#(they go by Horror tho not Jon)

[ashes-in-a-jar]

The fact that I am being driven crazy by the strange obsession a lot of tma Tumblr users have with a wrong interpretation of Michael Distortion is actually so Distortion coded it's kinda funny

[lucy-the-cat]

headcanon that there were at least two Newblood whispers out there and Jon murdered both bc the first one would have been hostile and the second would have been so bad at "curing" Maven that honestly he would have been better off dead

[scleracentipede]

one of our partners got us an early bday present yesterday and I’m obsessed.

(Image Description: a photo of a Scarecrow Fear State action figure being held up. )

[fragcc]

I want a morning after AU featuring Tim and Damian awkward and devastating meeting for breakfast at Kent Farm

Imagine the horror of knowing exactly what your brother was doing with his own superboy and being aware that he knows what you did to yours as well. At least at the manor they could easily avoid each other and pretend they didn't know, but with Ma's orders to eat like a family at the table, that was impossible. Both Tim and Damian are sure they are going to die.

Not Kon and Jon tho, they're having a hearty conversation over bacon and eggs like any other day

[aangelinakii]

THEIR TASTE IN MOVIES.

characters written about in this piece : bruce wayne, dick grayson, jason todd, tim drake, damian wayne, barbara gordon, duke thomas, stephanie brown, cassandra cain

note : i lit thought of this last night and wrote it within 12 hours is this my comeback

BRUCE WAYNE

you guys are gonna hateee meee 💀💀💀💀 but i think bruce wayne is an avid documentary watcher. he likes living in real life, likes knowing everything he is experiencing is real. and he likes being in the know of the topics circulating the planet he's living on. he's not a reality tv person though (although he may have a super super guilty pleasure of love island uk that tim and barb found out and he literally threatened them to keep to themselves, but they use as blackmail anyway).

movies i think he would like :

fyre: the greatest party that never happened, 2019. directed by chris smith

how to catch a serial killer, 2018. directed by john holdsworth

athlete a, 2020. directed by bonni cohen & jon shenk

the hatchet wielding hitchhiker, 2023. directed by colette camden

DICK GRAYSON

the total opposite of bruce, i can see dick watching more idyllic things, and just feel good ! he might like a nice biopic, but is really picky (pun unintended) about them. he also enjoys musicals !! but musicals that focus on realism and story instead of theatricals, like i think he'd pass on moulin rouge, just because there's so much going on at one time. also likes media he consumed from when he was younger, he likes the fuzziness of nostalgia.

movies i think he would like :

the greatest showman, 2017. directed by michael gracey

a knight's tale, 2001. directed by brian helgeland

the truman show, 1998. directed by peter weir

bohemian rhapsody, 2018. directed by bryan singer

JASON TODD

jason loves an action movie. he so wouldn't tell anybody, but if he likes a move he's seen in a film, he'll try it on patrol, taking out one of penguin's henchmen, or even when just training in the bat cave. but he loves films where a lot's going on and the choreography is really impressive !! he really admires fight choreographers for being able to make them look realistic, and likes to laugh at the ones that are shite.

movies i think he would like :

bullet train, 2022. directed by david leitch

scarface, 1983. directed by brian de palma

kingsman: the secret service, 2014. directed by matthew vaughn

john wick, 2014. directed by chad stahelski (and all the sequels)

TIM DRAKE

this guy prefers to watch alone, meaning he can experience sadder watched exactly how they're meant to be watched; in tears. he probably struggles to be emotional, so also watching films like these is an outlet for him. i love how with all of these their films are like a guilty pleasure thing they wouldn't tell anyone. i think people's choice in film is very telling though, so...

la la land, 2016. directed by damien chazelle

manchester by the sea, 2016. directed by kenneth lonergan

aftersun, 2022. directed by charlotte wells

dead poets society, 1989. directed by peter weir

DAMIAN WAYNE

we all know damian wayne is an... interesting species. i feel like even though he knows it is an unlikely scenario, he has figures out everything he would do in a zombie apocalypse, but hasn't told anybody, and would actively make fun of someone who has done the same. like he knows what weapons he'd need, where he'd go, how he'd make an antidote. what i'm trying to say is he likes zombie movies, and horror movies. it feels like he's testing himself, on his ability to be scared or prepared in these or future scenarios. even tho he doesn't actually get that scared. also doesn't mind foreign films, he thinks they're better at telling a story.

movies i think he would like :

train to busan, 2016. directed by yeon sangho

split, 2016. directed by m night shyamalan

hereditary, 2018. directed by ari aster

long legs, 2024. directed by osgood perkins

BARBARA GORDON

i can see barbara enjoying older films, like she likes films that show what life used to be like, and why it may have been better then, and why it may be better now. she's a very philosophical person, always thinking about shit like that. might be a black and white fan, but i'm talking technicolour classics ! she likes a good romance as well, but not ones she cries too, ones that are more feel-good and make her crave the love from that movie.

movies i think she would like :

how to lose a guy in 10 days, 2003. directed by donald petrie

west side story, 1961. directed by jerome robbins & robert wise

funny face, 1957. directed by stanley donen

notting hill, 1999. directed by roger michell

STEPHANIE BROWN

this girl will watch ANYTHING like she has such a wide taste. i said that with her music taste too, like i think she could find a way to enjoy anything. she doesn't like film bro films too much, thinks they're poo and they stink and if you're a guy and you like them you stink too and "get no bitches", but obviously that's up to opinion. obviously. although she will watch anything, i think she has a preference for comedies, and that can come in any shape and form!

movies i think she would like :

scooby doo, 2002. directed by raja gosnell

scary movie, 2000. directed by keenan ivory wayans

white chicks, 2004. directed by keenan ivory wayans

mean girls, 2004. directed by mark waters

DUKE THOMAS

duke likes epic films, like if we ignore for a sec that we're in the dc universe, he would love the batman films, especially the nolan trilogy. but he also would actually be a huge marvel fan, i can totally see it. so he likes superhero films, and he's def a fan of comedy, so if it's mixed into one genre, that's a winner for him. he likes movie nights with the family, so sitting down and getting snacks. probably loves the cinema too, so goes to see the new releases every month. isn't too picky.

movies i think he would like :

deadpool & wolverine, 2024. directed by shawn levy

kick-ass, 2010. directed by matthew vaughn

the harder they fall, 2021. directed by jeymes samuel

top gun: maverick, 2022. directed by joseph kosinski

CASSANDRA CAIN

cassandra watches MASTERPIECES. she definitely has a letterboxd account and writes wayyy too much than she needs to about a film, no matter if she loved it, hated it, or was in the middle about it. she adores foreign films, and loves films with a message. she'll watch and enjoy a film with no plot, but can get tired of them. she likes a packed plot that keeps her focused.

mustang, 2015. directed by deniz gamze ergüven

oslo, august 31st, 2011. directed by joachim trier

eat drink man woman, 1994. directed by ang lee

devdas, 2002. directed by sanjay leela bhansali

[thesuperiorrobin]

Random Damian head-canon because why not: ~

✮ first of foremost he’s a cat person.

✮ yes he loves animals, even going as far as going vegetarian because he can’t stand the thought of having an anime be slaughter for a meal, he just likes them a tad bit better. He still loves all his pets equally tho.

✮ he uses Dick as inspiration when he draw because dick so flexible. It helps him practice his anatomy better. But if word got out he’ll 100% deny any of it and probably burn the evidence too.

✮ actually does enjoy chick flick movies. He thinks their stupid but they draw him in with the conflict.

✮ Likes horror/ thriller movies. Is the type to watch them by himself in his room, in the dark with a bowl of popcorn. But some of the chilling music that’s played right before something happens give him goosebumps.

✮Speaking of horror/thriller, I think he’ll be really into the whole ghost/demonic spirit type shit. Y’know like communication with the dead and stuff. Him and Jon definitely explore places that are hunted.

✮also really into watching documentaries about killers or documentaries about unsolved crimes. (He tries to solve them but gets no where 💀)

✮ he’ll listen to anything music related it just depends on the rhythm and lyrics. He’s not really picky but he most definitely listen to genres like pop, alternative, hard/rock. Be he normally just listen to Britney Spears and lady Gaga because Jason has him listening to them 24/7 🙄🤚

✮spends most of ‘his’ money on art supplies. But he doesn’t really care on how much he spends bc it’s not his money but Bruce’s.

✮hates politics/politicians. He is not a political person and doesn’t want anything to do with them. Unless they are advocating something that catches his eye like animal rights. if not then you probably won’t see him in a voting booth ever.

✮ he reads manga. It’s cannon. Specifically Shoujo Mangas 🙄

✮really hates the summer. Prefers Winter and fall.

✮vents to Alfred a lot, to the point where if he sees Damian walking into the kitchen he already has a set of cookies in the oven.

✮ Dick is his favorite person

✮gets really lonely when he’s alone in the Manor so he talks to his pets as if they were real people.

✮is a loner. His only friend is Jon Kent.

✮ if he was raised by Bruce instead of Talia then he would have had an emo phase. Don’t come at me it’s true 100%

This is just for fun, please don’t get mad 😭

[acute-scary]

Between the Ropes… a Jey Uso x Rhea Ripley fanfic.

Chapter 16: … or Don’t Wait A Damn Hour?

After Jon, Trinity, and Damian left for the bar, the house settled into a comfortable quiet. The sound of the front door clicking shut signaled that they were alone now, and Jey stretched out on the couch, glancing over at Rhea with a teasing grin. “How about a horror movie?” he suggested, his tone playful but with an undertone of genuine interest.

Rhea raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking up in amusement. “You always want horror,” she teased. “Fine, but I need to change first. These clothes have got to go.”

Jey smirked, his eyes briefly following her as she stood up from the couch. “Go ahead, I’ll let the dogs and cat out for a bit. Meet you downstairs?”

She gave him a nod, already heading toward the stairs. Jey lingered for a moment before heading to the back door, opening it for their pets to get some fresh air and evening exercise. The cool breeze that swept into the house carried a bit of peace with it, but his thoughts stayed on Rhea. Everything they’d been through—the highs and the devastating lows—lingered in the back of his mind. The future they were trying to build now seemed more fragile, and yet, moments like this felt like a step in the right direction.

After a few minutes, Jey headed upstairs to check on Rhea. He pushed open the bedroom door quietly, not expecting to find her still undressed. But there she was, rifling through her bag in nothing but her bra and panties, her expression focused as she searched for something. The sight of her was enough to make his breath catch for a moment, but his eyes soon fell to the stitches on her stomach—she no longer covered them with a bandage. His heart clenched seeing them, a harsh reminder of the trauma she had endured.

Rhea sensed him watching and looked up, her brows furrowing slightly at his pained expression. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice gentle but laced with concern.

Jey swallowed, forcing the ache in his chest to loosen. He gave her a small smile, stepping closer. “Nothing... You’re just beautiful. Very beautiful Rhea…”

Rhea blinked in surprise, then a soft, genuine smile spread across her face, easing the tension in the air. The compliment touched her, especially coming from him in a moment like this. Finally finding the oversized t-shirt she’d been searching for, she quickly threw it over her head, letting the long fabric drape over her body. It was big enough that she didn’t even bother putting on shorts. “Okay,” she said, giving a playful spin. “Is this better?”

Jey’s eyes twinkled with affection. “Perfect.”

Together, they headed back downstairs, the warmth between them lingering in the silence. When they reached the living room, Jey grabbed the remote and handed it to Rhea. “Your turn to pick,” he said.

Rhea took the remote, scrolling through options while Jey headed to the kitchen. He opened the fridge, rummaging for something to drink. His hand landed on a bottle of cranberry juice, and then his gaze shifted to the Sprite next to it. With a smirk, he pulled both out, grabbed two glasses from the cabinet, and started mixing the drinks. The sound of the fizzy Sprite bubbling into the cranberry juice echoed softly as he stirred the concoction.

Returning to the living room, Jey handed Rhea a glass with a proud grin on his face. “Here you go,” he said.

Rhea eyed the drink with a suspicious look. “Jey... you know I’m not having alcohol right now.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Relax, it’s just cranberry juice and Sprite. No alcohol.”

Rhea’s face softened, a smile tugging at her lips as she took the glass from him. “You’re good,” she admitted, taking a sip. “I don’t know how you put up with me sometimes.”

Jey sat down next to her, his arm casually draping over the back of the couch as he settled in. “I put up with you because I love you,” he said simply, as if that answered everything.

Rhea leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling the weight of those words. She didn’t always know how to respond to his unshakable loyalty and love. After everything, he was still here, beside her, ready to take on whatever came next. “I love you too,” she whispered, her voice soft.

The movie Ghost Ship began playing on the screen, its eerie opening sequence casting shadows around the room. But for a while, neither of them paid much attention to it. The warmth of their quiet moment together was enough. Jey took a sip of his drink, his fingers lightly brushing against Rhea’s leg as they sat there. The soft glow from the TV flickered across their faces, but all Jey could focus on was how natural it felt being with her like this.

