#but she deserves to get to shine in her own show without having to share the spotlight with already beloved characters

[antianakin]

If we do ever get a Reva spin-off show (or movie, whatever), I would like to put it out there that it shouldn't have a SINGLE cameo. Not one. No Rebels characters, no Sequels characters, no Force ghosts, no Ahsoka, no Luke or Leia, no other Jedi survivors, NOBODY. No cameos, just Reva and a cast of original characters.

#star wars #reva sevander #reva #little easter egg things in like props or sets or whatever are fine #oh also DON'T SEND HER TO TATOOINE #STOP SENDING PEOPLE TO TATOOINE #i never want to see reva on tatooine again #give her new planets to go to pls and thx #look i love the idea of what would happen if reva met adult luke and leia too #or having reva meet jedi survivor characters like quinlan or cal #or interacting with the rebels crew (the real ones not these fake ass knock-offs from the ahsoka show) #or telling off ahsoka for the genocide apologist she apparently is and defending the jedi to her stupid face #or being able to speak to obi-wan and yoda's force ghosts one last time #but she deserves to get to shine in her own show without having to share the spotlight with already beloved characters #she deserves to establish herself without that burden #esp since she was introduced on a show where she had to hold up against a whole slew of pre-established characters #LET HER SHINE

[gritsandbrits]

In light of recent news over the passing of voice actress Arleen Sorkin, I wish to reflect on the impact of Harley Quinn on my life.

When I was a kid I grew with Harley. From getting fired from a tv show for giving questionable advice, as her backstory in the 2004 cartoon The Batman, to falling in mad love with her own patient as is the origin story in the 92 animated and subsequent media, Harley has such a big role in Batman lore I don't remember a single time where she wasn't involved. Sometimes I wonder what batman mythos was like before her inclusion.

The first thing that drew me to Harley was her design. Red and black the colors of danger which she was. But there was an added playfulness, that she genuinely enjoyed being herself. She was also VERY hilarious and at times out of pocket. Child Me was amazed. Did I want to be her? Not necessarily. But she did look like someone I'd hang out with.

The meta origin of Harley is just as fascinating. The creators of BTAS saw a performance of Arleen in a clown costume. From there inspiration leapt off the pages onto the big screen. Unlike most of the cast Harley didn't originate from the comics. She was created exclusively for the show, an OC if you will. OCs tend to have a mixed reputation. But Harley's concept and execution was so perfect, she almost feels like she could've been a real character in the comics.

And real she became!

Introduced as a psychiatrist, after receiving Joker as a patient, Dr. Harleen Quinzel begins to fall in love with him; and down a path to iconoclastic doom. Her love for Joker is obsessive, hilarious shallow, horrible but also downright entertaining to watch. I enjoyed every moment she was on screen: I still quote "rev up your Harley" to this day! I see her despair, her goofy outlook and morbid ruthlessness. I wanted her to get comeuppance but at the same time I can't help but feel sorry for her.

Joker abuses her, ignores her, and only complements her when she does something good for him. While the makes how awful their relationship clear, there are a good amount of fans who sees the pair as a glamorous whirlwind romance a la Sonny and Brenda or Jane and Mr Rochester. While such fantasies may seem morbid I don't blame them. No matter how horrible Harley is there is a tiny unavoidable spot that aches for her to win. Or at least see Joker for the monster he really is. While Harley is often held accountable for her actions her arc shows that no one deserves to be abused.

Arleen's performance played a major role in brining Harley to life. She nailed her weaknesses and strengths with such a sincere note that elicits pity, humor and shock at the same time. And of course that ear candy of the New Jersey accent that set the standard for future VAs. Whenever I look at a picture of Harley I hear Arleen. Not to say the other VAs aren't bad, but Arleen's performance is that iconic I can't help but think of her!

Over the years Harley grew apart from Clown Prince of Crime. She got her own spinoff comics, made appearances in other DC media. She even gotten her own tv show which sees the DC universe through her eyes. Harley has marginally healthier romances, primarily Poison Ivy (this isn't to say that pairing doesn't have it's share of toxic moments). The Harlivy ship is a fan favorite but even without shipping and the wars, Harley still shines bright as the Bat Signal.

In a way Harley's descent and eventual rise back to normalcy reminds me of my own struggles. I wasn't a happy child growing up, I've made a lot of mistakes and bad choices. To see a person like Harley work to take back control of her life, makes me feel a bit better for my own prospects. Of course I wouldn't torture a kid to near insanity or blow up a whole city but I can at least put my energy towards something constructive. Harley shows people like me thay we can be more than just screwups if we try.

Of course I can't forget Harley's design. The red&black suit is an icon by itself and inspires similar designs in and outside comics. I could talk all day about how cool her design is from a show and historical perspective but that would take me all day. While I prefer her classic palette, her recent blue and pinks aren't bad either and show just how far she's come out of Joker's shadow. It's even to the point where when, I see something black and red and white I have to point it out and say "Harley would love that outfit!"

Nowadays I complain about the oversaturation of Harley quinn (seriously what was DC thinking taking a team started by a disabled character to reclaim her agency) and overshadowing other cool DC villains. But I would be lying of I say she didn't leave an impact. And it's all thanks to Arleen Sorkin for breathing life into a character that proves you don't need to be be from "the comics" to be considered cool.

Thank you Arleen! May her memory be a blessing - Grits.

#arleen sorkin #harley quinn #essay #dc comics #btas #voice actors #batman the animated series #birds of prey #harley quinn show #characters #may her memory be a blessing

[umbralaether]

You’re better than him, Astarion.

Her words ring in his ears long after she’d said them, but even they couldn’t cast away the dark feelings lingering in his mind.

He hadn’t left their shared room since Cazador’s death. He should be celebrating, maybe, or at least rejoicing in the fact his master was dead and gone— never to hunt him again. Instead, he found a heaviness that refused to leave his limbs, his own psyche weighing him down.

Ah, I see you found yourself a little pet. Or is it a snack? Peculiar choice, regardless.

He thinks of the first time he drank from her, how he’d almost gone too far in his bloodlust. How she woke weak and pale—a hard feat with her dark skin—yet continued to push herself beyond her limits. He thinks of the times she’d bruised from his fangs, how he had manipulated her into his orbit in the first place.

He had done that, and Cazador’s words dig deeper into his chest. Only a someone truly evil could do what he’s done. Once a monster, always a monster.

He doesn’t hear her come in, still staring at the ceiling, but he feels her sit on the bed beside him. She says nothing, taking off her boots and outer clothes. Her scent fills the room, refueling the dull ache in his body and he briefly wonders how many days have passed since he last fed.

Not that it mattered, he would refuse to use her like that ever again.

“Astarion,” his name coming from her mouth is a gift, and yet it stings. She should hate him, or at least be disgusted. Not soft, and gentle and loving.

“Please, look at me.”

He just wants to rot, lay in this dark room until he crumbles to dust. She would be better off, anyway, without a leech at her side. She could have a real life.

“What can I do? I’m begging you, love, please don’t push me away.”

“Go, Ceruli. You deserve better than a parasite.” His voice was rough from disuse, and when he finally looks her way, her face—that godsdamn beautiful face— looks at him as if he’d just slapped her.

Good one, he thinks miserably.

“Do you feel better, getting that off your chest?” She always was quick to regain her composure, “Because I have a few counter arguments.”

He says nothing, and goes back to staring at the ceiling.

“Parasites don’t ask permission, first of all. They just show up and take. That’s not you, no matter what Cazador said.” She moves closer to him, legs tucked under her and her warmth radiating, “I love you. I made a choice to love you, and I won’t stop loving you just because you believe you’re unworthy.”

He feels tears forming, and closes his eyes to keep them from falling.

“If I have to remind you everyday how much you mean to me, I will. I’ll make a list of everything I love about you, engrave it in stone forevermore.” She reaches for him, her hand cupping his cheek, thumb moving back and forth rhythmically. Her signature loving gesture.

A dam breaks, and suddenly he’s pulling her to him. He all but crushes her to him, arms wrapped tightly around her, face buried in her chest— her heart beats steadily, an endless comfort.

Sobs wrack his body; all the guilt, shame, and grief bleeding from him after decades of forming a shell around them. He clings to her, desperate for her touch, her warmth, after refusing her touch for who knows how many days.

She gives it without hesitation. Fingers running through his unkempt hair, down his back. Kisses peppered along his hairline, his temples, his forehead. Anywhere she can reach. She murmurs sweet nothings to him, the kindest of words and just when he feels as though he’ll crumble from her love, she says a name he has not heard in centuries.

“My sweet, shining star.”

It’s like the world spins to a stop. He peers up at her, “What did you say?”

“Your name. In elvish, it means ‘little star’. Or at least I think it does, I’m not fluent but…”

He chokes out a quiet laugh, “You, my love, are incredible.”

He closes the small gap between them with a kiss, reveling once again in the taste of her mouth, her skin. He trails them down her face, along her jaw, then her throat. He hovers over her pulse point, hesitating.

Her hand cups his face again, “Go on, love. You’ll feel better if you feed. Please don’t torture yourself anymore.”

His resolve breaks. He would do anything for her, after all. He sinks his teeth in, and the ecstasy of her blood in his mouth has him groaning with pleasure. He drinks until she stops him, and he kisses all along her face afterwards.

“Thank you, my lovely gem.” He feels lighter, the weight of all his baggage finally dissolving, albeit slowly, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Always, my star. I’m not going anywhere.”

They stay there, holding each other, neither one willing to let go first.

#be nice I’m new to this fandom and not very far into it yet lol #my writing #bg3 #bg3 astarion #tav x astarion #astarion x tav #astarion #bg3 spoilers #baldur’s gate 3 #oc x astarion #mc x astarion #baldur’s gate #ship: love me tender #astarion ancunin #bg3 fanfic #tavstarion

[brighter-by-the-daly]

Rachel Daly x Millie Bright x Reader

Part Nine - Our Girl

The incident in Barcelona became less prominent in your mind as the days that followed passed, your bruises had started to fade and you were starting to settle back into your life with Rachel. Millie had popped by every day to check on you and the entire incident had made the news, programmes like This Morning had approached to tell your story but you didn’t feel ready yet. It was still too raw to talk about with your girlfriend let alone the entire world! Nevertheless you knew it would be a good opportunity to shine a light onto the treatment of women - nothing that women already didn’t know but it helps to keep the conversation at the forefront of people’s minds. You said you’d contact them when you’re ready but for now you’re just trying to transition back into your normal life. With your blessing, Millie had partaken in interviews discussing what happened in the bar and was revelling in the praise being given that she so rightly deserved. You’d give her every award that existed if you could, without her you don’t know what would have happened. The house was covered in flowers and you had eaten your weight in chocolate that had been sent from people who wanted to show their support; mostly teammates of Rach and Mills but your family and friends had also visited once you returned home. You know what happened to you isn’t the worse thing to ever happen to a woman and felt a bit guilty of all the attention being throw your way when there’s people out there who have dealt with so much worse who don’t receive half the attention that your story has. It’s only because patrons in the bar shared their videos online and the incident involved England’s captain that it had reached media outlets. Rachel reminded you every day that you’re allowed to feel cared for too, you don’t have to be silent just because someone has it worse than you. Millie came over most evenings to wind down with you both, sometimes not going back to her own house and staying the night. Her visits had become a lot more subdued and often consisted of you all just sitting on the sofa watching films; you three didn’t need words to make you feel at peace, just each other’s company was enough.

Your bruises that had faded to yellow were a few days from disappearing completely, with every day you were starting to feel more like yourself again without the constant black and blue reminder of that night on your arm. Every evening when you were snuggled up the girls would stroke it and pepper your skin with silent kisses believing the more love they gave you the quicker it would disappear. They smothered you with their love, reminding you every second of every day that they care so deeply about you. As soon as you made a move to get up they would ask what you wanted and would get it for you, not once did you make the teas during the week after your return, even when you bathed they tenderly washed your hair.

You still went to Rachel’s games and Millie would often be seen in the stands with you rather than at Chelsea ones. You argued that Millie needed looking after too, at least your injury didn’t put World Cup dreams in jeopardy! She should be the one being looked after, not you! The World Cup was approaching fast and in a few months they’ll both be off to Australia, Millie still wasn’t fit enough to play and you were growing more and more concerned with every passing week. The defender put on a positive face, believing with every bone in her body that she’d be better in time. You however, was a bit more realistic.

“Millie sit down, I’ll do this!” you rushed into the kitchen so you could boil the kettle, reaching for three mugs out of the cupboard before she could. “I’m fine!” she expressed, rolling her eyes and batting you away with a limp hand. “No, you’re not! I’m not leaving you here alone, you’re the captain now they need you to get better!” Wrapping your arms around her waist you tried your hardest to pick her up but failed, Millie ‘Brick Wall’ Bright could not be moved! “Rach, tell her!” you shouted over to your girlfriend who was tapping away on her laptop at the table. Looking over the top of the reading glasses to see her girls both stood with their hands on their hips willing her to be on their side. She took her glasses off to get her facial expression to appear more stern “best friend, I can’t go to Australia without you now do what she says!” Rachel was desperately trying to complete her level 2 coaching certificate so she could start her own youth team - not like she didn’t already have enough to do! She’d recently partaken in a youth group programme and her new goal was to create her own.

