#they're hidden someplace safe

[dracharenae]

@fatedtruths

Teen Beach Movie (2013)

[hold-on-a-little-longer-whump]

I see your lab whump and raise you this scenario:

The character that has been held captive is unwell. They have long since given up the possibility of being rescued. The Coats (i.e., the doctors and staff) have been too harsh, their procedures too intensive, and it all comes to a head during their latest session. All life-saving efforts are unsuccessful. Disappointed and frustrated, they order the body to be taken down to the morgue.

Only - the captive is not dead. A member of staff, whether it be a recently promoted intern or an undercover friend of the captive's or even a member of the janitorial crew, knew that they couldn't leave the captive like this. Secretly, they had dosed the captive with a medication that would slow their heart rate. Perhaps the rescuer watched from the sidelines during those nail-biting moments, or perhaps they were playing a part of the team trying to resuscitate the captive.

Now, they're away from prying eyes and security in the morgue and finally - finally they're able to administer the counteragent. The effects are nearly immediate and the captive is gasping and trying to sit up, heart crashing around in their chest as they try to get their bearings because what is this place? Why does my head hurt? Who is that person? Why is it so cold?

Their rescuer shushes them and tries to keep them from standing because they know they'll fall if they try. It's remarkably difficult to be gentle while they're in a rush, but they try their best.

"I know, I know. I need you to listen to me, okay? Are you listening?" The rescuer says, stepping aside to open the metal cabinet. Inside is a stash of clothing they had hidden there weeks ago. They quickly begin to help the captive get dressed, minding what wounds they have.

"Where are we going?" The captive manages to whisper, their voice hoarse and eyes haunted.

The rescuer smiles grimly, as they help them into a lab coat. "Someplace safe. Someplace away from here. Now, do everything as I say."

[s3thwrit3sstuff]

❝ Say yes to heaven (say yes to me) ❞

Michael Myers x gn!reader x Corey Cunningham | dating drabble | graphic description of violence, mentions of nsfw things |

req: I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Michael and Corey recently and was wondering if we could get some Michael x Reader x Corey action going here? Just general headcanons of how that relationship would go!! <;33

Your boyfriends are truly on opposite ends on nearly every spectrum.

Not just in age — which, let's discuss before anything else.

Michael is in his 60's while Corey is in his 20's — by themselves? They make a pretty unlikely couple, but they're also clearly deranged, so no one can comment on that.

Throwing you in the picture? Chaos erupts.

Despite his age, Michael's impulse control is something that's held together by a stringy shoelace and tape. Don't get me wrong, Corey's just as awful but somehow it's slightly better than Michael's.

All this to say, if you're just as awful at controlling your impulses? The devil himself will need to leash all three of you before Haddonfield is plunged into total destruction.

The sewers aren't an ideal living space but it brings Michael a smidge of comfort, so when Corey's parents mysteriously 'disappear' he works on making an underground tunnel of sorts so Michael can come and go as he pleases.

Corey and you joke it's basically your boyfriends' doggy door and Michael death-glared from where he stood.

Michael is a tough nut to crack — but his weakness has been and will always be acts of service.

A warm meal, a warm bath, getting bloodstains off his clothes...

Helping him shave.

He is truly spoiled by Corey and you because now when he tries to shave he finds himself inexplicably frustrated it's not your fingers tilting his head back or Corey's deadly hands carefully going along the grain.

You've walked into the bathroom and yelled in shock when the lights switch on to reveal Michael standing near the sink with his razor blade, a frown oh-so-prominent on his face.

"...Do you need some help, babe?" Michael's scruffy face that glowers at you is all the answer you need.

Though a man of few words, the little things he does is more than telling of how much he cares about his lovers.

The daily pouches/bags/backpacks/etc Corey and you use are always filled with your necessities. Whether it be hand sanitiser, wet wipes, or mints — he even makes sure to slip your phones, wallets and keys in before you two leave. Michael doesn't engage in these mundane things but he knows they're important to you so he assists anyways.

Corey fills Michael's silence with his voice. Once he gets to talk about something that interests him, he could talk for hours on end and Michael is a great listener (even if he looks as though he's not paying attention).

Corey's a big fan of physical touch. He loves making it known that you're his in public and adores it just as much when you return the gesture — he turns red when Michael and you hold him between your bodies.

When your murderous partners are off to fulfil their homicidal needs, they tread carefully on their way to the bathroom once they're home. You've laid out a tarp to ease their journey, please keep the crime scene contained, boys.

Michael and Corey stalk you and each other — it can't be helped. They just need to make sure their lovers are safe.

Michael will steal for both of you. If any of you eye something for more than 10 seconds in a store, not 24 hours later it's vanished and 'somehow' appeared in your shared bedroom.

Date nights are comfortable and chaotic. Corey is sweet, his plans involve someplace hidden where the three of you can just be. Michaels' are more unconventional in a way that's endearing because he's an old man and an infamous killer.

Sewers are his go-to transportation and then when the three of you pop out he monotonously gestures to a beautiful home that's almost bordering a mansion. He opens the doors, meanders to the lavish dining room and there's the grand feast the couple he'd just slaughtered were going to eat.

"Thank you, Michael" Corey's grin is impossibly crooked and bright while you press a kiss to Michael's masked cheek — Michael's old heart squeezes with adoration.

