm not poor in that sense of the word, I always have spare money and savings and my salary is decent. But a lot would be...I don't know...let's set the benchmark at $500'000." I finished off my glass of wine, liking my lips cleaning them of wine not missing Wanda's eyes darting down to watch the movement.

"Then I earn waaaay more than alot. Like I asked before, are you really sure you want to know?" This time I tilt my head in question.

"Can I guess? And then you say higher or lower?" She shuffles on the stool excitedly at the prospect of the small guessing game.

"Of course go ahead."

"Uhmm a lot more than $500'000 so 1.2 mil?" I point my finger upwards to indicate it's higher. "2 million?" Again I point upwards. "5 million?" 

"Much higher." 

"12 million?" 

"Multiply that by five." It takes no longer than a second to do the Maths.

"60 million! A year? Holy shit!" 

"I make anywhere between 60 to 85 million. However, I put a lot of it back into the company and help start up small businesses and of course give to charity." 

"So what do you indulge in? Because every millionaire has something they spend lots of money on. So spend money on houses, cars or even islands? So what is y/ns favourite thing to spend money on?" 

"I am a car person myself, but I tend to buy rust buckets and fix them up myself. Of course I have luxury cars and that but they are more for formal events just for publicity and all that, my PR team seems to think it helps the company and so on and so forth. But in all honesty I like treating my friends most if all. What would you spend the money on if you had that sort of income?"

"I would love to say the same as you. You know, help others in need, give to smaller businesses and friends and family. However, if I jump from my salary to your salary I am spoiling myself first. Car, house, the whole nine yards." We both laugh at her honesty. "Now though I think I'm done with the small talk." Her voice is low, her pupils dilate as she speaks.

"Yeah and what have you got in mind princess?" I lean closer to her whispering in her ear, a shiver going down her spine.

"I think we should take this to the bedroom." Wanda sighs when I start nibbling at her ear.

"Oh yeah? And what do you want to do once we are there princess?" I move my hands to her thighs slowly moving them up and down.

"You tell me?"

"Well princess. I am going to make this the best night of your life. You're going to be screaming my name so loud you forget your own, your legs squeezing around my head as I bring you so much pleasure you won't be able to feel them in the morning. I'm going to find every little spot that sets you off and leave a beautiful purple bruise on them to remind you of how I made you feel." A small fuck leave her mouth, her legs closing slightly to gain some form of friction as I speak. "So princess, are you ready for me to take full control of you tonight?" 

"Fuck. Yes. Please. Just fuck me already." 

"I have your complete consent?" Just got to double check to make sure it is truly what she wants.

"Yes, now please fuck me y/n." 

"What's the safe word?"

"Red." 

"Good girl." A low groan leaves her lips as I pull her off the stool, her legs wrap around my waist as I start to carry her out of the kitchen. 

Tonight is going to be fun.

================================

[myfriendpokey]

GAME AWARDS

Pleased and delighted to be here hosting the official "Game'wards" for the 200th year in a row. What was the best game.. what WERE the games? What year is this? The choices you make will define who you become.

OBACA CARICATURE

Everyone's friend, Obaca, makes a triumphant return - this time as an NFT. Add it to your "digital wallet" and watch as his silently grimacing face gazes back at yours, perhaps enraged by your frivolous purchasing decisions. I can't help it, Dad. I love to spend.

CYBER SWISH:

Everybody's swishing nowadays. The Cyber Swish allows you to customise your swish sessions for optimal results. We talk a lot about games for change but this one is really walking the walk in terms of bringing the benefits of technology to the un-swished masses. Nobody will thank us for it but I don't care. It's about doing what's right.

SUPER 20 IN 1 GAME LIST:

A lot of people complain about AAA but the fact is they're the games that people want to play. Super 20 In 1 Game List may not have an "emotion button" or a "morality QTE" like the young people are crazy about but it delivers the goods whether your genre of choice is Master Shooter, Booky Man, JP Ronny or Tanks. Everybody is represented in this list, the dream of the melting pot is still alive.

THE TOMY "YEEAGHH!":

Enigmatic world power TOMY have never stopped innovating in the domain of terrible machines and this one screams at you as well now, I guess. Dapper yellow buttons are your interface with the inscrutable domain of object life; careful positioning makes them hard to chew off and believe me I've tried!! Winner of the Interface Award from highly compensated UI theorist "ButtonMan".

"IDEAL":

Like it or not - this is the "Ideal". His smiling face presides over our most intimate ambitions and dreams. Dead men fall from his hands like dew from the petals of a rose.. Standing atop the wreckage of the murderous charnel house that is world history he exclaims "Some SCRAP, Eh Kids !!" to nobody in particular. How true!! No doubt about it - that's the Ideal!

REALISTIC WOMAN VR HAND:

Begin building your own Realistic Woman today. It's never been easier with the help of this hand.

IRRESISTABLE OFFER:

Yes, just like the Devo song. "How many sad cats can I buy for a dollar?" These wonderful objects will surely form the basis of a new novelty twitter account in which videogames are "rated" according to how many sad cat pictures they contain, thus accidentally creating a shadow economy of games loading up on sad cat pics for the purposes of temporary internet engagement. However "Game, Award" shall countenance no competition - we stand and wait with flaming sword at the gate to metrics paradise. Dreadful will be our wrath once we've got our shit together, maybe learned to drive. Watch out!

THE LITTLE HAND:

Stiff competition in the hand biz. It reaches out to grab a coin, thus making a trenchant social point about something or other. I'm sure you can find many uses for this hand. For example: if the little hand steals something, are you legally culpable for what it grabs? What about if you "find" something it stole? Rediscover the founding incentives of automation as a discipline, today.

GOLDEN MASK:

Folks we really have an all-timer here. Are you even a true gamer if you don't contemplate the Golden Mask?

Well that's all we have, it's been a wonderful year, an incredible year! Truly a remarkable year, the great year, uh... year X, the secret year, the forbidden year. Watch out! Ha ha ha! We're all having fun in this crazy year of (helplessly guessing) 1913. Certainly a year that mankind will look back on later, and say that wow, it was all uphill from here.

AND THE WINNER IS....

What the--?! A true upset, makes you think, the social order is overturned, and then returns, healthier than ever. Everyone is dancing and celebrating, all around me, pumping their fists at another win in the great beyblades arena that is cultural history. I try to look excited too but it's hard for me to keep up with all that's happening. For example - is it meant to be the Corpses that are large, or the Collection? Well, I never claimed to be able to understand art.

[codenamejudas]

𝓜𝓞𝓑𝓘𝓛𝓔 𝓓𝓐𝓣𝓘𝓝𝓖 𝓢𝓘𝓜:

ACT ONE, OPENING ROUTE – Jasper, Nevada Pawn Shop 3 PM

ROUTE START : “Hey! Anything I can help you find? Oh, no I don't work here. Name's ALEXI. Two eyes are always better for going through the music since it ain't sorted.” ROUTE ACCEPTANCE A : You accept his help, giving him the name of an old band you're new to liking, hoping to find some of their material. ROUTE ACCEPTANCE B : You ask ALEXI for a recommendation since you're out looking for something new to sink your teeth into. ROUTE DECLINE : You thank ALEXI for his offer but you're just killing time until a meet-up you have planned.

MENU INTERFACE,   POKE A : “Yea?” MENU INTERFACE,   POKE B : “What's up?” MENU INTERFACE,   POKE ( REPEATEDLY ) : “Aha, hey! Quit it, that tickles!” MENU INTERFACE,   POKE ( MAX ♥ ) : “You know, we can get a room. Don't even have to buy me dinner first~”

COMPLETED SCENE,   +   ♥ : “Hey, I've got a show coming up in town. You should check it out. I'll make sure you get treated real nice.” COMPLETED SCENE,   -   ♥ : “Good, uh, luck with whatever it was you were looking for...”

GIFT ( NEUTRAL ) : “Oh, neat! Don't think I've gotten something like this before.” GIFT ( DISLIKED ) : “Wow that sure is a thing, huh? No, no, you shouldn't have.” GIFT (LIKED) : “I love free shit, how did you know?!” GIFT ( THEIR BIRTHDAY ) : “This is fucking rad, and of all the days to give it to me. Come here~”

GIFT (THEIR BIRTHDAY) : “Normally I'd bitch and moan about my age but you know when the higher number comes to good use? Birthday spankings.” GIFT (YOUR BIRTHDAY) : “I don't know, I found this rock and it was really pretty. Made me think of you.”

[shadoedseptmbr]

wip whenever

@ghostxofxartemis tagged me, Thank you lovely!

Have a bit more of the Ashley ME1 pov I’m poking at since my chapter is being recalcitrant. :

o-o-o-o

Shepard came to full attention and threw on her Commander Shepard face, stopping Ashley cold. “Do I seem tense?” Ashley glanced around to see what had caused the sudden shift in mood only to glare at Shepard when she chortled and let her posture fall back to a more normal stance. “Nah, I'm messing with you, Williams.  You aren't the first person to say that. I take shore leave, I go ...do stuff.”

“Stuff, like what?  I mean, shooting gallery is fun but it isn’t exactly R and R. And it’s not like all this is going to get any simpler before it’s over.”

“Went to a wedding party on Thessia, right before I joined up with the Normandy at Arcturus.  Whole damned week of cake and stories and folks twirling in circles.”  

“You danced? C’mon.”  Ashley took a chance to tease back a little and had to grin when Shepard snorted.

“Nah. I made sure my friend had a drink in their hand at all times and that the florist remembered their partner is allergic to shatterblodom.”  

“Which is…?” 

“Flowers, I think.” 

“Your friend married an asari?  Is that...does that…” Ashley caught herself, wow, that’s really none of my business.  She watched as Shepard summoned a sky car.  “Commander, I didn’t mean to horn in on your day off.”  

“Well, it’s not like you know anyone here and I was just going to pick up a few supplies, maybe eat something.  I’m happy to play tour guide, now that we’re not suited up.  And you could…”  Shepard broke off with a grimace and hauled to a stop. “God, Ashley, I never asked. Did you manage to salvage your stuff or…?”

“I did. My footlocker was fine.”  Ashley waved off her concern. “And you were a little busy, shaking off the...uh, the alien probe to your brain.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry, though.  I should have made sure.”  Her mouth twisted a little. “I’m still learning the ins and outs of...some of this.”  It was the first time Ashley had ever heard her express the slightest doubt about her new position and, combined with the earnest look in her wide eyes made Ashley realize how much had been dropped on her shoulders.  N7 or not, it was a big change for someone who was still, technically, only a Lieutenant Commander. 

“Pretty sure that’s not actually the captain’s job.  Lieutenant Alenko made sure I had the basics, anyway, when he gave me the tour and he’s in charge of the detail.”

“Ah. Well, that was heads up of him.”  A fond smile flickered across the freckled face and she cast around to change the topic away from Alenko, again.   Shepard caught her eye glance over the holster strapped to her thigh and Ashley took the lifted eyebrow as an invitation to ask about the sleek weapon, definitely not Alliance issue.

“Spectre privilege?”

“Sure.”  Shepard grinned again.  She tapped the collar of her jacket and Ashley caught the subtle pips and a red triangle pinned to the leather.  “That comes with a few perks, too.  Anderson had me cleared the last time I came through so i didn’t have to run concealed anymore, out of uniform.” 

“You said the first time we docked you’d been here.” Ashley looked around.  “I admit, I didn't think there’d be so many humans.” 

“You know us Earth kids, we’re like roaches. We’re pretty good at taking advantage of any crack in the concrete.” She typed in a destination to the skycab’s interface before adding, “I was assigned to security for an admiral a couple years back and I’ve run leads here, once or twice.  I tried to stay out of the Presidium, though.  More life down in the wards, anyway.”  

[loveafterthefact]

Love After the Fact Chapter 57: Wasting Time with a New Friend

Lotor makes some new friends. Together, they discover that word of Lance and Keith's union has reached video game developers in the worst, best way.

Featuring Leakira in the role of comic relief (Not to offend Leakira fans, this is meant to be a fun, happy place. I just thought it might be funny little detail) XD

First  Previous  Next

Lotor finds them sleeping in a hallway. A much-needed distraction.

More specifically, it’s an adolescent Olkari with orange feelers, dressed in green and white garb stained with red dust. They’re incredibly small, even for a smaller species. Pretty adorable, like a wolf cub.

So obviously he nudges them with his foot.

“Can I help you?” the kit growls, amber eyes glaring up at him.

“You’re sleeping in a hallway.”

“And? What’s your point?”

“... You know what? I’m not really sure.”

With a groan, the kit sits up, tugging on their feelers. “So what are you up to, Mr. Prince?”

“Oh not much. Wandering around, looking for trouble.” He’s actually looking for a distraction, but that’s almost the same thing as trouble.

“Trouble, huh?” The Olkari smirks. “I’m Pidge. Lance’s resident tech genius and vent crawler- I mean spy.”

“Ah-haha, I see. You’re one of his ‘associates’.” Lotor grins, helps Pidge to their feet.

“Yes. Working for Lance usually involves some level of trouble. What are the princes up to today, anyway?”

“Lance is with Allura. She’s having a hard morning. Keith is with Thace, our emergency medic and reproductive specialist.”

“Oh, really? Making sure his junk works?”

“That’s the idea. Why?”

“It’d be awesome to have some dirt on Keith. He’s just so perfect.” Pidge skips down the hallway, a curious prince following behind them. “The worst thing he’s done is drink a bit too much, find his happy place at a party, and get really snuggly with Lance.”

Following Pidge into what should have been an old, empty storeroom, Lotor’s eyes widen in surprise. The typically ignored room is set up with monitors and a work table covered with Balmeran crystals and a few other tools.

“Where did you get some of these tools?” he asks, eyeing a choice laser of Galra design.

“I crawled through the tunnels underneath the actual labs and stole them. I’m welcome in the labs, of course. I just don’t want to share my work with them. The field of science is rife with thieves.”

“You found the tunnels already?” Lotor stares. There are tunnels all under the mountain, his ancestors making the massive peak into an insect hive. There are escape tunnels and hidden caches and underground pools and even a forge made of volcanic glass that he discovered as a small boy.

He still likes to go down there on the rare occasion he can find the time. Someday, he’ll take his children down there, and tell them all about the stories carved into the ancient walls.

“Yep! Anyway, let’s see if I can hack into Thace’s equipment. And by that I mean give me like, thirty ticks because I can definitely do it.” While Pidge types away on their computer, Lotor sits himself on the floor, eyeing a faint square cut into the stone. Most people don’t notice, don’t know to look for the fine edges carved into the floor. “Ooh… Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” Lotor asks. “Is Keith okay?”