Rhea, still resting her head on his shoulder, felt the calm in his presence. The earlier chaos and tension had faded away, leaving only this—two people sharing a quiet moment, wrapped in each other’s comfort.

After the first movie, Jey had adjusted himself on the couch, shifting Rhea comfortably between his legs, as they watched their second movie, I Know What You Did Last Summer. The tension in the movie kept them hooked, leaning into each other as the suspense built. They were just thirty minutes in when the door swung open with a loud bang, startling them both.

Jon burst through the door, a wide grin plastered across his face. “IT’S MAIN EVENT JEY USO IN THE HOUSEEEEEE!” he shouted, stumbling a little. It didn’t take much to realize—Jon was hammered.

Jey groaned, tightening his arms around Rhea protectively as if that could ward off the chaos. “Bro, for real?” he muttered.

Jon swayed his way into the room, still grinning like a fool. “What, Uce? I came home early just ‘cause I wanted to see my brother!” he explained, with a wave of his hand. “Left Trinity and Damian at the bar—don’t worry about them.”

Rhea raised an eyebrow, whispering up to Jey, “You believe that?”

“Not a chance,” Jey muttered, shaking his head.

And right on cue, the door swung open again, and Damian stumbled in after Jon, equally hammered. He threw his arms wide, his entrance as dramatic as ever. “ALL RISE FOR THE BISEXUAL UNDERTAKER!” Damian declared, nearly tripping over his own feet as he stumbled into the living room, laughing like a madman.

Jon blinked, looking genuinely confused as Damian entered. “Yo, when did they get here?” he asked, glancing between Damian and Trinity, who followed them inside with an exasperated look on her face.

“I had to babysit these two all night,” Trinity sighed, throwing her hands up in frustration. “It’s like wrangling toddlers at this point.”

Jey smirked, pulling Rhea even closer, as if he could shield her from the drunken antics about to unfold. “Sounds like you had a fun night.”

Trinity rolled her eyes. “Fun isn’t the word I’d use.”

Meanwhile, Damian was fumbling with his wallet, slurring his words as he staggered over to Jey and Rhea. “Yo… Jey, listen… I bet you,” he started, struggling to get his wallet out of his pocket, “I can lift you and Rhea at the same time. Bet!”

Rhea snickered, burying her face in Jey’s chest. Jey just sighed, amused but shaking his head. “Damian, no one needs you lifting anyone right now.”

Before Damian could argue, Trinity stepped in, teasing him in her best sing-song voice. “Come on, Damian… I’ve got a honeybun in the pantry with your name on it…”

Instantly, Damian’s attention shifted. “A honeybun?” he asked, eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning. He staggered in the direction of the kitchen, but Jon wasn’t about to let that slide.

“Hey, that’s MY honeybun!” Jon declared, suddenly full of energy as he raced toward the kitchen after Damian.

In a wild scramble, both Jon and Damian rushed toward the pantry, tripping over each other in their drunken state. Trinity watched the whole spectacle unfold with her arms crossed, a deep sigh escaping her lips. “I swear, I’m living in a frat house.”

Jey and Rhea could barely contain their laughter as they watched the two of them fumble and fight for the prized honeybun. “Your brother’s a mess,” Rhea whispered, still giggling.

“Yeah,” Jey said with a grin. “But at least it’s never boring.”

---

After helping Trinity put Jon and Damian into bed, Jey made his way back to the guest room he shared with Rhea. The air was warm and inviting, but a sense of intimacy enveloped the space as he stepped inside. Rhea sat on the edge of the bed, fiddling with her phone, a soft glow illuminating her face.

“Hey,” Jey said, undressing quickly and sliding under the covers. Rhea turned to him, her eyes brightening as she nestled close.

“Hey yourself,” she replied, wrapping her arms around him, seeking warmth.

Jey smiled, feeling the comfort of her presence. “So, can you touch up my eyebrows tomorrow?” he asked, half-joking, half-serious.

“Of course,” Rhea replied, a teasing smile playing on her lips. She studied him for a moment before adding, “You really love me, don’t you?”

With a dramatic sigh, Jey feigned exasperation. “What do you want now?”

Rhea couldn’t suppress her laughter. “Trinity stashed a chocolate bar in the fridge. Can you bring it to me?”

“Fine!” Jey said, rolling his eyes playfully as he threw back the covers and climbed out of bed, putting on an exaggerated display of reluctance. “I’ll retrieve the precious chocolate!”

With a theatrical exit, Jey left the room, grinning at Rhea's amused expression. She loved these moments of lightheartedness, a brief escape from their reality. As he rummaged through the fridge, he couldn’t help but feel grateful for the warmth they shared, even amidst the chaos.

Returning with the chocolate bar, he presented it to Rhea like a trophy. “Your royal chocolate, my lady,” he declared, bowing slightly.

Rhea took it with a smile, her eyes sparkling. “You really know how to treat a girl right.”

“Just another day in the life of Jey Uso,” he replied, climbing back into bed beside her. They settled in together, the weight of the world momentarily forgotten as they enjoyed the simple joy of each other’s company.

Rhea took a bite of the chocolate bar, savoring the rich flavor, and offered Jey a piece. He accepted, grinning as he chewed. As she looked down at her feet, a frown creased her brow. She hated to admit it, but she really needed a pedicure.

Turning to Jey, she tilted her head with a curious look. “Do you ever get pedicures?”

To her surprise, Jey nodded confidently. “Yeah, I usually get one a month. Keeps my feet looking good for myself.”

Rhea felt a wave of happiness wash over her. “Really? That’s awesome! Matt always thought they were too feminine and stupid. I could never get him to go.”

Jey raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Well, he clearly doesn’t know what he’s missing.”

“Could we maybe get a pedicure tomorrow?” Rhea asked, her eyes brightening at the thought of sharing the experience with him.

“Absolutely,” Jey replied, nodding enthusiastically. “I’ll even let you pick the colors.”

“Deal!” Rhea exclaimed, feeling a lightness in her heart. It was the little things like this that made her feel more at ease. As they settled back into their cozy spot, Rhea realized just how much she appreciated Jey’s company. It was right…

—

**Flashback: February 19, 2024**

Jey Uso stood in the locker room, tightening his laces as the clock approached 4:22 PM. He was on a mission: snagging one of the last freshly baked brownies from catering. The cook had let him in on a little secret—catering started at 2:00 PM and wrapped up by 6:00 PM, but the last batch of brownies was always served right at 4:30 PM.

With determination, he grabbed his phone and made his way out of the locker room, eager to beat the rush. As he entered the catering area, a wave of disappointment hit him. The table was lined with an array of treats, but there, in the center, was suppose to be the plate piled high with brownies—but only one lonely brownie was sitting in the corner.

“What the fuck?” Jey exclaimed, frustration bubbling up as he approached a figure dressed all in black, their hoodie pulled low over their face. “Hey, man! What the fuck? Save some for everyone!”

The figure turned, and Jey’s irritation faded instantly. It was Rhea Ripley, the formidable powerhouse of the women's division. He hadn’t expected to see her in the midst of dessert negotiations. She had practically the whole plate of brownies.

She met his gaze with an amused expression. “What? You think just because I can lift weights, I don’t have a sweet tooth?”

Jey chuckled, shaking his head. “I guess I underestimated you. But seriously, there’s only one left!”

“How about you share the plate with me?” Rhea suggested.

Jey shrugged, intrigued. “Why not? I never thought I’d be sharing brownies with Rhea Ripley.”

They settled at a table, Rhea placing her plate in front of them. As they dug into the brownies, the atmosphere shifted from casual to something warmer. Jey took a bite, savoring the rich chocolate. “These are amazing. I can see why you wanted to stock up.”

“Right? Nothing beats a good brownie,” Rhea replied, her eyes twinkling. “So, I’ve been watching your work with the whole ‘Main Event’ gimmick. You’re really killing it out there.”

“Thanks! That means a lot coming from you,” Jey said, genuinely impressed. “You’ve been a force in the ring.”

Rhea leaned back against the table, her demeanor relaxed. “I’ve seen you a few times in Florida Championship Wrestling. Always thought you were a badass.”

“Appreciate it! But what made you want to wrestle?” Jey asked, genuinely curious. “It’s a tough business.”

Rhea’s expression turned serious as she considered his question. “Honestly? I grew up watching wrestling, and I wanted to break barriers. I wanted to show that women can be just as tough as the guys. I love being in control of my own story and helping others find their voice, too.”

“That's inspiring,” Jey replied, nodding. “It takes guts to step into this world and demand respect.”

Their conversation flowed naturally, delving into their dreams, challenges, and the sacrifices they’d both made to get where they were. Jey felt an unexpected connection forming, one that felt deeper than mere camaraderie.

“Hey,” Jey said, hesitating for a moment before continuing. “I’m actually staying in Anaheim for another two days for PR stuff. Maybe you could come by my room tomorrow night? We can talk more, eat more brownies.”

Rhea’s face lit up with a genuine smile. “I’d like that. I’m doing PR too, so it works out perfectly.”

As they shared the brownies, laughter and stories filled the air, their initial banter giving way to something more meaningful. Jey never imagined he’d find such a unique connection with Rhea, but as they exchanged thoughts and dreams, he felt like this was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship—and possibly more.

—

February 20th, 2024

The next night, Rhea stood in front of her bed, staring at the array of clothes, feeling a flutter of nerves in her stomach. She couldn’t quite understand why she was freaking out; it was just a hangout with Jey. After several minutes of deliberation, she finally settled on a simple outfit: one of her best friend Damian Priest’s oversized shirts, paired with shorts and black Vans. Comfortable yet stylish.

Taking a deep breath, Rhea ordered an Uber to Jey’s hotel, her heart racing as she made the short trip. What if it was awkward? What if it was perfect? She felt a mix of excitement and anxiety as she arrived, stepping into the lobby and making her way to the elevator.

When she reached his floor, she hesitated outside the door, her pulse quickening. She gulped and knocked, trying to steady her breathing. Moments later, the door swung open, and Jey stood there with a warm smile, his hair slightly tousled and a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“Hey, look who decided to show up!” he said, glancing around the messy room. “Sorry about the state of things. I didn’t have time to tidy up.”

Rhea stepped inside and surveyed the room, which was littered with clothes and snacks. She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re telling me.. Dominik’s a horrible roommate. That place looks like a tornado hit it!”

Jey chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. “Right? I swear, he leaves his stuff everywhere. You’d think he’d have a little more pride.”

“Guess it runs in the family,” Rhea teased, plopping down onto the edge of the bed, her initial nerves beginning to fade. Jey closed the door behind her and leaned against it, crossing his arms with a playful grin.

“Make yourself at home,” he said, motioning to the mess. “I promise it’s usually worse.”

“Yeah, right,” Rhea replied, rolling her eyes but smiling. “I can only imagine. So, what’s on the agenda for tonight?”

“Well, I thought we could order some food and maybe watch a movie. Got a couple of horror flicks I think you’ll like,” Jey suggested, moving over to the mini-fridge.

“Perfect,” Rhea said, feeling more at ease. “As long as you’re not planning to scare me too much.”

“Me? Never,” Jey replied, feigning innocence as he pulled out a couple of sodas. “Just a few jump scares here and there.”

With the tension easing, Rhea felt a sense of comfort wash over her. Maybe this would be more than just a casual hangout. Maybe it was the start of something special.

The night had gone from lighthearted to something more intimate as the conversation flowed. As Jey poured them each a glass of Whiskey, the two soon found each other buzzed after the fourth drink, laughing uncontrollably at the conversation they were having.

“Wait, so it was your idea to be flirty with me at Fastlane?” Rhea asked, raising an eyebrow as she sipped from her glass.

Jey grinned, leaning back against the headboard. “Yeah, I thought it’d be good for business. You know, stir up a little intrigue, get the fans talking.”

Rhea shook her head, chuckling in disbelief. “You know people make edits on TikTok about us all the time because of those moments you suggested?”

“Oh yeah! I repost them sometimes,” Jey said, his grin widening. “They’re hilarious. Plus, the fans love the tension.”

Rhea burst into laughter, nearly spilling her drink. “You’re too much.”

Their laughter echoed through the room, the whiskey adding warmth and ease to their conversation. They were in sync, the barriers between them slowly breaking down. Jey, still chuckling, watched Rhea closely as she talked, her guard down, her smile genuine. There was something about the way she looked tonight—comfortable, raw, and real—that made Jey’s heart race a little faster.

As the laughter died down, a silence settled between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Jey's gaze lingered on Rhea longer than it should have. He couldn’t shake this feeling—the magnetic pull that had been growing stronger all night. His mind raced for a second, considering the weight of what he was about to do, but before he could overthink it, he leaned in and kissed her.

It was soft at first, almost tentative, testing the waters.

