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impossiblesuitcase · 2 years

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Mooning Over You

Iko and Cinder are returning to Luna after catching up with their friends at Scarlet and Wolf's wedding. Kai and Cinder certainly got to spend some time together. So why, Iko wondered, does Cinder keep getting distracted, letting out happy sighs, and gazing at her empty left ring finger?

~~~

In addition to improving her sarcasm, Iko had spent time researching human comedy.

Puns were generally recognised as low-effort humour, but Iko could allow one in this case, because the way Cinder was gazing out the window, chin cupped in her hand with periodic dreamy sighs could only be described as moony.

Iko chuckled–an exasperated chuckle to be exact; other options she had downloaded included frustrated, cheerful and aloof. She took her own moment to follow Cinder’s gaze to the vast galaxy before them.

They were on a formerly royal ship heading back to Luna, as Cress and Thorne hadn’t been able to drop them back with the Rampion. This ship had a private office that Cinder had once used as the queen of Luna, and in which they were now seated. Now this served as a space for her ambassador work–which they were supposed to be presently doing.

“Cinder?” Iko prompted.

No response.

“Ciiinder?”

“Hmm?” came Cinder’s absent reply. The sun drifting above the Earth was their stunning backdrop, but Iko didn’t think the distraction could be attributed to that.

Iko shook her head to herself. “Are you thinking about Kai again?”

Kai’s name jolted Cinder out of her stupor. She dropped her hands and sat up, clearing her throat. “Uh, no. I was just, um…”

Iko smirked. She couldn’t blame her. After all, if it were Iko reuniting with the love of her life after a year apart, and that lover was Emperor Kai, she too would be in dazed bliss.

Scarlet and Wolf’s wedding and the subsequent days of revelry were the most fun Iko had ever had in her whole programmed life. Everyone had stayed in Rieux a few days extra after the wedding, though they hadn’t done much. A hike here, a movie day there, and then they were all departing with bittersweet goodbyes as the newlyweds kicked off their honeymoon.

Cinder, Iko knew, had found the reunion particularly special. No one had been surprised when Kai and Cinder disappeared during the wedding reception, or went off-trail on the hike to explore together, or when they had arms and legs intertwined as everyone packed into the sitting room to watch movies.

Cinder spread her hands flat on the desk. It appeared she had given up on trying to find an excuse for her daydreaming.

“You know, Cinder, I’m not going to judge you for dreaming about Kai. He’s your boyfriend.” She twirled a braid around her finger. “I know I do it all the time.”

Cinder’s eyelashes fluttered and she bit her lip, but a smile peeked through. Iko noted how she kept fiddling with her cyborg fingers. “I know,” Cinder admitted bashfully, “but we’ve got work to do, so…”

“If you insist.” Iko pulled out her port, returning to the documents Grand Minister Garrison Clay had sent Cinder regarding Luna’s transition into a republic. “Ahem. So far the outer sectors have responded favourably to the new grain rationing policy. It is only temporary until the new mill is functional in sector SB-2. Until then, the reserves of grain that have been stored in Artemisia are supplying the rationing, however there is a greater quantity than population demand, so no serious food shortages should occur in any of the sectors. Garrison asks if you believe a similar plan should be implemented with the fruit supply.”

Iko poised her stylist over the portscreen, ready to pen Cinder’s response. It hovered for a small eternity before she looked up to find Cinder staring out the window again.

She flicked her tongue. “What do you think?”

Cinder glanced back at her briefly before returning to the blue planet. “Pardon?”

“Never mind.” She shut off the port, and pondered with a devious smile. “Are you excited to go to the peace festival this year? I heard that Adri and Pearl will be there.”

“Yeah, stoked,” Cinder distractedly murmured.

“I heard Kai’s planning on proposing to Pearl at the ball, actually.”

Her head whipped around, wide-eyed. “Kai propos-no! Kai hasn’t proposed to anyone. Not at all. Wha-what are you talking about?”

“What are you talking about?”

Cinder gaped, her mouth opening and closing like a koi fish, before finally, “Never mind.”

Iko narrowed her eyes. “What’s up with you? I’m used to your regular obsessing over Kai, but this is new.”