“You really care for him, don’t you?” Amber eyes smile at him, intuitive.

“Of course I do! He’s my cousin! And my friend!” And he has more than his fair share of health problems. Lotor himself was not a healthy kit, so he understands the worries that his cousin might have.

“Aw-w. You’re just a big ol’ sweetheart, aren’t ya?” Pidge turns back to their computer. “What’s interesting is that Keith is… surprisingly healthy. His weight and body mass index are good… Thace is optimistic about a successful pregnancy.”

“Why is that interesting?” Lotor scratches his head, frowning a little.

“Because our boys requested contraceptives, probably due to health concerns.”

“Miscarriage risks are higher for him. That’s partially due to his sex, and partially due to his condition. Do you think they’ll use contraceptives?”

“Pfft. No. They’re young, they’re stupid, and they both want pups. I doubt Lance can keep it in his pants.”

“What about Keith?”

“He’s shy.” Pidge shrugs like that explains everything. It kind of does. Keith’s priorities are probably more of the cuddling variety than the ‘aggressive hugging’ variety. “Can I have some of your blood?”

“Hm? Uh… How much blood?”

“I dunno. A few vials? Maybe I’ll swab your cheek too? It might help with my experiments.”

“And what might those be?”

“I’m trying to invent Altean-friendly prosthetics. It’s not going well. Alteans are stupid inside and out.” Pidge gathers their tools to stick him, and Lotor stares. This tiny little Olkari is far more than they appear. “Who do you think will kill Lance for getting Keith pregnant? Krolia or Shiro?”

But they're young, still playful and carefree.

“Hm… My money’s on Krolia. Or the creepy friend.”

“Adam? Oh, he’s softer than he looks. More likely he’ll live vicariously through their children and terrorize anyone who tries to mess with them.” Pidge sticks a swab in his cheek as they fill a second vial with his blood. “Your fangs are adorable.”

“Thanks?” Lotor regards them. “So you do science, you do people… What don’t you do?”

“Relationships.” Pidge cleans the crook of his arm, bandaging the spot where they bled him. “And genders. Those are for more primitive individuals.”

Lotor laughs. “More highly evolved, are you?”

“Exactly. Unlike Alteans. Stupid, scaley assholes with stupid, cranky cells.”

“I don’t get it. What exactly is the problem?” Lotor peers over Pidge’s shoulder as they examine his cells under their microscope.

“Not sure, but Alteans have some odd properties that make their biology incompatible with metal, coral, bone, wood, and other prosthetic materials. When used, the Altean’s cells refuse to accept the forgein material, even if it’s biocompatible. Hence, their cells are stupid.”

“So it would seem. How are my cells?”

“Hm… I'll have to run some of my own, secret tests. I may try to culture your skin cells to figure out how it all works.”

“Have at it. Can I interest you in a secret?”

“Always!” The young Olkari’s eyes shine, eager to learn. To know. A person after his own heart.

“Most of Altea’s technology is rediscovered. Thousands of decaphoebs ago, there was what’s known as The Forgetting. The Altean’s powers were quite suddenly drastically altered, and their society descended into chaos. Much of their technology was lost, then rediscovered within the last few milophoebs.”

“No fucking way!”

“Way. This includes their lauded Teludav technology.”

“Those fakers! How have I not heard of this?”

“I know! It’s their best kept secret. Also, beneath Mount Sil’brana is a petrified forest.”

“Oh, that’s so cool!” Pidge makes a note on their datapad. “I wonder… I don’t know if I could interface with that or not. Probably not, since it’s no longer organic, but then again perhaps I could reach the echo?”

“Echo?”

“All organic life leaves behind an echo. Sometimes, I can reach that echo. I’d be great at solving murders!”

“Well, if ever I am murdered, do find my killer. I’m sure my wife would appreciate it.”

“Unless she did the murdering,” Pidge snickers.

“Some days, it wouldn’t surprise me at all. She’d say it’s my fault, but…”

“Pregnancy.”

“Yeah. How do you think Keith will be when he gets pregnant?”

“He’s relatively mild-mannered as long as Lance keeps him happy, so either unbelievably psychotic or unbearably sweet.”

“He is really sweet. I honestly didn’t expect it when he first arrived. Lance is a little… He’s reserved, but also high-strung at the same time?”

“He definitely can be. But he can also be very playful. Those two are either quiet and reserved together, or cutting up and goofing off together. But Lance is the high-strung one, for sure. Keith just wants to know whose head to crack open. Lance wants to know every single little detail about everything.”

“So he’s a control freak.”

“Little bit, yeah. We’ve all got our thing.” Pidge smiles. “But Lance gave me a home when mine was lost. He had no reason to do that. He didn’t know what I was capable of.”

“I had assumed you were on Altea for research?” Lotor's curious, but won't push.

“No. Though I do enjoy research. For example, I have the new Phantasm Killbot game. I just got to the first visual novel part where they introduce the characters and their little side plots and all. Wanna help me out? For research?” The Olkari holds up a controller.

“Yeah alright. Anything for research.” Lotor takes the controller, waits for the character introduction screen. He’s played this game before. “Player one… Leandro.”

“Player Two… Akira.”

The screen loads.

“Uh… That’s… Interesting. Is that- Does that look like Lance to you?” It really does, at least to Lotor. The only difference is that ‘Leandro’ has brown hair and his scales are a very pale blue.

“Wow, that’s weird. Okay. Let’s see where this goes- Oh my fuck, this is going to be good.”

Lotor can’t help but agree, staring at a screen of a smirking ‘Leandro’ lounging with a wide-eyed Galra presumably named ‘Akira’. The Galra has purple hair and golden irises, dressed in what might loosely be referred to as clothing.

It’s exceptionally weird, even weirder given that Akira is the name of Keith’s father, Lotor’s uncle.

“I cannot wait to tell my cousin about this,” Lotor breathes, coming to the realization of exactly what’s before him.

“Yes! We have to! Right now!” Pidge stands, tugs on his arm.

“Well, let’s not be too hasty.” Lotor stares at the screen, that mischievous part of his brain clicking and whirring. “I mean, we have to do our research, right?”

“You know…” Pidge taps their chin. “You might be onto something.”

“I mean it’s just courtesy, right? Making sure we can give them all the information we possibly can?”

“You’re absolutely right. Okay, so you get first choice for dialogue and it looks like Not-Keith has a prompt for us.”

“Oh, gods. Okay, I am so sorry, Keith… Let’s see, here.”

…

Akira: We can’t keep meeting like this. What if people find out?

Leandro: I’m a prince, my sweet. I do what I want.

Akira: But you could be killed!

Leandro: You’re worth dying for.

Leandro: It’s my fault, anyway. I just couldn’t resist you.

Akira: It’s not your fault. I let you have me.

Leandro: You should let me have you again.

Akira: Please… I need it…

*Kiss Passionately*

Leandro: Oh, my sweet. You’re in season!

Akira: Make love to me, and I will give you a son.

…

“I feel dirty,” Lotor mutters. “This is what’s passing for entertainment right now?”

“It’s so bad! I love it!” Pidge snickers.

“Lance is going to be mortified.”

“No, he won’t.” The two new friends turn to see Adam leaning in the doorway, smirking.

“And why, pray tell, is that?” Lotor asks, one eyebrow almost reaching his hairline.

“Lance is bigger than that. He’ll be filled with a sense of… well-being.”

“Oh, gross! Adam!” Pidge chucks a wrench at the Altean’s head, the trio laughing as he dodges, then retrieves it for them. “I don’t want to hear about my friend’s dick!”

“Am I wrong?”

“No, and I hate it.” Pidge drags Adam to the floor, sits in his lap. “Okay, you can help us. What should Leandro say next? ‘A daughter would be fine’ or ‘Honor me with the gift of your flesh’?”

“Who the quiznak wrote this?” Adam mutters. “And we want ‘Honor me with the gift of your flesh.’”

“I don’t know, but I will find out. And kill them,” Lotor mutters.

“Easy on the instincts, Mr. Prince.” Pidge continues to the next cut scene.

“It’s nothing to do with instincts! I just hate that I had to read that!” Lotor sighs. “At least that cut scene is over. Now we have… Brothers, Sven and Kuron? Lots of new characters for this one.”

Adam blinks, gaping at the screen. “What. The fuck-”

...

Allura sighs, running a hand through her loose curls. It's been a rough morning, one that doesn't promise to get easier. A howling chorus of laughter cuts through her stressed thoughts. Cracking open a storeroom, she spies her husband, Adam, and Pidge laughing away at a video game.

"I wOuLd DiE fOr AkIrA," Pidge mocks, cackling.

"Leandro, please!" Lotor laughs, cutting through a false simper as he pretends to swoon. "I couldn't live without you!"

"That's such a toxic sentiment, honestly." Adam shakes his head, but his eyes are glittering bright.

Shaking her head, Allura leans in the doorway, settling a hand on her slightly protruding stomach. Life is never perfect, not for anyone. But seeing her husband playing around and having fun with their friends -his new friends- suggests that everything might still turn out alright. Or at least, not as awful as it sometimes seems.

[queenofthelanternfish]

Disclaimer: Tumblr sucks, but this chapter doesn’t. Honestly my favorite chapter so far, no joke. I will be the one posting my gf @anesther’s fics in order to have them in the tags, so hopefully you all can read and enjoy as well!

-

AN: Gonna have my girlfriend upload my stuff now and then because tumblr really, really hates giving my posts a chance in the tags. It took me all day, with wrist pain and being busy, but I got it up dang it.

Title: Interfaces

Characters: Entrapta, Hordak, features Glimmer and Adora

Pairing: Entrapdak

Rating: T (for some sensuality)

Read on AO3 for the love of god.

                                                          Spa Day

“Welcome to Mystacore!” Glimmer says, arm stretching out in a grand sweeping motion. “Well, Mystacore Number Two. We haven’t thought of a name yet.”

Hordak stares at the pink and purple valances strewn around the building, hedges and trees neatly trimmed. The first thing he thinks is that the place smells sickeningly sweet, almost cloying. The paradise remained primarily in the clouds, though a small group of people had decided to head earthbound to create a sector that was adjacent to Bright Moon. Glimmer, being the niece of Castaspella, had been more than excited to overlook the project. And even more excited to bring people who had yet to experience the beauty and zen of Mystacorian performance.

“We finally got the renovations complete for the soaking tubs,” Glimmer continues. “It took a while to find underground hot springs, but we managed to get it together. There is also a new area we’re trying out where we give out massages.”

Entrapta looks around, curious. She approaches a smooth marble column, sliding her hand down its surface, “How long has this been going on?”

“Once Horde Prime was defeated, I wanted to bring calm to Etheria, and nothing says peace like Mystacore! My dad also wanted to spend more time in Mystacore and Bright Moon, so we compromised by bringing him a little piece of home from each place.”

“Wow, you’ve really outdone yourself, Glimmer,” Adora states.

“Thank you, but it wasn’t just me. My aunt helped a lot to put it together— Where’s Entrapta?”

Adora and she look at Hordak, who keeps his usual frown.

“She always does that,” Adora sighs.

“Okay, should we look for her?” Glimmer asks.

“She will arrive when she likes,” Hordak says, walking forward, leaving them behind.

“Right, of course,” Glimmer agrees, transporting next to him. “I can lead you to one of our relaxation facilities.”

Adora shouts, “I’m going to head to a different room!”

Glimmer waves goodbye, keeping pace with Hordak.

Hordak doesn’t protest as she points out the various needs that can be taken care of. The defeat of Horde Prime led to an odd but solid relationship with Queen Glimmer. In the years since, there hasn’t been a single battle between his kind and the Etherians, who have adopted the former in a truce that is proving to be positive. With Horde Prime’s technology, and the reemergence of Etheria to the rest of the universe, there have been advancements toward space travel and forming alliances with neighboring planets. His brothers have taken quite well to Etherian life, and he had noted several of them waiting in the foyer, and even aided in the construction of Mystacore Number Two.

She really should name it better.

“Here we are,” Glimmer announces. Opening polished double doors, she reveals several massage tables, freshly changed with clean linen. The room is artificially lit, with large sources of it coming from a tall ceiling. “This is the aromatherapy room, if you’d like to begin here.”

Hordak scans the area, hesitating.

“Not a big fan of smells?”

“It’s not that, there’s merely a lot of them.”

Glimmer gestures toward a table, “Would you like to give it a try?”

“...I’m not sure…”

“Well, that’s okay!” Glimmer tells him. “We have plenty of other rooms for you to try out.”

Hordak is led through another set of doors. This hallway shines soft lavender with hibiscus accents. He doesn’t even step into the room before his nose wrinkles in disgust.

Glimmer takes one look and opts to head down to the left, “Why don’t we go this way?”

“What was in that room?”

“Our manicure and pedicure salon. I thought maybe that would be good, considering how long your claws can get.”

“I take care of that myself.”

“Oh, well, I guess that makes sense, since they look really, um… sharp?”

Hordak looks at his hands, “They don’t grow longer than this.”

“I see. Well, manicures are out!” Glimmer looks up at him, “Would you like to see our electrolysis treatment?”

Hordak raises a brow at her.

“Heh, right, stupid question. Let’s keep going, shall we?”

                                                              -

“Entrapta? Where’d you go?” Adora asks. There has got to be an easier way to keep track of someone who isn’t even five feet tall, has hair that extends 20 feet when she likes, and is brightly colored purple. “Are you in the vents? I don’t even know how that could be—there aren’t any.”

Adora walks along the pilasters, letting her mind wander as she searches. It’s been a good while since Horde Prime was beaten. While everyone seems to have moved on, she can’t help but be a little wary when Hordak makes his presence known. She doesn’t hate him, but she, as Bow had eloquently put it once, ‘has major trust issues.’

She doesn’t think he will go against them, and the rest of his kind have settled into Etherian life very well. Their acclimation has been nothing short of surprising.

Maybe she needs to look at it as the simple fact that there isn’t anything to worry about. That there isn’t a reason for her to access She-Ra.

She can be Adora.

“What are you doing?”

“Agh!” she yelps, jumping away.

Entrapta lowers herself from the ceiling, “You started spacing out.”

“What? I was looking for you.”

“You were, but then you were just standing here for a few minutes. Did you find something interesting on the floor?” Entrapta asks, pushing her aside to look at the spot. “Hmm, doesn’t seem to have anything.”

“There isn’t anything on the floor. I was just looking for you.”

“That’s nice of you! Would you happen to know how they manage to get the pipes threaded into the walls? I’ve been trying to find a way to note how this place is structured, but I haven’t found an entrance.”