Oftentimes, Michael experiences cuteness aggression. He has to hold himself back from physically grabbing you and Corey by your necks and shaking you around.

Peepaw appreciates all your music tastes. As long as you like it, he'll like it.

You're always in the centre when you three cuddle up. It's hot, they run hot — don't recommend it during summer nights.

Your boyfriends are velcro boyfriends though, good luck.

This is a bit silly, but Corey taught Michael about his job (he talked about the ins and outs of vehicles and Michael listened as he watched Corey work on his bike).

Michael can't be trusted on or in vehicles but there was one occasion where a victim had both you and Corey put in a tough spot and Michael had mowed them down on Corey's bike.

Corey picks you up from work but sometimes, an older man dressed in a rugged leather jacket and motorcycle helmet pops up and your coworkers whisper about you allegedly "cheating" on Corey.

("Cheating?" your coworker nods. They had bumped into Corey in a coffee shop and caught the mechanic, their guilt too strong to keep it a secret. To their surprise, Corey laughs as they describe the mysterious older gentleman with scarred hands. "No, no, (Y/N)'s not cheating — that's our boyfriend", your coworkers could not look you in the eye for a few days after that, much too embarrassed.)

Michael is a fan of watching. He's quite content with it, getting off on watching his beautiful lovers writhing in pleasure.

Corey's just pumped full of stamina — so much energy pent up in his body that quickies are rarely ever quick when it comes to Corey.

When Michael joins though? It's one hell of a ride for everyone.

The reason your bedframe is reinforced and your mattress is huge is so clear when your entire body is covered in teeth marks, bruises, scratches and stained with sweat, tears, blood and cum.

Corey's such an eager puppy. Obedient but so stupid when he's drunk on your taste.

Michael's grunts and growls always have you and Corey whining. His hands are just so big that when they cover your mouth you can barely breathe.

The thrill you get knowing the hands that worship and claim you are the same hands that have slaughtered and murdered countless of people? Indescribable.

Sometimes, when they reach the bedroom before they wash up after a kill they all but pounce on you.

"I'll clean it later" Corey mumbles as he rips your sleeping garments away, Michael holds you firmly to his chest — his raging hardon pressed on your ass as you squirm.

"Couldn't stop thinking about you, just, just needed this" Corey's lips are smeared with blood and spit and when you're on all fours with your face against Michael's crotch you know why. Those bloody streaks on his curved cock belonged to Corey whose fucking the air out of your lungs.

Michael has the best head game, lmao. The old man can deep-throat dick like a professional — Corey came so fast when Michael first did it to him and the both of you could not stop pestering Michael on where he learned how to do that.

He teaches both of you his tricks. Refuses to indulge in how he knows it.

[allnightstay]

Day 4 - Hide and Seek

Frieren's Special Spell

Stark and Fern decide to play a game of Hide and Seek with Frieren as they're all bored and have nothing else to do. They seemed to have forgotten Frieren has endless spells in her library that may contribute to their capture...

Lee - Stark and Fern

Ler - Frieren

"Count to 60 then come find us okay?" Stark says to Frieren, giddy inside as he finally gets to do something fun.

"Make sure you don't watch us, you have to cover your eyes, Frieren-sama." Fern and Stark know Frieren's never played before, so they have to make sure they set the rules before they get started.

"Whatever you say. I'll start now." and with that, Frieren turns around and covers her eyes, beginning to count to 60 out loud.

"1...2....3..." Fern and Stark make a run for it. They were all currently staying in an abandoned 2 story log cabin they discovered while on their way to the next village. Trees surround them with a river not to many steps down the hill. A secondary cabin could be found in the area left of the main cabin.

"31...32...33..."

Fern and Stark decided to hide together, not feeling safe to be on their own, especially not knowing for how long either.

They chose the secondary cabin thinking it wouldn't be the first place Frieren looked. This cabin also had 2 floors with a few rooms, Fern and Stark choosing the closet of the 2 floor bedroom.

"Can't you cast some kind of spell to keep us hidden?" Stark asks, because honestly there weren't that many places to hide.

"I could, but I have a feeling Frieren-sama will be able to see or detect it. So I can't use any magic that will give us away." Fern replies, it is true afterall.

"58...59...60" Frieren skips the ready-or-not bit because they forgot to tell her about that, so she just stands up and looks around.

"They probably chose someplace obvious. But I guess I'll look here first."

Frieren can see mana, first of all, and second, she can sense whether or not someone is nearby. This shouldn't take long at all.

Noticing there's no mana or anyone in the first cabin, she proceeds to walk toward the second cabin.

She notices a feeling of presence as she moves closer. Once she's in front of the cabin, she can clearly see the mana of Fern on the second floor.

*sigh* "This game is too easy for someone like me." she says to herself. Still, she was enjoying seeing the happy looks on both Fern and Stark's faces. They honestly don't spend this kind of time together often enough.

Frieren thinks up an idea that she thinks will make things even better. She remembered a spell she once learned, always wondering when she'd ever use it. Looks like now's a good time to.

"mhmhmhhhm... ahahahah mmmmmm" Stark begins laughing, but Fern covers his mouth, shushing him from making any noise.

"Shhh Stark! What's so funny? Keep it down or else you'll give us awahahahay... ahahaha hmmmmhmhmhm!" Fern begins to say, but also starts laughing herself, covering her mouth so she could be quiet too.

