#still here in spirit

[snowbellewells]

Self Promo Sunday: "Still Here in Spirit"

This week's promo fic is just a bit of a missing moment/divergence from early season five. I was feeling a bit of angst at the end of 5x02 when Emma was left outside the diner watching the rest of her family together, and I think this was mostly born out of that feeling. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for this little one shot, and here's hoping you may enjoy it too....

Summary: Though Emma cannot be with him as he wonders just what wrong makes his love keep her distance, Killian and all her family and friends still keep the Savior close to their hearts...

Can also be read on AO3 or ff.net if that is your preference...

by: @snowbellewells

Chuckling good naturedly in spite of himself from where he leans casually against the staircase railing in Regina Mills' spacious foyer, Killian Jones watches the festive bustling and last minute preparations before the Hood-Mills-Charming families can head out on the streets of Storybrooke trick or treating. He had truly held no interest in the odd modern day custom of dressing up in unusual garb and wandering the streets begging others for sweets. Of the many strange and ridiculous-seeming practices he has been introduced to in this realm, this so-called "Halloween" seems to be one of the most ludicrous.

However, when Henry had looked at him hopefully, urging his mother's boyfriend to join them on this nighttime excursion, Killian found he could not deny the lad. There is a certain expression Swan's boy possesses – fervent, wide-eyed and engaging – that reminds him so much of Emma that day Storybrooke had been on the brink of destruction and she had looked straight into his soul and urged him to be a part of something, that he is hard-pressed to deny Henry anything, despite what his original inclinations might be. Though his weary soul had balked at laughing with light heart and playfully making merry when his love was out there somewhere, alone, cloaked in darkness and lost in her bitterness at wrongs the rest of them cannot remember committing, watching the group straightening each other's outfits, gathering Roland and little Neal's baskets for candy, and warmly trying to enjoy what they can of this moment of relative calm – even if one of their number is missing – makes him smile through the twinges of pain.

Reaching out affectionately to straighten Henry's green woolen cape and then the quiver slung over his shoulder, Killian feels the corners of his mouth pull up in a reluctant but sincere smile at the picture the boy paints in his get-up with his assorted motley band of outfitted family. There had been heated debate whether Henry should dress as knight like his Gramps or a pirate like his adopted stepfather until the boy had eventually settled the dispute by dressing like Robin as a bandit of the forest. His other surrogate parent had tried to appear casual about it, but the glimmer in his eyes as he loaned his old cape and quiver had given away how flattered he was, not to mention the Queen's grin of joyful satisfaction and the couple rogue tears she had brushed away. It warmed Killian's ancient pirate heart as well, even though he had lost out on having a miniature double for the night's festivities.

The boy gives him a nod of thanks, and pirate and young prince's eyes meet for a charged moment of bittersweet understanding, both knowing Emma should be there with them and yet not wanting to voice how much her absence hurts. Not wanting to speak sadness into an evening that is trying to enjoy the good moments.

Then, with a steadying hand on the lad's shoulder, Killian vows to follow him and make sure this "Outlaw of Storybrooke Forest" rapidly becoming a young man enjoys himself tonight. Emma would wish it, and someday – he swears to himself – he will tell her about tonight's hijinks, and her parents dressed as Bonnie and Clyde (whoever they might be) with Regina and Robin as Romeo and Juliet in tow. Little Roland looks a bit out of place in their group dressed as a "minion" – which Henry had explained was in some moving picture the little lad had just seen – and bouncing around the rest of them as if he simply cannot wait another moment from them to be off.

