#GOD HE NEEDS SO MUCH GODDAMN THERAPY

[confusionaur]

could not have said it better tbh

Lloyd's entire life is just fucked up from start to finish

You're telling me this sad lil loser who wants to be just like his dad got abandoned by his mom at a school made for evil people??

And to add insult to injury HE GO KICKED OUT??? BECAUSE HE WASN'T EVIL ENOUGH?? And then released an ancient tomb full of man-like snakes??????

And then he finds out he's the green ninja, cool cool cool, right? WRONG. THEN HE FINDS OUT HE PRACTICALLY HAS TO KILL HIS DAD TO SAVE THE WORLD.

AND EVEN AFTER THEY AVOID THAT CATASTROPHE, AND THEY FINALLY TURN HIM GOOD, YK WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?? HE DIES. AGAIN.

AND THAT'S NOT EVEN COUNTING THE TRAUMATIC BULLSHIT THAT WAS HIM AGING UP LIKE 4-5 YEARS. AND NOT COUNTING HIM BEING BACKSTABBED AND BETRAYED BY HIS "FIRST LOVE" AND OH, SO MUCH MORE.

GIVE HIM A BREAK JESUS FUCKING CHRIST

[chrollohearttags]

nobody knows • portgas d. ace

another drabble for sneaky link/ex boyfriend ace bc I have one functioning brain cell and all of it is focused on him atm teehee 🤭

wc: 1.8K

more infidelity (y’all both still AIN’T SHIT 😭 reader got that dog in her I’m sorry), straight porn, modern au, black fem reader, phone sex/sexting, squirting, oral sex, calls reader bitch, a eating + anal, recording, backshots, rough sex, heavy breeding, idk what else will come out

he’s so ooc in this and I don’t give a fuck (I’m ovulating and stressed w life + therapy is too expensive)

═✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿═══✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿══

nobody knows why you and ex-boyfriend!ace broke up in the first place. Honestly, it seemed like such a waste…three long years down the drain with nothing to show for it but the two of you left in shambles. Friends and family consoling you both as you learned to navigate life without one another. (Y/N), moving on fairly quickly with the son of one of your dad’s friends..a byproduct of military nepotism and the very antithesis to what Ace was. A stiff working a cushy desk job and reaping the benefits..pushing papers and always playing it safe. He was very kind, sweet and damn near ideal in every sense of the word. Not too much of a drinker, a partygoer or anything of the sort but he always took you on dates. All of your girlfriends liked him well enough, thinking that he more matched your speed than the thrill seeking, goofy, chaotic daredevil that was ex-boyfriend!ace. Who rode motorcycles and climbed mountains in his spare time, when he wasn’t holding life by the tips of his fingers as an EMT. Covered in tattoos, he looked like such a quintessential, stereotypical ‘bad boy’… “God, (y/n). I don’t know what you ever saw in that guy. He’s a loser, through and through.”

However, what nobody knows..is that you never truly left him alone! He was your ideal match and you couldn’t shake it. You could actually laugh, joke and make mistakes with him. There was no need for faux perfection and lies. You saw each other for who you really were.

Nobody knows that while you’re at work, he’s constantly sending you filthy messages to get you aroused and worked up. Making you chew your lip and the tip of your pen as you twirl in your chair..reading how he’s going to make sure you feel it in your stomach the next time you two link. Nobody knows he shamelessly sends you nut videos, uttering your name with the sexiest moans. Nobody knows that when you tell your assistant that the hour where you refuse any meetings is designated for you to choke on ex-boyfriend!ace’s cock in your cute little business attire..loving the way those glasses hang off the tip of your nose as he pushes your forehead to his pelvis.

“Goddamn, babe..I knew I couldn’t quit you..you’re eating my dick up so good.”

“It’d taste even better if you let me come on it first.”

loving that you were willing to abandon all of your morals for him so easily. Nobody knows about the second phone you keep stashed away in your glovebox just to call him late at night when your new man is sleeping or working overnight and you want some company..

“Can you please come over? I miss you..he won’t be back tonight. I promise.”

“Of course, baby. Anything for you..I’ll always come running when you tell me.”

or in need of a good orgasm because that dummy couldn’t give you one if you handed him a roadmap to the clit! With ex-boyfriend!ace on the other line talking you through it with that deep voice and lewd commands.

“Oh my gosh, pretty girl. Did you call me just so you could touch yourself to the sound of my voice? You’re so cute..” making you FaceTime him because he wants to see the mess he helped create.

nobody knows that whilst you're out at dinner with your new man, alongside loved ones as he boasts about how he knows you’re the one and how you guys make such a lovely couple, (y/n) is daydreaming about ex-boyfriend!ace riding you on the back of his Suzuki through the city, knowing the rush gets you turned on. That rather than dealing with an insecure little boy who felt intimidated by your looks and success, ex-boyfriend!ace would go drinking and partying with you, loving when you showed off your body because he wasn't worried about another man taking what was his. Nobody knows that you have a small tattoo of ex-boyfriend!ace’s name right above your private area. Hell, it's not as if your new man touched you enough to notice and when he did, the lights remained off.

When your girlfriends are divulging the dirt about their relationships and how envious they are of you. Claiming that you hit the jackpot with such a structured, well mannered guy who works a high paying job and always comes home to you. But what nobody knows…is that he could never replace the man you truly love. So much so, when you kiss him on the cheek that Friday evening before heading to the ‘airport’ for another business trip..you’re secretly meeting ex-boyfriend!ace in the top floor suite at a luxury hotel hours away from home where you two go every month to fuck each other's brains out for three days straight. Akin to addicts who can’t be satisfied, you rabidly devour one another until your bodies quit.

“I’ve waited all week for this…I’m so not sorry for how I’m about to fuck you.” ”I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Wrapping his hands around your throat, shoving his tongue into your mouth as he corners you against a wall. Nobody knows that ex!boyfriend!ace has you face down on a mattress with your ass up in the air as his tongue explores both of your entrances. Practically seating you on his face to suction around that clit, flicking his tongue in and out of your tight cunt before prodding your asshole, leaving a sloppy trail of saliva on each of them. Because you wore that adorable little heart shaped plug to help prep you for the weekend.

“You taste so fucking good…especially when I know you’ll let me have it anytime I want.”

nobody knows that you’re somewhere gripping the sheets for dear life as ex-boyfriend!ace delivers the most insane backshots you’ve ever felt. Those perfectly round, thick cheeks ricocheting off of his lower half..the contrast in your skin and that pearlescent scream surrounding his shaft making the sight even better…ripping orgasms from your body with no shame because he deserves it. After all, you belong to him.

“That’s right..come on this dick, bitch. Give me what I want..” he still loves and respects you all the same. But ace knows you prefer rough, degrading sex far more than the mundane and vanilla. Especially when it was in short supply with your current situation. Even going as far as to place a foot on your head, tugging your arms behind your back so that he can really bury his cock inside of you.

“Yes! Keep fucking meeee, just like that, daddy. ‘S so good!”

“You love when I dig you out like this, treating you like a little slut..’swear this pussy’s going to get me in some serious trouble one day. But I don’t care, I love you.”

rambling on as he feels you twitching around him for the third time, leaving splatters of warm juices each time; squirting immensely from the constant stimulation to your spot.

“Damn, you’re coming so hard, pretty girl. Is he not fucking you right?” Laughing before he could even get the very rhetorical question from his mouth. Leaning down to place a trail of pecks and licks on your spine to console you before placing you into a prone position. ”Of course not..nobody knows this body better than me. Isn’t that right, gorgeous?” All but confirmed by the way you’re tightening around him..he can’t help but to grip your throat and steal sloppy kisses from you whilst he drills you into the mattress. “Nooo, babyyy. You’re the only one who can fuck me this good..oh my Goddd—“ placing his camera in your face so that he could have it for safekeeping..(and in case he gets wind of your man running his mouth about him again!) Making you call his name and scream it to the heavens. “Aceeee, fuck meeee..”

Nobody knows that you’ve been fucking for damn near an hour while your phone buzzes with missed calls and texts from your boyfriend and whatever little girl he’s deciding to entertain for the moment. As heinous as it was, you were just filling the void and you’d always find your way back to each other. Perhaps it was the thrill of sneaking around that kept this charade going. Either way, you weren’t giving each other for a long time and it’s so obvious why..no one else will do the freaky shit that you both crave so much.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re letting me fuck your ass again..feels amazing.” glaring up at him with the most adoring gaze in your eyes and smile on your face as you proudly hold a vibrator to your clit..allowing him to stretch that opposite opening. Practically coming on spot when you began to show your gratitude for this pleasure…

“Thank you, daddy..using all my holes like this. I love it so much.” That much apparent by the tears pouring down your face alongside that toothy grin. Only he could give it to you so good, you begin to cry!

“Oh shit..of course, gorgeous girl. I’d do anything for you..anything to see my baby smile.” Including pinning you down by your throat and letting trails of saliva drip into your mouth. Even feeding you a couple slaps when you all but pleaded with him to treat you like an object.

nobody knows that on the sparse occasions when you have sex with your current man, he’s forced to wear a condom because you’ve discussed several times that you don’t want children and you’re not taking any risks. But ex-boyfriend!ace gets the privilege of feeling that hard cock sliding in and out of you raw..and to breed you as many times as he can muster! Letting load after load spill into your aching womb. Filling every hole with that dripping seed.

“You look so pretty stuffed with my cum, sweetheart. Just how I like it.”

nobody knows why you left ex-boyfriend!ace in the first place but you knew why you’d always come running back!

@violetxxvenom @shamelesshoefairy @lwop-kpop

[grimdarling69]

Another deaged Dan and ellie or otherwise known as Crack.

Pt1 pt2 pt3. pt4

Jason was out patrolling Crime Alley when Clark called him freaking out.

Clark was currently in the doghouse with most of the bats and his sons. While most of it wasn't really his fault his family wasn't really the letting go type. He would know.

"What the hell do you want." He grimaced, that came out a lot rougher than he intended but sue him his brother had been missing for a week and they still were no were closer to finding him.

"Jason! How can you tell which rich men are predators?" What the hell.

"Get here now."

Which is how he came to be sitting across from a crisscross apple sauced Superman in his nearest safe house nursing a beer.

"I overheard something today at work." Kill him now. He was about to pull out a cyanide pill if this fucker didn't stop beating around the goddamn bush.

"What don't you overhear." He took another swing of his beer. He'd need plenty of it if Clark was gong to pester him for some fucking story while his brother was out there who knows where with God knows who, doing fucking anything. He could feel the green starting to rise and he did his best to push it back down but his vision was still tinged. It was happening a lot more often lately.

"Lex Luthor is apparently a sex trafficker." Atleast he was no longer beating around the bush but what the fuck? He knows the top suspect is Luthor and he's going to make a fucking joke about that. This was so not funny.

" I don't know what your playing at but you better explain yourself before I put a kryptonite bullet in your head." This fucker was going to singlehandedly destroy all his hardwork in therapy.

" One of my coworker's moms works at lexcorp, she called him today talking about the fact lex had two sick kids hanging around but disappeared and that a new one apparently showed up sick as well, last week." That got his attention.

"I also overheard her say he was experimenting on all of them and that the newest one spent time in Luthors own bedroom." He was going to cut Lexs dick off and shove it so far down his throat it was going to come out the other end. The green was suffocating.

"You think it's Damian."

"Who else? But the other kids I'm not sure." The other kids could have been surrogates for Damian but he was missing something. Kids because Lex has now kidnapped two other kids and experimented on them. And was probably hurting or experimenting on Damian in all kinds of ways he didn't even want to think about. The green spiking and flooding his senses, urging him to put down down anything that hurt his baby brother his...fraid? What the hell? He shook that thought off, that's never happened before. The green never allowed him to have such clear and borderline strange thoughts before.

"We need to go to the batcave." Shoving his helmet on, not even waiting for Clark's response, he'd beat him their anyway.

‐------------

Jon was sat perched on the rocks high in the cave, listening for even a hint of wherever Damian had gone. His dad who he was absolutely pissed at bad arrived and asked everyone to to 'please listen to whatever he and Jason have to say before you interupt'. Which led to a lot of shouting and arguing he was ignoring. He already knew what it was about he had been straining listening to every single person mentioning lex luthor.

He couldn't imagine Damian in that position. It wasn't that he didn't understand it could happen to anyone it was just disbelief that it could happen to... his best friend, who he's had a crush on for years. He obviously knew that no one was infallible, much less Damian, but he couldn't help think it. Damian always seemed untouchable.

Eventually, everybody quieted down again and went back to their own things. The quiet was unwelcome. He'd been having strange dreams since before he heard of Damian's disappearance.

They always started out normal enough. He was walking in a park that seemed familiar, but he knows for a fact he's never been to. After a while, he comes to a picnic table with various snacks and drinks thrown around in smaller piles like they were transfered from someone's arms to quickly care.

A boy with bright orange hair, covered in freckles everywhere, he can see wearing a basketball jersey attempting to twirl a ball on one finger, his hands are covered in colorful markers, both drawing snd wikd splotches. He instinctively recognizes him as 'Wes' even though he has no clue who he is. 'Wes' briefly tries to wave at him but loses his grip on his ball and has to chase it down the hill, cursing all the way. When he turned the back of his legs, have punctured, looking scars on them like something grabbed him and dragged him around, seering fangs into his flesh.

Another boy 'Tuck' is typing madly at what he can recognize as a PDA even though he's only seen them on old TV. He's placed in the center surrounded by tools most on his left and right side like he picked them up and threw them back down too quickly to care. His hands have several scars, but his left arm is the worst, 3rd degree burns healed, but still looked painful. His tongue is sticking out the side of his mouth, and he keeps pushing his dreads underneath a red beanie, but before his hands even touches his device, they've already slid back out.

