#pre-relationship basically

[baldursgate3tempobsessed]

hello! i’m not sure if ur taking requests but maybe an astarion x bard! tav who is neutral good? ik in game he hates it when we’re nice, so i’m wondering how you think he’d handle a tav who is not only kind but also not really interested in sex

Oooh, I like this! Time to bring out the bitchy cat energy. Because he is a bitch. Lot of Act 1 in game references here btw. Sfw, but y'know, Astarion sad boy backstory is always looming. Also conveniently ignoring the canon fact that Astarion doesn't know how to swim because I can~~~

~

Astarion supposed he could have come across a worse rag-tag crew of undesirables to associate with. It was made clear, disturbingly quickly, that he wouldn't have made it out here on his own. Not with the goblins and cultists lurking around every corner. And a damn vampire hunter for gods' sake.

Astarion could have done much worse than this merry-band of weirdos. Like laying dead in a ditch for instance. That said, it didn't change the fact that he was quickly growing tired of their leader's antics.

You were just so annoying. So selfless, in one of the stupidest ways he had ever seen. For one thing, why one earth would you ever trust a gith or Shar priestess? Or a vampire spawn for that matter. How no one had stabbed you in the back yet was beyond him, considering how you gave them every opportunity to do so.

Not that Astarion would, or at least not yet. But he could. Easily, considering all the misguided trust you had put in him.

But despite your flaws, he had to admit that you were capable, that much was clear. You were strong, quick, witty, and not above deception to keep the peace. He.... liked that about you, in a way. The extent to how far you would go to save others. It was courageous, as well as incredibly stupid, but he could respect it.

Slightly.

it helped that you were a cute little thing, even with the aggravating sunshine personality. Cute enough for Astarion to start thinking of... certain options. You would be easy to manipulate, he was sure of that. Enough so where his life could become one of your top priorities. You already seemed to like him, without him turning on the charm. It would be so easy to get you wrapped around his finger, with nothing but a few shiny words and some pleasant bed-warming. Nothing that he hadn't done before. And if anything, your absurd levels of kindness could.... make everything a little more pleasant than what he was used to. Gods willing.

And tonight seemed as good a time as any, considering everyone was still on a high from being the tiefling's heroes. You were excitedly talking at him, adorable in a frankly infuriating way. Or maybe the wine was working on him more than he had anticipated, he wasn't quite sure. But... your smile seemed extra enchanting tonight.

Enough so for him to get to the point after you asked how he was feeling, "I'm just looking for a little more excitement. A little more fun."

You cocked your head at him, innocently confused as he continued, "You know, we could always make our own entertainment darling. Get a little closer, so to speak."

"Sure!" You said, jumping on the opportunity faster than even Astarion had expected, "Can we do it now?"

Astarion blinked, pleased if not a bit surprised. He's not wholly against giving the camp a show, though the children still lurking about definitely put a damper on things. But maybe if you went far enough away...

"And can I choose what we do?" You asked, a wide smile on your face.

Astarion laughed, delighted at just how easy this was going to be, "Depends on how adventurous you're planning on being."

He hadn't expected you to grab his hand, easily intertwining your fingers with a smile, "I can show you."

Astarion hadn't been prepared for the quick escalation of events, but he was happy to abide by it. He nodded his head, giving your hand a small squeeze before saying, "Then lead the way."

And lead the way you did, right to the Waypoint of the swamp. Not exactly the most romantic place to be having sex, but Astarion had done worse. That was until you conjured the dancing lights, the dreary darkness suddenly transforming what should have been a putrid bog into a dreamy landscape, filled with flowers and freshwater.

Astarion looked to you, eyes wide, "How...?"

"We purified it!" You announced with a massive grin, "We did it this morning, before the party. Halsin and the other druids came down, I amped up their magic with a fantastic song, and bam! No more stench of the hag. Isn't it pretty?"

That... sounded exactly like something you would do, sweet thing that you were. Astarion nodded as he looked around, a little touched that you brought him here at all.

But as nice as the gesture was, he wasn't here for strictly fun. He had a plan, one that you were doing a wonderful job of putting into motion. Considering how you were in the middle of pulling your shirt over your head.

You looked at him expectantly, laughing a little when he rushed to join you. But before he could get his underclothes off, you were stepping away from him and... jumping into the water?

Astarion stared as you sputtered up to the surface, wiping your face with a loud laugh, "My gods, it's cold!"

"What on earth are you doing?" He called out to you, cautiously walking towards the water, "Are you trying to freeze to death?"

"Oh, hush!" You said, waving your hand in the air with a splash, "If we can kill an entire goblin camp than we can handle some cold water. Now get in already!"

Had he mentioned that you were aggravating yet?

But he hadn't made it this far to back out now. Besides, this was far from being on the list of the worst seduction tactics that he had to endure. Though it may have been the oddest one. Astarion couldn't remember a single time that jumping into a purified water pool led to lovemaking. But there was a first for everything. Though it didn't help that the water was indeed freezing.

"For fuck's sake," Astarion cursed when he came up for air, "This is your definition of fun?"

You giggled as you swam towards him, stopping to wrap your arms around his neck with a smile. Another unexpected move from you, a factor that he hadn't expected, but found oddly endearing.

You were playing with a lock of his wet hair, twisting it between your fingers as he wrapped his arms around you, "Well the fun part hasn't started yet."

Astarion laughed softly, his eyes zeroing in on your lips, "Is it about to start now?"

"I think it is," You whispered back, "You ready for it?"

"More than you know," Astarion murmured, leaning in to finally connect your mouth.

But before he could press his lips against yours you were dodging him, giggling as you whispered in his ear, "Good. Let's race."

And then you were pulling away from him entirely, diving under the water just to show back up a few feet away, a manic grin on your face, "Whoever gets to the opposite bank first wins!"

And then you were off, swimming away. You little cheater. Astarion didn't even think as he want after you, a childish competitiveness taking over. You still won, of course you did with that large of a head start, but he managed to beat you on the second and third try.