Turning to face Millie with a confident pout of satisfaction from winning, her eyebrow raised unamused with the decision. “If I’m so unfit, could I do this?” standing her ground as she suddenly picked you up off the floor. “Oh my god Mills put me down! Stop!”wriggling and slapping her back in frustration of not being listened to. Perching you onto the kitchen side and slotting herself between your legs, “better?” she asked sarcastically causing you to roll your eyes. Her move was sexy yet irritating at the same time, folding your arms reluctant to let her disobey you. “I don’t remember you complaining on holiday” her voice turned cocky which finally drew Rachel’s eyes away from the computer to join you both in the kitchen. “I’ve been waiting for the right time to ask this actually, what did happen on holiday?” sensually stroking up your leg as Millie copied on the other. “Is anyone gonna make the tea around here?” desperately trying to change the subject as you reached over to the kettle. Millie blocked your attempt “no” she said shaking her head with that cocky smile of hers. Having them both batting their eyelashes at you and still tickling your legs it was becoming extremely hard to think about anything else apart from throwing yourself at them. “Nah, I wanna know exactly what happened. I’ve waited long enough” Rachel said slowly as she swiped your hand from reaching the kettle switch again. “Millie’s not well enough for this, she shouldn’t even be standing!” you tried to divert their attention but actively not making any attempt to flee their advances. “I remember picking you up last week and you didn’t argue” she stroked the hair that dangled in front of your face away from your eyes, willing you to drop it. “I was drunk, I wasn’t thinking about your knee I was thinking about-” you shouted exhausted before being cut off by Rachel, “what.. what were you thinking about my love? Tell me” she encouraged. With them both looking up at you with their big blue eyes you caved “getting fucked! Happy now?” “fucked by who baby?” Rach continued asking with her sickly sweet tone as their finger tips continued sliding up and down your legs. “Millie!” your eyes rolled knowing there was no way you were getting out of this, not that you wanted to and you knew exactly where it was going. Rachel slipped her arms under your legs and lifting you off of the kitchen side, throwing you over her shoulder as she headed for the stairs. “Come on Mills, let’s go fuck our girl” Those words turning you on instantly with anticipation of what was about to happen.

Reaching the bedroom, your lips quickly found Rachel‘s neck, holding your hand out for Millie to take and be included too. “No no no” Rachel stopped you as she pulled her face away from yours. “I want you both to tell me exactly what happened that night, play-by-play” placing you softly onto the bed and ready to listen intently.

As Millie led Rachel through what she had done to you that night, Rachel re-enacted the moment precisely. You’d missed the sexual touch of your girlfriend as Millie watched her go down on you. Next, you told Rachel what you did to Millie and watched as she recreated the sequences on her best friend. The night continued well into the morning with you three fumbling around in the bedsheets together for hours.

#rachel daly #millie bright #lionesses #rachel daly x reader #millie bright x reader #rachel daly x millie bright x reader #woso x reader #woso masterlist #woso fanfics #lionesses x reader #engwnt x reader #engwnt imagine #engwnt fics #lionesses imagine #woso imagine #woso one shot #woso community #woso fic #fic series #wlw fanfic

[mouschiwrites]

uh hello- I'm nervous as I'm not used to this since I usually just read your stuff without suggesting things! Congrats on 100 followers, you deserve more tbh. I saw your matchup post! For the fandom it's ninjago, my gender preferance is uh... idk? I use she/them pronouns tho. Idm if it's platonic or romantic but I'm lonely irl so I would prefer romantic! I like kids cartoons and I'm pretty energetic and bubbly but uh- very shy and I get nervous very easily (if this wasn't an indicator) okay tysm! congrats on the followers (again lol)

Thank you for your kind words!! Now onto the matchmaking… I match you (romantically) with:

Jay Walker!!

Some headcanons!

You guys totally geek out together all the time

He loves being able to talk about his interests with you

And he loves hearing about your interests

He also appreciates that you can match his energy level with your bubbly personality

Most people have trouble keeping up with you guys

You’re just on your own wavelength

On that note, you guys have SO MANY inside jokes and little references

Sometimes it’s like you’re speaking a different language

You both enjoy the confused looks you get almost as much as you enjoy making the references

You just get each other so perfectly,, you definitely call each other “my other half”

You can frequently be found just talking to each other, all alone, in your own little world

He totally relates to your anxiety; though his is less social, so he has no problem fronting for you in public

Actually, he enjoys it

He gets to be your knight in shining armor :)

He’s very protective of you because of your shyness

It makes him anxious to see you alone in a crowd, so he always tries to keep physical contact in public

Hand holding or pinky locking are his go-tos, but he’s not against putting an arm around your shoulder or waist

This is also how he shows that you’re together

It’s less of a gesture he does out of jealousy, more of something he does to say “hey, I’m with her”

He doesn’t really get jealous over you

He knows that you’re his and he’s yours, that’s all he needs

A little Drabble!

You perked up when Jay walked in, sending a beaming smile his way.

“Hi!! And what are you up to, beautiful?”

You felt your cheeks go a little pink. “Uh, nothing.”

“Are you watching something?”

“Yeah… it’s a kids show,” you said quickly, trying to dismiss him as you half-closed your computer on your lap.

“Cartoons?”

“Yes. But how was your d—”

Before you could finish your statement, Jay dived onto the bed and propped himself up on his elbows next to you. He looked up at you with sparkling eyes; it was a look that he always got when he was excited about something. “Can I watch too?”

You blinked at him, your own eyes wide as an owl’s. “Do you really want to?”

“Obviously!! I freaking love cartoons. And what better way to watch than with my other half?”

A rosy-cheeked smile found your face. “Okay then.”

Jay scooted closer, draping an arm around you and bringing your head against his chest. You nuzzled into him, pressing play on your laptop and watching the cartoon with a newfound giddiness.

And a song!

Meteor Shower (Cavetown)

meteor shower! quick, take cover

But the hues in our hair compliment one another

I'd sell my own bones for sapphire stones

'Cause blue's your favorite color

…

My heart and the earth share the same rule

It starts with love and it ends with you

But don't go outside, it's dangerous tonight

Without me right here by your side

I hope you like this!! This is my first ever matchup hehe ^^ but thank you for your support, I can’t tell you how much you mean to me!

(divider by saradika)

#ninjago #ninjago x reader #ninjago matchup #jay walker #jay walker x reader #jay x reader

[brittle-doughie]

Hello Hello!!

May I request how your favorite cookies would react to this.

Y/N was walking around the town running an errand. Thankfully this errand didnt need to be rushed to they were takin their time. When they were suddenly pulled by a stranger to a photo shoot set up taking place around the area. Apparently the bride model couldn’t make it and they need someone to fill in her place. So Y/N was quickly put into appropriate clothes (wedding dress or tux) and pushed into their partner for the shoot. Y/N thought this situation was hilarious and couldn’t stop laughing and becuase their laughing was contagious their partner was soon laughing. This makes the photos look very genuine. These photos looked so good that the company decided to post these to social media right away even thought the product need for the shoot hadn’t come out yet. Y/N is told if they come for the second shoot another day and they agree. How would the cookies react to this. Also the partner cookie is some random model cookie.

Can I also be 💞love Anon

Thank you!!

A Phenomenal Photo

Y/N Cookie unintentionally shooting for the stars here.

You had the company return a email to you, asking if you could come over for another shoot. They along with their collaborators can’t get enough of the photos that were shot earlier, they, along with the model cookie you were with, really want more photos involving you! The amount of pleading made you sheepishly chuckle in embarrassment, but you ultimately agreed to do another shoot.

They weren’t the only ones who thought you looked great. The company shared the photos on their social media, even though the product the photos were associated with hadn’t been shipped to stores yet. Cookies on social media shared their joy and awe at the photos, complimenting both you and the modeling cookie but mostly you. You being in wedding-like attire did scare cookies too, believing that you were swooped up from under them, some make their responses apparent.

You can’t have anything related to clothes and outfits without these two knowing about it. While the two cookies do admit that you looked wonderful in your attire, they have this uneasy feeling that this company might use you to their own gain. Bonbon will be worried for you, she doesn’t want those corporate drones to make you a soulless brand with their standard issue clothing. Sour Belt is more aggressive, stating how you deserve better then to be a product placement, she can design an outfit that was a hundred times better! A part of their reluctance was their hidden desire to be the ones to design your wedding outfit, for they have their own outfits ready for that special day~

Shining Glitter loved those photos! She’s reposting all the tweets featuring you on her social media, further increasing their exposure. You looked amazing in those clothes and she simply must get a photo with you in them, she’ll make frequent messages to the company asking if she can collab with them just so she can get many chances to take photos of you that she’ll cherish for a long time. She wanted to be next you smiling and laughing together, it makes her feel warm inside to get a forever memory between you two~ If she does feel like the company is overstepping any boundaries she has involving you, she’ll remind them of her large following and they wouldn’t want a bad reputation now, would they? So they better treat you very well and all will be good~

What was these photos that showed you with that wonderful smile of yours alongside a cookie that wasn’t her? Why, she should make sure that this model cookie isn’t trying anything funny with you, it would be a shame if they were to collapse before they could even get home…Scorpion Cookie snagged photos off a tourist who was visiting Yogurca when she caught a glimpse of you on them. Seeing you with another cookie, with that look of genuine joy and laughter, she felt a shadow over her closed eyes and her grin getting wider as envy took over as she looked at the model cookie next to you. Suddenly, she’s long overdue for a visit, her current jobs are postponed for the time being. It’s about time she came to see you again..and to deal with this nuisance of a modeling cookie..

Orange Cookie is another cookie who would repost every photo that the company have placed up, she thinks you looked awesome in those clothes and wants to look at your happy expression forever. Lime, Grapefruit, and Lemon share her sentiment when they saw the photos too and would have their little friend group dedication a portion of the time to talking about the photos that the company would post of you. Orange is always enthusiastic to show them off first, she still can’t get over how great they looked! Sure, the wedding-like theme does worry her a bit, but she pushes those down to support you fully on this gig you were doing! The modeling cookie would likely have threatening DMs from the other citrus members though.

Your letterbox is getting crammed that week, Cotton Candy just has so much to say when she saw those photos of you. It filled her with so much warmth, so much joy and love that she can’t describe vocally! She writes them down in large amounts of letters full of nothing but admiration and affection for you as she described how wonderful you looked in your attire! There are words of worry peppered in here and there, she worries this modeling cookie you were with might get attached and take you away from her, oh she didn’t know what she would do if that happened! She wishes that her words of love would sway you over to her!

Almond Cookie is especially worried, he knows how other cookies are with you, so having the general population of cookies getting a look at your shining side meant the potential of stalkers and even those wishing to kidnap you! He’s dedicated himself to be your around the clock security to ensure your safety is kept and any scoundrels are arrested where they stand. It was low key an excuse to be near you all the time too, having a nice chat over a coffee as he complimented you on the photos, how you looked pretty great in them. He’ll arrest any cookie swiftly and with force if they show signs of malicious intent with you, no one is getting near you with him around…

#brittle answers #cookie run x reader #cookie run x you #cr x reader #chocolate bonbon cookie #sour belt cookie #shining glitter cookie #scorpion cookie #orange cookie #cotton candy cookie #almond cookie

[espinosaurusrexex]

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

eleven - we're finally okay

BuckyBarnes x Female!Reader

summary: Y/N needs closure and there is one particular person that can give it to her.

a/n: there’s not a lot of Bucky in here but don’t you worry he’ll get the last chapter all to himself (with Y/N of course) :)

!Divider is mine. Please give credit when using!

word count: 4.8k

chapter warnings: angst, and tears, just so much grief and agony, Wanda being the sweetest person ever, crying, and the light at the end of the tunnel

✶ 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 | 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 | 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 ☾

Where was everybody? And how had she been living several months without close human contact before? The seconds on the clock on the bedside table ticked by as if they were mocking her, but Y/N didn’t have the energy to pay attention to them. Had her life in this apartment always been this lonely? Well, she had other things to do and to worry about at that time. She could have them right now as well, but Y/N just couldn’t do it anymore. The constant worry and fear had drained her. Existing alone felt like enough of a task to complete. 

But the worst part was, that she had been through it all before. She was stuck in an endless circle of worry and boredom. There was nothing to do but at the same time, her head made it seem as if there was a workload of panicking to be done. Right now, though, she was stuck in the boring part of it all. Though she already felt the frayed edges of anxiety show under the door. 

Y/N watched as her fingers tugged on a loose string at the hem of her shirt and she kind of missed the familiar reflection of the silver ring that once adorned her finger. This was all it took to have her thoughts circle around the brunette super soldier again. It made her wish that she had kissed him one more time, held him for a second longer and just appreciated him even more than she had already done. It would have probably been the last time. Feelings or not, Bucky had been a big part of her life - still was - and it didn’t seem fair that she had lost him as fast as she had gained him. 

When she closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the bed, she could see him before her. Bright blue eyes, faint lines decorating the outer corners - an indicator of his happiness. The happiness he shared with her. Y/n smiled when she felt the warmth crawl up her body, tiny butterflies settling in her stomach as she reached out her hand. But before she could imagine touching him to smooth out the slowly forming frown on his handsome face, the sky behind him turned red and his eyes lost their shine. It was the same look he had given her that last time she saw him. Almost estranged - confused by his own thoughts and feelings swirling through his body. 

Y/N couldn’t shake the tiny voice in her head telling her that Wanda had a greater hand in their relationship than she claimed. She knew her own feelings were real. They had been ever since Bucky stepped into the compound such a long time ago. And maybe it was just her manipulative self that felt as though she did not deserve this miracle called Bucky Barnes actually happening to her, but deep down, a wallowing fear to hold onto something so fragile slowly crept up her body. She was scared to break what they had - or whatever was left of it - especially if it had only been held together by Wanda's chaotic magic.

There was no way of knowing how much of their love story had been Wanda’s doing, though. For all Y/N knew, Bucky’s feelings could have never gone beyond a close friendship. And even though Wanda had promised to stop manipulating them, Y/N wasn’t sure if all his words whispered during their time in Westview and especially in that beautiful night had been his own.

Well, there was one way to find out, but Y/n wasn’t ready for another hit to her fragile heart. The others were already enough to last a lifetime. She didn’t need the humiliation of knowing that she had been played all along on top of it. 