Rhea froze, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn’t expected this. Her heart thudded in her chest, and for a moment, she pulled back, looking at Jey with a mixture of shock and confusion. “Jey…” she whispered, unsure of what to say.

His face immediately flushed with guilt, and he began to stammer. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

But before he could finish, Rhea leaned in and kissed him back. This time, it wasn’t tentative or soft. It was firm, filled with all the unspoken tension and curiosity that had been simmering between them. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt as the kiss deepened, both of them forgetting, if only for a moment, about everything else.

Jey was taken aback but didn’t pull away. He kissed her back just as fiercely, his hand gently cupping the back of her neck as they lost themselves in the moment. Time seemed to stop, the buzz from the whiskey mixing with the electric energy that now crackled between them.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless, neither of them spoke right away. Rhea’s lips tingled from the kiss, and she stared at Jey, her mind racing.

“I didn’t…” Jey began again, his voice softer now, searching her face for any sign of regret. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I just…”

Rhea shook her head, cutting him off. “Don’t apologize,” she whispered, still catching her breath. “I didn’t hate it.”

The tension in the room hung thick in the air. Jey didn't hesitate this time. He leaned in and kissed her again, more confidently, with a spark that had been waiting to ignite for far too long.

Rhea responded instantly, wrapping her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened.

What started as a slow, exploring kiss quickly became something more. The two of them got lost in the heat of the moment, their movements becoming feistier and more intense. Jey's hands roamed down her back, pulling her closer as their breathing grew heavier. Rhea's fingers tangled in his hair, tugging gently as she shifted, pushing herself closer to him.

Jey kissed her with a passion he hadn't realized he was holding back, and Rhea matched it, pushing him back against the headboard as she climbed onto his lap. The room felt electric, their connection undeniable.

Between heated kisses, Jey murmured, "Do you want to stop?"

Rhea smirked against his lips, biting his bottom one playfully before kissing him again. "Good," he whispered, his voice low and teasing.

Their lips crashed together again, the intensity building as their hands explored each other, tugging at clothes, gripping tighter, needing more. Every touch seemed to spark a new wave of desire, each kiss more heated than the last.

They were lost in the moment, the rest of the world fading away as their connection deepened with every second. Neither of them cared what this meant, or where it would go-they were living in the now, giving into the pull that had been drawing them together for so long.

Jey pulled back for a moment, his chest heaving as he looked at her. "You're incredible," he whispered, his voice filled with awe and something deeper. Rhea only smiled before pulling him back into another fiery kiss, not ready to let go of the moment just yet.

—

Present Time.

Jey glanced down at his phone, confirming the flight details as the nail technician continued to work on his feet. He grimaced slightly when the technician scrubbed a bit too hard but quickly refocused on the task at hand. The two had managed to get a private session due to Trinity and Jon being the owner’s favorite wrestling couple duo. Rhea, seated next to him, was deep in conversation with her own technician about what shade of polish to choose.

"I’m thinking a deep red," Rhea said, turning to Jey for a moment. "What do you think?"

Jey barely looked up from his phone. "Yeah, sure, deep red sounds good," he replied absently, focused on securing their seats for the early flight.

Rhea rolled her eyes, clearly not satisfied with his half-hearted response. “You didn’t even look.”

Before Jey could defend himself, he received a confirmation email. "Got it," he announced, putting his phone down for the first time in the session. “Our flight’s at four a.m.”

Rhea's eyes widened in disbelief. “Four in the morning? You can’t be serious, Jey.”

He sighed, knowing her reaction was inevitable. “It’s the only time that works. The other flights are so late, we’d miss roll call.”

“That’s brutal,” she groaned, leaning back in her chair. “You know I hate mornings.”

Jey smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, but you’ll hate missing roll call even more.”

Rhea huffed but knew he was right. She looked back at her nail technician. “Guess I’ll need a coffee as dark as this polish.”

The technician laughed lightly, while Jey leaned over to glance at the color she’d chosen. “Deep red, huh? Good choice.”

Rhea shot him a playful glare. “Now you notice.”

As the nail technician finished with Jey, he stood up, flexing his toes slightly to shake off the stiffness. He pulled out some cash, handing it over with a polite smile. “Thanks, appreciate it,” he said, before turning to Rhea. “Do you want your lashes done too babe?” Rhea flashed a grin and nodded.

“Here,” Jey said, handing her more money. “For your lashes, for my toes and yours—and a tip for your tech.”

Rhea grinned, accepting the cash. “Always taking care of me,” she teased.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek, his hand briefly resting on her shoulder. “I’ll be back soon. I saw a Footlocker, but first, I’m grabbing a smoothie.”

Rhea nodded, settling back into her chair as Jey made his way out of the salon. The afternoon sun greeted him as he stepped outside, the warm breeze feeling good against his skin. He scanned the plaza, spotting the Footlocker Rhea had mentioned, but his eyes were drawn to a nearby smoothie shop first.

“I could use something to drink,” he muttered to himself, walking toward the shop. The door chimed as he entered, the cool air and fresh scent of fruit instantly hitting him.

The place wasn’t too busy, just a few customers scattered around. Jey stepped up to the counter, browsing the menu for a second before deciding on a strawberry banana smoothie.

As he waited for his drink, he checked his phone, glancing at the time. Rhea still had a while to go with her lashes. Smirking to himself, he thought about how easy it was for her to get him to agree to these long beauty sessions. Then again, she always knew how to work him, especially with those pleading eyes.

When his smoothie arrived, he took a sip, savoring the refreshing taste. Now it was time to hit Footlocker.

Jey was halfway to Footlocker, sipping his smoothie, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, frowning at the unfamiliar Orlando number. His first thought was that it might be one of his cousins—maybe Jon or someone else checking in. But as he swiped to answer, he quickly realized he was wrong.

The automated voice rang in his ear: “This is a collect call from the Orange County Jail. The inmate attempting to reach you is Matthew Adams.”

Jey’s grip on the phone tightened, his jaw clenching. Matt. His blood boiled at the sound of the name. Without hesitation, he accepted the call, his voice dripping with venom as he answered, “What the hell do you want?”

There was a brief silence on the other end before Matt’s voice came through, low and bitter. “I want to talk to Rhea.”

Jey’s anger flared. “You think after everything you did, you got the right to talk to her? You’re outta your damn mind.”

Matt’s voice raised in frustration. “She’s my wife, Jey!”

“She was,” Jey corrected, his voice steady but seething. “You don’t get to call her after you laid hands on her. You lost that right the moment you put her in that hospital bed.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Matt spat, his tone desperate. “You got her twisted in some shit thinking she yours when in reality she will never be yours for as long as I live.”

Jey’s nostrils flared. “Oh, I know more than enough. You’re lucky you’re behind bars, because if I ever saw you on the outside, you wouldn’t be standing long enough to explain anything.”

The tension crackled between them, but Jey wasn’t about to let Matt have any more control. He took a deep breath, calming his voice just enough. “You’re done. Stay out of her life, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. Jey ended the call, shoving the phone back into his pocket, his entire body humming with rage. He took a deep breath, trying to shake it off before heading into Footlocker, but the call lingered in his mind like a dark cloud.

Jey wandered through Footlocker, his eyes scanning the rows of shoes, but his mind was far from focused. The call with Matt had left him simmering. He pulled out his phone, quickly typing up a message to Jon.

Yo, I just got a call from Matt. Dude's trying to get in touch with Rhea.

He hesitated for a second before adding the next part.

Think I should talk to her about getting the divorce process started?

Jey sent the message and continued to browse, waiting for Jon’s reply. He wasn’t sure how to approach Rhea about it—especially with everything she’d been through. Bringing up Matt, especially after that call, could push her over the edge. But he also knew that Matt lurking in the background wasn’t helping anyone.

A few minutes later, his phone buzzed with Jon’s response.

Damn, for real? That dude just doesn’t quit. You should definitely talk to her. But tread lightly, man. She’s been through hell. Maybe wait until she’s in a good headspace before bringing it up.

Jey nodded to himself, texting back.

Yeah, I hear you. I don’t want to push her, but she needs to get that chapter closed.

Jon replied quickly.

Exactly. Just remind her you’ve got her back, whatever she decides. But yeah, don’t rush it. Last thing she needs is more pressure.

Jey sighed, his thumb hovering over the keyboard. He hated that Rhea had to deal with this, but Jon was right. The timing had to be perfect, and Jey would make sure he approached it carefully.

Alright, I’ll wait for the right moment. Thx.

With the conversation with Jon wrapped up, Jey shoved his phone back into his pocket. He tried to focus on picking out some shoes, but his thoughts were already on how and when he’d bring it up to Rhea. He’d protect her, no matter what it took—he just needed to make sure she was ready.

After sending the text to Jon, Jey continued to browse through Footlocker, his mind still on the conversation. He picked out a pair of sleek black sneakers that caught his eye and decided they’d be a perfect addition to his wardrobe.

Once he had what he wanted, he made his way to the checkout, feeling satisfied. After paying, he stepped outside and headed to explore a few more stores. As he strolled through the shopping center, he stopped at Zumiez, Nike, and Tilly’s and a couple of more shops, finally arriving at Polo Ralph Lauren.

Just as he was about to head inside, he spotted a store called Linked. A big ad in the window read, Jewelry. You. Personalized. Forever!, Intrigued, Jey leaned in to look, but the lights were off, and a "Closed" sign hung on the door.

Just as he turned to leave, a bubbly woman approached with a warm smile. “Hey there! Were you interested in something from Linked?”

Jey turned back, curious. “Yeah, I was just checking it out.”

The woman’s smile widened. “We do permanent jewelry—bracelets that you can personalize. Interested?”

“Definitely,” he replied, feeling a spark of excitement.

“Come on in!” she said, unlocking the door. “I’ll keep the sign on ‘Closed’ to respect your privacy. I know who you are, but I promise I won’t bother you with that.”

Inside, the store had a cozy, inviting atmosphere. She guided him to a display showcasing an array of bracelets. “So, what’s the special occasion?”

Jey glanced at the elegant designs, thinking about Rhea. “I’m looking for matching couples' bracelets.”

“That’s so sweet!” she exclaimed. “We have some great options that can be personalized with initials or special dates.”

“How long does the process take?” he asked, intrigued.

“It’s all done in-store,” she explained. “We’ll size the bracelets and make any custom adjustments right here. It usually takes about 20 minutes.”

Jey nodded, impressed. “Sounds easy. I’d love to get something special for my girlfriend.”

As the store clerk explained that Rhea would need to be there for the sizing, Jey felt a flutter of excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness. “She’ll need to be here so we can get the right fit and laser the clasp,” the clerk said with a smile, clearly accustomed to couples wanting something special.

Jey nodded, realizing that this was more than just picking out a piece of jewelry. It was about creating something meaningful together—a symbol of their bond amid the chaos they had faced.

“Got it. Excuse me for a second, my girlfriend should be finishing up her lashes.” Jey said, stepping aside to pull out his phone. It felt like time had dragged on since he last saw Rhea. Just as he was about to call her, his phone buzzed with an incoming call from her.

“Where are you?” Rhea asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

Jey glanced outside and spotted her walking out of the salon across the shopping center. “I’m right here! Just outside,” he replied, waving her down.

When she saw him, her face lit up, and she walked over, radiating warmth and excitement. Jey took her hand, feeling an electric connection as he led her into the store.

“We’re getting matching permanent bracelets,” he announced, his heart racing at the thought.

Her eyes widened with joy. “I’m so down!”

Jey smiled, feeling the weight of the moment. This wasn’t just about the bracelets; it was a way to celebrate their journey together. Rhea leaned in and kissed him, her happiness palpable.

The clerk chuckled, watching their interaction. “This is why I love my job,” she said with a grin. “Seeing couples so happy together is the best part.”

As they browsed the display of elegant bracelets, Jey felt a surge of emotion. He knew how important this was for Rhea, especially after everything she had endured. This small act represented more than a fashion choice; it was a promise, a commitment to stand by each other through thick and thin.

When Rhea reached for a bracelet adorned with simplicity, her fingers lingered, and Jey couldn’t help but admire her. “This one feels right,” she said, her voice filled with certainty.

“Yeah, it really does,” he replied, envisioning their names engraved side by side. This moment felt monumental—a healing experience, a way to reclaim joy after so much pain.

As the clerk prepared to size the bracelets, Jey took Rhea’s hand, their fingers intertwining naturally. “This is just the beginning,” he said, his voice steady. “No matter what happens, we’re in this together.”

Rhea smiled up at him, her heart full. “I know. This means so much to me.”

With each passing moment, as they discussed designs and personalization, the emotional weight of their journey hung in the air, but so did the promise of new beginnings. This simple act of getting matching bracelets was not just about jewelry; it was a tangible reminder of their love—a bond that would help them navigate whatever challenges lay ahead.

Jey and Rhea had settled on a thin 14k rope-style chain with a gold name bar, feeling it perfectly encapsulated their bond. When the store clerk asked what they wanted engraved, Jey confidently said, “Demi Fatu,” while Rhea added, “Joshua Samuel Fatu,” her voice filled with warmth.

