#I’m not revamping all the worlds just the ones I like to play in

[squintsintwink]

I SHOULD ADD A DAYCARE CENTER

[sluttywonwoo]

instead of you [part forty-one] || l.mh

pairing: [best friend’s brother] lee minho x college!reader ft. han jisung

summary: you didn’t expect to spend your summer pretending to be your best friend’s girlfriend- then again, you didn’t expect to fall for your best friend’s brother, either. 

warnings: swearing, angst, alcohol consumption, smut (18+ ; mdni)

word count: 3.2k

a/n: revamped my tom holland series from my main blog ( @wazzupmrstark ) to try and motivate myself to finish it!!

additional smut warnings: semi-public messing around, oral - m+f receiving

The other resorts along the shore were nice, yes, but they were also crowded to all hell. There’s no way you would have been able to relax at any of them. Not just because crowds make you anxious, but because Minho probably wouldn’t be able to show his face anywhere. He’d have to wear a hoodie to the pool or swim with a baseball cap on, and even those weren’t guaranteed to be foolproof. 

There were hardly any people occupying the outdoor spaces so late in the day so it was like you had the place to yourselves. You and Felix continued to play in the pool while Minho grilled steaks and Jisung worked upstairs. You offered to accompany Jisung while he cooked but he assured you that he was fine to do it himself. Sometimes you kept him company at home but you knew he liked to work alone as well. 

The room that you and Jisung were staying in was a standard hotel room but Nikki and Dom had a suite with a kitchenette that he could use to prepare the side dishes. 

You ate gathered around one of the fire pits as the sun sank beneath the waves in the distance. When it got too dark out, Dom lit the fire so that you could all see what you were eating. There were path lights littered around the resort but they weren’t bright enough to illuminate the adjacent sitting areas too. 

“I wish we had marshmallows,” you sighed. “We could roast them and make s’mores.”

“I think the bar sells little kits,” Jisung piped up. “I remember seeing a sign posted on their menu.”

“How convenient!” Nikki exclaimed. 

“Want me to grab some?” Minho offered, already standing from his seat. 

You had once again put yourself on the spot. Everyone was looking at you, waiting for your answer. 

“I-I’d feel bad. I’m the only one who wants them, so you don’t have to!”

“Don’t be silly, we’d all eat them,” Jisung assured you with a pat on your knee. 

“Yeah, I’ve always wanted to try s’mores,” Felix agreed. 

Your mouth dropped open in shock. “Wait, you’ve never had one?”

“They’re an American thing, babe.”

“Does that mean you’re the only other one here who has had a s’more?” you asked Jisung. 

“I might have had one before,” Minho added thoughtfully. 

“Might? You don’t remember?”

“Yeah, well, when we were on the first world tour we had a lot of bonfires and shit but I was pretty drunk at all of them so there could have been s’mores there, there could not have been. I dunno.”

“Anyway,” Nikki swooped in, averting the attention away from her eldest son’s anecdotes of underage drinking. “Minho, why don’t you go grab a few kits from the bar Ji mentioned? I think your father and I would like to try a s’more too.”

“How many do you think we need?” Minho asked. 

“It depends on how many each serves. Why don’t we start with two and if we run out of supplies we can send Felix up to get more.”

Felix made a face. “What, me?”

“It wouldn’t be fair to send Minho up twice,” Dom explained.

“What about Jisung?”

“He cooked dinner.”

“I’ll be right back,” Minho interjected, cutting Felix off before he could protest any further. “Does anyone want anything to drink while I’m over there?”

    He took everyone’s order and then disappeared in the direction of the bar. 

    “Do you think he’ll need help carrying stuff?” you whispered to Jisung after he left. 

“Oh, shit, maybe.”

“Should I go help him? Would that be weird?”

Jisung looked back toward his parents to check that they weren’t paying attention before answering. “No, I don’t think so. No one suspected anything other than me. Do you want me to go with you, though?”

“No, you cooked,” you reminded him, “you should stay and relax. I’ll go help him.”

He nodded. “Okay. Oh, but kiss me before you go.”

-

Minho was still waiting when you joined him at the bar. It was almost as deserted as the rest of the pool area. Only a couple of people were occupying the stools and they seemed to be strangers to each other, drinking in silence apart from the waves crashing on the shore nearby and the occasional sound of the blender.

“Hey, stranger,” you said, grabbing Minho’s attention with an elbow to his side. 

“Hey... did someone forget to ask for something?”

“No, I came to help you. We realized it’s a lot of stuff to carry all by yourself.”

He scoffed. “You doubted me?”

The bartender placed the drinks and s’mores kit down on the counter in front of Minho right at that moment, leaving both of you to size up all there was to bring back to the fire pit. 

“You could have carried all that without spilling anything?”

“Fine, maybe it’s good that you came,” he grumbled. 

“Maybe?”

He set his jaw and took a deep breath. “It is good that you came. Thank you for helping. Happy?”

“Ecstatic.”

You grabbed two of the drinks while Minho took the rest, holding the plastic bags of s’mores supplies between his teeth. 

Nikki and Dom cheered when you reappeared with everything. The twins looked marginally happier. It was honestly as much as you could ask for from them. 

You spent the rest of the evening teaching the Hans how to make, what was in your opinion, the perfect s’more. There were only a few skewers to go around so everyone had to take turns, but it was nice to be able to take your time with something and relax. There hadn’t been much time to do that on this trip. Jisung had warned you of that in the beginning but you were still way more exhausted than you expected to be at this point. At least it was almost over. 

The thought of the trip ending was one that you had been pushing to the back of your mind for weeks now. Especially now that Jisung knew what had happened, you didn’t want to think about what would happen when you went back home. Would you grow apart? Would he distance himself once he was no longer in forced proximity with you? Would Minho break up with you? It wasn’t just something you could ignore now. There were only a matter of days left. 

When it was over, you would go back to Seoul with the Hans until the summer ended officially. But that would be different too. 

“You’re burning your marshmallow, love,” Nikki said softly, putting her hand on your shoulder to get your attention. 

“Oh!” you exclaimed and pulled your skewer out of the heat. You blew the flame out and transferred it onto a graham cracker. 

“Do you want a new one?” Dom asked. 

“No, that’s okay! I like them burnt, actually. I just didn’t mean to leave it in the fire for so long. It could have made a mess.”

Jisung’s dad shrugged as if to say ‘suit yourself’ before taking the rod from you and reloading it with fresh marshmallows. 

If it was woodburning, the fire would slowly start to dwindle as the kindling turned to ash. Since it wasn’t, it was still burning as brightly as it had been at the start of the evening when Dom finally turned the propane off. Nikki collected the empty cups and dirty skewers to return to the bar. 

“Good night, kids. Don’t stay up too late.”

-

Felix was the first out of the four of you to go up to his room, leaving you with your best friend and... Minho. 

The pool area was completely empty by then. 

“I’ll uh, I’ll leave you two,” Jisung said and stood to leave. 

You grabbed his hand to stop him. “Wait, no, you don’t have to go.”

“Yeah,” Minho agreed, a little less convincingly. “You should stay.”

Jisung shook his head. “No thanks, I’d rather not third-wheel.”

“Ji-”

“Take as much time as you need,” he said to you. “Just don’t get fucking caught by anyone else.”

You waited for him to leave before slumping forward and sighing into your hands. 

“I thought you said he forgave you,” Minho whispered. 

“He did. That doesn’t mean he’s okay with it,” you sighed.

Minho leaned back and stretched his arm across the back of the loveseat, inviting you to sit with him. You crossed over to his side and joined him, allowing yourself to lean into his side. He wrapped his arm around you and squeezed your shoulder. It felt nice, to do something so domestic with him, even while sitting in complete silence. Still, you worried about someone seeing you.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked. 

“You.”

“What about me?”

“Just you.”

You didn’t want to give him the details and risk ruining the mood so you hoped he was content with that answer. Thankfully, he didn’t ask you to elaborate. 

You shivered suddenly, unintentionally but thankfully changing the subject. 

“Are you cold?” Minho asked. 

“A little.”

“Should I turn the fire pit back on?”

You shook your head. “No, it’s so dark out now. It’ll only draw attention to us.”

“I don’t want you to be cold, though.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Minho didn’t look convinced. “Why don’t we get in the hot tub? You still have your bathing suit on, right?”

“Are we allowed to?” 

He shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”

You followed Minho over to one of the many hot tubs on the property. It was tucked away behind the now-deserted tiki bar and also totally empty. Minho turned on the jets and ventured down into the water, holding his hand out for you to get in behind him. 

You let out a sigh as you sank into the bubbling water, closing your eyes and resting your head against the pool’s edge.  

“Better?”

“So much better.”

You looked over to see him smile. “Good.”

You hadn’t realized how cold you were until you were warm. The chill had seeped through your bathing suit too. You could feel it ebbing out of the fabric as well as your muscles the longer you sat in the water. 

Minho settled next to you and put his hand on your thigh. It was comforting even though his hand was still cold.  

“This is nice,” he said. 

“It is nice,” you agreed. “I like being able to do just nothing with you.”

“We don’t get a lot of time to do that, do we?”

“No, not really.”

“Guess that just means we have to enjoy it while we have it.”

You sat up to look at him, wondering if he meant something more than what was implied when he said that. He met your gaze and gave you a questioning look. 

“What?”    You shook your head and sank further into the bubbles. You were reading way too much into everything. You needed to get a grip. 

“What’s wrong?” Minho repeated. “Talk to me.”

“I’m scared to,” you finally admitted. 

It wasn’t much, but you were finally being honest with Minho instead of skirting around his questions like you usually did. You could tell your answer hurt him but you were afraid that you’d hurt yourself even more if you told him everything. You had a feeling the conversation was going there anyway, though, and there was little you could do to stop it. 

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I don’t know... what we are?” You cringed as you said it. “And I don’t want to ruin things by asking, you know, because I like what we have going on and I don’t want it to go away but I also don’t want to get my hopes up by thinking we’re something that we’re not but sometimes you do things that make me think you want something more than... whatever it is we’re already doing but- mph!”

You were cut off with a kiss, like something out of a movie. It was brief, but enough to disrupt your train of thought. You stared at him incredulously, trying to read his expression. 

His face was even but his eyes were warm. You wished you knew what he was thinking. Moonlight and the flickering flames of torches in the distance were just enough to illuminate his features. The quirk of his cupid’s bow, the flutter of his long eyelashes... 

 “What was that for?” you inquired, even though you knew what it was for. 

“You were spiraling.”

You sighed, dropping your head into your hands. “I can’t help it.”

“I know,” Minho said softly. “For what it’s worth though, I feel the same way.”

You lifted your head to look at him again, your vision slightly blurred by the water dripping down your face from your wet hands. “What?”

He hesitated. “I feel... what you said. I feel the same way.”

“I don’t even know what I said,” you laughed. 

“Me either, but I got the general vibe of it and I’m in agreement.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I... I thought I was making it kind of obvious that I wanted something serious with you.”

“You never said anything outright, though!”

“Because I didn’t know what you wanted,” he explained. “You never said anything either.”

“Well, you’re the man!”

Minho raised an eyebrow. “Oh, we’re going there? The feminism just evaporates from your body the moment you’re faced with confrontation?”

“See, you get it.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m telling you now, okay? I want you. In all the ways you’re willing to let me have you.”

You swallowed hard, eyes burning. You didn’t want to start crying and you didn’t want Minho to see you crying so you kissed him again, with more urgency this time. You couldn’t think, hell, you couldn’t breathe, until he pulled away, leaving you wishing and hoping for more.

When your lips met for the third time, he pulled you under with him, just long enough to shock your senses. You gasped for air when you surfaced, pushing your wet hair out of your eyes.

“You’re not supposed to do that!” you scolded, sputtering as you shoved him. 

He stumbled backward onto the bench, falling seated again and pulling you on top of him. 

“You believe that bullshit?” he scoffed. 

“It’s not bullshit! It’s not good for you to put your head under the water in a hot tub!”

“I know people say that but why?”

“I... I don’t know why,” you admitted, “but I know you’re not supposed to.”

“See, you don’t even know!” You gave him a look. “Will you accept an ‘I’m sorry’ kiss?”

“That depends, are you actually sorry?”

He didn’t bother answering. Instead, he kissed you anyway, cradling the back of your head as he slipped his tongue past your lips. He tasted like s’mores and whiskey and chlorine, a combination so strange you couldn’t wrap your head around it. 

