#the taako kravitz energy of this

[ceilingfan5]

🎻you keep asking if your practicing is bothering me but honestly I'm so swept away. play something for me. haha I mean freebird not a like, romantic song, that would be, wild

They smack into each other, literally, like some kind of Hallmark movie. Taako’s got his enormous fluffy cat with the face like a broken human man on a harness leash, and Kravitz was looking at his phone and not the stairs, and luckily they fall off the bottom two and not the top two, because the sun has boiled the pavement and it’s hot enough to fry whatever viscera could’ve erupted from such an impact like sausage and hash at a greasy diner with a stupid name. Waffle Lot of Love. Achin for Bacon. Maybe Kravitz should be worried about how to extricate himself from this situation unscathed, socially or physically, and not thinking of bad diner names. 

Passion for Hashin. No one give him a predatory fried egg loan. 

“Taako!” He manages, after the shit- fuck- sorry he couldn’t hold onto. 

“Kravitz!” Taako gives him a big grimace. There’s a gap between his front teeth, and Kravitz notices it anew every time they run into each other. He’s so pretty. He’s so pretty, and he’s got a cat on a leash, and he’s wearing a purple paisley blouse with billowing wizard sleeves, and booty shorts that Kravitz can assume from experience say something obnoxious on the ass. And flip flops. Okay, maybe one flip flop. The other is on the ground, and his weird cat is sniffing it. “Shit, are you okay, man?”

“Never better,” Kravitz says, struggling deeply. He wasn’t ready for a conversation, let alone one with his hot neighbor with the gap in his teeth and the freckles like a starfield and the long messy hair and the dangly, flashy earrings and the glitter in his dark eyes. “You?”

Taako laughs. 

“I’m here,” Taako says, like it’s kind of a private joke. “Garyl, knock it off.” And he steps down, past Kravitz, to get the other flop. And he leans on the bottom of the stairwell to put it back on. Garyl levels his laser eyes at Kravitz instead, and doesn’t blink for a very, very long moment. Kravitz is sweating, and not just because it is Satan’s Asscrack degrees. 

“I’m glad you’re here.” 

“What, runnin’ into you and shit?” Taako snorts. “I wasn’t looking where I was going, my bad. And Garyl, I mean, look at him. Little man needs his walkies.” 

Garyl sniffs, and curls his tail around himself. 

“I wish I had some cat treats,” Kravitz admits, and not just because he wants Taako to fall in love with him. “It’s not every day you see a cat on a leash.”

“Guess you should open your blinds more often, dude.” Taako snickers. “Or your balcony, even. Taste the sizzling grill of modern day life.”

”Oh, I don’t want to bother people with my practicing!” Kravitz laughs awkwardly. This interaction has gone on much, much longer than he expected, but also now he’s not sure how to leave, and also he’s not sure how to talk to Taako again. He’s run out of excuses a long, long time ago. “I hope it doesn’t annoy you. I got those sound proofing panels, but they’re not cheap, and I think the vents-”

“It’s fine, Krav,” Taako says, leaning on the stairwell again. Garyl yawns so widely Kravitz has to wonder if that many teeth belong in a cat, even a big one. “I like it.” 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Taako nods, slow, chill, easy,. Kravitz imagines ever having any of that kind of energy, and has to come to terms right then and there with the theory that he would not know how to handle it. “You should play something for me. Not like, romantic, like uh, Freebird.”

“Romantic?” Kravitz says, instead of fucking Freebird, are you serious? Maybe he shouldn’t have. He’s stupid though. 

“Not romantic, I said!” Taako looks hot, all flushed in the sun. 

“Oh,” he says, instead of, but why did you bring up romance anyway?

“Cause that would be wild,” Taako adds, looking harried. “Playing me- romance songs through the walls.”

“Yeah, wild,”  Kravitz laughs, so, so incredibly sweaty. “I mean I know a lot of romantic songs, for weddings and stuff, but, I don’t think they’re your style.”

“Yeah?” Taako bends down and picks Garyl up. Garyl seems completely fine with this injustice, and only makes a gentle mrrrp about it. “What is? My style, I mean?”

“Uh,” Kravitz, who will not admit to having a motherfucking Romance My Hot Neighbor Playlist, scrambles. “Yankee Doodle.”

“Fucking Yankee Doodle, dog??” Taako is startled into raucous laughter. “For why?”

“You’d rock a feathered cap,” Kravitz says, dying on the goddamn spot. 

“Fair,” Taako snickers. “Maybe I’ll have to come over and hear you play that shit on your cello sometime. Not have to experience it through the vents.” 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Taako winks. “If you like.”

“I can play better things-” Kravitz starts, desperately undigging this hole. 

“Nah,” Taako says. “I wanna hear it.” 

“Yankee Doodle and Freebird?” Kravitz isn’t here. He’s gotten heat stroke and passed out and died or something. 

“That’s the mix,” Taako says, voice pitched up trying to hold more giggles in. “Add in that Lazy Town song about baking a cake, and you’ve got a hit on your hands.”

“Only the remix version,” Kravitz says gravely, resigning himself to this fate. 

“Obviously.” 

Both of them nod. Garyl yowls. 

“Gotta take my mans potty,” Taako says, as an exit strategy. 

“For sure,” Kravitz says. “I gotta go, find sheet music for Freebird. And make a blood sacrifice to my printer.” 

“I’ll let you go then.” Taako grins at him. Kravitz is melting, just knowing Taako’s looking at him. “Until our concert?” 

“It’s a date?” Kravitz!! No! What have you done!

“Yeah,” Taako decides. “It’s a date.”

#taz #tazb #taz balance #the adventure zone #the adventure zone balance #taakitz fic #taakitz #fan5fics #maybe i will clean out my inbox

[umbraastaff]

TAZ Paranatural AU! More under cut

Barry makes way too many vampire puns, which ironically makes Kravitz less inclined to think he's a monster, although it does annoy him.

Magnus is a werewolf and probably also a friend of the main group's; he and Barry cover for each other.

Merle is also here and he's in a vague Spender situation, except he also apparently doesn't believe in the supernatural. Yes, he's a whole entire spectral with healing & plant powers.

Merle's prosthetic arm is a tool possessed by the spirit Pan, who slowly makes the arm look wooden and treelike.

Merle is also possessed by a fragment of the Hunger, (a fragment containing John), a great evil spirit that he "defeated" by mistake. Now people and spirits come seeking his power, and he somehow turns a lot of their lives around.

Taako got teal spectral energy probably from unknowingly picking up a possessed object after Lup disappeared; something that gives him shapeshifty powers. Maybe a hat that's slowly becoming a wizard hat, although I didn't draw it here.

Lup's death happened when she was all alone somewhere in Refuge. Taako came in

(Also, Refuge is mostly just "Refuge" in name for now; I don't know if the time shenanigans are the same, but it might have something weird going on like being a fake/constructed town)

I don't know if the "Taako has to whack stuff" thing is actually true about the umbrella; maybe her unique situation allows Lup to help him by activating flame powers without connecting to him. This would, however, be observed by Barry and anyone else as Extremely Weird, because he's almost the opposite spectral energy color from the tool. Taako refuses to allow the umbrella to be taken and investigated, and it's probably circumstances out of his control that finally get it into Kravitz's hands.

#the adventure zone #taz balance #paranatural #lup #taako #barry bluejeans #taakitz #taz kravitz #taz davenport #taz lucretia #davenport #lucretia #barry #kravitz #crossover #au #mine #balance

[into-the-clintoris]

Taagnus not as endgame but as meeting your high school sweetheart at the reunion and thinking about what could have been.

Like imagine them falling so completely and utterly in love during the stolen century that when they forget each other its a hole in their chests, raw and stinging when prodded so they leave it alone. Then they meet again and the hole is filled? Probably? I mean, it doesn't hurt quite so much and Magnus's heart glows when Taako makes him chicken soup and Taako's chest feels like it's full of something warm and heavy when he tucks under Magnus's arm to watch the stars but Merle...kind of makes them feel that way too so it must just be having friends for the first time in so long.

