#I don't think there will be a time I'll forget about him

[pyract0]

Random thoughts with MHA men!

☁︎Lowkey just a heap of stupid ideas I had for different characters I thought were funny/ cute. Might extend on a few of these into longer fics if I find the time :) ☁︎Going back to finishing some requests after this! Sometimes read and can't process what I just read so might take a while to finish them all! Feel free to request but might be a bit slow at the moment, but I'll get through them when I can! ☁︎Not really any warnings other than swearing (Tried to keep it to a minimum but habit when I can't think of a fitting word)! Gn/ unspecified reader :))

╰┈➤ Katsuki Bakugo who follows a strict routine he set for himself to get the most out of the day, in bed by exactly 8:30. Yet he coincidently always happens to be awake when you try to sneak in and cuddle under the covers with him. Gets annoyed at you for "interfering" with his schedule, but he never lets himself fall asleep if he knows your planning to visit, even if at ridiculous hours of the night. ╰┈➤ Shoto Todoroki who lacks certain aspects of understanding when it comes to social cues, specifically the idea of personal space after you start dating. Will stand behind you breathing down your neck just wanting to be near you, not realising how odd it appears to anyone passing by. Similarly, will practically sit ON you instead of beside you, squeezing between you and anyone/anything so he can sit right beside you.

╰┈➤ Izuku Midoriya who often forgets or simply doesn't realise when his habit of rambling starts, sometimes scaring the shit out of you when he suddenly breaks the silence. Will need you to sometimes cover his mouth when out in public before he says something that would accidently make any sane person uncomfortable. Talked about murder out of context at least a few times and got y'all kicked out of somewhere </3

╰┈➤ Tenya Iida who understands the concept of money and it's overall value, but frankly doesn't care when it comes to you. Buys you awfully expensive items that reminds him of you/ thinks you'll like, hiding just how much he actually spent so you don't reject it (you know, you just don't have the heart to tell him.) Will gift you like it's only something small and beat himself up for not getting you something better (It cost more than what you make in 3 months). Prides himself on responsibility but it all falls out the window when about his decisions around you.

╰┈➤ Eijiro Kirishima who shows you off like some sort of deity, constantly praising anything and everything you do. Accidently degrades himself while praising you, saying how he doesn't deserve you (he's literally an angel :(( ). Will do anything for you, if you ask him or not, choosing to show just how much he loves you through his actions not just words. Tells you he loves you at least 5 times a day <3

╰┈➤ Neito Monoma who respects you even if you're in class 1a, never speaking poorly of you even when shitting on your class. Stops whenever you're nearby and starts acting all sweet like he wasn't badmouthing each of your classmates to their faces minutes prior. Another one who worships your every movement and the ground you walk on, but instead of degrading himself puts everyone else but the both of you down. (My favourite little menace)

╰┈➤ Hitoshi Shinsou who without fail whenever you're alone hands you some random ass cat inspired thing that reminded him of you. First it was a small succulent pot, next some really doped out looking cat plushie, then a little keychain of a black cat with a witches hat.. it just kept going. Gets you wondering how he manages to keep finding these objects, and how he always manages to have one when you see each other unplanned (He has a little hidden pocket where he stores the little strange trinkets) ╰┈➤ Rody Soul who sometimes activates his quirk, summoning Pino, at the most random hours of night. Will get woken up by your sudden screams, thinking you had a nightmare only for it to have been Pino scaring the shit out of you by sitting on your chest in the middle of the night and scrutinizing your very being (lovingly). Has been forced as a result to spend the next day begging for forgiveness for Pino's actions (He had a dream of you and she was just admiring you with the same level of affection as him, just hers a bit more creepy..)

╰┈➤ Mirio togata who even after years of practice with his quirk, happens to forget what activating it in normal clothes does. Has tried to phase through the ground to surprise you with his sudden appearance just to end up flashing you, both of you now sitting in embarrassment while your struggling to breathe through your laughter. Apologises before joining you in going along with your everyday life (It will happen again)

╰┈➤ Tamaki Amajiki who uses you as a form of protection, not from physical danger but from people trying to communicate with you both. Will hold your hand in his and stand right against your back, head often against yours or on your shoulder while he lets you talk for him as well as yourself. As soon as you finish, will drag you away to a more secluded area and embrace you with more confidence as a way of showing his appreciation for never complaining about his shying away from socialising.

╰┈➤ Giulio Gandini who chooses to not wear his eyepatch when you're both alone, trusting you in his most vulnerable form. Who is able to use his robotic eye as a camera, recording your interactions to preserve the memory. Often pulls up these moments on the screen of his prosthetic arm when you're apart, watching through them when he misses you. Moves certain ones to a USB and prints out photos to give you (some in lockets, some just as a copy to frame) leaving you confused on how he managed to get them. (I love him so much :(( lowkey the main reason I liked the 4th movie sm)

╰┈➤ Touya Todoroki/ Dabi who will only let you help when it comes to dyeing his hair (aka forces you when the black is washing out to help fix it up). Will sit on a random chair he dragged in or the edge of the bathtub while you touch up his roots, probably moves constantly unless you hold his head in place. Gets you to join him in the shower to help wash through it, being a little shit about it and smudging the dye on you so it'll stain.

╰┈➤ Tomura Shigaraki who refuses to touch you with all 5 of his fingers, even after he's confident in his abilities to control his quirk. Will always have a finger lifted from your body while he holds you in his embrace, wearing artist gloves when sleeping beside you just to be safe. Holds your hand constantly when alone like the touch starved person he is but never has a proper grasp, loosely intertwining your fingers while he leaves his pinkie away from your hand.

╰┈➤ Shota Aizawa who similar to his son has a habit of handing you random stuff when he returns home, though his are more concerning. If you had a nickel for every time he came home to hand you a kitten he found in an alley, you would have two but it was very strange it happened twice. Came home after his long shift one night and handed you a cat like it was just another causal Wednesday. So anyways you guys have 2 cats now :))

╰┈➤ Keigo Takami who likes to use his feathers to tickle you at the least expected times, often resulting in a fresh bruise the next day. Will each and every time forget you like to swing when his feathers are tickling at your sides, with your first or leg accidently colliding with some part of his body. One time was his face, another his calf, or the time you accidently hit him where the sun don't shine. He learnt to move back after that one..

[zroronoas]

roommate!zoro

hi guys i love zoro so much i might actually explode.

-

-zoro is a sleepy guy, so he loves taking naps on the couch. like all the time. you rarely get to sit on it, since his entire body is always occupying the seats. the living room is basically his bedroom, with him preferring to sleep there over his actual one. you've sat on him once, somehow not noticing the lump that was snoring away underneath the blanket.

"zoro, do you not like your bed?"

the question makes the man raise an eyebrow, what kind of question was that? what kind of person doesn't like their own bed?

"of course i do, do you?"

"do i like your bed? i've never been on it."

now you're both confused, but the man opts to just close his eyes again. you pull your lips into a tight line, deciding to focus your attention back to your book. conversations between the two of you never went well if they went on too long.

-zoro cannot cook. like don't even let him get near the kitchen Please. you don't understand how it happens, he could have a recipe pulled up on his phone and he still somehow messes it up. the smoke detector is going off, your pots and pans are burnt, and zoro is yelling at his ruined dish.

"it's not my fault! it's the stupid ass ingredients and recipe!"

you roll your eyes as you frantically try to fan away all the smoke. "how could it be the ingredients and recipe? you just can't read!"

"oh now you're being ungrateful, this dish was for us!"

"zoro, do me the biggest favor and never cook anything ever again. i'll cook for us."

-friday movie nights with lots of alcohol. thankfully you can both hold your alcohol pretty well, so drinking with zoro was always a chill time. your only issue was that you tended to be a little more affectionate when drunk, but zoro was usually passed out once you got to that point.

"cheers!" you grin while bumping your tiny shot glass to zoro's full cup of beer. he scoffs, but there's a small smile on his face when he watches you take the shot and immediately grimace.

"do we have to cheers every time we take a shot? we've done this about eight times now."

"zoro," you look at him pointedly. "you're really such a buzzkill! of course we have to cheers every time!"

zoro notices the way your cheeks start to turn pink and how you slowly start moving closer to him on the couch. he always tries not to think anything of it, but he can't help but think that you're a little bit cute when you're drunk. just a little though.

and that's usually his cue to put his hands behind his head and close his eyes, so that he doesn't have to deal with his heart pounding against his chest when you act like that.

"already, zoro?" you whine. "you always fall asleep so fast!"