One of his arms dropped to your waist, wrapping around your body and pulling you closer until your chests were pressed together. You could feel him through his swim trunks, growing harder by the second. You were tempted to take him right there, but you were in public and having sex in a hot tub couldn’t be good either, right? That sounded like an infection waiting to happen.  

“Upstairs?” Minho asked breathlessly, lips only centimeters from yours. Not for the first time you wondered if he could read your mind. 

You nodded. “Yeah, upstairs.”

-

You dripped your way back to his room, shivering despite the thick towel wrapped around your shoulders. 

“Wanna hop in the shower?” Minho asked between kisses as he fumbled with the straps of your bikini. 

“Yeah, don’t want to get your bed all wet,” you replied. 

“That would happen whether or not we had just been in the pool,” he joked. 

“Hilarious.”

“Jesus, you’re freezing,” he hissed. “Let’s get these off of you, they’re so cold.”

“Is that the only reason you want them off?”

“I think we both know the answer to that.”

You knew Minho was expecting to have sex in the shower but you kind of wanted to fuck on the bed so you sucked his dick while he washed your hair and then took turns rinsing off before moving to his bed. You put your hair up in a towel to avoid the aforementioned wetness and wrapped yourself up in one of the hotel’s robes even though you knew it’d be coming right off. 

To your surprise, Minho left your robe on. He just undid the tie around your waist and let it fall open before shouldering himself between your legs. It was kind of like putting a towel down. He was killing two birds with one stone that way: protecting the sheets and keeping you warm. 

It didn’t take long for you to cum in his mouth. Minho knew your body like the back of his hand by now. It had taken him a fraction of the time it took your past lovers to learn what made you tick and he used all of that knowledge to his advantage. 

He kept going after you came the first time, eager to pull another from you, but you pulled him up by the hair to get his attention before he could get too into it. 

“Too much?” he asked. 

“Want you to fuck me,” you urged.

Thankfully, he was receptive to this and moved up so that he could position himself on top of you. He notched himself at your entrance and kissed you as he pushed himself inside, allowing you to taste yourself on his tongue before pulling away and wiping his face on your shoulder. 

“Ew!” you cried and tried to push him away. 

Minho looked offended. “What do you mean, ‘ew’? It’s you.”

“That doesn’t mean I want me all over what I’m wearing!” 

“Since when?” he joked. “Seems like it’s always all over what you’re wearing when you’re around me.”

“Can we please talk about something else?” you begged, suddenly embarrassed and grossed out at the same time. 

Minho laughed and pecked you on the cheek. “What would you rather talk about? The weather?”

You tightened around him as punishment, making him swear and bury his face in your neck. “Fucking hell, you succubus.”

You smiled politely and wrapped your arms around his neck to pull him closer. “Don’t people usually say that if she can talk at all, you’re doing it wrong?” 

He narrowed his eyes at you. “I was just taking it easy on you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, this was for your benefit,” he continued. “Didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

“How gracious of you.”

He clenched his jaw as he started fucking you faster, muttering sarcastically, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was boring you.”

Ironically, you couldn’t respond right away, too caught up in the feeling of how deep he was inside of you to get any words out. 

“I forgive you,” you choked out finally. 

Your hands fell to his biceps, desperate for something to hold on to. You dug your nails into his skin, making him hiss through his teeth. 

“Harder,” he urged. You squeezed harder and he gasped. “Fuck yes, keep doing that.”

“Like this?”

“Just like that, baby. That’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

lmk what you think i always appreciate feedback!!

[alfredosauce50]

Night at the Museum

[America x reader]

Rating: M Word count: 5, 887 Synopsis: You and Alfred decide to visit New York’s Museum of Natural History for old time’s sake. In a stroke of bad luck, you two get locked in overnight, unaware and unprepared for the dangers lurking within. It’s where history comes alive, and he ends up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a bloodthirsty warlord. The whole time, he’s also wrestling with his feelings for you, and he doesn’t know which is harder. Solipsism: knowledge of anything outside one’s own mind is unsure; the external world and other minds cannot be known and might not exist outside the mind.

“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” — Theodore Roosevelt

“Man, we haven’t been here since we were little kids,” Alfred took it all in as he made it inside, to where he was greeted by the skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex in an awe-inspiring pose. With its head bowed toward the entrance, he and other patrons were greeted by a set of razor-sharp teeth grinning down with a hunger for the ages. “I wonder if anything’s changed. Probably a lot.”

“A bunch of stuff, actually. But it looks like they did a huge revamp on all the wax figures,” You lifted your gaze from a brochure you collected from the front. The museum of natural history wasn’t half as impressive as the Smithsonian, but it had a special place in both of your hearts. “They’re meant to be super realistic now. You know, the whole ‘history comes alive’ pizazz.”

“Huh. Then what would be the difference between here and Madame Tussaud’s?” He glanced at you.

“The people here are worth remembering.”

“Good point.”

As local New Yorkers, it was tradition to come back every once in a while. Yellow cabs, subway crazies, and the best pizza in the world — there was no other city quite like the Big Apple, and you two decided to swing by during your semester break to reconnect with your roots. Needless to say, it was nice to get away from the upbeat chaos of life on campus.

“You think you’re gonna go to Arthur’s Christmas party?” He asked you, peering around the room of American history. There was a shining stagecoach pulled by four black horses, mannequins in confederate and union uniforms with their guns trained at each other, a giant moose, and eagles watching over everything else.

“Well, we kinda have to. Can you imagine how upset he’d be if we didn’t? He’d probably be heartbroken.”

“Yeah, but I get crazy diarrhea every time.” He scoffed, eyes wide as he recalled blowing up the toilet last year.

”You don’t have to remind me.” You shuddered.

“I know, I was just saying. I was thinking we could go somewhere fun,” Alfred gave you an expectant look as he tried to sell you on it. “We could go skating, or just watch a movie back at my place. What do you say?”

“Hm, I don’t know. I’m really craving his scones.”

“Seriously?” 

”But not as much as our time together,” You smiled, watching him light up. Taking his hand, you pulled him along and said this with a laugh. “I’d rather go to the dumpster with you than the Met. You’re my best friend.”

“Yeah.” He softened his gaze. You said that, but the way you held his hand said otherwise. Or was it because you two were that close? Either way, he was starting to go down the pipeline he swore that he wouldn’t.

”Are you okay?” You asked.

��Yeah, I’m fine.” He adjusted his glasses.

“Wanna kiss it better?” You swung his arm playfully.

Alfred glared at you as the only diversion from the fact that he was blushing. It was so like you to say things like that. You were attractive, and you knew it. With your sense of humor, it made for a dangerous game. But he’d been playing it for a while. He covered your entire face with his hand, then pushed you down to a nearby bench in one clean movement.

”Hey!” 

“Hey yourself.” Alfred walked off with his hands in his pockets, as cool as a cucumber.

This might’ve been all fun and games with you, but you weren’t the loneliest animal on the planet here. Not that it made his feelings for you any less real. He liked you, and not because you were an idea in his head.

You were real, every strange thought and neuron of your imagination. You could be as sharp as a tack when you wanted to be. He loved your mind and the way it worked, or at least when you weren’t tantalizing him.

“Remember when we were little we used to take baths together?” You sprung up out of the blue.

”Barely.” Alfred exhaled, wildly unprepared for what just came out of your mouth. But before he reacted any further, he reminded himself just who he was talking to. “That’s probably why we did it in the first place. Why?”

You were sleeping over that time, as you always did every Friday after your philosophy class. Your things were strewn all over his bedroom, like a half-eaten cup noodle, some snacks, and the clothes you brought over.

While he browsed the rest of the displays in the room, he let himself get immersed in that particular memory.

That was when you caught up with him again, even having the nerve to smile up at him with ‘hehe’ written all over your face. He glowered down at you, but really, he was just happy that you were by his side again.

You had a thirty second rebound before doing or saying the next pain in the ass thing, but he forgave you even faster than that. And it had been that way since horseshoe crabs were the only thing roaming the Earth.

”You think we could fit in the bathtub?”

“If you’re asking if I wanna take a bath with you, it’s an immediate no. We’re way too old for that.”

“You don’t have to be such a prude,” You mumbled, rolling your head away. “I was just wondering.”

“I’m not a prude.” He grumbled.

“And it’s not like I haven’t seen your dick before.”

“Yeah, when I was little!” 

“Can’t imagine it’s grown much since then.”

He glared at the ceiling, not wanting to give you the satisfaction of seeing how embarrassed he was.

As much as he’d like to pull his pants down to prove you wrong, he didn’t. Someone had to uphold a sense of decency around here, even if that person had to be him, the worst possible example of it, if he was one at all.

“If you’re done, I’m gonna go to sleep,” He sat up and twisted around to fluff up his pillow. You were starting to drift off by then, but he didn’t let you off so easily. “Don’t let me catch you peeking or I’ll molest you.”

“I wasn’t planning on it, geez.”

And to think he used to be such a cute kid, kicking his ball over your fence just so he could come over to play. You both grew up since then, and with that, came his awful sense of humor among other things.

But if you asked him, he learned from the best.

“You know the nicest people make the best Nazis?” You asked, walking by a glass display of three wax figures. Sakagawea, a young Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clarke on their expedition to the Pacific.

“Do they?” He narrowed his eyes in interest.

“Nice people look the other way and just wanna get along with everybody else.” You said, towing him along. “Have the whole country doing that, plus a heap of propaganda, you could get away with anything.”

“Well, if I was a German, I wouldn’t buy into it.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alfred frowned, genuinely offended. “I’m not a freakin’ racist.”

”Being scorned is your kryptonite,” You pointed out, getting him to roll his eyes. So he didn’t like to deviate from standards, and being a raving right-wing was one at the time. “And trust me when I say you would be.”

”That’s why the second amendment exists,” He smiled sagely with a hint of mischief. “If the government was to push some crazy agenda into us, the rednecks wouldn’t have it. We shape society to what we want.”

”What if the society you want isn’t the society someone else wants?” You asked, stopping in front of an exhibit of a male Algonquin warrior. “We all worship something. What’s normal to you might be crazy for someone else.”

”I guess you’re right,” He agreed, gazing upon the person who lived — and believed — in things drastically different than did. His brows came together as he marveled at the man who stood over him, a chief’s son who had been dead for well over a thousand years.

Allen was his name. He had striking scarlet eyes, dark maroon hair, tawny brown skin, and a toned body from a life of hunting and gathering. As he stared out into the middle distance, there was something uncanny about him, like he could come alive at any second, but didn’t.

“What do you think this guy worshipped?” Alfred murmured faintly, strangely captivated by him.

It was humbling to be in the presence of all of these historical figures, but intimidating to imagine them as people who existed. He was a history nut, and one thing he understood was how astonishingly cruel and violent the past could be. From the swashbuckling tales of the Wild West to the burning sands of Ancient Egypt, everything was best enjoyed from the comforts of his modern American home. Or in this case, a museum.

Where all of the exhibits were mere imitations of the long dead and gone, it would take no less than a miracle for any of them to come back to life. Little did he know, a miracle was exactly what he’d be in for tonight. 

You two poked around some more, eventually ending up in the Northern European section of the museum. Nothing really stood out to him besides the Vikings, who also caught the attention of the general public.

“This man was the greatest viking to have ever lived. Mathias Densen, the king of Danes,” A guide showed off a wax exhibit to a crowd of tourists. You and Alfred were among them, having taken the liberty to tune in.

Some took pictures, others whispered amongst themselves at the impressive lookalike made to imitate a legend out of the sagas. He had blonde hair swept up in the front in an unruly mane, and the bluest eyes you’ve ever seen. With his arm raised and axe in hand, he was frozen in time, suspended in a pose so natural, it looked like he’d bring it down at any given moment.

“He was the most feared warrior in all of Scandinavia. When he threw an axe at his enemy, he never missed. But all blood and gore aside, he will go down in history as one of the best leaders and explorers of all time.”

”Wouldn’t wanna get him angry, huh?” Alfred gave you a side-eye, returning his gaze to the information plate. That was when he saw a portrait of a woman who was supposedly the only one who could go toe-to-toe with his ruthlessness. “You know, she kinda looks like you.”

”Really?” You leaned over. “I don’t see it.”

”No way. You guys are like twins!” He exclaimed.

“Maybe just the eyes.”