There's two other girls side by side, one shooting airplanes and attempting to get the other to 'play with her'. One 'Val' his mind supplies somehow, has darker skin, and wears a typical y2k outfit complete with a flip-phone she secured on her body with a yellow ribbon. Her face has a huge jagged scar running from the side, almost touching her mouth as if her head slammed on something sharp, then dragged downward purposefully and other smaller scars on everywhere else. She looks straight out of one of his mom's old photo books rather than a 2000s fashion enthusiast. She smirks at him and waves her finger at him in a 'come hither' kinda way.

The other girl 'ellie', wear more baggy clothes, the knees are torn and darker from wear and tear rather than on purpose like what he himself has worn. From the little skin she shows he can see both bruising new and old with quite a few 'narley' looking scars. She sees him and waves, smiling brightly, she grabs one of the paper airplane and throws it into the sky. 'Ellie' then waves her hands around in a motion that looks like it was practiced for more effects than practical. Wind billows past her making the paper go soaring for a brief minute before it self-destructive under the stress of the wind. She pouts and stomps her foot before grabbing another one and trying again.

He continues past her and sits near 'val'. Val grabs his shoulders and snaps a phota on her phone. "Say cheese," she says through her teeth, smiling joyfully. For some reason, he obeys her command and smiles softly at the camera. He feels happy and peaceful. Val shoves the phone in his hand for him to inspect, but something is wrong.

He-she has dark black hair that seems to have a purple hue to it. Her makeup is dark and shadowed, and her clothes are shorter than he's ever worn before. They look sewn together cruedly but with an attention to detail he often lacks. She has quite a few scars ranging from scrapes to jagged cuts. Somehow, the girl holds a peace sign up, and he can see her claw like nails. The black paint was patchy in places, making him able to tell those were real nails, not just fake acrylics.

He looks down, and he sees her. Before he starts to spiral,'Danny' calls out. "Sam! There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you!" 'Danny' has even worse scarring than anyone else the way he leans over him he can see inside his shirt, a large autopsy scar is healed rough and jagged edges make it known he fought the whole time. He has litchenberg type figures from his right hands palm all the way up to his throat. Weren't they supposed to fade? He knows logically that he can't be Damian, but he also just feels like he is, like he's just like Jon's best friend, like he's known him forever and loves him. 'Danny' appearance then starts to shift from looking even more like Damian his eyes and face stay carefree, but his harsh scarring looks even more profound against his darker skin. 'Damian's' head comes to rest on his shoulder and he feels 'Sam' start to lean down and kiss him, but as soon as they lock eyes the dream is over leaving him in a panting mess, trying to catch his breath.

He's had that exact same dream for a week now with no change. All ending in the exact same spot. He wasn't sure who to talk to about it. It felt important, but what if it's just a dream?

"Jon? Hanging in there?" Kon floated up, he staying in the air probably in case he reacted negatively. He hates how they treat him like a ticking time boom, Damian never treats him like that. Come on, just say it. He's your brother.

"I just...miss him." he buried his head in his hands like the coward he was. Kon floated closer until he was landing right next him, bumping his shoulder.

"I know Jon, I get it." No you really don't. Cause i don't let you.

-----------

"So there is a boy you like?" Vlad pestered him rubbing his back.

"I never said it was a boy." He snarked before throwing up his entire stomach up in the toilet.

"Please Damian, I went to school with your father. Both of them now actually." He said matter a factually.

"Gay." He said in between hurling. Finally after not immediately throwing up as soon as he even moves slightly Vlad places a water bottle in his hands.

"Thank you." He mumbles, mind your manners young master.

Vlad was nice and all sometimes, but he missed his family. Pennyworths chiding, Richard's easy smiles and praises, Father's lessons. He missed it all.

Vlad really wasn't the best at emotions or parenting really. He... cared for him but he was more that fun uncle you realize was really just crazy. Not he'd ever tell Vlad that.

"Let's go back to work."

"Are you sure? We can take a longer break?"

"We both know we can't afford it."

Things weren't going all that well. They had realized fairly quickly that the incubation was going to follow a real pregnancy timeline if not a little shorter up to the birth where they will just faze out when their ready. Vlad theorized it was a protective measure his body was doing to make the pregnancy less ghostly. He couldn't handle even a half-ghostly anything. The flight to the island drained him of all of the ectoplasm he was able to accumulate over the years despite the corruption.

Due to the corruptedness of the pits he was basically severely ecto-deprived and any ecto he gains goes to the two extra cores or fixing the corruption. He can't even make any ectoplasm anymore because of the corruption stopping it. He needs to get to the Infinate Realms as soon as possible or else neither him or his kids will continue to exist. Vlad was also weaker using his own ectoplasm to power things because the purified ecto was so much weaker than just natural.

The ectopods give him a boost but he was getting worse. The ectopods had failed Dan and Ellie to.

Vlad was starting to get a little protective and by a little he means not wanting to let him out of sight at all. Barely for a bathroom break. Ancients forbid he takes more than five minutes and Vlad pulls a sledgehammer out.

He may or not be going a little stir crazy. It was agonizing he's not used to dealing with this much attention. His parents in his first life were mostly focused on the portal or their work in general until they suddenly realized they had kids then showered them with affection just to forget about them just as quickly. The league of assassins and his mother don't need any explanation really, between training there wasn't much time for affection his mother sometimes did but it was always behind closed doors when noone was watching at all and that didn't happen near as much as you would think. His father wasn't really affectionate on anything, the most he would get for a mission gone right was a pat on the back and a "good job chum" and it often felt more forced with him than the others. Richard was quite affectionate with both his words and his actions. Getting a passing grade or winning a fight or even losing a fight seemed to be a cause of celebration. He was physical with his affection, hugs and kisses on the forehead, but even the second he started feeling uncomfortable he would pull away. Sometimes it was nice sometime he just wished he would push just a little further.

Vlad didn't have any of that. He was all antagonistic words, he didn't even always seem to mean it, it just happened with him. His attention nice for a while but got tiring and he couldn't just ask him to leave him alone because Vlad would take it wrong. He also never knew when to leave him alone. Like he didn't need to sleep in his room just cause he was having headaches and occasional nosebleeds he had that plenty with concussions before and had been able to treat it since he was 4 years old. He thinks if Vlad says one word more on 'taking a break' or 'drinking some more water' he was going to punch him in the face.

"You dont need to push yourself! you'll only end up in more pain just take a five minute break? Please think of the kids I'm also there father to you know!" There it is.

Damian while around and punched him in the face. The force and the surprise knocking him onto the floor.

"Damian! What the hell is your problem, young man!" He attempted to get up but he didn't let him. He easily swept his feet from under him and pushed him back down.

"I'm sick and tired of you always thinking you know what's best for me! Well news flash. You don't." He punched him in the face, expertly evading Vlads dodging. Vlad was powerful with powers but without them he was much more skilled.

"Stop this right now!" He'd have to make him.

And make him he did. Shit. He overestimated just how much ecto Vlad had been giving him because he stopped holding back his strength and shoved him off.

Crack.

Shit Vlad definitely either broke or cracked one of his ribs. He must of really pissed him off because that didn't stop him. He ran at him and kicked him in the throat. He gasped for air.

"Are we done yet?" Fuck you. He grabbed his legs and pulled him down. Almost straddling him and started to beat his face in. Vlad spit out blood but started to heal quicker than he could hurt him. Switching their positions he stsrted to choke him out. He choked for air but remembering his training, he quickly administerd a move that would have taken down any regular human down.

Vlad quickly recovered even angrier and threw him roughly at the glass of the lab shattering it and landing in it. He could feel the glass prickling against his skin. Bloody streaks painting his hands, glass embedded. He tried getting up but heard a loud gasp.

Susan stood hand over her mouth. Her skin pale and her hand gripped her tablet so hard he could hear creaks. He laid his head back down. He suddenly didn't feel like fighting anymore.

"Take him to the physician." Vlad spoke, voice distant and echoey. He couldn't resist the pull of darkness and fell under.

--------

After Clark shared his findings with the cave a month ago, Tim and Barbara have been hard at work trying to track the call, but meeting dead ends all around. Lex's security to tight and better than ever before.

Until, a new call came through.

"David! Oh David it's horrible!" She cried, her sobbing evident even through the poor phone service. They quickly got to work, everyone joining in around them. It had a two months since the last time they saw their littlest bat. No way where they letting the opportunity slip through their hands again.

"That little boy! He threw him through a window! He's been in and out of emergency surgeries for a week. A week! He had a punctured lung, an almost crushed larynx, a broken collarbone, and five cracked or broken ribs. Not to mention, he's covered in bruises and srapes from the glass! It's terrible! That little boy, just laying on the operating table, his heart stopped twice. Twice! Oh, David! I don't know what to do." She was in hysterics. Oh god, that was his brother. His baby brother.

He ignored the broken sobs around him and pushed his down.

"I've got it." Barbara announced, hse didn't sound relieved in any way but he understood they still had to save him and from what they heard from her, he may never fully recover.

"Supers, fly ahead, scout out. This is Lex, he's bound to have plenty of kryptonite." The supers flew out without even acknowledgeing their orders.

He paused. Please don't say it. Please

"Evrybody else... to the batjet."

It didn't really matter what he said anyway everybody in the cave was ready to go war, with or without Bruce.

A/N if yall think for one second that a relationship built from the ashes of one of the most traumatic moments in their lives is going to be perfect, yall kidding yourselves. Vlad is never going to be perfect he and damian/Danny will always be archenemys who may or may not have some fluffy moments they'll still have met because he wat trying to kill his father so he could marry his mother. Vlad desperately wanting him to be son is so obsessive and insane he creates a clone of him to be his kid. They may care for each other, but vlad will never truly be a good choice for Danny in general.

[farfromstrange]

Okay, so, I am putting my thoughts under a cut. HEAVY spoilers for both episode 1 and 2 of Daredevil: Born Again. They are scrambled, and I’m gonna need a day to actually write something coherent, but I need to talk SCREAM ABOUT IT.

WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUUUUUCK

SCREAMING CRYING DYING FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK

Cancel MARVEL CANCEL DISNEY CANCEL THEM ALL FUCK THEM

They fucking killed Foggy. That last bit of hope I had shattered when his fucking eyes stayed open and his heart stopped. I started sobbing the moment Karen started begging him to stay with her. She was sobbing, MATT sobbing, I think we were all sobbing. The way he just… stopped fighting when Foggy died. The way he CRIED against DEX like his fucking heart just shattered, and we could all see it. I can’t-

The world ended the moment he died, for both Karen and Matt and everyone else who loved Foggy, and part of me doesn’t want to believe it, but if it is a fake-out, it’s the best one in history because I do not believe he’s still alive. Not after what I’ve seen, but I’d love to be proved wrong BECAUSE THIS CANNOT BE THE FUCKING END. It just can’t.

Matt threw Dex OFF THE ROOF! He WANTED him to die, or he was taking that chance. That blank look on his face just said “Nothing matters now anyway” and he abandoned all his principles because his best friend got killed. He loved Foggy, and now he’s dead. What kills me most is that Karen had to watch Foggy die—she held him in her fucking hands with his blood all over her—and Matt HEARD him die. How is that fucking fair?!

Quick side note about the intro: We’ve got the original theme slightly modified and I actually kinda like the imagery of the statues breaking! It’s as devastating as it is cool.

Anyway. We learned that Karen left for San Francisco. Matt and Karen kind of stopped talking, which, after what happened, I understand. I did NOT see coming though the fact that she’d go so far. Of course, their relationship didn’t have much of a future after that because people deal with grief differently and they both had to get out, but it was devastating to witness Matt being desperate because his world fell apart, and Karen just looking so, so broken for the same reasons. I mean, Matt begging her to give him just five minutes to talk? He sounded so soft. So… God, I can’t even put it into words. They’re both so broken oh my god.

What also got me was her keeping the horn and then giving it to him. (And later he fucking put the ‘in memory of Foggy Nelson’ card in his coat when meeting Heather. He’s always keeping him close to his heart, I’m crying.)

My thoughts are a mess right now. Matt started a firm with Kirsten, and I mean, good for him but everything just fell apart, and they (Matt and Karen) don’t even have each other anymore because they’re fighting their demons on their own. I can’t deal with this. Matt is alone in that big ass apartment with that piece of paper from Foggy’s memorial, cooking and watching the news and trying to move on from everything that happened, and he’s just so goddamn miserable. But who wouldn’t be?

Ben Urich’s niece! That’s all I’m gonna say.

Kirsten setting Matt up was the highlight for me because it made things a little lighter, but that man also needs serious therapy. At least we got him being a flirty flustered little shit though!!

I don’t think I have to say more about the diner scene. It was as intense as it was refreshing to see them talk like that without trying to kill each other.

Mayor Fisk!! Vincent’s performance is top tier! Love how he’s having a marital dispute with Vanessa and now Vanessa’s basically Kingpin and he’s yearning to get her back 😭

And the kiss at the end?? Why’s he so fucking hot and charming? Jesus Christ I almost forgot I was devastated.

I can’t even put into words the things I’m feeling right now. I- I need a few hours of sleep and a clearer mind because I’m still teary-eyed.

Another thing. They portrayed his senses surprisingly well, but Charlie also did an impeccable job. God, that man can ACT! Not that I ever doubted it. There is no better Matt Murdock than him. And he just proved again why I love this character so much.

Onto the second episode!

WHITE TIGER! Amazing introduction of the character. 10/10.

Love seeing Fisk being mayor and trying to do things the legal way, but we all now that’s not gonna stick. Not really.

Corrupt cops! And Matt jumping in to help Hector! That’s my man! He’s still Matt, he cares about injustice, so how can he not help? He can never give that piece of himself up, and I love that he refuses to. Seems like it’s finally giving him a purpose again. Seeing him in court again, being a lawyer, is so refreshing (and hot).

I absolutely love that they made sure that Ben Urich’s legacy lives on in his niece (BB) and GIRL does she seem determined. But I feel like she might get herself in trouble, especially with Fisk and his history with Ben. That’s gonna be interesting! Hope her and Matt get to meet, too.