And then they remember. And it's like...you were my first love. I forgot you. But I didn't really. I loved someone else but I knew how to love them because of you. And I still love you. But...neither of us is the same person. Julia. Sazed. Raven's Roost. Glamor Springs. It's not even about the fact that Taako has Kravitz now. Its...I don't think I could love you the same way any more, even if I had the energy to try. I think too much has happened. I think too much of me has changed.

Like I just think that Magnus will never be ready to love someone like that again, after Julia. Not even Taako. And it's easier to let him be happy with Kravitz than to untangle this mess.

And I think Taako wants uncomplicated, for once in his life. I think he wants to start over, one last time, and for this time to last, instead of 100 years of wiping the slate clean every year.

And on top of all that, one of them is a human and the other is an elf!! It didn't matter when they died and came back every year, but it does now. It all matters now and--

I think they kiss. Once. I think they gain their memories back and they can't fucking help but squeeze each other tight and kiss each other like they're oxygen. I think they cling to each other, because they forgot, and now they remember and its so good to have you back, I missed you even though you were right there almost but not quite.

I think they kiss. And then they look at each other and realize that this part of their lives is behind them. I think they decide, I can love you, but not like this. I want my best friend back. I thought you'd be the only love I'd ever have but look, I found it again! It hurt to lose you,, but I found love without you. But you... I'll never have you again. So let me have you. As a friend. Different, not less.

Taagnus, not as endgame, but as a memory.

#toby talks #DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL #the adventure zone #taz #taz balance #taagnus #taako x magnus #taz taako #taz magnus #magnus burnsides

[raspberrybluejeans]

@taznovembercelebration I got the card "playlist"!

I put entirely too much time and effort into this and probably could spend days more on it but I have to force myself to just release it now LOL. Thank you so much @ghostslazy for letting me use your picture for the icon! I am not brave enough to make a picture of my own yet lol.

The playlist is meant to be chronological to Barry and Lup's romance, so it starts happy, and then gets a little sad, and then gets happy again!

I explain my reasoning for the songs under the cut here, if anyone is interested!

1. I’m a Believer - The Monkees This is just the general realizing they’re falling in love song.

2. Words - F. R. David Their concert where they found it easier to “start the conversation” by playing music together

3. Something That I Want - Grace Potter Lup leading Barry away to finally actually talk

4. Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash Just meant to represent their time being happy together during the stolen century! I originally had a lot of songs here but I whittled it down to this one only lol.

5. The Way - Fastball This is meant to represent their lich ceremony. This was them officially deciding to be together forever no matter what. “It's always summer, they'll never get cold, they'll never get hungry, they'll never get old and gray” In any other circumstance a human and an elf falling in love would be a tragedy but they had so much time together and they decided to never let it end. This is the most important song on the playlist to me.

6. Somewhere Only We Know - Keane My first instinct was to place this earlier in the playlist, to be a part of “Hey Barry, do you want to go and talk somewhere?” but there is a melancholic tone to this song that just doesn’t fit with that. Particularly the end, when it says “This can’t be the end of everything.” I think this better fits Lup’s misery at the end of the stolen century when they distributed the grand relics. I think this is about more than just Lup and Barry, but about Lup’s love for the others in general and about her “Back soon.” note before disappearing.

7. Wildfires - Mariachi El Bronx This song encompasses many things. It’s about Barry and Taako desperately looking for Lup after she disappears. It’s about Lup getting herself killed and trapped. It’s about Barry having Taako kill him when their memories started to be erased. In general, it’s about the misery and drama that happened in that time period.

8. Could Never Be Heaven - Brand New Barry misery era lol

9. Dedicated To the One I Love - The Mamas & The Papas Lup trapped in the umbrastaff

10. Vanilla Twilight - Owl City Somewhat the same sentiment as the previous song, but I think more from Barry's POV as he tries to be productive in solving what Lucretia is doing, and wishing Lup was with him

11. Foxglove - Murder by Death Barry in the final stretch when we first met him in Here There Be Gerblins and while he haunted the THB throughout the campaign. I take the beginning of the song about burning to be when he couldn't quite remember what the passion he was feeling was while in his first human body that we met; and the end about the cool drink of water to be when his newest body being innoculated, and also him finally being reunited with Lup.

12. First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes The first feelings of relief with finally being reunited.

13. Past Lives - BØRNS Another song about being reunited, but I think with more passion and confidence than when Barry first became sort of cognizant and Lup recovered from being freed.

14. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship They're back together now and they're fucking unstoppable! They're gonna save the world!

15. I Melt With You - Modern English Another song about saving the world together, but to be frank this is here to calm down the energy just a little bit from the previous song lmfao.

16. High On a Rocky Ledge - Moondog Sort of represents the bargaining with Kravitz. I’m not sure if my vision is understandable here but most important is that last line “If you've the yen to pluck, then pluck us both; for we who have lived as one wish to die as one.”

17. Forever in Blue Jeans - Neil Diamond Does this need an explanation? They’re together forever happily ever after. I think they did okay, forever in blue jeans, babe <3

Bonus notes:

The original playlist I had of just songs that generally remind me of Blupjeans has over 40 songs so it caused me great agony to narrow it down this much but I did my best. I saw that post recently about how a really solid playlist shouldn't be that long and took it to heart lol. But god it hurt everytime I deleted one for realsies

I removed various songs that were way off base for the general genres represented here and also ones that just did not match the vibe.

Anyways if you actually read all of that ummmmmmm. I love you. Blupjeans forever..........

#You guys have no idea how much effort I put into this stupid playlist 💀 #taz november celebration #taz #taz balance #ograt

[noodyl-blasstal]

HI HELLO do you remember that au we played with with the yoga class + assassins !!!!!

Boy do I remember yoga class assassins! Thank you for this, truly, thank you. [This is part of an AU ask game, send me an AU and I'll tell you five facts about it... or ramble extensively under the guise of telling you five facts, who could say?]

Yoga Classassins basic premise: Taako is a yoga teacher who specialises in assassins. In, and within a mile radius of his studio is neutral ground. No fighting, no murdering, just stretching out all the murder limbs because they're knotty from skulking, crouching in wait, and lying on cold roofs wiith sniper kit. 1) Kravitz starts coming to class because his shady organisation stopped paying for the fancy gym he liked and this is the only place that has any classes which fits his schedule and they're all Taako's. He's right grumpy about it because he's used to doing really intense HIIT classes and smashing the fuck out of punch bags. Then he sees the teacher and, surprisingly, he decides he might quite like yoga actually... and maybe that Zumba class he mentioned doing... 2) Taako has a policy about not hitting on his students ever, no matter how beautiful they are. No matter how much he definitely knows they're checking him out. He's not sure he trusts himself to correct Kravitz's posture etc. without it feeling skeevy, so he does it minimally and Kravitz (mistakenly) thinks he's super good at yoga. 3) Taako's classes have a very loyal following because a limber assassin is a less injured assassin. Gotta make sure you do your stretches, can't go murdering people if you have strained muscles and you're off your game. Recovery time is bounties lost! This does mean he has to be super careful about what he says. The first 'accident' sure did solve the issue he was having with his shitty landlord, but after the boss at his second job disappeared the day after he mentioned the overtime he was stiffed out of he had to caveat any minor gripe with a "no murdering anyone about it!" 4) Kravitz gets assigned a job, there's this scientist right, he's about to make a breakthrough which is going to revolutionise clean energy, a new kind of engine, it's going to dramatically reduce the need for fossil fuels.

5) He's doing his scoping work like any good assassin, and oh fuck, is that Taako? Is Taako married? Is Taako married to the guy he has to eliminate???? Wait, why is there two of Taako? Fuckballs. He already felt weird abou this one, but the pay could get him out of the game and fund Raven's community centre...

6) (Because maths isn't the boss of me) Kravitz has such a packed schedule because he helps Raven (basically his adoptive Mum although they didn't do the legal bit) and her wife Istus run a community centre which absolutely saved his life. Raven definitely knows what he does for a living but just doesn't ask about it.

