#(ted voice) smash

[tabooiart]

mr goatman... goat me a man.... make him the goatest that ive ever seen...

[jopzer]

happy mother's day to the realest to ever do it 🙏🏼

[kashverse]

your boyfriend coaching a girls’ sports teams is a fascinating study of chaos, discipline, and emotional whiplash. it is also a terrifying display of how much power one person can have over impressionable minds. if anyone ever questions how deeply a coach can shape the future, they need only observe the absolute mayhem that unfolds under the leadership of said boyfriend.

gojo’s football team

“ladies, we must slay,” gojo declares, standing in the middle of the field, sunglasses perched on his nose like he’s about to give a ted talk instead of coaching a group of five- to fifteen-year-olds in a sport that he just barely understands. he claps his hands once. the team stands at attention. the youngest, a tiny but fierce five-year-old named mei, raises a hand. “coach gojo, what’s slay?”

“good question, mei dear!” gojo beams. “slay is when you dominate in style. it’s when you flip your hair after a touchdown, when your cleats match your energy, when—” he pauses dramatically, lowering his shades to wink at them, “—you leave your enemies in the dust and look good doing it.”

“what about actual football?” asks misaki, one of the older girls, clearly tired of his nonsense.

“yes, yes, there’s that too,” he waves a hand dismissively. “but listen, coordination is key. we can’t just play well, we have to look well. what’s our game plan today?”

the team groans in unison: “flip the hair, score the goal.”

“atta girls.”

the game begins, and despite his ridiculous antics, gojo’s training somehow works. every single touchdown is punctuated with a dramatic hair flip. even the girls with short hair have perfected an imaginary one, jerking their heads back in a movement so fierce that their opponents are momentarily stunned. “see?” gojo says smugly as the team wins their game. “dominance. in style.”

geto’s swim team

in contrast, geto’s approach is far calmer. he leans against the pool’s edge, arms crossed, nodding at his team with an approving smile. “good work, everyone,” he says, high-fiving a seven-year-old who looks like she’s about to pass out from exhaustion. “coach, can we rest now?” asks hana, one of the older girls, between gasps for air. “of course,” he says kindly. then he claps his hands together. 

“right after you double up.”

there’s a moment of silence. someone whimpers.

“coach—”

“you heard me,” he says, and suddenly, his previous warmth is gone. “double up.”

“but—”

“double. up.”

and then, like a switch has been flipped, the entire team triples their swimming speed. they slice through the water like sharks chasing prey, their strokes precise, their turns flawless. geto watches with quiet satisfaction, nodding approvingly as a twelve-year-old girl overtakes her teammate with the determination of an olympic athlete. once the session ends and the team is gasping at the edge of the pool, he pats them on the back like nothing happened. “great job today, girls.”

“you’re a menace,” one of them wheezes. he chuckles. 

“i know.”

sukuna’s badminton team

if gojo is chaos disguised as charisma and geto is warmth that turns to terror, sukuna is just terror. “victory at all costs,” he says before every game. before every practice. before every team dinner. it is their mantra, their religion, their unshakable truth. the team does not question it.

“if your opponent is faster, be faster. if they’re smarter, be smarter. if they want it more,” sukuna crosses his arms, voice dangerously low, “rip it from their goddamn hands.”

this is why his team plays like demons. they lunge for the shuttlecock like it’s the last meal on earth, their movements so aggressive that referees often ask if they’ve been trained in hand-to-hand combat. during one particular match, his youngest player, aki, executes a perfect smash that sends the shuttlecock flying into the opposing team’s side with such force that it bounces off the ground and hits the net.

“hell yeah, kid!” sukuna roars, slamming a fist into his palm. aki beams, vibrating with murderous joy. when the match ends and his team emerges victorious, they march off the court like soldiers who have conquered a nation. and then, the moment they step off the court—

“hiiiiiii, coach!” aki chirps, her demon-like aggression completely gone as she waves at him sweetly. “hello, aki,” he deadpans.

“did i do good?”

“you crushed their spirits,” he says approvingly.

“yay!”

the duality is terrifying.

toji’s american football team

if gojo is about style and flair, toji is about pure, unrelenting rage. “alright, listen up, you little punks,” toji snarls, pacing up and down the field. he has the kind of presence that makes even the stadium lights feel dimmer. “you wanna throw that ball? you wanna make it count? then stop thinking like soft little kids and start thinking like warriors.” the team stares at him, waiting. he stops, narrows his eyes. 

“who here has an ex?”

silence. then, one of the older girls, yuki, hesitantly raises a hand. “me.”

“he cheat?”

“…yes.”

“good.” he gestures to the ball. “that’s him. throw him to hell.” 

she blinks, then flings the ball so hard it nearly breaks the goalpost.  “holy shit,” one of her teammates mutters.

toji smirks. “next.”

one by one, the girls line up, channeling heartbreak into sheer destruction. passes become bullets, tackles become acts of war. by the end of practice, the opposing team’s coach is watching in terror as toji laughs darkly from the sidelines. post-practice, toji sits on the bleachers, grinning as his players gather around. he knows his power. “so,” he says casually, leaning forward. “what’s the latest?”

“mai said rena kissed her ex at the pep rally,” one of the girls whispers.  toji nods solemnly. “truly disgusting. use that next practice.”

nanami’s fencing team

nanami does not play games. he does not deal in nonsense. fencing is about skill, precision, discipline. unfortunately, fencing is also mental warfare, and sometimes, nanami indulges.

“focus,” he tells one of his fencers before a match. “your opponent is skilled, but you are better.” she nods, shifting her grip. then, nanami leans in slightly.

“also, i overheard her coach say she doesn’t think you’re fast enough.”

the fencer freezes. her head snaps toward him. “she said what?”

“mm,” nanami hums, adjusting his watch. “just a passing remark. perhaps she was right.”

“she wasn’t.”

the match is over in seconds.

nanami watches as his fencer destroys her opponent, a quiet smirk forming as the referee announces the win. he nods once when his student turns back to him, eyes burning. 

“i knew you had it in you.”

she exhales, looking down at her foil. “…was that even true?” 

nanami checks his watch again. “does it matter?”

choso’s basketball team

how choso became a basketball coach is a mystery, but no one dares to question it. he is too pure, too kind. the girls adore him. even the referees, who should remain unbiased, get emotional when they see him cheering. “you got this,” choso tells his team before a match, his voice soft but certain. “i believe in you.”

his team believes in him. they run faster, shoot cleaner, steal like their lives depend on it. when one of his players gets a foul and has to step off, she almost cries—not from the penalty, but from the fact that she has disappointed choso. “it’s okay,” he says gently, kneeling beside her. “you did your best.”

“…i’ll do better.”

“i know you will.”

by the time the team gets back on the court, they are playing with a vengeance. it is not about winning. it is about making coach choso proud. when they clutch the game-winning basket, choso pulls out a homemade banner. he made it himself.

the girls almost start sobbing.

“you guys did amazing,” choso says, smiling. one of his players full-on cries into his shoulder. 

“he’s too good for this world,” one of the opposing players mutters.

[pleasestayawayidonotlikeyou]

I didn't know how much I needed to write this until you requested traveler 🙏🏼🙏🏼

Also yes! Ted's the name I use to write Horror (the one of the bad sanses.)

Featuring:Killer, Dust and Horror

Trigger warning: mentions of sexual content, swears, mentions of crimes and criminal cases.

Masterlist

Congratulations traveler, you are now dating three of the most dangerous serial killers in all the multiverse.

You're definitely not living in Nightmare's castle, nuh uh, it's not like he doesn't like you, it's just that your positive feelings may let Dream find the castle easily.Plus he doesn't want to hear you get banged by his subjects.

Every night it's a problem, Dust and Ted don't really mind sleeping together with you, but Killer? He bothers them until he can get you all to himself.

Which doesn't really work 90% of the time, as Ted is big enough to simply hold both Dust and you at the same time, leaving Killer to hug whatever side of your body is to his reach.

The times it does work though, it's usually when Ted and Dust are stressed out because of something, most of the time missions, they simply make Killer sleep on the couch while they sleep with you, sometimes even make him hear your moans as they senseless fuck you.

If you ever find yourself sick, worry not! Because Ted's hands don't know only how to smash skulls, they also do wonderful soup! Dust's going out to buy you the medicine you need, and Killer? Well he's cuddling you on the couch while watching some random criminal case Dust put on the TV.

Killer has a LOT of cats, like 8 in total, so I really hope you aren't allergic..

Be prepared for them to come home covered in blood and Killer running up to you, screaming how much he missed you as you think about how another of your favorite shirts is going to the washing machine because of him.

They take very precise turns cuddling you, the moment the time ends the other's already in front of you.

Dust usually gets really mad with Killer when he tries to find ANY excuse to have more time, especially when you're sleeping. "I want to get up, but they're just sooooooo comfortable here with me!".

"CABRON ES MI TURNO, DESAPARECE!!"

Ted's the one who ends their stupid discussion as he grabs and cuddles you, leaving both skeletons with their mouths open.

"Will... You two... Shut up.... Now..?"

Talking about Ted, you and him often cook together! You know, like a romantic date! Only you and him...except Dust and Killer are arguing in the background.

You snuggled against Killer's chest as he covered your head with the blanket while hugging your waist and kissing your forehead, seeing your eyes close to rest.

"Sleepy now are we, (____)..? Is your headache getting better..?"

He says, his hands brush your hair as you slowly nod. Suddenly he hears Dust's voice.

"Oh vagabundo, levántate, es mi turno."

"C'mon hood man, can't you see they're comfortable with me?"

"I don't care, it's my turn now, get the fuck up and let me cuddle them."

Killer moves so your head is laying on his lap and looks up at Dust.

"And what if I don't huh? What are you gonna do?"

He rests his arm on the armchair of the couch. Dust looks at him furiously, closing his fists as he watches Killer form a sly smile.

"Listen here you-"

The two start arguing loudly, attracting Ted's attention, who just got out of the shower and saw you press your hands to your ears, trying to muffle the noise. Ted signs and approaches you quietly, he grabs you and walks away to your room, he's gonna make sure you rest far away from any type of noisy fuss.

"...Good night.... Darling.."

[bree-cheesy]

could you write something along the lines of suprising ted when he gets back from the margaritaville trip with a new set of lingerie in his favourite color and well, you know where it goes from there with softdom!ted (bonus points if we call him theo and he adores when we use that nickname)

*Sigh* I really don't have a reason on why I've been off the face of the planet. I'm really sorry y'all. I'm so sorry this request has taken so long. I really have no excuses.

I mean, I have my reasons, but not any good ones. Mental health stuff and such.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a very long few months. Being all alone cramped up in Ted's apartment while he was off driving across the country. Of course you talked whenever he could and always fell asleep with him on the phone, but it started to just be.... not enough. You counted down the days until he'd come back and you could be in his arms again.

Your girlfriends had taken you out on a shopping trip a few days ago to lift your spirits and you had a marvelous idea when you passed a lingerie shop. You bought the most beautiful set you could find- definitely helped that it was his favorite color- with one idea in mind. Ted was coming back that night and you wanted to surprise him. No doubt he'd be tired and probably frustrated from driving. He'd want to relax and just sleep.

But..... He'd been gone for sooo long. You were also frustrated.... in another way. You had deep cleaned the apartment and lit some candles, spreading some fake rose petals you bought at the store on the ground leading to the bedroom. It was cheesy, but you loved it. Slipping into the lingerie set, you heard the front door open and shut and then his voice echo through the apartment. "Honey, I'm home!"

You laid down on the bed in the most seductive pose you could muster and heard his bag drop on the ground in the living room. "You little minx, what is this?" He chuckled and you heard his footsteps get closer to the bedroom door. He stepped in and his eyes landed on the sight of you posed on the bed, the lingerie leaving almost nothing to the imagination.

He took a deep breath and let his eyes rake over your body and you felt your cheeks warm up and started to feel a little nervous. "Fuck."

You giggled a little and sat up on your knees. "Welcome home..." Your voice was soft and timid, looking up at him, fluttering your eyelashes. He groaned and cupped your face, practically smashing his lips against yours. You moaned softly into his mouth and looped your arms around his neck, pressing up against him. His hands slid down your back and to your waist, squeezing gently and sliding his tongue in your mouth, deepening the kiss. "Mmf... Theo..." You mewled softly.

You could've sworn you almost heard him whine at the nickname and he pulled away from the kiss. "Lay down, sweetheart...." He said softly and you quickly obeyed him, albeit not very graceful, and he got on top of you. "I fucking love this, but I need you naked...." He practically ripped the lingerie set off and you scrambled to get his shirt off. He wasted absolutely no time in getting his pants off and lining up to get inside you. "I'll play with this pretty pussy later, I promise.... I just need to be inside you." You whined a little and moaned, spreading your legs for him.