-he walks around shirtless all the time. sometimes he'll even sport the shirtless and gray sweatpant combo. it's actually a pain in the ass because he's so hot. and you have a staring problem. the worst thing about it is that zoro is fully aware that you ogle him, but he secretly loves it.

"zoro, please put a shirt on! you shouldn't walk around like that in front of me." you grumble, but the way you can't bring yourself to look at him, gives your true feelings away.

and since you're not looking at him, you don't see the smirk that forms on his face when he sees how much it affects you.

"go back into your room if you hate it so much."

"hey! i live here too, i should be able to walk into the kitchen without you being half naked!"

-does not lock the door when he uses the bathroom. the amount of times you've accidentally walked in on him showering or using the toilet is actually criminal. and when you yell at him to start locking the door, he blames you instead.

"maybe you should knock, the door is closed isn't it?" he rolls his eyes as he towel dries his hair.

"you should still lock it! sometimes i forget to knock."

"what's the big deal anyways? you've seen me naked multiple times now."

-he's actually super sweet and the best roommate. whenever you're tired from work, he always makes sure to make things a little easier for you. if that means ordering takeout so you don't have to cook, he'll do it. he'll tidy up around the apartment, because he knows it bothers you coming home to a messy house. and if you don't drive, he'd drop you off and pick you up from work. the only con to that was he always got lost on the way, but it was just something you had to get used to. and you'd gladly wait as long as you had for him.

[silverynight]

Oblivious heart

Izuku is too focused on checking his email to see the crystal door on time; he realizes he's going to collide a little bit too late. It's not that bad, it won't kill him or injure him, but it'll probably hurt a little bit.

However, his face doesn't bump into it; Katsuki takes him by the waist and moves him out of the way like he weighs nothing while pushing the door open effortlessly.

"Thank you, Kacchan!" Izuku beams immediately; he forgets how strong Katsuki has gotten in the past few years.

"Be more careful, nerd," the pro hero grumbles, narrowing his eyes at him with more concern than irritation. "Besides, it's the weekend. I fucking know you're checking your email, you should be not thinking about work."

The young teacher blushes, basically confirming what Katsuki just said.

"Some of my students already sent their homework."

"You can check it on Monday."

Izuku puts his phone back in his pocket, mostly to appease the pro hero. Katsuki smirks triumphantly before putting an arm around his shoulders. The teacher is aware that people are watching them.

They decide to have breakfast in a cafeteria and talk about their respective jobs a bit. Sometimes, a couple of people approach them to ask them both for an autograph. It's been a while since the war, and Izuku knows young people know more Katsuki than they know him, so sometimes he thinks they ask him for his autograph not to make him feel bad. Or maybe because if they don't ask for his, pro hero Dynamight gets all grumpy and refuses to talk to them.

But sometimes, Katsuki also gets irritated when people approach him and talk too much to him, especially if they're the same age as he is or a bit older.

It confuses Izuku sometimes.

"You're amazing!" The young man says after a while; listing all the things he likes about Izuku the most, his courage, his determination and his selflessness until he makes the teacher blush to the tip of his ears. "Can I get you something? A coffee? Something to eat? Maybe we can go somewhere else–"

Katsuki, who just got back with their food, places Izuku's latte and the croissant in front of him, as well as his own breakfast on the table. He sits quite aggressively next to the teacher and puts an arm around his shoulders.

"Who the fuck are you?" He hisses, clearly irritated at the fan still standing next to their table.

"Kacchan, be nice!"

"Pro hero Dynamight!" The young man pales, looking from one to another, deflating immediately. "I didn't know you were hero Deku's–"

"I am. Fuck off."

Izuku scolds him then and tries to apologize, but the man is gone in the blink of an eye.

Katsuki pulls him even closer and looks around at the people watching, like he's daring them to approach their table. None of them do, obviously.

"This is why you're constantly dropping ranks. Kacchan, you have to work on your charisma a bit if you want to be number one!"

"I don't care."

That also confuses Izuku; Katsuki used to be so competitive when they were in high-school.

"Stop pouting because of me. I'll be fine, nerd."

Katsuki urges him to drink his latte before it gets cold, and that's the end of it.

***

Things change considerably after Katsuki gives him the hero suit. Izuku can't quite believe that he planned it from the moment they graduated from school. His friends helped too, and he's very thankful for it, but he knows Katsuki was the one in charge of the project.

Now that Izuku has been working as a pro hero for a year now, Katsuki seems more eager to become the number one.

It's fun to have someone always at his side, challenging and competing with him.

They're a hero duo now, just like they always wanted to be.

Even though they're together most of the time, Izuku is surprised Katsuki doesn't seem to get tired of him. Whenever they have free time, the other pro hero makes sure to hang out with him.

It's good that they both have their respective apartments though, no matter how much he misses Katsuki when he's not there because Izuku doesn't want to risk it.

Part of him thinks Katsuki will eventually get tired of him.

However, Katsuki doesn't think the same, for the past weeks, he's been trying to convince Izuku that it'd be more convenient for them both if they move in together.

They have just finished their patrol when Katsuki brings the topic up again. He does it after Izuku softly declines his invitation to dinner because he's honestly too exhausted to move. He just wants to lie down on his bed or maybe even the couch for a while.

"You should move in with me."

It's always tempting; Izuku likes his best friend, more than he should actually, but that's one of the reasons he refuses. Besides, Katsuki's apartment is amazing; the pro hero worked hard for it, especially because it has a great view of All Might's statue.

Fortunately, a reporter interrupts their conversation to make them a few questions. Katsuki grimaces at the sight of her, while Izuku makes an effort to focus on what she's saying, even though he's clearly exhausted.

When Izuku thinks she's done, a couple of other reporters approach them. He doesn't think he has the energy to answer their questions. But he can try.

At some point, Katsuki gets so irritated that he stops answering the questions directed at him and places himself in between Izuku and the reporters.

"Enough. Can't you see he's exhausted? Have some fucking consideration!"

Before Izuku can apologize on his behalf, Katsuki takes him in his arms and carries him away. The pro hero with green hair is so tired indeed he doesn't even tell him to put him back on his feet.

He had no idea his eyes were closed until he opens them again and finds himself in the passenger seat in Katsuki's expensive car.

"Are you hungry? I can make you katsudon if you want."

Izuku hesitates, he loves Katsuki's cooking, but at the same time, the thought of having to go back to his own apartment after dinner is so tiring already.

"You can stay with me tonight."

Part of him thinks he shouldn't; it'll probably make it more difficult to decline Katsuki's offer to move in together, but at the same time he really wants to have a sleepover with his best friend.

"Sure, Kacchan."

Katsuki looks way too happy about it. It's kinda endearing.

***

Only a month later, Katsuki manages to persuade Izuku into moving in with him. His apartment is huge so it's more than enough for two people.

They argue and fight as usual, but they manage to fix it every single time, and despite Izuku's fear, they don't seem to get tired of one another.

But of course, that's when the rumors get even stronger; their fans already talked about them being more than friends (which is not true) but now they seem convinced Katsuki and Izuku are in a relationship.

They claim that, since they both make enough money, there's no need for any of them to be roommates and just moved together because they're taking the next step into their relationship.

It doesn't help that every time Katsuki gets asked about that, he refuses to say a word or changes the topic like he's hiding something.

Izuku does deny it, but for some reason his answers are not that convincing for anyone.

"Just one last question, please!" The female reporter begs, looking very tempted to grab Izuku's arm to prevent him from leaving. "Are you dating pro hero Dynamight?"

Maybe it's the fact that Izuku always blushes when he gets asked that particular question or the fact that Katsuki approaches him whenever he hears his hero name and sometimes places his arm around his shoulders or waist.

"N-No! We're just friends!" Izuku stammers, hearing Katsuki's chuckle next to him as he pulls him even closer.

"Sure," the reporter mumbles, looking at them both with disbelief. "Thank you for your time, Deku-san!"

She's finally gone, but Izuku is sure there'll be lots of posts with the interview and screenshots of Katsuki with his arm around his waist to "prove" the exact opposite of what Izuku just told the reporter.

Even their friends have grown really curious about their relationship.

It doesn't help that whenever they finally have the time to hang out with some of them, Katsuki is always touching Izuku somehow. Izuku has convinced himself it's because his friend is more physically affectionate now, at least around him.

But he can tell Uraraka is getting tired of the both of them.

