#writing a five plus one

[ctommyisnt]

Me when kamideku.

[raynewolferune]

DC x DP Prompt: Bruce is bad at emoting but at least ghosts are empathic (too bad bat kids are not)

Was reading Twincognito on AO3 when I stumbled across this gem again:

~

" “Danny, Tim. I was just…checking in. Is everything alright?” Curse his inability to make meaningful conversation when it wasn’t a life or death situation.

They glanced at each other and shrugged.

Then Danny hauled himself out of the bed and walked over to Bruce.

Bruce tried not to let too much excitement show on his face. "

~

Now I really want to read a story where Bruce adopts Danny post Meta trafficking and is being his usual emotionally constipated self. His kids keep getting mad at him because he's treating their new meta brother who was trafficked poorly (generally being stilted in conversation with him, walking away hurriedly mid-conversation, avoiding Danny when he's feeling really awkward, etc). They think Bruce is discriminating against Danny for being a civilian, meta, dealer's pick, but really it's just Bruce being horribly socially awkward. Danny knows this because of ghost empathy and find the whole thing hilarious. The whole thing comes to a head with the Bat Kids staging an intervention in the Bat Cave.

[mediumgayitalian]

i miss back in the day where i could be 3.4k words into a fic by midnight and go eh, fuck it and keep writing til dawn. but NOOOOOOO, i have RESPONSIBILITIES and an UNPAID JOB now. i gotta fckn sleep. like a GOOBER. ugh.

[originalcrime]

5 times Buck and Tommy tried to subtly hint to Eddie that they want him to be their third and 1 time they had to just sit him the fuck down and tell him because he is the most oblivious man alive

[roseamongroses]

hold the nose

shuri/riri | 5k

Tags: Established Relationship, hurt/ comfort, Protective Shuri (Marvel) Long-Distance Relationship, Sexual Themes, Fade to Black, shuri's laugh cures all ailments tyvm, monster fucking erotica/erotica mentions, Five Plus One, Halloween, Grief, family death mentions Self-Blame, no beta we die like ironman

Summary:

Five times Shuri helped Riri feel less shitty.

-

+ 1 time Riri did the same

ao3

1.

Riri balked as Shuri’s eyes crinkled with poorly disguised humor.

“You promised not to laugh,” she complained, attempting to pull away, but she couldn’t get far. Their legs were entangled, a deceptively strong arm around her waist, keeping her snugly on top of Shuri. Riri braced herself on her forearms, trying to achieve some semblance of distance.

“I’m not-I’m not laughing,” Shuri insisted, lip quivering as she avoided their gaze, “It's just-”

“It's what?” Riri glowered as Shuri pinched her cheeks, looking terribly fond.

“You’re cute when you get all worked up,” Shuri shared, smile stretching wide--those damned dimples stealing the show. “I’ve always admired your passion.”

Thats-

Riri jerked her head away, “Stop that,” she grumbled, “You can’t talk your way out of this.”

First she bullies her into talking about her shitty day, then she laughs?

Riri has blocked her for less.

Shuri schooled their face, donning a serious expression, thumb pressing into the hollow of her cheek, “I’m very, very sorry,” she said, her soft voice crumbling Riri’s resolve easily.

Maybe she could talk her way out of this.

“...Sorry for what?”

“For laughing at you-” Shuri snorted, eyes shutting as she tried again, “For laughing at your unique and difficult situation,” her shoulders were shaking at this point as she rapidly lost her composure again.

“Shuri—!”

Shuri’s head fell back, no longer able to hold back a wheezing laugh.

“Ugh, you suck—“ Riri said. Although at this point she was fighting back a grin of her own. Shuri’s laugh was equally as infectious as it was infuriating.

And now that Riri thought about it… it was a little funny.

-

2.

Riri wasn’t sure how it started.

Maybe it was the long work hours, maybe it was the distance between them, but Shuri picked up the oddest hobbies.

Riri suspected the habit started long before the two started dating. Shuri didn’t hide the fact that they didn’t have a lot of close friends their age growing up.

The older Shuri got, the more responsibilities she took on--so most of the time her attention revolved around her lab. Most of the time.

Three months ago, while the lab was undergoing mandatory deep cleaning, Shuri decided to reconstruct early, 19th-century looms entirely of edible materials. Last month when they were getting fitted at the tailors, she drafted up plans on how to replicate the tiny people from Adventure Time on a napkin. If it wasn’t for the Wakandan Council, she’d be producing a 6-Act play with them at this point.

Riri had hoped they'd decide to watch Star Trek this month, but Shuri went in an entirely different direction.

Shuri claimed it stemmed from her ongoing interest in linguistics, communication, and literary practices. Which is bullshit. She lost a bet to one of her online friends and now was unironically hooked on reading the weirdest assortment of erotica known to man.

It was funny in the beginning, especially since Shuri started reading and recording excerpts and sending it over. Riri had no clue what was happening most of the time, but she liked hearing Shuri’s voice when they couldn’t call. She was also glad that this hobby didn’t create the second-coming of Ultron.

It became a problem when-

“-swept across your lower lip, softly parting your lips as she forced your chin up. In the flickering candle light, you shivered at the sight of The Princess, glowing and lovely. The silk of her robe slowly fell open as she leaned in closer. Soft lilac, a curling scent that filled those scant inches between you two. She was close enough that you could see the beads of water dipping between the valley of her chest, and feel the, heat emanating from her skin, fresh out the bath—“

Shuri had discovered that people wrote erotica about herself. But she wasn’t weirded out by it--no she was genuinely interested in it.

It was one thing to listen to stories about sentient, paper-clip schlongs and were-wolf orgies. It’s an entirely different matter to listen to her very attractive girlfriend read outloud, in remarkable detail, how attractive she is and all the filthy scenarios apparently everyone with internet access wanted to do to her.

“—you moaned, not caring who might hear at this point. A coiling heat ravaged your body, your mind. Your thighs trembled as her fingers curled inside you, dragging and cruel. You wondered how she looked at you in that moment, a disgusting cheater still crawling back home begging for more--”

Riri was losing it.

She had never been this horny in her life and Shuri wasn’t even there. It didn’t matter what she was reading at this point, her voice alone was more than enough, but it wasn't enough because Shuri wasn’t taking it seriously-

“--breath tickling the back of her neck, scalp stinging as she-”

Riri covered her mouth, stopping whatever sound was about to come out. She was uncomfortably warm as she pressed her thighs together—homework, thoroughly forgotten at this point.

After taking a few breaths to gain her bearings, she blurted out, “I hate you-”

Shuri stopped mid-paragraph, “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“How…” Riri made an attempt to phrase it carefully, setting aside her textbook as she picked up the phone to bring it closer, “Would you feel if I read porn about myself while you’re in a meeting or trying to get work done?”

“...Do the stories bother you now?”

“I don’t mind them,” Riri clarified, knowing she had more than a few of them bookmarked, “But we haven’t seen each other in awhile and the messages are leaving me a bit…frustrated.”

“Frustrated?” Shuri echoed, surprise flitting in her tone, “Sexually?”

