#No recovery period between each of them either... | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

whinlatter · 1 year

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Heyyy I absolutely loooove your metas and fics and istg I've read all of them and I constantly keep reading them. Big fan, maam! Also I have a question, how do you think Ginny's family, especially each of her overprotective brothers reacted when they got to know that Harry and Ginny dated? And then broke up and the again got back together?

Thank you so so much for reading (and re-reading!!!!) all of my stuff, you absolute legend 💗💖💘

You will be unsurprised to hear that I've thought about this one a lot. The short version is: I'm Team The Weasleys Always Sort Of Knew Something Was Going On and Were Supportive (if a bit Amused). The longer version is below the cut!

(Also someone else kindly sent an ask about this a while ago, about Molly and Arthur knowing about the break-up, and I completely forgot to post my reply to that, so very sorry to that anon, and hope the too-long discussion of this Q under the cut makes up for it!)

I think there's a lot of evidence that throughout the series at least some of the Weasleys speculated something was going on or would one day go on between Harry and Ginny (especially the observant ones - Bill, Molly, Arthur, maybe even the twins, to some extent):

Ginny's historic crush on Harry in CoS is about as subtle as a brick through the window, visible both at the Burrow and at school with the Valentine, which the twins and Ron all know about (and rinse Harry for)

Ginny's romantic life is canonically the subject of some sibling speculation (see Fred and George at WWW in HBP), as are the love lives of all the siblings bar Charlie and the twins (Bill, Percy, Ron all get the sibling side-eye)

Starting in Christmas in OotP Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny begin to hang out a lot that Christmas as a foursome in ways that might invite some idle speculation about the pairings within…

By HBP, Harry does spend both the summer and Christmas holidays of 1996 either in cahoots with Ginny to tease Ron or staring at her or getting goosebumps whenever she got physically close to him (have you seen a teenage boy with a crush? Also criminally unsubtle)

When Harry and Ginny get together in HBP, I don't think Ginny would ever tell her parents or any brothers other than Ron that she's started dating Harry. But there may well have been clues her family might pick up on:

After Bill's attack by Greyback, Bill remains in the Hospital Wing. It's implied that Molly, Arthur and Fleur stay either in the castle or in Hogsmeade in the days between the attack on the Astronomy Tower and Dumbledore's funeral. Harry and Ginny are together at this point, spending all their time together with Ron and Hermione. Obviously Fleur, Molly and Arthur would be preoccupied with Bill's recovery, but I do think it would be noticeable that the trio had become a four, and that Harry and Ginny seemed much closer than they were previously - Fleur in particular I think might notice, given her affection for Harry, and likely pass on her speculation to Bill (hi sorry you got savaged by a werewolf but guess who your sister is smashing)

Many of the teachers close to Molly and Arthur (such as McGonagall and Hagrid) likely knew about Harry and Ginny (if Snape and Slughorn knew, the goodies knew too, I reckon). They would have had occasion to mention it to the family at least in passing in that interim period between the attack and the funeral (my money is on Hagrid)

At the funeral itself, Harry and Ginny sit together in public and interact quite intimately before the break up takes place (Ginny whispering in his ear, nudging him, then obviously staying sat alone together after the funeral is over). All her family are in attendance, and remain close by when the break-up happens, and likely travel back to London altogether (though I don't think they would necessarily witness the breakup or notice it happening in the moment). I think it would be clear that there was something going on between Harry and Ginny, even if it wasn't at all clear what that was

In DH, you have quite a few moments where there are even more little hints that Harry and Ginny was a bit of an open secret among the Weasleys:

In DH, Ron makes that comment about Ginny and the tattoo as they strip off in the seven Potters scene, in front of his dad, Bill, Fleur and the twins (Ginny's seen Harry shirtless because they're just very good pals, don't worry about it!)

Ok this one is a bit galaxy-brain take sleuthing on my part but during the wedding prep Molly is deliberately trying to separate the trio and convince them not to leave. She allocates the tasks and assigns them to combinations of people very deliberately. The evening after Molly corners Harry and tries to get him not to leave, she makes Harry and Ginny set the dinner table alone in the kitchen. Now, do we think Molly Weasley, Mastermind in Chief, might have put Harry and Ginny on a task together as she tries to persuade Harry not to go on the hunt... is this Molly pulling out the big guns...

At the wedding, Ginny winks at Harry in front of her entire assembled family when Muriel says she's showing too much boob (icon alert). And then Harry spends most of the reception leaning against a pillar staring at Ginny in front of her entire family. I mean, lads. You're killing me

When the DA summon the Order before the Battle in the Room of Requirement, Ginny is my petty queen has that infamous interaction with Cho over the diadem in front of the twins, showing she is giving precisely zero shits at this point

Harry and Ginny have that wordless interaction where Harry refuses to support her staying behind to fight in the battle, in front of all her family, where she at least appears to agree to go home only because Harry has said so, taking his direction over that of her family's. (I mean, we all know Ginny then tries to sneak off to fight because she's not only a petty queen but also a sneaky one but... still significant)

The big one for me is Ginny's reaction to Harry's death. She screams the loudest out of McGonagall, Hermione and Ron when she sees his body, in front of all the Weasleys and all combatants. I'm not saying this grieving war-ravaged family were thinking like huh weird that Ginny's so sad rn given the situation at hand, but I do think it was quite a telling moment for what Harry and Ginny had become by this point in the narrative

All this is to say I think many of the Weasleys might have suspected something was going on, but didn't know the full story, and have the discretion not to blame Harry for Ginny’s misery nor to pry too much after the breakup, especially when Ginny comes home from school heartbroken (which is partly why I had them trying to cheer Gin up somewhat ambiguously in think / hope - her parents can see she's extremely sad, they aren't entirely sure about why or about of the details, but I think they're attentive, loving parents who aren't stupid and might have their suspicions).

Overall, then, when Harry and Ginny get back together after the war, I think the family both sort-of suspect there's been this thing coming on between them for a while, and, while they'd perhaps be surprised by the extent of it (there is literally no chill way to say 'hey I thought of your sister as I died!'), I think Molly, Arthur and the brothers would just be happy for them, with a few jokes and 👀 comments here and there. I don’t think they’d be angry at Harry for the breakup or sincerely over-protective and territorial over Ginny. They love Harry like a brother, they'd love the idea of him being formally part of the family one day, and they trust him implicitly.

Honestly, I think it makes sense that Ron was the one who would have by far the most extreme reaction to the breakup in particular, and even his response is reasonably mature. It's worth noting that it's actually only Ron and the twins that ever openly actually discuss and try to pry/interfere in Ginny's romantic life - the twins in HBP to take the piss a bit (in a slightly slut-shamey way - 'you're going through boyfriends a bit fast, aren't you?'), and Ron both during in the infamous fight over the Dean kiss and during his angry conversations with Harry post break-up. I think this is peak big-brother-to-Ginny-but-actually-little-brother-to-everyone-else energy, playing up overprotective. I don't think Bill, being eleven years older than Gin would at any point be that interested in policing Ginny's romantic life, I think Charlie truly would notice very little and care even less. Percy's got bigger fish to fry and other issues to wrangle with after the war, not to mention a whole relationship with both Ginny and Harry to mend. I think, at most, Harry and Ginny get a bit of teasing from her brothers but that's about it (my dumb headcanon is the first time they hear Harry call Ginny 'Gin' they're like... excuse me? Who the fuck is that?) I think actually protective big brother energy, from the likes of Bill, would mean worrying about the two of them in terms of public media scrutiny, which must be relentless, and about their long-term safety from reprisal attacks more than anything else.

I also think it’s clear that Harry really doesn’t care all that much what the rest of the Weasleys think lol, and certainly doesn't fear them. He does fear the loss of Ron's friendship in HBP (wrongly, because Ron is an OG Hinny shipper), but that’s a fear specifically about Ron’s reaction, not that of his wider family. In DH, Harry’s fully about to go hold Ginny for a bit in front of Molly with zero qualms, and the two of them hold hands in the vicinity of Order members and family members twice (once entering the hospital wing in HBP, and once at the Burrow) - not an especially declaratory gesture, but one that suggests they don’t hugely fear discovery. I think both of them would accept the need to be braced for mockery but basically trust the family not to be dicks about it. The important thing to remember is that canonically Ginny Weasley can and will hex you if you step out of line

#do i think the weasleys took the piss relentlessly for the rest of their lives? yes!#do i think they challenged harry to a duel to the death for ginny's honour? no i do not #played professional quidditch and married rich: ginny weasley bossed up and all her brothers know it #thanks anon i am buzzing that you reread my stuff and stressed about how many typos you must have come across #meta #hinny #the weasleys #ginny weasley #harry x ginny

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shadowbends · 1 year

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DEEP DISH!! ROTTMNT FANFIC RECS (OVER 15,000 WORDS)

It’s me again, folks. Do you enjoy good fanfic? We’re reaching the end of the line, but I’m here to hook you up! Whether you’re new to the fandom and diving into the ROTTMNT fic scene for the first time, or a veteran looking for content you might have missed, my hope for this project is to point you to something you’ll enjoy!

This rec list is the last of three and focuses on longfic in the fandom, with a word count reaching anywhere over 15,000 words. You’ll find a variety of fic here, from novellas to full-blown novels—some complete, but many still ongoing! Though it may be heresy on the streets of New York, this is the list you want when you’re craving something really thick to sink your teeth into: a sit-down experience exploding with flavor. Don’t have time for that, actually? Then consider checking out my previous rec lists as well!

NEW YORK STYLE, BABY!! ROTTMNT FANFIC RECS (UNDER 5,000 WORDS)

STUFFED CRUST!! ROTTMNT FANFIC RECS (BETWEEN 5,000 AND 15,000 WORDS)

DEEP DISH!! ROTTMNT FANFIC RECS (OVER 15,000 WORDS) — You’re here!

If you enjoy any of these fics, make sure to reblog and spread the love! Don’t forget to check out the other works by these authors; many of them have written multiple wonderful stories not featured here that are just as good. Additionally, consider leaving the authors a comment! I’m not always the best at that myself, but fic writers work hard and deserve all the love in the world.

With all of that said, it’s time for the recs. Let’s dig in!

Quick note: On previous lists, I separated the recs by the general time period they took place in. I’m not going to that here, largely because—uh. Well. Nearly all of them are post-movie! This fandom’s sure been active in the last couple of months, huh? Given that, I’ll be sorting them by a broader method, but yes. If you’ve not seen the movie, this is your warning that spoilers abound in the recs below.

