#I really test the limits of that by just. Being as annoying as possible and praying that people don’t secretly get tired.

[aeolianblues]

ever so slightly worried I’ll be insufferable next week, I’m going to Cardiff and I’ll try not to be the Leo pointing meme everywhere

I was already so bad in London, I’d point out show promo ads on the tube to my cousin and start telling her all about bands I think she could live without hearing about, and we’d look at a poster advertising a show at another venue and I’d tell her about some historic show that happened there in like 1977 and then we’d see some big tour announcement on the side of a wall and I’d be all like do you want an unsolicited ten-minute long history of this artist’s successes in the charts

I’m terrible about it, I have to try not to wear down my best friend next week, who is doing Cardiff with me very graciously, knowing what fresh hell that might entail for her

[happy74827]

Shadow Knight

[Joe Goldberg x Female!Reader]

Synopsis: One thing to know about Joe, is that he’d do anything to protect you. Regardless if you want him to or not.

WC: 2776

Category: Hurt/Comfort [TW — Joe]

Finally wrote a Joe Goldberg fic. My friend begged me to write him so I did (you’re welcome @summerrivera777777). I really don’t know what else to say… so enjoy!

『���•✎••』

You were his. That’s all Joe cared about in his head. He thought of you and only you.

He remembered that night after your first kiss. You had told him that you loved him. It was a warm summer night. It had been dark, but the stars were shining so brightly that the moonlight shone through the window. You had made him feel things.

It was such a new feeling.

It was scary but exhilarating. This wasn’t like Beck or Love. It was different. It was amazing.

He wanted you, and he was willing to do anything to keep you.

When he found out about your annoying pest of a neighbor, he had been a bit put off at first. How dare he come in and try to woo you from under his nose? He couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the short, small, wiry guy being able to compete with his stature. Joe clearly outranked him, and he wanted to make it known.

It started off as a little harmless fun, a way for him to see what this guy was capable of. A way for him to test your limits and then go even further.

Joe knew how to push the right buttons. And it wasn't long before he had him right where he wanted him.

Now, he would be able to protect you. You didn't have to worry about that scrawny little bastard hurting you anymore. Joe would take care of you. He was so good to you and would continue to be so. He was yours.

He would keep you safe from all the dangers that lurked in the world. He had found himself wanting to help you in that way, protect you, provide for you. He could feel it. He wanted you to depend on him, and he was eager for that moment to come.

For now, all he wanted to do was watch. He wanted to watch this short little guy attempt to steal his girl from under his nose. He wanted to watch the pathetic creature get on his knees and beg. He wanted to see you tell him to fuck off and then run back into his arms. He wanted to watch you beg him to take care of you.

“Oh, Joe,” you had whimpered against his lips. He held you closer, keeping you safe and close. Your arms snaked around his neck, holding him tight to you. Your legs wrapped around his hips, allowing him to hold you up.

He felt so big and strong against you. He always felt so strong and reliable. He always made you feel so safe and wanted. He always made you feel so loved. He always made you feel like you were the only woman on earth, and you always wanted to feel this way forever.

His mouth left yours and moved to your neck, kissing and sucking there. His hands groped your body, slipping under the thin material of your t-shirt. He continued to kiss and bite down your neck, feeling your pulse against his lips.

He was in heaven. He was living a dream. This beautiful, smart, funny woman was all his, and he could feel himself becoming overwhelmed with emotions.

He pulled back to look at your face. You had a serene expression, one that Joe often saw when he made you come undone. You were perfect. You were everything to him.

His hands cupped your cheeks, and he kissed you softly. You kissed him back, opening your mouth for him to taste you.

Joe loved this. He loved every minute of it. It wasn't just about sex for him anymore. It was about sharing his love with you. He had given you the most sacred part of himself, and you had given it right back.

He was so happy he thought he could burst.

Your front door suddenly flew open, and Joe dropped you on your couch as quickly as possible, making sure to fix his shirt in the process. He moved in front of you protectively and glared at the small figure standing in the doorway.

He glared down at the man. His lips were pressed in a tight line, and his jaw was clenched. He was so pissed, but he wasn't going to allow that bastard to see it.

“Jared? You do realize I didn’t give you those keys just to open my door whenever you want, right?” Your voice was stern and angry, causing Joe to smirk. He was so proud of you, of your ability to stand up for yourself. You tell him off.

Joe watched as Jared ran his fingers through his messy hair, looking nervous and flustered. He looked at you and then at Joe before glancing back at you. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth, but he closed it quickly.

He tried again but only ended up stuttering and not saying a word. His eyes were darting back and forth between Joe and you as if he were looking for a way to escape.

Joe watched as he looked like a fish out of water. He had never seen this guy speechless before, so he was enjoying every minute of this.

You seemed to have finally had enough, as well. You threw your hands up and sighed loudly, rolling your eyes at Jared's awkwardness.

"Is there something you need, Jared? I’m really busy at the moment." Your words were sharp and short. Again, Joe smiled at how badass you were. It was hard to believe that a month ago, you were this nervous little thing. You couldn’t even say the word 'no,' and now, here you were, telling off this guy twice your size. You were just a ball of fire.

“I, uhm... I just... I wanted to see if you were okay after what happened earlier today. I was worried, I guess." Jared said. His voice was quiet and sounded so small. He sounded nervous and fidgety. Joe almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

He might’ve even felt sorry if he didn’t catch what he had said.

What happened… earlier?

Joe gave you a look, hoping you'd fill him in. You were his girlfriend, the person he cared about more than anything in this world, but you were keeping secrets? What was happening here?

You seemed to understand what he wanted and looked over at Jared before glancing back at him. Joe tilted his head slightly, silently asking you to tell him what was happening. You took a deep breath and looked at him with your big brown eyes before turning to look at Jared.

"I'm okay, Jared, thank you. But I am really busy, and I have a lot on my plate at the moment, so I can't really talk. Maybe later?" You smiled sweetly at him. "I'll give you a call?"

He seemed to relax a little at your words, smiling at you. He took a deep breath and nodded his head. He turned to face Joe for a moment, just staring at him for a beat before turning back to you.

He sighed and seemed to deflate like a balloon losing air. "Okay, yeah. Just let me know if you need anything. I'll call you later, then. Have a good night." Jared gave you a quick wave before walking out the door and closing it behind him.

As soon as he was gone, Joe turned to look at you, waiting for an explanation.

"What happened today?" He couldn’t help but think of the worst, worrying that maybe you had met someone else. That Jared had hurt you or something.

Your eyes went wide, and you shook your head vigorously as if reading his mind. "Oh, no. Nothing like that. It was... uhm..." You took a deep breath, seeming to collect your thoughts. "It was just me."

You let out a nervous laugh, but Joe was still staring at you intently. "Okay, well, it was this thing." You hesitated for a moment, staring at him, and he nodded his head, encouraging you to continue. You took a deep breath and started explaining.

You went on to tell him about the charity event that you had attended. You told him how there was a guy that had been hitting on you. He sounded like a total creep to Joe, and he couldn't understand how you would let some rando put his hands on you. You had a boyfriend, for Christ's sake! How dare he?! Joe didn't know how he would've survived if he had seen you with another man. He would've beaten the shit out of that guy, but he would've also beat himself up for not being able to protect you from that.

He was your boyfriend. He was supposed to keep you safe and protected. It was his duty. He was going to protect you. He wanted to protect you.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Joe asked, keeping his voice low and even. He was trying to be calm about this, but he was quite the opposite. He wanted to go and hunt this guy down and find out exactly what happened, where he touched you, what he said. He needed to know where this guy was, and he needed to make sure he wouldn’t be a problem for you. He would handle it. No one would touch his girl. He would keep you safe. He would kill for you if that's what it took. He would do anything for you.

You sighed and dropped your gaze from his, staring at your feet. You had the nerve to be embarrassed about it. That made him even angrier.

"I don't want to make a big deal out of it. It was just a dumb charity thing; I'm sure it's happened to lots of people." You didn't even sound convincing to yourself, and the sight of your hunched-over figure was enough for Joe to lose it.

He took a deep breath and sighed loudly, feeling his anger building in the pit of his stomach. He was on the verge of exploding, but you were clueless about what he was feeling. You were trying to pretend like it was no big deal, and you didn't even realize what you had just done.

You were his. His to protect. He wasn't going to allow this guy to take that from him. He wasn't going to allow this guy to touch what's his.

Joe stood up from the couch and started pacing around the living room. You watched him curiously for a moment before following his movement. You stood up from the couch, ready to stop him from walking around, but he turned around suddenly, looking at you. He glared down at you for a moment, and you stopped in your tracks.

“Did you get his name?” His voice was dark and dangerous, like a predator that was ready to kill.

You hesitated for a moment as if you were debating with yourself. He watched your face as you thought, waiting for your answer. Your brows furrowed as you thought, and your bottom lip was between your teeth. You were worried about something. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew that he wasn't going to like it.

You sighed and glanced up at him with those big doe eyes before glancing back down to your feet. You seemed to be looking at his shoes, counting the laces as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"I did." You murmured.

"What is it?" His voice was a low growl.

"Joe, this doesn't-"

"What is his name?" Joe snapped, glaring down at you. He didn't mean to yell, but it was taking all his energy to hold back. You flinched at his tone, and he wanted to punch himself.

"I don't want you to get involved in this. I'm okay. I promise." You said. "I just want to forget it ever happened. Please, just let me take care of it." You sounded so defeated, and Joe wanted to reach out and hold you, but he knew he needed to hold himself back. He needed to keep himself from you for a moment. He wanted to get out of his own head before he did anything stupid.

"How?" His voice was cold, colder than he meant to let on.

"What?" You looked up at him, and he felt like he was looking into your soul. It was so beautiful and pure. You were so innocent and good, so sweet and soft. He never wanted to do anything to hurt you. He would protect you and keep you safe from all the bad things in the world. This guy included.

“How can you forget it happened?" He said, glaring at you. "What did he do? What did he say to you?" His voice was getting louder by the second, and you took a step back, flinching again. His stomach twisted as he saw your reaction, and he tried to calm himself. He took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly. "Did he touch you?"

You looked away from his face and sighed. Your gaze landed on your feet, and you seemed to be counting the laces in his shoes again.

"It doesn't matter what happened," you said.

"What did happen?" Joe asked again.

"Joe," you said, looking up at him with those pretty brown eyes, "It really doesn't matter, okay? I don't want to talk about it."

"I need to know."

You rolled your eyes at that and threw your hands up. "Why? So you can go after him and make it worse?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He knew he had to tell you. " You’re scared. I don’t want you to be scared anymore. I want to help you."

He wanted to take away that fear. He wanted to take care of you. He wanted to be the only person you needed to protect yourself. He didn't want you to be afraid. He wanted you to be able to feel safe and loved.

"You can't protect me all the time. Sometimes I have to be able to stand up for myself and do this stuff, Joe." You sounded defeated, but Joe shook his head.

"You shouldn't have to."

"It was just one guy." You shrugged your shoulders. "I can handle it."

"You shouldn't have to! Just… Please, just let me help you." His voice was pleading. He knew he sounded desperate and pathetic, but he needed to be the one to protect you.

You didn't say anything to that and looked back down to the floor. Joe's eyes followed you, staring at you for a moment. He noticed that you weren't moving anymore.

“Jim,” You murmured quietly, your head still bowed. It was so quiet that Joe wasn't sure he heard you right.

"What?"

"His name is Jim," you said, looking up at him with your big brown eyes. "Jim Haynes. I saw him in the building this morning when I was walking to my car. He lives in 1515."

He heard you. You told him.

You gave him what he wanted, and he couldn't help but smile. It was a wide smile, one that you saw often on Joe.