Which, fair enough. They both had interesting relationships with sex, so it was never an issue before in their long-distance relationship.

Shuri’s sex-drive was lower and her interest in it was usually attached to her interest in Riri. Meanwhile Riri’s attention was often scattered, her sex-drive as well. She could barely focus long enough to eat, much less masturbate, without getting distracted.

So when they were together, they were together. When they weren’t, it was far too easy to forget about sex with their busy schedules. But with all the audio messages-- it kind of made her hyper-aware of Shuri in a way she hadn’t before when they were separated.

Riri tried to explain as much, “I’m not into everything you read, but I’m into you,” she said, picking the end of her braid, “I know it’s just a joke for you, but it’s kind of a constant reminder that I can’t even try a lot of those things with you…”

Sad and horny was a terrible combination for her grades.

Shuri considered this for a moment, before she asked, “Can you FaceTime right now?”

Riri agreed, although upon seeing Shuri, she immediately regretted it.

Shuri was laying down, arm tucked beneath her pillows. The camera was close, but not close enough to hide that she was shirtless. Ink crawling up the sides of her arm and chest, plastic sheen shining.

Unbearably pretty.

Catching her staring, Shuri’s pretty mouth twitched, before she said, “Do I make you horny baby—”

“I’m hanging up—”

Riri wasn’t sure what was worse, the accent she put on, or the fact that she still found them hot.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Shuri had the decency to attempt to look apologetic. Riri waited, eyebrow arching as her thumb hovered over the big red button, “Ri, you would’ve done it too.”

“But I didn’t. You did,” Riri muttered.

“Hear me out—“

“—Or I could hang up on you, possibly block you. Even break up with you,”

“You won’t,” Shuri said with the confidence of someone who regularly hears these threats, “You like me too much, can’t get enough of me.”

Riri rolled her eyes, letting out a long suffering sigh.

Taking that as unconditional love and support for her every action, Shuri continued, “It’ll be awhile before I can visit again, but there are solutions to our problem,”

“Uh-huh,”

“I can stop sending the messages all-together, I can go back to reading about creatures of questionable proportions—“

“Weird way to describe monster coc-“

“Or we can try something new,” Shuri suggested, adjusting her pillow underneath as she turned on her side, fighting back a yawn, “Do you still have class today?”

“No—it was canceled,” Riri answered, eyeing her curiously.

“So you can get off now, right?”

“Yeah,” Riri said with a frown, “But you know how well that works for me.”

Which was shit. She was better off trying to do her homework until she calms down again.

“Keep me on the phone this time,” Shuri explained, patiently, “If the stories help you stay in the mood I can keep reading or I could just talk you through it,”

That—-could work actually. She certainly thought about using the audio messages like that before, but felt weird about it cause it was Shuri’s hobby. Was it a hobby that involved sentient cars fucking, yes. But that didn’t mean it was sexual for Shuri. Sometimes Shuri’s interest in sex had no connection to her own desires, so Riri didn’t want to co-opt it.

Seeing her interest, Shuri added, “But, I want to see it all. No hiding your face,”

“I never hide my face—“

“You always try to hide your face,”

Ugh.

“…Can I at least keep my shirt on, it’s cold,” Riri grumbled, knowing it was a losing argument, “Or is that not allowed either, your highness?”

Shuri’s lips twitched at that, looking her over, “I’ll allow it,” she surprisingly said.

Riri was propping the camera up—belatedly she realized her web-camera would’ve been better, but she had no clue where that was right now—trying to find the right angle when she caught sight of what she was wearing.

It was Shuri’s shirt.

No wonder she looked so pleased.

Riri steeled her nerves, pushing back her immediate urge to take it off out of spite because it was in fact cold.

Then another thought occurred to her, “Did I even charge it—?” She asked out loud with a frown, sliding on her ear-buds.

“Probably not,” Shuri said--Riri decided to delay taking offense to that, “But I left something by your bed last time I was there, you can try it now,” she vaguely offered, a strange look in her eye, “I forgot I bought it because of that shark-man thing.”

Riri took a cursory glance over the edge of the bed, not immediately seeing the bag in question.

She crawled to the edge, reaching under the bed, searching, “Don’t even talk about that clown, he was so fuckin’ annoying“ she complained, feeling a bag and managing to grab it without falling, “What kind of a so-called ‘shark’ breathes air anyways? Lame-ass, bottled-nose dolphin lookin’—“ she unzipped the bag, falling silent, before asking incredulously, “…This was here the whole time?”

“I was buying you an extra charger since you kept losing yours and bought this while I was there. I already washed it but—” Shuri hurridly explained. At Riri's continued silence, she then asked, ,”Is it too much?”

Riri’s hands slid alongside it, thinking it over. Thinking about Shuri’s voice, a low, playful murmur in her ear—Shuri’s eyes dragging over her as she— “I never said that,” she said, with new-found determination, reaching for her side-table, “Keep talking.”

-

3.

Riri wasn’t a jealous person.

Shuri was a jealous person, even if she hid it relatively well. It was one of the more surprising discoveries when they started dating. It certainly started more than one argument because Shuri refused to admit when something bothered her, but they always got past it.

In comparison, Riri was chill about most things. She understood that her girlfriend was a public-figure, so she knew she’d get a lot of attention and be around people who didn’t always care that she was in a relationship.

But this? This was pissing her off.

Riri’s winter coat was falling apart at this point, so the two had gone out shopping to find a new one.

Somehow, this turned into an all-day event since Shuri wanted her to attend an event as her plus-one.So then they started looking for formal attire to match their regalia.

Then Riri remembered she needed to find new work-boots. Then Shuri wanted to find a gift for another dignitary, and so on.

Shuri was having a grand old time dressing her up and finding the little boutiques to look in, so Riri didn’t mind going along with it.

The problem started when they walked into some bougie boutique Shuri wanted to check out. The owner had been trying to sink her teeth into her girlfriend the minute they walked in and wasn’t even trying to hide it.

She’d been making passive aggressive jabs at Riri every time Shuri stepped away —about her hair, her clothes, her nails. Something about looking the part of being a kept woman, whatever the fuck that means.

Riri was trying to keep it together so she wouldn't ruin the day. Or that lady’s face.

Either way, Riri was about to sink into the lowest pits of hell if she doesn’t shut the fuck up about Shuri’s arms.

Stepping into the dressing room and closing the door behind them, she said as much to Shuri.

Shuri frowned, taking a moment to process the word vomit, “You’re usually not bothered by that stuff, did she say anything else?” she asked, zipping the dress down for her.

“I think ‘Destiny’ managed to find every possible way to call me poor,” Riri muttered, shrugging off the straps, dress sliding down.

“Which one is she?” Shuri asked, distractedly.

“She’s—“ Riri glanced at them in the mirror, following their gaze before she shook her head, amused, “No one important.”

Shuri stepped forward, arm sliding around her waist and pulling her close, hands wandering past her hips, “Exactly, no one important,” she said, squeezing as she nosed the nape of her neck, breath sending a shiver down her spine, “If someone doesn’t respect you, I don’t respect them.”