➤ ➤ ➤ CANON COMPLIANT

The Aftermath by Starrcrossrose

57,262 words, 9/? chapters (last updated 11/03/2022)

Character Focus: Everyone (Leo-centric)

Genre: Angst, Family Drama, Hurt/Comfort

It would’ve been easier to say what he was feeling, but he honestly didn’t know how. He wasn’t sure why, either. He knew his brothers would understand and comfort him and be there if he wanted them to be. Hell, Donnie’s surprise sleepover and everyone showing up for it in the living room had been proof of that.

Yet he still couldn’t do it. He’d tried to talk to Donnie and the pain on his brother’s face had been enough to make him never want to speak about things ever again. He didn’t want them to hurt the way he did; he wanted them to be okay and normal and happy.

You know they aren’t happy. Why do you keep pretending to be fine when the others aren’t either?

Leo squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face into his knees as he pulled himself into an even tighter ball. He wanted to go into his shell as much as possible, but at the same time, a searing energy was making his legs feel like he could run or swim for miles. He could just go and go and go until he collapsed.

Maybe… maybe that'll help.

Set a few months after the movie, Leo struggles with the long recovery time needed for his injuries to heal, both physical and mental. Unable to talk about it, he turns to unhealthy coping methods instead. The rest of the family is doing no better from the fallout of the invasion, however, with each of their own stresses mounting the longer things go unaddressed. That is until Chapter 8, when things come to a head...

There are a lot of post-movie recovery fics out there, each one unique. The Aftermath’s hallmark has to be in its slowburn foreshadowing, and excellent character writing. Throughout many chapters, we get a glimpse into the heads of just about every beloved character the series has to offer, including April and Casey Jr. Little clues to what’s going to go wrong are set up early on, but just like the characters, I was blind to how serious of a turn things were about to take until the problem finally reared its head. This fic does a good job of showing how important it is to talk to one another, even if it’s hard.

Aftershocks by Katiemonz, McBethins, octolingkiera, theashemarie, and this_kills_the_man

153,543 words, 12/15 chapters (last updated 11/06/2022)

Character Focus: Everyone

Genre: Family Drama, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

“Good game,” Leo said to Donnie, smiling at Mikey in the same sly way as before.

“Thank you, Leonardo, but as I’ve said Uno is—”

“But you still lost,” Leo continued. He swept the cards up and began to straighten them for another shuffle.

“Second place is hardly—”

“Honorary title,” Leo cut in again. “Mikey won, so we owe him.”

“Owe him what? I have—”

“Keep your money, Don. In this game we’re dealing in secrets.”

“Secrets.”

“Yeah, specifically what’s up in that brilliant, big head of yours after all that Krang shit. C’mon. You owe him one secret.”

Picking up from the end of the invasion but spanning the weeks after, the day’s been won, but no one came out of the Krang’s attack completely unscathed. There’s a lot of trauma to unpack here—unfortunately, talking about it is the last thing just about anyone in the family wants to do.

Another recovery fic, Aftershocks is unique for being a story told from five perspectives (the boys and April), as written by five different authors. As the brothers avoid each other, each arc’s events end up having quite the different take depending on whose POV you’re currently following, even in moments where the same scene is being retold. Truly an ensemble fic that focuses on everyone’s trauma, I’ve especially enjoyed that April was included. As the longest fic on this list, Aftershocks is heavy on introspection and exposition, but the characterization always manages to shine through in the details. I especially love the scene I quoted above; “Trauma Uno” is totally a concept I could see the boys coming up with.

A Tale of Spirits by unorthodoxx

47,202 words, 6/? chapters (last updated 11/06/2022)

Character Focus: Ensemble

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Crossover

"I need to find my brothers," Raph mumbles. "That's if they're even here."

"And then head back to the spirit world."

"It's not the spirit world!"

"Right," Toph grins. "This so-called 'other dimension' without benders."

"There are no benders in my world."

Toph reaches and places a hand on scaled skin. Huge muscles twitch under her palm and the spirit stops. "No benders?"

"Yes!"

She nods. "Like the spirit world."

Raph throws his arms up with a scream and Toph cackles.

For a crossover, this fic requires quite a bit of investment in the second fandom to follow; you’ll want to have seen all of ATLA Season 1, and potentially even Season 2 if you want to keep track of what’s going on, especially for moments when episodes are retold, but with the turtles added in. Additionally, the POV is solely with the ATLA characters. Is this fic worth recommending despite that? Abso-freaking-lutely. This might be one of the most creative crossovers I’ve seen in any fandom, and I’m absolutely hooked.

The plot is deceptively straightforward—the four turtles mysteriously appear in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, separated and with no idea where the brothers are. Their arrival changes everything, with the people of the world seeing them as powerful spirits and guardians. I won’t spoil who ends up with who beyond what’s shown in the excerpt, but it paves the way for fascinating political intrigue and character development on all sides, our fave turtles included. Donatello’s position is perhaps the most fascinating for what may come of it, but everyone’s new groupings have been an utter delight. The banter feels charming and wholly in-character, and I can’t wait to read more. This is definitely a fic to keep your eye on, if you’ve not found it already.

Brother Dearest by Wardenov

69,666 words, 22/? chapters (last updated 11/03/2022)

Character Focus: Everyone (Donnie-centric)

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Horror

“You came here looking for answers, weakling, because you messed with powers far beyond your understanding.” “I’m not-” She doesn’t let him continue. “Our brother may be dead, but the glory of our kind is that we are never truly defeated, not as long as our mark remains.” And as if to make her point, she raises a tentacle and delicately touches the glass - tendrils spawning from the point of contact, rapidly expanding across the surface like a frenzied contagion before freezing in place and crumbling under the extreme cold. “We cull the weak and assimilate those worthy, we bestow the blessing of Krang upon those who deserve it. You-” she spits, remaining tentacles scrambling to climb the glass where Donnie stood, “-you have stolen our gift.”

He says nothing.

“But,” she continues, sadistic smile returning, “your transgressions have ensured our survival. Our continued conquest. Whether you like it or not.”

Set a few months after the Krang’s invasion, things have seemingly gone back to normal for the Hamato family. Everyone’s doing their best to get by, and back to familiar routines and hobbies. Donnie, though? His newest project throws all of that into new chaos, showing that no matter how well-meaning, there are some things man (and turtle) was never meant to tamper with.

I’m absolutely feral for this fic, and desperate to impress upon anyone seeing this why they should read it. It might be one of the very best fics the fandom has to offer. Seriously. You want plot and worldbuilding on par with the Season 3 we never got? Exploration of the Hidden City, and the Council of Heads that run it? High stakes, suspense, action, and family drama? Look no further, fam. Brother Dearest has it all, and every character (even Mayhem!) has a big role to play. April’s sleuthing, Mikey further develops his new mystic powers, Leo has some heavy choices to make as leader, and Raph isn’t as home free after the Krang invasion as he thought. Make no mistake, though, the star of this show is Donnie in his unwitting supervillain arc. Will his family be able to save him from himself? Only time and new chapters can tell, but this fic dug its claws into my heart and won’t let go, it’s so good.

Drift and Chemical Reaction by Bronte

26,949 words, 7/7 chapters (split between two fics)

Character Focus: Donatello & Leonardo, Ensemble

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Family Bonding

"Piña colada?"

"What the—?" Donnie cuts him off before he can finish, cramming a green and yellow striped straw between his teeth. Leo wears some of it, the yellow, smoothie-like drink dribbling down his plastron. "Wait, where did you—what is this?"

Donnie smirks. "Pineapple, coconut, rum. A taste of the tropics."

Leo blinks and glances down apprehensively at the ‘Better Late than Ugly’ mug in his hand. "...does this have alcohol in it?"

"Does this have—pfft, I would never. Do you know who I am? Donatello, upstanding citizen of Manhattan proper?" Donnie barks a laugh, tossing his head back before leveling him with a look. "Of course there is. As the Bard himself said, self-love, my brother, is not so vile a sin as self-neglect."

As two sides of the same story, these fics are being recommended together! Set after the movie, Drift is told from Leonardo’s POV, both during and after leaving the prison dimension, where Chemical Reaction tells the story from Donatello’s POV.

The real charm of this fic, though? It has to be the banter. Reading this, I could totally hear the character’s voices in my head, which was only made better once the piña coladas came in. You think the twins are disasters; just wait until they’re drunk. These fics would be worth reccing on their own for that scene alone, but there’s actually a little bit of plot involved as well as Leo struggles to regain his ninpo, while Donnie... Well, something weird is going on with Donnie. Needless to say, both of these are a great read!

Every Night the Longest Day by ashtreelane

33,731 words, 13/? chapters (last updated 10/27/2022)

Character Focus: Leonardo & Family

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Medical Drama

“What’s wrong, Leo?” Raph asks from where he is curled around him, the snapper’s chin nestled on the top of his head.

“Can’t sleep,” Leo mutters. He smells worry, sudden and sharp, and when he opens his eyes Raph has whipped around to look at Donnie, eyes blown wide, looking for an answer. Donnie is looking at him too, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.

“We- okay. Raph, don't freak out. This is to be expected, remember?” Donnie is saying, his voice just barely on the wrong side of too calm. He’s freaking out too. Why? What’s happening? Oh, he’s being addressed now, he should probably pay attention.

“Leo, you were cursed six days ago to be unable to fall asleep. Your memory is suffering because of it, but we’re all right here, okay?”

Leo kind of knows what they’re talking about. He remembers it, he remembers that it happened, but the… events are… foggy. What- what had they been talking about?

“What are we talking about?”

When Leo is cursed to be unable to sleep, he and the family must wait for a new moon to break the spell through a ritual. Unfortunately, that new moon is nearly two weeks off. As Leo is forced to stay awake for days on end, his mental and physical condition quickly begins to deteriorate. Through it all, Leo’s family stays by his side to help him through it, beautifully balancing hurt with comfort through the beginning. As the story goes on and Leo’s condition worsens, though... Well. Things aren’t looking good, let’s say.

I have such a soft spot for this fic, though. It’s grown quite popular lately, so many of you reading this list may have already heard it, but there was a point when I was following early on where the author was debating shifting the POV around or sticking with Leo as an unreliable narrator. I was really proud of them for sticking to their guns and going with the latter, and I think it’s paid off in spades. The way the author experiments with formatting styles and missing scenes really makes the fic stand apart from the standard whump setup, and turns it into something akin to low-key psychological horror. If you’re into that sort of thing it’s a lot of fun; even if you’re not, the moments of family bonding peppered throughout the fic are so wholesome, and definitely worth your time.

Fallout by GauntletKnight

50,677 words, 20/? chapters (last updated 11/05/2022)

Character Focus: Everyone

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Family Drama

“We are here. We are alive. Raph and Mikey are downstairs. Dad and April and Casey are on the way. You’re alright, Leo. You’re safe. We are all safe. No one is here to hurt you…or us.” There is no special inflection to his voice, but his words are firm, unmoving. Leo shakes for a moment, squeezing Donnie’s hand…and then he blinks, his eyes clear and he tries to take a breath.

