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ridley-was-a-cat · 1 year

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Winter 2023 Anime Roundup

Anime of the Season – Tsurune S2

I hadn’t watched season one, so I did not plan to watch this show this season, but all the gorgeous screenshots and gifs on Tumblr got to me, and I watched the entire series during the last week of the season. Hilarious, honestly, that the show I wasn’t even going to pick up ended up being my favorite of the season.

As good as the first season was, this was an upgrade on pretty much every front. All of the intersecting relationships between the characters at different schools made for more interesting and more grounded drama than the previous season. The art and animation both absolutely sparkled, and the sound design made you feel like you were watching in person. In particular, the spat between the two cousins/best friends on the team made for one of my favorite episodes this season. Something about how realistic their disagreement was, pushing each others’ buttons like only lifelong friends can do, and the way they resolved it by tiring themselves out in a tense archery duel that ended with a fit of the giggles, just thoroughly charmed me. I adored all of these characters, and I hope we’ll see more from the franchise. 9/10

First Runner-Up – Tomo-chan Is a Girl!

I had my doubts about this early in the series, with all the boob jokes and efforts to make Tomo girlier, but they were all gone by the end. It was just a solid romcom about a loveable group of lunatics that actively affirmed that Tomo was perfect the way she was. 8/10

Second Runner-Up – Buddy Daddies

The hitman content was not as good as the stuff about two single men in their twenties suddenly grappling with the minutia of parenting a five-year-old girl, but I was entertained week after week, and thought they did a good job sticking the landing. 8/10

IDOLiSH7 Third BEAT! Part 2 – Idol shows have a reputation for being harmless vehicles for hot guys/girls, but wherever that idea came from, it absolutely does not apply to this show, which repeatedly punched me in the gut and made me feel. Ryu is a top-ten hateable villain, for sure. 8/10

Play It Cool, Guys – I believe this was pretty popular in Japan, as it’s also getting a live-action drama, so I hope that means we can look forward to more relaxing, lightly amusing shows about cute guys doing cute things in the future. I just really enjoyed watching a handful of fairly normal dudes bumble around. 8/10

Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro S2 – As much as this series is a comedy first and foremost, I just really love the relationship between Nagatoro and Senpai. Their dynamic is so playful, and they have great chemistry along with a genuine friendship. 8/10

The Vampire Dies in No Time S2 – Season 1 was a little uneven with the jokes, but this season was consistently funny, episode after episode. The character interactions hit better once you’re more acquainted with everyone, and the silly situations were just better this time around. 8/10

In/Spectre S2 – The end of season one dragged quite a bit with the Steel Lady Nanase arc, but this series was made up entirely of shorter, three-episode arcs that made the best use of the medium and the characters. Kotoko is the tiny, thirsty queen we need in these troubled times. 7/10

“Ippon” Again! – For years now, I’ve been wanting a serious girls sports anime that wasn’t an anodyne cute girls doing cute things show, and this pretty much gave me what I was looking for. The judo matches had a nice level of tension and excitement to them, and the girls were free to get intense, work hard, and not look particularly pretty while doing it. 7/10

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale – This sat at the top of the chart for me this season, until the final episode had me ready to take my earrings out and square up. The infuriating story decision isn’t necessarily irredeemable, so I will watch part two this summer to see what they do, but my expectations are low. 7/10

The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague – This was more of a vibe than it was a story, but I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of a bunch of yokai who are otherwise bog-basic office workers interacting with their human coworkers. 7/10

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun S3 – My love for Iruma and all his friends knows no bounds, and I’m really hoping for a season four, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say the harvest festival arc felt really padded and dragged out in this season. 7/10

My Hero Academia S6 – This season had some pretty epic fights and story developments, including a resolution of sorts for Todoroki’s family situation and a boiling point for Deku’s self-destructive selflessness, but it was a little uncomfortable to watch the angry citizens portrayed as ingrates. It had a whiff of “Blue Lives Matter” to it. 7/10

Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari – In many ways, this is just a basic off-brand action shounen with a blunt main character taking his anger out on everyone he fights on a quest for revenge, but I think the female lead and her retinue of tsukumogami adds enough novelty to keep things interesting. I look forward to watching part two. 7/10

Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte – I enjoyed the unusual approach to otome isekai in this, where two players in the real world became connected to the characters inside the game, who heard their voices as though the gods were speaking to them. It was nice to get a full adaptation of the source with multiple ships setting sail, but it started stronger than it finished. 7/10

Handyman Saitou in Another World – With the exception of two poorly paced episodes in the middle of the season that centered on a hideously animated monster in a group battle in the dungeon, this was a highly entertaining and refreshing take on isekai, with a cast of loveable characters. 7/10

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV Part 2 – If you stripped out all of the titty harem business, or just focused on building a genuine romantic connection with Ryu, this would shoot to the top of my favorite action/adventures. All of the dungeon exploration and fighting is just fantastic, with high stakes that get your blood pumping. 7/10

UniteUp! – It was feast or famine with this show. The first episode was straight up the best premiere I watched, and there were several excellent episodes where characters struggled with their families or with adjusting to working as an idol, but there were multiple production delays, some of the voice acting was fairly wooden, and there were several episodes that were merely okay. I wanted more Kacchan content! 7/10

Revenger – I can’t really argue with the people pegging this as an edgy revenge story, but I thought the main character had an interesting internal conflict, the fights were creative, and the guys were all easy on the eyes. 7/10

Kaina of the Great Snow Sea – The 3D CG animation wasn’t fantastic, and the second half that focused on a war between two remaining kingdoms was a little blah, but the setting was imaginative, the backgrounds were gorgeous, and the two leads had great chemistry. 7/10

The Fire Hunter – On the one hand, I really love the world building and all the intersecting plots going on in this post-apocalyptic fantasy. On the other hand, a number of questionable artistic choices mingle with straight up sloppy work to make the visual presentation an extremely mixed bag. 7/10

By the Grace of the Gods S2 – This is one of those shows that I can’t quite bring myself to call “good”, because the animation and art are just meh and the story is barely a story, but the vibe is so chill and the characters are so nice that watching it every week felt healing. 6/10

Giant Beasts of Ars – This is one of those fantasy shows that entertained me while I was was watching it, but I will likely never think about again. It had some creative world building, I enjoyed the adventuring party that formed around the main characters, and the voice acting was solid. 6/10

Ningen Fushin: Adventurers Who Don’t Believe in Humanity Will Save the World – If they didn’t decide to tie one of the main characters’ backstories to a false accusation of sexual abuse by a spiteful child, I would have enjoyed this fantasy adventure series about a party united by their histories of being betrayed by those they trusted a lot more. 6/10

Trigun Stampede – Having enjoyed the original anime and everything else this studio has done, I expected to enjoy this. While I didn’t hate it, something about the story and characters just didn’t click with me, and I didn’t like how they animated the characters’ faces when they were talking. 6/10

Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement – I am sort of in awe of the author’s sheer audacity in taking the colonialist power fantasy subtext of modern isekai and making it bright, glowing, neon text. Not a good show, but an entertaining one. 6/10

The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady – I really wanted to love this one, but I thought the writing was a bit of a mess with inconsistent characterization, elements introduced then quickly forgotten about, and a underdeveloped romance that felt unearned. 6/10

#anime #winter anime 2023 #tsurune #tomo-chan is a girl!#buddy daddies #Idolish7 #Play It Cool Guys #Sugar Apple Fairy Tale #don't toy with me miss nagatoro #the vampire dies in no time #in/spectre #mou ippon #anime 2023

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demonfox38 · 6 months

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Completed: Quest: Brian's Journey

Question: have you ever unironically loved something a majority of people consider awful?

Like, I don't mean a shitty person. I’m talking crappy media. LIke, is there at least one movie that was featured on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" or "Rifftrax" that you would watch without jokes? Do you have any cheap sci-fi novels or trashy paperback novels that are falling apart from how often you've re-read them? Have you ever seen a kid's show that was clearly just a ploy for marketing toys and loved it regardless?

I'm bringing this up because, in order to talk about "Quest: Brian's Journey," I'm going to have to talk about "Quest 64." Like, what I find genuinely special about that game, and why I consider this game's existence a miracle.

If you can't understand loving garbage, you're not going to get anything else out of this evaluation.

"Quest: Brian's Journey" is a 2000 Gameboy Color RPG that takes the root function and plot of the Nintendo 64 game "Quest 64" and "demakes" it for the lower-powered hardware. In some fashion, it could be considered a sibling to titles like the GameBoy version of "Metal Gear Solid," "Resident Evil Gaiden," and "Perfect Dark." Those titles were at least associated with games from the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 era that people generally considered good. The predecessor for "Quest: Brian's Journey," on the other hand…

Look. I know why "Quest 64" is bagged on. In an era bursting at the seams with FMV cutscenes, nascent voice acting, and long, complex storylines, "Quest 64" is downright rudimentary. Would it have done okay, had it been released at the beginning of the Nintendo 64's life? Maybe. But, in 1998? In the era of Squaresoft's indominable reign in the west? It was—and to some extent remains—a joke. Doubly so after more successful Nintendo 64 releases (particularly the big gun "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time", released only a handful of months later.)

Would it have been nice to have some level of cutscenes and puppetry in "Quest 64"? Absolutely. Maybe something more than a text crawl for an ending? Duh! "Quest 64" is a game released in a beta state, desperately needing at least six months of polish before it should have been dropped on the planet. But, for all its perceived flaws, I don't hate "Quest 64." In fact, I very much enjoy it! The game is lively, colorful, pleasantly varied in character and enemy design, and relaxing to play. For me, it scratches the same itch as archery or pool. It's a game that values positioning, accuracy, and exploration. All good stuff! Drop on top of that a leveling system that augments stats based on your actions and enemy reactions, and grinding suddenly becomes both rewarding and addicting. Like, no matter how you screw up, at least you'll be making progress.

Despite liking "Quest 64," it took me a long time to hear of its follow up games. (Yes, that's right, games. But one is just a "Dig Dug" kind of clone, so don't get too excited.) Like, I only heard about "Quest: Brian's Journey" a few years ago when it was featured in an RPG Limit Break race. I'm still baffled it took me almost 20 years to hear about it. Like, hell. Am I really that much out of the loop, or was there just nothing in terms of marketing for this game? I mean, I'd believe that, but I still feel weird for being so clueless as to its existence. Talk about totally missing your audience.