He grabbed your waist and pulled you in close to him. You squeaked as you were being moved across the room, and you held your breath as you realized where he was heading. You knew what was going to happen, and you couldn't help the rush of excitement and heat that filled you.

You watched his face as you moved, seeing his big brown eyes glued to yours. Your mouth went dry as you stared back into his dark eyes. You felt your pulse race as his gaze felt like a touch.

“Thank you for trusting me.” He whispered, his breath tickling your face. He was truly so happy to finally be given this information. It felt good knowing that he could help you. He could keep you safe from harm.

He pressed his lips against yours. The kiss was slow and soft. You could feel the emotions on his lips, feel how much he cared. You could feel how much he wanted you. He pressed his body against yours, wanting to feel you pressed against him.

Tonight, he would protect you. Tomorrow, he will make sure you stay protected. But right now, he was going to take care of you. He was going to be there for you.

He was going to take care of you, and then, he was going to take care of Jim Haynes.

[redr0sewrites]

I have been summoned :>

May I request Dabi fluffy hcs and maybe a story with a pro hero s/o PLS 🙏🙏

☕️ A/n: i kinda combined this into fluffy hcs w a pro reader s/o !! yippee !!

☕️ Cw: fluff, postwar mention, kinda silly n cute

☕️ top dividers/bottom divider

ohhhh hes pissed at you at first because ?? what right do you, a hero, have to be so intriguing and proud ??? what right do you have to spark such a raging passion in him??? what right do you have to treat him fairly and with kindness when so many others havent??? what right do you have to make his stomach flutter and to keep returning to his mind so often- oh.

Dabi is CONFLICTED at first- not only is he a villain, but what if you're just using him for information? it takes a while for him to trust you, but !! i want to keep this fluffy, so let's imagine that over time you gain his trust (and he gains yours)

if you're a powerful hero, he's definitely going to try to fight you just to test the limits of your quirk. if you're quirk naturally parries his, like say you have a water quirk??? ohhh you're in for trouble because he's lowkey harassing you just to see how your quirk works. i also think he'd find it really attractive if you have a quirk thats comparable to his in terms of power, i just think he'd find it intriguing how you not only challenge his ideology of heroes but also his power

Dabi definitely teases you a bit about your hero rank. not in a mean spirited way (at least not once you're dating), he just thinks it's cute how flustered you get when he mentions your ranking, whether it be super high or super low

causes you "his hero" as a joke, but over time it unironically becomes his nickname for you

watches the news whenever you're online, and when he sees you he always teases you about any villains you've defeated. "saw you defeated that rubber villain, hope that wasn't too much of a stretch for ya" and you're standing in your kitchen staring at him like 👁️👄👁️ "how'd you get in my apartment-"

if you have hero merch, Dabi buys it and teases you about it mercilessly. he's subtle at first, like he'll wear ome of your shirts beneath a hoodie and you only catch a glimpse of your logo, but over time he grows more bold until you enter his apartment and he has like. six posters of you on his wall

if he ever sees you working with ende*vor, ohhh he'll be so annoying about it. you wouldn't even know why, he's just slandering him mercilessly. if you agree with him though??? like if he's complaining about him and you're like "yea ive met him he's an asshole" Dabi's opinion of you goes wayy up

in a scenario where you're interacting with the league a lot, say your in a similar position as Hawks where you're doing spy work OR your actually defecting sides, i definitely think you'd interact with Dabi a lot more and while it may cause a conflict of interests, it might even bring you two closer as well. i think that both of you being on opposing sides could open both of yours' mindsets, and genuinely give Dabi insight that not all heroes are horrible and allow you to realize that most villains are just broken people.

i think in a postwar/rehabilitation scenario, you'd help him a lot in terms of giving him the grace and opportunity to be a good person. someone truly seeing how good he can be, seeing him as Touya and not Dabi, i think that would be incredibly inspiring to him and would make him realize that he's not unsalvageable.

i hope this isnt too bad !!! this was a really interesting req to write and i really enjoyed thinking about a possible plot where he does fall in love w a hero. i hope this wasn't to angsty, i tried to keep it fluffy bc that was the req, but if anyone wants me to do general hcs of dabi w a pro hero s/o or a more analysis-y angsty version id gladly do so !!

[howlsofbloodhounds]

I just realized that you are my oldest mutual, interesting huh?

ANYWAY!

Do you think Nightmare has more psychological control over Killer than any other form? I think Killer can fight back (no thought if he would win or not) but the mental power that Nightmare has over him immobilizes him.

Maybe that's why Nightmare chose Killer: he had already been subjected to so much, controlled by someone as cruel and sadistic as Nightmare. It was too tempting to just ignore such a perfect pawn.

Yay I get to be the oldest mutual ✨ 🎉

And yes absolutely. I do think physical abuse is still very much a staple in their relationship (nightmare has canonically choked killer unconscious before and left him limp on the floor), but I do believe a lot of it was massively during the first few weeks of Killer’s captivity. Before he was ever sent out in the field—because Nightmare needed to get through Stage 3, to beat Killer into submission. Like..horrifically breaking in a horse.

However, I don’t think physical abuse really works much as a punishment or deterrent for Stage 2—he’s shown to be very much able to just uh..dissociate from any emotions attached to the memories of Stages 1 and 3. And he himself is very desensitized to violence, and enjoys pain, doesn’t seem to have any limits on what he enjoys.

So unless Nightmare can find a way to remove Stage 2’s framing of pain as “fun” and “enjoyable,” then he’s not going to get anywhere using that as a punishment.

It’ll be a mix of everything of course, and Killer is still being physically abused when in Stage 2 and threatened, but that’s only when Nightmare is annoyed and lashing out—trying to put Killer back in his place or to make him shut up, like a little stress doll he can use. It won’t work as an effective punishment when he’s like that.

It will, however, work on Stage 1. I’d imagine that any time Killer has another situation like in the Stage 4 comics—being triggered into Stage 1 and compromising Nightmare’s goals—then he will be brutally punished in any way that’s possible.

It’d depend on Nightmare’s preferred methods, but I still doubt he’d be anywhere near gentle even if the physical abuse isn’t the “worse” part of the punishment.

Stage 3, I feel, would physically fight for the longest—and anytime Killer’s overpowered or forced back into another Stage, he’d take to trying to run and hide away instead the next time he’s in stage 3.

I’d imagine that Nightmare doesn’t allow Killer to remain in Stage 3 around him for very long—and the more Killer starts falling back into submission or is beaten into it, flop response to wait until it’s over as soon as he’s triggered back into a lower Stage, the less Nightmare seems to have to “deal with” Stage 3–as Killer starts falling back into learned helplessness.

I’d imagine Nightmare has been bitten by Stage 3 many times before lmao.

And I’d imagine that Killer likely doesn’t know if those moments are real or not, and perhaps Nightmare thinks he doesn’t remember them very clearly until Stage 3 starts cropping back up, so it’s very easy to convince him he has no power or choice.

Leave a door open to his cage and he won’t leave because what if it’s a trap, what if it’s a test. What if something worse is out there. What if he’s caught. Stage 2 won’t even spare the door a second glance, but he would in Stage 1 —and he’d be held back by how helpless and trapped he feels to risk it.

[thedvilsinthedetails]

rosekiller band au microfic pt4

heyyy guys pt4 is hereeeee

ok so this one is a bit shorter bc I’m a bit tired today but I rlly wanted to write it anyway so I did lol but it’s not been edited like at all so there may be typos pls point them out if u spot them so I can fix them tyyyy

yayyyyy I love this one

Ok ppl who wanted to be tagged/wanted the next part: @good-oldfashioned-lover-girl @picklerab23 @nikholascrow @always-reading @weirdtinkerbellversion @lady-stardust-incarnate @depressedtheatrekiddo @y0url0verb0y @idk-what-to-put-here-123 @lulublack90 (as always pls lmk if u want to be added to the taglist/don’t want to be tagged x)

link to part one

link to prev part

(EDIT: link to next part)

***

Barty’s stomach flipped as Evan looked at him, stunned and stunning. Then the moment was broken and Evan turned his head to look at Dorcas who seemed to be fighting back a laugh. This was stupid fuck this was stupid.

“Did you know about this?”

Evan asked Dorcas who shook her head.

“First time I’ve heard about it.”

Stupid, STUPID. You’re so stupid Barty why would you go and say that. You should have said no when Marls suggested it, should have said no straight away.

“It’s um- to make a statement. Kiss on the stage to piss of Riddle but it’s fine you don’t have to-“

“It’s a good idea.”

Evan said quickly.

“Oh, yeah it was Marls’. Wouldn’t want to um…steal the credit.”

Wouldn’t want you to think that the idea of kissing you plays on repeat in my mind every second I’m awake. 

“Yeah. I um- I want to. I think it would be good-“

Brilliant actually it would be fucking brilliant Rosier.

Barty amended Evan’s statement.

“To make a big statement.”

“Yeah.”

Yeah. Yeah what other reason would there be Barty? What were you hoping for? Pathetic isn’t it. The way you would gladly lick the crumbs left on his plate if he asked you to. He doesn’t want to kiss you, he wants to piss of homophobes. Don’t forget that.

It was in fact too late for Barty to not forget that because all that was ringing in his ears was ‘I want to. I want to.’ Because honestly Barty was going to kiss Evan. Maybe for the only time ever in his life. But he was going to. He’d never even thought it a possibility before. 

•••

I figured out that this modern world is turning the wrong way round

There’s something about the way our bedsheets turn religion upside down

So we just have sex to solve all our problems

Let’s do it again

It had been Pandora’s idea for the kiss to happen during ‘cotton candy’ and everyone had immediately agreed. It was a stroke of genius really. Barty had originally thought it should take place in a love song, but that wasn’t what this kiss was about. This kiss was about the freedom, the liberation everyone deserved to be who they were, to test their limits and experiment and not be judged for being queer or straight or promiscuous or prudish. Cotton candy was just that. A call for sexual liberation, a call to stop demonising young people for living their lives.

And I wanna get stuck between your teeth like cotton candy

So you remember me darlin’

Barty turned his head to look at Evan. Their microphones were too far apart on separate sides of the stage, everyone hated it. He felt uncomfortable so far from Evan, they just performed better when they were up close together. The crowd had actually been pretty annoyed when they saw it at first. Still when he looked he saw Evan staring back at him. He cocked his head sideways, a silent, last minute ‘are you ready?’ Evan nodded. 

Im losing myself in you 

In you 

In you

In you 

In you

I know

Evan stopped playing the guitar and let it just hang around his neck as he took the microphone out of the stand. Barty watched him before taking his own mic out the stand too.

I’m losing myself in you

In you 

In you

In you 

In you

I know

They turned to face each other and Barty began to walk.

Leave me in the morning, although

I don’t wanna be on my own

They met somewhere in the middle of the stage and suddenly the scream of the crowd dulled and the music stopped and for a moment there was nothing except Evan. Evan Evan Evan. His eyes staring straight into Barty’s. The hushed sound of their soft harmonies. The warmth of his breath dusting Barty’s face as they pressed their foreheads together.

I’m losing myself in you

In you

In you 

In you 

In you 

I know.

And they kissed. The crowd screamed. And suddenly the world was filled with colour even though Barty had his eyes screwed shut. Kissing Evan was like…fuck Barty was no wordsmith, Regulus and Pandora wrote their songs. But kissing Evan was everything. He tasted sweet and minty like the gum he’d chewed right before the show. His hand was warm and calloused and currently threaded through the hair at the base of Barty’s neck, tilting his head up just so.

