#so while offspring will usually take after one of their parents there's always like a 10% chance that they'll just be a random species

[cannibalsforbreakfast]

Cruel Summer - Chapter 1

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Summary: The "Eddie Munson is a speedway racer" high school AU no one asked for, but you're getting it anyways. Enemies to friends to lovers | No-Upsidedown AU | Fast cars, fast times | Reader moved from "the city" to Hawkins

Tags [will be updated as things progress]: swearing, underage drinking, dangerous driving, Jason sucks as usual, mentions of weed, light angst, misunderstandings, reader is afab, not sure if I'll have smut yet or not

A/N: Chapter 1 is already on Ao3 but here's the Tumblr version! New chapters will always be posted on Ao3 first, with a week or so delay to here.

CH1: 3,780w

-- -- --

“Hot summer streets and the pavements are burning, I sit around / Trying to smile, but the air is so heavy and dry”

If anyone had asked, you wouldn’t have said car racing was something you’d be interested in. Watching hunks of metal speeding around in circles always seemed pretty pointless to you. When combined with the auditory chaos of engines and screaming crowds, and nauseating smell of gasoline and burning rubber, it had never been high on your bucket list.

Then again, neither had moving to Hawkins, Indiana. And yet, here you were: stuck in small-town nowhere for (just, you hoped) the summer. But a summer practically felt like forever to you.

And so you were at the speedway car races with your cousin, Robin. Because apparently, she said, it would “be fun” and “social” and “lots of people went.” 

You supposed you should be lucky Robin was pretty chill about hanging out with you. After all, having your city-slicker cousin practically dumped on your doorstep without so much as a “by your leave” by your parents — who had gone off to “rediscover themselves” and hopefully salvage five years of impending divorce — probably wasn’t high on HER bucket list, either. She and her parents had been more than welcoming, sticking you and your five overstuffed suitcases in the spare room on the second floor, just next door to Robin, without hesitation and urging you to make yourself at home.

If you saw Robin and her parents exchange some pointed and pitying glances, well, you’d just try and ignore them. Because they were right. Your parents clearly didn’t care enough about you to take you with them on their wild second-honeymoon or whatever, so they’d abandoned you without looking back, saying they’d pick you up in a couple months before school started up again. They thought. Maybe homeschooling had been implied as a possibility if they happened to return a bit later than assumed from…Panama? Costa Rica? Whatever warm, probably tropical, place they’d gone to. Without their only daughter. 

Honestly, sometimes you just felt the truth of it in your bones when, at the height of their marital Cold War, they’d each called the other some variant of “frigid bitch.” Only the coldest of the cold would up and abandon their offspring like that, without any evident desire to really take responsibility for them ever again. If you just wandered off at the end of the summer, got a job waiting tables in the nearest big city, didn’t bother to send a forwarding address, you didn’t think they’d be too fussed. Depressing.

The frozen atmosphere at home had gone on so long, you’d practically adopted aloofness yourself as a survival mode. What you didn’t feel, couldn’t hurt. Didn’t help you with making any friends once you’d entered high school, but it kept anyone from really bothering you for three years. The summer before your senior year was supposed to be this golden eternity of afternoons at the pool, perfecting your tan, or giggling at the local mall while licking ice creams and debating who-liked-who-liked-who. 

Not wasting away in Hawkins, a town small enough you bet you could count all of the stoplights on one hand. 

You missed the city so much it ached . Missed the dizzying heights of the buildings towering above you, missed the way the very air seemed to thrum with an energy, a beat that got into your pulse and made you feel alive. Missed the hole-in-the-wall restaurants on every street and the used bookstores piled high with more volumes than you could read in a lifetime. Hawkins was…quaint, but inside you worried if you stayed here long enough it would drain the life out of you until you couldn’t make it anywhere else. 

Not that you’d say any of that to Robin, who was babbling cheerfully away at your side as you strolled up to the local speedway just out of town. She was wearing a loose striped men’s shirt with the cuffs rolled up and jeans, despite the lingering heat of the evening. Robin, you’d come to learn, was pretty much always babbling about something or another, a natural condition that tended to get even worse whenever she was flustered or nervous. Given your tendency to listen, rather than speak, you actually balanced each other out rather well. With her, surprisingly, you felt you could be…yourself…that little bit more. Felt a bit of that icy shell melt away. 

You tuned back in to hear her say, “We’re going to meet up with Steve, he’s gotten there early to stake us out a spot. You wouldn’t think it but it can get really crowded and picking the right spot out of the sun and the dust and on the right side of the track is, like, crucial to the enjoyment factor. Steve’s a boy, by the way. He’s not my boyfriend – well, he’s a boy who’s a friend, but we’re not like that, actually he’s more like an annoying brother. But he’s not annoying, I promise!”

You smiled to yourself as Robin rambled on. Truly, you found it more endearing than not. 

“I’m sure he’s nice,” you said, cutting in so Robin could actually take a full breath. She smiled back at you.

“Yeah, he’s great. But don’t tell him I said that, I swear his hair grows an inch every time someone says something nice about him.”

You smiled and promised that, of course, you wouldn’t breathe a word. 

The two of you step up to the bored-looking teenager taking tickets, and you passed over your paper stub, slightly sweaty from being clutched in your hand. Stepping through the entrance gate, you’re immediately assaulted with the smell of deep-fried foods mixed with beer, the raucous laughter of crowds of families and teens here for an evening out. A fine dust permeated the air, making your eyes water. The track, a packed dirt oval that was both bigger and smaller than you imagined, spread out before you, bordered by some haphazardly stacked rectangle bales of hay you assumed were there for the “safety” of the crowd, though they looked anything but. You imagined any car crashing into those at serious speed would take them out easily…as well as the onlookers setting up their camp chairs frighteningly close to the barrier. 

Across the track, a small elevated building rigged with wires and a mounted loudspeaker was clearly where the announcers were situated. Tinny commentary was blaring from the PA system, but it was almost impossible to hear above the general din. 

There were mullets and wife-beaters on display everywhere. As you looked around, you noted that everyone – and you mean everyone – seemed to be dressed in nothing more formal than jeans and a shirt. You hadn’t batted an eye when Robin left the house like that, because that’s what your cousin always wore. And she’d told you to dress casual but…

“Robin,” you asked, “am I overdressed?”

She’d been herding you along the track toward one end, but at your question she glanced over at you and winced, which you supposed was answer enough. 

“Robinnnnn,” you whined. 

“What?” she protested. “I said ‘casual,’ that’s what you came out in, so I figured it was fine!”

Up until you saw the sea of daisy dukes before you, you’d thought what you were wearing was casual. It certainly was back in the city. The simple, white-and-red polkadot dress you were wearing, cinched at the waist with a plain wide belt you’d dug out the bottom of your suitcase, cute frilly sleeves sitting just below your tanned shoulders, wouldn’t have been anything your classmates back home blinked at. You hadn’t even done your makeup, besides a swipe of lip gloss! But you were rapidly getting the sense you’d have to redefine your expectations here in Hawkins. And with the swirls of rust-colored dust almost constantly permeating the air, you could already tell white was a particularly bad choice.

Oh well, you’d just have to make the best of it. And get the dress in the wash sooner rather than later. 

“It’s alright, Robin,” you reassured your cousin, who’d been worrying at her lip while you thought. “It’s just a dress. Plus, it’s not like I’ll be in any of the cars,” you joked.

“Steve’ll probably have a blanket or something you can use anyways,” she said. “He’s a dad like that. Oh look, there he is. Steve! Steeeeve! Ugh, he isn’t listening. OI, DINGUS!”

Robin waved frantically at a boy a bit ahead of you, who’d staked out a pretty prime spot on the hillside around the middle of the straightaway, complete with camping chairs, picnic blanket and cooler of what you desperately hoped was something cold. Now this is what you’d imagined when Robin said “races.” And it was comfortingly far away from the hay barrier.

The boy – Steve – raked his hands through his already artfully disheveled mop of hair and rolled his eyes at Robin. 

“Could you shout any louder?” he grumbled. “Jesus, I think the whole crowd heard you.”

“Oh don’t be such a wuss. Hey, this is my cousin. She’s cool. Cousin, meet Steve. He’s a dweeb.”

“A dweeb with charm, also known as the best kind,” Steve said with a smile, reaching out to shake your hand. “I heard you’re in town for the summer. Welcome to Hawkins – guessing it’s a pretty big change from where you’re from.”

“Um, yeah, wasn’t sure what to expect, but it’s better than I thought. Lots of nice people,” you offered him a small smile in return, a bit taken aback by the easy way he folded you into the dynamic. 

“I’ll bet,” he agreed. “First time at a speedway?”

“First time at any kind of races,” you admitted. “I have no idea what’s going on.”

“Not much too it really,” Robin said around a mouthful of beer. Clearly, she’d helped herself to Steve’s stash, but by the way he just shook his head, you got the sense this was basically normal. He silently offered you a bottle, but you shook your head – maybe in a bit. Steve did seem nice, but you weren’t quite ready to be under the influence under someone new just yet. Robin kept talking: “Cars go zoom zoom, and the one that goes zoom zoom the fastest wins. We mostly just come here to support Eddie.”

You cocked your head. “Who’s Eddie?”

“Friend from school. He’s been working extra shifts all summer, which is why you haven’t met him yet. He works down at the local body shop, races on the side. We’ll point his car out when he’s up.”

You nodded, sure he’d be nice too, if Robin’s taste in friends so far was anything to go by. 

The three of you sat, chatting amiably for a few minutes, and you felt yourself relaxing into Robin and Steve’s easy, familiar banter. They traded well-worn jabs back and forth, but there’s no heat behind them. You settled yourself on the blanket between them, tucking your skirt beneath your legs and mostly enjoying the vibe, only chiming in when you had something to say, like when Steve started to say “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was supposedly underrated (he was wrong, and both you and Robin soundly told him so). 

As the sun finally started to go down – days were still long and hot, and all three of you were peevishly slapping at overly familiar mosquitos – the track lights finally flickered into life and it seemed like things were about to start. Robin let out a squeal, wiggling her knees in excitement. 

You were all ready for – you didn’t know, monster trucks or something? – when, to your surprise, the first line of cars that raced onto the track looked more like glorified go karts than anything else. Seeing your confusion, Steve leaned over and murmured, “They do the kiddie stuff first,” and you then saw that the drivers did seem awfully young. Fortunately they were wearing helmets.

The announcer counted down the start, and at the waving of the first green flag they tore around the track, kicking up immense clouds of gasoline-scented dust that settled over everything – your hair, your clothes, you could even see it coating the fine hairs on your arm. Gross. 

And these little kids were vicious. Not crashing directly into each other, but drifting aggressively around the turns and cutting each other off within what looked like inches to spare between bumpers. Everyone was cheering on individual numbers, and you, Steve and Robin got into it by picking your favorite car and rooting for them at the top of your lungs. After a few heats you felt your throat dry up, and gratefully accepted one of the cooling bottles of beer Steve offered. 

Beer with friends on a Friday night. Weirdly, this felt more like how you thought summer was supposed to go than you figured you’d get in Hawkins. Or anywhere. 

As the night wore on, the races of the small and mid-sized cars started to blur into each other, and you started idly wondering when you’d be able to go home. Well. To Robin’s home. 

“And nowwwww, the event you’ve all been waiting forrrrr!” shrilled the announcer.

From the back paddock where all the cars were parked, there came a grunty rumble. A vibration that made its way into your bones, your veins, the thump-thump of your heart. This was the rhythm you’d been missing, filling you up from the inside out. 

And then, the first line of proper-sized cars ripped their way onto the track, to a massive cheer from the crowd. But you weren’t even sure you could call them “cars.” Dinged, dented, and beaten back into shape, these were machines reduced to the essence of speed. Any extra baggage had clearly been ripped out – seats, radio, even the entire bottom half of the trunk was gone. What was left was the engines, the driver’s seat, and anything essential to make them go. 

They ran a few menacing laps around the track, jostling for position on the grid. 

“Look, there’s Eddie!” Robin pointed.

“Which one is he?” you asked.

“The black one, with the red bat on the hood.”

“Eddie’s always had a flair for the dramatic,” Steve clarified. 

Your eyes traced the black car as Eddie maneuvered it into the inside of the track, on the front row – “That’s a good position,” Steve clarified again. Unlike most of the other cars, which had paint jobs in varying states of peeling off, Eddie clearly kept his car freshly painted despite the risk of damage – it gleamed, pitch blank, with just the blood red of the bat leaping out of the design. From what you could see of Eddie, as he was mostly shielded by a helmet, he was also in all black. 

“I’m sensing a theme,” you muttered dryly. 

Like horses jostling for position, the cars – there must have been a dozen or so – revved their engines just behind the starting line. There was an agonizing moment of tension, where everyone stared at the red stoplight holding them in place. 

Then it winked green, the flag was waved, and the race began. 

You watched as Eddie’s car and the one on his right, painted a chipped red-white-and-blue roared to the front like bats of out hell. They gunned it down the straightaway before whipping into a drift around the curve that was so aggressive, their cars yawing onto two wheels so hard, your hands flew to your mouth to swallow a gasp despite yourself, sure they’d tip over or spin out. Magically Eddie’s car righted itself as he came out of the turn and he gunned it down the next straight, neck and neck with the other vehicle. 

The laps went by in what felt to you like seconds, a frenetic dance conducted at speed. With the razor-thin margins the two cars took the turns, you knew that if Eddie lost concentration for a nanosecond, he’d be out of the race. You blinked dust out of your eyes furiously, loath to miss a single second. Next to you, Robin and Steve were yelling – you were pretty sure Robin was just repeating profanities at this point – but you could hardly make yourself breathe normally, let alone cheer. 

There were only a few laps to go and the other car had stolen the lead from Eddie. Though Eddie was keeping the black monstrosity right on his tail, pushing himself right into the rear bumper to try and throw the other driver off. 

They made another sharp drift around a corner and, as they came off the curve, Eddie made his move, pushing the throttle to take his car around the outside of the red-and-white leader. He took the turn, hard, trying to get his nose in front of the other car’s, and this time you did let out a whimper of concern. Your heart thumped in time with the roar of the crowd, and when Eddie made it, slipping in front of his rival to cross the finish line first, you couldn’t help but sigh in relief. 

Steve and Robin were now jumping up and down and hugging each other, and you smiled at their infectious joy. 

The other cars coasted to a stop in the middle of the track while Eddie took his victory lap, waving the checkered flag from out the driver’s window. He must have spotted the two maniacs next to you, because the car rolled to a stop on the track in front of you, and Eddie stepped out from the car. 