I suppose when your audience is one of out a million people, someone's going to slip through the cracks.

Despite being a rudimentary port, "Quest: Brian's Journey"'s plot ends up being more complex than its predecessor. The beats are mostly the same, with the hero leaving his monastery home to pursue his father across his Celtic-inspired homeland, acquiring magical stones and driving off monsters and demons in the process. However, more effort has been put into illustrating each plot point, clearly and precisely spelling out or expanding each beat of the story like…I don't know. A real video game! Additional boss fights are also present, giving a little bit of an extra surprise to players of the first game. Granted, it's not the most complex adventure in the world, but it gives way more personality and explanation to characters than before. Like, I can better understand Colleen's hatred for the pirate Kiliac, and Leonardo's whole deal makes way more sense.

Also, the fate of Brian's father is 100% not missable this time! So, hooray for clarity! Could have done without the bit where a 14-year-old princess is being forced into matchmaking, though. That's just weird and creepy.

Most of the environments from the previous game are here, minus Glencoe Forest. (Like, I can see where it roughly was, but it's just tiles instead of its own area.) While not a one-to-one map recreation from the previous game, it's parsable enough to know what is what. Most of the difficulty navigating them is due to the maze-like structure of most environments. Granted, missing treasures is not that big of a deal. The game is very generous with item drops in battles, and you'll easily max out your spirit statistics before you find them all in game.

It's wild how easy it is to overclock Brian in this game. Like, it's mostly the same leveling system as before, taking into account a player's actions and suffered damage to augment health, MP, evasion, defense, and the aforementioned spirit pool. In "Quest 64", it would take days to fully max out your statistics, with players often finishing their game at 40-43 spirits per element out of the max of 50. Here? It all accumulates way faster. Like, I easily hit the 50 max spirits per element before reaching Brannoch Castle (the penultimate dungeon), and I was able to max out HP just casually goofing around after beating the game. The only stat that was a pain in the ass (literally) to level up was defense, and even that is easy to push up to at least 70.

The battle system is intuitive, especially for people who have played the previous game. It's just A to whack with a stick, B to line up spells, and Start to use items. About the only curveball here is the way you learn spells. Previously, "Quest 64" only cared about a single element's level before granting you spells. "Quest: Brian's Journey" wants the player to be more balanced with their element spread, requiring certain levels in each element to grant the player a spell. For example, the first healing spell used to be granted at a Water level of 6. Now, it requires a split between two or three levels between Water and Earth. Not exactly the worst trick, considering how a skilled "Quest" aficionado is already dumping stats into those elements first, but it's good to know about.

Honestly, all of the elements are balanced much better in this game. Like, I watched a Wind Cutter 3 easily dump 200+ damage into a boss, killing it off in two turns. Absolute improvement!

In terms of enemy design and placement, it's mostly as previously experienced. Like, there are some augments, like how fast Merrows can be. But, again, if you know the first game, you've got this one. The only real bastard here is King Beigus, who can easily drop 150-180 HP if he wants. Otherwise, it's very manageable. Possibly, abusable, if you know how to play around spell area limitations!

Something's not quite right with the top-down perspective. Like, I appreciate a column-based spell hitting as high as it does, but it wouldn't look right in 3D. Imagine a geyser of water shooting 6 feet to the right instead of 6 feet vertically, and you'll get what I mean.

The translation for this game is off as well. Some enemy names and spells are mistranslated (most notable "Vanpire's Touch," which was correctly translated as "Vampire's Touch" previously.) I suppose having different companies publishing this series will have details like that slip through the cracks. THQ, Konami, Sunsoft—what a weird mix! Any port in a storm, huh, Imagineer?

I'm honestly surprised that this series' developing company is still around, as of 2023. "Medabot" money is strong, I guess!

Aesthetically, the game looks and sounds like what a competent Nintendo 64 to GameBoy Color port would be. Even acknowledging the limitations there, I do think it is a little visually disappointing. A lot of the spritework is small, so some character and monster details are lost to the compression. It's also limited palette-wise, leaving the previously vibrant environment and characters mostly some shade of cream or brown. I've got no complaints for the musical composition, though. Like, yeah, there's still a natural limit being hit. But, it went from a mid-tier midi arrangement to a competent square-wave arrangement with every tune still being recognizable, so I can't bitch about that! Very pleasant.

If you found "Quest 64" to be an enjoyable experience, "Quest: Brian's Journey" is a natural and easy recommendation to make. Granted, that's like saying, "If you enjoy making taxidermy arrangements using the corpses of squirrels, you'll find doing the same with mice to be equally enjoyable!" At least, to some people. I suspect there is an overlap between players who liked this game and would like the NES games "The Magic of Scheherazade" or "Faria: A World of Mystery and Danger," but again, I may be speaking in tongues.

Do you want an old fantasy game with an easy and quirky battle system that lasts about 10 hours? If so, here you go! Enjoy getting into mouse taxidermy.

I mean, there are worse ways to develop your skills.

#post game evaluation #quest: brian's journey

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spectres-fulcrum · 4 months

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But no, about my deep dive into the wayback machine. There’s been this whole ado lately about misogynistic men saying “female fans mostly aren’t real fans” and “those who like Disney era SW just want a strong female lead.” And it’s kraytspit, of course. But it also gets me thinking about how I’ve lived and breathed Star Wars since I was 7.

How Mom started me with Episode I and I just asked “where is Darth Vader” so we actually started with IV and it’s funny that in the end I liked the prequels more. My sister worked at Burger King and got all the kids meal Episode 3 toys for us and I spent hours playing with them and rearranging them on the shelf and I still won’t let them be thrown away.

How mom read Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest to me. The way we stumbled across Secrets of the Jedi at my aunt’s local library and it felt like discovering treasure and we had to read the entire book before our vacation ended. Finding favorites in the series and checking them out over and over to read on my own-school library, local library. Mom read me Junior Jedi Knights and I met Han and Leia’s son for the first time. Grew up a bit, read Young Jedi Knights on my own. Remember reading the Emperor’s Plague while my girl scout troop was on an archery field trip. Checked out the Episode I visual Dictionary from my local library a hundred times. And Amidala’s Journal.

I grew up watching the OG Clone Wars. One of the first video games I owned was the Episode III plug in and play game. I had it in 2nd grade when I got the flu and my dad and I played it a ton. My friend would come over just to play it and I resorted to hiding it in my closet.

Went to SW.com a lot. I remembering playing the coloring book, a picture of Padme in the meadow in AotC. The Who Said It was my mine and my mom’s thing. There was a section of question and answers on every movie and I loved it so much. Leia’s wookieepedia page was the first wookieepedia page I ever read and I was so amazed by how detailed it was.

I remember giggling too loudly at Rotta the huttling when I was ten and he was so tiny and cute for a huttling in the movie theater. The Clone wars was my preteens-stupid hatred for Satine, cute butterflies for Luxsoka, etc.

I remember QuizUp being The Thing in early high school and living in the Star Wars category cause where else would I be?

And then, it all stopped. The old EU was no longer canon and so much of what I grew up with I held my breath to see. What it would trample over. I still don’t think I’ve read anything with the Solo kids-the real Solo kids- since then. Maybe very early on. Not since TFA for sure. Meanwhile I can’t bring myself to read new Jedi Apprentice era stuff. Like it’s odd.

Off topic. But point is. That’s not getting into the fandom side of things. Point is. I’ve lived and breathed this series since I was seven. I grew up on it. If some dude ever claimed I wasn’t a real fan I’d laugh in their faces. But no one should be accused of it simple because of their gender. And cause it’s being thrown about I’ve been thinking about my roots a lot.

I think the real point of this tho is I’ve always been a books and cartoons>movies Star Wars girlie.

#bre rambles #my love for star wars #good memories

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theheartbrokensystem · 10 months

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💔Alter post💔

Meet the alters of the 'Heartbroken system, or 💔 sys for short. (We'll update this as time goes on, doubles are also welcome to interact with us.)

Troy, He/They, NB Bisexual, 20

Source: "Not comfortable telling you where I'm from." - Troy

Role(s): Trauma holder, Protector, Caretaker, Main host

Likes: Reading, being alone (sometimes), sleeping, experiments, and making gadgets

Dislikes: Assholes and receiving physical touch w/o permission

Interests: Science, stuffed animals, video games, reading, and macabre things

Sign on/off or when talking w/o Pluralkit: ⚛️

BYI:

My social battery is low, but I'll try my best to talk whenever I can.

Apologies if responses sound dry, I speak in a blunt manner.

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June "Sweetheart" Angelic, Any + Bun/Buns/Bunself, 11

Source: An oc created by Joey

Role(s): Little, Protector

Likes: My friends/family, toys, coloring, spaghetti, the color pink, toys, and video games

Dislikes: Long eye contact (depending on who it is), being yelled at, loud noises, jerks, creepy people, and being underestimated

BYI:

Like Chara, I'm also a little! Don't be mean to me or I'll kick your shit in.

I'm very silly, very chatty, but I do swear sometimes.

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Mac, He/They, NB Queer, 22

Source: "Not comfortable saying it." - Mac

Role(s): Trauma holder, Protector, Organizer

Likes: Messing with Troy, the color red, keeping myself busy, dark places, peace and quiet

Dislikes: Assholes, time wasters, bright places

Interests: True crime, technology, video essays, video games

Sign on/off or when talking w/o Pluralkit: ⚙️

BYI:

My voice tends to sound raspy/robotic, so I use a phone to communicate.

Like Troy, I also speak in a blunt manner; I hope you understand.

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Clyde "Cyclops" Von Volger, He/They, NB Queer, 34

Source: LISA: The Hopeful

Role(s): Trauma holder, Protector

Taken by Liam and Benny <3

Sign on/off or when talking w/o Pluralkit: ❤️

Likes: Video games, napping, and men <3

Dislikes: Assholes

Interests: I go along with what my bfs are interested in :)

Note: I am detached from my source, as the creator wrote me off a racist stereotype. Gross.

BYI:

I make sex jokes, but if you're a minor I won't make sex jokes around you.

I'm Hypersexual, so I tend to be uncomfy with sexual stuff sometimes, depending on how I feel at the moment.