"I know you," she says the moment Kirishima and Kaminari manage to drag Katsuki away from them. "You cannot be purposely cruel, so the only reason you haven't finally kissed that poor man and ended his misery must be because you don't know he's in love with you. But honestly, that says a lot about you, Midoriya. I thought you were smart."

"Uraraka!" Izuku immediately blushes to the tip of his ears; he's not sure what got him so flustered, his friend saying that Katsuki loves him or the image of them kissing on the lips.

It's probably both.

"Don't 'Uraraka' me!" She rolls her eyes, clearly getting irritated. "I haven't seen anyone so devoted as him in my entire life! I thought you were going to realize it after finding out about the hero suit!"

"I know that he was in charge of it, but you also–"

"He dedicated eight years of his life to make it happen," she cuts him off. "Maybe he has never told you this, but he worked his ass off and made sure everything was perfect for you to have your dream back."

Having her saying it like that gets Izuku emotional again, and he immediately starts tearing up. Uraraka sighs but pulls him into a hug.

"I'm sorry he had to–"

"My point is not trying to make you feel guilty," Uraraka interrupts him again. "I just want you to realize how much he loves you because even though you two are clearly more happy now, I can tell you both want more."

"But what if... it's just too good to be true," Izuku finally blurts out. "I don't want to ruin our friendship."

"You won't, trust me."

"Izuku, are you crying?"

Katsuki's voice startles him, especially because he's suddenly next to him. Uraraka lets Izuku go as the other pro hero kneels in front of him and takes his hands in his.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Izuku can see the concern in those red eyes and the devotion, the clear adoration that he can't hide anymore.

"I'm fine, Kacchan," he mumbles, tearing up again, prompting the blond pro hero to start wiping the tears off with his thumbs.

"Did he drink too much?" He asks Uraraka then.

"He's just emotional."

"I'm alright, Kacchan!" He assures him, grabbing him by the sleeve to get his attention back. "Let's go home."

Katsuki nods immediately; there's no hesitation in his eyes, and after thinking about the last few years, it occurs to Izuku that he could ask anything and the other pro hero would give it to him. But that particular thought makes him blush to the tip of his ears and tries to shake it off immediately.

Even though Izuku assures him he's alright, Katsuki takes him in his arms and carries him out.

"You'll thank me later, Bakugo!" Uraraka says out loud, prompting Katsuki to narrow his eyes in confusion and Izuku to blush even more.

"What the fuck is she talking about?"

"I-I don't know!"

***

It's only after they're back in the apartment and Izuku has a cup of tea in his hands (that Katsuki made for him) that he decides to finally have a serious conversation with him.

Or at least say how he feels and hope for the best.

"Kacchan."

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Katsuki drops his own cup of coffee, and although he manages to catch it before it hits the ground, the liquid inside falls all over his shirt. It's a good thing it wasn't that hot anymore.

Although he doesn't seem to give a fuck about any of those things.

"Kacchan, are you–"

"What did you just say?" Katsuki rushes to his side, cradling Izuku's face in his hands softly.

To prevent another accident, Izuku leaves his tea on the small table in front of the couch.

"Uhh..."

"Can you say it again, please?"

He can tell Katsuki is desperate to hear it again and Izuku is not going to deny him something like that at this point.

"I love you, Kacchan."

Cheeks turning slightly pink, the blond pro hero smiles almost in disbelief.

"Am I dreaming again?"

Izuku would like to know how many times Katsuki has dreamed about something like this, but maybe that's a conversation for another day.

Instead of answering, Izuku gives him a quick kiss on the lips.

Katsuki's hands move; he uses one of them to grab his waist and the other slides to the back of Izuku's neck. He uses both of them to pull him closer before kissing him.

But Katsuki's kiss is not quick or light; he kisses Izuku like he's been waiting for that moment for years, and Izuku kisses back with as much enthusiasm.

They both end up lying on the couch, wrapped around each other, pulling apart to breathe for a second before pressing their lips together again.

"I love you so much, you oblivious nerd," Katsuki whispers, voice turning deep as he starts kissing Izuku's neck and chin.

"I know. I know now, Kacchan."

"It took you a fucking long time, Izuku."

Izuku chuckles before kissing his boyfriend on the lips, making a mental note to tell Katsuki it was actually Uraraka the one who made him realize it.

They'll have to thank her later.

***

Patreon

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 148 (Keeping a Promise to Ben and His Dog)

cw: death

The sun had barely risen when Heather and Conrad took Ash and Gord to Deadgrass Isle. Ben Gordon's old lighthouse towered over the isle from the point, and they found him waiting by the anchor statue in front of the museum.

His dog, Captain Whitaker, had joined them in his translucent form - the better for him to enjoy an ambrosia treat, they understood.

The morning had finally come for the old lighthouse keeper to hand his beloved pup to these Gordons before his final journey.

Both dogs smelled the treats in Heather's jacket pocket, but she sated Gord with a Buttercup before letting him run off to chase a flock of birds. She could see Ben, finally, just like Conrad and her son, and the old man's smiling explanation was simple. "You're a Gordon now."

Conrad looked between the dogs and his family - both living and dead. "Are you ready for this, Ben?"

The old man nodded. "I've been ready a long time. So's the Captain."

"You're not afraid of what happens when you cross over?"

Ash's innocent question made the ghostly lighthouse keeper smile. "I've seen enough in my time that nothing would shock me. I'm ready."

"I'm sorry it took us so long to come back here." Conrad glanced apologetically at the ground.

"Do you mean for you and your family to pick up the Captain, or the long overdue return of the Gordons to Brindleton Bay?"

The Gordon men shared a wistful smile. "If fate decided to bring me back to Brindleton Bay in the form of my gorgeous wife, then fate is too good to me."

"Fate didn't make you a good enough man to deserve everything you have. That came from somewhere else."

Conrad nodded in agreement. "My parents."

Ben laughed. "Good genes."

Captain Whitaker barked, accepting the friendliest introduction as Heather reached for the ambrosia treats. Though she'd made more than a few, she'd never actually used one, and hoped more than anything she'd gotten the complicated formula just right.

The ghostly Chesapeake Bay retriever gobbled the ambrosia, and almost immediately began to glow within a prism of light. Ash watched in awe as the dog floated above the dirt, spinning rapidly before landing on four legs. "Wow! He's really coming alive again!" Ash cried with excitement.

The Captain didn't look much different now than Ash remembered him from the snowy day he first met Ben and his dog on Deadgrass Isle, and the reanimated pup barked joyfully in his new form.

"I haven't seen him this excited in over a century."

Captain Whitaker's new humans bent down to give him pets, welcoming him into the family with Buttercups and friendly hugs. Gord had returned from chasing birds covered in mud, but he excitedly greeted his new four-legged friend, too.

The excitement of the moment almost masked the weight of everything they'd come to do, but Captain Whitaker couldn't forget about Ben. They'd been companions for over a century and a half, but Ben was ready to move on, and the Captain knew it.

The retriever marched away from Heather, Ash, and Conrad, finding his longtime best friend glancing wistfully toward his old lighthouse on the hill. Blinking back a tear from his eye, Ben bent down to scratch behind the Captain's ears for old time's sake.

"Nobody could've had a better friend than you. Be good for the Gordons, and young Ash. And that sweet little girl I know you can't wait to meet." Captain Whitaker barked - high pitched and happy, but long and mournful at the same time. "I'll see you some day, old boy."

Ben stood, his form already shifting as he slowly left this simlandian plane. Though he made himself visible to others in a form they recognized most readily, his body now glowed with the same translucence as most ghosts.

"What happens now?" Ash wondered. "Does Grim come?"

Conrad shrugged. "I don't think so, buddy. But I think Ben knows what to do."

With one final wave, Ben floated to the small custom stone grave Heather and Conrad had commissioned for him. He laughed warmly at the inscription.

Ben Gordon (1835-1901) Your watch is finally over. We've got the Captain from here.

"Did you have to tell everyone how old I was?"

Conrad raised his hands apologetically. "The local historian insisted on it before we placed it on the isle. I know Gordons don't crave the spotlight, but he said you're an important part of town history and should be remembered properly now that the Brindletons aren't here to erase our name."

Ben blushed. "Tell him thanks, if you think of it."

With one final glance to his surroundings, he tipped his cap and somersaulted into the air. In a puff of white smoke, he disappeared into the gravestone, and Ash looked on in awe.

"So that's it? He's really gone? We really helped him?"

Captain Whitaker barked in the affirmative, bringing the awestruck Gordons back to earth. Ash raced off to school, leaving Heather, Conrad, and the dogs for a moment of contemplation.