The clerk smiled, clearly pleased with their choices, and began the engraving process on Rhea’s bracelet first. Rhea watched intently, her excitement contagious. When the clerk held up the finished piece before lasering the clasp, Rhea’s eyes lit up. “I love it!” she exclaimed, tracing the letters with her fingers, as Jey leaned in to kiss her cheek, feeling grateful for this moment.

Jey looked at his while it was being done on his wrist and as he felt the weight of the future represented in that small piece of jewelry, he couldn’t help but smile at Rhea.

“Are you both satisfied?” the clerk asked after finishing Jey’s bracelet.

“Absolutely,” they both replied in unison, smiles plastered on their faces.

Jey paid for the bracelets and the clerk informed them about coming back, “If you have any issues or need cleaning, just call or head back over here, okay?”

With the bracelets securely on their wrists, Jey and Rhea climbed into Jon’s car. “I’m exhausted,” Jey admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Me too. I just want to go home,” Rhea replied, her fatigue evident. Jey checked in, “Do you need anything last minute?”

“No, I’m good,” Rhea said, leaning back in her seat, feeling content but ready for a quiet evening.

Once they arrived at Jon and Trinity’s house, Jey led Rhea inside. The sight that greeted them was cozy; Damian was sleeping on the couch, while Jon and Trinity were cuddled up on the other side, both peacefully slumbering. Jey glanced at the clock—it read 3:53.

“Looks like we’re the last ones up,” he whispered to Rhea with a smile. They quietly made their way upstairs to the guest bedroom, closing the door slightly behind them.

Jey set his bags down on the bed, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction. The day had been long, but it had also been filled with love and new beginnings. He turned to Rhea, who was looking at him, a soft smile on her face. “I’m glad we did this,” he said, feeling the weight of the bracelets on his wrist.

“Me too,” Rhea replied, her lips giving him a quick kiss. In that moment, everything felt right.

Jey laid back on the bed, letting out a relaxed sigh as Rhea rummaged through the bags of clothes Trinity had managed to retrieve from the police station. She pulled out some of her gear, taking comfort in familiar items. “Hey, are we coming back to Jon and Trinity’s after RAW on Monday, or do you think we’ll go somewhere else?” she asked, glancing over at him.

Jey propped himself up on his elbows, considering the week ahead. “I want us to go to Pensacola to meet with the realtor about the rental on Friday,” he explained. “But I’d like to see my kids first after RAW.”

Rhea nodded, and Jey continued, “What if we drive to San Francisco right after RAW? We can get a room there for the night, then spend time with the kids on Tuesday and Wednesday. After that, we could head to Pensacola together on Thursday and stay at Jon and Trinity’s for the weekend.”

Rhea frowned slightly, contemplating his plan. “That’s a lot of traveling, Jey. Are you sure we can manage all of that?”

Seeing her hesitation, Jey quickly added, “It’s okay if you’re not mentally prepared for the kids yet. If it feels overwhelming, you could stay with Damian and Kayden while I spend time with them. I’ll come back for you on Thursday for our flight to Florida.”

Rhea shook her head. “But Damian and Kayden are heading to Indiana right after RAW. I don’t want to be alone.”

Jey furrowed his brow, trying to come up with alternatives. “Okay, what if we push the meeting about the rental off until next week? You could come back here after the show, and I’ll meet you on Friday.”

Rhea considered this, the idea sounding more manageable. “That could work,” she replied, her expression softening.

“See? We can make this work,” Jey said with a smile, relieved to find a solution that felt right for both of them. “Let’s just take it one step at a time.”

With a renewed sense of hope, Rhea nodded, grateful for his understanding. They both knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

—

Trinity woke up from her nap, a sleepy smile on her face until she felt Jon's hand firmly squeezing her butt. "Really?" she muttered, still groggy, and lightly swatted his hand away before stretching. Jon let out a lazy chuckle but didn't bother to open his eyes.

"Pasta for dinner, maybe?" Jon mumbled, barely awake, his voice heavy with sleep.

Trinity rubbed her eyes and yawned, already thinking about her favorite creamy pasta recipe. "Yeah, I'll get on it after my shower."

She headed to the bathroom, hoping a quick shower would wake her up. As the warm water cascaded down, she felt herself shake off the sleep. Dinner was on her mind-something hearty and comforting. Jon loved her pasta dishes, and she was more than happy to make something simple and delicious.

Fresh out of the shower and feeling a bit more energized, Trinity threw on some comfortable lounge clothes and made her way into the kitchen. She pulled out all the ingredients for the creamy pasta sauce, but when she unscrewed the cap from the heavy cream and took a quick sniff, she gagged. "Ugh, this is sour," she muttered, holding the carton at arm's length.

"Jon!" she called, stepping out of the kitchen. "I need you to go grab some heavy cream from the store. This one's gone bad."

From the couch, Jon groaned loudly, stretching out as if the idea of leaving the couch was the worst thing in the world. "Babe, I really don't wanna go. Ask Jey and Rhea. They're right upstairs."

Trinity rolled her eyes, throwing a dish towel over her shoulder. "Typical," she muttered under her breath. She wasn't really in the mood to argue with him, so she sighed and made her way up the stairs.

As she approached the guest room where Jey and Rhea were staying, Trinity noticed the door was slightly ajar. Not hearing a any sounds that would reflect otherwise, she leaned closer and pushed open the door. "Hey, Jey, could you maybe run to the store for me?" she called out while nudging the door open a bit more.

The words caught in her throat as the door swung open wider. Her eyes widened in complete shock. There, on the bed, was Rhea on top of Jey, her bra flung to the side, and Jey's face practically buried in her chest. The sight hit her like a freight train, and before she could even process what she was looking at, a scream tore out of her throat. The couple had embarrassment over their faces as Rhea tried to get off Jey to go for the comforter while covering her chest.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" she shrieked, the door swinging wildly as she scrambled to close it. She slammed it shut so hard it echoed through the hallway.

Her heart was pounding in her chest as she stumbled backward, her face burning bright red. "Oh my God. Oh my God. What did I just see?!"

She stood there frozen for a moment, her mind reeling with embarrassment. "Did I just... walk in on that?" she muttered to herself in disbelief, her hands covering her burning face. Her heart raced, and her stomach twisted in knots, trying to block out the image that was now seared into her brain.

Jon, hearing her scream from downstairs, immediately sat up, confused. "Trin? What happened?"

Trinity hurried down the stairs, her face flushed with horror. "Don't ask! You really don't wanna know!"

Jon frowned, his curiosity piqued. "What did you see?"

"I'm not even gonna explain it," Trinity said, still breathless, waving her hands in front of her as if she could somehow erase the memory. "Just know I'm never going up there again!"

Jon's brow furrowed as he glanced at the stairs, then back at his wife. "Wait... what did YOU-"

Trinity threw her hands in the air, exasperated.

"I walked in on them! And let's just say, Jey's face was not where it's supposed to be!"

Jon blinked, then snorted as the realization hit him. He tried to stifle his laughter, but it burst out uncontrollably. "Wait, you walked in on Jey and Rhea-"

"Don't laugh!" Trinity cut him off, mortified. "I'll never unsee that, Jon! I'll never unsee it!"

But Jon couldn't help himself. Damian even joined in, laughing his ass. He was practically doubled over, his laughter echoing through the house. "I told you to ask them!"

Trinity glared at him, flustered beyond words.

“At least you didn’t see them doing the deed..” Damian snickered.

"Yeah, well, I didn't expect to walk into... that!" She shuddered, throwing the dish towel at Jon as he continued laughing. "You're going to the store! I'm not asking anyone for anything ever again!"

Upstairs, Rhea frantically tried to put her bra back on, her face burning with embarrassment. Her hands fumbled with the straps as she muttered, “Oh my God, that was so humiliating.” She finally managed to snap the bra into place, turning to Jey, who was stifling a laugh but failing miserably.

"Don’t you dare laugh!" she warned, swatting him on the shoulder. "This is your fault too, you know!"

Jey couldn’t help it anymore; a chuckle escaped him as he rubbed his shoulder where Rhea had hit him. "C’mon, babe, you know Trinity’s probably laughing about it right now." He leaned back, still grinning. "I mean, how many people can say they’ve been walked in on like that?"

Rhea groaned, covering her face. "I blame you.”

Jey stood up, adjusting his shirt with a smirk. "I better go check on the situation. She probably sent Jon to the store already." He winked at Rhea, who just shook her head, still mortified.

As Jey made his way downstairs, he could hear the sounds of muffled laughter. He rounded the corner and caught sight of Trinity animatedly telling Jon what had just happened, her face still red but her lips twitching as if she were fighting off laughter. Jon, on the other hand, wasn’t even trying to hold it in—he was practically doubled over in laughter.

Damian was sitting on the arm of the couch, his arms crossed, but the amused grin on his face was unmistakable. The second Jey entered the room, all eyes turned to him.

Damian was the first to crack, letting out a loud laugh as he pointed at Jey. "Bro, you seriously can’t keep your hands to yourself for five minutes, can you?"

Jon caught his breath long enough to chime in, his voice thick with laughter. "You owe Trinity big time, man! She’s traumatized!"

Jey’s smirk only grew as he looked around at his friends, though his eyes landed on Trinity, who was still looking away, clearly trying her best not to meet his gaze.

"You alright, Trin?" Jey teased, raising an eyebrow. "Didn’t mean to scar you for life."

Trinity’s face turned redder, and she muttered under her breath, "I’m never looking you in the eye again." She folded her arms, still refusing to face him, her lips tightly pressed together to suppress the smile threatening to break through.

Jey leaned against the doorframe, shaking his head. "Hey, you didn’t even knock..."

Jon looked at Trinity and laughed even more, “Remember our failed quickie in the bus…. Now you know how it feels..” Jon said trying to breathe.

Damian slapped Jey on the back, still laughing. "Clearly Trinity you need some etiquette… clearly!" He then raised a hand, mimicking the moment. "I can’t believe she caught you guys like that. Should’ve locked the door, man!"

“We didn’t think anyone would just walk in!” Jey defended himself.

Jon chimed in, grinning, "Yeah, dude, at least give the rest of us a warning next time. Not everyone needs to see that side of you!"

Jey shrugged, unbothered, but shot a playful glance at Trinity. "I think you’ll survive, Trin. No lasting trauma, right?"

Trinity finally let out a small giggle despite herself but quickly cleared her throat, pretending to be serious. "You owe me for that one, Jey. Big time. And next time, lock the door!"

Jey winked, still grinning. "Noted."

—

Trinity finished serving the pasta, taking her seat next to Jon at the head of the table. Everyone gathered around—Jey, Rhea, Damian, and of course, Jon—reaching out to join hands. As they did, the mood in the room shifted slightly from playful to heartfelt, the warmth of family and friendship filling the air.

"Alright, Jon, lead us in prayer," Trinity said softly, squeezing his hand.

Jon nodded and closed his eyes, his deep voice resonating through the room. "Heavenly Father, we come to you with grateful hearts tonight. Thank you for giving me the strength to face my fears, especially when it came to donating blood for Rhea. You helped me realize what family really means, and I’m thankful for the path you’ve led me on. Thank you for bringing Rhea into our lives and showing me that family isn’t just blood but the people we choose to stand by."

Rhea’s eyes softened at Jon’s words, feeling a surge of emotion wash over her. The acceptance from Jon meant more than she could express, especially after everything.

"And Lord," Jon continued, with a small smirk on his face, "I also want to thank you for reminding my wife to knock on doors from now on—just to avoid any more awkward situations."

Everyone at the table, except Rhea, burst out into quiet giggles. Jey chuckled beside her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, while Damian struggled to keep his composure.

Rhea, however, turned beet red, looking down at her plate, trying her best to hide her embarrassment. Jon glanced at her with a wink, clearly enjoying the light-hearted teasing. "In your name, we pray, Amen."

"Amen," everyone echoed in unison, and with that, the sound of forks and plates filled the room as everyone dug into the meal.

Rhea, still blushing slightly, glanced over at Jey, who gave her a reassuring smile. "You alright?" he whispered, nudging her.

She nodded, grateful for the moment of normalcy after everything they’d been through. "Yeah," she whispered back, smiling softly. "I’m good."

As the conversation picked up around the table, it felt as though the tension from the day had melted away, replaced by laughter, jokes, and the feeling of family. Even with the teasing, Rhea knew she was surrounded by people who cared deeply for her—and that was all that mattered.

After they finished their meal, with the warmth of family conversations lingering in the air, Trinity stood up to refill everyone’s glasses with wine, except for Rhea who opted for a sparkling apple juice. The sound of laughter still echoed around the room, the gentle clinking of glasses adding to the comforting atmosphere. Jey sat back, his arm draped around Rhea, feeling the weight of the past week begin to lift. He glanced at her, then at the table, deciding it was the right moment.