Riri nodded, leaning into their embrace with a reluctant smile. It was odd, feeling that building irritation washed away so easily, but she was right. She doesn’t matter and they didn’t have to stay here and put up with her weird-ass customer service.

“We should go look at suits, all these dresses are shit,”

-

4.

Riri blindly stumbled into the bathroom, a guiding hand on the small of her back. The door slammed behind her, lock clicking, the thumping music now muffled.

Utterly drenched in a sour smelling combination of jungle juice and expired food, her eyes were screwed tight, stinging, as she fumbled to turn on on the sink. She dumped her face in the sink, water splashing everywhere as she desperately rinsed her eyes.

“Fuck-ass white boy,” Riri spat, accepting the offered paper towels. She scrubbed her face, uncaring of the roughness against her skin, “It’s not my fault his daddy cut him off—“ she sneered, “What am I a charity?”

Now dry, she looked up, anger faltering as she saw the state of her costume in that dingy, frat-house mirror.

Patchy streaks of cheap makeup peeling up, puffy eyes still watering, and a busted lip stared back at her. The costume itself looked less like Frakenstein’s monster and more-so like she stumbled out of a bar fight—covered in crusting goop and an ever persistent smell of alcohol that was starting to make her head hurt.

A wave of disappointment settled over her as she picked at the costume. She had been planning this costume for weeks, dammit. It was Shuri’s first Halloween and the pair wanted to dress up so they chose Frankenstein's Monster and The Bride respectively. Riri had always been obsessed with the book, the movies, all of it and this was her first time dressing up.

Of course she couldn’t even enjoy this.

“I look like shit,” Riri said weakly as she fought back tears. But before she could scrub the rest off, Shuri gently pried the paper towels from her hands, tossing them.

Riri didn’t have much fight in her, begrudgingly accepting as strong hands lifted her up onto the counter. She let her eyes close, listening to the running of water. A gentle hand tilted her face up, dabbing away at her makeup.

Shuri didn’t speak right away, but she could hear them thinking as they cleaned her up. They didn’t comment on the tears running hot down her cheeks, only wiping them away as they fell.

Riri was thankful for the silence. It let her salvage what was left of her pride at the moment. She didn’t like crying about something so stupid. She didn’t like crying in front of other people, period.

Even if it was her Girlfriend.

Riri managed to calm down eventually as the last of the makeup was wiped away.

Riri picked at her nails, eyes downcast, “Thanks…” she muttered, “Sorry about all this.”

“…Why are you apologizing?” Shuri asked, chilly.

Riri stilled, looking up.

Shuri looked pissed.

“I…saw him earlier. I knew he still had problems with me and we should've left before all this happened,” Riri explained, hands fidgeting in her lap, “I let work shit ruin the night.”

Shuri looked even more displeased with her answer, lips pressed thin, “…Do your clients often retaliate ?” she asked carefully.

“Well—“ Riri started, then immediately realized where this was going.

Fuck.

Shuri wasn’t mad at her for ruining the date night she was—

Okay, Riri dealt with bullshit encounters on occasion. Nothing too crazy, all things considered. She didn’t just work with undergrads , so a lot of careers were on the line. But it wasn’t terrible. She’s had far more emotionally damaging encounters from dating then from her clients. But.

Shuri wouldn’t see it like that.

Riri looked off to the side, “It doesn’t matter…”

“You were hurt, of course it matters.” Shuri scowled, “I should’ve been there before it got that far,” she muttered, thumb still brushing over her now bare face.

Riri leaned into her hand, “I’m fine,” she reassured her softly. She watched Shuri's expression, dark eyes still colored with concern. Frowning a bit, Riri reasoned, “It was only food and drinks. It’s nothing to worry about.”

Shuri looked thoroughly unconvinced, but she still wasn’t saying anything. Only thinking, thumb continuing stroking Riri’s face, jaw screwed up-- tight betraying her emotions.

It only made Riri more nervous, mouth running before she could second-guess herself, “I can take care of myself,” she said, before seriously tacking on, “It’s not your fault.”

Shuri’s lips pursed at that, still thinking, an all familiar stubborn glint in her eye, “I know,” she said evenly.

Did she?

Riri sighed, covering Shuri’s hand with her own, fingers intertwining. Feeling the divots of her cool skin against her own, the smell of her lotion faint and comforting. Her body relaxed at the sensations. It was odd how easily she responded to them. How easily she succumbed to comfort and security after so many years of being tightly winded up over every little thing.

To Riri, Shuri was always safe in ways no other person or place could be. She didn’t have to worry if she’d always be there--if she’d survive whatever bad-luck trailed after Riri-- because Shuri was an inevitability that the universe could not deny. No matter the odds or outcome, Shuri always finds a way.

It was a shame she couldn’t grant them the same ease, far more trouble then not.

“You can’t blame yourself every time I get hurt,” Riri said, “You’ll be stuck feeling bad all the time

It’s something she’d picked up on before, but it seemed to only become more intense over time. Shuri didn’t half-ass anything, relationships included. Love, pride, and effort tangled together, complicated and precious in Shuri’s eyes.

Shuri couldn’t control everything. Especially when it came to Riri. Nothing ever went right when it came to Riri. She was always one miscalculation away from a major fuck up so there’s no point in getting worked up about it.

That all familiar stubborn look narrowed in on Riri once more.

Seems like she was done thinking.

“ …You can’t blame yourself every time someone hurts you,” Shuri finally said,

Riri’s heart winced.

The uncomfortable pressure in her chest climbed her throat as it fully sunk in. “What--What do you mean?” Riri said, a little bit desperate to make the feeling stop.

Shuri raised an eyebrow, “You know what I mean,” she said, patiently, “You always try to apologize for the fault of others, why?”

“I don’t do that,” Riri insisted, rather childishly.

Does she do that?

It was her business, her clientele. She knew the risks, but didn’t respond accordingly this time. Why would it be anyone else’s fault? Her inaction could have created a far more dangerous situation for everyone else.

Who else was there to blame--Why wouldn’t she blame herself?

If it truly wasn’t her fault, then why was she always getting hurt? Why did everyone else get caught up in her mess? Was she just that unlucky?

If that were the case, she wouldn’t be in control of anything.

Pressed against the cool bathroom counter, Shuri hovering over her, hands cradling her face, she had nowhere to hide. If Shuri wanted to press it, she could, but thankfully—

“We can talk about it tomorrow morning,” Shuri suggested.

The relief was immediate. But so was the--

Riri blinked rapidly, that choking feeling spilling over all at once. Painfully exposed, she tried to retreat, but was guided into Shuri’s arms before her tears fell. It took a moment for her to understand the nonsense that came out of Shuri;s face.

“Why are you apologizing?” Riri grumbled into their chest, hands holding onto their costume tight.

“I made you cry.”

“You can’t make me do anything and I’m not crying,”

“Of course you’re not,” Shuri easily agreed, “Cry has a different meaning in Wakanda. I misspoke,”

“You’re full of shit,” Riri said, fighting back a smile.

“I can help you reapply the makeup if you want?” Shuri said, changing the subject.

