#I was left by my father and I literally couldn't care less about him and I'm way younger than these characters

[iwasbored777]

I was just thinking about that TV cliché where a character who is abandoned by a parent/parents is obsessed with them their whole lives and I'm happy Miraculous Ladybug didn't do the same with Adrien and his mom. He doesn't know if she died or left but he doesn't think of her 24/7 and doesn't use this trauma as excuse for his mistakes. He's sad and all that but they didn't make him talk about her all the time, cry every day because she disappeared, never get over that for as long as he lives. Instead they gave this obsession to his father, a villain, and decided to have Adrien try to be happy while mourning. Teach kids that they have to move on. Bad things happen and people leave whether they die or they don't want you, but they leave, and you have to move on for your own sake.

Just look at Homer Simpson and Richard Waterson and you'll know what trope I'm talking about. It's unrealistic and stupid, I hate it.

[heavyhitterheaux]

Daughter (Slight NSFW)

They keep sayin' that I ain't nothin' like my father

But I'm the furthest thing from choir boys and altars

If you cross me, I'm just like my father

I am colder than Titanic water

Synopsis: You and Joe's relationship is fairly new, and you are taken by surprise when a pregnancy test comes up positive. However, your boyfriend's reaction was the opposite of what you expected. Especially when he has just signed his five year contract extension which is now the highest in the NFL

Pairing: Boyfriend!Joe Burrow x Girlfriend!Reader

Requested by: a beautiful anon 😘

Do not engage if you are underage

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

Soft kisses being placed across your shoulder blade had pulled you out of a deep sleep and you noticed that the sun was barely making itself known as you wrapped the comforter tighter around you to keep in all of the warmth that you possibly could.

You shut your eyes once more, but then you suddenly heard his voice.

“Baby doll, you awake?” You heard your boyfriend ask you as you felt his fingertips now dancing across your skin.

You opened your eyes and once again had to adjust to the light before answering him.

“I am now.” You quietly said as you heard him laugh.

“Good, turn around so I can see your pretty face.”

Moving your body from facing one side to the other, Joe's face came into view who gave you a sleepy grin when he finally laid his eyes on you.

“A sight I never get tired of waking up to.” As soon as those words left his mouth, you gave him the biggest eye roll possible which made him erupt with laughter once more.

“Joey, I look like a hot ass mess. It's okay though so there's no need to lie to me. We are building this relationship on a foundation of trust.”

“I'm not lying. My girlfriend is gorgeous all the time.”

“Hmm, funny. My hair is literally sticking up all over my head because I once again forgot to pack my bonnet, I have bags under my eyes from not getting enough sleep, and…”

Joe simply cut you off by placing a soft kiss on your lips.

“You need to learn how to just take compliments and stop trying to defend them.” He told you and your response was a simple shrug.

“Maybe one day, but today is not that day. So as I was saying..” You began to speak, but Joe promptly cut you off.

“Wouldn't tell you that you're the prettiest girl I ever laid eyes on if it wasn't true.” He told you and you couldn't help but to finally give him a small smile.

“Is that a smile that I see?” He asked as you then scrunched your nose up at him.

“Hmph, not anymore.”

“I never thought I would meet my match when it comes to someone who acts more like Squidward than I do.”

“Patrick is my favorite though.”

“That's surprising for sure seeing as it doesn't seem that you would have a lot of patience to deal with him.” He said as he pulled you closer to him.

“I make exceptions sometimes. For example, I said yes to going out on a date with you.”

“BABY!”

“Just kidding, babe!” You told him as you pinched his cheek and he promptly rolled his eyes at you.

“And it didn't have to do with me being the hottest quarterback in the NFL?” He asked while smirking.

“No, you know that I could care less about that and what your job is. It just happens to be a plus and a perk of dating you.” You told him being completely honest.

It was quiet for a few seconds as the two of you stared at each other when you finally broke it.

“Are you excited for training camp?”

“Yes and no. Yes because I'm excited to get back out there of course and no because I'm not going to be able to spend as much time with you.”

The relationship was fairly new being months old and Joe wanted to spend as much time as possible with you before football took over once more. You were always excited for football season, but even more so now that you had a significant other that played in the NFL.

“Joey, it's your job so I understand. I'm so proud of you and want you to be focused so that you are able to do your absolute best. I'll still be here cheering you on. I promise.” You told him as you brushed a hand through his hair and kissed the tip of his nose.

“I can't wait to be able to look up in my suite at the stadium and see you in there.”

“I can't either. I haven't been to a Bengals game in a while.”

“Even though your dad is a season ticket holder?”

Your dad had been a season ticket holder since before you were born seeing as your grandfather passed it to him. Being a single father to you wasn’t easy in the slightest but the love of football was something that the two of you bonded over.

“Yes, even that. Ever since I became a chef and opened my restaurant, it's been a lot harder. I just have to find more people that I can trust to keep it up and running so that I'm able to come and see you play. That way I'll be able to give you my undivided attention and not have any worries lingering in the back of my mind.”

“You act as if Kendall can’t do it. She could literally run the restaurant blindfolded.” Joe responded as he was referring to your best friend that you had met in culinary school.

The two of you had met when Joe, Tee, Sam, and Ja'Marr wanted to try a new upscale restaurant in the middle of downtown Cincinnati during the beginning of the off season. It was near closing time when Ja'Marr had asked to meet the head chef; the head chef being you to give his compliments personally. Your eyes as well as Joe's had locked that night and the two of you had been infatuated with each other since. It honestly felt like a lifetime ago and not a few months.

“I know she can and I have to give her more credit. On the other hand, I've definitely been spoiled with it being the off-season and being able to spend as much time with you as I want with you also coming to see me at work.” You told him as he smiled.

As soon as you two had met, Joe would be at the restaurant a few times a week and eventually asked for your number one night. Of course you had told him yes and he found himself coming to visit if he wasn’t doing anything else. He always had a specific table that he sat at and would let you know when he was coming to see you so that they could reserve it for him. It was on the second level that looked out over the balcony.

“What time are you going in today?” He asked as he noticed that it was barely seven in the morning.

“I probably should have already left since it'll take me a little longer to get there.” You said as you made an attempt to get up, but Joe quickly pulled you back.

Your condo was closer to the restaurant and staying with Joe added close to another 25 minutes.

“Joeyyyy!”

“Can I have you for at least another hour or so? The restaurant doesn't even open until 4.”

“But I have to prep!”

“Babe, please?” He asked as he started to give you puppy dog eyes.

“No! Don’t you dare give me that look!” You scolded him and at the same time he laid you on your back as he climbed on top of you.

“Please?” He asked again as he gave you a light kiss on your lips and started placing a trail of kisses down your already bare body from the activities from the night before.

His fingers lightly brushed your folds and your hips bucked in response making a light chuckle escape from his lips.

“You sure you don't want to stay? Your body is telling me otherwise.” He asked as he inserted two fingers and slowly began moving them in and out of you.

“Baby…”

“Hmm, one round or two? Knowing you, you're going to tell me one and then change your mind when you remember how good I make you feel.”

Joe didn’t wait for you to answer him as he settled himself in between your legs and added his tongue to pleasure you without his fingers leaving your body.

In order to keep your legs spread and to also keep you from running from, he removed his fingers from you to keep a tight hold on both of your legs as his mouth continued to pleasure you.

“Shiiit, oh my gosh.” Was the only sentence that you could form as both of your hands found a way into his hair.

Joe was the first boyfriend that you ever had that actually took the time to pleasure you and always made sure you had multiple orgasms before he even had one. He had always told you that his favorite thing was to eat you out because of the way you taste. If it was honestly left up to him, he would stay between your legs for hours.

“Keep still, baby.” Joe told you as he then began to suck on your clit.

“How am I supposed to keep still when you do that!?” You exclaimed as he was still holding you in place. The vibration from his laugh was felt as he sucked harder.

“I'm… Oh FUCK!” You yelled and before you were able to get your entire sentence out, you squirted all over Joe's face as he continued sucking on your clit no matter how hard you tried to move away from him.

“Nope, where do you think you’re going?” He asked as he continued to eat you out.

“Give me at least one more and I'll think about letting you move.”

“You are such an ass!” You told him while playfully hitting his shoulder.

“Hmm, is that what you tell your boyfriend as he's eating you out and making you feel good?”

“Yes! Because he won’t let my legs go!”

“Hmm, so you can fall off this high ass bed? I think not. Come on baby doll, one more. My pretty baby can give me one more.”

Keeping him talking gave you a little bit of a break, but that soon went back out the window as he dove back in and gave you his undivided attention once more.

You were starting to squirm and tears were threatening to leave your eyes as another orgasm washed over you. Joe finally stopped to come up for air, but before he did he lightly placed kisses on both of your thighs before climbing back up your body and leaning down to kiss you.

“I knew you could do it. Such a good girl.”

“And you’re still an ass for that.”

“I’ll be that because later on in the day once you leave here and you’re thinking about me because I know it's going to happen. You'll think about me being between your thighs and then the first thing you’re going to do is tell me how wet that made you and how much you want me to make you cum over and over and over again.” He told you as he whispered against your lips before kissing them.

“Am I wrong?” He asked and you shook your head no as another smirk came across his face.

“But for now, I can settle for this.” He told you as he lined up with your entrance and then suddenly stopped.

“Babe?”

“I forgot to go to the store so I don’t have any more condoms. Shit, I forgot about that. But if you’re okay with it?” He asked, searching your eyes for approval.

“I’m okay with it. Gives me a chance to feel all of you.” You answered without skipping a beat.

“You sure you’re ready for that?” He asked while smirking.

“If I wasn’t sure then I wouldn’t have said yes to begin with.”

Nodding in approval, Joe slowly entered you until he bottomed out and you both moaned at the sensation. Feeling every bit of him was going to put you over the edge and the last thing on your mind was the fact that you would learn to regret it later.

—

Training camp was now coming to a close and pre-season games were due to start as you and Joe were on facetime. He had sent you a text earlier in the day saying that he had something he wanted to tell you later on when he got back home. The anticipation had been building all day and you were growing annoyed with him still keeping you in suspense.

“Babe, out with it already.” You told him as you were laying down with multiple pillows propped up underneath you. You hadn’t felt well for the past week and a half and simply blamed it on the stomach bug that you knew that had been going around. You had left Kendall in charge of everything while you stayed home to rest with her periodically checking on you.

“So, the final negotiation went well for my contract.” He started to say and you instantly smiled.

“Oh, that’s right because your rookie contract is over. I forgot that you had to do that this year. Do you feel that you’re happy with the decision that they came up with?” You asked as you took a sip of ginger ale.

“Definitely happy with the decision. Once it’s signed, It’ll be the biggest contract for a quarterback as well as in the history of the NFL.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s so exciting and you definitely deserve it. I see all the hard work that you’ve been putting in and it is definitely paying off. I’m not feeling all that great, but I promise to make you a celebratory dinner so that we can celebrate properly. I am literally so proud of you!”

“Thank you baby doll. Means a lot coming from you.”

“Always going to be here to support you as long as you want me.” You told him as he smiled.

“I want you for the long run, you already know this and besides you’re the celebrity in my eyes anyway. Who would have thought a celebrity chef would go out with little old me who just happens to be a quarterback in the NFL in his spare time?” He asked as you softly laughed. Any intense movement would instantly make your stomach hurt or make you want to throw up.

“You are too much sometimes and so incredibly dramatic.” You told him as you playfully rolled your eyes.

“You’ve literally known this since day one and it hasn’t been a problem so why start now?” He asked as you saw him prop up his phone and move around in the kitchen.

“I feel so bad that I can’t make you anything tonight.” You sadly said as Joe brushed you off, but a look of concern immediately spread across his face.

“Do you still not feel well? Babe, it’s been almost two weeks.”

“I know and I have a doctor’s appointment at the end of the week on Friday. Hopefully they’ll be able to tell me what’s going on because I am so miserable right now.

“Just let me know what they say. I’m going to actually sign the contract that day. So later that night, we can celebrate.”

“Yes, that’ll be the perfect day to make dinner for you. Do you have any special requests?” You curiously asked and Joe answered you without a second thought.

“Hmm, yeah. I’ll just have you for my dinner and my dessert.”

“Joeyyy, I meant actual food. You cannot just eat me out and think that is sufficient enough for you to survive.”

“Says who?” He asked as he took a drink out of the water bottle that he just opened.

“I have no idea what I’m going to do with you.” You told him as you were smiling at him.

“But on a serious note, do you need me to bring you anything? You definitely don’t look like your normal self.”

“I promise that I’m okay. I just have to ride it out and wait for it to pass, no big deal.”

“The minute something changes, you call me. Promise?”

“I promise. The last thing I want is for you to come around me and end up getting sick yourself. Stay away until I give you the all clear on Friday.”

“As hard as I know that will be, I have no choice so I guess I’ll listen to you. The last thing I need is to get sick right before the season starts.”

“Exactly. Have to keep you as healthy as possible.” You told him as you glanced at the clock in your room to see that it was around eight at night.

“I’m going to try and get some sleep since I literally have been puking my guts out every morning for a week and a half straight.” You told Joe who gave you a sympathetic look.

“Go ahead and go to sleep. Just leave your phone on facetime.”

“So you can be a creep and watch me sleep, Burrow?”

“I literally always watch you sleep when you stay with me so this is no different. You just aren’t next to me. I always do it to make sure you’re okay.”

“You are too sweet. One of the many things I love about you.”

“Hmm, so I’m melting that cold ass ice box of a heart you have? Is Y/N showing FEELINGS?!” He playfully teased you as you shook your head.

Joe knew from the beginning how independent you were and that you didn’t need a man to depend on for anything. You can give your father credit for raising you that way. You could fix things around the house, change a tire, change the oil in your car and that wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. If there was something you wanted or needed, you would stop at nothing in order to make it happen. Even though you were infatuated with Joe ever since you laid eyes on him, you let him know upfront. One thing that Joe admired about you was your will to be independent. Although, he did want to spoil you from time to time.

“You’re slowly melting it, I think you’ve made it about 25%.”

“Only 25%?!?! Seriously?! You have got to give me more credit than that.”

“Hmm, maybe 35% because of how good you eat me out.”

“WHAT? That by itself should equal 1000%!” Joe exclaimed and you had gotten comfortable under the covers.

“Well you are melting it, so just be happy about that. You're the first one to do it in a very long time.”

“I am now close your eyes and go to sleep.”

“You promise to stay on the phone and make sure I’m okay?” You asked and a small smile spread across his face before nodding at you.

“I promise.”

Friday had finally come around and you were now on your way to Joe’s house to celebrate him signing his new contract. However, there was something now hanging over your head. You were uneasy because of the news that you had to share with him and honestly couldn’t believe it yourself.

You stayed in the parking lot at the doctor's office for an extra 45 minutes before you even thought about moving your car.

It wasn’t a simple stomach bug that you had been dealing with for two weeks, it was an entire human being growing inside of you and them trying to make you aware of their presence. The signs had all been there and it wasn’t until your doctor wanted you to do a pregnancy test that the dots were finally starting to connect.

Your period was late and it had never been late in your entire life

Your boobs were sore

Just about everything made you nauseous and being a chef hadn't been working out for you for these past two weeks

You would throw up every morning like clockwork and then be fine for the rest of the day

The looks of shock and disbelief hadn’t left your face since you had departed from your doctor’s appointment and your mind was racing a mile a minute. The relationship between you and Joe had barely gotten off of the ground and the last thing that you wanted to add to that was an entire child that you had no idea if he would even want.

But you had to be honest with him.

For the short time that you had known him, Joe was an amazing person that you saw being in your life for the long run and he was one person that you wouldn’t mind fathering your kids because you knew that he cared about your well-being so you could imagine that he would care about theirs too.

You figured that you had to tell him when you got there because if something was off, he immediately knew and could read you like a book. The hardest thing at the current moment was for you not to break down crying.

Joe asked for you to make a simple dish that you made all the time, chicken and broccoli alfredo. Except for him, you would substitute regular noodles for protein pasta so that he would meet his goal for the day. You had started to feel a little bit better yesterday so you had gone to the store and dropped the ingredients off at Joe’s house so you didn’t have to worry about bringing them with you after your doctor’s appointment.

Parking your car next to Joe’s Porsche, you placed your purse on your shoulder before getting out and making your way to the front door. Pulling out your key that he had given you, you opened it and quickly turned the knob before making your way inside.

Stepping across the threshold, it was quiet except for the television that you could hear in the living room and to no surprise it was playing Spongebob which you had to laugh at. That was one of the first things that you and Joe had bonded over.

As you walked further into the house and made your way into the living room, your boyfriend caught your eye as he was asleep on the couch and you assumed that he had been waiting for you. He looked peaceful and the last thing you wanted to do was disturb him so instead you placed a kiss on his forehead before setting your purse down and making your way into the kitchen to start on the dinner that he requested.

Not wanting to work in silence, you put one of your air pods in your ear and turned on your Kendrick Lamar playlist as you started to move around the kitchen. The decision to only put one in was to be able to hear Joe when he started to stir.

About twenty minutes later, dinner was already halfway done when you heard footsteps entering the kitchen. You turned around from the stove to be met with the sight of your sleepy boyfriend rubbing his eyes as he made his way over to you to place you in a hug and placed several kisses on both of your cheeks.

“Hi, sleepy head. About time you woke up.”

“How long have you been here?” He asked as he kissed you once more.

“Probably thirty minutes give or take. Luckily you chose something that was quick and easy. We probably have about fifteen more minutes. I just have to pour the sauce on the pasta and put the garlic bread in the oven.”

Joe nodded as he left his arms wrapped around you and you quickly squeezed him tighter, hoping that by the end of the night it wouldn’t be the last time that you got to do so.

“How did your appointment go?” He asked as he finally let you go so you could finish cooking.

“Um, not what I expected.” You quietly said as you had now turned around to face the stove leaving you facing away from him.

“Baby, is everything okay? You saying that has me worried.” Joe replied as he turned you around once more to face him.

“I… I just don’t know how you’re going to take this.”

“Take what? Are you sick? Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together, just tell me.” Joe told you as he held onto both of your hands.

Taking a deep breath, you blurted it out.

“It wasn’t a stomach bug like I thought, I’m pregnant.”

As soon as those words left your mouth, Joe’s hands immediately detached from yours.

“What do you mean you’re pregnant?”

“When you have sex multiple times without a condom, these things tend to happen.” You said trying to make light of the situation, but Joe did not look amused in the slightest.

It was quiet for a few minutes and it was you who had to break the silence.

“Joey?” You said and he sighed before pinching the bridge of his nose and responding to you.

“So, was this your plan all along? To trap me?” Joe asked you and the expression that appeared on your face was unreadable to him.

It took everything in you to not cuss him out right then and there.

“Hmm funny. You're the one who didn't bother to wear a condom the last few times we had sex. And I know that you cannot be serious.” Was your response as you crossed your arms over your chest.

“What's also funny is that you said you were okay with it. I obviously wouldn't have done it if you weren't. So it just so happens I signed the biggest contract for a quarterback in NFL history and suddenly my girlfriend of four months is now pregnant? And I am being fucking serious.”

“Are you calling me a gold digger? Because that's what it sounds like.”