Y/N opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling. Oh, how nice it would be to have him wrapped around her right now. Or even just Alpline to snuggle with. She missed the lovely white-furred cat just as much. She had grown onto her every time Y/n saw how much she meant to Bucky. And Y/N would be lying if she said that her heart had not skipped a beat when Alpine accepted her into her life just as much as Y/N did Al into hers.

Bucky was probably as sad about it - everything he had lost yet again. It was no secret how many things neglected him during his infamous lifetime. Bucky had so much taken from him, and even now, he had no control over things that happened to him. Though this one was Y/N’s fault. It was her idea to go to Westview after all. She should have just stayed oblivious to the magical word that unfolded itself in the suburbs. None of this would have happened, and she might even still have had a chance with Bucky. But now? There would probably never be the fairytale ending she had been dreaming of so many times before. And there would definitely be no husband and hydrangeas or white picket fences. Still, the worst part was that there would be no Bucky. And it was her fault - after all, she had just left when everything was over, too overwhelmed by her discovery and certain that talking to him would shatter her to pieces.

Y/N took a deep breath which she released with a dramatic sigh. The thought of him made her heart ache. She missed him so much already.

It was bad. Just as bad as it had been losing any other friend she ever lost. And even though Bucky wasn’t dead, his absence alone pulled the familiar pain from months ago back onto the forefront of her mind and heart. Y/n wanted to do something about it, scream, cry, punch - but there was no amount of screaming or crying or punching that would make the aching go away. She needed Bucky; she needed a friend. 

Looking back at her pathetic situation, Y/N let out a huff as she stared at her boring ceiling. If this was what Wanda had felt before everything happened - before Westview happened - she couldn’t even blame her for everything. If Y/N had had the power to pull all these moments back to her, so real that even she thought them true again, she would have probably done the same. Wanda wasn’t so different from her or anyone for that matter. She was just the only one able and willing to let it happen - to let her deepest desires spring to life - even if the world usually didn’t work that way.

Thinking about it like this, Y/N almost felt proud of the power move her friend had made. But she also relived the pain and the fear she had caused and it made her come to the conclusion that Wanda’s doing - even though it inflicted trauma and injuries - wasn’t out of malice. It was brought to life by grief and love - a dangerous mixture in itself. Add a witch to the mix and you had the perfect supervillain story. But Wanda wasn’t a supervillain. She was broken. And angry. Deep down there was still the young girl who was captured by Hydra and who had her life ripped away from her. Along with her brother and her one true love. Of course, she would go batshit crazy at some point. And of course, her way of reacting wasn’t the smartest, but irrationality didn’t need excuses sometimes. It just happened - suddenly and without warning. 

Y/N looked at the clock again. Maybe it was time to get over her wallowing self, she thought, though her body didn’t indicate to move from the bed anytime soon. Sitting around and crying herself to sleep had proven pointless several times before. And yes, to be fair, so had actually acting on her instincts. But if it would go wrong either way - if fate had its own vicious plans that not even Wanda could change - there was no harm in seeking out an old friend and possibly receiving a sliver of closure from the action.

Finding Wanda wasn’t as easy as Y/N had initially thought. But after tracking several news channels and listing in on the CB where she was finally provided with better details of the witch’s last whereabouts, locating her actual hideaway was a breeze. Y/N remembered the day she had been stuck babysitting Peter - for her it was actually quite a fun day of playing board games and watching movies but Tony had made it sound difficult - after he had been ‘banned’ from doing Spider-Man things because of an unfortunate incident including helping an old lady across the street and a stray dog. There wasn’t necessarily a mission but Tony was out of town and Peter was too much of a risk being, well, Peter. Wanda had come back to the compound with the largest smile on her face. Apparently, she and Vision had been sent to a stakeout and when the job was done, he had kissed her for the first time. 

She had been so happy, super excited, and already planning a surprise date on the very spot soon after. Y/N knew where it was because she and Peter had helped Wanda set it up and according to the CB, she was last sighted one mile from the infamous first-date-lake.

And sure enough, when Y/N stepped out of the car and peered past the hut by the water, there stood a familiar redhead by the dock, looking over the water and her arms tightly hugging herself in a cardigan to be shielded from the cool air. 

It was peaceful here, and even though the lake water was probably too cool to touch at this time of year, it looked inviting and calming. There were wafts of mist creeping over the tiny waves in the distance and the trees around it began to bare. Though despite the beauty of the scenery, an eery harmony swayed through the air, mirroring the feelings tickling Y/N’s throat.

“I liked the weather in Westview better,” Wanda spoke up all of a sudden. Y/N hadn’t approached her this loudly, had she? The Black Widow just stood still five feet behind the redhead and watched her hair flow in the cool breeze.“But I guess it was time for a change of season. The summer had lasted way too long.”

She didn’t answer. Because, really, what could she even say to that? The ‘summer’ had lasted way too long. But Y/N still enjoyed it. Because it had Bucky and togetherness and belonging...

A moment of silence stretched beyond the waterfront and Y/N slowly made her way over to the end of the dock where Wanda stood. Her face was stern, eyes focused on something beyond the water - deeply hidden in the woods behind. She had been crying. Her eyes were red and puffy but there was no tear visible on her face. She was probably just as drained of them as Y/N was. Because that was what happened eventually. You just run out of them - there is no more water to mix with the pain. It stays inside you, poisoning you slowly and silently. 

“I- uh. I thought I’d find you here. I remember the day we came here.” It had never been this difficult to start a conversation with Wanda before - ever. But how did one approach a person after everything that’s happened? She didn’t want to make it worse - rub salt in the wound that had barely had any time to heal by now. Y/n was just hoping that Wanda could see what her intentions were: not harmful in any way, but rather an approach to guide them back to the way they once were - Wanda and Y/N, inseparable and strong. 

“I came here so often after... it happened.” Wanda trailed off. “I liked to think that he’s still here, waiting for me.”

Y/N averted her eyes to the ground sadness seeping through her skin with every word Wanda spoke. They really were a miserable pair. Why the universe had chosen them to endure these losses must mean that it thought they were strong enough for it. But Y/N had felt anything but strong for the past few days. She was just exhausted - tired of living this life of never-ending misery. She wanted to touch Wanda, hug her, and tell her that things would be okay, but here was the thing: she didn’t know that. And looking at the stats of the past, chances were she would tell her friend utter bullshit.

And Y/N hadn’t come here for empty promises. She came here to mend bridges and finally get the closure she deserved. It wasn’t Wanda’s fault that she had put everything on the line going into Westview. She had not had much, to begin with. But Wanda was possibly the only person who could soothe her roaring mind. There was a possibility whatever she had to say would quiet the what-ifs echoing through her brain 24/7. And even if she told her that everything was in fact a lie, at least she’d know. And then she could work on getting over yet another hit to the heart.

Y/N was still staring at the wooden planks beneath her feet when she spoke. Her voice was hoarse from the forming tears. “Why, Wanda? Why did you do it?” The answer was pretty clear already, but Y/N couldn’t think of another way to start this. It would be uncomfortable either way.

Another beat of silence fell between the pair. Only interrupted by the light rippling of water to the wooden props reaching in the deep green beneath them, it overtook Y/N’s ears and settled. Though then, finally, Wanda spoke: “I- I didn’t know what else to do- where to go. I-“

“You broke a bunch of people’s hearts, you know that?” Y/N stared at her friend’s profile, waiting for her to turn her head in her direction. “Yours included,” she added once she did.

Wanda’s eyes were glassy again, though she couldn’t hide the shimmer of anger and hurt seeping through her stare. Of course, she knew that she hurt people. It probably wasn’t the smartest move to tell her that yet again. It was what she had been hearing so much lately. And frankly, Y/N didn’t know how to communicate with her anymore. She was on low fuel only driven by the possibility of getting answers and finally finding peace.

"I know... but I needed this. I needed to go to Westview. I need to feel-“

“Why? ‘Cause everything better in Westview?” Y/N huffed while shaking her head at herself. “That’s what I thought - that’s why I came.” Her voice grew softer with every word. “But that clearly didn’t work out well for either of us, did it?”

There was this look. This look, that told Y/N, she had hit exactly where she had aimed. She was right because somewhere deep within, they were still the same. Just two broken women who were tired of the world. Who had lost too much and struggled to find things to hold onto. 

Wanda held intense eye contact for a while and then, out of nowhere, she started sobbing. The dam broke and she hid her face in her hands, crying and sniffing with heaving shoulders.

“I’m so sorry!” Another sob broke through her as she hurried her hands in her hair. Desperation and pain all came rushing out of her without avail. But Y/n wouldn’t stop her. It was good to let it all out.

“Come here.” She tugged on her sleeve until Wanda looked at her with soaked eyes. And when her lip quivered, she pulled her into her embrace, pressing her against her chest with just enough space to breathe. “It’s okay.” Y/n soothed into the red strands of hair, she pushed her face into, trying - struggling - to suffocate the sobs drenching her jacket. 

The pair sank to the cold ground, where slightly slippery wooden beams dampened their jeans, but neither of them cared. Wanda was warm and she held onto her friend just as tightly as Y/N did. Her face was still hidden in the collar but the noises had stopped. There was only the occasional jump of her shoulder pushing Y/N slightly backward. Her hands smoothed up and down Wanda’s back until she had recovered from the outburst. 

“Just know,” she whispered, “That next time when you feel this way... talk to me. I could have used a friend after the whole reblipping thing. And I think you did too.”

“Okay,” Wanda sniffed, leaned her head back, and let the back of her sleeved hand run over her face to dry the tears. 

Y/N just watched, her arms still tightly wrapped around her friend, not intending to let go. Instead, she squeezed her arms for good measure and leaned into her. “I will always be here for you, Wan.”

Wanda fell forward into her arms again and hugged her tightly. And it felt good to be held again. Y/n was strong - she knew that - but that didn’t change the fact that loneliness made even her feel depressed and angsty. It was dangerous to be alone with your thoughts for too long.

But luckily, that wasn’t the case right now. The two women watched over the water as they sat close to each other, shoulders and thighs touching, they let the cool wood beneath them tie them to the ground. They didn’t talk - not for a while - just watched and listened to nature and enjoyed being lonely together. 

After a while, the sun even peaked throughout the cloudy sky and illuminated the water with a golden glow. It wasn’t warm anymore, though. And it definitely wasn’t summery like Westview had been. But it was beautiful and calming and natural.

Y/N dipped her head to the side until it rested comfortably on Wanda’s shoulder. The faint wind blew her red stands into her face, tickling her nose, but she didn’t care. She just took a deep breath and closed her eyes. And even though this moment was reserved for her friend and finally ridding her mind of bothersome topics, her thoughts couldn’t help but sway back to the aching in her heart and the issue that caused it. Differently than before, however, there was not a drop of anger mixing with the thoughts. It was simply recapping - revisiting and reflecting on things that didn’t lay too far in the past.

“God I was so stupid... Thinking that this could be real. We were just pretending. The whole time we were playing house. And I fell for it. I fell even harder for Bucky and now I’ve lost it all again.” She felt kind of bad for bringing it back up, but to be fair, Y/N had come here for answers and closure, and up until now, neither of those ‘issues’ were resolved.

“No. No, you haven’t. You have me.” Wanda turned to her, inevitably forcing Y/N to detach her head from her shoulder.

“Do I?” Her eyes shook with uncertainty because there really was no way of knowing. Wanda was fragile right now, and even though she loved her and knew that she wanted to be there for her friend, Y/n herself had struggled to be a good friend in the past. She wouldn’t blame Wanda for doing the same, especially with everything she went through.

The witch’s red hair bobbed excitedly as she nodded her head with emphasis. “Yes. I know that what I’ve done was stupid and inconsiderate and dangerous,” she reached for her hand, “But I did it for you, too.”

And all of a sudden the urge to explain how stupid it was to call things stupid or irrational was gone. Y/N had heard the last part of her tiny speech and her brain had chosen to focus solely on it.

“How do mean?” How could Wanda possibly have had her in mind when creating Westview? Y/n didn’t even know where she was at the time. It took Bucky and his mysterious friend to get the information to her. 

Wanda averted her gaze. Almost embarrassed, her cheeks tainted a darker shade of red and her finger nervously fumbled with Y/N’s. “When you came into Westview, I knew.”

“I figured as much.” She shook her head. It was no surprise that Wanda knew. She had controlled the whole town after all. And Agatha had told her during their meeting that this was how the hex worked. 

“I didn’t want to intervene this much, Y/N/N. I just wanted to nudge you in the right direction...”

“I know you meant well, but I'm afraid you somehow tempered with our emotions anyway. I felt it: There was something missing when Westview diminished.”

Wanda nodded and pressed her eyes shut. “I never intended to manipulate your feelings, Y/N. I think it just went over my head. I couldn’t control it anymore.” 

So even Wanda had trouble controlling her life - a life that she created. It was just sad to learn how powerless all of them were compared to the greater forces of the universe. Nobody had it easy, and nobody could control their fate. It was a matter of looking at it. And to be honest, Y/n never wanted to categorize herself as a person that fit into the glass half-full or empty category. She had changed so many times, had taken on so many identities over the years that it all mixed together. And as of the past five years, there was just one tragedy striking after the other, which made it incredibly hard to stay positive. Y/N had only allowed herself to fantasize about better things. There wasn’t a lot she expected from the world anymore - not after she had seen how cruel people could be. This all had changed drastically over the past weeks. Bucky had shown her that there were many things to appreciate. He made her smile after the period of grief she had faced alone. And being by herself in her apartment again made her think about considering more than one side of the story. After all - even colors could change with different light, who was she to decide that life didn’t. Y/N was exhausted, yes. She was tired of fighting it, but she had learned to consider changing her fate - to stop holding grudges and to give chances over and over again. To embrace rather than change things.