What was happening?? They both started laughing out of no where and couldn't figure out why.

"ahaha I can't take ihihit!" Stark leaves the closet and rolls onto his back, gripping his stomach to get the tickly feels off of him.

Fern is still trying her best not to laugh, she was always a bit embarrassed to laugh in front of people.

Meanwhile, Stark begins laughing even louder cause he's just too ticklish for what he was feeling ~

Frieren comes up the stairs and enters the room.

Once Fern realizes what was happening, she burst out laughing, hugging herself bent over on her knees.

"FRIEREN-SAMAHAHA!! PLEASE STOHOHOP!! YOU'VE FOUND UHUHUS!!"

"Hmm, I'm not sure I remember how to make the spell stop. I only learned how to make it happen." This was Frieren's way of playing around, and Stark begins to panic cause he doesn't get the joke.

"WHAHAHAT DO YOU MEHEHEHEAN!? AHAHAHA P-PLEASE MAKE IT STOHOHOP!!"

The two remain laughing their butts off from Frieren's magic, who stands there with a little smile on her face. She can tell they're enjoying themself despite it sounding otherwise. After all they've been through, it's the least she can do to give them a fun time.

I hope you enjoyed!! I need to do a lee Frieren fic, maybe I'll make it a revenge story ;P

[eddiesxangel]

Princess Reader and her sworn protector Knight Eddie who she has never seen his face, it's always been hidden away being his knight's helmet. One day he's saves her from something (idk if this a fantasy thing, like if we're saying he saves her from a dragon?) once they're someplace safe she tentatively lifts the helmet from his face to see his beautiful brown eyes and soft curls.

Instant love at first sight for her.

Of course Eddie had lived her from the moment he laid eyes on her, but he couldn't act on it because that would be in breach of his role as a knight.

🧡

IM MELTING

[chrissytinat]

Let's Talk Garten of BanBan

Since I've been challenging myself to tackle mascot horror and make my own story, let's talk about a recent mascot horror game and my thoughts on it, especially as a writer.

The most I can glean from the game is that we play as a parent looking for a child. Is the note left from a kid our kid? No clue. I would assume so, but who knows? The mascots seem to attack for no reason. Also, the boarding passes make no sense to me. Why did they need boarding passes for kindergarten?

What would I change if I wrote it? ...a lot.

The mascots would get a redesign. I get they supposedly wanted them to look like characters kids drew up, but I'm not completely buying it.

I definitely would rework the whole layout in general. Maybe make it someplace I'd believe parents would leave their kids. The bottomless ball pit with a ski lift would for sure be a safety violation.

One of my main gripes with most mascot horror games lately that this is very at fault for that I'd fix, giving it more of an actual story. So we're a parent looking for, I'm assuming, our child. Who is our kid? Why are we looking for them? Did we get some sort of notification that something was off with the place? Did we hear about something that happened? Why did we go looking for our kid? The story should be a part of it, not mostly hidden and treated as lore. Not everything has to be lore. We need to know what's going on. Also, what's with the "distraction at 1" bit? There's nothing to really explain it, especially when the time feature doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

Then there's the mascots and the tape and audio in the intro with the kids screaming, along with the note about kids in the ball pit screaming. This leads me to believe the mascots are going after the kids as well. Why are they going after them? There's no real reason given. It just seems pointless.

If I were to rework it, I'd give more of a reason as to why we're going to this place to get our kid. Maybe we heard that something had happened and we're worried for their safety. That would give us a reason to go to the kindergarten. Maybe open it with a bit more exploration of the main entrance. Really lay the scene, ground the player(or reader if it were a story) in the setting. Maybe there's something off about the place. Maybe it all seems almost too quiet and together considering the info we received. But I would definitely take some time to establish the setting first.

Mechanics are cool and all, but the drone really feels unnecessary, so I'd nix that completely. It felt more like a gimmick to be like "you see, we have this cool feature other games don't".

I'd probably switch the mascots from going after the children, to perhaps going rogue and becoming overly protective of them if we are going to make them more like creatures than anything. Like maybe one of the staff members, perhaps the one teacher that is named in one of the letters, was up to something and it set them off. That would then give them a reason to attack the parent coming in because these mascots would be going rogue and going after adults. I mean, the player would technically be an intruder to them, which in this case would give them a good reason to attack. Maybe the mascots have taken the kids to a specific area to keep them safe, but don't realize what they're doing could be putting them in danger.

Again, this would all be in a more realistic setting for a kindergarten. No bottomless pit of a ball pit with a weird ski lift system this time around.

Then, when we do get to wherever the kids are being held, that's when we meet BanBan. He'd be like the final boss. His name is the one attached to the kindergarten, so it'd make sense that he'd be the main security and one to keep the kids safe. Like the other mascots are a sort of security system we have to get through before we can reach where BanBan is keeping the kids.

It honestly wouldn't be that hard to rework it in a way that makes sense and still involve the main mascot. It wouldn't have to be a multi-parter. It could be one story, and then you can hint at things like how the mascots were created and why they were made the way they were as lore. Maybe even sneak in hints that the one staff member was up to something.

[sarahowritesostucky]

Fanart Appreciation Drabble

Then We Rest

"... You're Steve ... I read about you in a museum."