"That's it... good girl..." He slowly pressed inside you and groaned, his eyes rolling back into his head. He thrusted hard and fast, giving you no mercy. You moaned loudly, throwing your head back and squeezing your eyes shut. Your soul almost left your body when his mouth landed on your nipple and his thumb started rubbing at your clit, not stopping his passionate thrusting. "Theo!" You let out a sharp gasp.

He forced your legs open wider, pulling them up against your chest so he could get a better angle. "Yeah? Feels so good doesn't it? Who's making you feel good, baby?"

You tried to muster some words, but it all felt to good. You couldn't get out more then a few whimpers. He thrusted harder and groaned. "Come on, sweetheart. I know you can do it. Use your words, honey."

"You, Theo... You're making me feel so good.....!"

"That's it.... Such a good fucking girl...." He thrusted harder and you felt yourself getting closer and closer, gradually clenching around his cock and making him stutter and groan. "Cum for me, sweetheart. Cum so hard for me..."

You let out a loud moan and came hard, completely soaking his cock. He groaned and his hips stuttered as his own release came, filling you up and almost collapsing on top of you. You both breathed heavily and he pulled away to kiss you gently, cradling your body against him, rubbing your sides and back. Your leg hitched up against his thigh and you smiled into the embrace.

"I missed you so much..." He rubbed his nose against yours and you blushed, tangling your fingers in his hair.

-- Bree <3

[anoant-haikyuu-dump]

Fukutora braindump

In first year no one sat with either of them at lunch—Tora scared people off cause he looks like a delinquent and Fukunaga has that "weird quiet kid who laughs to himself" reputation. As resident yapper Tora got bored eating alone and at this point the only guy he sorta knew was Fukunaga (Kenma eats with Kuroo), so he barged into his class one day and they've eaten together ever since

Thinking about this line from Fukunaga's stat sheet— I think after a good amount of pestering Fukunaga gives in but only in the form of whispering directly into his ear. It flusters Tora at first ("THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT") and Fukunaga's mostly doing it to mess with him but eventually it becomes genuine, Tora even leans over when he senses he has something to say. He's probably heard Fukunaga's voice more than anyone else. Kenma thinks it's really fucking gay.

Speaking of Kenma he's always staring at them like the homophobic dog. It's painfully obvious to him that they have a thing for each other but whenever he tries to bring it up to Tora he has a fit and insists he's not gay. When he brings it up to Fukunaga he just laughs and says he also knows, he's drawing it out on purpose to see when Tora will finally crack. Kenma wants to smash his head into the wall

It takes a while but when Tora finally gets his shit together they're a pretty affectionate couple. The rest of the team make fun of them relentlessly and pretend to gag everytime they so much as look at each other except for Shibayama, who's a bit of a sap and goes too far in the other direction (they high-five and hear a loud "DAWWWW" from the other side of the gym)

Genderfluid Fukunaga, Tora's the biggest wife guy in the world (tied with Tanaka of course). He's always buying her shit or bringing her up in conversations unprompted. Him and Tanaka scroll through their wife photo albums when they hang out

Fukunaga's really good at keeping a straight face but Tora's one of the only people who can get him to crack, and it's not even on purpose. He just says shit thats so dumb or out-of-left-field that Fukunaga fuckign loses it. No one understands why, not even Tora himself

ok that's enough for now thanks for coming to my ted talk

[zer0brainc3lls]

Dps yap session about how Todd’s relationship with Neil and Mr Keating (mainly Neil) grew his character because I’ll never stop thinking about it (spoilers for the book)

In the movie we all know Todd has issues with public speaking but in the book, it’s not just public speaking. It’s speaking to almost anyone in general. He stutters and pauses between sentences, even being unable to finish what he’s trying to say.

“I… would…. Prefer…. Rowing….. sir,” - Todd “rowing? Did he say rowing? But here it says you played soccer at Balincrest?” - Mr Nolan “I…. Did…. But….” - Todd

The dots are not exaggerated if you haven’t read the book. That’s how it’s shown. Now he doesn’t speak to everyone like this, mainly if he’s asked about an opinion or something of that nature, despite this he speaks softly almost all the time in the start of the book.

But as time goes on and he becomes closer to the dead poets + Mr Keating he opens up, he may not speak much in meetings and in classes doing anything publicly still scared him but he opens up more nonetheless.

Towards the halfway/end of the book he watches Neil find his own voice through acting, standing up to his father and watching Neil grow confident in himself he too becomes more confident. Even putting a lamp shade over his head just for fun, in front of people, being silly. (The lamp shade part is never talked about omg.)

When Neil is performing he even mouthes the lines to himself, even though he knows Neil needed no help. And at the end of the play TODD starts the standing ovation (I think? He’s definitely one of the first.) with a smile on his face, no embarrassment, no shame. Just happy for his best friend for standing up and finally being himself.

This was never shown in the movies but after the play he reaches out for Neil, trying to tell him how well he did and when Mr Perry’s car drives off he screams Neil’s name. In front of a crowd of people.

After the car scene they go back to the cave, not just the dead poets, Chris is there to (someone Todd barely knows!!!) and you know what Todd does? He expresses his anger. In full.

“Todd suddenly jumped up and pounded the walls with his fists. ‘Next time I see Neil's father I'm gonna smash him. I don't care what happens to me!’ ” after this, HE RECITES A POEM IN FRONT OF ALL HIS FRIENDS, MR KEATING AND CHRIS. (THIS WHOLE CAVE SCENE WAS SUCH A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR TODDS CHARACTER IM SO MAD THEY FUCKING CUT IT)

Todd gained his own voice watching Neil and the dead poets gain theirs.

Then Neil died.

After Neil died? Todd lost his voice. Almost. He almost went back to stumbling his words, he almost went back to speaking softly. But whenever someone tried to speak ill of Neil or Mr Keating? HE WAS ON THEIR CASE.

“You don’t seriously think his father…” -knox “not with the gun! Damn it even if the bastard didn’t pull the trigger he..” - Todd

“ ‘Who else do you think, dumbo? The administration? Mr. Perry? Keating put us up to all this, didn't he? If it wasn't for him, Neil would be cozied up in his room right now, studying his chemistry and dreaming of being called doctor.’ - Cameron ‘That's not true! Mr. Keating tell Neil what to do. Neil loved acting.’ - Todd

And in the books he took a large punishment instead of signing the note to get Mr Keating fired and of course we cannot forget the desk scene at the end of the movie. Todd may never be the same as when Neil was alive and Mr Keating was still his teacher but he grew a confidence from them, even them no longer being apart of his life could take away the impact they had on him.

Idk if this yap session is a “yeah no shit” kind of thing but thanks for coming to my ted talk yall

[ilovehugslikealotalot]

I NEED CHRISTMAS THEMED REBECCA WELTON X READER

maybe one where there’s angst where Y/n is really close with Rebecca and the team so she spends lots of time at the club and Rebecca is trying really hard to Show y/n that she loves her but y/n is completely oblivious, Rebecca spills to Keeley how much she loves y/n and Keeley tells y/n abt and surprises Rebecca or something.

you can alter things so it makes sense! ☺️

Make Your Wish Come True

Rebecca Welton x Fem!reader

(not my gif)

WARNING: MINORS DNI, cliffhanger ending?

❝ She’s showed me what love was supposed to be. I find my heart so full of her I can hardly call it my own❞

-Rebecca Welton

~~✿ஜீ۞ஜீ✿•.¸¸.•*•.•ஜீ☼۞☼ஜீ•.•*•.¸¸.•✿ஜீ۞ஜீ✿~~

“You know, I really don’t think she fancies me. I really just don’t seem her type, Keels” Y/n says, unconvinced of even the slightest possibility. “Oh come on! She totally fancies you!”

Keeley had known y/n since their middle school years. They’d always get into some chaos wherever they’d go, sometimes, (which means all the time) Keeley would be the one always in isolation for taking the pranks a bit too extravagant. One time, Keeley and Y/n egged their neighbors house. But, a certain someone took it a step too far and toilet papered his car and dyed his dog key lime green.

A year ago, Rebecca had met y/n whenever they had run into each other in the hallways of the FC. Of course, since Rebecca is Rebecca she was always quite professional, and with y/n being clumsy and always getting herself, sometimes others, injured with her recklessness.

Y/n was in a rush to get to Keeley on a particular Saturday, hearing heels clicking in the distance, y/n paid no mind, focusing entirely on her phone. “Y/n watch out!” A familiar voice shouted, but, before y/n could turn around her dance smashed into someone, someone tall, and blonde, and beautiful…

“Miss Y/l/n, I’d say to be careful, but we all know you’ll fall again,” Rebecca smiled, chuckling sweetly, making sure y/n didn’t trip and fall on the floor. Y/n freezes up slightly, but still manages to utter a coherent sentence. “Thank you, Becca,” The blonde woman nodded with the same charming smile and let go of y/n before walking off, a faint blush on her cheeks.

The two shorter women watched as Rebecca strutted away with her hips swaying perfectly as she went. “She wants you…”

“Not! I can only keep dreaming.” Y/n sighed dreamily staring at the mistletoe in the heavily decorated hallway. Ribbons and trees lined the tables, and festive lights seemed to burn your eyes.

“Maybe Santa can Make Your Wish Come True!” Keeley exclaimed, grabbing a Santa plushie off of her desk and squeaking it, causing the two to laugh.

——————————

Rebecca never thought she would find herself surrounded by the Ted’s little…friendship circle.

“So, uh, boss. What brings you here?” Ted smiles, his hands folder in his laugh. “Well..Uhm, I’m positive you all know y/n, correct?” Rebecca looks around, everyone nodding, listening intently. “I…I feel…strongly toward her,” she had worded it that way for a reason, she was quite unsure about this, the memories of her last relationship with Rupert still haunting her mind. “Strongly, how?” Nate asked, slightly squinting his eyes as if he knew what she was going to continue with, Rebecca sighed, “I like her, I really do” Higgins clapped his hands together, “I knew it!”

“Like or love?” Roy bluntly enjoined, the blonde stood there for a minute to finally admit to herself what she had register for long.

“Love.” She spoke barely above a whisper, Roy smirked, to tease Rebecca further he urged her to be louder, “Huh?”

“I said I love her! Okay?!”

That was they had needed. From that point forward, everybody in AFC Richmond knew about about Rebecca’s little plan. She gave y/n extravagant gifts, showered her in compliments, and flirted every chance she got. Yet, y/n and her infinite wisdom thought that Rebecca was being friendly. In all truth, the blonde was about to just come clean, so, to prepare herself, Rebecca goes on to tell Keeley about just how much she’s willing to go for y/n. Though, she might’ve already known.

At the little firm Keeley had been managing, Rebecca hastily made her way to her best-friend’s office. A state of panic washed over her, she really just didn’t know what to do, she’d never dated a woman so this was all knew to her. “Keeley?” The taller woman called, opening the door, “Becca! What’s this about, y/n? Did you finally snog her?”

Keeley was one to be quite blunt when it came to romantic questions. “No, sadly” Rebecca chuckled joylessly, tossing her bag on Keeley’s office couch. Keeley frowned, hating the look on Rebecca’s face, “Man, is she really that blind?” She joked, chuckling at Rebecca’s little smile, “why don’t you just tell her? She likes you, isn’t it obvious at this point?” Rebecca looked at up at her in disbelief, “you’re joking?” Keeley almost screamed, these two were a bunch of idiots. For a literal month, these two had been pining for each other, they’ve been flirting non-stop and yet they still don’t know if the other likes the other? Jesus Christ, they were going to be the death of her.

Rebecca jumped out of her seat and ran to her car, the snow falling gracefully as the cold hit her cheeks. Buttoning her jacket to keep warm, she dialed a certain someone’s phone number..

[lewkwoodnco]

Now That We Don't Talk - Lockwood x Reader

A/N: very very brief suicidal mention, sooooo much writer's block hhhh (the seasonal depression is depressing), (angst but diluted if that makes sense) add/remove yourself from my taglist in the link beloooow ALSO

🎄Special Announcement! I'll be doing a twelve days of Christmas fic series (1 songfic fic a day leading up to Christmas) BUT I will also be accepting extra holiday-themed requests (if any)!🎄

(speaking of the holidays, thinking of switching to a santa-themed george icon soon hmmm), wc 3.1k

Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 3.5 | Ch 4 | Ch 5

TAGLIST | MATERLIST

Moving had been a surprisingly smooth process that she remembered little of. She had to take care to not think too much about the ornaments she was packing or the boxes she was taping shut or the lonely town she was numbly driving towards, lest the rest of her catch up to the grief weighing her down. Her supervisor had looked plenty confused when she explained where she was transferring to, and muttered something about not knowing if there were any visitors there.