#Thanks Larissa this was a delight #TAZ #TAZ Fic #AU ask game #Noodyl Writes #Maybe this one should exist for real... #Taakitz #TAZ balance #taz balance spoilers

[cataztrophi]

TAZ November Celebration 15: Silly/One

And that's the month, folks! I've learned so much doing @taznovembercelebration, it's the first time I've done an event like this and I'm really proud I met my goal! It's been awesome seeing the great work everyone else has been doing! For my 15th and final entry, I got "silly," then drew "one" to get more direction. This was surprisingly difficult to get started with, and I tried a few ideas that I might develop later, but I'm really happy with what I made once I got going on the idea I liked! This one is a little ridiculous, and I tried to lean into the taakitz dumbass energy, which I hope I captured well.

Taako was never one to believe in unbreakable rules. Generally, he felt most rules, codes, and laws could be broken if you had a good enough reason. Sometimes you didn’t even need that. If he were forced to name any rules that he felt were truly unbreakable, he would have two: one, no matter what the recipe says, use more garlic. And two, when the Timewarp comes on your Spotify playlist, you do the fucking Timewarp. Yes, you had to do the moves, and yes, that included if you were in the middle of making a lemon cake with Swiss meringue buttercream.

Taako was thoroughly enjoying himself as he slid his Swiss meringue into the fridge to cool, then executed an enthusiastic jump to the left to gather his dry ingredients for the cake. He had a rare day off work, he was doing what he loved, and he could sing at the top of his lungs because he knew his downstairs neighbor wasn’t home yet. 

He wiggled around in a circle with the dry mixture in his hands, belting out the end of the chorus.

“That really drives you insa- FUCK!” The bowl clattered to the floor as he turned around and saw someone standing in the door to his kitchen. Flour, sugar, and all the rest of it exploded over every surface, including the nice shiny shoes and perfectly-creased slacks of his visitor. It was Kravitz. Of course it was.

Taako scrambled to pull his phone out of his pocket and pause his music, his heart still pounding from the shock.

“Kravitz,” he gasped out, “I thought you worked till six.”

Kravitz, as always, looked perfect, with his handsome face and his all-black suit and his long dreads pulled up in a knot behind his head. He also looked completely stunned, which Taako couldn’t blame him for, since he’d just witnessed his trainwreck of a sing-along followed by a catastrophic baking failure. 

“They just changed my schedule,” he said after a moment, his expression turning sheepish. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Here, let me–” He stooped down to retrieve Taako’s mixing bowl–thank the gods he’d been using a metal one.

“Fuck, you don’t have to-” He was hot from embarrassment and itchy from his new flour coating.

Kravitz straightened up and set the mixing bowl on the table. He looked Taako over, eyes lingering a little, which Taako hoped was because he was wearing a very short pair of running shorts he’d had since high school, but was more likely because he looked like some sort of feral snow creature.

“I… are you okay?” Kravitz asked.

Taako nodded. “Yep! Right as rain, my dude! Right as grain? No, that’s nothing.” Kravitz laughed, probably out of pity more than anything, but at this point Taako would take it.

“I’m sorry I startled you.” Why did he get to have the softest fucking voice on the planet? And why was he allowed to direct it at vulnerable people like Taako, at this, the worst moment of his life thus far?

“Oh, I knew you were there,” he said with faux nonchalance, leaning against the refrigerator.

Kravitz raised his eyebrows. “You did."

“What, you didn’t like my little one man show?”

He grinned. “No, it was- it was really impressive.”

“You should see what else my hips can do.” He smirked as he watched Kravitz’s eyes go wide. He was definitely looking at the shorts now.

“I… um, I have your mail!” he announced. Gods he was cute.

Taako raised an eyebrow, having fun teasing him. “Are you holding it for ransom or something? Cause I’m not not into it.”

“No I-” he stopped. “Isn’t that a crime?”

He shrugged. “Crime can be hot.”

“Mail crime?”

“I prefer males, yeah.”

Kravitz snorted. “You’re the worst.”

“My kitchen’s covered in shit, I’ve earned it.”

“Anyway.” Not to be derailed this time, Kravitz pulled several envelopes from the pocket of his suit jacket. “Some of your mail got addressed to apartment one instead of apartment two again. Where should I put these?”

“Just find the least floured surface.”

“Right.” He set them down on the countertop nearest the door. “Can I help you clean this up since I helped cause it?”

Taako crossed his arms. “I told you, that was intentional. When they put me on Broadway I’m gonna use glitter.”

“Oh, fuck, that would be the worst,” Kravitz laughed. 

“Gonna drop ten tons of it from the ceiling.” 

“The cleaning staff would hate you!”

Taako was laughing too, now. “The whole fucking world would hate me, my man! The world’s first completely unifying issue: fuck that guy with the glitter!”

They took a moment to catch their breath, and Kravitz sighed. “Please let me help you with this.”

Taako waved a hand, dismissing the request. “Nah, the kitchen’s too small anyway. We’d just be bumping into each other.”

“That’s not such a bad thing.”

His heart lurched. He’d been flirting with Kravitz for weeks now, but this was the first time he’d taken the initiative. Was that… was there a chance he was interested? Not just flirting for fun?

“Maybe not,” he said, his mouth suddenly dry. “You are gonna want to change, though, it’s gonna be bad enough getting flour out of your pants.”

A grin spread across Kravitz’s face. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He turned and left the apartment, and Taako spent a moment leaning against the counter, just breathing. 

He shouldn’t get his hopes up. Chances were Kravitz was just having fun, and so was he, but gods, Taako hadn’t felt like this in a while. Even longer since he’d fallen for someone this kind, or talented, or–

Taako pushed himself away from the counter and took a look at the mail Kravitz had brought him. That was a bill, that was a bill, that was a request for donations he couldn’t help with, bill— wait. Mixed in with the envelopes was a small sheet of lined paper, with a letterhead from the company Kravitz worked  for. There were some messy notes scribbled on it in Kravitz’s handwriting.

He wasn’t going to look at it, just give it to Kravitz when he got back.

The notes were divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction section, Kravitz had written, “tell him what you like about him: handsome, funny, smart, great cook, nice to see every day.”

He should stop reading. This was clearly something private, and he didn’t want to intrude, or for that matter, have it confirmed that Kravitz was interested in someone else. Someone at work, it looked like, which was fine. Great, even. 

“Taako, I think I–” Kravitz skidded into his apartment, wearing work jeans and no shoes, a panicked expression on his face. His gaze fell on the note in Taako’s hands. “Oh. You saw, then.”

Fuck. “Krav, I didn’t mean-”

“I just didn’t know how to tell you,” he said in a rush. “This… uh… wasn’t my top choice, though.”

Taako took a deep breath. This was fine. This was absolutely okay, and definitely not a collapsing five-tiered cake of a day.

“Hey, this afternoon hasn’t been great,” he said finally. “Do you want to just… have a do-over?”

Kravitz let out a sigh of relief. “That would be great, actually.”

Taako handed him the note. “So I didn’t see this, and you didn’t see…” he gestured towards the floury mess of his kitchen. “All that….”

He took a step back, brushed the worst of the flour off his apron, and said, “Hey, Krav! How was work?”

“Fine,” he said, biting back a smile. “How was your day?”

“There’s shit all over my kitchen,” Taako said. 

Kravitz laughed quietly, then looked down at the note still in his hand. “Okay. Um, Taako, I think you’re handsome, and funny, and smart, and–”

Taako’s heart skipped a beat. Actually, it skipped several. To be completely honest, it felt like it jumped down a flight of stairs. “Wait.”

Kravitz looked up, alarmed. “Are you… I thought-”

“Are you asking me out?”

He blinked. “What did you think the note was about?”

Taako considered this for a moment. “I’d rather not say.”

“Okay, I’ll… try not to be concerned about that. Um, should I go on, or…?”

“Do you… is it like, important for you to finish, for self-actualization or something?”

Kravitz grimaced. “Honestly I’d prefer to just know. I kind of feel like I’m dying right now.”