Steve's lips press together and his heart clenches - in sadness and in fondness. Bucky still lies the same as he always did. That gives Steve hope that, if he plays this right, he'll find more of his friend inside the man standing before him.

They're still having their stare down when Sam's voice comes over the earpiece: "Diversion worked. They're on the other side of the city. No signs they know where you are."

"Copy," Steve says quietly, aware of the slight stiffening in Bucky's posture as he hears him using the comms with another person who's obviously nearby.

"I'll keep you updated," Sam says over the comms, already knowing that Steve needs time, and that their rendezvous is going to have to wait.

It's been over a year of searching, and finally Steve's found him. He can't mess this up. Carefully, Steve turns and sets the journal on the countertop behind himself, then turns back around.

Bucky is tense and wary as a bird about to fly off, eyes flicking anxiously all over Steve at every movement he makes. Steve holds up his hands peaceably and then reaches with one hand to unclip the chinstrap of his helmet. He pulls it off, sets it aside on the countertop as well - a show of peace, I'm not here to fight. "I know you're scared," he says, keeping his tone low and even. "And you have plenty of reason to be. But you're lying."

Bucky's jaw works and he blinks in a too-fast way - something he's always done when rapidly weighing his options, a gesture so familiar it makes Steve's bones ache with the desire to step forward and hold him. He forces himself to stand still. When Bucky stops blinking and licks his lips, and he still hasn't bolted, Steve knows he's going to stay. For the moment, leastways. "I wasn't in Vienna," he croaks. "I don't do that anymore."

"I know."

"How'd you find me?"

Steve can't help it, he smiles crookedly at the man who may not be Bucky Barnes anymore, but who will always be his friend. "Hard work and luck," he says, hoping that honesty will be enough to get him to stay. "Found a list of old Hydra safehouses, picked through 'em one by one."

Bucky nods, looking none-too-happy about that. "That's good. Smart."

"Buck - " Steve starts, entreating, even losing control enough to take a single step forward. But Bucky flinches back, poised to bolt, and Steve retreats with his hands up again. "No, don't run. We're here to help. To get you someplace safe."

"We?"

Steve explains, tells him how he'd trust Sam with his life. "But it's just you and me right now," he soothes, wanting to make that wild look in Bucky's eyes disappear. Slowly, cataloguing every movement, he reaches over his back and removes the shield from its mount. He bends to the side, sets it down, stands back up straight. "He's at our rendezvous outside the city, waiting on my word."

"Transport?"

Steve nods. "We have a jet. We need to talk, but then we need to leave."

"Where?"

He takes a cautious step forward. Bucky doesn't react, so he takes another one. "Africa," he says. "Wakanda. There's a hidden city. We have clearance to bring you there."

If Bucky makes the connection between the place, and the son of the man he's been framed for killing, he doesn't show it. He too-fast blinks some more at Steve, trying to decide what to do.

"Please, Buck," Steve says, itching to take another step forward and close the gap between them. "You've gotta know enough by now to know that I'm on your side. I won't hurt you."

Bucky's Adam's apple rises and falls as he swallows. "And your friends?" he whispers. "I'm supposed to trust them? Stark? Romanov?"

Steve shakes his head. "This is need to know, only. They don't." He can see Bucky softening to the idea of it - the slight drop of his shoulders, a brief flash of exhaustion behind his eyes. Steve takes his chance and presses, "I'll be with you the whole time, Buck. They have advanced tech, medicine. We can get it out of you, all of it."

If Bucky doesn't believe him, he doesn't show that either. "And after?" he asks, sounding tired. "What then?"

Steve takes that last step forward, reaching out to put his hand on Bucky's shoulder. He gives it a solemn squeeze and says, "Then we rest."

A.N.: This lil' fic was going to have the Steve pushing Bucky up on the counter for a passionate embrace, but then I got to the "then we rest" line, and I knew that had to be the ending right there.

Masterlist

by qihanxiong

[philtstone]

I know you've done a few Bucky and the spider-kids, so maybe Sam and the spider-kids? (for the 3-sentence, I mean)

continuation of the convoluted “sam and bucky open up an underground bar and accidentally adopt a bunch of teen superheroes” post-apocalyptic au that i may never properly write but sure am having fun thinking incoherently about

Peter swings by later in the afternoon. He's here to pick up the AP bio workbook Joaquin dug out of an abandoned Barnes and Noble in the lower city, and to talk shop with Sam.

"Can't figure it out," says Peter. "Just something off. Me and Miles went on a scouting trip topside, got nothing. I think aliens are attacking."

Peter's a steadier twenty-year-old than he was a teenager, with the quiet emotional intelligence to match. He was high-strung and fidgety when he first ran into them, about two weeks after shit hit the fan. Still can't sit still for longer than a second -- Sam's seen that bottle flip about twelve times in the last five minutes -- but when he talks, he talks with a tired, belligerent thread of compassion that Sam understands, someplace deep in his heart.

"That'll be just what we need," Sam says. He digs an ancient bottle of one of those Costco Starbucks Frap things out of the desk and hands it to him. His mom always had a policy -- someone comes over, you give 'em something sweet to drink. They're out of Sarah's limited supply of sweet tea, so this is the next best thing.

Running low on fossilized Frap though, too.

"How's it lookin' up there?"

"Aw. You know. Same-old-same-old."

"Enforcers everywhere, huh?"