“You said it, not me.” He told you as he held his hands up in defense.

“What do I need your money for when I have my own? You act like I don’t even have a career. Did you forget that I own my own restaurant?”

“You obviously don't have nearly as much as I do.”

“You are literally unbelievable right now. You're acting as if this is entirely my fault when it was both of us.” You exclaimed and he continued to look at you with a straight face.

“I'm at the height of my career and the last thing I need is a kid with someone I barely even know.”

Your heart dropped hearing how he talked about you, but especially that last statement and did your best to keep a straight face when in reality hearing something like that would probably make tears fall from your eyes.

The thought that he would be surprised, but also supportive of you had now gone out of the window.

“Well it's a good thing that this relationship is no more isn't it? So you won't have to worry about it anymore.” You said to Joe as you made your way to the living room and took the key to his house off of your keychain and handed it to him while you threw your purse over your shoulder.

He watched as you walked away from him and started to open the front door when you turned back to look at him.

“Remember everything that you said to me because I know it's going to come back to haunt you and you'll end up regretting it. And by the type of person I am, you know that I do not forgive easily or at all.”

“I highly doubt that.”

Hearing his reply, you had to laugh to yourself because at this point in time you knew that he would come crawling back to you sooner or later. His conscience would eat away at him and he would start to feel guilty. Even if you had only known him for a matter of months, deep down he was a good person that always tried to do right by others although he wasn’t displaying that now towards you.

“Just remember I told you so. I never needed you before and I sure as hell won't need you in the future. The difference was that I wanted you simply for you and not your money. Good luck finding someone who valued you as much as I did.”

Slamming the door behind you, once you got into your car and put on your seatbelt, you picked up your phone that you had thrown on the passenger seat and proceeded to block Joe's number.

If he didn't want to be in your child's life, the last thing you were about to do was beg. You made it up in your mind that the two of you were going to be fine with or without him.

The regret of it all was going to hit him like a ton of bricks.

—

A month and a half had gone by and you put all of your focus and energy into the restaurant and spent time reading pregnancy books that were highly recommended especially for first time mothers.

Reading what was currently going on in your body had you scared shitless, but you were determined to make it through this one step at a time. Only person that you could depend on now was yourself.

After blocking Joe’s number, you had also blocked him on all of your social media accounts wanting absolutely nothing to do with him. You went as far as also blocking Ja’Marr, Tee, Sam, and Andrei who would frequently come with him to your restaurant wanting no ties to anyone associated with him.

Plenty of people at the restaurant asked where Joe was, but you couldn't bring yourself to tell them that you had unfortunately broken up, especially one of your favorite hostesses Blanca. She had been obsessed with you and Joe and thought that the two of you looked good together.

I mean from your perspective, the two of you definitely weren't together anymore although when you had originally said it, Joe didn't even bother to react. Because you hadn't told them anything, they always kept his table open unless you told them otherwise. One of these days you were going to get around to banning him completely even if that did seem a little extreme. But on the other hand, he had hurt you and that particular reason was enough.

It was getting harder to hide the bump that was now as obvious as it gets and getting a larger size in a chef uniform every single time your belly grew was getting annoying. So you opted to actually wear sweatshirts as long as it wasn't too hot in the kitchen. If it did get hot, you made sure to have an extra large shirt underneath which left people a little confused but attributed it to simply being your comfort level.

The morning sickness was at an all time high today even though you were well past the time frame of still having it. You made a note in the back of your mind to say something at your next doctor’s appointment. Because of this, the ultimate decision was made for you to stay home, but promised your dad nonetheless that you would make dinner for him since he had gotten a promotion at his job. You wanted to celebrate him properly since you knew how hard he had worked for it.

The food was almost done as you heard the doorbell ring and smiled to yourself because you were excited to be able to finally catch up with your dad. Once you wiped your hands on your apron and walked to the front door to open it, you were caught off guard with your dad placing you in a bone crushing hug with you tightly hugging him back. You knew you had to tell him before the night was over. Once again you were wearing a baggy shirt that hid how big your belly had actually gotten.

“Daddy!” You exclaimed as your eyes met his.

“Hey, pumpkin!”

Once he placed you back on the ground, you moved to the side in order for him to be able to get through the front door. Once you did he followed you into the kitchen and took a seat at the island.

“So, when are you moving into your corner office?” You asked as you poured a glass of red wine and placed it in front of him. It was your favorite brand and it was hard for you to not also pour a glass for yourself.

“On Monday but I already moved a few things over. It's amazing how much you can accumulate over the years.” Your dad answered, but you lowkey knew that he was a hoarder. But being a single dad, you couldn't blame him. Everything little thing counted.

“I am literally so proud of you but it sounds like you could stand to do a little deep cleaning.” Every time you went over to his house, you made it a mission to throw something away without him noticing. So far you had been successful, doing it since you had turned eighteen.

“I never know when I might need something from my stash so I have to be prepared. I told you that hard work pays off but you're definitely no stranger to that. How's the restaurant doing?” He asked as he took a sip.

“Really good. I'm working on debuting our updated Fall menu in the next week or so. The main one already came out.”

“Please tell me you're bringing back the cinnamon apple spice rolls.”

“Of course I am since I know that they're your favorite.”

It took a minute, but your dad caught onto you not drinking any wine and he knew that particular brand that you had given him was your favorite making him look at you in confusion.

“You're not going to get a glass for yourself? Oh, how's Joe by the way? I feel like it's been a minute since you mentioned him. Let me know which Sunday you're free so we can go to a game together.”

“No wine for me tonight and I actually wouldn't know how he's doing because we aren't together anymore.”

“What? Since when? I thought you really liked him. And that's saying something because you hardly like anyone.”

Taking a deep sigh, you turned back to your dad and he could tell by the expression on your face that something was wrong.

“I'm pregnant and Joe wants nothing to do with the baby. After I told him we got into an argument about it, I left his house and immediately blocked him.”

Your father looked at you in disbelief before any words left his mouth.

“What? How could…?”

“He thought it was really interesting how I turned up pregnant when he had just signed his new contract. We got into an argument, he called me a gold digger and I left. Blocked his number as soon as I slammed the door behind me. Gave him back his house key too.”

“Pumpkin…”

“Dad, no. I'm doing this by myself and we're going to be fine.” You told him since you knew the first thing he was going to do was worry himself over it.

“I didn't want this for you. Single parent life. I was hoping that you would get married to someone who loved you for you before you had children.”

“It didn't quite work out that way, but like I said it'll be fine.”

“I need to talk to him so he can get some sense knocked into him. You mean to tell me he had no problem not wearing a condom, but runs for the hills the second you come up pregnant? Really?” You knew your dad was going to protect you at all costs and knew that you had to keep him as far away from Joe as possible.

“No you don't. I don't need him and my baby doesn't need him either. He made his choice and he has to be the one to deal with it.”

“Whatever decision you make, I'm going to support you 100%.”

“Thanks, dad. I appreciate you saying that.” You told him as you set his plate in front of him.

“It's been us against the world since you were born so this isn’t any different. That baby will grow up in a household full of love and won't even notice that someone is missing from their life because they aren't going to want for anything.”

Your mom had literally snuck out of the hospital without being discharged hours after you were born leaving you in a bassinet in her designated hospital room where she was supposed to be recovering. She had left while your dad had stepped out to get her some food since she didn't like the food that they served in the hospital.

No one had seen her since.

Over the years you noticed that your dad wouldn't really talk about her so the most that you knew was her name. There was never a desire to find her since you had it in your mind that she didn't want anything to do with you and those feelings are reciprocated right back towards her.

When your dad had gotten back to the hospital, everyone was frantic and she had never given any inkling that she didn't want to keep you so he was just as confused as everyone else. From that moment forward, your dad made it up in his mind to give you the best life possible and to keep her away from you.

“You taught me not to depend on a man for anything. Or anyone else for that matter.”

“Pumpkin, this situation is a little different…”

“No, it isn't. If he doesn't want to take care of his responsibilities then so be it.”

Hearing your dad sigh as he stabbed his fork into his mashed potatoes, he nodded his head at you.

“So, have we decided on any names yet?”

“Not yet, but I have a very strong feeling that the baby is a girl.”

—

It was a dreary day in Cincinnati when practice had come to a close for the Bengals and Joe was walking back towards the locker room in order to get ready for his presser when Ja’Marr stopped him and pulled him to the side.

“Bro, what is wrong with you? And don’t you dare stand up here and lie to me. I know when something is off with my best friend.”

Ja’Marr had noticed despite Joe’s efforts to remain his nonchalant self, something was eating away at him. He noticed in the pre-season and just assumed he was trying to get back in the groove of things, but as time went on he felt that something was off and wasn’t getting better.

“Nothing is wrong.”

“Bullshit and I’m about to call your mom if you keep lying. I’m due for a bowl of snickers salad anyway.”

Taking a deep sigh, Joe threw his helmet down on the ground before responding which left Ja’Marr a little confused.

“Uh?”

“Y/N is pregnant.”

“Oh! Congratulations. Is that why you’re so damn stressed? I mean I get it. When my girlfriend told me she was pregnant, I think I went into shock for a few days.” He told him as he picked up his helmet for him and he tried to continue walking before Joe pulled him back.

“That’s not all.”

“Oh…”

“She told me this about two months ago when she had been feeling sick for about two weeks and I told her to make a doctor’s appointment. It just so happened to be on the day that I signed my new contract when she told me about her being pregnant. In not so many words, I dismissed her and dismissed the thought of her being pregnant seeing as we had only been together for four months at the time.”

“But, you apologized though, right? I’m trying to go to her restaurant on Sunday after we win. Been a while since I’ve seen her. I get that you were caught off guard by it but I mean the way that you were talking, yall were fucking morning, noon, and night. So, are you surprised?”

“Didn’t apologize, instead I accused her of being a gold digger and she broke up with me and for good reason. I said some not so nice things to her when she obviously came to me scared shitless.”

“Damn, okay. We can fix this. Just have to apologize to her and…”

“Knowing how she is, she is not going to let me anywhere near her or the baby because of how I reacted. Like, she is a person who protects herself and her well-being, as soon as she feels something is off, she cuts you out of her life without a second thought. Her boyfriends have called her cold hearted in the past, but fail to mention how they failed her as boyfriends eventually making her the way she is.”

“Okay, back up for a second. Do you want to be in this baby’s life or not? Because the Joe I know would.”

“I do now that I sat down and thought about everything that went down. I feel so bad about how I talked to her, but when I tried to call her like a day later, I found out she blocked me. But also went as far as blocking me on every social media page she has. I literally cannot find a trace of her and it’s like she doesn’t even exist.”

“Uh? She has an entire restaurant that you can go to? And a house? Go there and talk to her.”

“For her to kick me out? I can imagine that she’s told her best friend Kendall by now as well as her dad who I know probably wants to kill me. He’s a season ticket holder so I know that it’s only a matter of time before he shows up to a game and beats my face in.”

“Okay let me see real quick.” Ja’Marr said as they had finally made it back into the locker room. He went and unlocked his phone and noticed that you had done the same thing as you had done to Joe.

“Shit…”

“What?”

“She blocked me too. I was going to see if I could convince her to talk to you, but now that plan has gone out the window.” He said to Joe as he scratched the top of his head.

“I just need to make this right somehow, someway.”

“Like I said, go to the restaurant and talk to her. The worst thing that she could possibly do is say she doesn’t want to talk to you. If she does, we’ll figure out next steps from there so you can be in this baby’s life. I got your back, bro despite how fucking stupid you reacted to this entire situation. She didn’t get pregnant by herself. We’re going to fix this. Y/N cares about you too much.”

“I think the ship of her wanting anything to do with me sailed away a long time ago.”

After his presser and the day had finally come to a close, Joe got into his car and was on his way home until he started to go in the other direction. He figured that his parents would also be able to help him through this.

To Athens it was.

Majority of the drive was done in silence in order for him to be able to think about what his next steps would be regarding you and the baby. He definitely didn’t want to be seen as a deadbeat father. He wanted a chance for his child to grow up with both parents even though they probably won’t be under the same roof. Walking away would weigh so heavily on his conscience and he knew for a fact that he couldn’t go about his daily life not knowing if you as well as his child was okay.

By the time he reached his parents house, it was around 6 in the evening and saw that both of their cars were in the driveway which he was happy about. That way he wouldn’t have to re[eat the entire story to both of them separately.

Once he reached the front door and opened it, he walked in to see both of his parents sitting in the living room and they looked up at him surprised.

“Didn't think we’d be seeing you until Sunday.” His dad said as he got up to greet him, while Robin was busy analyzing him. She could tell that something was off.

“You would not drive all the way here unless something is wrong so start talking.” She told him after she hugged him.

“Hmm, you didn't waste any time. Who said something had to be wrong?”

“Because we know our child like the back of our hand.” Jim responded as Robin nodded.

“Can I at least eat something first before I get interrogated?” Joe asked and a small smirk appeared on Robin's face.

“We can do it at the same time and lucky for you, the food should be done.” She said to him as she made her way into the kitchen with Joe and Jim walking behind her.

Once everyone was settled at the table, a thought concerning you popped into Robin's head and she made it a point to ask about you.

“How’s Y/N? You haven't mentioned her lately. When are we going to meet her? I was hoping she would be there on Sunday.”

That was when Joe put his fork down on the table.

“I… We broke up at least I think we did and it's entirely my fault and I don't think she's going to forgive me.”

“I'm sure you two can talk it out. You're adults and from the way you talk about her we know she's important to you.” Jim told him and Robin quickly agreed.

It was quiet for a few seconds before Joe laid everything out in one breath.

“She told me she was pregnant the day I signed my contract and I accused her of being a gold digger and we got into an argument and she definitely said that I would regret the way that I had talked to her so here we are.” Joe muttered and both of his parents looked at him in disbelief.

“Joseph….”

“I know how bad it sounds and I was an asshole to her.”

“When's the last time you talked to her?”

“That was it and I haven't talked to her since. She's blocked me on everything and I don't know what to do. When I say how everything went down out loud, I feel bad all over again.”

Jim and Robin sat in silence as they had a conversation with one another only with their eyes.

“We raised you better than this.”

“I know.”

“If you had your suspicions about it, a DNA test could have been performed when they were born. Calling her a gold digger wasn't needed.”

“I know, I already feel bad enough. But I highly doubt that she is going to forgive me.”

“Well from the way you talked to her, do you think that you deserve forgiveness?” Jim responded as Joe took a deep breath and sighed.

“Probably not if I'm being honest.” He quietly said.

“I don't know what you need to do but you better make this right so I can see my future grand baby.” Robin told him as she still had a look of disbelief on her face and pointed her fork in his direction.

—

After the game on Sunday as well as the press conference, Joe was once again sitting in his car and debating if he should go to the restaurant and talk to you. Since it was a night game that was played, he knew that the restaurant wouldn’t close until 2 am and the closer it got to closing time, the less busy you would be.

His mother had been asking him every day since he confessed what he did if he had talked to you and knew for a fact that she was growing extremely annoyed with him since the answer was always no.

By the time he had reached the restaurant, it was approaching one in the morning. He parked and made his way inside only to be greeted by his favorite hostess Blanca. What caught him off guard was her giving him death glares. Blanca had only overheard what he had done from overhearing Kendall and you talking, but it was enough for her to start to not like him.

“Blanca.”

“We’re closed, Burrow.”

“Uh? You don’t close for another hour….” He trailed off and he looked down at his watch in confusion making sure that he had the time right.

“What do you want?” She asked him as she took out a nail file and began to work on her left hand.

“To see Y/N, I need to talk to her.”

“Funny seeing you here now seeing as you haven’t been around for about two months. Word on the street is that the two of you broke up and it was your fault and seeing as Y/N employs me and cannot do any wrong in my eyes, whatever I heard that you did, you definitely did it.” She quietly said as she held up her hand to examine it.

“Blanca…. I really need to talk to her and I’m not explaining myself to you. It’s between me and her, not me, her, and you.” Joe explained, but all she did was roll her eyes.

“Seeing as you have to get past me in order to get to your table, that she should have removed your name from by the way, what’s in it for me? Y/N is an amazing person and you hurt her.”

“And I’m trying to make this right and I’m going to need you to move in order for me to be able to do that.” He told her as he pulled out two crisp 100 dollar bills and she analyzed them for a second.

“Don’t act like you don’t want it. This is what’s in it for you if you let me see her.” He said as he made a move to grab it, but he quickly moved his hand until she agreed.

“Y/N is going to kill me, but fine. Come on.” She told him as she led him to his table.

Once he reached the balcony, it was a clear crisp night where you could see all of the stars in the sky. It was just the right temperature which he was thankful for because the last thing he wanted to happen was for other people to overhear their conversation if he had been forced to stay inside. When he sat down at the table, Blanca made a motion for Joe to give her the money and she quickly snatched it out of his hand.

“I’m always loyal to Y/N, but I can be bribed once in a while. Did you want to order something? I can send a waitress over?”

“No, that’s okay. I just want to see Y/N.”

“Wait until you see her belly. Anyway, there aren’t a lot of guests at the moment so she should be able to step away. I’ll go and get her for you.” She said as she attempted to give him a weak smile making note of how defeated he looked by the entire situation.

As soon as you walked out onto the balcony, the last person that you ever expected to see was sitting at the table that was the furthest from the doorway and tried to turn around to go back into the restaurant, but he saw you and quickly ran over to you and grabbed your hand which you quickly snatched away from him.

“Wait, Y/N. I just want to talk. Just… please.”

“I’m busy.”

“But the restaurant is about to close, I figured that this would be the best time for me to come and try to talk to you.”

“Remind me when this conversation is over to ban you from my restaurant. Actually let's just include everyone who works for the Cincinnati Bengals organization past and present.”

“I… deserve that.” He told you as he glanced down at your protruding belly. Blanca wasn’t lying.

“That isn't even the tip of the iceberg of what you deserve.”

“Look you blocked me on literally everything and you not only blocked me but my friends too so this was the only way I knew I would be able to talk to you.”

“But why? Why do you want to talk to me? I'm a gold digger who was only with you for your money, remember?”

“I said some not so nice things to you and I need to apologize for them.”

“I don't want your fucking apology. I heard you loud and clear the first time and you obviously meant what you said so stand by it.”

“Y/N, please. I want to make this right so I can raise this child with you. I was an asshole and I knew the risks of you possibly getting pregnant, but I didn’t care which was not right at all. Just meet me halfway here.”

“Didn't I tell you that you were going to regret how you spoke to me? And then you said that you highly doubted it?”

“Yes and I ended up regretting it just like you said. And I told my parents about you.”

“For what? So they can harass me too? Tell me that I trapped their son? Because you know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“No! They're the ones who encouraged me to try to talk to you right along with Ja’Marr. They want to meet you. My mom actually lowkey threatened me if I’m being honest.”

“I don't think you actually realize how bad you hurt me. It has been years since I was that vulnerable with someone and you just let me know that you didn't care about me at all in a matter of five minutes when I originally told you.”

“I do care about you!”

“Really? Because I recall you saying something about having a baby by someone you hardly even knew. Acting as if I was a complete stranger to you and the four months that we actually did spend together didn’t matter.”