Violent coughs wrack his body as he tries to dislodge the blood that had built up from his sobs. Bright red spatters down his front and across Donnie’s hands as he holds onto Leo’s arm. Each breath is like nails on a chalkboard.

Draxum steps in instantly, checking the monitor for vitals. “I’ve gotta get to that punctured lung…or else getting this blood transfusion in him isn’t going to do anything.” He turns to Donnie, holding out plastic gloves, “Can you-”

Leo shakes his head, finally getting a rattling breath into his chest. “N-no…Don’s…not great with this kind of thing. S’ok…he’s so good at everything else he had to leave some for the rest of us.” He smiles up at Donnie like Donnie hung the damn moon and stars, his eyes still shining with painful tears. It’s…a weirdly genuine moment between the two of them…

Donnie doesn’t like it.

Set between the final fight and grabbing a slice in the movie, this fic follows the immediate aftermath of pulling Leo out of the prison dimension with a bit more urgency and attention to everyone’s injuries.

As I’ve said before, every movie recovery fic I’ve found has their hallmark, and I’d say Fallout’s is its heart and emotion. By focusing on the aftermath of the battle where everyone’s stresses are still running high, there’s a lot going on here, and it makes for some tense, but evocative moments. The story is lightly focused on Leo’s mental state especially, but everyone is going through it and as the POV shifts every chapter, each character gets some focus as they work through their injuries and messy feelings. Fallout is very satisfying read, and one I often come back to over and over.

hamartia by Punable

40,364 words, 9/? chapters (last updated 10/30/2022)

Character Focus: Donatello & Family

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort

It felt nothing like how he imagined dying would feel.

Donatello was a man of science, so it would have been foolish of him to have not, over the years, devised theories around what results certain situations would generate, what or who they might take out of commission, and what he would need to do personally in order to gain the best possible outcome. He would sometimes note down how he believed these situations might affect him or his brothers, both physically or mentally - he wasn’t an expert on emotions, far from it, but he could at least logically assume that getting, say, struck by lightning (one of his planned-for possibilities) would leave its own traumatic scar on any man or turtle that happened to experience it, so he’d dragged in April for those certain emotional areas and promptly abandoned her as a research partner when she’d told him he was being obsessive. He was not obsessive, just thorough.

He couldn’t help but feel as though some of that research time may have been wasted, though, as he lay on his side, his newest project slash rework shattered into almost unsalvageable pieces on the floor across from him. (And really, that felt almost like the harshest blow - how was anyone except him supposed to salvage that hunk of junk? Was that all that he was leaving behind?)

He felt it had been time wasted, maybe, because dying didn’t feel at all like the soft, slowing breaths of passing peacefully into sleep, or the fast tight gasping of someone going out from a bullet wound. If anything, it felt like he was breathing too deeply, every breath filling his whole body and stretching out every wound and puncture and fracture, oxygen making his head light (or maybe that was the blood loss). He didn’t feel at peace, and he certainly didn’t feel as scared as he thought he should’ve been, as he had read he should have been.

Mostly, it just felt like an inconvenience.

Donnie almost dies, and that’s just the start of this angsty tale. What follows is an interesting exploration of what Donatello thinks of himself and his role in the team, and his family’s growing concerns when he won’t give himself time to recover. Donnie’s brush with death has lasting consequences, and a large part of the fic is dedicated both to how much they affect him and how long he can hide it from his family (and the audience). Once the truth comes out, though? Oof.

The newfound disability is handled well, imo, and you really feel for everyone involved. There’s a lot about mental health that the author just does really well in general, actually. The focus on family and everyone’s concerns for their brother is where this fic really shines, though, and there’s a lot of emotion that hits just right. Basically, the hurt is done so well, I’m looking forward to when we get to more comfort.

i go there with you by bobtheacorn

21,649 words, 15/? chapters (last updated 11/04/2022)

Character Focus: Everyone

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Humor

"But seriously," Donnie says seriously, brandishing his tablet screen above Mikey's head and pointing at it, "I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you be Very Honest when I ask you to scale your pain using this -" He cuts his eyes toward Raph, who grins. "Emoji Scale. Which dramatization would you say you find the most relatable at the moment?"

"Okay, so defo… this guy," Leo says. He thinks he manages to lift his finger but that's all the juice he's got. "On the… left."

"That would be the thumbs-up emoji, Leo," Raph says cautiously.

"Awww," Mikey gushes, "Is that one because you love us?"

"Hang on," Leo says around another small huff of maybe-laughter, "You… can't prove anything. But also…" He moves his finger again. "Also this guy on the… on the far r-right. Like, for-real for real."

"Oh, the sad-angry-crying emoji, fantastic," Donnie says with a bit more pep, tossing the tablet and turning to Splinter, who's closest to the monitor, "Papa, would you do Leo a huge favor and smash that morphine button, please? Like, right now, immediately."

Set immediately after the invasion. This fic is a series of interconnected one-shots originally written for Whumptober, but by Chapter 9 breaks into its own thing. The whump remains a focus, but it’s tempered by a good dose of comfort and humor as well, which the author is a master of.

If you want a recovery fic after the events of the movie that matches the feeling of the show, i go there with you is the fic to start with. The characterization and banter are spot on, as is the emotional whiplash. All of the characters gets some love and introspection in this one too, which is always fun.

Now That’s What I Call A Vacation! by WayWardWatson

56,238 words, 9/? chapters (last updated 11/06/2022)

Character Focus: Splinter & Family

Genre: Family Bonding, Adventure, Hurt/Comfort

Splinter turned his attention back to Big Mama, the flirtatious mood from earlier dissipating. “I am calling in your favor.”

It was like he had slapped her with his rat tail with how she reared back in visible disgust. Her fangs clicked in irritation and she scuttled further down, closer to where Splinter was standing. “Remind me, when have I ever owed you a measly-weasly favor?”

“When you misused demon armor for profit that nearly resulted in the end of human and yokai kind alike?” Splinter evenly said. “Oh, and the time I rubbed your feet, all eight of them, when you were on bedrest.”

“I thought that was an act of love.”

“Kindness.” He corrected because his heart hurt too much when she said love. “I was being kind. Though, if you want,” Again, his voice dipped into a purr, splaying out his arms wide in open invitation. “You could be kind enough to give me and my family a free round trip to Japan? I know you can do it.”

More scuttling as a low hiss escaped her maw. “That is a big, dimbly favor to ask.”

“I thought we were calling those acts of lo- kindness?”

“Why,” She drew the word out as she finally reached the bottom and pressed her broach. Suddenly, a swirl of light engulfed Big Mama and, with a whoosh of mystic energy that smelt like nutmeg, he watched as her stature began to diminish. Just as quickly, the light fractured and then separated into small motes of bioluminescent dust, casting a dim, golden glow around them. Now in human form, Big Mama stepped in close enough to touch. “Do you want to go to Japan?”

Without thinking, Splinter’s eyes trailed down then up and he swallowed. His heart was beginning to pick up, but certainly not from fear. He took a moment to gather himself. “My children need a vacation.”

Splinter takes one look at the S2 finale and the movie and decides that’s it, this family needs a break. Deals are made, mystic disguise brooches are acquired, itineraries are made, and with that, the family (including April!) are off on an exciting vacation to Japan! As with all scenarios involving the Hamato Clan, however, nothing goes so simply.

You’re getting so much bang for your buck picking up this fic. A family trip to Japan is charming in and of itself—and the author has done so much research on the country that some passages feels like taking a tour of your own—but this fic actually has a lot going on for it. How they even get to Japan involves some fun mystic worldbuilding, and the cloaking brooches open the door to interesting commentary on body dysphoria. And of course, things take quite a turn when the fam runs into a figure from Splinter’s past who has questions he struggles to answer. A refreshing story with creative ideas, Now That’s What I Call A Vacation! also has an excellent grasp on all of the characters, in and out of vacation mode. It’s a darling read.

odd man out by cosmocrow

22,676 words, 4/? chapters (last updated 10/29/2022)

Character Focus: Future Leonardo & Leonardo, Future Leonardo & Casey, The Hamato Family

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Family Drama

“Master Splinter,” he greets, almost impressed by the fact that his voice isn’t wavering like he feared it would. “I’m sorry for barging in– like. Barging into your timeline? I– I can explain.” He really can’t, but that isn’t the point.

Splinter only raises a hand. “Don’t worry, Casey has brought us up to speed.” He turns to deposit the tray onto a cart, before folding his hands into the sleeve of his robe. Leonardo can feel those yellow eyes look him up and down as he straightens up again. Splinter takes a step closer, craning his short neck to be able to look Leonardo in the face. Melancholy dances on his features, but the rat smiles nonetheless.

“Look at you, you’ve gotten so tall, Leonardo.” The soft usage of his name almost makes Leonardo stumble. He hasn’t heard it from his father’s mouth in a long, long time. A familiar burn starts to prickle within his eyes, so he starts blinking in order to quell the itch, pressing his lips together, so his mouth won’t wobble. He isn’t sure why he’s trying – he knows that Splinter knows.

His father always knew everything.

Splinter steps even closer, lifting a hand from within the confines of his sleeves. Like a magnet, Leonardo bends down, so his dad can cup the side of his face. Gently, the old rat rubs his thumb into his cheek, just below his mask, over his red markings. Splinter’s sad little smile falls, and he tugs down the blue mask over Leonardo’s face.

“But,” he says softly, “you look so tired, my son.”

Several months after the movie’s conclusion, a familiar face from Casey’s averted bad future appears, just as everyone else is startling to settle back in. Predictably, this throws everything into confusion.

Tl;dr, Future Leonardo is sent back into the past and has to adjust back to a world sans apocalypse, and the family takes him in with open arms. Things between him and younger Leo are a lot more tenuous, but there’s a resolution early on that feels very true to their personalities—one less sure of himself, and the other who’s learned his lessons the hard way—that resonated strongly with me and made me fall in love with the story. Add to that some genuinely heartwarming moments with the family bonding, and you’re in for a good, if bittersweet time.

Recoil by unorthodoxx

63,236 words, 10/10 chapters

Character Focus: Ensemble

Genre: Action, Team Bonding, Angst, Crossover

“Hey guys,” he yells. “You might want to see this.”

It doesn’t take long for the three of them to spill into his lab. Leo comes in first and drapes himself across the back of Donnie’s chair. “What’s up? You find the secret ingredient to Luenzo’s Pizza yet?”

“No,” Donnie scowls. “They’re locked down tighter than Fort Knox, but it’ll fall soon. They always do. No fellas,” He enlarges the email, “We’ve been invited to a meet-up of sorts.”