You knew he drove like a devil, but you weren’t expecting him to look like a fallen angel. 

A strange shiver ran through you as you watched him pull off his black helmet. Long, dark curls spilled out, framing his sharp, sculpted face. Even with his bangs sweat-soaked and disheveled, he was capital H-O-T. Dark hair, dark eyes, with a plush mouth you knew was made for sin. He was everything your parents would have warned you away from, and everything you – or your body, at least – immediately wanted. 

“Be normal,” you thought to yourself. “This is Robin’s friend .”

Robin and Steve trotted down to the side of the track, and you trailed behind them, a little unsure. It was the last race of the evening, and with the entertainment over, the crowds were starting to melt away. It didn’t escape your notice that while all the other drivers were getting handshakes and back-slaps galore from their fellow racers and even some officials, no one had come over to congratulate the actual winner, Eddie, except for the three of you.

“Edieeeeee, you won!” Robin shrieked at her usual top-volume. “But also, ugh, you smell like fumes, ew no, don’t hug me.” She wiggled away from his playful attempt at a hug, wrinkling your nose. 

“Comes with the territory, Robin, you’re just gonna have to get used to it. You certainly don’t mind when I’m fixing your car for free, again . Hey, Steve, nice of the King to make an appearance.” The two boys traded fist bumps, Steve rolling his eyes at his high school nickname. You broke into a wide smile at their antics. 

Eddie’s eyes met yours, where you lingered behind, and he arched one eyebrow, his previously warm and open expression becoming more guarded, scanning you from the top of your windswept hair to the bottom of your now quite dusty flats. Your smile faded, and you resisted the urge to brush yourself off in the face of his gaze.

“Who’s this?” he asked. “Wasn’t aware we had a third cheerleader on the squad. Does little miss Dots like what she has to see so far?”

You find yourself bristling at his presumptuous tone. “I don’t quite take your meaning,” you respond stiffly. 

Eddie laughed, an open, easy sound you could have loved – except for the sharp edge to his voice. He straddled the hay bale, spreading his hands open. You tried not to look at how his black racing uniform stretched tight over his thighs. Really, you tried. 

“Come on, guys, this is a joke, right? Ha, ha, Eddie’s first race of the season, let’s get a cute little cupcake of a girl to come along, flirt a little, string lil ’ol Eddie along? Give the girl a ride to remember?”

He fixed his molten brown eyes on you. “Did someone put you up to it, Dots? Patrick? Jason? It’s the sort of shit thing Jason would do.”

By this point, both Steve and Robin were exchanging a confused glance that clearly conveyed their shared sense of, “uh, what?” But you knew exactly what. 

Eddie had taken one look at you – at your too-much dress, too-much smile, maybe something else you didn’t even know in your demeanor – and concluded that the only possible explanation for your presence was that you were a…paid escort? Hooker? Someone bribed to come watch his race and flutter your eyelashes at him, spread her legs?

You felt the usual protection of your ice queen reputation from back home freezing off any earlier warmth from your expression. 

“Someone clearly has a high opinion of himself. I’m not going to cream just because you’ve got half skills with half a car. Get over yourself. Robin,” you turn to your cousin, “I’m going back to the house.”

“It’s miles to the house,” Robin protested, nervous gaze flicking between you – fuming – and Eddie – nonchalantly picking at his cuticles, not sparing you another glance. 

“I’ll walk.” It was only a mile or so to Robin’s, and you didn’t want to spend a single second more in his company, friends with your cousin or not. Eddie’d done a spectacular job of reminding you why you usually didn’t do things that were “fun” or “social” or that “lots of people” went to. You didn’t need another asshole man in your life, your father was doing a bang-up job of that by himself. 

“I’d give you a ride, Dots, but as you can see,” Eddie gestured to the literally empty passenger seat in the stock car next to him, “I can’t.”

“Fuck you,” you hissed, whirling around and stomping off before reaching a hand up to swipe angrily at the tears pooling in the corners of your eyes. 

You heard Robin run after you. “She’s my cousin you MORON,” she called back to Eddie. When she caught up to you, you gave her a watery smile in thanks, and she reached over to squeeze your shoulders. 

New item for your summer bucket list: Never, ever see Eddie again.

-- -- --

NEXT TIME: You and Robin go to a party.

#cruel summer #eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #fanfic #fanfiction #eddie munson fic #enemies to friends to lovers #speedway au

[adobe-outdesign]

shoutout to Neopets for having no consistency with how they handle families re: species

like imagine you're Sophie's mom here and you're ready for your first kid to be a kangaroo thing like yourself or a dragon like your husband and instead it's a dog. And you're like "okay the next one will be a kangaroo thing or a dragon" but no it's a wolf. And THEN you're like "okay it's canines. we have this figured out it's always gonna be canines" and then you have another kid and it's a goat

#neopets #neotag #sophie #tale of woe #outdesign posts things #don't let me start TOW posting or I'll never shut up #side headcanon while I'm here: neopet reproduction is messed up due to magic #so while offspring will usually take after one of their parents there's always like a 10% chance that they'll just be a random species #but in places with high magic that number can go over 50% #so in this case neovia is crossed by two of the most powerful magic laylines in neopia so it's very common to see mixed species families #neopian geneticists are in shambles

[sassycheesecake]

Uncle!Osamu who has just having a regular day at his onigiri restaurant when the entrance doorbell chimes, followed by squeals of excitement of a twin pair, one boy, one girl.

The gray-eyed man looks at the direction of the voices, happy to see his niece and nephew again after not seeing them for almost two weeks.

The girl of the twin pair has dark brown hair and your eyes, while the boy has your hair color and hazel brown eyes.

Today, both of them are wearing matching MSBY training suits, a gift from uncle Hinata and uncle Bokuto.

As uncle!Osamu engulfs the five-year-olds in a big hug, his brother walks in, a tired look adorning his usual confident, cheeky expression.

Now Atsumu Miya, Setter of the MSBY Black Jackals looks like he hasn’t slept properly in a couple months.

He looks like he's been through hell and as a father, he is more than justified to look like hell.

After all, he was a child once and along with Osamu they both always got into trouble. His mother was a single parent and how she managed two raise two boys with a job all by herself without having to give up the twins for adoption is still a mystery to Atsumu.

As Osamu looks at his brother, he notices that the Setter's hair is unruly, he has dark circles under his eyes and is looking at his children with a scolding look on his face.

"I told ya brats a million times not ta run across the street when we go see uncle Samu. If ya get hit by a car, mommy will kill me and marry yer uncle instead."

"Would that be so bad?" Osamu grins in mischief at his twin, letting go of the kids, who apologize to their father with apologetic and guilty looks.

"Shut yer trap, I am too tired ta deal with ya right now. I came ta ask for a favor." Atsumu trots over to the bar stools in front of the counter, ignoring the hushed whispers of excitement from some of the costumers.

"Don’t curse in front of yer kids, they’ll pick up that habit. What do ya want?" Osamu turns around to prepare some lunch for his niece and nephew.

"Can ya watch the kids this weekend? I have been wantin' some alone time with (Y/N) and these little shits interrupt every damn time." The blonde leans over the counter and quietly hisses at the ravenette.

"Sorry, but no." Osamu declines.

"Please, please, pweeeeeaaaaaase can ya watch ‘em this weekend? I can’t even remember the last time I had sex with (Y/N)! And my dick is about to fall off from the pent up frustration of games, takin’ care of the kids and tryin’ ta get alone time with my wife!"

Osamu huffs annoyed at his plea, he already has plans for the weekend, sleeping in, to be more precise.

"Welcome to family life. I can’t Tsumu. I already have plans." The ravenette explains, giving each of the twins a pair of grilled salmon cream cheese onigiris, your favorite and also the twins’.

"Oh yeah? What do ya have planned huh? Ya got no marriage, no kids, no responsibilities, if I remember correctly. I call bullshit." Atsumu stares at his brother with a skeptical expression, seeing that Osamu is walking to the back, he decides to follow after him into the back, telling his offspring to stay put.

"I really want ta sleep in this weekend and I have been wantin’ to ask that girl out from the book store down the street. The brunette I told ya about?" Osamu takes a few bags of rice and hands it to his brother, who takes them without hesitation.

"The only thing that’s in my memory department right now is the Paw Patrol intro theme song, along with ‘We don’t talk about Bruno’ in like 15 different languages."

To be honest, Osamu is glad that he doesn’t have kids yet.

Taking two more bags, both brothers make their way to the kitchen area, where Osamu starts up a few new batches of cooked rice.

Atsumu also puts the rice bags down, staring almost pleadingly at his brother.

"Do ya want me ta go down on my knees for ya and beg? I ain’t asking for much, just please, watch them this weekend. Just one weekend. I really need it and so does Atsumu junior."

"Please don’t talk about yer dick in my product storage, ya will ruin my food." Osamu scoffs in disgust.

"Seriously, what do I gotta do ta make ya watch 'em? Name it." Atsumu keeps trying to persuade his brother.

Osamu pretends to think and after watching his brother who looks so desperate it's almost funny, sighs in defeat and agrees to watch the little rascals this weekend.

"Fine, I'll watch 'em this weekend but ya owe me. That was ma only free weekend in a while."

"Whatever ya want bro, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" Atsumu jumps up and down in excitement like a little kid and hugs his brother while he jumps and down.

"Get off of me, ya dumb idiot. I'll said I'll watch 'em for a weekend, not adopt them." Osamu shoves his brother off and straightens out his cooking uniform.

Atsumu literally glows in excitement and happiness and immediately calls his wife, walking back out to check on his children.

As Osamu watches him leave, he sighs deeply.

What have I gotten myself into?

#haikyuu!! #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu!! x reader #haikyū!! #hq x reader #hq fluff #inarizaki #atsumu miya #atsumu miya x reader #miya osamu #msby black jackal #miya atsumu #hq osamu #osamu miya #haikyuu miya atsumu #atsumu #atsumu x reader #haikyuu atsumu #hq atsumu #msby atsumu #atsumu x you

[zoeykallus]

Hi buddy. I have an idea. You can ignore it if you want to. Can you write the bad batch + rex as the reader's dad? Like how they treat their children, how many offspring they want. That's it. Thank you for your attention. See ya

Aloha!

Well, this is new 😁 Let me see what I can do for you 😊

The Dad Batch x Offspring!Reader HCs

Warnings: None that I could think of. (Let Me know if I missed something)

___________________

Hunter

As soon as he realizes (after Order 66, presumably on Pabuu) that he now has the opportunity to lead a new life, and he finds the right partner, he really likes the idea of having children. In fact, he wants many children, at least four, preferably five or six. So you have a few siblings. Hunter is a very active Dad and likes to take his kids outdoors, camping, fishing, survival training and open fire barbecues. Boys and girls have to go, he makes no exception. For him, this is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the kids and teach you something in the process. He is fair, he treats all his children equally, although he is always a little more worried about his daughters, which comes automatically and he probably doesn't even realize it. Hunter values his children being able to make their own decisions, within reason, of course. There are rules that you must not break, otherwise you will be punished. He is gentle but also strict when necessary. However, he would never hit his children, not under any circumstances. In his opinion, a parent who has to hit their children to get their point across has failed entirely at being a parent.

Hunter will always openly involve his partner in parenting issues, no one is the good guy or the bad guy here. You all spend a lot of time outdoors, in the woods or by the sea, Hunter hopes that he can pass on his love of nature to you

Echo

He hesitates for quite a while before he really thinks about starting a family. It is only on Pabuu that the thought occurs to him for the first time. Echo is not planning a large family, one child, maybe two. He wants to stay within his means. Children have to be looked after, everything costs credits, and he wants to be able to offer his offspring everything, not just what children like to have, but also what they urgently need. Medical care, education and so on. All of which costs credits and, given the circumstances, it is unlikely that Echo and his brothers will become particularly rich. Echo therefore remains rather sensible in his family planning. He's the Dad who's very good at telling stories, when you first ask him to do it he's unsure at first, but he quickly catches fire for it, disguising his voice to mimic the characters in the story. His evening readings before bedtime are a real highlight, and somehow bedtime isn't so stupid when Daddy Echo is there to read stories.

So you probably only have one sibling, and you are both very loved and well cared for. Echo is overprotective, though, especially when you are young. He keeps a very close eye on what you do, where you go, who you hang out with, what you consume and so on. He makes sure you eat a balanced nutrition and usually cooks for the whole family himself whenever he can. Children often tend to perceive such behavior as sabotage or restrictive, but Echo does it out of pure love and concern for his kids.

Wrecker

Children love him, and he loves children. He is the first of his brothers to think about family and children, even before Hunter. If he finds a partner who will go along with the whole thing, he will have up to twelve children. Some of them adopted. He would love to look after all the children in the world. The giant has a heart that is as big as it is soft. Wrecker is playful and approachable, he will always go out of his way to make time for all his children, play games and visit amusement parks. But he also makes time for serious things and always has an open ear. So you probably have a lot of siblings and things are probably often pretty chaotic, but in Wrecker's house there is not only chaos, but also love and team spirit. It's important to him that you all learn to look out for each other, stand up for each other, be decent and never let anyone treat you badly.

Among your siblings are many adopted children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Wrecker wants to show all his children how good life can be, what there is to discover and learn and what is really important, that you are all loved, without exception.

Tech

You are most likely an only child. He is not only your father, but also your teacher. You're home-schooled, partly because of the Empire and the danger of being discovered. Besides, Tech is sure there is no better teacher than him.

Sometimes Tech has to be slowed down a little by his partner, every now, and then he tends to challenge you too much, but this balances out and Tech is very considerate and adaptable when you point this out to him.

Tech loves to tell stories, but also loves to listen. He is fascinated by seeing the world through your eyes, so he loves to listen to you talk and ask questions, describing things as you see them.

From a very early age, you have your own astromech on which Tech teaches you various things and which accompanies you everywhere. The astromech is practically like a pet and develops its own personality over time, evolving with you and your work on it over the years, so to speak.

Tech is a calm, level-headed representative, but also a protector. He will always look after you, no matter how old you are, you will always be his child and he will always be there when you need him.

Crosshair

You're an only child. Crosshair never really thought about having children, but at some point it happened. Don't worry, it may not have been planned, but Crosshair is getting to know a whole new side of himself through your existence. For him, being a father is like an instinct, his protective instinct, the caring, comes from deep within him. No matter how scared he was when you were born, he is a very proud father. Crosshair teaches you everything he knows, he cares, he protects you. He is very skeptical when you bring new friends home, he scrutinizes everyone and makes most of your friends a little nervous. But he's basically harmless as long as you're treated well. Crosshair likes to take you with him, teach you about things, listen to your stories. You'll hear him grumble now and again, but you'll also see him smirk. Every minute you spend with him is precious to him.