“Okay, Y/N, I'm trying to move forward but how can we do that if all you're doing is reminding me of what I said? I know I fucked up, but I'm trying to make this right.” Joe said as he was trying to keep his voice down seeing as the entrance door to the inside of the restaurant was still open.

“Or is this because you think I'll expose you to the media and say that you're a deadbeat dad? Beloved Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is amazing on the field and always takes the opportunity to talk to his fans. However, ignores the child that he made with his ex-girlfriend off the field.” You questioned him as you glanced down at your watch to see what time it was.

“It seems like I can't win with you no matter what I try to say or do.”

“Keep in mind that we're having this conversation because of something you did. I was simply going to let you keep living your life and not bother you. I wasn’t even going to bother you for child support. But now, look who came crawling back just like I said he would?”

You were throwing punches left and right towards Joe, making his head spin. He knew before coming here that it probably wasn’t going to be the smoothest conversation, but he did not expect anything like this.

“Can we please just call a truce? I don't want to fight with you and I can imagine that it isn't good for the baby either. I will do absolutely anything that you need me to do to be able to support you through the rest of this pregnancy. You have my word on that. Have you found out if it's a boy or a girl?” He asked and you sighed as you rolled your eyes knowing that he was right.

Being stubborn and hard headed would only be able to get you so far in life. Deep down, you didn’t want to have to do this alone, but since that was the situation you were presented with, you were simply going to grin and bear it.

I was quiet for a little while until you moved to sit down at Joe's table with him sitting across from you not wanting to push his luck.

“No, Kendall is the only one that knows. And I guess you’re right about calling a truce.” You told him as you finally gave in because this conversation was going absolutely nowhere.

“I really am sorry about what I said and how I acted towards you.”

“It happened and we can’t do anything about it now. I also hope you know that I still stand by this relationship being over. Just because I forgave one thing you did doesn't mean that things can go back to being the way they were.”

“I get it and I have to respect your decision.”

“Maybe in the future, but not now.” You quietly said while Joe nodded.

Since your back was facing the doorway, Joe looked up and noticed your best friend Kendall who was a chef as well peeking her head out to look at both of you. He assumed that Blanca had told her that he was here and sent her up to be a mediator if need be.

“You two good up here?” She asked as she made her way to the table. She also sent a death glare to Joe, but that quickly went out the window once she heard your voice.

“We’re fine, no need to worry.”

“I actually had a surprise for you and now because Joe is here, it’ll make it that much better. Let me go get it.”

“What in the world are you up to?” You asked her as she shook her head indicating that she wasn’t telling you and made her way back inside of the restaurant.

Once she returned, there was a white cake with pink and blue sprinkles being held by her and she placed it down in the middle of the table between both of you.

“Kendall, what’s this? My birthday is not for another two months and you know that?” You asked and she smiled back at you.

“Well, I knew you wanted something kind of lowkey for a gender reveal and my plan was to do it after we had closed the restaurant for the night. Since you literally text me everyday to tell you what the gender is even though after you send it, you quickly backtrack and say that you don’t want to know anymore. So, the cake will let you know if it’s a boy or a girl when you cut into it.” She explained as she handed you the knife.

“I don’t know if I want to know yet!” You exclaimed and Kendall immediately shook her head.

“No, absolutely not. We are not doing this for the remainder of your pregnancy. Cut it and cut it now. You are not going to be bothering me every day about this. Besides, baby daddy wants to know, don’t you Joe?”

“Um, yeah.” He quietly answered but also not trying to cause any more tension.

You rolled your eyes as you placed the knife onto the cake and gently pushed down. Once you separated the slice from the remainder of the cake, both your eyes went wide along with Joe’s as all three of you were now staring at a pink cake.

“I’ll finally be able to be the mother that someone deserves.”

One year later

You opened the door to your daughter’s room and peeked into her crib to see her wide awake and looking at you.

“Good morning, Amora. Are you excited to see daddy play in the first home game of the season? We get to sit up in the big suite with grandma and both of our grandpas and you have the cutest outfit that he bought you to wear for today.” You asked as you picked her up and cradled her to your chest.

All you got was a series of spit bubbles and a smile in response.

“I’m going to take that as a yes seeing as soon as I said daddy I got a smile.” You told her as you tickled her small belly now making a laugh escape.

You were caught off guard as you felt arms wrap around you from behind and Joe leaned to the side to be able to kiss your cheek.

“Good morning baby doll.” He told you as he held out his hands to take Amora from you.

“I didn’t even hear you come in. How long have you been awake?” You asked and he shrugged.

“Not long, maybe fifteen minutes.” He replied and you nodded as you went to get her outfit out of her dresser and begin to pack her diaper bag.

“And good morning my princess.” He told her as he kissed both of her cheeks.

“You get prettier every day just like your mom.”

“Stop trying to butter me up, Burrow.” You told him while laughing and getting more diapers from the bottom drawer of her changing table.

“Not buttering you up, just telling the truth. I mean look how gorgeous this kid is. We should make another one.” He replied as he began to play with her.

Hearing this, you stopped what you were doing and looked at him in disbelief as Joe smirked.

“She is literally only four months old, slow your roll.” Your body was nowhere near healed from giving birth to Amora and the thought of having another one so soon was the furthest from your mind.

“Nothing wrong with planning for the future.” He replied as he was now holding Amora with one arm and turned your face with his other hand to face him as he leaned down to kiss you.

“Fine, but I have terms and conditions.”

“Name them and it’ll be done.”

“A ring needs to be on my finger before I even consider having another one.” You told him and a smile instantly broke out across his face as he leaned down to kiss you once more.

“Is that it? But, who’s to say that I don’t already have it?”

[strawhatbougie]

A thread of my zosan fics thus far that nobody asked for:

(All rated E)

Tongue Like a Knife (Or in This Case, A Sword)

"While the deep and dangerous voice of Pirate Hunter Zoro has made probably hundreds cower in fear, it made Sanji inexplicably and undeniably turned on. A horrifying realization that had him waving his own internal white flag time and time again before his knees gave out from embarrassment (or arousal, but he’d rather die than admit that)."

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56562154

Kissgate

Nami starts a rather calculated game of truth or dare to get Zoro and Sanji to realize their pent-up sexual frustration--and hopefully relieve their friend group of the constant petty arguing.

What Nami didn't factor in was how wrong she'd be to think what follows would be any better.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/57011413/chapters/144984268

Those Damn Fingers

The usual suspects either busy or unwilling to help, Zoro enlists Franky and Luffy to help pick out a shirt for his first date with Sanji. Zoro's canonically 110cm chest ensues.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/57644626/chapters/146687353

The Knight Shift

Sanji was a royal failure. Literally.

Deemed beyond redemption for being the only Vinsmoke with humility, Sanji is appointed a personal knight to keep him under surveillance. That position soon becomes a revolving door of noblemen when the young prince decides to force them into reassignment by being as intolerable as possible. The first two folded quickly, Sanji believing that one more would disappoint his father enough to retire the position entirely.

Unfortunately for the third prince of Germa, three was this knight’s lucky number.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/57980884/chapters/147604246

Kiss Me Thru the Snail

Sanji looks at his own snail, and wonders if it dreams of being set free in the lush greenery of Kambakka Kingdom. Maybe he could set it on his windowsill and let it slither out into the night, Zoro’s idiotic goading slowly but surely being lost to the trees.

For if a marimo speaks in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it even make a sound? 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/58384315

Lost in Translation

His tone lowers, frustration curdling every word. “You wanna take this outside?”

Zoro’s half-hard dick twitches under his haori. “Right now?”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/58680220

Couldn't Care Less

Zoro didn’t care.

Unbothered. Unconcerned. Indifferent. Nonchalant.

Zoro couldn’t give less of a shit that Sanji was gone.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/58726597

Slip of the Tongue

Sanji had to admit, though, it was getting more and more difficult during times when islands were few and far between. It left him even more sensitive and riled up when Zoro did get his hands on him. In combination with Zoro’s Three Kink Style: Moaning Cook technique—where the swordsman does exactly what he’s fucking doing right now, crooning dulcet encouragement and ‘baby's in his ear—there wasn’t anything Sanji wouldn’t do to get that oaf’s stupidly big cock in or around him.

Including embarrassing the ever-loving shit out of himself, apparently. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59061058

The Bet

The mosshead became in charge of planning their next date.

Sanji should’ve seen this coming. Standing here now in their bedroom, knowing Zoro even better than he knew himself, it comes as no surprise.

Did he pick a nice place to eat? Maybe a fun new activity that they can become overly competitive about?

Of course not.

No, Zoro takes the one filthy desire that Sanji accidentally hinted at on a whim and fucking runs with it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59233723

Man Spreader

Sanji was sure he heard the idiot incorrectly. It was the only possibility.

“Gross, dude—TMI,” Usopp grimaces.

“What do you mean? I spread men all of the time!” Zoro shoots back with an indignant scowl.

Okay, then Sanji heard him perfectly.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59003473/chapters/150417478#workskin

Plated

“Which one is this?” Zoro asks, peering down at his plate. He sounds almost bored, like he’s speaking to someone—something—not even worth his time. Something that’s only there to elicit a response so he can properly enjoy his meal.

Rule three: only speak when prompted.

“Hamachi,” Sanji replies.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59438275

[nymph-ette111]

pls write Simon henriksson headcanons I’m gnawing at the walls of my enclosure 👩‍🦲

WARNINGS; SUBSTANCE ABUSE (SMOKING/DRUGS) MENTIONS OF MENTAL ILLNESS (DEPRESSION/ANXIETY) MENTIONS OF INTERNALIZED MISOGYNY, UNHEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS (SELF-HARM)

AUTHOR'S NOTE; FIRST CRY OF FEAR REQUEST LET'S FUCKING GOOOO !1!1!1!1!1!!1!! kind of short, still new to the fandom so my headcanons of the characters might change overtime.

-it was confirmed that Simon is a fan of heavy metal and DSBM :3 personally I am not an avid listener of this genre, I think it's pretty cool. I'd like to headcanon specific bands that I think are suiting for Simon but I barely know anything so I don't really have a say on this.

-probably has some sort of internalized misogyny. he grew up all alone, his mother being quite overprotective didn't help with that at all and seeing no mentions of his father in the game makes me think his parents were divorced quite early in Simon's life. being exposed to such settings at a young age might have messed with his perception of love and healthy romantic relationships. despite that, he doesn't care much about gender norms now that he's older. left that mindset long ago.

-picked up on his coping mechanisms in his early teens. he was a bit scared at first of trying something like self-harm, it took him him a lot of time and internal conflict but then decided to just fuck it, he had nothing to lose. felt guilty at first, dropped it for a bit and then picked up on it again. he knows it isn't a healthy way to deal and cope with his negative thoughts but he couldn't care less at that point.

-isn't unfamiliar with drugs but not that crazy about it. not as much as cigarettes, although he does it occasionally, he could still smoke like a pack in one sitting if the situation really called for it. usually just sticks to 2-3 cigs, thinks it's a good enough amount.

^ can you tell I have no idea what I'm talking about.

-you'll never get that crusty ass grey hoodie of his off of him. it's like a cartoon where the character's never change outfit throughout the entire show. besides the fact that it's a literal video game, even in his daily life he almost never switches things up. not necessarily dirty, just worn out and stained with stuff that doesn't want to come off no matter how many times he washes it.

-has a mini fridge full of energy drinks in his room. and by full I mean like two cans because the rest have been consumed and thrown somewhere onto the ground.

-cannot save money for the life of him. as soon as he gets his hands on some cash, it's immediately spent on either a pack of cigarettes or some useless shit. he doesn't even remember what he spends it on, it's just gone.

-hadn't picked up his camera in quite a while, he's slowly loosing grip on his interests. not necessarily because he is starting to dislike them, just doesn't have the motivation.

-but it's usually full of recordings of him on the train, lonely streets of Stockholm or some stray cat that has grown a liking to Simon for some odd reason.

-one time Sophie took his camera without telling him and recorded a small video of herself, just doing something simple like a peace sign or showing off a little doodle she drew in her notebook. despite trying his best to move on, he watches that video from time to time.

[feyascorner]

Hi! So i got a small idea. Playing durge rn, and i keep hearing the narrator calling durge a “unlovable carcass” and they probably never felt a comforting touch nor reassuring words. So how would Astarion reassure durge? If possible could Tav be a male tiefling?

Have a good night/day❤️

a/n. thank you for the request! I only exclusively play durge so i love this prompt <3 redemption durge and spawn astarion are literally meant for each other and we need to talk about this more. I only write for GN!reader/tav at the moment, so I hope that's not a bother!

Your father has never been the loving type.

As the Lord of Murder, he lived up to his name, and since your very existence, you drowned in the blood of innocents and were expected to revel in such environments. But murder does not have time for love. It consumes you whole, leaving nothing behind but a hollow husk of a person that once was. And during your carnage, it seemed to be the norm.

Seeing Shadowheart reunite with her parents was a different experience than you'd been expecting. They wept, for hours, holding one another as if they'd known each other for decades despite being apart for so long. Her mother had kissed her forehead, holding her close as Shadowheart herself could do nothing but tighten her arms around her.

You wonder how comfort comes so easily to them. Years of nothing but destruction and blood have left you raw, with nobody to provide you with an ounce of their own care but the dead bodies of your victims.

An unlovable carcass. Affection is too foreign to you---too good for you.

"Why do you stick beside me?"

Astarion looks up from his wine glass, the moonlight illuminating one side of his face as he turns to you. "What?"

"I'm a bhaalspawn," you frown. "I nearly killed you once."

"Oh, please, darling, that's nothing to dwell on. We got through it, did we not?"

Your eyes fall onto your hands. "That doesn't change my past."

"You're different, now."

"Am I? Am I not still the same unlovable person whose urges call on them for bloody murder?"

He stills, then sets down his cup, his hand reaching for yours. You let him it, and you find yourself staring into the crimson eyes you've come to love dearly. You only wish yours were lovable in return.

There's a comfortable silence.

"I'm not accustomed to having to console you. It's usually the other way around."

You stifle a laugh, and he inches closer, lacing his fingers with your own.

"You are magnificent. Whether you're fighting battles or drenched in blood, you are one of the few things left in this world that I care for," he says. "I could not care less if you are a bhaalspawn or a bloody crocodile. You may think of yourself as unlovable, but you don't get to make my choices for me. And I, for one, choose to love you."

You're taken aback at first, but you manage to recover quickly enough, squeezing his hand. "Some might think of you as foolish."

"Perhaps. I couldn't care less what they think," he shrugs, leaning back on his palms. "When we do inevitably face your father, regardless of whatever choice you make, I am with you, my love."

The warm fuzzy feeling in your chest is one you're unfamiliar with. It's nothing like the erratic thumping of your heart as your blade plunges into a corpse. It's lifting as if you're floating on water, and if you're being completely honest, it scares you. But as he presses his lips against your forehead, you think it's not so bad.

[sapphic-agent]

Bryke's Responses to Bad Dad Aang

Found these on Reddit and I thought it would be interesting to discuss it here.

I noticed that Mike says that their intention wasn't to portray Aang as a terrible father. And I'm sure it wasn't. But I'm not sure what they thought would happen?

LOK so very rarely portrays Aang as even a decent father. Sure, Tenzin looks up to and admires him, but of course he does because Aang focused on him the most. Tenzin's image of Aang was so distorted growing up, that he literally didn't remember Bumi and Kya being absent on trips. To him, the father he built Aang up to be couldn't have possibly left out his other children. Tenzin is an unreliable narrator when it comes to his childhood.

Bumi and Kya have almost nothing positive to say about him. Bumi, in his own words, never felt like a member of the Air Nomads. And how could he? The Air Acolytes weren't even aware that Aang had other children. This heavily implies that he didn't even care to talk about them.

Mike saying that their intention wasn't to make Aang seem like a bad dad is so odd in retrospect because they never attempted to make it seem otherwise. Neither Kya nor Bumi have expressed many fond memories of Aang, Kya doesn't seem to have even looked up to him the way Bumi did. So, Michael, what were we supposed to think? You're only showing us the bad and none of the good. I mean, other than one measly family picture and Tenzin's biased admiration.

(And yes, this extends to Katara too. Putting my bias for her aside, there's even less said about her parenting than Aang's (which makes no sense because she's actually in the show but whatever). From what we're given, we can't make the assumption that she was a good parent either. Even if we choose to look at her positively, she still canonically enabled Aang. And to be completely honest, that isn't out of character for her)

If Aang favored Tenzin but made even the smallest amount of effort with Bumi and Kya, this would be a different story. This would show that he was a flawed, imperfect character but still tried his best. But he wasn't even given that. We can't assume more than the information we're presented with.

Also, calling Tenzin the "vessel" for Aang's legacy to justify his emotional neglect of his other kids is not a good look, Bryan

[ultimateshixiongfuckertournament]

THIRD PLACE ROUND - Jiang Cheng vs Wen Kexing

The battle for third place is between Jiang Cheng (shixiong: Wei Wuxian) from Mo Dao Zu Shi and Wen Kexing (shixiong: Zhou Zishu) from Word of Honor

Propaganda under the cut

Wen Kexing:

(okay so the canon part is confusing. cause wenzhou are officially canon in Faraway Wanderers and are censored bromance in Word of Honor. but they're only shixiong/shidi in Word of Honor and not in Faraway Wanderers. so idk what you want to do in regards to the canonicity of their relationship)

I mean Wen Kexing is all over Zhou Zishu from day 1, though he has very complicated emotions surrounding the whole shixiong/shidi element to their relationship, he does eventually declare himself as the second disciple of Shiji Manor and publicly acknowledges Zhou Zishu as his shixiong. anyways if you know anything about Wen Kexing you know how desperately he wants Zhou Zishu, even the censorship couldn't hide the fact that Wen Kexing wants to rail Zhou Zishu to kingdom come

the utter simp that is WKX for his ZZS? No contest. None. None at all.