Raph’s hand settles heavily on his shoulder as the larger turtle leans in to read. “Dear Genius Built…….Talk about…….agree to meet…..love…”

“IRONMAN!!?!?” Mikey shouts. “THE Ironman wants to meet us!”

“Wow,” Raph whistles. “The Avengers. That’s some top-level hero stuff.”

ROTTMNT crosses over with the MCU! Set in a world where both universes exist in the same setting, this fic takes place after the Krang Invasion, but fairly into the MCU’s history, long before the superheroes have their falling out. So long as you have any familiarity with the first Avengers movie, you’ll be able to follow the story fine, as it’s straightforward: the appearance of the Krang was as abrupt as their defeat, and Tony Stark can’t let sleeping dogs lie. After uncovering the turtles’ involvement, an in-person meeting is arranged to handle the fate of the Krang Key.

Most of this fic is just a fun excuse to let the ROTTMNT characters bounce off the MCU characters, and it’s fun to see who gets along and who doesn’t. That’s the thing I love in particular about this story—the author is true enough to their characterization that not everyone is friends by the end, in a way that makes whole sense. The Avengers are disasters themselves, after all. The plot of handling the key is done exceptionally well too, and there’s a lot of high octane action at the end that’s quite thrilling. If you’re looking for a good time, you’ll fine it in Recoil, and if you enjoyed it, there’s more where that came from! The author has planned out several other stories set later on in the same series, the first of which (where the turtles meet Spiderman) is already out. So keep an eye on that!

this kind of weather by ihaveathingforpink

21,526 words, 2/4 chapters (last updated 09/18/2022)

Character Focus: Leonardo & Michelangelo, Raphael & Donatello, Ensemble

Genre: Action, Hurt/Comfort, Crossover

“Well, if it is business you seek, Krang has a proposition for you. There are two turtles Krang wishes for you to…remove from the board as their tenacity has proven to be as obstructive as it is predictable. For our plans to proceed, it’s too dangerous for either to remain alive.”

Takeshi takes another sip before asking, “Turtles? As in the ninja turtles that reside beneath the city, whom everyone pretends doesn’t exist? The people of New York won’t be pleased if I do anything to harm their heroes.”

“Oh, I want you to do more than simply harm them. First, they need to suffer.”

“Suffering costs extra. I don’t do anything for free.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.”

“Yet you said two turtles when, last I checked, there’s four.”

“Ah, yes. They are of little concern to me. Krang only need you to get rid of two, and you must follow Krang's instructions precisely. Otherwise, you will fail. First, you will need to get rid of the little orange one; he may not look like much, but he’s one of the strongest mystic warriors of all time. I suggest you handle this one quickly—he can be quite slippery—but the blue one, Krang implores you to take your time.”

This story has one helluva hook. A surviving Krang puts a hit out on Mikey and Leo, and saying more than that would unfortunately spoil the twist of the first chapter. With just two chapters, though, this story is fascinating and deserves a lot more attention than it’s gotten. It has high stakes, great action, and is an emotional roller coaster that doesn’t let up. It’s also a bit of a crossover, though longstanding fans of the TMNT franchise will recognize these faces right away. That’s right, this is a crossover with Usagi Yojimbo! Besides characters of that series, though, there’s also a lot of familiar faces from previous TMNT series that Rise never got enough time to tackle, like Tiger Claw and Renet.

You can probably guess from the latter’s name that things are about to get timey-wimey up in here, and you’d be correct. There’s an absolutely killer plot at work here, emphasis on the killer, and whether they want to or not the turtles have to take a divide and conquer approach to it while at one of their lowest points. Seriously, check this one out.

Under Pressure by ParvumAutmaton

21,560 words, 4/4 chapters

Character Focus: The Boys & April

Genre: Suspense, Angst

“You know April, right?” The voice on the other end of the line asked. “You’re one of her gamer friends?”

Donnie blinked. The voice sounded familiar but that didn’t help him at the unholy hour where way too late morphed into way too early.

“And you are?”

“Her mother. Please, did she spend the night at your place?”

“No, she did not,” Donnie answered, forcing himself upright, his exhaustion evaporating with that question. “I believe she was planning on some extracurricular club activity yesterday afternoon. So we weren’t planning on seeing her.”

“I don’t suppose you know which club?”

“No, I do not.”

“Ok,” The waver Donnie heard in her voice implied that it wasn’t. “You will let me know if April gets in touch?”

“Of course Ms. O’Neil.”

The call ended.

Donnie stared at his phone.

One of the few fics on this list not set after the movie, this story takes place after the S2 finale on a dismal day when April goes missing. Investigating her disappearance leads the boys to a van and a lake, and an exploration on the dangers of cave diving.

As you can guess from that description, this fic has quite the creative setup that’s both atmospheric and suspenseful. Be sure to heed the tags because it does get dark, but it’s still a great read, and the turtles’ determination to find their sister pulls at the heartstrings.

➤ ➤ ➤ CANON DIVERGENT

big sister by Darth_Sunny

18,090 words, 6/? chapters (last updated 10/24/2022)

Character Focus: April & Family

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort

April O’Neil wasn’t an only child anymore. She had four younger brothers, whom she loved with all her heart, and who she’d burned the world down for if anything were to happen to them. She’d fight every ancient mystic evil the world would throw at her if it meant keeping them safe. And if she couldn’t be there for them at the moment, she’d be there for them in the aftermath. She was their big sister, their oldest and only sister. : was the self-proclaimed protector, but even he needed someone to protect him and to help protect their younger brothers.

So that’s why, when she watched the portal close up, slicing the Technodrome in half, stopping the Kraang for good, knowing that he was trapped back in that prison dimension, April O’Neil felt her heart break into hundreds, thousands, millions of little pieces.

This one’s a fic following April’s perspective on the end of the invasion, from Leo’s sacrifice, to picking up Casey, and reuniting with the boys. It mostly follows canon, but there is a fairly major change revealed partway through that makes it canon divergent from the movie’s ending. It’s unclear if other changes will follow, but just in case it’s being slotted in the canon divergent category all the same.

That’s not the focus, though. No, this fic is centered squarely on April and her relationship with the rest of the Hamato Clan. I love that it impresses how much April is a part of the family, and that the boys aren’t just her friends but her brothers, and that their pain is her pain. Watching the aftermath of the invasion unfold from her perspective is a fresh and evocative take.

Like Father Like Son by eternalglitch

132,982 words, 25/? chapters (last updated 11/02/2022)

Character Focus: Everyone (Leo-centric)

Genre: Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort

“Here, Boss!” Huginn darted back across the room, wings straining, as he carried a very… familiar…

“Uh, wait up, no,” Leo said, eyeing the blue object as Huginn dropped it into Draxum’s waiting hand. “Do you even know where that thing’s been? Have you properly washed it at least?”

Draxum’s roots suddenly shift, dragging Leo upright until he’s forced to stand on his tip-toes to have any sort of purchase. “I happened to have had it offered to me by the mutant that you call Meat Sweats,” Draxum said, admiring the collar (for that’s what it actually was, even if Leo had never called it that when it was just a gift from his brother) in the light. “He was quite helpful once I mentioned what I wanted to use it for.” Draxum started to approach, the collar held aloft.

“So, what,” Leo bit out. “You’re gonna stop me from saying my one-liners? Big whoop.”

“I think you’ll find,” Draxum coolly said. “That this has been modified to do so much more than that.”

This fic needs no introduction. In fact, there’s a high chance some of you heard of LFLS before they even saw Rise; I’ve heard of people who only watched the show just so they could read it! It’s the most popular fic in the fandom for a reason. If that’s scared you off, though, or if you’ve avoided it for other reasons, let me tell you why you should give it a chance.

The fic takes some of Rise’s best villains and settings, and explores the darker sides of them (do heed the warnings in the tags). Leo goes through the absolute wringer, but the effect his disappearance has on his family plays a central part of the story as well, with all of the brothers getting full blown introspection and character arcs. Donnie’s in particular hurts me. The emotions are high and the plot is juicy, with some of the tightest writing the fandom has to offer, including intelligent plans and dialogue. As far as hurt/comfort goes, this is definitely a slow burn with a lot of angst, but the author has promised a happy ending. Between that and consistent updates (it’s been going strong for two years), what more could you ask for?

Three Days to Live by Werepirechick

93,992 words, 13/13 chapters

Character Focus: April & The Boys

Genre: Cyberpunk, Action, Human AU

The heiress and former target lowers her hands, keeping them placidly by her sides. “K-tech is a vicious, unrelenting company,” she says, glasses gleaming in the room’s light as she lifts her chin in defiance. “The people who run it are the same. They don’t let people get away, and they don’t leave loose ends. You were all on their shit list as much as I am, the second you signed on.”

Leo shifts his stance, tightening his grip on his gun. “So what are you proposing?” he asks coolly.

“Like y’all said. I’m the heiress to the company. In three days I’m going to walk into a courtroom, sign the papers that frees K-tech from the control of my guardian, and walk out the richest, most powerful person in North America.” O’Neil smiles bitterly. “That is, if I can survive the next seventy-two hours. That’s where you come in.”

“You want us to guard you,” Raph states.

Ohhh, this fic is an absolute gem. You can’t say no to a good Human AU in this fandom to start, but to top it off with a cyberpunk twist? Trust me, this is a match made in heaven. The plot kicks off when the boys—hitmen in this universe—are hired to take out April O’Neil, an heiress to one of the world’s largest tech companies. When things take a turn, she makes them a deal: protect her for three days instead, and she’ll make them rich beyond their wildest dreams.

The plot that follows is filled with danger, intrigue, and high octane action. The world is incredibly thought out and immersive, and makes for a great way to work ROTTMNT’s mystic powers into a new genre. The banter, though. If you’ve read any of Werepirechick’s other fics, you’d know that’s their specialty, and it’s no different here in Three Days to Live. While on the run from the powers seeking to destroy her, the boys and April bond and their friendship is perfection. The series also blends in characters from other iterations of the franchise, but it’s not too distracting, and for the most part remains firmly rooted in the Rise style. Do yourself a favor, and give this one a read!

Posted: 11/06/2022

#rottmnt #rottmnt fic #rise of the tmnt #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #fanfic recs #the fics got longer #thus so did my commentary

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therealcocoshady · 2 months

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Recovery - Chapter 16

Eminem x FemReader (Y/N) fanfiction

Summary : Reader makes her relationship with Josh official. They go dancing on a double date but something goes terribly wrong.