"We followed a few of them down here," Peter says, leaning against the window frame and flipping the bottle over in one hand. The dirty neon of the undercity outside the window filters in and colours his dull blue hoodie. He doesn't wear his suit anymore -- just like Sam's hidden the Shield away under the cellar door, behind that big crate of expired Guinness -- but Sam can see the remnants of it in the fingerless gloves covering his knuckles, and the combination of old athletic tights with tougher cargo short material. "This place is crazy to navigate, for the record. No idea whose idea it was pattern it after frickin' LA. But don't worry, nothing about you guys yet. I think all the nice people like you too much to talk and the jerks are a little scared of you."

"We're not scary," Sam says. It's not really a lie. Their vibe is more, do not fuck with us, which wasn't so much a conscientious effort as it was a natural extension of Sam's weariness and Bucky's nonchalant ability to bend Kevlar-plated car doors in half.

"Sam's a little scary," Bucky says. He's on the futon across the room, looking over AJ's spelling worksheet -- a task Sam delegated to Sarah, which Sarah apparently delegated to him. Sam thinks she's upstairs, talking to Ms. Trudy from next door about the old engine parts she brought around for them to fix.

"How's Miles?" Sam asks, instead of acknowledging the continued baseline misery of their situation.

"I mean, he's good."

"He figured out how to reach his parents?"

"Yeah," says Peter. "Found bits of an old Quinjet topside last week. Managed to rig it by the Boonies near Mr. Boyega's place. The thing's so ancient it literally can't get tracked."

"He better be playin' it safe, with all these comings and goings."

"Aw, c'mon, Cap. Miles knows what he's doing."

"Of course he does," Bucky says, from the futon. "He's from Brooklyn."

Sam says, looking over,

"You figured out how many es aqueous has yet?"

"Fuck off, Sam, I ask you for help one time."

He turns back to Peter. "Your folks okay?"

"You know how it is," Peter says.

Sam leans back in his efforts to unearth the AP textbook -- it's for Miles -- and says,

"Yeah? You're still seein' that girlfriend of yours though, right?"

"MJ," Bucky offers from the couch. "Keeper."

"Thank you, people whose opinion on this I definitely wanted."

The kid's blushing. Good, Sam thinks. Getting the shit embarrassed out of you by adults is a healthy, normal activity.

They need more of that around here.

"You gonna take her someplace nice this weekend?"

"Sure," Peter says, rolling his eyes. "The shady drug deal happening at the end of our street by the millionth neon sign. Maybe the creepy Cold War-esque water plant by the bridge."

"You could use the back room here," Sam says. "Like a hotel." He turns to Bucky. "They could use the back room."

"Good room. Nice bed," Bucky agrees, solemn-faced.

"It'll be real romantic. We got Sam Cooke on Kamala's old laptop."

Peter groans. He swings upside down so that his hoodie flops over his arms.

"You know, I really didn't think my twenties would involve living in a military dystopia and getting dating advice from like, the local weird uncles."

"Get your feet off our nice clean ceiling," Sam says. "And uncles makes me sound old."

"You are old," Bucky says.

"You are a literal historical artifact."

He hands Peter the textbook.

"Go do something fun," Sam insists.

He thinks Peter notices the shift in tone. They're all a littler desperate, here, but it's not desperation, not exactly. Sam watches as Peter ducks his head down, and he does nod, once, before swinging back out.

[sezja]

Previously: first, kiss, final, numb, broken, wings, melody, rules, chocolate

One-Word Prompts: #10 - nostalgia

The Sea of Clouds. Gods, but it feels like a lifetime ago!

It hasn't changed much, as though it has been preserved perfectly by Guydelot's memories: the grass is thick around his boots as he leads Sanson and the recruits through the weathered stone archway, the island meadow spreading out before them just as he remembers. The islands around them glow in the setting sun, the flowers bloom like fireworks amidst the greenery...

And he's a knot of complicated feelings, and all of those feelings are about Sanson.

Yes, it's exactly how he remembers it.

It was here he decided to show Sanson - and himself - what he was capable of; it was here he decided to be worthy of all the things Sanson wrote about him in his journal. He still has that journal, too, hidden away someplace safe, but he could quote those entries by heart. I can do it, he'd thought that day, so long ago. I can be whatever it is he needs me to be. I can deserve all that faith.

I can be worthy of him.

He likes to think he has been. He's had Sanson's back through tough scrapes and wild adventures, not to mention the battlefield of a Twelve-bedamned war; ain't that enough? So why's he feel so rotten about it all? Hells, why shouldn't he sit down for a bell or two with the recruits and put them through their paces? Sanson'd be satisfied with the effort. He'd be grateful for it, even. If only Guydelot could make himself... do it.

Here, surrounded by the scenery of the day he'd decided to be the bard Sanson knew he could be, he isn't entirely certain why he can't simply train the novices; how hard could it be? Boring, sure, but that's just how drills are: rote repetition 'til it's second nature, so their voices won't falter next time.

So next time if they die in battle because they're not ready for it, it'll be on his head.

Is that what it is?

Is that the rotten core at the center of all this?

Hells.

He tries to forget it, tries to lose himself in the song he plays with the two greatest living bards in all the world. He tries not to look at Sanson, afraid of what he might see - Sanson's disappointed in him, he knows it; he knows it without asking. Gods, how'd he mess this up? He hasn't even gone home for two days now; hasn't even spoken to Sanson since he'd stormed out in the middle of an argument. For all he knows, they're-

I don't want us to be over. I ain't ready for us to be over.

