#atla new year gift exchange

[girlslashers]

GIFT EXCHANGE PRESENT FOR @atlas-of-galaxies <3 have an emurui new year!

#vivi art time #project sekai #emurui #pjsekai #pjsk #wonderlands x showtime

[erisenyo]

My ATLA Winter Solstice Exchange gift for @bisexuallsokka! Featuring so much pining, a big move no one is excited for, realization of feelings, plenty of angst, plenty of lovable idiocy, that divorced Zukka vibe, and a big ol' happy ending.

Sokka and Zuko have been roommates and best friends through college and graduation, through first jobs and new jobs and promotions, through friends getting married and sisters being pregnant and everything in between.

But that all ends in four days.

Four days to pack up an apartment. Four days before Zuko goes to law school and Sokka stays behind. Four days to untangle two lives that Sokka and Zuko have spent ten years weaving together.

Can you call it a divorce, if you were never actually together in the first place?

#fic writing #my writing #atla fic #zukka fic #Also lol it's four chapters #Are any of us surprised this got out of hand?

[readwithnox]

7 LGBTQ+ Indie Books Releasing During Pride Month

Looking for some new books to celebrate? Check these out!

Paragon Seven

by Phoenix Ning

The gritty setting and angsty sapphic relationship of ARCANE meets the ensemble cast and discussions of power in THE ATLAS SIX where seven queer people of color with superpowers work together to overthrow an oligarchy in a federation of four sectors.

Twenty-two-year-old Mu Lanying is one kill shy from graduating as Skyleen Military Academy’s next valedictorian. After that, she will be crowned as the Laurel Scholar in a private ceremony held in the Chancellor’s Office. Within the Office lies a restricted archive that holds the truth to her mother’s death — an enigma that has haunted her for the past six years. But when Lanying is tasked with executing a revolutionary called Marigold, she fails the mission.

Twenty-four-year-old Lee Chaewon is no stranger to threats. In the past seven years, she had been a triple threat in the entertainment industry and a threat to the Skyleen Administration as a member of the insurgent quartet called Blossom Four. But now, the only threat haunting her is the lack of funds needed to treat her older sister’s terminal illness. When Marigold offers to cover the remaining cost of her sister’s chemotherapy in exchange for a favor, Chaewon takes the money and agrees to assassinate the upcoming Laurel Scholar.

During the Academy’s Commencement Parade, Lanying gains access to the restricted archive where she learns that her mother was executed for posing as the Chancellor’s mistress while spying on his inner circle. On top of that, her mother had passed on classified information to a network of rebels including Chaewon’s father, and the Administration is still hunting for surviving insurgents. When Chaewon fails to assassinate Lanying, the former learns that her father had also died under the Chancellor’s order. Enraged, the pair set out to locate surviving rebels in hopes of recovering the information that is worth killing for. The girls eventually find themselves leading a coup d’etat with five other people that will either end in bloodshed or usher in a new age.

Releasing June 1st, 2023—LGBTQ+ Fantasy

Add it on Goodreads

By Your Side: A Queerplatonic Short Story

By Margherita Scialla

Emma’s relationship ends abruptly when she comes across her boyfriend cheating on her at a party. Yet another failed relationship brings her repressed platonic feelings for one of her best friends to the surface once more.

Emma’s scared to voice her worries and desires, but even if she manages to bring up how she feels, how will Noah react to such a revelation?

Releasing June 6th, 2023 — Young Adult LGBTQ+ Fiction

Add it on Goodreads • Get it on Amazon

Trick

By Cara Nox

Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series meets V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue with a dash of Disney+’s Loki in this new adult urban fantasy.

WELCOME TO NEW ATLAS: A CITY WITHIN A REALITY JUST BEYOND OUR OWN.

Evie is a nobody. Spending her days in college classes and her nights studying, having a social life has never really been a priority. With her sights firmly set on the future to keep away her thoughts of the past, she loses her grip on the present when her world is ripped out from under her. And it’s all thanks to two mysterious strangers showing up on her doorstep, claiming that she can turn back time.

Cade is a notorious troublemaker. He’s never been afraid to throw around his name to get what he wants as someone who’s clawed his way to the top. But power is quick to change hands in this city, and when he chooses to blatantly disregard an order from his leader, his older brother, he’s tossed back down to the bottom again. He’ll be more than lucky to regain any sort of trust when everyone knows he’s one of the best spies there is, sliding in and out of shadows in the blink of an eye.

Ren is a bored teenager. Always labeled as the “golden child” or “gifted student,” he finds himself writing down cryptic messages and following strange leads, rather than putting on the same old song and dance for his family. Especially once he discovers his little stolen fragments of the future are starting to take a darker turn. Perhaps chasing the life everyone wants him to have isn’t necessarily in the cards for him, but there’s only one way to find out.

So when someone within the secret society known as the Custodians targets Evie for her power, the clock starts in the final sprint to hunt down the culprit. In order to uncover whatever hidden clues are lurking in the past, the three of them have no choice but to peel back the layers of obscurity built up between their factions to figure out why she’s being hunted and how they might be able to fix their bleak futures before it’s too late.

Just remember: time is nothing but a trick.

Releasing June 13th, 2023 — New Adult LGBTQ+ Urban Fantasy

Add it on Goodreads • Get it on Amazon

Scars & Secrets (Shield & Sorrow, Book #2)

by J.E. Ridge

Saving the kingdom was only the beginning …

Kings Archer and Silas successfully thwarted the plot to take over Arnsveld and Bellacosta. Now they’re struggling to maintain their tenuous relationship amidst dissenting soldiers, scheming nobles, and the trial of the century.

Valerian’s job is to neutralize the mage behind the plot without getting tangled in his sinister web. When Penn finds himself at the mercy of traitors, Valerian abandons everything to help him. Love and magic prove to be a deadly combination.

Releasing June 20th, 2023—LGBTQ+ Romantic Fantasy

Add it on Goodreads • Get it on Amazon

Hymn of Memory

By S. Jean

As the Divine of Blackburn, Morgan sends its departed souls into the afterlife. It’s a sacred job spanning generations of Divines before him, but there’s a problem: the process invites the dead’s memories inside and those memories quickly erode and erase his own. Before long, he fears he will completely lose who he is and no one seems to care.

Then Fin, a familiar face from town, sneaks into Morgan’s room to beg for a resending of his grandmother and Morgan quickly agrees, knowing it means an opportunity to escape.

As escape quickly turns into a road trip with Fin to replace the memories he’s lost, Morgan has to confront what it means if he never returns. Without him to send souls, they die completely, leaving a void in the world where nothing will live or grow. Returning, however, means he will lose himself.

And so, Morgan must decide if never returning and living his life as himself — not the Divine — is worth more than the souls he’s leaving behind.

Releasing June 27th, 2023 — Young Adult LGBTQ+ Contemporary Fantasy

Add it on Goodreads • Get it on Amazon

Of Knights and Books and Falling in Love

by Rita A. Rubin

A slice-of-life fantasy, perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Jayce has little memory of life before entering servitude to the Dark Lord, and no hope of ever escaping. Until he meets Alexius, the knight with a heart of gold. He offers Jayce, his enemy, a chance to break free of the Dark Lord’s clutches, and Jayce is not about to let such an opportunity pass.