Could that boy talking to Heather at her book signing (pop off by the way, we love a successful queen) and asking her for help be Muse? I don’t know much about that character, so I’ll let myself be surprised. Makes me scared for what’s gonna happen to her though. I don’t know how much more loss Matt can take, especially since we know he’ll choose to pursue something with her, romantically.

BACK TO FHE FLIRTING! Dinner date? Talking about traveling and having Mai tai’s? Having a future together? Oh, he’s so into her! And he’s smiling and laughing and God he needs that. Also, Matt being so ready to get a taste of Heather? I’m screaming. Choking on his drink and “I’ll take the check, please” AND “I’ll pay you back, in interest” SIR! YOU CANT DO THIS TO MEEEE!

I did not expect Fisk and Vanessa to go to Heather for couple’s therapy but honestly it’s kind of funny. Also curious to see where this goes, especially if/when Matt finds out.

HE STOOD OUTSIDE A CHURCH! I REPEAT, HE STOOD OUTSIDE A CHURCH! But he didn’t go in, so another crisis of faith, Perhaps?

HOLY FUCK! That fight?? Matt beating the shit out of these corrupt cops without any suit or gear to protect him, breaking fucking home WITH THOSE WILD EYES?? And the scream HOLY SHIT FUCK I NEED HIM AHHHH

Okay, that’s all. I need to give myself a moment to breathe now.

[kitkatyes]

octonauts head in hands

having the most violent thoughts about the captain so bear (hah) with me -> very much hand-wavy headcannon-y stuff so don't take what I say to heart <33

this man is so self-sacrificial and its shocking that none of the crew have mentioned it. like, he embodies the 'protect' part of their mantra-- this guy would jump in front of a bullet if it meant saving someone else

i like to think that hes very much faking it till he makes it; y'know, confident on the outside and emotional on the inside. he refuses to ask for help because he's The Captain. He needs to be strong for his crew and the sea creatures he aids in rescuing. this, in turn results in a very (un)healthy case of imposter syndrome

because of this, he pushes himself so much for no reason. like, he would be the last one awake in the evenings and the first one up in the morning. he shoves all his feelings somewhere deep in his mind and, y'know, refuses to think about them (we love emotional expression, don't we :D /s)

but like, hes also so soft spoken and sincere when it comes to speaking with his crew,,, he definitely remembers all their birthdays and likes to make an event out of them, much to the chagrin of some of the crew

and thinking of that one episode where they all go on vacation whilst the octopod is getting repaired and like,, even when he's trying to take a break from captaining, something goes wrong

my god, he deserves some time to just, not be the peak of responsibility. my poor little guy deserves to just, have a goddamned break and therapy-- a break and therapy sounds good, i am prescribing him right now, you hear !!

and like, how is he always so level-headed in every situation??? he's always got the perfect plan for everything in seconds. that does not sound like a person who DOESN'T overthink things. girl, i think you need to take a deep breath and break down for once, as a treat.

anyways, manatee episode is prime example of this (i am so normal about that i swear <- clawing at the walls of my enclosure) one, how didn't he get hurt?? like he definitely should have. two: he should have, y'know, ASKED FOR HELP TO GET OUT OF THAT STUPID CLAM !! and, i don't know TOLD EVERYONE WHEN HE WAS RUNNING OUT OF OXYGEN??!

its like, he very much is putting the manatee's well being above his own but, girl, PLEASE be selfish for once. i love how much he trusts his team but, like, was he embarrassed?? he shouldn't be because HOW many times have the others been stuck somewhere? and like, they're all so compassionate and WOULDN'T make fun of him for it at all

did Tweak even know that the gup A got struck by lightning???

and oogh, jellyfish bloom episode. more evidence of his self-sacrificial nature because like, he gets hurt AND still goes out to help them like its nothing. the prevention of kwazii and peso getting stung being the CAUSE of the injury.

oh yeah, you're not getting out of it that easy, fictional polar bear who i harbour a deep nostalgic and emotional attachment to

[veryace-ficrecs]

House/Wilson Fic Recs

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

criteria by PaintedVanilla - Rated T

“I don’t think they know that we’re married.”

The Private Life of Gregory House by superangsty - Rated T

"You guys really don't get it, do you?" "Get what?" "It's almost insulting, really." Or, five times the team missed the point completely, and one time where they figured it out

Bending You(r logic) by scribespirare - Rated T

Assflash, newshole, we were married the whole goddamn time.

The Line of Thought by tevinterimperium - Rated T

Cameron, Foreman, and Chase keep on trying to get into the little details of House's love life. House doesn't like that one bit.

Touch Therapy by Nomad (nomadicwriter) - Rated T

It's not that House needs the human contact. It's just that when you're sharing an apartment, these things happen sometimes.

Brain Damage by fourteencandles (thingsbaker) - Rated M

"You jerk," Wilson sighed when House walked in and set a mug on Wilson's desk. Wilson was stretched out on his own couch. The nausea had ebbed slightly during the morning, but then he'd tried to eat a little oatmeal, and now it seemed in danger of flowing again. "It's tea," House said. Wilson glanced up at him, and House looked away. "From Cameron." "Yes, God forbid I think you care," Wilson said.

no need to worry (making up your mind) by scribespirare - Rated T

House makes the mistake of telling his mother he can't join her for Christmas because of his new boyfriend. Somehow, this becomes Wilson's problem.

An Essay On Stupidity by DumpsterBeagle - Rated T

House starts to wear his wedding ring, after almost a year, to screw with his team. Cameron, Chase, and Foreman are more confused than they've probably ever been.

only fools rush in by bittereternity - Rated T

so take my hand, and take my whole life too. Or, the one in which Wilson realizes he's in love. It kind of throws him off-kilter.

The Crystal Closet by VictoriaAGrey - Rated M

Wilson starts acting oddly towards House and House wants to know why. When he gets his answer, it makes matters infinitely more complicated.

mutualism by PaintedVanilla - Rated G

When Wilson walks into her office with House’s name on his lips, he’s either there to tell her he’s back on his bullshit with yet another patient, he’s mad at him for reasons outside the hospital, or he’s simply perplexed by his husband.

Things That Go Bump by peg22 - Rated E

Wilson has nightmares. House gets a headache. Everyone tries to diagnose just what's going on between them. This story is set in Season 2, before House got shot, before the first ducklings left us, before Amber, before House/Cuddy . . . those halcyon days where House and Wilson were just . . . House and Wilson. Wilson is sleeping on House's sofa, after moving out from cancer patient, Grace. "Wilson just shook his head and limped back into the kitchen. He unloaded a sack of fresh produce. Good produce. Endives and garlic and tomatoes and asparagus. He moved on to the next sack. Beef. Good beef. Brisket and rump roast and ribeyes . . . he was halfway through the third sack of spices and imported cheeses, whistling and daydreaming about braised salmon with fresh asparagus when it hit him. He was being seduced. Through groceries. By groceries. By House through groceries. And he was falling for it. Hard. Lox, stock pot, and basil."

let it slip by zlicxn - Rated T

“Would you put money on it, Foreman?” Chase asks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at both of them, “Come on. Fifty bucks each, bit of holiday fun.” Foreman leans back in his chair, crossing his arms, “Why are you so eager to make this a bet? Spend too much on Christmas presents?”

Chase’s mouth twitches, “Can’t a guy just want to have a friendly wager with his colleagues?”

After a slip on some ice lands House in the hospital with a concussion he accidentally reveals to his fellows that he was planning to propose to someone, but doesn't say to who. That's up to them to figure out.

Everything by merchantivory - Rated G

House may combust if he doesn't find a way to control his love for Wilson. Then he finds Morse code. - Tap. Tap-tap-tap. Tap. Tap-tap. Tap-tap-tap. or, I love you.

Interlude by merchantivory - Rated G

5 times House kissed Wilson + 1 time Wilson kissed House

Fresh Feeling by Justkeeptrekkin - Rated M

House is tricked into going on a team-building trip with his colleagues. He does far more bonding with Wilson than anyone else.

at the rind by ShanaStoryteller - Not Rated

Wilson keeps having nightmares about House dying. They feel more like memories.

less obvious causes by captainharkness - Rated T

“You’re also still not wearing the lab coat.” “Take it up with the wife,” he drawls, eyes flitting to Wilson, who flushes red. Cuddy raises a single eyebrow at him. Wilson clears his throat, “I have it on good advice that your wife did the washing up last night. She says it’s your turn to do the laundry.” - Alternatively: House and Wilson have been together for years. They just haven't gotten around to telling most people. Told through a series of standalone chapters.

[slayfics]

ive been thinking about a comfort story but instead of katsuki comforting the reader, she comforts him after a long day or struggling with something ❤️

You comfort Katsuki.

1k words

You prepared for an angry Katsuki to burst through the door any moment now. The new hero rankings had come out this afternoon and he had dropped rank, again.

It didn’t take much for you to imagine why. The week before the rankings Katsuki got rushed by reporters. Fresh out of a fight with a villain, adrenaline pumping, they spat out questions pushing for answers.

All the questions they knew would push The Great Lord Explosion Murder God Dynamite’s buttons.

“Dynamite, did you know it was the anniversary of the day you were attacked by the sludge villain?”

“Dynamite, how does it feel being behind Endeavor’s son in the hero charts?”

“Dynamite, can you make a statement about the damage you did to the city in your last fight?”

The list of draining questions went on, all captured on video, as Katsuki quickly lost his cool. Blurting out some colorful words for the reports to, not so politely fuck off.

You heard the keys in the latch and braced yourself for the sight of the angry blond. Yet, such a sight never came, instead, you met with a sight that was much more concerning.

Slumped shoulders, flat affect, vacant gaze. Katsuki sat on the couch silently working at taking off his boots. Not a word spoken to you. No sign of anger.

“Hey,” you greeted, testing the waters with him.

“Hey,” he mumbled without looking up as he tossed his boots aside. Head leaned back against the couch he closed his eyes.

"You want to talk about it?" you asked softly.

Katsuki inhaled sharply and shook his head no without opening his eyes. It was unusual to see him so defeated. Typical fiery ambition completely extinguished, lacking the energy to even be upset, he just sat.

You knew all too well how to extinguish the burning rage inside him, but this? This was new ground.

Your momentary paralysis gave Katsuki exactly what he needed. Space and quiet to just be. Slowly he opened up.

"You think it's because of how I responded to those damn reporters?" He asked.

"Possibly," you hummed. "You're human though Katsuki, all those pestering questions would have got under anyone's skin.

"Yeah but," he sighed before continuing. "You saw all the articles and viral edits. They didn't show the whole video, just the part of me losing my shit. A big majority of people think I blew up at some civilian reporters for no fucking reason," Katsuki huffed. "I don't give a damn about that though; people can think whatever the fuck they want... I'm I don't know," Katsuki paused and you gave him the air to finish processing his thought. "I'm fucking disappointed. All that damn therapy I went through- to still get so pissed at some dumb reporters, I should be way past that now. I'm still losing my temper like a goddamn child," he groaned, the displeasure in his voice weighing heavy.

"Katsuki," you cooed and moved closer to him bringing him into an embrace. Katsuki didn't fight you he welcomed your affection, finding solace from leaning into you. Head resting on your chest you combed your fingers through his hair. "Success isn't linear, and one mistake doesn't erase everything you've accomplished and worked for. It's a minor setback. It's tough but, it's nothing you can't come back on top of," you comforted him squeezing him with one arm and messaging his scalp with the other. Katsuki hummed into your chest taking in your words. You always knew what to say.

"I just fucking hate that I gave those reporters exactly what they wanted. They wanted me to blow up, gives them a good damn news story. Fucking vultures," he scowled.

"Mhm," you nodded. "You did, and you can't change that, but you can change how you're going to react moving forward because we know they aren't going to stop. Especially now that they've seen the effect they've had," you spoke problem-solving with him.

"Tch- yeah. I don't know what the fuck to do though. Walking away has been my go-to when I feel myself about to explode, but- in situations like that I'm rushed and cornered. Can't let out an explosion to fly away either because I'll hurt the fuckers. What's worse is I'm still workin' and trying to get back to the cops and agency to report what the fuck happened with the villain," he replied.

"Maybe you could say that... I'm working please move... or I'm working and cannot accept questions...," You suggested.

"Ha- I don't know about the please but... that's not such a bad idea... I'm goddamn working can't talk idiots," Katsuki huffed then relaxed more into your chest.

You giggled, "That does sound more authentic to Dynamite."

Katsuki nuzzled into your chest, his breaths becoming deeper, and the tension in his shoulders he had been carrying around all day finally easing up. "I shoulda called you right when I found out," he murmured.

"You know I'm always here whenever you're ready to talk... about anything," you answered. "I'm sorry I didn't call right away... sometimes I'm not sure when you need your space to process."

"You ain't got to apologize... I know my temperament isn't the easiest to read," he noted.

"I wouldn't have you any other way," you teased, pulling him up to press a kiss on his nose.

Katsuki clicked his tongue, "Cut that cheesy crap out," he complained the tips of his ears burning hot. "Besides, I still got dirt and shit all over me."

"I don't care," you remarked, giving him another kiss on his cheek.

Katsuki shifted in one swift motion pinning you down on the couch, "I said cut it out brat," he smirked, taking in the sight of you beneath him. "Why don't you come get cleaned up with me instead," he offered.

An offer you happily accepted.

sinners: @queenpiranhadon @unofficialmuilover @maddietries @fiannee @i-heart-carlisle @derangedmango @matchat3a @bakugouswaif @reneinii @zanarkandskylines @pastelbakugou @abadbitchblogs @deluluforcarlos55 @b134ch-m4h-ey3z @pinkpurpledreams @that-one-fangirl69

[hedgehogsaretheultimatelifeform]

Happy Anniversary!

Toxic!Russell Adler x Toxic!F!Reader

Ah, what's married life without a little toxicity? (Pretty good, allegedly.)

It's your twentieth wedding anniversary, and Adler seems to have forgotten all about it. However, you are the perfect match to his toxic nature, and are going to make sure that he makes up for it... and then some.