Tags : Angst

CW : Sexual assault

FAST FORWARD TWO MONTHS LATER

You were officially Josh’s girlfriend. You had « the talk » a few days earlier as he brought you home from one of your numerous dates. You saw each other pretty often, at least three or four times a week. In fact, as soon as a date ended, he seemed to make a point to ask you on another one. He also came up with a lot of nice romantic ideas and gestures. Every week, he would treat you to a fresh bouquet of flowers, and he made sure to wish you a good day… everyday. Your dates were also really fun. He seemed to make it a point to come up with original ideas and not just the usual “dinner and a movie” thing. In the last two months, you had attended shows, art exhibits, dancing classes… You could tell he was putting a lot of efforts into trying to win you over, and it was working pretty well. He was nice, funny, good-looking and caring. Talking to him was easy and you felt confident whenever he was around. So much so that you managed to open up to him, namely about your sobriety. He was extremely supportive of this and there wasn’t an ounce of judgement about your past. So, when he asked you to be his girlfriend, you were happy to accept. Everything about your relationship seemed to come naturally and you were sure that, in time, you would develop feelings for him. Stronger than those you had for Marshall, even. Or at least, you hoped so.

Still, it felt nice making it official. Everyone at the studio constantly teased you on your happy demeanor.

Look at how happy she is, Porter said with a grin. Our girl is getting some good sex. That’s some orgasm afterglow shit here. I know it !

What would you know about that ? Marshall asked. You’re the most single person I know.

His friend simply replied by giving him the middle finger.

Shut up. You’re not getting any pussy either, man.

Marshall scoffed. As far as you knew, things were good between him and Nicole. However, it seemed like he hadn’t told the others about her. Probably to avoid getting so much shit. You smiled discreetly, as you were kind of in on a secret. He probably was getting laid and no one knew it. You tried not to think about it though. Just because you had a boyfriend didn’t exactly mean you liked the thought of Marshall sleeping with anyone, giving them the same orgasms as he had given you. It wasn’t that you were jealous or that you weren’t willing to go all in on your relationship. It wasn’t that you didn’t want your friend to be happy either. It was just weird to think about him sleeping with someone when the two of you had been intimate.

You, on the other hand, hadn’t had sex with Josh yet. At first, you decided to take it slow. Marshall’s words about dating and recovery echoed in your mind and you figured you should probably play it on the safe side. Then, things had gotten a bit more serious and you had come close to sealing the deal, but your period got in the way. You had been waiting for it to be over so that you could get laid and it was now over. You could tell your boyfriend was looking forward to it too, even though he was a gentleman and never pressured you about it. Meanwhile, you planned your first time in your head. You had even bought a nice lingerie set from the occasion. You planned on wearing it tonight as you were sleeping over at Josh’s for the first time after a double date with Hailie and her boyfriend.

When do we get to meet Josh ? Talia asked.

Soon, probably, you replied. You’re going to love him !

I’ve seen him in pictures, he is HOT as fuck, she said. The two of you are going to have the hottest babies ever.

Everyone laughed. By now, it wasn’t a secret to anyone that Talia had baby fever. You were pretty sure she was begging Jamal for a little one.

Wait. We have pictures of the hottie ? Porter asked. I wanna see.

Fine, you said as you rolled your eyes and got your phone out for everyone to see your cheesy wallpaper. It was a cute selfie of the two of you, at sunset.

Oh, girl, Talia said. You are SO LUCKY.

Jamal stared at her.

So you’re into skinny white boys now ? He asked. Mmmkay.

Everyone laughed at Jamal’s jealousy. They quickly commented on the picture and agreed that the two of you looked good together. Marshall looked at you with a smirk and you rolled your eyes at him. Although he was quieter about it, he still liked to tease you about your relationship. Only, he did it in private, via text or when it was just the two of you hanging out.

Anyway guys, I should go change. We’re going salsa and bachata dancing tonight, you said as you got up and rolled your hips.

You never dance for us, someone commented.

There’s a LOT of things I don’t do for you guys, you replied playfully with a smirk. Afterglow shit, you know ?

Everyone laughed except Marshall, who quietly stared at you and shook his head. You gave him a wink before exiting the room and changing into your clothes. You wore a beautiful black dress with a flowy skirt that still hugged the right parts of your body. It also had a deep v-neck that showcased your boob in the right way : just enough to be appealing, but still elegant. You added black heels and some gold hoop earrings. When you came back, the others were staring at you with big eyes.

Damn ! Royce said.

What ? You asked. Is it… too much ?

Oh, we’re definitely seeing too much of something, Jamal said as he pointed at your boobs.

Or not enough, Porter said with a chuckle.

You could see Marshall giving him the biggest side-eye you’d ever seen.

Sorry, Y/N, Porter chuckled. I just mean to say that you’re really hot in this dress.

You look very nice, baby, Talia complimented. He is going to be all over you.

Well, that’s kind of the goal, you know ? You said with a wink.

I could have lived without hearing that, Jamal said sternly.

You couldn’t help but chuckle. Jamal was always so protective. And when it came to you mentioning your sex life… Let’s just say he would gladly do without, as a matter of principle.

Whatever, it’s just dancing, you said with a smile. Nothing inappropriate about that.

Except it’s Bachata, Talia said. It’s like… the sexiest dance there is.

Is it ? Porter asked.

It is, you nodded. We’ve been taking a few classes. It’s really great. You’d like it.

Care to show us ?

You put some music on your phone and grabbed his hand, demonstrating a few steps. Royce and Talia were clapping, while Marshall and Jamal were sitting on their chairs with their arms crossed, unimpressed. When the music ended, Porter grabbed your hand and kissed it, like the gentleman he was.

That is a sexy dance, Royce commented.

Right ? Talia said. Babe, how come you never took me bachata dancing ?

Because I definitely don’t need that to seduce you, Jamal replied.

Oh, Josh doesn’t need that to seduce me, you chuckled. But I’m really happy he’s doing it. I swear, he is the most romantic person I know…

Y’all should see the bouquets he gives her all the time, Talia told everyone. Our house looks like a flower garden ! And all the little presents, the messages…

Really ? Royce asked.

Oh, yes, you said with a smile. I’m dating a great man.

That’s not even dating, that’s courting, Talia said. You guys are definitely getting married. I can already see the dress…

We haven’t even met him yet, babe, Jamal said sternly.

I don’t care, Talia shrugged. I know romance when I see it. This is the real deal.

Well I’d definitely like to meet him, Jamal insisted. Just so that I can make sure he has good intentions.

Don’t worry, you joked, if he proposes, he will need to get your blessing. And Talia’s approval on the ring.

Two carat diamond, oval cut, halo, preferably rose gold, she recited.

You’ve dated him for two seconds and a half, Marshall finally chimed in.

I know, you said with a smile. But maybe he’s the one.

He looked at you and seemed taken aback for a second. He sighed before looking at his phone and getting back to work. Eventually, they took a break and he came to you as you were making tea in the kitchen.

So… Dancing ? He asked.

Yup. Are you going to make fun of our dancing classes again ? You asked with a grin.

Nope, he chuckled. I mean, it’s still corny, but…

What do you and Nicole do on dates ? You asked. You could take her dancing, maybe she’d like that.

First of all, I won’t be caught dead dancing bachata, he replied. Also, I don’t really see that ending well, me going on a date in a place full of people…

Right, you chuckled. Your options are somewhat limited.

Kind of, he said. I’m not great at dating anyway.

Give yourself a little credit, you said softly. She wouldn’t keep seeing you after two months if you didn’t get a few things right.

Well, tonight is only our fifth date, he chuckled. She can still run away.

Only fifth date ? You asked in disbelief.

Yeah, well, I’m busy, he said. And so is she, with these shifts in the ER. You know, not everyone goes out every night…

I don’t see him everyday, you chuckled.

Come on, he said as he rolled his eyes. We never see you around here anymore. Even my daughter sees more of you than I do, these days…

Are you jealous ? You teased. Missing your incredible bestie ?

Maybe a little, he said with a smirk.

You’re too cute, you said before kissing his cheek. Movie night later this week ?

Sure, he said. Anyway, enjoy tonight. And be careful, alright ?

I’m with Josh, you said. I’m in good hands. And he knows I’m sober. I’m safe, I promise.

Good.

One question though… Are you with Jamal on the dress ? You asked. Is it too much ?

Doesn’t matter, he said softly. You could be wearing those awful cat PJs and he’d still be the luckiest man in the world to have you by his side. But don’t worry, you look incredible.

He kissed your cheek and went back to work.

That evening, you joined Josh, Hailie and her boyfriend at the club and had fun dancing the whole night. The classes you had taken were paying off and Josh couldn’t seem to get enough of you, his hands not letting go of your hips the whole night. You left him for a few moments as you headed to the bar to grab some water. You were hot and dehydrated from dancing. The others were also a bit drunk from all the margaritas they had. Thankfully, you stuck to mocktails. Josh had offered to stay sober, in support of you, but you told him there was no need. He didn’t drink too much but was definitely tipsy.

Hi beautiful, a man said as you approached the bar.

Hey, you quickly greeted him and waited for the barman.

How about I get you a glass of champagne ? The stranger offered. Only the best for a hottie like you.

Uh, thanks but I’ll stick to water. Plus, I’m here with my boyfriend so, very flattered but…

I don’t see any ring on that finger, he pointed out.

Please stop, you asked as you rolled your eyes.

Fine, I’m sorry, he apologised.

You looked over at your friend group, still on the dance floor.

There you go, the man said as he placed a glass of water in your hand.

Is that for me ? You asked.

Yeah. Sorry for hitting on you like a jerk, he said. Can I at least get a dance ?

Don’t think so. Sorry. Thanks for the water though.

You drank about five glasses of water before going back to the group and danced with them some more. You started feeling a bit weird. As if you were drunk. You figured it was the heat and needed to splash some water on your face.

I have to go to the bathroom, you told Hailie as she asked you where you were going.

I’ll join you in a minute, she said.

You went there and felt a hand on your ass. It was the stranger from the bar.

So where’s that boyfriend of yours ? He asked with a grin.

Dude, leave me alone, you said.

Don’t be a bitch, he replied as his face got closer to yours, his hand still on your ass. I’ve seen you dance over there. Man, those hips…

He smelled like booze and you were grossed out. You thought you were going to puke. You felt him push you against the wall, as he took one of your boobs in his hands. You tried to push him back but found you had no strength. You were suddenly scared.

Please, don’t, you begged as his moves made his intentions really clear.

You were silently praying someone could come to your rescue, hoping no one would think you were banging a stranger in the bathroom. He didn’t listen and you could feel his hands slip under your dress as tears starting rolling on your cheeks. You could feel his touch on your body. Right where Marshall had been the last one to touch you.

Marshall… you moaned as you cried.

Call me whatever you like, baby, the stranger said with a laugh.

You wanted to reply but you felt your eyes closing and your head hit the cold floor.