Cinder raised her shoulders in defence and gestured helplessly. “I, um.”

“I have no programmed limit to my patience–take your time.” Iko kicked back her heels, arms crossed contently over her chest. The sun was beginning to dip behind the Earth, shrouding Cinder in darkness. She stood up.

Cinder sighed, but with resolve. She lowered her gaze as that look of lovesick folly took over her face once more. “I was going to wait to tell you until we got back, but…I have news.”

Iko’s android brain began working in overdrive. Deducing that if Cinder had news, and she had a) just seen Kai, b) was acting giddy, and c) had been consistently rubbing her left ring finger which was presently bare, then logistics stated that–

Iko forced the calculations to halt. She wanted to hear this herself.

“Kai proposed to me.”

Time stopped everywhere but Iko’s internal clock. She gripped the arms of the sofa to ensure it was reality. In the silence, the hum of the ship and its processors were amplified.

Then the sound that left her was indefinable.

“CINDER!” She launched over the desk to crush Cinder in a hug. Cinder began laughing and accepted the smothering embrace.

“I know, it’s–”

“You’re engaged!” Iko squealed, but then stopped. She held Cinder at an arm’s length. “You said yes, right? Because if you didn’t–”

“Yes, Iko, I said yes,” Cinder assured. “How couldn’t I?”

“Exactly. You couldn’t just say no to Kai proposing. Stars. Kai. Proposing. Cinder–you’re getting married!”

“I know,” Cinder squeaked. They were ecstatic and laughing and hugging again until Iko finally processed everything Cinder had said.

She cupped Cinder’s face. “So, when? Where? Did he get down on one knee? Did he put the ring on before you said yes or did you say yes first or–wait!” Iko grabbed Cinder’s left hand. “Where’s the ring?!”

“Iko, calm down,” Cinder chided. She guided them back to their seats. “Before I tell you anything, you have to swear to keep it a secret from everyone. Kai and I aren’t ready to tell the world yet, including the crew.”

“But why?”

“Swear it.”

Iko fisted her hand to her chest. “I swear to keep every word you tell me a secret. I won’t delete it from my memory bank, though.”

Cinder nodded. “That’s fine. Kai and I just want to keep it private. Even when we tell the crew that we’re engaged, we won’t be…divulging the details of the proposal.”

Iko batted her eyelashes. “I’m an exception, though, right?”

Cinder grinned. “Of course.”

“Then my lips are sealed.”

Cinder crossed her knees. “Well, Kai took me down to a little stream on the farm. The moonlight was glinting off the water and we were looking at the stars, and…”

“And,” said Iko, hanging from every word.

“He told me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and that he loved me, and wanted me to be his empress, and his wife.” She giggled on the last word, like she still couldn’t believe it was true.

Iko swooned.

“Then he pulled out the ring and put it on my finger-”

“Kneeling?”

“No, we were both sitting.”

“Okay, continue.”

Cinder curled her fingers around her left hand, grazing the place for the mystery ring. “Then he asked me to marry him, and I said yes, obviously. And we kissed and talked on that river bank for, stars, an hour? We came back to the house after that.”

“And where’s the ring now?”

“Oh!” Cinder reached down and rolled up her pant leg. “I’ve been keeping it here since we were keeping it a secret. I’ve only pulled it out when Kai and I were alone, so I’ve only really seen it two or three times. It’s gorgeous.”

Iko buzzed in anticipation, but then paused. This time, she allowed her brain to run the calculations. “Wait. Three times?”

Cinder fished out a black ring box from her calf compartment. “About that.”

The hike and that evening. Then the next night. Those were the only times she could ever recall Cinder and Kai wandering off after the wedding day. On the final morning there had been no time for private goodbyes. The only time they’d been alone before all that was–

“Cinder…when did Kai propose to you?”

Cinder scrunched up her nose. She laughed awkwardly. “Oh, um–”

“Based on what you’re saying, it can’t be after the wedding.” She gasped. “No. Did Kai propose to you on Scarlet and Wolf’s wedding day?”

Cinder wrung her hands. “Yes?”