The night progresses beautifully, with laughter and smiles that Killian knows he will hold in his memory for years to come. Being drawn into and accepted as part of a family, and necessary for its happy celebrations, was a gift he had long since forgotten and never expected to be a part of again. Yet, he cannot help wishing Emma could be here with them, looking on proudly as Henry takes care to see that Roland doesn't get too far ahead and become lost, that his little uncle is given his fair share of their sugary haul, and constantly glancing back at the group of adults who love him as if making sure that they too are happy and content. His Swan would be so proud of the good heart and concern for others her son continues to show, despite moving into those sometimes troublesome teenage years. He wishes so fervently that she was there beside him, her small, strong hand slipped into his, her head laid gently on his shoulder, just barely leaning into his side as they walk, that his hand clenches into a tight fist at the absence. Those easy, safe, and comfortable times together seem so far removed now from the cold distance that the Darkness has formed between them.

Still, there are many good moments too: Granny and Ruby offering wolf-shaped cookies and hot chocolate to all those who come to their door, with Ruby smirking and shooting a playful wink to he, Snow and Charming from beneath the painted wolf face and ears she wears atop her dark curls and asking, "Well, what else would I be for Halloween?" with a playful giggle; Belle meeting every child at the door to the library all lit up with carved pumpkins in each window, eager to give them a handpicked book of their very own, and taking a moment to slip a gilt-edged paperback into his hand as well. "It's The Princess Bride," she whispers surreptitiously to him with a sympathetic smile. "Emma mentioned how much she liked it once, and when I re-read it, I knew that you would appreciate it too, Killian."

By the time the group reaches the mines where the dwarves and fairies are giving lighted tours of the caves and sending their guests off for home with hot apple cider to warm their hands and stomachs, Killian is truly feeling cheered – if only at the happiness of those around him and the comfort of being welcomed wholeheartedly into their midst. When he parts ways with Henry and the rest of Emma's loved ones at the loft, savoring the hug Henry gives him before bounding after Regina, Robin, and Roland to get back to their house and go through all his candy, and possibly holding on a bit too tightly to the lad for just a moment, he pauses in the street lights' glow, peering into the night and mulling his next course of action.

Eventually he turns back toward the Jolly Roger and the docks, walking slowly and trying to keep himself from whispering Emma's name into the quiet evening. He knows that bringing her to him when she is not herself will only bring him more pain; their last encounter in his private quarters had taught him that lesson all too well. However, as he boards his beloved ship, strides across the deck and comes to stand by the wheel, gazing up at the clear night's multitude of stars, he does leave her a small remembrance. "I know you're out there somewhere, Love," he whispers to the breeze. "I cannot hold you tonight as I desire, but you were never far from all of our minds. Enjoy your Halloween treat."

He slips below quickly, knowing that tangling wits and words with her now will only make things worse. Head bowed, he can only hope she will sense how much he misses her in the gesture and that she – the real Emma - will feel a moment of his care. The captain has entered his cabin, leaning against the closed door and praying desperately that she is not lost in torment somewhere with no one beside her, when on the deck above him, a swirl of magical smoke clears, and Emma appears by the ship's wheel, a tentative, tiny smile upon her lips. Picking up the still-hot cup of cider he has left for her there, she takes a sip and imagines that the warmth spreading through her at first swallow is from him being able to hold her close once more. For now, it is the only treat they can allow themselves… so she closes her eyes, thinks of him, and tries to let it be enough.

Tagging a few who might enjoy: @jennjenn615 @searchingwardrobes @kmomof4 @laschatzi @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jrob64 @apiratewhopines @xsajx @bluewildcatfanatic @lfh1226-linda @teamhook @revanmeetra87 @stahlop @sotangledupinit @justanother-unluckysoul @drowned-dreamer @gingerchangeling @gingerpolyglot @blackwidownat2814 @elizabeethan @the-darkdragonfly @donteattheappleshook @booksteaandtoomuchtv @kazoosandfannypacks @tiganasummertree @optomisticgirl @spartanguard @therooksshiningknight

#self promo sunday #ouat 5a one shot #cs one shot #missing moment fic #still here in spirit #a bit of angst #and apple cider ;)

[artkaninchenbau]

Crocodile finds a strange stray cat an 11-year old Nico Robin (AU where they met 13 years earlier. Robin's been on the run from the World Government for 3 years. Crocodile's 27 and has not set up base in Alabasta yet)

It seems like I have become possessed. By some sort of demon.