Lighting candles to honour Ben's spirit, they vowed to uphold the promise on his epitaph.

But more than adopting a new dog, they'd accepted an unspoken promise to keep safe the town Ben had guarded from his lighthouse for so long. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

NOTE: This was such a headache, I'm still so annoyed that EA made Captain Whitaker a living dog in the middle of me playing through the adoption arc. I thought I had the solution when I downloaded a ghost version of Captain Whitaker from the Gallery, but when I put the ghost in game he was alive again! Why?!

I had to steal a random NPC ghost dog they'd met once, change him to a Chesapeake Bay retriever in CAS and add the telltale bandana. So that's the dog Heather is actually reanimating, before I switched him out for the real Captain Whitaker who Conrad befriended with Gord back in the winter.

Also, because Heather is pregnant the house already has eight sims. So I technically cheated adding Captain Whitaker to the family because even though I have 10 set for my max house size, when I have eight sims I can't adopt or ask to move in as normal. But this was a bonus gen goal which I can cheat if I want, and I wanted to - especially after all the trouble I went through to play out the arc!

[thegreeninyoureyes]

Caleb helping you with anxiety

dont mind me just putting some thoughts out here as a coping mechanism lmao

[gender neutral MC/reader]

expect a lot of back rubs if you're comfortable with them, especially when you're in private. if you're lying down, he'll be in front of you, slightly pulling you a bit closer as he reassuringly rubs your back. in these moments, caleb will whisper words of reassurance to you, or caress you slowly as if to guide your breath with the way his hand moves up and down on your back.

knows exactly what to ask and how to be simple with it. the least he wants is to overwhelm you even more with his will to help, so he'll look at you attentively and clutch onto any word, boundary or need you express to him.

talking about attention, you got caleb's for yourself (although when don't you, really?). he wants you to know how much he cares, how important being there for you is to him, how important you are to him. anything you need from him at that moment, you can have it.

"hey, honey. I'm here, just focus on my voice. you're doing so well. this will be over soon, and I'm gonna be here through all of it, alright? there's no way you can scare me off."

but's don't work with him. of course you deserve his time. of course you deserve to stop, take a break and bring him with you. of course he's making dinner for you tonight and you can't do anything about it. of course he has faith in everything working out just fine for you.

wouldn't take his eyes off you when he tries to help you through some breathing exercises. if him looking straight at you feels uncomfortable at the moment, he'll focus on your hand. you don't have to hold his but, if you do, he might as well bring it to his chest so you can let his own breathing guide you and calm you down. it'd be an honour for him.

if it happens at night and you can't fall asleep because of it, he'll rearrange your bed and let you get comfortable against him even if it means lying down in the most unusual positions ever. as long as it helps distract your mind, you could fall asleep anywhere and know he's got your back, pulling the blanket to make sure you stay warm and keeping an arm around your shoulders so you feel protected from any harm.

"I'm gonna be here for you, I can remind you of it if you ever doubt that. you just gotta ask, and I'll answer. do you really think there's anything else that could be more important than this, than you, to me right now?"

might chuckle after some of his words if said teasingly, but he's taking the situation very seriously and his worry goes deep. if there's any meds you need to take to feel and get better, you can bet he knows where to get it for you, although he probably has some at his place just in case, too. anything you let him know is needed to take care of you, he'll never forget.

"just rely on me, please. you're as alive as I am, and we're gonna get through this together, pipsqueak."

[archivalofsins]

I do have thoughts on how the situation between Mu and Haruka is being discussed.

I believe it's a bit disingenuous to behave as though Mu didn't know Haruka was getting worse and I just want to lay out why it is I feel that way. To be frank it simply doesn't align with anything we heard from Mu in her second voice drama or the things she was displayed as saying and doing within the Portal Timeline. As I am a petty individual I would say it's a stretch of canon to say she did anything other than what she said she'd do.

Which was nothing but support Haruka in his choice as his friend,

Mu Queen B 13:16

"Isn't it exactly because he's my friend? isn't friendship about letting your friends do the stuff they want?"

Though let's go a bit further back for a second how do we know that Mu was aware Haruka was planning to do something that would end his life? Well because she told us and she told us a good while ago in fact,

Mu Queen B 12:36s,

"Ah, but if you don't forgive me Haruka-kun will die. So, I think it'd be best not to do that." ...! [bell tolls] So you've heard about that nonsense too? "Mhm. Haruka-kun told me."

Literally her saying that last thing should be the nail in the coffin for presenting this situation as something Mu wasn't aware of. Because she was told by Haruka himself that if she was voted Guilty he would do lethal harm to himself. This is the first reason why I believe anyone behaving as though there is any chance Mu did not know Haruka planned to do this is either acting dishonestly or simply has not been paying attention.

Well, Gunsli maybe she knew he planned to harm himself but she didn't know how he was going to do it. Haruka didn't even know himself yet he was still trying to figure it out. That's fair. However, Mu still could have told the other prisoners that Haruka planned to do harm to himself just to be safe if she didn't want him to do that or just told him she didn't want him to do that. I guess that's neither here or there though.

Let's just keep walking down this-

Wow; I literally can't even say this is a road, bridge or anything someone is meant to walk on... What the fuck is this? Alright. This imaginary pathway certain people insist on telling those around them really exists despite it not aligning with anything that has occurred thus far. Yeah, I'll believe for a second this is the case and Mu just didn't know even though Haruka told her he would end his life if she was guilty and she would be the first to know if she was guilty.

Not even touching on the landmine of how Haruka would find out she was guilty to begin with. It was possibly when they were restrained after the verdicts but he implies he knew earlier than that when they're talking in the timeline on his birthday in 2023.

Still forgetting all of that maybe Mu didn't know how Haruka would do it.

She still knew he had the intent to harm himself and what her verdict was to her own admission. Then did nothing to even try to dissuade him from harming himself over the course of the portal timeline,

Trial Three Website Voice Lines

2: "You said you’d forgive me. You told me that you would forgive me! Just changing what you think on a whim, you really are the worst." 4: "What are you going to do about this? Haruka-kun died. Hey, guard. You knew this would happen, right?""

"Ah, but if you don't forgive me Haruka-kun will die. So, I think it'd be best not to do that."

The first time she brought him food she even stated that he had to eat it properly meaning she recognized he was not eating and persisted in telling people she had it handled anyway and that he was fine,

23/06/22 (Haruka’s Birthday)

Mu: Haruka-kun, I brought your food. Are you still alive? Has any mould started growing? Haruka: ……ah, thank you very much. Mu-san. Sorry, um…… I…… Mu: You shouldn’t just lock yourself in your room all day. You have to eat your food properly. Hm, well…… I do understand why you’re feeling down. It feels bad. The atmosphere recently Haruka: Um, I’m totally fine…… Just a bit, I’m thinking, about how to do it. What to do, what to do, to…… fulfil my promise. For Mu-san’s sake……

So, even the fact that he was not eating properly was something she knew long before any of the other prisoners or even us as the audience knew.

Hell, in this timeline Haruka brings up that he's thinking about how to do it. How to end his own life to keep his promise to her and she says nothing to dissuade him from it. While knowing full and well what he's talking about because again she told us he told her.

"Mhm. Haruka-kun told me."

These are the facts from her own mouth.

This is the sequence of events. I do not believe this is a difficult set of circumstances to follow or look into but they are easy things for people to purposely misconstrue. In a way that I can only consider to be an attempt to make Mu sound more considerate than her actions and own words display her as being.

Hell I know for certain that some overzealous individual is going to get in their feelings and go,

"Well Jackalope said in the trial three commencement notice that Mu has trouble putting her emotions into words. He said 'She doesn’t know where or what her feelings are. She just lacks the skills to put them into words, but a human such as she, is quite complicated.'. Maybe this means Mu really did care about Haruka and just didn't know the proper way to express that or how to handle the situation."

One I'm not arguing against that.

I am however arguing what does that have to do with Haruka dying and the words she did say throughout the entire time he was slowly wasting away in his cell from starvation? Like I don't care about how she's feeling about it now when all is said and done. Because while Haruka was starving himself she was having people praise her for bringing him food she knew he wasn't eating?

Because again the first time she brought the food to him she verbally noted he was not eating properly. So the timeline and again Mu's own statements portray that she was aware Haruka was not eating from the onset.