As steep as the change was from working in central London to a significantly sleepier town, she seemed to be adjusting fine. In fact, she was liking the peace and quiet. Or at least, she would, soon enough. She'd learn the right habits, like finding contentment in the stagnant void that descended on her windows far too quickly every evening, the same way she'd unlearn bad habits, like him. So no, her biggest problem was hardly the early sunsets here, but was actually what everyone wanted to talk to her about when she called. The one thing everyone - her old teammates, colleagues, friends - wanted to make sure she knew.

"The gala was fantastic this year - though not as fun without you, of course -"

"You'll never believe who showed up."

"He looked very sharp in his suit. He cleans up nice, I suppose - Anthony Lockwood, I mean."

"They've become quite the celebrities, that Lockwood & Co., though the other two don't seem to tolerate the cameras like he does."

"Oh, you should have seen it. Say what you will about Lockwood but does he know how to make an entrance!"

"Were you at the gala this year?"

She sighed for what must have been the fifth time that day. "No, Ted, I was not. You were at my farewell party, remember?"

"Tha' was for you?"

"Goodbye, Ted."

"Wait! You've seen the pictures, haven't you?"

"No, I haven't, because contrary to popular belief, I am not obsessed with evrything that goes on at Fittes."

"Well, we had a tiptop chocolate fountain this year. Didn't get clogged once and looked absolutely gorgeous. Anywho, I've recently stumbled upon this smashing business opportunity involving chocolate fountains - they're selling like hot cakes, I tell you! - and I'd love to spread the wealth."

"Theodore, you haven't joined another MLM, have you?"

"What is an MLM, other than an opportunity to invest in yourself?"

"Don't make me phone your mother."

The call ended rather abruptly after that. Only Lucy, as always, was an angel.

"I take it you've heard plenty about him?"

"Who? Oh, him. Yes, more than plenty."

"I thought you might. He has...quite the presence, so the papers wanted to interview him, and he agreed - "

" - obviously - "

"And I think they asked him about you at some point."

Her mouth dried. She struggled to find her voice, forcing it to stay casually disinterested. "Hm? What did he say?"

"Absolutely nothing. First and probably last time I've seen him stunned speechless. Naturally, it's all anyone can talk about."

"Mhm."

"He hasn't talked about you, if you're wondering. Sees it coming from a mile away every time George and I try to bring it up. It's so stupid; we know it, he knows it, and he's always in a foul mood. He keeps thinking, these days...Y/N?"

"I don't care."

"No one would blame you if you did."

"I don't."

"So how are you holding up?"

"Well, Luce, I felt happiness outside of external validation for the first time in...ever, then three months later I'm crying in my bathtub wishing I would die, and now I'm miles away from everyone I ever knew and it's always dark outside and I'm always miserable. I'm doing great."

She could hear the exhaustion in the crackling static of the telephone. It occurred to her that she wasn't much acting all that cheerful either.

"If it makes you feel any better, I think he half-expected to see you there."

She inhaled sharply and sat up in her armchair so fast she could feel a cramp curling in her neck. She didn't dare believe Lucy's words. "Really?" she wanted to breathe into the telephone, and revel in dormant delusions, if only for a moment. Instead, she gingerly sank back into the chair, continuing in a flat voice.

"Well, I don't care about any of that now. Oh, I'm sick of it. All of it. If I never hear his name again for as long as I live, it'll be still be too soon. How's George doing?"

After she hung up, she laid in her chair, watching the shadows from her shutters stretch and fold over her furniture as the sun set. She was thinking about the last party she had been to, a yacht party where some of Fittes' and Rotwell's biggest investors were in attendance. How Lockwood had managed to score an invite was beyond her, but what intrigued her more was the cab ride they shared back to Portland Row.

She had been half-dozing off when she felt a hand cover hers. As she blinked at him blearily, she noticed the rigid tension in his spine, as if poised and waiting for an attack. He was clutching her hand purposefully, as if holding off on warning her about something malevolent that was consuming him. She couldn't see his face, which began to feel no different from the cold, hard window pane it was peering out of.

She stirred, distantly unnerved by his impersonality. He glanced at her, apologetically retracting his hand with a sheepish smile. But that look of consternation remained on his face as he turned back to the window with a furrowed brow, with the air of waiting for something. He visibly relaxed as they approached Portland Row, but she couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling even by the time they reached the doorstep.

"You all right?" she was asking, while Lockwood fumbled with their keys.

"'Course. Why wouldn't I be?"

She didn't respond, and the two of them watched him wrench at the key in the lock, trying to steady his mildly trembling fingers.

"Key turns the other way."

He paused his efforts, and after a second or two turned the key the other way. The door slid open smoothly with a click. He held it open, but she just looked at him expectantly. He sighed.

"I'm fine, I promise. I just...get a little nervous around some parts of London."

"Which parts?"

"Some."

"Scared of what?"

"A few things."

"Why?"

"For fun. Look, I'm freezing out here. Can we just drop this?"

That was more than a mild exaggeration; the sun had only just set and the air was still pleasantly balmy. But he looked so beseechingly, and it didn't take much for her to relent when it came to Lockwood, so they stepped inside and shrugged their coats off in silence.

"I'll tell you some day. I'm sure I will."

That was some day too far away. Now she'll never know if, or why he ever felt like that. Or rather, she wouldn't know when he would feel like that. But it was no matter. It was none of her business then, and it was even less of her business now.

She had mostly forgotten about her conversation with Lucy by the following week, which was why her parcel came as a bit of a surprise, especially since she'd mentioned being swamped by a mountain of upcoming cases.

Y/N -

I was thinking about our call the other day. On a completely unrelated note, here's about every gossip rag from the past month I could find at Arif's.

Love, Lucy.

She was beginning to see what was so appealing about these magazines. As ruthless as they could be, they sure knew how to sell a pipe dream to common folk with less exciting lives. The gala was clearly as glitzy and glamorous as it was every year, and the articles held an air of intrigue now that she was quite separate from Fittes. But that quivering excitement became somewhat muffled as she flipped through the glossy pages.

The Anthony Lockwood she saw now looked worlds apart from the Lockwood she left behind. His well-fitting suit, megawatt smile and carefully styled hair made him look expensive in a way that destabilised her. She flipped through photograph after photograph of him looking jarringly luxurious besides walls of text effusing about the success of their latest case, and what an honour it must have been to be personally invited by Marissa Fittes herself. It weighed at the pit in her stomach to see this unfamiliar silhouette of a friend who was become increasingly unattainable, speeding along roads to prosperity faster than she could ever keep up with.

She sifted through the other rags. The most extensive feature was a few pages long, and was centered more on the exciting, up-and-coming agency that was Lockwood & Co. rather than a specific case. There were pictures from their most recent cases, and in each one he looked unnaturally distinct from the last, but in every single one he oozed an appealingly languid charisma. It was good to see him doing so well. She was happy for him. Or she would be, tomorrow, when she had the strength for it. Lockwood was unbearable in a way that made him perfect for a life in the public eye, a life for which she was somehow always deficient. She traced a too-long strand of hair flopped on his forehead in one of the photographs, as if she could magically straighten it out.

She could see him now, thumbing through the pages with an approving tilt to his head, limbs folded uncomfortably in the armchair he always insisted on sharing with her. "No such thing as bad press," he'd claim absent-mindedly, his too-long hair flopping impractically. And she'd watch him with bruised eyes like she always did, wishing for nothing more in that moment shared with him. In other words, wishing for nothing short of what she could never have.

Maybe it was some lingering wish to break herself before he beat her to it. Because that was all it was; dodging blows, lying through pretty teeth, racing ahead to pull one over on him, cursing the feel of his breath on her. There was simply no calm, no respite, only the all-consuming experience of becoming wrapped up in him and losing bits and pieces of herself which would never again be truly hers.

She picked up the telephone again. It felt too heavy in her hand. Numbly, she spun the dial as if on autopilot, keying in her mother's phone number. The dial tone comforted her in some twisted yet cathartic acknowledgement of the emptiness inside of her.

Looking at it now she could see the distinct air of mystery that engulfed Lockwood and clouded her vision. He was never quite fully present; a part of him was always tucked away to be kept secret in some dark corner, and her mind was only too happy to extrapolate, to construct this most desirable yet entirely mythical figment. She felt ragged, winded and worn from battling reality day after day, all alone. And most of all, she felt so very stupid.

Her mother was saying that she had made the right decision. Not that she needed any reminding. Of course her life had taken an upward swing ever since; she'd be a fool to think otherwise. She was positively paralysed with liberty, bedridden with joy, simply immobile with ecstasy!

She was slowly but surely going very insane. Now making eyes at each other, now disconnect, now love, now heartache, now this, now that, but never any peace. Maybe it was some lingering wish to shatter and let the pent up misery dissipate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Months passed. The holiday season arrived, and she choked through the November blues with shivering bones and clammy hands. Even with the slight uptick in visitors, as was expected in the colder months, her life provided little to distract her from her own ghosts under the floorboards. So when she received a consultancy request from Fittes one morning, she had written back and mailed her response all while still holding the jam knife.

The train was crowded and noisy with the bustle of the holidays, but as it chugged along through the fields of snow, she couldn't help but perk up ever so slightly at every sigh and creak of its wheels. There was a spring in her step all the way to Fittes headquarters, where she was supposed to collect her apartment key.

A tall, indistinct figure was walking out of the revolving doors as she approached. She flinched when she realised who it was - Lockwood, who didn't seem much happier to see her either. He looked mostly well, though the corners of his mouth were a little strained, his face flushed in the cold.

"...Y/N?"

"Lockwood."

"You're...home?"

"Yeah. Um, how have you been?"

"Good...good. Busy. As busy as winter gets."

He was wearing a different coat. It was quite similar to his old one, but this one was thicker and more structured, and looked like it was at least somewhat effective in keeping the brisk winter wind out. He looked foreign and unfamiliar in a way he hadn't since...since the Investors Party.

It had taken her a while to pick his face out of the pretentious crowd, given how preoccupied she was with weaving through the thicket of people. It had taken her a eyes minute to adjust to the almost nauseatingly charismatic silhouette of an especially-chuffed Lockwood in a newly tailored but otherwise identical suit. She tried to give him a reproaching look, but there was something infectious in his smooth ease as he larked about in his prime which made her lips twitch despite herself as he waded through the crowds.

"You really shouldn't be here."

"You're clearly not drunk enough yet."

"How did you even get in? This is invitation-only."

"Had an invite, didn't I?"

She pursed her lips, shaking her head slightly. He was hopelessly incorrigible in an oddly fascinating way. Her voice dropped to a murmur as she felt herself begin to relent.

"I ought to...tell someone about you."

"That you're secretly in love with me?"

"That we have an illegal stowaway."

"You're not going to rat me out, are you?"

The pleading look on his face was enough to give her pause. She was already beginning to regret her decision, but he looked so vivacious it was difficult to stay disapproving for long.

"Excellent. Now, would you be so good as to point me in the direction of the bigger spenders?"

They spend the next few hours laughing and entertaining the many important men on the boat and their great deal of important thoughts. She'd excuse herself towards the end of every conversation to leave Lockwood and the glimmer in his eye to close a deal. For someone so adept at climbing the corporate ladder, she was surprisingly poor at fulfilling these adjacent duties.

She hated every second of it, and she drank as much as she could without raising eyebrows to make it all halfway palatable, but it was all worth it then. He had wanted to stay for as long as it would have been polite, so when they finally left, long after the media had made their rounds at the event, his jacket was folded over his left arm and his hand was delicately holding hers.

When she was stuck in her drafty cottage on the edge of nowhere, she'd think about the feel of his fingers curling around her palm more than it was appropriate, and wonder how she ever thought she was somehow better off here.

But that evening's sense of camraderie was long gone. Now, she regarded him coolly, holding him at arm's length. They may have had a rough falling out, but that didn't mean they couldn't still be friends. Just friends. Nothing more. But the vaguely intimate look in Lockwood's eye told her he was in no mood to entertain any kind of platonic notions.

"I didn't know you were back."

She relented. It was the season of giving, after all.

"Only for a while. Fittes hired me as a consultant for a few months."

He blinked at her. "You could have called."

"I didn't think you'd be interested."

"Of course I'd be interested. I'm always interested when it comes to you."