When the war comes to an end, Jayce finds himself finally free, with Alexius’s help, and surrounded by a new world of opportunity. And the prospect of a new love. The more time Jayce spends with Alexius, the more he finds himself falling for this knight in shining armour.

Releasing June 29th, 2023 — New Adult LGBTQ+ Romantic Fantasy

Add it on Goodreads

Unpainted

By Dan Fitzgerald

In the hermetic society of the Painted Faces, pale, unblemished skin is rewarded with station, wealth, and power.

Tera would almost rather go unpainted than enter into an arranged marriage with a total stranger, but that would mean giving up the only life she’s ever known. Not to mention her share of her family’s Pureline fortune.

She’s always thought love was a fairy tale and sex a joyless chore, but the alternative might be worse.

Enter Aven, a soft buttercup of a man, the kindest and most considerate person she’s ever met. A tropical honeymoon awaits, and with the help of her intimacy consultant, Tera is determined to make the best of this awkward ritual. Amid the island breezes, she and her new spouse form a bond neither of them knew they were capable of.

But trouble stirs beneath the polite veneer of the Painted Faces’ society, threatening to tear them — and their entire world — apart.

Releasing June 30th, 2023 — LGBTQ+ Fantasy Romance

Add it on Goodreads

Disclaimer: anything purchased through the links provided in this article helps me continue writing with compensation through Amazon’s affiliate program.

#bookblr #indie books #queer books #lgbt books #lgbtq books #pride month #book rec list

[stingslikeabee]

happy new year and 2022′s follow forever!

I feel I say this every year - but 2022 was the most challenging year for me thus far. From living entirely by myself in a foreign country while studying my ass off to surviving the most critical election that my country has faced since our (very young) re-democratization - it has been a lot. It has been exhausting, daunting and frightening for a myriad of reasons and yet this place (and you guys) have helped me survive it all.

New fandoms, new muses, new connections - 2022 introduced me to some lovely mutuals who have been more than roleplay partners; it solidified older friendships, as well! I couldn’t possibly go on and head into the new year without acknowledging some very special souls who made all the difference during these last months and to whom I credit part of my success of writing this with a smile on my face. :)

@sixthxchairman: YOU. YOU AMAZING HUMAN. I have no words to explain how much I love you and the immensely positive impact you’ve had on my life, Dawn. This time, last year, I was already in awe at how much I had grown to love and care for Daigo and all our plotting; one year later and we have a MULTIVERSE. You are responsible for rekindling my passion for a franchise to the point of picking up Akiyama, you have been the one person I couldn’t go a day without dropping by to say hello, you’ve kept me company during bleak hours and complicated times of my life and all I can say is a huge ‘thank you’. I love the fanart we commissioned, the gifts we exchanged, the movie night experience! It feels like I’ve known you forever and I cannot wait until we finally meet and fangirl in person. <3 Honestly, you’re incredible and I’m grateful for having you every day! A day without my daily Down dose (wohoo alliteration!) is not a happy one.

@cwarscars: Han, my love, the owner of the sexiest voice ever, the best doggo groomer in all of the UK - I am so happy to see you writing for my favorite villain of the FFVII franchise but also for being who you are. You just are so incredible kind, always willing to give everyone a chance and such a blessed brain with all these delightful ideas and well-rounded portrayals that I could go on for hours about. I am thrilled to remain your friend after 3 years, and it feels symbolic that we have returned to Heidegger and Melissa at the closing of 2022 since this is where it all started! I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all the love and support for my OC when she was still a FFVII side piece and giving her space to shine. You rock!

@5judgements: Chelsea - you have given me the GIFT of writing Melissa in one of my favorite verses, as well as allowing me to fully flesh her FFXII persona and build upon the lore of my favorite FF entry. I will never be over the fact you made me soft for all judge magisters (BUT BERGAN, NOT YOU BERGAN) and how much we’ve picked this game apart to make it our own. It’s been an incredible experience and you’re such a talented, amazing writer! I am constantly in awe of everything you do and making grabby hands at your other muses (even if they are not heavily armored, haha) because you are so compelling when writing them. I am very proud to know that my legacy to you is being remembered whenever Shakira’s ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ come on the radio. :D

@kansaisdragon: Atlas, sweetheart - please know I’ll forever cherish the fact we’ll be both going broke over Akiyama together; it’s fun to make bad decisions in good company! :D But also - I am so immensely grateful for the time, interest and incredible writing you have given me during these last months. You have singlehandedly transformed my opinion on Ryuji, amused me with your own take on Akiyama, then watched me struggle with Kuwana and swing like a pendulum where my thoughts about him are concerned. I’m also in awe of how clearly you get their voices - and I’m always happy to see you around. I hope there’s much more for us in 2023!

@iosonostanco: GABE, WE DID IT. WE FINALLY MET EACH OTHER. To think a mere DM over tumblr from 2016 would get us to actually see each other and have real life adventures! I’ll never be able to thank you enough for being such a great friend - online and offline, for all these years. I’m so grateful for all the memories we made and to have your bastard, little shithead of a son back (and I mean this VERY lovingly). It’s easy to forget we met through roleplay given everything we’ve done and talked about - just know that I appreciate you immensely and I hope I can return the gracious hosting you’ve offered me in France one day! :D

@svnsworn: Liiiiiight - you know, I feel I don’t say this very often, but you are incredible. You have always been a consistent source of talent and positivity in the dash, with a jaw-dropping range and always so welcoming and friendly towards every new fandom or experience. I am so happy we have never lost sight of each other since we found each other on the FFVII fandom and I’m incredibly excited to dive head first into the PtN addiction with you. :D I love you lots, you’re in my inner circle of precious moots and I know you say we’re all rockstars but you know what? I play the reverse card on this and call myself your dedicated groupie! :3 I’ll always follow you and your children, no matter how different our fandoms are - you just shine all the way.

@exboost & @healthkits: I’m tagging both these blogs because I want you to read this, Lance - BECAUSE YOU ARE AWESOME. From the first day we really got to talking thanks to my Judgment ramblings, you have been nothing but this super welcoming and cheerful person and listen - I can talk so much and so fast and to have someone not being intimidated by my words-per-minute average is a blessing. I love reading about your takes and opinions and I’m forever screaming at the fact you have welcomed my girl (and Akiyama!) with such open arms into your children’s lives. Besides - I love how we just click, culturally wise. We definitely are close siblings (or cousins) and I love to see it, really!

@gbrnth: Linda! I’ll say that first of all, I’m happy you found your way back here and that we got to trade discords because it’s been so good to chat and watch our kids make bad decisions! It’s like a trainwreck - but of the good kind. I love FFXII immensely and to have been accepted by you & your son with Melissa being her infuriating little self was so good and is so fun! I love that we got to write again and I’m sincerely hoping our work/professional endeavors never fully remove the time to indulge in this hobby of ours. Have a lovely 2023!