Bonus:

#My art #One Piece #Nico Robin #Sir Crocodile #Y'all the OP brainrot is BAD #According to an SBS Crocodile would absolutely spoil his child rotten if he had one. *We all know how Robin's childhood went* #Scary mofo who does not know how to parent a child but boy does he have the spirit + Child who has never had proper parent in her life #They'd make. An absolute disaster of a duo. This AU concept is so fucking funny to me okay #But also sad because I would fucking die for baby Robin she deserves the fucking world #This poor girl has never been spoiled in her entire life AND NOW PAPADILE IS HERE TO SPOIL HER #You know it's funny. I know 11 yo Robin should LOOK older than 8 year old Robin. But Crocodile is a fucking giant so she's still baby sized #Also I just had too much fun drawing Robin looking as pathetic as humanly possible lmao #She's a like a wet kitten in the rain 😭

[verflares]

meteorologists report sky just a little bluer today, and it's because skyloft residents link and zelda are in love :)

#zelink #link #zelda #skyward sword #loz #loz fanart #ss link #ss zelda #hi. we're still normal here #this is 'Officially' a practice doodle bcus i wanna do a bigger piece for them on valentines day #but i wanted to make it look nice too . for however much my brain would let me bcus i kept getting distracted while drawing #i dont think these two outpace botw/totk zelink for me but they Do come very close... they are like comfort food zink #same as spirit tracks i guess but ss is a fun game in comparison. im sorry. #anyways. gay people! #my art

[somnimagus]

My page for @sheikahzine; about Impaz's duty to her village, empty of people and full of memories.

[id in alt text]

#legend of zelda #loz #twilight princess #loz tp #i'm still reeling that someone sent me an ask about this one.. that they took the time to find my tumblr and tell me they liked it #it really meant a lot; thank you to anyone that stops to leave comments like that. they make me happy #but yeah! here's the usual symbolism ramble: #i thought it'd be cool to have the 'spirits' flowing one way and the cats walking through them the other way #to kinda show the difference in life inhabiting the village in the past and present #link's face is covered because impaz was just waiting for 'the hero' so his clothes are what matters; not his face #and it (hopefully) gives a surreal and intangible sense to 'the hero' she could only hope would actually show up #you can feel free to interpret the glowy blue sheikah as ghosts or just as memories of the past! i couldn't decide either way #the one on the bottom left is oot impa since she's implied to be the village founder. so i guess she would be a ghost actually? #fan art #my art #project stuff #and ahhh the book-- everyone's stuff is so beautiful!! #especially the writing. some of the fics made me really tear up and some were so fun and clever. i really love them #a lot of them captured the sheer burden of the role of the sheikah; all of the time and grief and doubt #i know i always say this stuff about every project but. the people i get to work with in these are truly so skilled every time

[nelkcats]

Let me retire!

Danny was tired of being a hero, in addition to being a profession that paid with nothing more than mental exhaustion and ungrateful citizens, the halfa was tired of having to bandage his wounds day after day, tired of seeing both perspectives and not knowing which side take

Danny could understand ghosts, he could understand how their obsessions were a fundamental part of who they were as people and there were things they couldn't help. While he initially protected Amity from the ghosts, at some point he also had to protect the ghosts from Amity.

So, it's no wonder that as soon as he saw the founding of the "Justice League" he declared that he was going to retire. He told it to the ghosts, since the humans weren't going to pay much attention to him.

The problem was when 2 weeks later he had to come out of his early retirement because the League had labeled Amity as "neutral ground" and "dangerous" and they were "capturing" criminals, who weren't even criminals, Ember was giving a concert!

Frustrated, the halfa went to the Watchtower, it was supposed to be his retirement! stop ruining it!