Kai, Kai, that little sniper.

Iko smacked Cinder’s arm.

“What was that for?” she cried.

“You don’t propose on someone else’s wedding day! That is the number one rule of wedding guest etiquette!”

She rubbed her arm. “I didn’t propose! And what did you want me to do? Reject him just because of his poor timing?”

“He should know better of all people, his job is diplomacy! You could’ve at least berated him for such insensitive behaviour.” Iko harrumphed, and then added, “you can do that now you’re his fianceé.”

Cinder rolled her eyes. “You can take that up with him.”

“Oh, I will.” She retrieved her portscreen from the desk and began typing in quick commands.

Cinder frowned in suspicion. “What are you doing?”

“Serving justice.”

Cinder peered over Iko’s shoulder and groaned when she saw her setting up a commlink with Kai. She buried her face in Iko’s neck.

“Hi, Iko,” said Kai. His face appeared on the screen, rosy and healthy and glowing in a way very similar to Cinder as of late. He spotted her, and his smile softened. “Why are you hiding, love?”

Cinder grumbled in response.

“Are you in a meeting?” Iko asked innocuously.

“I wouldn’t have picked up if I was.”

“Is there anyone else around you right now?”

He shook his head. “Unless someone bugged my office, no.”

“Perfect,” she chirped. “Now, Emperor Kaito of the Eastern Commonwealth, do you mean to tell me that you proposed to Cinder on Scarlet and Wolf’s wedding day?”

Kai’s eyebrows flew up.

There was no more lightness in her tone. “Are you aware that the cardinal rule of wedding guest etiquette is to not act in a way that detracts from the bride and groom’s spotlight?”

“I–”

“Is that why you’re making this all so clandestine, huh? Because you know it’s wrong, so you’re acting in secrecy out of shame!”

“Iko!” Cinder yelled before more accusations could spew out. “Let him speak, for stars’ sake.”

“Hey, did you see that I made sure he was alone first? I kept my promise!”

Cinder glared at her.

Iko relented to silence and Kai grinned on the other side of the line. “What, no congratulations on the engagement, Iko?”

She turned up her nose. “Not until I get an explanation.”

He shrugged. “I understand that it wasn’t the best timing, but you have to see it from my point of view.” Kai took his time to sit down in his office chair. It was the evening in New Beijing. His shirt was neat and starched and far more formal than the casual clothes he’d donned on the farm. “I’ve been wanting to ask Cinder to marry me for years now. I brought the ring with me just in case, and well, the second I saw her in Scarlet’s hallway, I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold back.”

He went all starry eyed and Cinder smiled shamelessly at him. A gentle lapse passed between them, and then he continued. “I didn’t exactly know where or when I would propose, but then I saw the creek and–oh, did you tell Iko the details?”

“Creek, moonlight, star-gazing,” Iko supplied. “You didn’t kneel because you were both sitting down.”

“Pretty much.” He directed his words at Iko, but he was watching Cinder alone. “We went outside during the reception and it just felt right. I didn’t quite know if I could psych myself up to do it until I already had. And yes, it was perhaps in poor taste, but I can’t find it in myself to regret it.”

Kai was already at home and straight to work–no rest for the emperor. No doubt he still had jet lag. But he looked far more refreshed than he usually did after a day of meetings and legislation and negotiations. In only the few minutes since they’d started the call, just talking about the proposal had made him lighter.

Iko sniffed. She wrapped an arm around Cinder and bowed their heads together. “That was beautiful. You have my forgiveness. Mostly.”

Kai wiped his brow. “Phew. You had me nervous, there. My apologies for breaking your rules, oh greatest one.”

“I’ll retract my forgiveness if you mock me.”

“No mockery here,” he insisted.

Cinder nudged Iko’s leg with something, but with no nerves she didn’t realise until Cinder called her attention. “Don’t you want to see the ring?”

Iko sat up. “The ring!” She swung back to Kai. “What cut? How many carats? Diamond, emerald?”

Cinder opened the ring box gingerly and Kai craned his neck to see it, although he knew well what it looked like. “It was my mother’s,” he explained, “and my grandmother’s, and my great-grandmother’s.”