@marie-dufresne: Frenchie, I wanted to include you here and give you a shout out because... Girl, you’re such an inspiration. I know we took ages to follow each other but gosh I love how excited you are about Marie, how incredibly talented you are with your hobbies and to know I just have you & Marie as some sort of sister figure to myself & Melissa where allowing our daughters questionable taste in men is concerned (alas, irl you are VASTLY superior to me haha I wish I had your aptitude for so many artistic endeavors!). I have enjoyed reading about Marie and knowing more about her a ton, and I really hope to see more (as chaotic as things can be on your personal side of things with the new kid and everything). I hope you have a great 2023!

@famuran: Cadewyn, my beloved - please know that I’m eternally grateful for all the support you have offered me offline this year. I think very few people have been so outspoken and firmly congratulated me for leaving my country behind and embracing a life-changing move (literally!). You have cheered me up and encouraged me when I faltered and this is so precious to me. And of course - your son will never not be my favorite sky pirate. I’m always happy to see you gracing the dash with your talent and I hope you continue to do so in 2023! :3

@shinrasfirst: You know, Min - maybe I wouldn’t have met the deadline for the applications of my masters if it hadn’t been for you. XD For this - and all the lovely capybara shitposting and mutual support offered in this year, I THANK YOU. You are always a bright, kind and funny presence in my life and I hope it never changes. I’m also determined! To make it! To Viennna! WE ARE SO CLOSE (I mean not right now, but back in February we’ll shift to the same time zone again), I can’t let this chance escape. ;--; No matter where you go fandom wise, I’m sure you’ll rock it. You are epic. YOU ARE INCREDIBLE.

@ivory-paragon: After all these years and you did it. I might have lost your stuff for six months but you did it, you MADE ME SHIP THIS, JAMES. And with a very suitable creepy plot to explain everything and to use as the backdrop to my one-sided novels. ALL JOKES ASIDE - thank you for the good memories and joint plotting this year! :D You’ll never be free of me surging uninvited in your DMs, sir. As a fellow lawyer person, I know things are crazy and busy and I appreciate all the good vibes and positive thoughts you’ve sent my way with my move and everything - I’m hoping you’ll always have success (here and off tumblr, of course!).

@holyguardian & @rebelichor: Muddy, I just wanted to give your girls a shout out (as well as yourself!) because it’s always so good to read you having fun. I know we don’t always interact (but I’m getting there - I AM MAKING A DECENT VERSE OUTLINE FOR ARI) but I just love to see how much passion you have for these two, the range you can get while keeping them so true to their natures and just your overall happy self around. Real life can be hard, but you’ve always bounced back and I just feel that a dash with Muddy is a better dash. It feels like home to have you writing and creating next door, my follow Southern hemisphere friend. May 2023 treat you better! <3

#ooc! #follow forever #yeah I like these #and I did it again this year #please let me love y'all <3 #and a happy new year for us all!

[unproduciblesmackdown]

i present a specific potential variant on Mordecai Killed Atlas: In the caves beneath lackadaisy, Mordecai shot at Atlas, and it looked like he was hit(either a near miss or a non instantly lethal shot), but Atlas ran deeper into the caves, and unbeknownst to Mordecai he got killed by a third party who got in and out through some undetected squeeze connecting to that portion of the caves (caves are fucked up).

Honestly the caves are a great murder location for this mystery, you were spot on about that — the Themes, a combination of perceived privacy but also a bajillion potential secret entrances for unknown parties (caves are still fucked up. You're telling me a foot wide chute can open up into a space the size of a cathedral? what the hell, ground).

oh for real, it's Resonant and we're not just talking about the echoing

like, that right at the end of the first page we're talking about Atlas the Opportunist and seeing him looking down into the depths of these caves. if it shook out like, he's also looking at the place his opportunism will eventually lead him to die? well but of course

and of course, having a cute little cafe as your Unassuming Establishment Portal Into An Extensive Maze of Caves where maybe you die? sure could speak to atlas himself, who we hardly know anything about, with the exchange from other characters (elsa and bobby) re: "he always had a mild, softspoken way about him" "softspoken and positively machiavellian"....and just that i personally latch on to the Atlas Is An Opportunist / atlas courts his wife starting with an immediate extravagant gift; atlas obtains a hitman by leaving a gun for a [can't be much older than an eighteen year old] in a kill or be killed situation: mitzi and mordecai i do think have earnest personal feelings involved regarding atlas, and i suspect that while this Could've, May've been nonzero returned, for atlas it was more like. cool now i have a wife and a new hitman. they may not think he was a Little Daisy Cafe as it were, they may have been brought down into the caves, but even if they know as much as anyone the extent of those caves, they're surely not all mapped out, and/or like you say, plenty of surprises / places you might not Know can be traversed without dealing with too-tight squeezes for anyone's comfort, or having to excavate some more....but maybe someone else does risk that squeeze, or do some excavating, or just otherwise stumble across something spontaneously

plus, of course, people mention/comment on The Caves a few times, for emphasis in our perspective here lol....also again going like hey, how do you know about lagering caves. maybe Others know of it and he's learned about it through work for lackadaisy or marigold (suitable for storage....anything stashed down there??). sure is getting Illumination while in an establishment with access to caves again. and gracie, ask more questions about thematic irony lol. illumination, conveniently inert, a pitiable mess, suitable storage, veritable oubliette....

plus that like, take it back to running for your lives through the caves, it Really Sure Is Something that pursuers got lost, started wandering into darkness covered in bones, while their doom was imminent and they're dealing with "i thought there was someone there but there wasn't" and "i thought there wasn't someone there but there was"

definitely leaning quite hard into [yeah mordecai shot atlas] now that i'm realizing "and i think he did it with the same gun atlas left behind for him on the train," like Resonance is leading the way for me too lol....and even if Eventually it ended up like, atlas's body somewhere such that it could be photographed rather than that they just Said he was dead or anything, anything could've happened before that, even if it seems to have to include "being shot." and i'm also leaning towards [atlas asked, or more likely/accurately, told mordecai to shoot/kill him] like, can set that aside for an inevitable additional separate murder mystery post lol and yeah What Ifs still active re: atlas wasn't in on his own death, actually....

would be a great stage out of universe (and yet, seemingly private one in universe) to kill someone, and i've sure been wondering if they weren't A Reason someone (atlas) got killed. hidden things to discover down, events, objects, features of the cave itself....River Access would be a huge thing, a potential resource obviously (for atlas the opportunist) but also vulnerability. and you would think then that mitzi and mordecai in their Mystery Involvement would've heard of it, then, except that maybe they Had, and it was just more trouble than it was worth b/c of all the [leadup to atlas's murder] it did / blocked off. or something like that. or just the complete plausibility that they don't know that there are no other exits to this cave system / connections it makes with other systems / secret chambers, passages, other features, etc....