It is important to him that you never let yourself get down and that you don't bow your head to others and make yourself smaller than you are. You are something special, he tells you that again and again. Crosshair is sometimes stoic and can also be quite strict, but never to an exaggerated degree. Your safety is important to him, he doesn't compromise on that.

Rex

You probably have two or three siblings. Rex is as loving as he is strict. It's important to him that his children are decent, so he sets some rules, and he ensures that you follow them. Respect is important, but so is knowing that you have the same right to be treated with respect. Discipline and decency are just as important in his house as love and affection. Rex is an upright soldier, and this is also evident in his role as a father. Rex is not overly strict, but he insists on the rules he has laid down. This includes tidiness, so your rooms will rarely look like a bomb has gone off. Rex makes sure that you put your things away yourself and teaches you to treat your property and that of others with care. He likes to tell stories, makes the typical dad jokes and tries to make you laugh, no matter how often you tell him that his jokes are embarrassing. Rex just grins and already has the next joke on the tip of his tongue. Rex is a provider and a carer, it's in his nature. His children will never want for anything, he will see to that, no matter how difficult that may be at times.

@rintheemolion

@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99

@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310

@misogirl828 @tech-deck

@meshla-madalene

@chxpsi

@thebahdbitch

@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri

@darkangel4121

@ttzamara

@arctrooper69

@padawancat97

@agenteliix

@allsystemsblue

@palliateclaw

@either-madness-or-brilliance

@ortizshinkaroff

@andy-solo1

@hunterssecretrecipe

@heyitsaloy

@greaser-wolf

@extrahotpixels

@hated-by-me

@hunterxcrosshair

@malicemercy

@bebopsworld

@echos-girlfriend

@cpnt616

@dangraccoon

@jediknightjana

@pb-jellybeans

@antishadow2021

@sleepycreativewriter

@projectdreamwalker

@1vlouds

#star wars #tbb #the bad batch #clone force 99 #sw tbb #tech #tbb tech #crosshair #bad batch tech #hunter #wrecker #echo #the dad batch #Dad Hunter #Dad Echo #Dad Wrecker #Dad Crosshair #Dad Tech #tdb #x Reader #bad batch hunter #clone trooper hunter #hunter bad batch #hunter tbb #hunter the bad batch #hunter x you #sergeant hunter #tbb hunter #the bad batch hunter #crosshair the bad batch

[corvidcircus]

A little birdie told me you're open for some requests, so here's some timeless classic: DMC boys with half-angel reader! Haven't seen those in a looooong while, and I'm a sucker for the whole angel-demon dynamic. Just please don't make them crystal pure saint, sheepish type. I'd much rather have reader to be fun, with zeal for adventure, some warrior spirit and good sense of humor, but still very kind.

It's all up to you though! Hope your muse will respond soon and thanks in advance <3

Anon, you have opened a very large can if worms for me, I thank you.

There will be several parts of this as I have so many thoughts about this; but we're gonna start with some bullet points so you aren't waiting a month.

The Basics

(i think) angels in the DMC universe are similar to the angels in bayonetta

that none of them are the classic 'fair-skinned pretty woman with white wings'

angels are messengers of God, sure, but they are also warriors

i'll expand on this in another post, bc it's nephilim time baybee

angel hybrids, like, demonic hybrids, are very disliked by both demonic and angelic beings

i think theyres only a couple of angels that would a. have enough contact with humans to have offspring and b. would be humanoid enough that people wouldn't go blind or insane upon meeting one

so nephilim come in three flavors, messenger, watcher, and guardian

messenger nephilim are the offspring of angels sent to the human world to deliver information, and then return to the celestial world

watcher nephilim come from angels stationed in the human world that report goings on, but rarely intervene (but are OP when they're allowed to)

guardian nephilim are related to the angels who act as warriors, and are therefore, very powerful fighters who enter and exit the human world as they please (also includes archangels)

nephilim inherit traits from their angel parent, some abilities, some physical features, but they always inherit the free will of their human parent

The Sparda Twins

Dante

boi never believed in angels before he met you

was a little annoyed at first, because, why the fuck haven't they been helping?

did they not notice the demon world opening? or the massive blood-sucking tree?

would likely end up with a watcher or guardian nephilim, based on his lifestyle

almost got bisected the first time you fought demons with him, he was way too busy watching you kick ass to be fighting efficiently

would be confused, and then jokingly offended if a demon went after you first

truthfully it worries him, asks nico about a way to hide your angelic nature from demons and angels

would understand if you didn't want to join DMC, he gets the gig isn't for everyone

amazed by any angelic features you have, treats them with utmost care

angel puns for days

"did it hurt when you fell from heaven, babe?" "i was born here dipshit"

calls you angel based names to tease you

loves your sass, entirely encourages it

if you have wings, will fly with you in sin form

is a very fun teacher, but it could take a while to get there

lets you beat him at sparring most of the time. he doesn't think you know. you know.

very proud of your strength

"this is my S/O. they can kick your ass. they can kick my ass. it's amazing."

Vergil

guardian nephilim all the way

seems rather hostile toward you at first, like, more than the usual level

(eventually admits that it's because your existence proves angels chose to let the day of the fire, and everything it led to, happen the way it did)

you may meet by fighting him, or fighting with him

it'll take a while for him to accept what he feels for you, so much so that you might have to make the first move

secretly likes that you don't just back down immediately if he challenges you

obviously intrigued by your skill as a warrior, and doubly so by any angelic ability you have

has many questions about angels and the celestial world

un-ironically calls you angel, seraph, and other names

would be quite confused as to why you would not want to kill demons as a profession

would be actively offended if a demon chose to attack you first

sees it as an attack on his mate, and his pride as a Son of Sparda

might look into the arcane arts to keep you off the radar of angels if you worry

trains with you, don't expect him to hold back in fighting or critique, but is a very fair teacher

enjoys the vicious streak you show while protecting others

will do anything for you, but knows you are kind and smart enough not to make him

values your council, especially when you help him realize he's being foolish

absolutely fascinated by whatever angelic features you have, treats them with care

"my angel can and will destroy you."

#devil may cry #vergil #dante #dante x reader #vergil x reader #dmc headcanons #my writing #request #the author talks too much #angels #nephilim #half-angel!reader #angelic!reader #gn!reader #this was so much fun #nero and v to come

[sprinklenoodles]

I’m really loving that we’re kinda moving away from this abusive, homophobic Kijo and instead make him mostly just distant (he’s probably really busy) and gay af.

I’ve always seen Kijo more as the second one- after Byakuya become heir, before that, I would say he was... different.

But because of that, I’m gonna make some Kijo headcanons today, to give the guy some more personality!

While he is mostly an unemotional person and stuff, when he gets drunk, he gets really affectionate towards Byakuya only. Like, one time Byakuya had to stop a drunk Kijo from getting into a fight cuz one of his business partners said Byakuya wasn’t a suitable heir.

Kijo also hates his business parties. Like, he only has them to keep up appearances and even then, he’d only spend his time with Taichi since he’s one of his business partners, so that wouldn’t seem weird. Taichi is one of his only true friends and eventually his boyfriend.

Eventually, he and Taichi start talking more and Byakuya notices this- Kijo becomes more open towards him. Like, usually Kijo would be an actual good parents 2 times a year: on Byakuya’s birthday and Christmas. But eventually, he’s just a better parent all of the time.

Kijo also loves doing puzzles. He has a whole collection of them. He even has that 60k pieces world puzzle or whatever it was. Taichi is really bad at doing puzzles, so Kijo often tries to teach him. Unfortunately, they often get distracted and before they know it, Byakuya walks in on them kissing.

Before he was dating Taichi, Byakuya had told him his sexuality (I headcanon him as aro, but if you see him as gay, that works here too) and Kijo just told him that they could work around it. He didn’t have to like any of the women that would bear his offspring. It was the same for him! Though, Kijo didn’t tell him that last part. Byakuya found out Kijo liked men when he saw him kissing his classmates father.

That is it for this time! I probably can think of many more headcanons but those can come another time!

I’m really loving this- sillier- direction we’re taking Kijo in. Hopefully, he’ll appear like that in fanfiction when possible too. (I am desperate for fanfiction where Kijo is a wee bit decent... and maybe a bit gay too)

#danganronpa #danganronpa trigger happy havoc #kijo togami #byakuya togami #taichi fujisaki #taichi x kijo #kijo needs to be seen as more silly

[lapseinart]

And God saw the light, that it was good

FYI I’m not a practicing Catholic (Schrödinger’s Catholic) (I’m agnostic unless my parents ask) and I speedran my First Communion + First Confession + Confirmation so I’m basing this off 6 years of Religous Ed. crammed into 6 months and 15 minutes of googling Christianity in Japan. Yee

Okimura Rin is a dutiful Christian.

Mostly.

Some of the time.

Okay, so not really, but he definitely goes to Sunday mass more often than Yukio and he always helps out around the monastery and he goes to confession once a month, so, really, between him and Yuki, he’s definitely the more dutiful Christian.

Yeah, sure, sometimes he struggles with the theological virtues and the cardinal ones, and if he thinks about the fruits of the Holy Spirit, he isn’t exactly great at patience, gentleness, or self-control… but he tries his best, and he’s pretty sure God appreciates it anyway. Because He is all loving. All forgiving.

It’s hard to think about God when his demonic heritage is revealed. He’s the son of Satan. The offspring of evil incarnate. Why would God let him exist? How could he be anything but damned?

It’s Monday. Rin is alone.

The worse thoughts always come to haunt him when it’s quiet. They prey on him when he’s alone, without any friends to distract him. Not that he has any friends anymore after he revealed Satan’s flames. How could anyone accept something so stupid, so useless, when they were going to Hell either way? Why the hell did he bother?

He needs to get out.

He scribbles a hasty note in case Yukio comes home while he’s gone (not fucking likely he’s never home he hates you-) grabs his keys and wallet and goes wandering around the campus.

Somehow, he walks for what feels like hours but may have only been a few minutes before he finds himself outside a small church. He’s never seen it before, tucked into the little alley like it is. It’s open for confessions.

Rin walks in.

“It’s been…” he wracks his brain as he tries to make himself comfortable in the confessional, “six months since my last confession.” It felt like so much more.

“I haven’t been going to services,” he starts and it’s like he can’t stop. “I’ve fought with my brother more often than usual. I harmed one of my teachers during a training session. My dad died because of me. I… found out I was the son of an evil man,” he explains inadequately. “I’m damned. For these and all my sins, I am heartily sorry.”

The priest is silent for a moment.

“It sounds like you’ve been going through a lot,” he says gently.

“Yeah,” Rin croaks, and it’s only just not a sob.

“How did your father die?”

“He… he was protecting me,” Rin says softly, “from… my biological father.”

“Then I think that he wouldn’t be happy with you stewing in guilt,” the priest says. “Just because your father is evil doesn’t mean that you are evil.”

“But I’m like him!” Rin says, desperately. “I-I-I hurt people!”

“Do you want to do it?” the priest says calmly. “Do you want to hurt people?”

“No,” Rin whispers.

“You are a child of God,” the priest proclaims. “You renounce sin and seek to do good. There is no penance for being the son of a bad man. Try to attend Mass more often. Your penance is three Hail Marys and two Our Fathers. You may now say your Act of Contrition.”

Rin walks out of the church feeling lighter than he has before, like a burden has been taken from him, the reassurance that he can be good if he chooses to be. He feels… different, lighter, after getting it all out of his chest, even if it was inadequately explained to a stranger in a confessional booth. It’s different to have to convince the whole world that he isn’t his father then it is to have someone else tell him he isn’t evil.

You are a Child of God.

You are a Child of God.

Rin takes solace in those words. They’re right. They have to be.

#rin okumura #okumura rin #ao no exorcist #blue exorcist #okumura yukio #yukio okumura #Rin is an angel au #angels #demons #this concept is actually so interesting to me because I know only the bare basics of Christianity #I didn’t know we believed in demons?? #I’ve never actually read the Bible #that wasn’t part of me speed running RE #Christianity?? #anyway isn’t it a thing that only humans have free will?? #so anything that demons do is actually part of God’s plan?? #I think about that sometimes #again I don’t actually do Christianity #the earth was without form #lapse in writing #anex #ficlet #Angel okumura Rin #catholicism

[blueberrypancakesworld]

~ The tale of the Lady ~

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

warnings : none

next chapter , masterlist

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

The morning began for the people of Mormont Island with the crowing of the Rooster and the heavy fog in the forest. But there was already a bustle of activity among the inhabitants due to the farewell of their lady, even if it was only for a short time. Y/n Mormont, with the help of one of her maids, picked out a few items of clothing that she would take with her. Besides her usual more profitable and made for the harsh environment she also took a dress just to be sure in case there would be something like a ball. Even though she had only been to a few feasts of the Starks or her father's friends, there was always dancing. ,, My lady, will you wear your mother's dress?" came the question from the maid who carefully held the dress of her former lady. The young Mormont's eyes glided over the cloth.

The green fabric with black trim made a beautiful contrast and matched the Mormonts' banner perfectly. It seemed to be the second most valuable thing they had next to the Longclaw sword. Small green sapphires had been worked into the eyes of the bears on the shoulder. While two black onyxes formed the shape of the claws which seemed to have been filed to fit. But also the darker ornaments on the sides could be estimated to be of finest art. ,, Do they often dance in King's Landing?" she asked the slightly older woman, feeling a little silly. Of course they dance there, too, but to what extent? When did the line between feast and family event become blurred ? ,, Oh...well, from what I've heard, when it comes to dances and I think after the tournament they dance in the great hall, this dress is very appropriate for you as a Bear Islander," she gave her opinion and smiled when Y/n agreed to put the dress in the box with her.