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Sindy Gallows, He/They, NB Bisexual, 36

Source: LISA: The Joyful

Role(s): Co-host, Trauma holder, Guardian

Likes: Sleeping whenever I can, that's it.

Dislikes: Assholes

Interests: Knitting, archery, and writing stories

Sign on/off: 💚

BYI:

I'm slow to anger, don't push my buttons thanks.

I make self-deprecating jokes or not alive myself jokes to cope with my Depression.

I'm patient towards people with speaking issues, such as stutters. I won't make fun of you, take your time.

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Chara Dreemurr, They/It only, Nonbinary, 13

Source: Undertale

Role(s): Little

Likes: Flowers, toys, coloring, chocolate, playing outside, reading, and rainbows

Dislikes: Jerks and white chocolate

Interests: Playing with toys, stuffed animals, and the outdoors

Sign on/off: 🍫

BYI:

I'm a minor, don't act weird around me. I'm also semi-verbal, I don't talk much.

If you misgender me, Frisk, and Kris or don't wanna refer to our pronouns which is They/Them only. I don't like you, sorry.

If you portray me as a "heartless monster who only wants to destroy humanity", I'm literally a traumatized child that's mean. :(

I'm squeamish when people touch me without asking, ask me first.

Any Asriels can interact, hi Azzy! :D

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Sans The Skeleton, He/She, Genderfluid Gay, 26

Source: Undertale

Role(s): Trauma holder, Guardian

Likes: Making friends, jokes, food, and sleeping

Interests: Reading and comedy

Dislikes: Jerks

Sign on/off: 💀

BYI:

Unlike my source, I ain't that good at makin' puns. Like that Sindy guy, I'm slow to anger too.

Papyrus's alters are cool, hi Pap.

Any of those AUs versions of me are allowed to talk to us, I'd like to meet ya too.

If you ship me with my lil bro, don't talk to me.

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Fluffy, She/Her, Ageless

Source: A irl plushie we've had since childhood

Role(s): Comfort

Likes: Making friends and cuddling

Dislikes: Meanies

Sign on/off: 💌

BYI:

Fluffy is just a lil baby, don't be mean.

Doesn't understand other languages, but can understand simple phrases and sentences.

Says "Ba", "Bwa", or "Baba" a lot.

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Rantaro Amami, He/They, NB Queer, 25

Source: Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

Role(s): Caretaker

Likes: Making friends, taking care of kids, and goofing off

Dislikes: Jerks

Interests: Gardening and traveling

Sign on/off: 🌻

BYI:

Don't be mean to me or I'll be mean back, that's it.

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("My form is beyond your comprehension." - KO)

KO [Pronounced "Kay-O"], Eldritch being, He/It, He's old

Full name: Koulk Ovruthroxz [Pronounced "Colk Over-ruth-ox"]

Source: Brainmade

Role(s): Prosecutor

Likes: Knives, death, and dark stories

Dislikes: Assholes

Interests: Morbid things

Sign on/off: 🔪

BYI:

Don't be a dickhead, that's it.

I am unhinged to a degree. If you can't handle that then leave me alone.

I like morbid things like death. If that upsets you, then I won't discuss it around you.

Despite my prosecutor role, I'm chill but still learning right from wrong.

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Ermac, They/He, Nonbinary, 38

Species: Edenian

Source: The Mortal Kombat series

Role(s): Protector, Guardian, Observer

Likes: Tea, learning about new things, and watching over others

Dislikes: Annoying people Interests: Training our body, meditating, and reading

Sign on/off: 👻

BYI:

We don't speak, but we'll speak our mind only if we wish to.

Unlike our source, we're alive.

We speak in 1st person, as our source officially speaks like that.

We like to observe those around us; even if you don't see us, we see you.

We're not repulsed by the concepts of romance, we don't like it when others do it towards us forcefully.

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Garcello, He/Him only, Pansexual Trans guy, 25

Source: Smoke Em' Out Struggle (fnf mod)

Role(s): Comfort, Protector

Likes: Making friends and goofing off

Dislikes: Jerks and smoking

Interests: I'm unsure what my interests are, but I'd love to hear about yours.

Sign on/off: 🚭

BYI:

Don't be mean, okay?

I love hearing people infodump to me, talk away.

I can't find the words to say anything sometimes, please don't take that as me being rude.

---

Oleander, She/He/It, Dardowffin (Xenogender), 30

Species: Unicorn (I have an Anthro form too.)

Source: Them's Fightin' Herds

Role(s): Protector, Guardian, Organizer

Likes: Donuts, coffee, puppies, goth fashion, studying, nature, the dark, peace and quiet

Dislikes: Idiots, being underestimated, and close-mindedness

Interests: Magic stuff, the occult, the supernatural, learning and trying new things

BYI

I take things seriously, not in the mood for nonsense.

My tone may sound stern, but I try to be nice.

I'm brutally honest and sarcastic.

#long post #alter post

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grimhallow · 1 year

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My Poem 🌹I Am From🌹

By: Me

I am from books read at midnight, hidden under the covers, camping during the summer, from yummy food, cool art that is where I’m from.

I am from cats everywhere, playing with toys, getting into spooky things early on. I’m from a white house with a black roof, barely hiding the chaos inside. I’m from writing and sweets. That’s where I’m from.

I am from visits from my Mom and Dad, even my older brother. I’m from looking at the stars and fights I don’t even remember what caused them. I am from sleepless nights and energetic days. From cartoons and collecting stuff, that is where I’m from.

I am from taking risks, cold winters and hot summers. I’m from fun banter, great teacher’s, and rooting for certain villains. I am from a love of Greek mythology and organized chaos. From sports I don’t really care about. I’m from wanting to do boxing, fencing, archery, and wrestling. That is where I’m from.

I am from loving music, and dancing when I want. I’m from loving and admiring the world around me. I’m from loving my friends, cheerleading, killing plants, and loving fantasy. I’m from being clingy, disfocused, anger problems. I’m from eating everything or not eating enough. I’m from forgetting to drink water or anything on a daily basis. I’m from taking pills to help me eat, sleep, and focus. I’m from loving animals, and silly stuff, and Chinese takeout. I’m from reading quotes, and mac and cheese, and hot chocolate. That is where I’m from.

I am from walks in the cemetery. I am from loving fashion and dressing up. I am from being dropped, shaking pompoms, and sleepovers with a certain friend. I am from Halloween, spinning chairs, and doctor appointments. I am from itchy casts and sitting on decks. I’m from being in high spaces and climbing rockwalls, that is where I’m from.

I am from scary stories and tons of stuffed animals. I’m from wanting to ride a limo and liking boys until I didn’t like just boys. I’m from an early first kiss and doodles galore. That is where I’m from.

I am from PRIDE and singing along to the radio. I’m from wanting fantasy creatures to be real. I’m from bow and arrows, Disney movies, and loving the movie Brave. I’m from independent woman. I’m from having social problems. I’m from acting like an animal, first a dog, then a cat. I’m from running into things and being clumsy. That is where I’m from.

#poem #passion #feeling #short #please like this #I made this #MEE!!!#poems

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theotherhawk · 2 years

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Domesticity meme: Hawkeye squared

Domesticity Memes

Put a ship in my ask box and I’ll tell you:

big spoon/little spoon: It depends. Majority of the time, just due to their size difference, Kate is the little spoon and Clint is the big spoon. However when Clint is in a low or really just needs to be held? Kate is the big spoon and makes it her personal mission to squeeze every bit of love she feels for him into every hug...she's also really prone to playing with his hair when she is the big spoon.

favorite non-sexual activity: Archery, taking Lucky to the park, random adventures, seeing who can pick the "cheesier" horror movie for movie night

who uses all the hot water: Kate is 100% guilty of this

most trivial thing they fight over: Whose turn it is to bath the dog or household chores

who does most of the cleaning: Usually Kate although she is slowly "domesticating" Clint--he no longer thinks letting Lucky lick the plates counts as doing the dishes.

what has a season pass on their dvr/who controls the netflix queue: Dog Cops. Other than that, they aren't really into any specific shows. Usually they'll do a movie marathon with front-runners being Star Wars or horror movies (the cheesier, the better)

who calls up the super/landlord when the heat’s not working: Clint is the landlord so...Kate will just kick him out of bed until he gets it fixed.

who steals the blankets: Lucky, Kate is a human heater so she really doesn't steal the blankets. If the dog manages to get them, Clint will just curl in to Kate and steal her body heat...plus she has "built in pillows" so it's a win-win.

who leaves their stuff around: All of them. Clint is notorious for leaving dirty clothes (especially socks) around, Kate it is usually her products in the bathroom and Lucky has toys EVERYWHERE

who remembers to buy the milk: Kate

who remembers anniversaries: Surprisingly, Clint. He is making a serious effort with their relationship so all important dates are saved in his phone with several reminders.

Who cooks normally?: To save them from constant visits from the fire dept, Kate cooks normally. She is slowly teaching Clint.

How often do they fight?: Sparring? Periodically. Actual fighting? Pretty rarely. Neither are great with emotions or talking it out but they're learning and they communicate pretty well when something is bothering them.

What do they do when they’re away from each other? Depends on the reason. If it is something domestic like one of them is gone to the grocery store? They'll text the other pretty much constant to remember to pick up snacks. If it is due to a mission? Clint often has to go radio silent. Kate worries immensely.

Nicknames for each other?: Hawkeye, Doof (Kate to Clint), Doofette (Clint to Kate), Katie-Kate. They're really not much into babe, honey, dear, etc.

Who is more likely to pay for dinner?: They trade it off. Clint pays and then Kate pays.

Who steals the covers at night?: The dog.

What would they get each other for gifts?: Gag gifts are big. They love collecting little trinkets from their adventures (ie-fridge magnets). Clint might come home with fresh strawberries for Kate, she is likely to come home with coffee and donuts for him.

Who kissed who first?: Kate kissed Clint first Who made the first move? Kate. Clint was too busy being oblivious

Who remembers things? Depends on the things that need to be remembered.

Who started the relationship?: They kind of just came to a mutual agreement that they were gonna give it a go instead of being afraid of it.

Who cusses more? Clint. In several languages. And ASL.

What would they do if the other was hurt? They'd take care of each other, treat each others wounds...and then go after whoever hurt the other.

#pizzadogssidekick

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moony-artnstuff · 3 years

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Matchup Commission @yunohawkeye

Note: @yunohawkeye it's finally here! Thank you so much for your patience, I know you had to wait very long for this, but I hope it is to your liking!