“I’m not sure where that would be either,” Adora replies.

“That’s okay! I’m sure I can find one—or make one without compromising the integrity of the building.”

“Entrapta, can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“How has Hordak been taking to Etherian life?”

“Oh, he’s been great! He’s had a lot more free time with me to work on all kinds of new inventions! He’s been putting together this new kind of robot with me, but I can’t tell you too much about it!” Entrapta shifts close, whispering. “It’s a secret!”

“What kind of robot?” Adora asks, anxiety forming.

“Can’t tell you! Hordak and I are going to be working on it a while longer, and it’s going to be so cool!”

Before Adora can say anything, Entrapta looks up at the ceiling, “Oh, I think that might be a good spot to try for an opening.”

In one movement, she ascends, leaving Adora confused.

What kind of robot?

It’s probably not anything.

Adora sighs, wondering if she’s being paranoid. That’s not something she’s been able to fully shake off. Maybe she should find Glimmer. She’s bound to be done with Hordak by now.

                                                                 -

Hordak has never been more stressed in his entire life.

“You have to relax.”

“I… I don’t think I can,” Hordak says, trying not to shake.

“I promise if you relax, you won’t be feeling, uh, whatever it is you’re feeling.”

“Is this supposed to be how it works?”

“Yes, acupuncture is supposed to be like this. Although, it would help if you relax.”

“I don’t believe telling me to relax over and over is going to make that happen,” Hordak hisses. With an irritated grunt, he stands up from the lounging chair. He turns to the acupuncturist, “Get these off me at once!”

Glimmer groans, “Hordak, I promise if you just let things be, you wouldn’t be upset!”

She has been trying all day to be a good host. This was supposed to be a calm afternoon, but he seems so resistant. Absolutely stubborn! She had an easier time with Adora, and she had been going a little nuts. But Hordak has a determination to be as unreasonable as possible when it comes to treatment.

Frowning, she walks up to him, “We went to a lot of places already—the deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, facials, scrubs. You just don’t seem to care for anything.”

Hordak opens his jaw, moving it up and down, side to side. Patting his cheeks, he looks at her, “Well, you’ve had me go around everywhere, and there is simply nothing I want.”

“There’s always a place people can go to let their hair down. Ooh, do you want a hair wash?”

“No, again, I do that myself,” Hordak says.

Glimmer shakes her head, “Of course. You do everything yourself.”

He suddenly lets out a sharp hiss, pain shooting up his arm.

She looks at his fingers, the rest covered by a robe, “Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing. Just a nerve…” Hordak holds up a hand. “Don’t try to throw me in the wayward arms of a masseuse. I would simply like to rest.”

Glimmer’s brows furrow in thought. Perhaps she has been looking at this all wrong. There were so many new additions to Mystacore’s already impressive spa treatments, that she had been excited to unveil them all to Hordak and Entrapta—even if the latter has been gone this entire time—that she didn’t stop to consider that she might have been pushing him into something he doesn’t care for. Over the past few years, she learned he’s someone who doesn’t need or desire a lot, especially if they’re material possessions or experiences. “You know, I have one last room for you, and I think this one will click.”

Hordak sighs deeply, more exhausted than when he arrived. He nods, “Very well. Lead the way.”

Hopeful about this one, Glimmer allows him to pass through a singular door. The hallway gleams silver and blue, the temperature a little cooler by a few degrees. Hordak smells nothing out of the ordinary. His ears twitch at the sound of running water, and he catches the scent of it before coming to a room full of steam.

Hordak looks around the vicinity, the fog obscuring his vision to a good enough amount to ensure privacy, even if wearing clothes designed for soaking were available.

Glimmer smiles at him, “Here is the sauna-including-soaking-tubs! I wasn’t sure whether to bring you here because it doesn’t seem like something you’d be into. And people are usually around, but I think this could work.”

He dips his hand into nearby water, clear where the water doesn’t froth from the small waterfall; the heat radiates from his fingers upward.

“This will do,” Hordak says.

“Yes!” Glimmer shouts, enthused.

He looks at her, smirking, “It only took you all day to find something suitable.”

“Well, you’re one tough customer. But I think you’ll enjoy it here. And no one’s around. I’ll grab you something to change into.”

Soon, Hordak is dressed in breathable clothes, and Glimmer takes her leave.

Slipping into the hot water, Hordak allows a contented sigh to leave his lips. He sinks down into the water until its surface touches his chin. The sensation is akin to pleasure. The liquid moves about his muscles, steam shifting in front of his eyes when he breathes. His head tips forward, circulation steadily increasing. The numbness in his arm begins to recede, heat blissfully wrapping around his limbs.

Hordak submerges completely under the water, eyes closing lightly. There is no air, yet he can breathe. There is no sound, yet there is thrumming in his ears. The warmth permeates through, and a stirring reminiscent of serenity blooms in his chest, in his mind. He curls in on himself, the closest to childhood quiet he will understand.

Emerging from the water, droplets moving down his frame, Hordak’s shoulders droop, a lazy smile on his face. Relaxed.

“Hi!” Entrapta says, coming down.

“Hello,” Hordak replies, easing further. Wearing similar attire, she glides into the water, swimming up to him. She allows her hair to be loose, free from its pigtails, its natural weight drags it down to the bottom, fanning out under the water. Swimming up to his side, she places her arms on his shoulder. “Did you have fun exploring?”

“I did! I was following you every now and then, it wasn’t hard to do that, but I did try to find an opening into the building to look through its pipes, wires, pumps. It was all very interesting!”

“Did you succeed?”

“No! I had to make an opening myself. It’s very discreet, they’ll never knooow,” Entrapta says in a hushed tone.

“I know. You’re very good at being sneaky,” Hordak says, smiling at her.

“Adora was talking to me about you,” Entrapta tells him, leaning upon his shoulder.

“Oh? Why is that?” Hordak asks, resting against the stone. “I think she believes you’re not to be trusted still,” Entrapta informs. Pushing up on him, she brushes a dark blue tendril from his forehead. “I would’ve explained it to her, but I didn’t find it necessary.”

“A wise choice. It cannot be helped. Adora has no reason to extend any sort of olive branch in my direction, even if it has been a couple of years.”

Entrapta flicks some water with her fingers, “She will eventually come around.”

“That’s up to her. And even then, I don’t need to be accepted by everyone during the remainder of my time here.”

“Glimmer is pretty sweet to you!”

“Yes, she is,” Hordak says. He formed an odd kinship with her after the Rebellion regained control of Etheria. “She treats me well.”

“Hey! Look!” Entrapta shouts. Sinking down til her mouth is under, she blows air with her mouth, bubbles rising and popping at the top.

Hordak lowers himself to the water at the same level. And blows bubbles in turn.

Entrapta laughs in manic glee, splashing him as she claps her hands. Hordak shoves water in her direction, making her chortle harder. She squeals when he breaks into a wide, red grin, chasing her around the tub’s perimeter. Grabbing her, Entrapta flops against him, “Oh no, you caught me!”

He nips her ear, breathing onto it, “I did indeed.” He trails his mouth down her neck, making her gasp. Pressing it gently along her throat, he feels her body arch into him. Her arms wrap around his shoulders, moaning into him.

He withdraws, lightly kissing her cheek, “You have to wait.”

“Ooh, you’re such a tease!” Entrapta says, clinging to him. “You’re going to make me wait until we’re back at the lair.”

“Of course. I highly doubt we want anyone rushing in here when I make you scream.”

Entrapta laughs, looking up at him, “But think of the thrill of being caught!”

“Maybe next time. When we go to Glimmer’s castle.”

Their cackles ring around them, echoing above the water.

                                                              -

Glimmer shudders.

Adora looks at her, “What is it?”

“I don’t know. Got a weird feeling outta nowhere.”

“Probably nothing,” Adora says, continuing to eat her meal.

“Yeah, likely nothing.”

                                                              -

Entrapta looks at Glimmer, “Thank you for having us!”

Glimmer nods at the couple, “No problem! Thank you for choosing Mystacore Number Two for all your spa needs!”

“You really should change the name,” Entrapta says.

“And perhaps hire a concierge,” Hordak adds.

“We had one. But we had to fire them for taking up too much time relaxing instead of working.”

“Who was it?”

“Double Trouble.”

“Ah,” Entrapta and Hordak say simultaneously.

“Well, thanks for having us!” Entrapta says.

“Entrapta, hang on,” Adora walks over. “Can we talk over there, for a minute?”

“Sure,” She agrees.

Heading off a few feet, Adora begins, “I wanted to ask how you were doing, but you left really quickly.”

“I’m doing wonderful! Everything has been going smoothly at the lair.”

“What was the robot you mentioned?”

Entrapta waves a hand, “Silly, I told you I can’t talk about it just yet.”

“Not even a hint?” Adora pleads.

Entrapta gives her a gracious smile, patting her head with a lock of purple, “If it makes you feel better, it’s nothing you need to be worried about.”

“I’m not worried.”

“You’re quite a paranoid person, you know that?”

“I’m not that paranoid.”

Entrapta grins at her, “It’s not a bad thing, Adora! When we’re done, I’ll have you look at it!”

Adora sighs. She smiles back, “Alright. I’ll wait until then.”

Glimmer watches them interact for a moment before turning to Hordak, “Did you enjoy your soak?”

“I did,” Hordak answers. He clears his throat. “Thank you.”

“Sure! It’s what spa people do.”

“No, I mean, thank you… for taking the time to help me…”

Glimmer, touched, smiles at him, “Aww, you’re welcome. I’m glad you had fun!”

“Yes, I did enjoy myself,” Hordak admits.

Grinning at this accomplishment, she finds Adora walking back toward her, and Entrapta to Hordak. Bidding goodbyes, she waves at them as they leave.

“Hordak’s changed a lot, huh?” Glimmer says, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, I guess he has.”

Glimmer looks at Adora, “He actually thanked me for a good time! I feel like I can take on any customer!”

“You know you’re a queen, not a spa-day-host-person, right?” Adora asks, smirking at her.

“I can be both,” she declares, before heading inside.

Adora nods. Maybe she does need to be more considerate about the changes people have made. She had forgiven Catra, and there had been much more bad blood between them. If her friends say that Hordak is alright, then she’ll trust them instead of her doubts.

Maybe a soak will alleviate her head from all this thinking.

[petertingle-yipyip]

Where Happiness Begins - Peter Parker

Chapter One : Strangers

//WHB Masterlist//

Word Count: 3,505

Pairings: Peter x Stark!Reader

Summary: Y/N Stark has been following in Tony’s footsteps for a few years now. When faced with the hardest fight she’s even known, she goes with her dad to pick up something from Queens. Little did she know that Queens is Where Happiness Begins. Tags: @writingsbychlo @fandom-princess-forevermore​

“Dad, I don’t want to fight Captain Rogers.” You said in shock after your dad had come into your room, letting you know what was going on.

“I don’t want to fight him either, Y/N.” Your dad sighed, sitting next to you on your bed. He dropped his head into his hand, resting an elbow on his knee. “If he would just sign the damn papers…” He mumbled.

“Who else are we up against?” You asked hesitantly. You knew you needed to know, but part of you didn’t want to know. You didn’t want to know which of your family you’d be up against.

“Rogers, Barnes, Sam Wilson.” Tony replied, staring at the floor. “That’s all I know of, at least.”

“And there’s no other way, is there?” You sighed, putting a hand on your dad’s shoulder to pull his attention. He didn’t want this fight any more than you did.

“Wish there was, kid.” He shrugged in defeat. “We’ve got forty eight hours so, pack for Germany.”

“Ger-“ You tried to ask before being interrupted.

“But I need to pick something up from Queens. Know anyone at Midtown Tech?” Tony added quickly, now scrolling through his tablet for something.

“Uh, yeah. I think Liz still goes there.” You shook your head in confusion. “Dad, what does a school in Queens have to do with anything?”

“There’s a kid there, about your age I think.” He answered and your ears perked up. “He’s.. impressive. We’re gonna need his help for this one.”

“Do I get to meet him before Germany?” You wiggled your eyebrows.

“I’ll send you the data we have on him.” Tony laughed as he stood to leave. “He’s gonna need a new suit. His handmade outfit isn’t gonna cut it.”

You opened the file your dad sent to your watch, letting it project the image to fill the space between you both. “Oh my god.” You gasped. “I’ll get started on it literally right now. Yikes.” You shook your head, mumbling about what you’d need to do for the boy. You gave credit to his handmade suit, doing it’s job around town. But Germany, against half of the Avengers, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

You let the holograms surround you, swiping and adjusting as you went. You spoke to F.R.I.D.A.Y. as you worked, having her run different tests and simulations on your designs. Tony watched from your doorway, offering you tips and ideas as you worked. Pepper brought food and drinks to your room, saying that Tony had explained that you were having a breakthrough for the new kid so she didn’t want you to lose your train of thought.

It was only last night that you had found out about the biggest event of your life. In less than thirty six hours, you had to face someone who helped raise you. You never thought you’d be opposite of the people who helped raise you, people you grew up around, but that’s what it came down to. You and your dad had to go up against Captain Rogers and those who were against the Accords. Granted, the Accords weren’t your favorite deal but nonetheless, your dad was in favor of them. And family always came first.

“I think I should be the one that talks to him.” You told your dad as you knocked on his apartment door. “You can sweet talk his Aunt May.”

“Hey, the kid was my pickup and you want to take credit for?” Your dad laughed.

“No, I just think hearing it from a kid his age might be a little more convincing.” You shrugged. “But by all means, talk to Peter.”

The door swung open revealing Peter’s aunt. She gave a welcoming smile as she looked between you and your dad. She was surprisingly young and incredibly beautiful. You couldn’t help but wonder if Peter had the same effortless beauty to him. You had to quickly shake that thought from your head and focus on the task at hand. You were here on work, not socially.

“Hi, I’m Y/N Stark and this is my dad Tony.” You began with a grin, offering her your hand to shake. “You must be May. We’d like to offer your nephew, Peter, an internship at Stark Industries.. With your blessing, of course.”

“Wow, okay.” She nodded and shook your hand slowly, eyes wide. “Yes, come in.”

You and your dad entered the small apartment, following May to the couch. You dad sat near May, you sat on a chair to the side of the couch.

“Ms. Parker-“ You began before she waved a hand.

“Call me May.” She nodded.

“May, we’d like to thank you first and foremost for allowing us to offer Peter this internship.” You began with a nod. “We’ve heard of what Peter has accomplished at Midtown and it’s nothing short of astonishing.”

“Yeah, the kid’s a real genius.” Tony nodded. “His grades, fantastic.”