,, You will look beautiful, my lady," the maid said and her lady gave her a huge smile. ,, Get ready and we will travel as soon as the sun shines over the trees" she instructed and the maid disappeared. While the chest was carried out by two warrior women, the young Mormont turned to her sword. She took it out of the scabbard and examined the old but not ancient looking blade. The Valyrian steel came from Valyria, it was so old and yet it came into her family. She had once asked her father where it came from but he had no real answer. But she knew that if it came to a fight, no matter what, she would have to use it. With a sliding sound of the metal, it disappeared back into the edge of the sword before she went out. Briefly she looked towards the small memorial for her parents but the beds could wait. ,, My lady," she heard behind her and when she turned around, her uncle was standing in the hallway. ,, Uncle, I didn't expect you awake so early," she replied, not even trying to hide the disgust in her voice. ,, I wouldn't miss my niece's farewell, tell me, do you know where I can get something to eat here? ".  He has neither pride nor honour, the bastard she thought and bit her lip. ,, You should find something in the kitchen with your men," she said curtly and walked past him. With a jerk, he held her by her shoulder before she heard his warm, alcohol-smelling breath whispering in her ear, ,, Tell me, as a woman, have you ever thought about getting married and bearing offspring. Has there ever been anyone who wanted...your maiden cunt ?".

Goosebumps gripped her body of all the things she accused her uncle of, it was his lust for her that disgusted her the most. ,, If you ever feel like coming into my chambers, the first thing that will happen to you is to lose your cock to my sword," she hissed and tore herself away from his grip. Wordlessly he let her go, whereupon she sighed with relief in the courtyard. ,, Disgusting creep driven by lust and greed," she muttered under her breath, cursing, almost ignoring the commander. ,, My lady, all well you seem upset?" he asked and Y/n looked up at him. ,, What...ehm yes my uncle a really dumb attempt for him to get me to come to him. Nothing to worry about, tell me, do you know if everything is ready?". The commander glanced at the two saddled horses and the solid wooden drawbar. ,, The horses at least and the transporter yes, but where your advisor is I don't know. Tell me, do you already have an idea for the princess's gift?" he asked instead and saw the uncertain expression in his lady's eyes. ,, Yes, but I'm not sure if it's as suitable for the princess as I think it is, come with me," she ordered him and the two of them walked across the courtyard. They welcomed the already working women and older children.

The few older and rather fragile men who were still here took care of the cattle and the food. They all knew that they could only survive as a unit. ,, I have decided in favour of our small unit. As much as it pains me, you will accompany me as well as my maid and one of our warriors. The advisor, I'm sorry to say, must stay here and keep in touch with me and the Starks. If you see him today, tell him to do everything he can not to give too much power to my uncle, understand?". ,, Of course my lady, I am grieving too, I know your emotions well. Bear Island should not lose its commander, but still, in a tournament fight, it should be me and not you," he replied and the young Mormont nodded. ,, Four people from a small house should be enough. We cause no disturbance and keep a low profile. We'll deliver the gift, join the feast and come back, I hope," she revealed her uncertainty. When they had gone to the back of the courtyard, they entered a rather spacious building of stone and wood. Torches lit the interior and a hole in the ceiling told the time of day. ,, Alyssa" she called and out of the darkness came a bear with black fur, only the eyes did not match. While one was dark, the other was greenish like the woods themselves. The bear came up to her rider and her wet snout nudged against her Mistress' hand. ,, Graceful girl," she said and stroked the bear on the head. The animal growled before passing Y/n and heading for the stables. ,, You want to give your bear to the princess?" he asked, a little horrified, but she shook her head. ,, No, I will give her this one...Visenya" she said calmly, but nothing came at first. ,, This is a snow bear," the commander said cautiously and stepped back a little as the big white bear stepped out.

The young Mormont knelt down in front of the animal and held her hand in front of its snout. She sniffed at it before it snorted and put its snout to her hand. ,, Go to Alyssa" she said and the white bear trotted after the black bear. ,, How did you manage to get her here in the first place?" the commander asked as they both walked back out into the courtyard. ,, Several moons ago when I was at a feast with the Starks. They wanted to kill her first because she got too close to the villagers. But since we carry the bear's emblem, they gave her to me," she explained and the commander nodded as he looked at the white bear who seemed to be waiting for them. ,, Is she trained?". ,, Of course, what do you think I am giving the princess an untrained one. Only Princess Rhaenyra herself needs to be recognised by her," she replied and looked at the commander who had a thoughtful expression on his face. Y/n sighed she knew what her foster father was getting at and she didn't like it. ,, I know you told me yourself when you gave me Alyssa for my birth that although we can bond with the bears, they are forever wild....we will just have to hope that the dragons are quicker than Visenya when she attacks her new mistress".

The older one nodded and grumbled, they both knew on the island that you might be able to train a bear but never own them, they will always have a mind of their own. The longer we wait, the more restless everyone gets," her uncle said and she nodded. ,, Tell me, will you accompany me to one last prayer?" . ,, Of course my Lady ". The two of them walked through the great hall, through the corridors, before going down to the small room. The man took the torch and lit the way. ,, My lord. My lady" he said reverently and knelt before the statues. ,, Father, mother, I will be away for a short time. I will leave Bear Island and leave your brother Mother in command. His deeds are not forgotten and one day I will kill him for them, but for now he is the only one we have. I will travel to King's Landing with pride and loyalty to our family and Lord Stark, and I will not disgrace us," she knelt down and looked towards the bowl with the twig. ,, My old good friend, since your death I have watched over your daughter and will do so until my last breath. So I will fight and die for her and protect and watch over her in King's Landing and beyond. I will not let anything like what happened seventeen years ago happen again, I promise," he promised her father, looking with sadness and awe at the statue of the former Mormont leader. ,, Here we stand," they both said before they both stood up, leaving the torch as the only one. They walked up the stairs back through the corridors and into the courtyard. Unfortunately for them, their uncle was already waiting with his men and greeted them with a smile that showed nothing but disgust. Her bear had the saddle she had worked out for herself on her back. The warrior holding the pole with the banner and the maid were already sitting on the horses. The horses carried most of the things they took with them. Only the chest and other important items were on the stretcher on Alyssa's back. The commander bowed briefly before mounting his own horse. Her gaze went to her advisor who nodded to her both for understanding his task and for saying farewell. ,, Goodbye my dear niece, we are all eagerly awaiting your return, unharmed of course," her uncle said and his men laughed. ,, Of course you do uncle but remember bears are wild animals so I would be careful if you go to them we don't want you to die...that would be a shame" she said before giving him a last warning look and going to her bear. ,, We are leaving " she said to her group as she looked at her bear and the group walked through the open gates.

The chain around the snow bear's neck rattled with each step but even Visenya seemed happy to get off Bear Island. ,, How are we going to get off the island?" she heard the question of her maid after a short while. ,, I have asked a trader for help, he will take us on his ship and let us out at Wolfforest. From there towards Winterfell, but past there. We don't have time to stop for long, we have to get to King's Landing quickly. We'll follow the King's Path until we reach King's Landing," she explained and her companion nodded. ,, I'll be honest, it's going to be a long, hard and dangerous journey. I don't think anyone will attack us, not only because of the banner but also because we are under the protection of the Starks," she tried not to ruin the mood too much and hoped they would soon arrive in King's Landing. The way to the coast where the cold waves of the water beat against the islands was not too far and when noon came they had reached it. They had walked through the woods of the forest in front of Y/n, always the warrior with the banner, even if it was unnecessary on their own island, it was the law. Behind the banner bearer the Lady Mormont and to her right and left the commander and the maid with the snow bear walking beside the Lady. ,, The merchant should be here soon" she announced and they all dismounted from their mounts. The cold wind, despite the fact that winter was over, made her pull her green cloak tighter around her. Winter is coming, she thought of the words of her Lord's House. She looked at her commander, who was stroking his horse's neck reassuringly before she went to him. ,, Was my mother ever visiting the king with my father?" she asked one of the questions that were running through her head. The older man paused for a moment and seemed deep in thought. ,, Yes, your father and I took part in a tournament and it was your mother who took care of his wounds there. The other time, he must have gone to a loyalty scheme, but I wasn't there," he told her and she saw that her father's death was still affecting her. ,, Thank you," she said and put her hand on his shoulder. The sternness she had was fading in the small group. She was still Lady Mormont, but for the time in King's Landing she only had to care for her people directly. The sun was high in the sky and she let her gaze wander over the sea. ,, Back there, southeast!" she heard the warrior call. ,, The merchant!" her maid said happily and clapped her hands. It took a few more minutes for the boat to reach the bay. The wooden plank was set in the water and the merchant, a middle-aged man with a bard and plain clothes but a flashing golf tooth, smiled at the lady. ,, Lady Y/n it is good to see you I have received your letter from the gods it must be the will of the water" he began and made a welcoming gesture. One after the other went up with the animal.

The men on the drilling platform gave the women both interested, lascivious and fearful looks because of the bears. ,, We sail on," he announced, and his men pushed off from the shallows with their oars. ,, I'm afraid your animals will have to stay on deck," he said, motioning to Visenya. The white bear snapped at him, but could not get a grip on his hand. ,, An aggresive one, just like the lady," he said jokingly and Y/n smiled and shook her head. ,, Visenya will be the gift for the princess, she has not yet entered into a union. I advise your men to keep their distance," she instructed him and the merchant nodded quickly. She disappeared below deck with her entourage and the merchant and they squeezed into the slightly too small cabin that could hold a maximum of three people. She reached to her side and took out the leather bag with the coins. She took out three pieces and put them on the table. ,, As you asked," she said, and the man gave her a satisfied smile. ,, Your reputation precedes you and your house, you are truly loyal, therefore here, drink with me a glass of the Dornish wine I got on my last visit from the merchant I trust" he started to talk and Y/n smirked while the commander rolled his eyes.

Five cups were already placed on the small table and the red liquid poured into them. ,, As the Lady of Mormont you should at least get good wine " he said and raised the goblet ,, To the sea and the Mormonts for their loyalty!" he called before everyone took a sip of the wine. ,, That's sweet," came the surprised maid who took another sip and sighed. ,, Yes, my dear, it is fresh from the gardens of Dorne, sweet and not as bitter as the beer or the other alcohol in the north," he continued. ,, Almost too sweet," the warrior murmured, eyeing the drink with displeasure. But when she gave the maid the look, she left her cup to the younger woman. The two women moved together to a small seat in the cabin and left the rest alone for the time being. ,, What brings you so far north?" she asked the man in front of her as she sipped the wine again. ,, Well, a long journey, I was with your Lord Stark a few moons ago, doing my trade there, and then I received your letter. Actually, I'm going on to the Lannisters before heading on to King's Landing. You're not the only young cub who wants to go to the King's feast. But of course I'll let you out earlier," he explained and she was glad that she had travelled on alone first. Dealing with the Lannisters would only ask questions and delay everything. ,, Please look around and I'll let you know when we get there," he said and pointed to the door. Y/n and the older man nodded before walking back up the small stairs to the deck. ,, He still talks too much for me," the man grumbled as he looked out over the sea. ,, Everything and everyone talks too much for you," she said with a giggle and went over to the two she-bears who were lying down. Alyssa groaned as her hostess leaned against her while the commander looked at his foster daughter. Neither of them said anything and yet they were content with the situation, at least if one disregarded their uncle.

The lady closed her eyes and enjoyed the sound of the waves. Something she too often ignored. At least at sea, what was flowing at most, besides the blood of the countless enemies she had killed, were the rivers that flowed on Bear Island. ,, You should rest, it will still be a long way," he said and sympathy could be heard. She wanted to open her mouth and protest but he interrupted her as he stroked Alyssa, ,, I'll take care of you". Nodding, she agreed and made herself comfortable on the warm, large, soft animal. The sound of the waves and the gentle sway of the ship made her disappear into the darkness of her dreams. Darkness enveloped her mind as her body became calmer and more relaxed. Before the dream reached her.

She was on the ship but alone, neither her entourage nor the merchant with his men were with her. However, the sea was calmer the wind not so sharp and everything seemed more peaceful as if summer had fully unfolded. The lady looked around at the water and the shallow rushing sounds. ,, How peaceful," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. It was as if the dream was as relaxed as she was. It was only when a loud screech sounded that her confusion increased. She had never heard anything like it. It could not be compared to the howling of a wolf or a bear. It sounded so much louder, stronger, older, it seemed out of this world. It was only when she turned her gaze towards the sky that she saw a giant shadow flying overhead. Too fast and too big to be a cloud.

No, it was no normal animal, the unspeakable size, the roar, the sound of the wings moving. ,, A dragon," it came over her lips enthusiastically and full of amazement. When she looked more closely, she saw a light blond almost white flashing in the bright light. She knew the stories of the Targaryens not only through her father and other lords. Also the sagas and legends from Aeogon to Viserys the current king and his daughter Rhaenrya the princess. She knew that the light blond almost white hair and the violet eyes. Beautiful and infinitely outlasting. Whether each of the riders on the dragon was a woman or a man she did not see, it did not matter who it was on the yellowish dragon that shone golden in the sun made her heart beat faster. It was almost like reality had it not been for a disturbing noise that reached her ears. Astonished, she looked around but it was not a dragon, instead it seemed shriller.

As if stones were bouncing off iron, creating a screeching squeal. When the ship suddenly began to jerk and threaten to tip over, she became frightened. She looked up at the sky for help, but the dragon and whoever was flying on it didn't seem to see her. With a jerk, rocks pierced the ship before it cracked like a nut and broke. With a jerk she opened her eyes and her hand went to Long Claw ready to fight. ,, Calm down, my lady, we are here," she heard the older man say, giving her a reassuring look. Briefly convincing herself not to dream, she looked around. But neither a dragon nor stones had caught her and the ship. She rose and patted her bear's fur. ,, Now, as you can see, my guests, the wolf forest," the merchant said proudly, pointing with his gloved hand to the dark forest in the early evening. ,, Thank you, I think our paths will cross sooner or later at the celebrations," Y/n said to him and he nodded. It took a few more minutes until they came ashore. Nevertheless, the men brought out the wooden ramp to lead their guests. The Mormont group also gathered and Y/n grasped the snow bear's chain.

,, Calm Visenya " she said and the bear growled at the familiar words. Only when a gentle jolt went through the ship and the tendril was set did they step off the ship. ,, See you soon, old friend," she told him before waving goodbye and her companions followed. ,, We have no time to lose, the tournament may be a few days away but you never know what awaits you far from the North," she warned, knowing that her followers knew. The group started to move and soon they were in the depths of the forest.

The sun was slowly setting on the horizon and the forest was getting darker. Every shadow seemed to be a danger and yet they would not dare to attack them, would they?