By his fourth win you were officially pouting, which only devolved into a splashing fight from there. One that he gracefully let you win.

It was all so stupid. Completely juvenile and beneath him. But then why was he having so much fun?

Eventually, you both got out of the water, opting to sit on the bank as you talked. Just... talking. Nothing more, and about the silliest things:

"If Halsin can turn into a bear, do you think I could learn how to grow an extra finger or two? It would make the lute playing so much easier."

"If you don't mind looking like a freak than sure. Are you thinking of literally growing them or having them attached?"

"If, and just hypothetically, Lae'zel and Shadowheart fought to the death, who would win?"

"Darling in all honesty, I think it would just devolve into lesbian sex."

"If you could go anywhere in the world, right now, where would it be?"

"...I think it would be here."

It was a startlingly fun conversation, one that had Astarion being sincere in ways that made him uncomfortable. But that didn't stop him from participating. The two of you talked about anything and everything until the sky started to lighten, both of you leaning into each other as you watched the sunrise.

That was something Astarion would never tire of, how beautiful the light and sky looked at the start of the day. Part of him still couldn't believe that he was able to see it at all, after two centuries of darkness. But now here he was, sitting on a peaceful riverbank after talking the night away, almost like... like he was a person. A real person who mattered. With someone who somehow thought the same.

You sighed, your head resting on Astarion's shoulder as you watched the pink sky, "We should head back soon. Before anyone starts to worry."

Astarion nodded, his heart clenching the slightest bit when you pulled away to stand. He... didn't want this to end. Not yet. Not when he-actually now that he thought about it, he hadn't done anything in the past eight hours that he had planned. The two of you hadn't even kissed, despite the fact that you had spent the vast majority of the night wet and in your undergarments.

How in the hells did that happen?

Astarion was still trying to figure that out as you tossed his shirt and pants his way. He stood, hastily putting it on while he struggled to figure out what to say next. He was completely off his usual script, at a complete loss as you re-opened the magical waypoint.

You turned back to look at him, that same sweet smile on your face that you had been wearing the whole night, "You ready to go?"

Astarion wasn't the type to stutter, but that's where he found himself when he blurted out, "I- wait- I mean, is that it?"

You cocked your head at him with a tiny frown, one that Astarion wanted off of your face immediately, "Did you not have fun?"

"I didn't say that, but it wasn't exactly the fun that I was referring to," Astarion said as he closed the distance between you, regaining a fraction of his usual forced confidence. Why were you so good at making him feel off-kilter?

He took your hand in his, reverting back to the seduction tactics he knew as he used his other hand to tilt your chin up, "I was thinking something a little more... intimate."

"I know what you meant," You said with a little laugh, giving his hand a small squeeze, "But my way seemed just as enjoyable, don't you think?"

"Darling, that's not exactly the point I was trying to make."

"Oh, I'm aware, but it was mine," You said easily, standing on your tip toes to kiss him on the cheek, "Thank you Astarion. It was fun, and I hope we can spend more time together like that in the future."

And just like that you were pulling away again, letting go off his hand to step into the portal, the feeling of your lips against his skin still lingering as you disappeared. Despite himself, Astarion brought his fingers up to where you kissed him, standing there like an imbecile as new feelings started to course through him. Emotions that he had no names for.

Maybe... this was going to be a lot harder than he thought it would.

#astarion #astarion x reader #astarion x tav #baldur's gate 3 #asks #you'll pry my long posts out of my cold dead hands #cutsey #pre-relationship basically #our boy is trying lol #silly things

[wikiangela]

seven sentence sunday

tagged by @diazsdimples @daffi-990 💖

another lil snippet of the buck driving fic (that already has a title btw!) it's almost done, and as always it's gone off the rails bc eddie decided to start talking and can't shut up lol

prev snippet

___

“Buck, that’s not-” he cuts off, releases a frustrated breath. “This is not a conversation for a phone call. I wish I was there.” he says, and Buck kind of wishes it too. Eddie always makes everything better. In contrast to Buck, who always makes everything worse. Maybe that’s why they work so well, balancing each other out. All Buck’s good for is being a firefighter, and he’s grateful he at least has that, at least can help people. Because in his personal life he’s the biggest mess ever. When he doesn’t respond, Eddie continues, “You have to know how important you are to all of us, how you’re more than enough for all of us. I just- I wish I could make you believe that.” he whispers. “I wish you could see yourself the way we do. The way I do.”

___

no pressure tags: @elvensorceress @gaydiaz @diazass @thebravebitch @silentxxsoul @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @arthursdent @911onabc @housewifebuck @watchyourbuck @underwater-ninja-13 @eowon @loserdiaz @evanbegins @ladydorian05 @wildlife4life @diazpatcher @lover-of-mine @monsterrae1 @thewolvesof1998 @puppyboybuckley @weewootruck @buckaroosheart @spagheddiediaz @steadfastsaturnsrings @rainbow-nerdss @malewifediaz @giddyupbuck @jeeyuns @epicbuddieficrecs @pirrusstuff @spotsandsocks @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @hoodie-buck @nmcggg @jesuisici33 @exhuastedpigeon @rogerzsteven @honestlydarkprincess @hippolotamus @fortheloveofbuddie @disasterbuckdiaz @theotherbuckley @tizniz

#seven sentence sunday #buck driving fic #the last line of this snippet is what prompted like 800 words of Eddie basically saying ily without actually saying it lol #wasn't sure if it fits the vibe of this fic but tbh i love it too much to change it so idgaf haha #(this is gonna be pre-relationship tho no matter how much eddie will fight me on this 🤣) #buddie wip #buddie fic #buddie #wikiangela writes #my writing #fic snippet #my wips

[questionablealibi]

/crash, bang, crash, cat yowl, thud/

So how's it goin'?

OH IT'S SO GOOD TO BE BACK! I missed you lot so much!!