#WKX now actually fucked his shixiong like pls the entire book/show is about him wanting to get with him

#WKX hands down wanna fck or get fcked by his “Ah-Xu~” from day 1

#y'all have the audacity. as if Wen Kexing did baby trap is shixiong with TWO kids

Jiang Cheng:

Clinged to WWX constantly for 7+ years, wanted to have WWX as his right hand man forever after becoming sect leader, cried after WWX left, cried when he discovered what WWX sacrificed for him, was TORN APART when it got explained to him that if they were more outwardly close knit, WWX might not have died

PROPAGANDA!! to start, i'm still very bitter about how fairy lost the sentient animal poll and i want to win this badly. very very badly. current stats are 50.6 in favour of jc but that's too less of a gap for me. jc should be winning this by a landslide, y'all hear me? anyways. starting with a class act, like the clown i am->

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a few links ( because i'm chengxian trash, as always and i'd love if poll-guy could copy paste them on the og post): one, two, three, four (gif), five, six, seven (gif), eight (thoughts on different wavelengths), the absolute circles of them saving each other, the fucking golden core reveal scene. golden scene reveal part 2, jiang cheng will always forgive wei wuxian

to start with. jiang cheng is literally the picture of "i knew from the moment i met you that i'd spend a lifetime forgiving you".

the earliest dynamic of jiang cheng and wei wuxian is jiang cheng giving away his dogs (the only gift his father has ever given him, btw) because wei wuxian is scared of the dogs. tis only the start of it.

his father very obviously prefers his shixiong over him, his mother berates him for not being as good as wei wuxian and tells him his inheritance is in danger, and his sister (in my opinion) has more care for him (visibly. maybe jiang yanli doesn't show it because jc is an emotionally complicated purple grape, maybe because jc doesn't need it, or wei wuxian is traumatised but that's my opinion). but still. still. Jiang Cheng loves Wei Wuxian. so much. jealousy is like. the most tame response i can think of. and jiang cheng is proud of wei wuxian, okay? he'd believe his big brother if he'd said anything. want proof? well, here you go-> link

to paraphrase the link:

Jiang Cheng had just lost his family, his home, and his very golden core, and his older brother - his brilliant older brother who could fix anything, who could sneak wine into Cloud Recesses and defeat an ancient turtle nearly-god and make Jiang Cheng share a smile when Jiang Cheng’s mother was disappointed and furious at both of them - His big brother smiled and said, “I can fix this.”And Jiang Cheng believed him then, and believed him three months later when Wei Wuxian crawled out of the Burial Mounds (just the second miracle in three months), and believed him every day of the next seventeen(?) years until the pieces were shoved into place for him to see.

also. the circle these two go in protecting each other. (gif set by @sandushengshou), the 'if one of us is to die, then, i beg, let it be me' that they both do for one another in a seemingly neverending loop of sacrifice. via this post a la my lovely @backtoyunmeng

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jiang cheng is a cannonically ruined woman archetype, justified via the countless posts you'll get in the top posts of jiang cheng tag. he keeps chenqing, wwx's flute in perfect condition even when he hates wei wuxian, even when wwx, if only indirectly, has a part in jiang yanli's murder and oof okay someone pointed out to him that he's known to have killed wei wuxian and he almost cries. he absolutely believes, with his whole heart, that wei wuxian lives even when the world is sure he doesnt. and it always read to me like, i'd know if he was dead. he's a part of my soul, so i'd know if he was dead. he can't be dead.

this is getting too long, so, to sum up, some absolute poetry by @jiangchengsjawline

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#JC On The Other Hand Has His Entire Life Shaped By His Shixiong And Ended Up Cast As The Ruined Woman By The End

#jiang cheng though. wasn't able to fuck his shixiong but his shixiong definitely fucked with him

#hello?? the answer is Jiang cheng pls#he's the shixiongfucker or all shixiong fucker you wish you could be as pathetically in love with your shixiong as he is#chengxian

#i do not go here (chengxian) but the propaganda is incredibly correct they are insane abt each other#also sorry jiang cheng ik you're suffering but they are so funny to me#neway VOTE JIANG CHENG FOR CLEAR SKIN

#look I rarely go here#(here being chengxian)#but by GOD their lvoe compels me#they’re tragic and doomed and they love each other without knowing how to say it in words the other would understand#or in words at all because communication??? we don’t know her???

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he didn't even think about sacrificing himself, and consequently his entire bloodline, his sect, pretty much everything that depends on him for his shixiong??????????

is this not convincing->

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#had to vote jc though i have more feelings about chengxian#i think jc should have a huge gege kink

#like. jiang cheng should win the entire tournament hands down period

#jiang cheng#is the only correct answer in my gay little brain#i’m sure everyone else’s shixiong fuckers are great too#but jiang cheng is MY favorite#tumblr polls#mdzs#if chengxian fucked in canon it would make everything about their situation at least 65% less complicated you can’t change my mind

[jellyskink]

A fish out of water. (Idk I wanted to make the title reference Stan's Cipher Zodiac symbol but I couldn't think of a witty way how. Is it even a fish?? Idk I see a fish lol.)

("Wherever we go, we go together alright bro?")

Light filled the room as Stan flipped the lightswitch to his condo. Soft white light filled the room, a mixture of trash and trinkets littered the room in front him.

(Right... I forgot I've been needin' to take care of that. Eh I'll get to it tomorrow. The twins won't be back here until a couple of days.)

Reaching up to scratch his chin, a sharp pain registered as his hand scratched his chin and lower lip.

(OW Ffff-french toast... Figures I'd forget about the number that guy did on the old kisser.)

Earlier that day another jerk had mistaken him for his twin. The usual routine, of course he made sure to return the favor with interest though. There's no way that guy would be seein' anything with his left eye for a good while after the mark he left on it.

(Welp, better get to trying to fix this up. Mabel and Ford'll definitely worry even more than usual if this gets infected.)

Saying that, the old man shuffled over to his bathroom, dodging the miscellaneous items that covered the floor.

(Aight let's get this over with...)

The bathroom was a little disorganized, but everything was more or less the same as it usually was. Still, it was a bit of an adjustment to get used to having Mabel (and to an extent Dipper's) stuff in the sink cabinet along with his own.

Searching through the wave of clutter in the cabinet, Stan eventually found the peroxide he was searching for, to his dismay he did find he was out of normal band-aids, so he was forced to use the box of band-aids covered with designs of puppies, kittens, and narwhals.

(Really hope Mabel doesn't mind I'm usin' one of her band-aids...)

Stan knew she wouldn't, heck she'd insist he use them, but Stan couldn't help but feel at least a little bit guilty for needing to ask for handouts from her, a kid.

Cleaning up the wound was about as fun as it could be, but it wasn't the worst. God knows he's had to clean up way worse.

After quickly slapping a kitten band-aid with the words "Paw-Sum Dude!" onto his wound, he found himself staring at his reflection in the mirror.

(Geez, I guess I'll never escape bein' pointdexter's shadow sometimes huh?)

It was to be expected with being a twin right? Especially if one was more famous than the other.

Although these days that "popularity" was more negative than positive.

(At least it wasn't the dog treats n' cat biscuits thing this time. I HATE when they do that.)

Geez what would Pa think with how they turned out, what would MA think?

Times like these he really wished he could literally beat some sense into people. If he could only make people understand Ford like he did, or at least, like he THOUGHT he did.

(Shoot, he started thinking like this again.)

Like a slideshow in science class, bits and pieces of memories of his youth flashed by in a blink of an eye.

Fond memories of their times on the beach, their first day of school, to the awkward start of learning to box.

To the less wonderful times, the fights between their parents or the family in general, times the two got hurt defending themselves from bullies, to all of the times the two fought.

...

"This was no accident, Stan; you did this! You did this because you couldn't handle me going to college on my own!"

(Crap, I'm dwellin' on this again? Why? It's been years since that dumb mistake!)

And yet it wasn't just a dumb mistake was it? It was THE dumb mistake. The one that cost Ford his dream college, the one that ruined their relationship for so many years, the one one that got Stanley kicked out onto the streets by their Father and was forced to survive all those years on his own.

(If only I had manned up and had told the truth about that dumb machine earlier, we probably could've fixed it. I could've prevented all of the junk that I caused to the family, I probably could've PREVENTED Ford from ever getting involved with that dumb triangle!)

But... was their any truth to that? In a perfect world where Stan didn't screw up once again, could he confidently say things would've been better?

(Why didn't he say anything that day? Why didn't he stand up against Pa that day? Did I screw up so much he hated me that much?)

The funniest part about that was he could'nt even ask Ford about it. If he did, Ford got this distant look on his face while havin' a 50/50 shot of either spacing out for a good while or freakin' out for what felt like AGES.

Stan began to feel a tight feeling in his chest, his throat starting to close as it started to become harder to breathe.

The very same man who had carried so much pride in himself and his work, that he was willing to leave Stan out to dry when Stan had screwed up his chances at getting into his dream school, was now a shell of his former self.

(You threw everything away for... for... some dumb triangle with an eye! Your self respect, your family, you gave it all up for what??)

Tears began to flow down Stanley's cheeks.

(Damnit, I shouldn't be crying. A man ain't supposed to cry over something as small as this!)

As Stan tried his best to try and rebottle his emotions again, something caught his eye as he looked out in front of him.

It was Ford. His spitting image stared back at him, looking just as upset as he was while wearing the same things as he did.

His previous sadness soon began to blossom into rage as Stan found himself grabbing the baseball bat he kept in the bathroom for emergencies.

"Y-YOU JUST HAD TO HAVE EVERYTHING DIDN'T YOU!"

*Crack*

"AND STILL YA GAVE UP EVERYTHING TA BE WITH SOMETHIN' THAT DOESN'T TREAT YA BETTER THAN A STRAY DOG!!"

*Shatter*

"I-I"

The words "Hate you" hung on the edge of this tongue. He wanted to say those words so BADLY. Wanted to believe em' too. And yet he couldn't.

The mirror in front of him was shattered beyond repair, pieces of it still hanging onto it's frame as the rest collected into the sink below it.

From those pieces, Stan was able to see the ball of anger that stood in front of him. Ford's reflection wasn't there anymore, it was him again, yet with the way he looked in the mirror, he also saw his Father's stern look staring back at him, his rage filled eyes reflecting back at him in the triangular piece of mirror that stubbornly held on to the mirror's frame despite what a majority of the other pieces did by just breaking off from it.

("All you ever do is lie and cheat, and ride on your brother's coattails.")

*Clunk*

The bat fell to the ground as Stan felt himself fall to his knees, tears flowing even stronger as he found his body doing the opposite of what his mind told it to do.

A bloodcurdling roar filled the night, similar to a hurt angry bear, the sound afterwards followed by sobs.

Stan would eventually get to collecting himself enough to clean up the mess in the bathroom, afterwards falling asleep at his armchair with the tv on as whitenoise. The framed pictures of his family watching over him as his only companions that night.

It was going to be "fun" to think up a lie to tell the neighbors the next day about the noise coming from his condo, but he was too exhausted to worry about that right now. Right now, he just wanted to sleep, hoping the cravings for certain substances would leave in the morning, he made so much progress for the twins already, he didn't want to lose all of it due to some "hysterical episode" of his.

Of course, when Mabel and Dipper called the next morning they'd be none the wiser of what ailed their Great Uncle, he'd be matching their excited energy as they told them what mischief they've gotten into lately.

Ford would still be none the wiser as he embraced his brother when they metup that afternoon, although he would find it strange Stanley had trouble looking him in the eye that day, although he'd be quickly brushed off when he'd ask Stan if anything was wrong and if he and his Muse could help with anything.

Stanley was going to make sure that nobody was going to see or know the fragile side to him.

Nobody was going to know that "Stanley Screwup Pines" was struggling with personal issue.

If luck wasn't on your side you kept trying until it was, even if you had to cheat your way to winning.

You didn't just accept defeat when you're knocked down.

If there was something wrong with a performance you just continued onwards, winging it and acting like nothing was wrong because the show must go on.

He wasn't ever going to cry in front of anyone.

Cause especially if he cried,

SHE would cry along with him.

And he wasn't ever going to let that happen as long as his lived.

In a way you could say this was the greatest con Stanley Pines ever did.

Convincing everyone, even himself, that he was infact, fine.

(HEY BESTIES! I totally lost some sleep writing this but after seeing the latest post my Jellyskink about Stan I knew I had to try writing some fanfiction for Stan!

The 14 year old girl that possessed me is happy to say it was fun to try writing more angsty fanfiction, especially since that's a specialty for the Gravity Falls Fandom when it isn't being silly or comforting lol.

I hope this turned out decently! As I writing this I was thinking of two Marina songs to recommend but I couldn't decide on one so I thought I'd share both of them.

"The Family Jewels"

"Teen Idle"

Both by Marina.

I hope I kinda captured Stan's essence! I always kinda thought he gave off the "Bruiser with a soft side" trope and stuff!

He's so bbg, I hope everyone enjoys the very girlypop and slaytastic fanfic I wrote for him! Geez I'm having too much fun talking like this lmao!)

THIS IS SO SADDD I LOVE IT 💔💔💔 POOR STAN!!!

(Pictured above: Ford's obliviousness has only gotten worse in his isolation from other humans)

(Also pictured above: the young twins are currently holding the family brain cells)

[lets-try-some-writing]

I have a Crack idea for the Sparkling of Unicron AU. Basically, Jack's dad is Unicron, who ghosted June to avoid paying child support. When Team Prime comes to Earth & meet the kids, Jack & Optimus team up to track down their dad and get the child support payments by force.

Jack here is still fleshy & has the same personality, but can basically do what a resurrected Megatron could do in Canon, just on a smaller scale. He can't control Megatron though, his will is too strong. Also, his blood is infused with Dark Energon.

When asked as to why she would date the literal God of Chaos, June states that he "had a winning personality". (We all know you like robots, June.)

I'm just going to answer yours and this anon's request at the same time since it will make my life easier. Previous part here

Little Siblings

After the whole debacle with being exiled for a time, Optimus began to heal. It was a slow process and it was not easy by any means. He had been abandoned, treated poorly, and left for scrap by everyone but his creator and the children. Thus it took time, a great deal of it. However during this healing process, Optimus noticed something new in the children.

Firstly, they fought bitterly in his defense if one of his team so much as looked in his general direction wrong. Secondly they often refused to leave his side, emitting a strange set of waves that were so similar to EM fields but so foreign. Then lastly Optimus felt a vague... connection between him and the children. It shouldn't be. They weren't Cybertronian and couldn't have spark bonds. And yet the closer he grew to them and the more he came to see them as kin, the stronger this heretical and impossible bond grew.

Not only that, but when he was around them, he felt more stable. His form didn't flare and break apart as often. His spark remained more controlled and he could keep his physical form together with less difficulty. They made him feel safe in a way that was not too dissimilar from how Unicron wrapped him in love and care. At the same time, the urge to protect them with every fiber of his being was just as strong as their desire to protect him. They were young, they were small, and they were fragile. He thought perhaps all the emotions he was feeling and the connection that seemed to be there might be because he had been away from his team for so long and was out of touch. He almost questioned his father, wondering if Unicron had anything to do with it, but he didn't, not while he was still upset with his maker.

Then the children had to go behaving weirdly.

After his little flare that left the children incapacitated and led to his exile, there were little things that were off about them. It wasn't much so the team wrote it off and Optimus didn't even notice as he worked to restore his broken bonds and the trust between him and his team. But as the wounds healed and Optimus reconnected with his team, the children's differences became more obvious.

Rafael had an aura around him. The team couldn't sense it, they weren't attuned to Unicron's power as Optimus was. Rafael's entire being radiated strength of spirit in a way not too dissimilar from Optimus. It was almost like he too was struggling to keep his being in line, doing everything in his power to keep his form held together. The child even began to speak in the same way Optimus did when his body was too shattered to form words. He didn't seem to know he was doing it, but his emotions were clear as day with how freely they flowed from him. It was startling, especially when not long after that Rafael's eyes began to glow a startling blue whenever his emotions were projected, often becoming clearer in intent.

Miko was partially similar in that her eyes began to glow whenever her emotions got strong enough to warrant concern. At those times she would gain an aura of fear around her. It didn't bother Optimus too much considering he projected the same aura naturally when he wasn't trying to blend in. However it made him more and more concerned when Bulkhead began to shy away in terror whenever Miko got particularly mad. She didn't understand why the team were suddenly so wary of her, nor did the team know why they kept so clear of her on instinct.

Optimus knew, or rather he had an inkling, one he was growing more prevalent within him as Jack showed signs too.

It had been small and hardly noticeable amidst the flow of battle, but in a moment of stress Jack had seemingly controlled a Vehicon Optimus had been near certain was dead. The boy didn't seem to notice as he fought to keep his fellow humans safe, but Optimus noticed. How could he not? The waves of his father's power were far more intense than anything he had ever felt from an organic.

Thus after a few additional weeks of watching the children project these odd abilities, he reached out to his maker with an inquiry.

Optimus: The children are showing abilities that have your touch evident in them.

Uniron: Impossible. I have no heralds among the humans.

Optimus: Are you sure Creator? They are not like me, that is certain. However the feeling of your power is unmistakable.

Unicron: I haven't made a herald since Megatron, and I have no memory of-

Optimus: Creator?

Unicron: It seems I forgot something rather important.

Optimus: Speak plainly Creator, what did you do?

Unicron: It was during a waking sleep, one I hardly remember. However I for a time walked this earth in an organic form in a mixed delirium of emotion.

Optimus: You didn't.

Unicron: I may have ended up creating three lifeforms by accident, two by throwing around burst of power and one from a one night stand.

Optimus: Primus... you can't be serious.

Unicron: I am dead serious.

Optimus: Frag.

With the knowledge that his Creator had gone out of his way to do things while only partially aware, Optimus hurriedly moved to confirm these claims. First he went straight to the children, his frame flaring and coming apart partially in his hurry. The team were worried and watched on in growing concern as he questioned Rafael, asking for the circumstances of his birth. Rafael quickly confirmed that he had been found as a baby and adopted by his current family and that he had no real issues with it. Then upon asking Miko the same question, he received a similar answer that left Optimus terrified to ask Jack what he needed to.

It could all have been coincidence and a bad case of Optimus's outburst affecting the children in odd ways. He had seen stranger things, perhaps it was all just one big mess up. However that hopeful wish was blown directly out of the water when June was called into base and Optimus asked her a question he feared the answer to.

Optimus: Mrs. Darby, would you by chance be willing to tell me who Jack's father is?

June: Oh? I don't mind, but I couldn't really give you an answer. He was a nice guy who told me his name was Uni Cron. Odd name and pronounced very strangely, he also had some trouble with memory, but he was sweet and treated me well.

Optimus: Why is he not here assisting in raising Jack?

June: Honestly I don't know. He lived with me for a few months, we got to know each other, we spent a night together, and then he was gone the next day. I never heard from him again.

Optimus: ... I believe you may have possibly had relations with my Creator.

June: What? Last I checked, you were a giant robot and your Creator was Unicron-!

June: ... Oh.

Optimus: ... If it is any consolation, I was unaware I had a brother.

Not a soul or spark could utter a word as everyone stood there dumbly for a long moment. Then Optimus put forward his whole theory, to which the children stared at him with wide eyes but said nothing. It was silent, deafeningly so and everyone just.... scattered to think about it for a while, leaving Optimus, June, and the children alone.

There was plenty of nervous staring involved, but slowly and with a great deal of caution, Optimus began to talk with the children and June. He told them of his own creation and his experiences with thier Creator and in turn he told them what he could of their abilites. He offered to teach them and guard them, while also warning of possible side effects such as long life or even partial immortality. It was a very strained discussion even though Optimus was bound to the children by what he now knew to be siblings bonds, but after a while they figured things out.

June insisted on being called mom as soon as she figured out that Optimus had been left to fend for himself so soon after his creation. It didn't matter to her that Optimus was millions of years old and had watched the rise and fall of civilizations, he was a child who never knew the love of a parent and she intended to rectify that especially now that her son and Optimus were confirmed to be related. He initially tried to object, but June reaching out to pat his cheek in a comforting manner left him bewildered but strangely pleased.

Jack was left more startled than anything else and doubting his reality. Optimus attempted to soothe him with calming words and the touch of his field, but Jack wasn't having it. He needed time, and that was acceptable. Miko was on board with the thought of being siblings almost immediately and took to being related to Unicron without issue. She called it her "hero arc" or something along those liens and proceeded to make a show of pretending to have magic powers. It made the tension in the room lessen, especially when Rafael merely adjusted his glasses, looked up at Optimus and murmured.