“Maybe she’s your long-lost ancestor or something.”

After another hour of walking around and talking, you and Alfred left to get to the exit. It was approaching closing time, and you two were among the last to leave. A security guard stood near the revolving doors, bidding farewell to guests. But before he could acknowledge you two, Alfred stopped and patted around his shirt.

“Shit, I left my glasses.” He winced.

Neither of you two thought it would’ve been problem to go back and retrieve them at the time. Who would’ve thought they’d made the security so much tighter that it would end up the biggest mistake of your lives?

After sweeping room after room, he eventually found them on the ground next to a bench. Sliding them onto his nose, he picked up a brisk jog as he made his way back downstairs. But by then, it was too late.  

“Now let’s get out before we get locked in.”

”Don’t jinx us.” 

”Not gonna happen.” 

And he said that so confidently too. Because when he pushed at the revolving door, it didn’t budge. 

”What’s wrong?” You asked from behind. 

“Nothing, just give me a sec…” He rattled it a few more times, but to no avail. Then, he let out a heavy breath as he admitted the one thing he thought could never happen. “… Okay, I think we’re locked in.”

“You’re joking.” You blurted.

You brushed past him to give the door a strong shake, needing that same taste of defeat before believing it yourself. Sure enough, it was locked shut, and would likely stay locked all the way up til morning.

“Oh my God, we are. What are we gonna do?”

”Call the cops.” He suggested, pulling out his phone to dial 9-11. After a few tries, to which he stared at you tensely with it pressed up to his ear, he found that the call kept failing. “Annnnd the cops aren’t picking up.”

“Well, keep trying! Call Arthur or something.” 

For the next thirty minutes, you both paced around while trying to reach local government services, then friends or loved ones. It slowly became apparent that you two weren’t getting out anytime soon.

You weren’t the type to express it, let alone say it, but you were getting scared and uncomfortable.

So was he, but like hell he’d let it show. Not because he didn’t have the balls to admit it, but it was the last thing you needed right now. You weren’t looking at him, and he knew in an instant that you were on the verge.

“We’re not gonna make it out, are we?”

Alfred was crushed with so much guilt, he couldn’t even react when the lights dimmed, plunging the museum into a pitch-black darkness. His eyes stayed wide with remorse, even when he couldn’t see you anymore.

In that moment, he came over and hugged you as tight as he could, lips pursed in a deep frown. It wasn’t every day that he could hold you like this, but he set aside every shard of his shattered ego to do it.

Even if he had to do it in the dark.

There couldn’t be a better metaphor for his feelings. Alfred had always been too afraid to tell you how he felt, and if he did, he’d do it in a way that was hidden from plain sight. This was one of those times.

It was one thing to admit he was scared. It was another to say he was sorry. But telling you how much you truly meant to him was damn near impossible. So instead of doing any of the above, he let you sleep on him.

He had his back on a cold hard bench while you drifted away. There was no way he was getting any sleep tonight, but this was just his karma. So he stayed like that for the next few hours, to which you began to stir. 

“You good?” He asked in a soft murmur.

”Yeah,” You rubbed your eyes. “Just a little thirsty.”

”I’m pretty sure there’s a fountain outside.” He helped you up, putting on his glasses. “I’ll come with you.” 

”No, it’s fine.” You sighed, getting up to leave the room. 

”Hey,” Alfred softened his gaze, getting you to slow to a stop. He was so exhausted, all of his walls were coming down. And he couldn’t stand to bottle it up inside him any longer. “I’m sorry, okay? This was all my fault.”

”It’s okay. We can’t all be born perfect.” You cracked a smile, walking off. But the happy note only lasted so long once you got to the hallway outside. It was so dark, you could barely see the ground beneath you.

With nothing but the wall lamps to illuminate the empty halls, the institution turned into nothing but a graveyard: a dim labyrinth of the long dead and gone. And like all graveyards, there were ghosts.

The black outline of wax figures lined your peripherals, and you gazed at them nervously as you made your way to the fountain. After a few satisfying gulps, you began making your way back to the room. That was when you heard the echo of footsteps in the distance, too far away to have made sense at the time. Someone was at the end of the hall, and it couldn’t have been Alfred.

“Hello?” You called out to the source.

The shadow of a man appeared around the corner, the details of his wild, upswept hair showing up on the wall. When he revealed himself, he was covered head to toe in thick fur pelts and armor. Your eyes went wide ever so slowly, heart racing as you were struck with this realization. He was a spitting image of the viking you’d seen on display, but he wasn’t just an inanimate statue made of colored wax and glue. He was moving.

Breathing. 

He was alive.

Alfred waited patiently for you to come back, though he regretted letting you go out by yourself. It wasn’t like there was anything out there, but you must’ve been afraid under that bravado you showed him. If only he knew how wrong he’d been. As he sat on the bench, the museum slowly came to life. All of its waxy inhabitants, people gone for centuries, returned from the dead.

And the lights came back on, one by one.

The Viking’s chest heaved for the air that hadn’t filled his lungs in eons. And with eyes as blue as the oceans he sailed across, he stared at you like he had just seen a ghost. They had a light in them they never had before, a consciousness, a soul, and you stared right back. But the way he looked at you was like nothing you’d expect. There wasn’t a trace of hostility in his gaze, but something deeply emotional and coherent.

Not that any of that mattered to you.

You split, running from him as fast as you could and with more adrenaline than what you thought was humanly possible. But then again, what you witnessed was a testament to the impossible. The dead walked, and you were trapped in here with hundreds of them. Whipping your head over your shoulder, you let out a frightened cry when you saw him chasing you. 

Your screams echoed down the hall, and Alfred felt his blood go cold hearing them. But he forced himself to stand, and without a shred of hesitation, he ran outside to look for you. When you weren’t by the fountain, his heart sank to the pit of his stomach. And his face, now whiter than a sheet of paper. Where did you go?

“(F/N)!” He yelled, sprinting down the hall.

But more importantly, what was it that made you scream? Whatever it was, he knew he’d never forgive himself if something happened to you. The lights were now on, and he swore he could hear the tapping of what sounded like hundreds of footsteps. There was something around the corner, or someone, he just never would’ve anticipated it beyond his wildest imagination.

“Where are you?” Once be got around the turn, what he saw put a stopper to his thoughts, derailing them with the most fantastical thing he had ever seen. His eyes flew open, and his mouth went agape so he could let out a shaky breath. “What the hell is going on?”

Swathes of people dressed in cultural adornments and even objects were out and about, talking to each other in languages he couldn’t even begin to decipher. Inuits, African tribesmen, and Edwardian socialites walked along the halls like time had just shattered upon itself. Marble sculptures, copper statues, and other pieces of art were moving about like they weren’t made of some kind of rock. There was even a Terracotta soldier, who was accompanied by a Chinese dragon made entirely out of green jade. Elephants, rhinos, and giraffes passed by in a strangely calm fashion like this wasn’t their first rodeo in the museum. Everyone did, except for him. 

“No way.” He whispered, glancing left to right as he picked up a jog. If he wasn’t wrong, everything in the museum had come to life. Was he dreaming? He had to be. In his dazed stupor, he ran into a medieval knight. There was a loud clank, and he would’ve winced from how much it hurt if it weren’t for being spoken to. 

“Excuse me. Watch where you’re going!” 

“Sorry!” He blurted. “I’m so sorry.”

”That’s alright! But you look a bit pale there, kid. What seems to be the problem?” The knight questioned, still wearing his helmet and hiding his face. Aside from his silver armor, he wore pure white garments with a blood red cross — the signature outfit of a crusader knight.

“Oh, um, where do I start?” Alfred panted, speaking in a frazzled manner. Funnily enough, this was the straightest he’d been thinking now that someone was talking to him. “Oh, I know! How the hell is everyone and everything in this museum alive right now?”

“I’d normally have a better answer, but I’ve never read anything like this in the Bible,” The other scratched their head through their helmet inquisitively. “Maybe I missed a chapter. But honestly, I’m just as lost as you are.”

“I’m sorry, what?” 

“The Bible. The word of God. Haven’t you heard of it?”

”I know what the Bible is!” Alfred raised his voice into a frustrated hiss, but he instantly felt bad for it. “Sorry. I’m talking to a monk, here. I should be more respectful. But never mind that. I’m looking for my friend. I’m worried something happened to her.”

”I could help you look for her!” 

“That would be great, thank you.” 

”I’m Gilbert. Proud Templar Knight and brother from the Temple of Solomon.” They took off their helmet and held it against their hip, revealing a head of white hair and ruby-red eyes. Then, they outstretched a gloved hand for him with a toothy grin. “Pleasure to meet you.” 

“Nice to meet you too. I’m Alfred, uh, son of Arthur, and student hailing from New York,” Alfred improvised awkwardly, giving it a slow, disoriented shake. “Wow. I can’t believe I’m talking to a Crusader knight right now.”

“So where did you last see your friend?” Gilbert asked.

Mathias carried you all the way to the other side of the museum, and you thrashed the whole time, begging him to let you go. When he finally put you down, he kept a firm grip on your hand. You were greeted by other Vikings, and just when you thought you’d be sacrificed like a goat, they broke out in wide smiles.

Besides them speaking in old Norse to you, which you had no way of comprehending, they were more than pleasant to you, even offering you some plastic food, which you politely declined. From the way they acted around you, it was like being with an old friend.

It became clear that they had no intention of harming you, but why they brought you here was still a mystery.

”I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you guys are saying,” You interrupted meekly, darting your nervous eyes between them. They stared at you with blank faces before exchanging confused looks with each other. “Could you please let me go? I don’t want any trouble.”

“Where did you run off to? I haven’t seen you all week. I was worried something happened to you,” Mathias spun you to him, hugging you tightly before putting his hands all over you. “You’re speaking in tongues and acting very strange! We need to get you a doctor.”

”I didn’t understand that either.” You sighed.

”It’s worse than I thought. Somebody get Olaf,” The Dane ordered, summoning another Viking to come over. They took your arm and led you off, much to your dismay. “Look after her for me, friend. In the meantime, I have a man to hunt. He’s the one responsible for this.”

”Hey, wait! Where are you taking me?” You exclaimed, glancing back at Mathias as he left. In that precise moment, your best friend’s words replayed in your mind like a tape. You looked just like his wife, and so much that it had the actual guy fooled. “Oh no. Alfred!” 

It didn’t take a linguist to know that he was in trouble, but there was nothing you could do. Your companions kept you inside their make-shift hut, treating you as one of their own. They laid you down and spoke to you very slowly, so they must’ve thought you had a concussion. Either way, they weren’t letting you out of their sight.

You just hoped Alfred brushed up on his history, because he’d be needing it tonight.

”Where the hell could she be?” Alfred walked with his newest companion. “We checked everywhere!” 

”Actually, we still haven’t checked Northern Europe.” Gilbert corrected, getting the blonde to turn in the direction of said location. But he launched a hand out and grabbed him, pulling him back. “Don’t. It’s suicide.”

”Why?” He frowned.

”It’s occupied by Norse Pagans.” The albino warned, pulling him close for a tantalizing whisper. He glanced around before he continued, almost as if speaking of them would summon them like the devil himself.

”Norse Pagans? You mean Vikings?”

“They came here last week, and it’s been Hell ever since.” Gilbert took his collar as he whispered in a panicked hush. “We sent a missionary up there once, and he came back to us completely dismembered!”

“Oh, fuck.” Alfred dug his hands through his hair, now a nervous wreck as he envisioned the thought. But what made his stomach really churn was the unshakeable thought that it was probably where you were.

For that, he was surprised he hadn’t vomited already. And he almost did when Gilbert went off on a passionate spiel of the Scandinavian heathens and everything they’d done. That was when one appeared at the end of the hall, and it wasn’t just any Scandinavian heathen.

”I mean, he’s okay now, but it was really disturbing.” The other made a face of unease as he recalled the sight. It wasn’t something a person was meant to see in their lifetime, but at least he was in a more dubious position now. “I don’t think they care for God.”

“Dude.”

”What?”

”That’s the Viking I saw earlier today.” Alfred whispered, locking eyes with Mathias who stood no more than three hundred feet away from him. In the next three seconds, the Dane broke into a sprint, charging at him at a terrifying speed like a mad bull. He let out a wheeze, likely the sound of his soul escaping his body. “Aaaand he’s running at us. Well, this has been a good life.”