Yet, continued to tell people things such as,

"I’ve been bringing all his meals to him so he should be fine. Isn’t that great of me?" - [Milgram Portal Timeline-23/07/05 (Mu’s Birthday)] "I’ve been taking his food to him like this every day. Isn’t that great of me?" - [Milgram Portal Timeline- 24/06/22 (Haruka’s Birthday)]

However a lot of people want to spin it as though Mu went through something just as tragic as what Yuno went through.

That she spent months trying to do right by someone and help them get better just to have them die.

It's a pretty easy story to want to spin for Mu's character. Especially when the parties telling it have a vested interest in ignoring certain information. Simply because they want to see the best in someone to validate themselves regardless of how that someone has consistently behaved.

Even her saying you have to eat has been twisted around to say she was telling him to eat so she was really trying to help him and tell him not to do this through saying that. This was her showing concern for Haruka. When what it is- Is definitive proof that while no one else knew Haruka wasn't eating until they found him starved to death or near starved to death Mu did know.

How could she not have known.

She was bringing him food everyday. She saw him every day. Starvation isn't something that can go unnoticed. People will literally lose weight. They will get thinner. There's no way to starve gracefully. Heck it's not even that difficult to tell when someone isn't eating their food.

Definitely not in Mu's case because again it is something she noted he was not doing on June 22, 2023,

"You have to eat your food properly."

Mu Kusunoki to Haruka Sakurai on June 22, 2023 far long before he starved to death.

Now logistically what could she have done? It's not like she could have forced him to eat. What could she have done outside of saying hey you should eat properly?

Well you see there's this thing called an intervention. There's this thing called telling people there's a problem. There's this thing called when multiple people give someone the opportunity to tell them that something is going wrong and another person needs help far beyond what they can provide doing that.

Something Mu was given chances to do but decided to instead assure people that Haruka was fine and she was taking him his food every day. Stating and implying to them that he's being taken care of and eating properly through her statements. Because she's showing them the food, the plates, and saying this is what she's doing.

Why would they not believe her?

Now there's discussions around the fact that anyone within Milgram could have taken some time to go into Haruka's cell and check on them their selves. However, that takes us back to Mu as well because Futa and Shidou asked Mu if Haruka was alright because she was going there every day and they may not have wanted to barge into Haruka's space. This is just a polite thing to do. Since Mu assured them that he was in fact fine and look he's eating see I just took him this then possibly showed them an eaten plate of food-

What the fuck were they supposed to do? Go,

"LIAR- He's starving himself in there isn't he?!"

Shove Mu to the ground barge into Haruka's room and go,

"Haruka we're here to save you this is an intervention. You will have three meals a day like the rest of us and water. Then we will walk daily and start you on communications counseling because this isn't healthy physically or mentally. Kajiyama grab his legs we're taking him to the dining hall."

And force fed him like Curly is Mouthwashing. No, that would be wild. Just believe her. The fuck why would they not believe her? Fuck I would have believed her too. Like okay I believe you that's your friend. The fuck you gotta lie for. If you say you're taking him food then I believe you and I have other things to do but if this continues I'll go in there to check myself eventually.

At the end of the day she knew Haruka wasn't eating she noted that. All to then not get anyone to intervene or help in any way. In fact she assured people time and time again even after Haruka was probably dead that he was fine.

23/07/05 (Mu’s Birthday)

Futa: Oi, you. Is he ok? He’s not even left his room lately. Mu: You mean Haruka-kun? Hmm. Yeah, probably. I’ve been bringing all his meals to him so he should be fine. Isn’t that great of me? Futa: Hah? Who the hell says that sort of thing about themself. ……ah, no, well, right now I understand a bit. When you’re feeling down, it’s nice to have someone who relies on you and accepts you. The rest of us can’t really understand you from where we’re standing. But well, if you’re Haruka’s “salvation” then I guess it really is great. Mu: Salvation……? I don’t know what you mean. Futa-kun, you don’t sound like yourself. Did you hit your head or something? Oh, wait, you actually did, didn’t you. Ahaha. Ah, putting that aside though, did you know it’s my birthday today?

24/06/22 (Haruka’s Birthday)

Shidou: ……I’m worried about Sakurai-kun. I haven’t seen him around in a while. You’ve been talking with him, right? Mu: He’s fine. Here, look. I’ve been taking his food to him like this every day. Isn’t that great of me? Shidou: Yes, very. I’m sorry I’ve been leaving it to you to look after him. Usually, that would be the job of us adults, and yet we’re leaving you with the burden. Mu: Don’t worry about it. After all, me and Haruka-kun are friends.

Something that goes straight back to what Mu said she would do in regards to Haruka threatening his own life. Again it's not Mu's fault he's dead I don't consider suicide murder and neither does Milgram. Haruka choose to take himself out and that's a choice I've gotta respect. Nobody forced him to make that threat or follow through on it.

Yet no one stopped him either. Milgram, Es, the audience or Mu. None of those things stopped him from doing that or even attempted to.

Mu's defenders can't have their cake and eat it too. They can't say it's the audience fault for not voting Mu innocent and stopping Haruka because Mu didn't stop Haruka either.

Like Mu said,

Mu Queen B 13:05s

You know about it and you're not trying to stop him? Haruka, that is?

"Why would I?"

"Haruka-kun says that's what he wants, so there's nothing I can do, right?" But you're calling him your friend.

Yeah Mu, you're right. That's what Haruka wanted to attach his life to and die for. Nothing we could've done about it. Es didn't make him threaten himself. The audience didn't either. We should just respect the choices he made to get himself to that conclusion.

Heck at least he got to choose how he went out. That's more than Shidou and Mahiru got.

The last timeline we see with him even supports this,

24/04/19 (Futa’s Birthday)

Futa: ––Hey, are you really ok with this? If you come with me, there’s a chance you can be saved too…… Haruka. Haruka: Yeah…… I’ve made my mind up. I have, something, that I have to do. Futa: Ah, is that right…… Haruka, you know, you’re an idiot. There’s no way…… that will save you…… Haruka: Yeah, thank you. I’m glad you came to talk to me, Futa. Um, thank you, for being so kind. Really. But, I’m sorry. This is all I’m able to do……

All those times she brought food and she never offered him a way out of that promise. She never said this is how you can get out of this. This is how you can move forward with me too. You're life doesn't have to end here. No the person who did that? Who was it again?

Was it the person that brought meals there everyday. That people are trying to jump through hoops to say couldn't notice someone starving right in front of them. Even though that someone was a person she'd been attached to at the hip prior. She could notice when he wasn't making eye contact or distracted by something,

22/06/22 (Haruka’s Birthday)

Mu: What’s wrong, Haruka-kun? Did something happen? You shouldn’t look away like that when you’re together with me. Haruka: Ah, s-sorry, Mu-san. Um…… No, it’s nothing. I just, suddenly got a feeling. That something is about to happen. Mu: Isn’t that because it’s your birthday? Or perhaps it’s a sign the guard is about to wake up again soon? Fufufu, I bet they’ll be really surprised at a lot of things. Haruka: That, might be true. But, I want the the guard to see. ……the new, me…….

But not a change in his weight. She's not observant enough to recognize the signs of starvation. Even though she went there every day with food. Alright, sure I believe you.

You know I'm not even mad at Mu because Haruka is dead. I'm mad at Mu because Haruka died for someone who no matter how much I comb through the facts did not give one fuck about him. To the point that the last notable thing Haruka did was not thank Mu for being kind to him didn't even thank her for that once if we're being honest but someone else.

Who even while going through the shit he did and saying he didn't have the luxury to bother being concerned about him. Was the first to ask if he was okay. Was the first to check in with the person he saw as being closest to Haruka to just check if he was alright. Then when the situation persisted went in there himself to check on his own birthday.

Just to be meet with what exactly. I was curious about what Futa saw that made him seem so panicked. Curious about how Haruka had done it. But now we know he went in there and saw a shell of person thin, starved, on the brink of death. Probably not too different from how Mikoto's trial three art looks at this point.

And he pleaded with Haruka to just leave be saved some other way. Like damn sure Amane's religion makes him vegan but at least he's eating. It's something I really can't let go it's not murder of course. Mu didn't kill Haruka with her barehands she didn't even kill him at all. But it's just the idea of going to same place every day with the thing that could save someone's life and knowing they're not taking it. All while again and again assuring people it's fine I'm taking him the thing.

"Isn’t that great of me?"

[ywpd-translations]

Ride 809: The selected team's wish!!

Pag 1

1: Someone is catching up

2: Who is it?

The selected team's jersey!?

4: It's someone.... I've never seen before

Pag 2

2: Sugimoto

Pag 3

1: Terufumi!!

