#MYSTERY ZOMBIE?? WEIRD ZOMBIE??

[pluckygreen]

Chombie Zomwich

+

1k ish words, as per usual.

Warning!: there is mild zombie gore, there is an adult man attempting mild intimidation, and there is mild peril

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Chapter 4 - And where we stand.

These fucking guys. You’d burn down their camp too if given the opportunity. 

You and Tucker haven’t worked out alternative job system yet. It was proving to be an issue assessing strengths and weaknesses. For today, you’re on gardening duty. 

“Ted you’re fucking it up, stop moving the- Ted! Ted stop- STOP MOVIN’ THE BASKET!” Schlatt was prying a basket of tomatoes out of Ted’s hands, seemingly for no reason. His new york accent becoming thicker with the increase of volume.

“No I’m just, it’s fine- it’s. Schlatt I’m handling it. I said i’m-” Ted yanked the basket out of Schlatt’s reach.

“No you’re not handling it. It was handled. It was sitting at the spot I put it and you keep FUCKIN’ AROUND.” 

You rubbed your eyes with your dirt covered hands. Maybe it’s best to separate them. 

I thought they were supposed to be friends. You thought. Are they always like this?

“ENOUGH!” you finally screamed, “Ted, office. Schlatt, sit down. NOW.” 

Ted let go of the tomato basket, eyes wide with surprise. He mumbled something to himself, and began his walk to what you had hoped was the office. Otherwise you would just look like a bossy idiot.

Schlatt held his trophy, the basket, with a sheepish look on his face. Everyone else in the vicinity had cleared out by now, finished with their tasks. Now, you had to babysit two bickering children. 

“Fine, don’t sit, just… Just be quiet for half a second please.” You leaned against a wooden planter, rubbing your temples and trying desperately to think. You had problem after problem, and the good Lord above decided a week ago to give you three more. 

You couldn’t hear any thoughts over the shrill ringing in your ears.

Lifting your head, you met his eyes. 

“Do you two always fight like that?”

Schlatt gave a small shrug.

“Fine. It’s fine this is..” You sighed, looking around for a trace of any other human being. “Finish the tomatoes, please?” 

He nodded, mouth still shut. You couldn’t tell if he was genuinely embarrassed by his behaivior or if he was being a smart ass. 

You decided it was a lost cause, and turned to follow Ted as he disappeared into the campus building.

“Son of a bitch” Schlatt finally said. You turned, ready to kick this punk into the fucking moon. 

To your surprise, he wasn’t talking to you. He was facing a zombie who had gotten tangled up in the wire surrounding the fence. Three more were lumbering towards you, no doubt drawn in by the screaming and commotion. 

You reached for your pistol, but opted against it. Gunshots are loud and make people panic. This situation called for some hand-pruning. You picked up a trowel, which was closer than the machete and hatchet you had thrown in the tool pile.

“It looks weird.” Schlatt said plainly. 

You stopped your approach to stare at it. It seemed normal. 

“What do you mean?” You asked.

“I dunno just look at it. It’s off somehow. It’s weird, I’m tellin ya.”

“I don’t get it.” You tilted your head, squinting.

Nope. Nothing weird. Just a normal, undead creature. Just your regular old, missing an arm, guts spilling everywhere, covered in blood and gore, decaying human that’s been long dead. Completely normal. 

(This was one of those times when the bizarre nature of the life you now live hits you full force. You paused a minute to ride the mental wave.) 

“Well toots? Ya gonna kill it if it’s so normal?” The unexpected nickname brought you out of your peaceful moment of acceptance. Schlatt was staring at you, eyebrows lifted impatiently, arms crossed.

Before you could answer he unsheathed his bowie knife, crossing the distance from you to the zombie. Two more had gotten stuck.

You stood back and watched as he plunged the blade into their skulls repeatedly, scrambling the brain matter. His face held an expression of focus, his eyes intense and almost angry. You ignored the way you felt about his arms. 

They were average arms anyway. 

He shuffled to the third zombie, leaning over the fence in an effort to reach the smaller stature of the undead. Probably a preteen. He hesitated. 

The fourth zombie grabbed his right arm, yanking him down with an astonishing amount of force. His arm was held fast as the two zoms snapped at his fingers, stretching their necks out as far as possible. He grunted, trying to maneuver his knife to get a better angle. 

You jogged up to Schlatt, quickly thrusting the shovel throught each zombie, one at a time. The hand remained firmly gripping onto his arm. With a barrage of mumbled curses, he finally wrenched the cadaver’s fingers open. 

“I didn’t need your fucking help okay!?” He snapped, slamming his bowie knife into its sheath. He stepped towards you. You figured it was a tactic to be threatening.

“Why are you so goddamn reactive?!” You snapped back, matching his tone.

“Oh you’d like to fuckin know huh! You think I owe you somethin, toots? You think you run this shithole?”

“I do run this shithole Schlatt!” You stepped closer, a fire lit in your stomach.

“And an awful job you’re doing here, toots!” “Don’t call me that.” Your voice dropped back into an even, growly tone. 

Schlatt paused, breathing heavily. His eyes glinting with anger, brows furrowed. You realized he was really close. And tall. And mad. 

“You need to back up.” He said, voice just above a whisper.

You turned the idea around in your mind, but couldn’t come to a conclusion. His eyes dug into yours, unmoving. His fists clenched loosely. Should you move? Was he about to try and hit you? Surely he can’t be that out of control of his emotions. His eyes flicked down to your lips. 

Are you supposed to pretend you don’t notice that?

“Are you two okay?” Tucker’s voice echoed out across the silent field. 

He broke the tense stance, tearing himself away from you.

“Fuck this!” He grumbled, kicking the fence. 

Tucker and Ted stared at him, watching him skulk off to the far end of the football field. 

“Keane, you need to watch your bitch. I’m fucking exhausted.” You said, leaning back against the wooden planter. The tomatoes had been spilled all over the ground.

Ted spoke up.

“Sorry about the plants.” 