“Wow.” She sighed with a proud smile. “I knew Peter was smart, always has been. But I never thought he’d land a Stark Internship without even trying.”

“Our biggest concern at the moment is your approval. We’d need him to come upstate with us immediately, as soon as tomorrow even, to create a profile for him within our system, connect him with our interface. It’s a long and boring process, even I got tired of it when Dad finally let me into the system.” You laughed a little.

“Well, Peter is still at school but should be home soon. I’m sure he’ll be overjoyed to hear about this.” She said, facing you and your dad. “So, Mr. Stark-”

“Please, call me Tony.” Your dad interrupted.

She chuckled. “Tony. Tell me about this internship.”

You zoned out while your dad informed May on the made up internship plot you and him had come up with to convince her. You figured Peter’s identity was a secret, even from his family. Part of you always wished you had kept your identity a secret too, but being Iron Man’s daughter put you in the spotlight always. Especially considering your dad’s epic reveal of his alter ego. But being known wasn’t too bad.

You knew your dad needed Peter for this fight. You were the one who insisted that you come along, that you could be a huge help to convincing the local hero to join your side. But sitting in his living room, hearing your dad explain your cover to Aunt May, it seemed so far-fetched. Part of you wanted to turn and march right out the door, not even mention it to Peter. You wanted to protect him from the life you lived, the life your family lived. Yet, a bigger part of you knew he could hold his own. Granted, he was only a kid, but so were you.

You had no idea how much time had passed between your dad talking to May and Peter walking in. You replayed the videos you had seen in your mind, picturing the young man swinging through the streets. You respected Peter, knowing it’s not easy to save people and be the hero at this age. And yet he still did it. He didn’t need recognition from the world. He didn’t have his face plastered on posters and billboards with his superhero name by the side. He was just a kid, doing the right thing.

As the front door opened, you heard a small male voice address May. He entered the living room, headphones in his ears until he saw you and your father sitting with his aunt. His jaw fell to the floor and your heart skipped a beat. You had never seen someone so pretty. He really did take after his aunt with the effortless beauty that shocked people on first sight.

You kept quiet as you examined Peter. He seemed well-built, effortlessly toned beneath his white tee and zip up. You could faintly hear the beat of the music that blared in his headphones. His teeth were as white as snow, straight as could be. His smile was contagious, threatening to pull a smile from you without noticing. His eyes glistened with excitement and pure, childlike joy.

“Wow, Tony Stark. Hi. What uh, what are you- what are you doing here?” Peter asked in one breath, eyes wide and a grin on his face. His voice was smooth, a little higher than what you had expected, but somehow comforting at the same time.

You stood slowly, smiling softly. Tony shifted in his seat, looking over the arm of the couch. Peter’s attention shifted to you and you saw a glint in his eyes and a change in his smile. It was still a grin of shock but now, there were hints of admiration in it. Maybe it was because he admired what you do with your dad.

“Hi, Peter.” You said gently, knowing it was the best time to insert yourself and pull Peter aside. His name rolling off your lips made his heart beat faster, as if his name didn’t belong in anyone else’s mouth but yours. “I’m Y/N, Tony’s daughter and leader of the Youth Leaders division at Stark Industries. I’d personally like to offer you an internship with us.”

“Yeah, it was my idea but no big deal.” Tony added with a wave of his hand. “Why don’t uh- why don’t  you and Y/N go and talk about the program details and what she expects out of you as the Youth Leader coordinator –” Your dad turned and gave you a look that said he was surprised you came up with that. “- while I give your aunt some of the more adult details?”

“You just want to flirt with his pretty aunt.” You mumbled as you walked around the couch to stand in front of Peter. You nudged your dad slightly as you passed.

“You’re Y/- Y/N Stark, oh my gosh.” He said in surprise, that boyish grin still on his face. You looked at him expectantly and he shook his head with a chuckle. “Right, yeah. Um, my room is this way.”

“It was nice meeting you, May.” You said politely. “Dad, behave.”

“I should be telling you that.” He mumbled.

You followed Peter into his room. It was small but cozy. You glanced around, looking for some remnants of the red and blue clad hero. That’s when you saw where he was most likely hiding his suit, behind the panel to the air duct center on his ceiling. Peter sat on his bed, hands clasped in his lap.

“So, what’s the internship for?” He asked slowly.

You could tell Peter was excited. Anyone would be excited meeting people they admired their whole lives. You didn’t know it at the time but Peter took huge inspiration from you and your dad. You two were the smartest people he could think of, and neither of you ever hesitated to do the right thing. That’s part of why he did what he did, why he looked out for the little guy. It was the right thing to do.

“It’s a very special internship, Peter. We’d need you right away.” You explained, wandering his room and looking at different restored technology on his desk and in his bookshelf. “You’d begin with us as early as tomorrow. Maybe even sooner. I’m not sure what Dad is going to do from here.”

“Tomorrow?” His eyes practically popped out of his skull.

“Yes, tomorrow.” You nodded. “We know what you’re capable of, Parker. This is you, isn’t it?” You pulled a piece of tech from your pocket, holding it up so the screen would project the video. The video showed the spider themed hero swinging through the streets of Queens, saving little old ladies from burglars and getting kittens out of trees. The next clip was of Peter stopping a runaway car from slamming into a bus full of civilians. “Nice catch, by the way. Three thousand pounds, going what, 40 miles an hour? Very impressive.”

“That’s uh, that’s on YouTube, right? Cause I mean, that’s all fake. It’s all done on computers.” He tried to reason. He kept trying to rationalize to you that he wasn’t the local hero while you looked for a long stick.

You settled on what seemed to be a broom handle, using it to knock loose a panel on the ceiling. Once it opened, his handmade suit fell down on a rope. Quickly, he jumped across the room and snatched the suit to bury it within his closet. He leaned against the wall and let out a deep breath.

“So.” You turned to face him. “You’re the spider… Crime-fighting Spider? Spiderboy?”

“Spider… Spiderman.” He said quietly.

“In that onesie? I don’t think so.” You laughed slightly.

“It’s not a onesie.” He rolled his eyes, pushing past you to fiddle with things on his desk. “Today was a really good day, actually, Ms. Stark. You know that? Didn’t miss my train. Algebra test.” He tapped a pen on the desk while you examined his handmade suit. “Nailed it.”

“Anybody else know?” You asked, pulling the suit out of his closet and lifting it slightly.

He shook his head gently. “Nobody.”

“Not even your very sweet aunt that my dad is chatting up?” You asked as you sat in his desk chair.

“No, no, no, no. If she knew she’d freak out, and then I freak out.”

“I really like this webbing, by the way.” You commented, tossing the small container at him. Without looking, he caught it with ease. “The tensile strength is unheard of. Who’s the manufacturer?”

“Me.” He said, tossing it into a hamper in his closet.

“Wow, cute and a genius?” You commented with a smile that he didn’t see. “I think I’m in love. What about the wall climbing? Adhesive gloves or..”

“It’s a long story.” He sighed, not acknowledging your former comment.

“Sweet Jesus. Can you even see in these?” You held his goggles to your eyes with a small laugh.

“Yes, yes! I can- I can- I can see in those, okay?” He took the suit from your hands and tucked it deep into his closet hamper. “It’s just that when I- when it happened my senses got dialed to eleven. There’s- there’s just way too much input so they kind of help me focus.”

“You are in dire need of an upgrade. It’s a good thing I already have some ideas.” You shrugged. “Systemic, top to bottom. One hundred percent, but hey, that’s why I’m here. First of all, I’m thinking fit. Something more flattering for sure, more aerodynamic. Less resistance on your swing.”

Peter dropped on his bed and looked at you with soft eyes. He turned his body to face you and you were really able to look at him. His brown hair was neatly combed, allowing a full view of his face. Kind eyes fell on you, eyes that were so deep and so sweet. That’s when you really understood that he was just a kid.

“Why are you doing this?” You asked gently as you met his eyes. “Sorry, I just gotta ask. What gets you out of bed in the morning and into the suit?”

“Because…” He trailed off, eyes dropping to his busy fingers in his lap. He sighed deeply before looking back to you. “Because I’ve been me my whole life and I’ve had these powers for six months… I read books. I build computers, and yeah, I’d love to play football. But I couldn’t then and I shouldn’t now.”

“Right.” You nodded. “Cause you’re different now.”

“Exactly, but I can’t tell anybody that so I’m not.” He shrugged slightly. “When you can do the things that I can, but you don’t,-” You couldn’t help but lean in closer as he spoke. “-and then the bad things happen… They happen because of you.”

You stared at him for a moment while you digested his word. Someone so new to the hero business understood it in a way you had never considered before. It made you think about why you put that suit on for the first time, why you followed your dad’s footsteps. It was odd realizing you didn’t have a wholesome motivation like the boy in front of you. You became an Avenger because you wanted to help your dad, so he didn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his own.

“So you wanna, what, look out for the little guy? Better the world by doing your part?” You said after swallowing hard, finally understanding what his heavy words meant.

“Yeah, yeah, just looking out for the little guy.” He said in what sounded like relief. Relief that he could finally tell someone and that someone would understand what he meant. It was the relief that showed he didn’t have to carry the burden of his thoughts alone anymore.

You stood slowly from the chair, making your way to him. He looked at you with wide eyes, the expression where he wasn’t sure if he admired you or was intimidated by you. Even though you were his age, he felt like you matured so much past that. You were very professional in his eyes. You were there on business, recruiting him to be an Avenger (possibly). So why did he feel so flustered when he saw you? Why did a blush rise to his ears when you smiled at him? Why did he forget English when he heard you speak?

“Move the leg.” You laughed. “Let me sit here.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.” He flushed a bright red, dropping his eyes as he slid over on the bed.

With a soft smile, you sat next to him. You placed a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. “You got a passport?”

“Wha- No. I don’t even have a driver’s license.” He shook his head.

“Ever been to Germany?”

“Germany!?”

“You’ll love it.”

“I can’t go to Germany!” He countered.

“Okay, humor me. Why not?”

“I’ve got.. homework.” He tried.

“I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that.” You rolled your eyes slightly as you stood.

“I’m serious! I can’t just drop out of school!”

“This is gonna be a little dangerous… Should probably tell sweet Aunt May that we’re taking you to-“ You thought out loud as you reach for the door knob. A sudden whipping sound came from behind you before your hand was stuck to the door knob. Looking down, you realized it was Peter’s webs. Both impressed and annoyed, you turned your attention to Peter.

“Don’t tell Aunt May.” Was all he said.

“Alright Spiderman.” You smirked with a small nod. He gave you a relieved smile and the two of you stood there for a moment, simply looking at each other. Why did you want to look away whenever he looked at you for too long? Why did his smile create a knot in your stomach? “Get me out of this.” You said after a moment of silence.

“Right, sorry.” He shook his head, busying himself with finding scissors.

“I think you have a lot of potential, by the way.” You told him with a reassuring smile as he cut your hand free.

“You think so?” He beamed.

“Yeah, of course.” You nodded. “Once we get you a new look, you’ll be fantastic.”

“What were you thinking, for the new suit?” He asked slowly, snipping the final piece to free your hand.

“A tighter fit, first of all. It’ll cut the drag on your swing and it’ll allow more movement of your limbs. Interwoven web shooters, for sure. The free floating is good for emergencies, sure. But in a fight, if you lose that, you’re screwed. And a more breathable fabric because sweatpants and a hoodie must get hot. Especially for your mask.” You replied simply. “And your goggles, I have to make them a bit more reactive, easier to focus.”

“That’s really nice of you, Ms. Stark.” He smiled honestly.

“Oh please.” You shook your head with a shy smile. “Call me Y/N.”

“You mean it?”

“Of course.” You nodded with a giggle. “We’ll be back for you tomorrow, and your new suit should be ready by then. Gotta reconfigure the filters in your eyes… We’ll see you tomorrow, Peter.” You said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Get some rest. This isn’t going to be easy….”

“Wait.” He said quickly, reaching out to wrap a hand around your wrist carefully. Your skin ignited when his fingers met your wrist. You swallowed tensely before looking back at him. “How… How did you know it was me?”

“We do our research.” You winked before opening his bedroom door and joining your dad and Aunt May in the living room, letting your wrist slowly slide from Peter’s grip. His fingers danced along the palm of your hand as you left, sending goosebumps up your arm.

“We’re all set.” You told the adults. “Are we good out here?”

“Perfect.” May beamed.

[gumnut-logic]

We’ll Be Home For Christmas 1.2

Title: We’ll be home for Christmas

Day One – A Tale of a Fateful Trip – Part 2 Prologue | 1.1

Author: Gumnut

8 - 14 Dec 2019

Fandom: Thunderbirds Are Go 2015/ Thunderbirds TOS

Rating: Teen

Summary: The boys can’t fly home for Christmas, so they have to find another way.

Word count: 2701

Spoilers & warnings: language and so, so much fluff. Science!Gordon. Minor various ships, mostly background.

Timeline: Christmas Season 3, I have also kinda ignored the main storyline of Season 3. The boys needed a break, so I gave them one. Post season 3B, before Season 3C cos we haven’t seen it yet.

Author’s note:  For @scattergraph This is my 2019 TAG Secret Santa fic and it is a big one ::headdesk:: I hope you enjoy it. I know I have thoroughly enjoyed researching a gorgeous corner of this planet.

Many thanks to @vegetacide and @scribbles97 for cheering me on and their wonderful support through this craziness. And to @onereyofstarlight for geeking out with me over the setting.

And as always, thank you all for creating such a fantastic fandom. Thundernerds rock! I hope you all have a wonderful festive season. Thank you all so much for everything.

Disclaimer: Mine? You’ve got to be kidding. Money? Don’t have any, don’t bother.

-o-o-o-

 The sunset that night was as good as any they had ever seen on Tracy Island. The ocean swell was minimal as predicted and Gordon threw out a sea anchor to hold them tight while they ate dinner. They could have kept going, but instead chose a moment of quiet and together.

The meal was a lazy affair out on the boat deck consisting of burgers assembled by John and Alan.

For a change the conversation was light. A voyage down memory lane, Dad, the saga of FAB2 and Parker’s, uh, misfortune with it, and an incident in WASP training that Alan literally had to drag out of Gordon with threats of revealing something worse that the three other brothers were still in the dark about.

The glare sent Alan’s way promised some serious dunking at some point. Alan’s grin in return clearly said it was worth it.

While they were sitting still, Gordon threw out a sensory buoy. Apparently, the aquanaut had gone all out and stocked the yacht with all his marine biology equipment. No doubt, Scott had been back and forth between Tracy Island with his brother at least once. It wasn’t often the scientist in Gordon got a chance to play in his environment.