#dpxdc #Danny wants to retire #so he stopped being a hero #the League could help Amity instead of him #they were helping the world and all that after all #but Danny forgot something important #People outside of Amity wouldn't undertand the city #or the ghost #dp x dc #dc x dp #The League tough all the ghosts were enemies #the ghosts were chilling #The League is new here #JLD is still not formed #so they don't have experience with ghosts or spirits #Danny is tired #Apparently he is the one with experience now #damn it

[connyofthecosmos]

happy birthday to these goobers and happy 15th anniversary!!

#i was gonna do a whole big group picture but alas it wasn't in the cards #oh well. theyre still here in spirit #hs #413 #june egbert #jane crocker #homestuck #my art

[thatswhatsushesaid]

psa that the day there are no jgy stans left on tumblr dot com is the day i am dead

but rest assured i'll go to my grave exactly as i lived: obnoxiously proclaiming to everyone within earshot how great lianfang-zun is. narratively, metaphorically, spiritually. sexually, too, like why limit myself. i like to keep my options open

#the spirit of su minshan possessed me for a minute there but like. i'm fine with it #jin guangyao #he did crimes??? good for him 😌 #editing this post to add that while the tone here is clearly joking #i really am fundamentally still engaged with this fandom #and with this book #almost exlcusively because of my enjoyment of jgy #even xiyao is secondary for me like i love it and i'm ride or die for it obvs #but jgy as a character is the main draw for me. and he would have me by the throat even if there was no zewu-jun #(tho i think jgy's life would be more depressing for his absence obviously) #but he is just. /clenches my fists!!! #THE most compelling character in the story and i cannot stop thinking about him!! cannot will not!! #who else in this book has his range? who else can be the doe-eyed idealist AND the spy with blood on his hands who ends a war? #who else is two different greek tragedies and at least two separate shakespearean tragedies rolled into one antagonist #an antagonist who but for the POV of the novel could very easily have been the protagonist #whose moral event horizon is so deeply entwined with his own trauma and abuse that there is no way to meaningfully separate #the violence he does to others from the systemic violence that was done to him for his whole life? #who else in this book manages to get five separate sect leaders utterly obsessed with him no matter how you choose #to interpret that obsession? #no one!!! that's who!! #ain't no one else in the jianghu doing it like lianfang-zun and that's just a goddamn fact

[radiance1]

Vlad: Would you like to form an alliance... with me?

Ghost writer: Absolutely. Absolutely, I do.

Now, Vlad should know better than to ally himself with someone who broke the Christmas truce, buuuut. The call for DnD is so tempting that he just had to do it.

He then dragged Daniel and his friends into it as well. Daniel dragged his sister along and then the Fenton parents found out and, well.

It suddenly became a thing.

Oh well, both Vlad and Ghost Writer sculpt up some lore from each of their character sheets, weave a world from words and then drag a random number of people to act as their 'players.'

It was supposed to be people from Amity Park, but there was a miscalculation on that part, and honestly you can't even blame them because they've been weaving nonstop and Vlad ignored quite a bit of sleep to try and make this perfect as he could.

So instead of civilians they dragged in a few members of the Justice League and, well.

As long as they play by the rules nothing would hopefully go wrong...?

#dc x dp #dp x dc #dpxdc #dp x dc crossover #dcxdp #dc x dp crossover #I don't wanna say what roles they have in the post becus someone else could probably think of sum way cooler so I shall just say them here #Jack and Maddie? Probably mad scientists or mad scientist adjacent #Jack could even be a blacksmith and Maddie an Alchemist #One who makes weapons he really shouldn't be and the other dangerous and outright banned potions #I would say Danny could be a dragon but then there's the whole parenthood thing #And I would say that Jazz is queen of Amazons but then still #Parenthood thing. #Sam could be a nymph or sum typa plant spirit #Tucker could be a #Pharoah #Yes that #but who knows #Just me musing