Y/N ?!

It was Hailie’s voice.

GET OFF HER, you heard her scream. HELP.

#eminem #marshall mathers #slim shady #eminem fanfiction #eminem x reader #eminem fluff #eminem imagine #marshall mathers x reader #marshall mathers imagine #marshall mathers headcanons #recovery fanfiction

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words-after-midnight · 1 year

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Writeblr Introduction (finally): N. Roy / words-after-midnight

Because I've been here since December and still haven't posted one of these.

[Updated 22-07-2023]

About me:

I'm Nico (he/him), a 32-year-old chemist moonlighting as an author of dark adult contemporary crime fiction and horror. I'm based in Tio'tia:ke, colonially known as Montreal, where I live with my 10-year-old cat Saturday and most of my chosen family and friends. I plan to publish under a pen name similar to the one on my blog (ie. not my real name - I like to keep my different "lives" separate). You can read more about me here. I love tag games and ask games and interacting with folks on here! I especially love the Find the Word and Last Line/Heads Up Seven Up games, so please never feel like you're annoying me by tagging me in those. I also love any and all music tags!

What I write:

My novel-length projects - 95% what I talk about on this blog in terms of my writing - are predominantly (though not exclusively) in the realm of adult contemporary crime fiction, usually in combination with horror, thriller, docufiction, and/or psychological fiction. All of my novel-length works take place in the same universe, and are all - either directly or indirectly - connected to each other.

My short fiction is typically either contemporary litfic, slice-of-life, crime/procedural, or experimental horror. Most of my existing short fiction is currently being submitted for publication (or in the process) to various literary periodicals.

I write and submit freestyle poetry on occasion.

My forte is writing well-developed, messy, typically queer characters who exist on a continuum between morally gray to morally bankrupt, as well as complex, intense, and/or dark relationship dynamics. Other things I love writing and featuring in my stories include:

Small casts (I typically focus on 1-3 central characters)

Symbolism, motifs, and foreshadowing

Found/chosen families and homes

Exploration of dark real-world themes, including themes involving mental illness, trauma, and recovery

Intense and/or introspective narration

Faster-paced narratives

Trope subversion

Social commentary

Experimental narrative styles

Unconventional formatting

Genre-blending

Complicated endings

What I read (with some exceptions here and there):

Crime thrillers/dramas

Psychological thrillers/dramas

Contemporary horror (not into supernatural or fantasy horror unless the premise and/or themes are very intriguing)

Litfic with darker plots/character relationships

Mysteries (especially murder mysteries)

Dystopian and/or realistic speculative science fiction

My projects:

I currently have three active WIPs, which you can read more about under the cut. You can also find general information about all my projects here.

Active WIPs:

🌙 Life in Black and White | Adult contemporary | Psychological thriller | The love of my life | Querying as of Fall 2023

Draft start date: June 7, 2008 Draft completion date: February 12, 2011

Status: Line edit + prepping query package

Comps: THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS (Nemerever) x GIRL ON THE TRAIN x CATCHER IN THE RYE

Summary: At the dawn of early adulthood and fresh from a childhood fraught with instability and loss, Gabriel's life revolves around outpatient psychiatric treatment, his own rigid routines, and trying to find purpose. But when his best friend moves in with the alluring Jeff, a former fellow patient, and Gabriel reluctantly befriends him, everything changes. After a fateful choice permanently estranges them, Gabriel is left to pick up the pieces of his life and identity, while all the while, a growing obsession lurks beneath the surface... Major themes: Control, choice, obsession, mental illness and recovery, stigma/social perceptions of mental illness, inevitability, grief, trauma, the butterfly effect.

WIP intro post Story playlist Pinterest (cw: violence, gore, some disturbing and/or suggestive imagery)

Tags: #libaw, #call it midnight (for inspo reblogs)

💀 The Dotted Line | Adult contemporary | Experimental horror/Dark comedy/Crime | Camp NaNoWriMo project - July 2023

Banner image source

Draft start date: July 1, 2013 Draft completion date: TBD

Status: Drafting

Comps: THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION x A CLOCKWORK ORANGE

Summary: A young, emotionally challenged inmate nicknamed after an Al Pacino movie navigates the bizarre and dangerous world of a medium security American state prison while plotting his escape.

Major themes: Survival, reinvention of self, abolitionism/overt anti-carceral messaging, institutional abuses and corruption, trauma, the darkest recesses of humanity.

WIP intro post M&S Camp NaNoWriMo Directory post Story playlist Pinterest (cw: violence, gore, some suggestive imagery)

Tags: #tdl, #the jungle (for inspo reblogs)

🔵 Supernova | Adult science fiction | Dystopian/Speculative/Science fiction | Introduced as part of Moon & Seraph Pitch Week in March 2023

Draft start date: TBD Draft completion date: TBD

Status: Pre-production (zero drafting/outlining)

Comps: FRANKENSTEIN x BREAKING BAD

Summary: What if you held the key to the Earth's salvation... and its potential destruction?

An eccentric Montreal chemistry professor is rumored to have isolated a dangerous theoretical compound with powerful implications for the energy sector. Despite her many warnings, her new PhD students, seeing strong potential for a solution to the advanced climate crisis threatening life on Earth within a few decades at most, decide to investigate the claims. By doing so, they ignite the spark to an unstoppable chain reaction of passion and pride, power and corruption, and unintended consequences they never could have anticipated.

Major themes: Scientific responsibility and ethics, unintended consequences, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, advanced climate crisis, discrimination and social inequalities.

WIP intro post Moon & Seraph Pitch Week post Inspo playlist

Tags: #sn, #hexa (for inspo reblogs)

#writeblr intro #feel free to reblog i appreciate it!#crime fiction #horror #writeblr #writing #writers on tumblr

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canonicallysoulmates · 1 year

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I'm glad I re-watched ep 6 cause there are little things I hadn't noticed before also I can process my thoughts a little better, and I do have a lot of thoughts.

It is heartbreaking to see Louis recovery but the moments between him and Claudia, and Claudia taking care of him are so sweet 🥺

I love how snarky Daniel is, he has no fucks to give 😂

Dr. Fareed saying "I'm not here" when someone tries to include him 🤣

Louis- Louis my boy why does it look like you're smiling when talking about how Lestat showed restraint by hiding the fact that he had the cloud gift from you, what is that about?

Daniel pointing out the abuse and Louis' response being "are we the sum of our worst moments?" He and Lestat might not have said the vows to each other but Louis is sticking to "for better or worse"

I'm sorry but Louis throwing Lestat's coffin at him from the window had me wheezing 💀

I think this is the episode where I said 'Lestat what the fuck?!' most often. Him recording a song for Louis was so sweet and romantic AND THEN IT'S REVEALED HE PUT ANTOINETTE IN IT LESTAT WHAT THE FUCK. I mean his plan worked he got what he wanted but still Lestat what the fuck.

At some point in the future, I need to know the story of this re-recording. I would like it to be a romantic, Loustat moment. Please and thank you.

Louis swimming the Mississippi to get to Lestat is unhinged, and the moment Lestat realizes it he looks like he's gonna melt into a puddle he's looking at Louis with the biggest heart eyes 💗

The vampire bond....suuuuure Louis, nothing to do with the fact that you're as in love with your husband as he is with you

I love Claudia staring Lestat down and letting him know to his face that she's only letting him move back because it's what Louis wants

Even though I am aware that this show is including elements from the whole book series a part of me wasn't expecting Lestat to actually talk about Magnus and how he became a vampire

I like the little moment of Claudia and Lestat telling Louis how they feel about his judgment of their eating habits. I wish we had gotten to see more nice, or "nice", moments between Claudia and Lestat preferably during the happy years but even him teaching her to play piano during this time period I would have liked.

Poor Louis just wants his family back 😔

"We leave the damage, so we never forget the damage" THAT IS SUCH A GREAT QUOTE 👏

LESTAT AND LOUIS SHARING A COFFIN AND CUDDLING 💕

ANTOINETTE BEING ALIVE LESTAT WHAT THE FUCK?!

Also Antoinette you dumb bitch, this man pursued Louis for six years while being with you, kicked you out of your own house so he and hubby could fuck in your room when they made up, made you fake your death, and cut off your own finger just so he could keep his marriage, and has you stashed away only visiting for a quick fuck and so he can complain about his husband and kid. He's not gonna leave his family for you. Have some self-respect.

Louis, learn from this, next time either kill your husbands mistress yourself or be there to witness it.

Louis knowing Lestat so well that he knows Lestat kept Antoinette alive on purpose and that he's just using her to hurt him and doesn't truly love her but still being hurt by his actions while also accepting that he'll take Lestat as he is hits like a punch to the heart 😭

I don't like Lestat's death in the book or the movie, and I am extremely doubtful that it will be any different with the show but something the show does better at least for me is make me understand why Claudia hates Lestat as much as she does and why he gets killed in such a brutal way. Because to be honest in the book I don't really get it like yes he's controlling and manipulative and wouldn't have let them go but I've always felt like 'damn did his death have to be so cruel?' but here I get it. I'm not gonna like it but I get their motivation and their reason.

At first, I thought Claudia's hatred for Lestat had to do with his coldness towards her, and while that certainly planted some resentment and started things I think her hatred actually has to do with his cruelty towards Louis, his hypocriticalness of having a mistress but wanting Louis to stay at the house and loyal, him physically attacking Louis almost to death, him continuing to hurt Louis by keeping his affair going and lying about it. Louis is the person she loves most, she wants to protect him.

Episode 5 is sad in a way that hits you like a truck, this one is sad in a subtle way. Both made me cry.

I don't know if this will make any sense but I find it interesting how Louis tells Claudia that give them a 100 more years and he can see them turning just like Lestat. Because I- I don't know how to phrase this but I feel it shows Louis starting to gain an understanding of why Lestat is the way he is.

Louis and Claudia's goodbye 😭

Okay, this is an extremely interesting change to me so in the book Daniel asks Louis to turn him at the end after Louis has told him about Paris and his time with Armand, and how he and Lestat had crossed paths again. But here Louis says that this, Claudia trying to leave for the second time, is the point in the story where Daniel asked to be turned which means this is where the interview stopped. I'm curious to see what changes this will bring to the story because so far every change has served a purpose I don't think they would throw this in randomly, in particular, I'm curious to see if this change will have some effect on when it comes to Louis and Lestat crossing paths again.

I find the little moment when Louis tells Daniel that he'd give him the gift now sweet. I really like their friendship.

And Rashid's face when Louis tells Daniel he'd be willing to turn him boy was like "what"

The moment one sees Claudia sitting in that chair is blood-chilling

And once again I ask LESTAT WHAT THE FUCK?! She was so happy and you hunted her down and forced her back home

Lestat using Claudia's trauma against her is so fucked up, I know she did the same to you by bringing up Nicholas and making you remember Magnus but still Lestat what the fuck?!