it definitely would be difficult for atlas to get shot by mordecai and like, Straightforwardly escape, but sure possible, especially with the factor of darkness (hey. can they see better in the dark lol. probably not really, and not in Cave, For Real No Light dark anyways) and possible places to hide or escape; the only other factor is that i doubt mordecai would really call off his pursuit, and then it might make it quite a coincidence if third parties came across atlas somewhere else and finished the job, or atlas just like, dies of blood loss before leaving behind any evidence about who did it (mordecai, theoretically) or who didn't (mitzi)....does feel like Third Parties have to be involved Somewhere at least in the leadup to atlas's death, and sure possibly in its execution. and i'm thinking that what has mordecai so pressed about [important things i thought i knew] sure includes Who Knew What Happened, since he's bringing up as much re: if marigold maybe knows....and i think that might overlap with "things atlas told him, relevant to this whole situation, that mordecai thought was true, till questioning it now" and that i'm wondering if, even if i'm right about atlas telling mordecai to kill him, atlas might've known things mordecai didn't that atlas also knew could negatively affect mordecai down the line....guided by resonance again, i think it's completely plausible that mordecai will be really wrangling as much as anyone with his Idea Of / Understanding Of Atlas. though, if he'd killed atlas without atlas telling him to do it, he probably doesn't have to worry about that. in which case good for him

#ted's caving adventure or w/e which isn't the name but for some reason i can never remember it any other way.... #and much more! re: caving and horror. well what about spelunking COMEDY #we're getting that here i suppose lmao #lackadaisy #mitzi and mordecai murder mystery

[lord-squiggletits]

🌻

I'm familiar with Chris Metzen's writing style because of his work on World of Warcraft, which is the first media I was ever a huge fan of (started playing in the single digits of age, was making fanart and OCs and participating in gift exchanges before I was a teen). That might give me some bias in favor of his writing in IDW, but I honestly don't think so. The first time I read his trilogy was 2 years ago and I found it good if edgy at times. Then I got into the fandom and found out people didn't care for it, eh maybe they're right. Reread the Metzen trilogy again and NOPE I actually like it even more now that I understand more of IDW's story and don't get how it's supposed to be edgy or out of place.

The primary reason I love them is because I love Metzen's Optimus (I am not taking criticism on this), but to set aside my special boy for a moment, I just like Metzen's writing in general.

Autocracy/Monstrosity/Primacy have super high stakes. It feels dark and gritty and horrible (which I guess is why people call it edgy), but considering that the books cover the collapse of a tyrannical regime + the chaotic civil war and exodus from Cybertron + the worsening energon crisis + massive parts of Cybertron being destroyed, it's not edgy??? It's literally just depicting governmental collapse, impending war, and famine as seriously as they are??? Complaining about the Metzen trilogy for being edgy is like going to the beach and complaining that the water is salty, like bro this is what the environment entails

But besides that, it's NOT just about how horrible war is, the stories show the Autobots and Decepticons both being cool as fuck. Optimus is precious and trying so hard but not able to hold everything together on his own. Megatron is fucking brutal and absolutely unstoppable and I also love him. The narrative is perfectly balanced between action, character reflection, and some fucking COOL early war politics.

The character interactions are so fucking interesting. Dai Atlas is a cunt but I love how he serves as both ally and critic of Optimus at different points (until he leaves on bad terms with OP). The Dynobots are SO COOL: they're literally FORMER GLADIATORS but then Optimus convinces them they can be saved instead of isolating themselves as monsters! That leads to Grimlock having cool "jaded veteran + young rookie" interactions with Hot Rod! Megatron talking to Penitus which leads to him refining/doubling down on his already existing philosophy of monstrosity and tyranny! Starscream being evil but also lowkey being one of the only Decepticons with braincells who raises an eyebrow at pointless destruction!!!

Even the news media and general populace of Cybertron get to have their viewpoints represented! And it's fucking good representation because it makes Optimus a more believeable character! The news media is still unconvinced what Optimus' primacy will bring, normal civilians are scared the government won't protect them, fuck there's even a scene where Optimus shows up to a riot and people are terrified of him!!! It really fucking shows that Optimus fought an uphill battle with the existing populace knowing him for his role as Zeta's right hand man! When Cybertron goes to shit people leave instead of staying to fight!!! I fucking love how the Cybertron populace's reaction to Optimus/the Autobots reflects the tumultuous history that preceded the Autobot/Decepticon war! I fucking love how Optimus tries to protect everyone, tries to appeal to people to stay and fight for freedom and their homeland, but fails to keep most of the population from leaving! I FUCKING LOVE HOW IT'S MESSY AND CHAOTIC JUST LIKE IT WOULD BE IN REAL LIFE. I LOVE HOW OPTIMUS HAD TO STRUGGLE TO BE A LEADER AND STILL FAILED TO GET MOST PEOPLE TO HAVE FAITH IN HIM!!! I LOVE HOW ALL OF THE ACTION AND PLOT AND CHARACTERIZATION ISN'T JUST COOL IN ITS OWN RIGHT BUT IT ALSO MAKES OPTIMUS FEEL LIKE A COMPLEX AND FLESHED OUT FIGURE!

I fucking love the Metzen trilogy!!!!!!!!

#squiggle answers #i had to gush sorry but i have so many fucking feelings #idw op love #they were good books...and i loved them like good books #i wish there were physical copies of just the Metzen trilogy but #i think they were only digital releases and then they were only published in the omnibuses #answering this made me so happy

[mysticflowerpapersports]

Book #1 Colleen Hoover; It Ends With Us

Characters: Ryle Kincaid, Lily Bloom, Marshal and Issa, Atlas Corrigan

Ryle Kincaid; A neurosurgeon who doesn’t easily give himself away when it comes to relationships and basically trusts no one. In the beginning of the book, he meets this girl Lily Bloom who also had a very rough past-- they exchange small talk and Ryle mentions a story that soon we find out is true, which is him watching his brother die of a gunshot to the head. Behind the trigger it was Ryle himself-- who found that gun, loaded and was ready to be shot. As a kid not knowing any better, he pulls the trigger and kills his brother. That is what has inspired him to become a neurosurgeon.

Lily Bloom: A 25 year old girl who grew up in a very abusive household. Not much towards her but to her mom. Her father was the mayor and was very abusive to her mother. Being a kid witnessing all of the abuse, she have grown to hate him. Though he was never abusive towards her, and her presence usually stops her fathers abusive behavior. A few incidents of abuse: he slaps her across the face, yelling at her, pushing and shoving, and the most damage was him forcing himself on her. Her mother has only been able to get away from this when he has passed.

Atlas Corrigan: When Lily was 13, atlas was 18. They rode on the same bus together. Lily grows vegetables and plants in her backyards and realized some of them were dug up only to find out Atlas has been living in an abandoned house, basically homeless. He got kicked out because one of his parents and him had a disagreement; he had been stealing some of the food. He didn’t have access to a shower, water, new clothes and food. Lily then forms a bond like no other with Atlas and has helped give him proper shelter during cold winter nights, and supplied him with food, new clothes (which were her fathers) and beddings. They both sometimes snuck into Lily’s house and hung out in the living room before her parents got home, watching Ellen DeGeneres show which Lily was a huge fan of: she wrote to her in her journal and in the book she would dig up her old journal and writings to Ellen as if she was writing her a letter of her life story and this is how we find out about her past; Atlas and her abusive father. A recollection of letters of her past life. Then Atlas had to move, went into the marines? And had lost touch with Lily.