[edwardos]

[pookiepiss69]

i love scooby doo

[dragonpikachu]

List of old Gravity Falls things

because fans today probably don't know about all the batshit stuff that used to happen, here's some of the stuff I remember in no particular order:

People theorizing Robbie was a zombie

People also theorizing Gompers was connected to Bill because his eyes looked like that

Mystery trio

That time when Dipper got possessed by Bill, he stuck Dipper's arm in a silverware draw and then there was an avalanche of fan art with forks stuck in the poor kid's arm

The fact people guessed Stan had a twin actual years before the reveal, somehow even getting the name Stanley right, and then it turns out the names were swapped (there's so much old fan art calling Ford "Stanley", how could we have known)

All the crossover art with Over the Garden Wall

The fact Tad Strange's name was leaked and people came up with an entirely made up story about who he was, thinking he was some kind of weird shape demon like Bill, only for him to be a small 8 second gag character

When "Not What He Seems" can out and Stan's quote of "The Author of the Journals, my brother" somehow became a meme

When Steven Universe ended and somehow we got a bunch of fan art of him working at the Mystery Shack

That time "A Tale of Two Stans", the Steven Universe episode "Cry for Help" and the FNAF 4 trailer were all released on the same day, July 13, 2015

This:

I know there's other shit I'm forgetting so feel free to add some if you know any

[vampmira]

open up what you got in your mind to me. [pt.2 – saja boys.]

they've never met someone like you — a mortal who almost knew them .. better than they knew themselves. for the boys, it's annoyingly intriguing. for the girls, it's comforting.

paring(s): huntrix & saja boys x demon expert!gn!reader

warning(s:) EVERYTHING IN HERE IS A PART TWO TO THIS !! some movie changes, probably effected lore that makes no sense for the sake of the narrative, a little angst at the beginning

request | tags: @blueberrysquire @akariis4snowball @j0ykill

a/n: this is part 2 !! i had sooo many ideas for huntrix that i had to make another part for the saja boys so that it wasn't so long . this part isn't as good but i liked it so ☆☆☆

that night huntrix defeated gwima was a blur. all you remember was the zombie mob of fans, half of the fight, and the use of your aura vision to raise the saja boys above the honmoon before it glimmered in gold. jinu, who gave his newly found soul for rumi, was practically reincarnated through her sword – standing in front of her post-concert, arms open for her to fall into with tears from the both of them. everyone else? well, they felt lost.

the saja boys weren't sure what to do anymore. jinu was overjoyed, of course, but the boys knew nothing more beyond gwima and their mission. they didn't care much about music, nor their fans – which huntrix still couldn't wrap their minds around – and it's not like they had secret human hobbies. they never had time for that. until now.

post-gwima, they stayed in an apartment near the huntrix penthouse, trying to figure out their new lives. for the most part, they spent most of their time under your watch – to make sure they didn't go cause chaos – but also .. under your study.

you were weird to them

they weren't used to someone other than them.. knowing them

their capabilities, their knowledge, their origins.

actually jinu found your extensive understanding of what he is to be kind of comforting

he noticed how you never really drooled over them

you'd stare, sure, but in the same way an art critic would stare at a painted blue canvas with a smeared red dot in the middle

he felt like that red dot – unexplained but you somehow understood

when he told you about his past, it was a lot for him – talking about his cruel choice

but you.. didn't judge him.

in fact, you wrote it down in your notebook immediately, the one you never let the boys get too close to

he accepted you into his life when he entertained your interest in his history

unlike him, however, the other boys were uninterested

at first anyway

thank jinu for getting them to talk to you btw

it took a little bit of convincing – telling them that you wanted to give them something more than just gwima

even though they didn't want it ...

REGARDLESS they hang out around the penthouse

because they're no longer saja boys (uninterested and unsupported by any demon staff anymore)

they really had nothing to do but mildly annoy your personal space

including being the center of your attention when the girls are out

mira gave you one rule, "living room and bathroom. only." and you've succeeded so far. abby and romance were talking by the large scale windows, mystery was playing some game with baby (and obviously winning), and jinu sat in the middle of the couch, watching whatever movie rumi put on for him. you sat beside him, sketching in your one and only personal researcher book. your pencil drew out what you felt like was the final line in mystery's hair ... before you huffed, erasing it, and trying again.

that was... until the littlest demon startled you.

"mystery, they're drawing you." bored of his game, baby peered over your shoulder, only passively curious and really wanting to mess with you. heads turned at your exposure to the room, especially jinu, who looked over your other shoulder at the sketch you did of him earlier.

"you're.. sketching us?" the direct ask made you a bit nervous, especially being under so many eyes. (kind of. mystery was more just.. generally facing your direction.) "'weakness.. chest?' are you taking notes on us?" you stood up, nearly defensive, turning around to face the couch trio.

"if it weren't for your old friends, i wouldn't have to write it all down again." the boys went quiet, remembering the origin of your knowledge and powers. "i'm just.. tired of keeping it all inside. i need to get it out somewhere."

romance, true to his name, leaned over your shoulder, putting you both in a proximity much closer than you've ever had to experience before.

"then why don't we do something.. a little more fun .. to help you get it all out?"

normally sentences like that from him sound way more suggestive than he means them to be

but this time he came up with an actual solution to release your closed up, ready-to-pop-out-of-your-skin knowledge

they gave you a one way trip to infodump station ! an interview !

they wanted to learn more about you anyways

their fellow demons down below were the ones to wipe out your ancestors

not them

and they make sure you know it too

but they can't help but feel .. a little, tiny bit bad that you're now just a living library

a time capsule, holding onto so much information that you're about to burst 24/7

they had never met a researcher honestly

you intrigued them as much as they did for you

how much did you really know ?? did you know anything or is all this antsy behavior a ploy to make it look like you knew everything when you really knew nothing ??

their disguises were perfectly created to make every little fan fall for their attractiveness the second they looked at the boys

but you never drooled at them or had your eyes pop out of your head

you just always... stared. processing. tracing mindfully.

they didn't know what you were really abut. but they were about to find out. and really test your persona.

romance sat relaced in a chair as you circled him, pencil taking note of everything you noticed. how his markings were sharp, not rounded like rivers, how his skin was cooled, not burning hot. all things you already knew, but you found small comfort in knowing not much changed. you took a deep breath around his hair, nose scrunching up. he smiled, taking your cheek in his hand.

"new cologne." his voice was smooth, gentle. traditionally alluring. "just for you. do you like it?" he turned up his flirtatiousness, pulling you in closely, testing the waters of your focus.. before you turned away to start writing, completely uneffected.

"so many generations and you guys still smell like flames.." you mumbled to yourself.

"would you rather we smell like bubblegum?" baby tried to sass you, but you were too focused on the sharpness of his teeth to care. you stepped towards him, eyes widened.

"can demons still tear apart brick with the force of their canines?" you asked, rather close to his face. for a moment, he almost felt like the flustered one.

"yes..? no? i-i don't know." he crossed his arms, childishly. "i don't go around biting bricks." you jot it down still as you move towards abby. he's deeply relaxed, leaning back on the couch, comfortable shirt riding up to expose his famously toned abs. your eyes trail off of your notebook and they think.. they've got you.

"like what you see?" he teases. "you can touch them, you know." a bold move that brings you closer, nails tracing his skin. they're almost disappointed that abby is the one who stole your attention.. before they realize you're attention isn't stolen at all. you're drawing his markings with careful detail.

"where did yours come from? rumi's started forming on her arm when she was a kid, but they haven't reached her stomach yet. they grow with time, right? how old would that make you then..?" you dissolve into mutters they can barely decipher. "oh!! mystery!" he almost jumps behind the couch when you race over to him, making jinu laugh from the sidelines of their attempts to flirt with you. "i've never seen a demon sparkle! that's new.. is that just you? or is there a whole subspecies of sparkling demons? or is it your human disguise..?" your questions nearly overwhelm him, enough to make him forget how he's supposed to flirt with you, but romance pulls you away, whispering in your ear.