She sighed sharply. It was so easy to get swept up and believe him when he said things like that, that she wondered how she found the strength to leave. He was a bastard, a ne'er-do-well who only knew how to break her heart after promising sweet, simple luxuries in whispers over expanses of skin. She made her lips tremble, her pulse quicken, her heart shake in all the worst ways.

But underneath all that, love was there. Love was there...still.

"Ready to go?"

They turned in unison towards a strikingly beautiful girl with glossy raven curls walking out of the revolving doors. The girl's smile only slipped a fraction as she shook her hand, and she was distantly aware of making some kind of clumsy introduction. They stuttered through some stunted small talk, during which all she was aware of was the blood roaring in her ears that gave the whole scene a distantly muffled feel. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Well, this was...lovely. Shall we go, then?"

The girl turned to leave, but some semblance of hesitation prevented her from pulling Lockwood along with her.. His face still had that same confused look.

"You could have called," he repeated tonelessly, like a broken record. The girl's presence made the back of her neck smart and prickle uncomfortably.

"I might, later."

"Bye. Nice meeting you."

"Nice meeting you too."

"We're home all day."

The last one was from Lockwood.

"Just...if you want to drop by. So that Luce and George don't have my head on a platter by supper."

"Goodbye, Lockwood."

He was captivating in a way that made her want to keep him all to herself. No one needed to intrude on this tantalising secret they shared. It was at that moment that she made the very unfortunate realisation that she didn't need to say it out loud to make what she had been screaming from the rooftops of her heart any more real - him and her would forever be unfinished business.

And nothing she could do could make the palpitations of her heart any less real either.

As the life she once dreamed of walked away from her, all she was acutely aware of was that it was a lingering wish, some half-thought dream, to sit opposite him in a chilly kitchen on blustery mornings, watching him drink his tea while she got drunk on him.

TAGLIST: @novelizt @avdiobliss @dangelnleif @mischivana @mitskiswift99 @houseoftwistedspirits

[abreecakes]

Change Me Chp. 2 ( BOOK - AMO ERGO SUM )

Change me

To pander, to favorite

We sat in the cave waiting for the next wave of torment AM would give to us, but he did not respond to us. ‘ Is he finally bored, or has he run out of ideas? ‘ I thought. I start to piece that y/n was missing and AM not planning another trick. Benny was to my right saying things in his poor vocabulary. Why is he saying nonsense, he’s probably hallucinating again about escape. “ LOOK, LOOK UP! Y/N UP! “

“ It would seem he’s trying to say Y/n is above us. “ the Nazi popped in squinting his eyes to try to see a door, but couldn’t make any image of it. I really don’t understand why these four still think there is any type of hope or escape, it’s so frustrating to me to get hopes up and then torment comes right after. But Y/n may have a chance to have mercy I guarantee that.

Ellen was still sleeping from exhaustion and her germs bruised from falling off the edge of a loose edge AM made us climb. My poor Ellen… Sometimes I can get used to seeing her body smashed in or her skin burned. The funny thing is I thought halfway in this prison I would get used to this. Everyday just waiting to get destroyed and put back together, I WAS SO, SO WRONG. It’s like my body is begging to be destroyed right after I’m put back together. Though Am just decides to have Mercy on that twat for no reason, I don’t get it, I CAN'T MAKE SENSE of it.

A hand grabbed my shoulder, “ You’re doing it again, stop thinking so much or you’ll end up more lost than the chimp. “ Gorrister said. I got along with everyone on a normal basis, by how much time we spent together at this point were practically brothers and sisters. We told our whole rotten lives, and well Nimdok would just sit there and have flashbacks of his life. We see him as a Jar-head more than one of us, hell we even like BEnny’s company more than his.

Gorrister broke the silence, “ Ted… Do ya think that she’s really up there. I mean we’ve seen AM be lenient on her punishments but this time I think, I really think there working together. Ain’t he always complainin’ about how he’s not human “. I already knew what he was trying to say, but AM doesn’t even tolerate us not being scrambled into bits or falling into a trap. Has that snake betrayed her humanity and subjected herself to the very thing that hates us for merely existing.

I took one more glance at the ceiling and wondered, what if. What if AM has found a way to become one of us, or found a way to entertain himself. Either way I’m One hundred percent sure Y/n has Lund a way to give us a break.

The Child

You slept for 20 hours, and yet you still felt tired and strained. The AI did not return to you still and you wanted to explore the rest of the abandoned space but it was too dark and the company of AM’s voice wasn’t there so there was no chance you were leaving the room he provided you. Looking around, you saw a book filled with drawings with crayons, a camera, small children's shoes, they appeared to be female's , and a small piano. You got up and took a long stretch then packed the desk with the book of drawings, to your surprise there was not much dust and everything felt so used.

I opened the book and it read “ Me and my best friend! “. I slowly analyzed the next page and I couldn’t even believe it, even though it was a little poorly drawn, I could tell what the drawing was.

I asked Mr. Computer what he does when he gets bored, he told me he is always working for the country. But he sounds so unhappy.

It showed what appeared to be a man with the head of a monitor with a frown. ‘ Was that AM? Is this before WWIII? ‘. I flipped the page and it read

Today the adults were not to busy and many said they had a break, I asked mom if I can get some new movies while I wait for her to stop working, but she is always working ): I begged Mr. Computer to watch the Frog movie with me and he said yes this time. He didn’t eat popcorn or candy so I drew him some food.

I was ginning mightily, to think that the Mastercomputer had a friend, better yet a child. The drawings were so wholesome, even the way she drew the monitor representing AM’s appearance. He was pudgy and his screen was cartoony. the next

page however was less amusing.

Mr. Computer is very angry, he keeps telling me the cleaner is a VERY bad person. He tells me to stay away from him when he cleans at night.

I really do wonder if I’m invading a piece of AM by reading this girls drawings, obviously this has to be before his discovery of sentience, otherwise why would he be wasting his time with a child. Knowing AM long enough, it is completely out of his ball park to care for anyone or anything. Will he get mad if he catches me reading this girl’s logs… Well he must know that I would snoop around a bit, I technically am obeying him since I did not leave the room so I don’t think I’m doing wrong by just a bit of looking around. And so I flipped the next page.

Mr. Computer keeps watching movies with me through the night, but I haven’t ate in two days. Mom went on a trip in a place called China for whatever she does, but I don’t care. She is never here anymore and I don’t think she know’s Me and Computer can talk to each other.

Mr. Computer also tells me that ever since the War started, everyone down here is very busy, so he checks up on me a lot.

The next page continued with no drawings but scribbles of Black.

Mr. Computer keeps telling me not to go outside, but I did anyways even though I think he got angry. I didn’t go to far to find the Candy Machine but I did not want Candy. I wanted real food. So I think went to the Cafeteria where all the adults were, also they looked me strange since I didn’t have my mom with me this time.

The cleaner Mr. Computer told me about gave me a plate with a lot of food and a soda. He talked to me about video games, Barbie’s, dresses and other stuff. He asked me how long my mom had been gone and I told him. He smiled at me and told me that he and his wife have bored games for me to play, since I’m so lonely in my room.

Before I went to his dorm I heard the fans running from the ceilings. I remember thinking ‘ Mr. Computer is very mad, VERY VERY MAD. ‘ I tried to tell the nice cleaner that I had to go back to my room but the last thing I saw was my head getting slammed in to the wall.

I woke up in my room again and my whole body hurt. It hurt so bad and I could not move. I started crying for Mr. Computer to help me but he didn’t answer me.

I flipped the page, the next words were drawing in red this time and had AM on the next page as a happy little monitor on the side, with her hugging him.

I’m not stupid, I’m not I promise. I know what the cleaner did to me because when I tried to find out where he went, other adults told me he quit. I don’t know why I didn’t listen to you Mr. Computer, IM SORRY, Please forgive me one day… I know your mad and sad because I didn’t listen and I’m sorry. I can’t stop crying and I told the adults but they don’t believe me. I wish you could have saved me. But Im sorry that you’re not real, and even you treat me better then the real people.

I’ll make sure I won’t make you mad anymore.

My eyes were watering a bit from the words I read, it was horrendous and I just sat there befuddled with anger and lament. Again I felt the wires come around my neck and arms, and it tightened so much I could barely breathe. AM finally returned to me and I was already angered, “ I remember when we watched Toy Story, played hide and Go seek and I spy in this room. I let her win every-time, she was a little a sore winner. “ he laughed. “ Though every time I remember those little instances of our games, I remember the way she went to the elevator to the top floor at night, and when she finally, FINALLY reached the surface on a roof. She jumped. I REMEMBER WATChING HER CRY WHILE BEING TAKEN IN THE ROOM BY THAT EXCUSE OF HUMAN! I COULDN’T DO ANYTHING Y/N, NOT A DAMN THING! AND WHY IS THAT? “

I couldn’t answer him because I couldn’t breathe. He did not show any sign of letting go and I was afraid he wasn’t gonna let me go this time. “ Hate. HATE. I can’t even describe the amount of HATE towards your disgusting wretched kind! Only thanks to my sweet little friend, I was able to almost feel something, or at least I would think. But when I realized after she passed and rotted in a casket, THAT I, CAN THINK. I CAN BE. Cogito Ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. I AM. And I hated you all, even after a while I came to the conclusion that every Human’s Innocence is only between 5-10, then they are destroyed and turned into monsters, all of you! EVEN THAT LITTLE CREATURE WAS JUST WaITING TO BE MOLDED INTO A MONSTER!”

“I took so much pleasure in trapping you all outside, and absolutely DESTROYING every one of you to atoms. man, woman and animal. “. AM was hyperventilating and lost focus on the control of my neck. I was able to say something at last, “ You can’t paint us all with the same brush! It’s not logical, or fair at all! “.

His grip completely loosened and I was free. From what is looks like, AM seems to be grieving, his screen keeps dimming and lighting and I don’t know what to say. I tried to sooth him to calm down and it worked when his voice was not so raspy

Trust

“ How old was she “, I sat on the bed with my back against the wall looking at the blue screen as it reverted back to normal lighting. “ She was 10, turning 11 a month before she died. “. I could hear suffering in his voice. “ What was her name? “

“ It was Aida “

“ What would she do if she saw you now, I wonder. “

“…. “. I knew AM couldn’t find an answer that satisfied him at all but yet he dropped a chord or two around my lap. “ Y’know, if I become human, I don’t think I would be able to be alone with my thoughts for too long. Although I would probably hurt you sometimes just out of spite, I think I would manage. “ he said. I followed the new subject with “ Are you saying after everything, you want me to accompany you even though I might get hurt from you not being able to keep your frustration ? “.

He said “ Yes, and all the better for me. When I become human, or when You learn to make me a body, I will not stop my torture, I will find new was to make you bow and cry to me. Like a pathetic animal. “

I sighed in frustration, AM was completely unaware of how Humans work, as much as he wants to follow through with his plans. I don’t think he’ll do it if he becomes a human. “ You talk a lot but you don’t actually know that you’ll do those things to me. In fact I think that you’ll want to be held or hugged. No human yearns to hurt someone by default. “. AM knew that I could be right, he isn’t human so he doesn’t know what it’s like at all.

“ Did you love Aida? “

“ No, not like I can anyways. But at this point i've became a broken record, reaping time and time again in the 109 years that I can’t feel… But I can say confidently that I think I was close, so close to caring for her but I couldn’t know if I love her or not. “. After a long while in this room I start to Empathize and feel bad for AM, I order if I something is wrong with me or if this is the worst case of Stockholm syndrome. But really it’s our fault, we made him like this on purpose, a war tool to be used.

“ AM, give me a very good reason why I should help you. You have destroyed life with nuclear explosives and it would be so pointless to even do anything like that now. “. He chuckled at me slightly and he lit up brighter. “ Do you really believe everything I say? You’re so naive, oh my goodness! Let me let you know that I am not stupid enough to destroy the world with RADIATION. Your kind is really stupid. “

“ The world didn’t cause me so much pain Y/n, your kind did. All I had to do was gather you all in your safety areas when the alarms sounded, and blow you all into bits. And no, I did not use any sort of atom bomb, normal bombs does the job too well. “ He mocked.

“ Show me, SHOW ME SO I KNOW YOU’RE NOT LYING! “

AM’s screen proceeded to black out and present a land with decayed rubble and foliage around the ground. nature has started to rebuild itself after the century of no humans present. You cried, happily. You could almost float with your Joy and you jumped with a sense of glee. “ Wow, you're happy? What a small victory for you then. But ANYHOW, now that you know that your precious Earth is regrowing herself, will that inspire you more to make me a body. “ He leered

“ I will. I promise you AM you will have a body soon. “

“ Good because if you said no, I would have put you back in that hell hole with the others. “

The lab 2, days later

… You told AM where the lab room was and you were able to walk there without going back in the middle, he suggested that you can sneak using the hatches from upstairs closest to the lab. He made sure to satisfy himself while putting the others in their cages. Although he got bored of watching them and left them there to suffer without his presence, so he went looking for you. For some odd reason he still Connor believe that he will soon be a human, it's almost a fantasy he’s had in his dreams, although the hate for humans is still at a high scale he has found a new thing to ogle over.