“Oh! I mean, hell yeah, my dude! Let’s do it!”

“Okay!” Kravitz’s face lit up, and Taako could feel an answering grin spread across his own face. “We should, uh, probably get this flour cleaned up first.”

Taako snorted. “Oh yeah, cha’boy’s not dealing with that at midnight.” He cast a sidelong glance at Kravitz. “Or tomorrow morning.”

Kravitz’s eyebrows shot up. “Uh. Do you have a broom?”

“Right over there, handsome.”

#thanks everyone!!! #taz november celebration #taz balance #taako #taakitz #taz kravitz #troph writes

[barry-j-blupjeans]

Love the ducks! Especially the tiny ones. Would love to hear the taz characters as ducks thoughts

get ready to regret this !!

all image id's are in alt!

i could go on w more but i don't have the energy rn sdlfsdf. please enjoy this selection! Only three of these are new (the racecar one for Lup, the unicorn one for Taako, and the flower pot one for Merle), the rest I have collected at other assorted times.

The Kravitz duck was actually a birthday gift!! And my mom used to have the Barry duck in her classroom because it also looks incredibly like my dad, down to the outfit and glasses shape sldfsdf.

Thank you for indulging me sldfksdf

Below the cut are some alternatives, because I honestly had a very hard time choosing!!

if it's not obvious, for the second image, the back duck is Taako and the front duck is Lup! And for the last image, the clown duck is Lup and the rose duck is Barry!!

#taz #taz balance #that's right im making everyone look at these #im proud of them all #asks #potassium-penguin #incredible username btw sdlfsfd #ise cube answers #i am speaking #damn tumblr really fucked up how this was formatted #it was supposed to be neat little boxes >:( #long post #*now* ig !

[sliceroftpeirweirisles]

Whumpuary 2024 Day 6

6. (Jan 11-12) Exhaustion / Blindfolded / Old Injuries

Barry Bluejeans was a strong man. Well, maybe not physically, but mentally he was strong. He could calculate the rate of necrotic damage at any skill level of a warlock. He could measure the precise amount of hair that he could grow on his chin in three days. He knew he was smart and therefore strong. 

On the other hand, emotionally? He wasn’t very strong in that area. 

For a man so strong in logic, he couldn’t understand how emotions continued to break him down. He knew, logically, that the night terrors weren’t real. He knew they just weren’t feasible any longer. There’s no Hunger, no threat to their plane of existence. No grand relics and no war. Nevertheless, he found himself waking up from night terrors long after everything started to settle down. The first two nights were fairly easy to keep under wraps. Barry had suffered from them before, but it had been months since his last one. Lup shook him awake on the third night after she found Barry crying out for her in their bed. 

After that night, he was determined to try and stop the nightmares from happening. Barry turned to his strength - his books - and started studying. He dove into logical explanations and jotted down notes about night terrors. He started coming up with a plan to build another body tank, just in case they needed it. He also read up on potions and home remedies for night terrors. Anything he felt the need to study, he'd drag out the chore into hours of reading and notes.

To further keep from falling asleep, he hung out with the twins and Kravitz who never needed to sleep. Taako and Lup were Twosun elves, which means they did sleep occasionally, they just didn't need it as often as humans. Lup used to be a lich and didn't need sleep, but since she gained her body back Barry found her catching up on that sleep a lot. Mostly with Taako at her side, the other times with himself. Kravitz was, of course, the Grimm Reaper. Not needing sleep is pretty much given to him. So Barry ended up spending nights at a time just chatting with the three of them in their shared living room.

One night of studying night terrors turned to two, turned to three. 

On the fourth night, Lup walks in on Barry barely keeping it together in the lab. 

“Babe, how long has it been since you’ve slept?” Lup asks as she moseys over to her husband at his desk. 

“Mm…” Barry mutters as he stares into a microscope at his latest project. Lup leans over his shoulder and reads some unintelligible scribble on one of the microscope slides. She can’t tell what he’s studying, but he’s definitely staring intently at something. 

“What are you looking at, Bluejeans?” Lup muses as she pokes his cheek.

He rouses and backs up to look at his wife. “M’spit” he mumbles and rubs at his eyes.

“Bear, why the fuck are you studying your spit?” 

“There’s somethin’ in it…” Barry removes his hands to reveal his eyes have deep dark circles under them. 

Lup grimaces slightly at the state of her husband and sighs. “Pack it up there, Bear. Time for bed.” 

“No, I’m studying, I promise I'm fine. I’m just not done yet.” Barry sounds like a small child insisting he can stay up late. Lup reaches out to take Barry’s glasses gently off of his face, earning a protest from the man. She knows he can't do shit without them. “Lup, please. I’m not done.” 

“And I’m not kidding, Barry. You’re exhausted, look at yourself.” 

“Lup, I’m not tired!” Barry shouts, glaring up at the elf. His angry expression falls instantaneously when he sees Lup is taken aback by his outburst. “I-I’m sorry, I just… I…” 

Lup gently folds Barry’s glasses and sets them on the desk. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just hurt my feelings… I need you to be honest with me, babe. When’s the last time you slept?” She crosses her arms and leans against the desk, staring down at Barry.

Likewise, Barry stares up at her, a nervous energy vibrating through him. Should he be honest? Could he even lie about it at this point? Lup looks pretty when she’s mad… 

“Four…” is all Barry can make out before he breaks the eye contact and rubs his face again. 

“Four what? Hours?” 

“Days…” 

There’s an uncomfortable silence in the room as Barry’s hands don’t leave his face. Lup wants to yell. Scream at Barry for doing this to himself. Yeah, they were reapers, but he was still a human in a squishy, human, sleep-deprived body that needed sleep. Lup wants to yell, but instead, she sits for a moment and then lets out the most controlled sigh before standing up straight. 

“C’mon, Bear.” Lup takes his hands and moves them from his face. 

Barry sniffles and obliges, trying his damndest to not look Lup in the eye. He stands when Lup tugs at his arms to pull him up. She doesn’t let go as she leads Barry away from the lab, away from the basement, away from the living room. When they reach the bedroom, Barry starts to weep openly and it breaks Lup’s heart. 

“Talk to me, babe. What’s going on?” Lup pulls Barry into her arms, gentle hands rubbing his back. 

“I can’t do it, Lup… I don’t wanna sleep. It hurts too much.” 

“Hurts?” Lup questions, a hand gently raking through Barry’s thick brown hair. 

“The nightmares… They keep– keep taking you from me.” His side of the hug turns to trembling as he uses all his depleted strength to hug Lup. “I don’t wanna lose you again.” 

Lup holds her husband in her arms as tears prick at the edges of her vision. She knows what she did to him hurt Barry. She knows this is her fault, that he’s going through unimaginable trauma. Lup pulls away from the hug and leads Barry to bed, sitting him down on the edge. She looks him in the eye, a serious look on her face.

“I’m not going anywhere, Barry Bluejeans… I love you, and I’m not leaving you, never again. I swear.”

Barry nods and rubs at the tears across his cheeks. “That’s just it, I-I know you’re not gonna go anywhere. My subconscious is just having… having a hard time catching up.” 

Lup smiles softly and kneels down, taking off Barry’s shoes and socks. “Then we’ll teach it. You love learning, babe. You can learn to tell your brain to shut up. You’re strong like that.” 

Barry sniffles and smiles slightly at that statement. He doesn’t feel like he can be strong like that right now, but Lup’s words are encouraging. 

“Tonight though,” Lup states as she helps Barry into the covers. “Tonight, you are allowed to be weak. I’ll be here to be strong for you.” Lup climbs into bed with Barry and tucks herself beside him. “I’ll be here, Barry… I’m right here.” 