The instrumental was over, they’d missed their cue. Barty didn’t care. They kept on kissing till the song faded to a close and even then kept going till the clap of the crowd died down. They softly broke away but Barty couldn’t hide the grin that broke onto his face. Evan just grinned right back.

***

AHHH YAY OK I LOVE THIS SONG CAN I JUST START BY SAYING THAT

Watch the music video for this song (cotton candy by YUNGBLUD)

LOOK AT THE SKIRT HE WEARS AND TELL ME BARTY WOULDNT WEAR THAT

Also what do we thinkkkkk they finally kissed!!!!!!

Ayyyyyy

ok stay tuned for the FIFTH and FINAL part (probs gonna be released tmrw hehe)

Also I’m probably gonna put this on ao3 btw, not gonna change it bc I don’t have the patience to properly lengthen it (at least rn, ig u never rlly know) but it’s just like if ppl want to bookmark it or reread or whatever it’ll probs be easier

ANYWAY LMK WHAT U THOUGHT

😘BYEEEEE

[yunarim]

「 ☕️ ⊹ summary 」 : apparently you have a new regular customer in a cafe you work part-time at. though you wonder why that certain someone always glances your way and smiles every time you voice his name when his coffee is ready…

— ⋆ characters : ace, epel, floyd, silver — ⋆ tags : gn reader, fluff, reader is yuu but they work as a barista at a nearby cafe

「 Ace Trappola 」

At first you didn’t want to announce that you’ve managed to escape dependence on your so-called parent (Crowley that would be) who didn't give you pocket money at all. The reason is that well… congrats on having a part-time job so you can spoil your besties with that limited melon buns in the cafeteria!

Yeah, now you have some amount of money but still it’s enough just for you to buy food for yourself and provide Grim with tuna cans so that he doesn’t annoy you much.

And while you were managing to hide this fact you knew you wouldn't last long with your friends. 

“Hey, are you free today?” Ace would ask you often.

“Right, we’re having an unbirthday party, come with us.” Deuce would add.

“Sorry guys, I need extra studying with how often Grim distracts me… Maybe another time.”

Extra studying, my ass, Ace once thought and decided he should check on you in case you’re doing something illegal. You surely weren't but hey, he was genuinely worried for you! (definitely not interested as hell, not that) 

He found you heading to a city centre and entering a fancy-looking cafe which got popular not so long ago. 

He entered too a few minutes after, seeing you adjusting something on the shelves and saying a sweet ‘welcome!’ as you heard someone enter.

Ace got used to you regaining composure whenever you were doing assignments or concentrating on midterm tests but somehow the way your gaze lingered on coffee beans and cute cupcakes was still sharp but more… gentle?

“What would you like to- Oh.”

It wasn’t shocking to see him here. You knew it would happen one day, but today? Not after that hellish history test you’ve managed to survive, not to mention you just had to take a night shift today. 

“Anything our cute secretive prefect would recommend,” he grinned at you rolling your eyes. 

“Alright, just wait a second, I’ll call your name when it’s ready.”

Unfortunately, you were having a lot of customers that day so he couldn’t really chat with you. And if you actually thought he would just check on you and let you work peacefully (or not really), Ace knew the possibility of him turning into a coffee-addict wasn’t so distant anymore.

“Ace, your ice latte is ready.”

At first he counted how many times a week he visited the cafe you worked at and now it was absolutely pointless, given he was completely lost in his thoughts. 

You just had to pronounce his name so cutely, huh?

Yo wait, cutely? For real?

Nah, no way. The way you smiled every time he walked in, raising his voice and calling you by some lame nicknames, always different every day he decided to drop by and have a little chat with you, wasn’t delightful to witness, too. No way.

“Hey, it’s already late. Not that I’m worried about you being scolded by Riddle or something, but it’s just strange seeing you studying in a cafe like a diligent student you aren’t. Let’s go together.”

Shit, he thought, closing his copybook and realizing he had done all the homework he had for two weeks forward. 

Shit, he thought when you closed the cafe and took off your apron.

Somehow you, wearing not the school uniform in which he saw you every day in college, but in casual clothes made him blush a little, realizing something he couldn’t admit at first.

Ace in his dorm room at 3 am: Sevens forgive me for being so shamelessly cringe lovestruck.

Ace today when he orders his ice latte: that's for your boyfriend Ace, please.

You: you’re so dumb I like that in men.

「 Epel Felmier 」

He didn’t know himself how he even managed to sneak out to the city centre without Vil noticing but finally he could eat something that wasn’t plain vegetable salads full of something oh so healthy and nutritious… whatever.

Okay, cool. This sortie into the city was planned during long sleepless nights with Epel exploring a ton of reviews about new cafes that opened nearby recently. 

Good old fast food was something he tried eating already so it was out of his choice for today, moreover he wanted to know what kind of coffee shops metropolises have and what kind of drinks and cupcakes they could offer.

Today was the day, and after taking photos and getting souvenirs for grandma he finally found the cafe he had chosen for today’s observation. 

A warm cozy atmosphere enveloped him, who was tired by the evening, and pleasant relaxing music helped regaining calmness after an eventful day.

“Good evening,” you greeted him and smiled gently. “What would you like to order?”

Maybe he got why this cafe has the best reviews. How could it not when the barista is so cute and friendly? 

He didn’t know how other baristas behave but he was sure they were completely out of your league. Really, why are there no drinks named after your smile? That’s a crime.

“Uh… latte maybe? With a lavender syrup.”

“Latte with a lavender syrup coming right up. Your name please?”

“Epel.”

“Alright, Epel, I’ll call you when it’s ready!” 

Shit, you’re literally shining with a golden glow around you, that’s illegal! 

Once you called him he knew he gotta find a decent reason to sneak out more so that he could see you again.

“Rook, help me, it’s urgent. Take me to the city centre without Vil noticing, I’ll repay you somehow. Wanna some apple juice maybe?”

Good for him Rook knew by one glance his underclassman got lovestrucked heavily and what a great news it was! 

Epel didn’t know (nor didn’t he wanted to) what exactly Rook said to Vil but now he got a strong reason to visit the cafe he met you. 

Okay, so today he definitely must ask for your number or something. 

He was already drowning in dreams of you two talking over the phone, you still working during the night and he hiding under the blanket from Vil and almost whispering to you and discussing little nothings and-

Ah, grandma’s calling. He answered her and explained where he’s heading to.

“Yeah, yeah, that cafe,” he replied, rolling his eyes at her curious tone. “Yes, the one with that cute barista. Yeah, grandma, I’ll ask. Yeah, yeah.”

He entered and met your soft gaze. You waved at him in a friendly way, recognizing him and he almost melted.

“Good morning,” you said quietly, noticing he was talking over the phone, and he nodded, greeting you as well. “Lavender latte as usual?”

“Alright, I’m busy, grandma, call you later,” he tried to hang up the phone but suddenly even you heard her reply.

“Sure sure, don’t forget to ask them out already!” 

Beep beep beep and you and Epel remain completely silent. 

“Aargh this is not what you think, I can explain!-”

“Really? I was planning on asking you out too actually.”

You when Epel called his grandma after your shift was over: discussing when the wedding would be.

Epel: cringing hard but smiling like an idiot, holding your hand and drinking his lavender latte.

「 Floyd Leech 」

Dig around what’s with that new menu our competitors have, Azul said. It would be a good intel, Azul said.

Boring! Why not Jade? He was much better at gathering info anyway. 

But still Jade advised he should look for merits everywhere, so Floyd actually decided to listen to his brother and decided he could at least mess up someone’s business so this trip would be fun.

He entered the cafe Azul told him about and approached a barista, throwing a curious grin at them and giggling.

“Good morning!” You said with a beaming smile and adjusted your name badge. “What can I get for you?”

Bonus points for your sunny smile. Floyd tried to imagine Azul or Jade smiling like that and almost roared with laughter at how silly this thought was. They lack cuteness! Not that they had it in the first place and nor they should have had it, but still it’s interesting seeing someone smiling so genuinely at a stranger!

“Something warm and extremely sweet~” he leaned on the table and observed your features shamelessly, finding it amusing that you still remained so bright and friendly. “It’s so cold outside!”

“Alright! What’s your name?”

“Floyd,” he replied. 

You wanted to get his drink ready but suddenly heard your boss calling for you. You apologized and quickly went to a staff room. Floyd didn’t mind waiting for a little, considering you’ve piqued his interest and not to even mention you were so adorable! So small and lively, it was so refreshing to see someone so vivacious. Bonus points: obtained!

Hmm~ You came back with an irritated frown on your face. Floyd wondered what happened.

“I’m sorry for the delay,” you said and turned to the coffee machine, gathering ingredients and starting making his drink, but just as he was about to chat with you a bit more, you were called once more.

“I’m really sorry,” you apologized once more, quickly retreating to the staff room again.

Your facial expression was so unbelievably funny when you returned. Floyd couldn’t contain his laugh at how fast and professionally you switched between being a little lovely sunshine and furious raging harpy cursing your boss under your breath. 

“Your drink, Floyd. I’m really sorry…”

“No worries~” He took the drink from you and took a sip. My my, you knew exactly what you were doing, your skills were incredible! Bonus points definitely. “See ya tomorrow!”

“Ah? Yes, see you.”

Floyd wondered whether he could add bonus points for your puzzled expression or would it be too much already.

Next day Floyd convinced Azul he needs more time to make a report. And the day after. And the next week too. 

One day you greeted him not with that sweet smile of yours but with a sad sigh and forced laugh and Floyd thought he could beat the shit out of your boss for making you so gloomy.

“Here,” he blinked at how a cup of cappuccino appeared before him. “Take it as a compensation for always hearing me out.”

Jeez, were you serious! So many bonus points just didn’t exist. 

Floyd when he decided to have a little chat with you for a few minutes and your boss shouted again: you know what, work for us. At least Azul doesn’t scream like that. Well, maybe he does sometimes, but he's cute. Not as cute as you though!

Azul when he was supposed to receive a report and eliminate his rival cafe: excuse me?

You being squeezed by Floyd: nice to meet you.

「 Silver 」

When kids are taught that two times two is four Silver realized coffee doesn’t help to remain awake. 

Still, Lilia decided it wouldn’t hurt to try and suggested Silver drink coffee in the mornings, and maybe it was just a self-hypnosis but Silver found himself staying awake for fifteen minutes longer if he had a cup of strong americano in the morning. 

Getting to the city and grabbing a fancy coffee before lessons was his motto, so that almost all baristas knew who he was and just how strong his coffee should be.

You didn’t, though, at least due to the fact that you started working not so long ago.

You saw an extremely handsome boy entering a cafe and was so dumbstruck with how charmingly he looked that you didn’t notice his rather inert movements. 

“Good morning, what would you like to order?” You greeted him, smiling brightly as usual.

“Hm… Something strong. Americano would do.”

“Okay! And your name is?” 

He glanced at you and realized you were someone who he saw for the first time. Usually other baristas are already aware and don’t even ask his name anymore. 

Meanwhile you were trying your best not to scream at how insanely beautiful his eyes were glimmering in dim cafe lights. 

“It’s Silver.”

You gave him his coffee when it was done and he thanked you. After he left you found yourself spacing out, the image of that cute boy popping up in your head randomly, and you thought you were seeing things when he came once more by the evening.

“Good evening, Silver.”

“Oh,” he replied. “You’re quite quick with remembering names, I presume.”

It’s just your name’s so lovely, how could I not, you thought almost voicing it out loud, but you just smiled instead. 

“Americano once more, please.”

This time he didn’t go straight away but sat near the window and opened his textbooks. You assumed he was doing his homework and concentrated on serving other customers. 

It was already late when you spotted Silver sleeping at the table, textbook pages wrinkled under his cheeks, and you approached him. He felt your gentle touch on his shoulder and slowly opened his eyes, meeting with your tender gaze full of worry.