Fast forward to their adult years, Lily became a business owner, met a girl that turned out to work for her, this girl is known as Alyssa; Ryle’s sister. They become best friends, and her relationship with Ryle went further. At first he was mostly trying to seduce her to sleep with him, practically begs her. They go on a few dates, in which their first date, she sees Atlas. She finds out Atlas is the owner and cook of the restaurant they just ate in. Having seen Atlas, this brought a lot of memories and confusion to Lily. She doesn’t tell Ryle any of this because their relationship would just get more serious and didn’t want hurt Ryle. 

Prior to this date, Lily and Ryle were in the kitchen and had a few to drink. Ryle talks about this big surgery he’s yet to do on a conjoined twin and how his hands are a precious gift. They had food in the oven which they forgotten about and when they smell burning, they attempted to take it out and dropped the food in shattered glass all over the floor. Ryle cuts his hand or burns? Lily tries to help him and he pushes her over and hits her head on the counter. Ryle became aggravated at the fact that lily wasn’t taking this seriously and he just talked about his big surgery the next day. Lily on the other hand got reminded of the time her mother was being abused, and felt like she was in that position. Ryle gets very apologetic and lily gives him a second chance.

Atlas sees this cut on lily and Ryle’s hand bandaged up and put the two and two together getting the wrong idea of it. He hands Lily a piece of paper with his number on it which she tucked behind her phone case. Ryle finds this out while she showers and gets the idea that lily may have been cheating on him. They have another fight and lily says she completely forgot about that number and never even thought about it once. They get into a fight where he manages to hurt her again and this time she thinks about her mom. And why she never tried to leave her father; because it was hard. If you loved someone with all your heart, its so easy for you to look past their flaws and constantly give brush of that abuse. She now understood why her mother stayed. 

Later on, Ryle asks about a magnet on the fridge of Lily’s. Lily got this magnet from Atlas as a gift, and she didn’t fill Ryle in on that. As they were moving in together, Ryle find a box of full of Lily’s belongings and found all the letters to Ellen in which he discovered about who Atlas really was in her life, as well as where the magnet came from. They had come up with a solution before with Ryle being physical (they both walk away), and this time Ryle didn’t do that. He had hurt Lily again before she could explain, he also became a little sexual and was told to stop but didn’t. Lily decided this was the last time, and called up Atlas. She stayed with him for days, met his friends, finds out he’s never had a girlfriend. 

Ryle decided to take a job in London for 3 months. Decides not to keep in touch with Lily and give her time to think knowing that she wouldn’t give him a chance anymore. Ryle’s sister, Alyssa caught up on what’s going on and tells Lily not to go back to him. She had also spoke with her mom about the situation and told Lily not to stay. She finds out she’s pregnant with Ryle’s kid and decided to keep it. She spent most of her pregnancy preparing her child’s room. Ryle had tried to talk her into giving him another chance and she took her time thinking about it. Ryle was patient and kept his distance, and was only around on days he catches her needing help with heavy lifting. Her labor day comes and she gives birth to her baby. She tells Ryle she wants a divorce while they hold their baby.

Ryle grants her request and decided on custody of the kid. They wanted everything as civil and possible so they agreed on taking turns spending time with their baby. 

She sees Atlas again during one of her walks and they hit it off in the end.

It Ends With Us: Her and Her baby.... and Atlas.

“In the last 15 minutes, he lost the love of his life. In the last 15 minutes he became the father of a beautiful little girl. That’s what 15 minutes can do to a person. It could destroy them. It could save them.”

Takeaways: 

She realized her mom was one of the strongest people on earth for having to put up with the abuse for as long as she did. For that she gave the utmost respect for her. 

She did a speech at her father’s funeral, one that her mom seemed to not have liked but soon tells her she was proud she did that speech. (Basically saying that her father wasn’t a good man.)

Because she ended up hating her father growing up, she didn’t want her daughter to go through the same situation so she decided to end things with Ryle. 

There’s a tattoo on her collarbone, one that Ryle loved to trace his fingers with. After reading the letters, he finds out it was a heart Atlas had carved? or drawn for her when they were young.

In the movie Finding Dory, Ellen was the voiceovers of one of the fictional characters. They used “Just keep swimming” as a metaphor to keep going; throughout this book, Lily reminds herself this as she struggled to make decisions on her and Ryle’s relationship. 

“Cycles exist because they are excruciating to break.” 

“Preventing your heart from forgiving someone you love is actually a hell of a lot harder than simply forgiving them.”

“ Sometimes it seems easier to just keep running in the same familiar circles, rather than facing the fear of jumping and possibly not landing on your feet.”

“ Sometimes, even grown women need their mother’s comfort so we can just take a break from having to be strong all the time.”

“ It’s not a person’s actions that hurt the most. It’s the love. If there was no love attached to the action, the pain would be a little easier to bear.”

 “Life is a funny thing. We only get so many years to live it, so we have to do everything we can to make sure those years are as full as they can be. We shouldn’t waste time on things that might happen someday, or maybe even never.”

“All humans make mistakes. What determine a person’s character aren’t the mistakes we make. It is how we take those mistakes and turn them into lessons rather than excuses.”

“ In the future, if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again . . . fall in love with me.”

-It Ends With Us; my recollection of memories.

Read: April 2022

[ozpins-halfway-house]

How are all the adults doing? Excited for the holidays and the new year? -🐈‍⬛

Mr. Oz: We're all doing quite well, I believe.

Glynda: Yes, we always have a lot going on. Visiting my family tomorrow and going away back to Atlas to spend time with James' family before New Years.

Summer: The Xiao Long Roses have our own holiday traditions. Staying home and exchanging gifts.

Pyrrha: Indeed! We spend Christmas Eve here with everyone and this year we'll have our own, small celebration on Christmas morning with Ren and Nora! It'll be rather different having kids this year.

#answers of hope #ozpin #glynda goodwitch #summer rose #pyrrha nikos #noir (volunteer) #oz's halfway house au

[atlanewyearexchange]

(title by @acorn-boy, art by @artbean)

Only three days left to sign up for the Avatar New Year Gift Exchange!

We’re incredibly excited to kick off this event in only a few days time. So many of the prompts have been utterly adorable and compelling, and should be a blast to match up! You can find all the details and timeline here.

#atla #avatar the last airbender #atla fanart #atla fan art #sokka #zukka #atla gift exchange #atla secret santa #atla new year gift exchange #yes the present is for zuko 👉🏻👈🏻

[isabelaships]

❧ you never look past me ❧

#katoph #atla #avatar: the last airbender #atlaedit #toph x katara #katara x toph #hi everyone who only knows me from video games! i spent much of 2020 writing poetry #i've written MUCH vidya gaym poetry maybe i'll... make edits...jdksjkdsjkds #pls be nice this is my Very first avatar edit & like #just like fictional poetry edit sjdksjk Ever 🥺👉🏾👈🏾 #anyways I really loved this gift exchange! Happy new year Tabby!!! #I dont know your url or else i might @ u sjdksjk #anyways.

[d-naggeluide]

Happy New Year @mistythegenderqueermess ! I had fun making this little fic, and hope you enjoy!