[archaictold]

BREAK doesn't quip anything in kind at the accusation of cold feet. Zhilan doesn't find that it's necessary, as he hadn't minded their proximity to him anyway. In lieu of any reply, they reside comfortably with each other for some beats of his pulse that he doesn't keep count of, entangled at the ankles, wrapped in each other's limbs, hands at home in one another's hair. The briefest consideration leaves Break's touch to venture a new journey first, and Zhilan's brows lift ever so slightly. His intentions aren't realized until a fingertip encounters the corner of his eye, light and careful. He shuts them easily, lashes gingerly at rest against his cheeks as they acquiesce to his request. Go ahead, it says. I want you to see me. And see him Break does, little sections at a time. His fingers draw over his eyelids, over his browline, his nose bridge; one side to the other. Zhilan is reminded of the method Break used to read his notes when they first met. How he traced over his scrawl, had pulled back when he met charcoal and apologized. There is no tentativeness behind it this time. Only curiosity, mirthful and bright, as Break reads his features like a page. When Break hums, Zhilan does, too. A sound through the nose, his lips curved but silent, coming from someplace fond. The hand pours over each detail with due meticulousness. It lingers at the dip his glasses have etched into the cartilage of his nose from years of wear. Mulls over the mole beneath his left eye, usually hidden beneath the frames of his spectacles. They're pieces of a larger puzzle one wouldn't see unless they were studying him like Break is now, facets of himself that he would normally forget in day-to-day life. And Zhilan feels safe in that, somehow. That it's Break shaping these minute aspects into vividity in his mind: a painter to a portrait unique to him alone, deciphering him how no one else will. There's a point where Break becomes satisfied with the image he's gathered of him. He giggles, withdrawing just enough that they're face to face. Zhilan opens his eyes, russet watching cardinal as it drifts in search of contact. One of his palms skirts around the side of Break's head from back to front, perching against his left cheek. The hair curtaining it is left alone, but the face beneath it is cradled, softhearted and kind, the person belonging to it tenderly revered. ❝ I took them off, ❞ he mumbles, the apples of his cheeks delightfully rounded and warm. ❝ I didn't want to bend them while lying down, so I set them on the table after you dozed off. ❞ I wasn't going anywhere, he implies. Not when you wanted me here. Zhilan measures the breathing weaved between his own a moment too long.

❝ I did the same not long after... ❞

   ENTANGLED AS THEY ARE, break finds that, having lived a life that feels as long as his own, it's curious to experience something new. it's a thought that catches up with him as they both have their hands in each other's hair, mirrored affection, seeking to reciprocate for the sake of it— he's never done this. he's never wanted to.

   and it'd be so easy. just another step, to continue, to consider the why, the because. but he doesn't. and it doesn't feel like a stop, either, no halting motion. only a redirection. a step to the side, taken smoothly, to explore a different path. see other sights.

   sights. his hand, still toying with the strands framing zhilan's face, moves closer instead. a touch so devoid of any disguise, break closing his eyes again with the concentration of it, clearly feeling it out through touch alone, trying to picture it— there are no glasses to interrupt his path, and he hums around a smile, a satisfied noise.

   fingertips trace a journey to the very corner of zhilan's eye, where he waits patiently, until he can feel his eyelashes brushing his fingers as they close. then, across his eyelid, careful, like he were handling something precious, to the bridge of his nose, and the other eye. he doesn't stop there, either, continuing along zhilan's cheekbone, where the round spectacles are usually sitting against. then the tip of his nose ... his other cheekbone. zhilan has a mole, under his left eye, at the very corner. and break can feel the dips on his nose, where the glasses have weighed on the skin throughout the years, the tiniest difference that you wouldn't detect otherwise.

   he giggles, delighted. shuffling backwards, pulling away just enough for them to be face to face, break brushes the hair out of zhilan's face. up close like this, you can see the way his red eye tracks from here to there for a moment, trying to find the closest spot to make something similar to eye contact.

   zhilan's breath is warm, on his face. ' you're not wearing your glasses, ' he determines, as if it wasn't obvious already. ' it's sweet. ' and he's tempted, to ask. how much can you see, like this? but he doesn't, the silence sitting comfortably, for once, no need to fill it with any more words than that.

[fuzzy-melonlord]

you brought this upon yourself <3 all the oc questions for honeydew and lust

i...i don't know what i was expecting but let's fuckin go. Imma start with Honeydew.

1. What's your OC's most irrational fear? Is there a specific reason this fear came about? - hmm probably being buried alive. They saw it in a movie once and it stuck with them.

2. Is your oc picky about food? What kinds of foods do they like and dislike? What do they consider a comfort or "safe" food? - They aren't super picky, but they aren't super fond of super sweet foods. Their safe food is sliced apples, it reminds them of being at home.

3. What does your oc's voice sound like? - Since they were based to be a listener character i've never imagined a voice for them lol

4. Is your OC good at keeping secret? - Depends on the secret, honestly. If keeping the secret might get someone hurt, then no. But if it's a safe secret, then they'll probably keep it to their grave.

5. What kind of clothes is your OC most comfortable wearing? - I see them in casual clothing that has lots of pockets, so skirts aren't really a thing.