“It’s beautiful,” said Cinder.

Iko’s eyes were filled with reds and golds that somehow glittered even without a direct light source shining on them. She grasped Cinder’s shoulder. “That’s it. You’ve caught him for life.”

“Iko!” Cinder rebuked, even as Kai nodded in agreement.

“Cinder, you don’t give your priceless ninety-six-year-old family heirloom to just anyone.”

Cinder’s eyes bugged from her head. She snatched the box away from Iko and snapped it shut.

“What?” said Kai and Iko simultaneously.

“I am never wearing this again,” she hissed, clutching the box to her chest.

Kai started. “What, why?”

“Ninety-six years old? What if I break it? Or lose it?”

“You won’t,” he promised.

“I could. Very easily.”

“Cinder, it’s your ring as much as it was my ancestors.”

“Please let me see it on you,” Iko implored, holding her palm out. Cinder frowned, but acquiesced and placed the box in her hand.

Iko opened it and delicately lifted the ring. Having been adjusted to her ring size–nice forethought, Kai–it slid easily onto Cinder’s finger. Iko marvelled at the jewel–so elegant and stately but not too showy for Cinder’s discreet personality. She beamed. “Perfect choice, Kai.”

He watched as Cinder flashed the ring for the camera. “It had the perfect candidate.”

With that statement, Cinder’s unease seemed to be supplanted with trust. Cinder could be clumsy, but that ring wasn’t going anywhere–just as what it symbolised would remain; steadfast and undying.

Iko’s pristine teeth shone with her smile. “Thank you for telling me. You both deserve this so much.” She rubbed her hands together. “And now, I just have to know the date so I can start planning.”

“We got engaged four days ago,” Kai enunciated.

“Exactly. We’re practically already behind schedule.”

Cinder braced herself on Iko’s arm. “We’re not getting married straight away. We finally get to be together in person. We should enjoy it.”

She huffed, but wasn’t all that torn up about it, and moved back as Cinder took the port into her hands. “Did you tell Torin yet?”

“I didn’t need to: he could tell as soon as he saw me.”

“You’re not very good at hiding it,” Iko drawled. “Honestly, for politicians, you’d think you two would have learnt to school your expressions.”

“You know, I’m surprised your software didn’t tell you the probability of our engagement before I delivered the news,” Cinder pondered.

The last remnants of the sun fell beneath the Earth and swept away the gold in her colour-changing eyes. “Some things don’t need to be calculated.”

She watched the tender way in which Cinder looked at Kai. Even with the barrier of a screen, some palpable feeling was clear between them. They had spent practically every moment they could together in the past few days, and yet they were still leaning into their seats, tucking in for another long conversation.

Wedding planning could wait.

Iko wrapped Cinder in a hug before she stood to leave. “All right then, but give me at least three months’ notice before the wedding so I can pull something together.”

Kai waved. “Thanks, Iko.”

Before leaving through the door, she looked back at Cinder grazing the port fondly. The shadow of the Earth cast over her face. The Commonwealth was directly in front of them, making Kai seem very, very tiny in comparison.

She let their chatter flow through her audio interface. The excitement had ebbed into something else; pride, and gratitude that Cinder was finally being loved in the way she deserved.

For a time after Peony’s death, it had only been Iko and Cinder. Always supporting each other, and although Iko had been programmed to love Kai, her love for him now was that of genuine friendship. She couldn’t have chosen anyone better for her best friend.

“So when did you tell her?” Kai was asking.

Cinder tucked some hair behind her ear, careful it didn’t get caught in her ring. “Just now, when we were going through Garrison’s reports,”

“Lies,” Iko called out, “She was too busy mooning over you to pay attention.”

Cinder cringed and Kai’s chortle crackled over the wavering connection. She left with a wink and the resounding laughter of the fianceés in her ears.

Her artificial brain could comprehend multiple types of equations. But it couldn’t measure how her love for Cinder surpassed any traditional definitions of friendship. Of course, Cinder + a loving expression = Kai, but that simple calculation did no justice to how that felt.

It wasn’t logistical, but it was better that way. More human that way.