2: Kuaaaaaa

3: Kakaka seriously?

Seriously, seriously!? Sugimoto!!

4: Oi oi....do you know, Sugimoto... that this is.... the Inter High's

Pag 4

1: that this is the Inter High's lead!!

3: Do you know him, Sohoku?

Pag 5

1: Judging from his looks, he looks like an ordinary guy. Just a guy from the selected team

The selected team is usually just here to participate, so their abilities should be nothing special

2: Yeah, he's nothing special too

4: But he's a man who

5: honestly, seriously, and without resting

6: accumulated that “nothing special” for three years

Pag 6

1: Kuaaaaa

Pag 7

1: Higashimura-san!! One person from the selected team joined the lead now!!

Eleven people... even more!!

3: He accumulated....? For three years...!?

4: Oh

6: Number 201 is Sohoku's reserve

We shouldn't need to be cautious of his power, but he's come this far so we don't let your guard down

Yes

Pag 8

1: He's so disheveled... he's out of breath... and even his hands are shaking

How did he even got this far....

2: like that!!

3: Thank you

4: Thank you everyone

6: I caught up.....!!

I caught up to the lead!!

Pag 9

1: Thanks to everyone!!

3: One minute distance!!

4: We're just one minute behind the leading group!!

Very soon!!

Hyeee..!!

5: But, do we still have time? There isn't much distance left, but can we catch up?

6: That's right

Pag 10

1: I was thinking the same thing now

3: If we raise our pace a little more now, and somehow manage to see the pack all scattered, that will mean that the race for the finish line has started and that we're already too late

5: It's a race against time now

So we'll chose one person who's confident in sprinting and send him

6: And we'll sacrifice the other five to stay ahead and pull him!!

7: Babagome!!

Yes!!

8: You said you won the local sprinting race a couple of times

Can we leave the finish line to you?

9: With all due respect!! But I refuse!!

Pag 11

1: …... huh?

2: You? Refuse?

Yeah!! We all discussed it together!!

Yeah

Hyee!!

That's right!!

3: We'll ask Sugimoto-san to be the final ace!!

Pag 12

1: Huh

A...ce!?

2: Me

Yes!!

3: That's what will get us the most pumped up!!

4: That's right!!

5: Yes!!

6: As long as it's Sugimoto-san

7: I refuse!!

8: Now, we'll raise our pace!!

9: You guys....!!

Pag 13

1: Got it!! Got it

I'll shoulder the responsibility!! I'll shoulder it!! I will!!

2: I'll be the ace!!

Please!!

4: Sugimoto-san

5: Sugimoto-san

6: Sugimoto-san

7: Get in the back and rest, Shingi. I'll pull next

Hyeee

After that, I'll be the one to pull!!

8: Let's switch!!

We'll deliver

Pag 14

1: Sugimoto-san to the lead!!

I can see the pack!!

The lead....!! But

2: Some people are leaving

3: The back is falling apart

If we don't chase them, they'll take the finish line

4: The race for the finish line is starting!!

5: Babagome!! Kobayashi!! I'll leave Sugimoto-san to you!!

Iwatani!?

6: Sugimoto-san, get in the windbreak!!

Pag 15

1: I'll accelerate at full throttle!!

2: Iwatani!? What are you....!?

Did you forget, Kobayashi? About the Kyofushi guy who's been clinging behind us

4: Keep going like this until the lead

5: …..!! Iwatani!!

6: We can't allow Kyofushi's number of assists to increase and become two people!! I'll stop this guy!!

What...? This guy....

7: is in my way

Pag 16

1: Let's accelerate in one go!!

2: What, the selected team!?

Where are they coming from!?

They caught up!?

3: Be in tiiiimee!!

5: Hyeee, I can't do it anymore

Shingi!!

6: Please go, Sugimoto-san

Uchikawa!!

7: Oooooooh

Be in timeee!!

Pag 17

1: I see the end of the pack!!

2: Ahead of here

3: there is

4: the lead!!

5: Please!!

6: Please!!

Sugimoto-san!!

Pag 18

1: Please catch up!!

Kuaaaaaa

2: Will I catch up?

Am I too late?

3: I want to reach it somehow, our goal

4: Our goal!!

Pag 19

1: Kuaaaaa

2: Those are Gunma's jerseys!! Did they leave the pack later?

3: The last thread!!

4: This is the last thread!! If I can ride here!!

Sorry, but I'll cling behind you

Sorry about it!!

5: So, what do you say? Sonomoto-chan

Well, it's alright

6: Alright, if you can keep up

Thank you!!

Pag 20

2: I.... cau.... ght.... up.... finally....

3: This is the Inter High's lead before the finish line.... everyone..... I'll do my best....!!

4: Even thought I don't have much experience for what's next!!

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Doing Time 4

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, threats, age gap, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: you try to keep your brother safe in jail but put yourself in danger along the way.

Characters: con/ex-con!Steve Rogers

Note: Hi hi hi

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

You don't own many dresses, and those you do, are more office casual than date night. Still, you have no time to stall, no room for excuses. You pick out the only one you think you can still squeeze into.

A button-up black dress with long sleeves, a white collar, and white trim around the sleeves and ruffled hem. It's something that would look much better on Audrey Hepburn. 

You check yourself in the mirror. You shouldn't care but you have to. If you want to get out the other side of this, if you want Vaughn to, you need to go along with it. You need to keep Steve happy. 

You emerge, as content as you can be with your appearance after a day of work and an unsettling homecoming. You keep your eyes on the floor as you wring your hands. You need heels, something to match. 

Before you can pass him, Steve stomps toward you. He pinches the frill around your skirt. "You look amazing, sweetheart." He lets go and drags his hand up your thigh and hip. "Can't believe it's the real thing, right in front of me." 

"Uh, yeah," you agree weakly. "I need shoes." 

"Sure, sweetheart, take your time. Get dolled up," he moves away with a sultry sigh. 

You feel him watching you as you shift around and search the shoe rack. You bend over to take out the black vinyl kitten heels and he purrs. You wince and stand up, wobbling as you step into them. 

"Hate to be too forward but I was away a while. Pretty lady like you has me all hot under the collar," he snickers. "Gotta say that dress hugs you in all the right places." 

"Thank you," you murmur and untangle the thin strap of a small purse. You shuffle around your work bag and slip your ID and debit card inside, along with a tube of lip balm. 

"You don't gotta be so shy," he nears. "I mean, I should be. Being locked up, I forget the way things are out here." He steps close and spreads his hand across your ass. "Just so nice to touch you...but I'll be a good boy and take you on a date first." 

You shudder and resist the urge to shove him away. You force a smile, "where are we going?" 

"Somewhere close," he answers and peels his hand off of you. "Been a while since I had a date," he snorts. "If you can't guess." 

"Me too," you mutter as you back up toward the door. You grab your keys. 

"Oh yeah? How long?" He asks as he opens the door and gestures you through. 

"How... er..." you think about it.  

You've not been on many. Vaughn always kept the men away. Even if they wanted a second date, it was never many more than that. 

"At least a year, I think," you step into the hall and he comes out after you. 

You lock the door as he stays close. You tuck the keys into your purse and he offers his hand. "Ready, sweetheart?" 

You don't hesitate. No more of that. You can't keep pushing your luck. You put your hand in his. You can feel his strength. 

He takes you down the hallway and patiently assists you down the stairs as your heels make your steps unsure. Or maybe that’s him. He’s especially gallant for someone like him. A criminal. Wait, no, he’s been absolved, hasn’t he? 

He slips his hand along your lower back as you come outside. There’s a hitch in his strut. Victory. 

“Got her out of storage, fresh wax,” he announces as he approaches the white vintage car you noticed before.

It’s strange how you can pick every single thing that’s out of place but you can never put them together. It was the same with Vaughn. 

“It’s very nice,” you say. “I don’t know much about cars, my brother...” 

You trail off. You’d rather not think or talk about him right now. 

Steve opens the passenger door for you. You get in and he lingers at your door. He purrs. 

“You really do look just perfect, sweetheart.” he tickles your jawline then draws back.  

He finally shuts you in. You shiver as you watch him through the windshield. You fix the hem of the skirt as it rides up with the two sizes you’ve put on since you bought it. Or maybe it shrunk? You pinch yourself as you do, hoping you might wake up from this nightmare. 

No, you’re already awake. Painfully so. 

Steve gets in and you peek over for just a second. The seat emphasizes his size. Everything seems to remind you of his power over you. Over your family.  