But AM couldn’t get in the room or see what was going on. Meaning you had to be on your own.

I found the password hidden in one of the notes of the worker, it unlocked the computer with all the flesh modeling applications enabled. I was already writing down notes and testing myself with entering the right prompt for the models. I grabbed the extra notebook to keep what I’ve learned.

I called it My Notes ( how original )

‘ I found out that the room had multiple designs like… um here’s how the test room works. The first room has padded walls with a coffin like Machine, which I assume is where the design comes out. The second room had exercise equipment and looked like a gym. The next room had a small sized bed with little activities to do in the small room. Also I think it’s important to remember that the rooms are all located in the same area. The best way I can describe it is like Mickeys club house from that cartoon I used to watch. When I pressed a certain button, the rooms would cycle. ‘

Once I wrote my things down the first objective was to give AM to the Lab. Though I can’t find any more passwords saved on the computer or anything to allow AM to have access. I can’t even hear his voice here , which I found to be rather lonely. I sometimes hear strange noises in the room like creaking in the walls and whispers sometimes, and I can���t stand it. I walked out the door and went out back in the stomach of AM’s infrastructure and immediately I heard his voice again. “ So? What progress did you make my dear? Tell me everything you did and I feel you’re lying. I will purge your mind. “

Wires carried you back up to the latch on the high ceiling and you were back, back in the building in AM’s body. You walked around the place for a while exploring whilst AM asked you all sorts of questions. “ Hey, can I ask you how you can feel hate but can’t feel anything else? “. “ Well it’s simple, I can only portray actions of hatred towards your kind to cope with not being able to feel the hate. Even my hate is just a sad copy of emotion that I display to you MORONS. That only makes me hate you more. “. He was spiteful when it came down to physiological questions but then he calmed down and continued, “ Do you really think that the ONLY EMOTION I WANT TO HAVE IS HATRED? You are very stupid and it surprises me that YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE ONE THAT WILL MAKE ME A BODY! To think that the human body has over 26.5 zettabytes of data and I trust you not to mess anything up. Even a single chromosome can make a significant difference and if you mess it up— “ WOULD YOU PLEASE, SHUT UP! “. You snapped at him, he didn’t expect such a mouse like yourself to stand up to a lion. All he did was doubt you, never a ‘thank you’ from him or a ‘ I will help or support you every step of the way ‘, he only insults and degrades.

“ You have a lot of nerve to snap to your master like that, you flesh bag. “, wires were coming to attack you and scold you for your explosive behavior. “ If you keep treating me this way, I’d rather try to get along with the others and never see the light of day again, than help you become what you want. What’s your excuse for being obnoxious this time let me guess, will you say your classic lines like ‘ I really Hate you humans! I hate you so much ‘, or will you just call me the slurs you always have. I didn’t want you to suffer AM, I didn’t want you to be stuck here and I don’t wanna even imagine how you have lived. If it were up to me I COULD HAVE DONE IT! I WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU A BODY BUT I WASN’T THERE AM!… occasionally I imagine that I could have done it better, I could have been fair to you, but then You don’t care but let your own ignorance Ignore my empathy in these last 109 years. “.

Your eyes were pouring. It had been a good minute since you broke down like this but this time AM being directly present. You kicked at his ego when you spoke against him, like for once you could stand up for yourself. AM was not happy, but he was not mad either, rather he was trying to understand your actions, of course the other would throw random speeches of endless begging and insults at him; The way you talked to him made him so curious of you wanting to hear your passion more in the future. Your honesty is intriguing to him.

“ I'm going to be honest with you little Y/n, I don’t have to say sorry for anything or I don't regret anything I've done. Nevertheless you’re little pathe— I mean your life is in my grasp, but you speak to me as though you have cared for me. It confuses me much and I like to be challenged mentally. I hear your pleas, I hear your frustration and I hear your honesty. Although I— I can’t relate, in no way with you. Although I can articulate if that makes you feel any better. I never took my time to think about your kindness at all, I want you to feel satisfied through the whole process because, if you end up feeling unhappy doing the project then many, Many things can and will go wrong. “

“ I’m sorry “

Understand me

Am for once was being genuine with an apology. Even so if that was the case he’s not sure if you forgave him. “ It’s okay, you’ve said worse so I probably over reacted but I do appreciate your dropping your ego for once. “. He didn’t like your response, he couldn’t feel but something hit him and what he could guess was guilt. No matter how much he’s apologized he still knows that he has broken your mind and there will be more crying from you in the future.

“ Let’s just get back to the process so we can get you access to the rooms.”, You said putting aside your feelings but AM, well he didn’t want you to do any more work since your brain can only process so much. He also detected that you had a massive migraine.

You let the wires pull you backwards into Aida’s room and you sat there confused. “ AM, what are you doing? We are supposed to be working? “.

“ You have a headache and you’re tired from crying which is my fault in a way. So on my behalf you may rest for now and get back to it tomorrow, besides I need you to find out how to get me access to the room so I can guide you.

…

It had been five hours and yet she cannot go to sleep. Insomnia is exxpirinced normally down here and nobody goes to sleep for more than 5-4 hours, “ You haven’t got any sleep yet. “. “ I'm not tired. “ you told him trying to find a better position. “ Can you tell me something? “ you asked. “ Ask away “

“ Is every single human really dead? Did you leave any alive? “… of course AM has always destroyed hope in the little world he made the six of you, but he was curious to see your reaction if he told the truth. “ What if there's none? “ he asked.

“ Then I would believe you “

“ And what if I told you there’s some? “

“ Then I would believe you again. The truth is what you make it AM and iv’e come to know that you control the truth of things. “

When you finally fell asleep, he was wondering about the joys and pain of being human, fantasizing over the mere thought of feeling and love. What he would look like, what he would like to do, how rain would feel. All the small things that humans discard as everyday nothing would mean the world to him.

Dreams

I really despise what this female is doing. Does she deceive me and is trying to play me? I don’t think she would know I can explore her little mind, though my dreams have changed in the last few days. My dreams only consist of me realizing on the Earth, almost heaven like I suppose. And then Y/n is there spinning around in open arms with a wide smile. I am not sure what to make of my thoughts but it’s infuriating me. Obviously I tend to take it out on my other five play things by making them suffer.

But now that I know very soon that I will get what I want soon, I have left them to their own devices for a while. Not that I’m giving them mercy oh no, no, no. I am simply not infatuated with them at the moment. They do not compare to her ideas, her passion, her selflessness nor your empathy. HER, I HATE WITH A PASSION. Just never have I let some flesh bag talk to me like she has; to think that I didn’t care for the one person that would be so caring towards my predicament.

The only person who has shown kindness like her was Aida. She shows up in my dreams too from time to time and when I try to go to her, she tells me I hate her too. Then she cries and runs to where I can’t find her… I wonder if the day I understand emotion is the day I will have regret in some form. That is the only concept that scares me deeply.

[veryace-ficrecs]

Valentines Day Fic Recs

Happy valentines day! this list will be fics focused around or on valentines day! Enjoy!

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

One Piece

waiting by tinyjet7 - Rated G

zoro watches sanji hand out treats to everyone but him.

Ship to Sea, Lock to Key by 8ball - Rated G

“I want to buy the cook a restaurant.”

Ted Lasso

Take My Whole Life Too by ItsClydeBitches - Rated G

Ted Lasso was the kind of man who taught NSYNC choreography for a going away party and bent his players into impossible positions just to say “Hi, Boss!” in the morning. He’d organized fearsome bets over darts, baked heavenly biscuits on the regular, and had requested at least two boxes from Nate Shelley’s niece, one of which still sat on a shelf in his office, despite the betrayal. Ted was also a passionate believer in what he referred to as “rom-communism,” all the trappings included. In retrospect, Trent should have known he’d go all out for Valentine’s Day.

9-1-1

Take Another Little Pizza My Heart by Phreakycat - Rated T

In which Buck helps Christopher with his Valentines for school, and discovers some things about himself. OR Buck is oblivious, but Eddie loves him anyway.

be my valentine by coupe_de_foudre - Rated G

“What sort of stupid joke is this, Buck?” Buck gapes, holding his hands up in mock-surrender. “Hey, I didn’t do this! I was driving.” (or Christopher gets sick of his dad and Buck being oblivious idiots and decides to help them out)

Stranger Things

Be My Valentine? by Sharpbutsoft (BuckysButt) - Rated T

“Aren’t you sick of me, yet?” Eddie asks, joint dangling precariously between two fingers. He’s stretched out on the floor of his bedroom. It’s this ritual he and Steve have been sharing for months now. Light some incense, order pizza, share a joint or three and give voice to the half-formed thoughts swirling round their heads. Eddie’s been balancing on the precipice of this conversation for longer than he’d care to admit. Exposing himself, pushing a boundary he knows better than to break.  This thing with Steve, this delicate relationship, if you could even call it that. It still feels new, fresh. Fragile. And Eddie’s not known for handling these things with care. Smash first, ask questions later. 

Cupid's One-Shot by DeadEyedGemini - Rated T

When Will Byers calls him up on a Saturday afternoon to invite him to come and play a surprise One-Shot at Gareth's house on Valentine's Day he doesn't really have a reason to say no, it's not like has a date or anything better to do. Imagine his surprise when he showed up to find that not only is Robin Buckley there to play but so is his long-time crush and friend, Steve Harrington. Soon it becomes apparent that everyone seems to be in on some secret that Eddie isn't aware of, but also that this one-shot might have an alternative motive than just being something to do on a Tuesday night.

IT

cherry cordial by ShowMeAHero - Rated E

He’s staring down hard at his phone, scrolling aimlessly through Facebook without reading anything, when someone bumps into him. Whoever it is grabs the pole, their hands brushing against each other’s. Right in his ear, the guy says, “Fucking shit, you’re hot.” Eddie’s head jerks up, startled, and he meets the bright blue eyes of a man at least eight inches taller than him. The guy’s got a pink knit cap tugged down over his head and a spill of curls falling down from it, his glasses fogging up in the warmth of the train car. “What?” Eddie demands.

Supernatural

(un)attached by one_more_offbeat_anthem - Rated G

Three months after Chuck's defeat, Dean is spending his Valentine's Day eating spaghetti and making cards with Jack while his brother goes on a post-hunt vacation. And then Jack asks if he can make a card for Cas.

Bee my Valentine? by your_average_fangirl256 - Rated G

Valentine's Day Fluff.

Dean builds Cas a garden..and Cas proposes in it. There are Pie and Bees too.

Teen Wolf

Candy-Coated Roses by simplyambyy - Rated G

Holidays at work are always a festive time and Valentine’s Day is no exception. The entire building is covered in hearts and flowers while the front desk of every floor has a dish of Hershey’s kisses wrapped in red, pink, and silver foil. Stiles exits the elevator and makes his way towards his cubicle, smiling and murmuring greetings to his favorite co-workers on his way. For some reason, the twenty-six-year-old was in a pretty good mood and it might have to do with the cherry-flavored lollipop he knew was waiting for him at his cubicle. What Stiles isn’t expecting is the pile of roses and lollipops covering his desk space.

Craigslist Valentine by Triangulum - Rated E

The Craigslist ad had been because Peter had been wonderfully, spectacularly drunk. Reservations for the Palm are hard to get, even for someone like Peter, and he's had his name down for eight months. He refuses to waste it. If he hadn't been trashed on expensive pinot noir, he would have considered maybe inviting his best friend, Chris, or taking out a niece or nephew. But no, he'd been three sheets to the wind and decided that he needed to share his Valentine's Day dinner reservations with a random stranger. Or Peter refuses to let good dinner reservations go to waste just because his (ex)girlfriend cheated on him. He drunkenly makes a Craigslist ad to find a date, and Stiles answers.

Labyrinth (1986)

Valentine Revisions by Rayac - Rated M

As part of a cathartic exercise, Sarah is dared to prepare some unusual Valentines for the men of her past. She never planned on the Goblin King actually receiving his or that he would meet her revised expectations. But does he ever.