Some things were better left incalculable.

Notes

I took a break from editing my upcoming multichapter fic to write this and wow, my brain still works.

@cinderswrench @cindersassasin @spherical-empirical @cosmicnovaflare @just2bubbly @kaider-is-my-otp @gingerale2017 @holdmysparks @shelbylmkaider @shellyseashell @luna-maximoff-22 @zephyr-thedragon @kaixiety

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to-be-a-dreamer · 2 years

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Wait hang on, since Empires: the Musical is a thing now does that mean I have an excuse to yell about Nature Wives on this blog again?

AWESOME so about the fact that Katherine is the first person Shubble goes to for help in season 2-

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phatburd · 5 months

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🤔

#how much do people actually care about fic titles #i probably shouldn't stress about it #but now i want to rename my wip again #for the fourth time #i want to name it #something old something new #but that's of an Anglo origin #when all the principle characters and setting of my wip are French #it shouldn't matter #but I'm stressing about it anyway #its current title is taken from a Pansy Divison song #i really wanted you #ugh #what do

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jann-the-bean · 2 years

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Something old, something new

Fluffynightkiller week day 2

•

Ccino stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Dark circles deeply embedded underneath his sockets, evidence that he wasn’t sleeping properly.

But how could he?

The wedding day was only a few weeks away and it felt like nothing was ready. So many things left to do!

They needed to decide on the flavor of the cake but every time he discussed it with his partners it ended with Nightmare and Killer fighting. Not only that but the flowers still hadn’t been picked, the color theme was still pending, several of the invitations hadn’t been sent, he had yet to go buy a new outfit-

His cats!!!! His fur babies needed a cat sitter!

He groaned and cursed at himself for forgetting such an important detail. He swore if his head weren’t attached he would’ve lost it long ago.

“………..”

He supposed he was worrying about nothing, this was just a formality.

The white eyed skeleton stared at the ring on his left ring finger. They had eloped and married in the town of Las Vegas.. and had a small celebration in their hotel room. The three of them dancing.. elated that after years of hardship they were finally united in marriage.

He supposed he should just worry about one thing at a time.. I mean so long as he solved the issues before the formality wedding it would be alright.

“I-I should really head t-to work… don’t want to be late. But m-maybe… I’ll leave the ring h-here… I don’t want to lose it.”

The barista had made it a habit of leaving his ring either in the bathroom or his nightstand. He feared if he took it to work he’d risk the chance or losing it. For now this was his best option to ensure the security of the ring.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

The days passed until it was the day of their ‘formal’ wedding.

“Killer! What are you doing in there? Some of us need to use the bathroom too you know?” Nightmare scolded as he intermittently knocked on the bathroom door. To the violet skeleton it felt like Killer had been in the bathroom for at least half an hour.

“Chill babe, I was showering. You can’t rush perfection you know.” Killer purred as the door clicked open.

“Don’t tell me to chill!! Because of you we’re going to be late!”

“N-No! We can’t b-be late!” Ccino stuttered as he stumbled into the bathroom. A look of panic across his face. “If w-w-we’re late people w-will think s-something happened!”

Ccino frantically opened several drawers and desperately rummaged through the items that each one had.

“And t-then the priest w-will leave! Oh shoot… f-fiddlesticks…”

Both Nightmare and Killer exchanged a look as their husband kept scattering items around.

“Marshmallow… is everything alright? You look very stressed…” Killer stated.

“N-no!! Everything is n-not alright!! I-I… I… I can’t find anything! I d-don’t have the other items t-that I need!!”

The white eyed skeleton began nibbling his thumb as he rushed out of the bathroom to the living room area.

“Ccino.. what are you looking for? Perhaps we could help locate it for you.” Nightmare said as he followed the barista out of the bathroom.

The violet skeleton knew that Ccino was someone who would stress about small details.. and often times wouldn’t share that responsibilities with others.

He certainly was a hard worker.. but Nightmare knew it’s what often caused his poor husband to become burnt out so quickly.

“I… I-I…” Ccino began to respond, but soon hot tears began to roll down his cheeks. “I d-dont… I c-cant believe I f-f-f-forgot.. I’m s-so s-s-stupid!”