"it's not just him." he smiles, hand on your shoulder. "you're sparkling, too, sweetheart." if anyone could fluster anyone, it'd be him, even if it takes two rounds. his thumb runs against your chin. "you look so cute in this lighting, like a rose."

"speaking of which, what's the flora like down there? are there any? do they eat demons or are they like.. regular flowers? we knew more of demons than of gwima's realm. did they smell? i bet they might have.. would it be nostalgic or torturing?"

the boys share a look, and sigh. you went off into high speed muttering again.

you really were everything you said

uninterested in their flirts and more in knowledge

that almost made them like you more..

in the following times after the interview, they greeted you a bit more casually – sometimes cheerfully, asking if you had any new drawings or trivia you wanted to get off your chest

how did you . tame them !? does the whole hard to get thing actually work !?

it confused the girls wildly

but to see them adjusting to being here through someone who actually understood them instead of lying around, empty and lost, was a pick-me-up in the mornings

one morning, after being delivered a coffee, handsigned by the boys, you felt something click in your head, a sensation you had never felt before, and reached to put it in your notebook immediately

"demons, when properly befriended, like to be understood. they brought me coffee. do demons like coffee??"

[flash-from-the-past]

Billy Bob Abduction

[maribatshipper]

He would fit right in!

My contribution to the Gravity Falls hype is an 3 years old piece of John Constantine poorly drawn in the gravity falls artstyle.

[ckret2]

Chapter 92 of Bill Cipher using his involuntary human girl disguise to give Agent Powers the manic pixie nightmare femme fatale treatment: the last step in Bill's plan to trick the agents into leaving Gravity Falls has been executed; and Ford gets an opportunity to prove he really is the twin of professional con artist Stanley Pines.

When Powers pulled into the motel parking lot with Goldie, Trigger and Dale were already there, leaning against their car, with Trigger holding a laptop balanced on one arm. Dale gave Goldie a puzzled look as the pair joined them. "Why is she...?"

"She's cleared to view this material," Powers said brusquely. "Now, let's see what's in this file."

For added security from passersby, they piled into the government vehicle, Trigger and Dale in the front, Goldie and Powers in the back. Trigger awkwardly positioned the laptop on the center console so that all four of them could see it, and then he opened up the flash drive's folder, revealing well over a hundred reports—Powers did not remember making that many reports. Together, they began skimming through the documents.

It was like being sprayed with a fire hydrant of information as his memories rushed back in.

Report after report about weird things happening in and around the Mystery Shack. They exchanged concerned murmurs during the first couple of files—"Do you remember any of this?" "No."—before they fell silent, simply reading about the paranormal hotbed of the century. Ghosts, rogue AIs, a zombie attack—some he'd remembered, some he hadn't—and yes, Powers had been able to vaguely recall the zombie attack, but only as a memory so distant and abstract it felt like a dream. But he couldn't recall how they'd been attacked by zombies.

Until now.

Their investigation had apparently discovered Stanford Pines had an extensive criminal history under multiple names, was hiding some kind of doomsday weapon in the shack, stole radioactive waste from a... government facility...? hm.

Goldie nudged Powers and muttered, "Hey. Weren't you investigating here because a tipster reported there was somebody dangerous in the shack?"

He nodded slowly. "Could be."

Trigger was frowning deeper and deeper with each report. "How could we have just forgotten all of this? I wrote half of these! I—I remember them now, but... but now it feels like I never didn't remember." He looked at Powers in confusion. "We... didn't remember this earlier, did we? Didn't we have no idea what was happening in this town...?"

"We didn't," Powers said firmly.

"I think something's coming to me," Dale said. "About the doomsday weapon. I only came into town at the end of your investigation for the big raid on the shack—"

"I completely forgot about the raid," Trigger said with quiet horror.

"—but I—I remember the gravitational anomalies. Gravity kept turning off and on. Our cars were floating around."

"We were trying to find the doomsday weapon beneath the Mystery Shack," Trigger went on. "Somebody found a secret door in the gift shop..."

Powers murmured, "The moment we lost our memories."

For a split second, from his peripheral vision, Powers saw a flash of something almost triumphant in Goldie's face before her expression turned serious again. It nearly confused him until he recalled that only the other three of them were having their normal lives upended by the discovery of what had been done to their minds. For Goldie, there was no normal life to upend. She already knew her mind had been destroyed by at least one encounter with the Blind Eye. What was a horror to them must have been a relief to her: the missing pieces finally falling back into place.

He took her hand; he wasn't sure whether for her comfort or his own.

Trigger scrolled quickly through several more reports—by now, just glimpsing the first few lines of each report was enough to unlock the buried memories. "This is everything we should have known last summer."

"It fills in all the gaps," Dale said. "It doesn't explain how we forgot it all, but..."

"Maybe some kind of... psychic defense field...?"

"Anything's possible. Once we get that equipment to scan the walls for electronics..."

Powers had tuned out Trigger and Dale's conversation. He was thinking about Stanford Pines—the con artist with multiple PhDs who had spent most of the seventies in several countries at once, according to everything their investigation had dug up. His past was so muddled they'd even entertained the possibility that there were multiple people who'd used Stanford Pines's identity—he had a dead twin brother (allegedly), it was difficult to tell whose trail was whose. But after everything he'd learned today, he'd begun to wonder about Stan Pines again.  About how he'd managed to find that radioactive waste. About his doomsday weapon.

"Memory gun," Goldie said, dragging Powers's attention back to the present.

Trigger and Dale stared at her. "What?"

She nudged Powers, "We found blueprints in the museum for a gun that erases memories—and a huge cache of stolen memories. Some secret society in town has been using it."

"Society of the Blind Eye," Powers said, taking over the explanation. "They're in cahoots with the Department of Cover-Ups to keep sensitive information secret. There's more than one active Bureau case in town." He took a deep breath. "We were on more than one Bureau case in town."

Dale's brows shot up in surprise at the same time Trigger's furrowed in confusion.

"Obviously, there's only one explanation," Goldie said, reaching toward the laptop to tap a picture of the Mystery Shack taken during one of their stake-outs. "Whatever's going on here—the DCU doesn't want anyone to know about it, including us. They called their friends in the Blind Eye to wipe our memories and keep us away from the Mystery Shack."

"'Our memories'?" Trigger echoed.

"She's with the Bureau." Powers could explain the rest later.

Goldie's theory was sound—but. But he couldn't believe Bureau's own parent department would treat its agents that way. He didn't want to believe it.

He was too afraid of the possibility to believe it.

Surely there must be another reasonable explanation. "Or, the Blind Eye betrayed the Department—and us."