Were you concerned about him falling asleep here? Maybe you really were but why then was he so happy to see such genuine worry in someone’s eyes which were so incredibly pretty, by the way… What was he even thinking?..

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you closing up?”

“Don’t be,” you sighed, giving him a cup of what he thought would be coffee but the green tea flavor was too strong to mistake it for coffee. “I think you should drink herbal tea instead of coffee actually. Here, on the house.”

Silver thought if heart eyes were real, you could see them right now just with one look at him. 

Lilia almost freaked out seeing Silver drinking sea buckthorn tea the next morning and chatting with someone over the phone.

Lilia: wrong sticker, use this instead.

Sticker: two kissing kittens.

Silver: dad what the-

Lilia: they replied~

You: omg you know how to use stickers i’m delighted 🫶🫶🫶🫶💗💗💗

© yushiiae 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝. 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲, 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐲, 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧.

[vickyvicarious]

I went on to make a thorough examination of the various stairs and passages, and to try the doors that opened from them. One or two small rooms near the hall were open, but there was nothing to see in them except old furniture, dusty with age and moth-eaten. At last, however, I found one door at the top of the stairway which, though it seemed to be locked, gave a little under pressure. I tried it harder, and found that it was not really locked, but that the resistance came from the fact that the hinges had fallen somewhat, and the heavy door rested on the floor. Here was an opportunity which I might not have again, so I exerted myself, and with many efforts forced it back so that I could enter. I was now in a wing of the castle further to the right than the rooms I knew and a storey lower down.

Speculation time: why is this door not locked?

I think there are two main options. In the past I just assumed it was the first one, but now I'm a bit more open to considering the second, which changes the tone of what comes next a bit.

Dracula didn't think he needed to lock it.

First consideration: this is a ways away from Jonathan's rooms and the ones he usually has access to. It's possible that Dracula was less careful about locking away different doors in further reaches of the castle. After all, there are a few other rooms in the hall that are open but don't really have anything to hide. Going along with that consideration, the fact that the door itself was heavy and had fallen on the floor so seemed locked at first, may have been all the justification he needed. It's possible that he didn't think Jonathan would have been able to open the door anyway, so there was no need to bother installing a new lock on a broken door.

If this is the case, then his warning to Jonathan about not sleeping outside of his own bedroom may well have been entirely genuine. Dracula has decided that he wants to keep his solicitor around a while longer, and so he gave him a warning which should ensure he actually stays alive to toy with. He's genuinely surprised and angry to find Jonathan about to be fed upon when he returns.

Dracula knew it could be opened.

While the door is heavy and is stuck, it's not impossible to move. Perhaps Dracula knew that. This year, I have noticed that a couple of the moments where Dracula tells Jonathan not to do something can almost be taken as a challenge. It could match the way he is constantly pushing boundaries in other ways as well - verbally, physically, what-have-you - he is trying to press and find Jonathan's breaking point. So far, Jonathan has just kept bending, and in doing so has avoided snapping (and getting immediately killed). The fact that he obviously knows what is going on but goes along with it anyway is super fun for Dracula, and possibly a big part of the reason he is still alive/his stay has been extended.

But something else Jonathan has done - and will continue to do - is to resist where he can. He doesn't confront Dracula directly but he does sneak around and spy on him. He doesn't mention the many doors being locked including the front door, but he did run around and check a bunch of them. I talked about both the locked doors and the warning about sleep as bait the other day, so I won't rehash all of it... but if it was meant as bait that points to a couple key differences.

Firstly, that Dracula could still be testing Jonathan's limits where he isn't involved. Perhaps it isn't just the way Jonathan reacts to him in person that is so fun for him, but also the way he's always pushing limits in his own way. He takes cues and tries stuff! He keeps Dracula on his toes! It might be just interesting/engaging enough to be fun without being annoying (like any sign that he could actually succeed in escaping/any direct confrontation would be). In that view, Dracula might enjoy dropping hints that give Jonathan what looks like chances to learn things or escape, but which in his opinion won't get him anywhere. The fact that he is able to manipulate Jonathan's behavior with these type of comments could also be a part of the fun, extending his feeling of control over him even through Jonathan trying to resist it.

Of course, this means that Dracula was willing to take a chance that Jonathan would get drunk from first by his roommates, which is the second big difference. There's a couple options there as well: he may have been okay with it since they don't tend to kill immediately (at least until he saw it about to happen and then got more possessive than he'd expected to, and became genuinely angry). He may have wanted to test if Jonathan would ignore his advice but didn't expect him to make progress so quickly (perhaps expecting him to sleep in a different room like the library or hall if he slept anywhere outside his bedroom). This second option could overlap with the first bullet point too actually, where the warning was still meant as bait but Jonathan took way more of the bait than Dracula expected, and he wasn't actually supposed to get access to this room yet/ever. The only downside there is that every other time Jonathan disobeys Dracula he is faced with near-immediate negative consequences to 'punish' him. The ladies serve that purpose very well here, and if Jonathan was supposed to disobey but not meant to meet them, it makes me wonder what the consequence would have been supposed to be.

Still, I do kind of like that last option, because it fits with a recurring theme where Dracula enjoys toying with Jonathan... not realizing that the act of doing so is directly giving Jonathan the tools and information he uses to later defeat him (also contributing to big reversals/exchanged traits between them as Jonathan learns way more than expected). This repeats with Mina as well in a big way, when him establishing a mental connection allows her to spy right back on him. Perhaps Dracula is having fun right now watching Jonathan follow various bread crumbs of hints and try to figure things out and try new ways of escaping, all of which are doomed to failure. But, and this is later exemplified by his diary full of information which he manages to keep despite Dracula stealing all his other things, Jonathan is both accomplishing and learning more than Dracula expects or realizes at every turn. And all of it will eventually be turned against him.

[xjulixred45x]

Dead Plate x Married in Red AU Drabble: but you did...

-Married in Red/Dead Plate Major spoilers for several endings- Rody takes Bok-Su's place and Vince is Da-jeong- Vince is canon gay so he is marrying (ceremonially) a man- Quite Angst- TW in the Hashtags

MAIN POST OF THE AU

- “Rody, here you are…”

Vincent's voice brought Rody back to reality and, oddly enough, a feeling similar to excitement. Not excitement to see it, no, excitement for what was to come.

Rody turned and stared for a moment at his Ex-boss, his former friend, who was looking at him with a look of serious reprimand. If Rody were his self from about 5 years ago, he would probably be shaking and scared, but at this point...Rody could only smile, satisfied with being pushed to the limit like this. He had it right where he wanted it.

- “I need to talk to you” - Vincent grabbed his arm, urging him to come closer.

- “whatever you want Vincent—“- Rody returned to his introductory self, trying to appear as non-threatening and friendly as possible until he was cut off.

- “in private.”- Vincent tightened his grip on his forearm, either trying to prevent him from walking away or trying to intimidate him, it didn't work in any case.

- “It seems like a luxury with so many guests. There are too many people to do something here…” - Rody didn't know if he said that last thing for Vincent or for himself. Be patient Rody, almost, almost...

-“Chris's room should be enough.”-

- “the groom's room? What would Chris think if he heard you now?” – Rody watched with amusement as Vincent's face contorted into even more visible anger, but surprisingly he didn't say anything. he only half drag him to the room.

_____________________________

Rody entered the room followed closely by Vincent. He tried to stay as close to the closet as possible not only to ensure the success of his plan, but also to keep Vincent away from him and not notice the metallic smell he emitted from there (which they both already knew VERY well).

- “cut the shit, tell me why you're really here.” – Vincent looked at him irritated and visibly dismayed at the lack of information, he KNEW that if Rody was here it was for a bad reason, but he needed to hear it from him, to know what was.

- “I already told you Vincent, I came to congratulate a friend who helped me in a difficult moment on his wedding day” - Rody repeated the words he said to him at the reception, but it was different, robotic, rehearsed. As if he already saw what would happen coming.

- “Rody, I'm not an idiot, I know that's not why you're here, if you try anything right now I swear I'm going to—” Vincent went from being simply annoyed to being angry at the idea of that day being ruined (and therefore Rody no less) but he couldn't even finish his sentence.

- “or are you going to do what, Vincent? What are you going to do? Is there even anything you haven't done?”- Rody stared at him, seeing how the little color in Vincent's face disappeared at the indirect accusation.

-“Was it worth it? Did you test your hypothesis? How can you live with yourself, be happy, while someone Like HER just managed to rot in your Freezer?”-

Rody didn't raise his voice once, but he had to restrain himself from going up to Vincent and simply breaking his neck, stabbing him with the pie knife, strangling him—he held back waiting for an answer, something that would at least show him that Vincent had, even if it is, SOME regret for what he did, grief, dissatisfaction, guilt. Everything Rody was feeling all these years was because of him-

But he got nothing, not even a measly apology. Vincent just looked at him like a deer looks at the headlights of a car, he didn't move or speak. Rody knew it at that moment. He didn't feel it, or if he did, it would never be enough.

- “Rody…go away. Just Go—I've tried to be friendly because this is a happy day for me, but I just can't be calm with you around. I'll tell Chris and we'll both escort you OUT.” Vincent spoke firmly, like when he was in the kitchen, but he was clearly short of breath, and his pulse was trembling. Oh, how the tables have turned.

- “Speaking of Chris, do you think I can at least give you my wedding gift?”-

- “I Beg Your pardon?”- Vincent seemed more offended than surprised.

- “You said you would go for Chris, right? Well, put your hand in my pocket” - Rody extended the side of the pants that had the “wedding gift” a little, to make the message more explicit. He planted his feet firmly on the floor and looked Vincent in the eyes with a look that he couldn't tell, whether it was excitement or impatience. He wouldn't leave until he had seen Vincent open his gift.

Vincent simply grunted and sighed in resignation, approaching Rody and putting a hand in his pocket without giving it much thought -

–“This is ridiculous. What does what's in your pocket have to do with Chr—”- Vincent cut himself short as he felt something familiar and unusual in the texture, it was familiar. He wrapped his hand completely around it and knew right away, it was a cake knife. But that wasn't what made him freeze in place immediately and break out in a sweat as he thought about the possibilities. No.

It was the fact that the knife was wet, with a coagulating substance, something he had already felt.

Vincent took the cake knife completely out of Rody's pocket and saw his fear come true, the knife was almost completely covered in a bright red, with coagulated parts and even what Vincent could only guess were pieces of skin stuck to the edge. .

-“RODY…YOU DIDN'T DARE..”- this wasn't happening, it couldn't be happening. Rody couldn't have done what he thinks he has done...

-“Oh, not me, Vincent…You did it.”- Rody concluded with a smile.

-“EXCUSE ME—“- -“That was your weapon”- Rody spoke again, cutting him off again.

Vincent went from being incredulous to being angry at Rody's accusations, not only because he knew it was a lie, but because of the nonsense it was.

- “IT'S OUR WEDDING DAY! ALL THIS WAS BECAUSE HE WANTED IT! WHY WOULD I HURT HIM?!”- The thought that Chris could be out there severely injured or, worse and more likely, dead, not only made Vincent raise his voice in anguish, but it even made his eyes water.

-“What do I know? I'm just a witness. MAYBE you heard him say how he was thinking of leaving you. Maybe he loved someone more than you, maybe you went back to your old habits, and your huge ego couldn't handle the rejection…you had to get rid of the problem” - Rody used everything he acquired at the party, using it as ammunition not only to substantiate himself, but to see Vincent even more hurt. He knows it's not true, and it will still take him down...