You’re so stupid. You have no one to blame but yourself. What were you thinking? Thanking a convinct? A criminal? A murderer? Or not a murderer? 

“You’re tired,” he says as he backs out, “seat belt, sweetheart. Last thing I need is an accident.” 

You buckle up. You dab your nose as it tingles. Don’t cry. You have to play this right. Pretend. 

“A little, yeah. Work...” 

“At the clinic, right?” He prompts. 

It’s like the phone calls. That familiarity he puts on. Your head spins as you replay all those nights in your head. It struck you then how presumptuous he could be. How he said ‘we’. His presence then reframes every call, every visit. They were not the same to him as you. 

“Yeah, a lot of phone call,” you swallow as your throat scratches. “People don’t like waiting.” 

“Tell me about it,” he chuckles. “After how long I waited for this...” 

You stare at his hand. Huge, thick, gripping the slender wheel. You put your eyes to your lap and play with the ruffle. 

“We’re gonna have a good night, sweetheart. You and me.” He preens. “A lot of them.” 

You nod and turn your face to the window, “yes, Steve. Thank you.” 

⛓️‍💥

The restaurant is nice. As you’re greeted at the door, Steve snakes his hand down your arm and twines his fingers through yours. As he squeezes, you realise how strange it must be to him. You shouldn’t empathize with him, not with all the threats, with how he’s taken your life over in less than an hour, but you do. 

“Table for two,” he says. 

The hostess smiles, “yes, sir. I can find you something.” 

She grabs two menus and a smaller one from the desk. She turns and leads you into the dining room. You walk just ahead of Steve as he urges you on, though his hand stays on yours. She stops you at a round table framed with a crescent bench. 

“Booth alright?” 

“Sure is,” Steve answers. 

He holds onto you until you sit. You slide around and he follows. The hostess lays out the menus. 

“Drink menu,” she points to the thinner folio, “a server will be by soon.” 

“Thank you,” you gulp out of courtesy, Steve echoing you. 

You clasp your hands in your lap as he takes the wine list and opens it. You’re not very hungry. Or thirsty. You’re scared. 

You glance at him, the around the restaurant. To the other diners, to the staff, he’s just another man. The suit hides his true character. If you passed him on the street, you’d assume he was some refined businessman. 

“Red or white?” He asks. 

You look at him again. The silver strands woven into his blond shine beneath the chandelier lighting above. You drag your hand up your sleeve. 

“You know, I’m not much of a drinker,” you murmur. 

“Well, it’s a special night, isn’t it, baby?” He drawls and closes the folder. 

He sets it down and you shift forward on the seat. He touches your lower back again, tickling you through your dress. Your posture goes rigid as you open the menu and focus on the options. He pulls his menu down, leaning it on the table’s edge as he continues to pet you, his other hand cradling the folder. 

“Steak. Mm. Been a while since I had a good filet,” he growls. 

“Sounds nice,” you nod. 

“What about you?” He wonders and traces his finger up your spine. 

“Hm, the pistachio crusted halibut sounds interesting,” you tap your nails on the page. 

“You don’t gotta peck like a bird around me,” his hand falls right back down, right along the top of your ass. “You really got a nice figure, sweetheart.” 

You fidget and flutter your lashes, “thank you. It’s not that. I was thinking... something light for dinner and the rice pilaf sounds interesting.” 

“Ah,” he trails along the cushion of your rear, “god, you’re so...” 

His voice peters off and a server appears across the table. He sits up and clears his throat. The man in his pressed white shirt and black slacks is amiable as he prompts you for your order. Steve lets you go first. You close the menu and hand it over after you order. 

“Of course, miss,” the server smiles at you. He’s young and handsome. These sort of restaurants only hire a certain type. 

“Bottle of champagne,” Steve begins, “we’re celebrating,” his arm curls around your middle, “and the New York Strip...” He finishes up his order and shoves the menu across the table. What’s that about? 

“Yes, sir, I’ll be back with the bottle and put your order in,” the server nods and glances between the both of you. 

He strides away and Steve growls. His fingertips dig into your side. He leans back and sucks his teeth. 

“Is something... wrong?” You twist to look at him. 

“That... guy. Looking at you like that,” he sneers. “He’s supposed to be taking our order, not ogling you.” 

“No, he wasn’t, Steve,” you assure him. 

“Sure as hell was. You’re just too sweet to notice. His eyes were all over you,” he huffs and his leg sways in agitation. “Judging me. Thinks I’m too old.” 

“Steve, he was perfectly polite,” you say, “please, you said it’s going to be a good night.” 

You bite your tongue as you examine his face. His sudden anger, his paranoia, unsettles you even more. His jaw ticks as he grits his teeth. 

“Steve,” you touch his sleeve, “please, I’m not here with the server, am I?” 

His blue eyes flick over to you. They search your face. You force a smile. 

You have to keep from wincing as he reaches for you. He frames your face with his large hand and grins, “you’re right, sweetheart.” He draws you closer. You let him. “All mine.” 

He meets your lips with his and you swallow a gasp. His nose brushes yours as he kisses you, softly, then his tongue glides over your lips. You resist for only a second then let him in. His hand slips behind your head as he locks you in. You brace his chest as he takes your breath away. 

“Ahem,” the server clears his throat. 

You rip away from Steve as he snickers. He wipes his mouth shamelessly as you shrink down in embarrassment. The server uncorks the bottle with a pop, his smile effortlessly hiding all judgment. He’s probably honed against all types of customers. 

He pours the bubbly and leaves the bottle. You watch him go and squirm. Steve sits up and takes his glass, “what’sa matter, sweetheart?” 

“N-nothing, I don’t-- I don’t usually do that... in public,” you sniff. 

He laughs again, “I know, you’re a good girl.” He hovers his glass. You take yours and he clinks his against it, “to us.” 

“To... us.” You echo softly. 

You drink as he does, mirroring him. It’s sweet and bubbly. He sets the glass down and reaches for the bottle. He grips it and drags it closer. 

“Only one for me, since I’m driving, so help yourself,” he says. “You deserve it. A nice night to let go.” 

“Oh, I...” you stare at the dark glass. Why did he order the whole bottle? 

He slaps his hand on your thigh and you squeak. Your hand falls over his instinctively. You look at him and lick the moisture from your lips. He growls and kneads your flesh. 

“Sweetheart,” he rasps. “Aren’t you happy? I’m here.” 

Your eyes dart back and forth, “yes, I’m happy.” 

He pushes his shoulders back and his cheek dimples, he shifts on the cushion. His other hand tugs at the top of his belt. 

“Not gonna lie, gonna be hard to hold out all night,” he smirks. “Six years...” 

You blink at him. You won’t look down. That’s too much. 

“You gonna be nice to me?” He leans in to nuzzle your cheek, tickling the back of your neck so you shiver. “Huh? I’m so pent up, baby, you gotta take it easy on me.” 

You shudder and ball your hand up tightly. Your stomach is roaring but not from hunger. The more you think about what he means, what he expects, the sicker you feel. 

“It’s been... a while for me too,” you assure him. “We can take it slow.” 

“Slow, baby?” He hums. “Oh, I don’t think I can.” 

[marshmallowwitharubberband]

I've been assailed by too many plot bunnies lately, and right when I have no time to write anything whatsoever but anyway, here goes:

AU where A-Yuan is taken to the Cloud Recesses but the fever is too high and his body too frail. He doesn't make it and Lan Zhan lets himself die of grief.

His devotion to saving A-Yuan and the Yiling Patriarch pleases the heavens and he ascends. The first thing he says to Heavenly Emperor Xie Lian is "I am looking for someone important who died, perhaps I may find him here". Xie Lian asks for more details on this important someone (he knows that look, it's the same intensity San Lang directs at him when he thinks he's not looking), and concludes that it's very unlikely his soul survived at all, but if it DID it would probably be down at the ghost city, not here.

So LWJ kinda gives the middle finger to the Heavens and asks how to get to Ghost City. The other gods who are eavesdropping are like "You can't do that!" and XL is like "did you forget I did that twice? Anyway, I can respect that. I'll show you the way, and when you come back you'll still have a position here, we're kinda understaffed. Good luck in your endeavors and please don't give my husband too much trouble."

LWJ bluescreens at "husband", after Xie Lian explains that it's not exactly allowed but also not exactly forbidden for two men to marry in the afterlife, Lan Wangji goes to look for Wei Wuxian with newfound determination.