I decided to work on their redesigns first before moving on with other stuff! Nothing else changed except for some accessories and hairstyle, but other than that the rest of their design follow their first one :]

Explenations for the doodles are in tags! They're not very serious but they give a little background about the thought behind them ^^

/THUD/

What -

.. Oh yeah the serious stuff ^^;

#Yes we're ON TO THE SERIOUS STUFF NOW >:) #MORE ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND PARABLE SOON >:)) #That last doodle happens post-confrontation or after O'Neil and Stanley have a heart to heart after a certain ending #And O'Neil goes physical to visit Stanley #Yes my Stanley will be referred to as ELIAS or DIMAANO (especially when interacting with other Stanleys) to avoid confusion! ^^ #Can you tell ive been obsessing over noli and el fili recently #ANYWAYS about the FIRST BATCH OF DOODLES! The very top is about Stanley's resting bitch face! He's just #like that #Hes a sweetheart trust me #He just #Looks grumpy when he's idle #The bottom right with the Narrator is showing how the parable kind of has trouble rendering and loading in O'Neil's avatar sometimes #And they just get stuck in a wall or the floor or ceiling or whatever else #It's not a fun experience #The bottom left is about O'Neil and Stanley's relationship pre-confrontation! #O'Neil didn't have a physical vessel yet so he was just Conscience then #And to argue #Stanley faces the blinding windows (since they're literally barriers that separate the map and the out-of-bounds) #And starts cussing O'Neil out #Stanley argues to a window when he's pissed and O'Neil isn't physical basically /lh #[Stanley's (and O'Neil's too technically 🤭) surname - “Dimaano” - means immovable/invulnerable/invincible! #I think it best sums him (both of them) up ^^ #End of ramble! Thank you for reading! I love you /p take care! <3 #tsp #tsp au #tspud au #redesign #character redesign #tsp narrator #tspud

[werewolves-are-real]

I keep promising myself that ONE DAY, I will do enough research into 1800s China to write a proper Temeraire fic taking place there. But there's sooooo much I would want to research first. Even if I skimmed over court details as much as possible - which I don't want to do, tbh - it would just feel very shallow. And it's hard to properly flesh out any characters without any understanding of court life, dynamics between different classes... also just, you know, common beliefs? Attitudes? Religious beliefs too, etc etc.

One day! Hopefully. And we just get so little of Mianning (much less the other Chinese characters) it's hard to do them justice :( Doesn't help that no one really wants to tell Laurence or the aviators what they're actually thinking lol.

#I have some small bits from a fic I want to do #basically with confused amnesiac pre-Temeraire Laurence #who saves the prince's life and gets basically adopted into the royal family #then formally adopted when Temeraire hatches #right around the time his memory comes back and he gets to go back to England #hey I'm alive and a prince now here's my dragon #making his introduction to the Corps 100x as wild #and also after China Laurence disapproves SO much of barbaric England dragon-rearing #what do you mean you don't even cook their food?? #Raw meat? Xiang is a prince too thank you #- But I want to do a LOT of stuff in China first and really build the relationship with Mianning as a main character #(and a growing complex dislike of Yongxing who loathes him at first sight) #but also not wholly without reason become missionaries opium etc etc #suspicious amnesia backstory etc #and I can't write any of that properly without! So much research! #I am too lazy for this sigh

[mossiestpiglet]

I think part of what feels a bit off regarding Tom and Greg this season is that we keep seeing them begin together instead of seeing them end up together, which is not how their dynamic was played for the first three seasons. Particularly from a Tom angle, since he’s the one who controlled the relationship and their interactions for the most part, the pattern was largely that something would happen elsewhere in Tom’s life (Shiv, work, etc) and his reaction would be to go to Greg, an outlet he’d only just acquired. It wasn’t a proactive relationship that Tom was using to try to build things, it was a reactive relationship where he went to deal with the rest of his situation. We can point to their conversation at the end of season 3 as the start of this change, but such an abrupt flip, especially one that essentially happened between seasons and off screen, feels emotionally incomplete. We didn’t see them work through this transition in their relationship to know if it’s supposed to be considered complete and functional (as functional as any relationship in this show can be) or if we’re supposed to be waiting for something to happen that will recontextualize the way they’ve been acting all season.

#succession #tom wambsgans #greg hirsch #succession s4 #tomgreg #even the best tomgreg scene in s4 (the phone call on the plane) is basically a reversion to their #pre-s4 relationship where tom only goes to Greg after #something has happened to him/he’s done something #and it has the biggest emotional payoff of any tomgreg interaction in the season

[puhpandas]

I genuinely can only imagine beckory and no other Gregory ship. because Gregory doesnt need romance he needs friends and family. and in every beckory scenario that I like/write gregory has gotten those and beckory comes later. like I've always liked beckory because it's something that happens after a specific turn of events. it comes from the story. not just for the sake of shipping yknow?

#like i always saw beckory coming from a specific story #just basically any tony survives and gets to change scenario #and whatever events that would happen that theyd bond over #like i never ship beckory pre ggy even if gregory is himslef bc they wouldn't work #its only under specific circumstances #and its a result of the story not me building the story around shipping them #u know #thats why i started to like it in the first place #pandas.txt #pandas talks #thoughts #tony #gregory #and thats also why i created the duo name detective rabbit before any of the ship stuff #i like their relationship!! and beckory could come from that #but not always #theyre interesting

[jovieinramshackle]

hi it’s gar LEL sorry but i gotta know whatcha got on inkyribbons, gimme them deets what’s the story

I CHUCKLED LIKE A MADMAN WHEN I SAW THIS BAHSHA HI GAR!!!

Don't be sorry you activated the happy chemicals in my brain with this

Inky Ribbons is basically me creating the angsty but sweet high school love story I'd daydream about back in middle school?? When I was like 13-14??

They're childhood friends who met at the shore of the ocean to play together, and then one day stopped sometime before middle school (the time Azul would start focusing on his studies/weight/magic) because Azul straight up stopped showing up.

The only thing lil Joves still had to remember him was a singular picture their mom had taken of the pair. Nothing but a small simple photo of the two kids, yet it held so much value and memories, that she kept it even now, carrying it with them wherever she goes.