-“THAT IS RIDICULOUS! I WOULD NOT KILL SOMEONE FOR SUCH A DUMB REASON!”- Vincent said frantically, both pain and anger mixing as he spoke.

-“BUT YOU DID IT VINCENT. YOU DID IT…” -

Rody looked at Vincent with an anger he had never seen in him, almost feeling an oppressive force in his chest, as if someone was squeezing his heart from the inside, but he was quickly overcome by pain.

-“I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!”-

Everything happened so quickly, Rody had to admit, if he hadn't moved in time and removed the pearl necklace, he would probably have been impaled. But at that moment the only thing he could think about after falling against a shelf was how he saw, now too slowly, how the body of Chris, the groom, collapsed from its hiding place and fell right into Vincent's lap. Stopping it in its tracks.

Vincent looked down tensely, feeling how the remaining blood began to seep and stain his clothes, with the cold body of the love of his life looking up, empty, lifeless.

The realization took a few seconds to come, and when it did, it came in the form of a powerful scream of misery, denial, and grief.

Vincent didn't even realize how bad the situation looked, very busy unable to take his eyes off his dead boyfriend, until the aforementioned's mother arrived, having been alerted by the screams.

“—what's happening—oh my god—OH MY GOD!! MY SON!—“- Chris's mother's voice was unmistakable. When Vincent tried to say something, anything, he was interrupted by a familiar scream.

-“GET AWAY, MA´AM! THAT MAN IS A PSYCHOPATH! I SAW HIM STAB CHRIS AND TRY TO HIDE THE BODY! HE TRIED TO KILL ME! GO AND GET HELP!” - Rody shouted in an “altered” manner while taking off his sack that was now stained with blood. Vincent processed his words and tried to refute as best he could.

-“DON'T LISTEN TO HIM, HE WAS THE ONE WHO—“- -“GET AWAY FROM MY SON!”- before he could even speak in his defense, Vincent was pushed away from his boyfriend's body, being held by his crying mother.

Looking up, Vincent saw how people came up and looked at him in horror, obviously buying Rody's story. How could they not? He had a Weapon and his boyfriend's blood everywhere. What should he do? what? what!?

The only thing Vincent could do at that moment was stand up (falling due to blood in the process) and run, run outside, away from prying eyes, away from his dead boyfriend and future, away from RODY.

Rody took his time getting up and adjusting his clothes, taking a moment to look at the mother of the son he murdered, feeling that unpleasant bubbling sensation in his head. He couldn't afford that now, it's too late. It's time to finish it.

_______________________________

The bloody footprints went from the groom's room to where the ceremony was going to take place, although of course, it was obvious that Vincent slipped a couple of times on the liquid (either because of the rush to get away or because of his anxiety made him clumsier), you could see prints of his hands on the floor trying to support himself, on top of a table, and the most cruelly ironic, on the sign with Chris's name, where he would sit with Vincent at the end of the ceremony.

Vincent was cornered, he had nowhere to go but outside. Everywhere he went inside people pushed him to prevent him from “escaping” or heard even more crying about how he could have done something like that, to Chris of all people. Vincent couldn't even tell who was yelling to call the police, people whispering about how Chris was planning to leave him and he must have "lost his cool," among other things.

When Vincent finally arrived outside the place, as people ran inside, he could only look ahead, unable to breathe properly, tired, shaking (from anger at the situation? from hatred towards Rody? from pain at this new feeling of loss?). Vincent walked slowly trying to catch his breath, opened his white jacket a little (now stained red) and stopped for a second on a small detail.

In the pocket of his jacket, a daisy that Chris had left him as an ornament, due to all the commotion, had shattered into pieces, without a single petal remaining.

Vincent didn't even want to look up, facing the makeshift altar Chris's family had made, with hyacyntus, he couldn't. He wouldn't want to face the reality of his current situation, yes, but worse, he wouldn't want to face the “maybes”, the “what ifs”.

He just stood there, squeezing his arms tightly around his body, his hand closed over the last detail of a destroyed life, and he muttered the same thing over and over and over again.

- “I…didn't do this…it was him”-

As people walked away from Vincent erratically, Rody took slow steps towards where he saw him run, feeling a great level of satisfaction in the progress. Was this what fulfillment felt like? the relief? Seeing this person who used to terrorize Rody years ago, who had been robbed of the love of his life and his will to live, now reduced to a tearful mess was more than gratifying, it was cathartic. He needed this, Manon needed this.

-“Vince…” - Rody's voice was the softest it had been all afternoon, but more importantly, he never thought he would use that nickname again, although now it felt more like a final blow, a last sign of familiarity. to whom now, was only a stranger.

- “Are you full?”

The last thing Vincent would see, before hearing the sirens approaching, would be a smiling, crooked, satisfied Rody, unaware, when that obnoxious happy grin slipped away for a second.

Daisis: they can mean new starts in life and are normally related to cheerfullness, purity and joy.

Hyacinths: meanwhile they Hyacinths are related to the love and pride (due to Apollo's and Hyacinthus story) the hyacinths can be tied to jealousy, they can also be a sign that you recognize you've made a mistake and you're looking for forgiveness.

Shares, reblogs and comments are very welcome!

Hope You guys enjoy this! I think it's the longest Drabble i ever Made🤯SO i hope You like it and share it❤️

[skitterplant]

ok i have.. soo many thoughts about ur fic rni usually dont read or look through content with fem yns since it (personally) makes me uncomfy, but for some reason the way u write this one makes it very easy to actually read and not feel like im being forced into the role of Woman™️ (im ftm and its really frustrating how common that feeling is with fics). this yn actually feels like her own person which actually makes reading this a lot more interesting as well. something about the way she just... is is fascinating to me

anyway- i have sooo many questions, tho mainly about the yn. i dont expect any answers at all, im just throwing these for ur entertainment to witness

wtf is going on with yn? she clearly has a motive but wutever it is i cant pinpoint it. could possibly be something to do with fazbear? at least based on how she said that "while i hate ur attitude i hate liars more". if so, then y only target the dca? y them in specific? or does she have effects all over the pizzaplex?

also something ive been thinking about was that one conversation at the end of chapter 5 between the mechanics moon overheard. i wonder if that was some form of foreshadowing? maybe something about yn? or maybe it was simply just a point where moon realizes how little he knows about humans. (tho something i will note is that its actually somewut common for kids to just randomly kill or hurt animals. often times its out of curiosity to test the limits of things. usually wut stops kids from doing it is other ppl finding out and scolding them for it, therefore teaching them it isnt something "good" to be doing)

im just. so fascinated with the yn. while her actions r absolutely frustrating and makes no sense i feel as tho theres a reason behind it other than sadistic enjoyment (bc she didnt even seem to enjoy the times when shed hurt them, just annoyed)

im absolutely hooked on this now and i dont think im escaping any time soon OTL

The fact that you've picked up my work and enjoyed it despite usually avoiding this type of MC is a big, big compliment!

I wish I could answer properly because your questions are extremely important to the plot points I'm ACHING to get into😭😭😭 Really just went and tickled every sore spot on my brain, you sly weasel :/

Just know that your thoughts made me very happy. Thank you!!!

[eldjester]

SOAR, The Damage Race and Damage Die

(Yes, this is inspired by @makapatag latest post, I like getting into details about what goes on in my design thoughts)

So I've ran a fair bit of games over the years, and talked about a few design thoughts with my good friend Ru. That experience has lead me to feel opinionated on some stuff or try to fix some "issues" I didn't want in my own TTRPG, namely Damage Die and the idea Damage Race is all that matters.

-Damage Die: For about a whole year, I have been running a system that uses multiple types of damage die, from d6 to d10, which are bound to its classes rather than abilities (this is Icon, if you're curious), and while i don't think it is unworkable, it made me think about a few things, namely the nature of why we roll for damage in the first place and why so many Tactical TTRPGs want to have critical hits. In most cases, I don't tend to like rolling for damage with wide possibilities, for example rolling a d8 or a d10, as those are very swingy and hard to make informed decision about, even if they fit a playstyle that's more about pushing your luck, they just don't work for me, I don't like how they control pacing, especially if rolling high on them is supposed to really hurt, it tends to make anything that surrounds them uncertain for basically everyone on the table, and for me it doesn't really do a fun surprise when you do roll good on them. Critical Hits adding more damage is also a staple of many games, and I think as time goes on i'm less of a fan of that too as it tends to be done in a way that just shines a bigger spotlight on the uncertain damage numbers of some attacks (hi "Double Damage on crit" systems !). So what I ended up doing, was just remove this idea that your damage die has to inform the damage you do related to its number. See, I'm a big fan of tables, I love random tables, I also love having some level of control over what you can expect, so I had a fun idea, what if I used a damage profile table for attacks ? So, in SOAR, when you hit (which you still need to roll to do specifically for attacks, as I like having that mechanical lever to tinker with) you roll a d6 or more if your abilities add some, and you keep the highest one, the number you roll then tells you what you'll be using as a profile for the attack, bigger means better in this case, here's an example:

Weak Hit (1-2): 2 damage, push target 1, move 1

Normal Hit (3-5): 3 damage, push target 1, move 1, push target 1

Strong Hit (6): 4 damage, push target 1, move 2, push target 1, target is dazed

Critical Hit (6,6): 5 damage, push foe 1, move 2, push foe 2, foe is dazed. A keen eye might have noticed this shares similarities with how FITD handles rolls in terms of spread (being a tiny bit more forgiving), this has allowed me to make sure I know how much damage every attack does while still having room to make the damage uncertain, you can still cheer if you roll a strong hit or a critical hit (you in fact, have a resource you can spend to upgrade a hit to its next step if you want to), as a fun added fact, this type of damage profile idea started off as something I made for a gunfight based game, and worked backward into adding to SOAR, from my, admittedly limited, testing it has sped up play a fair bit while still giving me levers to work with in terms of balance. -The Damage Race There's this really annoying feeling sometimes when you play TTRPGs Combats that not doing damage isn't ideal, you see it all the time (death is the best control my beloathed expression) even when it isn't "true". Something you learn relatively soon in TTRPG design is that even if you don't think something is true, people believing it is will still affect how they interact with it, often in a self reinforcing way, and this was something I wanted to avoid in SOAR as it would be especially prone to this, it is after all a Beat'Em All inspired TTRPG, so it was going to have people come in with that assumption regardless. So I thought, hey, what if I didn't bother trying to balance Control and Damage here ? What if i had everyone "do both" ? So that's what I ended up settling on, every Style comes with an attack, which you can use EVERY turn, and a bunch of abilities, which is where a lot of statuses and utility moves exist. Of course, it didn't come free of problems, I had to essentially make everyone have more HP to account for it, but it also made me free of a problem I was having trouble figuring out: what if someone never attacks and just deals damage through abilities which never need to hit ? The way i'm doing it now, people HAVE to care about attacks, and it also means that, with it being essentially "free", I can balance around it and make sure fights aren't static, players always have 2 shots at changing things every turn they do. Thus far in testing I think it has proven to work.

[royaltyoon]

JOHAN SEONG X READER

Hateful confessions

[A/N]

Ik I'm supposed to have deactivated this blog but I really couldn't get myself to. This isn't a promise that I'll come back but I really really missed lookism and my favorite boy. And definitely my mutuals who i apologise to, for not keeping in touch :( it's so overwhelming to post on here after like a whole year

Tw: mentions of blood/injury

"you're hurt"

"i know" he said, looking nowhere in particular

"you're bleeding." It was more of an observation rather than a statement.

"what makes you think that I wouldn't know." He said looking straight at you with both brows furrowed. "You think I would willingly come to you if I had no work for you?" He said matter-of-factly.