#whumpuary2024 #whumpuaryno6 #tw sleep deprivation #tw past trauma #taz #the adventure zone #taz balance #barry bluejeans #lup

[holdmecloser-gandydancer]

for all (or at least, more than one sldfkdsf) fic wips:1, (Give a 5-word summary of this chapter/fic.), 3 (Whose your favorite character for this chapter/fic?), and 7 (What is your favorite scene you’ve written so far?)

for your favorite or just a pure random one: 20 (Share 3 images that would fit to a mood board for this chapter/fic.) and 21 (Share 3 songs that would belong on a playlist for this chapter/fic.)

thank u!!! -ise

1. Five word summaries

Call Me Now: Is psychic scam real love?

still unnamed theatre au: new relationships through cannibal musical

3. Favorite character in each fic?

Call Me Now: honestly it's gotta be Kravitz and maybe I'm projecting a lot onto Kravitz in this fic so far but uhhhhh I'm allowed to sjfbsjdb

Still unnamed theatre au: Sloane or Taako, hands down. their energies are very complimentary and I adore it!

7. Favorite scene in each (so far?)

Call Me Now: so I'd say probably the opening like. mental monologue with Kravitz. it sets the tone well, imo, and also kinda gives a clear idea of what kinda guy Kravitz is (suspicious of everything and nervous but also kinda just. just kinda aimless and still idealistic)

still unnamed theatre au: so there's this one scene where Kravitz has a mishap with a water bottle and he also gets his first solo interaction with Taako that I feel really kinda cements Taako's whole deal (I kinda accidentally gave him a Grant O'Brien vibe it turns out!!)

20. Images for a moodboard for the theatre au!

21. Songs for a playlist for Call Me Now!

Linger by the Cranberries

Runaround by Blue's Traveler

What's Up? by 4 Non Blondes

(I hope the links in these didn't get mixed up but it could be kind of a luck of the draw here snfbsjdb)

#rip (reeses in pieces) #thanks ise! #wip talk #call me now #asks #reese writes

[baghassavocados]

So, like, first Tumblr post 😌😌😌

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Right now, I wanna list out my AUs and their summaries cause I may make some into fanfics or ask blogs in the future (some currently being made 👀) and I wanna list them out for y'all to know, for me to keep track of them, and for y'all to keep an eye out for mayhaps (or help me out even, pls-)

The hyperfixations are also strong but they're everywhere and I need to write them all down; the notes app isn't enough.

Anyways... (Legit, no order to this whatsoever)

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FNAF Ghosts- The concept of Ghosts (CBS) using FNAF SB characters

Gregory and Cassie search through an abandoned arcade/mall for reasons (idk). Vanessa's there acting as a security guard to make sure no one, y'know, trespasses or gets hurt. Well... that fucking fails... cause Greg FALLS through the BROKEN FLOOR.

He's ok, tho :)

Vanessa isn't :(

Greg can see ghosts now! :0

Hijinx ensues >:)

(this is gonna be a fanfic. Maybe an ongoing comic, too, but I've not got the energy nor time to do another ongoing comic).

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Funtime Performer AU- The FNAF SL animatronics are actual human performers! (And the Aftons aren't dead! :D Willy still sucks, tho). That's honestly it... well, Elizabeth is still Circus Baby, but it's not because she...I did just say that nobody died, so I don't think I need to explain.

(This is gonna be an ask blog!!)

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Tangled TAZ- I put Taako, Lup, Kravitz, Barry, and John (as well as others but these are the main guys) into Tangled. Taako and Lup are Rapunzel, Barry and Kravitz sorta act as Flynn, and John is Mother Gothel. Garyl is in it too! And Taako and Lup get a mongoose named Daryll instead of Pascal :))

(THIS IS AN ONGOING FIC ON AO3! It's called "The Lost Twins" and currently is only at chapter 2... it's been like that for a few months now ;-; stupid school and procrastinating and non-TAZ hyperfixations).

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DanganTAZ - I put the TAZ characters into a Danganronpa situation... there's angst :)) I've hurt myself emotionally with this shit :,))

(THIS IS ONGOING ON INSTAGRAM!! DanganTAZ is the account! it, too, suffers a hiatus similar to TangledTAZ ;-;)

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Millie and Delilah (names subject to change) - They are my BATIM OCs! Basically, Millie is a combination of all the main toons of BATIM and Delilah is an unfinished character; all and nothing :)) [Ooh, that's a good title name :0]. I still need to fix up this stuff and figure more things out (since I originally made them back in, like, 2018, so... yeah), bUT it will be an ask blog, so y'all can help 😎

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Edit 11-11-23: I've another AU

RTC Goosebumps -I put the Ride the Cyclone characters into the new Goosebumps TV Series on Disney + (but I did switch some stuff up and am gonna use inspiration from different Goosebumps books).

A few years ago, a girl fell off of a rollercoaster and died. She lost her head in the process from the cart running into her as she hit the track. No one, not even by the passengers in the cart who miraculously survived, were able to identify her. Because of this incident, the amusement park has been abandoned. Most of what it had remains in ruin. However, strange happenings occur after 5 teenagers enter the now haunted amusement park and come out of it with some souvenirs.

...and some chilling scares.

Here's also some one offs that I don't think I'll make in full, but they deffo came up in my mind at one point:

(again, no particular order)

TOHTAZ (Lup and Taako as Eda, Angus as Luz, Barry as Raine, Kravitz as Darius, Mags is the Construction Coven Head, Dav is the Illusion Coven Head, Lucretia is Oracle Coven Head, Merle Plant Coven Head, Pringles Potion Head, Carry might've been Beast Keeping, and John is Belos. That's as far as I got, I think)

RTCTAZ (I have a few pics explaining this better-)

[scribbled to blur out my face 😬]

Anyways ummm ooh, my BATIM chapter 5 theory before chapter 5 came out, that one's actually kinda neat. (The Ink Demon and Bendy are separate, Joey's the Ink Demon, Bendy was hiding around at the bottom of the studio, making tapes to hopefully lead Alice and Boris in the right direction and having to hide or pretend to be the Ink Demon, Allison, Tom, and Henry find him, later on Allison and Tom turn on Henry and Bendy, and that's all I remember)

Ooh, and my other au where the loop didn't happen but the Ink Demon actually came back as a chill, toon Bendy (who was slightly deformed), that one's kinda cool, too.

Had a BATIM and Cuphead crossover at one point, barely remember anything from that (I primarily figured that out through RPing with myself and didn't draw any of it out ;-;)

Penny revives the choir could be a oneshot.

Losttale

Oh, Danganronpa characters in an Undertale situation (yes, I did put Nagito in Sans's position, it genuinely fit very well). That one's neat, too. Tis a shame I'm no longer into Danganronpa enough nor do I really know how to continue it... although, maybe I could, idk, that one also seems like a potential ask blog. It's honestly neat. Gotta fix it up a bit, tho.

Which reminds me of the fact that I put Alice and Bendy into Frisk's situation, imagining that as an ask blog as well.

Ooh, another DR AU I might not finish (but have written a bit and have occasionally thought of finishing it) is "What if Hajime got the Despair Disease and it carried on into chapter 4?" Nagito was slightly out of character in all the things I made of it, but it's still really good every time I look back. Came up with a whole new motive to replace the files (cause Hajime got them instead).

I actually might make this a thing, I might not, but Spiderman Bendy :)) (he has inky spider powers and he's "Spider Demon." It's actually kinda more "Venom-y" except the suit/ink isn't sentient. Also, the toons are human. Alice is like MJ, Boris is like Ned, Joey could be J. Jonah Jameson due to how much he looks AND sound like him, but it might be more fitting if it were Sammy, Audrey and Bendy are siblings [she might act as "Aunt May" despite, y'know, being his sister], I think Henry's Uncle Ben, sad 😔, dunno where the Butcher Gang fit, they're just bullies or possible villains, idk... actually, that might be it)

Oh, I also used Crybaby songs and made a story outta that using BATIM characters (Bendy was Crybaby)

Edit: I forgot my Taako Hanahaki au. Honestly, this seems plausible for a fanfic because of the juicy angst that comes from lost bonds.