Azul did come back tho, to the very same beach before going to NRC, feeling that maybe he could find his old friend again and show them how much he's changed

But when she never showed up like they used to, he realised how stupid he was to even think she'd be back, that it was dumb to assume they ever liked how he was back then. She probably didn't even remember him anymore, he thought.

Fast forward to NRC, Crowley intoduces an exchange student, that has come to study under special circumstances (he was paid well). Azul, though first tried to make himself look reliable by agreeing to specially assist the new exchange student, did not expect to be met with a familiar name.... then the sudden realization hit him, then he prayed to all the mighty great seven that she hadn't remembered or recognised him. He'd DIE if he had someone know how he was as a kid in NRC.

They became like....friendly acquaintances during the first year (aka friends but the use of the f-word is forbidden in NRC). She...knew it was him, or had like, a feeling, yknow. It didn't matter tho, they thought, since they re-made their relationship anyway (more accurately, built upon the one they had as kids).

She still has that picture, one Azul hadn't forgotten about but wished she had.

Skipping over the angst of book 3, for now, cause ummm.

They begin figuring shit out and actually TALK seriously for the first time after book 3, trying to understand their emotions and accept they've been crushing on each other like idiots for the past year and a half.

They get together around uhhh start of book 5 yeah, they clash and argue sometimes but they're both stubborn fucks and try their best for the other.

There's so much more to them but I can't make this insanely long LMAO

Take this doodle tho

#they roast each other a lot both as friends and as a couple tbh #they're besties first and couple second ofc they bully each other #For songs uhh pre-relationship they're very Jenny by Studio Kills basically #and From The Start by Laufey too #pining over each other like idiots because they're both afraid to confront the fact they're not only childhood friends #but ALSO head over heels for each other #the tweels had to watch this display of unrequited affection for over a year #flody wanted the two to get it over with already because he was getting bored #jade was just having fun watching it unfold in the background #twisted wonderland #twst #twst yuusona #twst yume #yumeship #azul ashengrotto #azul ashengrotto x yuu #ask me anything #jovie's art #jovie's writing #moot ask

[blahwithasideofblah]

One reason Dean Winchester became a bad father to Jack Kline is Dean's own beliefs about being a father vs a brother became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Both times he explicitly acts as a father, he hurts his children (or fails to stop them being hurt). His guilt confirms what he learned from his own dad, which is that fathers cause fear and hurt. In this essay I will

#could go for so long about how his relationships with jody claire and sam vs ben emma and jack inform how he acts with kids #none of this is to excuse how he treated jack and ben #or to say that hes a bad person #just that he hasnt been in a good enough place to be a dad since pre s6 #and even then he was still in the process of healing and changing his behavior #and hes never gotten past that point #he was so afraid of becoming his dad that he let his guilt turn him into his dad #although i fully believe chuck had something to do with s14 and 15 #specifically the end of 15 #bc dean basically fully regressed in recognizing/changing his behavior and how he treated jack #which HAD gotten better pre marys death #spn #supernatural #dean winchester #jack kline

[kazoosandfannypacks]

1989 is so ScarletQueen coded and I will die on this hill.

#taylor swift #once upon a time in wonderland #scarlet queen #will scarlet #anastasia ouatiw #will x anastasia #Welcome to New York is about Will going to Storybrooke #Out of the Woods has the line 'we were built to fall apart and fall back together' #'ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS STAY' is basically a summary of Will's entire feelings about Ana #I Wish You Would is literally just them in a modern au. 😭😭😭 #BAD BLOOD IS THEM TOO #'say you'll remember me standing in a nice dress' and then when Will makes Liz into his Ideal Woman she's wearing a dress that resembles the #dress Anastasia was wearing when he last saw her #'THIS LOVE IS REAL THIS LOVE IS RED THIS LOVE IS ALIVE BACK FROM THE DEAD WOAHOHOH' IN ALL OF WONDERLAND THEY WERE THE ONLY THING THAT WAS #REAL FOR EACH OTHER!!! AND SHE'S THE RED QUEEN!!! AND SHE CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭 #'i know places' is them pre-wonderland. the place they ran to hide from people judging them for choosig each other was wonderland. #Clean is a song Will thinks he can sing now that he doesn't have his heart anymore #WONDERLAND. NEED I SAY MORE? #(i will. listen to that song. it's literally the story of their relationship. i still don't believe it wasn't written about them.) #You Are In Love is kinda generic but yes they are in love #and they COULD build a castle out of the bricks thrown at them. the universally hated queen and the universally wanted thief. #also that one mentions SCARLET letters and PLAYING CARDS and CASTLES it's literally about them. Heartbreak IS wonderland's national anthem. #and i know i didn't mention all of 1989's song so here's a bonus. #Will Scarlet was Sunshine and Anastasia was Midnight Rain. #(he wanted it comfortable. she wanted that pain. he wanted a bride. she was making her own name. chasing that fame. he stayed the same. #and both of them changed like midnight rain.)

[trespasssweetlyurged]

i love masochist izzy but i also do think its funny that everyone in this fandom defines Ed and Izzy’s relationship by it’s darkest moments

#our flag means death #izzy hands #edward teach #thinking about how excited ed was to show izzy things #thinking about how izzy has been playing ed’s minder for years #thinking about how ed wouldn’t let him leave #thinking about basically their entire relationship pre-episode 10

[inamindfarfaraway]

Being a big sister is so important to Selina’s character, actually.

Listen. We don’t know the exact age difference between her and Maggie, but based on the size difference in flashbacks to them as kids, I’d say probably two or three years. That means that accounting for early childhood amnesia, Selina has been looking after someone less capable than her for as long as she can remember. Giving and caring and nurturing and protecting. This is such a fundamental part of her personality, it’s older and deeper than the stealing; sarcasm; self-sufficiency; cynicism; even than the loss of innocence. This is her core. Her foundation. For years, she never put herself first because her sister needed her. She had to learn to do that, the hard way. To value herself at all, let alone above others, was an uphill climb, so no wonder she can take that too far when she’s older - she constantly has to outweigh her inner conscience! She tried to rip that selfless part of herself out when she left Maggie behind to a life of safety and peace, while condemning herself to one of struggling and fighting to survive.