”God hasn’t forsaken us yet!” Gilbert unsheathed a gleaming longsword, swinging it in impressive circles.  

Mathias launched an axe at him, and it spun through the air so fast, it passed as nothing but a white flash.

It cut Gilbert’s head clean off, getting it to land on the ground with a thump. There was no blood or flesh, just a cross-section of wax where he was decapitated. While he had his face planted on the floor, he said this in a muffled voice. “So that’s what that feels like.” 

But Alfred had already fled by then.

He never stuck around to see his friend lose his dignity, much less his own. He whimpered a little as he pumped his legs as fast as he could. He was running on so much adrenaline, his bloodstream may as well have been battery acid. But not everybody could outrun a Viking, and he would’ve eaten it if it weren’t for the arm that shot out from the side, pulling him into a room.

When he turned to the stranger who’d saved him, he recognized him to be the native Algonquin warrior he’d seen earlier that day. Only this time, he was perfectly canny and had an unrivaled sharpness that would end up ensuring his survival. While Mathias ran by outside with his pelts and armor clinking away, Allen put a finger up to his mouth to get him to stay deathly still.

But above all else, quiet.

There they crouched, hidden from plain sight like the watchful forces of nature. In the most tense ten seconds of their lives, they stared at each other, cerulean and scarlet eyes as wide as they could get them. For a moment, Alfred forgot he was being chased, deeply enchanted by the person in front of him. He was quite literally gazing back into history, a thousand years into the past to be precise. But once the coast was clear, he went back to hyperventilating. He was still in shock from everything that just happened, and the first thing he let out was an excited, albeit exasperated gasp. 

“Oh my God. You just saved my life. Thank you!” 

”Don’t mention it.” Allen took his bow off so he could arm himself with it. Then, he peered outside the door, making sure there weren’t any Vikings in the area. Turning back to the blonde, he pulled an arrow from his quiver without breaking eye contact. “I’ve been tracking that guy for days, and this is the craziest I’ve ever seen him. You have any idea why he would be after you?”

“How should I know? I don’t know the guy personally!” Alfred exclaimed, following him out into the hall. 

“You must’ve done something to piss him off.”

”But I didn’t do anything!” 

“Then he wouldn’t waste his time chasing you when he’d rather search for his girlfriend.” Allen remarked. “One of my pals can speak his language, and he says he’s been looking for her ever since he got here.”

“Fuck, that’s it. Why didn’t I think of it before?”

They ran to the elevator, to which he pressed the button for the basement. It had always been on the tip of his tongue, but the whirlwind of a night left his head more scrambled than he thought. And now that he had it all pieced together, he came up with a plan to save you.

“I came here with my friend, and she looks exactly like his wife. He must’ve seen us together. But it’s okay, I have an idea. They must have extra wax figures in storage, right? If she’s as important as they say, they must have her tucked away down here somewhere.”

“Okay, so we do a trade-off.”

”Exactly.”

”Smart.” Allen pursed his lips, thoroughly impressed.

The doors slid open and thus, they began their search, sweeping the entire basement for the reason why the museum had turned into a war zone. After an hour or so, Alfred heard someone banging away and calling for help from inside a tall wooden crate. A woman, and she sounded just like you. He and Allen walked up to it, then cracked it open like a treasure chest. Lo and behold, it was your doppelgänger, but dressed in the height of fashion from what was a thousand years ago.

“I think we found our girl.” He murmured in awe.

The three of you got back to the elevator. It was a given that the you from the Viking age was a little hesitant to get into such a tight box, but Allen had a way with body language. He made a few gestures to let you know where he was taking you. What more was that these two men had just broken you out of an even tighter box, so you had no reason not to trust them. 

“You know, I meant to ask, but doesn’t it bother you that there is a living, breathing, homicidal axe-wielding maniac running around the museum every night?” Alfred asked, feeling strangely calm now that he sensed that the night’s excitement was coming to an end. 

“We’re not alive the way you’re alive,” Allen told him. That was right. As magical as it was to have the museum come to life, it wasn’t real. History had done its course. He spoke with power and humility as he confronted that fact, and for that, he seemed to be at peace. “We’ve had our shot. But you still have yours.”

“I have the craziest chills right now.”

”But also because we’re made of wax.”

“Okay, that makes more sense.” Alfred laughed a little, turning to him. ”So how come you speak English?”

”I’ve been on display here for years,” Allen grinned, walking out now that the elevator doors opened. They returned to the bustling halls of the Museum of Natural History, where history had really come to life that night. “New York is my home. Always has been.”

”Explains the accent.” 

It didn’t take long to track down Mathias again, and when he finally laid eyes on the one he’d been searching for, he turned into an entirely different person. His anger, terror, and everything that made him a legend, had all but melted into a deep emotional coherence.

He was nothing but a man now. A man with his own joys and sorrows like everybody else.

He dropped his ax and ran up to his long-lost love, picking her up and embracing her after what felt like an eternity. He finally found her again after a thousand years, and the scene was quite profound to behold.

But if you asked Alfred, it wasn’t as touching as his reunion with you. He found you in the hall of Northern Europe, holed up in a tent and rubbing your eyes. They were red from crying, and the way you looked at him was something he’d burn in his mind forever. And the way you hugged him, a feeling he’d never get tired of.

”I knew you’d come.” You squeezed him.

“Of course I came,” He squeezed you back, burying his face into the crooked of your neck. “But maybe it’s time that I switch out my glasses for some contact lenses. Don’t wanna keep losing them like I did tonight.”

“No way!” You gushed. “I like the way you look now.”

”Yeah?” He smiled rosily. From that outburst alone, he knew you’d forgiven him for everything that happened. But from the sound of things, you had a much easier time than he did. On the way home, he enthused you on the people he met and his close brushes with death. 

“You ever hear of a term called solipsism?” You asked. 

“Doesn’t ring a bell.” He shook his head.

“It’s the concept that everything around you doesn’t exist and is made up by your own mind,” You explained, stopping him in the middle of the street. It was dawn by then, and the rising sun cast a golden glow over your tender smile. “But if everything around me is just my imagination, you’re the best thing I’ve come up with.”

His eyes went wide, shocked by how sweet you just were. Just like that, everything he ever pined away for didn’t matter anymore. He was worth more to you than an adventure of a lifetime because he was that adventure. But at the same time, Alfred fell even harder for you, and it showed in the way his gaze softened. 

”Right back at you, sport.” 

[wylanzahn]

New-ish post, kinda posting this on different platforms and getting a general vibe check for some ideas I have. But basically this Halloween I want to actually do something for the TTRPG and Actualplay world (oh yeah I’m into those kinds of things). I want to try and get both players, GMs, and casual viewers alike something fun to look forward to this especially spooky season. I’ll probably talk a little more when we get closer to the actual season of scare-giving but just know that if you’re interested I’m still looking for people to join in!!

As my team and I’d first debut we’re going to try and do a two to four session actual play, which will probably be released in the weeks leading up to Halloween. We’ve had a couple good friend way in on the matter of “setting” but now I come to you fine folk. Mind you this is a horror campaign/arc so if…

Isn’t your thing, keep on a moving.

But without further ado here are a couple of the possible settings for our players, and myself, this coming espookee season…

1.) Somewhere off the coast of Florida, 1926 end of the first major housing boom in the state, a small island which calls back to the Spanish Empire, is Isla Boñyela, a small port made tourist location during the boom of disposable wealth in 1920s America. A small group of friends from the northeast tag along down for the perfect paradise vacation. Only to discover the island is much much older than anyone could have ever assumed. Whilst dealing with upstart gangsters, unnerving US soldiers, and the terrified locals they find something older than even undead conquistadors.

While I don’t have a working title, this is an old project in the running which I’ve had a few attempts at revamping over time. Its previous title was “perfect paradise vacation,” and runs on the Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition game. Anywho it’s a blast of fun with Caribbean lore, tone of anti-imperialism, and something dark lurking beneath the waves.

2.) 1950’s America, the nonexistent state of Mid-Atlantia (DMV coded) in a small suburban neighborhood where nothing goes wrong… it’s almost “All-Hallows-Eve” and little Johnny and Susie want nothing more than to trick or treat this year with all the big kids, Dad’s finally getting the big promotion at work, and Mom just got a new waffle iron! Sure everything is neat here in America. Heck you just got new neighbors! Newlyweds in fact from somewhere big and fancy, they sure aren’t like any of us in our simple town. But… and you can’t say exactly why but things are different. Or perhaps they’re all too the same? Everyday a repeat of ever other bland day that followed you over and over and over and over… and you could swear, while no one may listen to you there’s someone out there. Stalking you from outside your own home- or- perhaps, he’s just your friendly new neighbor welcoming you… to the end.

Ahhhhhh! I’ve also been working on this one for a sec and god writing it out does excite me. This is also a Call of Cthulhu game but modified/homebrewed to have a uniquely 1950s horror feel. This is definitely one of the more unique games I’ve written and am truly interested in seeing where it goes (even if we don’t choose it). This is for those who feel like isolation, fear of the unknown, fear from within, and liminal space horror comes best into play! So whadya say neighbor?

3.) The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend, or How I Learned to Love Strahd, okay so this one is a lot less horror-y and falls much more under the comedic spooky category, just so yall know. Deep in the middle of Barovia, the ancient kingdom of Vampires, meets a council of Count Strahd von Zarovich's greatest commanders and lieutenants to hunt down Strahd's greatest enemy Rudolph van Richten and his party of heroes known as "The Grape-Smashers." Strahd's lieutenants have been gifted powers greater than any mere mortals, but are these gifts enough to stop Van Richten, or even enough to stop the personal ambitions of each other? Come find out in "How I Learned to Love Strahd."

Okay, as much as this may seem like a joke suggestion it cracks me up and I feel like it would be ill-advised of me to not at least mention it. In an era where "The Curse of Strahd," is well-overdone at this point, it's worth a take from an all evil "revenge story." Obviously this will be in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, which, in my opinion, is really hard to use for horror, but this is a nice go-around. Come for the evil PCs, maybe a PvP battle or two, and a game of intrigue in the shadows of Barovia! All that and a buff Van Richten.

4.) Before Annapolis was ever called such it was known as Providence, a settlement of exiled Puritans in the Province of Maryland, but these early days were no easy set-up for the far-flung protestants... in the mid 1600s the English Civil War spilled out into their holdings across the waves as brother turned on brother, clan erasing clan, and something from the shores of the Old World would arrive in the New. When around every corner could be someone you've known your whole life, what's stopping them from hunting you in the depths of winter. All matters made worse when rumors of a witch begins circulating your small home.

Think "The VVitch" (2015) meets "A Field in England" (2013) meets Atun Shei's recent film "The Sudsbury Devil" (2023). It is the unexplored wilderness of early colonial Maryland, but the hateful warmongering that slowly builds that makes the horror and tension so clear. Unsure of what system we'll be using, but maybe the new Regency Cthulhu system.

5.) The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 destroyed some 140 Acres of Baltimore proper... and in it's rubble awakened something far worse. But you and your fellow survivors are just trying to get by in the aftermath of the fire... only for something to call out, whether some strange magicks or perhaps just a sickness... but sickness doesn't even linger like this... it doesn't call to you...

Some more local history, aspiring from the actual Fire of 1904 things quickly devolve from there as rumors of a cult begin to spread along the streets of Rosland Park... a mysterious illness leaving even more dead... and the death of an eclectic professor. Definitely using the Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition for this one.

Aaaaaaaand that's it! Let me know what y'all think!

[hibiscus-misery-pills]

“Time for yourself.”

[Gender] — Female! Reader

[Warning] — Anxiety (Mild), depression (Slight), nothing much the rest is fluff.

[Synopsis] — Reader takes time for their self since the staff refuse to let reader bed rot, and they bring along their feline friend who knows how to cheer reader up.

[Word Count] —

[Author Note] — This idea is based off the outfits I see on Pinterest, also the outfits pics aren’t mines, unfortunately I don’t know the actual person who put the fit together so shout out to them. But I’m doing my face routine and I also like makeup so, I’m throwing these ideas in one plot, also if you want a male version just let me know in the comments, enjoy the story! (Also this is Imposter AU)

[P.S] — This is the outfit that inspired me to write this fic.

♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

It was another day in Twisted Wonderland, and you had decided to stay in bed, just lounging with Grim snuggled by your side. The ceiling fan spun lazily overhead. However, some of the staff members, particularly Crewel and Trein, disapproved of your plan to do nothing all day. Their disapproval was clear when you heard their familiar footsteps approaching your room.

The door swung open gently with a knock, and Crewel and Trein entered. You weren’t sure how they managed to convince you to get up, but before you knew it, you were on your feet. Trein informed you, "We’ll swing by and pick you up around 5," before they left. Despite being thrust into this unfamiliar world, it wasn’t entirely unkind. Remarkably, your bookbag had arrived with you and functioned as a portal for transporting things from your world. Ramshackle had been revamped by Crowley, and while it felt more homely, it still wasn’t quite comforting. The beige wallpaper with its floral design was calming, though, and the white vanity, along with wardrobes and closets from Crewel, added a touch of familiarity.

Your belongings had made the transition as well, including your electronics. They now had infinite battery life but couldn’t connect to social media or make calls. Sitting at your vanity, you decided to do your makeup, playing your favorite music through your tablet. The window’s semi-circle area was large enough to accommodate both your vanity and desk. From your vanity, you faced the front of Ramshackle, which was visible through the semi-transparent curtains. As you dusted off baking powder with a brush, you noticed someone approaching Ramshackle through the curtains. You leaned in to get a better look and saw Vil. He appeared to be in a daze, looking up at the building.

Panicking, you hid behind the vanity mirror, grateful for its size that concealed you. Vil seemed to be assessing Ramshackle before leaving a letter and gifts in the mailbox. Your heart raced as you watched him leave slowly, taking his time. As soon as he was gone, you released a sigh of relief, tears welling up in your eyes. After finishing your makeup, you dressed in your prepped outfit and matching shoes, then added a scarf for Grim to match your look. With the scarf tied around Grim’s collar, you finished your preparations and spritzed on some perfume. Just as you were about to head out, Crewel pulled up in his sports car.

As you walked out, you noticed Leona standing nearby. You hurried into the car, jumping into the passenger seat, while Leona looked on in surprise through the rearview mirror. The rest of the day passed quickly as you spent time with Crewel and Trein. They treated you warmly and spoiled you and Grim, acknowledging the trouble their students had caused. You decided to explore a small part of town with Grim, sticking close and not straying too far.

With the allowance provided by Crowley and additional funds from Crewel, you were able to buy a few special items. Among your purchases was a limited-edition jewelry set featuring a beautiful silver chain adorned with deep blue sapphires. You also bought a matching silver satin collar with a sapphire for Grim. When you returned to Ramshackle, Crewel commented on how you seemed to enjoy your time to yourself. You couldn’t help but smile, reflecting on how peaceful and content the shopping experience had made you feel.As you lay back on your bed with your new items and purse, you felt a sense of happiness and contentment. Maybe the staffs was right—you needed to take more time for yourself.

♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

[Author Note] — Goddamn it, I write too much, why am Im writing like i’m writing for my teachers.😭

[whimsylueur]

SPOILERS FOR SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT (EVERY BOOK)

Since I have caught up with the entire series thus far I would like to provide some commentary in the form of incorrect quotes.

Skulduggery Pleasant Books 1-16, basically:

SP 1- Sceptre of the Ancients

Skulduggery:

Stephanie: You son of a bitch, I’m in

SP 2- Playing with Fire

Skulduggery to Derek: I’ve seen enough, give her Billy-Ray Sanguine.

SP 3- The Faceless Ones

Solomon to Valkyrie: I may have an idea to help you get Skulduggery back, all I want-

Valkyrie, already shaking his hand: Anything.

SP 4- Dark Days

Valkyrie, holding Skulduggery’s skull towards him: Need head?

(🚨🚨THIS IS A JOKE🚨🚨)

SP 5- Mortal Coil

Skulduggery, after Valkyrie spills the beans about Darquesse: (Quietly) Look at us, just two murderous peas in a pod.

Valkyrie: What was that?

Skulduggery: Huh?

SP 6- Death Bringer

Skulduggery to Lord Vile about Darquesse: Oh deuce, the silly goose is loose

SP 7- Kingdom of the Wicked

Kitana to Valkyrie: 6 feet of dirt would look good on you <3

SP 8- Last stand of Dead Men

Billy-Ray to Ghastly about Tanith: If she’s your girlfriend, why is she playing with my mullet?

SP 9- The Dying of the Light

Valkyrie to Skulduggery: I literally love you, you’re everything to me. Don’t do this

Skulduggery, after the most devious prank of the decade: Oh cheer up

SP 10- Resurrection

Valkyrie: It’s so over bros

SP 11- Midnight

Valkyrie: The dog in me has been euthanised

SP 12- Bedlam

Valkyrie: My favourite thing about me is my girlfriend

SP 13- Seasons of War

Valkyrie: WE ARE SO FUCKING BACK

SP 14- Dead or Alive

Valkyrie: Uh

Cadaver, hugging her tightly: Shhhh, I need this

SP 15- Until the End

Darquesse: Today, I’m a serious goose. (Revamps the entire fucking universe)

SP 16- A Mind Full of Murder

Skulduggery to Valkyrie: You mean the world to me. I love you, you make me strong.

Valkyrie: Cornyyyyy

[oskea93]

Keep it to Yourself (1)

✶ Douglas Booth!Nikki Sixx x OC ✶

Warning: This story will contain scenes of drug/alcohol use, sexual content, mentions of death, overdose, physical and emotional abuse. Please read at your own risk. I do not own rights to Motley Crue or any other famous person mentioned. Portions of this story will be pulled from Motley's book and film The Dirt as well as The Heroin Diaries. There will be parts that are complete fiction as well.

Taglist: @fancywasmyname1, @kaitieskidmore1, @xxisxxisxxis, @sparxx27,  @cruecifymesixx, @tempt-ress, @a-sia-san, @x-xinenas, @casualcomputerarbiter-blog​, @makaelahdelvalle

Author's note: Hello everybody! It's been a while since I thought about this story but now I want to bring it back to life. I think I rewatched The Dirt about 20 times in the past couple of days (Thanks snowstorm!) and i've been thinking about this story and all the other amazing Crue stories that are on Tumblr. So, with that being said - I have decided to rewrite Keep it to Yourself. I went back and read the original version and I want to revamp it in a way. I've changed a couple things and I hope to make it better than before. If you were tagged in the original version, I went ahead and just tagged you for this new update. If you would like to be removed, just let me know and I will take you off. If you aren't a part of the taglist and would like to be, just let me know and I will get you added. I hope you enjoy the new and improved Keep it to Yourself!

“Bryant –“ He paused. “I know I’m probably the last voice you wanna hear on your answering machine, but I desperately need your help right now.” A breathy sigh blew through the speaker. “I’m at my wits end and I have no idea what to do with him.”

I stared at the device – my hand curled against my mouth as his words flowed through my living room. “The drugs are constant – he’s high 24/7 – Half the time I don’t even know if he’s alive or dead when I get into his room. It’s not just him – they’re all fucked – but he’s the only one with one foot in the casket.”

How he got my number remained a mystery. They made him millions of dollars – more money than the man could even count – yet he was calling me about his issue. From the beginning, I told him that it would only get worse. The guy had issues way before he formed Motley – way before the money and fame came into the picture. Sure - he dabbled in drugs before hitting peak stardom, but the money was there, and he was a kid in a candy store.

“I know the two of you ended on such a sour note, but I feel like you’re the only one that can truly help him get out of this fucking mess. He needs you – I – we all need you, Bryant.” He went on to leave the number to the hotel they were staying at for the night. Begging one last time for my help. I must’ve played the damn message 10 times – each time making my anger rise. Doc was the one who let it get to this point – he fueled the fire when it should’ve been sprayed out years ago. He pushed the drugs in their direction – Nikki was always a step ahead though. He attracted the slime that had the harder, faster drugs. The drugs that would make him feel nothing when in reality his whole fucking world was crumbling down…

I continued to move the spoon around the cup, the sugar long dissolved by now. I was so lost in my own thought – Doc’s words swirling around in my brain.

“You’re thinking about going, aren’t you?” The brunette in front of me asked. “I know that look and that look tells me that you’re giving in.”

Hannah Hastings was the first person I met when I moved to South Carolina. She was an event planner – a free spirit in a Dynasty like world. She would spend hours on my couch, a bottle of wine being shared, as I spilled my entire life story into her lap. She knew all about my history with Nikki – how we met – our marriage – and the demise of our relationship.

I let out a sigh, “I don’t wanna go but something’s telling me that if I don’t –“ I paused. “If I don’t go, he’s gonna end up dead and then I’ll be blaming myself. At least if I go and say I tried and I don’t succeed, I won’t beat myself up if something does happen to him. Like – It’s not even a matter of if – it’s a matter of when.”  

“He was such an asshole though, Bryant. The man was toxic to you-“She reached across the table taking my hand in hers. “I don’t want to see you get hurt or worse. You know how drug addicts are – he could get violent and not even realize it until it’s too late.”

During the three years we were together, he never laid a hand on me. I was the one who had the heavy touch. Sure, we had awful arguments that pushed me to the point of slapping and pushing him away, but he always stormed off before touching me. The drugs at the time weren’t as hardcore as they are now though. I could walk in his house and come back out with a bullet hole this time. Hannah was right – drugs fucked with people’s brain – I’m sure Nikki was already there.

“Are you gonna tell Wyatt?”

I slumped back in my seat at the thought of telling my Uncle Wyatt. To say he hated Nikki would be an understatement. He warned me from the beginning that Nikki Sixx would be nothing but trouble, but I didn’t listen. He was used to guys like Nikki – being a kid from the wrong side of the tracks himself. He made a promise that he would do everything he could to protect me from men like Nikki. We only had each other and when Nikki came into the picture, the worst type of thoughts ran through his head. He knew what guys like Nikki did to girls like me – innocent until proven insane. It happened to my mother – her infatuation sending her straight to the grave.

“I figured I would just call him when I got to California-“Her eyes growing large. “You know so he can’t talk me out of it or worse come and get me.”

She shook her head in disbelief, “You know I love you and I’ll support you in any way –“I felt a “but” coming along. “But –“She smiled. “This is one decision I’m very wary about, Bryant.”

I felt the same way. I had multiple scenarios playing like film reels over and over in my head. Some pretty good while others resembled horror movies. Even I knew that Nikki’s reaction to seeing me would not be a good one. He broke my heart, and I broke his even worse. Besides the band, I was his only true constant. He barely had any family – his grandparents living states away – not even aware of their grandson’s antics. Sure, the art of touring and going to different states brought about groupies and so-called friends but he didn’t have anyone to call or return home to. I was that person for him.

“You and me both, sister…”

I waited for the line to connect – the operator being nice enough to connect me straight to his room. Doc and I didn’t really have a relationship. He was Motley’s manager and at the time I was just a wife. I was glad the guys had him at first – their success was growing like a wildfire but that was because of their drive for stardom – Doc was just there lending a helping hand. He was extremely pissed when I ended things with Nikki. His own mouth spewing curse words my way once Nikki was served with divorce papers.

It makes the band look bad when a member gets divorced.

Nikki refuses to get out of bed and it’s all your fucking fault.

Girls all over the world would stay with Nikki no matter what – cheating, drugs – Learn to turn a blind eye.

“Hello?” I sat straighter as Doc’s voice sounded – my thoughts suddenly escaping me. “Hello?”

“It’s me.” My voice cracking. “I – uh – I got your message.”

“Oh, thank God, Bryant.” He sounded relieved. “I was worried that I would miss your call –“He paused. “Or if you would even call at all.”

I stayed silent – not really up for conversation.

“Listen, I know this is a bit of a tall ask, but I really do need your help. Nikki – hell all the guys for that matter – are ticking fucking time bombs. Nikki’s clock is etching closer to midnight ever second the fucker breaths – and I pray every night that he’s still doing so. He’s high ever second of every day. He shoots up when he wakes and right before he passes out for the night. I have no idea what he’s even taking anymore. Shooting up, snorting, smoking – he’s the walking picture of Nancy Reagan’s campaign.”

My grip on the phone tightened as he spoke – realizing that he was more far gone than thought.

“I need you to come out here and help us deal with him. I think Doug and Fred can deal with the other three, but we can’t get through to Nikki. Fuck, it’s not even Nikki anymore that we’re dealing with. He’s so mean and terrible to be around. His moods go from zero to sixty – it’s even worse when he’s coming down. Poor Tommy’s getting married, and I can’t even imagine Nikki standing up there with him when he’s high off his ass. You’re the only one that I think can get through to him – he still loves you, Bryant.”