“I’m not mad, Wan. How could I? I got to live my fantasies - at least for a little while.” Y/N smiled. “It was nice, you know? Being normal for once, leaving my past behind.”

“Tell me about it.” 

They were looking at each other and then - as if on cue - the two women started to laugh. Because it was funny all things considered. Their lives were crazy and ridiculous - always had been and probably always will be. And even this story started as the bad joke it was. After a few chuckles, however, stray tears mixed with the joyous noises, and the pair slowly began to calm a little again. 

Y/N stretched her neck, letting her eyes sway over the sparkly surface of the water until they landed back on her friend. "How do I get over this Wanda? How are we going to get over this? All of it I mean. Sometimes I feel like I’ve become a burden to everyone around me. I let my fear control my mind.”

A short shimmer of confusion mirrored in Wanda’s eyes and then she turned to Y/N, laid her hands on her knees, and smiled.

“Oh Y/N, Bucky loves you. He always has. There is no getting over anything - not for you at least.”

“What?” Apparently, the confused look on Y/N’s face was enough to make Wanda elaborate because she spoke not even a second later.

“I didn’t want to back when the avengers were still a thing, but his thoughts were so loud I couldn’t not hear them.” 

“You promised me not to...” Y/n had always suspected that Wanda did it anyway, but now that she knew, she didn’t know how to feel about it. Did she do it to protect her? But if Bucky really loved her what was there to be protected from?

"Y/N, listen to me. Bucky is in love with you. With or without magic. He has always been. That’s why you were married in Westview. That was me - yes. But either way, I think you’re destined to be together.”

“So you... what?” All this new-not-new information gambled with her brain, making it hard to form a coherent thought, let alone a sentence. But Wanda understood what she was asking, and she answered with a shake of her head and a sincere smile. All the fear of Bucky somehow being forced to love her was unprecedented. Wanda never needed to create an affiliation in Bucky’s mind - she merely supported it. The one needing the nudge had been Y/N all along.

A moment of silence embraced the two friends in whichY/N collected her thoughts. If this was true - and she believed Wanda - then Bucky must have gone to a similar phase of depression on his own. It almost pained her to imagine him sitting in his apartment alone, worrying about what had gone wrong when there was nothing to be worried about. All this energy had been wasted for nothing but self-inflicted hurt that could have been avoided.

Y/N dipped her chin once and then she stated a determined ‘I need to do something.’

Wanda’s eyes brightened at that and she squeezed her hand in response. “Yes, you do.” 

It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Y/n had never expected to gain this kind of closure from today, but she wasn’t mad about it. It was nice to know that changing perspective actually changed life experiences.

“Not right now though.” She interrupted her own thoughts. “I have some catching up to do with a friend.” And with a smile that Wanda shortly reciprocated, Y/n relaxed into her position on the ground again.

They sat on the dock for another two hours, laughing and talking, revisiting old times. And Y/N appreciated that she could talk to Wanda about everything as if it were a normal thing again. There was no judgment or anxiety anymore. It was just them: two friends that spend the day by the lake, welcoming the cold season and actually having fun. 

Y/n would have never guessed that this was how her day would turn out if she had been asked this morning. She had expected another uncertain and unfulfilling encounter with a person she did not recognize anymore. But Wanda wasn’t a stranger. She was a friend, her closest friend, and it was crazy to think that part of her would ever change.

Y/n would have loved to stay in this moment forever because it was familiar and comforting and much needed. But when the sun slowly began to set and the air turned even cooler than it had already become, Y/N decided it was time to go home. 

Wanda stood up and reached out her hand for Y/N to take. When they both stood and shared another long hug, Y/N felt a lot lighter than hours before. 

“Are you going to be okay?” She asked into Wanda’s hair before leaning back and looking into her eyes.

Her friend just nodded with bright eyes. “Just call me after, okay?”

Excitement bubbled in her chest at the way she could talk to her again. This had been a long time coming “I will.”

And she then moved to step off the peer but before Y/n could fully leave the lakeside, she turned around one more time. “Wanda?”

“Yes?” She had already turned to watch the sunset, but when she heard the call of her name, she redirected her attention back to Y/N.

"It’s nice to have my best friend back.” There had never been words she had been more excited to say. Having Wanda back was like the breath of fresh air she had been craving from the start. And having her back by her side was the only thing left to give her enough support to follow through with the next important step.

“I agree.” The redhead smiled before receiving a final nod from her best friend. 

And with that, Y/N turned around again and walked towards her car. The cold air burned in her nose but it brought determination and hopefulness into a clearer mind. A clear mind that insisted: She was ready for whatever would happen next.

𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓

Wanna be added to the Taglist?

@not-another-fangirl @this--is--music @pinkpunkdynamite @wintermischief @njyhjtjb @patricks-fabulous-face @ryansreadings @wiintaersoldier @marvle-lover69 @louderfortheback @thatmarvelloser @sweetbuchananbarnes @sweetwritingfanficfriend @almosttoopizza @sociallyimpairedme @royalwritersoftheuniverses @marrigold-2002 @i-l-y-3000 @mrsgweasley @prettylittlepluviophile @circe143 @valkyrie418 @mirikusashes @noideawhyimdoingthislol @nikkitc0703 @lethallyprotected @erynnnn @misshale21

#megs imagines #everything's better in westview #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky x y/n #winter soldier #winter soldier x reader #winter soldier x y/n #winter soldier x you #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky fluff #bucky imagine #winter solider imagine #the avengers #winter solider x y/n

[m1d-45]

midas you are KILLING me /pos

oh my god he doesn’t dare to go near anything that has even the slightest trace of you, much less the real you. the idea of tainting you with his presence makes him feel sick.

but oh, how he longs for your divine light to shine on him like it used to. sometimes his self-imposed exile is almost too much to bear, and it takes everything in him not to prostrate himself before you and let every single thought and apology spill from his lips. then he remembers the fear in your eyes, the expression that haunts his every waking moment and seeps into his dreams. to have to see that expression again, all because he put aside your comfort for his own selfish reasons, would completely shatter whatever remained of his heart.

nobody sees much of the cavalry captain anymore. he spends most of the day locked up in his office, even when you leave mondstadt to visit other nations. he’s noticeably absent from taverns, and even his patrols are far away from other people. it definitely has more than a few people worried, the way kaeya’s isolating and neglecting himself, but how do you comfort someone who murdered a god?

(oh my god. klee wanting to cheer kaeya up, and being around the creator always cheers her up, so she decides to surprise him with a visit from you! surely that’ll make big brother kaeya feel better! ueueue (<- soung of crying))

also. kaeya in high heels. yeag. he’s a bad bitch he deserves to slay - teddy anon

teddy. teddy my fucking heart. TEDDY.

he’s always had this mentality of him being “lesser” than those around him, even if he covers it up with theatrics and flair. now, it’s only worse, and he cant decide if the fact that he still has his blessings is a sign of favor or simply you not being bothered, or not wanting to interact with him again.

on his patrols, he doesn’t wield the sword you gave him, instead preferring to strap on one of the standard-issue swords for the knights. he’s so used to yours, to not having to worry about such things when his weapon was tucked in the space between realities, that the first few times he gets hurt. he’s not used to the new weight or how much heavier on his feet he is, disoriented at how long it takes to finish off enemies. when they fall, he’s still expecting to be switched out, to be healed. the knights had taken him off of field missions after he was blessed with your light to properly allow him rest, but now… he’s not used to fighting without you. he has to think about strategy, about dodging, he can’t be reckless and know you’ll cover him because you’re not there.

and klee….

klee who was kept out of the hunt, naturally, who wasn’t told of kaeya’s crimes other than a “he made a mistake” from albedo.

she’s made mistakes before! and she’s starting to miss him, it’s been so long since she’s seen him… she knows just what to do!

with a bit of convincing, albedo agrees to get kaeya to a lunch at good hunter later in the week. he’s worried for him too, and an hour or two of lost work can’t really set him behind all that much, considering his prior habits.

with that set, klee goes off to find you. with a bit of help from amber, she finds you talking with diluc outside of the angel’s share, ciders in hand.

you greet her with a smile and correct her hat, and klee doesn’t think twice before asking you,

“do you wanna go to lunch later with me and kaeya?”

diluc freezes, glass half-way to his lips. you don’t see it, but amber’s smile falters.

they know klee is likely trying to do good, unaware of what kaeya had done, but they do know.

you smile. “i’d love to! where are we going?”

amber and diluc share a glance.

“your grace…”

“kaeya has been rather busy as of late, not even showing up to the tavern.” it was only half a lie. kaeya wasn’t busy at all—in fact, he heard the knights talk about how he’d taken on their work in an effort to keep busy and be useful. “i’m sure he appreciates your efforts, klee, but-“

“i haven’t seen him all week! brother albedo is always saying about how you need to take breaks, right? and he hasn’t! and he’s been in a bad mood, not even talking to klee!” diluc’s face sours. “besides! talking to you-“ she turns to you with a grin “-always makes me feel better!”

“it sounds like a good idea to me,” you say. “and i’ve been wanting to see him for a while now. i know the knights are busy-“ they’re not. “-but still, klee is right. breaks need to be taken.”

klee beams, and diluc hopes you grant his brother some grace.

#m1d : [chats] #m1d : [secrets] #teddy anon #once more i thank you for pretty colors! #i know they’re prolly annoying to do but boy do i enjoy looking at them #here’s me praying this is referring to the tags on your last ask #i said. way too much there i should have included it in the actual post #but. wtv ig

[space-blue]

hi! so, since you write some arcane meta, i was wondering: why didn't sevika betray silco? we've seen that she's been willing to switch sides before (when she betrayed vander), why didn't she with silco? she betrayed vander because he refused to stand up to the enforcers because he cared too much about his kids. when sevika had the opportunity to betray silco, he was acting similarly to vander (refusing to give up jinx, even if it meant not gaining independence), so why didn't she go along with finn?

Hello Anon! Yes, I love interesting meta asks. This is a neat one too actually. Casual warning that this is all my opinion, not necessarily the strict canon, even if I can sound like I'm preaching gospel.

Let me answer the very end question to clarify things up.

I don't think Silco, in the end, is doing what Vander ever did. Not as far as Sevika knows or is concerned. She never gets to know Silco got an offer of peace from Jayce, or that he thinks of refusing for Jinx's sake. He gets abducted before that. At no point does Sevika see Silco give up anything for Jinx, or not take action because of Jinx, the way Vander did.

Quite the contrary: Sevika is tasked by Silco to hunt down and kill Vi when she returns to the Lanes, as we see Sevika come back to the office to report failure. Eventually when Vi is found, Silco goes to see her killed in person. He's proactive and not shy of killing Vander's kids. No other kids are in the equation.

Sevika may hate Jinx, but Jinx works for their cause, no matter how she may dislike it. She's building the bomb, she does take care of the blockade (again, even if Sevika disapproves of her killing Marcus). No one is refusing to hit on Piltover because of anyone else.

Why is Sevika so loyal?

Silco, unlike Vander, is acting out a masterplan. It's also a very different plan from his act I idea of handing out monsterification vials to Zaunites to raid Piltover. We can very easily assume that Sevika, his closest lieutenant and occasional advisor, would know the details of this new plan inside out. Heck, it seems even the Chembarons know what the deal is.

Meanwhile, Vander's goal was to not make any waves and to suppress uprisings from his own people. Sevika, under Vander, was impotent. He was getting in the way of vengeance, and in the way of progress for the cause of Zaun. The fact he did it for his children is irrelevant. He was an unbreakable status quo.

Going to Silco, she finds herself working for someone who has ideas, drive, a ruthless streak she clearly shares. Someone who'll break many eggs for the omelette he feels they've long deserved. Even if it ends up taking years to get there, act II takes great pains to show us how much richer and united Zaun is.

Sevika has clearly been kept busy. She may have serious beef with Jinx, and with Silco's reliance on Jinx, but again, Silco isn't protecting her. He's putting Jinx to work for the cause, even if she shows no signs of caring about it. She isn't being coddled and Silco isn't stalling because of her (though it's an idea I've seen in fanon, in canon we simply don't know what his win conditions are and why he's still faffing about playing the industrialist. We see him bemoan how the hexgates make Piltover leave Zaun "further behind", hinting at the idea he's struggling to catch up to some goal).

So the situation is simply different from Vander.

But then there's also the fact that Sevika clearly knows where she shines. She's a great follower. That's not an insult or a fault. Not everyone is suited for the top dog position. I think Sevika reached the place where she can utilise her skills best, and doesn't have to carry the burden of leadership—and she knows it. Funnily enough she gets on Silco's ass after he gives her a little too much to do lol

Seriously though, regarding Finn. Why didn't she go with him?

Not too hard, I should think : because he's a self-serving idiot without any sense of vision.

He doesn't understand Sevika's loyalty. He appeals to her ego, to her "want" for more, something I think he's 100% projecting and not realising Sevika just… doesn't want more. Finn never mentions the cause. He never talks of Zaun, just of petty power plays.

I think Finn completely misses the fact Sevika is a true believer.

She betrayed Vander when it he wouldn't stand up against Piltover, and then proceeds to be loyal to a fault to the one man whose entire reason for breathing is to create the Free Nation of Zaun. I think Sevika is way more devoted to that cause than she's often made out to be.

And Finn is all bling, all wealth and power and no politics, no brains and no future.

She uses him to remind Silco to stop fucking around (and maybe negotiate a raise lol), but it's clear she's never considered Finn seriously. Worse, she manipulated Finn by making him confident she was on his side. He shows up with his one supporter, and Sevika turns this into a way of cleaning up house. It's a master stroke of multi tasking. Finn was right. She is a scary lady.