But she didn’t. She couldn’t. In her late teens, Selina was a sex worker with an abusive pimp, no support system, no financial security, a lot of psychological baggage and generally nothing good in her life. She had every reason to only look out for her own wellbeing. To decide that with all the problems she already had, everyone else’s were only theirs. Yet the moment she she saw Holly in need of help and protection, she stepped in. She took this needy, dependent kid under her wing and raised her for years. No ulterior motive, no external pressure. Because that’s who she is.

Yes, Catwoman is a strong independent badass. Yes, Selina has issues and some notable deficiencies in social skills and sometimes not that great mental health, which can make her act selfish and uncaring or be unable to commit or show vulnerability. But beneath that surface, she cares so much. She needs and deeply values relationships. Pushing people away is almost always an effort to stop them getting hurt by her or proximity to her, even subconsciously.

Selina Kyle is just as inherently predisposed to care about people as Bruce Wayne. The reason Batman was always a hero and Catwoman was originally a ruthless thief was that his environment and experiences rewarded that altruistic drive, while hers punished her for it. So I’d like to see more of Selina the protector and the nurturer, without her softer side negating her coolness or getting written off as Batman’s influence alone or her not being true to herself, when really it’s the opposite. Her falling in love, making friends, switching from theft to vigilantism, becoming a mother figure to Kitrina Falcone and the Batkids, etc. are all natural developments of her character. They’re her rediscovering another, equally true side of her identity and learning to love and embrace it.

#this is why the harley quinn show version of her rubs me the wrong way #she feels like she genuinely doesn’t care #like selina can be mean don’t get me wrong #cat has claws and all #but this version doesn’t seem to have any real interest or investment in bruce or harley or ivy #she’s arrogant and petty and insensitive basically non-stop #at one point harley and ivy are arguing and she stays to watch because she enjoys the drama? #instead of a) intervening or b) leaving because she doesn’t want to handle that #which are what i think MY selina would do post/pre-character growth or on a good vs bad day #the gotham city sirens relationship never feels like a three-way friendship #the ​‘batcat’ is just bruce moping because he’s deeply invested in her and she doesn’t really care back at all? #i don’t like it. #cat has claws but also has soft fur and fluffy tummy #cat has claws but also wants and needs cuddles #selina kyle #catwoman #dc comics #dc

[camels-pen]

somnolescent

Summary: The initial manifestation of Richie’s ‘push’ powers affected Virgil more than he thought.

warning: car accident

Ao3 Link

Virgil backed out of the doors carefully holding both colas—no lids, of course, since Richie doesn’t like lids on his because they’re a waste and what if I wanna try yours? I’m not drinking from your straw—about to deepen his voice and imitate a british accent, the words your cola, sir on the tip of his tongue—

SCREEECH

For a split second, Richie was kneeling, a dog cradled in his arms and covering his face as a truck was about to—to—

Then a spark.

A bright pink light, similar in hue to his own powers, expanded from Richie’s palm, forming a large round shield. 

The truck rammed into it with an impressive CRASH.

The grill was crushed, the bumper and hood were heavily dented and the windshield looked like it was about ready to shatter with how many cracks it got. 

People were screaming and scared and someone was yelling about a reckless kid, but all Virgil could see was his best friend almost getting killed in front of him with him unable to do anything to stop it.

He didn’t even register dropping the colas.

“The brake must’ve popped,” a man in overalls said, catching his breath against the side of the truck. “We’re just lucky nobody was hurt.”

Virgil ran up to Richie, an Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere? I can’t believe you almost— stuck in his throat. “How’d you do that?” he settled on. 

Richie stared at his hands, turning them over. Virgil noticed them start to shake before Richie quickly hid them under his armpits. “I don’t know.”

Virgil heard whispering near them and he glanced around to the open street and onlookers. He grabbed Richie’s shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”

Then it was figuring out Richie’s new powers. Catching him from a near disaster with his first flight (and wasn’t that terrifying?). Covering for Richie with his mom. Seeing Richie in new threads trying to be a superhero. Helping Richie while he was trying to be a superhero (no, Virgil was not jealous that Richie seemed stronger than him). Sniffing out the bullshit Richie was trying to push on him.

Walking off the probably bruised ribs Richie gave him.

By the time Virgil had finished mopping the floor with those Run and Jump goons and got knocked out by that old man, his friend’s near death experience was far from his mind.

“How do you feel?”

“When I wake up, remind me to be very angry with you.”

---

Remind me to be very angry with you he’d said. And he was angry. But more than that, there was this tight little ball of—of something in his chest that wouldn’t go away now that he wasn’t preoccupied with hero stuff.

Anger was the only thing that made sense right now and it made him feel a little better, talking smack and fighting him 1v1 in the arcade until closing.

But now—now, Richie was mentioning he was gonna head out, back home, on his own.

The tight little ball in his chest grew, making it hard to breathe.

“Hey, how ‘bout a sleepover?” the words left his lips before he even registered them.

“Uhh, I’d love to V, but I need to head home and smooth things over with my mom.” Richie laughed nervously, a sheepish smile on his face. “Pretty sure she thinks I went missing or something.”

“Why?” Virgil said, brows furrowed. “I already covered for you—”

“Ah, yeah, but”—Richie winced—“I forgot to tell her we were going to the arcade.”

Virgil chuckled. “What? Dude, I said I covered for you. Did your mom turn into a helicopter in one afternoon?”

Richie averted his eyes. “It’s been a little different since Ebon took me. She gets worried a lot easier now.”

The reminder of the very real dangers that could strike at any moment felt like a bucket of ice water down his back.

“Right, right.” Virgil rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, yeah, you do you, we can have a sleepover some other time.”

He kept up a smile and wave until Richie turned the corner. He felt sick.