#Atla #Fire siblings #Gift fic #LoK gift exchange #atlaofcolor #new year 2021

[sasarahsunshine]

2021 Criminal Minds Holiday Fic Exchange!

Hello everyone! Every year, no matter what fandom I'm in, I have always tried to do some sort of Secret Santa or gift exchange with my friends. This year, I wanted to extend the fun to the whole community here on Tumblr and AO3! Together we can share the love for our favorite characters on our favorite show! And maybe meet some new people along the way! <3

Do you want to be a part of the fun? Follow the steps below to join in!

1) First things first: Fill out this Google Form so we can gather some information (including your username, your wishlist, etc), and get your name added to our list!

2) Once you fill out the form, you will be invited to the Discord Server where everyone who is participating in the event can hang out, ask questions, share ideas, and then share links to their gifts once they're made!

3) This is going to work kind of like a Secret Santa, where you will be given the name and wishlist of someone else in the community on December 1st, and you have until January 1st, 2022 to create and post their gift!

4) You have until November 27th to turn in your completed form and wishlist.

What kind of gifts are okay?

Anything you can think of that you can make for your giftee! Maybe a fic, some artwork, an icon set, an edit of their favorite character, a graphic set for their blog layout! Tiktoks, YouTube videos, fake Instagram posts; if you can make it (and it fits the theme of their wishlist) then go for it!

This is an ALL AGES event, so please read the rules and keep it SFW. No bullying, no harassment, no hate allowed. Questions, comments, concerns? Message our Tumblr account: @cm-2021-giftexchange. Thank you!

Tagging a few people who I think might be interested in this event! If not, then please let me know so I can untag you <3

@gay-prentiss @bau-gremlin @ris-criminal-mind @foxtrot91 @dumpsiteforfics @kuolonsyoja @multixfandomwriter @marvel-ous-m @thaddeusly @spencers-renaissance @reidology @physics-magic @brillianthijinx @sbeno22 @casparwrites @pennys-tech-assistant @reidstyleshotch @ssa-hotchners-wife @ssa-ki99 @thx4thespark @ssamorganhotchner @lovelyladiess @will-on-the-internet @reidsacademia @ssa-atlas-hoodrat @pashfoxx @softhairedhotch @moderatelydelusional @spencers-dria @scuttling @emmyraebird @masterwords @spencers-renaissance

Annnd it won't let me tag anyone else for some reason ;o; So if you guys think of someone who would love to take part, please tag them or send this their way!! Thank you guys <333

#Criminal Minds fandom #Gift Exchange #Fandom Event #Holiday Event #Holiday Season #Criminal Minds Event #Fanfic Event #Criminal Minds #The BAU #fandom culture #Spread Cheer #<3

[zuko-always-lies]

“The most striking of these developments came from Jesus Elias, who, toward the end of life, recalled his daughter Alvina, became “very good friends” with the Apache leader Capitan Chiquito--the very man Jesus believed that commanded the raiders who shot his brother Juan in 1867, and who four years later lost two of his wives, along with scores of his relatives and followers, in the attack Jesus led on the Apache camp in Aravaipa Canyon.  Jesus’s daughter remembered the chief as a regular guest at their house in Tucson. When Capitan Chiquito took another wife, Jesus brought several bolts of brightly colored material so that Alvain’s mother and aunt could make some dresses for the Apache’s new spouse; in addition, Jesus bestowed a “good horse, a saddle, and all sorts of fine trappings” upon the couple. Not to be outdone, Capitan Chiquito brought his new baby girl to show Elias when it was born, along with gifts of his own for Elias’s family: “a cane covered with blue and white beads and a doll made of buckskin.”

“And so it was the Jesus Elias, a man who had, by his own reckoning, lost six of his family members to Apache attacks and who had led raids that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Apaches, spent his final years exchanging pleasantries with one of his former adversaries”-Shadows at Dawn: A Borderlands Massacre and the Violence of History, Karl Jacoby, 2008, The Penguin Press, Page 211.

The human ability to forgive and reconcile is exceptional. Applied to ATLA, it helps us understand why Zuko was able to have good relationships with the Gaang after terrorizing and trying to kill them over and over. And it also helps us understand why it is possible for Azula to have good relationships with the people she hurt and which hurt her back.

#Zuko #Azula #ATLA

[anthony-sharma]

Fic Rec List - One-shots

For some one-shot recommendations, please find below my personal favorites so far!

Headcanons and blurbs

Two-part stories and multi-chapter stories

One-shot (short stories)

Criminal Minds

One-shots

@spacedikut

lockdown lovers

starstruck

words that wound

everything happens for a reason

dating, but not dating

fun fun arcade

exchanging gifts

the blessing of a blizzard

how to ask a girl out

my all

caught on tape

@idmakeitbehave

Revelations in Reverse

The Constant

Without Words

Just a Feeling

Softer Now

What You’re Worth

I Think You Know

Cracked Perfection

Almost (And Then)

You’ve Got Mail

Expectations vs. Reality

False Claims & Nicknames

A Little Necessary Meddling

Must Love Books

@poguesofthebau

private display of affection

ssa silent treatment

@reidamancy

eros & thanatos

@hercleverboy

dinner dates and twilight books

@literaila

hand me the heartbreak

the art of knowing

@reidswritings

lay me gently

even after all these years

@reidscanehand

An Adverb Meaning Forever

It Would Take a Lifetime

The Genuine Article

Profile Me

Ungentlemanly

The Very Essence of Love

Yours, Mine & Ours

The Boss Man

She’s Gonna Save Me

Be Still My Foolish Heart

A Secret’s Worth

Dearest Reader

Politics of Lonely

Quite the False Pretense

@imagining-in-the-margins

Fever Dream

@erin-bo-berin

Baby Shoes

Cupid

@halloweenhoneylover

the struggle bus

serendipity

the window

@homoose

Atlas

Weird is Good

Happy Birthday, Genius

Through the Smoke

@ssajj

Experience

@criminalmindzjunkie

Unlucky in Love

Love Sick

@reid-fiction

A Progression of Touch

@mxchellesworld

Dreams and Chess Pieces

@brywrites

Gifted

@benedictscanvas

found

@mercy-burning

Payback

Hangover Duty

I’ve Got You

Love Birds

@there-must-be-a-lock

Rain Check

@reidingmelodies

Finders Keepers

Homemade

@wheelsup

all signs point to yes

no plans

kissing lessons

@15-dogs

hey lover

@andromedasstarship

are you free tomorrow?