Riri’s mood soured once more at the reminder, pulling away reluctantly, “No, we’re leaving this stupid party.”

“We can always stay in costume and watch movies back in your dorm,” Shuri suggested, “I can order out, eat you out-”

This cheeky little-

“-It’s Halloween. We can’t disregard such an important holiday after all, we have to remain festive-”

“Uh-huh,” Riri rolled her eyes, listening to their spiel. All things considered, that did sound fun, “If you do clean up, we can do whatever you want.”

A sharp, crescent of a smile spreading across Shuri’s face at her words.

Before Riri could question them further, the pair flinched as someone banged on the door of the bathroom.

“HURRY THE FUCK UP, I GOTTA PISS," A woman bellowed, speech slurred

Shuri let out a startled laugh.

A warmth settled over Riri. That complicated swirl of emotions, stilling for one pleasant moment.

5.

-

“Ah, there she is—“ Shuri teased, crouching beside Riri’s bed. She reached out, caressing the sliver of exposed forehead peeking out from the mountain of blankets.

The mountain of blankets let out a muffled groan.

“…Go away,” Riri grumbled, shrinking further into her physical pit of despair.

She’d been losing the fight to a horrific wave of nausea and cramps for the past few hours. Her period effectively ruined any good mood she had about Shuri’s visit.

That bitch had the audacity to be early the one week Shuri could visit this month. She missed all the signs, assuming her emotions were all over the place because she missed her girlfriend.

“I can leave after I check on my patient,” Shuri offered.

Because of course she’d say that. And she probably meant it too, even though she was supposed to stay with Riri this week.

At that, Riri peeled back the layers of blankets. “You’re being too nice,” she complained, blearily staring at them.

Far too bright.

It was difficult to be properly irritated when it all bounced off of her. Shuri always thought her moods were cute, ugh.

Riri can’t be an asshole in these conditions.

Before she could kick Shuri out, her ears perked up, hearing the crinkling of bags, something being set down on her side table.

“I brought food,” Shuri offered, head tilting, innocuous.

“…You can stay.”

Riri rolled on her side, emerging to see what she brought.

Seeing her face, Shuri smiled, leaning forward to kiss her, but Riri squirmed away.

“M, gross,” Riri explained, nose curled at the thought as she picked up the chopsticks.

Shuri gave her a flat look, “You are not gross,” she said.

“Don��t be so serious,” Riri rolled her eyes, “I’m gross now,” she said, she waved the chopsticks in the air for emphasis, “Haven't brushed and I’m all sweaty and smelly—therefore gross.“ .

Shuri leaned against the headboard, “Do you want me to kiss you or not?” she asked.

Riri paused at the question, stabbing her food, “…Yes,” she muttered, suddenly embarrassed.

“Yes what?” Shuri teased.

Riri scowled, refusing to repeat herself. Undeterred, Shuri smoothed Riri's forehead with one hand, a soft smile pressing against her skin soon after.

Riri closed her eyes, now having to brace herself for the fluttering storm that threatened to take hold of her body.

Ugh.

It didn’t take long before Riri was coaxed into letting her into the bed.

Riri was nestled between the blankets and Shuri’s lap, mood thoroughly improved because of Shuri’s newest trinket. An excellent heating pad.

Riri lethargically stretched, eyes fluttering closed as she sank further into the sensation that could only be described as bliss. Letting out a sigh, she smiled sweetly up at her girlfriend and said, “Y’know I love you right?”

Shuri hummed non-committedly, fingers tracing circles into the back of Riri;s neck, “I can’t let you keep the heating pad,” she gently informed her, already guessing where this was going.

“Huh?” Riri blinked up at her, taking a moment to process it, “Why not?” she asked, although it came out like a whine.

It was a really nice heating pad, okay.

Shuri stilled, hesitating.

Riri perked up, “Does…” she reached under the blankets, a gleam in her eye, “Does this have vibranium in it?”

Shuri’s mouth was firmly closed, but her now firm grip on Riri’s wandering hand told a different story.

“It does, doesn’t it?” Riri challenged, wiggling her fingers half-heartedly to escape.

“I can neither confirm or deny that,” Shuri said, evasively, “But I can make you another one.”

“I like this one.”

It was a little funny watching Shuri’s internal struggle. It wasn’t often that Riri outright asked for something and normally she'd jump at the chance to provide.

“I can’t. You don’t have security clearance,” Shuri finally admitted with much difficulty, which isn't surprising. They had this discussion every other week.

“I won’t tell if you don’t,” Riri said, “It's just a little peek.”

Shuri raised an eyebrow, “And risk letting your mind ruminate?” she said, shaking her head at the thought.

Riri had managed to create a device that detected Vibranium, without access to the mineral itself. Shuri has witnessed the potential she had with unfettered access to it. A little peek for Riri was more than enough information for her to uncover a major scientific breakthrough,

“There are talks of certain agencies trying to scout you, so the elders have requested we restrict your access even further until--well-”

“Until what?”

“Until we get married.” Shuri couldn’t help but grin.

Riri paused, thinking, “That long?”

Shuri’s nose curled at that, displeased, “We could be married by the end of the season if you’d accept my proposal-”

“We’re too young.” Riri easily countered, rolling over to settle on her other side and idly adjusting the God-sent heating pad.

They also had this discussion every other week.

“Youth is relative,” Shuri insisted, “Both of our parents were engaged at our age. You’d get. Dual citizenship, your own lab-- fully funded-”

Riri closed her eyes, “That’d be nice.”

“A honeymoon in Thailand would be even nicer-”

Riri snorted, “What? Are you trying to bait me now?”

Shuri leaned down, ���Is it working?” she asked, not waiting for an answer. Riri squirmed, trying and failing to keep a straight face as feather-light kisses attacked her face, a compelling argument indeed.

“We can have a long engagement,” Shuri whispered, a breath away, eyes flicking down, getting a bit distracted herself, “Don’t you want to go to council meetings and give your fiancé a break from bureaucracy?”

Riri opened her eyes to meet her intense stare, “Your girlfriend only wants to know how you made the heating pad,” she explained with barely concealed mirth, “That’s it.”

For now.

Riri slowly sat up to close the distance, but Shuri pulled away, a stubborn look in her eye. “Have you tried the next setting?” she asked instead, hand moving under the blankets once more.

All coherent thoughts left Riri. Her body sank back into the blankets, only managing to sigh as she curled around her fiance once more.

-

+1

Shuri’s face was impassive, illuminated by the seemingly never-ending stream of holographic images, videos, and text projected in front of her.

She scrolled through the files at a near frantic pace, but that itch beneath her skin only grew as she poured over the material. Every so often, she’d glance over at a smaller window; checking the security footage to make sure no one would discover her nightly activities.

Typically she wouldn’t have cared, it is her lab after-all, but-

Despite her best efforts, soft footsteps padded behind her, strong arms slipping around her waist and pulling her close.

Shuri sucked in an uneasy breath, body surrendering to the embrace.