He finds the Ghost City too overwhelming, too loud, and uncomfortable, and there's no sign of Wei Ying here; so, he turns around and sets up shop outside of it. In a cave because it reminds him of Wei Ying, he's a sap like that.

Some ghosts can't help being enticed by his bright heavenly aura and seek his protection but he is only interested in finding Wei Ying. Still, he is willing to let them stay around his cave if they can behave like decent citizens and not cause any trouble. Soon, there is a small settlement around the cave, inhabited by weak ghosts who just want some peace in the afterlife, mostly senior citizens. Lan Wangji regularly goes out to explore and search for Wei Ying with no luck.

Meanwhile, Ghost King Hua Cheng has received worrying news: Mount Tonglu has just spit out a new Calamity, who has the terrifying power to make, at least, low-level ghosts do his bidding by playing a cursed flute. The most terrifying thing is that, as soon as this Calamity emerged, it simply disappeared! There are rumors of this calamity popping up around the underworld and causing stirs and then disappearing again.

Who knows what sort of trouble a ghost like that could bring, so Hua Cheng sets out to investigate.

The first thing he finds is a ghost settlement that definitely Wasn't There Before, with a powerful aura emanating from a cave on the hill it surrounds. It doesn't feel evil, but it's definitely out of place.

The ghost villagers tell him about this Hanguang-jun who offers his protection as long as they follow his rules. That sure sounds like a power-hungry feudal lord. What a thick face to call himself the Light-bearer Lord in a place like this. He definitely is the calamity he's looking for. But he's apparently away at the moment.

The ghost villagers seem reluctant to abandon their settlement and their lord, but they're also not a threat, so Hua Cheng lets them be and goes out to find this Calamity.

He looks nothing like the description. No red and black robes made of resentful smoke, no flute. Actually, the Calamity vaguely reminds him of Dianxia, with his white robes and fine features. But he is the most boring guy Hua Cheng has ever met.

He doesn't respond to HC's taunts, answers his questions with one or two words, and simply keeps walking as if he didn't care. HC tries attacking and barely missing him on purpose to provoke him, but he just answers with "rude" and resumes walking.

Now, HC may be a cocky asshole to those who deserve it, but he knows Dianxia would be upset if he were to eliminate someone who has done nothing to him, aside from being annoyingly serious. So far this man has done nothing but walk.

And he *can* feel this guy's heavenly aura, and Dianxia hasn't called to warn him about anything, so maybe this is not the Calamity after all.

"You said you were looking for someone." He tries. "Who is it? Maybe I could help."

It takes the man a while to answer but he eventually gives a description that matches the new Calamity. But no mention of it being a Calamity. Interesting. He decides to follow this man and observe how things play out. If they turn out to be accomplices, Hua Cheng can destroy them with a mere flick of his power.

Unbeknownst to him, Lan Wangji has become very good at sniffing out former street urchins with more skills than society thinks they should have, and becomes somewhat fond of this child who fancies himself tough. (Maybe he can see HC's actual form, not his ghost king persona).

And so, they travel together in search of this mysterious ghost but... Hua Cheng HATES the way LWJ is condescending and fusses over him. He does! He doesn't need this stranger to tell him how to sit or when to sleep, he is the most powerful ghost that has ever existed! He beat 33 Heaven Officials and the Heavenly Emperor!

But he also never had anyone taking *care* of him. Dianxia cares for him, of course, but their relationship is one of equals, or one of Hua Cheng being the most devoted follower to His God, and he feels too unworthy to let Dianxia worry about his meals or sleep schedule. And this Hanguang-jun, aloof and boring as he is, seems to have taken it upon himself to be constantly fussing over him. And it is...nice.

HC would rather die yet again than admit he has started to feel somewhat safer under LWJ's wing. That having someone so steadfast to lean on is patching some cracks in his heart he didn't even know were there. They develop a sort of brotherly relationship. LWJ eventually opens up, bit by bit, about his story and, damn, HC can relate. He begins hoping he won't have to eliminate this Yiling Laozu, but tries to stay objective.

MEANWHILE

There's a small speck at Mt. Tonglu. Just an echo of fear and violence. Its death was gruesome, its sanity destroyed, so it fights like a cornered animal. Its only instincts are hunger and survival. It will bite back anything that comes at it.

Eventually, this scared, hungry, desperate speck grows into itself. Gains enough power to regain a sense of self and recover its memories, but it's too late, the kiln has closed upon him.

Wei Wuxian feels lost and confused once he's been spit out. It takes him a while to catch up with the fact that he is dead, and feels awful for having used Chenqing on some poor spirits he encountered. He feels the same sort of changed as he did when he crawled out of the burial mounds.

But, hey, now that he's here, maybe the Wen remnants are, too? So he sets out to look for them to properly kowtow and apologize for his failure, only...

Ghosts follow him everywhere he goes. Many of the souls that he put to his service then liberated as the Patriarch are here. And they seem fond of him, despite calling him a Calamity (he guesses that's an accurate description, considering he destroyed everyone he loved, but that's for sure worse than Yiling Patriarch!).

He tries to keep a low profile and look for the Wen, but he keeps getting mobbed by fans. At some point he finds A-Yuan and is heartbroken, but happy to have his little radish by his side. Then he keeps accidentally acquiring more ghost children. At least they don't need to eat.

Maybe he does find the Wen and talks things out with them? not sure, maybe Wen Qing ascended and so did the peacock and Yanli, Xie Lian DID mention Heaven needs more officials.

But anyway, he somehow ends up at ghost city.

After a long and fruitless journey, HC and LWJ find WWX at the ghost casino.

HC is ready for a fight but it immediately becomes clear that Wei Wuxian, The Yiling Laozu, Wailing Flute Commands Ghosts...has no idea what he is or what he's capable of. He just wants to drink and play with his ghost kids.

One former street orphan can easily detect another so he zeroes in on why Lan Zhan is hanging out with that scruffy child (nevermind they're both only a few years older than HC's age of death).

This is where they find out that Hua Cheng is the Ghost King. Lan Wangji is horrified that he didn't pay his respects properly all this time. HC says at this point there's no need for that.

Wangxian ends up happening somehow, of course. They settle with their ghost kids at Lan Zhan's cave and become the surrogate parents Hua Cheng always needed, whether HC wants it or not (he does, but he's all tsundere about it).

Xie Lian is happy to leave them be as long as Lan Zhan helps him with Heaven's administrative work. The four of them enjoy traveling together to keep the three realms in line.

The end.

[hirunoka]

... Nothing new, but Eric's eyes are so beautiful :') I'm making a gifset for his birthday and I keep getting lost in his eyes and in his angelic voice that soothes my soul whenever I listen to him. Oh, I also I adore his hand gestures.

[welcometogrouchland]

I understand that literature nerd Jason Todd is kind of overblown in fanon compared to it's actual presence in canon (a few issues during his pre (and post?)crisis Robin tenure that highlight it) BUT consider that I think it's hilarious if the unhinged gun toting criminal has strong opinions on poetry

[sysig]

Wuh oh (Patreon)

Bonus:

The novel experience of being crushed by a giant rock, a visual metaphor

[monaetheworldsdestroyer]

rip Erik Lehnsherr you would have loved mitski and lana del rey. you'd never admit to that tho

[dootznbootz]

Odypen definitely and equivalently adore each other BUT I weirdly can't see them as the type to actually say "I Love you".

They still definitely vocalize their love for each other but it's more so in "My Joy", and "Extraordinary Woman", "Strange Woman/Man", etc. And very cheesy lines (both say some cheesy shit in the Odyssey, and he definitely does in the Iliad as well. "Joy like a drowning sailor seeing land" bit???)

I could see "I adore you" but even then, that's probably during very specific moments but the actual "I love you"??? I just typed it just now for fic shit and... It weirdly just didn't feel right and I don't know why. 😅

Idk maybe it's kind of because I see them as over the top in ways, they love wordplay and riddles and I think they'd almost think "...That's not good enough >:( " about it??? I don't know???😂

[moe-broey]

Adjacent topic, but. One of my favorite things actually is when Alfonse pulls the player aside and is like "Let me think out loud real quick." and when the situation calls for it, "Also what do you think?" Like obviously this happens so much across any game ever, especially ones that have a designated partner character. But it feels so special to me...

Especially with Alfonse, especially when he calls the summoner by name. He didn't used to do that!! In the very beginning!!! And he slips up, as Lif. Trying So hard to take it back. It just feels so personal... 🥲🥺

[lenievi]

Stargate SG-1 is so good. I love it so much 🥺