,, My lady, are we going to cross the forest or are we going to rest first?" she heard the banner bearer ask. ,, We will ride until the sun has disappeared. It's no use wandering around in the night," she announced and the others nodded in agreement. It went faster than they thought and soon they all had torches in their hands to at least see something. There would be no point in another horse falling and breaking something, let alone its rider. But soon the group settled down under three large oak trees, gathered around a fire, they all ate their meal in silence, relieved at the break. Torches were set up around them to keep an eye on the animals. ,, Why did you advise me not to use our own ships?" she asked the commander to at least make conversation. He looked up from his meal and a soundless laugh came from his lips. ,, Well, that is quite simple my lady.

Since most of the ships are still with the rest of the men in the north with the Starks. It would be extremely unwise to burden the remaining ships, which are only three, with such a small group," he explained, seeing the younger woman's understanding nod. ,, What about the wolves?" asked the bearer of the banner, glancing briefly at the maid who was leaning against her. But shortly afterwards the two she-bears roared before a quick crack was heard in the undergrowth. They all laughed and were grateful for the protection they had. Still, all of their hands rested close to their weapons. People were worse than wild animals. As the hour grew late, the fire was extinguished, only the commander was awake, leaning against one of the oaks, watching over his charges. A gentle smile played around his lips as he looked to his foster daughter. The young woman was curled up under her cloak and a peaceful expression was on her face. Sleep well, he thought before returning to sharpening his sword.

With the dawn breaking and the birds chirping, the group had been moving for a few hours. They all seemed to have slept reasonably well. Even their commander could find some rest in the saddle of his horse. They had already passed Winterfell and yet the young Mormont had hoped to see the great castle. But that was over, they were now on the Kings Path and were just saying the song of the maiden and the bear when they heard more hooves clattering. Faster and clearly more than their small group. ,, Lady Mormont, I did not expect to see you again so soon. The last time was unfortunately at your father's funeral, again my condolences," the man said as he rode closer to the lady. ,, Lord Bolton I see with your son he has grown old just like you" she quipped and the man with the age wrinkles smiled. ,, Well, the High North is hard but the skinn keeps us warm," he assured her and her gaze went to the family crest. ,, Of course my father means animal skins my lady," she heard the voice of his son riding beside his father. ,, I hope it's not a bear skin," she replied, and her Alyssa gave a roar. The Bolton horses bucked and moved away from the group. The younger one smirked, ,, I look forward to our next meeting Lord Bolton," she said before signalling her group to ride faster. ,, He frightens me," she heard her maid say and concern was in the young Mormont's gaze. ,, I assure you Lord Bolton will not dare touch you," she said but raised an eyebrow as the woman shook her head. ,, The emblem of the flayed man frightens me " she said and hid her face with her gaze away from her Lady. She steered Alyssa towards the woman and took the frightened woman's hand. ,, I swear nothing will happen to you in King's Landing. Do you all hear me, I will see to your protection! "She said loud and clear before she felt the light squeeze of her hand from her fellow rider. ,, I know for all of you it is the first time in King's Landing and at court as well as with greater lords and...old enemies probably. It is true that the house of Mormont is small but if we adapt everything will be fine! "The man encouraged the others and it seemed as if everyone was now moving confidently towards King's Landing.

The group continued to move along King's Landing until nightfall. They decided to spend the night in a simple inn and move on at dawn. ,, How can I serve you sir?" asked the innkeeper, but the man he was addressing just stepped aside and made room for his lady. Astonishment was on the innkeeper's face and it almost seemed as if sweat was running down his fat body when he recognised the sword. ,, La-Lady Mormont, forgive me, I did not recognise you. Are you here without your father?" he asked, but he seemed to notice that something was missing from his image of the bear family. ,, My father died six years ago, just give us four rooms," she said, handing him a piece of money from her purse. ,, O-Of course right away," he said before inviting her to a home-cooked stew. It didn't take long for the food to arrive and be consumed. It tasted slightly bland, but they didn't want to complain. It was enough of an inconvenience - the last thing they wanted was some knights playing hero. After eating, the young Mormont decided to take a cold but necessary bath after an exhausted sigh and a ribb across her eyes. The clothes slipped off her body and she stepped into the cold-filled wooden tub. Goosebumps formed on her body but that was all the same as long as she looked somewhat appropriate.

Only a knock startled her, ,, Who is that?". ,, Meta my mistress" the maid answered and Y/n let her into the room with a ,, Come in". When Meta turned to her mistress after closing the door, astonishment crossed her face before she hurried to the bath. ,, You could have told me Lady Y/n" she said and took the sponge lying on the tub in her hand. ,, I didn't want to make you any more work," she answered truthfully and looked at the woman. Finally she let her maid wash her before they fell into a simple conversation until a question struck Y/n silent. ,, Was there ever someone who haunted your dreams? A lord or...a lady?" she dared to ask and only seemed to realise by the uncertain look of her hostess that she had crossed the line. ,, Forgive me, my lady," she said quickly and lowered her gaze before continuing to wash the young Mormont. ,, No, please, it was so nice...yes, of course, I also had an understanding of a husband. He should respect me, let me have my freedom, of course not force his will on me, see me as an equal, not just as a wife for having children" she began and a slight sad smile played around her lips. ,, But the...lady" she started and fell silent, it was good to talk to someone who took her heart for what it was. ,, The lady should not be so formal, a free spirit, enjoy her life and be tender, not cold and forbidding, just like something beautiful that touches my heart," she murmured to herself and saw Meta's satisfied smile. ,, Thank you Meta" she said and clasped the hands of her maid who then put the sponge aside. ,, That's what I'm here for, to serve you and help you in all aspects of life" she said and they both laughed before she released her maid and got out of the water. When she was dry, she slipped under the simple blanket of the wooden bed and hoped that sleep would quickly overtake her.

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

Hope you like it

#x reader #house of the dragon #hotd fanfic #rhaenyra x reader #daemon targeryen x reader #aemond x y/n #king viserys #alicent hightower #fluff #female x reader #fem reader #daemon x rhaenyra #daemon targeryan #queen rhaenyra #aemond targaryen #house mormont

[dairy-farmer]

I'm the ABO Anon from earlier and holy shit your response was amazing??? Dick knocking Tim up totally caught me by surprise but I LOVED IT!

How did Bruce respond when Dick got their son pregnant next? Is this an AI where omegas can catch outside of their heats, so Dick knocks Tim up when Bruce is away and has no idea, thinking Tim is his and his alone when suddenly he comes home and smells that his omega has been bred by... his first omega? The hell?

Like it's all so hot and I can't even think of anything more to add to it even tho I desperately want to lmao

Maybe Tim eventually catches with a litter that's got both of his parent's puppies in it?

And/or maybe Tim /begs/ for Dick to be bred again by Bruce, begs him to go into a mutual heat with Tim and then have Bruce fuck into Dick while Dick fucks Tim. He so badly wants them to get big and heavy with pups together, it's been a fantasy of his for years! Dick eventually agrees ofc bc he can't resist his omega

Do you have any other ideas for this AU? Bc you came up with such brilliance all on your own, I just have to pick your brain for more 🤤

i imagine that bruce would raise a brow at first, maybe stumble when he catches sight of his purring and content omega, cupping his flat lower body. he's not showing at all bit bruce picks up the familiar tang of sweet bred omega and instantly knows. he also knows that he isn't the father and locks onto the awkward dick who is carefully swaddling one of the pups and avoiding bruce's eyes.

he'd probably corner dick, and be toeing the very edge of smug like 'really couldn't help yourself, could you omega? and after slinging so many insults at my person for giving in' just a sort 'i told you so' followed by him making dick watch as he breeds tim again. and little known fact about omegas! when you have your omega son on fertility-enhancing drugs like bruce does his, they tend to release multiple eggs so that different fathers have the opportunity to have their offspring be part of the litter. meaning tim is carry both bruce and dick's pups at the same time.

omegas siring pups are rare, there usually needs to be some special intervention for that to occur which there just so happened to be :). so now tim is happily pupped with a pair of sweet pups. he's heavy and rounded with them, stroking his little belly. bruce regualrly breeds him, knowing how horny his omega gets when full of children. but now he's enlisting dick's help. 'you need to take responsibility' bruce informs dick as he plants a whining and squirming tim on his omega cocklet.

and dick is gasping of course, holding onto tim's wide hips and fucking into that sweet, hot hole that he's pupped with his offspring. dick had always thought there was something wrong with him, something broken for not wanting what the other omegas of his...'status' wanted. he remembered going to that wealthy-omega mommy group when he'd been pregnant with tim and been filled with only dread. listening to how many pups they wanted, how they'd never been happier, how they had more energy, how sex was better than it had ever been. meanwhile dick had been dizzy and sick most days, he felt like crud having to watch as former teammates were off on their missions and daving the world, having sex with bruce was uncomfrotable, nothing went in the way it was supposed to, his belly just to heavy and uncomfortable despite tim being a small puppy.

nothing like tim. tim glowed. he took daily walks while lugging around multiple pups in his belly as well as pushing the stroller of the pups he already had. tim rode dick with desperation and ferocity he hadn't felt when he'd been pupped. tim was magnificent at being pregnant, he was incredible at being an omega. he scented dick when he came home, cooed at him with his sweet little voice and playfully tugged him into an empty room to breed him. dick would look at tim's friction-puffed pussy, white hot cum already leaking out of him. dick could smell bruce's work without even having to take a step closer. tim was a sweet omega, perfect and accomodating. dick was ashamed he hadn't put in the effort when tim had been born. once he'd been out of him, dick hadn' t hesitated to leap right back into hero working. he'd left the baby in alfred's care, in bruce's care.

maybe that was why tim had grown so much closer to bruce as opposed to dick who only started to hang around more often once he was off the bottle and toddling around.

well that would need to change now wouldn't it?

tim gasped as dick held him tighter.

dick wouldn't go so far as to call himself a 'deadbeat' of a mother. he'd gotten better. a lot better. he thought he'd wanted tim, he really had. but...but he'd been the only omega pregnant in school. when everyone else got to go to the mall, the arcade, dick had to go to birthing classes, had to design the nursery.

while other heroes were on missions and picking up new skills, dick had been going to ultrasounds and trying to find the best position to sleep.

tim was so good with his pups. he'd be so good with dick's pups.

"such a good omega" dick cooed into tim's ears, feeling the shiver that traveled through his body. "such a good little omega, a perfect little mama-"

tim sobbed, inching his hips back and desperately trying to take more of dick into his wet heat as dick whispered about what a wonderful little mommy he is for dick's pups.

dick wasn't a good mama. he doesn't think he was ever really cut out to be one.

but papa?

papa. dick liked the sound of that

#anonymous #asks #answered asks

[spinda-draws]

The Borg of Both Worlds Ch. 9

Synopsis || After being defeated once and for all, Hacker decides the only thing for him to do is go to the real world and give the Earth brats a bit of grief. Jackie ends up being the main target for his new spree of mischief, but could there be more to the borg than meets the eye? (thank you @permanent-beta-bag-of-water for helping me edit all the parts so far)

The quaint little fairground paled in comparison to R-Fair City, though for Hacker it scarcely made a difference. He’d never cared much for places like this. Not unless there was perversity to be had. 

Aaliyah and her offspring on the other hand, seemed thrilled by the spectacle of the twisting coaster rails and its shrieking passengers. Sunshine grabbed her mother’s hand almost as soon as they’d gotten out of the car, dragging her towards the ticket gate with girlish excitement. 

Hacker pulled out his flier again, trying to see if there was any information on the back that would catch his interest. Surely it wouldn’t be impossible to find an appropriate spot for some alone time? He could taste a salty tang in the afternoon breeze. They were adjacent to the bay which was the first promising sign. Renting out a little yacht or even a canoe sounded ideal. 

He hurried after the two to the gate, trying to get Aaliyah’s attention as she continued being dragged away by her daughter. He rubbed his hands as he noticed the Earth brat stopping to look over a map, allowing him to catch Aaliyah’s gaze at last.

“I should probably get on line for food. If we wait until she’s hungry, we’ll get a visit from the drama llama.”

“Excellent idea,” the borg declared with his usual grandiose gestures. “And while you’re at it, I’ll make sure she’s well supplied with tickets.”

“I’ll pay you back,” she said, briefly resting a hand on his arm before running off to squeeze herself onto the line.  

Once Hacker made it to the front of the ticket queue, he didn’t hold back in shoving bills into the cashier’s hands. It was essential that the Earth brat remained good and occupied. Ideally until it was time for them to leave. If there was one talent she and her friends possessed, it was butting in at exactly the wrong time to ruin things for him. 

But not today! Beaming at the thick roll of tickets in his hand, he walked back to where the child stood. She was busy making a numbered list prioritizing which attractions she wanted to visit. Before he could present her with the ticket roll, she’d absentmindedly slipped her hand into his. 

“Mom, hurry. The line for the Sea Serpent isn’t that long. We can go on that first, and—” She slowly craned her head, seeming to realize his elegant, yet masculine fingers did not actually belong to her mother. 

Hacker offered her a cheeky wave. “I’ll ride with you once if you insist, but don’t call me Mom.” He flashed a smarmy grin as she stared up at him, mouth agape and more than a little horrified. 

She quickly yanked her hand away and attempted to look over his shoulder to track down her missing parent. After spotting her in the line for hot dogs, she tried to make a beeline in that direction, but was intercepted as Hacker side stepped between them. 

“Why don’t you go find some other children to galavant around with?” he said, shoving the roll of tickets in her hands. “Give your mother a little break.”

“I know what you’re up to,” she said, folding her arms and refusing to take them. 

“And what am I up to?” 

“Bad stuff,” she muttered, eyes narrowed into slits. “Evil.”

“I’m hurt. Have all our misadventures this week meant nothing?”

“Can you at least try to tone down the flirting, Casanova?”

He practically shoved the ticket roll into her hands, his face flushing a deep red. “Do you want these or not?”

“Fine,” she sighed finally, snatching it from him. “But you better be on your best behavior.” 

“I’ll be as exceptional as always.” He stuck out his pinky, causing a smile to spring to her face. 

“I thought you said that was childish,” she laughed, hooking his pinky. They shook briefly before he slid his hands back into his jacket. 

“Seeing who I’m dealing with, I thought it would be appropriate.” 

The girl hung her head in exasperation before looking back up at him with a little smirk. “Thanks, I guess.” She closed her fist around the tickets and pocketed them. 

Hacker waited for her to vanish into the crowd before searching the line for Aaliyah. Although it looked like she’d barely moved from her spot, she was no longer at the back of the line. It was as if everyone else at the fair had gotten the idea to get hot dogs at the same time and the queue now twisted back and forth along the path several times.

“It looks like we’ll be waiting here a while,” she sighed once he joined her. 

“What’s the rush?” He shrugged, without a care.