He could tell by the look Goldie shot him that she hadn't considered that possibility. "Huh. It could have," she conceded. "It doesn't... doesn't quite sit right with me."

"None of this sits right with me." What did Powers do now? The agents in this town were drowning when they hadn't even realized they were in hot water. The Blind Eye, the Trembley case, the Pines case... There was something big in this town, and the police were in on it, the Bureau was in on it, he was in on it—and he didn't even know what it was or who he could trust.

But he knew where he could find out.

As Powers opened the car door, a look of panic flashed across Goldie's face. "Hold on, where are you going?"

"To the Mystery Shack. It's time we finally get to the bottom of this. I'm not leaving until I see what's behind the vending machine and find Stanford Pines."

"Whoa-whoa-whoa! You've gotta be kidding me! Tell me you're kidding me!" Powers was only halfway out of the car when she caught him by the lapel and tried to drag him back into the car. "You'd have to be crazy to go back! It's obvious somebody higher up on the food chain than us doesn't want us snooping in there—"

"Or a rogue local cult," Powers said.

"Either way!" Her grip tightened. "You got your mind erased for going there last time! Do you want to get brainwashed again?!"

The thought terrified him. But the thought of not finding out what was happening terrified him more. He couldn't afford to think about what might happen to him; he pushed the thought aside. "This time is different. They won't be expecting our arrival and they won't have time to set up—whatever they did last time," Powers said. "And even if they do, we'll be split up. That way at least two of us will remember. Trigger?"

"Yessir!" Trigger hopped out of the car after Powers.

"But—but you can't," Goldie said desperately.

"Why not?"

"Because—" Her mouth hung open for a second as she tried and failed to think of a counterargument. Then, with a low growl of frustration, she dragged him into a kiss.

For a moment he hung there, half in and half out of the car, one hand on the back of the seat and the other hovering in the air, uncertain what to do with itself, until it finally settled on Goldie's waist. And for a split second, Gravity Falls and its horrors were a thousand miles away.

But only for a second. And then he put his hand on Goldie's shoulder, gently pushed her back, and tugged her hand off his suit. Her hand was so small and delicate compared to his; and her grip was so tight he was almost afraid he'd hurt her prying her off.  "I know," he said softly. "I know. Me too." 

Her face was flush with rage, her eyes wide with terror. "But—it's—too dangerous. You know it is."

"I know. But we're all in danger until we know what's going on." He had more people than just himself to worry about. He had to worry about his team.

His whole team. Goldie had already lost so much; what would happen to her mind if she lost any more?

She struggled a moment longer to think of another argument; then let out a noise that was half sigh of defeat, half groan of frustration. "Fine. Just... Get out of here before I give into the urge to break your knees."

####

"You two are cute," Dale commented.

"He'd be cuter if he did what I said," Bill muttered. Why couldn't everyone simply obey him at all times without question! He'd even pulled out the desperate kiss routine, humans were supposed to be suckers for that corny trash! He flung himself back into his seat with an indignant huff.

The plan had been going perfectly until now. He'd convinced Powers that the government and the Blind Eye were working together. He'd convinced Powers that they'd been brainwashed. The agents opening the flash drive and discovering what they'd forgotten was supposed to seal the deal. It was the key to his plan working! It was supposed to convince the agents that their own government was behind whatever was happening in the shack and they should stay out of it. It should have terrified Powers out of Gravity Falls! Not made him charge straight back into what looked like an obvious trap!

And if he found the portal... If he got his hands on either one of the Stans and dragged him downstairs too, where he could see Bill had started repairing the portal...

Now what?

Bill scooted behind Dale and leaned around the shoulder of his seat. "Hey, you should go through the rest of the reports. Maybe there's something else important we forgot."

"Good idea." Dale settled the laptop on his knees. "Powers said you're... with the Bureau?"

"Yep, proud eagle. Cryptology expert," Bill said.

"Oh." He gave him a mildly surprised look. "Sorry, I don't think I remember you."

"No prob, Bob, I don't remember the Bureau either!"

Dale nodded slowly. "Riiight. Memory-erasing gun."

"Bingo," Bill said. "Powers and I'll tell you the whole story when we rendezvous. But maybe we should focus on the reports first, don't you think!"

"Right, of course." Dale turned his attention to the laptop.

And Bill slid out his phone and kept it behind Dale's seat, where he wouldn't notice Bill typing.

####

UNKNOWN: STAR GIRL WE HAVE A PROVBKDM

UNKNOWN: PROBLEM

UNKNOWN: APPARENTLY PANIC MAKES THUMBS SHAKE! I HATE FLESH SO MUCHH! HA HA!

MABEL: Who is this?

UNKNOWN: ITS BILL I STOLE A PHONE NOT IMPORTANT DONT TWLL ANYONE

(Ah. Mabel should have guessed that. She added his number to her phone.)

BILL: POLWERS AND TRIGGER ARE HEADWD TO THES HACK

BILL: THIA WASNT PART OF THE PLAN

BILL: TELL THE STANDS TO HIDE

BILL: STANS

MABEL: OK! I'm looking for them!

MABEL: What went wrong???

BILL: IDK THEY DIDNTR REACT LIKE THEY SHOUDL HAVE

BILL: POWERS SHOULD BE TOO TEIRFIFIED TO GET WITHIN A MILE OF THE SHACK INSTEAD HES ONT EHW WARPATH

BILL: HES FIGURED OUT WAAAAY MORE THAN HE SHOULD HAVE IDK WHATS GOING ON UNDER HIS STUPID OPAQUE SKULL

MABEL: Did they figure out we tricked them??? 🙀

BILL: NO HE BUYS IT FOR NOW. HE RAN THE WHOLE MARATHON HE JUST REFUSES TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE 

BILL: BUT IF HE GETS HSI HANDS ON THE STAND WHO KNOWS

MABEL: OK, I warned them!

BILL: GOOD! TELL THEM THEY CANT HIDE BEHIND THE VENDING MACHINE PWOERS IS HEADED THERE FIRST

MABEL: Ummm... Grunkle Ford isn't hiding. 

MABEL: He said he knows how to handle this.

BILL: NO NO NO NO NO

BILL: WAHTEVER HES DOIGN HE CANT DOT TAHAT

BILL: STAR GIRL LISTEN CAREFULLY

BILL: I NED YOU TO SCREAMJ IN HIS EAR UTNIL HIS EARDRUM RUUPTIURES. THAT SHOULD SLOW HIM DOWN

BILL: IF IT D OESNT WORK BITE HIS EAR OFF YOUR RBRACES SHOULD REALLY SHRED THE CARTILAGE 

MABEL: He asked you to send whatever you can think of that the government people know about the agents but we shouldn't know.

BILL: WHY????

MABEL: IDK!! He went downstairs to get something.

MABEL: But it sounded important!