'"Divorce" and "therapy" are for normal people' - reader, probably

God, you should leave him. You should. You will, this time. You will. You won’t pick up the phone, call back the attorney’s office and cancel your appointment do discuss beginning divorce proceedings against your husband. You won’t, not this time. 

He knows that you’ve made it. Yet another appointment, with yet another attorney. You’d made sure of it, by leaving a scattered mess of business cards out on the hallway table - a fallen snow of lawyers, specialising in family affairs. Which specific one you’d ended up going to, didn’t matter. What did, is that Russell Adler knew, beyond any doubt, that you’d gone to one.

When he gets in from work (late, past dinner late… again), he sees them immediately. He doesn’t say anything to you, sat on the stairs at the end of the hall. He simply brushes them off the table, spreading them out across the floor, before walking over them as he heads for the coat rack. He changes his jacket and his shoes, still neither of you saying anything, even as you refuse to move so he can sit, which would make putting his shoes on easier.

He manages despite your cruelty, and turns to leave again, pausing at the door. Russell makes sure that you see him light up a cigarette, while he’s still inside, in your hallway. He ignores how you respond, by opening the bottle of whiskey in your hand, and tossing the lid-cork thing at his retreating back. It bounces off the hallway floor, but still stops short of the front door, now once again closed, with you left alone behind it.

You stand, finish walking down the stairs and start to drink. 

Him and his stupid fucking job. Him, and his stupid fucking devotion, body and rotten soul, to an equally rotten government. He’d sooner ball up and make love to an American flag, than he would to you.

At this point in your marriage, after twenty fucking years, there was nothing good, nothing healthy, left between the two of you. If there ever had been. Everyone you knew said you should leave - for both of your sakes. By staying, all you were doing was burning each other up, tearing out pieces of each other’s flesh, pound for pound, and if you didn’t stop now, you’d both end up dead.

The first time you’d talked about leaving him, no one had got it. They’d said, oh well, he doesn’t hit you, he doesn’t cheat on you, he gives you a lot of money, (emphasis on ‘a lot’, meaning, not as much as ours give us), you don’t have to work, you get your own house to lie about in all day; and you always complain about how he’s never around, surely that’s a good thing if you hate him so much?

That had been the only time you’d actually been serious about divorcing him. You’d ignored everyone’s cautioning about it, what it would do to your reputation, socially, how you had no real cause, that legally, you had to be able to prove fault on his side; and gone to see an attorney anyway. Then, some pimple faced, fresh out of school upstart told you exactly how much goddamn money it would cost to do that, so you’d reconsidered your options, and stayed. Over the years, the people around you saw you changing, and realised they probably shouldn’t have stopped you leaving. Most thought that they probably should have helped you then, and even though they hadn’t, they could help you now – you were in California, you could go for no fault divorce, if you wanted.

Those three words were the kicker. Because now, you didn’t. Talking divorce was an empty threat; simply your way of communicating that you needed something from him. 

It’s not like he was any better than you. He would (sometimes literally) throw money at you, then smile and pat your head, like you were a fucking dog, and the wad of notes had fixed everything. Like all your marriage boiled down to was a series of threats and exchanges, trade between two independent, completely self-interested parties that just happened to be inescapably, legally bound to each other. 

You say all that, but it sure felt good to spend it, though. And, he was a free man too. If he didn’t want to stay, he didn’t have to.

After a last swig or two, you abandon the whiskey (typically his drink) and go in search of your own, something a deal more civilised in your own opinion. It just so happened that when you abandon the whiskey, the bottle is lying on its side over the sink, all pouring out. A complete accident, you swear. 

A good, cheap beer is more your thing. Not a dirt-cheap beer, like the stuff college students pool together their last dollars for; but something that, when drunk cold, tastes decent enough by your standards, and cheap by Russell’s. Which is really the whole point. You don’t care about what you drink, just that you get drunk, and when (if) he gets home, he has to taste some ‘cheap shit’ on his wife’s lips and not complain about it. God, what about this do other people not get? How can they not get that this is what works for you, what makes you feel alive? 

You wander from room to room as you drink, upstairs, downstairs, back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room to the lounge, to your office, then upstairs again, roaming between the bedrooms, second sitting room, and shaking the handle of the door to his office - locked, like always. You leave the empty cans on the floor where you finish drinking them, only taking breaks to stare at the nearest clock as you will for time to start passing by faster. Just for you, you know? As a treat?

You get restless when you’re angry. All this energy, and you don’t know what to do with it. 

You want to break something. 

You head down into your basement, one last can of beer in hand. You open it, then leave it on the stairs as you drag out one of your most prized possessions: a cardboard box full of already damaged chinaware, that had no purpose beyond being thrown away. In fact, that’s how you’d gotten it, by persuading your neighbour to give it to you, rather than throwing it out, with some pretty story about how you made art out of broken things, (the five dollars hadn’t hurt either), allowing you to stow the unassuming box down here in the cool concrete box underneath your floors.

It was the perfect place, to take already broken shit and break it further, by hurling the chipped ceramic against the walls, and losing yourself in the body shaking laughter as you watch it shatter. After a while, you get tired of it, and sit back on the stairs, taking delight in your last, forgotten beer, sipping it slowly as you contemplate whether or not you should go walk bare foot through the mess, make him find you when he gets home, make him take you to hospital and put his lying to good use, for once, that he’s a loving, caring husband who’s clumsy wife dropped a cup and trod on the broken pieces in a panic. 

You lean against the wooden panelled wall, face hurting with the smile of how much you’d enjoy seeing him squirm under a doctor’s inquisition, only to hear the rumble of a car pulling into your drive way. 

One last swig of beer and you’re done. You toss the can across the room, wincing as it dings like a bell against the wall, then clatters unceremoniously down among the rest of the mess. You go up the stairs, two at a time, and emerge into the kitchen at the same time the front door closes.

“What time do you call this?” You pick up the now nearly empty bottle of whiskey, and turn it upright on the counter.

“Good time.” He calls back, his shoes thudding as he takes them off and drops them on the hallway floor, rather than putting them away. 

“Do you really?” You try to round the corner into the hallway, only to bump into him as he tried to do the inverse. You both stand there for a minute, then you give him way, both of ending up in the kitchen, leaning on either side of the table. 

“Yeah.” He takes the bottle of whiskey and swigs meagrely at what’s left, mouth stretched in a tight line. 

“On today of all days?”

“What day?” He glances at the calendar. “Valentine’s was last week. You making up another anniversary on me?”

“Not making it up.” You point to the picture above the calendar - the only decent photo to come out of your wedding, with the date embossed along the bottom of the frame.

“Oh.” He sips again. “We’ve been married long enough that only the big one’s matter, right?”

“It is a big one.” You bite back a smile, feeling like you just burst his balloon, loopholed his own logic.

He sighs and reached into his jacket, taking out a wad of cash. The clip scraps against the wooden table as he shoves it at you. “There.”

You scoop up the wad, shaking it back at him. “You can’t give me money like it’s going to fix this.”

“But it will, though.” He finishes the bottle of whiskey. “Go buy new clothes, a car, a goddamn house. Whatever will shut you up.”

You advance on him around the table, pulling the money out of the clip, tossing the metal pin back at him. It thuds softly against his jacket, before clattering down on the tiles between his feet. “You think I’m that easy to buy?”

You say, but you’re leafing through the notes, counting the hundreds quickly to a thousand, two, and you’ve barely made a dent in it when he sets the bottle down and advances right back at you, shoulders back, arms wide. “You’d stay for a lot less than that. This is generosity.”

He called you cheap. CHEAP! You should hit him for that. Instead, you furl the notes into a roll in your hand, and leap into his arms. He kisses you, then recoils from the flavour of your mouth, so you can chase him, and be the one to make husband and wife kiss. 

He lets that be as it may, before he’s the one to cage you against the wall; then you’re the one who threatens to ruin his beloved jacket if he doesn’t take you up to bed. He’s the one to oblige, half leading, half guiding you upstairs and into your marital nook, then you’re the one who shoves his jacket off his shoulders, tossing it onto the floor rather than hanging it up nicely. 

He’s the one to pull you down on the bed, you’re the one to rip the collar of his shirt, he’s the first to swear; you pull those fucking sunglasses off this face and toss them somewhere behind you, kissing him again, making him let you see his eyes. He responds by flicking his hand under your waistband, sliding down and cupping his hand over your cunt, grinning as he leans down to your ear, telling you that at least your body still recognises that he’s your husband. You reach up, threading your fingers through his hair, then pull, so hard he has to crane his head back, hissing through his teeth as you spit on his scar, eyes glazing as you watch your saliva drip off his chin, and not at all because his fingers are circling your clit; before he sits up, tugging your pyjama shorts down, until you lift your leg, lock it around his arm and tell him, “you first.”

He obliges, continuing your effort of destroying his perfectly good shirt, the loud tear down the front hiding the muttered comment that the replacement is going to come out of your allowance. His jeans and briefs follow, and you’re treated to the view that only you and all his fellow soldiers are treated to – a reminder that no matter what airs he puts on, Russell Adler is a man made of flesh and blood, as flawed and fucked up, if not more so, as the rest of us. Definitely a man too, the way he hides his soft cock from you beneath the bunched sheets, nodding for you to get your shirt off too, after you release his arm. 

You oblige, since he did so nicely, and he hides his groan when he sees your tits. He’s lucky to see them even once more, as he dips a finger inside your cunt, meeting your eyes as you silently mock him that, really? You think that does it?

He feeds two fingers into you, neglecting your clit as ever, other fingers scraping against your pubes, keeping any choice comments about it to himself – if he’s even got the brain space to think about it, as you see the bulge rising beneath the sheets bundled at his crotch, the prospect of real intercourse actually, finally, making you excited. 

Your cunt tightens around Adler’s fingers when his knuckles graze over your clit, before he ruins it by moving you, tilting your hips up over his knees, prodding his cock at your hole, staring you down like he’s daring you to tell him to wear a condom. 

You don’t care for that now, just for him to hurry up and fuck you - the exhaustion is suddenly catching you, and you would really just like to cum before you go to sleep. Even if you have to get up and go into the bathroom to finish the job yourself.

Though, you might not have to – for once. There’s a boiling heat inside you, coiling out from where his cock is sunk into your cunt. It has a chokehold on your lungs, making your breath stutter, the half formed words you try to make are falling apart on your tongue, your eyes glazing over as he multitasks, working both your clit and cunt at the same time (honestly, revolutionary for him, it almost makes you want to ask him who he’s been practicing on), as you cry out, his dick settling deep inside you, a smile playing on his lips when you kiss him. 

Your fingers feel the upturned corners of his lips, and you dig your nails into them as he leans over you, still determinedly thumbing at your clit even as his arm gets sandwiched between your bodies, rutting against each other. He grunts into your mouth, and it’s your turn to recoil. God, cigarettes make a man taste awful. You can’t even push through it now, not with how tight your body’s strung. He’s winding you up, like always, but with his cock, waiting for you to snap –

And you do. In your own bed, for once. He cums too, when, you’re not sure, and where, you don’t care, as long as it’s not on the sheets. It’s not like it’s staying inside you, not after you’ve peed and cleaned yourself up, lingering in the bathroom even after you’ve changed into new pyjamas, fixed your hair and brushed your teeth; before dragging yourself back to your bedroom, choosing to ignore the not so faint smell of smoke, and how Russell is closing the barely open window, as you retrieve your money, folding the stack of notes over and tucking it away into the drawer on your night stand. 

You get into bed, back turned to him as he gets in behind you. He faces you at first, leaning over the pillows to murmur, “happy anniversary,” before rolling over and turning off the light.

“Yourself.” You respond in the darkness, taking a deep breath as you close your eyes, marvelling at how that was the most civilised conversation you’ve had in years. 

You sleep in the next day. After staggering down the stairs at a time that resembles lunchtime more than breakfast time, the phone rings. 

“Hello? This is Morrison and Hamble…”

“Ah, yes.” You interrupt the secretary on the other end. “I’m so sorry, I should have called sooner. I need to cancel my appointment.”

“Oh.” She sounded surprised, but caught herself. “That is not a problem, Mrs Adler. I do just have to inform you, that due to the late nature of this request, you will still be charged for Mr. Hamble’s time…”

“Not a problem, at all. I completely understand.” You sigh, shifting the receiver to your other ear, reaching into your dressing gown pocket. “Please offer my deepest apologies to him. My husband and I sat down and worked things out.”

“Just to confirm, you won’t dispute this charge, ma’am?”

“I will not.” You pulled out the roll of ten thousand dollars he’d given you. “I realise now, that I can’t put a price on my marriage.”

“Ah… that’s good.” She sighs on the other end of the line. “If that’s all then, Mrs Adler, I’ll let you get back to your day.”

“Yes, thank you. Again, I am sorry for not calling earlier.”

“Not a problem, Ma’am. Have a nice day.”

Click.

Normally, you’d be writing a complaint in to the firm, about the lack of friendliness in their customer facing staff. Today, however, you had ten thousand dollars in your pocket, and a window in front of you that looked straight out straight onto to your deck. Sorely old, in need of replacing. Improving, might be a better term. A covered deck, maybe a linen tent, or a pergola covered in clematis. Whatever you wanted, really. Those were his words, exactly. Or, mostly. In spirit.

And, you wanted a goddamn deck.

Make a great story to tell, when you’re hosting this summer; that it’s the deck that saved your marriage. 

You trample down the hallway, trying to remember where you left the phone book, suddenly reaching out for the wall when you stepped on something sharp. 

One of the business cards from yesterday. You sigh, and stop to pick them all up, straightening the bent corners before tucking them away in a mostly even bundle, ready and waiting for when you would need them again. In a month, three, six. Whenever you get bored of your new deck. 