"you're being a bitch, Johan." You rolled your eyes, what an insufferable dumbass, you crossed your hands looking at him accusingly. "I learnt from the best." He quiped. "Are you finally admitting that I have an influence over you?" You scoff, pushing back your shoulders in pride.

He paused for a second and then sighed "you annoy me." He said shaking his head. "Well you are always free to go ask other people for help." You shrug, obviously not meaning it but that's just the way you two converse.

"if there was anyone willing to patch me up for free, trust me, i would." He said walking past you, flicking you slightly on the forehead. "I don't believe that even a little." You point at a stool indicating for him to take a seat.

"What makes you think you're that important for me to not replace you?" He huffs while taking a seat.

"take your shirt off." You order, ignoring his question. He tilts his head up to look at you for a little more than a second. "What if I say no." You couldn't believe the audacity of this dude.

"Die of blood loss then, I don't care." You spat, crossing your hands yet again. He's really testing the limits of how patient one can be. "I don't believe that even a little." He said using your words against you while using a tone which only made you want to create more damage than repair to him.

"what reason could there possibly be that I won't let you die for being so insufferable right now?" He only shrugs at it, "the same reason you think I wouldn't replace you with someone else." You knew he was aiming in the dark and yet he hit Bullseye.

Through gritted teeth and the most sarcastic voice you could manage to bring out , " Please take your shirt off, your highness." Words left your mouth sounding like venom but he smiled as if poison has no effect on him.

He just huffed a satisfied response while zipping down his jumper. You inhale sharply "How can you act like a total piece of shit with an injury like that. Do you have a death wish? A little more time spent and you'd have actually bled to death." You said looking at the narly gash at the side of his abdomen.

"Is that concern i suspect in your voice?" He asks halfheartedly. "Johan, if your life is in my hands you know that I can make it worse right?" You glare at him but let it slide, kneeling down in front of him paying more attention to the injury than the man who has it.

You feel his gaze on you. "What?" You asked still tending to the injury. He shakes his head looking away. "I liked you better in the beginning when you didn't say much. You talk a lot now. It's annoying" He said it in a monotonous voice, absolutely expressionless. For that, you not so discreetly pushed a little too hard on his cut, causing him to grunt.

"you did that on purpose, didn't you?" He hisses. Of course you did. "i have no idea what you're talking about" you just smiled at him. "I prefer you back in the beginning too, i thought the worst you could do is death glares but then you opened your mouth and that was a whole 'nother type of hell." He chuckles at that, throwing his head back slightly. You notice a small cut of his forehead.

"I would normally not take it nicely if anyone else said something like that, you were always so full of yourself. I wonder why I don't feel the need to be angry at it with you." He said a little in thought. Making an observation on himself. "Don't get too comfortable" you raised one side of your lip into a smirk. "I can be a whole lot annoying. Stick around more and you'll find out." You say finally patching up the cut on his side. It was not as bad as it looked. "I plan on it." He mumbles but he speaks before you can make sense of it.

"i can be a whole lot more insufferable" he said challengingly. At times it feels like everything with him is a competition. At that you just shake your head slightly, reaching to push his hair back.

He flinches and moves a little back, catching your wrist before you could reach his hair. "what are you doing?" He says looking at you, now slightly closer than before.

"You have a cut on your forehead." He looked at you for a few seconds before turning his eyes elsewhere and dropping his hand down. He refused to meet your eyes after that. You bend a little to get a better view on the cut. It didn't go unnoticed by you the way he was clenching his jaw. He never really liked anyone breaching his personal space, that was the only conclusion you came to.

"Have you not gone for a hair cut recently?" He knew you were secretly asking if he visited his mom. "No." The answer came a little too quickly. "You should go get one. I know how important a haircut is for you." You angled his face to look at yours.

It was quiet for a few seconds. He looked at your eyes, holding your gaze "I hate how you know so much about me. And I hate myself that I don't regret telling it to you." You smiled, it was genuine this time. You turned to keep the first aid box on the table. "I could say the same."

A voice of the stool against the floor was heard, indicating he stood up. "I hate a lot of things." He said taking a step towards you. "I hate how I have to ask you for help." Another step. " I don't min- "I hate that sometimes during a fight I let a few punches hit me because it means I get to come here. " Another step closer.

"I hate that I want to hear you speak, I want you to annoy me. I hate that I don't feel like hating you. I hate that I can't get rid of you, I hate that I don't want to get rid of you." He was just a few inches away from you.

"i hate that I used to consider you a friend. Now I hate that you're just a friend." His index finger reaches your chin pushing it up to look at him. "I want to say I hate you, but I can't and I hate myself for that." His hand slid under your ear. "And I will probably hate myself more after this." And his lips landed on yours.

It took you a second to register it all before you reciprocated the action, pulling him closer by his shirt. He moaned against your lips as a reaction and slightly pushed you against the table, leaning against it.

"God, how much I hate that I let myself not hate you."

"just because you don't hate me anymore doesn't mean I don't hate you. I do." You tried hiding your red face behind the facade of hating him.

Johan just scoffed, "I don't believe that even a little."

[ploo-toe]

The Crow and The Mourning Dove: CH 2

SCP-049 x SCP!Reader

Series tags/warnings(18+): fem!reader, slowburn, (eventual)smut, horror, gore/violence, death, unethical experiments, dark, mentions of past trauma, happy ending

Chapter Summary: “The Chem. Department has a new lavender sedative mix they want to test out, so we’re moving it to a separate testing chamber.  During that time, maintenance will come in for a routine inspection of all the locking mechanisms in 049’s cell.  You’re there to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

 ___________________________________________

Almost a month had gone by, and while 049’s insight had been helpful, progress with 9528 was slow.  The scp was wary; reluctant to let its guard down.  Though, on rare occasion, it would be comfortable enough to drop its facade, even if only for a brief moment.

While Y/n didn’t completely trust Dr.Leeward, she could recognize that he was somewhat of an oddity.  He deviated from the other foundation staff.  Where others were callous and barbaric,  he was softened.  He couldn’t deny his compassionate nature.  It’s why he didn’t push when she was unwilling to share certain details, encouraging her to answer only what she felt comfortable with.  Even if deep down, Y/n knew that he still only thought of her as a thing. Not a she, but an it.  Still, he was better than most.

“Ok, so we went over the things you like.  What about dislikes?  Anything that upsets or annoys you, possibly even things that you’re afraid of?”  Dr.Leeward sat across from her, encouraging her to go at her own pace. It was refreshing, his patience.

“...I’m not overly fond of fire.”  

“Fire?”  It was clearly an answer he wasn’t expecting.  A centuries old being, responsible for the slaughter of hundreds, if not thousands, afraid of fire?

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“May I ask why?”

While there were some things Y/n was willing to disclose, others were deemed far too personal.

“There was an incident in the past that led to a certain… avoir les pétoches… aversion.”  Y/n muttered under her breath, trying to find the words.  While she was fluent enough in the King’s English, she found its expressiveness quite limiting.

“I see…” Leeward spoke as he finished up his notes “Well I’ll leave it at that for today, and we’ll pick up again next week.  Is there anything you want to speak of before the end of the session?”

“No Doctor, that will be all.”

He nodded, gathering his things and exiting the cell.

Y/n remained at the table, simply staring ahead at nothing.  To the camera’s she appeared almost bored.  But for a brief moment, she was back there.  She could see the flames surrounding her, feel them eating away at her skin. She blinked it away as quickly as it had come.  She got up slowly, making her way over to her bed and getting as comfortable as it allowed.  Perhaps some rest would do her good.

Leeward made his way down the hall towards his office, nodding to a group of guards on his way, before The Director flagged him down.

“We’ve really got to stop meeting like this, Adam.”  Director Novak joked. Tell me about it. Leeward bit his tongue.  “I need you to assist in the movement of SCP-049 today.”  Movement?

“Why are we moving 049?”  He racked his brain, trying to think of whatever reason there might be for such a high clearance task.

“The Chem. Department has a new lavender sedative mix they want to test out, so we’re moving it to a separate testing chamber.  During that time, maintenance will come in for a routine inspection of all the locking mechanisms in 049’s cell.  You’re there to ensure everything runs smoothly.”  Novak’s cold stare bore holes into Leeward’s skull.  He wanted Leeward there to keep 049 docile.  Meeting the director's gaze, it was clear as day.  He knew the risks that came with moving 049, he just didn't care.  Leeward swallowed down the lump in his throat, knowing it was better not to question Novak’s judgment, and followed him to 049’s containment cell.  

Leeward went into the cell first, told by the director that he was to obtain 049’s full cooperation.

“Hello 049.”

“Doctor, I was unaware that we had any meetings today.”  049 stood cordially, halting its previous task of writing in its journal.

“No, we don’t, I’m here sent by the director to prepare you for testing.  He asked that I come in first to make sure you’re cooperative.”  Leeward spoke with thought out words, careful not to provoke the scp.

“Ah, yes.  I have my work as you have yours.  I am willing to see through your tests.”

He was relieved that 049 seemed to be in a good mood today. The last thing he wanted was for this to go poorly.

Leeward signaled for the guards to come in, stepping back as they attached its restraints.  Two held onto its chains, pulling it forward, while the remaining 4 had their rifles fixed on it.  They slowly began making their way out of the cell, leading it down the hall.  Director Novak stood stiffly, staring down 049 with a shark-like gaze.  The teams movements were slow and calculated. While the facility guards may have been lacking in certain social aspects, they knew the tactical precision necessary, and the weight any mistakes would carry.

They had just barely made it to the first turn before they heard it, down the hall behind them.

A gut wrenching scream bounced off the walls, laced with pure terror.  What the hell was that!?

049 halted, posture stiff and eyes wide.  

“...Y/n?”

[werehounded]

i'm so excited to transition btw this is a long train of thought post so it's under a read more but come vibe with me if you want.

i'm considering getting my first appointment toward a dx with gender dysphoria or whatever they term it these days. I can book and be seen within the month with a reliable clinic with an outstanding cqc rating...

the fact that my psych actually LISTENED when i told her i was transitioning, and she congratulated me and hugged me, and then even put it in my doctor's notes since no one else has bothered before now despite me being a frequent visitor... it meant so much. just that little 'patient started transitioning to male' note.

i've told my gp surgery and individual gp's many times my preferred name and pronouns (they won't change them without a stat dec or deed poll basically) and that i'm transitioning. they've known since '22 and never added it to my record EVEN THOUGH they referred me to tavistock that summer, lmao

but i'm excited. i'm excited to become who i actually am and always have been. and some family excluded, and some old 'friends' excluded, people have generally been so supportive. even my mum which i thought i'd never see in my lifetime is accepting (even though she refuses to name or gender me or my friends correctly like why??? she claims it's bad habit but never ever corrects herself and it wears. so thin. anyway. onto more positivity!)

i want to get on t if i can. not sure if i'm a candidate with my newer corrected 1.5 type diabetes dx (revised from type 2)?? my glucose is still shite and my doctors won't prescribe my lancets or test strips anymore so womp womp i guess i'll die (possibly literally if i go hyper/hypo and have no way of knowing. i've got a good stockpile of both but jeez i shouldn't HAVE TO)

CW brief and vague discussion of weight loss, ed, and diet stuff in the next three paragraphs including ozempic etc. and talking about my ednos too. None of it is mega detailed, there is no calorie counting or talk about weight loss being a positive thing, etc.

i hope i can get on t even if i have to go on something like semaglutide or liraglutide (yes, THOSE jabs). they offered me before the ozempic boom but i turned them down bc they were billed to me as 'insulin pens' when they're actually for weight loss and appetite suppression i found out before i started to take them. which annoyed me bc i'm happy being a big boy. i don't WANT to lose weight unless i REALLY have to. i'm happy this size and it took so much blood, sweat and tears to get here. i look at pics of me when i was like 18 and my eyes look so dead and i look tiny (i've never been small rly but i look small compared to now)

i don't want to. that's the thing. but with my diabetes being rude and me being big, i just know that's a likely line i'll get from an endocrinologist. much as my inner ednos flares so bad with the idea of a magic jab... which is why i've avoided them along with the happiness with my body anyway. why do doctors always want us to shrink ourselves?

i know i might have to lose weight for top surgery if i'm a candidate for that but that's a bridge i'll cross when i get to it i guess. (same reason tbh, wound healing can be impaired and more difficult if you're diabetic, healing a tat can take me 6+ weeks sometimes and while i'm used to it now i can imagine how it makes deep wound care difficult at best. i also know most surgeons have a bmi limit which i definitely am over. so. ugh.)