BILL: FGINE

BILL: IF THIS GOES WRONG ITS O NHIS ARROGANT LITTLE HEAD AND TELL HIM I SAAID SO

BILL: BUT DONT SHOW HIM MY TPYOS

####

"That vending machine might be booby trapped," Trigger said as they walked toward the shack's back door. "We lost our memories just as it was opened."

"We'll find Ramirez. He must know how to get behind the machine without triggering the trap." Beyond that, Powers intended to demand that Soos produce Stanford Pines—and, if he couldn't do that, then he'd better produce some damn good answers. Powers raised a hand to knock.

A voice behind them said, "It seems I got here just in time."

Trigger and Powers whirled around. Standing on the lawn—as casual and jarring as meeting a ghost from your childhood nightmares in the grocery store soup aisle, like running into something that hadn't quite ever been real—was the superior officer who'd taken their flash drive last summer.

"You!" Trigger said. "What are you doing here?!"

The officer barked, "Stopping you two knuckleheads from blundering into the same mistake you made last summer! And you're lucky I am. If Director Gunn had done his job right and contacted me, you wouldn't have made it this far."

A jolt of alarm shot up Powers's back. Director Gunn had sent them to Gravity Falls. Or allowed them to go—he'd been reluctant to let them continue on this case. Nobody outside the Bureau should have ever even heard the code name "Director Gunn."

"Instead," the officer went on, "I had to find out what you were up to from museum security when you triggered their silent alarm! Mr. Jake Armstrong," (Trigger flinched in surprise) "Mr. Gary Walter," (and then Powers's back went stiff) "just what do you have to say for yourselves?"

He was important enough to know their names. They didn't even know each other's names.

Powers took a deep breath. "That we want to speak to Stanford Pines."

The officer snorted, and for a fleeting second his stony expression cracked as a smirk curled up one corner of his mouth. Powers couldn't believe it. He genuinely thought their request was funny.

And that—that, of all things—was what finally cut through his anger enough for a little fear to trickle through.

"Well," he said, "I'm afraid you get to speak to me."

####

Bill stared at his phone as if the force of his glare could will it into coughing up another text from Mabel; and because of that, he saw the bright colors in the emoji of Mabel's next message fifteen minutes before the message itself actually arrived, and several minutes before the message was close enough that he could actually read what it said:

MABEL: 🎉🌈😎 We won!!! 😻☀️💃

He reread the message several times, as if he expected the future message to blur and disappear as they slid sideways into a less lucky timeline. But it remained clear—a future so probable it was almost guaranteed.

How the hell had Ford done that?

####

"As you may have guessed by now, this building isn't just a cheap tourist trap," the superior officer said. "What happens in here goes over your head, gentlemen. It goes over your entire bureau. It's a matter of international security."

"Why?" Powers demanded. "What's under this shack?"

"A top secret facility," the officer said.

"For what purpose?" Trigger asked.

"That's top secret," the officer said. "This whole affair is so classified that you should never have been assigned to investigate in Gravity Falls in the first place—but it was also so classified that we couldn't tell you there was something here you shouldn't be investigating. A SNAFU we're implementing measures to prevent in the future. And you two can help by leaving and never thinking about this place again."

It all clicked into place. Of course the Mystery Shack was a government facility.

He'd almost put it together earlier, but had been too distracted by the horror of realizing all he'd forgotten—but it was odd that Stan Pines had known exactly where to find that radioactive waste, much less how to get it all in and out of the facility in one night, wasn't it? Almost as if someone else had given him instructions on how to get it. Odd that based on the reports they'd found in the flash drive—and their resurfacing memories—it seemed that Stan had been on the verge of using a doomsday weapon... and then hadn't. As if it were a test. Odd that a "superior officer" had just so happened to come by so soon after the doomsday weapon's near activation, right after they'd forgotten everything. As if he were already on site.

It would have been utterly astounding if it wasn't so disgusting. The Department of Cover-Ups had covered up their own tracks so heavily that they'd gotten investigated by their own sub-department. And who had paid the price?

"It's too late for that," Powers said. "We already investigated it, we know something's happening here, and your attempt to make us forget failed. And I think we have a right to know what's in here that was worth erasing our memories over!"

"I'm afraid that's not possible," the officer said.

"Why not?" Trigger demanded. "All we want is to see it! We're not going to tell anyone—we're on the same side!"

Powers was closer to the shack than the officer was—and for the moment, the officer was focused on Trigger. Part of him was tempted to turn around, kick in the door, and head straight for that vending machine. If it came to a fight, it was two against one.

The officer said, "Because you already know too much! In fact, I'd be giving you the same treatment you got last year if I wasn't so sure that forgetting what happened again would just make you come straight back to town searching for it again."

Powers was suddenly acutely aware of the strap across the officer's chest leading to a shape at his hip that could only be seen when his coat moved just right—a shape the size of a bulky gun. And suddenly, the idea of turning his back on the officer seemed impossible.

"And you should consider yourselves lucky you get to leave with your memories," the officer went on. "The side-effects of repeated mind wipes aren't pretty. You've got a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's, don't you, Mr. Walter? Your mother?" (Angry bile surged up his throat. His mother had been in a memory care facility for the past two years.) "We don't know yet if the gun exacerbates those odds. I'd hate for you to help us find out."

"Then you could have let us go last year!" Powers said. "If you'd just told us we'd stumbled into some secret operation and sent us home, we couldn't have done anything about it!" And if he was honest with himself, it wasn't the secret happenings under this second-rate tourist trap that bothered him. In this job he'd seen everything from A to Z—aliens to zombies. He doubted anything could truly shock him. No—what really bothered him was how he'd been kept from finding out. "Why didn't you just let us go last year?"

"For one thing, that's not how my department operates." (Powers had assumed Gravity Falls was an aberration. What made him so sure people weren't getting their memories erased all over the nation? What did he really know about how the Department of Cover-Ups worked?) "And for another," the officer said, "we needed a good excuse to test the long-range memory gun. And there you were, with several dozen men."

There you were. The words hit like a hammer to the heart. In the corner of his eye he could see Trigger turn toward him, looking for guidance; but Powers couldn't turn to meet his gaze. There they were, convenient guinea pigs for a weapon of mass amnesia. Was that all their government saw them as?

While Powers was feeling the bottom of his stomach drop out and plunge into the dark as his life upended itself, the officer's expression didn't even twitch. His stare was stony and unsympathetic, the creases in his cheeks and between his brows sharpened by the hard line of his mouth.

But although his expression didn't change, his voice did. It dropped into a wholly different accent, slower, smoother—and far more menacing. "You see, we'll take any measures necessary to ensure that this town's secrets... remain buried." The chill in the officer's voice seemed better suited to the dark hidden chambers collecting dust under the museum, the cold cavern beneath the angel in the graveyard. The man with the voice from the Blind Eye's stolen memories looked directly in Agent Powers's eyes and said, "Is my meaning clear?"

Powers's throat went dry.