@cacoetheswriting

a saturday ritual

@ssa-m-187

Til the Very End

@winterscaptain

still a chance

@behindyourbarrette

night shift

@honeydjarin

what it means to grow

@honeypiehotchner

hard-headed

@ssahotchswife

Wish You Were Here

Life With You

Scoring Your Heart

@h0tch-r0cket

Lovebug

@reidslibrarybook

Give Up

@scuttling

Paper Rings

Lean On Me

@writer-in-theory

a fairytale in vegas

@unmitigatedsuperiority

The Contagious Optimism of Midnight on New Year’s

@boldlyvoid

Better Man

@radiant-reid

Baby Reid

@svu-ncis-criminalminds

5 times it wasn’t a date and 1 time it was

@ptersparkers

good for him

reckless

Marvel Universe

@highdramas

The World’s a Little Blurry

@softlyspector

The Painter

Lettered

Teddy Bear

valentine

One in a trillion

@kashimos-hajime

foxglove

@wkemeup

Little Lion Man

The Only Kindness

Purgatory

In Every Lifetime

@divine-mistake

you fracture light again

@gogolucky13

Don’t Fear the Reaper

@allyouneedisbuck

the warmth of your love

be still my foolish heart (don’t ruin this on me)

@nightowlwriting

Tell Me Which One is Worse (Living or Dying First)

@loving-bucky-is-easier

black coffee

in the right hands

@phantomspiderr

Just Like His Dad

@pellucid-constellations

Five Moments In Time

counting

@revengingbarnes

Wolf, Partner, Gloves...

Dog Tags

Flower Theft

@majestyeverlasting

What Happens in the Dark

Right Where You Are

@avecra

Christmas Blues

@angrythingstarlight

Don’t Give Up on Me

@lilacletter

listen to me, not just my words

@aries-writingblog

Protect the Pack

@bucksangel

the spark

@delaber

The Key Jangle

@buckets-and-trees

Into Cursed Pixie Dust

@rosepetalsinwinter

Look At Me

@intrepidacious

almost believing

#fic rec list #criminal minds #marvel universe

[the-poly-armory]

Poly A Exchange Event Master Post

The deadlines have passed! The fics are in! The PolyA Exchange is over! I hope everyone who took part had fun, and everyone who didn’t enjoys the fics created.

The Masterlist

UPDATED* Feed On Me, I’ll Feed On You by vexbatch / @vexbatch for CloudAtlas / @cloud--atlas

[rated E, no archive warnings apply]

Clint is a succubus living with his best friend with benefits, Natasha, when they get a new roommate. At first, things seem fine, but then Clint develops a problematic crush…

*Due to a little miscommunication between mods and general enthusiasm on my part, early reveals of PolyA fics meant that vexbatch had their fic posted missing about 4k (sorry about that!). This is the updated version. Read on for 6k worth of succubi, sex work, and pining!

Summer Lovin’ by Harishe / @random-harishe for Beckala / @beckala

[rated M, creator chose not to use archive warnings]

Finally sick of her boyfriends, Clint and Bucky, thirsting after each other, Natasha convinces them to go on a date. Both are so excited when Clint finally asks Bucky that they forget Bucky is a vampire... going to the beach.

Echoes of Machines by Alistra / @alistrawrites for Harishe / @random-harishe

[rated G, no archive warnings apply]

"Can we back up from the logistics of interstellar skulduggery for one second and come back to how the raccoon so casually said 'sex pollen'?" Bucky interjects, politely raising his hand and all.

---

A colourful space-romp with unexpected amounts of feels.

Brick by Brick by CloudAtlas / @cloud--atlas for Caitriona_3 / @caitriona-3

[rated T, no archive warnings apply]

Transfer Ceremonies have been safe for years, there's no reason for Natasha to be nervous.

Tools of the Trade by Violsva / @violsva for TheOnlyCeeCeeJ / @theonlyceeceej

[rated E, no archive warnings apply]

An Unsealed Fate by Beckala / @beckala for Violsva / @violsva

[rated E, no archive warnings apply]

They’ve made their preparations and the dawn will bring a chance at a new life — but first, they have tonight and they’re going to make the most of it.

“We don’t say goodbye before we part,” Clint continues as his fingers finish the last button and he starts to tug Bucky’s trousers and pants over his hips, “we don’t seal a fate until all other paths are closed to us.”

“He’s right,” Nat says and when Bucky turns his head again she’s so close he can make out the gold stars around her irises, the only outward sign of the immense power hiding under her skin, “don’t tempt fate. What will come will come but we have now and we’re going to celebrate it with you.”

Triptych by Caitriona_3 / @caitriona-3 For invoices / @inkvoices

[rated T, no archive warnings apply]

Clint is well aware that life is full of surprises. Just look at his job, his friends . . . the people he's falling in love with . . . Yeah, surprise is one way to say it.

stake a claim by invoices / @inkvoices for vexbatch / @vexbatch

[rated E, no archive warnings apply]

The man stupid enough to come between James and his prey is, annoyingly, a head taller than him. There are no obvious bite or mark scars on his bare arms, although he has an underlying claim smell, faded to stale air and grave dirt.

“Hi,” he says, with a smile that James would swear is genuine as much as he seriously doubts it. “I’m Clint.”

He pauses, clearly waiting for James to respond, but James is too busy trying to work out what the hell this guy is thinking without letting the incredulity show on his face.

In which vampire!James is trying to act as a distraction so vampire!Natasha can do her spy thing, but human!Clint shows up and is distracting.

Who I am With You by SkippyJo94 / @skippyjo94 for Alistra / @alistrawrites

[rated E, creator chose not to use archive warnings]

Clenching her fists in the sheets, she wondered how she had even gotten here. Natasha was at a loss.

She looked across the room at the other bed and it's two inhabitants.

None of her extensive and overly thorough trainings with the Red Room had ever included what to do when the first list you land on was handed over to your yet-to-be-found soulmate.

She had turned her back on the entire organization, taking on a personal mission to dismantle them as only one of their own could accomplish. A misunderstanding brought two men after her, even though she was on their side. As if that wasn't complicated enough, when she touched them and felt that telling heat spread from her fingertips, things got a lot more complicated...

Hold Me While You Wait by TheOnlyCeeCeeJ / @theonlyceeceej for SkippyJo94 / @skippyjo94

[rated T, no archive warnings apply]

“You didn’t call me Bucky,” he said quietly, “You called me James.”

“Well, that is your name, isn’t it?” Nat replied matter-of-factly.

After returning from Wakanda, conditioning free, James 'Bucky' Barnes doesn't know who he is anymore. He doesn't know what he wants or needs. He just knows he's different. Most don't even realize but some new friendships heal the hurt and help him to discover James.

Treats

The Things That Are Found by st3llarkid for vexbatch / @vexbatch and invoices / @inkvoices

[rated E, no archive warnings apply]

“Nat, I brought a friend home!”

“Last time you said that, you brought a box of kittens.”

Let The Wild Take Over by kiss_me_cassie / @cassiesinsanity for invoices / @inkvoices

[rated E, Creator chose not to use archive warnings]

It had been stupid letting her bite him; Bucky knew better when dealing with Vampires. But what was a lust-filled super soldier to do? Bucky thinks inviting Clint to join them might be the answer.

Looks Better on You by Mado / @misterknife for all participants

[rated M, Creator chose not to use archive warnings]

Art treats for the Poly Armory gift exchange.

#WinterWidowHawk #Clint Barton #Bucky Barnes #Natasha Romanov #Natasha Romanoff #Hawkeye #Winter Soldier #Black Widow #Poly-A-Exchange #PolyA Exchange #Master Post

[wickedapollo]

This is going to become a Saint-14 blog you watch. Everything is going to be become Saint. Everything. Oh my God, I love that man. I can't. I can't even.