CW brief and vague discussion of weight loss, ed, and diet stuff is OVER!

all of this to say i can't wait to transition. i can't. truly.

[cosmic-walkers]

I really love how you focus solely on the queer subtext between the characters, and how you're able to make a lot of out of what little we get between Thomas and his interaction with certain men in Wolf Hall. I didn't realize just how much he and Stephen interacted before you started posting it, even though I read the entire series. I enjoy seeing how you're able to tie that together.

I like your take on Stephen and religious guilt. In the book at least he didn't want to be a priest, but it makes sense he's covet Catholicism because he was forced into it and it's all he knows. And now here comes Thomas poking holes in his safety net lol. And now he's wondering if he should've been in the religion to begin with.

YESSS to everything you've said omg.

Honestly, my favorite things to do - especially in period-centric literature and pieces - is to seek out queer themes in the context of times, religion, etc. Obviously, you know me I'm mostly writing Henry and Thomas, but there is also something so realistic about the way the relationship between Stephen and Thomas is portrayed at the beginning that really gives me subtle hints of the possibility of a relationship, love, etc. The way Thomas acts around Stephen is a way he only acts around people he is comfortable with; he doesn't erect any walls. He teases Stephen, tries to annoy him, tests his limits, etc. And as angry as Stephen gets, you can tell there is a part of him that enjoys their banter. Like around Henry and the other Lords and Nobles, Thomas does keep up a certain persona. He is kept to himself, respectful, of course he goads them and doesn't back down, but there is certainly a level of respect.

With Stephen, it goes out of the window. He doesn't actually address him in the way he's supposed to (he isn't just a random priest, he is the Bishop of Winchester T-T), he calls him by his first or last name, and he is just so casual around him. he jokes around him, etc. at first you can chalk it up to the fact that he doesn't think he owes Stephen respect but then, the way he interacts and lets loose around him, he does see Stephen as friend or at the very least an aquaitnece.

And then Stephen indulges; he lets Thomas be around him, he lets Thomas talk to him and address him in rather casual ways. One of my favorite parts was the scene in the book where he was organizing Stephen's stuff for him and made a comment about his parent's love letters; stephen being a bastard is trait of shame for him, but he was actually calm and friendly with Thomas despite that joke.

I think there was a mutual truce between the two *until* Stephen was sent away to France. Anything that could have come between them or any development was essentially ruined.

But before that (and you know even after wrt to our fix-it aus), there is certainly something there. When I write or think about these two and the fact that Stephen falls in love with Thomas, there is a lot of Catholic guilt because first of all, he is a Bishop and Thomas is what he deems to be THEE heretic, but then at the other end there is the sense of duty. As a bastard, Stephen was more or less pushed into this life where he had to sacrifice the life he could have possibly wanted in order to appease all sides. This position later on granted him power but as we read earlier in the book--he isn't happy to begin with. I think falling in love with Thomas Thee Heratic probably makes things difficult because aside from Catholic guilt, it makes him question if this is the life he could've had if he had a choice. If he would've been happy, if he even wouldn't been a staunch Catholic, and if things were different would he have been with Thomas and been happy? BASICALLY, everything you just said.

I think Thomas scares Stephen (when looking through a QUEER subtext) because he threatens everything Stephen knows about himself, and everything he was forced to believe.

That's what makes them good---

[howlsofbloodhounds]

killer meeting reapertale chara when he is abandoned by all people he knows?? good stuff, good angst. just the idea of killer missing his chance with color, being discarded by nightmare, by death's door only to call out for help one last time. and this time, someone actually comes to help him, and it's chara.

they've both been abandoned by the gods. and now in killer's darkest hours, reapertale chara holds out a hand to him.

i think it would be interesting if reapertale chara genuinely likes killer, but still mean to him. they like core frisk enough despite core frisk being a pacifist and a person who always helps people - the total opposite of reapertale chara. would be fun if chara tries to guide killer into being their acolyte, because it isn't different from what killer has been doing.

what would killer think about it though? having a support of a godlike being is advantageous to him, but will they abandon him like others before? there would be a period where killer would constantly mistake reapertale chara as his chara. i wonder if that would trigger him into stage 3 and 4 often. i think reapertale chara would appreciate those stages of him best, though they feel it might not be good to break a valuable tool so quickly.

~ crowshipping anon

I do think the Anaomly would be rather mean to Killer too, but probably moreso in the way high school bully, annoying sibling way with a dash of ‘deities not really relating much to mortals,’ although i think that part may be something Chara learns quick not only because they were once mortal before their Corruption, but because they genuinely like Killer and want him to work with them willingly. So theyll put in the effort from the start.

I can definitely see Chara playing up their favoritism with Killer just to upset Flowey for amusement though 💀. Probably also taking every opportunity to ditch him or leave him behind, even though Flowey always just keeps catching up again.

And given that their drawn to Killer due to their shared Anaomly status, Chara would probably be just as curious in Killer as he is in them, and would probably be very curious about his soul, and eventually, possibly even his codes. How they were changed, how that affects Killer, his Stages, if it can be fixed or altered further.

I do feel like Killer would probably attack them in Stage 3, as i feel he would’ve even been willing to do with Nightmare when in this Stage. But unlike Nightmare who’d probably restrain Stage 3 or use his tentacles to force Killer back into a more desirable Stage, Chara may find it both interesting and amusing.

Perhaps they’d redirect that frenzy on to others such as Flowey, as if both making a peace offering and using Killer’s state to both bully the flower and for some amusement. As well as a chance to study killer more, as they know he has also been doing to them.

I get the vibes that this Chara would utilize Killer as both a tool and an attack dog, when it benefits them, but they aren’t exactly doing it to be malicious nor are they cruel. They do their own fair share of work, and attends to killers mortals needs.

They may struggle to find or realize what killers limits are, simply because killers limits are often pushed by others and he’s figured out how to hide signs of “weakness” such as exhaustion and hunger and they themself aren’t exactly mortal, but i feel they’d only be looking for this information just so they know when to stop and not break him.

I feel like if killer starts worrying about being abandoned again he’d probably close off, detach himself from any emotions about this situation—probably start working on autopilot even and maintaining distance. Probably not even reaching out to touch for any type of reality testing/grounding. Not to mention if he’s still struggling to come to terms with whatever may have happened with Nightmare and Color.

Perhaps that’s how the Anomaly starts trying to get closer. Comforting him in Stage 1 after horrible nightmares or whenever he starts missing home and family and friends—consistently comforting him before ST1 can even think about just ending himself again.

I can see Chara making degrading comments about Nightmare and probably eventually Killer’s Chara the more they learn about the two, saying things like how they didn’t “know what they had” and how their treatment of Killer is simply unneeded and there are better ways to go about it, etc.

[dearlcvers]

i hate you and your face - mileven fanfiction

CHAPTER 1/3

Authors Note: I haven't proofread this because I needed this out and off my chest so I hope it's okay... let me know what you think!

Mike Wheeler was not a fan of hosting house parties. Not because he didn’t enjoy  partying or found hosting particularly stressful but because no matter how hard he tried, he would always make stupid decisions. World Record breaking stupid decisions. Like the time he sold his roommates cat for 5 bucks, or when he sent an email to his entire phonebook detailing how long it had been since he had last gotten laid (this had been particularly humiliating after one of his college professors replied giving him an extension on a paper and wishing him luck and he quotes ‘i hope you use the time from the extension on the assignment to work on your flirting skills’).

His list of drunken mistakes included:

setting someone on fire

getting stuck in drying cement

and

dropping a plasma screen tv out of a window.

Oddly enough, this frankly insane behaviour was only limited to situations involving alcohol and his own property. Lucas’ theory was that Mike just let himself go more when he knew he was within the safe confines of his own house. This theory was yet to be fully tested because Mike has avoided hosting or going to parties for 10 months.

And yet here he is hosting once again. Dustin promised to not let him out of his sight and although Mike has faith in his friend he is not so sure he trusts himself to behave. The guys find this quirk of his amusing…and to some degree so does he but also this is not his favourite trait about himself.

But it’s Lucas’ 21st birthday and he wants to have a party. Originally Mike had agreed under the conditions that he would not be given a sip of alcohol under any circumstances but upon finding out Lucas was bringing his girlfriend’s incredibly annoying best friend he rescinded that demand.

He was not sure he could go through a night in El Hopper’s presence without killing himself or her. Alcohol seemed like the simplest way to dull the headache she always brought with her.

His dislike of her wasn’t exactly unwarranted either, she had made it very clear from the start that she hated him too.

To El he was nothing more than a moron with a massive ego and an inability to handle his drink at social events. She had been really looking forward to meeting Lucas’ friends for months only to be sorely disappointed when Mike had shown himself to be in her words ‘the worlds most annoying asshole’. She was still to this day unsure how Lucas, Dustin and Will, all really nice boys, were capable of hanging out with someone so blatantly rude.

Safe to say they were not fan’s of each other and this friction had stopped Max and Lucas from being able to merge their friendship groups the way they’d wanted.

To El’s credit she had tried really hard to be civil with him, multiple times, and every time it had ended in a massive blowout involving a lot of swearing.

So, the prospect of having her in his home was not a positive thing to Mike, and El was really dreading it. The hope for both of them was that if they both got drunk enough they’d be more willing to put up with each other for the sake of their friends. Add to that the fact that El has just been dumped by her boyfriend of 3 years and that she is in a fight with her dad… Nothing good could possibly come from this mix.

_____

Lucas is pouring everyone a shot to kick the night off. No one is due to arrive for another 30 minutes and the apartment is almost ready. The TV has been locked away from Mike’s reach as well as all car keys. Dustin has a set of handcuffs ready to use on Mike if things start to get lairy and Will has made a big varied spread of snacks and mixers.

‘Swear you won’t let me do anything stupid.’ Mike pleads to Dustin before necking the shot.

‘I swear a responsible adult will be with you at all times’.

Mike eyes his friend skeptically earning a confident grin from both Dustin and Lucas. The burning sensation of the Vodka in his throat temporarily soothes his perpetual anxiety.

‘Come on man you’ll be fine. You’ve not been crazy like that in like almost a year.’ Lucas offers encouragingly.

Before Mike can retort how unconvinced he is, the doorbell rings and Lucas runs to open the door. From the Kitchen Mike can hear Max…and therefore also El, greeting his friends. The sound of her grating voice carries through to him and prompts him to pour another shot. Dustin eyes him, handcuffs still in hand. But he needs to be sociable and really Mike has nothing against Lucas’s girlfriend. Max is funny and she’s good to Lucas and that’s all he can really ask for.

The girls and Lucas make their way to the kitchen, Mike braces himself for impact.

‘Michael Wheeler’ Max greets teasingly, approaching the kitchen island he’s leaning on.