---

The truck was out of control. Richie ran to grab the puppy in its way. Tripped. Tried to cover them both from the impact.

The truck crashed.

Virgil watched it all in the span of a few seconds. Boots stuck to the ground.

The faceless crowd shouted at him. 

“Why didn’t you save him? You’re supposed to be a hero.”

“Those poor people. Their only child…”

“Not to mention the boyfriend left behind.”

“Boyf—?” Virgil turned in the direction of the last voice. He cut himself off as he walked right into someone. He froze, heart thudding loudly in his chest as his father’s disappointed voice rang in his ears.

“Virgil, I can’t believe this. You let Richie die? Just like that?” Slowly, Virgil looked up. There was his father standing in front of him, his face above the mouth hazy and covered in fog.

“N-No! I couldn’t move! I didn’t even see it!” But he did. He did see it. He just wasn’t fast enough. Wasn’t good enough.

“I raised you better than to make excuses, young man.” And no—that’s—his dad always believed him. When it counted, he always believed Virgil.

A familiar scoff caught his attention. To his right, Sharon was looking at him with disgust. “Look at him. He’s more worried about getting in trouble than the fact that his best friend’s dead!”

The words echoed in his mind.

That wasn’t—Richie wasn’t—

He turned back to the road. Stared at the truck.

The grill was crushed, the bumper and hood were heavily dented and the windshield looked like it was about ready to shatter with how many cracks it got. 

He looked down. Stared at—

At—

There was a massive puddle of blood on the ground. Richie was laying in the center of it, his limbs and neck and torso twisted and broken and caved in, in ways no living being could survive.

Virgil woke up and vomited on the floor.

---

The thing was, Richie’s hoodie wasn’t draped over his desk chair.

Normally, this would’ve been fine, but with the day he’d had followed by that nightmare, Virgil was on edge.

The most likely culprit was Sharon or his Pops putting it in the wash so one of them could fold it and set it aside to return it to Richie later. It was a futile endeavour, considering it had taken up residence in their house for well over a year now.

Virgil desperately tried to focus on the facts and ignore the whispers in his head saying it wasn’t a dream at all. That he failed. That Richie was—

Virgil scrambled for his costume, pulling the Shock Vox from his belt.

“C’mon pick up. Please pick up.”

Richie did not pick up.

There was wind on his face and in his hair and suddenly he was floating on his disc outside Richie’s window, his heart thumping painfully in his chest.

Virgil could hardly remember how he got here, much less when he changed into Static. He didn’t care.

He knocked on the glass. Two short, one long, three short.

No response.

He tried again. And again.

He didn’t bother with a fourth attempt.

It didn’t take long to get in and at first he was grateful, antsy to reassure himself that Richie really was fine.

Yet when he stepped foot in the room, he froze on the spot. 

Because what if he wasn’t fine? What if Virgil had broken into the home of a grieving family and he was making this all up? After all, Richie never turned off his Shock Vox and the idea that someone would have the ability to give people temporary bang baby powers seemed more like the dream. 

Virgil couldn’t handle losing someone again. It tore him apart the first time and without Richie, he wouldn’t survive—

A loud, familiar snore cut through his thoughts.

He blinked.

There was a lump on the bed. A large, person-shaped lump. The top of it, by the pillows, was covered in a single dark blue blanket.

Virgil gulped. His heart hammered in his chest. 

He hovered a hand over it, hesitant. He stared at his hand a moment before clenching it into a fist and tapping his head with it, mouthing stupid stupid stupid in time with each tap.

Virgil glared at the blanket, filled with frustration for the offending square of fabric and riding the rush of energy to rip it away from the person underneath.

Removing it revealed a head of messy blonde hair followed by a face slackened with sleep, pillowed on both hands, wearing an old white t-shirt.

And all at once, relief.

Virgil nearly fell to his knees with it, seeing his best friend alive, breathing, and not twisted into a mangled up corpse.

The relief made way for other thoughts he hadn’t considered in his haste to check on Richie, however, and he was realizing that he should probably leave before his friend woke up.

Of course, it was never that easy for Virgil.

When the last of the blanket fell away from Richie’s arms, he heard the sound of irony sealing his fate. It sounded a lot like static electricity.

Richie jolted slightly and his snoring cut out. His eyes slowly blinked open, scanning the room and landing on Virgil. He didn’t have his glasses on, but Virgil knew he could see enough to recognize him.

Richie groaned and flopped back on the mattress. “V, tell me there’s not a midnight burglary you have to take care of. Trying to cover for you with your pops when I’m tired as shit is really really hard.”

Virgil stayed silent, drinking in the sight of Richie’s chest, slowly moving up and down with each breath he took—drinking in the sight of him being alive—while simultaneously trying to come up with a good enough excuse to avoid any in-depth questions.

Richie turned his head a bit, glancing at the wall behind Virgil, and groaned again. His foot lightly kicked Virgil’s shin through the comforter. “Dude, the window was locked, not barricaded. You didn’t have to bust through the whole thing—”

“Why was your Shock Vox off?” That. Was not what he meant to say. But at the reminder of what led him here, he needed to know. Richie never turned his Shock Vox off. Never. 

“Ohhh that. I was working on a new upgrade before bed. Needed to remove the battery for a bit. Guess I forgot to double check it was working properly when I put it back.” The blanket slipped from Virgil’s slack grip as the tension started to drain out of him faster, as it really started to hit him that Richie was okay. That this was all real. “Virgil?”

“Fine, it’s—I’m fine.” He rubbed a hand down his face… or attempted to; when his fingers caught on his goggles he sighed. He picked up the blanket, draped it back over Richie. “I should go. Sorry for waking you.”

He stared at Richie. Waited for his goodbye. 

Richie stared at him for a long moment. Looked so intently at Virgil’s face that he fought down the urge to squirm. 

A shiver ran through him, the breeze from the (now permanently) open window making him look down at his clothes and—oh. 

Virgil wondered how he’d gotten here so quickly without remembering putting on the suit. Turned out he only put on his Static jacket over his pj’s. He wasn’t even wearing any shoes.