[tepehkwi]

culturally-specific orientations and gender identities are real and they exist whether you want to validate them or not. terfs and truscum refuse to accept these facts because their ideologies can only be defended by racist and colonialist arguments, such as insisting that gender is biologically-dictated or that your gender is not real unless you experience gender dysphoria and pursue medical transition with hormones, surgeries, and legal document changes.

biological essentialism, cis-normativity, and the pathological idea of ‘transgenderism’ are racist, they’re concepts made up by colonizers that are violently enforced by christianity and white supremacy. when we say “gender is a social construct” we mean “the gender binary and the idea of transness, as it is defined by western standards, are ideas constructed by a white christian society.” i am ‘trans’ and ‘queer’ only because i am considered trans and queer by white christian standards. in my own culture, i would not have to ‘transition’ because my gender would simply be accepted.

colonizers force upon us their concepts of gender, biological sex, and sexuality while they continue to erase ours. you cannot separate the extermination of our culturally-specific sexual orientations or genders from the violent genocidal destruction of our cultures. the words that once existed for our concepts of gender and attraction were erased when our languages were banned and we were punished, beaten, and tortured for teaching them.

my own two-spirit identity can only be labeled using the language of my oppressors because the words for what i am are no longer spoken.

#xe speak #130k notes later i am deciding to remake the post in a more concise way #if you're not native i still encourage you to reblog this (without commentary!) (even in the tags!!) #my language here is vague because this applies to EVERY indigenous culture #not just first nations on turtle island! #ndn tag #indigenous #twospirit #two spirit #genocide mention

[flambo19]

Stellaron Hunter Game Night 🎮

#honkai star rail #hsr #hsr kafka #hsr blade #hsr silver wolf #hsr firefly #flambo art #okay lemme hit you with my headcanons while i was drawing this (its kinda long) #firstly i didnt think about what theyre playing. space smash bros ig?? #silver wolf of course sets it up and wins almost every time. its almost too easy for her yet shes still having fun #kafka doesn't really care about winning but enjoys riling up the others (mostly silver wolf lol). is not above a little spirit whispering #blade is here because everyone else is. he cant play well and doesn't understand the appeal. probably still having a good time #firefly gets really into it and tries her best to win. second best after silver wolf #the cat who is maybe elio maybe not is just here to nap and get pets. truly free #and the only couch these space criminals with a combined over 24 billion bounty own is almost too small for all of them #found family stellaron hunters my beloved

[lindseybots]

(Click for better quality.) Based on an au that popped in my brain the other day that STILL refuses to leave me. I made a brief, bare basics post about this yesterday (featured under the break).

To expand on it a bit though, I feel like WW Link’s appearance would reflect how he looked during his adventures. That is to say, regardless of the fact he looks like a kid, I like to think he lived a long happy life. Still, I feel like his adventures had the biggest impact on the rest of his life, and I felt his appearance as a ghost/spirit would reflect that. I’m still trying to decide if I want to have him wearing his Outset outfit or the iconic green tunic. Maybe he can switch between the two as he pleases? Idk. 🤷‍♀️

I feel like ST Link grows up calling WW Link “Wind” or even various variations of “Sailor”. I know the “Wind” nickname has been used in a lot of Link crossover stuff, and I love it and it obviously fits him well. Plus, Niko definitely tells ST Link all about “the Hero of Winds”. ST Link’s a smart kid. He eventually connects the dots. I want WW Link to have a nickname for ST Link too. A term of endearment kinda thing more than anything else, y’know? I’m still deciding on what the nickname(s) would be though.

Transcript under the cut.

Niko: Just sit tight little Link. Ol’ Niko’ll take good care of ya.

I better go see about ordering supplies… How do I get food for him? maybe Alfonzo could bring some from Castle Town and then I could see about…

WW Link: Niko!! you can’t leave the baby unsupervised on a table!