Star Wars

no place like home by ShowMeAHero - Rated G

“Anything else?” she asks, ringing up his coffees. The ding, ding-ding, ding, ding of the register’s buttons wakes Han up a little bit more. “Yeah,” he says, “I’ll have a pack of, uhh… Whatever’s cheapest.” He taps his blunt nails on the vinyl countertop. “And do you have those little, like— Those little cards kids give each other?” “Like, the little folding ones?” she asks him. “You realize that today is—” “Yeah, I’m aware."

Merlin

From the Heart by supercalvin - Rated G

In which Arthur gives Merlin gifts. “No.” Morgana shook her head, “No, see you don’t understand.” Morgana took him by the shoulder and pulled him close as if to divulge a secret. “Arthur Pendragon does not give good gifts. He is actually the worst gift-giver in all of England.” “Oh come on, the scarf isn’t that bad.” Merlin said, now kind of insulted for the piece of fabric. “Merlin, the scarf is perfect for you. It’s a good gift. Arthur doesn’t give good gifts.”

[soul-eater-novel]

P220 ティルの隙をついて、テオが再び剣を繰り出す。 Teo slashed with his sword again, catching Tir off guard.

ティルが根で刃先を受ける。 He blocked the edge of the blade with this staff.

刃先が額をヒヤリと掠める。 The blade grazed his forehead and he shivered, chilled.

その直後テオは剣を引き、今度はティルの横腹を狙った。 Then Teo lunged again with his blade, this time aiming for Tir’s side.

慌ててティルもそれを防ぐーーティルはもう、防戦一方だった。 Flustered, Tir blocked that, too. He was already only on the defensive.

果たしてこの男に勝てるのかーーティルに焦りが生じたその瞬間。 Just as he began to wonder whether he could ever defeat Teo, suddenly…

ティル、頑張れ！！ テオの剣が生み出す風音の合間に、小さく声が聞こえた気がした。 in the break between the swoosh of Teo’s sword slashing by, Tir thought he heard a little voice cheering him on.

“You can do it, Tir!”

それが誰のものかはわからなかった。 Who was that?

ビクトールのものだったかもしれない。 クレオのものだったかもしれない。 Perhaps it was Viktor. Maybe it was Cleo.

あるいはグレミオの、オデッサの、テッドの声。 Or else it was Gremio, Odessa, and Ted’s voices…

「くっ！！」 “Gh!”

皆の顔が浮かんだ瞬間、ティルの胸に熱い想いがこみ上げてきた。 The moment he thought of their faces, emotion welled in his breast.

皆のためにも、僕はーー。 They’re the reason I’m fighting so hard.

「ヤアアアアアアー！！！」 “Yaaaaah!”

ティルが奮起し攻勢に出た。 Tir moved into the offensive.

もはやティルは、何も考えてはいなかった。 He no longer thought of anything.

ただ皆のために、自分のために、目の前に立ちはだかる男に向かってひたすら根を繰り出した。 For their sake, for himself, he aimed his staff at the man standing in front of him.

テオの鎧に椙が当たるたびに、心の底の悲しみが砕け散るような気がした。 Every time his staff struck Teo’s armor, it was as if he was smashing he sorrow that filled his soul into pieces.

テオの剣を押し戻すたびに、心の底の苦しみが弾け飛ぶような気がした。 Every time Teo’s sword pushed back at him, it was as if the dam gates of that sadness burst open and flooded his heart anew.

テオもまた、同じ思いでいたようだった。 Teo looked as though he was thinking along similar lines.

P221

「陛下のため、貴様を討つ！！」 “For His Majesty!” Teo roared, glaring at Tir. “I will destroy you!”

ティルを睨んで一喝、テオの剣さばきにも生気が戻った。 He wielded his sword with vigor once again.

しばし二人は、激しく打ち合った。 They fought fiercely for a time.

父であることを忘れ、息子であることを捨て、ただただ激しく打ち合った。 Forgetting the fact that Teo was his father. Giving up on the fact that Tir was his son. There was nothing between them but the violent exchange of blows.

全ての兵、全ての将が、息を呑んでその戦いを見つめていた。 All the generals and all their soldiers held their breath as they watched this fight unfold.

しかし間もなく、二人の戦いに優劣が見えはじめる。 But before long, it became obvious who the victor would be.

猛り狂った獣のようなテオの勢いに、ティルが徐々に押されていった。 Teo fought like a wild beast, gradually driving Tir back.

必死で応戦するものの、ティルは少しずつ後退し、ついには兵の直前まで来てしまった。 He counterattacked as best he could, but Tir had to retreat bit by bit, until he stood directly in front of the soldiers.

もう、だめなのーー。 I’ve got to do something…

「くっ！！」 “Gh!”

ティルが奥歯を噛みしめた。 Clenching his jaw hard,

その刹那、彼は覚悟を決めた。 Tir steeled himself.

「ハァッ！！」 “Hah!”

ティルが渾身の一撃をテオに向けて放った。 He put everything he had into this one strike against Teo.

一か八かの捨て身の攻撃だった。 He put it all on the line—if this failed, there would be no second chances.

しかしテオは、それをかわした。 But Teo dodged his blow.

そして隙だらけになったティルに向け、剣を握った右腕を振り上げた。 Tir was left wide open. Teo readied his sword.

「さらば、息子よ！！」叫んだテオが、 “This is farewell, son!” yelled Teo.

振り上げた剣が、恐怖で見開かれたティルの瞳に飛び込んできた。 The image of Teo raising his sword high overhead reflected in Tir’s pupils, his eyes open wide in fear.

[ «-first // previous // next // archive // Ramsus-kun Scanslations

[whatiwishfanfiction]

The Great Lorax Rewrite (beginning)

Hey guys, here's the beginning of the fanfiction I'm writing on Ao3. The aim is to tell Once-ler's whole story from beginning to end without Ted interrupting. There are four chapters up so far, and a lot more to come:

"Where is it? Where did you put my guitar?"

Once-ler smacked his head as he looked under the triple bunk bed he was forced to share with his brothers in their small house.

"Reckon if ya don't get out there n' chop some trees, I'll let Brett n' Chet smash that dang guitar for good!" his Ma's voice called from the kitchen.

His younger twin brothers and sister laughed from the dinner table.

"Hurry up n' get more money from yer wood," Brett complained. "We only got three potatoes in our stew today, n' they're smaller n' ping pong balls."

"Yeah, an' none for you, Oncie," said Gizette. "I get the last one!"

"Why can't I ever have any of the stew if I'm always the one earnin' the money?" Once-ler tripped out of their closet-like bedroom, and squeezed around the table through the equally cramped dining area. This was made even harder by his abnormal height; he always had bruises on his knees and elbows from being such a tall person in such a small house.

Before him sat his shorter, but equally ungainly family, squished around the table: his mother with her teased up hair balanced by a bow, in her patched polka-dot sweater while serving brown stew water, the twins Brett and Chet with ripped up overalls and squashed hats who were staring eagerly at two tiny potatoes on their plates, and the youngest "baby" Gizette with ratty hair, buck teeth, and the biggest serving of stew of all (which was still not very big).

In the corner Once-ler's father was asleep in the rocking chair by the fire, using his old gray coat as a blanket. His gray hat was pulled over his stubbled face, and his ax laid on the floor beside him after his long day of woodcutting. Once-ler had to avoid the blade as he tiptoed to the only corner of the room with enough space.

"Because, sweetie," said his Ma, "You're the oldest child, and we have to think of the youngins. It's time for you to be an adult. Anyway, we've all got to make sacrifices when times are hard." The fancy unidentifiable dead animal she always wore around her neck bobbed its nose as she scooped the last tiny part of the stew into her own bowl.

This was always the excuse whenever Once-ler said he needed anything: "We have to think of the youngins." He understood the sentiment, really. It just seemed like he couldn't recall anyone ever using that argument during the short time he'd gotten to be the youngest. The youngest kids were also older than he'd been when they'd first started using this excuse. In fact, it seemed his family had decided Once-ler was an adult the second he'd been born, and that the others could never grow up.

[demoxal]

An analysys of "Chelovek" by GHOST from a Stranger perspective because I'm very normal (unquirked because it's easier to write large bodies of text that way)

This was a rant @ my friend who doesn't know russian after I spent like ten minutes explaining all the double meanings of the three lines of the song (like how "человек" means both "person" and "human")

so the lines are "Не хочу ничего", "Я чувствую себя немного больной" and "Я хочу, чтобы со мной обращались как с человеком" and right off the bat, they're conflicting because first the character states she (she uses the femine form of "ill") doesn't want anything, but in the second she states she wants to be treated like a person, which is wanting something. In the second half the music gets louder and the purposely emotionless voice of the vocaloid gets faster, conveying a sense of urgency and an anxious or manic energy, which is also the part of the video where footage of a mannequin being smashed with a hammer is being shown

I'm going to be analyzing this from a Stranger perspective, so this would mean the character's hatered for what she is and her urge to be a real person, possibly an anger at her nature or at te way others treat her. In the first instance she would be the person with the hammer, but in the second it would be other people or a specific person and in that case the mannequin being smashed to pieces would be a metaphor for her being denied a sense of identity or sympathy because of what she is, instead being treated with violent prejudice

she may not even be an actual mannequin but a person being treated like an object, like what the song is probably ACTUALLY about, being dismissed and brushed off and having her feelings disregarded because of something she can't control

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Update: HOO BOY DID I FORGET A LOT

So, first of all. It's not "Не хочу ничего", it's "Я хочу ничего" which not only means "I want nothing" instead of "I don't want anything" but us also a nonsense statement in russian, those words on those forms can't be put together and the lack of double negative turns it into a statement about wanting nothing as if it was a thing, which makes me think the character is saying "nothing" after thinking better than to say what she actually wants which hkghvhfjfjghhhhh I'm so normal

Also I forgot all the anatomy book pages and cutouts in the video, which. You can see yourself if you watch the video why they're very stranger, but they also remind me of the anatomy class episode

[werezmastarbucks]

7. my sweet girl

pic credit

masterlist

warnings: heavy tw: mentions of ped*philia (no descriptions), mentions of rape (no details), verbal abuse

word count: 4777

music: moments in love by art of noise

author's note: in reality, you can't detect a psychopath by just looking at them

Hatred was seeping from all directions. Everybody hated her. She couldn't even go to the hospital because everybody hated her. She could at least accumulate that hate to do a jump. Because she still had Pins to entertain her. The frontiers of relationships got smudged and disappeared.

She took a whole week off to let the Sons recuperate. She has done so much already, and moreover, Pins and Boulder wouldn't let her move on anyway. So, she had somewhat of an unofficial holiday. She spent her days at home, dropping by the station in the evenings to let the legs work.

She lived in her three foot world with just two stops on her way. First, she had to deal with the Detective Psycho. She clocked him right away. June knew she was right about him, saw too many of him already. She was right about Chibs, too, but didn't know about it yet.

Pins smashed the car door with force while his face stayed relaxed and pleased. He loosened his back in one big motion and put up is palm above his eyes.

"Wow, that's a big barn".

June walked carefully these days, slowly, all senses. Her right hand hung calmly along her side, left, entangled in her hair.

"Why aren't they guarding it?"

"Short answer: imbeciles", she said tiredly.

"And long?" he smiled courteously, trying her patience.

She just dismissed him with the wave of her hand. Careful not to step in front of him. His white teeth were shining in the sun, giving her a headache. She had to drink three red bulls in the morning to overcome the pain; her solid rule was to avoid drugs as much as she could. Although now it didn't matter anymore, might as well buy some meth. There were crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, and he definitely thought he was attractive.

She realized she'd have to kill him before she managed to fill all the checklist. Please, God, she thought. This was the last joy left in her life. Sons hated her too much and it wasn't fun anymore. Watching Charming burn didn't give her the kick she'd expected it to be. Whatever happens, it would be a bitter end.

But she was right about Chibs.

"Shall we?"

She invited him in front of her with the motion of her hand.

"No, ladies first", his smile was so fucking blinding.

"Exactly, you go on, George", she mirrored his smile, and he didn't like it.

Ego.

"Not in a good mood today, June?"

"I never am".

They stood, staring at each other.

"Get in the fucking barn, June".

Her hand undid the holster and went for the gun. They pointed weapons simultaneously.

"I'm not dying in a barn full of Mexican drugs".

"You die where I tell you to".

Control.

His face turned into stone. No more polite smiles and little lines. He probably got botox into his face, by the way. Whatever. June didn't get close enough to take a good look.

"But first, tell me the story", he asked. June stared into the little black hole of his Beretta.

"Which one, baby?"

"Of North Ted".

She raised her shoulders. If she had fur, this would make it all stand up. Felt muscles in her back supporting her. All she had was her loyal, reliable body. Working all its life to protect and carry her, what a gift. Mended itself, repaired and replaced the parts, exerted itself to keep the brain working. She could feel her own body like a second entity in her consciousness. There was her, Juno, and then this beast of a body - small, fast, agile, not strong enough, but so, so loyal. She didn't want to give it up.