Trigger had immediately tensed when the officer changed his voice, even though he couldn't know what it meant. (Or did he? Had he heard the voice once and forgotten, Powers wondered? Was it coming back?) "Sir, what's going...?"

"Yessir," Powers said hoarsely. "Perfectly clear."

The ghost of a smile twisted one corner of the superior officer's mouth. "So. What is going on here, agent?" His voice had returned to his usual gruff, militant bark. That was his real voice, Powers realized; hearing him in person, it was much more obvious  than it had been in the recordings just how fake his British accent was. He must be working with the Society of the Blind Eye undercover—which meant this was his real job.

Powers should have listened to Goldie. She'd been right. It was stupid to think the Blind Eye might have backstabbed the government. The Blind Eye was the government.

In his mind's eye, he could see his own face twisted in terror, his arms strapped into the same chair where Goldie had been restrained as she'd lost her mind—just another video amongst the thousands that had been literally forgotten in the museum basement.

He swallowed hard. "Weather balloon," he said. "Or—or meteor shower. Nothing happened here."

The officer nodded sharply. "You're a smart man, Mr. Walter." He turned to Trigger. "What about you, Mr. Armstrong?"

Trigger gave Powers a bewildered look. For a moment, he looked ready to argue; but a sharp look from Powers deflated him. "Nothing unusual to report, sir," he said grudgingly.

"Good." The superior officer tilted his head. "I think your car's over there."

Powers could feel the hairs on the back of his neck raising as he walked away. He had to force himself not to glance over his shoulder to see if a memory gun was pointing at his back.

"What was that?" Trigger whispered. "Do you know him from somewhere else?"

"I'm afraid we all do."

"Where would—?"

"Later." Not until they got back to Dale.

And Goldie.

####

(Another chapter where I don't think I made any changes due to TBOB except futzing around with department names. But for TBOB-unrelated reasons, this one went through HEAVY revisions: initially Powers accepted Bill's version of the story much more easily, but then I went, no. We should terrify Bill a little first. And give Ford more to do.

I thought this chapter was gonna be the wrap-up, but then it doubled in length so I split it in two lmao. Next week for sure. Let me know what you think!!)

[cantgetworsethanthistbh]

pre weirdmageddon (and a little bit of post weirdmageddon) appreciation post for stan and fords relationship since the canon details and nuances are super unappreciated.

two things i really love about this era:

stan isnt as much as a spineless simp the whole fandom (freaks and gens alike) characterizes him to be to be around ford and fords love for stan is actually the most obvious here, like WAY MORE than in literally any other era of their relationship sans childhood stans, in my personal opinion

regarding stan's side on this topic, its hard not to be categorized as a perpetual yearner with no backbone when you spend 30 years trying to bring back your twin even after he abandoned you for 10 years and you come running like a dog the second he calls you with a post card. but after ford says he wants stan to stop using the mystery shack for tourist traps and is effectively kicking stan out, he drops the famous disownment. lots of people think he doesnt mean it, saying it in a fit of anger, but like. here he is, blatantly ignoring ford's call for a family meeting. one he very obviously heard ���

i still remember when i first watched this episode when it aired in 2015 and thinking how weird it was they went out of their way and animated stan obviously hearing ford's call for a family meeting, rushing santiago (which the urgency would imply he was going to go to the meeting) then just. didn't show up. and ONLY showing up in the end with a joke about money.

stan heard the word family coming from ford's mouth and just excluded himself, uninterested in entertaining the situation thats obviously important to ford. reaaal far cry from the same man who got two words on a post card and came running despite over 10 years of no contact (before he knocks on ford's door, he even says "he's family. he won't bite" something close to that)

that's a soft ball though. thats probably just him being petty, not wanting to give ford any satisfaction or just not wanting to be around ford (anymore). heres something a little more damning though: not wanting to save ford during weirdmageddon.

this was a hell of a high stakes situation, where in universe the people were outright worried about dying or WORSE. dipper solemnly tells stan about how he and ford tried to stop bill on their own, and that this lead to ford getting captured. you would think that stanley pines, famous for punching zombies in the face and climbing barefisted on mountains to save dipper and mabel, for fighting a dinosaur to get waddles back for mabel's owm happiness sake (after he fucked up lmao), for helping save a mutated cow from getting eaten because mabel begged, for getting in trouble in the government to remove soos' birthday from the calendars because it upset soos, for getting eager to punch robbie in the face because he and dipper believed he was mind controlling wendy, would ofc jump on the fucking bridges to save his dear bro from the hands of the demon that literally caused the apocalypse.

but...

and heres the kicker, he even does some victim blaming 😭

and you know what? i cant blame him. all ford ever seems to do is just get into trouble who needs to be saved or for stan to do something to help ford clean up his mess. from the 1980s to probabilitor the annoying, stan is pretty much done feeling like he has a responsibility to save ford after ford's blatant ungratefulness for stan and his efforts to patch things up. hell, in that probabilitor mess, stan even said "let him get a few bites out of fords brains" (mind you, in this situation it actually IS his fault💀)

and the thing is, stan wasn't even always like this. he was being all badass in nwhs with the government agents just so he can run to ford, who we know he was expecting to come out being frail and collapse into stan's arms ("I need to be there when it happens!" <-this is him not even knowing where the kids are, so this is purely for ford). so his cowardice all through out weirdmageddon... thats not inconsistency or just a gag to make him seem so pathetic, oh no baby. thats just stan who stan is. he's not sticking his neck out for anyone outside of this family.

and right now? ford isn't family

and listen, i'm not saying stan doesnt love ford anymore by the way. ofc he does. the way hes acting is because he loves ford so much, and his resentment and bitterness is so god damn potent is because of how ford refuses to return the energy... or at least, from his perspective. (more on that later) but from here on end, stan may say "my brother" here and there, but he clearly doesnt consider it to be true anymore.

sidenote: i acknowledge that ford not appearing in the picture in the weirdmageddon portion is, in a doylist sense, because the main characters are dipper and mabel, and stan is ultimately sacrificing himself to save them not just because they were the ones in immediate danger, but because theyre the center of the show. however, in a watsonian sense, this does carry some HEAVY implications about where stan's thoughts about ford lie, especially since we know how proficient he is in the mindscape since DREAMSCAPERERS, that he can in fact mentally imagine whatever he wants, and actively chose not to involve ford. you either think about it too hard or you don't, but it id what it is. im also just a huge ass overthinker anyway.

also, a post i already made on stan's consistent angry body language that comes out when he's around ford all through out the pre-weirdmageddon era over here. there's also the fact that you never catch stan smiling at ford unless its to mock him, which you cant even say the same for ford, and only approaches/calls ford when theres an emergency, like with mabel's faceless face freaking him out or when theres a narrator voice haunting him. and called him a damgerous know it all to the kids, not ford, so its not just a petty insult— he meant it. because its true.