Sam Reid is such a great actor though! This show has such a talented cast

(the real fucked up thing is that I do understand how him forcing her to stay and remain by Louis side makes sense in his head. the last time she left Louis was devastated.)

Lestat makes the comment to Claudia that when he puts his mind to it he can hear the thoughts of other vampires at a very great distance, so I'm wondering if Lestat thought Louis how to hear other vampire thoughts at a distance the same way he thought him to hear human thoughts or if Louis learned that ability on his own, or through the help of someone else

Hearing Lestat saying "back in your cage sweetheart" when what the camera presents is Claudia crying is heartbreaking but also great use of the visual medium

Louis saying that Claudia and Lestat were more like each other than they cared to admit, that he could see he and Claudia becoming like him, and then this episode ending with Claudia saying that to beat Lestat you have to become him *chef's kiss* I love this show

The final chess game between Lestat and Claudia is so tense but also a great foreshadowing of what's to come

Louis, baby, can we put a pause on your story so Rashid can tell me his cause who is he????

Okay but the song Lestat composed for Louis is actually beautiful 😭❤️

#loustat #iwtv #iwtv 1.06 #iwtv spoilers #interview with the vampire #mine #non spn

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stranger-rants · 1 year

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Woof okay I saw a post pointing out that Max basically controls Billy's life in a sense (it was part of a bigger point) but now I can't stop thinking about it bc its true?? Like even if Max doesn't know Neil hits Billy, she for sure knows Billy gets in trouble bc of her and knows Billy always gets lumped with looking after her, taking her places, being responsible for her, ect. Like if she says 'I want to stay after school for club' you sure as shit know Billy is 'on call' until then and can't do anything until his responsibility to cart her around is complete.

And she knows she gets Billy in trouble sneaking out n doing stuff n being late for curfews like and she still does it and she's a kid and probably doesn't connect/care about that but at the same time it also makes perfect sense why Billy's always so annoyed with her, because she's someone who could have been his friend, could have been on the same level as him, but Neil took that away by putting Max above Billy. Neil made it so Billy literally has nobody in his life he's not submissive to in the sense that they control his life and I'm 😩

(And I don't like Max but it is also really sad that Max probably just thinks Billy gets grounded and she's a kid so she's probably like 'well he's an asshole so who cares if he can't go out on the weekend' but we know what actually happens. We know its not what she thinks and I do think if she found out the full extent she'd think about all the times she's gotten Billy in trouble and it'd be so horrible for her :( )

The dynamic between Billy and Max is informed by Neil’s abuse. He has intentionally created an environment where both Billy and Max can’t trust each other - Max, because Billy threatens her when she falls out of line and Billy, because he’s beaten when Max falls out of line. That said, it’s important to not lose the nuance of that situation. Both Billy and Max try to regain control over their lives in different ways but ultimately they’re powerless when it comes to the chokehold Neil has over the family.

While Runaway Max isn’t canon canon, it does indicate that Max knows Billy is being abused. The “problem” is that Billy pushes her away when she tries to help and Max is traumatized by the fact that her mother seems to be pretending it’s not happening. That’s still within the realm of possibility for TV canon. Max is a child. She’s growing up in a home where violence is normalized, especially punishment for behavior and Billy has certainly done a lot “wrong.” Even if she knew, she could rationalize it because that’s what the adults do.

I’m not saying this to villainize Max, either. It’s possible Billy doesn’t fully comprehend that the way his dad treats him is wrong. He has all of this trauma, though, that he’s not handling well and he’s taken some of that out on Max, which he may rationalize as okay because that’s how the adults around him handle their anger. This isn’t to say either Max or Billy are like their parents or doomed to turn into them, but rather they are trapped in this unhealthy, antagonistic environment where their parents model what not to do on a daily basis.

It’s why even if Billy had the chance to recover, I think it would be helpful for Billy and Max to spend time apart during that recovery period until they were both in a better place to work on their sibling relationship and if they chose not to be in each other’s lives instead, I would not fault them for it. Abuse is disorienting. It’s hard for either of them to act in a rational manner, even if they know their behavior will lead to harm. I can’t fault them for trying to take a little bit of power back even if they know it hurts the other, though I can expect better.

#asks #billy & max

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tblsomedoodles · 1 year

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I like to think fighters on the Nexus have a required vacation time after each major match, especially if they are injured. They're only allowed to fight in so many fights a month, and each fight has a required rest period for recovery. The hotel will handle any and all expenses during this time. The main draw to the Nexus is the all-inclusive benefits each fighter and champion is allowed on sign in and, unlike with her and Lou Jitsu's argument, most fighters are actually free to come and go as they please provided they've competed in the minimum number of matches their contract required (usually about three or four with one major fight). The problem with Splinter is he didn't have a minimum ma5ch limit with his contract, he hadn't even thought about it, and when offer3d one he outright refused. Then he came to regret it when he realized he wanted to spend more time with th3 boys.

Yes! Exactly this! Big Mama is well aware that if she keeps her fighters happy and healthy they will stay and continue fighting for her. So of course that's what she does. Lou was different only b/c, like you said, he didn't think he needed anything like that, plus no one could really injure him in the arena so it wasn't like he needed a lot of time off (at that point, he liked the fights so why would he not want to.) But then they end up with four kids and he suddenly feels like he doesnt' get enough time with them, so he wants to stop. it's more of a domestic dispute between the two then a contract one. Mama doesn't want things to change while Lou does. If they had the chance, i'm sure they would have come to a compromise either by finally doing him up a proper contract with a very low minimum match requirement or taking him off the rouster all together and making him the 'face man' of the arena. but they never got that chance.

Thank you!

#asks #tmnt #rottmnt #family web au

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violentviolette · 1 year

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hi jack! can you elaborate more on your idea of npd and hpd being possible subtypes of c-ptsd? I've gone on online forums wherein people with C-PTSD report questioning if they have NPD, and a lot of people asking for the key differences between the two disorders.

in my opinion i dont think there are key diferences and i think the reason theres so much overlap and confusion there is precisely why npd should be classified as a c-ptsd subtype my logic and thought process is basically that c-ptsd is what happens when people are abused for prolonged periods of time, but theres so many different factors that go into abuse and our responses to it that make things look differently for people. so then, depending on the differences of various factors, the specific ways that c-ptsd will manifest in someone would make up the subtypes. so for example, if someone is abused for a prolonged period of time during and throughout early childhood into adulthood, in specific ways where their self worth becomes dependant on outside factors and they rely on overcompensating through a delusional sense of self worth, ect. then that means that persons c-ptsd symptoms will manifest as what we think of as npd whereas if someone is abused for a prolonged period of time and there is a heavy sexual component to the abuse, either sa or grooming, or things like that, that persons c-ptsd is more likely to manifest like hpd with things like hypersexuality and using sex and sexual appeal as a maladaptive coping mechanism

because npd and hpd cannot manifest without abuse. they are at their core, an abuse response. and all of their symptoms are caused by abuse, there are no npd or hpd syptoms that would exist without the abuse. this is what i think sets it apart from aspd and bpd. aspd and bpd each contain unique nuerological symptoms that can and do manifest without abuse. aspd's lack of empathy and bpd's rapid mood cycling and hypomania. both of those symptoms, while they can absolutely be caused by abuse, can also be rooted in nuerological differences that can manifest naturally. autism and bipolar disorder, both purely nuerological with zero environmental causes, are examples of this so since the symptoms of npd and hpd cannot exist without prolonged psychological abuse usually starting in early childhood and throughout development, that means it cannot exist without c-ptsd. because there's no going through that without developing c-ptsd, there is no way to abuse someone for a prolonged period of time starting in childhood and have them be perfectly mentally healthy and not develop some form of ptsd. so since they cannot exist without c-ptsd, i feel like it would make more sense and be easier to treat when viewed through that lense i think people would have a much better and more successful time in treatment if npd and hpd were looked at trauma first, if they were classified first and foremost as abuse responses, as a specific presentation of cptsd. then recovery can begin from a place of healing, which is overwhelmingly the more successful approach in helping people with cluster b disorders

and while i do think aspd and bpd would also benifit from that kind of treatment and being looked at in that light, i think those disorders, specifically because of their persistent and lifelong nuerological/non-trauma related symptoms, require a more complex and multi-pronged approach

so thats my thought process and like i said, im sure im wrong about certain things or missing information and theres always the chance new research will come out that will better our understanding and change my thoughts on this, but this is where im at currently

#jack.speaks #anon #aspd #npd #bpd #hpd #cluster b pd #cluster b #cluster b personality disorder #c-ptsd #cptsd

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queen-scribbles · 10 months

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Since she's on my summer exchange refs, figured I should actually make a post about how things play out for Ody--specifically relating to Chance--post-class story. (This wound up. uh. long than planned at just over 1k. heh)

As I've mentioned, their relationship starts with her visiting him after the end of the Agent story. She sneaks into Coruscant, visits him in rehab. She smuggles in that drink he offered bc she doesn't want to wait until he's out and they talk. There’s a lot to talk about, starting with him apologizing for using her control word even though he knew it was wrong. (Being afraid to die explains but doesn’t excuse) She forgives him-more easily than he thinks she should-bc it’s the nature of spy business and Kothe wasn’t wrong about her being a plant. She maybe teases him a little about being too soft for spy work. He takes it in stride("Maybe I am. Might wind up a moot point." with how extensive his injuries were, there's low odds he'll go back to field work for a long time, if at all).

At the end of a few very frank conversations, they acknowledge there’s definitely an attraction between them still, and agree to see where things go. She told him about the Star Cabal, some of what she’s been through, being a double agent for Kothe, and promises to check in when she can. She is supposed to be maintaining cover in Sith Intelligence, so it’s not like she can pop over to Coruscant whenever she feels like it. They trade real names. She knew his from tracking down where he was for rehab, but Chance tells her before that clicks he's still on a lot of meds and Ody reciprocates. She was planning to tell him anyway so he didn't have to keep calling her Legate. (He is the only one who calls her Des or Dessa instead of Ody as a nickname)

She finds a way to actually visit after finishing on Yavin 4. While there's a very small part of her that couldn't help wondering if he was a Revanite through the Rishi portion, she always shushed it. That's her paranoia talking, Kothe and Watcher X rubbed off on her etc etc. She finally shuts it up for good when she finds the complete list of Revanite agents and his name's not on it(SEE!!)