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I think that's it

Well, I hope y'all enjoy the possibilities :))

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Bonus AU:

Twisted/Reincarnated JatGP AUs:

Backstory time: so, I did the James and the Giant Peach Jr. musical a few years back and a few members of our cast managed to come up with funky AUs out of it. I want to ask them for permission to write it into a full on fic and publish it on AO3 first, but here's me at least teasing it. I'm kinda hyperfixated on it atm and I wanna write it out entirely before it fades away in the back of our memories and the crevices of our Google Docs.

It's so fun, actually :)) (and so twisted >:)))

#fnaf #the adventure zone #ghosts cbs #ride the cyclone #undertale #crossover #au #alternate universe #ocs #tumblr is like a place where i can just infodump #i enjoy it :) #this is my first post #aaaaaaaaaa #batim #bendy and the ink machine #how the fuck did i forget that #danganronpa #i get why i forgot that #spiderman #Goosebumps 2023 #new goosebumps #goosebumps series #rtc #rtc musical #five nights at Freddy's

[papersasquatch]

I’m re-listening to TAZ and how Griffin resolved Taako’s taco quest because like... griffin could’ve easily brushed it off, he could’ve even put it as like an epilogue piece, but Justin made it clear that the most important thing that Taako would ever do is make this world’s first taco, so what does griffin do? Make it so Taako completing the taco quest by bringing information from one plane into his own was the first thing to break the seal between locked planes during an attack from the hunger allowing him to siphon enough energy from the plane of magic to save kravitz and fight back against the hunger.

Now that’s what I call DM/player plot collaboration

#the adventure zone #taz balance #taz #the adventure zone balance #taako tacco #taako taz

[ceilingfan5]

ooh. how 'bout circus criminals AU

“Step right up! Step right up- you’ve seen the action, and now it’s time to get your share!” Kravitz makes sweeping gestures with his top hat that are so dramatic that glitter keeps falling off of it. Taako bites his lip, trying not to laugh. Truly how he has the energy after a whole day of shows is beyond him, but Taako’s gonna match him pitter for patter until the crowds are gone. “Not a fan of carnival games? Why not test another skill?” 

Taako, still on his bigass stilts (okay, mediumass stilts, Lup stole the ladder-tall ones tonight) directs seedier traffic Kravitz-ward and seedless traffic towards the carnival games. The tweens and lovers and grubby child-babies can go throw balls at shit for stuffed unicorns. Double Secret Circus Blackjack is only for assholes. But like, a certain kind of asshole. They don’t need any law enforcement officers to step into the ring. Kravitz is duping ex-step-dads and greasy stockbrokers and self-entitled Um Actuallys into feeding the machine with their yum yummy dollar bills. 

You know, people that don’t return their carts at the grocery store. 

“Right this way!” Taako calls, slipping a number of shiny objects from his pockets and juggling like a dream. (Sometimes he does juggle in his dreams. Three previous roommates have complained about it.) He waits for a gap in the crowd and kicks with one long, long leg right towards the Hit The Thing With The Hammer Real Good stall– “Play sweet games, win sweet prizes!” and rolls his whole body toward The Subtle Tent– “Or try your luck, if you dare!” 

And so on. It all sort of runs together. Taako and Kravitz keep making eye contact that makes the air in Taako’s lungs glitter, and finally, when he’s got enough little fishies, Kravitz winks and ducks in. Taako drops his jugglin’ bits. For effect. He’s not stupid. He does make a show of struggling to bend down to pick them up, which gets a load of lil’guys gigglin and tossing him the things. Taako pretends to miss, and pretends to miss, and at the unlikeliest moment–oh my god mommy did you see that, he caught it!! 

Golly. What a miracle, at this, the Regularest Circus. 

He waits for a lull, rabbiting and yakking with the customers, playing it up, making a scene. And when he finally has a moment, he slips away and drops the stilts–easy as pie to make a quick change, if you’d like a slice. No time to redo his makeup, but it’s all whatever. The nights blend like impressionist paintings in a storm drain, and none of that oil paint should enter the water table. 

Heavy metals, you know. 

He ducks into the tent, like literally does a tuck and roll and POP, gasp hello it’s Taako here, can you believe you didn’t have him before now? You’re SAVED. And he walks around, checking on the heavy round felted tables that are such a bitch to roll into the semi when they leave town. Whatever the fuck was wrong with the Costco tables that fold in the middle?

He sneaks up to Kravitz, who is running the highest stakes in the tent, of course, and loving every minute of it. Taako pops up behind him– even sitting, that stupid top hat obscures most of Taako, you know, stilts-less– and pulls a few funny faces to amuse and distract the patrons. Haha, a fucking clown. Doesn’t he know his whole existence is stupid? Kravitz makes a big show of turning and Just Missing Taako, and the big fishies are in stitches by the time the clown is caught. 

“You’re distracting me,” Kravitz teases, shuffling cards like a real obnoxious bitch. Shame he’s so great. “Can’t you clown around another big top?” 

“Who, me?” Taako makes a big show of innocence. It’s so funny how much they’re taken in by him, with some makeup and sweeping gestures and nonsense. These are probably the kind of guys who’d run screaming from a clown in a haunted corn maze or whatever, but Taako’s got these dung beetles eating bullshit right out of his hands. 

“Yeah, you! Can’t you see I’ve got serious business to attend to?” 

“Sure, sure, sure,” Taako soothes, clocking Kravitz slipping an ace or seven up his sleeve. Taako’s whole chest bursts with affection. “I’ll secure the perimeter, sir!” And Taako clicks his heels together as loudly as possible. 

His shoes squeak. It’s great. 

Kravitz barely keeps a straight face. 

“As you were, Captain Bananapants.” 

Taako’s gonna show him. Taako’s going to show him but good. 

He honks his nose and evaporates, pacing round the outside instead. And Ring A Ding Ding, Chicken Wing, who the Fuck must be approaching but the goddamn fuzz. 

He presses a button in the lining of his pocket to Shut That Shit down, and Kravitz will certainly feel his pager go off. Taako’s time to shine, full distract mode. 

“Fuzzy wuzzy had no hair,” he starts off, pulling a full handstand and wiggling his ass. Here’s the thing about being a clown. You can get away with so much. 

“Can it, jackass,” the head guy in charge growls. 

“Oh, extremely loud buzzer noise!” Taako rolls back to a back bend. “Clown, actually. Fool, even. Jester, on the weekends. Harlequin if you ask sweetly. But not a jackass.” 

“You work here, right?” Buzzcut demands. 

“No,” Taako says politely. “This is a hobby.” He makes a show of stage whispering behind his hand. “The wife calls it a fetish, but what does she know!” He laughs so hard he makes himself fall over, and, when the cop steps over him, sits up as fast as possible. Both of them end up on the ground. 

“So sorry!” Taako pops up and reaches out to help him up, which obviously activates the buzzer on his hand, because he’s old school. It’s hilarious. It’s also not full grounds for arrest. Ha ha. “Are you alright? I guess I have a habit of tripping over my feet!” 

This doesn’t end, you know, well, but by the time Taako is done getting grilled like chicken on a milf’s salad, there’s no evidence or remnant of their super legal gambling ring. 

“That’s how you do it, baby,” Taako mumbles later, taking off his makeup. Sometimes he wishes he had a sandblaster, just get it real done real fast.

“Thank you again, Taako, you did perfectly.” Kravitz waits for him to be mostly lipstick free, and then tugs him into a grateful kiss. Taako takes two extra for good measure, and one for his pocket, and another to collect interest in the bank. 

“You bet your sweet ass, I did. I had to recite the whole clown code to those jokers to get them to believe me. You know, not just anyone can do this shit.” 

“Yeah,” Kravitz says, smiling glittery-eyed at his makeup-less face. “You’re a real stand-up ham.”

#taz #taakitz #tazb #the adventure zone #the adventure zone balance #fan5fics #taz balance #taakitz fic #thank you!!

[faintlyglow]

If I had the energy to write everything I want rn. I would finish my current taakitz fic and then write another that’s just centered around Taako sucking on Kravitz’s pretty fingers. There’d be lots of waxing poetical about Krav being a musician. Anyway.