I conclusion, I don't think Vander's motivations for doing what he did matter to Sevika at all. I believe she sticks to Silco because she's a true believer who has been doing a lot of satisfying work under him. We have to not forget that act II and III are a glimpse over 3 days of pure crisis, at the end of 5 to 10 years of work where they clearly got along enough to still be working together. And finally, Silco coming so close to getting what he wants is no known, and only Jinx, Vi, and Cait know about Silco wanting to drop the offer for Jinx's sake. Not a thing he even has a chance to do.

Hope that answers it x'D

#Sevika #Arcane #Silco #Vander #Meta #Jinx #arcane meta #anon ask #thanks for the ask! #sevika arcane

[dmagedgoods]

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Sal and Daeran!

I don’t know who will read this one first - I feel like both of you would be scheming to get to a shared letter before the other, so I’ll address this to both of you.

Sal: Please take some gods-damned time off today. You work too hard and deserve a break. I have a feeling Daeran will have you taking a break some way or another, but maybe make it a little easier for him today? Or harder, if you’re doing that kind of game.  

Daeran: Don’t annoy Sal too much today. Get him to stop working but don’t stress him out with your antics. You KNOW what I mean! There’s only one way your blood pressure should be rising today.

Anyway, I hope you have a nice romantic day! I’ve sent some chocolates with ‘fun’ surprises. Technically, I confiscated them from Woljif but after reading the box I think you would appreciate these “love enhancing bonbons”, where “each bite has another layer of fun!”. I was tempted to use them myself but I think Regill would actually walk out of the bedroom. 

(Please tell me how they work, I'm dying to know).

-Love, Minovae!"

“What are you doing with this letter?” “I’m being my usual, peerlessly helpful self!” “You stole it from my desk.” “I’m sure you meant to say ‘Thank you for your indispensable, highly-cherished, relentless work to shorten the unpleasant part of my days I waste with tiring piles of paper, I would be lost without you’.” Salvadore rose from his chair and snatched the letter out of his husband’s hand. “I would have read it to you, you know, it’s addressed to both of us.” “Then what are you waiting for!” Salvadore took his sweet time opening the envelope. It wasn’t easy to hide the excitement from his husband they shared more than he wanted to admit. Handwriting and seal gave it away as a letter of a much more personal nature than the professional, immaculate font suggested. Although the latter was a hint as well. He slowly unfolded the paper. – And eventually started reading the text he found out loud. His smile grew with every word, he couldn’t help it, and warm affection flooded his body. Daeran seemed delighted and touched in a very similar way. “She is right as always, you know. It’s about time you stop working today.” “She also told you to stop annoying me.” “Well, to be precise, she only told me to limit it. She knows too well that a little annoyance is more than necessary to get through to you.” “I hope you ordered the gift for her and Regill.”

“Well of course! I almost feel attacked. When did I ever forget to organize a gift, my heart?” Daeran eyed the 'love enhancing bon-bons' and picked one from the small pile. Salvadore raised a brow. “No way in heaven I’ll try one of those. Who knows what Woljif had planned with them.” “I insist! What an impolite faux-pas it would be to reject them!” “I don’t even like sweets, they all are meant for you, my love.” “Oh, you should take a closer look. Some of them are dark chocolate with mint. Your favorite.” Salvadore winced. His husband showed no mercy, unwrapped the bon-bon, and stepped towards him, an alluring smile adorning his face. “Open up.” Hesitatingly, he gave into his fate when Daeran brought the small piece of dark chocolate to his lips. They were good, surprisingly so. Warmth shot through his body, followed by a tingling sensation. “Oh!” Daeran stared at him with a weird expression of … fascination? “Well. It suits you.” Salvadore stared at his hands. His skin shined with a weak silvery glow. “I hope this will cease again.” “Hopefully not any time soon.” Daeran grinned. “I want to find out if every part of you is glowing. But first …” Daeran walked to the desk, took his quill, and started writing. Stepping behind him, Salvadore read the text while it appeared on paper in his wide entwined handwriting. After a while, he snorted and took the quill from him to add a paragraph of his own. Daeran stole the quill for an addition. They finished the letter in turns, then took a night blue envelope and put their golden seal on it.

“Perfect,” Daeran commented. “We'll use a teleportation circle to make sure it will still arrive today. And afterwards, it's time for the pleasant part you promised.” Daeran stepped to the door with the letter in his hand. “I promised no such thing.” Salvadore followed him. Then stopped, turned around and moved back to the table. With a swift motion, he grabbed the chocolate bon-bons. They would need those.

#SIREN THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY #I got terribly emotional #such a beautiful letter #😭❤️❤️❤️ #thank you so very much #mino #friends' ocs #knight commander salvadore #oc: salvadore #daeran #knight and dae #dmagedtexts #my wrting

[ran-orimoto]

I just want one thing. I want you to write a jelous Izumi. I want Izumi to be jelous on someone because Junpei deserves to have at least another woman on him. I know you wouldn’t make it cringe or toxic. I need a fic that makes Junpei like the other Frontier boys. You know that they always say Takuya and co. Are popular and things. Why Junpei can’t have at least someone else? Please. He’s a Senpai! I’m confusing but I hope you can accept... Love your stories. Sometimes I forget you are speaking english in life

{ “Guardatevi dalla gelosia, mio signore” }

Somehow, she had developed a bizarre fascination for the sloppy, graceless way he would express his immense adoration for her recipes.

As soon as he swallowed his first bite with eagerness, seeing him enthusiastically waving his fork, spoon or chopsticks in the air was satisfying, gratifying, extraordinarily flattering, -and she could state he was an incorrigible flatterer by nature, a pretty skilled one-.

He wasn’t obviously a food critic weaving brilliant poetry while eating. He could improvise some opera aria on the spot out of blue, sure, but she couldn’t expect expert comments coming from his full mouth, -speaking about that…He should really stop doing it!-. Nevertheless, his opinions were genuine and sincere: she could trust him if he said the tomato sauce needed more or less salt, if he cautiously suggested she had added way too sugar to the cake dough.

Did she really need anything more than that, especially in those special days their busy lives’ schedules would be able to finally find a meeting point? Moreover, admittedly, she often felt like food would taste much better whenever they shared a table and were sitting next to the other, no matter if she had been the one who had cooked all those delicacies or not.

In truth, though, that night they would have to settle for standing and having dinner near to a long table decorated with traditional venetian meals…Or better, they would have had to, since Junpei was nowhere to be seen, as if he had faded in thin air, which she wasn’t that certain it was possible for someone who was as big as him.

Junpei Shibayama, one of the stars, indeed, the most shining aster of the night, had disappeared after the end of the presentation and all the formalities and applauses that had followed, right during the most interesting part of the event: of course, the buffet dinner.

She had felt a pinch of confusion making her frown, a sort of hunch whispering to her he would have definitely told her if he had needed to go away for a while, go somewhere else to get some air; an excruciating suspicion convincing her to check where he had ended up in. She did know what he was made like, after all!-.

The wind infuriating against the entrance door seemed to be encouraging her tension to keep on hanging onto her senses and muscles, leading her into various rooms of the theatre without success, until she found herself freezing on stairs covered with red velvet, her heels’ ticking abruptly dying.

Growing up, she had had to get used to experiencing the ebbs and flows of friendship. She had learnt how to estabilish meaningful connections with other people and show them kindness, but Digiworld hadn’t really prepared her for whatever could come next: for the consequences, the undesired eventualities bonding with someone would naturally bring along itself, the painful acceptance of a reality in which she wasn’t meant to own a privileged spot in her friends’ heart forever. Sooner or later, other people would slip into their lives and carve a path to the throne she had been sitting on for years; conquer the precious place she had always occupied in their soul. It did hurt, especially whenever she was forced to observe that slow yet dramatic change unfolding before her eyes, but she had also understood it was an inexorable process nobody could really avoid.

Junpei himself hadn’t apparently managed to be nimble enough to dodge the passage of that unbridled boom. He had been thrown into a dark sea from where he was trying swimming away just because he was unexpectedly shy and also a bit scared of being attracted by pitch black depths.

Izumi didn’t think twice before deciding to turn. She acted according to her instincts, following that nagging burning on her cheeks. In order to make it grow fainter, it would have been more logic to follow the direction of the howling bursts, but in front of her, in the middle of the elegant foyer was standing an amiable couple of colleagues, having fun far from the world, far from dishes of baccalà mantecato, sarde in saor, fritto misto and, -how could she have ever forgot those?-, baci in gondola filled with chocolate.

Oh, but she could understand it. She really could. That December in Venice wasn’t sparing anyone, not even the little Fenice Theatre. It was so cold the weakest breath could be seen and touched after having been transformed in condensation. In that wintry scenario it was so desiderable and convenient to stroll in the company of someone dear to you, arm in arm, warming the atmosphere with resounding laughters and loud silences, -which were presumably useful to balance the excessive newborn heat-.

Silence was what fell on her shoulders at that moment too, when she had just brought a foot on the higher, soft step. For an instant, she could only hear the frosty mistral crashing onto the marble, resistant coloumns from outside, as if its gusts were carrying shards of pointy ice.

But then…

“Izumi!”

“Itsumi?”

“In realtà si dice Izumi…”

Izumi turned again in surprise, not only due to that thump that had made her bosom shake. From up to down, she noticed Junpei’s orbs matching her delightful astonishment. It was enough for her to spot the shimmer in them to crack a smile at him. It might have been an imaginary flash, but she had started giving a value to those as well, starting from a random day in which something, something she couldn’t really pinpoint had shifted in her, as undisturbed as a butterfly flapping its wings.

“I have been searching for you!” He exclaimed ignoring the nonsense complaints of the black-haired woman by his side. “Ester wanted to talk a bit and she dragged me here. I’m so hungry now, geez”.

“Non è vero! You didn’t seem that hungry when we were chatting !” The soprano crossed her arms, gesture that highlighted her prominent shapes. She gave a disinterested glance at Izumi, but she grew absolutely indignant when Junpei made their coats’ sleeves part from each other.

He clumsily reached Izumi, a hesitant hop sending his arms around her frame and risking to send her on the floor.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to eat that exquisite fritto misto. L’hai detto,” The woman’s annoyed voice crawled to their ears, failing at bringing Junpei back to her but successfully showing she could speak japanese quite decently. “I’ve tasted it and the shrimps were divine. You said you trusted my words”.

Junpei couldn’t repress a series of chuckles, murmuring from his chest.

“Of course, I did”, He hinted in mischievous amusement.

Izumi didn’t let him continue, though. A palm on a hip, she unconsciously exploited the graceful gait years of modelling had gifted her with. Once much closer to the alluring stranger, she smirked at her with confidence but also with a pinch of courtesy.

“One of the cooks is called Itsumi and wants to thank you very much. Grazie mille. I’m glad you have found my fritto misto to your liking.”

“È-è una dei cuochi…?! Vestita così?!”

It was evident the sparkling green pencil dress she was wearing for the occasion didn’t really emanate the vibes of someone who had been at the hobs, in a quite repulsive sweat bath. The same could be underlined about the lovely knot she had pulled up her silky golden-shaded strings in.

“Yes, she is. And the best one of the crew. Izumi is…Really the number one.”

She heard the wind subsiding all of a sudden, paradoxically delighted by the roar of a thunder.

[ And first prompt has been done ~~~ Thank you, Anon, for the request and also the sweet words. I tried my best not making this cringe or toxic🤣 (I’m laughing, sorry, I know what you meant but it’s too funny), but who knows if I have managed to. Honestly, Junpei is the one I’ve often envisioned in these kinds of situations, but I can’t really seem him being jelous. He’s more like bitter in my stories. Jelousy is a complex sentiment, if you ask me. It has got many shades, many reasons behind its arising, No wonder Shakespeare and Verdi wanted to explore it in their “Othello” and “Otello”.

Actually, that title up there is from Verdi’s “Otello”, taken from Shakespeare’s actual theatrical piece and adapted in an opera context. Who knows, maybe Junpei was going to star in it the following night🤣. I…I know, I know he was, but I didn’t add this detail expliticitly because I didn’t want to be CRINGE.

Thank you again, Anon! I hope you won’t mind if I will publish this on AO3 too. Not every friend of mine is here on Tumblr and they do care about reading this trash. Let me know if it’s okay for you~~~. I’m not even sure if I should make a collection of prompts, since I have already got 7 of them, guys. I would really like to add a title from opera and theatre to each of them. I don’t care if they are not directly connected with the story in general; what matters the most is the main theme!

And before I forget!

• “In realtà si dice Izumi”: “In truth, it’s Izumi”

• “Non è vero”: “It’s not true”

• “L’hai detto”: “You said it”

• “È una dei cuochi? Vestita così?”: “She is one of the cooks?! Dressed like that?!”

Take care, Anon! ]

#junzumi #digimon frontier #junpei shibayama #izumi orimoto #junpei #izumi #don’t expect I CAN write that well #I try my best just because I love doing it and it’s funny to me ahahah #zura writes

[queer-and-dear-books]

Title: If I See You Again Tomorrow

Author: Robbie Couch

Genre: Sci-fi | Friendship | Romance | LGBTQ+

Content Warnings: Internalized Homophobia

Overall Rating: 9.8/10

Personal Opinion: I was already convinced that Robbie Couch was my favorite author and then he goes and releases this banger? It is so riveting, unique, romantic, and refreshing. Something Couch does really well is not putting the romance dead center. He focuses on the friendships that the protagonist cultivates first and foremost and the romance naturally comes forward after. And every pairing feels so genuine to me. Clark and Beau especially. They make me believe in destiny.

Do I Own This Book? Technically yes. My friend bought it (and also Blaine for the Win) for me when he was in NY visiting but he also borrowed it so it’s not physically with me at the moment. But yes, I do own it.

Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:

Likes:

- I love the way everything is connected. I love the way everything has a reason for being. Down to the last detail. Everything from why Clark couldn’t find David Dopamine’s time loop video to why Thom freaked out on day 310 when Beau showed up. It doesn’t matter how small or big the detail was, it was important. The significance of Beau’s errands too, being the key to Clark curing his loneliness is so special to me. Because I love every person Clark came into contact with on day 310.

- Let’s talk about the people Clark met on day 310. Starting with, of course, Beau. Oh my god, the guy is nuts. But his spontaneity was truly magnetic and I can see why people so easily gravitate toward him. He can be a bit over-the-top with his shenanigans but he shines brightest when he is acting over-the-top. 

- Otto is my favorite though. I just love burly bakers. Gentle giants. He deserves a hug. In the loops where he gave Clark the recipe to his blue velvet brownies, I was breaking down in tears. And then when he finally talked about Ben, I just about lost it. My emotions were a mess but Otto is just so kind and so friendly with everyone, I just can’t. I’m getting emotional all over again just thinking about him.

- Emery was an unexpected joy. He feels like a supporting actor in this story which is, well, exactly what he is. Like he fits the role to a T. What I mean by that is that I didn’t really expect much from his interactions with Clark but as they learned about each other, became friends in some loops, I really felt a bond with him. It’s like when you get attached to minor characters in shows and you cheer when they come on screen. That’s how it felt with Emery. Like he was just some guy you want to support and see thrive away from the antics and chaotic messes of the main cast. I hope he gets his breakout role someday.

- Dee is a delight. I mean, she is a whirlwind. And I find it so hilarious that she would reject Clark so vehemently in some loops. Which is reasonable! She is a woman alone at night, she has every reason to have her guard up. But on day 311, when she invited Clark out for BLTs and milkshakes, I could feel her cry for help. Her need to not be alone. And wow, when she explained everything that happened at The Wrinkles concert, it’s no wonder why she felt like she could die from embarrassment. But I love that she found courage in Clark’s vulnerability and was able to share her secret. Not only that but I am just overjoyed that she and Emery are likely going to get their fairy-tale ending!

- Now for the people Clark has known since before day 310. I am talking about Sadie! Oh my god, that ominous, “I need you” text deviation on day 310 had me in a chokehold. I was so fucking worried about her and it turns out she was just lonely without Clark. Not to downplay her loneliness at all! She just moved to a new place before her senior year, that’s nuts. I get why she’s sad. But oh my god, when Clark Facetimed her and she started crying because she missed him, I was all up in my feels because I truly felt their friendship. It was palpable every time they Facetimed but that last one on day 364 had me in a vicegrip.

- Clark’s family! I had already guessed that his dad had an affair. Or at least, I knew he was the one who was actually at fault for the divorce. It was obvious but also still a surprise enough to gut punch me. Like, you see it coming but the impact still surprises you. But god, when Clark decided to check in on his dad for the first time on day 364, I was a mess again. I just can’t handle a family crying session. And I love that Clark was mature enough not to end things on a bad note even if time was going to loop again.

- Then we have mom and Blair. Mom was really trying her hardest to connect with her son and Clark did not make it easy on her. And I understand why. A divorce is a big deal. Combined with their fight and Sadie moving, it’s no wonder why Clark erupted on day 311. But on day 364, when he decided to finally bake with his mom and apologize for what he put her through, I was going to go ballistic. My emotions were everywhere. As if it was not enough for Blair to say, “You’re a great big brother and I love you.” Like stop. Sibling love gets me worse than parental love. 

- Ms. Hazel is such a good therapist. Oh my god, I just, I love when characters actually seek help. And I love that Clark took his therapy homework and therapy itself seriously. It can be so easy to ignore that stuff, to not take that leap of faith, but he did it. And I love how he openly appreciates her sessions. That’s a beautiful thing.

- Now, as if all of these new and old relationships weren’t enough, we have Professor Copeman. Oh the regret and shame she had for not corroborating Runyon’s story, I felt that in my soul. But the fact that they were destined to meet and change each other’s lives in such a big way is just so beautiful.

- And that’s the last thing I need to talk about. The time loop itself! The fact that it happened because Clark and Beau were meant to meet! I’m glad it wasn’t just a romantic soulmates thing like Beau thought. It’s just about two people who will have a deep impact on each other’s lives. Like that is so special to me.

Dislikes:

- Here is my one real gripe. How can Clark even consider that Mr. Thunderburnt’s theory is correct? Firstly, he doesn’t mention Loop Partners. Secondly, if getting trapped in a time loop has to do with a breakup, then why is Clark experiencing it too? Obviously Runyon’s theory is the correct one in this situation! I guess if I was in Clark’s situation, I would not be the most rational but the soulmate theory is just stupid to me. And it kind of upsets me that Beau just refused to believe any other theory. He wasted a lot of days after giving up when he could have enjoyed them with Clark.

- Also soulmate is written as two words and that bugs me.

- Thom. I don’t really like that he was framed as being wrong for wanting a subtle partner. I do think it was wrong of him to try to change Beau into something that fit his needs better, yes. But I don’t know, maybe it’s because of my culture but I just hate the narrative of a relationship being good only if it’s out. The Long Run and The Minus-One Club have shown me just how wonderful in-the-closet relationships can be. When both partners can wait until they’re ready to come out. But yes, I do see why Otto didn’t like Thom or at least, didn’t think he was a good fit for Beau. I just feel so sympathetic toward Thom! As someone who knows people that have been disowned, rejected, and spurned by loved ones after coming out, I can’t not feel some sympathy for Thom. I just hope he finds a relationship that suits his needs from the start.

#Booksbooksbooks #Booklr #Book Blog #Book Rec #Book Review #If I See You Again Tomorrow #Robbie Couch #LGBTQ #Queer Representation

[geometropolis]

grt3D episode 7: mathematicakes

“you really should be asleep, y’know,” star murmured.

“i know,” droplet replied. “i can’t sleep though.”

the two shapes were sitting just outside their cabin. the night was dark and a gentle breeze was blowing. the faint rustle of leaves could be heard through the otherwise still silence.

“hm…” star blinked his half-lidded eyes. “hey, i never told you about what happened with me and heart, did i?”

droplet didn’t reply, just looked at him.

“you deserve to know, you know.”

“really? i haven’t done anything to help this team…”

star scoffed. “that is soooo not true. but even if it were, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re a part of it.”

“...thanks.”

“right…” star took a deep breath. “y’know, i’m still shocked about it myself. i should’ve seen this whole thing coming, but i didn’t. even if heart would tell me about whatever he was worried about, he never called me out for not listening… but i guess i should’ve seen that myself.”

“so he finally got mad?”

“yeah… i mean, he had every right to be mad. now that i’m thinking about it, i’ve always done this. i’ve always told him to stop worrying and just, y’know, relax with me. that’s why i wanted us to sign up for this show, so we can just have fun together like we used to.”

droplet smiled. “well, you just want him to smile and be happy!”

“well yeah! i love the guy… but y’know, i can’t just turn his frown upside down without knowing why he’s frowning, right?”

“right…”

“i hope he’s doing okay in the paradox. he was so afraid of what it’d be like there.”

“another one of us is going there this morning,” droplet said slowly. “thanks to me…”

“droplet…”

“thanks for talking to me.” she stood up. “i need to go to bed now.”

with that, droplet went inside and went to bed. rhombus was sitting on their own bed, messing with their weird remote like usual. as droplet passed, they didn’t look up.

…

“HELLOOOOOOO MORTALS!!!!” möbius strip called. “WE’RE BACK TO EARLY RISING!!!!!!!”

the shapes dragged themselves in their fatigued stupor to the usual spot in the field; just like the morning before, origin was actually present. 

“time for the elimination?” star asked.

“YUP. THE COOL KIDS WILL BE MUCH COOLER TODAY… AS THE ELIMINATED CONTESTANT IS THE NERD!! HA!!!”

“you mean rhombus, right, sir?” origin asked.

“DUHOY.”

rhombus didn’t even bother to look at droplet; they just glared at star. “you know what?” they started. “i don’t blame droplet for this. i blame you, star, for trusting her and her stupid idea. that ruined it for me.”

star furrowed his brow. “i admit, i’ve done my fair share of damage. but if being genuinely nice to people for the first time in my life is wrong? i don’t want to be right.”

“...you’re not gonna last long.”

“i’ve lasted longer than you. tcch, say hi to heart for me…”

origin started buzzing; as rhombus’s limbs disappeared, they dropped their remote. 

droplet sighed.

“OKAY, WE CAN’T START THE CHALLENGE UNTIL TWINKLE COMES BACK,” möbius explained, “BUT I CAN AT LEAST EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.”

“please do!” rectangle exclaimed.

“TODAY’S CHALLENGE WILL BE A BAKE-OFF: YOU’LL ALL GET PLENTY OF NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS – USE THEM TO MAKE A DELICIOUS MATHEMATICAKE FOR ME TO JUDGE. YOU’LL HAVE AROUND AN HOUR AND A HALF TO FINISH.”

“aw man,” rectangle grumbled. “i suck at baking.”

“yes!” hexagon exclaimed. “i love baking!” she turned to her teammates. “is it fine if i lead this challenge?”

“oh, definitely,” octagon said. pentagon nodded.

trapezoid paused. he also loved baking. 

but she should get a chance to shine, he thought. “of course!” he smiled. 

origin soon reappeared. “you needed those numbers and operations, right sir?”

“YESIREE!”

origin glowed for a moment, and soon hundreds of symbols came flying out from his side. “you can use these to make your lovely desserts – and there should be an equal sign per team too, right?”

“YES INDEED! IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW, ONCE YOU’RE DONE ADDING EVERYTHING, YOU NEED TO PUT IT THROUGH THE EQUAL SIGN TO BAKE. I DON’T WANT ANY RAW NUMBERS.”

“ohhhhh,” square gasped. “that’s why rectangle’s homemade mathematicookies always taste so bad! they’re raw.”

“shut up,” rectangle muttered.

“OKAY… GO! …and twinkle, can you come here for a sec?”

“welp,” parallelogram said to himself as he headed over to pick up ingredients, “i guess it’s just me and me.”

“i’m right here,” heptagon cut in.

“just leave me be.”

“i want to help!”

“do you really?”

“please, parallelogram.” for once, heptagon’s voice was riddled with emotion. “please just let me help you.”

parallelogram regarded him with shock. “fine, whatever,” he muttered. “if you insist… here, carry some of these.” he handed heptagon a few of the numbers while he carried the rest. “i don’t want to give you too much to mess up…”

“so, what do you think we should bake?” star asked droplet. “a double-decker even mathematicake? a multicolor exponential?”

“it doesn’t matter what i think… i’ll just mess it up…” 

star clicked his tongue. “okay, well, then i guess i’ll take the lead. i’ll tell you what to do, okay?”

“fine, sure, whatever…” her mind was clearly elsewhere.

“so first we’ll need a pi, and a couple sine functions…”

meanwhile, hexagon was leading her own team. “okay gang, so how do you all want to help? i already have a recipe in mind.”

“i can be your baking assistant!” pentagon suggested. 

“me too!” said octagon.

“how about you, trapezoid?” hexagon asked.

i want to be her baking assistant as well, he thought, but i don’t wanna step on her toes… 

“i can just do prep and clean up,” he said.

“okay!” she faced the rest of the team. “so i wanna make a triple-triple-three mathematicake! it’s one of my personal favorites.”

“will we need a lot of 3s?” pentagon asked.

“oh yeah, for sure. you have three layers, each with three 3s. that’s…”

“nine threes in all,” octagon finished. 

“right. and we’ll need a whole bunch of parentheses and plus signs as well…”

“it’s only addition… then why do you need parentheses? it’s commutative anyway.”

“that’s the funny thing about baking,” hexagon said. “even if in regular math you can end up with the same result in a billion different ways, in this kind of math it’s the process that makes the biggest difference.”

“so the parentheses separate out each layer,” trapezoid continued. “for this type of cake, the overall contents would be the same without them, but you’d just get one really tall cake. there’s aesthetic value in splitting the cake in layers, which is why we add them.”

“hey, that’s right! have you baked before, trapezoid?”

“what? oh, um… no…!” trapezoid quickly went away to get the ingredients.

“twinkle,” möbius said, “could you please keep your camera on group two?”

“huh? why?”

“listen. i know you’re broadcasting the show to the eliminated contestants. i want them to see this.”

group two, like always, was arguing.

“square’s right for once,” triangle said. “you suck at baking, rectangle. let me do it.”

“hey, you’ve never even baked once in your life!” he countered. “even if my baking is bad, at least i’ve done it before! let me do it!”

“i’m gonna do it.”

“no, i’m gonna!”

“for primes’ sake!” square snapped. “can you two just cut it out for one second? you’re driving me insane!”

“i’m gonna make my own cake.”

“fine, me too!”

square rolled his eyes. we’re definitely gonna lose as it is, he mentally noted. still wouldn’t hurt to have a little secret self-sabotage down the line… anything to make sure i can get away from these two.

“you want them to see group two fighting for the billionth time?” origin asked.

“...yes,” möbius replied cryptically. “i think it’s… enriching.”

“okay…” origin replied, staying right in front of them…

at the same time, droplet was absent-mindedly handing star ingredients.

“square root symbol!” star requested, and droplet gave. “e! i! opening bracket! natural logarithm! …okay, that should be it!”

“mm,” droplet replied.

the two began to put the ingredients together. “okay, so we’ll take the natural log of pi times 37… pass me that 3, would you?”

droplet passed it to him. then she blinked and shook herself out of her thoughts. “...hey wait a sec, what in math are we doing?”

“what do you mean? we’re making a mathematicake.”

“but look at all these crazy ingredients!” she exclaimed, motioning to the bizarre operations scattered in front of them. “this cake will be terrible!”