“Woah.. now Ccino.. you’re not stupid..” Nightmare walked towards the small skeleton and held his hands. “What is it that you forgot?”

The white eyed skeleton opened his mouth to respond but no words came out. All he could do was cry and sob, his breathing irregular and shaky.

Killer upon hearing his partner cry rushed over to join the two skeletons.

“Marshmallow!! My sweet little cinnamon roll! Why are you crying?”

“B-Because… I…” Ccino took in a shaky breath trying to calm himself. “I w-wanted t-t-to follow the t-tradition!”

“What tradition..?”

“Where s-s-someone w-wears… s-something b-borrowed… n-new.. blue.. and o-old…”

Killer furrowed his brow bones a bit puzzled. “Why would you want to wear something old?”

“Killer do you really not know? It’s a very popular and used tradition. Typically a bride will wear something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. You could say it’s for good luck.”

Ccino nodded in agreement and wiped his tears with the back of his hands.

“Well that’s easy! We can definitely find all that!” Killer exclaimed. “Wait right here marshmallow I got something for ya.”

After a few minutes passed Killer returned with a narrow long rectangular box.

“Moonpie and I had actually planned on giving this to you later but… I think now would be better.”

Killer looked at Nightmare for any sign of protest. But the violet skeleton gave a nod of agreement. Smiling, Killer went ahead and opened the box to reveal a thin silver chain.

“W-what’s that…?”

“Well.. you need something new right? Nightlight and I realized that you often leave your ring behind because of work.. so we thought to get you this neck chain so you could put your ring in it. That way you won’t lose it. And always have it on you, even if it’s not on your finger.”

Ccino’s eyes widen and his eyelights grew into those beautiful white round orbs that Killer loved dearly. “Oh.. yes!! O-oh I love it s-so much!!”

Ccino smiled as Killer placed the chain on the barista.

“As for something blue.. your tuxedo is already blue. And for something borrowed you’ll be borrowing my bow tie. So two things are already covered.” Nightmare stated.

“Y-you’re right! But… w-what about something old..?”

“Oh that’s easy, Killer is right here and he’s plenty old.”

“Oi!! I am not that old!!”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Ccino smiled, and soon erupted into a fit of giggles. He remembered the times he used to worry about his boyfriends banter and light insults. Worried that they truly couldn’t stand each other.

But he realized that strangely enough that’s how they express their feelings for each other. Because it wasn’t too late after that, that they would be kissing each other.

“I-I think.. I have a-an idea.” Ccino chimed. “It m-may look tacky b-but..”

He trailed off as he made his way to the bedroom, and after a few minutes he returned. But as far as his partners could tell, he didn’t have any new item on him.

“Uhm marshmallow..?”

“I…. I t-thought I could wear m-my shoes…” the white eyed skeleton looked down at his shoes. They were very worn down, and with few old coffee stains splattered across.

“These a-are my old s-shoes… I know it’s s-silly but… I k-kept them b-because I was w-wearing these when we f-first met… I c-can change out of t-them though if they l-look bad!”

Nightmare blinked a few times a tad surprised, but soon smiled affectionately at his husband. “I think it’s perfect…”

Killers smiled as well, a gentle and soft expression displayed across his face. “Perfect… just like you are.”

The eyeless skeleton grabbed hold of Nightmare’s hand before extending his free one to Ccino. “So… what do you say marshmallow… Marry us again?”

The small skeleton’s sockets welled up with tears, he could feel how they pooled in the lining of his sockets. Could a singular skeleton really be allowed to be this happy?

“Y-Yes!!” The tears spilled from his sockets as he jumped into his partners arms. “A-always!”

You know I can’t resist some good old fashion studio fluffynightkiller with the extra fluff! I’ve been on an angst spree recently soooo I thought to give y’all a nice little break before continuing ;)

This little bit does contain some headcanons that gayfish and I came up with during some old rp’s! And a headcanon that gayfish had that as soon as the trio was allowed to marry they immediately eloped.