Warning: This matchup contains nsfw, don't like, don't read!

Lord of the Rings: I ship you with Legolas!

The height difference is adorable.

He loves your hair, and he’s surprised when you tell him how you actually want it because that’s not something you really see in Middle-Earth, least of all his own culture. Still he’d be happy to help you find the supplies you need for cutting and dying it the way you want it.

You like stealing his tunics, as they look like oversized t-shirts on you and they smell like him. The first time he saw you wearing his clothes he almost died from cuteness.

He loved how you were a bit shy when you first met and then gradually became more comfortable around him. He saw it as an achievement whenever you shared something new with him, and he loved getting to know you more.

He’s a curious ball of sunshine and when you get excited about something he gets excited about it too. He’s so supportive of the things you do and likes learning more about them. He’d also be really happy if you took an interest in his hobbies such as archery.

Legolas enjoys being with people (this is also expected of him because he’s a prince) but he also loves quiet moments with you. He’s happy you can entertain yourself when he has to do his duties as prince of Greenwood the great, as he wouldn’t want you to be bored or lonely while he’s away.

Don’t worry about shopping he will get you all the clothes you could ever wish for and he lets them tailor exactly to your size (benefit of being a prince). He quickly takes notice of your style and orders clothing accordingly.

This ellon is clingy as fuck and would love nothing more than to be in your presence at all times, so no worrying about that. He’s also extremely cuddly. Good luck trying to get to the bathroom at night, he won’t let you out of his grip.

He likes your random moments, as he has a lot of them himself. I imagine him as a kind of oddball amongst elves. The two of you keep each other on your toes, and you can often be found laughing about something the other said.

Legolas adores both your tomboyish personality as well as your tomboy looks. Legolas is a warrior and works with both ellons and elliths who are all badasses but all look quite feminine with their long hair and stuff, meaning your personality is familiar yet your looks are refreshing and he likes it.

Introduce him to video games, he’d be fascinated by them. I can totally see him getting fully absorbed in a fight scene, whether he is playing himself or encouraging you.

Loves to dance with you, he does it all the time. You’re relaxing on the sofa doing nothing in particular? Dancing. He sees you walking past in the halfway? Let’s twirl around together for a moment. He’s been away from you for some time and now finally gets to see you again? He picks you up and spins you around, so happy he is to see you again.

Like I said before, Legolas is a bit of an oddball amongst elves, so he would never judge you for being your weird and quirky self because really, he’s the same. It makes him so happy that you’re comfortable enough to be yourself around him, and it encourages him to do the same as well.

Legolas is a ray of sunshine and finds joy in almost everything in life, but he has seen dark things and lost loved ones as well. He is the perfect person to talk to when life is weighing you down or when you just want to talk about some heavier topics, as he knows what it feels like, while at the same time he’s also capable of making you smile again in mere seconds.

Your dark humor catches him off guard at first but he catches on quite quickly.

Legolas is all for having a good connection and good communication. He often talks with you about how he feels about something and asks your opinion. He also frequently compliments you and genuinely can’t understand how you can’t see how amazing you are. Will stubbornly continue with giving you compliments, all the while looking at you as if you are denying simple facts such as the sky is blue, because he means every word he says.

Teasing him will be a challenge as he can be quite the oblivious one (for example if you were to rile him up during the day with lingering touches and then play dumb he would get frustrated because he’d believe you’d genuinely didn’t know what you were doing when in reality you were teasing him), and he will probably take the things you say too literal (“Legolas, is that a banana in your pants or are you just happy to see me?” “Why would I have a banana in my pants?”). It’s best to just give him straightforward compliments when trying to flirt with him.

Legolas is a bottom. Like yeah, sure, he can take the lead if you want him to but he prefers to be the submissive one, and he loves the way you take the lead and how good you make him feel.

Just like with Thorin you’ll be introducing him to a whole new world regarding sex and toys. At first he’s a bit shy about the concept of dirty thoughts and talking about sex, but his curiousity and your openness to talk about it makes him more comfortable.

Loves it when you tie him up and have your way with him, especially when you peg and edge him.

You met at the counsel of lord Elrond where you volunteered to be part of the fellowship. Legolas was curious as to why a human woman would offer herself to such a task, and he started a conversation with you. He quickly came to like your company and often seeked out your company during the journey. You comforted each other after Gandalf’s death and while you are in Lothlorien he tells you about his home and the dangers it’s facing. He needs a bit of help from Aragorn and Gimli, but he eventually realizes he has feelings for you and he doesn’t hesitate to confess, because why would he? He loves you and wants to be with you, and if you feel the same then he wants to start courting immediately since your time together is already short with you being human and him being an elf.

The Hobbit: I ship you with Thorin!

He likes you being blunt. Thorin does not have the best social skills and though he is by no means stupid he can be a bit thickheaded sometimes. That’s why he likes that you’re not afraid to tell him how it is without beating around the bush.

Whenever you get bubbly or excited about something he gets this soft, fond smile while looking at you. He just thinks you’re so precious and he makes a mental note to often talk about your interests to see that spark in your eyes.

The teasing will get to him. God this dwarrow just can’t handle it, he might act all tough and stoic on the outside but he really is just one big softie on the inside who becomes a flustered mess the second you give him that look alone.

Just like you, Thorin is an introvert. He prefers to spend his time with close friends and family, such as the company and you. His favorite moments are spent with you, in your shared bedroom where you do your writing and he hums in front of the fire next to you, just enjoying each other’s presence.

You both tend to keep problems to yourself, so you help each other with opening up. It was a bit of a struggle in the beginning, with the both of you wanting to be there for each other but refusing to open up about your own problems. Slowly though, Thorin started to tell you about his past and the loss he felt when he lost his grandfather, his father and his brother in the war against the goblins. This made you open up about your feelings as well and the two of you learned to reach out to each other whenever something’s bothering you.

He’ll hold your hand when you have to be in a big crowd. As king and queen under the mountain it is expected of you to attend council meetings and grand parties alike, but Thorin always makes sure to stay close to you and offer you comfort until the two of you can retreat to your chambers again.

He loves your ‘randomness’, it refreshes him. He’s always been so focused on leading his people, reclaiming Erebor and then rebuilding it that he’s never really had any time for fun. You saying and doing random things gets him out of that cycle of endless responsibilities and to him it feels like a fresh breath of air.

Please play music with him! He feels a lot of pride in having such a talented and musical s/o. He would be so happy if you let him accompany you in your music with his harp.

Don’t worry about not having spotify or youtube in Middle-Earth, Thorin’s voice will definitely make up for it (we all heard him sing in Bag-end *chills*). He often hums to himself when doing a mundane task, and if you asked it of him he would be happy to sing for you.

He’s honored if you show him your writing.

Despite knowing you can handle yourself perfectly well he’s still very protective over you. He’s just so afraid to lose you, but he tries to tone it down for you as much as he can.

After the mountain is reclaimed he becomes much more loose and free spirited, he’ll be both your partner and your best friend for life

Although he can be a bit oblivious sometimes he makes an effort to see what your likes and dislikes are, for example your movie preferences, and he keeps them in mind when getting you gifts

Like I said before, you’ll have to help him with being open/vulnerable with you. It's not that he doesn’t trust you, he’s just not used to being vulnerable with someone, so he needs to take it slow. You’ll also have to teach him to stay calm and talk when the two of you have an argument. Thorin is used to leading his people and has always been put under a lot of pressure because of it, but you quickly showed him that getting angry and barking orders was not the way to handle a fight with you, and with time he becomes better and better at talking things out with you.

Your openness to sexual talk and constantly having dirty thought caught him off guard at first, as people usually don’t talk so easily about such concepts in Middle-Earth. He tends to get a bit bashful/shy when he hears you talk about it, but slowly becomes more comfortable to listen and maybe add some of his own thoughts.

Will sit you down and tell you in a very serious way that you are amazing when you turn down a compliment. For example, he’ll compliment you for your writing and you say something along the lines of “I’m really not that good, I’m actually quite bad at it.” and he’d just get this serious face and be like “Amrâlime, you are one of the most talented people I’ve met, don’t talk about yourself like that.” Que him starting a whole rant about how beautiful and amazing and skilled you are and genuinely not understanding how you can’t see it too. Thorin has never been good with words, but he sure as hell is going to make sure you know how amazing he thinks you are.

He’s never thought much about sex or having a spouse, untill you came along. He first imagined himself topping, but when the moment finally arrived and you took the lead, he did not mind at all (he’s a switch).

You’re gonna have so much fun tying him up in bed and edging him. He’s not one to beg, or even ask for something in general, so it’s gonna be delicious when he finally does break

You introduce him to a whole new world regarding sex and toys. Thorin loves to experience all kinds of things with you and eventually settles on his own preferences and dislikes. He likes it that you’re a dom, it makes him feel taken care of. Being able to be so intimate and vulnerable with you was something he never knew he needed.

You met when the company stopped in Rivendell, where the company found you playing the piano. You had heard about the arrival of the dwarves and started a conversation with them. Soon you hit it off with Fili, Kili and Nori (for some reason I imagine him liking sex jokes and also being open to nsfw talk) and before you knew it you were part of the company. At first Thorin was against letting you join them, as he didn’t understand what business you could have with dwarves trying to reclaim their homeland, but during the quest you became closer and closer with him, talking about what Erebor was like before Smaug took over and what life was like for him and his family when Thorin had to lead his people to the blue mountains. Eventually the two of you started courting and Thorin asked you to marry him after Erebor was reclaimed, making you queen under the mountain.

#commission #matchup #special matchup #legolas x reader #thorin x reader #the hobbit #the hobbit x reader #lord of the rings #lord of the rings x reader

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justanotherkincareblog · 3 years

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BoTW Link Self Care

botw zelda is one of my kins as well actually.,.,, Food!

Oh boy where do I start? I suppose by finding some links (hehe) to other posts about making botw food. -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYutF8qr7AY -https://culturess.com/2017/03/27/cooking-link-5-recipes-legend-zelda-breath-wild/

Any food you'd consider taking with you on an adventure such as bread, cheese, idk I'm thinkin real ghibli stuff here.

-APPLES!!!

Actions:

-Practice archery or sword techniques, maybe take lessons!!

-play with dogs or cats!