"So what if I'm related to Unicron? So are you, and you are one of the best bots out there. Besides, we are family now"

Family. It was a word Optimus had difficulty pinning after all that had happened. Bumblebee was family, he was Optimus's sparkling even if their relationship was still a little iffy. Ratchet was family, he had been family for vorns. The team were family, but mainly because they needed to. Optimus had no family by blood aside from his maker. His "siblings" were of Primus, not of Unicron. They were cousins that he treated like blood kin. He loved all his family, but there was something so very novel about having blood related kin right before him.

Of course then when he reached out to his Creator, he found their bond silent. He sent question after question, wondering why and asking for answers, but he received nothing. Unicron was not heeding him, quite likely because he didn't want to deal with his newfound creations.

Optimus was a special case, he was intentional, he was the one and only creation Unicron had poured all his attention into. He was loved form day one, but the children? They were accidents, and Unicron had never been quick to love when it came to those not bound to him. Optimus knew this well, he could read his creator's spark just by letting his base nature take over for a moment. However he had no intention of letting Unicron go without at least speaking to his children. The children needed their father. Optimus had been denied his creator his entire existence up until earth, the children deserved better, or if nothing else the the chance to see where they came from.

Thus he began spending every waking moment hounding his creator and digging around to find another way to Unicron's core if his creator saw fit to continue to remain silent.

[lizzie-queenofmeigas]

My Opinions Of TVDU In 2024

(They really haven't changed all that much but I feel like sharing)

–I loveeee Delena. Yep, I love this ship with all my heart and I'm not afraid to say it.

–I loveee Damon, probably another problematic opinion but I don't care.

–I don't like Caroline. There, I said it. She is just the kind of person that would irritate the shit out of me. Honestly, until season 8 I couldn't handle her scenes.

–Bonenzo is the best. Loveee it. They deserved better and I personally want to stab Julie Plec for how they ended.

–Bonnie deserved better. This is an universal truth.

–I hate Tyler, but I recognise that he was right to hate Klaus and right to be mad at Caroline for sleeping with him. Revenge on Klaus was kind of dumb, but understandable. He was right to want him dead.

–Klaus is my beloved, always going to be and I'm not even sorry.

–Marcel is a Mikaelson!!! Marcel is Klaus's son and his treatment is another reason for me to feel murderous to the writers of the shows.

–I don't like Kol. Yeah, he was right in many things, but he came across as somehow self-righteous and believed himself better than his family. Like bro, you aren't.

–Finn deserved better. I honestly still wonder if Finn knew about Klaus's real father, 'cause if he did Klaus would have a valid reason to hate him. I am saying this because in The Originals season 2 episode 3 we have flashbacks of young Klaus and the necklace Esther gave him. If I remember correctly Finn was always in the background and even retrieved the necklace when Klaus lost it. Given that Finn remembered Freya and what happened to her, it wouldn't be far fetched to think he knew who Klaus's real father was and hid it as well. That being said, he is a victim of his parents as well and deserved better.

–I hate Elijah. He just gives me the wrong vibes.

–Marcel and Rebekah made sense and I ship it. The Mikaelson family is insane with their romantic relationships, so they just sort of clicked.

–Kol should have taken the cure instead of Rebekah. Bekah could just adopt, but what is going to happen with Kol when Davina dies? Nothing good. Plus, he loved being a witch.

–Hayley and Klaus and Klaus and Cami made way more sense than Haylijah and Klaroline. Honestly and throuple with Klaus and the two women who call him out on his shit the most would have been chef kiss. Hope deserved two moms.

–Every Klaus ship made more sense than Caroline. Bonnie? Bennett witch and he likes witches. Aurora? First female vampire (other than Bex) and met him when he wasn't as he is now. Elena? Has Tatia's face, and I think if Klaus just tried to befriend her and explain why he needed to break his curse she would've helped. Camille? Her mind, she clocked him the moment they met, not to mention the O'Connell legacy. Genevieve? Powerful Witch. Hayley? Baby mama, werewolf princess and hybrid, not to mention they are similar. Stefan? The ripper days gave off fruity vibes. Damon? I love their scenes together, they have a similar vibe to them. Rebekah? He is literally killing her boyfriends left and right. Elijah? The codependency is strong here, Elijah's girlfriends have a higher mortality rate than Rebekah's boyfriends. Katherine? Tatia's face, also they are similar. Greta? Their few interactions in season 2 pointed to a thing going on.

–Elena is overhated. Baby has the biggest survivor's guilt in the universe and still she soldiers on. I hate when people said she was less compassionate as a vampire, I honestly thought she was the same. Like, she controls her hunger to become a doctor. She is too good for this world.

–Enzo should have been introduced sooner, Bonnie and him should have gotten together sooner.

–They should have explored Damon's trauma with Augustine more, and the fact that he always disregards his emotions.

–Klaus wolf side should have been explored!!!

–Unpopular opinion, but not everything Katherine did was necessary for her to survive. She could have easily contented herself with one Salvatore brother, but she had to go after both.

–Davina and Klaus needed more scenes together. I mean, that's her adoptive grandpa!

–Lily was awful, Damon was in his rights to not forgive her.

–I liked Valerie, and I liked her with Stefan.

–They should have explained more about Klaus ability to have children, 'cause that was weird. I loved it, but weird.

–Alaric should have died and the twins should have been raised by someone else.

–Matt lived too long.

–Jeremy and Damon were kind of funny.

–Bamon was really great.

–They should have addressed the fact that growing up Damon was the only one there for Stefan. We saw that in the flashbacks but they should have said it more.

–Damon purpose in life was to live for those he loved. My take on him.

–Damon was pretty humanity-full vampire until after Augustine when he turned off his humanity. But, five years of torture in the hands of humans would do that to a guy.

–The witches opinion on vampires were ridiculous. This species has been around for over a millennium, they are pretty assimilated in the magic ecosystem. I think their extinction would actually do more damage than their existence.

–Mikael and Esther deserved more pain.

–I think Dahlia only tried to negotiate with Klaus not only because he was Hope's father but because he was the only one who wasn't Mikael's son.

–Vampire/Supernatural politics are actually so interesting.

–Lexi was too hyped. And I don't get what she had against Damon in the forties.

–Legacies doesn't exist.

That's all. For now.

[steviewashere]

This may be a bit out there request (also feel free to ignore) for a small oneshot, but can I request some pure steve angst? him and hop sharing a drink, no ships, just two dudes talking about shitty things that have happened to them over the past few years. My boy desperately needs a father figure.

Okay, I'm so sorry this took so long to answer. I literally started writing it, forgot about it, and then came back and couldn't think of anything. And I also didn't have Hopper share too much, but I hope this suffices some. This was a fun challenge. <3

Pairing: Steve Harrington & Jim "Chief" Hopper CW: Discussion of Canon Traumatic Events, Brief Mention of Canon Violence Tags: Post-Canon, Post-Season 4, Angst and Hurt/Comfort

🫂—————🫂 He’d been sitting outside with his head between his knees for the better part of half an hour when the door creaked open behind him. Even as the footfalls, heavy and slow, made their way towards him, Steve didn’t dare drag his eyes up. Kept them securely at his feet. To the wooden step underneath him. On the off chance that whatever world existed around him was a mirage.

The person sits down next to him with an unceremonious grunt. Their breaths are as heavy as their steps. A swallow clicking in their throat, probably dry and overused. Something chilled is pressed against his denim clad thigh. And that’s when Steve finally draws enough effort to look up.

Hopper sits hunched, head pointed at the trees beyond his cabin, eyes darting between them. In his right hand is an offered, cold bottle of beer. A firm outstretched bridge. And Steve tentatively takes it. He’s not quite old enough to be partaking in this, Hopper should know that, but also—he’s not the chief anymore, is he? So, why should he care?

His beer is already uncapped when he raises it to his face. Knocking it back and taking it in with a deep swallow. The foam churning on his tongue, sugary between his teeth, and moist on his lips. He heaves a sigh. Mutters, “Thanks.”

Another bottle is drank from. The slosh against the sides of the glass an easy sound. Hopper smacks his lips together. “Looked like you needed one,” he states gruffly. A swig. “God knows I did with all that damn commotion in there.”

“Yeah,” Steve murmurs back, “it’s too loud for me.” He takes a small sip at his drink. Shifts the bottle back and forth between his palms, relishing in the crisp condensation on his skin. Begins to pick at the label where it looks like it’ll peel away easily, if he just gave it his full effort. “I don’t even know why I came over. I can’t stand noisy shit.”

“Feel like the old Steve Harrington that I’ve met would say otherwise,” Hopper muses. Instead of dignifying it with a response, Steve just nods his head in silent agreement. Because yeah, pre-November, 1983 Steve would be doing keg stands and chanting at the top of his lungs. Not moping around on the front porch of the ex-chief of police. Sharing beer of all things.

The noise inside the house floats out from under the crooked front door. A mixture of birdsong and laughter. The subtle soft chirps of crickets beginning to wake up. It’s good outside, the air cold on Steve’s face and the sun nearly set. He takes a deep breath and just absorbs.

“Sometimes,” Hop starts softly when their shared silence stretches too long, “sometimes I look at you and see myself.”

Steve swallows around nothing. “That a good thing?” He asks just as quiet.

“No,” Hopper answers honestly. “You look like you’d rather be under the dirt than be anywhere. There’s…you’re a lonely lookin’ nineteen year old.”

He shrugs. “Yeah, well—“ Steve sighs. “—maybe I’d rather that. All things considered, Hopper.” There are eyes on him, he can sense them through the aching joint of his left shoulder. They burn him. It hurts to have attention like this on him, after so much time alone. And he knows that he’s got Robin and the party members—he’ll maybe have Eddie if he pulls through in the hospital. But that doesn’t make his house any less silent, or his parents’ room any less dusty, or his bed any less cold.

“You got anybody you can talk to, kid? Outside of Robin?”

Steve sniffs. Picks at the label on his beer bottle. Tries not to notice his shaking hands. “Who ‘m I gonna talk to?” He asks lowly. “A shrink is gonna think I’m crazy, put me away. And y’know how my parents are. They aren’t going to believe me, let alone listen.”

Hopper’s leg bumps his. Beer bottle clinking against the porch as he sets it down. He ducks down, enough to make direct eye contact with Steve. His eyes are fierce, yet inviting and soft. Steve’s stomach churns. “Talk to me, then. You need an adult who will understand you? I’m right here.”

He scoffs. “What do you want me to talk about?”

“Anything. Everything. Something, Steve.” A hand lands gently on his shoulder. The warmth a lull, a sweet thing. And something inside of him begins to melt. But he doesn’t say anything, still. Hopper sighs long and winded. And the touch dissipates, leaving Steve drifted and yearning.

Behind them, Hopper’s cabin swells with noise. That raspy laugh of Robin’s. And Mike’s honk snorting. Even Jonathan is adding something, a few loud comments here and there. “I can’t believe we won!” Dustin crows and the others join in intense agreement. And Steve wonders why he can’t celebrate like they can. What happened to him. Where his joy lays in all this.

Hopper sips his beer again, looking out at the trees once more. Smacks his lips together. “I don’t know how to celebrate this shit,” he admits quietly. “I’m…Part of me is excited to not see my girl use those powers of hers again. To hopefully see her hair grow out. But another part of me is—I just remember all the bad shit that happened before we got to this point.”

“Yeah,” Steve croaks. He gulps a good third of his beer in one go. The sour bitterness of the drink burning his throat alive. When he pulls the bottle away, he absentmindedly rubs at the dark red demobat scar on his neck. “Especially when my body remembers and is covered in my failures,” he mutters.

Beside him, Hopper makes a noise of agreement. A hum. A grunt sort of thing. “I used to be a fat guy.” He half-heartedly chuckles. “Now I’m just this skinny dude with real short hair and the eyes of a World War Two soldier.”

Steve snorts. “And I used to have plain, blemish free skin. Now look at me, Hop.” He gestures loosely at his own face and neck when Hopper does turn and look over. “No amount of coconut oil—or whatever—is going to get rid of this shit. Like my mom keeps insisting on. I mean…She doesn’t know all the shit I’ve been through. The—The plate I took to the crown of my head or the needle to my neck or those Russian shitheads that knocked me senseless.”

Hopper’s breath hitches. Steve curses at himself internally. Remembers the haunted body that pulled him in close when they reconvened. Remembers the frantic calls from Jonathan, of all people, asking what to do when it comes to nightmares—“Not mine,” Jonathan had said, “Hop’s. He just…He just yells.” And even remembers the faint hints Hop gave: the relief in finding a jar of peanut butter, the biting cold, the labor, and the cells. The separation from who he used to be. The loneliness within what he’d gone through, which Steve knows all too well. “Russians?” Hopper softly implores anyway.

And part of Steve knows what he’s doing. The crack to his shell deepening, stretching. But he answers despite it all. Keeps his voice leveled, careful as to not be heard from inside the cabin. “Yeah,” he whispers, the syllables cracking. “Robs and Dustin and I, we all decoded this tape, right? There was Russian speech on it or whatever and I ended up finding the source of the intermission. It was coming from underneath Starcourt. So, y’know how stupid we all are, we went ahead and found these assholes and…Well I—“ He rubs the lip of his beer bottle to his own bottom lip. Eyes glossing over, remembering. “They were going to hurt Robin,” he states, his own voice like gravel, “and Dustin. And little Erica. So I did the stupid thing. Answered their interrogation. They didn’t like the answers; I earned a few punches. Went unconscious. Got hit with some truth serum drug bullshit. Threw up my guts, ended up with a concussion, saw a guy die in front of me, went home and threw up again in the shower, and then I went to bed.”

All at once, the world narrows to just them. Hopper’s completely silent though and Steve doesn’t want to glance over. See the pity written on his sullen, aged face. So he shrugs, takes another swig of his beer, and burps lightly when the carbonation comes up. Nonchalance. “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Right, Hop?” Steve pokes quietly. “Throw myself in danger for the people around me. Try to keep them on my good side. Show them I’m worth giving a shit about. Save ‘em. Love ‘em for a bit. Wait until they turn on me or whatever.

“I know you do it, too. So don’t try to lecture me,” Steve mutters, “At least we don’t have to do it again.”

He’s not sure what to really expect to any of that. But he doesn’t think he’d ever expect a firm, heavy arm to wrap around his shoulders. To tug him in close and warm. To hold him gently.

“I’m sorry, kid,” Hopper murmurs.

Steve tries to pull away, but the hand on his opposite bicep squeezes him back. “It’s not your fault, Hop. It’s—“

“You’re a kid, Steve,” he emphasizes. “A kid with a long fucking life ahead of you. And you’ve already seen enough for, well, for lifetimes. You should’a never been in any of this shit, none of you teens should’a. Not just those Russians, Steve. But for everything.”

He doesn’t feel like a kid. Doesn’t really feel like anything, but Hopper doesn’t need to know that right now. Sure, he’d understand. That liminal space after losing his daughter, right after war, before his world quite literally turned upside down—Hopper lived that nothingness for a long while. Maybe he lives it again, Steve isn’t sure.

But he just sighs. “You shouldn’t have been there, either,” Steve murmurs. His face is warm and his eyes sting. And before he really knows what’s happening, he’s crying. Hot tears that sear all the way down to the underside of his jaw. That don’t really produce much noise from him, but he supposes the terrible stuttering in and out is something.

“C’mere, kid,” Hopper mutters.

His beer gets set aside somewhere. Pulled even further in. Head nestled on Hopper’s shoulder, the fresh shave of his beard burning on Steve’s forehead. A hand between his shoulder blades and the other on the back of his head. Steve’s arms sit limp at his sides. But within Hop’s warmth, the musk of aftershave and Irish Spring soap, and his firm and careful hold—Steve finally breaks.

It’s not a catastrophic thing, like he had expected. It’s not all that quiet either.

Shoulders shaking, eyes heavy, and nose burning—Steve cries. Cries with the force of a sudden summer downpour. Heaves giant breaths as if he’s just come up from drowning. And he sobs against the bare skin of Hopper’s neck. Open mouthed. Wet exhales. Big globs of spit sticky between his lips.

When he can finally catch his breath, feel the exhaustion into his bones, he pulls back.

Hopper lays his hands on either side of Steve’s face. His own cheeks wet with tears. Sniffling. “I know, okay? I know, kid,” he says quietly. “You need a home to run to? A shoulder to cry on? You just need a good dad hug? Come over, okay? Steve, you just gotta come over.”

And with that, all Steve can do, is give in.

He cries again into Hopper’s shoulder.

Later, he’ll listen to Hopper in turn. Hug him just as fiercely. Laugh at the absurdity of it all. But this is nice. Just this for a little while longer.

For the first time in his life, though, he feels like he’s got a home to return to. An ear to hear him. And a heart to care about him.

🫂—————🫂 Thank you for the ask, this was an interesting one!

[starry-blue-echoes]

The final OP of stone ocean gave me the silliest idea. Essentially I saw how they made callbacks to the Phantom Blood OP, having Pucci and Joylne fight in the crumbling remains of the Joestar mansion, just as Dio and Jonathan once did. Well let's make this literal, shall we? 😉 The end of the old universe goes exactly as canon, Pucci kills all his enemies but Emporio escapes. Except what awaits him after the end... isn't the prison. Instead he finds himself in a home richer than anything he's ever read in his books. And it's on FIRE. Two men he's never seen before are locked in a fight to the death, screaming and lashing, and with everything he's already gone through, now THIS? His heart is about to give out- until the Priest shows up in the door frame. And says they're in the new year of this universe's 1889. As Emporio forgets all about the two strange guys and decides to fucking HOOF it for dear life, he can hear Pucci tailing him ever so steady, despite the horrible heat from all sides, explaining what heaven REALLY was, how he and Dio planned this for so long, how all his enemies were gone except one, and he was gonna finish it in the place where it ALL started. Through ash and embers, the last hope of the joestars will die with their ancestral home. The hallways are a maze, and he can't even breathe. The child pitifully is reduced to a crawl, lungs heaving the smoke, and the priest closes in on his final victim, not noticing how Dio and Jonathan's attention have turned to them the moment their presence became known...

OOOOOOOOOO YESSSSSSSSSSSS

Oh my god I ADORE this and I had a fucking THOUGHT

because of course Jonathan is going to be concerned. He's just spotted a child being chased through a burning building, absolutely terrified

but Dio...... with Dio it's going to feel more personal :)

normally Dio wouldn't have cared. By all means, he shouldn't have. He had no idea who this child was and therefor would have no investment in his safety or wellbeing

but then through the smoke and ash, Dio manages to make something out

Blonde hair and gold eyes with a man looming over

"Ironic, is it not. That with her final breath she futilely kept you safe from me." the man speaks, and just over the din of cracking wood and snapping fire Dio can make out the words. "And just like her, there will be no one left to mourn you."