6. What kind of clothes is your OC least comfortable wearing? - I see them uncomfortable with anything too tight. They want to be able to have free movement and sometimes tighter clothing can restrict that.

7. What song reminds you of this OC? Does this match up with the type of music your OC likes to listen to? - the song they got their namesake from, Honeydew by Singto Conley and Hikaru Station. and noooo this is way out of the range of things they listen to.

8. What's it like inside your OC's mind? - Pretty analytical. They're a reporter so they tend to overanalyze everything.

9. What are your OC's goals for the future? Relationship-wise, career-wise, or other? - Biggest career goal is getting a reporting job at an empowered new station, biggest relationship goal is getting married to Xavier.

10. Who's the first person your OC goes to talk about something that made them happy? sad? angry? - Their boyfriend Xavier, or they'll call one of their 3 parents. But since they see Xavier everyday, he is usually the one that hears these things.

11. Does your OC have any interests/hobbies that they hide from everyone? Why do they hide these interests? - Not really? sure they don't talk about their love for vinyl records and oldies music, but they don't exactly keep it hidden either.

12. How does your oc handle talking to someone they can't stand? What if it's a situation where they're forced to work with this person? - They deal with it in an extremely professional (if not slightly passive aggressive) manner, and then rant about it to Xavier when they get home.

13. What's your OC's dream home like? - Probably some fancy Condo in downtown, someplace with a good view of the city. But it also has to have good parking.

14. If your OC spent one day free from any consequences or recognition for their actions, how would they act? - Oh boy, they would probably raid the D.A.M.N Headmaster's office and send out emails to people setting into motion changes for human-born student curriculum so that they actually get assistance when they come to D.A.M.N instead of being fed to the metaphorical wolves.

15. What's your OC's morning routine like? - They get up around 7am, get a pot of coffee started and wash their face, brush their teeth (take a shower, depending on if they need it or not), and work on making breakfast for theirself and Xavier.

16. What's your oc's nighttime routine like? - Well assuming they don't just pass out when they get home. They'll wash their face and brush their teeth, sometimes they'll take a relaxing bath (usually alone because the few times they've invited Xavier the water has cooled down a lot quicker than they would have liked), and get into their pj's to work on their papers until Xavier forces them to bed.

17. If your oc had a social media page, what would it be like? What would they post about? How much personal information would they feel comfortable posting on it? How often would they update it? - So if they had one they would treat it like a blog. They wouldn't really post pictures of theirself, but of cool things they see. Maybe ask some metaphysical questions that make people think. They probably wouldn't update it all that often though.

18. How does your OC see themself? How does this compare to the way other OC's see them? - Honeydew sees theirself as a goal oriented person who knows what they want and aren't willing to back down from it. Others see them the same way but they also are a little intimidated by them.

19. How would an enemy describe this oc? - As an ass who pesters those around them until they get the information they need. a simple pest who needs to mind their business.

20. What's a superpower or magical ability that this oc would hate having? - They would hate being a Vampire, they like being outside during the day far too much to be happy with a nighttime life.

21. What's a fact you haven't shared about this oc? - All of the things i've listed so far lol. JK, before Xavier they always thought theirself to be unlovable because of previous significant others.

22. What's your OC's dream job? Is this similar to what they're doing now? Do they believe they could ever achieve this dream? - A news reporter, and it's actually what they are doing now at D.A.M.N while working for the school paper. And they are going to achieve this dream no matter what happens.

23. Who would this OC consider their family? What is their relationship with these people? - They don't let people too close to them, having been hyperfocused on their work. They have a few friends but none close enough for that. and it would be weird to consider their boyfriend family.

24. What is one thing that, no matter who it's coming from, would anger your oc? - When they're complaining or venting about something if someone says the phrase "well I don't know what to tell you." or "other people have got it worse", it pisses them off

25. How does your oc handle sadness? - They try to ignore that they're sad, just trying to brute force their way through their normal routine but it doesn't really work because their heart isn't in it.

26. How does your oc handle anger? - Not well, they don't exactly plan revenge but they do plan to get even when they're angry.

27. How does your oc handle fear? - they try and force theirself to breathe normally when they're afraid. depending on what kind of fear it is, they might get angry.

28. What's your favorite thing about this oc? - That despite their kind of aloof nature, they fucking love cuddling and physical contant.

29. What's your least favorite thing about this oc? - that they don't really have a happy ending.

30. Tell a random fact about this oc! - So their family isn't super large, but they do have one mother and two fathers, as well as an older brother and younger sibling.

Now Lust. they gonna go under a cut because this post is already hella long. The horrible thing is Lust is basically just an AU self insert so i just gotta answer shit about myself almost.

1. What's your oc's most irrational fear? Is there a specific reason this fear came about? - They're scared of being picked up? There isn't a real reason, they're just scared that whoever picks them up is going to drop them.

2. Is your OC picky about food? What kinds of foods do they like and dislike? What do they consider a comfort or safe food? - They hate squishy wet foods, it's a texture thing but if a food is squishy and moist it just is bleh. Their safe food is potato soup and sliced bread.