-Go for a walk in the woods with a toy sword idk it'd be fun

-This is kind of an odd one, but perhaps nature photography would help? Simulating taking pictures or using the Sheikah slate.

#breath of the wild #legend of zelda #zelda #legend of zelda breath of the wild #botw #botw kin #link kin #request #fictionkin

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strosmkai-rum · 3 years

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RECREATIONAL HEADCANONS

i hope you can envision the look of horror and appalment that crossed my face when i saw there was no. uh. content on this.

so naturally i had to make it. here i covered nords, khajiits, bretons, and strangely enough, dremora too.

nords.

- board games, like tafl and chess and backgammon.

- marbles! small, clay oven-baked marbles. little glass ones! maybe some made out of precious metals if you're like that.

- pottery. clay cups. pitchers and vases with legs. glazed urns painted to show scenes or gods or. the name of the person in it-

- wood carving!

- they’d carve amulets for loved ones, or little figures/toys for children. also, game pieces for chess and tafl.

- painting. a very valid art form and most commonly used to tell stories and legends. so. watercolors. pigments made from pressing flowers. and made into murals in your house. a little sewn together book for a child so they grow up with bedtime stories and tales and have a reference other than memory alone.

- cooking. a true nord knows how to make the best beef stew in town.

- boxing and wrestling. very competetive sports.

- children play tag and hide and seek.

- knot tying. i hc that most nords carry around a strip of leather/rope and tie and untie knots in them, partially to not forget and also as a timekiller/nervous habit.

- tarot card readings. the cards have celtic knotwork in gold leaf on the borders. talos worshippers have a talos card in their decks, along with the nordic pantheon. runes are inscribed on the cards. thank you @memaidraws for informing me of tarot cards and for my new obsession-

- debates. a sharp mind is just as important as a good sword arm. they're careful not to let it escalate into an argument, but a lot of quips and questions answered with questions. some get very heated though, v entertaining to watch. note: never bring up politics or religion.

- fishing. the lakes are usually pretty calm so you have a nice time and get a meal.

- darts. throwy and sharp.

- knowing how to take care of clothing, or weapons or armor is also very important. like. it's a basic thing to know how to take care of yourself and your stuff. anyways your big burly nord warrior can absolutely sew and stitch and haggle.

khajiits.

- grooming. self care and image is huge in their culture.

- so like. combing fur, trimming facial hair and whiskers.

- filing/buffing claws, and making sure they’re not overgrown or chipped.

- however. the only time you would show claws is if you're threatening someone, and it's a grave offense to show them. it means you're ready to fight, literally tooth and nail. never, and i mean never, show claws in someone else's home. you will be mauled.

- senches and alfiqs are more prone to ingrown claws. the best way to prevent that is for them to regularly sharpen their claws on trees or a scratching post. if the claw does become ingrown, a trusted friend or family member with hands can help have it trimmed down to size.

- swimming is kind of out of the question lmao (i mean. tigers love water but senche tigers and senches are kinda dif but whatever you want)

- i think that they’d be very social people. they spend a lot of time with friends and family and take gatherings and holidays very seriously.

- weaving. tapestries and rugs and stuff. if you catch a khajiit caravan, they have big and heavy and warm and vibrant colored tapestries depicting the moons and the mane and historical stuff.

- casual gift giving! small things, like something you picked up at the market if it reminded you of your loved one. it could be a charm for a chain, or a new sugar pipe, or some paint or a little carved comb.

- moon sugar. it's not a big deal for them, it's a normal food. but they might have a small pouch of it on them, for snacking and stuff.

- i kind of want to say wood carving, with their claws, but i don't think it works like that. plus the retractable claws, getting splinters or wood dust in there is, ugh.

breton.

- swimming and rock climbing. idk why.

- javelin throwing, archery, darts. ranged stuff, because throwing stuff is cool.

- card games like poker, karnöffel, and écarté. (oh god i know these are all from dif places and times but. please.)

- dice. it's a big deal what you bring to the table! bone carved, ebony, glass, or whatever. along with your cards.

- reading books, or, making them. as in, bookbinding and copying and translating older ones. it's really cool and a status symbol to have a massive library in your house, to show how big brain you are.

- just. learning in general. it's always cool to learn new things, but be warned. don't ever. correct someone in their own house. or they will very politely summon a flame atronach to show you the door.

- herbs! little perfumes, and balms.

- cooking and baking. flaky pastries? yes. pot pies? absolutely. other stuff i can't name right now? hell yeah.

- stitching. small embroideries or knotwork or symbols in clothing, either super subtle or bold and noticeable, but always very detailed and perfect.

dremora.

- oh, this is an odd one, i know.

- they take good care of their horns though, similar to a khajiit with their claws. appearances, people.

- longer horns, the better. super curved ones like a ram are also very cool.

- sharp tips? very good.

- also. hc that they have pointy nails. not quite claws. but they do naturally forms points. and are very hard and strong.

- they paint them. yes.

- face paint. nail paint. horn paint. elegant swirls, or markings.

- paint color varies, but i imagine they stick to a blood red, or a deep black. they might paint spirals and swirls on their horns, and follow up with stripes on their face, or go with black for a v subtle but awesome look.

- armor and robes are always in top shape. why? because.

- they value knowledge as much as their appearance. some very openly share what they learn with everyone, and others are very secretive.

#tes #lore #headcanons #nords #bretons #dremora #khajiits #recreation #tes headcanons #smh there's no lore on this i'm making this cabon

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rattyoakenbitch · 4 years

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dating the company would include:

thorin -- he’ll probably be a nervous wreck but eventually get comfortable and treat you like a queen he’ll take you out into nature for dates and sing to you while playing the harp you cannot escape his bear hugs and cuddles

kili -- he’ll practice archery with you, though you’re not as good as him he praises you endlessly dream of you and mumble in his sleep about how much he loves you get himself in trouble while doing something risky to impress you

fili -- he’ll playfully makes suggestive jokes take you out for late night swims always do your hair

dwalin -- will take you out riding on a goat away from everybody always have your own mini adventures together warm snuggles

balin -- he’ll probably read you poems from his own book always tells you stories about his battles and adventures he’ll try his best to pick you up bridal style without breaking his old back

oin -- he’ll look after you constantly you find out he’s very romantic always calls you ‘my dear / my sweet’ and so and so

gloin -- you’ll raise gimli together try not to scare you off with his temper but you love him and have to reassure him will buy you expensive things

bofur -- he’ll lose his hat and you always have to fetch it for him get drunk together crash parties and dance on tables

bombur -- he’ll set up a nice picnic but eat half the food on ‘accident’ he’ll cook you great comfort food and stay by your side if you feel unwell

bifur -- he’ll make you toys and beads will constantly bring you flowers try to flirt with you and you appreciate it even if he sounds like a dork

ori -- he’ll make little sketches of you with sweet quotes at the bottom of the drawing and frame it act like a total gentleman he’s not the toughest cookie but will do his best to protect you

nori -- he’ll steal stuff for you comb and take care of your hair show off his collection of stolen items to swoon you

dori -- he might act over protective but that’s because he worries and cares for you always making sure he looks good for you practicing his original pick up lines on you even though you’re already together

bilbo -- he’ll set up a nice candlelit dinner at home fight any other hobbit who dares stare at you almost always manage to get lost in cornfields and you have to save him

bonus:

gandalf -- he’ll teach you magic you’ll take him on dates but he always manages to lose you because he can’t keep up you’ll both make little discoveries during your own trips and adventures

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thewidowsghost · 4 years

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Fox - Chapter 7

Previously on Fox:

"You're asking a professionally trained pilot to be you're co-pilot?" (Y/n) asks teasingly.

"Good, you completely understand," Clint says and she shakes her head playfully.

"So," (Y/n) asks when the jet was in the air. "Where are we off too?" she asks.

"Missouri," Clint answers.

(Y/n)'s POV

As Clint pilots the jet, it begins to get darker outside.

"Go to sleep," he murmurs. "If you're not up before we get there I'll wake you up."

"You sure?" I ask, and he nods.

3rd Person POV

As (Y/n) nods off, Clint wonders her her powers had come from. Glancing at his (E/C) eyed partner, he sees that she had shifted into a fox.

"Fox," Clint murmurs, "that's a good code name."

Looking over, Clint examines (Y/n)'s fox form. She is a fiery orange with black paws and a white muzzle and a white tipped tail.

Two hours later, (Y/n) wakes up, shifting back into herself.

"I think I've figured out what your code name should be," Clint tells the (H/C) haired woman, and her bright (E/C) gaze turn to look at the blond haired man. "I was thinking Fox," he says and (Y/n) nods thoughtfully.

"I like that," she responds simply. "What's your code name?" she asks, knowing he had to have one.

"Hawkeye," he answers. "I don't see too well up close, but I can see just about everything far away. I think that's what makes me such a good archer in Fury's eyes - or rather, eye."

(Y/n) laughs, then she says, "I've always wanted to get into archery, but I've never been good with aiming things like that."

Clint is silent for a moment. "So how are you so good with your projectile powers?" he wonders aloud.

"I think it's an instinctive thing," (Y/n) says. "I've wondered that before too," she adds.

"You wanna sleep?" (Y/n) offers. "I can pilot for a while, just put in the coordinates, an I'll keep an eye out."

"I guess," Clint says, shifting in his seat. He punches in some coordinates and relaxes in his seat.

Clint sleeps for about five hours. (Y/n) nudges his shoulder as she notices the jet descending in a field behind an old-style farmhouse.

"Clint," (Y/n) nudges him again, and the archer sits up in his seat.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"Nothing, I think we're here," (Y/n) says, noticing that the jet had become stationary in the air and was moving gently down towards the ground; Clint jumps to his feet.

"Grab you're stuff," he calls over his shoulder as he moves towards the back of the jet.

(Y/n)'s POV

I grab my guitar and sling it over my shoulder and pick up my suitcase.

I walk over to stand beside Clint as the back of the jet opens.

"Let's go!" Clint says, looking - and sounding - excited.

We step off the jet and I look around to see a barn and an old-style farm house.

The two of us cross the field towards the house and we walk up the steps and Clint opens the door to the house.

"Come on," Clint urges, gesturing for me to walk in.

I take a tentative step in and Clint closes the door behind us.

Clint leads me into a living room/ kitchen where I see toys scattered around.