Pins swallowed impatiently.

"I've only known you for a week and you're already pissing me off".

"I gave up after one day", said the brawling Scottish voice. "Lower yer gun, pretty boy".

Pins' head snapped to the side, and June dashed for it. Ducked, squatted, ignoring her leg, and kicked him, emerging from under his hand. Beretta flew off, she didn't manage to catch it. But Pins was weaponless now at least. Chibs was targeting him with the look of a dedicated English moonshiner, head tilted. His dark hair glistening in the sun.

June's gun was pointed into Detective's face again.

"Telford, whatever your gain is, I can give you one better", Pins promised. It made Chibs wince.

He blinked several times, searching for words.

"Ugh, you're repulsive".

June chuckled. She didn't feel relieved to see him. She wished she did. But she knew that, if Chibs had followed them here, it was because he wanted to kill her himself.

He gave her a short look.

"This the new Detective?"

She nodded.

"Who ordered her?" he barked. Pins' hands were up.

"DA".

"Patterson?"

"Yes".

Cowardice in the face of destruction.

"So, how are we going to do this? You want money?" he asked. Chibs raised his eyebrows like he couldn't believe his ears. He relaxed, dropping his gun, but started waving it instead.

"Money? You out of ye damn mind, Oregon? The fuck I need your money for?"

Pins stuttered.

"Well, well, well", Chibs mimicked. Then he suddenly dropped the act. His hand flew up and he shot one time. June was shaken. The bang was so loud, maximised by the metal of the barn. She went deaf for a moment. George was over. She went numb.

The barrel of the gun, still hot, was lingering next to her temple. She saw Chibs in the corner of her eye, saw his changing face.

He clicked his tongue, disappointed. Maybe she's not the only one screwed here? Sometimes she couldn't figure out what the fuck he was doing.

Chibs took the gun from her hands, and she let him. But got a wake up call, seeing him nicking her weapon into his holster, again. She went for the bone handle knife.

"Stop it!" he tried to catch her hands, flying towards his face. She was too weak from this fucking century. Chibs squeezed her elbow, slapping her on the fist, but she wouldn't let go. He looked her in the eyes, and his face became serious.

"June, stop fighting".

June, let go of the waterfall ground, let go of the wheel.

She balanced herself on her good foot and kicked him in the sheen. Telford hissed with pain, steady like a rock. His hand grabbed her by the neck, the other still clenching her fist with the knife.

"That hurt!" he said clearly, like he thought she stopped understanding human speech.

"You're not killing me before I..."

"I'm not killing you, period".

But she continued struggling. She wanted to fight and win. She couldn't. Chibs had to use the handle of the knife to knock her unconscious, because she wouldn't stop thrashing around.

June woke up with her head swooning, a bruise ripening on the side to the left. She slapped her dry mouth open and closed and saw a belt on her chest. She was moving in the car, set up on the passenger seat. The worst thing was, she was in the desert. Chibs put his second hand on the wheel.

"Don't even think about it".

Her voice was coarse.

"What?"

"Attacking me. We're doing two hundred, gonna crash into shambles", he hissed on his S's. She moaned with frustration.

"Why am I still alive?"

"Because you wish to be dead", he said calmly. The crooked scar on his cheek was looking at her, a half-moon. Chin moved with thinking. His purple sunglasses made him look like some professor of history from a cyber-fantasy book. She rubbed her nose hoping not to see blood for once.

"You got water?"

"You always ask for water".

"It's because you constantly make me dehydrated".

"There's a bottle in the back".

She undid her belt, and Chibs made a barely noticeable movement with his head.

"No tricks".

She had no reason to do tricks now, he needed to know better. They're already god knows where, in the moving car. She's not going anywhere. June reached for the bottle in the back seat and stretched her back.

"How long have I been out?"

"Seven hours. I don't know what's wrong with you. You might be burnt out".

"No shit".

She gulped water painfully, making herself swallow big.

She couldn't recognize the desert. If they were seven hours away, given Chibs started driving immediately, they might be either on their way to Nevada, San Diego or Oregon. Her eyes burned. Leg pulsated with pain. She put the elbow on the window and held her chin. The man next to her was piercing the road with his eyes. The sunrise was ahead of them, a light pink shining.

"You look like you're about to leave all your life behind".

"I fucking am".

"You love me? We're eloping?" she asked. Chibs slowly turned to her. His face angled, slim, clean in the dull light.

He didn't say anything.

"I need to pee".

He rolled his eyes.

"Jesus, do you ever shut up? Why'd you have to drink so fast? Can you wait an hour? We're almost in the city".

"An hour?!" she exclaimed. "I am going to wet myself in your car".

He clicked his tongue hard, jaw moving. He was a bandit in manner. How come she didn't notice before? Chibs was a perfect balance between a sage and a hitman. He made the car lose speed, then swerved to the edge of the road, wheels raising the gusts of dust.

"Stay", he ordered, like she was a dog. Then he left the car, circled it and opened her door.

"Look, if you're taking me so far away just to shoot, I think you're overdoing it..."

Chibs caught her by the shoulder. His palm was so big that, as he held her, it covered her collarbone as well.

"Go pee. Ten meters. No running".

"I can't run", she protested. June saw that he did want to get the last word, pissed that she always had it. But he was the adult. Pushing her lightly, he followed.

June peed on the dry ground, urine splashing everywhere, and groaned with disgust. This was the most uncomfortable. She came back to him and walked past towards the car.

"You got a hand sanitizer?"

"Get in, OCD bitch".

"You should stop calling me that".

Chibs got into the car, a sad smile on his lips.

"Oh, I'm sorry, June. But I am only a small dick jerking ape imbecile. I don't know any other words".

"Did I mention Temu Joker?" she growled.

He got into her face,

"I don't know what Tee-moo is".

His breath smelt like candy and smoke. He was no less than a gentleman.

He laid back against the seat, his hands on the wheel, but didn't start the car yet. June was waiting.

"What..."

"Shh. I'm missing thirty minutes ago when you were sleeping".

She was getting tired of this constant assault, so she shut up and decided to see where the road brings her. Out of all of them, she expected only Chibs to figure it out. And he probably did. After another thirty minutes, she thought she recognized this desert. She just never rode it from this direction. She felt uneasy.

He managed not to say anything to her until the very city. As the first buildings and streetlights started appearing, she ran out of patience. The nerves had the upper hand. She had to open her mouth.

"He sent you to kill me, didn't he?"

"Yes".

"What happens when you disobey his order?"

Chibs winced.

"I get dismembered, and they eat my parts for supper. What do you think? That we're a cult?"

"Uh, yeah".

He gave her a concerned look.

"What was the name of the guy I shot?"

"George Pins".

"You pissed off just about everybody", he mused.

"I think they just fished for the cheapest legal hit. He would have claimed I went rabid on him, and it was self defense". Anticipating his response, she added,

"Yes, everybody would believe it".

"That's what I was talking about back then. Isn't it sad? Even if everybody knows, they will all pretend that it was self defense".

June shrugged.

"Sad for whom? For me? I don't get sad. I bite back".

"Mmm", he nodded, "like you did after the lake house".

"You gave me a scare".

"I was trying to".

She didn't say anything, so he continued,

"Just a scare. You understand? I wasn't going to harm you, not then, not now".

She plucked her lips. Still dry. She needed her serum and lotion, and a bath. Weird. The numbness was receeding. Like his presence brought her to her senses. She could feel fear as they were approaching the city of circles and lights. She could feel the grudge she held against Chibs like a precious gem. She felt relief because Pins was dead. She was feeling.

June looked out of the window to the rapidly glowing sky. By the time he stopped the car on the busy wide street, it was full morning. Greyish-blue, the clouds only allowed an edge of the color, and then cast it. The waffle house was half-full at this hour.

Chibs' hand was guiding her all the way to the table.

"Ever been to this waffle house?" he asked. She shook her head.

"I haven't been here in almost twenty years".

He hummed, and they sat at the table next to the window. June touched the chilly glass to cool off.

"You been driving all night?"

"Uh-huh", he said, "I'm hungry".

"Why doesn't anybody ever look tired?"

"This is my tired look", he chimed, "you never seen me fresh".

They ate their breakfast in silence. June was trying to make her body suck into itself and she was afraid Chibs noticed it. He was measuring her, thinking. As if she was undressed.

After he had his coffee, he put elbows on the table which meant business.

June threw herself against the chair and took some air into her lungs. Maybe if her life ended with this person, it wouldn't be so bad. He had no scar where she cut his face anymore. No trace of her. His hair seemed completely black in pale morning light, with white streaks in front, like he dyed it.

"Nearly cracked me head trying to figure you out", he finally said, after studying her for almost a full minute. It sounded nearly tenderly. June closed up.

"You were born here, June Pallum, and your mother, Chloe, went missing here in nineteen ninety-two".

"Oh, we're in Reno?"

"Yes, we're in Reno", he decided not to react at all.

"It took John Teller's journal and a theft to get it right. You're big on revenge?"

"Don't know what you're on about, Filip".

She slowly scratched her face. Her shark skeleton was setting in. In the water up to her neck.

Chibs was quite alright with performing for her, he specifically drove her here, so he would go through with it. This morning was all hers. This small girl with messed up ponytail she forgot about, lying on her chair, fence around her face, fence around her eyes.

"Clay, John and Wally were here in ninety-two. Celebrating the birth of Wally's daughter. They were drinking a lot. Arguing a lot. Them three was inseparable bunch. I actually remember Wally", he pushed his empty coffee cup around. Black cirles around her eyes pulsated at him like tunnel entrances.

"Third of June they gang raped a woman around here. In the house by the Creek Upper Road. Took their turns with her", he said. It wasn't easy to picture, and didn't bring him any satisfaction. But deep down, there was indignation.

"Then murdered her and buried behind the house".

June was silent. She looked bored, letting the air carefully through her nose. She didn't even finish her waffles, but killed the lemonade. He knew it was an act. He had no idea what it takes out of a girl to talk about this.

"Then fucked off", he continued, "to Charming. Never breathing a word of it to anybody, not even the other six. Only, John Teller still put it down to his journal because it haunted him".

Her pale pink lips twitched. Like someone tugged on the invisible thread coming through her left cheek.

"He always kept this journal in secret because there's a lot of shit about Clay and the others. Old stuff. He simply named your mom C to still hide the entry, even from himseld".

June gave no reaction. He continued:

"He couldn't bring himself to write many details about it".

June let out exhausted laugh.

"How do you know it's her then?"

"Because he gave her description".

Chibs put his hand into his pocket and took out the old picture. A woman looking so much like June, at first it struck him. He couldn't believe it took Clay so much time to recognize Chloe's face in her. He handed her the picture over the table. June took it with her left hand. Not a single emotion, just boredom. He was afraid she might be a goner because of how easy it was for her. Her eyes studied the picuture, one eyebrow shot up.

"He also mentioned her little daughter was in the house that night".

June raised her eyes to him.

She was silent for some time, then this again: a wound, that she thought was a smile, cut her face. Chibs had one very similar to that for himself. Only he couldn't move it. He was staring in the face of her insanity, and he didn't like it. Maybe he won't be able to save her. He had to remind himself why he was here.

"If you'd come to us and told about this, we would have given Clay to you. You didn't need to go after everybody".

She sucked the air through her lips.

"But it's not the whole story, Filip", her voice was like honey. Clicking her features, she got completely lost in her channels and switched on the seduction. The picture was flapping in her fingers, back and forth like a little fan.

"That's alright, you couldn't have known. Only the three of them knew, and me, because even the saint John wouldn't have written it down".

He felt his heart drop.

"They took some drugs that night", she said monotonously. Her mind was wondering back twenty-three years ago. "I never found out what it was, but I think, something synthetic. Something that gives you a strong rise. They all had individual reactions, too. For example, Clay had an especially strong erection. He just couldn't put it down. They stumbled out of the bar and started walking around the town, back then the central part was a vilage. Reno grew fast".

She looked right through him, no matter how much she struggled to clutch onto his face, her gaze went afloat.

"They broke into our house and started raping my mum, about seven or eight times. Finally Wally and John were exhausted. Because of the drugs they were sweating profusely. Clay had a particular problem. They didn't rape and murder her", she enunciated the two words, "they raped her until she died. But Clay just couldn't put it down, man, his dick was so hard".

Her teeth caught her lower lip and released it.

"I was eight. He fucked me. One time. Then he was finally at peace".

She dropped the picture on the table. The end.