3. What does you OC's voice sound like? - So technically they're me but i've never imagined Lust to have my voice. to me i always hear Rogue from the 90's X-Men cartoon

4. Is your OC good at keeping secrets? - hmmm not really they're kind of a blabber mouth, unless it's like hella important. then they can usually keep it a secret. but 9/10 Asher will know by the end of the night

5. What kind of clothes is your OC most comfortable wearing? - Lighter clothes. so like tank tops and shorts, they honestly hate constricting clothing.

6. What kind of clothing is your oc least comfortable wearing? - Anything that sits tight on their neck. Layers they hate layters

7. What song reminds you of this oc? Does this match up with the type of music your oc likes to listen to? - So pre-relationship with Asher is "Fuck Away the Pain" by Divide the Day. After they get together it's probably "All Dolled Up" by The Orion Experience. and yes it does suit the style of music they listen to!

8. What's it like inside your oc's mind? - Fuckin sad and horny all the damn time.

9. What's your oc's goals for their future? - They don't really...have goals. they just kinda go with the flow.

10. Who's the first person your oc goes to to talk about something that made them happy? sad? angry? - Usually Asher, Wrath or Pride.

11. Does your OC have any interests/hobbies that they hide from everyone? Why do they hide these interests? - They used to want to be a performer back when they were little, but with how life goes inside the Imperium they didn't get to nurture that passion. So they don't mention that they enjoy it.

12. How does your OC handle talking to somebody they can't stand? What if it's a situation where they're forced to work with this person? - Oh they antagonize the whole damn time.

13. What's your oc's dream home like? - They don't have one. Having a home itself is just nice.

14. If your oc spent one day free from any consequences or recognition for their actions, how would they act? - Can we say, kill some shitty people? Cause yeah that's a thing.

15. What's your OC's morning routine like? - lol, depending on what they're doing that day. Usually it's just getting up, brushing their teeth and their hair. They don't put in too much effort unless they have a job.

16. What's your oc's nighttime routine like? - About the same as morning. except add cleaning their face.

17. If your oc had a social media page, what would it be like? What would they post about? How much personal information would they feel comfortable posting on it? How often would they update it? - So before they became official with Asher it was 100% thirst traps, without a doubt. and after they get together it is still a lot of thirst traps just because of who they are as a person, but it also becomes cute couples pics.

18. How does your oc see themself? How does this compare to the way other ocs see them? - Lust sees theirself as a disaster, someone who isn't really able to do anything good, they just do what they can. From what i can tell their friends see them as someone reliable if not a little flakey.

19. How would an enemy describe this oc? - a whore who doesn't know when to stop fighting

20. What's a superpower or magical ability that this oc would hate having? - They would hate being a Contra Fire elemental because they hate the cold with a passion

21. What's a fact you haven't shared about this oc? - hmmm, they have two siblings but they haven't spoken to them in over a decade.

22. What's your oc's dream job? Is this similar to what they're doing now? Do they believe they could ever achieve this dream? - They don't really have a dream job anymore, they just do what gets thrown at them.

23. Who would this oc consider their family? What is their relationship with these people? - Definitely Pride and Wrath. They're Lust's best friends and they consider them to be their only family.

24. What is one thing that no matter who it's coming from, would anger your oc? - the phrase "it could always be worst"

25. How does your oc handle sadness? - They close theirself off from others and tend to just completely shut down.

26. How does your oc handle anger? - by lashing out. they don't keep their anger bottled inside they let it out and whoever made them angry better get gone

27. How does your oc handle fear? - Not well, they get scared pretty easily

28. What's your favorite thing about this oc? - Honestly their character arc, it's been so cool seeing them change over time!

29. What's your least favorite thing about this oc? - the fact that because they look like me so i don't feel comfortable simping over them lol

30. Tell a random fact about this oc! - They hate people touching their knees. can't tell you why but they hate it.

[greenisms]

Long post, but I had to do it (and need to analyze my psychology later on).

I just had the weirdest dream of all time.

So basically I was at a mall and I took an elevator with a friend to go to another floor.

But the elevator was all fucked up and started going fast and the lights went out at we couldn't get out. It physically began to crack too. We almost died but eventually the lights came back and we were saved.

Oh and Dracula's brides almost died during this because they were in some other part of the elevator system and almost got crushed.

Yes apparently Dracula's three brides are in this dream.

Anyway after this whole elevator madness I go to Dracula's brides to make sure they're ok. By the way we're all still in this giant mall, and Dracula is there too [Claes Bang Dracula] [lmao]

So after this, my friend from the elevator and I decide to leave. My friend leaves the mall but I stay because some guy "A" invites me for a meal and a drink and I was like well, ok I'll take that.

But then what happens.

There's a crowd of people in this packed mall who piss off a leopard. Yes, a leopard.

They stampede and someone accidentally kicks the mall leopard in the face. The leopard gets mad and starts attacking people. People start panicking and running and leaving the mall.

People are in a stampede again running and blocking exits. I can't find a way out especially since the exit area is basically where the leopard is and I want to evade it.

So there's all these mangled bodies everywhere and I try to go upstairs and past the bodies where I know the leopard had already been and shouldn't go back to for a while. The stores are locked so I cant go hide anywhere.

I see Dracula and I'm extremely relieved because Dracula and his brides live in some hidden part of this mall. And I have only been nice to Dracula and his brides so I figure they are my only chance at helping me.

I ask Dracula for help so that he could find someplace safe for me. He accepts hiding me in some place in a secret store of the mall where I can chill with his brides while the leopard is out there killing.

The end.