[sunny-speaks]

Smartass

Characters: Academic Rival! Ren @14dayswithyou x reader

Okay, but I have been an academic rivals to lovers stan for far too long, y’all don’t understand…

So like, this au would totally have redacted still the same as Canon! Redacted, he’d just be like… more open to the MC? And it’d be in an academic setting??? Like he developed some self-esteem solutions and got more confident in being himself, still having subtle mannerisms of character traits you enjoyed… but more him

Like… he went to therapy so he could be better for you before you even knew him, cause you said some bullshit like they were no good looking guys in the world who didn’t have therapy, cause there’s nothing hotter than a mentally stable guy. (i mean, you’re all here because you love a stable guy, right… ;] )

But yeah, now you just know him as that snarky ass, dark-haired with pink tips ‘genius’ in your university ‘psychology in modern media’ class.

Warnings and whatnot: lolol NSFW implications so minors DNI, a decent amount of swearing on my part, I'd say?

Another flawless assignment completed for you. Whoo! It was a nice day to be smart!

To be fair, you had pored over that goddamn presentation for hours before going to sleep, so if you hadn’t done well, you probably would’ve bust a pipe over some unlucky guy’s head.

You grinned seeing the big 95 on your paper. You spent so long detailing the moral complications between the character relationships as you gutted the root problems for each of the character flaws and how that showed in their bonds with others.

Unfortunately, you had the (dis)pleasure of being seated to [REDACTED], the class self-proclaimed genius. 

God, you hated him.

You were pretty sure you hated him more because he was so stupidly hot. You could clearly see his chiseled stone abs when he wore those clingy, black compression shirts! And paired with gray fucking sweatpants?

He knew what he was doing… And it was to mess up your game!

I mean, seriously, what was the lecturer doing, seating you next to this second coming of Michelangelo?! It’s almost like she had something personal against you!

(the lecturer was in fact, very for the both of you getting together. You both were smart, maybe you’d find a way to increase [REDACTED]’s grades…)

You never noticed him all that much in the beginning of the year. He brooded in his own corner, never noticed by anyone in those dumb black baggy hoodies.

But the minute he sat next to you, all of a sudden he realized he was hot stuff???

Okay, sure there, bro. He needed to chill out.

All of a sudden, he went from a lonely loser, to some hot genius within like the span of a day.

You didn’t get it.

But to be fair, you didn’t remember telling your good friend Moth how you started having things for hot but smart guys and guys who could actually stand a battle of wits… But that was for [REDACTED] to remember, and you to forget.

He leaned over your shoulder, a lazy smirk gracing his features. “95, not bad, angel.”

Agh! That stupid nickname! It was supposed to be something intimate, something reserved for lovers and such, but he insisted on using it to berate your grades!

He slid his paper over with a big 96 on it. “But not good enough.”

Of course. He had to have known that he was doing an in depth character analysis on the teachers favorite character and played to all the teachers preferences in the character and was spouting self-servient bullshit!

…But his presentation was well done, you had to admit. Normal people wouldn’t notice because you pay an unhealthy amount to any flaws in his looks, but he must’ve studied hard, he had huge eyebags during his presentation…

How would you know it’s because he thought your frustrated face was so cute when you kept thinking of ideas for your presentation that he completely forgot he had to impress the teacher to impress you?

Honestly, [REDACTED] cared more that he was on your mind in any way, even if that was because he acted like a ‘suck-up’ because he was too busy watching you.

“Hope you haven’t forgotten the many times I’ve beaten you academically, [REDACTED]. Or are you losing your memory because you’ve been sitting with a godsend this whole time? Sorry, didn’t mean for my heavenly powers to warp with your memory.” You rolled your eyes and crossed your arms.

“Then, you’re sure living up to your title, angel.” He snorted and went back to looking towards the front before muttering something under his breath. “...But your presentation was good, dork.”

In shock at the compliment, you stood there with your mouth open.

He glanced back over at you, “What? Is it so hard to believe that you did well on our midterm presentation?” he huffed to himself in disbelief before a grin made its way to his face. “Sitting there with your mouth open? It’s like you want someone to kiss that dumb look off your face.”

He thought the comment would shake you out of your stupor, make you come back with a feisty comment.

But no, you sat there, thinking about all the implications of that statement. …What if he kissed you? But he has so many piercings… He has a tongue piercing, snakebites, honestly, your mouth would feel like a jewelry store with the amount of silver in it…

But he looked like a fuckboy, would he be good at kissing?

Wait, hold up, no, no, no. Dude, you gotta remember…

He was a loser up until now.

If that’s the way he’d been his whole life, he’s probably never even kis—

And if that realization wasn’t enough for you to drop your jaw, nothing ever would.

[REDACTED] could only stare at you in mild surprise as your mouth opened… even more. He slowly blinked at you, a mock-scandalized look on his face, “What, you really want someone to kiss you that bad? You volunteering to be kissed, angel?”

You immediately let go all thoughts of kissing that gorgeous jerk in favor of heat rising to your face, “Nope. I’m good.”

He pushed and prodded a little more, “What, you never kissed anyone before?” He actually wasn’t quite sure. The early years when he didn’t know how to hack anything and couldn’t follow you were blank spaces in your life to him.

You muttered a curse under your breath and turned away from him without denying his question.

Although you couldn’t see it, his whole face lit up with hope. Oh, he was going to be your first kiss! He couldn’t wait! He internallly coughed at his eagerness.

He had to court you first before the two of you could become anything.

He looked back at your lecturer who had been picking on students who had to read out full paragraphs of their analysis on a TV Show that followed the messy plot of a coming of age, romance drama.

And also, clearly, leaving the two of you alone. He hushedly whispered to you, “Wait, are you serious, angel?”

You grumbled into the palm of your hand before slowly turning to him, “unfortunately… yes. I haven’t kissed anyone yet. But turns out this university is full of jerks and dumbasses…”

You paused. Well, maybe not all jerks and dumbasses. “Guess there’s a couple guys in the music department that are cool.”

Murder flashed through [REDACTED]’s mind thinking of you asking them out before putting on a strained smile, “So where do I fit in, hm?”

“I dunno…” You hadn’t put too much thought towards [REDACTED]. Sure, he was hot. But he was kind of a prick.

But he did respect your gender identity…

And he never went too far, making sure he didn’t cross any lines or boundaries…

And he gave you that academic rival that you’d been search―

…Oh my god.

He was your academic rival.

You loved rivals to lovers… Was this a sign? You got a hot rival, who respects you, your boundaries, your intellect and he was hot?!

Okay, maybe you had dreamed about him on a couple of weird occasions, but dreams don’t mean anything!

Is what you would say if you were in denial.

Oh dear, did you like him?!

You gave him a quick once over, looking at all the piercings on his ears and face as your eyes trailed to his shirt which clung tightly to his skin, all defined abs and muscles on display.

Hold up! Were those body cutouts on his top around his hips that you saw?! Fuck, those were hot…

Your eyes trailed a little bit lower to his pants… and shit, he was packing… There was no way in hell he was allowed to be that big, in height and in… length.

Ugh, your thoughts made you shudder a little. No way you were thirsting over a guy you were just fighting.

…But it wouldn’t be the first time, that’s for sure…

Okay, so maybe you had not-so-subtly eyed your seatmate like he was a piece of meat.

But he enjoyed the attention! He loved you drinking him up like he was just a pretty thing. But he was your pretty thing… Some random girls keep trying to ask him out, but he doesn’t want them. He wants you. But most importantly, he wants you to want him too.

“What, cat got your tongue, sweetheart?” He teased, using something other than angel as a nickname.

“Wh-Whatever, [REDACTED]. Shut up.” You rolled your eyes and took your attention off of him before whispering something under your breath.

“Angel, you gotta speak up.”

You grimaced, “I guess you go into the alright department. Luckily for you, you’re the only one there. You seem to be the only one I know who’s cool enough to handle me around here.”

He blinked, looking at you in subtle reverence, “A whole department for me, angel? Thank you.” He laced it with an edge of sarcasm but internally, he couldn’t have been more happy. 

He was the only one there that you tolerated! The only one you liked.

You. Chose. Him.

[autistic-crunchwrap]

I watched all of The Bear Season 3 and I have so many thoughts... SPOILERS BELOW

TL;WR: It was not all bad... There were high points and low points for sure, and I did enjoy the high points! but the stress and chaos this season brought was not worth the few and far between moments of goodness we saw.

First, the good:

Liza Colón-Zayas. Oh my god. A true standout, as always. If her episode doesn’t win her an Emmy, I will be fucking furious. Ayo also deserves an Emmy for directing that episode. Every second of the episode was beautiful and moving and added significantly to the overall plot and character development of the show (as every episode of a 10-episode season show should… but more on that later)

Abby Elliot, I love you. I am a Nat Berzatto stan through and through. Ice Chips was my favorite episode of the season. AE’s chemistry with Jamie Lee Curtis is unmatched. I was so genuinely touched by this episode. This episode was family therapy for me, I think. Thank you Abby Elliot, very cool.

Richie gets some great family time with his daughter and Tiff this season, and it’s genuinely so good to see him continue to grow and support his family even when it’s really hard for him. I see how hard he’s trying and I love him for it.

Ted Fak gave some really great energy that really worked this season. Him and Neil were consistently funny and entertaining to watch. I enjoyed their bit about haunting that came up several times throughout the season

JOHN FUCKING CENA being a Fak was an INSANE choice but I loved it. This show has gone off the rails and goddamn it I need more John Cena immediately

Joel McHale is back and as bitchy as ever! I love the havoc he wreaks on Carmy. His line from episode 10, “I don’t think about you” (paraphrasing, I’m not going back to watch it for the exact quote) made me gasp watching it. If Carmy wasn't such a prick, I would feel bad, but Season 3 Carmy deserves the shit Chef David deals him.

Olivia Coleman. That is all.

"You can go fuck" is my favorite Bear quote, especially when Nat says it

Always happy to see Will Poulter as Luca. His lil mullet is adorable and I love him. I hope he and Syd connect even more in Season 4

Pete asking Syd if different foods make different levels of noise was the funniest bit the whole season. Protect Pete at all costs.

Now for the bad…

Where’s the fucking character development??? Carmy and Syd in particular felt very stuck this season. The whole season is very stuck in the past and pays a lot of lip service to 'working through your shit'... but no one ever works through their shit this season (save for Richie, sort of) and it annoyed the hell out of me.

The whole first episode felt like a waste of time. Almost no narrative development, 20+ minutes of montage and fancy shots of cooking? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the food porn in The Bear. I live for that shit. But the narrative went NO WHERE in Episode 1 because of how much fancy cooking footage was there instead. Gurl, get on with it. I’m bored.

There are several secrets being kept this season. Syd being offered another (possibly better) position and never talking to Carmy about it, Cicero not telling Carmy that he's now broke and can't help pay for the restaurant anymore, and the details of the restaurant review being kept a secret from the audience (and the characters) for most of the season. And like, we just never really get any payoff from it?? We barely see the restaurant review at the end, Syd doesn't tell Carmy about the other job, and Cicero doesn't tell Carmy about being broke. We ended the season where we started. Re: a waste of time!

Another waste of time was the slight of hand/magic trick theme thing they tried to do but didn't fully develop. I was confused as to what the point of all that was, but it was never fully resolved. Don't give me that 'to be continued' shit because you didn't tie up your loose ends this season. I know bad writing when I see it.

Cicero was especially difficult to watch this season. More antagonistic than usual (which, fair, The Bear is a very expensive shitshow) but it makes a big deal about saying he wishes he would've shown up for the Berzatto kids more, but for what purpose? He says this twice, only for it to be revealed to the audience that he's basically lying to Carmy about having money. Bad writing makes this character more scummy than I think he needs to be.

The Claire subplot went absolutely nowhere this season. I think the only time we actually see Claire in present day (and not just in Carmy's blue-tinted 'Supercut' by Lorde memories of her...) is when Neil and Ted Fak are fucking with her at work about Carmy. She was a major trigger point for Carmy this season, but he never does anything to make amends to her, which I found strange considering there's a WHOLE EPISODE about Carmy "considering apologizing." Shut the fuck up. Apologize to her or don't, but she is not haunting you, Carmen. Goddamn.

Speaking of Carmy never apologizing, this season is SO full of callbacks to previous seasons and makes such specific references that the audience is expected to remember, but there are giant plot holes and references that are all but forgotten. The "I'm sorry" sign that Carmy taught Syd to do on the line when they're upset at each other is never brought up once this season, which feels lazy. Carmy did that sign when he was being an asshole last season, and it felt like that was missing. Also, some of the motifs this season just didn't make sense to me.

Finally, Carmen Berzattto is a grade-A asshole the whole season. Like, just a massive prick with no character development, no arc, no interest in healing or working through his shit or connecting with other human beings in really anyway, and honestly? He was antagonistic and demanding and harsh in a way we've never see him before, and I don't think it was for the better. I understand that it's because he's lost this humility and is turning into Chef David, which is the worst thing in the world to Carmy, but he shows 0 remorse for being an asshole this season. Him 'not being able to say sorry' isn't a good enough excuse for how truly grating his character was the entire season. I didn't enjoy watching him on screen. My favorite moments this season were the ones where Carmy was no where to be found. I loved Carmy in Seasons 1 and 2, but I wanted nothing to do with him this season. That's just bad writing.

PHEW, that was a lot! Okay my loves, thanks for sticking through all that. Please let me know your thoughts and hot takes too!! Anyway, stan Natalie Berzatto, and pick up some fucking C-folds, yeah?

[thebroccolination]

30-DAY BL CHALLENGE - Day 2

"THIS SCENE GIVES ME THE URGE TO BREAK SOMETHING"

Okay, so…it's been two years.

Between Us wasn't as great as I was hoping it would be. And for…god, So Many Reasons. Even though I spent the whole run time trying to see the best in it and writing so much positive meta on here, ultimately I can say that my honest review of Between Us is that BounPrem did a phenomenal job with confusing material (Team's backstory in the novel is less complicated and more impactful than what they put in the series) and poor directing choices. (You did not need five fucking couples, New. I assume you were trying to advertise the stable full of actors you took on for some baffling reason when you were struggling to keep the lights on with the ones you already had. It backfired. A lot .)