Original Ccino by @black-nyanko

Original Killer by @rahafwabas/ @rahofy-sketch

Original Nightmare by @jokublog

Studioverse/ studio au by @zu-is-here

Fluffynightkiller week hosted by @help-im-a-gay-fish

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dailydiabetesqueen · 2 years

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Dexcom G6

My “something blue, on my wedding day.”

Something Old - My Type one Diabetes (12 years old.)

Something New - My bedazzled CGM

Something Borrowed - My pancreas is broken so I had to borrow this device to check my blood sugars

Something blue - My bedazzled sticker for my CGM

#typeonewedding #type one diabetic #purple hearts #hobby lobby #something blue #diabetes #typewonderful #dexcomg6 #insulin #insulin prices #insulinprices #style #fashion #diabetesfashion #something old something new #dexcom #like a g6

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amicicidalgambler · 1 year

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what is a knife to you

8efore I had the dice, the main weapon I used was just the 8iggest kitchen knife I could get my hands on.

#asks.txt #So you know #Something old something new

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ghostvalleylibrary · 1 year

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Author: caityjay

Pairing: Xiyuan

Setting: Post Canon

Genre: Fluff, Humor

Warnings: None

Rating: G

Wordcount: 3,058

Summary:

Jing Qi ventures out into town in his new home of Nanjiang on a shopping mission. It turns out he can, in fact, still be surprised.

S’s Notes:

Adorable fic. I’m absolutely obsessed with Jing Beiyuan’s transition into life in Nanjiang, and this fic covers that so well. The embedded art is also incredibly well done.

#fic rec #xiyuan #qi ye #post canon #fluff #humor #rated g #<5k #oneshot #complete #caityjay #something old something new

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nate-fraust · 1 year

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Something Old, Something New

Sorry, don’t really use Tumblr except to see what new stuff’s being posted about my ships, so this’ll be a lame first post.

Anyways, I guess the prompt for this sort of thread thing is “Post a snip of one of your oldest works vs. one of your newest.” In that case, I’ve got a few things for y’all.

(Btw: thx to @n1hila for the tag. If anyone else would like to join, like @mel-kusanagi, you can, but you don’t have to. I’m just a dude lurking in the shade of y’all’s brilliance :) )

So, since I got tagged on the basis of my writing, I guess I’ll start with that. Writing

The first section is an excerpt from the first chapter of “coNTROL”, the first fanfic I ever published during my early years as a part of the inFAMOUS fandom. I’d initially posted it on Fanfiction.net back in September or October of 2013, but I deleted it from my account there and reposted it to my AO3 five years later. This story sparked my love of writing and storytelling, so much so that I’m working on earning my bachelor’s in Mass Communication/Journalism right now. The second section is “Phantom”, my latest one-shot. I wrote it as part of the “Codextober” challenge from @orphiceonian, using the prompt “Blade”. I’d intended to follow it up with another one-shot of Loki (or Delus/Luka/Leug, as I would call him using the “Isu” name he would most likely have) meeting Aletheia/Angrboða (Drud/Drutes in “Isu”) during his time apprenticing under Promethus/Consus (Permenos/Setor) at his workshop prior to the War of Reunification* in 1923 Isu Era. However, classes and assignments got the better of me. Perhaps I’ll finish it over this break.

Old:

His brain drummed a maddening beat against his skull as he limped towards the destroyed military truck. Dammit, he cursed. Would this incessant pounding never end? He reached the truck, which had evidence of a firefight or some sort of incindeary devices all over it. The back of the truck was facing him, a box of smoke and flames. Delsin rushed as best he could towards the opening, trying to ignore the oily stench of smoke and burning human flesh.

He saw the shine of a DUP officer's helmet, and ignored it. Why should he care for the oppressive SOB? He peered around and noticed movement through the fumes. He hurried over to the figure and tried to get his attention.

"Sir? Sir, you need medical help." Delsin said to the hunched over man as he clapped him lightly on the shoulder. Don't we all, he reflected bitterly. "I need to ca-".

The man grabbed his arm and held on like a vise. "No!" he shouted hoarsely. "No hospitals! They're never taking me back!"