His elbows are resting on the marble, head tilted up when El is finally within eyesight. He is greeted by a look of surprise, followed by clear annoyance. Predictably El looks as hot as ever. This irritates him more than her instant annoyance at his presence. Her hair is longer than laat time he saw her, golden honey coloured curls float just below her shoulders. She’s wearing a frustratingly short golden dress that’s shimmering in the dim light and her legs extend into a pair of open toed golden heels. He notices the way her body sways in a way he’d be embarrassed to say out loud. There’s a gentle blush painting her cheeks and he’s not sure if it’s real or one of those makeup tricks. Either way she looks good and this is annoying. Because it’s one thing to have to deal with a nuisance like her but the fact that the nuisance comes in such a pretty package is always bad news.

When he had first seen her Mike Wheeler had thought she was exactly his type and that he might want to ask her out sometime, but then she opened his mouth and that thought was burnt to a crisp.

He watches her face, careful not to leer anywhere else because as much as he hates her, he still respects her.

El is almost glaring at him from the kitchen walkway. She is experiencing a similar predicament. He looks sexier than she remembered. The instant rush of attraction that filled her already tipsy brain from the moment she stepped into the kitchen was a rude reminder of her current state of singlehood. Troy dumping her last week had sucked but Max had managed to convince her to come to Lucas’ birthday as a chance to rebound. But looking at Mike right now, she’s not sure anyone else at this party will be able to measure up to him. This is quite a blow to her because he sucks and she wouldn’t go near him with a ten foot pole.

‘Good to see you again Mike.’ El manages to choke out an insincere polite greeting he barely acknowledges, ever so slightly nodding before turning his attention to his male friends.

Jerk.

It doesn’t take very long for other people to arrive and the party is in full swing by 9pm. It starts with a few people Lucas knows from class that Mike vaguely knows from the last party Lucas invited him to. Then a few of Max’s friends that Lucas knows but Mike doesn’t show up and immediately El becomes the centre of their attention which is a relief to Mike because it means she is now deep in a conversation so separate from his own that he can breathe again. The urge to bite his nails off lessening. Still he feels like a part of his brain keeps searching out for her. Out of the corner of his eye he can see her leaning against the wall opposite him, laughing heavily.

I bet it’s not even that funny and she’s just laughing like that for attention.

For a while, they seem to be playing a game in silence. Like reverse magnets. Wherever one of them is, the other is at the furthest point possible in the medium sized apartment. When El gets herself a Tequila/Orange refill in the kitchen Mike leaves. When he goes to change a song by the speaker, she walks away. Like the force of his negative magnetic pull is enough to literally repel her and vice versa. They’re both very happy with this rhythm of avoidance until Mike overhears a conversation he cannot resist butting into.

By 10:30 Mike and El are both drunk and 40 minutes into a heated debate about the Barbie Movie.

‘All I’m saying is it doesn’t go nearly far enough in its criticisms of anything and why do we have to praise people for half-assing a political statement.’ Mike argues, hands crossed over his chest.

‘You clearly live in an echo chamber my friend’ the eye roll Mike can’t hold back following her use of the word friend urges El further. ‘The Barbie movie isn’t going to radicalise anyone. The majority of people have no concept of intersectionality or sexism and bringing them some elitist overcomplicated crap will not reach them the way a simplified explanation of the base problems will.’

‘No one ever made progress by treating their audience like toddlers’

‘Until we can boast higher than 24th in the world for Education I don’t think we should alienate the general public by talking down to them-’

‘First of all’ He interrupts her abruptly ‘if anyone is talking down to anyone…Dumbing down a feminist movie so the public can understand is incredibly patronising. Secondly, cite your sources where is that stat from.’

There is a small crowd of amused people watching them argue and El has to put a lot of effort to hide the fact that she is incredibly turned on right now. This man is arguing with her about feminism and he’s not on the opposite side??

The bar is in hell…

But not only that but he’s actually putting up a good fight. She’s not really used to any of her debating opponents to really make her fight for it like this, usually it feels like watching a cat play with its food.

By 11:10pm Mike has been handcuffed to Dustin for his own good and is silently sulking while Dustin hits on a girl in Will’s Art History class.

Mike tries to tune out Dustin’s attempts at flirting, he feels ridiculous and a little humiliated. Especially since Dustin called it a Time-Out. He knows this is for the best but the alcohol has started affecting the rational part of his brain that he starts coming up with schemes to entertain his friends and guests. Herein lies Mike’s downfall with alcohol and hosting…he gets to a certain level of inebriation where his anxiety and people-pleasing nature mixes with a confidence and need to be seen as a joker. Something pathological about being a class clown in your tweens.

Scanning the room he waits for something to catch his eye. As he observes the people in his surroundings his eyes are drawn to a shimmery golden blur and his alcohol soaked brain won’t let him look away.  The way she’s swaying with Max on the makeshift dance floor and moving her body to the beat is scratching an itch in his brain. An itch he would probably blame on her in the first place if he was able to think straight. But he’s feeling so relaxed and also at the same time somehow incredibly wired. He feels like someone turned up a sharpening effect on his eyes but calibrated the settings wrong because all he can see clearly is her. She runs a hand into her hair, pushing it up and then slides said hand down her chest slowly, her tongue stroking her teeth provocatively. Humiliatingly this is having a huge effect on him, so much so he starts to feel like a starving animal. It takes every ounce of self awareness left to stop himself from actually drooling. Her eyes are closed and she’s singing along to the lyrics.

How is it possible someone so whiny and annoying could be so gorgeous? Mike wonders to himself whether if there is a god this might be Her way of balancing things out. Or maybe….maybe she’s Satan.

This thought pleases him and he internally pats himself on the back for what he has decided is the perfect comparison. The grin on his face grows slowly but is abruptly interrupted by a strong tug on his arm as Dustin puts his hands on the art major’s face and kisses her. Mike’s loud protest at having his hand forcedully tugged against a kiss goes unheard above the music and he kicks Dustin who jumps. When Mike finally looks away again he sees a bright red El laughing at him. Directly at him. Infuriating.

He aggressively pulls on Dustin and stalks towards her. Her laughter doesn’t subside as he approaches.

‘Something funny Hopper’ he barks angrily, trying to get her to stop laughing. His intimidation doesn’t work and he watches in anger as her laughter turns hysterical, she can’t even speak. There’s tears building in her eyes and he doesn’t think he can stand it any more.

‘You are so insufferable.’ Still, she is laughing. He gives a look to Dustin as if Dustin will support him in this but he looks amused, smug almost.

‘I’m so glad I saw that you have no idea. How’s your timeout going?’ she mocks, her laughter quieting down.

‘It’s not really a timeout if i get to hang out with my friend. Doesn’t feel like a punishment.’ He feels so ridiculous right now.

She’s laughing again and then suddenly he feels his hand being pulled again and before he can process what’s happening he watches in horror as Dustin latches the handcuff to El’s wrist. He would lunge for the key but Dustin hasn’t drank as much and is much faster, throwing the key across the apartment into an area Mike can’t see.

El’s laughter chokes out as her eyes widen in horror. Now it’s Mike’s turn to laugh although he isn’t sure why because this is his worst nightmare. Something about the look of incredulous confusion on her face is just tickling his funny bone. He laughs bitterly.

‘What the fuck Dustin?’ she spits out still in shock

‘He’s not supposed to enjoy a punishment. He won’t enjoy this.’ Dustin replies so incredibly proud of himself.

It’s important to note that the music is still blasting and the beat swells just as El swears again, covering the sound of her obscenities.

As the truth dawns on Mike again he feels like sobering up, although obviously he doesn’t, which is evident by the fact that his legs are feeling mushy and wobbly.

‘Come on Dustin I’m done, let us go. I’m not going to do anything stupid. I feel good about it I will not make any bad decisions tonight.’ Mike pleads with his friend who is shaking his head. Both of them look around for a bystander to help them out but nobody else cares, no one has even noticed except Max who was dancing with El. El can tell by the look on Max’s face that she’s not on side right now and that clearly the joke of this situation is at a higher priority level in this moment than her loyalty to El’s friendship.

To Max it feels a bit like a deserved punishment for them both for constantly making it difficult for her and Lucas to spend time with each other’s friends.

After a few more minutes of protesting Mike and El finally accept that for however long Dustin sees fit they’re now handcuffed to each other. She can’t even leave the party to escape him. They’re stuck. So the only rational way through this predicament is for them both to down as many drinks as they can individually get their free hands on.

The last thing either of them remembers, is Will falling face-first into the beer pong table.

Then, nothing.

___

El’s brain kicks back into function with an abrupt start. Slowly she regains consciousness and her senses start to work again one by one. First her sense of smell kicks in and she can smell sweat and rosemary and the familiar rancid smell of morning after alcohol. The loud pounding in her head stands firmly between her and regaining her vision. Next comes her hearing and she’s happy the only thing she can hear is her own breathing. Except…as the breaths come in and out she starts to realise the sound isn’t synced. And the feeling of air pushing against her bare neck confirms her dark fear that it’s not her own breathing she can hear.

Suddenly the pain behind her eyes is irrelevant. She opens her eyes and although she’s fighting the screetching pain of the light in her hungover eyes she pushes herself to look down. There’s a long slender arm under her head and another wrapped around her waist. She is completely encased in someone’s hold. She doesn’t have time to try and figure out who the arms belong to when she notices the ache in her wrist and the realisation crashes down on her like a cartoon anvil. Her body goes stiff and she directs her brain to pay attention to the sensation around her right wrist and to her utter dismay the feeling of a cold metal handcuff stings.

That’s gonna leave a mark.

So…it’s him.

Ew I guess?

She inhales deeply letting the smell of him and whatever room she’s in overwhelm her. She feels a bit sickened but there’s no way to determine whether that’s due to the ungodly amount of alcohol she consumed last night. She chooses to blame the nausea on him. Except for some reaaon she hasn’t moved yet. She can tell there is limited clothing left on both of them by the way she can feel his bare stomach pressing into her back. He’s warm and his skin is soft.

But he’s still Mike Wheeler and the fact that they more or may not have slept together last night doesn’t change the fact that she hates him. Conveniently, she spots a tiny shiny key on the bedside table and it doesn’t take long till she’s somewhat slipped out of his grip, gently avoiding sudden movements because although this is already bad enough, having to talk to him about it would be immeasurably worse.

Once her wrist is freed from the cuffs she gets up to put her clothes back on, finally allowing herself to look at Mike. He looks so peaceful in his sleep, oddly enough the dark circles under his eyes don’t make him look bad. He looks like a dark angel fallen from a thunderstorm, curly hair draped over the side of his face.

Memories of last nights events flood her brain as she watches him. Memories of passionate kisses and almost angry sex. And it was good. Partly probably because of the alcohol involved in loosening her up but also because despite Mike being a clueless individual he clearly knows what he’s doing. Last nights events have changed nothing, not for El anyway. He’s still the jerk that purposely argues with her any chance he gets and acts like a spoiled brat when anyone exhibits any kind of individuality. The fact that his hands know what they’re doing doesn’t change how annoying he is. She’s adamant that what happened last night doesn’t change anything about them and she almost doesn’t think it’s worth ever talking about so she’s not going to write him a note.

Just as she makes this decision his eyes flutter open and he looks up at her, eyes wide. It takes him a moment to register everything that’s happened and what she’s doing standing by his bed. Before he can say anything or mock her in any way she speaks.

‘This changes nothing. I still can’t stand you. I’m going now. Thanks for the orgasm I guess… See you around probably.’ She sees a flash of hurt then anger in his eyes but before she or he can process this she turns on her heels and walks out of his room, slamming the door behind her.

Mike is left stewing in his anger alone, head pounding almost blindingly.

Authors note: This fic is also on ao3 but when I post chapter 2 I'll link it here and post it on this blog <3