"Wait here," Clint says and I stay put as he walks up a set of stairs.

A few minutes later, Clint walks back down the stairs with a woman. She has wavy chocolate brown hair and warm brown eyes.

I wave a little and she smiles warmly. "Hello," I say shyly.

"Laura, this is (Y/n), my new partner. (Y/n), this is my wife Laura," Clint says and I smile at the woman.

I walk over and shake Laura's hand. "Nice to meet you!" I say brightly.

"Let me show you where you can put your things," Laura says, and she leads me up the stairs.

Laura takes me to a spare room and gestures for me to put my things in the room. I set my suitcase and guitar on the bed. "Thanks," I say and Laura smiles; she leads me back downstairs where Clint is beginning to make pancakes.

"Feel free to have a seat at the table," Laura tells me, pushing me gently towards the table. Smiling softly, I sit down and Laura sits down in the chair left adjacent to mine. "So," Laura begins, "where are you from?"

"Well, before I joined the Air Force four years ago, I lived with m dad in Malibu." Laura nods, then asks when I had met Clint. "Yesterday," I answer. "My four year contract was up on Saturday, but Director Fury and Clint came by, asking me for a job as Clint's partner. I accepted, and my Commanding Officer, Ryan, let me leave early."

"What attracted SHIELD to you?" Laura asks.

"Ha, I knew someone wasn't going to call it the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division," I say, smirking a little at Clint; but I then answer her question, giving her a brief explanation of my abilities.

"So you basically can control the elements and you can turn into animals?" Laura asks.

In response, I shift into a fox - the same on as the flight to the Bartons' house.

"That's really cool!" Laura says once I shift back into myself.

3rd Person POV

"I can turn into people, though I have to see them first," (Y/n) tells Laura.

Laura watches interestingly as (Y/n) closes her eyes and transforms into ten year old Wanda, then into Laura herself, then into Clint, and then back to herself.

"Wow!" someone exclaims from behind (Y/n) and she turns around, looking startled. "That's so cool!" the little girl says. She has brown hair and hazel eyes and standing beside her is a little boy, about three, with brown hair and brown eyes.

"(Y/n), this is Lila and Cooper. Lila, Cooper, this is (Y/n), but if (Y/n) is okay with it, you can call her Auntie (Y/n)," Laura says, studying the (H/C) haired woman. She sits there for a moment, silent with shock, before she nods, her (E/C) eyes sparkling happily.

Lila and Cooper walk over and (Y/n) stands up. "You can turn into animals?" Cooper asks.

"Can you turn into a cat?" Lila adds.

"Yeah, watch!" (Y/n) says, and concentrating for a moment, Lila and Cooper look down at (Y/n) who had turned into a brown, white and black Maine Coon kitten with amber eyes.

Purring, Kitten (Y/n) walks over and places her brown paws on Lila's knees. The brown haired girl laughs and she two kids sit on the ground, Cooper pulling Kitten (Y/n) into his lap.

Clint and Laura watch, smiles on their faces as they watch their two kids play with the kitten.

"She's going to be an amazing aunt," Laura murmurs, leaning into her husband. Clint nods as Maine Coon (Y/n) jumps out of Coopers lap and she shifts into a black-and-white border collie puppy.

The children laugh in delight as (Y/n) jumps around, wagging her white tipped tail, licking the kids' fingers.

(Y/n) shifts back into herself, sitting on the floor, and she smiles as the kids wrap their arms around her. (Y/n) rests her head on Cooper's head, feeling extremely happy.

"When do you have to be home?" Laura asks when the five sit down for breakfast.

(Y/n)'s POV

"My dad's friend is supposed to pick me up from the airport on Saturday," I answer, but then I see Cooper and Lila's expressions and I hastily add, "but I'll come back to visit as soon as I can." At my words, Cooper and Lila relax and they continue to eat their pancakes.

Once breakfast is finished, I help Laura clean the dishes, and we talk, getting to know each other.

It doesn't take me long to feel at home with the Bartons' - literally a few hours. Each day - except for Saturday - I would help Clint make breakfast, hanging out with Lila and Cooper - I was taking my naming of honorary aunt very seriously - and then help Laura make lunch. After that, I would help Clint around on the farm, and then help Laura make dinner.

"You're too helpful for your own good," Laura teases as I help her clean up the dinner dishes on Friday night.

"I feel like I owe you guys," I answer, stopping drying the dishes for a moment. "I am staying in your house," I continue at Laura's questioning look.

"You don't owe us anything," Laura says. "Just protect my husband out in the field, and you're good," she says, and I laugh.

"I'll do my best," I tell Laura and she smiles.

The next morning, I wake up the Clint nudging my shoulder.

"Breakfast is ready if you want to eat before I have to take you home," he says and I sit up.

"Okay, I'll be down in a second," I tell the archer and he nods, leaving the room.

I get out of the bed, and walk over to my suitcase, pulling out a blue, green, and purple tie-dye shirt, a pair of gray skinny jeans and a pair of black-and-white Converse.

I put on the clothes and zip up my suitcase. I carry my suitcase and my guitar downstairs and set it beside the front door before I walk into the dining room where Clint, Laura, Cooper, and Lila are already up.

3rd Person POV

"Morning!" (Y/n) says cheerfully, walking into the dining room.

"Good morning Auntie (Y/n)," Cooper says running over to the (E/C) eyed woman. She bends down and pulls him into a hug, Cooper resting his small head against her shoulder. Lila walks over and joins the hug.

Clint and Laura stop what they are doing to watch their children cling onto (Y/n) as though their lives depend on it.

"I'll come back soon," (Y/n) murmurs when the two children let go, letting (Y/n) stand up and carry the two to their seats at the dining room table.

"I think the three of us are going to miss you a lot," Laura say, referring to her and her two children.

"If Clint doesn't get annoyed with me at work, I'll come back as often as possible," (Y/n) says, shooting a teasing glance at her partner.

The five laugh and joke around through breakfast and it sees like everyone is dreading (Y/n)'s departure in the next hour.

After breakfast, everyone moves towards the front door. (Y/n) bends down and Lila runs and wraps the woman in a hug.

"I'm gonna miss you, kiddo," (Y/n) murmurs to the little girl and Lila giggles a little at (Y/n)'s words. They pull away and Cooper runs over to take Lila's place in their aunt's arms. "See you soon, Coop," (Y/n) says. Cooper lets go and goes to stand beside his slightly older sister.

(Y/n) straightens up and Laura walks towards her and the two hug warmly. "Keep an eye on Clint for me?" she asks, and (Y/n) smiles.

"Of course," (Y/n) says, and Laura smiles, the two pulling out of the warm embrace.

"Hey!" Clint exclaims and Laura and (Y/n) laugh.

"We'll see you guys soon," Clint says, hugging each of his children and then his wife.

(Y/n) slides her guitar case on her back and picks up her suitcase. Clint leads the way out and (Y/n) follows, the other three Bartons' following her out.

The five walk across the field to the Quinjet and (Y/n) walks in, setting her guitar and suitcase in the storage area. She walks back out of the jet and gives Laura, Lila, and Cooper one more hug before joining Clint in the jet. The two sit down in their respective seats and start the jet. The two partners wave out the window at the Bartons' standing on the lawn; and they fly towards Malibu.

On the flight there, (Y/n) gives Clint the chance to sleep as he had gotten up before her to make breakfast.

While he is asleep, they end up in Malibu. "Hey, Clint," (Y/n) says, nudging the blond archer, and he jolts awake, looking around.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"Nothing, we're here," (Y/n) says and Clint nods.

Word Count: 2198 words

I'm really loving the direction of this story, and I hope you guys love it as much as I do.

See y'all next time!

Love, Kaitlynn ❤😍

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scienceoftheidiot · 3 years

Note

Coucou ! J'espère que tu vas bien !

En attendant ; 13, 16, 32 :)

13. What talents do you have? I don't know what you'd define as talents, so uh I can speak 2 languages fluently, and get understood for basics in 2 others, understand but not speak a 5th one. I can whistle without stopping, since I can whistle by inspiring and expiring. I can sing (like a drunk Irish sailor which is good since it fits what I sing). I could play guitar pretty shittily once upon a time but eh. I can play harmonica. I can draw (quite well). I can ride and take care of a horse. I can do archery. I can walk on a barrel (lol). I can cook. I can drive. I can move my ears XD

16. Favorite movie? This is an evil question. In turn I will give you an evil answer because I have no idea : RRRrrrr!!!

32. How big is your house? My house is very old and big. Like "how do you guys live just as two people in this house" big. "Oh my god you're gonna have to make a lot of babies to fill this house" big (let it be said those people deserve to choke). 200m² (170+a very big attic full of shit). And let it be known we love it, it's less expensive than a 40m² flat in the city, we are in the countryside and happy about it, and we might not have filled it with kids (yet, but it'd be our choice if we do so, shut up arseholes), but it's filled with our own passion stuff (we have a room each for our stuff) and we also have two horses and keep our tack at home so we had to build a tack room. Our house is filled, we don't need kids for that. And since we don't go on holidays ever we spend all of our time there so it better be big and cozy, don't you think ?

Merci beaucoup pour cet ask ! ça va, ça fait un mois que j'ai une entorse, je vais tenter ma première ballade à cheval mercredi j'en peux plus !!! heureusement j'ai pu aller voir nos bébés quand mon mec montait mais j'avoue ça me manque x) Et toi ? j'espère que tu passes un bon été !

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lu-undy · 3 years

Text

Chapter 94 - SBT

Here it is!

"Mundy, non, I will not let you play this."

"But, Lu', it's a guaranteed win! And then I can get you that massive teddy bear."

"Mundy, if you do that…"

"What? What'll you do, eh?"

"I will spend my nights with that teddy bear and you sleep on the sofa!"

"But Lu'...!"

Both men were arguing not far from the shooting stand.

"Alright, let's do it another way." Mundy suggested.

"Hm?"

"We both try it. If you do better than me, you choose whatever you wanna embarrass me with."

Lucien's eyes lit up.

"Deal?" Mundy extended his hand.

"Deal." Lucien shook it and they both approached the shooting stand.

"Gentlemen! Get closer, c'mon, don't be shy! Here we are, here is your rifle, and here is yours!" The manager of the stand handed them both a plastic gun. "Shoot only on the wolves and avoid the sheep! Are we all ready?"