Sure, Tracy Industries had made some major ecological investments in the area, including the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary which protected a whole swath of ocean between Tracy Island and New Zealand. Gordon had worked with his father early on in that project and advised that as much as possible should be protected. Their proximity to the island group and the purpose of International Rescue hadn’t always coincided and it was Gordon, young though he was, who made it work.

And besides, Tracy Island was outside New Zealand’s and their other nearby neighbour, Tonga’s control and their security system didn’t let anyone near them anyway.

But Gordon had always been conscious of the greater good beyond human matters and their family as a whole kept their Island as ecologically isolated as possible to protect its non-human inhabitants. If anything, it was proof that humans could exist within an established ecosystem and impact it minimally as long as due care was taken.

The sensor buoy he threw off the side of their boat sunk into the depths somewhat and sharpened their sensory net to activity underwater including sounds and movement. The holographic interface threw up a three-dimensional display of the water under and around the boat up to a kilometre across.

The aquanaut placed the projector in the middle of the table. “Would you look at that.”

Vigil stared at the somewhat blurry dots and shapes moving across the display. “What?”

Gordon rolled his eyes and, reaching into the hologram, zoomed in on one spot teeming with dots of movement. The middle of the table was suddenly full of a school of large fish.

Virgil shifted back and he wasn’t the only one.

“A little warning next time, bro.” Alan was frowning at Gordon.

“Eh.” And no, their aquanaut did not care, his eyes latched on the fish. “A school of tuna, southern bluefin, in fact. Good to see, though they are at the edge of their range.” He grabbed his tablet and, while four other brothers stared at him, he entered some data, his eyes dancing between the two displays.

Virgil couldn’t help but smile. Scott caught his eye and did the same. Virgil’s smile became a grin.

Gordon didn’t notice. His fingers darted into the hologram again and minimised the tuna only to bring up another school of fish on the other side of the display. More notes were made on the tablet.

The silence around the table was profound. Even John had a small smile on his face as he watched Gordon.

A dark shape moved amongst the fish. It was much larger and it wasn’t until it slid into the centre of the school that it became clear exactly what it was.

“Wow.” Alan voiced the awe for all of them. Well, except Gordon who was still staring at the fish.

Virgil resisted the urge to reach out and touch the hologram of the shark cruising through scattering fish. He wasn’t sure what type it was, but it was big.

A moment later Gordon realised they were all staring. A glance at the shark and he punched at his tablet. “Bonus! She’s tagged!” Another stab or two. “Hilda? Oh my god, it’s Hilda.”

Hilda?

“Who’s Hilda?” Virgil asked the question, but Gordon was absorbed in what he was doing.

“I did not expect to find her this far south.”

“You know this shark?” Alan’s voice was small.

“What? Oh, yeah, Hilda likes to feed in our lagoon.”

“What?” Scott’s deeper voice cut through the stunned silence. “That shark was in our lagoon?”

Gordon blinked up at him. “Well, yeah, how do you think I tagged her? Been following her movements for the last two years. She loves some of the smaller fish that feed in the coral reefs. She can’t quite fit into all of them, but she enjoys herself in any case. Caught herself a couple of seabirds from the colony on Mateo a few months back. It was awesome.” Not once did his eyes leave the display and the shark swimming across their dinner table.

“I am never going swimming again.” Alan’s voice was tiny.

Gordon finally looked up and his eyebrows shot up. “Hey, she’s cool. You lot aren’t tasty enough anyway.”

Scott sighed and dropped his head into his hand. “Why do I bother?”

Something flashed in the corner of the display and Gordon immediately minimised it back to a sea of floating dots. “Hey, we’ve got a big one coming into range. Oooh, no, two....yes!”

Virgil jumped as the display flickered and zoomed in again, this time bringing up another large shape. His fish brother was literally bouncing in his seat. “Ooooh, she’s a mama.” And there beside the humpback whale appeared a young calf.

Virgil stared.

“And they are talking. Listen to this.” Gordon grinned as he punched his tablet with an eager finger. Suddenly the room was full of grunting and clicking sounds and the occasional moan.

God.

Virgil reached behind him, fingers grabbing for the sketchbook he had thrown there earlier while still fighting with his pencil. Within moments both pad and pencil were in hand and he was drawing. Fast. The pencil scraping across the page. Curves, bumps waves of lines. On the table the two whales flew through the phantom water. On the paper, Virgil’s fingers lost themselves in the art. Graphite formed the whales’ flanks, the sharpness of the pencil lead compensated where the display could not provide clarity. But most of all he drew fast. He did not know how long they would be there, or how long he would have the privilege of seeing them.

He disappeared into the page, finding that zone he had been so seeking the last few days, and it wasn’t until the display flickered off and he found all four brothers staring at him that he snapped out of it.

A glance at Gordon. “They’ve left the area, bro. I held them in range as long as I could.” Brown eyes were apologetic.

Virgil blinked and looked down at what he had been drawing.

Two whales leapt off the page in front of him, silver and grey graphite shone, caught by the cartridge paper tooth. Tilted in pose, they were turned just slightly towards each other, so obviously parent and child, it touched his heart.

“That’s awesome, Virgil!” Alan was all jubilation and eagerness.

A glance at Scott and Virgil found something akin to pride in his eyes. John was smiling. Gordon stood up and walked behind Virgil, peering over his shoulder. “Can I have it? Or a print?”

“Uh...”

Gordon’s hand landed on his shoulder. You don’t have to answer now. Just know that that is a damn good drawing, bro, and I like it.”

Virgil grabbed his arm before he could move away. “How often do you see whales?”

A shrug. “It is late in the season, but we might see a few this time of year. The humpbacks migrate through here. I’ve certainly seen enough from home.”

“They come near Tracy Island?”

Gordon frowned at him. “I thought you were in touch with the world around you, Virg. All that artistic standing in the wind stuff. Of course, they do. I’m taking you whale watching as soon as possible. You don’t need to swim to see whales. God, guys, we live on an island in the middle of thousands of miles of ocean. Pay more attention. Yeesh.”

Okay, perhaps he had a point. Gordon had always loved the ocean and the worlds beneath it. Scott always loved the sky, John and Alan adored space. Virgil...was about how those worlds worked. Perhaps he needed to pay more attention to the ones underwater. “It appears I need to.”

Those familiar brown eyes blinked at him before a hand covered the one Virgil had on his arm. “Hey, I’ve got an idea.” He slipped free of his hold and grabbed his tablet again. “Just need to log into my home server...” The tablet took a royal stabbing with his finger. A moment and he set the device down on the table, poked it a couple more times until it projected up another underwater scene.

Five fully grown humpback whales and two calves frolicked in the holographic water. “There you go. Last year, not two hundred metres from our front door.”

Virgil just stared. His fingers itched to capture the scene. He hadn’t felt so inspired in months. “C-can you send me a copy?”

Gordon stared at him a moment, something in his eyes. “Sure. Tell you what. I’ll copy a bunch of these recordings onto the family server and you can do with them what you like.”

He couldn’t look away from the whales. “Thank you, Gordon.” He needed some colours. Phthalo blue. Payne’s grey. Phthalo turquoise. Cadmium yellow and possibly orange to up the contrast. White and maybe some Alizarin Crimson.

“Virgil, you okay?” Scott.

“Huh?” He shot a glance in his brother’s direction. Scott was frowning at him. “Uh, yeah. Did you bring any of my paints?”

Scott looked at John and his younger brother answered. “Your travel kit is in your cabin.”

“Great! Thank you.” He grinned at John and stood up...slowly as his body reminded him he wasn’t running at one hundred percent. A step and he hugged a stunned Gordon. “Thank you, Gordon. Thank you.”

“Uh, you’re welcome?”

Virgil stepped back and grinned at him. Gordon was staring at him as if he’d lost a marble or two. His expression only made Virgil laugh. A pat on his arm and Virgil grabbed his sketchbook and with another grin headed off towards his cabin.

He had it. All he needed was his tablet and a network connection and he had stock to paint to his heart’s content.

“Don’t you stay up painting all night!” It was Scott, yelling the length of the boat, but it only made Virgil’s grin wider.

-o-o-o-

Shit. The idiot was likely to exhaust himself at his easel. He would have to make sure he checked on him later, make sure he was sitting, not standing. Wouldn’t help for his brother to exacerbate his injury just because he zombified when painting.

John was staring at him.

“What?”

A soft smile. “Nothing.”

Scott eyed him, but John was his usual calm self, refusing to reveal any hint to his thoughts.

Lips thinning, he shot his brother a glare, which was ignored, and turned back to Gordon...only to find the table now covered in what appeared to be densely packed sardines of some kind.

Okay, he’d had enough of fish. He pushed himself to his feet. Gordon didn’t notice.

Scott had been hoping to sit down with Virgil and just have a little one on one bro time, but he had to admit that seeing it all come together for his arty brother like that had been pretty amazing and there was no way he was going to deny him the moment.

He would likely emerge from his room sometime tomorrow with a new masterpiece in his hands that Scott would, as usual, be totally stunned and blindsided as to how he managed it. Hell, that whale took all of fifteen minutes and it literally leapt off the page.

Stepping back from the table, he brushed a hand across John’s shoulders as he passed behind him and slipped inside. There was a bar in the corner of the lounge. He grabbed the whisky he had bought that morning and poured himself just a smidgen. He didn’t want to get drunk. He just wanted something to line his mouth, give him the taste.

Tumbler in hand he made his way through the main cabin and up onto the bow where they had stood for a good part of the voyage earlier in the day.

The sun was only a memory of the far side of the horizon, the sky darkening quickly and the ocean that gently rocked the boat, and no doubt Virgil’s easel, was becoming blacker than the sky above it.

The moon hadn’t risen yet, but the stars were breaking through the remnant light, and combined with the faint breeze, night was setting in.

Scott let a breath out.

In its own way it was beautiful. He wasn’t one for waxing poetic, but the sky was his home. He breathed it in with every breath and out here away from the lights of life, he could almost hear it.

“Makes you think, doesn’t it?”

Despite himself, he jumped.

“Woah, big bro, just come up to share a drink with you. Spock and McCoy killed all the rear lights so they can stare at their distant balls of gas and talk the hard sciences.” His brother rolled his eyes. “They’ve obviously never attempted to collect samples from a hydrothermal vent several kilometres down. ‘Hard’ would be the least of the terms used.”

His brother’s verbal diarrhoea came to a sudden halt and Scott took the moment to let his shoulders drop.

“You okay?” Gordon looked up at him and Scott realised he had a tumbler in his hand similar to the one in his own.

A half smile. “I’m good.” And he returned to looking out at the black hole of an ocean. “Thank you for coming up with this idea.” He rolled his shoulders just a little and took another sip of his drink. “I think we all need it.”

“Not a problem.” Gordon moved up to stand beside him and sipped his own whisky. “Not often I get a chance to get out here for a good stretch of time. I’m enjoying myself.”

“I noticed.” He twisted his lips. “Hilda?”

Gordon grinned. “My senior year French teacher. The woman was all bite and no bark.”

Scott frowned. “Miss Schwank? I thought you liked her?” One handed air quotes. “‘I’d like to go all Jacques Cousteau on her.’ I think I actually have that in writing somewhere.”

Another grin. “I did. She was gorgeous. Blonde with all the right measurements and a tongue that could do all the right things, no matter the language.” The smile vanished and he looked down at the tumbler in his hand. “She was one of the Lost in the 2060 Tsunami Disaster. Found her name on the nets.” The stars lit his brother’s eyes as they looked up at him. “On her honeymoon, apparently.”

Scott swallowed. He remembered the vivacious woman, all sharp words and determination. “Sorry to hear that.”

Gordon sighed. “So, now we have a great white shark with the same attitude. Just as beautiful, just as determined, just as likely to bite my head off if I go anywhere near her.” The grin was back. Another sip and his brother’s expression was all fondness.

A smile crept onto Scott’s face. He reached up and dropped his hand on his brother’s shoulder and squeezed gently. Another taste of whisky and he turned back to stare into the darkness.

-o-o-o-

End Day One

Day Two, Part One

[pandemicthestory]

1: introduced

The love story of a teenage girl trapped inside during the end of the world. Daily chapters during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Neon orange nails tap at a laptop, chatting with someone across the internet. This manicure is fresh, except no one has left their house in weeks, so we know she did it herself. 

ADMIN_E: just sent your essay back. Gonna be 300 bc of the works cited 

GUEST48: oh come on 

ADMIN_E: i need the money, and you have more money than you need

GUEST48: ugh pls just tell me this is gonna get me an A in AP US history, i need this grade to get into duke 

ADMIN_E: lol, you’re actually worried about getting into college?

GUEST48: uh yeah, aren’t u?

ADMIN_E: Sweetie the world is ending. Who the fuck cares

*buzz* 

She looks away from the computer and down at her cracked iPhone 7. Another thing she’d like the cash to upgrade. The bigger issue: it’s basically impossible to scam in peace with her group chat constantly blowing up. But what are your best friends for, if not to provide human contact during an infinite quarantine? 

Madison is a self-proclaimed burnout, who used to be the carefree athletic type until a soccer injury sent her spiraling into an emo-grunge moment. Zoe is probably going to run for president and also be a doctor at the same time, unless her weird senior boyfriend convinces her to leave on a weed farm (which he would totally do, wow Gabriel sucks). And Olivia is sort of the one who keeps everyone together, obsessed with being a friend. She’s the one who religiously decorates your locker on your birthday even if you insist that it’s not necessary and that actually you’d prefer if she didn’t because it’s embarrassing. That’s Olivia.

MADISON: holy shit did u hear 

OLIVIA: I was just about to text you guys. My mom just told me. R u ok?? 

ZOE: wait what’s going on?? wtf tell me rn !! 

*knock knock*

The bedroom door opens without waiting for an answer.

“Emma?”

Emma Bradford, a skinny 16-year-old wearing an oversized hoodie and boxers, slams her laptop shut with way too much force. Hopefully it isn’t broken, she’d have to find a different way to cheat the school system for money. 

“Mom, what happened to our deal? If we’re going to be stuck at home together, you have to pretend I’m AT school. As in don’t speak to me before 3:25 PM.”

“You can’t say I didn’t knock. I knocked.” 

“It’s not about knocking, it’s about--wait why are we even having a conversation? See you at dinner. Or not. Just go please.” 

Emma jams in her air pods and pulls up her hoodie over her head so you can’t see the top of her face. She’s used to hiding her identity, and even in quarantine, old habits die hard or whatever.