Blah blah taakitz blah blah blah they love each other so much and are horny about it blah blah blah screaming crying throwing up

[kravkalackin]

“Could I perhaps ask you something? I don’t want to be rude, I’ve just been beyond curious all night,” Kravitz said, and he genuinely could not remember the last time he enjoyed himself so much. It was a little frustrating if he was being honest. 

He just wasn’t a fan of their typical galas and balls. Everyone trying to vie for his attention, having to put on a show all night, knowing that he couldn’t trust anything someone said as a genuine compliment or desire to get to know him. It was all a careful dance for power. 

His mother had suggested the masquerade idea, just to give him a night where he could have some fun and not have to worry about all those things. He really hadn’t thought it would work, that people would just be able to sense it was him or something. There was certainly a lot of talk about where the prince was all night, but Kravitz really wasn’t paying much mind to it. 

Sure, the accent was a little silly, but most people seemed to have no idea it was him under all the feathers and gems. His current companion seemed none the wiser, at least.

“Shoot, can’t promise I’ll answer though,” he said, and Kravitz could just make out a wink through the eyehole of the rather peculiar mask he wore. 

“Fair enough,” he said, smiling despite himself. “I was just wondering what exactly is your mask?” he asked, and the other man laughed. It was a louder laugh than was typically considered polite at these things, and Kravitz noticed several people look their way. He found he didn’t much care though. “I just, I can’t tell if it’s a weasel or a rat or, well whatever it is it’s certainly cute,” he added quickly. 

“Mongoose my man,” his companion said confidently. Kravitz raised an eyebrow at that, but it probably remained unseen under his own mask. 

“Certainly a unique choice. Why did you go with a mongoose?” he asked, because it was simply interesting. This man was so interesting, Kravitz couldn’t remember the last time he just talked to someone for so long, and he wasn’t anywhere near bored. 

“They have specialized acetylcholine receptors that make them impervious to venom,” he answered breezily, which wasn’t the answer Kravitz expected. “Very surprisingly dangerous, they’re known for killing snakes,” he continued. 

“What about birds?” Kravitz asked, the other man pausing for a moment as he gave him a look over, clearly taking in the black feathered mask of his before chuckling. 

“I don’t think you gotta worry your pretty little head there babe,” he said, and Kravitz was thankful for the mask in an all new way now. No one could see his embarrassment. Before he could think of some way to respond his companion was changing the subject. “So, you ever been to one of these shindigs before?” he asked. Kravitz chuckled a bit as he nodded. 

“A few, yes. And you?” he asked, and it felt a little like cheating, but he’d been trying to place the man all night. Certainly if they’d met before he would have remembered someone like him, but there were so many people at these things, and Kravitz was a bit of a recluse. 

“No, first time actually. Was kind of hoping to meet the prince,” he said, and Kravitz was trying to remember if there was anyone of note they had invited this time. He had not been paying attention to the guest list though, he never did. 

“Oh, I doubt anyone’ll see him. From what I hear he’s not much of a fan of the big parties,” he said, hoping it came off as casual. His new friend didn’t seem suspicious, shrugging without much care.

“I guess I can get that. I mean to be fair, when I came to this thing I expected to do a lot more dancing than walking around a garden,” he said, and they had been out in the garden for a while. Most of the night, if he was being honest. “Can’t say I’m complaining though,” he added. His voice sounded genuine, and taking a deep breath Kravitz steeled his nerves. 

“Would you care for a dance?” he managed to get up the courage to ask, holding out a hand. The other man seemed surprised, glancing down at his hand for a moment before nodding and taking it. The music was quieter out here, but they could still hear it just fine. 

“Sure, wouldn’t mind knocking another thing off the ol’ bucket list,” he said, moving in closer. Kravitz fell into leading with ease, and it was honestly a little funny as his companion tried to follow. He was clumsier than expected, but it didn’t take too long for them to get into a rhythm. Slower than Kravitz was used to to compensate, but yeah he certainly couldn’t complain. 

They kept talking as they danced, and Kravitz had no idea how long they kept like that for. He did know that he was gripped with the desire to pull up this endlessly intriguing man’s strange adorable mask just enough to be able to kiss him more times than he would care to admit. 

The clock charmed for midnight, and he was very disappointed when the man in his arms pulled away. 

“Shit, is it that late already? I should... probably be heading out,” he said, and Kravitz wasn’t able to hide his disappointment at that. 

“These tend to go well into two or three in the morning. Perhaps you could stay another hour?” he offered. The man looked conflicted before eventually shaking his head. 

“Nah, I’d love to, but I’ve got a shift in the morning. It’s already gonna be hell waking up after all this,” he said, and Kravitz cocked his head to the side curiously at that. 

“A shift?” he asked, and ask soon as the question left him the other man froze. He could see his eyes go wide inside the mask, an obviously caught red handed look on his face. 

“Y-yeah, that’ll just be our little secret, alright babe?” he asked, trying to sound confident but not quite managing to capture the same ease as before. Kravitz probably would have brushed it off, but from that reaction, combined with so many other little idiosyncrasies from the night that did nothing but charm him, one thing was obvious. 

Whoever this was, he wasn’t supposed to be here. 

“I really should head out,” he continued, and Kravitz wanted to keep protesting. The words got stuck in his throat when suddenly this man closed the distance between them again. He couldn’t see when his mask was pushed up just enough to expose his lips, but he didn’t hesitate to respond when the stranger gave him an all too short kiss. 

“But thanks, it was, ya know, a regular fucking fairytale of a night,” he said once he pulled away. 

“Wait-” he tried, but his companion was already dashing off between some of the large bushes and topiaries. He went after him, because he had to get his name. There was no way Kravitz would be able to find him again if he lost him now, not if he wasn’t even on any official guest list. 

Whoever he was though, he was fast. 

And apparently sneaky. None of the guards reported seeing a man in a mongoose mask leaving through the front exits.  

It didn’t make any sense. It was strange and inscrutable and utterly fascinating. 

And Kravitz was utterly in love. 

#taz #the adventure zone #taakitz #kravitz #taako #ps: taako works in the palace kitchen #which is how he snuck in and out #damn now i'm invested in this one too #i keep doing these drabbles just to keep my mind active #while i struggle to write long form fics #but then i get invested #promise i'm coming back to that warlock barry idea from yesterday too #one of these days i will have energy again and then it'll be all over for y'all

[rhinocio]

@sgrumby and friends started a bit where Taako was Balance’s lost twin and had amnesia because Lucretia accidentally hit him, and when have I ever passed up a chance to draw team ride or die

#TAZ #TAZ Balance #kravitz #the adventure zone #taakitz #taz balance spoilers #the zone cast #barry j bluejeans #angus mcdonald #taako #lup #lucretia #IPRE #taaco twins #I stan one (1) crew of idiot children #team ride or die #rhinociart #I love their Siblings Who Drive Each Other Nuts energy #she has his hat too

[noodyl-blasstal]

If you’re taking prompts from that list, how about 24 for taakitz?

Thank you so much Anon, this one was fun!

“Stop bringing me tea, or I’ll fall in love with you and that’s a threat.” From this prompt list (still accepting, although cannot promise a speedy turnabout!)

___________________

Finding a flatmate to replace Lup was never going to be an easy task. Taako had known once they finally started dating that it wouldn’t be long until she moved in with Barry. The relief of no longer having to deal with their increasingly more ridiculous pining wasn’t quite eclipsed by the anxiety of upcoming change, but it was a close run thing.

By the end of the first month Lup had spent nearly every night at Barry’s place. Taako was grateful, really grateful, (they had a whole lot of missed time to make up for and he didn’t want to be sharing a wall with them while they did,) but he couldn’t afford this place alone. Lup offered to just keep paying rent, but it wasn’t fair to let her when she was barely there and her stuff had mostly all migrated.

The logical option was a friend-of-a-friend. Magnus knew someone called Carey from his gym who was looking for a place. It wasn’t the same as living with Lup, but it was nice. They chatted, he took pity on her and added actual flavour to her meal prep, and then out of nowhere she decided to confess her years-long crush to Killian. A month later she gave her notice.