He should be more panicked about leaving the house like that. Probably.

Finally, Richie said, “You look tired.”

And Virgil. He was. 

The ride over must’ve really drained him or the relief was replacing the last of the adrenaline or he was exhausted just thinking of the conversation they were going to have, but he was too tired to bother trying to hide it.

He sighed. “I am.”

“C’mon,”  Richie flipped the covers and scooted closer to the wall. “Get in.”

And despite how much of a bad idea he knew it was, considering the risk of Mrs. Foley seeing them sleeping in the same bed together—not to mention him wearing Static’s jacket and Static’s flying disk sitting on the floor—Virgil didn’t hesitate to slip in beside Richie and hold him in his arms.

“This okay?” he whispered.

Richie smiled, one arm draping across Virgil’s waist and the other tucked under his head, his blinks growing slower. “More than okay.”

There would be a conversation in the morning—one he wouldn’t be able to escape—but at least here, holding Richie in his arms and drifting off, he could escape his nightmares and dream of a different kind of conversation going oh so right.

#static shock #static shock fic #nemo the writing ho #virichie #its pre-relationship but eh #there are notes on ao3 that im not gonna retype here but basically: they are so gay and in love. #what other explanation could them having the same colour for their powers *possibly* mean? #im joking but also im a little bit not #even if they arent in romantic love. they are special to each other <3

[theyarerealtome]

Ok, but let’s talk for a minute about just how good Nick and Charlie are for each other?? Not only romantically, but how their lifepaths are genuinely changed for the better because of their relationship?

Like, we know Charlie gave Nick the positive queer experience he himself never got to have and supported him through figuring out his sexuality. And Nick helps Charlie rebuild himself after Ben and the bullying, and his eating disorder.

It made me think about how things could have gone if they hadn’t met when they did. Beyond the aw-they-wouldn’t-get-to-meet-their-soulmate-☹ and to the sad, wider implications of not knowing each other.

Sorry for the incoming Way Too Long Ramble about what if Mr Lange had done the seating plan differently.

TW for discussions of canon eating disorders, self-harm and sexual assault.

Charlie

First off, I think Charlie would still break things off with Ben after seeing him with a girlfriend. But the big difference is there’s no Nick to discover Ben assaulting him, and to subsequently confide in about their relationship and reaffirm that Ben is the terrible, awful person.

So, we’re looking at a Charlie who is still carrying this toxic secret alone that could damage and tear away at his self-esteem even more than canon where he fairly quickly gets to build a healthy, loving relationship with Nick who actively combats a lot of the shit that Ben told him

(I wonder if eventually Charlie would have told Tori more?? About the guy who ‘made him feel like it would be better if he didn’t exist’. I hope so, because Charlie, my beloved, while you are an actual angel for not outing that piece of dickweed to anyone, you’re allowed to tell someone)

(Don’t even want to get into if the assault would have progressed further without Nick there. Probably Ben wouldn’t have gone beyond kissing. But it would still be more traumatic, and Nick’s discovery meant Ben was warier about coming near Charlie afterwards. Whereas no Nick means Charlie is constantly on guard avoiding Ben)

More under the cut. 

Unquestionably Charlie still develops his eating disorder - and chances are it’s quicker and more severe than in canon, with all this extra crap going on.

The one bit of hope is that while it might take longer for other non-Nick people to notice his ED, I’m sure they would. Charlie still has a good support network, and someone – Tori, Tao, Elle, Isaac/Aled, Mr Ajayi – would pick up on it.

But still getting help, and his recovery process (especially around self-harm) would be much longer, and more painful given Nick was the one who first got through to Charlie and helped him talk to his parents.

And Tori and Nick were both the biggest supports for Charlie through it all – without Nick, poor Tori has so much more on her shoulders.

The events of Solitaire end up being even darker, as Nick/Charlie are basically the main bright spot in all that. So, you have an even sadder Charlie and Tori

When the air clears after an incredibly shitty few years you’d have a 16/17-year-old Charlie who is working on his ED, self-harm, and mental health, but bottom line is it’s a much more painful journey, and he’s probably more impacted by everything with Ben.

In terms of the wider friend group, probably the Paris Squad Charlie/Tao/Tara/Darcy/Aled-Isaac/Sahar unit still develops. Because Elle was really the one who connected the girls with the guys. So, at least Charlie would have that

But with wider popularity? Canonically he ends up Head Boy and is friendly with a lot of people. I’m thinking without joining the rugby team, expanding his social circle, and having Nick to build his confidence we’re seeing a more reserved version of Charlie. Maybe he’d just be like a prefect or something but not quite head boy?

So, by the end of high school you’ve got a recovering Charlie heading off to uni, but he’s carrying a lot of self-loathing and emotional scars that Nick chipped away at. 

Nick

It feels like in the shorter-term Nick’s situation would be better than Charlie’s – but longer term everything goes to shit.

Initially not much would change – he’d play rugby, he’d have his friends who he doesn’t actually like but is accepted by, he’s in a group where he can never be fully himself

Basically, Nick is ok but he’s not happy – and not even fully aware of how ‘not-happy’ he is

Harry would still have pushed Tara & Nick together at his birthday and Tara might still have come out to him. But without Nick’s sexuality crisis or talking about his openly gay “probably-my-best-friend-right-now” I don’t think they would have connected so quickly

And he never would have been at the orchestra practice to see her again and plan lunch together, milkshake dates etc. So that means no befriending Tara/Darcy and not connecting with the Paris Squad

Things with Imogen would have developed in a similar way: chances are peak peer-pressured Nick would still be bulldozed into going on their date, but without his relationship with Charlie to enable him to cancel, you’re looking at it being dragged out way longer - it’s a question of how many dates they go on before Nick calls things off

Yeah, he would have stopped before they actually became boyfriend/girlfriend, but it’s still a much stickier situation all round and one that leaves him more alienated

Then he’d still go on the Paris trip but probably ends up rooming with Harry and co. so much less fun all round  

On the friend’s front – he’d still have Sai/Otis-Omar/Christian, but in canon it seems like their friendship deepened when Nick got together with Charlie, and a line was drawn over who Nick’s true friends were?? Without that happening, their friendship likely stays more surface level and shallow

Similarly, I’m not seeing a Charlie-less version of Nick having the confidence to confront Stéphane and David

Coming out as bi, having Charlie to confide in about his feelings, and just generally being able to be more himself – all that contributed to Nick calling both of them out on their shit. Without those circumstances, you’ve got a more people-pleasing Nick who pushes his own feelings down, so nothing real gets addressed and both relationships remain toxic and distant.