Mom sighs, she doesn’t want to be here either. Out of all her kids, Emma is the truly difficult one. The smart one who uses her brain for all the wrong reasons. And wow those nails are intense. Traffic cones. Kids these days. 

“I just came to tell you that...well we just got a phone call from the school district. It looks like classes are going to be canceled for the rest of the year. Zoom classes too. Everything. I’m sorry.”

Emma’s stomach drops. Canceled? Like, wait, canceled? Canceled. But...how will she earn hundreds of dollars doing writing assignments for her fellow dumbasses?

“Seriously? How is that possible?! Don’t I need like, an education and shit?”

“Government spending is affecting everyone in strange ways right now. And wait a second, I thought you’d be happy. You always tell me how much you hate high school.”

Mom raises an eyebrow. Emma hates that. If her mom starts digging around in her personal life again, she’s going to find some weird shit. Not just forged essays, but, well, let’s just leave that all buried for now. 

“I do hate school. And I don’t care if I never go back. But I do need some boundaries, so please get out.”

Her Mom closes the door. We can’t see, but that eyebrow is definitely still raised. Something’s up with Emma. Her mom just has no idea of what it is, or how big it’s about to get.

Emma examines the group chat, having missed over 80 texts since she last checked it five minutes ago. 

EMMA: i don’t have time to read all that but, school, right?

ZOE: How can this happen? I already have a prom dress and it was final sale!!

MADISON: u don’t HAVE to go to prom this year zo- when gabriel goes to school next year u guys will prob break up anyway and then you’ll be free to go to like 10 more proms w guys who haven’t been arrested

ZOE: He was not actually arrested and we are doing long distance we already discussed it! 

MADISON: you don’t think they’ll cancel prom do you? if i have to do prom over zoom i’m legit done 

EMMA: So, prom is what you’re all worried about?

A brief pause. 

OLIVIA: Well what are you worried about Em? Or aren’t you

EMMA: Oh well idk. I mean i’m not that worried

EMMA: I just mean like it could be worse

As soon as Emma sends this, she doesn’t know if she actually believes it. She doesn’t know what’s coming. 

ZOE: Sure, I guess...

MADISON: UR BEING RLY WEIRD EM 

EMMA: Ah you’re right sorry, it’s just a weird time. I love u guys btw 

Everyone sends their signature heart emoji. Zoe: pink with sparkles. Olivia: yellow. Madison: small red with red dot underneath. And Emma sends the black heart, because she really needs to start acting like her normal self as people are getting suspicious. Her best friends know almost everything about her. Almost. They don’t know about what she’s doing on the side, or what she plans to do with the money. 

Emma takes a deep breath and reopens the laptop. No school is going to be a problem. No school, no assignments, no college applications, which means: no income. And no income means no leaving...no running off with...him. 

Him, the eternal problem. Him who won’t get out of her head no matter how much she curses the day he was born. Him from that other school that’s annoyingly far yet still too close for her own good. Him who knows her favorite candle scent. Him who rests his hand in the space between her hip bone and her belly button. Him who lied. Him who was forgiven. 

Him. 

She stares at the interface of her ghostwriter page on the screen. This was good while it lasted. She’ll just need a new plan to get to Him. 

Emma is about to shut the computer when: 

*Ping* 

New Assignment.

What? Every student at Harrison Ford High School got the same announcement today that she did. School’s canceled. No more class, no more losing sleep over getting into Duke. What a random life goal. 

Seriously, what the hell could this be?

Emma clicks the link to open the new assignment, to learn that it isn’t a new assignment at all. It’s a drawing?  

Circular lines, deflated shapes encircling each other. Like oil in water. The picture could almost be, well it looks somewhat like...a map. Holy shit, this is a map.

The lines of the map are messy and hand drawn. As if someone made this in a rush. Or maybe they were confused about where the path leads. But underneath the twists and turns, there’s a note: 

before you run away, come find me

[bigbangsmasher]

MOBILE  DATING  GAME  //  (  REPOST,  DON’T  REBLOG.  )

ROUTE START: "Hey hey, what’s the rush?  We’ve got all the time in the world! Let’s just take it slow and see where the road leads us, okay?” ROUTE SWITCH: “I see... But we’re still friends, right?”

MENU INTERFACE, POKE A: "Huh? What’s up?” MENU INTERFACE, POKE B: “Heheh, knock it off! I-I’m ticklish!” MENU INTERFACE, POKE (REPEATEDLY): “Seriously, cut it out.” MENU INTERFACE, POKE MAX ♥: “I don’t do this for everyone... but you can touch my tail if you want. H-hey, not so rough!”

COMPLETED SCENE, +♥: “Is it just me or are you... Well, I had a really good time! I’ll definitely treasure this memory, so let’s make some more later!” COMPLETED SCENE, -♥: “Err, now that I think about it... I-I gotta go, I promised my friends I’d meet them somewhere.”

GIFT (NEUTRAL): “For me? Wow, thank you! Heheh, I’m more used to giving than receiving, but this is nice too!” GIFT (DISLIKED): “Oh, this is... sssssomething I’ve always wanted! Of course! I’ll make sure to, uh, keep it nice and safe.” GIFT (LIKED): “You gotta be kiddin’ me! Not even Noel knows I wanted this! You’ve got a really good eye for this kind of stuff, (y/n)! Have I caught your attention that much? Heheh!” GIFT: (THEIR BIRTHDAY): ”So you picked up on those hints after all, hehe! I can’t believe it’s my Birthday already... Time really flies by when you’re having fun, huh? Of course, every day is fun with you, (y/n)! I’m already looking forward to next year!”

BIRTHDAY: “Thiiiiis issss youuuuuur Birthday song!~ It isn’t very long!~ ...What? H-hey, that’s not all! I got you something too! C’mon, I ain’t a cheapskate, (y/n)! You gotta tell me if you don’t like it, alright? If you don’t, I’ll return it and try again!”

BONUS SCENE! +♥: “Without people like you... I don’t know if I could’ve gotten this far. Before, every day was a struggle, but now I have something new to look forward to each morning. What I’m trying to say is... I-I’m really glad I met you, (y/n). Geez, saying stuff like that is... kinda embarrassing, huh? But that’s how you know I’m serious about this. You are too, right?” BONUS SCENE! -♥: “Oh, I get it. People like you... are really all the same, huh? You were just making fun of me the whole time, weren’t you?” BONUS SCENE! (NEUTRAL): “Have you met Noel and Tsubaki yet? We’re all peas in a pod!”

TAGGED  BY: you know everyone is just nabbing it off the dash TAGGING: you could nab it too... unless...?

[flyingblackhawk]

Dad

Avengers fic

791 words

-

“What are you doing?”

Tony gestures with his paintbrush. “Redecorating.”

Steve enters the room, and looks around. Brand new pieces of furniture are covered with plastic sheeting to protect them from the paint.

“What’s it for?” Steve asks. Tony seems to hesitate, and turns away to start rolling paint onto the wall before he answers.

“The kid. Don’t start,” Tony warns him, as he opens his mouth. “You’ve said your piece about teenagers in dangerous situations. He still needs somewhere to sleep when he comes to stay.”

“If he’s not on the team, why would he be staying?” Steve asks. His tone is innocent enough, but he clearly wants to hear something from Tony that Tony is not yet willing to say out loud.

“He’s a smart kid,” Tony shrugs. “Interested in R&D. Where better to learn, and learn from the best?”

“Right. You’re gonna… what, teach him?”

Tony nods. “Me and Banner.”

“Oh, you’re going to let Bruce in on it?”

Tony throws him a withering look. “I don’t have a monopoly on the genius kid, alright?”

“Really? Because every time I’ve seen him he’s been hanging off you like a puppy.”

Tony shrugs again. “Can’t blame him. I’m amazing.”

Steve shakes his head, and leaves Tony to the painting. It takes him the better part of the day to finish the walls and unwrap all the furniture. Then comes the fun part - setting up the tech, wiring in various systems, and decorating. Tony agonises for almost an hour over whether or not to put the framed photo of him and Peter on the mantle. Too sappy? He leaves it, convincing himself that it’ll make the kid happy and that’s the only reason.

It’s about a week before Peter gets a chance to come up to the facility. He’s on summer break, and his aunt has begrudgingly allowed him to stay for a few weeks on the strict proviso that he is not to do anything stupid, or let anyone else talk him into doing anything stupid, or encourage anyone to do anything stupid, and several other similar rules. May’s hesitation is only slightly curbed by an all-expenses paid trip to Aruba with Happy as personal security.

Peter tries not to think about any of that as he arrives at the facility. It’s breathtaking, and it’s still crazy to him that he’s been invited here. He did technically help save the world a couple of times, but still. Wow.

Tony meets him in the main foyer.

“Hey, Mr. Stark,” Peter chirps, waving as though he’s not the only one standing there with a duffel bag.

“Follow me,” he says.

Peter fills the silence on the way to wherever they’re going with chatter about his latest iteration of the web fluid, and how he’s had a few ideas for the suit, and by the time they arrive he’s forgotten they were walking with a purpose. They are standing inside a large room, furnished with a bed, a desk, and replete with all the tech Peter could want. It takes him a minute, but he turns to Tony with wide eyes.

“Is… is this my room?”

Tony nods. “Can’t have you staying in the guest rooms. The wifi’s atrocious.”

Peter, aware of Tony’s aversion to hugs, grins so wide his face starts to hurt, and drops his bag on the bed so he can race around and inspect every gadget and interface. When his hand lands on the framed photo of them, he stops, and picks it up.

“Thought you’d like that,” Tony says, his voice dismissive.

“You can actually have this back,” Peter says, passing it to him. Tony doesn’t let his face fall.

“Too homey for you?” he asks, a shade coolly.

“No, it’s just-” Peter pulls a notebook out of his bag, and rustles through it. He produces a print of the exact same photo, and rests it on the mantle. “There. So we’ve both got one.”

Tony just stares for a few moments.

“Mr. Stark?”

He blinks. “Yeah, kid?”

“I’m gonna hug you, if that’s okay.”

Tony’s instinct is to mock, and to reject, but that’s not what he wants. He looks over his shoulder to make sure Cap isn’t anywhere nearby, and then nods.

“Uh. Yeah, kid, that’s okay.”

Peter hugs him, and Tony hugs him back for a moment, and wonders what life would have been like if his dad had hugged him like this once in a while.

“Get settled, centre yourself,” he says, clearing his throat. “Dinner with the Avengers is in an hour. Try not to get too excited.”

“I’ll try my best, but maybe don’t get your hopes up,” Peter says. Tony smiles, and leaves the kid to settle in.

[paulisweeabootrash]

First Impression: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Get in your robots, audience, it's time for Paul is Weeaboo Trash!  And today, I'm finally watching a show it seems like everyone just... assumes I must've seen:

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

Episodes watched: 8

Platform: Netflix

The idea of something being a "classic" may be in decline in the anime fandom, or at least be getting very specialized, since "anime" no longer implies a narrow interest in specific sci-fi and fantasy subgenres like it used to, but certain shows still manage to pervade the pop culture indirectly.  Neon Genesis Evangelion is one such show, enduring in the modern fandom and general internet culture because of its status as one of those old sci-fi anime classics.  It has contributed memes — not just as in image macros or running jokes, but as in units of culture in the form of iconic quotes or character designs or elements of the plot — to the point that you have certainly been in some way exposed to them without any knowledge of the source material.  But despite its reputation as a must-see cultural touchstone, it has been out of print in America for years.  Used copies of the DVDs sell for absurd prices, and I don't think I knew anyone who owned it when I was a young weeb in the mid-2000s.  I'm fairly sure my family did not have cable during the one specific season it was on Adult Swim, and there's no chance I would have been up at 12:30AM on Thursdays to watch it anyway.  I am not much of a fan of media piracy and wasn't even aware of that option when it was apparently everyone else's favorite pastime to ruin their computers with sketchy torrents.  So there was never a reasonable way for me to watch it, only for me to be dimly aware that this was An Important Show I Need To See.  Until now.  Because it's on Netflix.  As if I hadn't already been awaiting it, I was aggressively reminded of it, because social media and geeky news outlets were soon blowing up with retrospectives and Very Serious Analyses — and fans of the old ADV translation were offering hot takes on how Netflix's release compares.  So let me finally check this out for myself.

We start out in the distant future of... 2015, where UN forces are defending Tokyo-3 ("Old Tokyo" is mentioned and depicted later; no mention yet of Tokyo-2 unless I somehow already forgot it) against an attacking "angel", an immensely powerful alien with barely-comprehensible powers.  Meanwhile, an officer of a UN agency called NERV, Misato Katsuragi, brings our main character, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, to an underground NERV base under Tokyo-3 on the instructions of Shinji's father Gendo, who runs a secret research project.  Shinji has been brought there to pilot an Evangelion, or Eva for short, a giant robot operated by some sort of neural interface.  In combat.  With no training.  He is, understandably, not happy about this.  After seeing how badly injured the other available pilot, Rei Ayanami, is, however, he agrees to do it — and it works far better than he or anyone else expected.  He apparently has an innately great ability to "sync" with however exactly the Eva's interface works.  But this only gets him as far as starting the thing up.  When he actually engages the angel, he has trouble just getting the Eva to walk, and he feels the pain of the Eva taking damage once attacked, a frankly horrifying feature of the interface.  We cut to him waking up in a hospital, but having surprisingly won because his Eva "went berserk", operating on its own.  A flashback later shows what happened when he lost control of the Eva: it fought the angel by itself, but also took heavy damage, and we see its visor? faceplate? sōmen? of the Eva's armor come off to reveal a fleshy-looking face and a very biological-looking eye.  At this point Shinji blacked out, which is really the only reasonable response to this situation.

Over the next several weeks (the time scale is vague, but since Rei apparently fully recovers from the injuries she had when we first saw her before the time she and Shinji are both deployed, it must be at least 3 weeks between eps. 1 and 5), more angels appear, to the surprise of civilians and UN forces alike.  The Evas continue to be excellent weapons against them (though Shinji himself is still, uh, not great at using them), but despite having now killed several angels, the Evas are considered a ridiculous boondoggle by personnel of other UN branches, and Gendo's sinister superiors seem to be losing patience with his project.  In the words of... uh... that UN navy guy in ep. 8, "Shit!  A bunch of kids are supposed to save the world?"  The alternatives are wildly ineffective conventional weapons and a remote-controlled nuclear-powered giant robot that almost had a literal Chernobyl-style meltdown, which was averted by Misato and Shinji.  Although repairs are expensive, injuries common, and pilots in short supply, Evas indeed seem to be the only effective weapon against the invading cosmic horror, the barely-comprehensible aliens that are impervious to ordinary human technology and also don't fit our concepts of life or... uh... possibly physics.  So, instead, in the words of Misato later in the same episode, "This plan may be insane, but I don't think it's impossible."