He still loves you, Bryant.

Maybe the old version of Nikki was still in love, but I can assure you the drugged-up version was only in love with his high. That was Doc’s way of trying to lure me in – telling me that Nikki still loved and cared about me. I still loved and cared for the guy too – the Nikki I met at a 7-Eleven almost 6 years ago. Pre-Motley Crue – before the fame, drugs, egos, and women.

“I’ll pay for your ticket out here and everything if you agree, Bryant.” He stressed. “I’m desperate – he’s gonna die if we don’t do something.”

I let out a sigh, closing my eyes, asking myself if I really wanted to do this. It was a constant battle with my head and my heart. My brain was yelling at me to tell Doc to fuck off, but my heart couldn’t deal with the thought of Nikki no longer being here. “You think seeing me will snap him out of this spiral?”

“I think seeing you will probably piss him off more but at least I know you’ll be there and have the chance to stop him.”

My brows furrowed at his comment, “You’re making it sound like I’m gonna be with him at all times?”

His silence confirming my question. “You can’t expect me to stay in the same house, hotel room, or wherever with Nikki –“

“That’s exactly what you’re going to do, Bryant.” He cut me off. “I need that man to have constant surveillance – can’t put a bodyguard in there with him. He needs to have someone that he’s familiar with – someone that’s gonna remain sober and not give into his advances.”

“Then why don’t you stay with him then?” My attitude starting to come out.

“I’d end up killing him and then all of this would be for nothing.”

I shook my head as I pulled the phone away from my ear. I could hear Doc’s voice as he continued to talk. “Listen-“ I spoke up, cutting his sentence off. “I will come out there but I’m only there for a week. Once that week is up, whether he’s getting help or not, I’m going back home.”

“That’s not gonna work, Bryant.” He huffed. “He gets more fucked up when he’s out on the road than he does at home. These fuckers waiting in back alleys and backstage – knowing that he’s looking to score – that’s where I need you the most.

I’d been on tour with Motley when they were first getting their feet wet. I watched as they performed their first gig at the Starwood and then when they were opening for bigger acts like Ozzy. Going on tour with four men – the four Motley men was not for the faint of heart. I saw more body parts than I cared to see. Drugs, alcohol, and women were being pushed in their direction – more so as their popularity grew than before. Nikki and I shared a bunk and even that got old after a while. Living with four men for months on end would cause any woman to eventually lose it. Nikki and I were constantly fighting. Hell, I was fighting with everyone, even Mick at times. This was their dream, and it was my absolute living hell.

“I don’t th-“

“What do I need to do so you will say yes? Walk on water – swallow arsenic? Please, Bryant. I have never been so desperate in all of my life.” His voice wavering. “You were in love with this man at one point – I believe you may still love him. Just remember the reason why you fell in love with Nikki and do it for that reason."

[child0feden]

Are you liking the game so far? How it’s that?

୨୧ oh my goshhh, liking it is a huge understatement! i am absolutely loving it… let me ramble, let me ramble! i’m much better at rambling in person, through talking, but this will have to do

listen, when the remake was first announced, i really tried to be hesitant to get hyped for it because obviously so many people tell you to be wary of remakes blah blah blah… but my excitement for it always overtook me! i’ve played all of the silent hill games, i own every single one except for book of memories! i’ve been a fan of the franchise for so so so long and as i stated in an earlier post, the original silent hill 2 was the game that really changed my perspective of what games could be, the stories games could tell… so when the remake was announced? and the trailers began releasing? i was just always beyond excited! i remember literally crying from sheer joy when it was first announced and shown in the silent hill transmission…

i saw the hatred towards bloober team too and i never understood that at all! i do not think they’re a terrible developer, definitely not… there could’ve been way worse people to develop a silent hill 2 remake! i think a lot of the hate they received was just people jumping on a bandwagon of hate and most people likely haven’t played more than one game developed by bloober team… i actually thought their game the medium was incredible and took some very clear inspiration from the silent hill franchise

now that the remake is out though, yes, i am just completely obsessed with it and i am so fucking glad to see bloober team prove so many people wrong! i am so happy to see my favourite game, the game that means so much to me, get treated with so much obvious love and care… it is a remake so obviously made by real fans of the original game, so obviously made by people who know what made the original game so great!

the voice acting is just amazing in my opinion! i would actually say the voice acting in the remake is better than it is in the original, especially the voice acting for angela! urgh, her voice is just so heartbreaking… there is so much emotion in her voice but also so little… and maria! oh maria, i absolutely adore her in the remake! i’ve always adored maria as a character but even more so now… at first i was not a huge fan of her new outfit in the remake but it has definitely grown on me a lot and they put her old outfit in the game as an easter egg which was so so so sweet to see! maria actually interacts with a lot of things in the world now too, she doesn’t just follow you like a lost puppy character, she observes things, comments on things you do like smashing car windows and she even walks off on her own to look at things

the combat is another thing that i think they did just amazing on in the remake! combat was never ever a strong point of the original silent hill games, we should all be able to admit that! but the remake has definitely delivered on making the combat more fun and engaging whilst also keeping it simple and easy to remember

and the music! oh, the music… the revamped soundtrack is just beautiful, as i think we all knew it would be with akira yamaoka! i’m already obsessed with so many of the new tracks and i need the new soundtrack to be put on spotify as soon as possible! the revamped tracks just sound so fresh and he really managed to breath new life into songs that never even really needed it! the music just works so incredibly well, he made it fit the new graphics style so well!

the fog is another thing that bloober team have done exceptionally well in my opinion! the fog and atmosphere have remained to be just so… eery and yet so beautiful! i was worried about how they would make the fog as thick as it was in the original but also make it fine to navigate but they have managed to do it very well whilst also making the fog absolutely gorgeous! the eery atmosphere of silent hill absolutely shines through in the remake

the only thing i have been upset about in the remake so far is the lack of a photomode… now that pissed me off quite a bit because it is just so obviously such a gorgeous game and yet no photomode… but there’s not much i can do aside from really hope they see the demand for one and add it in as a later update! i would just love to be able to get up close to the creatures to see all of their small details… and take beautiful pictures of the town, of course! speaking of the creatures, they look beyond amazing! especially the bubble head nurses, mannequins and pyramid head! seeing them in 4K just… wowee… the mannequins are such little bastards in the remake, i hate them but i love them

i could ramble about this remake for so long, about all of the new features and new details but this post would become a fucking essay lolol! i’ve already rambled to my mother about it for at least two hours but thankfully she really likes silent hill too so it’s no biggie… but just… urgh, it truly is all i could ever want from a silent hill 2 remake… i haven’t even finished it yet and it’s already at least a 9/10 for me!

overall, if you were feeling hesitant about the silent hill 2 remake but have never played the originals and want to experience the story, or even if you have played the original! take it from a lifelong silent hill fan when i say bloober team have done this incredible game justice, this is a remake crafted with so much genuine love and care, a remake crafted by real fans of the franchise! i would absolutely recommend it, ten time over… i’ve been playing it every day almost all day since i got it, it feels impossible for me to rip myself away from it and i find myself just standing still in the game so often, just looking around and admiring…

thank you so much for this ask, anon! i love talking about everything but especially video games lolol <3

[sweetstwawbewwymilk]

TOON THEORY: Team LHHAFBBHQ was turned into the Supervisors

Insane ramblings under the cut. 

As I was wistfully recalling my time at Toonfest at Momocon 2023 and the cherished memories I made there, I wondered to myself;

“Huh. We haven’t heard about the Executive Office Tower in a hot minute, I kinda expected it to come up during one of the panels. Ah well, it's nice to see the Cog Facilities revamped, and those new Supervisor Cogs are really cool-”

That’s when the first of many thoughts struck my optimism-addled brain. 

“Huh. Team LHAAFBBHQ was made up of two guys and two girls. The new Supervisors are made up of two guys… and two girls.”

I, like many of you, rolled my eyes at this thought at first. Two guys and two girls in a team of four is just balanced character design. But that inconsequential little detail opened the floodgates to more tiny details that quickly added up in a big-and uncomfortable- way. 

Who’s Who?

I found the character summaries for Team LHAAFBBHQ and the new Supervisors, and started comparing. Some details fit together more cleanly than others, and there weren't any massive smoking guns, but there were frequent enough small details that led me to believe that what I was seeing was more than coincidence.

I collected my resources and made highlights that I thought were of interest, with some notes to explain my thought process. Maybe you can see something that I couldn’t.

Captain Rollie Dandysnooker - The Factory Foreman

Similar carelessness. Rollie has a history of getting the rest of the team into slapstick scenarios, which is hinted to be reflected in the Foreman’s behavior

Unfortunately (or fortunately), there don’t appear to be any other parallels at this time, or at least none I could see. 

Prof. Von Fumblesplat - The Mint Auditor

Both Auditor and Fumblesplat are described as intelligent and analytical

Both summaries make a point that they plan ahead for multiple possibilities

Silly Lilly Gigglesnout - The Office Clerk

Lilly is known to be quiet; possible connection to Clerk’s abhorrence to Sound?

Lilly is the intelligence gatherer of the team, and The Clerk’s control of her witnesses gives her control of the information in the court

Lilly is described to be knowledgeable of everything and everyone in Toontown. Where better to store that knowledge than the library?

The Office Clerk’s face is very long, almost stretched out, kind of like a horse Toon’s (“Why the long face?”)

Colonel Violet Supergrooven - The Club President

Violet is the strongest in combat in the team. As the Bossbot Supervisor, The Club President is the strongest of her peers.

How could this have happened?

The back of the President’s hair strongly resembles the “hair” of a cat Toon. This detail is in almost all of her progress sketches. 

Edit: a detail noticed by @surleetonin:

As anyone who has been keeping track of Team LHAAFBBHQ’s last known whereabouts knows, it’s all but confirmed that the team is (or was) being held prisoner in the Executive Office Tower on Bossbot HQ property. 

The first hint we got to the Supervisor’s existence we got was an Email from The Chairman himself, in a memo to the entire company. However, when it came to the debut, who made the big announcement?

So… What now?

The CEO. Why is HE the one who “hired” the Supervisors, when the idea was The Chairman’s?

To link the Supervisors to the Bossbots, and maybe, just maybe, Team LHAAFBBHQ, who were taken by the very Bossbots they had set out to find. 

Maybe I’m wrong. Heck, It’s very likely I’m wrong. Mayeb the Supervisors were hires from outside the company, robbing a poor Flunky of his hard-earned promotion. Maybe Team LHAAFBBHQ got distracted playing the world’s longest game of Toono. Or Maybe Joey and the gang just forgot about the Executive Office Tower entirely. 

…But I don’t think they did. The Rewritten team forgetting, I mean, the other two things are very likely to happen.

Just after Team LHAAFBBHQ went missing and BBHQ was hunted around and found, Sir Max, AKA Joey, teased the possibility of a new playground. At an earlier Toonfest, the team announced they were going to redo all the textures in the game. Both promises remained dormant and unfulfilled… until this year’s Toonfest, which confirmed both. 

In Conclusion:

I have full faith that the dedicated team behind Rewritten hasn’t forgotten the Tower, or Team LHAAFBBHQ. And I know that they’re going to come back, in some way, shape, or form.