Well, looks like it’s just you and me, huh, kid? This is fine! I’m an adult… even if I don’t look it anymore for some reason… a-and an older brother! I can keep an eye on ya! (Reminds me of being with Grandma and Aryll…)

Oh, you’re awake! Hello. it’s great to meet ya, Link! (It’s a bit weird to call someone else my name.)

Wait a second… WAIT YOU CAN SEE ME?!

*ST Link starts crying at the sudden shout*

WW Link: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. Please don’t cry. I was just surprised is all.

#I said if I was feeling brave I would post art for that au #I was feeling brave #so here’s a little mini comic #whether or not my bravery stays long enough to keep this up remains to be seen 😅 #I’ve never made a comic before soooo #I need a name for this au huh #I didn’t think I’d get this far 🧍‍♀️ #still working out details on this au so bare with me #my art #loz #loz wind waker #loz spirit tracks #loz spirit tracks au #wind waker #spirit tracks #st link #ww link #loz link #the legend of zelda #toon link #loz au #The Wind’s Track AU #The Wind’s Track #WT au #WT #the wind's track #the wind's track au #wt comic

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

Killua: “I just want to be a kid and have a friend my own age who’s nice and do normal things like hanging out with them” :(

Killua: *befriends the least normal 12-year-old known to man*

#to be fair. Gon had a more normal upbringing than Killua but more importantly. A kinder upbringing #but they do NOT ‘just hang out’. I’m so happy they found someone to be weird little freaks of nature together with #and really. isn’t that the best thing we can hope for in this stupid little life? #hxh #storyrambles #killua zoldyck #gon freecss #<-he’s here in spirit #please understand this is a joke and there’s a lot more nuance I’m not getting into #but still. it’s funny.

[akiacia]

maggie ref! remastering this sketch from july 2023

the vanity angles don't make it a more useful reference but i enjoyed drawing it 🤣

#akia art #olba #olba mc #maggie's step 1/3 designs haven't changed much from when i initially played the game in 2021 #but i didn't settle on steps 2/4 until i revisited it last year 🤣 #i can't tell if i've improved since or if the differences are attributed to time spent and drawing mediums used LOL 👴 #my tablet art takes a more delicate look that i still prefer tbh #anyway for my spirit's sake i'll say i got better here and there lmao

[animalinvestigator]

happy 8 years

i will transform so i don't die

#my art #undertale #chara dreemurr #am a bit bereft of things to say lol sorry. usually this is where i have a whole diatribe to go off on #i didn't feel like celebrating very much this year so the artwork i made isnt very celebratory #but it was always the sad and futile parts of the story that made me feel the most when i was a kid . so #it's maybe truer to the spirit of my love for this game than any of the cutesy celebration drawings ive done over the years #um . as it was and still is. my heart lives where this story is #if i hadn't played it when i was a kid i don't know if i would have made it this far. im actually almost certain i wouldnt have #sometimes its hard to be thankful for that but i make myself be thankful lol. #so dramatic rofl. well it's just what i was thinking #thanks for being here everyone. i kind of like how this drawing turned out and i hope you will too

[xzazu2002]

happy new years u all! <3

#grian #mumbo #mumbo jumbo #grian fanart #mumbo jumbo fanart #hermitsky au #hermitcraft fanart #waffle duo #hermitcraft #skykid grian #sky…spirit?? mumbo? #webjhfedhuv #i donno u guys #sky is still so new to me i’m like jon snow #i know nothin >w< #i’m just here making my little art things #happy new years <3 #thank u guys so much for the happiness in tags through out the year #<3 #my art #cookiezzscraps

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda maybe: I just told my parents about this final and my mom asked who Toshiro Mifune was. My dad replied "you know John Wayne? Like that but with actual talent as an actor"

AKDJDJSHHSHDJDHSHA

#sidebar to nothing. I find it v amusing tab is still here in spirit as he’s snuck into toshiro’s poll bio #congrats tab you made it to the final after all!!!