And Dio remembers soft hands keeping him safe and holding him close being brutally ripped away before his eyes, remembers his only protection and happiness being cooling and dying while he did nothing, remembers the sharp scent of alcohol and the ache of bruises, remembers trying to get away but always being pulled back, remembers begging, pleading for it to stop but it always falling on deaf ears, remembers remembers REMEMBERS-

and Dio

sees

red

his battle with Jonathan is all but forgotten as he bolts across the room, the man's neck easily found in his grip and hauled up into the air. He doesn't even attempt to drink the man's blood, doesn't want the filth that reminds him to much of his father staining his stomach, and instead stares into him with every ounce of hatred he has. The carnal part, the predator part of his mind that had been heighten to an incredible degree and lusts for his death

so he does. Barely gives the man a chance to react, to speak, to comprehend what was happening to him. Looking back Dio almost thinks he saw something akin to recognition in the man's eyes, but he just waves it off as something conjured by his clouded mind

and Emporio...... he can only stare. Pucci, Whitesnake, the man who'd been haunting him since he knew how to walk, who'd killed EVERYONE...... was simply dealt with just like that

he should probably be afraid of the man who killed him. After all, obviously the man was a Stand User, there wasn't any other way to explain how fast he moved or how strong he was or the slitted eyes

But Emporio honestly couldn't care less

he'd seen monsters. You didn't grow up in a prison without learning very quickly how to tell the monsters apart from the rest

and right now....... this man wasn't a monster. Monstrous maybe, but not a monster

"What's your name, boy?" he asks, his voice deep but also quiet, as if he can't believe what he's seeing

"My name is Emporio." he says back

(tl:dr, vampires are just murderous cats with opposable thumbs and Emporio has obtained One(1) new father figure and Dio, who doesn't want to be a shitty dad, is Doing His Best To Make Him Genuinely Happy and if that means having to get along with Jojo then so be it)

((doesn't mean he has to like it though))

[bonjas]

betty la fea: la historia continua episodes 5&6

Well that was a whole lot of...nothing. With how fun episodes 3&4 were, I was so optimistic about the rest of the show, but damn, they stomped out that hope REAL quick. I don't even know where to start lol, I guess at the beginning...

The opening scenes were so jarring? Firstly, this show LOVES cutting scenes in between entire fucking conversations so we get an awkward 5 second betty scene, then it goes straight to the walking through the jail scene that felt like it was supposed to be a dream, but we never got a "waking up to reality" scene, he was just IN JAIL LMAO like?? We went from confession, straight to jail? There wasn't even an ongoing investigation going on into what was happening at ecomoda or anything like that, so he just went to the nearest jail and said "i did a bad thing! guilty!" and into the slammer? IF WE HAD KNOWN WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THERE WERE AUTHORITIES ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE. but nah, these writers hate explaining ANYTHING lmao. literally, it went: armando and mario nervous about betty finding out, betty becoming prez, armando and mario trying to hide the evidence with guttierez, betty finding out from hugo, confronting armando, him still not saying what happened, failing to fix it, then JAIL? PLEASEeeeeee

i'm finding that this show doesn't know what to do with betty. like, at all. with a show being named betty la fea, it sure doesn't look like it. poor betty only gets to look sad, or look mad 24/7. or if she's briefly happy, she then immediately has to get sad and/or mad. we get so little precious betty time as it is, i wish they would give her more to do! seeing her confront mario was cool in the previous episodes, betty always had a spine and defended herself, what happened to that! she just stands there silent and lets everyone make false accusations against her then walks away?!

i'm seeing a lot of "hugo is the villain again!!" ummmm??? hugo is the one actually helping the entire staff by letting them know what's going on and demanding justice??? everyone would lose their pensions if it wasn't for him, and if it was the real world, uh YEAH lawsuit bitch!!! after all the abuse they all took from armando, to learn that on top of that he stole their retirement funds? ELECTRIC CHAIR.

mila...sigh. i already said idk what to think of her character, we literally don't know a thing about her, but drinking and driving? gurl. armando is her father after all and we all know how he was about that shit, but damn. dont like that at all. her saying that shit to marcela was so out of line since she herself cried to marce about her being the only one who cares about her or w/e and the minute marce shows some parenting traits and worries over her she flips out and said now i know why my dad left you?! yeeesh. and she's obviously a TERRIBLE judge of character, wtf was there ever to see in ignacio? ewwwwwwww. that whole story line just fucking sucks. i dont care about him, even if they told us ANYTHING of what the fuck is going on with him, i just dont care. he's so boring and one note, if he takes down all of ecomoda with his pinky, i couldn't care less. the hacking stuff is stupid. "hackeado" is funny though lol. oh ALSO about mila, i totally expected betty to run into her at the jail and she bails her out and they have more of a bonding moment but nope!!! fuck any potential bonding moments i guess, or even sharing the screen together. could have been such a good "i always help the people i love even when they're doing something wrong" moment!! like a foreshadow for mila for when she finds betty's diary and finds out the truth (cuz of course she is)! please i beg, a scrap of foreshadowing!!!

patricia is a stepmom!!!!!!!!!! that made me laugh. and they hate her, omg that's so fucking funny. her sleeping with nicolas again tho, i'm half "why?" and half "i get it" cuz he's the only guy that's ever showed real feelings and respect for her, but it just happened so quick and we didnt really see it develop, they just hit it off again after 20 yrs lol? but the whole "secret tapes" montage was pretty good, that was a highlight for me.

quick fire:

armando's lawyer is still fucking pointless, and still throws herself at him for no fucking reason lmao WHY????

the jail scenes suck, antiquated gay jokes and boring jail tropes. i fast forwarded those scenes, NEXT (if I'm wrong and they're worth watching pls let me know!! I saw Freddy was there and the therapy guy or something?? idk I was so checked out at that point) (edit: I rewatched the episode in its entirety, I was right the jail scenes are pointless! he just ends up leaving after like a fucking day!!!!)

so did nicolas stop working at ecomoda when betty left? did patricia barely get her position in the time betty left? marcela just works full time at ecomoda again, since before or after betty left?? hello??

the timeline still makes no sense, mila was gone 5 yrs, the armando marce kiss was 5 yrs ago, but armando was only president for 2 yrs? but betty left armando that night presumedly, so were they separated for that time until marcela waiting 3 yrs to demand betty be removed as president?????

nothing happened plot wise :( armando went to jail, everyone finds out and has a freak out, hacking and Mario was looking for some shit??? site character shenanigans, armando gets out. nothing happened!! two whole episodes wasted 😔 when you only have 10 episodes, everything needs to be important.

fernando gaitan was a fucking magician cuz i could tell you every single plot point of OG BLF without stuttering. the reboot is a mess yall i'm sorry 😞 i really hope it gets better, cuz now we have a confirmed second season?? bro why

why did Betty fall down the stairs like that?? what was the point? will it be relevant later?

also we just haven't had any good patsy pat and Marce moments :(

please let me eat my words and get better for the last 4 episodes!!!! i beg of you

[koreanbibliophilegirl]

Do you perhaps want to info dump about your DSMP superpower AU?

Totally not asking to procrastinate on literally writing my own. Nah. I don’t even know what procrastination is.

SKLFDJSJHDJFLH INFODUMPING ABOUT MY AU? ALWAYS. I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED.

Okay so! Where should I start? *rubs hands like that one evil toddler cousin on Christmas*

The background setting!

So the fic already has a name, but I'm keeping it AND the MC secret as a lil surprise for when the fic is eventually published. All I will say about it is, it's not Tommy. *gasp*

Tommy does appear though, so I'll start there to avoid detection I think.

He works at the bakery(yes, it's owned by Niki Nihachu), which is right around the corner from the hero headquarters. So heroes are always stopping by for baked goods, especially since Niki's girlfriend, Puffy, has a son who's one of the top heroes, and he told all his friends about how good the bakery is.

And, of course, true to all the clichés, Tommy and his two roommates work as vigilantes. They don't work only at night, though. They work at lunchtime as well, since they all get an hour of lunch break & a lot of villains are out and about around that time. Counterintuitive, but then again, there are a lot of people in the streets to nab as hostages, and some villains actively seek out heroes to fight anyway. Like Redrum, known as the sharp-clawed, since he's apparently a catshifter (or general shapeshifter, who knows) who goes around stabbing heroes.

Tubbo works at the mechanics, his boss is retired hero/hero trainer Sam Dude(known as Warden during his time)! Sam retired among controversy though, because of issues surrounding the Hero HQ's former resident healer/ex-licensed hero, Lemon Balm. Tubbo couldn't care less though, Sam's nice and lets him take spare parts home for inventing(read: making vigilante gadgets).

Ranboo helps out at the local library, with Technoblade(last name unknown) as his boss! They're also the first out of the vigilante team Bench Trio to find out that Techno is the Blood God, one of the most popular vigilantes currently active, and one half of the elusive Emerald Duo.

Phil runs a bird shelter, and when he's out as the Angel of Death, he sometimes lets the crows from the shelter follow him around!

Kristin is a hero-turned-vigilante, formerly Miss Trixtin, currently the Goddess of Death. She's a bit busy with her day job atm though so she's taking a bit of a break from her vigilante job.

Wilbur is their son who left home after an argument about vigilantism not helping reform the corrupt hero system. He's a villain called Silver Tongue now. He keeps stealing important stuff from the Hero HQ with Fundy. He gets pretty close with Tommy after regularly visiting his (adoptive) son's workplace :D

Bench Trio's vigilante names are Aerie(Tommy- telekinesis + singing to plants to make them grow), Bee Bomb(Tubbo- honey colored explosive energy balls & metal manipulation), and Endgame(Ranboo- teleportation & compression, plus they can bite through anything)!

(Double powers are uncommon but not too rare, triple powers are EXTREMELY rare.)

Tommy's bakery coworkers are Fundy Soot(villain- helps his adoptive father, Wilbur, on his little outings. Ability to go unnoticed by everyone and anyone. It works on technology as well. He's also a general shapeshifter in theory, but he can't transform into animals bigger than a fox.), Badboy Halo(civillian- he can make red vines grow out of the ground! This saved Skeppy's butt once, cuz they used to live in the same neighborhood & went to the same schools, and one time Skeppy fell off the flagpole of the middle school. Bad's vines caught him midair.), and later on Ant Frost(🤫).

Niki herself is actually a former hero who resigned, she got too much hate about her power(copying others' powers for a short while). Puffy, who was her partner, retired a few years later, since she'd decided to adopt the orphan boy who had applied for the hero training program, and she'd need more money than she was making as a hero who had lost most of her popularity. She became a therapist, and fully supported her new son Foolish throughout his hero training!

Puffy and Niki never really talked about their relationship, but since Puffy's power is reading minds & emotions, and Niki can copy her power, they didn't have to. One day they just started telling people they were taken, and that was that.

Foolish is a popular hero who can call up storms & has the additional power of building anything in the blink of an eye! His partner(both work AND romantic) is Eret, who can control people's actions if they catch sight of her glowing white eyes. Their hero names are the Golden Shark and Monarch respectively.

Tina is also a hero, she graduated the hero training program with Foolish, but her powers(always landing on her feet when she falls, enhanced senses including night vision, and stealth) coincide too much with the top hero, Dream(can't get hurt from falling, slowing down time to give himself time to think, some enhanced agility), and she didn't get very popular. This will soon change though, Tina is the GOAT and everyone will know it.

Speaking of Tina, Hannah Rose the retired hero! She runs a flower shop! She retired after one of her wings was ripped during a fight, the physical therapy took a while and her popularity dropped like a stone. She realized how unfair the hero system was to unpopular heroes and decided to retire. Her wings still haven't recovered, her flight balance is too off for her to even consider flying more than a few feet off the ground, and more than a few seconds.

Las Nevadas! Quackity! He's one of the rare triple powered people! Golden duck wings, can manipulate card-shaped objects(a form of telekinesis), and has the ability to control odds(only if he's aware of all the variables though. It won't work very well if there are unknown factors).

Charlie! May be an elder god, may be the devil, who knows! He can turn into green slime, create green slime(with various properties), and additionally, knows everything about everyone. Nobody actually knows if this is a power or not, but it's certainly terrifying paired with his cheerful, optimistic personality.

Purpled! His skin is basically invincible, fireproof, acidproof, poisonproof, you name it. He also has perfect aim, which is very handy since he's an assassin. His sibling Punz is also an assassin, but they has flight trajectory manipulation and his eyes can zoom in on anything.

Skeppy. He's not part of the mafia, but he might as well be becuase he's literally always there. Nobody knows how he does it. But. He. Is. Always. There. He can summon diamonds though so nobody's complaining😊 lol

(But seriously, he's also fun to hang out with and plan pranks with. The mafia world is full of people who want something from you/have ulterior motives, and it's nice to hang out with someone who doesn't want anything from you other than keeping him company and talking with him.)

Sam, Foolish and Punz are friends! Sam suspects Punz is mafia but keeps quiet about it(he isn't about to make the same mistake as last time), Foolish is oblivious. Punz loves his homies, but is stressed bc Foolish has a v strict moral code and would not be happy if he finds out Punz is mafia.

Uhhh who have I not talked about, KARLNAP. Sapnap was a vigilante(he failed the training program interview) who quickly got recruited by the heroes, Karl was the same but a while later! Sapnap got patrols with Dream and GeorgeNotFound(all three go by their actual names as heroes, though Sapnap's vigilante name was Flame) and immediately gained a huge following(besides his fans from his vigilante days), but Karl(a.k.a. Timekeeper) wasn't that well-known even as a vigilante. He didn't give up though, and trained extremely hard every day. Then one day Sapnap saw him in the training area and got an instant crush. They talked, Sapnap began asking to be paired with Karl for duo patrols, they started dating, and now they're both famous & known as the ultimate power couple :3

Hmm, it feels kinda anticlimactic to end like this, so have a codename compilation!

Tommy- Aerie(place to rest suspended in the air. Tommy can float things in the air so I thought the name fit.)

Tubbo- Bee Bomb(Bee Bombs are wildflower seed balls that you leave out in the garden/in pots to grow wildflowers. I thought Tubbo would like the name, since his energy balls are supposed to smell sweet like wildflower honey.)

Ranboo- Endgame(They're so overpowered with their teleportation and compression that Tommy and Tubbo insisted his appearance alone would signal the beginning of the endgame. Nicknamed Ender.)

Technoblade- the Blood God(obviously.)

Philza- the Angel of Death(also obviously.)

Wilbur- Silver Tongue(for his silver tongue.)

Fundy- either Nonexistent or Ghost, haven't really decided yet

Kristin- (formerly) Miss Trixtin, (currently) the Goddess of Death

Foolish- the Golden Shark

Tina- Carrot Cat

Eret- Monarch

Niki- (formerly) Copycat

Puffy- (formerly) Captain Puffy

Karl- Timekeeper

(Mafia Codename explanation here)

Quackity- Rey Club, King of Clubs

Purpled- Tyrian Spade

Punz- Lapis Lazuli Spade, Ace of Spades

Hannah- (formerly) Faerie, (currently) Bitterbriar Diamond

Skeppy- Adamant Heart(since he's always there anyway, they just gave him a codename.)

Charlie- Dresden Diamond, Jack of Diamonds

Ponk- Lemon Balm/Sorrento Heart(they still go by Lemon Balm as a vigilante)

Ant- Redrum

Eryn- Demon

Aimsey- Daisy(star and Eryn are villains who want to reform society as a whole by blowing up buildings. Only when they're empty tho cuz Aimsey doesn't want to kill ppl)

Velvet: Red Flag

Welp, that's all for now! If there's anything else you'd like to know, please feel free to ask further! I really enjoyed answering this, thank you so much for the ask! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

-Lilly xx

(P. S. Almost forgot; HBomb is the owner & sole employee of a cat café with a maid event on Saturdays.)

[androgynousblackbox]

How To Lose A Lucifer In 10 Days. 9 [Appleradio, Radioapple]

Step 9: Work with him

Alastor and Lucifer looked up the sky scrapper. For this outing Alastor once again was without his illusion spell, while Lucifer had been convinced to shapeshift as a imp with white hair brushed back. His comment that literally no one was going to care if the king just walked around in the sidewalk of the Pride ring fell into deaf ears. When Charlie came to support her dad's word, Lucifer already knew he was left without a choice, even if he still thought it was silly.

He was never going to say it out loud, because he imagined the response, but a part of him was starting to suspect the changing his looks when they outside of the hotel was more for the comfort of Alastor than trying to keep any privacy surrounding the king's activities. A rest from having the face of his husband standing right in front of them, fully aware that the devil who wore it wasn't the same. It's not like he haven't noticed that something in Alastor losen up more when he did, only to tense up again the moment he was back to normal. But if the man himself wasn't going to say anything, then much less he was going to do it.

Instead, he checked again on his phone that the coordinates that Vassago wrote for them were correct. They still were.

"Any reaction?" asked to Alastor, who was wearing the stone around his neck.

Charlie had decided she wanted to help Emily with her own research, leaving the two of them for this one mission. Apparently Emily had found a pair of names of sinners that could know about alchemy, which prompted Charlie to want to go with her and then motivated Vaggie to want to join them. Someone had to be sure that between the two princess, they weren't going to be taken advantage of while making some questions.

Alastor flicked the stone on top of his chest. The white stone moved against the fabric of his black shirt without pointing to anywhere.

"Nothing. It must be all the way to the top" Alastor put his hands behind his back and turned to him. "Can I borrow your telephonic device?" asked in a lower voice, as if not wanting anyone else to hear them.

Lucifer stared at him as if that wasn't Alastor anymore.

"You, with a phone?" asked, as if those words were not supposed to mix. "Why? Do you even know how to use one?"

"I want to talk with the queen of Sloth directly" said Alaster, not answering the last question or looking in his direction. "I know she said to have you as intermediary, but I prefer taking my chances with that blasted thing for some actual patient-doctor confidentialty, if you don't mind."

That was an entirely valid point he haven't thought about at all. Of course Alastor wasn't going to want to involve him on everything when he could do it himself. Obviously. He was just the guy who happened to be around with magic similar to the father.

"Now though?" asked.

"It would put my mind at ease if I have to use my magic here" commented Alastor, observing the tall building again. It was one of the closest ones there were to touch the pentagram in the sky. People were constantly getting in and out, wearing business suits or casual clothing since they came out from the food or shopping areas. "I won't take long" added, throwing a glance to Lucifer.

It was after all, a consultation with his own doctor. Of course he couldn't say no.

"Fine" He sighed, opening up the screen to look Bel's number. Alastor approached him more as if trying to memorize the right gestures for the screen. Lucifer really had to bite his tongue in to not make some old boomer joke at that moment, even though Alastor probably deserved it. It was his fault for locking himself out from meeting modern technology. "Is calling now" said Lucifer, reaching out his hand for Alastor to take out. "When you finish the call, press the button on the side for two seconds. It's literally the only button."

"I see" Alastor grabbed the device between two fingers of his hand from the top, as it were a dirty diaper or something equally as desirable.

Lucifer still reminded himself to not laugh when the radio demon nodded, moving away to a safe distance until he could talk without Lucifer or anyone else immediately around him hearing. Lucifer almost expected him to be yelling into the mic, believing it necessary, was almost counting on it, but he had no luck.