She doesn’t give him all the details, just enough to convey what they were up against before changing the subject to ask about him. How’s his recovery going, will he be shifting career focus, made any friends in rehab? Chance accepts the redirect since she clearly doesn’t feel like talking about it anymore. (He’s coming along, still limps and probably always will, but at least he can walk. It does look like he’ll be switching to desk duty, probably as an analyst but maybe a handler. Not sure how he feels about the latter option.) They get a few days together before she has to leave so her people don’t get suspicious. There's a small boring period where they think about each other, she maybe hacks a couple systems to check up on him, and they make a habit of finding ways to contact each other with short messages that won't get either of them in trouble. Things are too tense with renewed hostilities for her to actually visit Coruscant again for a while.

After Ziost she comes back and she’s a wreck. Chance is semi-out of rehab at this point; it’s like monitored independent living. Doctors on site and biometric tracking but they largely leave you alone unless you call or the biometrics alert them to an emergency, so they have a bit more privacy. He’s immediately just “What’s wrong?!” and she tries to hold it together at the beginning, but by the time she gets to watching Vitiate consume the entire planet her hands are shaking and her voice cracks and Chance is pulling her in for a hug. It turns into their first kiss. Ody stays for awhile. Intelligence isn’t tracking her currently, Lana trusts that she knows what she’s doing(and she’s infiltrated the Republic before, she has three separate excuses prepared if anyone questions). She takes some time for her, for them, to really solidify the relationship. Her family is from Ziost, even if they've since relocated to Dromund Kaas, so she's really rattled and in a mood to prioritize personal stuff. Focus on the "little details" that matter. She spends a week or two there, and barely does any "work". Sometime in there also comes sex as part of that focus on being alive and both of them want it(they double check) and Chance is healed enough it’s not going to cause problems for him.

It's shortly before she has to leave that Chance brings up the possibility of just... walking away. Not from her hunt for Vitiate; he knows he can't talk her out of that. But from their respective intelligence agencies. Set up their own freelance investigative service, or walk away from that line of work entirely and do something different. It's very, very tempting, especially with her feeling on the Empire now, but she says no. The resources of Sith intelligence/Darth Marr are too vital in this hunt, she can't give that up o matter how big a problem she has with them. (Plus there's this new mysterious army that's started hitting both Republic and Imperial targets to worry about...) Chance says he figured but had to try, Ody promises she'll be safe, she'll visit again as she's saying goodbye.

They get one more visit between Ziost and the Wild Space Expedition, and it's not a long one. A day, at most. Stolen time in the middle of chaos. Then she has to leave for the Wild Space Expedition and that's the last time they see each other.

Ody comes out of carbonite five years later and, at some point after all the running and fighting and almost dying, finds out Chance was killed while she was MIA, sometime year 3 or 4. I'm still deciding whether it's the Sith or Eternal Empire that's responsible, bc either is a whole lot of juicy angst. Either it's one more thing the Empire she swore to uphold took from her, or it'll make her interactions with Arcann really interesting and I'm not sure which would be more Fun. 😈

So she's trying to process the grief of that, wondering if things would be different if she'd agreed to his "Let's just go" suggestion since he was KIA, while also standing against the Eternal Empire and trying to get Valkorion TF OUT OF HER HEAD. Not a fun time for her.

This is already longer than planned for it to be, so. Basically. Healing process from KotET through EoO, then she's gonna flirt with the cute space pirate Mandalorian and hopefully that'll end better.😊😉

#queen in space #odessa isric #i'm so mean to my agents guys #and idk why #now i can actually submit for that exchange xD #i didn't want her blurb on that to be the first and only place i talked about how all of This unfolds

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mariacallous · 7 months

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Media capture is one of the great causes of democratic backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe. Next month’s elections in Poland, despite a burgeoning cash-for-visas scandal rocking the incumbent administration, is largely being framed around a nonsensical referendum question on supposed EU efforts to push illegal migrants into the country.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the chairman of the country’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), is borrowing from the playbook of his Hungarian counterpart, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, by stoking fears of foreign interference and by harnessing informal power, which could undermine the fairness of the elections.

These governments used a threefold informal toolkit to consolidate control over the state and the society. First, clientelist corruption is central to controlling economic power by keeping political and economic opponents sidelined. Second, media capture is the linchpin of these regimes, used to boost the government’s support and undermine dissident voices. Third, the government is tilting the playing field with vote-buying as well as economic and policy coercion that has a negative effect on the integrity of the elections. This all comes against a backdrop of ongoing legal action taken by the EU against Poland for its persistent disregard for democratic standards and the core values of the European bloc.

For the first time, last year, the European Commission triggered the rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in response to democratic backsliding. This new instrument aims to protect the budget and financial interests of the EU in the face of rule-of-law breaches, such as systemic irregularities in public procurement.

Brussels is withholding nearly 28 billion euros from Orban’s government; this includes the country’s entire share of the bloc’s cohesion funds for the 2021-2027 period, amounting to 22 billion euros, and 5.8 billion euros under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. In the meantime, Poland has been blocked from accessing more than 35 billion euros in COVID-19 recovery assets.

This, admittedly, represents a scaling of activity by the EU. But this determination to use funds as leverage, though a novel development in European governance, is not a path that is likely to bring either Orban’s Fidesz party or PiS to heel.

The reason lies in a lack of political will by the European Council and European Commission to enforce the rules. Both Orban’s Fidesz and Kaczynski’s PiS are tilting the playing field illegally and behind the scenes, in ways that are hard to detect, in order to sideline their opponents and silence critical views.

The extent to which both administrations have weakened checks and balances and undermined democratic institutions in their countries is little known to many in Europe. And this is not surprising, given that neither employs openly oppressive methods in pursuit of their aims: Instead, they both instrumentalize the law to fit their authoritarian goals.

Each country achieves this in different ways. In Poland, party patronage and nepotism are the key features of the country’s organizational clientelism. This has resulted in an unprecedented number of relatives and allies of PiS taking up high-level state positions in a nontransparent way, and, in turn, has helped Kaczynski maintain his fragile coalition.

Meanwhile in Hungary, state resources are largely distributed in a top-down fashion, and they are centered around Orban’s personal network. The outcome is full monopolization of state and key economic sectors. What’s more, foreign companies in Hungary are increasingly complaining about hostile takeover attempts by the government. It reportedly intimidates them with various tactics, including by using the captured prosecutor’s office.

There is commonality between the two parties in that they both exercise power informally through media capture, and they use powerful individuals and state companies to silence or neuter media outlets independent of the government. PiS, for example, has turned Poland’s public broadcaster into a state propaganda instrument, underpinning the move by having state oil giant PKN Orlen take over Polska Press media organization. As a consequence, Daniel Obajtek, a close political ally of Kaczynnski, now controls 20 out of Poland’s 24 regional newspapers, more than 120 local magazines, and 500 online news portals. These two media empires are working together to push a narrative that the principal opposition challenger in next month’s election, Donald Tusk, is collaborating with Germany and Russia to destroy the Polish state.

In Hungary, the situation is worse still. Origo and Index, the country’s largest online news portals, were independent before being taken over by pro-Orban interests linked to businessman Miklos Vaszily. Origo is now staunchly pro-government and is often accused of publishing conspiracy theories and fake news. Index, after a leadership change that resulted in swathes of its staff resigning en masse, has now ceased any overt criticism of the Hungarian government. The independent Klubradio station, meanwhile, was forced off the air, on dubious grounds relating to its license, by a state organization packed with Fidesz-aligned decision-makers.

In both countries, too, national competition authorities and politically captured media councils are used to amplify pro-government media—in many cases by approving mergers and acquisitions in a way that favors the government. The formation of the Central European Press and Media Foundation in Hungary in 2018 exemplifies this: a body through which 476 media outlets have been transferred to a pro-Fidesz foundation.

Those who do try to go it alone or sustain their position have, in turn, become government targets. Just ask Zoltan Varga, one Hungary’s last remaining media chiefs independent of the government, who has endured a sustained period of harassment from allies of the prime minister, and who has, reportedly, been surveilled with Pegasus spyware at the instruction of government officials.

Brussels has responded by backing formal institutional changes to European directives. And it is in the difference between the letter of the law and how it is being implemented that Fidesz and PiS have expanded their attacks on independent democratic bodies within their countries, free of any fear of repercussions.

For example, on media regulation in both countries, the EU’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive imposes formal requirements that apply on a pan-EU level. However, these are easily met by the text of a well-designed national law, and they are effectively akin to a boxticking exercise in their current form—as evidenced by the configuration and functioning of the Hungarian Media Council, which, while formally adhering to EU requirements, is essentially captured by the government and biased in its activity.

This means that as things stand, and as the democratic foundations of these two countries wilt, the EU is stuck in a loop. Both Orban and Kaczynski are happy to maintain their facade of adherence to the EU’s rule-of-law framework, claiming that they are complying with national legislation. But the legislative process lacks the basic tenets of democracy by fostering the nontransparent fast-tracking of legislation and misusing national consultations and biased referendums to legitimize certain measures.

The EU’s position is therefore unsustainable, insomuch that it addresses certain aspects of informal power but ignores others. It is cherry-picking when it should be responding in absolute terms, and it cannot reasonably claim that it is making every effort to ensure that there is a standardization of values across the European bloc.

A multifaceted and sustained approach by the European Commission is required if Poland and Hungary are to be brought back from the brink. This should include immediate legal action against the governments of both countries, an indefinite suspension of all EU funds, and a more effective enforcement of conditionality.

The Hungarian government promised to reduce the proportion of single-bidder tenders to below 15 percent. While it was taken as a significant step, this will not undercut systemic corruption in Hungary. The EU needs to take into account that Orban’s allies can still circumvent the authorities informally: Fake bidders can show up to imitate “competition” on the market, and public procurements can end up with the prime minister’s allies once again.

In the context of media capture and the EU regulatory framework, the European Commission must be more specific in defining informal power to better protect the integrity of the common market and freedom of speech. And it should use its very clear competencies around competition law and state aid to step in, on scale, with infringement proceedings to address the politicization of media ownership and the abuse of state advertisements.

Many in Brussels will make the argument that the EU does not have sufficient powers to counter democratic backsliding. However, this is not true. It has a whole host of tools at its disposal, and it does not need to engage in a perpetual doctrinal innovation each and every time there is a flash point in an offending member state.

It is creating its own problems by allowing a networked system of de-democratization to flourish in Poland and Hungary and by maintaining its current, flawed approach of drip-feeding funds upon the apparent fulfillment of specific conditions. This allows both PiS and Fidesz to superficially remedy issues while informal power systems are left unchecked—and free to maintain their attack on the democratic fabric of each country.

The EU cannot be half in and half out in its engagements with administrations that are have no intention of playing by the rules of the European bloc. It has to play hardball and use every tool at its disposal if it is to safeguard the democracy of these two countries.

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