Delsin tried to wrench his arm away from the madman, and ended up touching his wrist to the stranger's thumb. A roar sounded in his ears, and they flew apart. Delsin hit the ground and slid to the back of the car, bashing his head on the end of a cold metal bench. He barely heard the crack of the man's neck as he slid into unconsciousness. New:

Wind rushes into me as I come back to myself. Far off in the distance, a sable speck plummets into the spear-din, glinting and crossed. I watch it fall.

Someone is screaming. Somewhere, someone is screaming.

The heat is at my back. I turn to face it.

Ice shoots through my heart.

“ You ,” I sputter, gilded spittle flecking Delus’ scarred visage.

“Aye.” The bastard’s smile is cruel, lit from within with madness. “ Me .”

He goes to pull his dagger from my chest, but I grasp onto his arm in a grip made tight from death. His eyes are full of hate and panic.

With the last of my strength, I cast Gungnir far from me, willing it farther and farther still as I pull the traitor’s blade deeper into myself.

Delus is screaming in my ear, cursing me, my blood, my kin. I close my eyes against the truth as he howls to the roaring winds, crying of his hand in beloved Balthas’ slow death. I close my eyes and call out to the Swayer, drawing it back, back, back-

My blood-brother chokes on his words as Gungir tears through us both, fleeing far to the north. We fall.

The air is thick with cries of “ Zàw! ” and the black scent of death, but my eyes are fixed on his. There are no promises, no oaths to be made in the face of such a sight.

My body is cold now, yet the wound burns all the same.

Delus’ mouth moves, gilded tongue full of venom-

* - The War of Reunification was a conflict that likely would have been analogous to the Aesir-Vanir War of Norse myth. If the conflict was continent-wide, it could have also/otherwise been the basis for the theorized Proto-Indo-European myth of the “war of the functions/foundation”.

Bonus: Art

I’ve been drawing for far longer than I’ve been writing, but I don’t stake any significant claim on it. However, I do have a few pieces in my Google Photos. Old:

This is a drawing of Delsin Rowe from one of my other (unfinished) inFAMOUS fanfics, a Last of Us crossover titled “The Light”. Had I continued with it, Delsin would’ve looked something like this by (probably) the middle of the story. His right forearm has a green-blue shattered arrowhead, which was supposed to signify the Glass powers he would have gotten at some point in the journey.

This is a drawing of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, semi-inspired by Christy Tortland/Serena Kenobi’s iteration of her in her “Hunter” Wonderbat series of fanfics. If I’m remembering correctly, I may have based the body off of Gina Carano, but I really should have worked more on Gal Gadot’s face. Either that, or I should’ve just done Jamie Alexander instead.

New:

This is an early sketch of a marble statue of Dagris, a “god-king” deity from a homebrew DnD campaign I’ve been involved with for a few months. We’ve stalled for the moment, so I figured it would be alright to put this out into the world.

---

Bonus2: Poetry

Yes, I’m still here. Yes, I’ll be getting out of y’all’s hair in a moment (if you’ve not stopped reading already). Just wanted to leave you with a few snippets of poetry.

Old: It’s pointless to write these words,

for I’ve dug my grave with my own hands,

with my thoughts,

and they're simply wind to you.

I’m grasping at an image,

A watercolor from the back of my mind.

The paints run down

As the image is washed in the river of thought.

I want to know;

I need to see.

But it’s not for me.

New:

Before me, behind me, above me, about me,

The sky.

Choked by the fideless clouds,

It roils, gelt in fury.

Orcus’ rictus gapes;

Kharon, bowing, beckons,

Cyan cowl stained,

Blotted by woeful waters.

Onward, ever onward;

Through tongueless tears,

Through faned fears,

Through a thousand-thousandfold.

Not so strange,

The fruitless ash,

Maddening horse-gallow.

Not so great,

The landless thorn,

Crossless cedar-hyssop.

Gloryless wanderer,

Sightless sees,

A pitiless gaze,

A manger seiged.

#i don't know how to tag shit #sorry for the long post #something old something new #where's the 'borrowed' and 'blue' stuff #when does that come in #do y'all meme in this area #first post

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