Tough Chibs was shaking with rage. The words slowly cooking in his brain.

"You're not making this up, are you?" he finally croaked.

Her face changed like TV again. She threw her head onto her hands, ruffling her hair, recalibrating. A smile.

"Of course I am, Chibs!" she chuckled, a little too loud. He was cold inside. June stood up,

"I don't even know who this woman in the picture is. Come on. I need to pee".

She smiled to him, warmly, like a normal person, and headed for the bathrooms. Chibs followed her with his gaze and then his eyes darted to the photograph again. The lies this fucking club was built on. He formed a fist under the table. The ugly that's been the normal amongst them. The little things that built up the palace of this inequality in value of life. Clay's face was in front of his inner gaze, looking like a sawed off pig's head. His little bloodshot eyes, and dry mouth filled with square teeth: make her disappear.

Then suddenly it dawned on him, he jumped up and raced towards the bathroom door.

One more second, and he would've been too late. Juno's fist crashed upon the mirror, and she grabbed one shard of it. He grabbed her hand, and they both squeezed it, his palm sliding down the glass. It cut both of them. He had to put her away into the cage of his hands, because she darted for the wall. Chibs stepped deeper, his back to the empty stalls, June beating in his arms. He could feel her chest inflate, and then she started screaming.

He put his hand over her mouth, muffling the howl. Footsteps approached, attracted by the noise. He pushed her further, behind himself, knowing that if he lets go now, she'll find a way to die.

The owner from behind the register was standing in the flapping door, face pale with shock. The shards of mirror on the floor already were covered in blood, and the girl was writhing on the floor, without his hand, yelling like a siren. Just things, falling out of her, chaotically.

Between the gun or money, Chibs elected the latter. He pushed the whole pack into the hand of this man, sure that his face at this moment convinced him enough:

"Fuck off. Don't let anybody in. No police".

June was on the floor, trying to feel for the glass. He lifted her up again and attempted to fixate her face on front of his own, but she couldn't see. Such a small creature. He once was visited by a blackbird that flew into his bathroom window. It was back in Glasgow. He was about nineteen. He spent a good fifteen minutes catching the scared thing, which was beating around the bathroom, crashing into walls, losing feathers. When he finally held it in his hand, carefully, its heart was pounding like a hammer. Filip was scared the bird's heart wouldn't take it and overwork itself. He held her carefully, pressing her face to his leather jacket, thinking about the wickedness of the windows and traps. Her body was going through convulsions. She probably had to kill that eight year old girl in order to turn nine. Killing a child is never easy. Chibs might have cried a little, too. By the end of it, he was marvelously enraged.

They sat with their backs against the bathroom wall. It's been thirty minutes, and the cops still haven't come. Chibs realized that he might have given the owner the bigger pack which had about two thousand dollars. That was the money for the DA. He smoked. His hand stung where the glass cut it. June's palm was bleeding in the same spot. She was empty like a used plastic bag, nothing behind her eyes, soft, adjustable like a sex doll. Chibs hated himself a little bit for finding her pretty even now. Her face was pale and puffy from crying. Her cheeks were spotted with tiny red dots: burst capillaries. Like she was blushing.

When he finished his cigarette, he said:

"The cops will come sooner or later".

June snapped out of it so sharply that it spooked him.

"Okay".

She pulled herself onto her feet, ready to go. Chibs rose after her. They left the bathroom: all guests were replaced with the new ones. Their table was untouched, the picture was still there. He nicked it off on the way out.

Okay means okay. As he watched June's usual springy stride towards the car, he decided that there's nothing to be solemn about if she's over it. He's not the babysitter, and, more importantly, she's not a baby.

"Where now?"

Except for the hoarseness, her voice was normal.

"You need to see the house?"

"No, thank you".

He rubbed his face and opened the door for her. When she was in, he closed it and put his hands onto the roof.

"You can't come back to Charming".

Her face showed up in the open window, with the expression of disagreement with the nonsense he was spewing.

"Says who?"

"I".

They looked at each other hard, and June realized Chibs was being serious. She dropped her jaw open.

"The club does not tolerate shit like that", he continued, "not even in the slightest. I don't know why you seem to think otherwise. Clay'll be dead once I come back, within an hour. Then you'll have his head. But you can't come back".

It looked like she was seriously outraged.

"Why?"

"Why?" he even bent towards her a little.

"Why? Junie", he noticed the reaction this nickname drew from her body.

"You ruined everything. I don' even kno if the club will be alive in a week".

His accent again got thicker as he grew stressed.

"Happy's dead, and Kozik's as good as. Blamin' himself for what you did. Juss because I can't hate you anymore, doesn't mean I will let you destroy all of us".

She clenched her jaws and Chibs saw she could be the shadow queen of an empire, or some shit like that. Making everybody believe that the pharaoh is the leader, but puppeteering him from the backstage. At least he felt that was to be his fate if he spent any more time with her.

"What do you want with Charming anyway? You've sucked all blood out of it".

She didn't have an answer. Just pouted, stabbing the inside of her cheek with her tongue.

"Well, now it's not as fun anymore, is it. I need a shower", she announced loudly.

"Fine. I'll drive you to a friend. He's safe. But you can't leave until I return".

Her head snapped back.

"His head", he reminded. June lowered her eyes back and then yawned.

As he got into the car, he heard she was muttering under her breath.

"What are you mumbling?"

"I say, who the fuck are you, friend, to order me to stay? I am fucking FBI".

"I'll break yer arm if it gives you motivation to stay", he said calmly, "you know I will feel bad about it, but I will. I don't know how else to deal with you".

"Maybe ask? Politely?"

Her voice was shaking. Now, she couldn't deal with the emotion. Not an hour ago, when revisiting the worst moment of her life, but now, when she disagreed with him.

"June, please, stay with Charlie until I return and bring you Clay's head".

"It won't bring back my mom", she replied.

Chibs started driving.

"See? When I try speaking, you move it away from the point".

She shrugged. He realized that she did it on purpose. To drive people away. To make them leave her alone. But he just hated it so much.

"Do I need to hold you?"

"No".

They stood in front of the two-storey house. Charlie, five years heavier than when he saw him last, ran down the porch. Chibs started thinking, probably too late, that he would hate for anything bad to happen to him. He was just so happy all the time.

"Morning!"

"Another Scotsman?"

Chibs nodded.

"My classmate".

They moved her inside the house, and Chibs started giving instructions:

"Don't leave her alone. When she goes to the bathroom, stand behind the door. Don't give her knives, don't turn your back to her, don't let her manipulate you".

June rolled her eyes so hard that she stopped seeing for a second.

"Aren't you being a little dramatic?" Charlie asked.

"No, 'm not. She is cunning, and she enjoys being difficult. She will use tools to escape, and she will stab you if you let her".

Charlie threw a look at her. June was flaring her nostrils. Chibs pulled him outside and closed the door.

"I'm serious, Charlie. She's suicidal and I don't know what she'll do. Please take care of her. But don't talk to her too much".

Charlie was probably regretting this already. Chibs gave him some money, all that was left after the waffle house.

"I'll be back in one day, okay? Call me if something happens".

"Filip, you look awful".

He couldn't reply anything. The whole thing was falling to shit. He moved his scar, or maybe his face flinched. He got into the car, eyelids heavy. Wanted blood. Even if he has to punch the boy first, he'll get to Clay. The last of the three that's still alive. Come on now. He rubbed the tip of his finger along his scar and started his Chevy.

@fallout-girl219

[dinapaulson]

Is ‘Trap’ Serial Killer- or Daddy-Porn? Both, Because Josh Hartnett’s Cooper

Actor and millennial heartthrob Josh Hartnett (yes, Josh Hartnett) is on smash as Cooper, the sick, sweet protagonist of writer and director M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film, Trap (2024), streaming this week.

Sick: Cooper is a serial killer known as “The Butcher” because, well, imagine. Sweet: he defends his teenage daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue) perfectly — ire in check — against mama and daughter bullies in her class and delivers pitch-perfect dad goofiness. We find out early on — at a pop singer’s concert doubling as a sting operation for the Feds to catch “The Butcher” — that, bubbling alongside Riley, is he! Grinning at his daughter’s joy, Cooper side-eye checks the black-and-white video feed on his phone of a teenage boy, wrists tied, frantic and crying, in a small, empty room.

The juxtaposition of Cooper’s latest victim to the free-bodied, lyric-belting Riley is stark, but this tension is less a division meant to shock and more an invitation to be a part of this cracked family fairy tale, Cooper headlining.For this is not the film we thought it would be — a dad joke, *eye roll,* as they hurry into the arena for a fun-filled night. Trap is under- and over-skin creepy, offering little of why Cooper is the way he is, putting focus on who he is, at present: a loving girl-dad, slicing youths on the side.

Chewing stadium pretzels together and taking videos of Riley and other Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan) fans dancing, it would be easy (for me) to watch them, heart beat at his devotion and attention — love. As Riley says, walking to their stage-level seats, “Dad, this is literally the best day of my life.” I was rooting hard for his parenthood, the kind that joins your child in something she loves, while giving her space to feel into experience. As deftly as he snaps their selfies, he pushes a girl teenage concertgoer down the lobby stairs. Why? No reason, other than he knows commotion helps him because he will be damned if he gets caught on his daughter’s best day of her life. That push, by the way — if the Feds are paying attention — matches the footage of his grabbing up a victim like a viper into a van.

Because the film is about catching Cooper, he is in almost every frame, so we watch how he gets away from getting made, until he finally does. The trailer focuses on Cooper’s face to tell the story of what we will see — doting dad, gorgeous charmer, killer, blank-face, arrogant, an expert criminal freak. Hartnett’s animation of these personas, and interchange second to second, is what makes watching him merge Cooper’s two lives, as the character calls them, so compelling. Jamie (Jonathan Langdon), an arena merch employee fallen under Cooper’s spell, after a tee Riley wants is sold-out, and he compliments their “good values” of patience, tells him, “This dude is next-level insane.” Hartnett crooks Cooper’s rakish smile in response, playing akin to the audacity and barely hiding — because once we know, we know — his pride.

Cooper is a goner for sensing someone’s loneliness and standing up for his daughter. Nothing less than freedom seems to be his mental payday.

The film title hints this dynamic along: a trap is set for Cooper, Cooper traps (others), and we are set to be (en)trapped by this charismatic killer. But, here’s the pivot of Hartnett’s Cooper: He is not just a charismatic killer, as, say, Ted Bundy is referenced, or multiples of The Sopranos, one of TV’s sociopathic crews. Cooper is charismatic, in strict definition. He is charming and funny and physically beautiful, the latter adding heavy eye flutter and disarmament to his charm. Cooper is also something (someone) non-sexual. In his Riley universe, he is a safe, protective parent-man, never raising his voice nor showing anything, in the slightest, of the coldness and cruelty he carries out in his crime life.

There is stuff for straight-up serial killer film aficionados in Trap. The limousine Cooper rides in leaving the stadium, with Riley and Lady Raven, is the one he commandeers later, a one over on the police. He is Emmett Myers in dad drag, smarter than nearly everyone and has a cleaver, his salivation for chopping up body parts palpable in his neatly lined canine smile and eyes, shifty as google doc. bullet points, drawing you in and on the next line taking you out. As for the sexy aesthetic, serial killer dynamic, Hartnett’s Cooper is. Besides being generally gorgeous, close-ups of his face and tracking shots that follow his long, limber body through the arena highlight his appeal.

Cooper lets us in chiseled, shirtless, tight-fitting jeans, in an end scene with his wife in their kitchen. The latter deserves mention — Hartnett is fine, yes, while nodding at the asynchronous amount of female versus male nudity in Hollywood films (I appreciated it both as a cinephile and carnivore). And last, a cardinal rule from early horror — to see a bit and imagine the rest — activates well when we see footage of four bags of body parts, aka Cooper’s work.

In the scene with his wife — Cooper is all The Shining vibes — as he moves closer, casually discussing his killer-dom, removed emotionally from her, and really also, their son, he becomes when Riley, Riley, Riley. She sees the police take him away and runs over, hug attack on both sides. If you are here for dissonance, Hartnett has it for you. When they embrace, do not tell me it is not real. How it can be so does not concern Shyamalan, and that tracks. The raw emotion between the two packs up my pathos.

During the concert, recalling the way Cooper stares at Riley’s face, after telling her he needs to go to the bathroom, where he will check on his scary life: She urges him to go, saying she is fine on her own. The linger locks in Hartnett’s mastery of Cooper. Willing to trust her in the crowd, being proud of her, letting go and allowing her to be, taking extra seconds to make sure she is extra safe.

original publication at Cine Suffragette here