Aaliyah raised a brow at him, then seemed to stand on her toes to look over his shoulder. “Did Jackie run off on her own?”

“Children,” he continued with the same flippant smile. “I’m sure she’ll find us once she’s in need of refreshment.”

Despite his reassurances, she still seemed anxious, rubbing the skin just above her elbows as she stood beside him in silence. There was something on her mind she seemed reluctant to share. Something Hacker was oblivious to as he continued to rattle off on his own. 

“Clear skies. Pleasant breeze. Perfect weather for sailing.”

“Hacker?”

“What do you say, I go down to the pier? See if I can persuade someone to lend us their boat for the day? I think I could do with a tan.”

“Hacker, listen,” she said again, her tone growing more forceful. This time the borg fell silent. “Before this goes any further, there’s something I have to tell you. I know I should have said something sooner, but… I don’t think I’m ready for another relationship right now. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea.”

As she spoke, the carefree expression slowly fell from Hacker’s face. He opened his mouth awkwardly, but shut it again, slightly befuddled and at a loss for words. First the Earth brat and now her? Was the Hacker really so transparent? 

His first instinct was to deny. Had he been flirting with her? Hardly. That was just him being friendly, putting his best foot forward as it were and it didn’t matter to him whether they became an item or not. 

His second was to just smile and shrug it off, but his momentarily stunned stupor threw away any chance of that being bought. Luckily for him, the moment passed as she broke her own silence. 

“But you’ve been a wonderful friend. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it.”

“Been a wonderful friend.” This time he recovered quickly and managed to retrieve the smile. Whatever emotion and just flashed by was masked now. There was no reason they couldn’t still enjoy the rest of their afternoon together.

At first Aaliyah seemed weary of the offhandedness of his response, but offered back a weak smile. Eventually they made it to the front of the line and she ordered for the three of them, getting a brown paper bag so she could store her daughter’s share in her purse for the time being. 

They strolled through the fairground with their food, Hacker eyeing his corndog suspiciously. It was the type of fatty junk Buzz and Delete would normally drool over. The only reason he’d asked for one was because it was the only thing he could eat without hands. He’d never liked the idea of having to touch food he was about to eat, especially while outdoors. 

He shot a side glance at Aaliyah who was biting into her own hot dog while taking in the passing attractions. “Have you ever been on the teacups?” she asked, pointing them out in the distance. Hacker shook his head, which prompted a huge grin from her. “Let’s go. And after that we can do the haunted house.”

“E-er, no.” He was staring down at her like he’d just discovered a bit of cat puke in his driveway. 

“Don’t be scared. You just ride through on a cart. The animatronics don’t even touch you.” 

“I’m scared of nothing,” he declared imperiously, turning his nose up. Aaliyah frowned, not looking entirely convinced. 

“I’m terrified of bugs.”

This seemed to catch his attention though he didn’t meet her gaze. “Computer bugs, or insect bugs?”

“Both.”

“Good for you.”

Aaliyah smiled flatly at his aloof response. “Oh, come on. That’s supposed to make you open up.”

“Not a chance.”

“So there is something you’re scared of,” she cried, astutely. 

“No.”

“Then you’re going into the haunted house.” She grabbed him by the shirt sleeve and dragged him to the back of the line. 

Hacker desperately wanted to protest, but he couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t make him look like a coward and weedy. He caught himself chewing at his lower lip, his heart pounding with every shuffle they made forward in the shockingly short line. After less than ten minutes, they’d arrived at the front. 

“Y-you don’t think there’ll be ghosts, do you?”

“Probably,” she said, doing her best to fight a smile. Noticing the little smirk on her lips, he scrunched up his nose and put on the biggest frown his face had room for. “If you’re really scared, we don’t have to. There’s still time to get on the teacups.” 

“Absurd,” he huffed adamantly as they were ushered into the next cart. 

As the protective bar came down over them, Hacker’s expression took a sudden drop. He wiggled the bar in his lap, but it was firmly stuck in place. Before he could open his mouth and ask to be let off, the doors to the ride’s spooky mansion set piece flung open with a howl of the wind and the two were launched inside. 

Five minutes and one haunted house tour later, he had been reduced to a quivering mess in her lap, still wearing a stubborn pout even as his arms practically had to be crowbarred from around her shoulders. 

“Er, Hacker? It’s over.” Aaliyah said, nudging him gently as the bar came back up. “You can let go of me now.”

The borg looked around stunned, as if he’d forgotten where he was. It took him a moment to note his humiliating position and apologetically slide back to his half of the cart. 

“Um, yes,” he mumbled, straightening himself up and trying to look as regal as possible. “Naturally, I was just trying to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine, thanks.” 

“Good, good.” He stared at her awkwardly for a moment before noticing the next riders were coming over to claim their cart. 

He hopped off the ride and hurried towards the exit as if he hadn’t been holding onto her for dear life just moments before. Glancing to the side, he saw that she had joined him, a teasing smirk on her lips. 

“You’re very brave,” she said, failing to hide the laughter on her lips. 

“Zip it.”

They headed over toward a stone fountain at the center of the fair grounds. It was a giant, circular structure that had water spewing from the center and a rim just far away enough for people to sit comfortably without getting wet. Despite the hyperactive children that ran screaming past them occasionally, Hacker was happy for the relief from being dragged to further attractions. 

“Guess what I brought?” Aaliyah said, reaching into her bag. The borg peeked over to see her pull out a sketchbook, followed by a set of oil pastels. “I thought I’d do a few preliminary sketches. Get the shape of your face down before I tried anything serious.” 

As she flipped through the pages of the book, Hacker caught a glimpse of some of the previous sketches etched in it. “What do we have here?” She’d already turned to a fresh page at the point, and had started reaching for her oils when he peeled back to page to get a better look. 

“Just some very, very old drawings,” she chuckled lightheartedly, resting her palm on the side of the sketchbook in a feeble attempt to cover it up.

“I think I saw a wedding dress. So you did remember where you kept them.” He gently pushed her fingers off the page and started flipping through. 

There were dozens of uncolored sketches of dresses with different shapes and cuts. Many seemed to be themed around flowers as the motif appeared everywhere from the hem line to the collar across the different drawings. 

“Marriage, spring, you know,” Aaliyah shrugged. “Pretty cliche right? I don’t think I could ever sell any of these, but doing them was a fun time waster.”

“If there’s one thing I know about business, it’s that it’s not about if someone will buy a product, it’s if you can sell it,” Hacker said. “If you can find your market, you can sell anything. Cliche? What I see is…” He paused to think for a moment before snapping his fingers. “Affordable designer.”

He continued flipping through the pages until the designs eventually transitioned to color. These he noticed didn’t appear to be dresses, but various costumes. And designed for a child no less. 

“Oh these are more recent. A few Halloween costumes for Jackie. I think this one came together really well. She seemed to like it anyway.” Aaliyah pointed at a vaguely familiar looking red vest and puffy sleeved shirt. “But enough of memory lane. Do you want a portrait from me or not?”

“Yes, please.” Hacker reached across her lap for one of the waxy numb pastels. The set was out of order and several pieces were crumbling or broken, but they still looked somewhat usable. There was hardly anything left among the browns and oranges, maybe not surprising for a portrait artist, and the paper they were wrapped with was well weathered with age. 

He made a dive once he spotted a green he judged to be comparable to his own. And better still, it seemed to be in relatively pristine condition. “I’ve always thought I looked best in a bright lime,” he declared, handing her the piece. “And if you wish to accentuate the form of my chin, that’ll be alright.” He held his open palm up in front of his reduced appendage, subtly suggesting the length he would have preferred.

She gave him a puzzled glance before gingerly taking the piece from his fingers. “I’m not used to doing caricatures, but I can try.” 

Hacker beamed, striking the most megalomaniacal pose in his repertoire as he watched her start to sketch. When she glanced up at him again, he thought he detected a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Do you want a crown with that, your majesty?” 

“Well, if it isn’t too much to ask, then, yes.” 

His entire face seemed to glow as he looked at her though eyes that couldn’t help but be filled with adoration. It almost didn’t matter that she’d told him earlier she wasn’t looking for a relationship. He couldn’t imagine anything better than what they had at that moment. 

Like everything else though, it didn’t last. The corners of his mouth peeled into a frown as he spotted the Earth brat in the distance. Despite his subtle attempt to shoo her away, she continued to approach them. He was just about to get up and shove her towards another ride when he felt a buzz from his pocket.

It took him a moment to realize the source was his phone. He reached for it, stupefied about who could have been calling him. He wouldn’t have even though intra-dimensional communication was even possible on his device. 

Once he pulled it out, he realized it was a pre-scripted alert. He flipped the phone open and was met with the instrumental blast of royal trumpets followed by a computer generated voice. “Congratulations! You are now the uncontested and inimitable Ruler of all Cyberspace! Let’s check the instant rewind—” BOOM!

Oh, right. This was the pre-recorded message to himself he’d created in the event he did take over Cyberspace. Triggered to play if ever Motherboard was booted off the big screen. He remembered sitting in the Wreaker, editing the clip of the explosion going off in Motherboard’s room. He couldn’t help a little amused grin before his expression twisted into confusion.

“What was that?”

“What was that!?”

Mother and daughter had both spoken in unison, although one sounded far less amused. Hacker just blinked and looked down at his phone again, trying to put the pieces together himself. Before he had the chance to formulate thoughts, the siren of an Earth brat was once again screeching in his ear. 

“What did you do?” 

“Believe it or not, I’m not quite sure,” Hacker mumbled, puzzled but still sounding amused. “Would you believe me if I said nothing?”

“No!”

“Jackie!” Aaliyah cried, pulling her daughter towards her so she was looking her in the eye. “What’s going on?”

The girl bit her lip and to Hacker’s surprise began crying. Shaking her head and refusing to answer her mother. 

“I think one of you better start explaining!” Aaliyah said with considerably more force. Hacker waited another moment for the girl to speak, before deciding to take the matter into his own hands.

“We’d always planned to explain this eventually but—” He gave a flippant wave of the hand as if expecting it to somehow finish his sentence for him. He seemed completely oblivious to the situation he was actually in and Aaliyah’s mounting horror with every syllable he uttered. “I lied. I’m not a math teacher. That was just a ruse I concocted so I could give our little Sunshine a bit of a scare.”

“Then who exactly are you!?” The woman looked like she was about to start frothing at the mouth any second. 

“Mom, don’t be mad at him. He’s harmless. Just crazy.”

Hacker huffed indignantly, but held back his brewing protests. He seemed to be starting to sense he would not rise from this conversation as unscathed as he’d thought. 

“I’m THE Hacker, and as you heard, I’m the rightful Ruler of Cyberspace. Prince of the Digital Realm. Despot to—”

“He’s an old jerk who thinks he’s a supervillain,” the girl yapped, merciless in her slander. “It’s really nothing, mom. And the only reason I didn’t tell you is because I didn’t want you to worry. I was with Matt and Inez the whole time and we were completely safe—”

“I’m not old…” Hacker mumbled, but was completely ignored by both parties. 

“It’s just somewhere I go to meet my friends.”

“Jackie, you’re not making any sense. Are these people you’re meeting online? I-I haven’t noticed you going anywhere.”

“No, it’s— it’s so hard to explain because it’s so… impossible and crazy.” She reached for her bag and pulled out her squwak. Hacker peered over her shoulder, watching her pull up her contacts, only to see Motherboard’s was grayed out. 

Hacker got up from the edge of the fountain, the reality of the situation starting to hit him. What was happening? Had someone… other than him, actually done it? He felt his human flesh flash hot. Who was it? Wicked? Warren? Some young punk he’d never heard of? He couldn’t decide what would be worse. 

But how was that even possible? He’d cured the virus. At full power, nothing in Cyberspace could match the AI’s power. Nothing but him. At least that was how it was supposed to be. 

“Hacker?” He felt the Earth brat walk up to him from behind and reach for his hand. “What’s happening?”

For once the borg didn’t have an answer. 

#cyberchase #my writing

[weareallgreyreally]

Tl;dr getting a dog changed my life -  aka my dog learned the word no very quickly, my mom is still a work in progress. TW: controlling parent.

Getting a dog while I still live with my mother saw me researching dog breeds for two years before deciding on one where my lifestyle would fit, creating a “25 reasons why I should be allowed to get a dog,” saving up, and joining online training courses so I knew everything I possible could before I took on the responsibility of Dog Mom. It convinced my mum but I got a lot of “this is your dog, your responsibility” “make sure you can afford it, you’ll always need to have savings just in case” “your dog better not do XYZ in my house.” All reasonable stuff, but there was a lot of general angst about it. She told me constantly that I’d cave on my boundaries because “she could never say no to me and my brothers.” I started to doubt myself a lot, worried that I’d get this dog and not be able to train it, worried that my anxiety disorder would be passed on and this potential animal would be better off with someone else.

I got him and now he’s “our dog” lmao. I pay for everything but my mom insists on being at all his vet appointments so she can loudly weigh in on decisions, I pay for his training so she can tell me the trainer doesn’t sit right with her and ignore their professional know how, I crate trained him for her to take all credit when talking to anyone despite her constantly letting him out in the night to sleep with her on the sofa, I don’t feed him anything but his strict diet (it’s veterinary as he has stomach problems) only for her to constantly feed him whatever she’s eating. Having a dog has really taught me a lot, mostly that my mother has a lot of audacity and co-dependence, and had zero respect for my wants / decisions. (“You can’t be a good dog parent if you don’t eat this thing I cooked that I know you don’t like” “you’re not a good influence for X (my dog) when your room is messy” “how do you expect to be able to look after X on your own when you don’t do your laundry more often” “you shouldn’t be spending money on XYZ (usually my card collection) when you have a financial responsibility”).

Turned out this is what made me realize I had no boundaries, that my inability to say no was not an inbuilt fault of mine I’d never overcome, but an outcome of it never being listened to. I told her that she’d instilled no confidence in my partner and I for looking after future offspring as she can’t even stick to boundaries with our dog which tweaked her tune a little as her biggest want is grandchildren (“an only child is a lonely child” still only having one at most, mom). There’s been a lot of tweaks lately. A lot of “I don’t need you at the vets with me for a check up / you talk over me / he’s my dog, I make the decisions” and “we’re training him to do XYZ because he’ll need to know it when we live on our own / no we won’t be bringing him over to stay with you every weekend.” Constant reminders (and sometimes arguments) as I have to enforce the facts that he’s my dog and I’m allowed to say no. I’m allowed to disagree with her. I’m allowed to get frustrated or upset or angry when my boundaries are ignored. I’m allowed to find her guilting me with my dog incredibly manipulative.