“you sound just like rhombus,” star chuckled. 

droplet paused and sighed. “well, i… sorry, i just think this idea might be a little too…”

“a little too out there?”

“yeah…”

“wanna help me workshop it?”

“...what does that mean?”

“well,” star explained, “we’ll talk about the idea – what works, what doesn’t – and we’ll make whatever changes we need, and then it’ll be better!”

“so you can make your idea work?”

“so we can make it work.” he smiled. “together.”

parallelogram held a few numbers in his hands and shrugged. “i’ll be honest; i remember the ingredients for two-ten mathematicake but i do not remember the method.”

“i might know how,” heptagon said nervously.

parallelogram raised an eyebrow.

“i know it has 10 thin layers, each with a different power of two. i know we should use parentheses to separate the layers, each pair of parentheses containing 2 and an exponent.”

“...huh…”

heptagon bit his lip. will he listen?

“...i guess that makes sense,” parallelogram concluded.

heptagon exhaled. thank the primes.

“i’ll go get some more 2s, i’ll be right back. don’t mess anything up while i’m gone.”

möbius had long since moved on, so origin decided to move along himself, leaving group two’s drama behind him.

good progress was being made on helvetica’s triple-triple-three mathematicake: trapezoid got the ingredients, and hexagon was leading octagon and pentagon in combining them the right way. “remember pemdas!” she sang. “it’s all about the process.”

octagon put a 3 in a pair of parentheses. “i love baking!” she said. “it’s so orderly!”

pentagon put a plus sign next to it. “and i love baking because you get to throw a bunch of stuff together and make something yummy!”

octagon put another 3. “only if it’s in the right order.”

“right…”

“good work, everyone!” hexagon beamed. “you’re doing great. just tell trapezoid when you’re ready for the next pair of parentheses.”

“got it!”

trapezoid translated over to hexagon. “you’re great at this!” he exclaimed. “just a few minutes ago they had no idea how to bake at all, and now they’re experts!”

“just playing my part!”

trapezoid soon handed pentagon and octagon another pair of parentheses. “don’t forget to put a plus sign after the first pair before you put this one down.”

“oh, right!” hexagon piped up. “i almost forgot that part! thanks, bud… hey, you seem to know a lot about baking. why didn’t you want to help?”

trapezoid sighed. “well… you said you liked to bake, and i wanted to let you have your moment. i would’ve just… stepped all over you.”

“aw, i appreciate it… but you don’t have to do that for me. i want you to shine as well! …how about we lead together?”

hexagon smiled at him and he couldn’t help but smile back. “sounds good to me.”

droplet blinked at star. “so irrational numbers add flavor?”

“yeah,” he said. “they give the cake a certain… spice.”

“i guess the square root symbols make sense then… but i think maybe it’s a bit too complicated with logarithms and exponents too?”

“do you think the flavors would clash?”

“yeah.”

“maybe we should simplify things then… how about each layer has the square root of two plus pi?”

droplet nodded. “sounds good! and we can add an additional pi to the end of everything for that last little pop.”

the cool kids were the last to know what they were doing, but their idea was the most unique; the two quickly got started putting things together.

rectangle and triangle were busy making their own individual mathematicakes; neither knew any recipes, but at the very least rectangle knew how it was supposed to work. triangle just threw down a bunch of numbers and symbols. 

if there’s anything square knew about baking, though, it’s that adding a single additional 1 to the end of a recipe completely changes it. he grabbed two 1s and two plus signs and started sneaking towards his team’s equal sign.

“TIME’S RUNNING OUT, FOLKS!” möbius proclaimed. “TIME TO START PUTTING THINGS THROUGH THE EQUAL SIGN.”

helvetica was the first to start baking their cake, with trapezoid explaining the proper way to put it in the equal sign and for how long. 

parallelogram had been closely monitoring heptagon as he put the numbers and operations together; heptagon seemed to know what he was doing, but parallelogram was still dubious… 

heptagon soon put it in to bake.

“hm, it actually does smell nice,” parallelogram noted. heptagon smiled.

triangle and rectangle headed over to their equal sign, glowering at each other, where square was waiting. “i’ll put your cakes in for you,” he told them. before they could respond he took their cakes and put them through – not before sneaking in a +1 to each.

the cool kids were the last to put their cake in; droplet and star high-fived after doing so. 

“we did it!” star cheered. “this cake is gonna be great!”

“i hope so…”

“and thanks for your help! it really meant a lot.”

droplet smiled.

“OKEY DOKEY!!!” möbius boomed. “LET’S SEE IF YOUR CAKES HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!!!!!”

first helvetica presented theirs. möbius strip approached it and the cake seemed to noclip out of reality.

“THIS IS DELICIOUS! I WANT TO EAT IT AGAIN!”

origin buzzed and the cake appeared again. möbius touched it again, and it vanished like before.

“9/10 FOR HELVETICA! YUMMYYYY!!!!!!”

“yes!” hexagon smiled. “awesome job, everyone! especially you, trapezoid.”

trapezoid smiled back. “especially you, hexagon.”

“too bad we didn’t get to eat it…” pentagon mumbled.

next up was yim yum. möbius touched the cake.

“OH NICE. THIS IS GREAT CAKE. A CLASSIC! 7/10.”

“oh wow, that’s pretty good!” parallelogram was taken aback. he hadn’t expected heptagon to actually do well.

he made eye contact with heptagon. and for a moment, he smiled.

then the cool kids. like before, möbius approached their cake and made it glitch out of existence.

nothing.

“uh… möbius strip?” star asked uneasily.

“THIS IS THE BEST MATHEMATICAKE I HAVE EVER EATEN!!!!!!!!!!!” möbius strip screamed. “THE FLAVOR, THE AROMA, OH, I JUST WANT TO EAT IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND A–”

“that’s enough cake for you, sir,” origin butted in.

“YES!!! 100000000/10!!!!!! THE COOL KIDS WIN AT CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“woohoo!!!!!” star hooted. “we did it, droplet! we made my stupid idea work!”

droplet laughed, then paused. “hey, was this all meant to teach me a lesson about how being imaginative is great but that it can only work when grounded in reality?”

star blinked. “huh?”

“NOW TIME FOR THE LAST CAKE OF THE DAY…”

triangle and rectangle brought up their cakes.

“I SEE YOU HAVE TWO CAKES!”

“uhh, yes,” rectangle said. “that’s a… a good thing!”

“yeah!” triangle affirmed, knocking into him. “two cakes for the price of one! you should give us double points.”

“don’t push it.”

“LET ME TRY YOURS FIRST, TRIANGLE…” möbius made it disappear. “THIS IS… THIS IS GOOD! THE FLAVOR SEEMS SO… IT SEEMS SO GARBLED AND BAD AT FIRST, BUT THERE’S THIS SINGLE UNIFYING TANG AT THE END THAT TIES IT ALL TOGETHER! WOW!”

square groaned. no, i accidentally made her cake better! darn!

triangle put her hands on her hips. “what’d i say, tango? i’m simply better than you at this.”

“he hasn’t even tasted mine yet!” rectangle protested.

“OH, YES!” möbius exclaimed. he touched rectangle’s cake and it vanished. “MMM, GOOD… HEY, EEUGH!!! WHAT’S THAT DISGUSTING AFTERTASTE??? THAT’S THE WORST THING I’VE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!”

rectangle was shocked. “w-what?”

square glanced at him.

“YOU KNOW WHAT? TRIANGLE’S CAKE WOULD’VE BEEN A 5/10; THIS ONE IS A -5! FOR A TOTAL SCORE OF 0/10, YOU GOSH DARN IMBECILES!!! IF THESE RECIPES WERE COMBINED MAYBE THIS WOULD’VE BEEN A CAKE THAT WAS EDIBLE FROM START TO FINISH!!!! GOOD DAY!!!!!!!”

möbius was so offended by the horrible cake that he left.

“um…” origin started awkwardly, “group two, you um, lost, by the way…” he then left as quickly as his boss.

rectangle’s brows knitted. “ugh, it… it’s all my fault…” he looked at triangle. “it’s all because of this dumb fight i started with you. if we’d have worked together, we would’ve had a decent cake…”

“you’re right,” triangle snapped. “you should’ve just let me take the lead, like always.”

rectangle sighed. 

“don’t blame yourself,” square told his brother. “it was probably just… a little something that accidentally got into your cake. it totally would’ve been fine otherwise.”

“what are you talking about?”

square bit his lip.

“square! that was you, wasn’t it?” triangle pointed at him. “you keep trying to sabotage our team!”

“this again?” rectangle gasped. “you said you’d stop!”

“hey, hey, i never promised anything,” square said defensively. “and this is for your own good, rectangle. you want to win; i don’t. we lose, i get out, and you have a higher chance of winning!”

“i don’t want you to get out, square! neither of us do!”

“i’m sure triangle wants me gone,” square retorted, “don’t you, triangle?”

triangle didn’t respond.

“and weren’t you mad at me yourself, rectangle? why do you want me to stay?”

“because you’re my brother!”

square stopped talking.

…

the empty white grid was filled with voices echoing out from its center –

“hey, how are you?”

“check this out!”

“i just miss them, okay?”

“still think my team’s gonna win.”

“darn, that sucks!”

– and rhombus did not enjoy it one bit.

“kite, how do you stand it here?” they asked.

“what do you mean?” their cousin replied. “it’s pretty chill.”

“everyone’s either screaming or crying or talking about something completely insignificant. it’s driving me crazy!”

“sorry not everyone’s as above-it-all as you are, rhombus. this… this is nice.”

“they’re all just distracting themselves. i say we try and find a way to escape this place so we can–”

“did you even say hello to heart yet?”

rhombus was taken aback. 

“okay, folks, gather round,” circle called over his fellow eliminated contestants.

“what’s it gonna be this time?” heart asked. rhombus was surprised – he seemed so… calm.

“i bet it’s gonna be a baking challenge,” kite teased, nudging oval.

“what! i love baking!” oval cried. “don’t you jinx it–”

“TODAY’S CHALLENGE WILL BE A BAKE-OFF…”

“noooooooooooooo!!!! how dare he do that without me!!!!!!”

the other shapes laughed, heart among them.

eventually, they were subjected to watching triangle and rectangle fight. for the billionth time.

“i want to punch them both in the face so bad,” circle groaned. “they used to be so close!”

“well, y’know what they say,” heart noted morosely, “keep your enemies closer…”

“it’s like… they turned the dial on friendship so far that it circled around and became animosity,” kite suggested.

“darn,” circle said. “sounds about right…”

“that’s just what this competition has been doing to people, i guess…”

the broadcast lingered on group two for an uncomfortably long time before moving on.

they saw helvetica succeed. they saw parallelogram accept heptagon’s help – even if begrudgingly. they saw star and droplet make an awesomely stupid and stupidly awesome cake.

“y’know, i still don’t forgive star for what he did to me,” heart murmured, “because he hasn’t been able to apologize yet. but i know i will forgive him someday.”

rhombus lingered near him, uneasy. they didn’t know what to say… they didn’t even know what to think. and rhombus always knew what to think.

“oh, hey rhombus!” heart moved towards them. “it’s been a while since we’ve properly t-talked…”

rhombus paused. “...i don’t think we’ve ever properly talked. i don’t think i’ve ever properly talked to anyone.” their voice was strained and uncomfortable.

“...well, things can change! i’m not-very good at talking to other people myself, but… here we are. so let’s start over: n-nice to meet you, my name is heart, and i believe we started on the wrong foot. what’s your name?”

“my name is rhombus and i… i’m sorry.”

“for what?”

“for ruining everything.”

#story #object novel #osc #geometropolis #geometropolis: race to the 3rd dimension #grt3d

[little-lazuli]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💗

@risingsoleil WHY AM I ONLY SEEING THIS NOW 😭😭😭😭😭 Mahalo nui loa titah 🫶🏽🩵 and apologies for the long wait, for some reason I don’t get notifications about submissions from tumblr mobile.

Okie dokie, so I write for some K-pop groups I listen to, Asoiaf and Harry Potter. And going down the line from 1 to 5 my favorite fics I have written include:

1. Son || “Her family was shattered. And it was all her fault. She did it. She lost her baby boy. Her little Ronnie… her son was dead. Molly could only scream louder as that truth nestled into her soul.” ||

My baby, my jewel, my favor, my child. This fic was a result of my rabbit hole dive into Ronald Weasley fics that did his character justice cause wtf was that movie portrayal. They did Rupert dirty. So with this one, I built my own Slytherin Ron au (yes this was inspired by the icon themselves “Fate” by TheTrueSpartan) and the oneshot details a brief overview of moments in Ron’s life shared by Molly Weasley after she is led to believe that her son is dead. Son is part 1 of my Hiraeth series that details moments and other background notes following Ron’s sorting into Slytherin. Molly’s perspective for me was a critical aspect because I don’t think there anyone better that could convey the range of emotions one could feel without it ever being said/described. I mainly wanted readers to have a quick dive into Molly’s perspective to the whole dilemma and show a bit of how unconditional love may not be enough to sustain a relationship, I guess. But yes, by far my most cherished work to date.

2. Intruder || “His soul alone would have never forgiven himself if he didn’t exact the justice he deemed fit upon those that threatened or harmed what was his. And this home—the other members, Jongho—all of it was his.” ||

Ahhhhh! Thank you so much to a person going by the alias Inoxy on Ao3 for the motivation to do this one. Intruder was a sequel to my brief little oneshot called Alone, where Hongjoong realizes someone broke into their dorm where Jongho is alone and sick. Intruder follows up immediately with Jongho’s pov before jumping to Hongjoong’s and seeing how he reacts to what is left. This one was so difficult not in the sense that angst is hard to put from mind to paper, but rather I struggled to write certain actions scenes and instead opted to go another route. As the first work to be written out of complete motivation from such a kind and thoughtful reader, Intruder remains one of my babies forever and always.