So the reason this scene makes me want to break something is because I sincerely think it's the best scene in the series, and it shows how good it could have been.

It's the one time the music is perfect (New does not know how to do sound design at all and it is my goddamn villain origin story WHY WERE THERE FIVE MUSIC CUES IN A FOUR-MINUTE SCENE, SIWAJ), WinTeam's LITERAL push-and-pull choreography is flawless, and the kiss is exactly as feral as it should be at that stage in their relationship.

The look Win gives Team after Team slams him into the locker??? Like, "Yeah, okay, that was hot," and then he slams Team into the locker back. It made me think of their vers dynamic in the novel.

But it's also the little details! Like Boun covering the latch on the locker with his hand when they swapped places because Prem accidentally shoved him into it and he didn't want Prem hurt his back on it, too. He didn't break character, he found a way to fit it into the scene, and it works for Win's character to protect Team, too.

I think New directed Between Us because he loves BounPrem. He knew it meant a lot to them, and they waited two years through a global pandemic to have their own series. BounPrem had passion for WinTeam, but New had passion for BounPrem. And if it's true that New wasn't all that invested in WinTeam, it might explain why he didn't see an issue packing their series with side couples and leaving out huge chunks of the novel relevant to WinTeam's development (Team's actual backstory, Win helping him with his therapy journey, the studying abroad, etc.).

SO that's why this scene makes me want to throw bricks at a wall of ceramics. It's the best scene in the series which means the series peaked in episode two in a bonus scene New only let people access if they paid for it.

I have respect for New as a queer creator who protects his people and gave queer actors a safe company to work for. But if he messes up Revamp the way he messed up Between Us, I'm going to carve a candle in his likeness and feed it to a gargoyle.

[ashsd3ad]

# being gojo satoru’s therapist.

word count: 2.5k-ish

some angst (suicide is mentioned very briefly), no use of y/n, cursing, female!reader, idiots unknowingly pining for each other, emotionally constipated gojo

it was so fucking stupid, he didn’t need any of this. he’s the strongest sorcerer of the modern era for god’s sake.

why on earth was he being forced to see a goddamn therapist?

upon yaga’s request- well, demand actually, he was required to see a shrink because, as the principal worded it, he needed ‘a lot of fucking help’.

of course, he refused at first.

thee satoru gojo in a shrink’s office? what was that, some twisted fucking joke?

sadly for him though, yaga decided to put his foot down and he wasn’t taking no for an answer. he threatened the snowy haired man to take away his teaching job if he didn’t get the help he apparently desperately needed.

so it began, satoru gojo’s journey with his therapist.

over the course of a couple of months, satoru had grown accustomed to his routine with his therapist.

he met up with her in her cozy little office, she tried to make the conversation about his feelings and he’d redirect it to something else entirely, mainly complaining about higher ups in his field.

that always earned him a look, but she never forced him to share his inner monologues with her.

she couldn’t do that even if she wanted to anyways, he wouldn’t let her.

all of this led to an unlikely.. friendship?

well, satoru wouldn’t exactly call it a friendship, but it was.. something.

that day, was no different than their usual meetings.

a tall and lean figure made its way into her office and sat on the comfortable armchair in front of her about 30 minutes prior, but all she got from him up until that point were silences and changes of subject.

“and how did that make you feel?” god here she went again with that stupid fucking question.

satoru sighed, stretching his legs and arms a little.

sometimes she forgot how massive he actually was.

the woman briefly averted her eyes, looking everywhere but at his stupidly stunning figure, afraid yet another crack would appear in her professional persona.

she’d tell herself it wasn’t her fault, it was only natural after all! he was just very nice to look at.

she could be pretty dense, for a therapist.

“you worry too much,” he said casually, albeit a little irritated, after some back and forth. for some reason he couldn’t quite understand, his mood wasn’t the best that day, but he still tried to keep his usual laid back attitude, hiding the annoyance behind a pout. for her sake.

“i’ve told you countless times, i’m here just because i was basically forced, nothing is actually wrong with me.. if yaga didn’t constantly check in with you, i wouldn’t even attend our ‘sessions’ in the first place”.

well.. if he had to be completely honest, satoru had told only half the truth.

he attended their meetings also because his therapist was a very pretty sight to look at, and surprisingly interesting to talk to (when she wasn’t trying to pry into his feelings, that is.)

satoru was more than aware she was only trying to do her job, he really was. he just.. didn’t care, so he decided he was going to make it her problem. maybe he’d manage to get her to her wits end and she’d finally give up on him.

‘please don’t give up on me’

gojo leaned forward a little, resting his elbows on his knees. a playful smile took over his previously pouty lips as he said something along the lines of ‘why don’t we talk about YOUR feelings instead?’.

maybe he could joke his way out of this? he hoped he could.

his therapist sighs, scrunching her nose and pinching the bridge of it slightly. cute.

“we don’t talk about my feelings because i am your therapist, not the other way around, gojo” she countered, trying to keep the conversation as workplace appropriate as possible, suppressing the urge to headbutt the stubbron (and gorgeous) man in front of her.

the woman was very proud of her skills as a therapist, so much so that the lack of progress with this peculiar snowy haired man left her particularly dissatisfied, so she started putting slightly more effort than usual in trying to crack his façade, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“and, for your information, i do worry about you for a reason” she continued, voice firm, stern even.

‘she really worries about me?’

“judging by the very limited amount of insight on yourself you’ve provided me, you really do need someone to talk to about your feelings” his pretty therapist added, looking at him straight in the eyes.

she looked like she wanted to obliterate his sunglasses with her mind.

‘don’t look at me like that’

feelings feelings feelings, he was so tired of hearing her going on about them.

after that statement his mood quickly worsened even more, his face fading in a cold, borderline cynical, front.

‘well, thats a first’ she thought to herself, a little taken aback.

satoru had been curious about what exactly she saw in him from day one. was it concern? pity?

‘i don’t want her pity’

whatever it was, it was a waste of time on both ends.

"i see" he hummed thoughtfully as he tapped his fingers against his knee, pondering on his next words. "can I ask you something?"

“sure, go ahead” she answered calmly, a bit of unsureness and skepticism detectable in her voice given the sudden shift in his character.

satoru seemed to stare right through her for a few moments. his gaze was cold and unmoving, his eyes felt like they were piercing hers in a way that no other client's ever has.

“have you ever considered…” he begins slowly, voice low “that you might not be as good at this job as you think you are?”

his words were sharp, each one chosen with great intent. there was something behind his eyes that both fascinated and terrified her.

‘im sorry’

her eyes widened momentarily at his question.

a flash of annoyance, maybe even anger, thundering in them as her eyebrows furrowed, her lips parting to throw an equally biting remark back at him.

be professional.

she took a deep breath and crossed one leg over the other, speaking calmly once again.

“if you want to criticise my skills you’re free to do so, even though you’re not qualified to do so” the woman retorted.

“and if you want a different therapist you’re more than free to ask mr. yaga” her words did have a little edge to them, but she still managed to keep most of her composure.

before the man in front of her could get a word in, she added one more thing.

“but from my perspective, a therapist’s perspective, you do need one” she said as she tapped her heeled foot on the ground.

‘i know i need help’

‘help me please’

satoru pondered for a couple of seconds, then he chuckled humourlessly as he leaned back in his chair.

his face was stoic, similar to a statue, and his eyes lacked their usual shininess, almost looking muddy.

not that she’d noticed anyways, considering they were hidden behind his glasses.

there was an intensity to his gaze though, one that made even just looking at him feel as if she was under a microscope.

"I think you're taking this too personally." he hums, mocking her ever so slightly.

"i’m not criticising your skills per se, all I'm saying is..." he pauses for a moment, considering how best to say it. "even a blind man could see your ‘concern’ for me runs deeper than the usual pity you feel for all your patients”

“you must think i’m really fucking pathetic, huh?”

what the fuck was he going on about?

“my concern for you, or any other patient for the matter, is not based on pity in the first place, gojo” she looked at him, her face bewildered.

“you think i pity you?” she raised both her eyebrows in question, the incredulous expression still on her face.

satoru chuckles. though the sound is soft and quiet, delightful to hear, something about its sweetness makes it bone chilling.

nonetheless, this made her excited.

it was the widest range of emotions he’d ever shown her.

‘im breaking through!’

“do you not?” he asks, shifting in his chair, and leaning back in it once again, folding his arms over his broad chest.

“why else would you be trying as hard as you are to ‘fix’ me?” he asks, a frown stretched across his gorgeous face.

“i’m just a client like any other, but yet here you are! trying your damn hardest to change me.”

ah, so he did noticed her extra effort huh. fuck.

still, who the hell put the idea she pitied him into his stupid head?

“i do not pity you, gojo. i’ve seen patients far worse than you are” she said, almost sounding a little defensive.

“and i’m not trying to ‘fix you’, or change you for that matter! that is not my job!” she exclaimed, a smidge too loud, massaging her temple with one of her hands immediately after. probably to chase away the growing headache he’d given her.

‘i managed to piss off my own therapist what the fuck is wrong with me and why do i even care?’

before he was completely swallowed by his self deprecating thoughts, her voice brought him back once again, like a saving grace.

“my job is helping patients navigate through their emotions, using methods that are tailored perfectly for them” she explained.

“i communicate with my patients to help them find a way to process their feelings that works for them. i do not pity them, i just help them” she paused “..or, well, try to. if they let me” the woman concluded, face serious.

his face twists in distaste as he listened to her speak. bullshit.

“that’s the thing though,” he responds slowly “i don’t need help with that”

the man pulled his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose, finally meeting her eyes properly.

‘he’s so pretty’

“you think I need your little ‘tools’? or to talk about my feelings??” he said, annoyance lacing his voice.

“i have always known how to process my emotions. I don’t need you to teach me how. i’m. fine.”

she barely held back the urge to scoff.

gojo had never realised how bad his coping mechanism were, and she was just trying to get him to develop healthier ones, bit by bit.

‘communicating would be a great fucking start’

evidently though, it wasn’t working, so she decided it was time to switch up her approach and be a little brazen, maybe that would work.

“you? processing emotions? that’s a good one.” she snickered

he scrunched his nose up, questioningly “and what could you possibly mean by that, huh?” he felt himself get more and more agitated as the seconds ticked by.

he felt like he was being stripped naked, exposed, against his will. all the things he’d worked so hard to bury, the careless persona he’d built..

‘stop looking at me, stop finding out things about me i don’t want you to know.’

“you bottle everything up, pretend it’s fine and let it eat at you from the inside, little by little” she looked at him menacingly, her eyes narrowed into slits.

“that big goofy grin, or the confident smirk you put on, doesn’t work in here, gojo”

she clicked her tongue in disapproval. “in this office, i’m reading you, not the other way around” she continued ad she pointed an accusatory finger at him.

“i know you’re used to getting you way, because you’re smart, even though it doesn’t look like it, but as long as your ass is sat in that chair, you won’t find a way to give me answers you think will please me”

“if your goal is to get me to tell yaga to get off your back, then we’re going to be here for loooong. i’m striving for the truth and i’m going to get it”

to hell with being professional.

the man remained silent for a few moments, his expression almost..hurt? “…I think I hate you.”

he smiled in defeat, leaning forward once again, and though his voice was even and calm, it came out a bit strained.

“no, I know I do.” he didn’t though, and that confused him to no end.

the woman gently laid her hands in her lap, trying to ignore the sting his words left in her chest as her voice went back to its usually stoic connotation, completely discarding the venom it previously dripped in.

“i get that a lot from patients like yourself” she started, calmly.

“usually, they drop therapy after a few session because they can’t handle the truth being thrown in their face and then, after a while..”

a pause, like she was choosing her next words carefully “they end up dropping dead on the floor when the fire crew cuts the rope they hung themselves from” she finished, her expression darkening ever so slightly.

“you think you don’t need help, you think you’re fine just ignoring your emotions, but one day they will catch up to you and it’ll be too late to save you” her voice lowered, almost shamefully, as she tore her eyes away from his.

“nobody will be there to save you from drowning.”

satoru looked shocked for a moment, then he felt a sudden and unprovoked rage take over his body.

how dare she?

he wasn’t like that. he was strong. the strongest, actually.

he wordlessly jumped up from of his seat and went to stride straight out of the room, with the intention of never stepping foot there again, but then he stopped, his back still to her.

for some weird reason he couldn’t quite comprehend, gojo felt the need to still try and prove he was fine, despite the fact the issues he’d tried so hard to hide had been uncovered and brought up to the scorching sunlight.

“i’m not stupid. i am perfectly aware shit might eventually catch up to me, but i’m the strongest fucking being that ever walked this earth, i’ll deal with it”

what was meant to be a powerful statement, came out sounding whiny and hoarse, almost like he was trying to delude himself into believing his own words.

‘at least he admitted he has issues, progress is progress’

his therapist opened her mouth to talk, but he didn’t give her a chance.

he felt like he was being consumed by a sudden and foreign rage.

“BESIDES WHY DO YOU EVEN CARE?!” he suddenly screamed, rapidly turning to face her again, his glasses being hauled across the room in the process.

“why are you that concerned over some stranger like me?” he adds, his expression hard, “do you genuinely, truly, believe I’m worth helping?!”

‘we’re going to have to work on these self deprecating thoughts’

‘im the strongest, i don’t need to be cared for.’

“yes, i do” she stood up from her chair in a (failed) attempt to not crane her neck upwards to look at him.

“i do believe you are worth helping” she assured him in a gentle voice “you can walk out now, if you wish, but never forget this is a safe space where you’re free to talk, satoru” she said, her words surprisingly comforting.

“you’re not a god, you’re human just like the rest of us”

being called human never felt so good.. and it was also the first time she had ever called him by his first name.

and just like that, the usual gojo satoru was back, cracking jokes.