While this is going on, Shinji has been adjusting to this new life poorly and slowly.  Despite being a pilot, he is still after all a 14-year-old, so he is enrolled into the same class as Rei at a local school whose student body has dwindled as more people evacuate over the initial angel attack.  He also needs somewhere to live, so Misato arranges for him to move into her apartment.  Some of Shinji's classmates think he's incredibly lucky to live with her, and spend a good deal of their screen time drooling over her, but Shinji is highly uncomfortable around her not just because Captain Katsuragi is his commanding officer, but also because she has a tendency to not wear much clothing around the house and is, er, a bit of a drunk and a slob.  Oh, and she has an inexplicable, clawed, beer-drinking penguin.  You know, all stuff that would make a nervous, lonely, scared 14-year-old completely at home.

Neither NERV training nor school guarantee a community, though, and Shinji, isolated and confused, could sure use one right about now.  He seems quite likely traumatized from the first battle.  He keeps ending up in situations that make him wildly uncomfortable while other characters take them in stride.  He repeatedly attempts to quit NERV or at least defy orders before backing out (or... backing back in?) at the last moment.  It would frankly be bizarre that they accept him doing this, except that (1) nobody really seems to take Shinji that seriously anyway, (2) he's the boss's kid, and (3) most importantly, it seems that only a small number of pilots, all the same age as Shinji and Rei, are even capable of using Evas.  (Wife and I are starting to suspect reasons why this might be, especially given the whole cyborgs with neural interfaces thing, but... uh... let's not embarrass ourselves with public speculations about the plot of a ridiculously famous show almost as old as we are.)  He only slowly gains any support or comfort from his new classmates and colleagues.  They don't reach out to him, and he certainly doesn't reach out to them, because who is he supposed to talk to?  His roommate/commanding officer who is twice his age?  His classmates who treat him as a celebrity, not a person, once they find out he's an Eva pilot?  Even if his default state since the very first episode hadn't been basically imploding into despair with no idea how to communicate that anything's wrong, there's nobody that really makes sense for him to try to communicate it to.  Except one person: Rei.  He notices that she's also isolated at school, and especially after seeing her dark, miserable, unmaintained apartment, he attempts to be friendly towards her.  I thought this might be a hint of growth indicating that he understands she is possibly the only person more isolated than him and the only one who might be able to relate to him, but then the next time he threatens to quit NERV after that conversation, he explicitly claims she doesn't know what he's going though, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ maybe he just has bad social skills.

Sigh.

Shinji does start to make friends with Aida and Suzuhara, two of his classmates, though.  And it's interesting because they contrast against him in their reactions to the conflict outside.  Aida roleplays being in the military and finds Shinji's role as an Eva pilot glorious and enviable.  Suzuhara is initially furious at Shinji because his sister was collateral damage — she was injured when Shinji fought the angel — and his mind is changed only after Shinji rescues him (and Aida) from an angel.  Shinji, though, having been thrust into a role he doesn't even understand and about which he is ambivalent and unstable, lacks Aida's optimistic admiration of his role and a full appreciation of either Suzuhara's resentment or gratitude.  He not only rejects their praise, he calls himself a coward during (sigh) one of his attempts to quit NERV.  It occurs to me that this could be seen as indicating different perspectives about the military (ask any American vet who's sick of being "thanked for their service"), or even different perspectives about adulthood itself — I'll bet any millennial who did not achieve their dreams can recognize Aida's "wow this is amazing I can't wait to be a grownup too" roleplaying vs. Shinji's "I am doomed and isolated by the responsibility that has been thrown at me" actual experience in NERV.

Also thanks to the school scenes, we start to learn some backstory, including the famous "Second Impact".  A catastrophic asteroid impact in 2000 melted Antarctica's glaciers, which led to unprecedentedly rapid sea level rise, leading to mass extinction, including that of half of humanity through not only direct climate change impacts like displaced populations and crop failures but also conflict stemming from it.  Or so the official story goes.  It is later revealed that the Second Impact actually involved somehow the previous arrival of angels on Earth, although this has yet to be explained in detail.  (Actually, I accidentally saw spoilers about more detail about this while revising this review, because I went to sanity-check myself about some other detail on one of the fan wikis, so I know part of where this is going, but only part.)

Over the first eight episodes, which must be several weeks at least after the start of the show given that Rei has recovered from her initial injuries (although the time scale is very vague), Shinji fights four angels total and gradually improves, but the biggest improvement comes not from him being an individual hero but from finally working well with others.  For example, the octahedral angel that drills into NERV's base has incredible abilities to detect and counter incoming attacks.  It kicks Shinji's ass on the first attempt, because duh.  But Misato devises a plan to test its abilities and concentrate the power of... uh... Japan's entire electrical grid(?!) at it from a safe distance, and the plan succeeds only because of Rei giving Shinji cover.  An angel attacks a UN ship convoy transporting the third pilot, Asuka Langley Soryu, and her Eva, and she and Shinji fight the angel together in a ludicrous fight that involves both cramming in to pilot the same Eva together (which, interestingly, requires them to give it the same, or maybe just compatible, instructions together in the same language for it to work... yay neural interfaces).  So maybe/hopefully the direction this is going is "the chosen one is a stupid idea and even talented people need both training and cooperation to not suck at things"?

Episode 8 leaves off with Asuka joining Shinji and Rei's school class, and with the dramatic and creepy reveal of an embryo encased in bakelite which is described by Gendo as "Adam, the first human"...  Well.  That comes off as the kind of thing that would drive the future plot, and hopefully all the Biblical imagery will finally start to converge into something coherent instead of just sort of serving to draw extra attention to the fact that the humans refer to the aliens as "angels".  I've been wondering about that since the beginning.  There's the title, of course, but also the sefirot in the opening and on Gendo's office ceiling, the first angel's attacks using what appears to be a directed energy weapon which invariably forms glowing crosses, and the fact that most of the angels themselves are wildly non-humanoid (a choice which echoes the rather... eldritch... classical depictions of angels — see also the seraph in the opening).  NERV's motto is even explicitly, well, monotheistic at least, if not sectarian: "God's in his heaven.  All's right with the world!", which is counterintuitive at best with the idea of calling the alien invaders "angels".

Well.  I'll find out, and I plan to write a followup like I did with Re:ZERO, going into the broad swaths of the rest of the plot and my overall impressions of how they handled things.  Especially given that this show has a famously-controversial ending.  I jumped into this determined to watch the whole series, so I'm not backing out.

I'll just threaten to quit repeatedly then almost immediately come back.

-----

W/A/S: 4 / 3 / I feel kinda bad about this but 4?

Weeb: I mean, anything with giant robots fighting giant monsters deserves a few points just for that, right?  I don't think this requires much by way of Japanese cultural references or assumptions to watch, though.

Ass: Nudity so far has been brief, partial, censored by convenient angles and object placement, and not remotely sexy.  Thanks to another contextless spoiler I happen to have picked up, I expect an infamous later scene that is clearly supposed to be sad and disturbing in context, which is, again, not the kind of thing this scale was originally designed to describe.

Shit (writing): Even though I tend to overall like their plots, I always sort of sigh and eyeroll at the "let's put children/teens in combat and/or experiment on and/or just plain torture them to force them to become powerful" storyline formula that’s been semi-popular for the last few decades, and Evangelion is definitely in that category.  Friends have said the story is confusing or poorly-paced, and I kind of agree but also think some of the confusion is warranted by the choice to enter the story in media res in order to reveal what's going on to the audience at about the same time it's revealed to Shinji.  As for the tendency to have some long shots where literally nothing happens, that does get annoying, and I suspect its primary motivation was to save money, but I think it also usually emphasizes how lonely the whole situation is, at least before Shinji starts to warm up to Misato and Rei to Shinji in the last couple of episodes I've watched so far (which have, appropriately, had much more action and interaction).  Mainly, my writing complaints are actually about translation, because there are some noticeable and consequential differences between translations for the sub and dub.  Yeah, yeah, I've heard of the love vs. like thing everyone on the internet is already upset about, but I haven't gotten to that episode yet.  I'm talking about things like Misato saying "it will work!" in the sub vs. just "okay!" in the dub when Shinji is first able to control his Eva, a choice which suggests very different things about both her level of knowledge of the project and why Shinji has been called on for it at all.  The new dub also feels... uh... too at home as a dub of a '90s anime, as it prioritizes matching lip flaps over flowing like believable speech.  Having not seen the old dub, of course, I can't make any kind of judgement about whether this is a step up, down, or sideways from how ADV did it.  And the sub has many on-screen captions in Japanese are left untranslated — not things like signs in the background, but actual captions the audience is meant to get information from.

Shit (other): Maybe we're spoiled in this age of computer-aided art, but i's surprising to see a show with such limited animation — speech conveyed only with lip flaps, obviously reused shots within the same episode, foreground objects gracelessly sliding against a background to indicate movement — and so I'm willing to give the show a pass on most of that, especially since the characters are distinctive and the setting and aliens and robots so interesting.  Much of the limited animation actually serves to show the vast scale of NERV's facilities and the Evas vs. the humans and/or to emphasize loneliness like the pacing.  But there really are some painful mistakes from time to time in the art: objects and faces that look utterly wrong, like the artists just did not successfully figure out how to draw that particular character or vehicle from that particular angle.  The legendary opening theme is certainly catchy — it’s been stuck in my head almost continuously for the past week — but I just don’t think I enjoy it as much as other people do.  Some of the immediate complaints that were apparently worthy of news media attention were about the replacement of Fly Me to the Moon with a piece from the show's soundtrack as the ending theme.  I understand why people would be upset by that kind of change, but I am willing to take the controversial stand that it's not a bad change.  The piece they chose as a replacement is haunting and tense, which fits in with the mood of most of the episodes so far, while Fly Me to the Moon feels to me like an inappropriate mood change from that.

Content: Actually among the least graphic of the various shows I've covered involving violent or horrifying elements.

-----

Stray observations:

- God it was weird to write this by constantly abbreviating “Evangelion” as “Eva”, considering that Wife's name is Eva.

- A lot of people seem to hate Shinji as a character, but I find him understandable in a way that probably implies uncomfortable things about my own sanity.  I just... I understand that sheer degree of doom and misery and indecision and inability to articulate any of those.  Man.  Ugh.

- I don't know if you've ever seen an undisguised angel, but trust me: they're horrifying.  (link NSFW)

[sheithfanficrecs]

Wild Card Monday (5/?): AUs

We LOVE AU’s so we’ll be doing this theme for recs again in the future. and without further ado: 

Mod Kosmo’s Recs:

earth to kuiper 2329, calling, rated T, 3.6K by redluxite (wordstruck) (@okwtr) 

Shiro looks at the log. The communication is definitely from Earth, and the system has traced it to somewhere in the United States. Another moment and it narrows the location to California.

That gets a raise of eyebrows. Shiro looks back to the communications interface. “This is Kuiper 2329, active manned space station.” And because he has manners, even on his own in space, he adds, “may I know who’s speaking?”

“Holy shit.” The disbelief and awe in the guy’s voice is clear, and it makes Shiro bite down on a smile. “I am -- wow, I didn’t actually expect -- I mean, uh. Hi. This is, uh. This is Keith, from -- from Marmora Tech, and I’m not… a space station.”

In which Shiro is an astronaut manning the Kuiper 2329 Station, who receives an out-of-the-blue transmission from a student named Keith.

Mod commentary: I am a sucker for meet-cutes, and even moreso for space, and this fic is a perfect combination of the two! The fact that they meet because Keith did something stupid in college is something that I can relate to, and if you want a pick-me-up and a smile, I would definitely recommend this!

Quincy Archer Hates You, rated T, 20K by artsy_alice (@artsy-alice)

“I’m like catnip for spirit-eating monsters, they’re going after my friends, I get my soul knocked off my body at least five times a day, my class thinks I’m a freak, Lance McClain of all people is all up on my case-... and my worst problem is that I have a fake boyfriend.”

Shiro listened, as he always did, and he laughed when Keith eventually said, “Fucking high school.”

---

Or, the (author's) long-awaited continuation of the Bleach AU feat. Shinigami Shiro and Substitute Shinigami Keith.

Mod commentary: I know that this could be cheating since I’ve already recced the first fic in this series, but the sequel is a story that never ever fails to bring a smile to my face. The character relationships are an absolute stand-out, and even if you’ve never seen Bleach before, you will end up loving the world as much as I do once you have finished reading it.

Note by Note, rated T, 2.7K by midnightflame (@bymidnightflame)

Keith reflects on the routine of his life with Shiro, only to find that life comes with a variety of surprises

Mod commentary: Another fic that is part of a series, I decided to rec this because of all the sheer atmosphere of this fic. You really do get a sense of Shiro and Keith’s life together here, from the morning routines and the way they just fit together. 

Mod Krolia’s Recs:

no one else has ever fit the equation quite like you, rated t, 39.2k by janie_tangerine ( @janiedean​) 

in which college maths professor Shiro takes a break from teaching after an accident that almost lost him an arm, but in order to keep himself occupied accepts to supervise the maths class for the local community college. He doesn’t expect to find in between his new students Keith, one of the uni’s janitors (incidentally, the one he might have been crushing on for a while, to his TA’s amusement). Then it turns out the guy isn’t just good at maths - he’s actually beyond gifted. Shiro might be over in his head here.

(Or: the sort-of-Will-Hunting-inspired AU you probably didn’t know you wanted.)

Mod Commentary: this is definitely an au I didn’t know I needed but god do I love this fic. it works so well as a good will hunting au while also staying true to shiro and keith’s dynamic. also featuring ADORABLE background hance, which is another favorite ship for me. also you can tell the author really did their research, but it’s so seamlessly integrated into the fic and story. just...so fucking good. 

control; see (me), rated t, 10.8k, by arcadenemesis ( @copilotsheith​)

“I just can't believe you found me,” he whispers.

It's nothing short of a miracle to Shiro too. When Keith had first changed course unexpectedly, he had been concerned. They were already battling against time to get back to Earth. The last thing he could have ever expected was a gut-wrenching sense of deja vu as Black tenderly collected up a tiny, dying Altean ship, floating in the vacuum of space.

Not all the clones perish. A sole survivor threatens to tip the balance of Voltron.