“So, I’ve been thinkin’ about new beginnings,” Jey started, lifting his wrist and showing off his bracelet. Rhea smiled shyly, doing the same, their matching gold bracelets glimmering in the soft light. “Me and Rhea decided to make things a little more official.” His voice was filled with pride and certainty, the weight of his words sinking in as the room fell silent.

Trinity and Jon shared a knowing smile, and Damian clapped Jey on the back, a playful grin on his face. “About time,” Damian teased, though there was a real warmth in his voice.

Jey chuckled, “Yeah, yeah. And I wanna let y’all know I’ve been looking at places for us in Pensacola. Found a rental that’ll put us close to Jon and the family.”

Jon nodded, clearly pleased, while Trinity beamed at the idea of having Rhea and Jey nearby. Damian, never missing an opportunity to lighten the mood, leaned back and grinned. “Looks like I’m gonna have to find a place out there too. Kayden’s been talkin’ about it for a minute, so I’ll just blame y’all when I start moving boxes.”

The room burst into laughter, but the humor couldn’t mask the deeper emotion behind the moment. It wasn’t just about moving to Pensacola or finding a place to live—it was about something much more meaningful. Jey was making it clear that he was committed, not just to Rhea, but to building a future together. And more than that, he wanted his family to be a part of it.

Jey’s tone grew more serious as he looked around the table, his expression softening. “I wanna thank you all for being so understanding,” he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “For accepting me and Rhea, for supporting us. I know things have been crazy, and this isn’t how I expected my week to end, but... I’m glad it did.”

Rhea’s heart swelled as she listened to Jey speak. His words meant everything to her. Despite the turmoil, the ups and downs, the unexpected twists—there was something solid between them now. Something unbreakable. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she could breathe, like she wasn’t carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders alone.

For Jey, this was more than just a declaration of love—it was an affirmation. He had spent so much time feeling torn between duty, love, and guilt. But now, surrounded by the people he loved, he felt free. Free to love Rhea openly. Free to plan a future without secrets. Free to embrace this new chapter of his life without fear or hesitation. And knowing that his family not only supported but accepted them both made it all the more real.

Jon, sensing the depth of Jey’s words, raised his glass. “Uce’,” he said with a gentle smile, “you don’t have to thank us for accepting Rhea. She’s family. Always.” He turned to Rhea and nodded, his voice filled with warmth. “You’re one of us now. You don’t need anyone else’s approval. You got ours.”

Rhea blinked back tears, deeply moved by Jon’s words. This was the first time in months that she truly felt like she belonged somewhere, like she wasn’t an outsider looking in. And hearing that from Jon—the man who had stood by his brother through everything—meant the world to her.

Trinity, ever the emotional one, squeezed Rhea’s hand. “We love you, Rhea. You’ve been through hell, and you’re still here, still standing strong. That says everything we need to know.”

Rhea’s heart thudded in her chest as she looked around the table at the faces of those who had become her family. It wasn’t just about her and Jey anymore. It was about something bigger. She had found a place where she was loved and accepted—not for what she had been through, but for who she was.

Taking a deep breath, Rhea knew it was time to share her news. She glanced at Jey, her fingers tightening around his, and then she spoke, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “While I was getting my lashes done today,” she began, her gaze locked with Jey’s, “I made a call.”

The room went silent as everyone waited, sensing that something important was about to be said.

“I called the lawyer WWE put on retainer for me... and I started the divorce proceedings with Matt.”

Jey’s eyes widened, the shock quickly giving way to overwhelming joy. His entire face lit up as the reality of her words sunk in. “You serious?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he needed to hear her say it again just to believe it.

Rhea nodded, a small, relieved smile playing on her lips. “Yeah, Jey. It’s done. I’m starting fresh—with you.”

The emotion that flashed across Jey’s face was raw and unguarded. He felt like his heart was about to burst. In one swift movement, he pulled Rhea into his arms, hugging her tightly as if he never wanted to let go. “I can’t believe it,” he whispered against her ear, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so happy. You don’t know what this means to me.”

Everyone around the table began to cheer, raising their glasses in celebration. Damian grinned, lifting his glass. “To fresh starts and new beginnings,” he toasted, his voice filled with genuine happiness for the couple.

Jon clinked his glass against Jey’s. “This is it, bruh. This is your moment. I’m proud of you.”

Trinity, tearing up, reached across the table to grab Rhea’s hand again. “We’re so happy for you, Rhea. This is your time.”

As the laughter and joy filled the room, Rhea couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion. The weight of the past few months was finally lifting, and in its place was something she had longed for—hope. She had made the call, ended her marriage, and now she was free to build a future with Jey. And more importantly, they were doing it together, with the love and support of a family who truly cared.

For Jey, it was more than just a fresh start. It was the beginning of the life he had always wanted. One filled with love, with the woman he adored, and the unwavering support of his family. In that moment, surrounded by the people who mattered most, Jey knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. Stronger than ever.

There was a knock at the door, and Damian, eager to stretch his legs, volunteered to answer it as Trinity and Jon leaned closer, wanting to admire their new bracelets. When Damian swung the door open, his face fell in surprise. Standing there was Takecia, flanked by Jey's two sons: the younger, Jeyce, and the older, Jaciyah.

“Jey!” Damian shouted, urgency creeping into his voice.

Jey's heart sank as he stood up, he didn’t like the way Damian sounded, Jey walked to the living room and stopped in his tracks, dread settling in his stomach at the sight of Takecia with their children. Jeyce rushed forward, throwing his arms around Jey’s waist, a warm embrace that momentarily softened the sting of the unexpected visit. But Jaciyah lingered back, his face twisted in an expression of disappointment and anger.

As Jon, Trinity and Rhea emerged from the dining room, surprised by the sudden appearance, Takecia wasted no time. “I needed some time alone,” she said flatly, her eyes darting between Jey and Rhea. “And since you’re playing house, the kids can stay with their dad and his new much younger girlfriend.”

The comment pierced Rhea, a reminder of the age gap that loomed between her and Jey. He was 39, while she had barely crossed into her late twenties. It stung, and she felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.

“Please, don’t be harsh,” Jey implored, but Takecia raised her hand to silence him.

Looking past Jey, she addressed Trinity directly, “I’ll be back on Saturday to pick up both of them, Naomi.” Using Trinity’s stage name felt like a calculated move, a sign that she was distancing herself from the Fatu family entirely.

Jey tried to reason with her. “Is there any way we can make this easier?”

Takecia shook her head. “Just sign your name after the six-month waiting period,” she replied, her tone clipped and final. Without another word, she kiss her boys goodbye, her demeanor resolute as she turned to leave.

Jey felt the weight of her words settle in his chest as she walked away. The atmosphere in the house shifted, leaving a palpable silence. Rhea stood frozen, emotions swirling inside her and finally tears welling up in her eyes. She turned on her heel and went upstairs, seeking refuge from this moment.

“Rhea, wait!” Trinity called after her, but Rhea didn’t look back. “I’ll go check on her..” Trinity said and Damian followed her upstairs as well.

Once she was gone, Jey faced his children, uncertainty etched on his features. Jon, ever the fun uncle, stepped in, trying to lighten the mood. “Hey, how about we play some WWE 2K24?” he suggested with a grin.

Jaciyah glared at his father, the resentment simmering just below the surface. “No,” he said curtly, avoiding Jey's gaze as he stormed toward Jon’s son’s room and slammed the door behind him.

The sound echoed in the hallway, leaving Jey standing there, feeling more isolated than ever. Jeyce looked up at Jon, a mixture of confusion and longing in his eyes. “Can we play?” he asked softly, breaking the heavy silence.

“Yeah, buddy,” Jon replied, forcing a smile. He knelt down to meet his nephew’s gaze. “Let’s have some fun, just us two for now.”

As they moved toward the gaming console, Jey couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was just the beginning of a complicated new chapter, one filled with challenges he never expected to face. And as the sounds of the game filled the room, he could only hope that they would find their way through it together.

—

Rhea sat on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face as Trinity and Damian hovered nearby, their expressions filled with concern. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her chest, and she felt as if everything she had been dreading was finally crashing down.

“I just… I don’t think I’ll ever be good enough for his kids,” Rhea sobbed, burying her face in her hands. “What if they don’t accept me? What if they see me as just the ‘new girlfriend’?”

Trinity moved closer, gently rubbing Rhea’s back. “You have to understand, it takes time. I’m a stepmom too, and it’s not easy, but you’re not just some outsider. You’re someone who loves their dad.”

“But the age difference,” Rhea whispered, shaking her head. “Jey’s nearly 40, and I’m barely going to be 28. What if they think I’m too young to be taken seriously?”

“Rhea,” Damian interjected softly, “Jey isn’t with you because of your age. He loves you for who you are, not just as his partner but as a person. You bring something special to his life.”

Trinity nodded vigorously. “Exactly. Love doesn’t have an age limit. You two share a connection that goes beyond that. And believe me, kids can see when someone genuinely cares for their parent.”

Rhea wiped her eyes, taking a shaky breath. “But what if I mess it up? What if I can’t be the person they need?”

“You won’t know unless you try,” Damian replied, his voice steady. “Kids are resilient. They’ll adjust, especially if they see how much Jey loves you. That’s what matters most.”

Trinity chimed in, “And you’re not alone in this. Jey will be there to guide you. It’s a journey for both of you, and as long as you communicate and support each other, you’ll find your way.”

Rhea looked between them, the warmth of their encouragement slowly calming her racing thoughts. “Do you really think he loves me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Without a doubt,” Trinity assured her. “He lights up when he talks about you. You’ve made a profound impact on his life.”

As Rhea pondered their words, a flicker of hope ignited within her. “I want to be there for him and the kids. I just need to believe I can do this.”

“You can,” Damian said firmly. “It won’t be easy, but love is worth fighting for. Just remember, Jey chose you, and that’s a huge testament to how he feels.”

Rhea nodded slowly, her heart beginning to mend. “Thank you both. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Anytime,” Trinity said, offering a reassuring smile. “We’re here for you, every step of the way.” Trinity hugged her newly found friend and Rhea hugged her back.

-

As Jey tucked his youngest son, Jeyce, into bed, he felt a familiar warmth wash over him, the kind that only comes from being a father. He leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on Jeyce's forehead, whispering a soft "goodnight." But when he turned to Jaciyah, his heart sank a little.

"Goodnight, Jaciyah," he said, but his son didn’t respond. Instead, Jaciyah simply put on his AirPods and turned his back to Jey, engrossed in his own world.

Jey sighed as he closed the door behind him, a mixture of frustration and sadness lingering in the air. He walked down the hallway to the guest bedroom, hoping to find some solace. As he entered, he saw Rhea lying on the bed, the soft glow of her phone illuminating her face as The Great Gatsby played quietly in the background.

She paused the movie, looking up at him. Jey's breath caught in his throat; she looked so peaceful yet so distant. "Hey," he said awkwardly, "I’m going to shower."

Rhea nodded without a word, her gaze drifting back to the screen. Jey felt the weight of unspoken words hang between them. He grabbed his clothes, the fabric feeling heavy in his hands as he made his way to the bathroom.

The shower felt like both a blessing and a curse. The warm water cascaded over him, washing away the stress of the day, but his mind remained restless. Thoughts of Jaciyah’s coldness swirled with the earlier tension of the night—the confrontation with his soon to be ex wife, the unacceptable weight creeping in, and the undeniable connection he felt with Rhea.

As he lathered shampoo into his hair, Jey couldn’t shake the feeling that his family was teetering on a precipice. He thought about how Jaciyah was shutting him out and how much he wished he could bridge that gap. Then there was Rhea—her strength, her vulnerability, the way she made him feel seen in a world where he often felt lost.

After a few moments of contemplation, he rinsed off and stepped out of the shower, the steam fogging up the mirror. He wiped it clear and looked at his reflection, trying to gather the courage to face Rhea again. He wrapped a towel around his waist, took a deep breath, and made his way back into the bedroom.

Rhea had resumed the movie, but the atmosphere was charged with unspoken tension. He sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of the silence. “You okay?” he asked, breaking the stillness.

Rhea paused the movie again and turned to him, her expression unreadable. “Just tired,” she replied softly, but Jey could sense there was more beneath the surface.

“Want to talk about it?” he offered, hoping to peel back the layers.

She hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. “What’s there to say? Things are complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Jey pressed gently, wanting to understand but afraid of what he might hear.

Rhea sighed, looking away. “You know how it is, Jey. We have our pasts, our families… it’s not just us.”

Jey felt his chest tighten. “I get that. But I want to figure this out. I want to be here for you and for Jaciyah and Jeyce.”

Rhea turned to him, her gaze intense. She couldn’t say anything.

“I’m trying,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “But I can’t do it alone.”

For a moment, they were caught in each other's eyes, the weight of their unspoken fears hanging heavily in the air. Jey reached out, brushing his fingers against hers. “Let’s not give up on each other, okay?”