Next up was Avi. Lup and Barry knew him from work. He’d barely stepped foot in the flat before he got up the courage to tell Johann he didn’t want to be just friends. Taako told him how pleased he was through gritted teeth.

Sloane came to him through Merle. He’d assured Taako that although she had a massive crush on someone it’d never work out because they were a police officer and Sloane wasn’t likely to actually date a “fed”. Taako had received the wedding invitation four months after she moved out.

After a very reasonable temper tantrum, a brief discussion about cleansing the flat’s energy because clearly Lup had left some “weird romance vibes”, and banning any of his friends from suggesting another replacement. Taako got Lup to help him write an ad, chucked it up online, and he chose Sazed… like an idiot.

The next ad was a lot more specific.

Flatmate wanted who isn’t going to set one foot in the place, get up the confidence to tell their crush they love them, and then leave within the month. If you could also not try to attempted-murder me that would be great. P.S. It’s a two bed, part furnished, £420 a month (blaze it). 

Kravitz was the only person to apply.

Hi Taako. I’m new to town and don’t know anyone here, so haven’t got any crushes to confess. I’ve also never murdered anyone before, so hopefully that helps reassure you. Your place is in a great area and I'd love to move in. I don’t smoke or have any pets, and I’m happy to pay a full month up front plus deposit.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Kravitz.

He followed up nearly immediately with a second email.

I just realised that a murderer would probably also say that they hadn’t murdered anyone. I can send references about not being a murderer if needed. Thank you, 

Kravitz.

When he moved in, he said Taako’s changeable shifts were “good actually” because he could practice his instruments while Taako was at work “without worrying about disturbing him”. Of course it didn’t bother him if Taako came home late, he “knew Taako’s job was important”. Considerate bastard. Kravitz had also suggested the shared roommate calendar, Taako could put his shifts in so Kravitz knew when he would be out and not worry if he wasn’t home. Taako wasn’t entirely sure why he would be worrying, but Kravitz hadn’t confessed his undying love to anyone yet, so Taako could deal with a calendar. It was actually helpful because Kravitz put his shit in too. At least Taako knew when he’d have the house to himself. 

The first time Kravitz made tea must have been an accident, Taako was sure of it, he happened to walk into the flat as Kravitz was making a cup and Krav offered him one too. Taako was tired, it had been A Day, they’d been slammed and he’d barely had a moment to grab food or slug down water between orders. So yes, actually, a cup of tea sounded delightful. Kravitz was still in his fancy boy get up from his orchestra bullshit, and Taako couldn’t confirm or deny if a hot boy serving him tea in a beautifully cut suit was exactly what he needed to feel better.

It didn’t stop there though, suddenly, every night they were both in Krav had a cup of tea waiting for him when he got home. It was nice, was the thing, because it wasn’t just the tea. It was tea and a conversation. Kravitz would lean on the counter in one of his nice soft jumpers with his sleeves rolled up and his ridiculous cello-case-carrying forearms out and just pay attention to Taako. He would ask questions about Taako’s day like he actually cared. Worse, he’d remember stuff Taako had talked about before and follow up on it. Then he’d tell Taako stuff about his day and trick Taako into caring about it and asking him questions too. It was unreasonable behaviour, is what it was.

Taako couldn’t let this keep happening. It had gone from nights he was on shift to just every fucking night. Krav would come knock on his door, or, more recently, pause whatever show they were binge watching together, and ask if he wanted a brew. Wanted a brew. Taako should be bullying him for doing weird slang, not finding it charming. He should be talking up the benefits of that sweet sweet bean-juice, not getting Merle’s advice on different mint plants so he could make Kravitz a new blend for Candlenights. He definitely shouldn’t be looking forward to tea time and having weird swoopy stomach feelings when he thought about it.

He tried to say no once. He did. But Kravitz looked like a puppy he’d kicked, and something terrible twisted in his guts, so he immediately lied and said actually he’d meant to say yes ha-ha-isn’t-it-funny-when-you-misspeak. Seeing Krav’s sad face split into a grin had lit something inside him that he’d desperately been trying and failing to put out since. He’d tried skipping nights, and he’d tried remembering how great coffee was, he’d tried making the tea himself because maybe Krav’s weird spell only worked when Krav boiled it, but nothing changed. In fact, it got worse. He missed Kravitz on the nights he skipped. He’d text Krav while he was out with Merle and Magnus because he actually wanted to know how Kravitz’s day went, and what they’d played at orchestra, and if he’d nailed the bit he’d been struggling with... Maybe it wasn’t the tea? No. That was stupid. It was definitely the tea.

Taako had been glancing at the clock for a good 40 minutes, any time now there’d be a knock on his door. He didn’t want to be in his room, he wanted to be out there with Kravitz watching Antiques Roadtrip and thinking up overly complex hauntings for all of the objects the presenters bought; but he couldn’t be because Kravitz had broken him with fucking tea. If he made him a cup tonight that was it, he was going to be an absolute gonner. Taako had talked to Lup about it and she’d confirmed what he’d been worried about. Taako had a crush on Kravitz, he’d had a crush on Kravitz for a while, and if Kravtiz made him another cup of tea he wasn’t going to be able to do anything about it. But right now, he knew what was happening, he was alert, and aware, and ready. Kravitz couldn’t trick him, he was too smart for that. He could fix this. 

The best option was probably just to go get a pint of water, make a completely casual comment about how warm it was - despite the fact they lived in a flat which was consistently freezing and they both knew it - and then scuttle away. Perfect plan. No cup of tea, and no falling in love with anyone. Taako strode down the hall and into the kitchen to grab his drink, intending to stop by the lounge on the way back.

“Oh, Taako! I was just about to come and see if you wanted any tea.” Krav looked genuinely pleased to see him. What a dick. 

Kravitz filled the kettle and looked expectantly at him.

“I’m…er… I’m really hot?” Taako didn’t entirely mean it as a question, but it definitely wasn’t a statement.

“Taako, you do realise you’re wearing a turtleneck, a jumper, and a blanket cape right now? Are you sure you don’t want to take a layer off? Are you sick?” Kravitz had the absolute indecency to look worried about him, like Taako was the one being unreasonable right now.

“I’m not sick!” Taako said, more of an edge than intended in his voice.

“Okay, is something else wrong? Do you want some water instead?” Kravitz still looked concerned, and apparently now the tea thing was leaking into other beverages because the thought of Kravitz getting him a glass of water to look after him was actually really nice, which was definitely fully and completely insane. He had to stop this.

“Kravitz, Krav, Kraverino, Kravanchini, my guy, you have to stop making me tea.” There. He’d done it.

Kravitz looked at him questioningly, then grabbed the lid from the side of the sink, placed it on the kettle, and set it on the stove. “Why?” He asked, simply.

“Because I’m gonna fall in love with you.” Taako snapped. Kravitz did not look as concerned as he was supposed to look right now. Fine, Taako could spell it out. “That’s a threat. I’ll do it!” There, at least now he’d fucking stop, and Taako could go back to being all spiky edges and iron insides, no more of this having feelings lark. He didn’t want to feel all goopy inside; he didn’t want his stomach to do flips when he saw Krav’s stupid handsome face; and he didn’t want to enjoy it when their hands brushed as Kravitz handed over his mug. Taako was good out here and he didn’t need anyone fucking it up, least of all his dork of a flatmate with his shared calendars and his non-caffinated beverages. The threat of having a whole Taako as his problem should do the job nicely. Nobody wanted Taako full time - that’s why everyone kept falling in love to get away from him… or trying to murder him.

Kravitz looked him dead in the eye, grinned, fucking grinned and clicked the hob to life under the kettle. “I’ll make the buttermint you like.” 

Taako was going to fall in love with Kravitz so hard he wouldn’t know what hit him. That’d show him.

#It's definitely the tea's fault #Sometimes you just have to fall in love with someone really hard out of spite #TAZ Balance #TAZ fic #Taakitz #Noodyl Writes