I am mentally ill :)

[stardustvalentine]

finally revamped my old kyouhaba playlist !!!

and because i’m a little deranged, here’s some explanation on the highlights:

when life hands you problems- really encapsulates the messy chaos of the kyouhaba dynamic to me

bad day- a LONG time ago i’m pretty sure i saw a kyouhaba animatic wip to this song??? but i can’t find it anymore??? i think it was one of the things that got me into the ship so hmu if anyone knows what i’m talking about 😔😔

jason- sports and internalized homophobia. enough said

hurry, hurry- THE kyoutani song to me!! especially “i’m the jerk who’s late again” (late to practice) & the overall rushing through life, tunnel vision, blowing past opportunities for connection w other ppl. go go GO no time to think about all that stuff!! i can just totally see kyoutani as the type of guy who’s always in a rush

i don’t dance- sports and homoeroticism. enough said

problems- the song that got me into mother mother cuz i found it on some random 8tracks kyouhaba playlist when i was 15 and didn’t have spotify. both of these guys have major problems but i see the song more from kyou’s view, seeing himself as a mess next to yahaba who at least APPEARS much more put together and perfect

difficult- “the best dysfunctional team that this world has ever seen” is the most perfect description for them ive ever heard. yes they fight yes they get irrationally angry over little things but yes theyre also the best most in love partners at the end of the day

in the wings- yahaba’s literally always on the bench but kyoutani’s the one who gets the opportunity to play. yk, essentially the crux of their fight, so song title fits. more importantly though, the song is about trying to be people you’re not, and yahaba is Very Obviously trying to be oikawa 2.0, so he’s essentially waiting on the bench/wings of his own mind (and we only see the real him come out in moments like the confrontation)

touch starved- i saw someone put two best friends by bb been on a kyouhaba playlist once but lets be real. the REAL bb bean kyouhaba song is touch starved !!!! “fever got me aching” on ao3 REALLY sold me on this cuz yeah it makes sense. we don’t really see people touch kyoutani. when yahaba does so fearlessly, that’s bound to do SOMETHING weird to his brain right?? from “wait i thought this guy was some shallow idiot” to “wait he’s not scared of me” to “wait he’s being as violent with me as i am with everyone” to “wait he’s actually TOUCHING me?????” it just makes sense.

rebel girl- THE gay punk song imo. looser connection here than the others but gay punks. cmon

anyway that’s only like a third of the playlist, so go listen to the rest!!!! and feel free to ask any questions abt the ones i didn’t explain 😚😚

[silverarmed]

hi! i’m sophie (she/they, 24) and sooo excited to finally be here! on the menu today we have a heavily revamped muse of mine, seo miyun or as she prefers to be called, yun. she’s a 28 yo maintenance worker with cyborg physiology, currently not on her second, third, but fourth chance at a better life. further info and links can be found under the cut. to avoid me ending up in jail, feel free to message me first to plot + i'm also available on d*sc*rd! <3

links stats / story / powers / trivia

summary tws: child abandonment, child abuse, drug abuse

her first chance at a better life was given to her shortly after her birth. her single mother dropped her off at the steps of an orphanage, hoping a caring family would adopt her. instead, she was taken in by one of eden’s most radical anti-metahuman politicians. the moment her ability manifested at the age of nine, her adoptive parents locked her away from the outside world, ashamed of the monster that infiltrated their home.

her second chance was given to her at the age of fifteen. her extended family found out that she was a metahuman and told the press. she became somewhat of a political symbol, especially that she was surrendered again. instead of letting someone else adopt her again or going to the aeternal academy at eighteen, she decided to reconnect with her biological mother instead.

her third chance was given to her at the age of twenty-one. after finding out that her unemployed mother had been spending her hard earned money on alcohol and drugs instead of paying the bills, yun moved out and got affiliated with daemon. she was a fighter with a decent winning streak for about four years before she was caught taking kickers and sent to seongdong correctional facility.

her fourth chance is given to her now, at the age of twenty-eight. thanks to her good behavior, she’s out a few years earlier than she should be, keeping a low profile as one of the maintenance workers in the apartment complex.

because of her primary ability (cyborg physiology), her brain is half biological and half technological. this means she's pretty sharp-witted, but also not as in tune with her emotions as other people are. also has a monotone, borderline robotic voice that can be pretty distressing to deal with at first. infamously hates literature and modern art because she just doesn't understand it.

yes, the blog name did not lie, she does have a silver arm — her right one, in fact! it's her only visible technological part for now. (fun fact: her daemon fighter alias used to be silver for this reason... but she hated it, please don't call her that.)

^ shoutout johnny silverhand

likes fixing things for tenants free of charge (she just wants to feel useful and capable) and playing video games in her spare time. uses her minor ability (electricity manipulation) to cheat when someone is mean to her in vc. 🤷‍♀️

veeery basic connection ideas

event #2 related: someone who dragged her along to the trip! she wouldn't go on her own (doesn't want to get her silver arm rusty + it heats up in the sun and it's just ew) but if someone begged her, she'd probably say yes!

yun has never had romantic feelings for anyone (surprise, surprise) so maybe someone who has a little crush on her and makes her question how anyone could even like her. (she’s questioning so anyone around her age is welcome!)

someone who regularly breaks the electronics in their unit and has her on speed dial. (she came to silver line about four months ago.)

a daemon regular or secret admirer who misses seeing her fight. (she started about seven years ago and retired three years ago.)

i was not here for the first event HOWEVER! it is safe to assume she was just down there working on the generator the whole time. maybe someone who brought her a snack or two as a way of saying thanks?

people who hate her and think she’s a bitch because she’s so cold and blunt all the time. little do they know, it’s just the cogs in her brain.

an angsty “two people trying to heal together but they keep treating each other like shit” connection, anyone? (bonus points if they have similar problems/backgrounds.)

[tracybirds]

Remember my TAG Sims 4 save that I’m building? Well it’s well time for an update on where I’m at! I’m having great fun populating the worlds with characters and various people’s OCs* and thought I’d show off how they’re going! I’m focusing on CAS (Create A Sim) rather than building in this save and trying to create a full world of sims! Also note that I’m planning on the gameplay beginning with a teenage Jeff, so no main characters for now. I play with aging off and age them all manually so the other characters will just stay the same age until I’m ready to interact with them.

I’ve finished three worlds; Willow Creek, Oasis Springs, and Sulani. Working on Newcrest and Henford-on-Bagley next! Today I'll show off the characters made in Willow Creek :)

*I’m only showing the TAG characters and the OCs I have made for them today, not OCs made by other people... mostly because I'm not done!! Also if you're interested in my making your Thuderbirds OCs, let me know! I have a lot of households to fill lol and they'll just hang out in the background of the game :D

Notable changes: I moved the park to the Oakenstead lot, added a second park (in Foundry Cove) and a skate park. I changed the museum into a botanical library and placed a community garden next to it. There is now an early childhood education centre and a hospital that can be visited, and I placed a gym and a museum. I did not make any of the builds, they’re all found on the gallery and then tweaked.

There are twelve households in Willow Creek, including an apartment with four families. The only townies I care about are the Goths so they’ll end up being the only non TAG characters. I found a renovated Goth Mansion and a Goth family revamped to look closer to their Sims 2 counterparts on the gallery and stuck them in there :)

Sims 4 lore down, let me show off the sims!!

Sally, Grant and Jeff Tracy

In this save, Jeff has two brothers and a sister, based off of @amistrio's hc :D

Kyrano, Kayo and Tin-Tin

I decided I wanted to add in Tin-Tin and I have vague memories of reading a fic where they were sisters, so I went ahead and did it :D

Brains, Brains and Fermat Hackenbacker

I love Brains ahaha so I put him in twice :D why not after all!

The Apartment Building has four families: Ned Tedford, Tycho Reeves (and his brother David...lol), Wayne Rigby (and his daughter Eleanor... double lol, I think it was @katblu42 who suggested that name :D), and Kat Cavanaugh (who I gave a sister who lives in Oasis Springs, but I've included said sister for completeness)

Ned Tedford

I gave him lots of freckles mostly because I think they look sweet ahaha... I'm tempted to make Gladys a Plant Sim, but for now he's just going to enjoy gardening :D

Tycho and David Reeves

Come on... I had to XD David's a doctor whose aspiration in life is to solve the Strangerville mystery ahaha

Wayne and Eleanor Rigby

Yes the glasses are on purpose :D I love the idea of Rigby being a single dad and I also aged him up a little simply because he's clearly been with the GDF for a while and it made sense to me.

Kat and Sara Cavanaugh

Sara is Kat's older sister but they don't get on so they live in different worlds.

And finally, our last couple of houses are filled by...

Cass McCready, Aiden Hawkins and Theo McCready-Hawkins

Cass is obviously our favourite firefighter, and so I decided to create Aiden to be her fiance and Theo to be their kid. I always imagined Cass having two boys and to be a single mum when she met iR for the first time, so I did give Aiden a couple of less desirable traits lol... I'd like to play out their story at some point so they only have Theo to start :D

Reece and Dobbs (aka our favourite space pirates/scrappers!)

I love these guys so much, they crack me up :D They're space married, don't question me on this, and they live in a tiny home with some chickens xD I might see if I can replace their current home with one that's modelled after a spaceship bc that would be fun!

Robert and Aidan Williams

Aidan is one of my favourite kid characters in the show and I love him! So cool headed even when crisis is happening and his dad is hurt :( I thought for a long time about whether I'd add in more family but then I realised the house was only two bedrooms and then I invented a story where his mum had recently passed away and him and Gordon could have some bittersweet bonding (bc Gordon stays in touch and remembers everyone obviously!!) so I decided to leave them as they were and also the smaller the household the less likely the game is to crash lol

WillowCreek also is resident to three OC families, but they are not mine so I don't want to post about them without permission :)

Anyway I hope you enjoyed the update on this!!! Someday I'll have real gameplay to share lol, but I'm having so much fun building the world up!

[elisysd]

Epilogue

Masterlist - Previously

Five years later

The little girl ran as fast as she could in the alleyways of the busy paddock, her blond hair flying around her head. No one really paid attention to what she was doing, used to her antics. Her smile intensified when she saw her favorite human on earth talking to his fiancée.

“Uncle Ethie!” She screamed, attracting his attention immediately.

Ethan smiled broadly, bending down to welcome her in his arms.

“Miss Anna Dawson, what are you doing all alone here? Does your dad know?”

“He is busy smooching mama before she goes in her big car.” The little girl laughed burying her head in his neck.

“I’m still going to give him a call. And where is your brother, he is usually following you around.”

“Ziggy is right here.” said Julia as she was approaching the duo with an equally blond little boy.

Ethan looked at her lovingly. Seeing her with a kid in her arms always made him feel warm inside. When Kyle and Romy asked them both to be the godfather and godmother of their twins, they had not hesitated for long. Ethan loved the kids like if they were his own and Julia loved Ethan when he was surrounded by kids. It had been a tough topic between them, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be a mom. She didn’t think they had the space in their life to have one. And Ethan was still running after his first world championship title. So, for now they were fine with babysitting the kids. They had all the perks and got to be the fun uncle and aunt while they gladly let the problems to the parents.

“We still should go to your father. I’m not sure he’ll notice that you left anyway but I don’t want to be the target of your mom’s wrath on the track.”

“Because she will go vroom in your ass!” Replied Anna, making Julia erupt in laughter.

“Exactly. I don’t fear your dad, he couldn’t make the difference between a tree and myself to save his life. But your mom, I don’t want her to be angry at me.”

They managed to make their way with the kids to Audi’s garage, where Kyle was sitting on a chair, taking care of two babies while his wife was preparing for the last race of the season. 

“We found your two rascals running around.” said Ethan, putting Anna on the floor as Romy took Ziggy out of Julia’s arms, kissing the top of his head. 

“They are going to drive us crazy, one day.” sighed Romy. “You little ones have to stay with daddy! How many times have we told you?”

“Sorry mama…” replied Ziggy.  

Julia wished good luck to Romy before hugging her briefly as Ethan followed her, his hand in hers, playing with her ring. 

“How do you feel?” he asked. 

“Stressed out. But it's a nice stress. We’ve worked so hard to achieve it that now it’s here, it’s a mix between realization and dreams.”

“You deserve it. It just feels weird to know that you’re the first one in our couple to bring home a championship title. I thought it would be me.”

Two years ago, Julia had decided to take a step back from Somnis, giving the lead to Jackie after three years of hard and intense work. She was proud of what she had been able to do and she was happy to see more feminine faces in key departments and in garages. And when her dad had asked her if she would like to come back to Ferrari as Martin’s race engineer, she had been shocked. Ever since that fateful day in Spa, five years prior, she had decided to not go back there. She had definitely quitted her position at Ferrari, to fully focus on her charity which was growing by the minute. She had found a new purpose and liked to work in the paddock without being linked to one team.

Ethan was still chasing his dreams in Lamborghini which had faced a few setbacks in the past after Kyle had decided to leave. He had spent days and nights in the factory trying to help as much as he could and this year, finally he had been able to fight for the title. But Ferrari had managed to build an incredible car, this year after revamping their whole engineering department, under the impulse of Julia who had pushed for more diversity and inclusivity leading Ferrari to become the first team to have as many men and women working in key departments. Something she was proud of. 