Riri’s face pressed against the hard line of Shuri’s spine, letting out a throaty groan, “Your security needs to be upgraded, “ she offhandedly commented, sleep laden voice stealing the rest of Shuri’s attention.

Shuri glanced back, mouth lifting, “There’s not much I can do to keep you out,” she said quietly, covering her hands with her own, “You should go back to bed. I’ll be there soon.”

"Bullshit,” Riri said, not even entertaining the thought. Instead she asked, “Was the meeting that bad?”

Shuri’s mouth pressed into a thin line, “No it was fine,” she said with great effort.

It was more than fine. The ongoing negotiations between Wakanda and Talokan were progressing unnervingly well, all things considered. Part of her was relieved. The stronger the bond between the two nations, the better. An end to the violence, to the never ending loss, was more than she could ever ask for, but.

It was disturbing to watch.

Seeing everything fall into place so smoothly. As if the losses endured on both sides were necessary sacrifices for the greater good.

It was a pestering thought, a rotten sickness that stuck to her every fold and spoiled every crevice. Days, months, years could pass, but Shuri could never imagine being clean again.

Even if she got it wrong that time, there has to have been a solution she overlooked. Another way to prevent it all.

Riri said something else, but Shuri didn’t hear it, already captured in a slew of bitterness. Her silence must’ve stretched for too long, because

There has to be another way. Other options, anything she could’ve done to prevent it all.

Riri said something, but she didn’t hear it. Shuri’s silence must’ve stretched on for too long because she then asked.

“Do you regret not killing him?”

There was no judgment in her voice. The question was posed like any other thought she’d voice working at Shuri’s side. Curious, a refreshing bluntness that pierced through her complicated mess easily.

As such, Shuri’s response came just as easy. Her eyes closed, probing that deep ache between her heart and her throat, “Sometimes,” she admitted.

The pain wasn’t always fresh or constant. Sometimes the ease of her heart surprised her, spirit light as she could see the ultimate good being built with each passing day.

It was those small, increasingly infrequent moments of hurt that hit the hardest. A missing smile, an empty throne, wind-swept grass and no one to call out her name. It was a realization that compounded within her, growing more deadly with time.

It didn’t matter what technology she had, how many recordings she listened to, she’d never hear her Mother’s voice in person again. She’d never feel her Brother’s too-strong embrace or see her Father’s weary smile.

Then there were the undeniable big realizations. A hanging anxiety, swinging over her head, so large that it was easy to overlook. But you couldn’t forget it for long. Onee day you’d look up, an axe at your neck and blood pooling around your ankles.

It was easier when she was younger. Standing on that public stage, at her family's side, while the world’s hungry gaze narrowed in on Wakanda. Her country was simply another bone-- another nation to pick their teeth with. Now she was older, hands long-since dirtied by her inaction.

Prying eyes all falling on her in one dreadful moment.

Adulthood stripped her of all comforts and control. If it weren’t for family's wishes, she would’ve long since retreated from the world all together. It was their hope that kept her remaining pieces together, that pushed her forward, even as she was drained of everything her youth held dear.

She couldn’t change the past, but she could very well reclaim that long-dreamt future.

“-but right now, I don’t regret it,” Shuri settled on. It wasn’t much of a promise, moreso tentative acceptance for that moment in time, “The world gets stranger each year,” she murmured, eyes returning to that wall of flicking light, “We need to be prepared for anything so we won’t falter,” she then promised, hesitantly, “I’ll come to bed when I wrap this up.”

“...Alright,” Riri said, squeezing her one last time, before she pulled away.

Shuri listened to her retreating footsteps, a coldness setting in as she realized she was alone again.

She let out a breath, forcing herself to focus, but to no avail. She’d grab her sweatshirt and fiddled with the temperature, only to be distracted by the objects in the lab itself. The clicks and whirs of a machine prickling her attention in a way that it did not prior to her interruption.

A few minutes passed and Shuri briefly considered if she was losing her mind because of the strong-scent of coffee that now wafted into the lab.

Soft footsteps soon followed. Shuri was a little surprised to see Riri came back, a blanket wrapped around herself tightly as she extended a cup towards Shuri with an expectant look.

“We’re not supposed to bring drinks in here,” Shuri said as she blew lightly over the rim of her mug.

Riri raised her cup to her mouth, sipping pointedly, “If we want to cover everything before morning, we’ll need energy.”

“We…?” Shuri blinked, equal parts startled and relieved. Riri didn’t explain herself further, actions speaking far louder.

She wouldn’t leave.

A weight settled at Shuri’s side, blanket wrapping around the pair. There was a steadfast look on Riri’s face as she reached over to begin sorting through the windows herself.

She’d stay at Shuri’s side for as long as it takes.

The night stretched on, tedious and cruel as Shuri relived those frightful days and planned for a tenuous future.

And between those moments, Riri’s prodding words and unyielding grip pulled her back into the present. Again and again. And again once more.

If this is what Shuri needs, then consider it done.

[escespace]

Comment:

Clearly entertaining! Bravo! I enjoyed reading this so much and I applaud how well grounded the medieval atmosphere is. Especially for the part of the contest to choose the court sorcerer. Every description of spells and characters in that fragment was delicately worded, I could see images of that scene very clearly in my head.

The first cut, where they explain Arthur's reaction to magic, was a success in terms of narrative, it really accentuated a good start for the rhythm and humor that the fic later presents.

I admit I get a little angry at Arthur as he continues to underestimate Merlin because HOW DARE HE?! However, I can never stay angry for long at the idiot, especially if he is as cheesy as in this fic. His pining is delicious, it doesn't go beyond the ooc but it remains in a princely internal gallantry worthy of fairy tales

And bravo for Merlin's displays of magic! I waited throughout the series for more scenes like the ones this fic describes. He deserved his "Wanda-switching-Scarlet-Witch" moment. (In his case, Merlin-switching-to-emrys) Demonstrating that he is pure power, a force of nature, the embodiment of his prophecies. There were hints of that in the series, but I imagine that, a he was still young, they didn't let him exploit his full potential. So it was very satisfying to read this fic where he freely overflows with power.

Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin) Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin), Lancelot (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin), Mordred (Merlin), Gwen (Merlin), Geoffrey of Monmouth (Merlin), Gwaine (Merlin), Leon (Merlin), Elyan (Merlin), Percival (Merlin), Lot (Merlin), Original Male Character(s), don't worry no OC is super important Additional Tags: Magic Revealed, Merlin's Magic Revealed (Merlin), Post-Magic Reveal, Court Sorcerer Merlin (Merlin), BAMF Merlin (Merlin), BAMF Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), King Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon Knows About Merlin's Magic (Merlin), magic legalization, Pining, Mutual Pining, Idiots in Love, they're so stupid guys, POV Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Emotionally Constipated Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Top Merlin (Merlin), Bottom Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), arthur likes that Merlin can beat him up I know this to be true in my heart, Everyone Knows About Merlin's Magic (Merlin), Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, War, Magical War, Blood and Injury, Kissing, Sexual Tension, Mild Sexual Content, Undressing, Rough Kissing, Restraints, Light Bondage, Light Dom/sub, Light Angst, ITS MOSTLY FLUFFY ACTUALLY Summary:

Arthur sputtered. “I-I’m not sure that’s wise, I mean, no — I —”

Merlin interrupted. “That sounds like a good idea to me! No offense, but you guys are pretty useless against magical opponents.” He threw a smile at Lancelot that the Knight returned. “I mean, what’s the use having the most powerful sorcerer in the world on your payroll if you don’t use him?”