Anyways, this is a Dawning gift for my friends [@lady-efriyeet @galexion @nyllius ]! It may come out before then, I have no idea currently, as I write this. I am very motivated for this one, unlike my promised Shiro oneshot... Oops. I'll get to that one in due time I swear.

Saint-14 x Hunter! Reader

Warnings : angst and [reads smudged writing on hand] flurf

The wind nips at your unarmed arms, snaking up your biceps and brushing against your throat. Your fingertips are numb with the chill, you flex them but it is all for not. They aren't frozen just cold. You sigh, closing your eyes and hanging your head.

You can't remember the last time you had a day off, it seems all you do is move about the system, killing things, saving people, and then you move on. Move on as though a leaf upon the wind who's only motive is to please such that hurries you. It is a sad existence, you think to yourself, that I am only something used to fight the battles that everyday people cannot. The mere idea that you are useless makes your heart sink in your chest. Perhaps if it sinks lower it may fall through you and hit the floor, shattering with all your prizes, all you hold dear.

Your eyes wander back to the silent bazaar. It is, after all, only two A.M. and most sane people are asleep. Your thoughts and insomnia keep you awake, brushing at the fingertips of sleep while your body falls more and more awakened. You hate nights like these, when sleep is scarce and there is no one to talk to.

If only your prayers could talk back.

You wrap your arms around your ribs as you straighten to look up at the traveler. The pristine machine god offers you no solution. No end to your sleepless night. Only the same silence as it has always treated you.

"Голубь?" It is a small, almost whisper-like voice. Scratchy and groggy from sleep. Like what you had once imagined dark chocolate would sound, not that you had imagined voices for the food you ate, that was preposterous, but it was a way to describe it. "What are you doing awake?"

"I can't sleep." You murmur, more to yourself than to him. You watch him rise groggily onto his metal forearms and squint into the darkness of your bedroom. His optics adjust in brightness, much like eyes adjusting to the dark. He sits there for less time than you expect before he pushes himself up and looks around slowly.

"It's twenty-five til three." He states, and for a moment he seems amazed by the time. Perhaps the fact that it is so late and you are still up? Who knows. He pulls the blankets off of his lap to stand, boards creaking under his feet as he does so. He easily towers over you, optics blinking as he adjusts to the lighting.

You can’t help but shrink further into the linen curtains. You know Saint means well, he always does, you don’t feel like being berated for not sleeping. Not that Saint would do that, but you know he’s going to ask questions. It’s his way of looking after you, you know. You appreciate it sometimes.

However, he doesn’t, instead he wraps his arms around you and pulls you into the soft cotton of his t-shirt. You would expect, like most metal things, Saint would be cold to the touch. He never is, and no matter how many times you’ve touched him, you are always surprised at how warm he really is. You hope all exos are this way, though you could never truly be sure, and are too afraid to test your new theory.

“Perhaps I can help?” He offers, in the soft tone that only he can have. It reverberates throughout his chest as his hands gently smooth over your back. Truthfully they don’t have to go far, Saint’s hands are huge. You barely have enough room for one, let alone both of them. You don’t complain though, only pressing your face into his chest with a nod.

You’re moving before you can truly process it. Being pulled towards the bed with little protest, in no hurry to leave your titan’s embrace. He seems in even less a hurry to let you go. Though that is Saint, always has been, always doting and encouraging.

Strong hands lift you up, and though he doesn't say it, what he wants is as clear to you as the night sky. You sluggishly wrap your legs around his waist and wrap your arms around his neck. He moves his hands under your thighs and sets his chin on your shoulder as he walks. There's something soothing about it, perhaps it is why babies are rocked to sleep.

His warmth is intoxicating, like sitting by an open fire and reading. Like being curled in a fuzzy blanket while the wind and rain howl outside the window, something so natural and peaceful that it may have lulled you to sleep right there- If you were not so keen on staying awake to avoid the nightmares. Though your eyes droop and your limbs are heavy, you force yourself to stay awake.

If you wait long enough, Saint will let you load up on caffeine and give you disappointing looks. You could handle that, you hope. It's just that you are so tired, it's almost criminal. It's to the point you feel like crying- for no reason- at anything.

Soon enough your ambition falters, you close your eyes. They were just so heavy, you argue to yourself, not even Atlas could have held them open.

Soon your arms relax around Saint, hands falling limply from his shoulders to hang lifelessly. Your fingers rest against the warm metal of his arms, twitching as he moves. It's only then you notice, somehow, he's humming.

You try to count his tune, as a last resort of staying awake. You lose it at six, arguing over what number you had missed to not get an eight count- and you pass out then and there. Slipping into the dark, like a warm blanket.

Saint, in all honesty, isn’t ready to put you down. He’s afraid you’ll wake up if he stops moving, it’s happened before. Though that was about a year ago, and he had unceremoniously tossed you on the bed, thinking nothing of the fact that you were human and very, very fragile.

He sighs, looking over at the clock on the bedside table. You really didn't use it, never had need for an alarm, that's what you had your Ghost for. But he used it periodically, like now, seeing that it read three a.m even. The titan finally lays you down, pulling the covers over your chilled body and up to your chin. When he's satisfied he kisses your forehead, metal lips lingering along your warm brow. You could be coming down with a cold, he thinks, one more thing to worry about…

You resituate to hug a pillow close to your chest, burying your face into it's softness. It makes Saint smile. You may be Saladin's Young Wolf, who fights with honor and Valor. A god killer. However, you are also his. His guardian, his love, and his inspiration. And he is soft for you.

The large titan moves to the window, glancing out into the empty street with contempt. There is a light on across the street, with shadows moving to and from in front of the window. He smiles, someone's wrapping presents for the Dawning still. He watches them move back and forth until the light goes out.

He leans back into the apartment and shuts the open window without question. It's late, he should sleep, too. He draws the curtains and pads back to his side of the bed. You've already stolen most of the blankets, but he can't find it in him to take them from you.

Instead he lays there, quiet as he listens to you breathe and snore softly. What a beautiful way to spend tonight, he thinks, when the room is warm.

However, now it is his turn not to find sleep. He tosses and turns for nearly twenty minutes. He sighs tiredly at the white ceiling. Perhaps if he counts the popcorn bits he can sleep. So he starts, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…

No dice.

An arm snakes around his waist sleepily and you pull him close. You're nowhere near fully conscious, just awake enough to be a sleepy, cuddly mess. He turns his head to look at you in surprise as you nestle into his side and nose along his jugular vein, or coolant tube… either way.

"Did I wake you, Love?"

"Mmm?" You reply, eyes falling closed as you wrap a leg around his thigh. You still as you have found comfort in the position. Saint can't hide his smile, accepting the exchange and wrapping his arms around you. You're warm, and rightfully so, you're swaddled in blankets like a fluff tortilla.

His fingers sneak into your fluffy, messy hair. Carding through it and watching it fall back into place again and again. He lets out sigh, sounding more like a purr than an actual breath. His optics dim in the lighting, and he yawns.

"Sleep tight, Моя любовь."

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