so that's stan's side, how he proves he's capable of having balls and cutting out someone toxic in his life when he reaches a breaking point... for like a month, but still. a hot take no one will agree with, but i actually do think stan temporarily disowning ford was the healthiest decision he ever made in his life, forced him to work on himself and have goals not related to his brother like run for mayor (even if its to mask his inferiority complex) and try to eat gnomes during the apocalypse. it also just fucking sucks that he has to LIVE with the guy during this😭 divorce is so hard when you have kids.

now what about ford's side? why, even tho ford is so closed off to stan during this, i think this is the era that shows how much he loves stan too?

well, those arent mutually exclusive. if anything, thats why its so obvious. ford is honestly... kinda delusional about their relationship at this point. read about it here by my good friend the internal workings of ford's mind during this era, and lets take a look at how it manifests in his actions too.

we all know about ford immediately jumping to save stan in comix up with an intense determination. its VERY important to note that while the comic is focused on stan and soos' dynamic, ford is the one who is the only person focused on actually saving stan, while literally everyone else was having fun with the art style changes and comic world (where even dipper was easily distracted). give it a reread to see what i mean. in mabeland, dipper was the only one not distracted from the mission of saving mabel depsite the fact the temptations were getting to him too. this is because dipper loved mabel the most, and so does ford with stan. everyone else may understand the lowstakes of the comic mission since stan is trapped, but safe, but stanford over here is fullblown panicking. 😭

its not just that he would want to save stan no matter what, its just he would literally not rest until they get to him. (also comix up is the best for canon protective ford stuff, which is in pre weirdmageddon)

(a similar moment of him saying he'll be away for 3 days but when stan calls hes immediately back. however i do think its more for mabels sake here, it is so cute how ford doesn't like modern phones, but stan still somehow contacted him though.)

and unlike stan, who seems to go all off on wanting to avoid ford as much as he can, ford is the one who seems to be continously making interactions between the two of them. you can see it in how he invited stan to play a game with him and dipper in ddamd (leading to stan blowing up at him), how he asks stan where hes been in stanchurian candidate with a grin, how in journal 3 he mentions constantly approaching stan to talk about x thing or do y thing.

these are pretty one sided interactions, and stan is noticeably NOT nipping at ford's feet for any of these. ford is acting as if this is just natural, because to him... it is.

he and stan may be on bad terms, but that doesnt mean they can't exist under the same roof together and occassionaly cohabitate like they used to, as if what stan said about them not being family doesnt even matter. because of course it doesnt. of course stan doesnt mean it. of course theyre still family. (and unlike stan, "my brother" means something and someone very specific to ford, displaying once again how non-serious ford took stan.) and despite how ford acts, he's very, very used to knowing he has some sort of sway over stan, you can see in how he knows he never even considered the possibility that stan would deny going to gravity falls for him in the 1980s, and even when they were teenagers.

none of this to day ford isnt still resentful towards stan though, like we've all watched the show and read the books, the man's grudge is still super present. but he thinks he's holding a grudge against stan as his brother, as is family, one that he will always have no matter what. i'm saying this with ford as my favorite between them— ford is unfortunately extremely sure of the idea that he doesnt need to put more effort into their relationship and also used to framing the way he treats stan as a favor to stan himself ("prove his worth to me," "giving you a chance to do the first worthwhile thing in your life"). he loves stan despite himself, stan will always love him and clearly will do anything he wants, who cares if theres a bad blood here too?

it blows up in his face right at weirdmageddon too, because it does matter, to stan. theres a lot of hurt on both sides but stan had meant what he said, that he disowned ford. stan gets mad at ford for pretending theyre still friends in ddamd (and only apologizes to dipper later), and stan readily accepts fords condition on leaving the shack as soon as the summer is over because thats what ford sowed. and thats what he sowed at weirdmageddon, for not thanking stan or trying to understand on a fundamental level that stan didnt want peaceful coexisting, he wants his brother back, which ford didn't give so screw him. that's how you got grammar stanley, thats how you got stan refusing to save ford, that's how you got this whole mess.

on a final note, i think that if anything, if ford knew that stan truly meant they were no longer brothers any earlier, that stan really did disown him, it would cut extremely deep. i mean, look at how he reacts to stan calling him a dangerous know it all: something that stan only told the kids but he apparently heard. it booms over the TRUST NO ONE being written in the journal, along with his biggest regrets— falling out with fiddleford and bill tricking him. it hurt enough to make it to his biggest regrets that stan doesn't trust him (something ford also doesnt do with stan!)

how THAT one measely, but genuine insult from stan clearly hurt him a lot. ford loves stan so much and cares so deeply about what stan thinks about him, and yet is too prideful to make efforts to take it back or fix their relationship where he does believe he's more victim than not. so i suppose, he just reaps.

[heeikeuu]

Veiled Within The Walls - P. SH

Main Plot:  Vampire! Sunghoon x OC Human! Liliana

Synopsis:  Her friends dared her to enter an abandoned castle alone, one that no soul has dared to step foot in and came back alive to tell the tale. Liliana, being stubborn, decided to do so anyway— refusing to believe their crazy stories, yet what awaits her there leaves a shiver down her spine.

Warnings: 5k wc, mentions of death/war, profanity, blood, suggestive, slow burn, ANGST, crack, fluff (sorry if I missed anything!)

A/N: Hello lovelies! Hope you enjoy this and I apologize in advance for the angst jhfdguedflsef. My inspiration for this was Sylus and Zayne myths from Lads.

⋆.˚♱ Recommended Playlist ♱˚

Chapter 1: Stop Bluffing!

The night was quiet outside, contrasting the sounds heard from Liliana and her best friend as they argued on the phone.

“You’ve been cooped up in that jail- sorry, room for 2 weeks now.” Sunoo reasoned, “you should come with me and the guys, we are planning to get brunch together on Saturday.”

Liliana let out a sigh, “I know but I HAVE to finish this before the deadline, noo.” Her tone defeated as she slumped into her seat, pouting.

“Lily, come on! Your deadline isn’t until next month, one day won’t hurt.” He whined. After thinking about it for a little longer, she hesitantly agreed. She cursed him for giving her the puppy eyes.

Saturday finally came after another uneventful week. 

Looking at the clock, it read 3:25am, hunched over her desk, Liliana decided to call it a night after finishing her book. She had a long day ahead of her in a few hours as she promised her friends to be there and not ditch them this time. 

“You look like a zombie,” Riki said as he opened the car door for her. 

“You look wonderful too!” The sarcasm dripped down her voice like venom as she got in. 

“Who pissed in her cereal?” Jungwon whispered to Sunoo who told him to shut up before she heard them. 

“Look who decided to grace us all with her presence!” Riki abruptly announced as he started the car engine once she got done buckling the belt. 

“Lilyyy, we missed you,” Sunoo dramatically fell on Jungwon who sat next to him.