Mod Commentary: I'm sure Keith would agree with me, but...what could be better than more Shiro???? in all seriousness, I love this concept and this fic. both shiro and ryou feel like their own characters, and true to where shiro was at those points in his life. also...the pining...is so delicious. a+ content. 

you snap the whip, rated t, WIP that’s currently 14k by tootsonnewts ( @tootsonnewts)

The Lions. As in, the Altean Lions. As in, the Galaxy Garrison’s number one rival. Yeah, their rivalry is sort of legendary in the local roller derby circuits, but nothing’s happened lately to make it flare up. Hell, their teams haven’t even seen each other yet. What about the Lions is so different now?

or, keith is a jammer for the Galaxy Garrison roller derby team. When their top rival recruits a new blocker, his world gets flip-turned upside down.

Mod Commentary: i...am so weak for incredibly specific au’s (see...the good will hunting au I just recced) and this one is a blast to read from start to finish. sharp dialogue, great characterization and team dynamics, keith and pidge friendship...incredible. this made me want to go out and join a roller derby team and I am the opposite of coordinated. check it out!

[cutie1365]

A Kid From Queens Part 4

Pairing: Peter Parker x Stark!Reader

Info: CA: Civil War Era. Tony Stark enlists his daughter to find the web slinging spider in Queens.

Word count: 1781

Warnings: I don’t think there are any. Let me know if I need to add something.

A/N: Oof it’s been a while I know... but here we are! Hope you liked it! Comments mean so much to me so please let me know what you think! I’ve got another part coming soon also! This chapter is kinda filler I know but I promise some angst coming soon!

Part 3 | Series Masterlist | Masterlist 

“Come on Pete, hop in,” You said, exiting your garage and sliding into an Audi convertible. He cautiously opened the door and sat beside you as you revved it up.  

“Do you want AUX?” You asked, slipping on some expensive sunglasses and setting up the navigation on the touch screen in front of you.

“W-what?” Peter asked, he either misheard you or was so nervous he didn’t realize you had started talking, much less that you were addressing him.

“Do you want to play music?” You asked again with a laugh.

“Oh, yeah sure, uh. What do you like?” He asked, pulling out his phone. When the bluetooth signal came up on your display you tapped the icon that said ‘Peter Parker’s iPhone’ and waited for the device to pair.

“I’m not picky.” You informed him.

“Ok, I kinda have an obscure music taste.” He said nervously, clearly wanting to please you and not embarrass himself in the process.

“I kinda get an 80s indie vibe from you.” You teased with a smile.

“Ha I don’t- I don’t know about that.” He let out a nervous laugh.

“Hm, well I’m sure you don’t want to listen to dad’s AC DC he’s got programed in every car so go for it.” You reassured him as you backed out of the car and onto the road.

“Wait... I love this song!” You smiled to him as soon as you recognized it.

“Really?” Peter asked surprised but excited, he clearly was a fan of this song too, he chose it after all.

“Yeah! I remember the first time I heard it. It was summer so I was in the city and not off at school, and I was in one of those rowboats in Central Park with my friend Tom. God that seemed so long ago.” You smiled at the memory. Peter stared at you as you spoke, half in aw, half curious as to who this ‘Tom’ fellow was.

“I’ve never been there.” He admitted.

“To Central Park or the boathouse?” You asked.

“The boathouse, but I’ve never really spent that much time in the park either.” He spoke casually. You noticed he didn’t stutter or waver his voice nervously as he normally did. He must have been getting more and more comfortable around you, at least enough to be himself.

“What? How?” You teased.

“I don’t know. I guess I always kinda just stayed in Queens. I haven’t really explored Manhattan.” He said.

“Oh my god! Peter Parker I’m taking you, that’s decided. I’ll give you a grand upper east side tour, Central Park and all. I need to scout the area for an apartment anyway.” You spoke freely, too freely it seemed.

“What why?” He asked immediately as the words left your mouth.

“Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. I know you won’t tell anyone, but we’re selling the tower in a few months and moving full time upstate. So I’ll get an apartment near 5th.” You began to explain as the last song ended. “Ok ok, I see your Wham! and I raise you: Toto. F.R.I.D.A.Y? You know what to do.”

“Playing Africa by Toto, Ms. Stark.” F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s robotic accent spoke from the speakers of the car. Peter laughed as the iconic song began to blare, fully aware of it’s meme-like status.

“I swear I was going to play that next.” He laughed before returning to your prior subject, “Wait why aren’t you moving upstate?”

“Well I’m not an avenger am I?” You teased.

“I’ll be back and forth though. I’ll run our philanthropy from here and meet with investors and shareholders, then I’ll work in the lab when I’m up there. I just can’t let go of the city that easily.” You answered truthfully.

“Yeah, I get that. I can’t picture being anywhere else.” He agreed.

“Well what about college?” You asked.

“What about it?” He returned.

“Peter, you’re brilliant. Don’t you want to go to Harvard or MIT or something?” You offered, shifting the car into autopilot and turning to face him.

“I don’t know, I mean, I don’t know if I could get in.” He answered truthfully.

“We’ve got pull at MIT. Dad and I both graduated from there, if you don’t get in, which you would, one phone call from me and you’d be set.” You attempted to calm his fears.

“Wait... you’re like 19 how have you already graduated?” He asked, taken aback.

“Oh, uh, well I take after dad I guess. I graduated with my PhD from MIT, then got another from Columbia last year. And I’m 18 by the way. But that’s boring, you could read about it in any magazine, tell me about you.” You asked, attempting to be humble.

“Um well, I don’t know, no ones ever really asked me that before.” He said, looking down to his hands.

“Really? Ok well friends?” You asked him, steering him along.

“Ned. He’s my best friend, and kinda my only friend. That sounds lame hearing it out loud.” He said, getting nervous again, you would have to reassure him.

“Not really considering my best friend growing up was J.A.R.V.I.S., so you’re in good company.” You laughed.

“Jarvis?” Peter asked confused.

“He was my dad’s AI, now he’s part of Vision’s interface. F.R.I.D.A.Y.s kinda taken over his mantle. Ok so Ned, tell me about him.” You smiled, wanting to know more about Peter’s life.

“Uh he really likes Star Wars, like really likes Star Wars.” He laughed.

“I’ve never seen it.” You said.

“What? How?” He asked, taken aback.

“Wait, well, I guess technically I’ve seen The Last Jedi because I went to the premiere with John Boyega. But I haven’t seen any of the other stuff so it didn’t make much sense to me. So what does Spidey do when he’s not being Spidey?” You asked, changing the subject.

“John Boyega? That’s so cool. He’s so cool!” Peter said, excitedly.

“Yeah he is, he’s a friend. Next time he’s in town I’ll let you know.” You laughed, “But you’re avoiding my question Spidey.”

“I don’t know. I like taking things apart I guess, putting them back together. Old DVD players, TVs, computers, whatever I can find out on the streets.” He answered, ignoring the way his stomach did flips every time you called him Spidey.

“So what I’m hearing is that I’ll have to give you a tour of the lab some time. I have free reign when dad’s out working.” You offered.

“That would be amazing. Wow so you’re like just like Mr. Stark then, building things and stuff.” Peter said.

“I’m just a girl with a couple of tools, sometimes I make something that works.” You smiled, once again being humble. You turned to your right peering out as you crossed over the Queensboro bridge onto Queens Boulevard, “Ah the place where it all began.”

“I still can’t believe you jumped off a bridge just to put a tracker on me.” Peter shook his head.

“Hey a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. Let me have my avengers moment, it’s the closest I’ll ever get.” You sighed, placing your hands back on the wheel, turning off autopilot as you got into more and more traffic.

“You don’t have your own Iron Man suit? An Iron Woman suit?” He asked, half teasing, half serious.

“Ha! You think my father would ever let that happen? He barely lets me date, I don’t think I could convince him to let me fight crime or aliens or whatever. I’m more of a behind the scenes gal anyway, I’m more useful behind a computer than in the field. I don’t know if New York needs anymore heros.” You spoke.

“What do you mean?” He asked you.

“Well you know, Queens has you, Hells Kitchen has the Daredevil, Harlem has Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, there’s enough enhanced beings out there, I don’t think a rich unenhanced kid with a few college degrees would be much help.” You said.

“I think you don’t give yourself enough credit.” Peter said.

“I think I give myself just the right amount of credit. I know my limits. Well it looks like we’ve made it to your place Spidey.” You spoke, pulling up in front of his apartment building.

“May would kill me if I didn’t invite you up for dinner.” Peter said confidently, looking at his watch.

“That sounds really great Pete but is there any way I could get a raincheck? It’s just that I’ve slept about 2 hours in the last few days and I just want to get back to the compound take a shower, take a nap, and be there for Rhodey when he wakes up.” You smiled, even though dinner with the Parkers sounded quaint and somehow homey.

“Yeah, yeah of course, I didn’t even think about that, sorry.” He said, running his fingers through his loose curls.

“No it’s ok, its ok. But thanks for the offer, and thanks for being a great road trip buddie. These last few weeks have been kinda rough for me, so it was really nice to just let loose and have some fun.” You smiled, even though you were exhausted.

“Yeah it was actually really fun.” Peter laughed, thinking back on the last two hours.

“Have a nice night Pete, good luck explaining that shiner to your Aunt May.” You smiled and unlocked the car door.

“Well that part I’m used to.” He laughed, now standing in the doorway, about to close the door.

“Uh Pete? Forgetting something?” You spoke before he closed the door completely.

“Uh,” He looks around nervously, were you expecting a hug goodbye or something? He didn’t know so he began to move towards you and you laughed.

“The case silly, but I’ll take a hug if you’re offering.” You spoke, Peter laughed and quickly hugged you before realizing what you said.

“Wait? I get to keep the suit?” He asked slowly, in disbelief.

“Yeah it’s a little big on me. I made this for you Pete, it’s designed especially for you and your powers of course you get to keep it. Friends don’t let friends swing around Queens in sweats. Now get out of here before May gets even more worried.” You smiled.

“Oh my god, thank you, thank you!” He quickly hugs you again without even thinking about it, “Oh sorry I’ll just, yeah, bye Y/N.”

He jumped out of the car holding the silver case, a goofy grin on his face as you waved and pulled away.

Part 5

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PETER PARKER

@fandomnerdxox @peters-vlogs @star-incandescent @nerdyphantomlady @ex-bookjunky @weasleyswizardwheezs @superwholockruinedme @thepoet1975 @scarletpines @thedumbestravenclaw @dekahg @everthenerd @cutiepiepotatoes @theridiculouspanda @fandom-imagines-boi @aesthetic-heros @slightlyinvisiblenarwhal @alyssaj23 @tohollandback @queenylime @evanhansenisahufflepuff @slowdownsaturn @fandemonium912 @zpidey-sense @spiderling-spiderboy @death-vally @manymilesafar @smol-flower-kiddo @thegalaxybabyz @lifeisabitchandsoareyou @girlwith-the-cinder-block-garden @batgurl32467 @captainfbffangirl99 @spiderling-spiderboy @wynona-r0bin @beeboatthedxsco @burningarbiterheart @vaultingphilosophy @gotham-s-lover @holistic-fangirl @hista-girl @i-love-the-tardis @buckybarnesslut @onceuponateenpanwolfian @hardcorefanfictionwriter @fernwinchester326 @icanthandleallthesebooks @captainsherlockwinchester110283 @curlycutiekinz @captain-sherlockomg @foureyedsiopao @rashinyx2002 @randommostlypotter @emilypkuzu @5-seconds-of-sarcasmm @captain-blossom @edenhollandd @centerhabit @siredtofroy @shipping-the-unsinkable-ship @kpkarlee @umlvk @fandomlover03 @silver424 @dontstoptime @newyorkrebel @louloudeug99 @agentmalfoy24601 @trilbygirl212 @cornacopicimagines @missmotherhen @poetic-female @sarai-ibn-la-ahad @purplekitten30 @randomcryingoverfandoms @dxloverpunk @iceiceesdeath @peter-underroos @xxcjbirchxx @sir-helen-keller @rosecharlotteweasley @graphiccartographer @russian-potatoes  @sugacraving @julimelodi @kathpride18 @retaw2116 @ran-randomness @verypolicecollector-843ec253 @monstrous-things-x @xbrandix17 @aerite @hillywooddestiel @dreams-in-different-colours @blogsporadicartist @clevertheoristpainter @jnecrobutcher @steverogersownsmyass @xx-aesthetically-em-xx @amagicalpieceofshit @the-olive-alexis-stuff @ginathe2nd @ruefulposts

[zhara-liara-yui]

Dating Game

Dating Game: Y’zhara Zekial

ROUTE START:  “Oh hello there! Are you new to town? I don’t think I’ve seen you before, if I did think I think I would’ve remembered. I’m Zhara! Well... I hate to do this but I really should get going. It was nice talking to you, I hope we meet again.”

ROUTE SWITCH: “Hm... well it’s okay, I understand. If you’re ever back in this area of town though give me a call! Maybe we could have a jam session or just get coffee.. anyways, best of luck!” 

MENU INTERFACE, POKE A: “Gaah! Oh hey, it’s just you.” 

MENU INTERFACE, POKE B: “Haha that tickled a bit! Hey there.” 

MENU INTERFACE, POKE (REPEATEDLY): “... Are you okay? You have my attention you know.” 

MENU INTERFACE, POKE MAX ♥:  “Aaahahaha! Okay, okay you can stop now. That really tickles a lot.” 

COMPLETED SCENE, +♥: “Thank you for doing this with me, I had so much fun! I don’t know there’s just... something about you that makes me feel inspired. I think you’re just the muse I need to keep me going. I can’t wait to have more adventures with you! I hope to see you soon.” 

COMPLETED SCENE, -♥:  “Hm... well tonight has been interesting. Maybe this was just a bad night, we’ll have to try again another time. Either way I’ll see you later, have a good one.” 

GIFT (NEUTRAL): “Thank you! I appreciate the effort you put into this.” 

GIFT (DISLIKED): “.. Uh... wow.. thank you. I suppose I could give this to my carbuncles, maybe they’ll eat it.” 

GIFT (LIKED): *gaaaaassp* “Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’re like a mind reader I swear, how did you know I wanted this? You’re too kind, thank you so much. I love it!” 

GIFT: (THEIR BIRTHDAY): “... You remembered? Thank you for the birthday present! I’ll be sure to give you something nice for your birthday as well, look forward to it!” 

BIRTHDAY:  “Hey so.. it took me awhile to figure out what to get you but I think I finally found the perfect gift. What do you think? I hope you like it.” 

Tagged by: @yvainethorneathidrial

Tagging: @kisskissrommie, @x-inay, @the-dancing-sage, @kikilukilu, @savothesewercat, @garleanscum, @fheylahaken and anyone else who would like to do this!