Instead of that mild distraction, he had finally a moment to contemplate what they had to do. Grab the bigger portion of the stone in whichever part it was of this massive building, use it to exchange places with the other Lucifer and come back to his usual life. To another Alastor who also didn't want to see him either and a Charlie he didn't know how to talk to most of the time. To another day seeing the same family portraits knowing those times were long gone. Where all his mistakes and regrets could jump to him on every corner to remind him how badly he had messed up and probably was going to keep messing up. Where his best hope for the future was that Charlie was not going to get tired of him any time soon and would still allow him to be near her. Where the only company he would have at night was his phone.

No biggie. Easy as pie. Practically done already. Why even think about it? Why even rationalize all the ways he was surely going to fail and get himself further stuck on a reality where he was merely a guest, one nobody really asked for, while someone else was getting missed? Surely that was a stupid thing to think about. He was a stupid man for thinking that. The most stupid man that has ever existed since creation itself, no doubt about it. Why couldn't he stop thinking about it? Who was this helping? Why bother to come back at all when he was that useless he couldn't stop a single stupid thought? It's not like an actual real baby depended on it or anything!

"Your Majesty" called Alastor, towering over him. Lucifer blinked many times as he came back to. Alastor's brow furrowed as he extended his phone to him, still holding it with two fingers as if he didn't want to be in contact with it more than necessary. "Your device."

Lucifer realized how tense hid fist were only when he had to force to relax again in order to grab it. The small cuts from his claws digging in he willed to heal faster, so not even a drop of blood could be seen.

"Ah, thanks" said, even though he was the one who did the favor. He smiled mechanically, a well oiled machine that never failed him. "Done already then? Did Bel help you out?"

Alastor looked at him a second longer he felt comfortable with before answering.

"Indeed. She taught me a little spell to know how much magic I would need and how much is enough, since I can't see it myself. Also, apparently alcohol is not going to have any negative effect on them unless I hurt myself, which of course won't happen, so that is a relief."

"Were you planning to get drunk?" asked Lucifer and Alastor smiled, amused.

As if he were stupid for making that question. He probably was. That would be the first concern of any adult in hell dealing with their partner gone. On top of that, who was he to judge? Just because he couldn't get drunk as easily, didn't mean other people were not allowed to do it. Idiot.

"Oh, of course not. For what kind of irresponsible father have you took me?" Alastor dismissed the suggestion like a bad smell with his hand. Lucifer saw the irritated rictus on the corners of his mouth. "I was just wondering out of curiosity, since my condition is not entirely physical anyway, that is all."

"Well, if Bel says it won't hurt the baby…" started out Lucifer before his mind trail off and didn't know how to complete the sentence. Luckily there was something else to catch his attention and cover up for his sudden silence. "Hey, that is Angel."

So he was. Alastor lifted his head just as about the spider demon stared at him back, walking up to them. He had only seen the fallen look of Alastor exactly one time, when Niffty insisted on seeing his new "bad boy" look, so it wasn't weird that it took him a while to fully remember it.

"Alastor?" asked, coming up to them and then looked at the imp at his side, narrowing his eyes. "Short king?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" Maybe he too had a gifted sigh like Bel that could just tell that kind of thing.

"Same height and Alastor being here, that is all I need. Not the first time that the king shapeshifted to be outside" Angel popped a lollipop into his mouth and turned to see the huge building. "Are you both going there? Not the kind of place I would have imagined for one of your little dates."

"It's not a date" said Alastor finally, glaring at him with a menacing undertone in his word that had Angel lifting his hands.

"I was just joking, bud. Take it easy."

A growl came out of the smiling face of Alastor and Lucifer cleared his throat, before anyone could say or do something they could regret.

"It's really not" said, putting himself between the two of them. "We are trying to find another one of the wishing stones that Charlie had. I imagine you haven't seen any big dark rock with reality changing properties around here?"

"Nope" Angel looked up for a moment at the building. "I work here and haven't seen anything like that."

"Y-you do?" asked Lucifer, first thinking on any of the shopping sites or the food section. No way he could imagine Angel just working on any of them, especially not with the almost non existent clothing he was wearing.

"Yeah, my sugar daddy is on the top of the top" Angel said with a smirk, as if deeply enjoying pronouncing those words. "He is kinda like a big deal without even being an overlord. He even said he could help me make my own porns soon! I will never stop thanking Charlie for getting me this gig."

"Wasteful" spat Alastor between his teeth.

"Hey, I didn't ask for it either" replied Angel, holding the lollipop to point at him. "If you have a problem, take it up with your own kid, pops."

"Enough" said Lucifer, tired, just when Alastor opened up his mouth to say something else. The radio demon frowned, revealing more teeth. If this was just a fraction of what Charlie had to endure watching him and the other Alastor back at home then no wonder she wished something different. "Angel, do you think you could help us get inside? We don't really know where the stone is either."

"We don't need him. We can just turn invisible and I can send my shadow looking" said Alastor.

"And just walk all of that until our stone reacts to anything?" said Lucifer, making a gesture to the building that wasn't only big but taller than his entire palace. The palace where his own Charlie got lost in more than one ocassion. "We only have one. I don't know, maybe it would be easier to ask the guy out there if he knows about it? If he does I can just convince him of giving it to us."

Alastor groaned deeply. He took out the chain around his neck with the stone and extended to Lucifer, waiting for him to grab it.

"It sounds to me like we have two different ideas of how to approach this. You can take the stone and try your diplomatic method if you want. I will check as much as I can on my own. We can find each other in… two hours sounds good for you?" said, taking a look to his pocket watch.

"Are you sure?" said Lucifer, unintentionally letting his eyes wonder over the abdomen of the fallen before Alastor reclined his front forward, even lower than he actually needed to for them to be at face level.

"Two hours" determined, walking calmly to a column in front of the building.

Only Lucifer realized that he wasn't coming out on the other side and noticed the dark spot quickly moving over the floor until it dissapeared. He felt like a kid abandoned in the supermarket after his whole family already move on. Maybe that was to be expected from a mere acquantance that only tolerated his presence.

"So what is going to be, short king?" said Angel, texting casually on his phone. "I am already late, but luckily for us, he likes it better when I take my time so there is no rush. If you want to follow him, I won't take offense."

Lucifer saw the accesory on his hand and wrapped the chain around his knuckles, to make sure he wouldn't lose it as he felt for any movement from the stone.

"Let's go" he sighed, walking foward as Angel went behind.

"What is the story then?" said Angel, getting a cheeky grin now as if suddenly this could be a fun game for him. "I am telling you right now, if I just say you are a friend of mine he will think I am inviting you for a threesome. If you are willing to go that far, I won't tell a word."

The shadow under Lucifer shook slightly, as if about to lose its shape, but the king only gave Angel a side eye.

"No, thank you" said with a sigh. "Maybe tell him that I am coming from an investor who wants to buy the stone from him?"

"Boring" sang Angel rolling his eyes. "Oooh, how about a investor in one of my porn that wants to make business for that?"

"How is that going to make him show me his stone?"

"I don't know, you are the one doing the sneaky shit, not me" Angel was going up the stairs and walking over to a desk of the security staff, reclining over it to smile at the demon sitting there. "Hey, cutie, how you doing?"

The security guard smiled back.

"Angel" greeted. He only ever noticed Lucifer standing right in front of him a second later, instantly annoyed at the possibility of having to do his job. "Yes, sir?"

"He is coming with me, handsome" helped out Angel. The face of the guard light up when looking at him. Angel clearly already had him wrapped around his finger. "He is a big money guy who wants to talk with the old man for business. A friend of mine so I can vouch for his big, long and deep pockets" listed, licking up his lips. "Can you tell him that, baby?"

Lucifer pretended to be interested on a potted plant nearby, like the whole conversation didn't had anything to do with him.

"Sure, Angel, if you say so" The demon grabbed a telephone on the wall to make his call. Angel winked an eye to Lucifer. Now he really wished he had shapeshifted a suit to make himself look more legit instead of the casual clothing he had on. A perfectly normal imp that could enter into a majority of sites without any issue, but didn't gave the impression of being business dedicated. Too late to worry about that. They probably should have thought about it more in general before just coming inside. "Alright, he says you can come up."

"Thanks, sweetheart" Angel send a kiss to the security as he took out a card from his purse, swipping it on a panel close by to open the door to an elevator. Lucifer slipped in inside and supported his back on the wall. "You good?" asked Angel as he was pressing a button to have the doors closed.

There was no turning back now. This was the plan they were going to go with. If Alastor didn't had any luck finding the stone, it all depended on him. What a reassuring and not at all heavy thought that didn't quicken his heart at all. Nope, not to this king of hell. He had caused sin to happen, no doubt he was going to be able to handle finding just a stupid piece of rock and not ruin anything on the way, right? Right?

"Yeah, perfectly" said Lucifer when he noticed he haven't answer to Angel in a bit. "Sorry, I just zone out."

Angel hummed, crossing his upper arms while the lower ones sat on his waist, tapping casually on his short shorts.

"It must be still quite a shock for you, isn't?" commented, just as the elevator started moving. "The whole being married to a guy you can't stand where you come from" clarified when Lucifer just looked confused. "Me? I would have ran away so I don't have to deal with any of that."

"Kinda not an option here" said Lucifer shrugging. He hold out the stone out, letting it swing from the chain on his hand, but it was a rather to be expected kind of swing. "I can't just leave Charlie, either this one or mine back at home."

"I guess on that sense all Lucifers are the same" Angel pulled out a hand mirror and started retouching his make up. "You a good daddy no matter where you go, aren't you?"

Lucifer realized that Angel probably didn't mean anything with it. Just a little bit of small conversation so they wouldn't be listening the bland music through the speakers only. But somehow the comment stabbed him right on the front and made him thinks of the months, years, he was doing anything else instead of being a good father.

"You know, it is funny" added, swallowing hard. "In my dimension we have this stupid thing with Alastor where he pretend he is a father figure for Charlie. Just because he helps her out with the hotel and stuff, which okay, buddy, that is cute and all, but not really the same. I don't think Charlie takes it seriously either, but it's what he likes to do to get on my nerves. So of course I would land in the one place where he can actually be her father with all rights. On top of being still also Alastor."

"Oh" When Lucifer looked up, Angel seemed to be out of his depth. "I was actually trying to get a segway into joking if you could adopt me."

"Aren't you kinda old for that?" was all Lucifer could say to avoid the embarassment. Even then, he could feel his face warming up.

"Miss Sunshine fallen from Heaven is thousands years older than Alastor and that didn't stopped any of you" Angel closed his pocket mirror. "No offense, king, but I still don't get why that should bother you so much? If some bitch was obviously trying to pretend they got my place I would just feel embarassed for them. If your Charlie is anything like ours, then she is totally a daddy's girl anyway."

"Yeah, she is!" laughed Lucifer. "Absolutely! That is why he is so annoying. Because he doesn't realize what a waste of time it is trying to pretend she has another father when she has me" added, laughing more, louder, because that was obviously the case and it wasn't Alastor poking him on the one and only place where he could reach, the one area he felt ashamed about the most.

The whole falling and condeming humanity had happened long enough that he had just accepted his part on it. It wasn't something he was proud about on itself, but it was the blistering wound that still made him flinch when thinking about it. A considerable scar had already formed on top of it. But Charlie and the realization of how out of touch he was with her life were quite new and it didn't take long to have them bleed again.

Case in point, the expression of Angel that said he didn't believe a single word he said and who did he thought he was kidding. A question that Lucifer most of all did not want to ponder about when he could barely kid himself.

"Whatever you say, king" said finally Angel with a shrug. The spider demon turned his head and chuckled to himself. "It's kinda funny, I guess. On this universe the king and Al also fight a lot."

"T-they do?" asked Lucifer, surprised.

"Yeah, all the time. Although to them it looks more typical old married couple bickering, but it's still there. Like on the whole doing two parties for Charlie with two different cakes" Lucifer blinked, confused. He knew that the Charlie with antlers had a good party thanks to her parents, but nobody had explained to him how exactly. "Oh, you didn't know? It's a whole thing apparently. They each decorate their own side and stuff however they like and then compete to see which one is more succesful. Charlie said that they used to fight a lot about that before finding that solution. I think that is stupid, but, you know, it's two cakes for one party so who I am to complain?"

With how willing this Alastor was to sing the praises of his own Lucifer, especially compared to him, Lucifer had just assumed those two lived in a perpetual honeymoon where somehow they were always on the same page and were completely removed from anything to do with what he had back on his world.

It was almost embarassing how relieved he felt at finding out it wasn't the case. There were traces of each other still present. Maybe the real difference after all was these two had plenty of time to learn to adapt to the bump, when all they could do on his world was keep crashing with them. Time does heal all or so they say.

"Oh, I had no idea" commented, twisting the chain on his hand. The stone still had nothing to tell him.

Angel snorted.

"Of course not. Good old Al fucking hates your guts" Angel rolled around the lollipop in his mouth as a smile spread on his face. "Before you came around he was the first one to complain about hubby, but the moment you walk nearby suddenly our Lucifer hasn't done a single thing wrong in his life. It's hilarious actually."

"Ah" That made way too much sense.

"It kinda sucks for Charlie, though" commented Angel. "It can't be pretty to have your folks get along and one day they just don't. Plus the whole interdimensional bullshit, that is."

Lucifer didn't know how to respond to that. He didn't have to before the elevator stopped and the doors opened up to a luxurious space.

"Come on, king. Let's go to daddy" Angel pulled up his crop top and fluffled up his chest even more before coming out, Lucifer from behind and his shadow a second later than it should.

Just talk to the guy about the stone. Convince him to give it. Recieve. Null the wish, go back home. A nice, easy to follow plan. Fool proof and all. On the absolute worst case escenario, steal it and just from a window to portal home, hoping that Alastor would know to come back on his own.

Wait, no. First steal it, then look Alastor's magic and portal him away. Unless he could convince the guy to give it on his own. Then turn invisible to find Alastor and portal him away. Or should he make the wish first? But then how his Lucifer was going to know what to do if he came back? No, better to wish it on the hotel, far away from them and hope it didn't affect Angel's job so nobody would have to wish anything for anyone again.

Yes, a perfect plan. Not complicated at all. The tightness on his throat was just the nerves for the future success. His palms were sweaty because it was a especially hot day in hell.

By the time they reached the big office on the far end of a corridor, a lizard demon was talking on the phone against the all window wall that revealed the whole from above. Only the V tower was the building able to reach a similar weight from that angle.

"Just do what you have to do, don't bother me" was the last words they could heard before the man put the phone down and smiled, full row of golden teeth on display. "Angel, baby, there you are! An hour after I was expecting you, but thanks for coming along anyway."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever" said Angel, dragging his words more than he usually did as he casually walked to a lounging couch and laid there. His face masquered such contempt for the lizard guy he seemed one step from spit on his face. Something that would probably be received positively anyway. "I had better things to do than to see your ugly ass face. My friend over there for example."

"Oh?" The lizard only then noticed Lucifer standing at the door. "Yeah, I think they did mentioned that. You wanted to talk about business?"

Lucifer swallowed and inhaled deeply. It was time to give a convincing performance. The moment he stepped inside, his shadow shook for a moment before returning to normal. Less darker and bigger than before.

"Absolutely, sir" said, reading quickly the plaque on top of the desk before reaching out his hand to shake the scaly one. Normakov, better not forget it. "I come from part of a very afluent man who wishes to purchase something our data shows you were in possesion of."

"And what man that would be?"

"The king" said Lucifer, keeping up his smile. "He is not unable at the moment, but you can call to the princess of hell and she will confirm for you I work for her father."

"He is legit, daddy" said Angel from his couch, barely lifting his eyes from the screen. "Don't make him waste too much time. That is so annoying. I won't have time to play with you and put you in your place if you do."

When the lizard smiled indulgently, Lucifer let out a small sigh of relief.

"No problem, sweetie. If my Angel says that, I have no reason to doubt him. Why don't you take a seat, sir…?"

"Oh, my name is irrelevant" said Lucifer, sitting on the chair offered. "But you can call me De Ville if anything. You see, my client is a history fanatic. When you are so old and lived for so long, the nostalgia is hard to avoid, you know? Which is the reason why he is interested on…"

The phone of the lizard man started to vibrate again against the table. Normakov made a wait a moment gesture with his hand and took the call.

"Yes, perfect. Send them in then" said, hanging out but then turning to Angel. "Someone is messing with the cameras on the lowers floors. A bunch of them have been fried and lose signal. Have you seen anything weird on your way up, sweet cheeks?"

"Nothing at all" said Angel, throwing a glance to Lucifer so they both knew what they were thinking. Alastor trying to not get detected. "Can't be a short circut or something? There is so much energy being used on this place everyday that I wouldn't be surprised."

"Yeah, that happens even in the palace too sometimes" aported Lucifer. "Too many electronics working at once? You can't trust those to work perfectly all the time."

"No, that is not it. We installed those new models just yesterday and they were working perfectly. Besides now they will send their own guards from Voxtech the moment one malfunction. It would be a waste of their own resources if they don't make it work for at least a while" Normakov sat on his chair, the wrinckles on his face expanding. "So, what is that the king is interested on buying?"

"Excuse me, sir" said Lucifer, struggling to get his mind in track again. "Are they sending guards just for cameras? That is a bit excessive, isn't?"

"Well, maybe, but that is what we paid for! The full protection package! It costed a good penny, but if we can avoid any bastard trying to get in and cause trouble then that is good enough for me. They have full permission to be lethal if they want, even if it's one of our own employees. I can't be wasting time on some idiot that is going to be ruining the equipment of the building anyway. If they die I don't have to fire them at least" laughed the man and Lucifer joined a second too late, squeezing the rim of his shirt so strong that he end up tearing it and then forced his finger to grab his thigh, feeling his claws about to punctuare. Normakov was admiring Angel too much to fully notice.

"That is so true!" said Lucifer, laughing hysterically as he looked at Angel to do anything, anything at all. His heart was beating so quick that he had to see it through his ribcage, about to burst. "You can't be wasting all that money like that!"

Angel didn't turn to see him at all. He missed his pleading look and with all, he stood up from the couch to go sit on the lap of the business man.

"Oh, daddy! I can't wait any longer! I have been so bored and someone has to take some responsability!" sighed dramatically, putting on the tie of the man to kiss him deeply as his upper arms hold him in place.

The lower arms made quick gestures for Lucifer to move on already. Lucifer sighed grateful and looked down for a second. That stone was as unresponsive as ever, there was nothing there for him. While Angel moaned loudly against the mouth of his boss, Lucifer ran away the office and hide himself on the first bathroom he could find.

It was just as full of luxury as anything else on that place, but he couldn't care less. With his eyes turned into pure red, he looked over as much as he could for the exact magic that only Alastor had. It was at first overwhelming with the amount of people who worked in the building, janitors cleaning, people wasting away in front of computers, secretaries, people making calls. After a while he realized he couldn't concentrate like that. Too many distractions and wasn't any closer to find him. How many fucking floors did a building like that needed in the first place? And why all of them have to be so fucking big?

Lucifer hold the stone against his chest, trying to control the dizzines that was making it even harder to search for him. He took at least a couple of deep breaths before he decided to just look floor for floor. That was the best choice. Opening portal, keep invisible, find Alastor, maybe retrait, try again other time, not get him get killed because Charlie was going to kill him, and his other version too if he had the chance and he was never going to be able to live with himself if anything happened to that baby.