Lucien and Mundy exchanged a smile.

"Yeah."

"Yes."

"Then leeet's go!"

The cardboard targets started sliding left and right, slowly at first. Both hit them consistently.

"Oh! We have good contestants today! What about a little faster, huh?"

The cardboard cutouts slid more irregularly, some fast, some slowly. But still, both men hit the targets without fail. Lucien and Mundy moved almost in sync left and right, their eyes catching the position and speed of the target a fraction of a second before they would rotate and align the iron sights of the plastic rifle on them.

The stand manager kept on increasing the speed of the moving targets but both men managed to match the challenge until the end of the round.

"Well, I'll be damned…" The poor man said. "It's not the first time it happens, but it's the first time I see it happen with both people!"

Lucien and Mundy chuckled.

"What reward would you prefer?"

Mundy was the first to answer.

"That big teddy bear."

"And for you, Sir?"

"The black panther, please."

Each of them took their prizes and exchanged them.

"There, now you will have someone to sleep with on the sofa, hm?" Lucien winked.

"C'mon…!" Mundy pleaded and both walked away.

They wandered through the alleys, passing by families, children with balloons, through the cheers and shouts of people enjoying their time as much as the couple of older men.

"Lu'?"

"Oui?"

"Want some cotton candy?"

"If I share it with you."

"Right, c'mere." They went to a cotton candy stand. "What color d'you prefer?"

"Pink." Lucien answered.

"Then can we get a pink one, please?" Mundy addressed the man in charge who nodded and they waited there, their eyes riveted on the cloud of sugar growing bigger and bigger with every spin of the stick.

"There."

"Thanks, mate." Mundy paid what they owed and they walked away. The Aussie held the candy while both bit into it. "Oh God… Hahaha!" He burst out laughing when part of it stuck to the Frenchman's moustache and beard.

"What?"

"You got a pink beard now!"

"Oh…" Lucien cleaned himself as best as he could. "Is there any left?"

"Nah, you're alright… Let's go."

They continued their walk through the stands.

"Do you know what we call cotton candy in French?"

"No, what?"

"Barbe à Papa."

"Somethin' of dad?"

"Dad's beard, literally." Lucien answered and both laughed.

"I can bloody well see why, eh, Papa?" Mundy said.

"Indeed. Oh, here, a bench."

They both sat down and put their prizes next to them. Lucien took the cotton candy and held it for both of them while Mundy stretched his arm on the bench's back, to end up wrapping it around Lucien's shoulders.

"Gosh, I didn't remember it was that sweet…"

"Well it is only sugar, what did you expect?" Lucien chuckled.

"You're the other way around." Mundy answered.

"What do you mean?"

"You're not only sugar but you're sweet."

"Pff…" Lucien rolled his eyes with a chuckle.

"What? It's true."

"Maybe, but it is very… uh… what do you say in English again for this...? Ah! Cheesy."

"Well, I'm tryin', eh? We can't all get born seductive'n all…!"

"Very true. But what you lack in the art of seduction, you more than make up for with other skills of yours."

"Oh-ho boy, what skills, eh?"

Lucien gave that trade-marked smile of his.

"This place is full of children, it would not be decent to answer."

"Ooh, I get it…"

They exchanged a smile and finished their cotton candy, lazily watching people pass by.

"I wish I could just…" Mundy started.

"What? What do you wish you could do?"

"Just… Y'know… Hold your hand or just hold you close."

"I am right next to you, mon loup. Also, I did not take you for one who would be comfortable with public displays of affection."

"I'm not. I just don't care about people, I only see you and uh... I need to hold you."

"Is something the matter?"

"No, no… It's just me, I need you." Mundy looked at people passing by. "Feels a bit unfair that they can but we can't."

"Believe me," Lucien answered. "A lot of them would give away their lives to have what we have."

"What d'you mean?"

"I mean that we love each other sincerely, not for pressure from our families or any other constraint that life might have thrown at us. I love you for who you are, and vice versa. We have gone through hell and back, and that did nothing but strengthen what we have between us."

"Yeah, you're right."

"The way I see it, we envy them for their ability to show their love, but they would envy us much more if only they knew the strength of the bond between us. It goes beyond a ring on a finger, or a promise. You saved me and I saved you, in more instances and more senses than they will ever understand."

Mundy took a deep breath and when Lucien raised his eyes to him, the Aussie was smiling.

"And they would envy me for that delicious smile you have, amongst other things." Lucien added and Mundy chuckled and lowered his head to hide his blush.

"You got a pretty smile too, Lu'. I like it when you smile and uh… Y'know, you do the thing with yer teeth."

"What thing?"

"It's like when you laugh and uh… I like your teeth, they're like in the ads."

"Like in the ads…?"

"They're perfect and they shine and… I just love your smile and laughter."

"Oh, I know…" Lucien raised lovestruck eyes to Mundy and gave him a flash of his pearly white teeth.

"Gosh, you're gorgeous… I'd kill to hear your laughter more often."

"Well, that doesn't sound too hard to do."

"Huh?"

"You want to hear my laughter? Make me laugh then." Lucien answered.

"Right… Uh… I mean… Hold on, I gotta remember a joke or two… Uh…"

And while Mundy squeezed his brains out in search for any joke he could remember, Lucien burst out laughing.

"But I didn't say anythin' yet?!" Mundy exclaimed.

"I know but you don't have to. Your effort alone is touching, mon amour…"

"So I just have to look like I'm looking for jokes to make you laugh, eh?"

"Non, just be yourself."

"Find me funny?"

"In your own way, oui."

Mundy looked down at Lucien and they exchanged a sweet smile.

"Let's put the plushies in the van and come back."

A few minutes later they were back in the fair, looking left and right at what they could do.

"Wanna try this?"

"Mundy, it's archery."

"Yeah, and?"

"Are you going to make me do all those things that you are an expert at?" Lucien asked.

"Why not? You can take me to stands where they make you wear a mask and do spooky stuff, eh?"

"That is a good idea. But fine, let us proceed to the archery stand."

They approached and queued. When their turn came, they each took a bow and five arrows.

"Ooh, I see both gentlemen know their ways with a bow and arrows, eh? But are they good sharpshooters?" The stand manager asked and the people waiting in the queue observed them.

Lucien and Mundy were about ten metres or so away from the large circular targets.

"Ready…? Set…? Go!"

Both pulled an arrow and placed it against the string of the bow. They pulled, Lucien closing one eye, Mundy keeping both open and-

"It's a bullseye for both!"

"Think you can beat me, eh?"

"Non, I am sure of it - gnh!" Lucien pulled a second arrow and shot it right next to the first one.

"Ha, you're cute…" Mundy took two and put them against the string of the bow. "Watch and learn, Princess." He pulled the string and released it.

"Mon Dieu… How did you do that?!" Lucien gasped. One arrow went to the centre of Mundy's target and one to the centre of his own.

"I'm just that good, heh." Mundy arrogantly answered and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Tu ne perds rien pour attendre…"

"Say whatever the hell you want, you've lost, darl'..." Mundy took two arrows from Lucien and while still staring at him, he aimed and shot both in the middle of his target.

Lucien sighed and lowered his head to bite his lip. If only… If only they were alone, he would have kissed the soul out of Mundy right there, right then. But too many eyes were on them and he decided against shocking all these people.

"Fine, you won… I cannot possibly do better than that…" Lucien admitted.

"Well," The stand owner approached them. "You both know what you're doing, but you…!" He turned to Mundy. "Are you a pro or something?"

"Yeah, sort of."

Lucien rolled his eyes and chuckled at the arrogance of his lover.

"Alright, you get to choose your prize then!"

Mundy looked at the plastic toys and other knick-knacks.

"Can I get two?" He asked.

"Uh, alright, go for two! What can I get ya?"

"This one, and that one, please." Mundy pointed at a French and an Australian flag.

"Sure thing!" The stand owner gave him both his prizes and Lucien followed him out.

"So…" Mundy asked when they were sufficiently far from the archery stand. "Impressed…?"

"Taken aback and twice amazed." Lucien answered.

"Here, that's for you." Mundy handed him the Australian flag.

"Hm, they really give the citizenship easily in this country." The ex-Spy laughed.

"Yup, and so does France. Look at me, I've got a flag now, I'm French!"

"Pfff!" Lucien laughed. "You need more than that to get the citizenship, I'm afraid."

"What if I was livin' with a French bloke?"

"Living?" Lucien repeated.

"Can't say more cause there are kids around." Mundy wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, I see…" Lucien chuckled. "And who is the lucky one?"

"Can't tell you his name," Mundy answered as they both went on wandering in the alleys. "But I can show him to you. I'm about to buy him somethin'."

"Ah, lucky man he is." Lucien went on.

"Yeah, and he has a sweet tooth, so I'm gonna get here and - hey, mate, two caramel apples please… Thanks." Mundy paid what he owed and handed one to Lucien who blushed and raised an eyebrow to his lover.

"Do you know what these are called in French?"

"Is it somethin' about your beard again?"

"Non, we call them 'pomme d'amour'." Lucien answered.

"Somethin' of love…?"

"Apple of love."

"Ooh, I see… Well, here we are then, I just offered the bloke who's got me an apple of love."

"I like this arrogance of yours, it's new."

"Well I just beat the world's best spook, let me enjoy this, eh?"

They both tipped their apples and bit into them.

"Mh… As sweet as your lips…" Lucien raised lovestruck eyes to his lover.

"Listen to you, and you told me I was cheesy."

"Because you are." Lucien answered and gently bumped his lover with his shoulder. Mundy wrapped an arm around Lucien's shoulders.

"Right, so I'm cheesy but you're not, eh?"

"Exactement. You are cheesy and I am seductive."

[Exactly.]

"Pfff, doesn't make any sense, why can't I be the seductive one?"

"Look into my eyes." Lucien said and Mundy obeyed. His breath calmed down and his pupils dilated. His jaw slowly relaxed and he lowered his caramel apple. Lucien gave him a slow flap of his long black eyelashes and Mundy felt a soft punch in his guts. "This is why I am the seductive one."

"Uh? What-why?"

"I can bring your heart rate down with only a blink of my eyes, Mundy." Lucien answered and they went on eating their apples. "The day that you will be able to do that to me, you will be the seductive one." He gently tapped Mundy's chest.