“do you normally call your clients by their first name, or am i special?” he asked, the question dripping with sarcasm and a tiny bit of flirt, as a small smile appeared on his lips.

the angry pretty boy has been calmed down, success.

“you definitely have a savior complex” he added quietly, chuckling a bit “it’s cute”.

a smile made its way on her face too as she shook her head a little, her cheeks a little warm at the compliment “whatever lets you sleep at night”

the woman sat back down, once again crossing one leg over the other.

“now, will you sit down and give therapy an actual chance, satoru?” she looked up at him, expectantly and hopefully.

“yeah.. yeah, i’ll do that.”

gojo satoru may have been the strongest sorcerer in modern history, but he was still human like everyone else.

☆

| @ASHSD3AD ‘S WORK, DO NOT COPY OR TRANSLATE. |

[lunerna21]

I've been feeling on and off for a while, but I wanted to talk about a couple of things

(***LONGISH POST AHEAD! MY BRAIN IS RUNNING AT A MILLION MILES PER HOUR!***)

I THOUGHT WEREN'T GETTING A BOOK 7 UPDATE BUT WE��RE STACKED FOR BOTH EN AND JPN SERVERS!!

I'm gonna talk briefly about the EN server and then jump to talking about the JPN server

I was honestly expecting them to release maybe one more chapter before the end of the year, BUT THIS PERFECTLY OKAY WITH ME~!

I do wish they had just released Playful Land the beginning of October instead of the ending, but I'm glad the beginning of the month is Playful Land and then the end is Book 7

IM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO SOBBING FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME BUT WE'RE FINALLY PROGRESSING COMPARED TO LAST YEAR

I JUST WANT TO HUG SILVER AND SEBEK CAUSE I WAS INCONSOLABLE WHEN SEBEK WAS STRAIGHT FUCKING SOBBING AND SILVER KEPT BLAMING HIMSELF FOR EVERYTHING

IF WE GET ONE MORE CHAPTER IN DECEMBER FOR BOTH SERVERS, OOOOOOOOOO YANA I WILL GIVE YOU ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!

Now, onto the JPN Server!!

***SPOILERS TO JPN SERVER BOOK 7 CONTENT! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!***

.....Folks let me just say one thing...someone is gonna have to play for my therapy bills after this next chapter...

AND RUGGIE LOOKS SO CUTE BUT THEN I SAW HOW PEOPLE WERE SAYING HE'S ATTENDING ANOTHER SCHOOL IN HIS DREAM, SO ANOTHER STUDENT THAT DOESN'T DREAM ABOUT STILL BEING AT NRC!!!

I can't blame Ruggie either considering he was traumatized from Leona attacking AND trying to kill him, but also just how much Ruggie has been through SINCE THE GODDAMN DAY HE WAS BORN!

YANA, I SWEAR TO THE GREAT SEVEN IF THEY MAKE IT THAT BOTH HIS PARENTS ARE ALIVE AND RUGGIE HAS A HARD TIME COPING WITH THE REALITY THAT HE HAS TO GO BACK TO LOSING THEM AND BEING BROKE, I WILL BE SENDING YOU MY THERAPY BILL

LIKE, LOOK AT THIS FREAKING CUTIE!!

Ruggie Bucchi is without a doubt one of my favorite characters from Twist and IM GOING TO BE HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME SEEING RUGGIE GO THROUGH HIS TRAUMAS, CONSIDERING HE KEEPS THINGS PRIVATELY TO HIMSELF

RUGGIE BUCCHI, YOU ARE LOVED!!😭❤️❤️❤️

I am also so INCREDIBLY curious to see Leona's dream. Is he gonna be aware that it's a dream and accepts it? Is he like everyone else and doesn't remember anything from Lilia's farewell party?

And this will FINALLY BE ADDRESSED IN THIS UPDATE?!

WHAT DOES THAT MEANNNNNN?!?!

SOOOOOO WHAT DID YOU GIVE THEN, LEONA!?!

THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN EATING ME ALIVE FOR SO WAY TOO LONG BUT I SWEAR TO GOD IF WE DON'T GET ANSWERS FOR THIS IM GONNA RIP MY HAIR OUT

I FEEL OUT OF ALL THE BOOKS IN TWISTED WONDERLAND, THIS GROUP NEEDS REDEMPTION AND I WANNA SEE THEM BOND AND CRY TOGETHER OR SOMETHING JUST GIVE IT TO ME!!!

THE MOMENT I CAN GET A TRANSLATED VERSION OF THE UPDATE, I'M HAVING A TALL GLASS OF WINE AND SOME GREENERY (😉) AND DIVING INTO THIS CHAPTER!

LASTLY, I CANNOT BELIEVE WE ARE SO MUCH CLOSER (HOPEFULLY CAUSE I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE) TO SEEING ACE AND DEUCE AGAIN!!

AHHHHHH FHEJAFIOEAJFJERAJF I NEED TO SEE THEM BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

One concern I have though is we haven't see the dream/visions of when Prince Philip gets kidnapped by Maleficent and her goons

SO WHAT IF HE'S JUST WAITING FOR THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO CUT US OFF AND PREVENT US FROM MAKING ANY MORE PROGRESS?!

AND WHAT ABOUT THIS ⬇️ ?!?!?!?!?!?!? (Sorry if it's a lot lol I'm overwhelmed, is it obvious?😂)

AHHHHHHH I JUST DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL GET ANSWERS FOR THIS IN HEARTSLABYUL'S CHAPTER, BUT IM HORRIFIED IM SEEING ACE AND DEUCE OVERBLOT OR SOMETHING

I NEED TO GO CALM DOWN, BUT I HOPE WE GET SOME ANSWERS!!

[softmamawrites]

WIP Wednesday

tagged by the lovely @roseszirnheld 💕

here’s a snippet from Love Within These Halls part 4

John groans softly as he pulls his leg towards his chest, stretching the muscles in his hip and pelvis. Eyes closing slightly at the extension of his ligaments and tendons. Before he’s grunting at the feel of another person’s hand on his knee. More the pressure of his leg getting pushed farther into his chest. Looking up to see Curt kneeling in front of him, his eyebrow cocked at the younger boy.

“Why? That hurts.”

“It’s supposed to hurt, ya dumbass. It’s stretching the muscle out, it’s keeping you from getting tense. That’s the point of physical therapy, they don’t call it pain and torture for nothing.” Curt responds as he pushes John’s leg again, before he’s pulling the boy’s thigh out a bit to the side. John gritting his teeth a little at the feel of his muscles pulling in his pelvis again. Curt humming a bit as he does the exercises that Patrick and Danica have shown him. John pushing at his hand slightly, Curt squeezing his kneecap.

“Christ Curt, you’re gonna break my hip.” John grunts softly as he looks down at watch the way Curt manipulates his body. Knowing rationally that Patrick stretches him farther than this on a good day. But today hadn’t been the best day, John had slacked off on his stretches the last few days. So he was feeling stiff now that it was Friday night, he had been able to drop to two days a week for physical therapy.

Neither of them hear the door opening, or the sound of Gale’s keys jingling as he comes in with pizza. The three of them had been planning on a movie night because Ken had to leave town for a work event. So Curt was going to be home all weekend, and John had already whined to the heavens about not getting dicked down. Even though Gale has promised he will still get dick this weekend, it will just require John staying quiet.

“I’m not gonna break your fuckin hip, ya goddamn baby. Physical therapy only works if ya actually do it. So, stretch your damn muscles out.” Curt tells the younger boy, both of them looking over at the sound of Gale’s squawk. The youngest standing there, his black hair gelled back out of his face. Holding two boxes of pizza, some breadsticks on the top, and his eyes glued to the two of them.

———————————

then because I’m feeling self indulgent, I have a pack omega piece with an OC I’ve been working on for a minute. no name for it yet but I’m quietly and slowly chipping away at it.

“You did what?! What the fuck is wrong with you?! Jesus Christ!” Brady hollers as he all but throws one of the wooden chairs at Buck, the blond alpha trying his hardest to not growl. Standing across the small rounded table from the volatile beta, Bucky leaning against his own bunk. While Juliet slowly makes her way over to the beds, carefully climbing up by Benny. The beta wide eyed as he stares at Brady borderline screaming at the only alpha in the room at the moment. Both Gale and Juliet smelling like the other, her cheeks holding a soft flush to them still.

But the shakes from her heat being unsatisfied having diminished, her body sated for the time being. Just needing to sleep now, just needing to rest where she could. She felt sticky between her thighs still, she knew she smelt like slick. She knew she smelt like heat, her skin was clinging to the scent of Gale, the scent of her alpha. Whether he intended to claim her or not was a different story, but the emotional tether was there now. It would take too much to break it, and with tensions as high as they were. It could prove a lethal endeavor, but neither of them could think about it at the moment.

“I didn’t mean to Brady, stop threatening to throw things. I couldn’t let someone else come in and hurt her. God dammit!” Gale groans as Brady chucks one of the cups at him, the metal hitting off of Gale’s forearm. Clattering to the floor by Bucky’s feet, while Benny wraps his arm around Juliet gently. Letting her tuck her nose into his chest, making a quiet sound at her alpha yelling. Gale’s eyes instantly flicking to the bunk to look at her, not seeing the almost murderous look that has taken over Brady’s face. Bucky pushing off of the bunk now to step closer to the blond alpha and brunet beta.

“Okay, okay, we get it. Buck shouldn’t have knotted her, but it was either him or someone else doing it. Or she would have gone feral, and we know exactly what they do to feral omegas in here. He didn’t mate mark her, Brady put the goddamn cup down.” John says as he looks at the younger beta, hearing the little sad trill that Juliet lets out. Benny turning his head slightly to look at them all, watching the way Gale stiffens at her sad sound. Benny’s eyes connecting with Bucky’s for just a moment before they’re all looking back at Juliet.

“You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not here. Gale didn’t take advantage of me...it happened, there isn’t anything we can do about it right now. Please stop throwing things at him Brady.” The omega murmurs from where she’s got herself tucked into Benny. The Italian beta keeping her close to himself, she was still slightly heat warm. She might need one more knot to fully knock it out of her system, but she was right. There wasn’t anything they could do right now, there was no use in fighting.

Brady huffs softly before he’s looking at Gale, seeing the way the alpha is already staring at Juliet. The woman dozing on Benny’s chest, exhausted and spent. Feeling safe with her alpha and betas surrounding her, Brady glares for a another minute before he’s going to take the end of the bunk to rest near her.

—————-

I always feel awkward tagging people but: @steviewicks45 @swifty-fox @joeyalohadream @weimarweekly and anyone else who wants to join in of course 💕🥰

[fruit-teeth]

A Letting Go (chapter 7: The Hole)

As Flo pulled into the driveway of her house, she noticed a beat-up truck that did not belong there. Instantly, her heart sank and she had a feeling she knew who the truck belonged to.

She got out of the car and walked briskly towards the front door, tugging on the front door and finding it unlocked. Once she’d mentally prepared herself, she opened the door all the way.

As soon as she entered, she heard Soldier's familiar, loud voice: “So, then, I said, ‘I don't care if you're his bestest buddy! Hypnosis isn't legal, I'll sue you and him and the whole goddamned world for as long as I can!’ And I did! Zhanna, do you still have the photos from when I absolutely obliterated him in the courtroom?”

“Oh, God!” Flo exclaimed, dropping her purse on the counter. “What are you guys doing here!?”

Soldier hopped up from the sofa, running to greet Flo. “Miss Pauling! I was just telling the Administrator about my last therapy appointment! How come you never haven’t had any potlucks here? We need to make you our famous pinecone stew!” 

“What are you…? What are you doing here?” Flo repeated, unable to process the fact that Jane and his family just wandered into her home.

Soldier frowned. “Hm?”

Zhanna piped up, “Are you not happy to see us, Miss Pauling?” 

“No, no I am!” Flo assured. “It’s just been a long time! I love seeing you guys, but…” 

Before she could finish, little Georgia came trotting up. “Hi, we used your toolbox!” 

Flo turned her attention onto the child, and despite everything, she couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, hi, Georgia! Oh, my goodness, you’ve grown so much since I last saw you. How old are you now?” 

”I’m four!” Georgia replied. 

 Delighted, Flo scooped up the child into her arms. “Oh, four already? Wow, you’re so old now!” 

“Yep, I know!” Georgia nodded. 

At that moment, Flo glanced over, seeing Helen standing there. There was a brief pause, before Flo gently set the child back on the floor. “So…I’m assuming you guys met?” 

“Yes,” Zhanna nodded. ��First we thought she was lying about not remembering, but we know she is not lying now.”

Flo managed to say, “Well…good, I guess. What brought you here?” 

“Misha told me,” Zhanna explained. “I know you asked him not to tell, but he told me.”

Flo closed her eyes for a moment, taking in a breath. “Okay,” she said again, not really knowing what else to say. “Just…I really wanted to keep this under wraps, but I guess everyone’s bound to find out eventually.” 

She looked back at Helen, noticing a pensive expression on her face. “Are you okay, Helen?” 

Helen just nodded. “I’m…fine.”

At that moment, the ghostly figure of Merasmus materialized beside Flo. “Miss Pauling, long time no see!”

Flo jumped back in alarm. “Jesus Christ! Oh, my God — what the hell!?”

“Oh, sorry,” Merasmus replied apologetically. “I keep forgetting that most mortals are frightened of ghosts,” he gestured to Helen. “I’m very grateful I got to come today! It’s been so long since I’ve been in the presence of someone who was Moonrisen.”

“Okay, that’s fine,” Flo said quickly. “Look, guys, I haven’t had any time to pick up this house, so I…” she then stopped herself realizing what Merasmus had said. “Wait: Moonrisen?”

“I think it means she was dead and she’s not dead anymore,” Patton piped up from where he sat on the floor. Helen flinched a little at those words, but said nothing.

Not too long after, Misha was unloading the dishwasher when heard the phone ring in the other room. 

“I’ll get it!” He heard Ludwig exclaim. 