Rhea looked down at their hands, her expression softening slightly. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jey felt a flicker of hope as they sat together in the dim light, the movie forgotten. Maybe they could find their way back, piece by piece, despite the complications that surrounded them.

—

As Jey and Rhea settled into bed, Jey found himself wide awake, thoughts swirling around his head like leaves caught in a gust of wind. He envisioned the perfect wedding, with his sons standing beside him, a picture of unity and love. He held onto the hope that Jaciyah would eventually come around, bridging the gap that had formed between them.

Before he knew it, the shrill sound of his alarm shattered the quiet, signaling 2:25 AM. Rhea groaned softly, and Jey closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He knew he would have to catch up on sleep during the flight. Leaning over, he planted a gentle kiss on Rhea's forehead, coaxing her awake.

She yawned, stretching slightly before sitting up. Jey smiled, his heart lifting at the sight of her. They shuffled to the bathroom together, brushing their teeth in companionable silence. Jey quickly splashed some water in his hair, while Rhea combed through her short locks, both preparing for the long day ahead.

Once they finished, they grabbed their last toiletries and headed back to the bedroom to pack them in their bags. Rhea threw on some sweatpants and a hoodie, and Jey did the same, feeling comforted by the cozy attire.

“I’m going to wake up Jon to drive us to the airport,” Jey said, glancing at Rhea.

She nodded, still half-asleep, and slipped on her black crocs. Jey left the guest bedroom to check on Damian.

As he descended the stairs, he found Damian already awake, scrolling through his phone, packed and ready. “You’re all set?” Jey asked.

“Yeah, just waiting on you guys,” Damian replied, looking up with a grin.

“Good. I’m going to get Jon,” Jey said before heading back upstairs. He approached Jon and Trinity’s door, knocking softly. After a moment, he knocked again, then nudged the door open. Jon was sprawled across the bed, deeply asleep.

“Jon, wake up,” Jey said, nudging him again.

Jon turned over, groaning. “What time is it?”

“Time to take us to the airport,” Jey replied, his tone light but firm.

Jon sighed but managed to sit up, rubbing his eyes. “Fine, give me a minute.”

He quickly threw on a jacket and some slide sandals, looking like he was still in a daze. Jey chuckled to himself, feeling the camaraderie of their morning routine.

Once Jon was ready, Jey opened the guest bedroom door again, calling to Rhea. “Come on, let’s go!”

Rhea soon joined them, and together they made their way downstairs. Jon climbed into Trinity’s Escalade, and soon Rhea, Damian, and Jon were all settled in the car, heading towards the airport.

As the city lights faded behind them, Jey felt a sense of determination settle in his chest. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them, one step at a time. With Rhea by his side and the hope of a future together, he knew they would find their way.

Jon pulled up to the airport drop-off lane, Jey noticed the early morning quietness—only a few other travelers milling about. The low hum of the airport echoed around them, creating a peaceful ambiance. Damian hopped out of the car, grabbing their bags from the trunk, while Jey turned to Jon.

“Hey, just a heads up, Rhea and I will be back tomorrow around 4 AM. Can you pick us up?” Jey asked, knowing it would be an early morning for Jon.

“Sure thing, man. Safe travels!” Jon replied, offering a reassuring smile.

Jey glanced at the time on his phone: 3:16 AM. The urgency of their schedule set in, and he quickly ushered Rhea and Damian toward their gate. They moved through the terminal, the adrenaline from their early start pushing them forward.

Once they reached the gate, Jey felt a wave of relief. They boarded the plane, and he was thrilled to see they had first-class tickets again. The luxury of being able to recline and relax felt like a gift after the whirlwind of the past few days.

As the plane began its descent and the safety announcements played, Jey turned to Rhea, who had already settled into her seat, her eyes heavy with sleep. He leaned in and kissed her goodnight, feeling a sense of warmth and connection that eased his mind.

“Sweet dreams,” he whispered, watching her drift off.

He then reclined his own seat, feeling the tension of the day slip away as he closed his eyes. The gentle hum of the engines and the soft vibrations of the plane lulled him into a comfortable sleep. For the first time in a while, Jey felt hopeful about what lay ahead. The day would bring new challenges, but for now, he surrendered to the soothing embrace of slumber, knowing that together, they would face whatever came their way.

[mentalblabbermouth]

The Magnus Protocol is a podcast distributed by Rusty Quill and-

If you're into psychological horror and mystery, buddy this is the podcast for you, along with its predecessor the Magnus Archives!

TMA was a big comfort for me in 2020 when I was losing my mind, ironic considering its content, but it kept me going. Kinda funny how TMP came out around the time when I'm feeling at rock bottom once again.

Mentioned Spoilers below:

Like what they're doing so far with how the Fears feel more blended in this alternate dimension?

Wonder how Jon and Martin are feeling watching Sam basically diving down a rabbit hole he can't get out of, like sorry mate, you're gonna be the Eye's new favorite and it's not a good thing. I think they should adopt Sam, as a treat. (ARE THEY INSIDE THE COMPUTER THO??? WITH JONAH MAGNUS???)

Alice really bringing a "we should quit" vibe to the workplace and I love that for her. Hope she doesn't get Tim'd and leave on a kayak trip.

Gwendolyn Bouchard my beloved, they hate to see a girlboss winning, I hope she at least gets to be besties with the others. I don't think she's the villain, but if she gets like a corruption arc then women's rights and wrongs I guess lol

[sleeping-archivist]

haven’t done one of these in a while, BUT!!

my live reactions to tmagp ep 30 (w/ spoilers, obviously):

oh i am so deeply afraid for them!!! pick up your phone sam!!!

i’m american but this british transportation nonsense seems like a pain

NO COLIN STAY SAFE PLEASE COLIN

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH FREDDY OMFG

noooooo colin :(

oh dear lord this is already stressing me out

uh oh gwen…

girl that’s not a threat that’s a fuckin promise

nooooo lena come back i miss u already

oh look who FINALLY checked his phone

celia i don’t like that you know things. when is your “complicated immigration status” getting exposed???

a dentist?? oh i would NOT go to that dentist

y’all went at NIGHT??? respectfully you deserve whatever is abt to happen to you, this is horror movie 101

DO NOT GO INTO THE OLD APPLIANCE STORE

a suspicious door, you say??

CHRIST trevor that scared the shit out of me

oh wait that’s not trevor lmao

does this place have a “store” or a unit or whatever for each of the fears or however they manifest in this universe??

honestly this custodian guy is so real for this

noooo alice are you alone rn?? babygirl 😭

TAPE RECORDER

one normal night, one normal night, one normal night, custodian guy wants…

who the fuck IS this guy tho??

WAIT IS THIS A STATEMENT

omggggg hi archivist 💋

“a wound that never fully heals” well maybe… a wound between worlds????

WHO’S THE OWNER WHO IS IT

dude your job sucks lmao

WINTER OF 97

A LIGHTER I AM SCREAMING

IS IT UNIT 17 THAT’S OPEN????

AN OLD WOMAN??? MARY KEAY????

the way i am going bonkers in the middle of

the whimpering… if this is jon i will lose it

you NEVER go have a look!! you little fool!!

oh that’s not— fix ur mannequins pls and thank u

oh EW put your blood vessels back in!!!!

“it is rough and cold and silent inside” oh i do not like this actually

“cold gray pours down my throat and fills my stomach with stone” like that one statement with the cement???? am i reaching????

WE ARE HILLTOP???? WHAT

oh bye tape recorder 👋 that was truly horrid thanks so much!!

CALL HER BACK DUDE

DO. NOT. GO. TO. THE. HILLTOP. BASEMENT. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

WHAT ARE WE SEEING PLS SHARE W THE CLASS

wdym ALMOST girl???

this is an entirely valid outburst from sam, go off king <3

YES YES YES CELIA LORE

which means you should probably go back celia!!

IF YOU SHOVE SAM INTO THAT WOUND BETWEEN WORLDS—

HI ARCHIVIST!!!!!!

i’m sitting in this hallway like 👁️ 👁️ right now. this is INSANE

no excuse me i wanted the rest of that statement!!!!

oh hello again custodian guy, really fucked up thing for you to say tbh

omg hi again gwen <3 this is so bouchard of you and i love it

hi trevor!!

omg she got her promotion and yet… at what cost

can we get a status update on colin pls????

oh CELIA YOU DID NOT

THAT’S THE END OF IT????

so anyway i’m going insane now 😎 i didn’t have to wait between seasons when i listened to TMA and i don’t know if i’m gonna be able to do it now, omfg. great season finale but i may just lose my marbles until s2 starts releasing

[adeleoflochnes]

Accepting your heart

hope you'll like it, hope you'll enjoy it

2k contains: fluff, kissing, mentions of someone being naked

Jane Prentis... The name still holds its scary power over Jon. It sent a cold shiver down his spine and he fought the urge to scratch his skin whenever he heard it. Apparently, she left Martin in a much worse state. He didn't want to go home and was too scared to stay in the archive again. The poor man was freaked and jumped at every subtle noise. Jonathan has asked himself many times, how Martin convinced him, to let him stay in his place for now. In the end, it didn't matter. He was annoying as always, but... Maybe it was his soft behaviour, that made Jon accept him as a roommate. And much to Jon's annoyance, he found out that he was glad for Martin's company. He no longer felt lonely in the dark late hours of his flat.

To give Martin some credit he kept mostly for himself. He wasn't noisy and didn't talk about the incident at all. He was trying to be useful and Jon realized, he actually made a lot of things easier. The way he always tried to find some calm or interesting topic to talk about, made Jon forget about his own horrors. At least for a little while. Even though Martin had done most of the talking, his voice found its way into Jonathan's tired head and silenced everything else. Jon didn't like it. It was annoying and meaningless, but he found himself looking forward to it every time. To listen to this honey-sweet voice talking about some new nonsense and to look into those eyes full of childish excitement. So it happened, the two of them have been living peacefully next to each other for two months now.

It was late again in the archives and Jon was sure he was the only person remaining there by now. Outside the windows, he could see the dark sky and the gloomy light of street lamps. He sighed deeply and rubbed his eyes. Martin has already left a couple of hours ago. Jon was tired and he wasn't able to finish his work today. He groaned. Annoyed at the fact that day doesn't have enough hours he'd need it to have. He closed the file he was working on and tossed it away. After turning off all the lights he grabbed his coat and headed home.

Jon's home was rather dark when he closed the door behind him. The only light was coming from the kitchen and the rest of the place was drowning in shadows. He felt his eyes growing heavier and a big yawn escaped from his mouth. Jon was muttering to himself and made his way towards the bedroom. He stripped and tossed his clothes to the corner, feeling dirty underneath them. Standing there in his underwear he decided to first take a shower before looking for something to eat. He was too tired and too deep in his swirling thoughts to realize that the lights of his bathroom were on and that he could hear the water stream being turned off. Jon swung the door open and was met with Martin's naked figure just exiting the shower. Martin squeaked and covered himself.

"OH! Uhhm... Sorry Martin I uhh," Jon started to apologise, trying to look everywhere else than at the poor man before him. Marin was stuttering wildly and growing redder and redder with each second, trying to tell Jonathan it was okay.

"No, I uuh... D-didn't realize you were there. So sorry," Jon was a mess himself. He could feel his cheeks burning. After searching around with his hand he managed to grab the towel and threw it at Martin, before stumbling out and shutting the door.

There was silence on both sides of the door. Jon leaned against the wall shutting his eyes tightly and releasing a deep exhale. His heart was pounding in his chest it felt like it was going to burst out. He was much more awake now... Jon tried to compose himself, not understanding why this little incident left him so shaken. Why did he feel the urge to open the door again? Only to see Martin's pink face, hearing him stutter? Was that a smile creeping its way on Jon's face?

He resolutely shook his head. Pushing those stupid thoughts away. What nonsense was he thinking about? He didn't need those feelings, he never had. As Jon continued to shout at himself silently, the bathroom door opened. Martin, in his sweatpants and T-shirt, hesitantly walked out. His hair was messy and the pink shade was still visible on his cheeks. Both of them were avoiding eye contact.

"About earlier - " Martin started, but Jon sneaked his way in around him and then banged the door shut. Martin groaned with his head in hands and walked to the kitchen. Jon didn't want to talk about it and Martin could only hope that this wasn't the last conversation for today. It was already awkward enough.

When Jon came back from the bathroom, he was surprisingly pleased when he saw that Martin made dinner for both of them, just setting the table. Jon's hair was tied in a messy bun with a few escape locks rounding his face. He felt more at ease now. After the shower, in comfortable clothes and his stomach was asking for some "not liquid" meal. They ate mostly quietly, occasionally talking about work and Jon was glad Martin didn't bring their incident up again.

"So, how are things going with Tim?" asked Martin, still with food in his mouth?

Jon sighed: "You cannot be friends with everyone Martin."

"I know that! I just - think you don't have to be exactly enemies with people."