-OR-

5 times Merlin tells Arthur he's the most powerful sorcerer in the world, and 1 time Arthur believes him.

[hirazuki]

Day 2! Lots of fun with Kimblee, a surprising amount of people were really excited to see him XD (it's also kind of funny that the building fire that happened next door occurred while I was wearing him >.>)

Met up with a bunch of homunculi for some photos and then hung out at a bar for more photos food; Envy and Greed had a little worm!Envy with them and it was SO CUTE 😭😭😭

And then went as Zenos to the Final Fantasy concert -- I've been to Distant Worlds several times, but this was my first time going to A New World; it was soooo beautiful. The musicians and the conductor were clearly enjoying themselves so much too, their arrangements were gorgeous and their ending piece was hilarious.

I'm so used to seeing FFVII dominating the cosplay scene at these things, but there were so many FFXIV cosplayers at this one! Everyone looked amazing; Fandaniel nearly leaping over the seats once he spotted me way in the back made my evening 😂

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

mat and squeaks gang - give me your opinions on something!

talia’s birth, as outlined right now, is going to be a pretty long fic with everything i’ve got planned. do you want it broke up into a couple of parts or posted in one long fic?

and then i’ve got related parts that could be included in the fic or posted as their own separate fics, so like what would be the preference?

[takentwo]

The drought is tough guys, but here’s a brief little something to hopefully help a bit!

‘Just don’t let me fall asleep feeling empty again’ aka 5 times Hayley and Taylor fall asleep together over the years 🥰

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65275063

PS Why doesn’t the link ever embed anymore?! 🙈

[nyoomerr]

/cries FTH 2025 is coming up too fast... i haven't been able to write ANY of the stuff i wanted to between finishing last year's FTH fic and this year ;A;

i'm still going to sign up because it means a lot to me to be able to use fandom + creative energy to make a positive difference in the world, but please be aware that it is extremely unlikely that i'll be producing a fic as long as the one i wrote for FTH 2024. i'll make a post with more details later, but i'll probably be trying to keep whatever i write to a one shot and no longer.

[stellewriites]

need to get my christmas gaz one shot started or it’ll be like late january that i end up getting around to posting it ://

but butch simon fic,,.,..,,, she calls to meeeeee

[whattraintracks]

22. Puzzling - TMNT 2012

Don't worry, guys, that wasn't supposed to happen.

When the bit of Kraang tech he's examining (read: poking randomly in the hopes that something will happen) explodes, Donatello's not sure if he or Raphael shrieks louder. He thinks it's Raph. Which would be way funnier under different circumstances.

He blinks against sooty particulates. "Huh, well, that wasn't supposed to happen."

He's amid a cloud of unexpectedly thick, slightly pink smoke. Which is on-brand but frankly annoying. He waves at the air in a vain attempt to disperse it. Maybe he can move this operation to the kitchen, work under the exhaust hood. He should probably install one in here. He gives up flailing his arms, and backs away from the desk. Step one to solving any problem is getting some distance. Step two is—oh, that's weird. The cloud doesn't seem to have moved since the initial explosion. What kind of particles are these? He hasn't seen Kraang tech do this before.

The moment he remembers Raph is also the moment he trips over him. With a yelp, he hits the ground. Hard. Raph giggles. Rude. He's going to have at least two bruises tomorrow. And his scream was definitely louder than Raph's, so he's lost any right to make fun.

"Dude," Donnie groans, pushing to his feet. At least he's away from the Kraang smoke, "Why'd you trip me?"

"I don't know," comes the high-pitched reply, "Why're you so big?"

By the time his eyes clear, he's pretty sure it's a genuine question, not an insult about his height. It makes more sense once he looks down, down, down to find Raph miniaturised.

Donnie throws his hands to his head. "That wasn't supposed to happen, either!" Raph just giggles again.

"Leo!"

As far as they can tell, based on Raph's appearance and memories, he's about five. Donnie can't even remember being that young. Which he counts as a good thing because kids are weird. Or maybe that's just mutant turtle kids. He doesn't have experience with normal children to establish a baseline. Leo and Sensei do, though, and they seem unperturbed by Raph's behavior. Even Mikey takes the whole thing in stride. He is, in fact, absolutely thrilled and oscillates between gathering blackmail material and doing whatever Raph asks.

Donnie will admit he's having trouble making sense of it all. First, and he thinks he’s mentioned this, that was not supposed to happen. He can't figure out how a broken Kraang tech part without any detectable energy source could have caused something like this. Which naturally leads to the question of how he's meant to fix it. Raph has no idea what happened, either, so he's no help. Worse, he just might be the most confusing being Donnie has ever met. Take yesterday, for example.

He's not sure what time it is when he stumbles out of the lab for breakfast, so it might not technically be in the range of the day at which it is appropriate to call a meal breakfast. His brain is too full of viscous pink Kraang smoke to care. It must be some mealtime because everyone but Master Splinter is in the kitchen when he arrives. Leo is at the island supervising Raph and Mikey's mess-making by the stove.

Raph perks up, "Hey Donnie! I wanna tell you a question."

"Ask nicely, Raph," Leo reminds, hiding a smile behind the rim of his tea cup.

"Please, I wanna tell you a question." He barrels on, "How do you open your labrador?”

Open his what? Donnie stares at the space above Raph's head, trying to parse the question until a nudge from Leo resets his brain. "Say what?"

"Your labrador!" He flings his arms out, nearly knocking himself to the floor. Mikey catches the lip of his shell just in time.

“What Labrador? Raph, I don't have a—”

“Yeah, you do!” He's angry of a sudden. Of course, he is. But it's weird. It's not the first time Donnie's made him mad since the incident, but he's never gotten in anyone's face or stormed off with a huff. He just screeches until he gets whatever it is that he wants. It's Raph's anger, but it's not. “It’s how you get to the place you do all your smart stuff!"

Mikey swoops in, crouching to squeeze Raph gently, then translates, “He means the door to your lab, bro.”

“The door? Oh. Why would—?" Donnie sighs heavily, sinking into the stool next to Leo. “Raph, that’s the lab door,” he enunciates, “Not a Labrador. A Labrador is a dog breed."

Just like that, Raph's face unscrunches into something thoughtful. “So it’s not a labrador?”

Well, at least the exasperation is familiar. "I literally just said that. It’s a normal door.” Leo clicks at him warningly. Come on, what is he supposed to do here? Seriously, this feels surreal. Maybe this whole dialogue is a dream, and he's hunched over his desk right now. He straightens his shell to test for any worse-than-usual aching.

“Okay," Raph says. Then he turns around. Just like that. As if the entire conversation never happened. Never mind his original question or whatever he was trying to ask. He makes no sense, literally none at all.