With his legs shaking, Lucifer applied the invisible spell and started descending. From the bottom to the top above the shopping floors, where the cameras started malfunctioning. The first three were clean of green magic. On the fifth he always crashed into one of the security guards with the logos of Voxtech on their jackets.

They had already shot the technician of the company that reached for the cameras. Lucifer nearly avoided the employees that were getting rid of the body. It was a bird demon with red feathers on the top of their head, sticking out almost as if they were ears. Red eyes stared at the ceiling as the wound shot on his forehead was still bleeding.

That was what did it. Lucifer ran without caring the people he had to make to a side, left wondering what happened or blaming whoever was the closest that they could see. He wanted a bathroom. Instead he found an abandoned office and managed to find a trash can before his stomach gave out. He grabbed to it a moment longer and put it aside, hugging to his knees.

The image of those red empty eyes were not leaving his vision no matter how strong he pressed his hand against his eyelids. He could no longer control his breathing. All he could hear was the beating of his heart. He hold the stone against his chest as if that somehow was going to help, but it didn't. A failure like everything else he ever attempted to do.

It was to be expected, then, that he didn't hear the door opening to a normal employee of the company. The lights turn on and Lucifer looked up without barely moving.

"What the hell are you doing?" was all the demon could ask before Lulcifer saw himself wrapped in pure darkness.

On the first second he didn't even mind. The darkness was silent and light as air. But the calm lasted as long his next breath and he was on a janitor's closet, holding to the first thing of color he could see. A grey shirt.

"Your Majesty" a grey demon, no, Alastor, spoke to him on a voice softer than he ever expected before. "Follow my lead, sir. Breath in, breath out. Slowly, there is no rush here."

Lucifer saw the chest of the demon in front rising up and then deflating and then he tried to imitate with his own, retaining the air and letting it go after.

"Good" said Alastor, who hasn't moved at all except for breathing. "Keep going, your Highness. Breath in, breath out."

Slowly, somehow, his heart started to normalize and he sighed, his body slumped on the floor as Alastor patiently waited for him to uncling his claws off his clothing. That couldn't be a comfortable position, thought Lucifer vaguely before he could finally make his hands relax enough to open them up.

At no point he had ever dared to look up to the demon and now he wasn't going to do it either. The Alastor he knew was about to have the biggest laugh of his afterlife to find out another weakness of the king of hell, another reason to mark him as the pathetic and weak fool that he always was. Lucifer couldn't even find it on him to be upset about it, just brazing himself for the blow to whatever was left of his dignity.

Alastor sat on the floor, knees up and legs together. There was no much space for more with how tall he was.

"Do you feel better now?"

Lucifer blinked like he somehow he had heard wrong and stared at him. The smile was there, alright, that was a given, but why wasn't he laughing? Where was the mockery and contempt?

"You seem okay at least" Alastor sighed and his actual green eyes looked the crampled space, as if annoyed with it, even though he was the one who brought them. "I assume the diplomatic way didn't work?"

"Uh…" Lucifer passed a hand over his face and pulled his hair back. "I don't… I don't understand."

"What?" Alastor asked, turning to him. Something on his sincere confusion made him chuckle. "You think you are the first king I see having a panic attack, your Majesty? My darling king sometimes worries a bit too much about things and what is his consort to do, but to know to calm him down? We can't have any advances if I have you incapacitated on the floor, can I?"

"He too…?" asked Lucifer.

For some reason it made more sense for him to think the Lucifer of this world had been saved from those moments, gaining the rare gift of not being attacked by his own mind and body. More than anything, because he would have never imagined that Alastor was going to have any kind of useful reaction to them. The Alastor he knew would make it so much worse just for fun, just because he could.

"Well, no all the time, obviously" said Alastor, as if that needed clarifying. "Mostly in moment of great stress. Before an extermination or when fearing that Heaven could do something that could hurt our daughter" Alastor looked down for a moment, tilting his head. "I guess I never considered you could be as much of a mess as my husband in this situation too."

"Gee, thanks" Lucifer sighed, sitting cross legged.

"You are welcome" Alastor chuckled again, a light and judgement free sound, that Lucifer couldn't help but to join in.

"Hey, what else…" Lucifer swallowed down, doubting if he should continue, but he really wanted to know "What else do you usually do to calm him down?"

"He likes it when I hug him" Alastor said it like it was no big deal, and for him it most likely wasn't, but Lucifer couldn't get that thought of his mind. A hug sounded nice for him too, although maybe that was beyond what Alastor would be comfortable with. "At the start, it made no sense to me that the most powerful being of hell can lose his calm like that. Then I realized that other men would have broken under the pressure he's under millennia ago. His cracks are just a testament of how much he has endured and how further he can go. My king just needs a little bit of support somtimes and he will stand on his own in no time. I don't mind being that support."

Alastor examined his pocket watch, letting the silence to be the only thing between them as Lucifer processed those words. The fact that they were coming from him or how comforting they actually were, both of them equally unexpected.

"Oh shit" said, surprised with himself that it took him this long to realize. "You actually do love him, do you?"

A sound of static cracked inside of the demon as he stared at him, taken aback.

"Beg your pardon?" asked, crinkling his eyes. "Was that ever a question here?"

"Kinda" confessed Lucifer, shrinking a little. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like an insult. I guess I just didn't thought about it."

"What is there to think about?" Alastor shrugged. He made a vague gesture to their surroundings, the crampled janitor's closet they landed on. "Why did you think I was doing all of this for?"

That was a good question that Lucifer had no idea what to say to. He could try again with his past theories. Money, power, influence, authority. But they all sounded just childish and ridiculous now.

"I don't know" admitted finally, letting his shoulders fall. "Sorry."

Alastor sighed, but at least it wasn't the annoyed and frustrated kind he was used to coming from him. Just a resigned one as he rubbed his temple.

"Tell me when you are able to continue searching" said the radio demon, relying his back against the shelf full of cleaning supplies.

"I was… worried about you" commented Lucifer, without looking at him. "We shouldn't have separated."

"Your Majesty…" started Alastor and then seemed to think it better for a moment. "Maybe you're right. This place is even more complicated that I imagined. There are even secret rooms and passages behind the walls."

Not in a million years he would have imagined hearing those words coming from him.

"I am right" insisted Lucifer, frowning at him. "I know you hate me, but we really need to do this together. I want to get that thing as much as you do."

"Unlikely" replied Alastor, tilting his chin. He narrowed his eyes before continueing. "Just so you know, I don't… hate you. I almost want to, but I don't."

"You want to hate me?" Lucifer snorted a little bit. Now who was being childish.

"Didn't you?" Alastor stared at him with a half hearted snear. "From the very first time you saw me, you only wanted to see me one way because of your own Alastor."

Lucifer rised up a finger to protest. Then turned it down. Damn it.

"Fine" conceded with a pout. "I was wrong about that then. You are really not like him, I guess."

"Or you just don't know him as much as you think" Alastor rolled his eyes and shook his head slighty. "But who knows, really? I am just the Alastor of this side."

It wasn't the first time that Alastor suggested that. It was the first time that Lucifer actually considered it. Not that Alastor back at home ever bothered to show him anything more than his more annoying, petty side whenever possible or was ever going to do it. Maybe there was something else to the radio demon that he was just not meant to know at all.

"Whatever" said, because he had no idea where he wanted to go with that line of thought anyway. His head hurt. "I think I am better now."

"Are you sure?"

Lucifer nodded. He hide a little smile to think he was used to ask that to his Lucifer. Alastor stand up first and stretched his arms up, while Lucifer pushed himself up.

"This floor is clean" commented Alastor. "The next three ones as well. After that we can continue."

"Yeah, okay, we could do that or…" started Lucifer. Alastor blinked at him before the prediction came to him and groaned in advance. "Come on, let's try it at least!"

"I thought you did already and didn't work."

"Because I heard about guards with permission to use lethal force and I had to find you before I could actually do any progress" insisted Lucifer. "All because you messed with their cameras by the way!"

"Is that why they were there?" Alastor's brow furrowed. "I see. Vox is finally catching up."

"The TV guy? What does he have to do with anything?"

"Nothing. Just another issue I will have to deal with later" Alastor made a dismissive handwave and sighed. "Alright. I suppose it can't hurt to try. There is only so many secret love making rooms a man can see before he rather not."

Lucifer snorted at that. The thought of Alastor constantly ending up on those spaces in search of something else was so funny he had to laugh harder, positively wheezing. Alastor scoffed, but let him have that moment.

"Some were in use" added Alastor, just when Lucifer was about to calm down. Effectively creating another fit of giggles. The radio demon smirked, seemingly enjoying making him lose his composure. "It's a true miracle I haven't gauged my eyes out."

"How the fuck have you survived hell until now?" questioned Lucifer when he could barely gather enough air for it.

"The true question is how hell has survived me" said Alastor with a firm nod, pretending it was a serious matter. "And the answer is, with enough food and music."

"I will take your word for it, buddy" Lucifer whipped the tears out of his eyes. The only times he had laughed since the whole mixed up happened have been talking to Alastor. What a weird little thought to have. He opened up a portal to the luxurious bathroom near the office, but didn't cross it immediately. "Hey" said at Alastor. An awkward moment of hestitation later, he managed: "Thanks. For the whole. Thing."

Alastor nodded. His smile didn't get bigger or sharper, but his eyes maybe got a bit more open or at least that is what Lucifer would like to believe. He didn't want to hate this Alastor and didn't want this Alastor to hate him.

"After yourself, your Majesty."

--

"Which is why I believe we can make a more than generous offer is necessary" finished Lucifer, sitting on the seat. His shadow now was darker than it should be and he knew the reason why. Alastor was just waiting for a chance to grab the stone so they could finally get out of there.

Lucifer was really surprised that the radio demon had actually decided to stay with him after all. When they came to the office and it was pretty obvious that Angel was doing his job under the desk, he wouldn't have blame him if he had stayed outside the office.

"That sounds neat, daddy" sounded the voice of Angel, only some strands of his pink hair visible against the vest of the man. "You should take it. A business deal with the king can only be a good thing, huh?"

"Y-yeah, that sounds about right" Normakov patted his head. For as much Lucifer would have chosen to not have this conversation, or any other, like this, he had to appreciate that at least it was making this old man very agreeable. He would have to thank Angel for that when he had the opportunity. "Very well, if you say so, sweetheart. You will have to wait a little bit for it, mister De Ville" Lucifer saw a glimpse of the shadow under his chair shaking and he just knew Alastor was going to make a comment about the name later. "That stone cost me, well, three entire bodies to be honest, not just an eye. I have to call for it to be brought up from my vault."

"Of course, I understand" smiled Lucifer, dropping the stone of Charlie on the floor without making a sound. It was quickly consumed by the shadows. "I don't have any rush. If it's the real deal then I promise that my client will be able to compensate you those three bodies and maybe a whole dozen more. He is very enthusiastic about starting this collection. They were made using the soil where he first fell, did you know?" commented.

"Yeah? Huh, I guess that makes sense" Normakov pressed a button on his phone. Whoever was on the other side of the line didn't seem to mind the slight grunting and sighs of their boss as he asked for that stone. "And do it pronto, alright? I might have a good deal for it."

"The greatest deal in all of hell, dear sir!" added Lucifer.

After the call was done, Alastor moved out of the way to go catch that thing while Lucifer stayed to make conversation with the man. Be it because it was part of Angel's conditions or Angel just wanted to torture him, Normakov never got his happy ending during all that time. Lucifer was starting to think maybe Alastor had a point after all.

Ten minutes later an alarm went off somewhere close them, extending to the office.

"What the fuck?" Normakov pulled his chair back, quickly fixing his belt and pants.

"What alarm is that, daddy? There is a fire?" asked Angel.

Before the man could respond, one of the secretaries came running.

"There is a demon let loose near the vault, sir! It has taken out already three of our guards!"

"Send the Voxtech ones then!" insisted Normakov, as if it should be obvious.

"They said that is above they paygrade, sir."

As the lizard man grumbled to himself, Lucifer stand up.

"I need to go pee again!" announced to the need of no one and ran outside.

People were either running to get away the building or complaining about how someone should turn off that alarm already. He went inside of the bathroom and blinked, looking for Alastor's energy. The energy was crickling and soaring just five floors below. When he open up a portal there, he knew instantly what happened.

"Oh" said, seeing the splatters of blood everywhere before he heard the munching sound. "Alastor" called, not really wanting to cross the corner to the open vault, but knowing there was no choice.

Alastor, eating from the open stomach of a guard, cracked his neck to look at him with a infinite smile of sharp teeths.

"It's useless" said. The static was so strong it was almost burying his words, but not entirely. The anger behind then was still there, just as naked as the ribs of the guy he was eating from. One of his long arms grabbed a crystal box from a corner and shattered it against the wall. From it a white rock fell through, aproximately the size of an adult fist. "This one was the one who did it" Alastor now lifted out a half consumed head from the ground and smashed it, destroying it until it was a splat under his fingers. "The idiot was holding it when he made his wish. Do you know what he wished for, your Majesty? What was so important for this lousy creature to use it?"

"What?" asked Lucifer, knowing that anything he could have asked for, anything at all, was always going to leave Alastor like that.

"A sandwich" said Alastor and started laughing, the sound distorted and broken. The laugh track behind him sounded cursed, like the people in the audience were both crying in pain too. "He was hungry, sir. And that made me hungry too."

"I am sorry" Lucifer didn't know what else to say.

"It was pickles with cheese, your Majesty. They deserve to die a thousands times because of that. I will keep their voices repeating their torment for all eternity. If they had any family I will kill them too and tell them it was all because of a sandwich of pickles with cheese."

"Alright" Lucifer sighed, looking around and counting maybe five bodies in total. It was hard to tell, as desmembered as they were. Many already missing chunks with bite marks. Almost every portion of the place had been painted in red. "Listen, I… there is going to be other chances, okay? This was just the first one. We have a bunch of other options to go through. I am sure the next one will go better."

"Sir" said Alastor.

"Yes?" Lucifer was already imagining what was coming and he was entirely right.

"I am still hungry. Would you mind leaving this floor while I take my lunch? I won't use my magic. I won't need to."

"Sure. Yeah" said Lucifer, scratching the back of his neck. Maybe the whole eating now for two was making it worse for Alastor or he was just that pissed. Either way, he didn't really felt with any leg to stand and judge. He was frustrated too, fuck it. "I will make it so the Voxtech guards don't reach you, okay? Just… come find me when you are done."

Alastor stared at him for a moment. Maybe surprised that he just accept it so easily, Then he silently nodded as he opened up his mouth, unhinged his own jaw, and lifted the body he was already eating from to chump down the entire head.

--- If you liked my work, consider supporting me through kofi!

[husbandogoddess]

Hello! I know you must get a bunch of questions, I hope this isn't a bother. I've gotten into visual novels a year ago, & well a few have caught my eye. Your demo game Candied Hearts was wonderful! I have always loved fictional men, lol.

Peppermint is SOOO cute! His flustered face after saying he was looking for someone's lost honey bunny was precious! (The fact that he believes in the Holiday Gnome is adorable!) It's so sweet when he removes the cotton candy from your hair! I love his voice so much. Peppermint doesn't have much confidence in himself & despite being a captain, no one takes him seriously. But, I know this sweet prince could be a wonderful ruler. Even as he defends his abusive father, it's realistic...Peppermint is clinging onto a past memory of who his father once was. But part of me doubts that his father was ever like that...(Who exiles their 13 year's old son?) I believe it's an image that Peppermint created himself to help cope with the abuse.

I will admit, Lakritz is fine, he is an interesting & mysterious character. Reginald's route has me curious as well, will we find out why he picks on Peppermint? Probably not. But! I'm sure it will be an entertaining route. I love Candice as a female protagonist, Its so refreshing to see a female character stand up for herself! The dialogue was so much fun & I couldn't help but laugh 😊 Peppermint is such a darling! When he gives you chocolate coins & pats your head, my heart. (God, this man really is a prince.) I can't wait for his route, I just want to hold his hand, tell him no matter what happens..he'll be okay & that he is enough.

(One last thing, I swear!)

I saw a video from the visual novel corner it was about an early idea of Peppermint being a yandere? I do think it was for the better that it was scraped because he's perfect as is. 🩷

But part of me wonders what Peppermint would be like as a yandere in some alternate universe. (Good on paper, but I would literally cry if I got isekaied into a game with a yandere.😭) However, I can't get this thought out of my head. Would it start out how we originally met the kind caption? Once he develops feelings, what would he be cable of? Sorry about the long ramble...I just really want to know what he would be like.

Thank you for making such a wonderful game! I have always loved art and creative storytelling! This story was a delight & so immersive! (I just got Tumblr a few days ago, so I'm still trying to figure this out!) I got it because of passionate creators like you! Thank you so much for your time. I hope you & your team are doing well! 😊

Hey Anon! First of all, no need to apologize for the long message! I actually love receiving messages like yours, they give me an excuse to ramble LMAO. Before addressing what you wrote, I wanted to thank you for sending me your kind words and gratitude for the game. As a game developer, I often get lost in development and lose faith in myself, so receiving such kindhearted support from fans like you warms my soul, and helps not only rejuvenate me, but the team as well. So once again, thank you! I'm incredibly glad you love the main cast so far and that you were able to pick up on the nuances of their characters. Like you said, Peppermint is indeed a victim of abuse, so like many in his predicament who feel trapped, he excuses his abuser's behavior by creating a false reality for himself or using small remnants of the "good" King Karamel's done to show that he isn't all that bad. I'm sure you can guess what some of those morsels of good are though if not, they are talked about in his route! Like you said, it's all a way for him to cope. At such a young age, the only person's love he knew was Lakritz', and then he was exiled. All he had left was his cold-hearted father who could care less for him. Though, I'm sure with your help, you'll be able to remind him what love really looks like (platonic and romantic). Lakritz is definitely a mysterious character, though you'll find out more about him and his reason for wanting revenge on his route. I also want to flesh him out more in the common route in the revamped demo, since he didn't get as much screentime as his brother.

You'll actually get to know why Reginald picks on Peppermint! And trust me, Reginald's route will be an entertaining, sweet treat. ;)

Candice is such a fun protagonist to write, so I'm glad you enjoy her as well! I told the team from the jump I wanted her to be a strong character who isn't afraid to stand up against injustice.

YES, YANDERE PEPPERMINT! So, because the characters are heavily inspired by characters from Candyland (i.e. Mr. Mint -> Peppermint, Lord Licorice -> Lakritz), Peppermint was originally going to have an axe like Mr Mint and we played with the idea of that weapon being for more...sinister purposes. However, once we actually got to outlining and fleshing out these characters' backstories, the less sense it made for Peppermint to have this secret, dark and obsessive personality.

I can't say how your interactions with Peppermint would've played out if we went the yandere personality since we scrapped the idea early on in the writing process. HOWEVER, I will say that we joked about him handcuffing you somewhere in castle dungeon LMAO

Thank you AGAIN for the kind words, glad you love the story and the art! I hope you play the revamped demo and full release when they both launch soon!