"We're fine. As long as we can work with each other, it's alright," Jon didn't want to be rude to Martin's offer, but he truly didn't see the point in trying to be friends with that annoying man.

"Fine..." Martin didn't push him further and rather gave up on the conversation. It annoyed him though. The fact that his coworkers couldn't stand each other. So he got up and started to clean the dishes. Jon sat there, the teacup in his hands, deep in thought and glancing at Martin's back.

What was it that he was feeling? The strong urge to be close to this man. For how long he felt alone but now, with Martin living in his home... He found himself watching this boy many times and wanted nothing more than to be close to him. He always shrugged those thoughts away, convinced they meant nothing, but today? Jon realized that he wanted to try. He WANTED to feel it. How close can he be to him without starting to get uncomfortable and could he allow himself to feel something during it? Was there a chance for him to actually have something more than just Martin's friendly smile?

Maybe he was too tired. Or just too bored, but Jon decided to give it a try. To test his own boundaries and see what feelings it might trigger. He got up, finished his tea in one sip and went over to Martin to help him with the dishes.

They stand close to each other now. So close that when they moved, their hands and shoulders brushed against each other. Martin didn't mind it. More than anything he was happy that Jon did not decide to avoid him. Martin was unconsciously humming some old melody but stopped when he noticed Jon, staring at him. He gave him a puzzled look but after a second or two Jon turned back to the dishes, not saying a word. This confused Martin but by now he knew better than to ask about things Jon didn't want to discuss. There was something about his eyes though... The way Jon studied Martin's expression. It looked like he was considering whether to tell him something or not.

Soon enough they were done. Martin wanted to make his way to the living room, where he slept on the couch but was stopped by a hand gripping his wrist. Jon held his hand firmly, not hurting but enough to keep him in place. This act made Martin speechless so he just turned to Jonathan, waiting for his next move.

Jon was silent. It looked like he was fighting with himself. He didn't say anything but wasn't letting go either. Martin waited. Over time he figured that Jon actually had emotions. Though it was very hard for him to show them, or talk about them out loud. So Martin patiently waited.

The fact Martin did not pull away, gave Jon some confidence. He was looking down at his feet but stayed determined not to let go. No, he'll finish what he's started, even if it'd be this one time only. He clenched his jaw and pulled Martin's hand, making him come closer. He looked up at him. Seeing his soft expression encouraged him for more.

Jon took a sharp breath and then, without warning, grabbed Martin's face, pulled him close and kissed him. It was a firm angry kiss, full of passion and bottled-up feelings. But as much as Martin was shocked, he gave in. Accepting the kiss, he pulled Jon closer, hugging him and keeping him pressed against his body. Martin opened his soft lips and allowed Jon to deepen the kiss. Jon's arms moved behind Martin's neck. Not allowing him to escape. Not letting him go until HE was done.

The kiss slowed down and after Jon pulled away, it left them rather messy. And both of them were worked up. When their eyes met, the same pink colour appeared on Martin's cheeks again. He was lightly panting.

"Umm, wow..." Martin muttered," That was - that was great."

He looked at Jon who was silent and seemed lost in thought. His eyes were quite wide and drifting away, so it looked like he was shocked with himself.

"Yes I -," he trailed off. "Good night Martin." And just like that, Jon disappeared into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Martin stood there, taking in the fact Jon abandoned him in the kitchen. He chuckled and then laughed. One hand on his head and the other touching his lightly swollen lips. Marin stood there replaying the moment over and over in his head. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to go for Jon and talk but wasn't sure if he'd open the door. In the end, he just lay on the couch. Smiling to himself like the idiot in love he was. Little did he know, the man next door wore the exact same smile.

That night wasn't a sleeping option for any of them. And the next day was full of shy glances and red cheeks. Nobody knew what could bring the next night...

[trans-jon-rights]

Aight. Here we go for TMAGP time.

SPOILER WARNING FOR TMAGP 16

HDUGKGUDFZHHLKNVX HE DID NOT JUST 'HELLO JON US'

Aight, CAT1RB here we go, gonna update the list. 'Antisocial' though, not sure what to expect. The Lonely maybe. Or maybe how antisocial it might be to gurgle into a tape recorder in front of a girl.

Poor Alice, is it about the encounter ?

*checks date* it happens ten days after the Mowbray case

I'm sorry, she DIED ??? And the recorder disappeared ? Hm.

Chester !! So, how are the Horrors ?

Oh, a social media. Welp, the title makes sense now. We got an influencer Avatar. That's the second one, I bet they're buddies or smt.

OH INK5OUL !!! IS IT THEIR VOICE ?? ITS THEM !!!

'So as I'm getting Marked' hm. Hm. HM.

Okay so the girl in episode 2 didn't lie, it definitely sounds painful.

'Ink5oul drama' oooh what did they do. Is it about the grave robbing ?

Oh, yeah, Alex, you perfectly mastered the influencer discourse in the script, and Ki Griffin (VA) your voice is perfect for this. Omg I really feel like I'm listening to a Tiktok rant.

DIG.

It's always about the grave robbing innit.

Oh no :( they aren't good :(((

WAIT ARE THAT HOSPITAL SOUNDS ????

'Something wrong with my heart' shit they did something with the tattoo

FUCK NO I DONT WANT THEM TO DIE.

WAIT DID THE TATTOO JUST ???? DID THAT SOUND ?????? WTF ??

Tea and coffee trope let's go.

Lena hiii

Oh stop being mean and wait that was a stupid thing I agree.

Yess Gwen girlboss :)

Final Comments :

I'm less sure it happened ten days after last episode. What's sure is that the case had been assessed on the 15th, but Alice's encounter likely happened many days later, even later than Luke's concert. The concert was said to happen 'tomorrow', and I don't think Alice came back to the office traumatised days after her encounter.

For the CAT1RB, still nothing new, it's about Ink5oul, and it doesn't clash with the theory so I'm rolling with it (hah). I think rank B is for Avatars only, which would have some pretty sick implications about Mr Bonzo.

I'm not sure what Ink5oul did with the victim's heart, but I think I want to leave it like that, because whatever it is, the fleshy sounds are more terrifying than anything else.

This statement makes me think of The Flesh, because of, y’know, tattoo on skin, plus the SFX at the end, but also Lonely, with the whole social media isolation thing. Plus obv the Buried because DIG. Maybe reminds me of that one TMA statement where a thing comes out of a guy's shoulder (MAG 194).

I wonder if we will get to hear some of Gwen's training by Lena tho.

On other notes, I think Alex definitely needs to spend less time on the Internet because seriously. This script was perfect, but it's very disturbing that he was the one to write it. I'm way younger and I have no idea what are these words.

[starsoftheeye]

TMAGP 16 LIVE REACTION

here we go again! featuring: me doing a computing quiz in prep for my exam as i listen to the horrors

obvious spoiler warning ahead

Pre-Episode

Once again relying on spotify since my youtubes still being weird

Ads gives me times to set up the bulletpoints tho so thats good

haha not the hello jon reference

titles relatable lmao

Pre Statement

Omg alice actually spoke about her trauma no-one expected that

"i'm alright" babes youre not fooling anyone

"hadnt seen someone die since..." more alice lore? is this her parents?

yeah of course you believe her celia

I'm glad alice actually told someone about it, i was worried she was just gonna hold it in. her horror film survival skills have proven me wrong yet again

alice :(

alice do not manifest that into existence

Statement

loving this girl already

INK5SOUL

INK5OUL REVEAL

they sound kind of monotone(?) dunno if thats intentional or if its just me but thatd be cool if it was

omg we're gonna hear them get horror-ified by tattoos

"whats the worst that could happen?" oh honey...

oh i guess no tattoo audio, just concerning noises

what happened jesus

INK5OUL SITUATIONSHIP HUH???

DID THEY MANIFEST THEMSELF A SITUATIONSHIP WITH A HEART TATTOO OMG THATS AMAZING

im loving the special effects and genz slang

"big mood am I right?" girl RUN

i wonder how many influencers could get away with trying to meet a fan in a graveyard and proceeding to give them a shovel and tell them to dig

not the "you said you were goth" are they gonna start asking for 5 different goth bands

i wonder how the cymatics of physically affecting someone with a tattoo works. like do you have to actually alter the tattoo and it gives them diseases or bad luck or can you just manifest it with the power of gothic tattoos and eldritch horror

im guessing theyre referring to the sea guy in a previous statement who met ink5oul?

oh no poor girl :(

i love the fact that ink5oul takes being an influencer seriously tho, idk i just kind of expected them to be kind of removed from their fans and and instead just totally focused on their craft like some people can be. id buy both depictions tbh but theres something about them using their platform as well as their weird ability that makes them more interesting, especially as im assuming their fans are just like that and arent also following the same powers as 1nksoul

oh god

holy shit

hell of a metaphor tho

this poor girl oh my god :(((

Post Statement

oh alice :(

nice to see sam and celia be there for her though. i feel bad for alice but my samalicelia heart is loving this

gwen what are you doing

oh lenas upset

ooh she wasnt supposed to bring lady mowbray in

go gwen tbh

thermodynamic comedian is gonna love this episode

(had to edit this post as i realised id spelled ink5oul as 1nksoul the whole time lmao)

[finchtoasted]

calling it right now my predictions for tmagp:

Either a: the tma characters are completely alternate versions, and they are just chilling while some other guys experience the horrors

Or b (which I like a lot more): the tma characters are the same as from tma. Somehow they have become distorted or smth along those lines (explaining why Gertrude is still alive), and they came through this reality from s5 of tma, because as was explained at the end of the show, there are other realties beyond this one and theoretically they COULD’VE gone to alternate dimensions (but as we all know Jon went “uh yeah no” and messed everything up lol). So it’s very possible that this world is part of the web of tma bc it’s already been set up. However it also felt really on the nose that Celia mentioned researching that kind of stuff so this could very much be a red herring.

Idk at this point I’m just rambling lol, I think we can all agree tho that something fishy is DEFINITELY going on here

[ketchup-monthly]

Superfam as Musicals

with help from @space-specs because both of us like musicals and have issues (also sorry but most of these musicals are ones we recognize, so your less well known favorite musicals may not be featured ): )

Clark- Fiddler on the Roof (clark is jewish and also fiddler is a classic. i watched it with my family last december and uhhhh yeah the music is so good, i think clark would really like it)(he prefers the movie version tho)

Kara- Wicked (its the homoerotic friends to enemies for her. also everything about the musical is fantastic)(specs' favorite musical)

Kon- Beetlejuice (its so kon-core. there is not one bad song in the entire soundtrack, alex brightman kills in the titular role, and im not sure if kon kins beetlejuice or lydia, but i think the answer is yes)

Jon- The Lightning Thief (i refuse to believe that Jon didn't read the percy jackson books because one of his friends had an older sibling who read them and recommended them to him. the musical does a wonderful job of adapting the story and again, there is not a single song in it that is not jam-worthy)(plus its just a really fun adventure story for a kid to put themself into)

Lois- Newsies (obvious, but accurate. also the idea of lois in an outfit like the costumes in this musical is fantastic and i think she'd look really good in it)

Ma Kent- Cats (this is one that i feel a lot of people may take issue with because people suck and refuse to admit that the stage production of cats is actually pretty good. martha, however, especially the one portrayed by k callan in lois and clark: the new adventures of superman, is an artist who loves the abstract and weird, so i think cats is right up her alley.)(the 2019 movie does not exist, but the 1998 recording of the stage production absolutely does)(i love this musical and people can fight me -ketchup)

Pa Kent- Little Shop Of Horrors (this is just a fun musical that we think he'd enjoy. this is also a musical that we think kilowog would enjoy and we think that if kilowog and pa got to interact than it would be all over for clark and hal)(also the music in this one is great and its.....about an alien plant that ends up attempting or succeeding to take over the world and i think that's a bit ironic considering the kent's alien baby that many think is going to take over the world)(plus, like our pick for ma, i think eddie jones' pa from lois and clark would really like this one)

Otho-Ra- Matilda (this is one that kinda hurts a bit. its about a group of children rising up against and fighting an oppressive evil that forced them to act militant when all they wanted was to be children and get to have fun. undoubtedly otho dreamed of something like this for years, and finally when clark rescues her, she's unsure what to do with her life. the music is fun, the staging is fun, and its cathartic for her)

Osul-Ra- The Lion King (look its the 1994 disney classic but on stage and its fantastic. its a spectacle. the music is something any child would recognize, the costumes are incredible, and all around its just a fantastic translation from film to stage. he would absolutely adore it, and then if he wanted to watch the movie again to hear the soundtrack, he could!)(you cannot tell me that clark and lois did not show their new kids the disney renaissance movies. they did. they told me so themselves)

John Henry- Hadestown (listen. this may not be an expected one here, but this musical goes hard and the thought of him singing some of the lower songs??? sign me up. i think nat probably introduced him to it, or someone else he knows, and i don't think he liked it too much at first, but upon his second and third listen, he was into it)(plus a lot of the songs have a steady beat and rhythm that i think would be soothing to tinker to)