My dog turned 2 last weekend, he’s to die for; I’ve never cherished something so much in my entire life, he’s a dream come true. Having him has taught me a lot about patience and perseverance, a sht ton about responsibility and budgeting, but mostly having him has taught me that I’m braver than I thought, that I have the ability to stand up for myself and for him, and that I don’t need my mom’s approval to make good decisions. Getting him really did change my life; I’d been on anti-depressants for 6 years, I’d developed agoraphobia over Covid (was passing out when I left the house), I felt like I couldn’t do anything right, that there was something wrong with me. I don’t take meds anymore, I go out every day, I’m healthier than I’ve ever been, and I know there’s nothing wrong with me; I just needed a chance to see myself through my own eyes.

#dogs #first time pet owner #boundaries #controlling parent #mental health #glow up #progress #GAD #this year is for healing #this year is for taking names

[secretfandomrambles]

From Arthur and Mordred To Ozai and Zuko (and the lives in-between)

[Or, where I take Arthurian Mythology, Harry Potter, and Avatar: the last Airbender and smash them into the same story-line.]

After their deaths at the battle of Camlann, Arthur Pendragon is given a choice: wait for whenever Albion needs him most, or enter a reincarnation cycle with two others in order for them to learn from and repent of their sins so that when they are finally needed, they can become the people they were always meant to be.

Arthur accepts this offer, weighed down by the crimes he committed against his son Mordred when the boy was a babe, and the senseless deaths of those who fought with him against his rebellious offspring, just to name a few things.

He ends up in a limbo of sorts, and finds his old mentor, Merlin and Mordred there waiting for him. Mordred feels immense guilt for trying to take over the kingdom and causing his father’s death, in what was ultimately a really badly thought out bid for his father’s love and acknowledgement.

Merlin doesn’t feel any guilt, whether for how he manipulated Arthur, or tried to drown Mordred as an infant, or even the debacle with Nimue. However his loyalty to Arthur is strong enough, and his heart is (usually) in the right place, which is enough for Fate and Death to give him a second chance.

In their second lives, Merlin is reborn as Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore, a wizard, Arthur is born as Tom Riddle, the non-magical son of wealthy land-owners. and just like Igraine, he was bewitched with a spell and fathered Mordred’s reincarnation, Tom Marvolo Riddle. In this timeline, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter die old and childless, James Potter never having been born. Lily Potter and Severus Snape are friends, but not in love with each orher. Given that the Mauraders never formed, Severus and many others school days weren’t made a humiliating hell. Remus did however, eventually form a friendship with Sirius Black. Harry Potter isn’t born, and the Prophecy is never given.

Tom Jr. still kills his father, rips his soul apart and goes mad while at the same time taking over the world. There is no one to stop him, until a few brave students (Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Cedric Diggory and Draco Malfoy) go off on a hunt for the horocruxes, and eventually destroy them. Albus Dumbledore is too busy actively fighting Voldemort and has somehow never learned of the horcruxes. It is Luna who is killed by the Ring’s curse while horcrux hunting, as she longs to see the mother who died when she was a young child.

When Mordred’s present life is finally killed, his soul is stitched back together, and Death gives him and Arthur a second chance to try and make better choices, by putting them in more optimal circumstances. They rewind to where Fate feels the first knot in the tapestry of the timeline is, and Arthur is reborn again, in the 1960s as James Potter. Unfortunately, due to Fate and Death’s meddling, in 1980 Sybil Trelawny gives a prophecy dooming a child who has already suffered in two lifetimes.

James has flashes of his past lives, as King Arthur and Tom Sr. He grows up feeling a sense of entitlement and that those around him are never what they seem. He has nightmares that push him to learn spells to test for drugs in his food and drinks, convinces his parents to let him learn to fight with swords. But it is only when he faces Voldemort on October 31 1981 that he really Remembers. By then, it is too late, and he dies again at his son’s hands.

Mordred has been reborn as Harry Potter. With no living father to direct his anger at over his living circumstances, and no mother dripping poison in his ears turning him against his father, he constantly searches for something that he is never able to name in the adults around him. The Dursleys’ fear of him is an odd comfort, and when he hears Petunia speaking of him with her neighbors, something about her words, warning them away from him, about how strange he is (he has heard this before, from someone he cared just as little) he smiles. Harry grows up despising the Dursleys’ and somehow realizing that he doesn’t belong with them.

Interestingly, when Harry starts Hogwarts, he goes into Ravenclaw. He also has a deep loathing of Albus Dumbledore for which he cannot explain. His times of battling Voldemort are confusing and disorienting.

Eventually Harry dies, is yet again reunited with his father, and gets the memories of his past lives downloaded into his brain. Coming back to life after his past self kills him? Harry ends the battle and just, goes to the nearest pub and gets thoroughly trashed.

Life goes on, as it always does, and Harry dies a second time, and is reborn in another universe, as a prince and a Firebender, named Zuko. Zuko’s father Ozai is the reincarnation of Arthur/Tom Riddle/James Potter. While Zuko’s uncle Iroh is the reincarnation of Merlin/Albus Dumbledore.

Things really only start to change the night Zuko is forced to fight in an agni kai after accidentally “disrespecting” his father. And he refuses. Ozai moves to strike, but the moment before his hand lights Zuko’s face on fire, a white light knocks them away from each other. The next half-hour is spent with Ozai and Zuko unconscious while they’re dealing with sorting through three life-times worth of memories.

Zuko wakes up first, and after getting his dual dao and packing a bag, tries to get out of the palace as quickly as possible, certain that Father is going to kill him for, y’know, killing him three times over.

The servant who intercepts him and drags him to go speak to his father deserves a raise with all the shouting and struggling the poor man has to deal with. Zuko ends up grounded for all the crap he pulled as Voldemort.

The underlying tension between Ozai and Zuko eventually explodes when the Avatar returns and Iroh’s memories of *his* past lives return.

[Looking at it, this probably would need like, at least three different books to do this justice]

#Arthur Pendragon #Mordred #arthurian mythology #harry potter au #Fanfiction #james potter #harry potter #zuko #ozai #atla au #voldemort #tom riddle jr #Reincarnation #Fatherlord ozai #Ozai isn’t a great parent #but he’s trying #merlin #uncle iroh #albus dumbledore #Learning (or not) from past mistakes #spirit shenanigans

[doe-rambles]

The Fae kind

A mix of human and winged insect. These beings have a life cycle with three distinct stages, just like most insects. They reproduce asexually and need other life forms to host their young. They can infect any kind of bipedal humanoid, but have found that humans produce the most favorable results upon infection. Animals can carry the parasite, but won’t produce changelings. 

Stage 1: The pixie

An elderly fae will disintegrate and leave a small pile of eggs. After a few days, these eggs hatch into pixies; tiny firefly-like insects. Once hatched, these creatures will stick together in a swarm until they find a target to stick to. If left on the skin for long enough, the pixie will seemingly dissolve, leaving a golden mark on their victim. The victim’s next offspring will be a changeling and stage 2 of the cycle begins.

Stage 2: The changeling

The childhood stage. The child will appear perfectly normal to the parents, mimicking the young of its host species perfectly while feeding on the love and attention it receives from its parents. When the host species goes into puberty, the fae’s true nature is revealed and starts its transformation into the final stage of its life cycle. The changeling will go through the first three big changes in its form within ten years, after which the changes will slow down to 1 every decade or so. 

Changes to the child upon puberty:

It always starts with the wings. They’ll first look like small lines on the child’s back, slowly peeling off the back until they end up laying smooth against the skin. Those knowledgeable about insects might be able to tell what kind of creature the future fae will resemble.

After the wings have grown in and become semi-functional (aka: they can be moved, but aren’t strong enough to lift a person) the eyes will start to change. They’ll remain functional, but take on the faceted look most insects have. This is reported to be a relatively pain-free, but highly disorienting experience.

As the child grows older, antennae will form in the same way the wings did; first appearing as a set of markings before slowly peeling off and peeking out from their hair. This will often be followed by the ears taking on a distinct pointed shape. They’ll usually take after the aesthetic changes the child has already gone through. Any feathering, discoloration etc will be reflected in the ear shape and color.

Stage 3: the grown fae

The growth of the antennae marks the change from changeling to full-grown fae. As they grow older, they will gain even more insectoid traits. Usually, the fae will notice a new change in their body every decade or so. It’s not uncommon for old fae to have the following physical traits:

A long, retractable tongue, just like those moths and butterflies have. 

(Signs of) vestigial limbs. This can range from a simple marking to a small growth where the limb would have grown on an insect.

Spots where extra sets of eyes would be on the insect.

Markings or visible veins (like those seen on their wings).

Barbs along the arms, legs or even spine.

While all fae tend to look different, there are three things that every single one has in common:

A lack of certain body parts. Since the fae kind reproduce asexually, they are basically built like dolls, with no noticable genetalia. 

A segmented body. As soon as the first three changes have finished, the segmentation of the body starts. The order of segmentation differs per individual but eventually all joints will look more like those seen in insects (they’ll look like a ball-jointed doll). 

Hardened skin. While the skin color remains the same, it’ll start to harden and resemble an exoskeleton. It makes the fae kind look eerily doll-like, with their almost porcelain-like skin and segmented joints.

#worldbuilding #species #fae

[marryjojo]

How Do Birds Mate? Explained

Birds, with their remarkable diversity of species and behaviors, have always been a subject of fascination for nature enthusiasts and researchers alike. One aspect of their lives that often piques our curiosity is the process of reproduction. "How do birds mate?" is a question that leads us into the captivating world of avian courtship, copulation, and nesting.  Today, I will provide a comprehensive exploration of the various aspects of bird mating, offering insights into the behaviors, rituals, and adaptations that enable these feathered creatures to perpetuate their species. So, let's spread our wings of knowledge and embark on a journey to understand the intriguing world of how birds come together to create the next generation.

Basics of Bird Mating

Birds, like many other animals, have their unique ways of finding a mate and reproducing. Understanding the basics of bird mating can provide valuable insights into the fascinating world of avian courtship and reproduction. Courtship Rituals Before birds mate, they often engage in intricate courtship rituals. These rituals are a way for birds to signal their readiness to mate and establish a strong connection with a potential partner.  Courtship behaviors can vary widely among bird species, from elaborate dances and displays of colorful plumage to serenades of beautiful songs. Each species has its own unique way of showcasing its desirability to potential mates. Pair Bonding Once birds have successfully courted one another, they form pair bonds. These bonds are often long-term and can extend beyond the breeding season, especially in species that mate for life.  Strong pair bonds are crucial for successful reproduction and the raising of offspring. Birds that form strong bonds are more likely to cooperate in nest-building, incubating eggs, and caring for their young. Nesting and Egg-Laying After forming a pair bond, birds select a suitable nesting site. Nest construction varies greatly among species, from simple scrapes on the ground to intricately woven structures in trees. Once the nest is ready, the female typically lays a clutch of eggs, which may range in number depending on the species. The eggs are then incubated, with both parents often taking turns to keep them warm. Copulation Birds have a unique reproductive anatomy compared to mammals, but they still engage in copulation, which is the act of mating. This usually involves the male mounting the female and transferring sperm to fertilize the eggs internally.

 The duration and frequency of copulation can vary among species, with some birds mating multiple times during the breeding season to increase the chances of successful fertilization. Fertilization and Egg Development Once the eggs are fertilized, they begin to develop. The time it takes for eggs to hatch can vary widely, ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the species. During this incubation period, the parents take turns keeping the eggs warm and protected from predators. Parental Care After the eggs hatch, parental care becomes a crucial aspect of bird reproduction. Both parents are often involved in feeding, protecting, and teaching their young to survive in their specific environment.  The level of parental care can differ significantly among bird species, with some providing constant care, while others may be more hands-off. Understanding the basics of bird mating not only offers a glimpse into the remarkable world of avian behavior but also highlights the diversity of strategies employed by different species to ensure their survival and the continuation of their kind.  Bird mating is a complex and captivating process that showcases the beauty and ingenuity of the avian world.

Mating Process Explained

The mating process in birds involves a series of intricate steps, from courtship rituals to the successful hatching of eggs. Let's take a closer look at each stage:  Courtship Rituals Revisited As mentioned earlier, courtship rituals play a vital role in bird mating. These rituals are not just for show; they serve as a way for birds to assess the suitability of potential mates. During this stage, males often engage in elaborate displays to impress females.  For instance, male peacocks flaunt their vibrant tail feathers, while songbirds serenade females with melodious tunes. The more captivating the courtship display, the more likely a female is to choose that particular male as her mate. Forming the Pair Bond Once a pair of birds has established a connection through courtship, they solidify their bond. This involves spending time together, often engaging in activities like mutual preening or sharing food. This bonding is crucial for maintaining trust between the mates and ensuring successful collaboration in the next stages of reproduction. Nest Selection and Construction Selecting a suitable nesting site is a critical step in the mating process. Different species have unique preferences for nesting locations, which may include tree cavities, cliff ledges, or even the ground. Some birds are excellent architects, intricately weaving nests from twigs, leaves, and grass, while others may simply lay their eggs in a depression scraped into the soil. The chosen nest site must provide safety and shelter for the eggs and, later, the chicks. Egg-Laying and Fertilization Once the nest is ready, the female bird will begin laying eggs, typically one at a time, with intervals in between. During egg-laying, the male often remains close by to protect the nest and provide food for the female. Fertilization occurs internally, as the male transfers sperm to the female's reproductive tract, ensuring that the eggs become fertilized. Incubation and Development After all the eggs in the clutch are laid, incubation begins. Incubation is the process of keeping the eggs warm to facilitate embryo development. Both male and female may take turns incubating the eggs, depending on the species.  During this time, they carefully regulate the temperature and humidity of the nest to ensure the best conditions for the embryos to develop.