Obviously the massive, massive question is when and how Nick has his “full-on gay crisis.” And that’s kind of impossible to say. It could still be at Truham over another guy, or might not be until after school (maybe at uni)

There are a hundred ways that could go – but I think the key thing is that without Charlie, the chances are Nick’s sexuality journey wouldn’t be nearly as positive or healthy. (Honestly, it’s often missed just how supportive and essential Charlie was through it all, and how wonderful it was that Nick got such a sweet first (only) boyfriend).

Also remember, Charlie is the only out guy at Truham – if Nick falls for someone else at school then they’re either straight or closeted, and Nick is hit with feelings that he has to deal with on his own

There’s no Charlie to make the first move, no Charlie to hold Nick while he’s breaking down, no Charlie to tell him it’s ok to figure things out, no Paris Squad to provide queer community, no Tara/Darcy to talk to. It’s Nick alone in his room with BuzzFeed quizzes and articles on conversion therapy

Luckily he does still have Sarah and he might confide in her at an earlier point than in canon, but in terms of actual friends to talk to? ☹

Again, as with Charlie, Nick would eventually be ok. He’d figure it out – but it would be a hell of a lot of lonelier, and he’d probably never come out or act on anything while still at Truham

If his sexuality crisis happened post-school (likely uni) …possibly that would be better?? Uni is less of a cesspool, he wouldn’t be as trapped with people like Harry, and could at least connect with LGBTQI+ groups on campus etc. But on the flipside, it’s a Nick whose had years more of repressing his true self so there would be more to untangle

Overall, whether he’s realised he’s bi or not, by the end of school you’re left with Nick who is doing fine enough and seems content, but is much less anchored in himself, represses important parts of who he is, and lacks a real, close community

Idk, what other people think. This is all assuming that Nick and Charlie don’t meet later during school (e.g., if Nick reached out to the collection of queer students at Truham during his bi crisis). 

But basically, all that long ramble was saying that a Nick and Charlie without each other is a very sad thing to think about, and they’re 100% a couple who make each other better, happier versions of themselves <3

(Also sorry this is a frankenstein combo of Netflix and comics heartstopper. basically it just takes everything across both universes into account. Plus Solitaire, This Winter, N&C etc. 

#heartstopper analysis #heartstopper meta #nick x charlie #I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again #Nick helped Charlie heal and recover from his emotional and psychological scars #But Charlie helped prevent Nick from ever getting scarred in the first place #Charlie meant that Nick never had an abusive first relationship like Ben #Charlie keeping Nick’s secrets and giving him a support network meant he never got bullied #Not even touching the implied suicide mention in Solitaire. I always assumed that happened during the height of the bullying and was pre-Nic #but Charlie's self-harm would definitely be worse #this was the most random rant #and I know there are a million fanfics centered on if-they-didn't-meet-AU #but this was trying to stick as close to canon as possible and not actually write any new content #basically you get a Charlie with lower self-esteem and a Nick with lower self-knowledge #and both with lower happiness #so this was sort of a happy rant in the end #narlie #charlie spring #nick nelson

[notonlymice]

Rush having an ✨interesting✨ dream about Ally

#ally craig x nicholas rush #anyem #(it's like pre-relationship hence his reaction) #this nonsense is like the entire reason I learnt the basics of gifmaking lol #sorry to all Em's characters with blonde hair because everyone will be turned into Ally sooner or later this way or another x) #Rush having colourless dreams like a dog #I am a very normal person #my anyem/anyelle things #my ally x rush things #my things

[star-realities]

I have multiple game of thrones dr and I’ve never seen/read it LMAO

#going off vibes #want me to talk about them? I gladly will #I have a targaryen dr. tyrell dr. stark dr. and a lannister dr. #all set in different time periods #see the targaryen one is set in the house of the dragon era #i ride Silverwing because I’m a bad bitch #I also made it so Rhaenyra originally marries Harwin Strong and stays married to him #also because I ride Silverwing I gave myself a relationship with Vermithor #because I have main character syndrome #my Tyrell dr is the only one set in the game of thrones era #the stark dr is set in the war era but the war never happens because I’m gonna knock the hell out of rhaegar targaryen #he better not even LOOK at lyanna #I also gave myself a direwolf because wtf am I just supposed to NOT have one?? #my lannister dr is basically just antagonizing cersei #LMAO #it’s set pre-war #I have to be the baddest bitch around in any DR I have #it’s an issue #it’s fun though #why would I even shift there if I’m not going to be an icon #reality shifting #shifting #shiftblr #desired reality #shifting realities

[casper-perry]

 (your) beastman’s ears can be something so personal and dear. or can help you stop being touch starved

author: vsa_kiby

summary: It takes a few moments for Idia to actually realize the weight of his situation. He is cuddling with Leona Kingscholar. Leona is holding on to him, and Idia has no means of escaping, unless he wants to wake a sleeping lion.

#twisted wonderland #leona kingscolar/idia shroud #leona kingscholar #idia shroud #ortho shroud #ruggie bucchi #cater diamond #original female character #pre relationship #cat ears #…? close enough they’re leona’s ears #fluff and humor #touch starved #idia has a fever dream basically #leona kingscolar being a dick #THAT’S A TAG? HELPME yea he is one here #idia shroud needs a hug #yeah that to #background ace trappola #rated t bc idia swears a few times ? u’d have to squint