Misha tried not to eavesdrop, but he was curious as to who could be calling at this point in the evening. He discreetly listened to Ludwig speak to whoever was on the phone as he placed the dishes back into the cabinet. 

“I’m sorry, you saw Merasmus and he said…what?” 

“Yeah!” Flo replied on the other end of the phone. “He said something about Helen being…Moonrisen? It sounds like it could be the answer we’re looking for!”

“Fascinating,” Ludwig commented. “It has a name…there's science behind it! Of course, how could I not have realized? Did he say if there were any resources on it?”

“I have no idea,” Flo admitted. “He said most of the information he read was from ages ago, but I’m sure you could go looking and find something. It can’t be that hard to find, right?” 

“Well you’d be surprised,” Ludwig pointed out. “If he saw research about this ages ago, there’s a possibility it could have been lost to time…ugh! We can't even use his powers to get that information back, his magic is limited in that ghost form!”

“You’re right…damn!” Flo sighed. “All the rotten luck…” 

Ludwig cleared his throat after a few seconds. “Well, at least we know what it is! It has a name, that's certainly a start. I’m going to start looking into this, there has got to be something!”  

“Call me to let me know what you find,” Flo replied. “I gotta go, I have to make dinner.” 

“All right, we will be in touch!” Ludwig agreed, before ending the call. 

As Ludwig entered the kitchen, he noticed Misha standing there, leaning on the counter. There was a brief pause, before Ludwig asked, “Were you listening?” 

Misha nodded. “Da. You know what brought the Administrator back?” 

Ludwig pursed his lips together in thought. “Not quite…all we know is the name of what it could have possibly been, but we don’t know how it happened or why. I need to learn more…” 

“This is good,” Misha agreed with a nod. “But where will you look?” 

“Well…” Ludwig considered his options, before landing on a logical one. “We need to go to where it all began: the woods where the police found her!”

With that goal in mind, they packed up some supplies and headed to the woods by car. Yet, Ludwig didn’t want to leave a certain pet of theirs home by himself. 

As Ludwig brought the baboon into the woods, Misha commented, "I do not think bringing Teddy was a good idea."

“Nonsense!” Ludwig assured. “Besides, Teddy‘s been inside all day. He needs to stretch his legs! What better way to do that than to just let him run amuck? Come on, Teddy, let’s go investigate!”

The baboon scurried around on all fours, the leaves and snow crunching beneath his paws. At this time of night, the woods were dark, though both men held flashlights to illuminate their path.

“This might not be a good idea,” Misha remarked after a moment. “Everything looks the same, especially in the dark.” 

"Something must be there,” Ludwig scanned the trees for any signs with his flashlight. “I don’t know much about this ‘Moonrising’ business, but what I do know is bodies don’t appear out of thin air!” 

“Ghosts do,” Misha replied with a shrug.

“I know ghosts do, obviously,” Ludwig paused for a moment to examine a scratch on a tree. “But that’s not what Helen is. She’s…come to think of it, she’s somewhat of a clone!” 

Misha raised his eyebrows. “A clone?” 

“Yes,” Ludwig continued. “You see: she's an exact copy of her body. She has no idea who she was before, and she appears to be an entirely different person now. I wonder if Moonrising is just a magical form of cloning, or some such thing!” 

“So, you think she does not have memories?” Misha asked.

“Well…I didn’t say that, but I suppose we’ll have to find out won’t we, Misha?”

Misha grunted. “Yes, but there’s got to be a better way than to just wait and find out.” 

"I suppose you're right, but…" Ludwig trailed off, watching Teddy run several paces ahead of them and stop near the base of a hill.

The hill sat in a bit of a clearing in the woods, covered in freshly fallen snow. Teddy paused at the base of the hill, staring deeply into something. Soon, he began snorting and making grunting sounds. 

“Teddy, what’s the matter?” Ludwig asked, picking up his pace so he could catch up with the baboon. He stopped once he reached him, glancing down and seeing something odd. “Oh? What is this?” 

“What do you see?” Misha caught up to Ludwig, and they both shone their flashlights down on the spot Teddy had found.

There, at the base of the hill, frozen over with ice and covered in snow, appeared to be a hole in the ground. Ludwig knelt down, clearing some of the snow away with his hands and stopping to get a better look at the hole. 

The amount of ice indicated that it had been there for a few days, but the presence of the ice revealed something that made them both shudder. Deep rivets, about the size and shape of human fingers, had frozen into the soil, like someone had tried and succeeded in clawing their way out.

A silence passed between both men. They just stared at the hole, trying to process what they were seeing. 

Finally, Misha spoke up. “I do not like this.” 

Ludwig only touched the deep frozen-over gorges left by the fingernails. “Someone was here,” he said out loud, though that was obvious. He gestured down into the deep section of the hole, which was completely covered in ice. "But they started out in there. Should we break the ice and see what’s in there?”

“I do not know,” Misha sounded concerned, and he was starting to step back. “Doktor, this is making me feel very worried. I think we should go home.” 

“This doesn’t make any sense!” Ludwig sat back on his heels in the snow, his mind reeling. “This couldn’t be a case of somebody emerging from their grave, it couldn’t be a case of reanimation! Helen didn’t even have a body when she died, and she wasn’t even buried anywhere around here!” He paused. “Wait a minute: was she even buried? Did she have a funeral? Does she have a tombstone? I can’t remember…” 

Misha just shook his head. “There was nothing. Nobody wanted to mourn her.” 

Ludwig turned around, looking up at Misha. “Oh…right. That’s right,” he recalled, before glancing back at the hole. 

Reaching his hands back in, he struggled to remove the layer of ice. Misha stepped in to help him, not wanting him to accidentally cut his fingers. 

Once the frozen covering was removed, the two shined their flashlights into the remaining space. There was no telling how deeply it went down — it looked like a rabbit burrow, only larger. 

Teddy sniffed around and tried to stick his head into the hole, but Ludwig picked him up and held him back. “No, Teddy!” 

“This is scaring me,” Misha commented. “I do not know what this means, but I do not like it.” 

“Neither do I,” Ludwig agreed, though he was still very much intrigued by the whole thing. 

It was then that something else caught Misha’s attention. “Mushrooms,” he pointed to the base of the hill. “There are mushrooms in winter?”

Ludwig got back up and brushed the bits of snow and dirt off of himself. “Well, yes, there are mushrooms that grow in the winter. It’s really not that uncommon.” 

“Are you sure?” Misha asked, still staring at the mushrooms. 

“I’m sure, I feel like I’ve encountered this before, but I’m no fungus expert…or, rather fungi expert. How is one supposed to say that? Oh, well.” Ludwig stepped back to Misha and took his hand into his own. “Let’s go warm up and tell Flo what we found. She’ll be interested to know.” 

After leaving the woods, the two stopped at a nearby coffee shop to warm up with some hot drinks. There, Ludwig used the establishment’s payphone to call Flo again. 

“Are you suggesting she crawled out of the ground or something?” Flo asked in bewilderment once Ludwig had finished relaying everything to her. “No, no, that doesn’t make sense! She…she wasn’t even buried!” 

“I know,” Ludwig assured. “I know this, Miss Pauling. But we don’t quite know what’s going on, still — this could be part of Moonrising. Tell me: did Helen had dirt under her nails when they found her?” 

“I don’t…” Flo trailed off, trying to remember. “I…don’t actually know. She looked pretty unkempt when I first saw her. I also heard the ladies at the shelter had to throw her dress out because it was so dirty. Other than that…I guess it’s hard to say. I don’t know if she looked like she crawled out of the dirt, exactly, but…”

“That’s all right,” Ludwig sighed, running a free hand through his hair. “I’m going to try and get to the bottom of this. Has her behavior changed at all?”

Flo shook her head, despite the fact that Ludwig couldn’t see her doing so. “No. I mean, she’s been a little quiet, but that’s pretty much how she’s been this whole time.” 

Ludwig hummed, taking this in. “At least her old personality isn’t slipping through, that’s certainly a plus.” 

“Yeah…I guess,” Flo agreed, shrugging. “I just hope she comes out of her shell more. I really don’t know how she’s ever gonna live normally.”

“Take it day by day,” Ludwig advised. “Keep track of her behaviors and habits, and if there’s any changes, let me know.” 

“Will do,” Flo affirmed, before their call ended. 

Jane and his family had left at this point, leaving the house quiet again. Flo got the dishes from dinner cleaned, before she headed into the living room. 

Helen sat on the living room floor, focused on the bookshelf, though she hadn’t actually picked up a book to read. She shook herself when she heard Flo enter, though, turning her attention to her. 

“Hey,” Flo greeted. “You wanna watch TV? There’s gonna be some old sci-fi movies on, we can watch one and then head to bed!”  

Helen nodded silently, paused, and then cleared her throat a few times. “What happened to me?” She managed to ask, voice quivering. 

Flo had begun to reach for the remote, but she stopped when Helen spoke. “What?” 

Helen went on. “Am I…dead? Those people…and the ghost, they said I was. But is that true?” 

Flo sucked in a breath, clasping her hands together as she tried to think of a response. “You were dead, once,” she said finally. “But not anymore.” 

Helen nodded, though her brow furrowed in confusion. “That’s possible?” 

“Well, yeah,” Flo sat down on the floor next to Helen, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “You actually died and came back a few different times…” she glanced away for a moment, swallowing hard. “It’s just that…I thought the last time was the final time.” 

“Oh,” was all Helen said, her voice barely a whisper. 

Flo looked back at the other woman, regaining her composure again. “But, Helen, listen: if you…ever wanna know what happened, I can…I can try my best to explain it to you. There’s a lot of things even I don’t understand, though, but—,”

“No,” Helen cut in, shaking her head. “No, please. I don’t…I don’t want to remember. It sounds like I did something bad. The things I do remember…” she closed her eyes for a second, drawing a shaky breath. “They scare me.” 

“Wait,” Flo leaned in close to Helen, brow furrowing. “Hang on: you actually remembered something? What was it?” 

Helen’s shoulders tensed up, and she stared down at her hands. “I don’t really know,” she admitted. “But you were there.” 

“Was I?” Flo sat back a little bit, blinking. She wanted to ask for more information, but Helen had said that she didn’t want to remember. Pressing her for details might upset her even more.

Flo placed her arm around Helen, pulling her in for a light embrace. “Hey…it’s okay. Look, let’s just relax and forget about it, all right?” 

Helen leaned into the touch, curling towards Flo. “All right…” 

They sat there, saying nothing for a few minutes, but Helen broke the silence again. “I can’t read.” 

“You can’t?” Flo asked, loosening her embrace. When Helen nodded, Flo rose up and turned to the bookcase. “Don’t worry about it, you probably just forgot. Here,” she selected a book, pulling it from the shelf. “Do you wanna read together?” 

Helen tilted her head, eyeing the book. “Together?” A smile crossed her face, and she nodded. “I’d like that.” 

[cruelestpigeon]

THE MAGNUS ARCHIVES IMPRESSIONS: EP 115 - 120

EP 115: Taking Stock

SALESA?? Omg Salesa backstory? I feel like I've heard about the meat grinder in a previous story, no? Noooo Helen. Like I get why Jon was a jerk but like idk me personally I'd listen. It's better to have a weird ally than a weird enemy.

EP 116: The Show Must Go On

This episode was sooooo well written. HELP JON IMMEDIATELY SAYING MARTIN CAN'T GO??? Omg the gang is back together and scheming I'm so happy. "If you die I'm afraid you won't be able to claim your expenses." Tim is in desperate need of therapy it's not even funny, like someone has got to book him an appointment.

EP 117: Testament

I love these little bits where we get to see the characters thought process. JON BRINGING UP THE OFFICE GOSSIP IS CRAZY???? HES STUTTERING??? BRO YOU'RE ABOUT TO DIE YOU CANNOT BE STUTTERING OVER THIS LMAOOO. Awww Basira and Daisy are actually so cute, I love their friendship so much omg. Melanie's voice actor is so talented omg this is so well acted. I feel so bad for Melanie :( MELANIE'S TRIP???? :( Man I love Melanie. "I need him to be okay. sorry." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN MARTIN??? DID HE JUST TELL JON TO CHILL OUT LMAO? Oh my god Martin has a legitimate crush stop I love him. World could possibly end and he's here yapping about his crush. Daisy is so real for just turning on the recorder and only breathing and saying okay. Noooooo Tim :(

Current predictions: Tim dies, Someone is irreversibly injured, Basira dies? They succeed but not properly so there's extreme damages to our world and reality

EP 118: The Masquerade

Jon was really okay with Martin burning cases?? Losing that knowledge??? Tim I love you for making bad jokes. Oh?? Weird Tape appearing out of nowhere?? ELIAS CLOCKED MARTIN'S FEELINGS SO FAST LMAOOO This is horrifying then. HE ADMITTED THE FEELINGS???????? YALLLLLL. Elias really said "your mom" and then went on to attack Martin's mommy issues. GUYS IM ACTUALLY THE NUMBER ONE ELIAS HATER. THEY BETTER SUCCEED AND KILL HIM I NEED HIM GONE AFTER WHAT HE DID TO MELANIE AND MARTIN. DID DAISY JUST SHOOT JON???????

EP 119: Stranger And Stranger

The music goes so hard for this intro omg. THIS EPISODE IS SO COOL??? Tim saw Jon and then went to kill him, didn't even need an illusion goddamn. The Watcher??? Rip to Tim since he's pressing the detonator. After reading the description I missed Daisy dying and Basira leaving because I got confused :')

EP 120: Eye Contact

Elias you cannot be making a statement about a guys dreams that's just not right. So Jon is in the hospital?? Y'all this was a very cool statement but confused me so bad. WAIT SO DAISY DIED??? Elias is under arrest?? So there is that weird Lukas guy. OH new guy in charge then.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

This finale was so weird on so many levels. So much not processed??? Like we haven't see the aftermath of it all which is a bit weird. Man I wish I was apart of the fandom at the time so I could see people dissect this and explain bits I missed and make silly theories.