Mating Rituals and Displays

Birds employ a wide array of rituals and displays during their courtship phase to attract mates, establish bonds, and ensure reproductive success. These behaviors are not only captivating but also essential for the survival of many bird species. Dazzling Plumage Displays One of the most visually striking aspects of bird courtship is the display of vibrant plumage. Male birds often possess colorful feathers, which they use to impress potential mates.  For example, the male peacock's elaborate tail feathers, adorned with iridescent "eyespots," are spread out like a fan to create a mesmerizing display. Similarly, male birds like the Northern Cardinal and the Eastern Bluebird showcase their brilliant red and blue plumage during courtship, making them stand out in their environment.  Elaborate Dancing and Gestures Many bird species incorporate dance-like movements and gestures into their courtship rituals. For instance, the Western Grebe performs a synchronized "water dance" with its mate, where they gracefully glide across the water's surface in perfect harmony.  The Great Crested Grebe engages in a similar dance with elaborate head-shaking and weed offerings to woo potential partners. These performances demonstrate coordination and agility, signaling the male's fitness as a potential mate. Melodic Serenades Birds are renowned for their melodious songs, and these vocalizations play a crucial role in courtship. Male birds often sing to attract females and establish their territory. The songs can vary in complexity and length, depending on the species.  The American Robin, for example, greets the dawn with its cheerful song, while the Nightingale's powerful, intricate melody is renowned for its beauty. These songs not only demonstrate the male's health and vitality but also serve as a way to communicate readiness to mate. Gift-Giving and Food Sharing In some bird species, males present gifts or offer food as part of their courtship display. For instance, the male Bowerbird meticulously decorates its bower with colorful objects like feathers, leaves, or even human-made items to impress a female.  Similarly, male birds like the Northern Mockingbird may bring food to the female as a gesture of affection and a demonstration of their ability to provide for potential offspring.Don't forget to check Some Other Interesting Facts About Mockingbird. Intricate Nest Building The act of building a nest can be a courtship display in itself. Male birds often take on the role of chief architect, constructing nests to showcase their abilities and provide a comfortable environment for future offspring. The male House Sparrow, for example, builds multiple nests to entice females, who then choose their preferred nest site. These elaborate mating rituals and displays not only demonstrate the creativity and adaptability of bird species but also play a crucial role in the selection of mates.  They allow birds to convey their fitness, health, and commitment to potential partners, ultimately leading to the formation of strong pair bonds and successful reproduction. Observing these behaviors in the wild is a testament to the beauty and complexity of the avian world.

Variations and Exceptions in Bird Reproduction

Bird reproduction is a fascinating topic, but it's important to note that there are variations and exceptions in the strategies and behaviors of different bird species.  While many birds follow the typical pattern of courtship, mating, nesting, and raising offspring, some exhibit unique reproductive adaptations. Here are some notable variations and exceptions in bird reproduction:  Monogamy, Polygamy, and Promiscuity Many bird species form monogamous pairs, where one male and one female mate for a single breeding season or even for life. Examples include swans and albatrosses. Some birds practice polygamy, where one male mates with multiple females. For instance, male Red-winged Blackbirds establish territories with several nesting females. In species with promiscuous mating systems, both males and females mate with multiple partners without forming long-term bonds. This is observed in birds like the European Starling. Brood Parasitism Some bird species, such as the Common Cuckoo, engage in brood parasitism. They lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, relying on the host birds to incubate and raise their young. The host birds unwittingly raise the parasitic chicks alongside their own. Cooperative Breeding In cooperative breeding systems, not only the breeding pair but also other members of the group help raise the offspring. This can occur in species like the African Wild Dog and some bird species, including the Florida Scrub-Jay. Asexual Reproduction Although rare, some bird species are capable of asexual reproduction, where females can produce offspring without mating with males. The New Mexico Whip-tailed Lizard and the domestic chicken are examples of birds that can reproduce parthenogenetically. Delayed Breeding In some bird species, individuals may delay breeding for several years, often due to factors like competition for resources or territories. Delayed breeding is more common in species like the Bald Eagle and Northern Gannet.

Multiple Clutches While many birds raise a single clutch of eggs per breeding season, some species produce multiple clutches. For example, certain songbirds like the Eastern Bluebird may raise two or more broods in a single season if conditions are favorable. Synchronous Nesting Some colonial seabirds, like the Common Tern, engage in synchronous nesting, where they all lay eggs and raise their chicks at the same time. This helps to overwhelm predators through sheer numbers and provides communal defense. Non-migratory Breeding While many bird species migrate to breeding grounds during the warmer months, some birds, such as the European Robin, remain non-migratory and breed year-round in their resident territories. These variations and exceptions in bird reproduction reflect the diverse strategies and adaptations that have evolved over time in response to environmental conditions, competition, and resource availability. They showcase the remarkable flexibility and complexity of bird behavior and reproductive biology in the natural world.

Is Privacy Needed for Bird Mating?

Privacy is indeed an essential aspect of bird mating and reproduction, as it plays a crucial role in the survival and success of their offspring. Here's why privacy is needed for bird mating: Protection from Predators Privacy during mating and nesting helps protect birds and their vulnerable offspring from predators. Many birds choose secluded or hidden nesting sites to minimize the risk of detection by potential threats. Human activities and other disturbances can disrupt bird mating behaviors and nesting. Nesting birds often prefer locations away from noisy or high-traffic areas to reduce stress and increase their chances of successfully raising their young. Reducing Competition Privacy can also help reduce competition among birds for mates and nesting sites. In crowded or communal breeding areas, access to private or secluded spots can be limited, making it essential for some species to secure their own space for breeding. Nesting Success Providing a private, secure environment for incubating eggs and raising chicks is vital for nesting success. Disturbances and the presence of potential threats can lead to nest abandonment or predation.  Minimizing Human Interference For researchers and bird enthusiasts, respecting the need for privacy is crucial. Observing birds from a distance and using binoculars or spotting scopes can help minimize human interference and allow birds to carry out their mating and nesting behaviors without unnecessary stress. Reducing Stress and Energy Expenditure Mating and raising young can be physically demanding for birds. Minimizing disturbances and maintaining privacy allows them to conserve energy and allocate it toward caring for their offspring.  Balancing Nesting Sites Some bird species are highly territorial and may become aggressive towards other birds if their nests are too close. Privacy ensures that neighboring nests have adequate space and reduces conflicts between breeding pairs. Providing privacy for bird mating and nesting is a critical consideration for bird conservation and management efforts. Conservationists and researchers often work to protect and preserve the natural habitats and nesting sites that birds rely on to ensure the continued survival of various bird species. By respecting the need for privacy in bird mating and reproduction, we can help these remarkable creatures thrive in their natural environments.

Are Birds Exclusive in Their Mating Habits?

Birds, like many animals, have different ways of choosing who to mate with. Not all birds are the same in this. Some birds mate with only one partner for their whole life. We call this "monogamy." It's like having just one best friend that you do everything with. Examples are swans and some types of eagles. Other birds might have more than one mate at the same time or different mates at different times. This is called "polygamy." It's like having a group of best friends, where you spend time with different friends at different times. Some birds do this because it helps them have more babies and spread their genes. So, to answer your question, birds are not all the same in their mating habits. Some stick with one partner, while others have many. It depends on what works best for them in their environment and helps them survive and have babies.

Conclusion

The intricacies of how birds mate reveal the remarkable strategies that have evolved in response to the diverse environments and ecological niches these creatures inhabit. From elaborate courtship rituals and vibrant plumage displays to the act of copulation itself, each step in the mating process serves a purpose in ensuring the survival of their species. As we conclude our exploration into how birds mate, you gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and diversity of the avian world. Whether it's the melodious song of a songbird or the majestic courtship dance of a waterfowl, these behaviors not only contribute to the continuation of bird species but also enrich our understanding of the natural world. 

FAQs on Bird Mating

Do birds penetrate when they mate?  Yes, birds engage in copulation during mating, where the male inserts his cloaca (the reproductive opening) into the female's cloaca for sperm transfer.  Do birds have to mate for each egg laid? No, birds typically mate to fertilize a clutch of eggs, but not necessarily for each individual egg laid within that clutch. How do birds get birds pregnant? Birds don't become "pregnant" in the same way mammals do. Instead, fertilization occurs internally during copulation, and the female lays fertilized eggs. How do birds act when they want to mate? Birds display courtship behaviors, including singing, dancing, and colorful displays, to signal their readiness to mate and attract potential partners.  How do birds seduce each other? Birds "seduce" through courtship rituals, using their unique displays, songs, and behaviors to entice and impress potential mates. What are signs of birds mating? Signs of bird mating include increased courtship activities, mutual preening, copulation, nest-building, and the presence of eggs in the nest. Read the full article

#Dobirdshavetomateforeachegglaid? #Dobirdspenetratewhentheymate? #howdobirdsmate

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Room 278, St. Joseph Hospital

If you would have asked Mac a few months ago, he would have told you he was 82 years young. Aside from the occasional common cold or flu and the run-of-the-mill case of the chicken pox back when he was a kid, he felt fine all the time. Although he had retired a while ago, Mac still took commissions for carpentry out of his garage. He and the wife had somewhat successfully raised two kids, who went on to give them grandkids. None of their offspring had changed the world or become billionaires by any stretch but they didn’t end up in jail either and that’s really all you’re aiming for as a parent. You just try not to screw them up too much and get them out of the house and on their own. Just this last Christmas, Mac was watching his grandkids and thinking about how excited he was to watch them grow up and everyone assumed he would get to do that. He was fit as a fiddle, as the old adage goes.

That was then though. Today, from Room 278 of St. Joseph Hospital, the reality was a bit more grim. Over the past few days, his family had come by for a last goodbye, all of them trying to put on a brave face but failing. Tonight, Mac was alone, his wife sleeping in the waiting area after not leaving his side for months through the test that turned up a strange growth to the radiation to the surgeries to now. She’s earned a nap.

Mac tried to look down at his body lying in the hospital bed but all that he could make out in the dark room was the tubes and wires that prodded and attached all over, turning him into a marionette of sorts. The only noises in the room were the hum, clicks, and beeps of all the machines on the other end of those strings that were now externalizing the functions his body had, until recently, done automatically his whole life. Like a lot of things in life, you really didn’t appreciate all the things that you have, like the ability to breathe on your own, until it was gone.

As Mac stared down at his unfamiliar form, he tried to retrace his path here. ‘How did this happen?’ his mind would chime. ‘Why don’t I get better?’. Macs body seemed far away and his mind struggled to place itself in it. Mac could still understand the world around him. He could still feel and comprehend and this was by far the worst part of the whole affair, he figured. His mind felt trapped in a body that felt alien, a body that had failed him. If he could, his brain would jump out of that hospital window, down some sheets tied together like he saw in the old cartoons his kids watched on Saturday mornings and flee. If it could, he’d just go back home. Back to his garage to fix something with new hands if he had to. Right now, his hands couldn’t even fix themselves. They had become useless to him.

The strength it took to hold up his head had become too much, so Mac rested it back on the mound of pillows he’d been brought over the last few weeks. The oxygen tube in his nose started to itch but he just tried to ignore it like he was trying to ignore the slow dull ache that was his whole torso. Mac had worked on the line for 45 years before the plant was shipped overseas and the CEO made off with their 401k’s, so he was used to being sore in more ways than one. He’d come home all the time unable to turn his neck to the left or with tiny cuts and burns in strange spots. He usually took it in stride but this pain here in this bed wasn’t something you could take an Aspirin and a nap to take the edge off of. It was a pain that was new and scared him if he’s felt like being honest. At 82, new things are almost never good things.

Laying there, staring at the ceiling and listening to his blood begrudgingly pump, Mac tried not to think about dying. Unfortunately, trying not to think about a certain thing almost always results in only thinking about the thing you don’t want to think about. So, though he tried to resist it, his thoughts turned to his end. Even laying here struggling to take each new breath, he still worried about bills. He didn’t have much in the way of life insurance so his wife would most likely have to sell the house. The next chance he got he would write down how much she should sell his tools for so she wasn’t ripped off. He hoped one of his kids, maybe all of them even, would find a place for her. He assumed they had already had that conversation amongst themselves out of earshot so they wouldn’t worry him. Yet here he was worrying anyway.

Mac again tried to shake these kinds of thoughts from his mind. After all, there was nothing he could do about it now. His gaze wandered over to the flowers on his bedside. They were also dying and also couldn’t help it. Mac didn’t have many friends but the ones he did have he’s had for a long time and they had all sent store-bought cards wishing him well. He felt like he had let them all down for some reason. He had been there for them since childhood and them for him. Now what would they do without him?, he wondered but he knew the answer to that already. They’d keep doing what they had been doing with him which wasn’t much.

One friend, Charlie, he had been friends with since his childhood, when they both just happened to live next door to each other. That’s all it really takes as a kid to make friends, proximity. He simply saw a kid in the next yard who also happened to like comic books and now here they were a few decades later, sending get well soon cards to each other. Back then, Charlie wanted to be a race car driver and Mac wanted to play ball when they got older but Charlie was far too nearsighted and an accident in his teenage years put some shrapnel in Macs’ shoulder that ruined any chance of him stepping into a bullpen. They both ended up on the line and kept close. Funny how quickly you can adapt.

Macs train of thought was interrupted by a coughing fit that lasted almost a minute. As he tried to catch his breath, a nurse came in and fiddled with his oxygen tank before wiping the blood that was dribbling down his chin off. While she was in his room, she checked his blood pressure and took down all the measurements from the machines Macs strings were attached to on the clipboard hanging from the foot of his bed without a word. Once she had done her rounds, she smiled left as quietly as she had come. This behavior bothered Mac before but now he understood. Before, he would pester her with questions about his condition but now he understood, there was just nothing to say or answer she would have that would assure him. So he just laid there and tried not to look as embarrassed as he felt.

That was by far the worst part of being sick as far as he was concerned. It made him feel useless. He was a burden and it was humiliating. He could feel something inside of him wasn’t working and he wished he could just reach in and fix it like everything else he came across in life. But Mac wasn’t some house pipes or a piece of wood. Even cars end up in the junkyard eventually, he mused. I guess that’s where I’m headed now too. But he knew that wasn’t true. He was headed to a furnace and then he would be scattered to the winds and forgotten like almost everyone who came before. Once that thought took hold, it was impossible to shake and Mac silently cried.

Mac wanted to stay awake but his eyes had become so heavy. He wanted to stay awake long enough to call his wife in and say goodbye or long enough to see the sun again. He wanted to talk to Charlie about comics or head to the corner store for baseball cards with him. He wanted another chance to step up to the mound, bad shoulder and all. He wished he could rip these tubes out of him, cut these strings and run out of the cold hospital and into the fresh winter air. He just wanted to keep his eyes open. Maybe for a second, he thought, Maybe one more second.

The next day, the sun rose, the stores opened, people were stuck in traffic, birds started their flight south and in Room 278 in the St. Joseph Hospital, fresh sheets were brought in and the room was made ready for the next patient.

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This story is the next installment in a series of shorts called Small Moments, about the slices of time in life that seem quiet but are anything but.

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