But she had been leaving the foundation between good hands with Jacky, she had known it and after a huge talk with Ethan about what it would mean for them, they had reached an agreement. It hadn’t taken long, Ethan being fully supportive of her career, as she was with him. And over the years, the rivalry that once was there between the Polish driver and Ethan  had come to an end. 

“I’m proud of you too, you know. Mister the Vice-Champion.” Julia smiled, bumping her nose against his as he chuckled before catching her lips. 

“Next year, we reverse positions. I’m world champion and you’re vice. I mean Martin…”

“Keep dreaming.”

“Hey lovebirds! Julia, dad’s searching for you.” Louis appeared.

“Well, duty is calling…” she sighed. “Tell him I’m on my way.”

“He also asked me to tell Ethan that he was of course invited to Ferrari’s celebrations.”

“Celebrations that I wouldn’ miss for anything in the world. I want to see my fiancée in a nice dress.” Ethan replied as Louis shook his head before waving and running to the Ferrari’s hospitality. “Well, it’s time for us to get in positions.”

“I’ll wait for you at the end of the checkered flag.” she whispered, kissing his lips one last time. 

“Until the very end?” he asked.

“Until the very, very end.”

Author's note: Well, what a ride it had been. To be honest, I don't know where to start. I want to thank all of you who read this fic until the very last word. Thank you for allowing Julia and Ethan to have a place in your week. You have no idea how much that means to me. Now, it's time to say goodbye to them. At least for a short while as starting next week, 10 short bonus chapters will make their way to you. I'm impatient for you all to discover what their future look like and maybe it's not entirely what you think it will be. An adventure is slowly ending but will be soon replaced by another one. Another fic, different from what I've written in the past, a little break from the Cruel Summer Universe, before comng back to it later this year with the story of Romy and Kyle. You will know more about this new project soon, don't worry, so stay tuned.

Thank you again for everything.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment or an ask, as well as reblogging and leaving a like. Besides the fact that I absolutely love to read you, it helps a lot for the story to find its audience. I also have a taglist for this story, so if you want to be added so you never miss a chapter, let me know.

Taglist:

@herondalism @aundercover @musingsbyshreya @karmabyfernando @reengard @mycenterfold @smoooothoperator

[londonhalcyon]

Your fic has destroyed me 💕

I was living my life completely fine but I had this itch that made me want to read fics about a character from a game I haven't played in 6+years and I made the mistake of finding your fic.

The writing is phenomenal, so addictive that I spent 4 days binging it and messing my sleep schedule. The fact that I take medication that causes depression doesn't help but what can I do? I'm merely a human that wants to consume all there is about a character that the original creators probably forgot about.

The mad witch has unfortunately woken me up from my delusion where I chose to downplay my attraction to women because I thought it would make life easier. It doesn't, but I was hoping to convince myself it did.

The yearning and affection I hold for this witch that doesn't even exist is so strong that I've started planning my lucid dreams again just so I can look into her eyes.

If you please permit me to ramble, this fic has reignited a passion I have for world building and creating ocs. In fact, I might revamp an oc of mine that's admittedly a bit of a Mary Sue (it's ok the mental illnesses balances it out) all I'll say about her is that Hufflepuff x Slytherin is one of my favourite tropes.

While I'll probably never write out a fic of my own because honestly I don't like the creator of that world, I'm glad I got to read your fic and I'm grateful that you want to finish it. If anything, I think writing something close to a novel about a Slytherin that's completely disconnected from the original story is a good way to "stick it to the creator" knowing their disdain for such characters.

Thank you so much for sharing your brilliant mind and please take care of yourself 🥰

Thank you, internet stranger! (I think?)

I’m glad you found my fic. If it’s inspired you to create, that’s such a huge compliment. There’s a lot of joy to be found in the writing process, regardless of whether you end up sharing it with others. Take care, and I wish you the best!

[solace-sylphieee]

{Rambles} My Thoughts On The Latest For All Time Mainstory (CN)

I… actually never thought I would write a long ass essay once again and it’s for Lovebrush Chronicles/For All Time (HLR) yet again...

Especially so, since I quit months back, and in all honesty I really didn’t log in at all and got to know it from one of my friends who’s still active and is liveblogging to me.

Yes, I wanna rant about it.

It’s so bad that coming from a somewhat workaholic, I literally throw aside my work while in office and have a discussion with another friend on the spot just to make sure my memories of the game’s story were not mere delusion.

Intro’s done so now is the spoiler alert.

As far as I know, Global is around Spirit World (World 3) but not fully released, so do expect Spoilers on that (and it mainly concerns from Godheim/Yemsaiel to there)

And you’re free to comment or debate with me with sound logic if your opinion is otherwise.

What’s my issue with it. To summarise, there’s:

The system functionality, design, and relevance; 

And then there’s the Mainstory

UI, Visuals, Designs

I would not say I’m a legit designer with a solid design background but I do have basic knowledge of it due to my job - just as basic as creating visuals and company book layout printing. But.

But, I say

JUST WHAT IS THIS COPY PASTA, UNCREATIVE, RUN OFF THE MILL DESIGN???

AND PEOPLE ARE PRAISING IT LOOKS GOOD??? LIKE HOW??

IT’S LIKE ANY TYPICAL GACHA UI, HECK WHAT REMINDS ME WAS PGR EVEN AT FIRST.

In case you wonder yes, this is directly taken from my own account, but anyway-

I JUST FIND HLR’S STILL LOOKS HIDEOUS COMPARATIVELY

LIKE, WHAT is there to praise about? Aesthetic? User comprehensiveness? Convenience? Simplicity?

I know that it’s exchangeable but still, it’s just very lazy work and felt like “Oh, we have a change in management and they’re trying to show they’re creating new impacts and is performing”

No shit

Personally, what made HLR special to me in the first place, was its homepage made and designed to meld perfectly into the game's world. It’s special to itself and reflects very well in immersiveness cuz that’s where MC is staying in. It’s very relevant.

I fail to fathom how that “new” UI is even impressive enough to get a pass to be published. 

Not to mention, luckily it’s a soft revamp and not a forced one cuz it’s just making old players lose touch with their own habit. But all in all, I guess it serves the purpose of prolonging play time in the beginning as people entranced by it has the time to explore the utility and readjust their habit.

Also, just my own two cents. If they really wanted to revamp the homepage UI, THERE’S SO MANY THINGS THEY COULD’VE DONE INSTEAD. Examples:

Refurbishing for MC’s final year

DID THEY FORGET ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF THE BIRTHDAY HOUSE RENOVATION FOR YEAR 4??? WHAT’S THE POINT OF EVEN INTRODUCING WHEN IN SOME OF THE STORIES THEY MOVED IN TOGETHER (I didn't read beyond Emerald so don't quote all of it from me)

Like look! The design may vary for each guy, but the layout is just the exact same :)

It would still be a place we call “home” and the relevance to “Homepage” resonates a lot but they decide it’s better off taking that it doesn’t exist.

Give me some personal space too please, I don’t need some man as decoration in my “home” staring into my soul the moment I enter the game when they used to not do that. Thank you.

Story Narration and Continuity

In all honesty, the UI part made me have the urge to write this essay, but it wasn’t that bad, so the winner will still be this in the end. The dessert.

As far as my memories carried me, and this is replaying Godheim Clarence route *4 with like around 2 or 3 times with Emerald Special Story - Emerald only knows of MC’s existence and what her mom did, when he has a mission going on for Yemsaiel. So, he’s already in it for Yemsaiel before knowing MC to where the canon route carried us.

And some back stories before I proceed, in W3 Emerald route, there is a foreshadowing where he will gradually lost his memories due to him reclaiming his weapon - a scythe (sorry but I forgot the name of the scythe), that was transferred to few owners during the time he’s frozen in place for 500 years. He lost his memories prior to him waking up as he “slept” for too long, and his scythe is overloaded with emotions and memories of owners after his slumber.

So it’s just collecting energy and it’s now overwhelming and has great repercussions for the owner. It’s enough to nuke a world’s existence out, but the side effect is equally potent to the wielders as well.

And now moving forward to W5 (which I don’t know the name of) he now lost his memories and what remains in his mind is when MC is enrolled into St Shelter Academy.

Simply put, he’s at the Welcome to the Door of Emotion state.

At first I was confused cuz of the screenshot I got with MC monologuing to herself like

“This must be the Emerald before the story to Yemsaiel ends! I silently recall my grudges.”

So my thoughts be like:

????? So it’s him before his Yemsaiel mission???? How tf did he know about her existence at all at this point?????

EXCUSE ME, so now you’re holding a grudge again. AFTER YOU TALKED THINGS OUT WITH HIM BEFORE PARADISE (W2) AND IN HIS SPECIAL STORY. WHAT CRAP IS THIS

So Emerald and MC got a factory reset in person and in mindset. Wow.

Then I received a TLDR:

Emerald has his memories of 4 years stolen to fulfill a gamble where he’s despatched to W5

Clarification that it’s still the Emerald along the journey, but memories nada, only up till St Shelter Admission

But he also lost his memories? Of the mission? Before MC was admitted into St Shelter? I’m assuming Yemsaiel?

Yeah, I don’t get this bs.

Memories of 4 years stolen, yet also lost the memories of more than that including the missions before MC is enrolled, and yet he still knows and cares for MC as her caregiver…????????

 So how many years and how much of it is it lost??????

How selective of the person huh, very convenient indeed. As for the reason? I shall yeet it aside thinking it shall be explained later on on such selective memories. But as of now those don't really make sense to me.

Makes me really wonder if Qing You is still the producer of this game or indeed a whole ass management got swapped out and it’s consisting of fan canon writers forcing their own bs through into the official content - cuz the more I’m getting glimpses of the game, the more it gets further away from what I know and understand of in the past.

It’s a whole new concept.

Characters getting more and more one dimensional - oh Alkaid is the wowza secret agent, and him and MC are committed in a relationship of canary in the birdcage and the owner overlooking what it emotionally needs apart from the lavish cage. Nothing gets resolved at all and there’s no development in the story and relationship. 3 years of such a relationship and it's still stable as ever.

Power of love sure is strong that MC is willing to forgo her self to be with the love of her life. And she seems to grow evermore dependent on him, gradually all braindead with questionable preferences as of what I’m hearing about the latest story now.

The relationship development remains stagnant - no conflicts, no growth, no development. Their relationship is as good as their first date and it stops there. Some address conflicts and non-popular opinions, but some just get brushed off so badly it’s like a Mobius Strip of Toxicity. Especially the Feeler spectrum of boys.

It may be that I’ve lost touch, but really is this still the HLR that I loved and know of? I don’t know anymore if it’s my biased thoughts or just simply cuz I’m “out of touch”.

So much so I’m really losing my heart for this game as the content comes by.

Maybe I’m too tired, Maybe it’s just not for me anymore. Maybe… that’s how things will gradually become.

But well that’s all for me, and hopefully my good time with it remains where I stopped, and I believe that W3 is indeed the best one I’ve experienced in the game and I shall remember it as of then.

That’s all for me and now I peace out

[idolkilling]

16, 10

Questions from creatrackers’s Writer (& Artist) Ask Game!

No. 16: What was you first major project? How far along is it?

I’d say my first major project, in terms of ‘publishing’ a story, was probably an interactive story blog I made for now-defunct OCs back in 2012—I was 13/14 at the time LOL. I had a lot of lore and ideas for the plot and worked on it incessantly for a year, but couldn’t maintain the blog due to schoolwork, moving, mental health, and family nonsense.

In the end I only teased at future narrative threads without fulfilling them, but I can’t be too hard on my 9th grade self; he had some banger ideas :’) Sometimes I think about revamping the old characters from back then, but I feel like the story and themes I was playing around with are too straightforward for my current tastes, so I would want to rework the world and plot.

No. 10: OC you most struggled to make?

God, I feel like if I struggle to make any of my OCs, they just don’t get made… All my current muses are ones that came to me easily, characters I find immediately engaging and can get into the headspace of without much difficulty. If I ever struggle to make that happen with a new character I’m developing, I tend to scrap them and try something else—it’s just not meant to be (at least in terms of OCs I primarily use in RP).

That being said, my OC who (probably) has the most research poured into him and is the hardest for me to write—in both solo prose and during RP—is Dimitri! Dear god I have to fight for my life because not only does he have an accent I’m never sure if I’m getting right, his headspace reads like a Dostoyevsky novel. Making comics of him is much easier.