Nat- Six (this is first off, such a pick for someone who definitely remembers having to learn about King Henry VIII in high school. also the cast is gorgeous and the music is upbeat and catchy, and i think she would get down to "Haus of Holbein")(haha get down. get it?)(also i think she'd really like cosplaying as one of them. she'd look great)

Karen (Paige)- The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals (bet you didn't think we'd include Starkid musicals on here, didja. well. we did. anyway tgwdlm is a great example of cosmic horror, and personally i think it somehow gives more to the genre than its successor, Black Friday did, even if i like it better. the story of tgwdlm can be told from a few different perspectives, whether the current in the story is what is happening to paul as the musical progresses, or, my favorite method, as if everything has already happened and inevitable (the ending song) is what happens right before the story begins with the opening song)(anyway, mini-rant aside, i also just think that she'd absolutely delight in a musical that makes fun of musicals and the musical genre while embodying it perfectly)(plus. y'know. cosmic horror)

Kenan- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (tbh im not sure he really knows exactly what's going on in this musical but neither do i, and he definitely has fun with it. the story is silly as hell, the music is good, and there's a lot of slapstick comedy as well as the clever little jokes and wordplay)(this is one that i like a lot but don't watch too often because its just a lot to take in and process -ketchup)

Jimmy- Kinky Boots (i am pushing my he/him lesbian Jimmy agenda and i will until i cease breathing. anyway this one is gay and the music is by Cyndi Lauper???? the icon herself??? absolutely he would enjoy it)(tbh we're not too familiar with this musical but every song we've heard from it has been really good and the visuals are pretty good too)

Cat- Moulin Rouge (the Cat we think of specifically is the one from season one of lois and clark: the new adventures of superman, and i absolutely think she would dress up as a character from this show as often as she could. the opulence and aesthetics fit her pretty well, and the jukebox-ish nature of the musical suits her much better than a musical where the story and music are written by someone specifically for the show)

Perry- Rocky Horror Picture Show (i think perry and my grandmother would get along and one of my grandmothers favorite musicals is rocky horror picture show. she watches it every year on halloween)(also i think that while its no elvis, i think he would enjoy the rock influence on the music and the threatening aura looming behind the goofiness of the antics in it)(yes he can dance the time warp. no he will not admit to it)

Bibbo- Waitress (is it a little on the nose? yeah. however i think he gets genuinely emotional over this musical because he knows/knew people, people close to him, who were in similar situations that didn't end well. plus its just a really good musical. emotional as hell, but super good)

Lex- The Phantom of the Opera (do i really need to explain? i will anyway, but it feels pretty self explanatory)(its a classic, the music is operatic, and rich people like operas, right? plus i think the story would pull him in, even if he doesn't exactly enjoy the entire show. its a good show, there's a reason it was one of the longest running shows on broadway, and i think he'd vibe with the tragic toxic love between Erik and Christine, as one sided as it may be)(sorry lex. youre a very tragic toxic gay)(this is one of ketchups favorite musicals, and has been since they were young and went with their family to see a live production of it for their mom's birthday)

Mercy- Dracula das Musical (yes, the german version of Dracula the Musical, which goes much harder than the english version, which flopped spectacularly when it came out. however i think she also really enjoys the korean production, where dracula has bright red hair, and the japanese production, which was done by an all female cast, and had a lovely tragic toxic lesbian story of dracula and mina)(i think she would enjoy the vampires and just how good the music is)(god, "nosferatu", "zu ende", and "roseanne" just go so hard)(this is another of ketchups favorite musicals)(please check out the versions of the musical i mentioned, they're absolutely worth a watch, i promise -ketchup)

Hope- Sweeney Todd (did i give the hot lesbians dark musicals? yes i did. anyway. sweeney todd is really good and i think hope would enjoy it very much)(also its a sondheim so you know it slaps so hard)

The Eradicator- Stomp (its just a fun performance to listen to, but especially to just watch. i think he stumbled upon it, literally, at one point, and just stuck around to watch the rest of the show because he was confused and interested in what was going on)(its technically not a musical but technically era isn't a real boy so its okay)(it is a musical experience and a stage production though)

[pumpkinstrawbrew]

░a░p░e░x░ ░p░r░e░d░a░t░o░r░

[̲̅&]

a 🆂🅽🅰🅲🅺

...

(a second batman x venom crossover. i mean, they just kinda keep having similiar themes all around, an' with two my fav halloween freaks. i cannot just pass this chance, haha.

either way, jon n' jack havin' a swell time as you can see. they're at the bottom of the food chain quite literally. poor twinky ghouls are about to become a dinner in more ways, than one. how unfortunate for them! but what a feast for a nosferatu n' alien parasite. one drinks 🩸, the other love eatin' human 🧠, so it's no biggie that both jon an' jack are scrawny an' undernourished. their predators aren't after their meat or limited fat. they are after more individual body parts an' components.

so yes, this is my halloween 'special' thingy! a conjoined mash-up about big bad predator an' their twangy, evil prey. the sort of dynamic, that both pairs had going on at one point or another. less so 'canically' for scarebat, since that series of comics *where batman was a savage vampire* is technically a separate 'what if' reality. but still, jon n' jack had a very real brush with smth, that is way stronger than them. an' only one made it out alive, but oh well, this is what AUs n' other stuff is for. bc how about no, an' how about some more homoerotic take on those scenes? like, it was 'hot' to me in some ways. esp with words like 'territorial dispute' an' implication of batman givin' scarecrow good ole vampire succ, post morten or not.

i honestly always amazed, when the comics does smth very servicing for my tastes / interests, without actually ever tryin' to pander to people like me. it's prob one of the most 'erotic' things to me as to an author. it's like a possible wink wink to someone, who wants to see it. but generally, just a part of the story. not even a big one, but that's just a tasty bit anyways! i always had a weakness to predator/prey thrope, esp when it's less of fluffy, twinlight kind of romance, but instead a gore-ish sort of deal, where one party can end up actually dying even if by pure accident. it provides some pretty big stakes. not to meantion, that there is always an unspoken paralell between sex n' death in horror genre. including consuming / stabbing / sucking blood an' such. it's important for me as horror movies fan. i like there to be some 'love' in my horror, even if it's not traditional or on the nose. it gives all those exederated gore-y / deadly scenes more meaning, if one wants to impliment it there. an' it just makes for a memorable scene as well.

also while i'm not super into the heroes 'turnin' bad' stuff, in this case, there is an appeal of flash / bruce going feral. it's hard to resist the playful thought about how bruce n' flash find their foe tempting, *iresistably attractive*, but in a different manner now. jack n' jon aren't no rosy maiden, who usually gets the spot of main dish / love interest, but this what makes it even better. jon an' jack are walking ginger bread, an' that's that, really. but tbf, they're kind of weirdos, who would always partly dig it. their handsome, brooding *arch*-enemy wants to eat them an' not some random hussie. that's very scary, an' also sexy lol.

still it's one of those moments in comics, where i wish that they kept the secenes going for a bit longer. just expanded on that suggestive possibility of them taking it step futher. but i also get why they didn't drag it out, cuz it wasn't the point of issue, anyways. just some lil fun moment. tho, i do love how batman *out of his mind or not* seemed to have enough mercy on crane to kill him off relativly quickly compared to the others. the riddler, pen-pen *yeah, i call oswald this* n' ivy had to suffer through the whole overdeal with full awarness, feeling their throats being ripped out, as they were still alive. jon was spared of such fate. the bat came, lectured him, broke his hand an' beheaded him. way quicker vs when you have to feel your meat and blood dripping all over ya. an' in venom's case, i loved how jack was so oddly forgiving of flash nearly decapitating him on the spot lol. flash *at that point* had already ate a fella or two. like bruce, he clearly wasn't proud of those times or enjoyd it, but out of all people, who managed to snap him out of the murder mode, it was jack. but hey, not on my watch! no one will die, but someone will be 'consumed', alright. that's just natural order of things or whatever. an' it's so bc i do make all the rules, haha.

as for more technical side of things, i did altered a few things. mainly with flash n' jack. i made flash's berserk venom form smalles an' all black, bc of well...uh, reasons. and also jack has an actual face here lol. also while at first, i wanted to draw him with his trade-mark messed up features, but kinda end up drawing him all 'dolled up' instead lol. so i suppose, along with all other au-ish elements, his face wasn't blown off in this universe either. an' on somewhat unrelated note, i like how both jack *even some of spiderman's ones* and jonathan are usually shown to be brunette or redhead. my pref will always be with those two being redheads, but still, it's a funny thing to ponder on. another technical bit is that, i wanted both jack n' jon being unable to use their hands / arms in one of the picture, since for me it's like snaring a 'prey' and then, they are kinda useless without it too. jon can land one hell of a kick for sure, but it won't help him to push away the vampire from his neck. also no fear gas to spray from his gloves, even if it would have acomplished nothing. in jack's case, it's similiar situation. he can throw / shoot lil flames from his gloves, the only thing that all symbiotes seem to detaste, besides specific levels of noise. but if he can't do it, and it's too risky to shoot flame from his helmet, welp, he's screwed lol. an' i also wanted to use venom's tongue as bondage tool lol. it was one of those things, that i always loved about venom symbiote / carnage looks an' anatomy, is how 'bendy' their bodies are. an' how creepy they can strech their body parts as well. both, bruce n' flash possess superhuman powers in this, so nor jon nor jack is actually a match for them. but taking away even the last of their defenses is a cherry on the top. jonathan is already always spooked animal, an' with someone as dumbly tunel-visioned as jack, it take a tad more to scare him shitless. esp bc he thinks, that he's such hot shit of a mercenary, haha.

so yups, this year batman n' flash got a treat. jack and' jonathan *in comparison* got tentacles and anemia respectively. can this count as trick? i mean, i guess lol. but on bright side, jonathan is kinda bruce's bf / blood bank in this one, an' jack is....well, he's a bitch. i mean, he touched the toxin, so now flash have to 'mark' him lol.

anyway, this is as pg-15 as i can go about it on here. i have two extra adult-ish artworks for these set ups. you can call it a follow up, if you want. here's the link, if someone is curious. but pls remember adults only. while there is no nudity in this one, there is still a clearly sexual cut in it. *also, i'm working on fics related to these set-ups as well. already workshoping vamp!bruce/crane one. sadly, had no free time to finish it all on halloween as well, but hey, it's always halloween on this blog!*)

[corvid-corvette-coven]

Watch me ramble and speculate wildly off the top of my head about TMAGP’s new fear paradigm

VAGUE SPOILERS FOR THE MAGNUS PROTOCOL EP2

the ramblings of a madwoman

The fears have been severely reshuffled in TMP

These fears might have entered TMAGP’s universe recently

Or otherwise haven’t shaped history to the same degree as the TMA universe

The magnus institute still existed though

Which implies the events of Jonah Magnus’s life, barnabus bennett, etc happened

But the magnus institute was not relocated to London, and was in Manchester… which could mean a lot

Maybe

A. The original Jonah Magnus never attempted the watchers crown, or any version thereof, he died a natural death, and the institute continued until that fire (which may or may not have been intentional)

B. Many of the events of TMA did happen the same, with the exception of a lot of the webs spinning and key events around the 70s and 90s when the OIAR or whatever was formed and the magnus institute crumbled.

C. Jonah DID live or some other influences to do with the institute and the eye happened and strands that have not yet revealed themselves will lead us to discovering this OIAR or whatever is some extrapolation of that original mission

I feel like jonah being the villain again is weak sauce tho

the series is yet to reveal its finish line OBVIOUSLY cos only 2 eps are out but there is a puzzle in my mind that is being filled out slowly, and i’m only guessing from these pieces and reasonable expectations of our boy Jonny.

Any of those being said, the way Jon, Martin, and Jonah have entered this world in some form or another, which implies there was an active change made as a result of the apocalypse and the events of MAG200 ( 😭 )

They could have been unwillingly injected into this program, or maybe the program was born when they were, if it’s intentionally nonsensical or otherwise jumbled it might be a creation of some new or old entity

Maybe in this new world smirkes 14 doesn’t apply at all, and whatever otherworldly playdough made those original entities was reformed and remoulded to newer, more apt designs for our modern day, no longer based in ancient cultures and primal motivations.

Self image coupled with flesh based self mutilation and an almost corruptive force that drains the first true joy the victim felt regarding their appearance once they strayed further and further from themselves to achieve an idealised form is ALOT to try to define as a single known entity

They were gifted this beautiful design, and once they were finally at peace with their look, they gained an itch to go further, more and more unnatural, they pursued perfection and paid the price.

Maybe multiple entities may claim a victim,

The tattooist might have been an avatar of a new eye esq entity that takes a more active role?

Then the victim was claimed as by some sort of flesh adjacent entity that contains the unrealised potential of the flesh from TMA originally (more self image and impossible standards than body horror)