"Right… Tss…" They shared a chuckle and continued walking around. "Anything you want to play with me?"

"Plenty."

"Oh? What d'you wanna do?"

"It is too early and crowded for my kinds of ideas, mon loup."

"Lu'... I meant in this fair."

"Ah…" He winked. "Well, to be honest, I can barely remember the last time I went to a fair, mon loup."

"It's alright… I just want you to choose somethin' you'd like to do. So far, I've been deciding, doesn't seem fair."

"Hm…"

"You like fast stuff? Adrenaline rush and that kind of things?"

"Not really. I only ever liked the adrenaline rushes at work. Well, I learnt to like them, not that I had much choice."

"Right, so none of these fast spinny thingies…"

"Non but… I suppose there is one thing we could do. I have always wanted to try it." Lucien answered.

"What is it?"

"This." Lucien pointed straight ahead and upwards.

"The ferris wheel?"

"Oui, if you are comfortable with heights."

"Sure, let's go!" Mundy squeezed Lucien's shoulders tighter and off they went.

They queued and finished their apples while watching the gigantic wheel slowly turn. When their turn came they hopped in the cabin and took a seat one in front of the other. A few moments later they started taking off.

Lucien waited for them to be sufficiently far from the ground to gently move seats and sit next to Mundy. The Aussie wrapped an arm around him and squeezed him close.

"Mmh… Mon loup…"

"Yeah, luv'?"

"Look at this sight… We can see the entire city, the river…" Lucien's head was on Mundy's upper chest and shoulder.

"And I can see the most gorgeous bloke I've ever met, eh?" Mundy brushed his lover's hair and Lucien moaned happily. He raised his head and they exchanged a kiss.

"Mundy?"

"Mh?"

"I want to stay in your arms."

"You will. Nothin'll pull you away from me, eh?" Mundy kissed Lucien's head. "And I'm keepin' you. All the guys and sheilas in the world look at you like you're an ice cream and it's the middle of the bloody summer. But you're with me." Mundy laced his other arm around Lucien and pulled him impossibly closer. "You're with me and I'm not lettin' go of you."

"Thank you." Lucien left a few kisses in his lover's neck and Mundy smiled with his eyes closed.

The ferris wheel was such that they were at the top most position now.

"Look at this, luv'."

Their arms were laced around each other. The noise of people's cheers and chatter, as well as of the other activities in the fair were muffled by the distance. Lucien only heard Mundy's gentle breath and his gravelly whispers.

"All this city… And the desert over there, beyond it… Beautiful, eh?"

"Oui, it is." Lucien answered. "And I am grateful to see it all with you, mon loup."

"Same… I never… I never did stuff like that before, I mean, not with someone I love. Happened with friends, with my parents, never with someone special."

"Neither have I." Lucien said. "But I feel lucky that somehow, in this weird and nonsensical life, I eventually did, with you."

They pushed their smiling lips against each other and stayed there for a while. Mundy brushed Lucien's hair behind his ear and pulled him closer still.

"Lu'?"

"Oui?"

"Thanks." Mundy took Lucien's hand and held it against his own chest. "I know there's still stuff to do, I need to tell Dad about us and stuff, but… With you, I feel like I can do it."

"Of course you can, but by no means do you have to." Lucien answered.

"Yeah, I know. I'm glad Mum's alright with it all."

"She wants you to find your happiness more than she sticks her own definition of it on you. This is a rare quality."

"Yeah… Mum's great, she's the best, really."

Lucien smiled.

"I remember you told me your mum and dad wanted to force you into medicine or law and you ran away…?" Mundy asked.

"Oui. My mother was a saint, an honest, hard-working and faithful woman. The rumours of my father's death were well spread but she still refused to find another man. She insisted on being sure about it. I think she loved him more than she loved my step father. When my father's death was confirmed officially, she grieved for years…"

"I can understand." Mundy brushed his lover softly. "But she found another bloke eventually?"

"She did. Although, to be nearer the truth, one should say 'she accepted another man'. My mother was gorgeous, blond, long hair with kind, blue eyes. She refused more men than she ever showed me, a young boy. But I was growing up and started to understand that if men were complimenting her, it wasn't just out of kindness. I was defensive, very much so. I wouldn't let her go out of the house alone."

"How old were you?"

"About fifteen or so. I would hold her hand in the street and act almost like her companion. And she treated me like her guardian, her little man. I started to feel the responsibility of carrying a family, a woman whose heart was too pure to be taken by anyone else. But of course, one day, it happened. I think she didn't like him like she loved my father. She liked the feeling of safety, of having a proper man at her side."

Mundy moved on his seat to better hold Lucien, as they were slowly going down.

"Within a year, they were married, living together. He slept in her bed and acted as if he owned the place."

"You didn't like him?" Mundy asked.

"For some things, I am grateful. He treated my mother well, never raised his hand on her and treated her like an equal. But the speed at which he invaded our lives scared me and what pushed me away was the day that my mother, who was otherwise compassionate and understanding towards me, sided with him."

"For your studies?"

Lucien nodded.

"I told my mother that I wanted to become something else, someone else. Of course saving lives or defending people are noble causes. But my call was elsewhere, maybe as a policeman?"

"Oh… You wanted to become a policeman?"

Lucien nodded.

"I kept thinking that if I had been old enough to be one when my mother was being whistled and harassed by those men who came back traumatised by the Great War, I would have been a policeman and arrested all of that scum." He sighed. "My mother had nothing against me entering the police forces. My step father however disagreed. He knew me very poorly and thought that I was doing that just for the nice uniform, the status and nothing else. Besides, he thought I wanted to put my aggressiveness into something that would allow me to get it out."

"You were aggressive?" Mundy raised a curious eyebrow.

"Frustrated would be a better way to put it. I hated that he prevented me from doing something that I wanted. He kept telling my mother that it would be better if I became a doctor or a lawyer… He said it so many times that it became the truth to her, even though she knew I never wanted that.”

“So you went away, on your own?”

“Oui. It happened on a night that as usual, I argued with him, my step-father. We both ended up raising our voices at each other and… I saw my mother’s distress and I swore to myself that I would never see it again."

"Gosh… You really loved her, eh?"

"More than anyone else for a long long time." Lucien answered. "When I was old enough to find a woman myself, I struggled."

"W-what? But you're gorgeous…!"

"Oui. I did not struggle to attract women, I struggled to accept them, because the responsibility was gigantic, and what if someday they went away like my mother? I could not place my trust in any women. So I… You will find this horrendous…"

"Hey…" Mundy took Lucien's chin between his fingers and lifted his face upwards. "It's alright, it's behind you now, don't be ashamed or anythin', we all make mistakes, even gorgeous spooky men like you." He gave him a tender smile and Lucien gently nodded. "So go ahead, if you want to."

"Well… I used women… for the physical needs. I didn't have an ounce of sentimentality for them and could not care less if they did to me. For most of them, the arrangement was suitable. We would have a night, maybe a couple more but that was it."

"I guess some wanted more, didn't they?"

"Oui, unfortunately so. But I was a spy and a prudent man. I knew how to disappear, so it wasn't much of an issue."

"Were you like that all the way till you met Mary?"

"Oui, pretty much."

"Wow… I knew you could be like that, I mean, makes sense for a bloke as good-lookin' and with the manners and all as you… But I never imagined you actually were like that."

Lucien pulled himself out of the embrace.

"Well, I was. I enjoyed the privileges that Mother Nature gave me, shamelessly and recklessly. Part of me never thought I could make it out of the war anyway. I was young, inexperienced, and everyday I learnt of the death of people who were much more used to the chaos of war, people who trained about it for years. So I gave everything I had to taste life as best as I could, before I would get caught."

"Jesus… C'mere." Mundy pulled him into a hug but Lucien pushed him back. "W-what's wrong?"

"Are you…" Lucien wiped a tear at the corner of his eyes. "Disappointed in me?"

"No…? Why would I?"

"Why wouldn't you?" Lucien answered. "You would be right to have doubts about me or… distrust me."

"Lu'." Mundy's voice was assertive enough to make Lucien's eyes move up to meet his. "You can tell that nonsense to someone else. I've been through hell with you and without you. I've seen what you're capable of doing, I know you and even with all that, I love you. Every day when I wake up, I don't even ask myself about it, I don't question it, I don't have the slightest doubt. I love you. Now you take all that bullshit your mind's been cookin' up for years and you throw it out your head, ok?"

"But Mun-"

"No, there's no but." Mundy cupped his lover's face and pushed his forehead against Lucien's. "I'm takin' you and I have taken you. With all your story, with all your problems and with everythin', ok?"

"D'accord."

[Fine.]

"Lu', d'you hear me?"

"Oui."

"Lu', I know you, I know the ex-spook, I know the singer, I know the fighter, I know the stubborn, arrogant piece of a liar that you might have been before." Mundy brushed his thumbs on his lover's temples and Lucien sniffled. "But I love every bit of you. Doesn't matter what you were in any other way that it helped build you as you are now. And y'know what? Now, you're my Lu', ok?"

Lucien gently nodded.

"Say it."

"I am… I am your Lucien."

"No, that's not what I said. Say it properly."

"I am… your Lu'."

"Good. You got that in that beautiful head o'yours?"

Lucien nodded again, his forehead still against Mundy's.

"You sure?"

"Oui."

"C'mere, now." Mundy hugged him and this time, Lucien did not push him away. He clawed in his lover's sides, his back, everywhere his fingers were planted, and buried his head deep in his chest. "I love you, Lu', I love all of you."

"Merci." A muffled voice answered. The Frenchman wanted to let tears run down his face but the cabin was getting closer to the ground and he didn't want to cry in public.

Beyond Mundy's words and the comfort he was bringing him, what touched Lucien most was that feeling of achievement, of reaching somewhere that he did not know he could reach. He had been taught to grow up, get married to a lovely wife, have equally lovely children and work to support them. But life gave him an outstanding partner, a couple of beautiful cats and some years to go still.

When he broke the embrace and looked up at Mundy, his eyes red and his throat burning as it held back his emotions, he smiled. In the Aussie's lagoon blue irises, he saw all the versions of himself, the little boy, Maman's guardian, the young homeless teenager, the rookie spy, the father, the fiancé, and now, a man better than what he thought he could ever be.

"Merci, Mundy."

#tf2 sniper #tf2 spy #sniperspy #SBT

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