3. Leave || “All of it was culminating, Donghyuck knew that for sure. Bound to rupture and ensnare both his heart and theirs. And Donghyuck was terrified of which way the coin was going to land.” ||

EEEEEEEE!! Where do I start with this one? Well, Leave follows the journey of Donghyuck who finds himself a portal between his world and the second dimension and let’s just say, it isn’t always bright where the sun shines. His members’ doppelgängers are not so okay on letting him go and things might just take a turn for the worst. I got this idea from a typical genre where I love watching my biases suffer and watching the world be served justice prior to the happy ending they deserve. And it was the first nct fic I ever wrote and loved the semi-open ending.

4. Verdict || “Daphne promised him something in those short and bitter moments before he was led away like some damn game waiting to be slaughtered. Promised she wouldn’t rage over him. Promised she wouldn’t exact some form of petty revenge on Dawlish, or Head Auror Robards or even that blasted excuse of a minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt for not stepping in sooner. Of course she didn’t keep that damned promise.” ||

Part six of my Hiraeth series, (my Slytherin Ron au) Verdict was a tough one for me because it was the first time I was writing for… essentially one of the npc’s of a major franchise. I wanted to find a set balance between a true canon character and a OC who’s life is forever changed because of my au. And I think achieved that with Daphne’s pov in this one as she awaits Ron’s verdict. It was also really fun to create the scene where Molly finally sees Ron again after believing him to be dead in this au and for that, Verdict holds a special place in my heart.

5. Sing || “Taeyong hated the mere thought of death having their way with his son. It was a cruel twist of fate on both ends.” ||

And finally Sing. This oneshot was originally a Deckerstar fic that I rewrote and revamped to be a nct vampire au. I enjoy a quick sucker punch of angst every now and again so I made this au where Taeyong has to say goodbye to his childe/son and his only spawn Haechannie :)) the original long au followed the basis of Taeyong being too dependent and passive of the things he has in his very long life and how all of that comes to an end after another magical being takes revenge on Taeyong through Hyuck. And yuppers, that was that.

Thank you for attending my Ted talk yall and lemme just say, this was so fun. I’m going to tag my next five, please don’t feel pressured at all and I hope y’all have a beautiful rest of you day 🩵

Tagging @atiny-piratequeen @jacksons-goddess-gaia @kimnamshiks @atiny-dazzlinglight @thelargefrye

#thank you so much 😭😭 #lazuli answers #games #self promo 🫧 #kpop fanfic #ateez fanfic #nct fanfic #hp fanfic #ron weasley fanfic

[airi-p4]

JATP AU: Everlasting musical connection - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Epilogue

Julie and the Phantoms x Lukanette AU! 

I finally progressed with this story! YAY I loved this show and since there's not going to be a 2nd season, I decided to finish the story myself.

Summary:

Marinette is once again happy making music after the Phantoms (Luka, Juleka and Ivan) joined her band some months ago. But now, the ghosts are running out of time and they'll soon have to cross over... How will Marinette take the unexpected news? What are Luka and Marinette going to do with their secret feelings for each other? Will Felix let them freely go? Could there be a way for them to stay?

AO3

__________________________________________________

CHAPTER 1

The three ghosts were sulking after a heated discussion at the garage that used to be their own back when they were alive, many years ago.

Juleka was on the floor, her back resting on the side of the sofa, combing her long hair, just to keep her fingers busy. Ivan was also on the floor, a little further from his bassist bandmate. The drummer's head rested on the table as he tapped it rhythmically with his nails. And finally, Luka was seated on the sofa, his bangs covering his eyes as he strummed the strings of his guitar melancholically, eagerly trying to avoid playing the song in his head without success. A song that made his bandmates share a look of worry. The question Juleka asked him was exactly what he tried to evade.

"Luka… are you sure you don't want to tell her your feelings?"

Luka sighed. "What would be the point, Jules? I'm a ghost. All three of us are! We can't even touch her." He groaned. "Making music together is enough for me. It has to be. Marinette deserves someone better. Someone real."

"Why did you compose that song for her, then? You even recorded it, right?"

"Oh, no. Not you too, Ivan." Luka rolled his eyes, but Ivan’s gaze expressed insistence and worry. "That song is just for her to listen to when we cross over and we're not around anymore. I want her to remember how extraordinary she is and how she and her music shine even when she's on her own, without the band. That's all."

"There's not much time left, Luka. The countdown-" Juleka stood up and showed her brother her wrist, but he looked away. "You should tell her how you feel or you're going to regret it. Tell Marinette-"

"Tell me what?" Marinette suddenly appeared at the door of the garage, arching an eyebrow.

"Marinette!" The Phantoms gasped.

"What's going on here?" She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, both demanding and concerned. Her eyes were fast enough to capture Juleka rushing to hide her hand. "What's on your hand, Juleka? What are you hiding? If you've fallen for another curse I swear I'm going to kill Felix for good this time! I don't care he's a ghost I'll get him and-" Marinette gasped in shock when she saw changing numbers on the bassist's wrist. "What does this mean? Is this…" She searched for answers in her bandmates' eyes. And she found them. "You're going to cross over…? When this countdown reaches zero…? In two days…?" The silence of the Phantoms confirmed. "And you guys didn't tell me!?" Marinette protested. The ghosts avoided her eyes, ashamed and guilty. The 'lifer' girl's frustration turned to anger and worry. "What happened? And since when did you know!?"

"You probably wouldn't believe it even if we told you…" Marinette showed a challenging look, so Luka continued. "Three days ago, three magical creatures appeared in front of us- a snake, an ox, and a tiger. They told us they were Gods and that they would protect us as much as they could, but that, without a miracle or a box or something supposedly magical we couldn’t really understand, they ran out of time and couldn't keep us in this world for much longer… They apologized and said the only thing they could do for us was show us the countdown of the time we have left, and they disappeared before we could ask them anything else…" Marinette furroweded her eyebrows, silent. "See? You don't believe it. Of course not-"

"That's not it!" Marinette yelled. "Tiny Gods that look like animals? Sounds crazy, but I would have believed you if you had told me! Especially when you being here, ‘existing after death,’  is already crazy!"

"She has a point…" Juleka admitted discreetly to herself.

"How could you hide this from me!? Did you want to disappear without saying goodbye?" Her fists clenched.

"I'm sorry, Marinette… it's just that… it's too hard for me- for us," Luka corrected himself, "to say goodbye. This band we have with you, 'Marinette and the Phantoms,' means everything to us. It makes us feel alive again- it gives us- our existence- a meaning" Luka's voice broke for a moment, while Marinette started tearing up. "We don't want to leave, Marinette… and if there was any way to stay we would do anything to, trust me."

"No! I trusted you and you hid this from me! You promised! All of you promised! I thought-" She trembled. "I'm so stupid! I should have expected this." She started bawling, unsuccessfully drying her unstoppable tears with her sleeves. She gazed at Luka for a moment, but his eyes were focused on the unknown CD on the table, avoiding watching her painfully falling tears. Hurt, Marinette turned her back on them. "I don't want you to leave… I don't want you to disappear… I don't want to play music ever again if it's not with you!"

"Don't say that, Marinette!" The Phantoms gasped and Luka stood up from the sofa, his guitar falling on the floor when he stretched his hand to reach Marinette, but she had already started running away. "Marinette!"

Luka let his weight fall back where he was previously seated,  leaned his head back, and sighed. "Just great…"

"I told you we should have told her, but you guys never listen to me..." Ivan shrugged. Juleka sighed deeply and Luka narrowed his eyes at him.

"I know, you're right," Luka admitted with a sigh. "We should have told her. I should have known better after everything we've gone through with Felix and his curses… Now she's probably bawling her eyes out in her room. But what else can we do? We don't have a choice… I don't want to see her sad anymore..."

"You know we can go into her room anytime, right? Privileges of being a ghost..."

"Not the best time, Juleka…" Luka sighed. "But thanks. I'm glad to have you both with me. You're the best friends I could ever ask for." Juleka and Ivan smiled back at Luka and approached to give him a hug he appreciated. "Let's write her a letter to apologize?"

"Lu, your handwriting sucks, you know? Let's compose a song for her instead."

"I agree with Juleka. Songs are more our thing."

"Yeah… I guess you're right." Luka chuckled at his teasingly smiling bandmates. "Get to your instruments, we're going to compose the best song ever! For Marinette!"

"Yes! Let's do this!"

________________________________________________

"Alya…" With her face sinking in the pillow of her bed, Marinette's cry sounded more like a mumble. "You were right. Absolutely right. I'm stupid. I should have listened to you when you told me how stupid I was for falling in love with Luka. He's a ghost! Of course it could have never worked! Of course he was going to cross over and disappear forever, leaving me behind, all heartbroken! It was too beautiful to be real! Too perfect to be real! Stupid, stupid me!"

"Woah, woah, girl- What's going on? Don't tell me you confessed to Luka?" Alya exclaimed through the phone. "Hold on, you gotta tell me everything! Stay where you are, I'm coming!"

"No, don't! I just need to vent and cry my eyes out- and then go back and apologize to the guys, because I should be happy they're finally going to cross over and go back where they should be instead of being selfish, wishing for them to stay here with me... Especially after everything they've been through with Felix and XY and also when they are-" she sniffed, "never coming again and leaving me all alone here and-" She started bawling again. "Alya… I don't want to make music ever again if it's not with Luka- with them… I can't-"

"Wait wait wait! Stop, Marinette! Don’t say that! You’re insanely talented, you can do amazing on your own! You have a very beautiful voice,” Alya said on the other end of the line. "Besides, you already stopped music once and you managed to get back at it stronger than ever. It will be ok, you'll see"

"That's only because Luka and the rest were there for me… without them- without Luka…” A hiccup interrupted her. “I really love him, Alya. He's the reason I can compose and enjoy music this much again. Everything related to music brings me memories of Luka and the band… But once they're gone, music will only remind me of my broken heart. Just like it was before, when I lost Mom..."

“Marinette… I warned you about Luka," Alya empathized. "I knew this was coming. I didn’t want you to get hurt…"

"I know…" Marinette sniffed.

"Hold on, I'm coming. Don't hang up, ok?" There was the sound of a door closing. "Do you want me to bring something? Your favorite chewing candy? Gummies? Marshmallows?" Marinette affirmed with a nasal voice. "Anything else? Chocolates, perhaps?"

"Lots of chocolates."

Alya smiled sympathetically as she rode her bike towards her best friend's house.

#my fic #airip4 #JATP AU #JATP x Lukanette AU #lukanette fic #endgame lukanette

[mikelogan]

Tagged by: @lesbianiconsteveharrington the true mvp

Fave color: blue, pretty much any shade. as a general rule, cool colors, not warm!

Currently reading: nothing, but I read Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica a couple days ago in three hours and it was pretty good!

Last song: currently listening to Lavender Haze (and Midnights 3AM version on repeat) by TSwizzle

Last series: The Patient on Hulu, easy 10/10. I’ve watched a shit load of TV in the last couple weeks so: The Devil in Ohio: 8/10, KinnPorsche: 9/10 (-1 because no KimChay reunion), The Watcher: 9/10, The Midnight Club: 6/10, and then all of Mike Flanagan’s other shows which are like 12/10s for me.

Last movie: The Shining. Watched it for the first time last night and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. It could have been like an hour shorter and I absolutely lost my shit laughing when they show Jack frozen bc meme, but I gave it 7/10 on IMDb

Currently working on: I have so many WIPs it’s disgusting, but here are just some of them:

1) My massive Ben x Perry fic that I’ll never shut up about. It starts in 1977 and goes from there and follows Ben and Perry’s lives if they met in college in CA when Perry’s a junior and Ben is a freshman. I usually go months without touching it despite thinking about it/them all the time, but just in the last couple weeks, I wrote about 8k words!

2) A second installment in what hopefully becomes a series for JDox daddy kink oops

3) A Ben x JD x Perry OT3 fic

4) A JDox fic with established JDox who’ve been having Problems and then JD gets hurt (wild idea, I know)

5) Another JDox fic with established JDox where JD gets hurt right before their wedding (yes i absolutely hate myself) 

6) literally a massive document with fic/oneshot ideas in various stages of planning from just an idea or quote to a nearly finished outline

Share 10 different favorite characters from ten different pieces of media in no particular order, then tag 10 people 🎥🎬📺:

1) Perry Cox, my beloved (Scrubs)

2) JD because he’s so flawed and fucked up but I see so much of myself in him and god I love that man (Scrubs)

3) Remus Lupin, absolute angel who has never done anything wrong (HP)

4) Elijah Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries/The Originals) I will never get tired of him and his nobility also ELIJAH IS NOT A CUTLERY DRAWER

5) Ben Sullivan because actual golden retriever?? And like yes, my HCs that I treat as canon... aren’t canon, but I made him even better so deal with it (Scrubs)

6) Sirius Black because name a more tragic character i’ll go first (HP)

7) Carla Espinosa aka my wife but also momther. Carla gets like .5% of the recognition she deserves in the fandom and i literally love her so much (Scrubs)

8) Jordan “Godzilla” Sullivan bc her character is actually complex and she’s not just a heartless heart-eating demon, though she definitely sleeps upside down hanging from the ceiling wraaaaapped in a cocoon of her own wings (Scrubs)

9) Elena Gilbert bc I know she has her annoying moments, but at her core, she’s a girl who lost her entire family and did the best she could and who deserved so much better (The Vampire Diaries)

10) Can I just collectively say all the characters (not you, Bev Keane) from The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass? Mike Flanagan, pay for my therapy

I tag: literally anyone bc I love doing these and seeing other people’s answers! so say I tagged you if you want to do it 😊

#ramblings #tag game #scrubs thoughts #mike flanagan pay for my therapy