But, you know what, fine. Donnie has to eat anyway so he can go back to the "place where he does all his smart stuff" or whatever. So he can figure out how to get his actual brother back, who at least makes sense most of the time.

Leo finishes his tea, returning Raph's enthusiastic wave goodbye, and then there are three. Mikey and Raph finally settle down to eat whatever noxious concoction they've whipped up as Donnie cleans his dishes. Freshly fed, his brain refills with extradimensional smoke and engineering.

"Well, that's boring!"

He fumbles with his mug at the sudden shout. A glance over his shoulder finds Raph, who had been eating quietly, now glaring at him.

“You should name that boring normal door Labrador so we can just call it that anyway," he says firmly.

He's not sure why he tries to ask, “Why would I—”

“Or or!" And it's like a switch again, anger suddenly dissipating. "We could name it something cooler! Like Thundoor from Crognard!”

“Thundarr,” He corrects. It's too late, Mikey's joins in.

“That’s awesome, little dude!" Mikey laughs buoyantly. "We should name all the furniture!”

“Yeah!”

And Donnie is so tired and so lost, and Raph is too much and too little of his brother at the same time it’s not even funny anymore. He doesn't think it ever was.

“Come one, Dee!" Mikey hoists Raph onto his shoulders, naturally content to ignore the messy kitchen. "Help Raphie and I name everything in the lair!”

Donnie tries to shake his head as Raph reaches for him. “Can you! Can you, please? Just for a little bit, please, Donnie, please?” Oh, now he recalls his manners.

"No, Raph." He bangs his mug onto the drying rack, ignoring Mikey's frown. "I don't have time for your nonsense questions and weird games. I'm trying to fix you."

It's not until he slams closed the lab door that the words trailing after his dramatic exit finally click. A puzzled sort of muttering from Raph: "Fix me? But I’m not broken."

So maybe he got a little too worked up, as tired as he was. But he's better now! He's eaten. He's slept five hours. He's determined to sit here until he cracks this thing.

And then someone bangs on the door.

He drops his head with a groan. How is he supposed to heroically solve all of their problems in these conditions? “Who is it, and what do you want," he shouts into the pages of his notebook.

"Once a second!"

One second, he mouths to himself. He listens to Raph struggle with the door for a lot of seconds and hopes he'll give up. He probably won't. Donnie better unlock it before he hurts himself. Or worse, starts screaming. Only because Leo would find some way to blame Donnie for it.

He shoves the door open, not at all irritated. Or vindicated either, when Raph falls on his shell and his sai skitter across the floor. Wait. “I thought Sensei took those out of your—Hey!”

Five-year-old Raph may not be much of a ninja but he is pretty slippery. He scrambles under Donnie's arm and launches into the rolling desk chair.

“Raphael." He glowers, summoning his inner Leo, "You are not allowed in the lab—”

“Without you,” he recites, spinning the chair so Donnie only catches glimpses of his cheeky smile. “But you’re here too! So it’s okay.”

It most definitely is not. Raph has no understanding of lab safety right now, so if Raph stays in here, then Donnie will have to keep an eye on him, and if Donnie has to watch Raph, then he can't focus on his work. He does not want Raph in here, and he says so.

“Donnie, I'll be so so so good. Please!” Oh, Mikey absolutely taught him how to do that with his eyes. Not cool, Mike.

“Raph," Donnie faux whines back. "I need to work. Go play with Leo or Mikey."

"Ugh," Raph flops onto his shell, letting his head and limbs hang. “But Sensei and Leo are medating, and Mikey’s with Red."

“Meditating," he corrects, "And I know you know her name is April.”

“Casey calls her Red.”

“Yeah, well, Casey’s a—” Raph looks at him with wide, innocent eyes. A promise on his face that anything Donnie says will be repeated. "It’s polite to call people by their name."

Raph hums, continuing to spin idly, “But I don't call you Donatello, I call you Donnie. And you call me Raph or sometimes Fai.”

Not a bad point. But what was that second thing? Fai? Oh. His brain retrieves fuzzy, forgotten memories. That's right. When they were both little, that had been his nickname for Raph. Just between the two of them. He can't remember when he stopped using it.

“Right," he says slowly. "But those are nicknames. They're a shorter version of your name.”

“Oh, okay.” Then Raph rolls out of the chair, clunking to the ground shell first, and wanders away to explore the lab.

Donnie retakes the seat, resigning himself to further interruptions. Part of his brain is devoted to thinking up better excuses in case this is one of those conversations Raph returns to without warning. The rest of his awareness is on Raph as he pokes and prods at books and equipment and even poor Timothy. It takes the better part of a half hour for him to realise he's still sitting at his desk not moving a muscle.

He growls, gripping his head. Raph is on him in an instant. "What's wrong? Can I help? Do you need a book? Do you want one of mine? I can get Leo! Or Sensei, or—"

"No," Donnie snaps.

He gapes as Raph's beak trembles and his eyes fill with tears. "You're crying. Why are you crying? Please stop crying." He slides to the floor next to Raph, "I'm sorry? It's just. I'm trying to focus! I need to fix you, but I don't—"

“I don’t want you to fix me!” He shouts, scrubbing his face and hiccupping. “I just want to play! Why won’t you play with me anymore?"

“Raph, I," Donnie looks down at his hands, "I don’t have time,” he finishes lamely.

“Yes, you do! You’re just being mean!” He runs out of the lab. Probably to someone who actually understands him. Someone who tries. Donnie wonders if he’ll ever stop messing things up for Raph.

Because as far as they can tell, this version of Raph went to bed one day, and the family he found upon waking was suddenly different. Of course, Raph is frustrated and confused and probably a little scared. He's not just normal Raph in a smaller body. Donnie might've realised that sooner if he'd spent more time with him instead of causing one mess after the other and then hiding from it all in his lab.

Donnie doesn't remember when he was five, but he's heard Sensei's stories about their childhood. The ones about his younger self hanging on Raph's every word. That one embarrassing retelling of the biggest fight Donnie ever caused by announcing Raph was his favorite brother. His father's memories of them doing everything together, at least until Donnie really got into science. So he steps out of the lab and locks it behind him. His brother, this brother, needs to come first.

He must look contrite enough that Leo only grills him a little before he points to Raph's room. After a single breath of indecision, he sits, shell against the door.

“Hey, Fai?” he starts, tugging at his fingers, “I’m really sorry. I have been pretty mean lately, haven’t I?” It takes a few moments, but a little thud echoes on the other side of the door.

Relieved, he continues, “I’m not as good at this as I used to be. I might need your help. But I’m out of my lab right now, and we can play whatever you want.”

Donnie hits the floor before he realises the door has swung open. Little Raph is looking down at him, eyes still watery but excited. "Really? Anything? Even Space Heroes!"

And Donnie almost can't believe it's that easy. He smiles with Raph's infectious joy. “Space Heroes? Who are you, Leo?”

Raph collapses into him with a laugh that banishes the rest of his tears as Donnie reaches out, tickling him just like he's seen their big brother do. He's still giggling when Donnie staggers to his feet. “Think I could use some bedding to build us the Dauntless?”

Raph cheers. Launching into an explanation of his favorite episodes and characters as he directs them around the lair to collect supplies. If this isn't blackmail material, Donnie doesn't know what is. Raph will never be able to deny that he likes Space Heroes ever again. Once Donnie figures out how to reverse this Kraang-smoke-induced de-aging that is.

He does still have to. They need Raph as he should be: their teammate, their protector, their equal. But if he were here in those roles right now, Donnie knows he would have heard a thousand times over that he needs to sleep, to eat, to take a break for at least five minutes, Don, come on.

So he'll try. He'll take breaks to hang out with his favorite brother. He'll get a lot of experience building sheet spaceships and pillow forts. And by the end of it all, Donnie will realise his little brother really does just want to play and ask silly questions that probably don’t seem so silly to him. He'll decide this little version of Raph isn't a puzzle of confusing emotions. He's the same pieces he's always been, unfiltered and untethered from all the pain and fear of their older selves.

And so, even after Raph returns to 16, whenever the thought creeps up on Donnie that he's not doing enough, that he needs to fix it. He'll lock his lab behind him and say, "Hey, Fai! Wanna play something?"

[mediumgayitalian]

LEMME WRITE THIS DOWN BEFORE I FORGET FUCK DO NOT LET ME FORGET

———

“Do you have a photo of your mother?”

Will glances over, eyebrows raised, glow finally fading from his hands and eyes. He holds a strip of bandage over a camper’s bicep, wrapping the roll around. “I have…several. Why?”

Nico squints at him.

“C’mere.”

Will pushes away the roll, walking over. He stands hesitantly in front of Nico’s chair, shoulders pushed up, teeth worrying his lower lip.

Nico reaches out and tugs it free.

“You don’t look that much like your dad,” he murmurs, tilting Will’s head to the side. “You’ve got the — general blueprint, sure, but he’s all…angles.” He runs a finger over Will’s soft jaw. “You’re rounded.”

———

[thekitsandthekats]

now is this next story gonna be a five plus one that gets progressively more sexual or is that format too restrictive to what i want to do mmmm

[yeehawbrothers]

Request Prompts <3

REQUESTS-Closed. :)

Please read my request rules here before requesting.

Obviously these aren't required for requests, but I think it's fun to use them.

I've gathered these throughtout the internet, so if you see one you've written, let me know and I'll tag you!

Feel free to mix and match, change wording, or anything of the like!

Please make sure to be as specific as possible if you have a certain storyline you'd like me to follow.

Angst prompts:

"Leave. Leave right now."

"Can you just fuck off already?"

"I can't do this anymore. Not with you."

"Pack your shit and go. Get the hell out of my sight"

"You ruined everything."

"I'm going to leave now, before I say something I regret later."

"This wouldn't even be a problem if you didn't make one out of it"

"You were supposed to be my safe place. But all you've brought me is pain. How great is that?"

"If you hate me so much, kill me. Kill me already. It's not like I've got much to live for anyways."

"They told me not to trust you, but I didn't listen."

"You...why did it have to be you?!"

"You lied to me! Over and over again!"

"Hey...Hey...stay with me."

"Oh my...what did they do to you?"

"It's okay, its just me."

"I didn't know where else to go."

Fluff prompts:

"Flea markets don't carry fleas you know?"

"Are you serious? Your getting blood all over my carpet!"

"I am not wearing a dress/tie!"

"It's a Texas thing"

"Not everyone is out to get you. Stop thinking that shit. It's getting annoying."

"What are we?" "A mess."

“I just woke up can you give me a minute before you start being weird.”

“It’s literally two am, shut up.”

"Let me be a mom for a second and tuck you in."

"If you can't sleep...we could have sex?"

"If you don't shut up, I'm going to punch you."

"Please put your penis away."

"Why are you on the table?" - "Better view of my life." - "Where's the spider?" - "By the door."

"Shut up and get in the closet."

"Listen, I don't mind cuddling. But if you wake me up again I'll whoop your ass."

"I'm an insomniac, this is normal."

"Listen...I didn't know it was illegal."

"Stop messing with your IV."

"I'm pretty sure this place in haunted."

"Hold my hand you asshole"

"Did...Did you just bark at that guy?"

"Awww yay what a nice reunion! Now come fucking help me"

"We are not picking up the free chair" - "Why not!!?" - "Because that shit is 100% haunted."

"Why are you so mean to me?" - "You cannot take the child home."

"I love you so much I'm gonna bite you."

Song prompts:

If you want me to write a story based on a song, send me the link in the request. Please keep in mind, like with anything, I'm not going to force myself to write something if I'm not feeling it.

All the love-A.

[mister-eames]

Hi hi hi can we please discuss in more detail how eames and Arthur’s love for one another might manifest in their dreams, especially during the PINING YEARS since their dreams are possible their only outlet for this love!! Because when they’re awake, in the real world they have to repress it, seal it away, pretend it’s not a big deal... ahhh! Going insane over this thought! The power of the subconscious!!

Yes!! I keep thinking how pieces of people must show up in dreams, how our subconscious simply can't help but bleed into dreamscapes - even in the most detailed build, even with the most experienced dreamer. It's your brain being used for the foundation, there must be some cross-over! And if it's a powerful emotion like love or hate or grief, well we've seen it in the latter, so why not the rest?

They both take forever to notice it. And even then Arthur, who notices it first, doesn't even see it until Cobb points it out. They're doing a test run in Arthurs dream - and the menu at the restaurant they're not even supposed to stop at has items with titles of AC/DC songs.

While Cobb is astute enough to know that and assumes Arthur has an earworm, what he doesn't know is that on Arthur knows that Eames listens to the band when he works out and taps his fingers to the rhythm of thunderstruck and you shook me all night long when he's restless.

After that Arthur can't unsee the things he's picked up from Eames in his dreams. At first he tries to convince himself that of course Eames is just that annoying he infests Arthurs subconscious. A literal parasite.

But then some of his projections have crooked teeth, and he starts seeing more and more of Eames' forges as projections - and the projections that aren't echoes are forges are wearing Eames' watch, or the trucker cap Eames' wears when they're not on the job and he's back at home, recuperating from not being himself. There are little pockets in his dreamscape that are from stories he has heard Eames tell when he was eavesdropping, like the antique store his mum used to temp at during his primary school years. The playground where he got into his first fight. They look innocuous to anyone else but Arthur knows they're from his own imaginings and daydreams. Parasite, he reminds himself.

Every time he wakes up a little more perturbed, afraid of the magnitude of his own feelings. Maybe if he can pretend to loathe Eames in the real world his brain (and body) will get the memo.

One day they go into Cobbs dream and he notices a pair of feminine, cat-eye sunglasses folded and hooked into Cobbs dress-shirt. He points it out and Cobb mumbles something about Mal and Arthur stops listening. His first thought is: I don't want to know.

Then he remembers all of the little details he'd flat out ignored his own dreams. How his subconscious seemed to lovingly envelope itself around such tiny details.

His second thought is: Oh no. I'm fucked.