“I missed you guys too, except for him,” she playfully pointed at Riki who was driving, “oh wow..” he let out making the others giggle. “Just so you know, you’re paying now.” 

Looking at him with a deadpan look before answering, “Bitch I’m always the one paying anyway.”

“Sugar mommy era!” The other two cheered. 

“This mommy will be out of sugar soon enough,” she retorted. 

Sunoo and Jungwon look at each other, “Ewww you made it weird now.” 

“Agreed,” the younger joined. 

“Why are we friends again?” She sighed in defeat.

“Because you love us very much,” Riki quipped with a grin.

Arriving at the cafe they used to frequent at. “ So did you guys hear?” Sunoo leaned in after they got done ordering, making the other 3 look at each other and lean in curiously. 

“What?”

“Did Jungwon finally grow the balls to ask his crush out,” Lily whispered back, making the younger hit her shoulder with no real strength behind it to not hurt her. 

“Ouch” It was her turn to be dramatic now. 

“Focus!” Sunoo whispered back urgently,

“SPILL IT DAMMIT,” Riki impatiently yelled making the other customers in the cafe eye their table. Getting embarrassed he bowed his head apologetically before turning to his friends. “SHHHH” he heard them hiss at him. 

“Anyways..” Sunoo continued, “have you guys heard of the abandoned castle that’s a few hours away from here?” they shook their heads, making him sigh, “okay so there is a story I read last week about how there is apparently a mysterious person living there. Soooo, we should check it out!” He finishes. 

“I don’t kno-” Jungwon is interrupted by Riki who is suddenly very interested. 

“We should check it out!” He grinned at his friends.

“Absolutely not! Lily reason with them!” He nudged her shoulder.

Waiting for her answer, “I agree with Won. Plus I have work to do, remember?” 

Riki and Sunoo let out groans of annoyance.

“Come onnn, I bet this will be fun! What’s the worst that can happen?”

“But-” this time she was interrupted by Sunoo who gave her the puppy eyes again.

“That trick won’t work twice on me, Noo.” She sighed. 

“Don’t be a wuss!” She heard the other boy shoot back. “I bet you’re just scared.” He smirked, folding his arms, he knew how to get her to agree. 

“Oh really? Fine then.” 

“LILY” Jungwon said before defeatedly agreeing too, not wanting to be the odd one out. 

“This is such a Horrible idea” Sunoo suddenly interrupted,

“Sunoo, it was literally YOUR idea,” she told him with a blank expression.

The rest of the morning was spent with the group chuckling and talking about things they had missed while they (mostly Liliana) were busy. Eventually, the group called it a day and all went to their respective homes. 

_______________________________________

Liliana's POV:

It's been 3 days since I went out with the guys. I can't help but think back to what Sunoo said at the café. l re-open the reddit link he sent to the group chat. Looking over the thread, a few people swore on their graves that they saw someone or something lurking in the castle. Though I had my doubts, I also had the urge of a white chick in a horror film to chase after danger. 

So, here I am, packing some snacks and water for the road trip with my unwanted children friends. 

Ding.

“I'm here.” The notification read from Riki who lived the closest to me. As much as we banter, he is like a brother to me whom I love dearly.

Making sure to turn off all the lights and lock the doors. I make my way out. 

“Sunoo stayed at Jungwons’ yesterday so we can pick them up and head out.”

I hummed in response, looking out the window. It was almost sunrise, the clouds scattered making the orange and blue hues of the sun ever so prominent. The crisp morning air only adds to the breathtaking scenery. 

“It's a beautiful day,” I hadn't realized I spoke out loud until Riki agreed.

“Yeah, we rarely get to see each other lately from work and uni, so it's nice to plan something spontaneous together like this.” His sudden sincerity made me feel guilty for not prioritizing my friends more. He must’ve noticed the guilt written in my face, “hey, it's okay Lily. We All got caught up with our own things.”

"I know but I ditched out on our plans too many times. I'm sorry.” My gaze fell to my lap as I spoke. He simply patted my head gently without saying anything more. A mutual understanding between us. 

After 2 minutes we arrived to pick up the other two. The drive was about 2 hours and a half. We didn't talk much, it was just peaceful silence where we enjoyed each other's presence and the sky outside. 

“Lily,” Jungwon broke the silence.

“Yeah?”

“Check this out,” he handed me his phone. Curiously I took it, reading the post out loud. 

“Long ago there was a lively big kingdom where vampires and humans coexisted peacefully until a war broke out. Humans started attacking, detaining, and killing many innocent vampires due to rising conflicts in the royal world. Though many were accepting of coexistence, there were still hostile humans and vampires alike. A young prince was said to be the next in line to become the king but the war came with a cost. His lover was a human– and the couple was promised peace once more to the land if they got married but the night of; she was murdered in cold blood by her own kind, to them she was a traitor. In a fit of pure rage, the prince retaliated by burning the kingdom down. Centuries had passed and it is said the prince lives alone in the castle still awaiting and yearning for his lover.” 

“What do you think?” He asked me.

“I mean, it sounds like a local tale made up to keep normal people away from the castle but I can't say I'm not intrigued.” I smirk.

“So they think some lonely and hot vampire is just randomly living there?” Riki snorted.

“Maybe, who knows,” I playfully responded. “I bet 20 bucks it's nothing though.”

“You have arrived at your destination.” The GPS spoke as Riki parked the car. 

Waking our sleeping prince, we get out of the car. 

“Damn, is it just me or is it freezing,” I pull my cardigan closer to my chest and cross my arms.

“Yeah, I could see my breath, look,” Jungwon said while demonstrating to us. 

“Okay,” Riki clapped his hands, “Liliana is going in first.” He announced. 

“Are you sure about this, Lily?” Jungwon asked with worry in his eyes. 

“Hell yeah! A bet is a bet, plus I will be fineee.” I smiled at the three. 

“Don't come back screaming if you see roaches!” Riki called out as I made my way there. I turn momentarily to flip him out and stick out my tongue. “You wish!” I shouted back.

In my peripheral vision, I notice Jungwon and Sunoo shaking their heads like disappointed parents. 

I continued walking, the building looked fairly worn out but still breathtaking. It was huge with black details stretching all over the walls. It was hard to miss the clear gothic elements which only further intrigued me. Though everyone called it a castle due to the visuals, the size was more like a big modern mansion. 

Finally reaching the main gates, I looked back to my friends who were a few feet away. 

_______________________________________

Chapter 2: Shadow 

Opening the gates with great strength, she lets out a huff.

The bailey was stretched with green grass and wildflowers that decorated it throughout, catching her by surprise. “If this place is really abandoned, how come it's so lively?” She thought to herself out loud.

Caw caw caw,

She heard the deep but piercing sounds of a raven. Looking up, she could've sworn to herself that she saw the shadow of a man too. 

“I must be imagining things..” Liliana reassured herself. The cold air made her skin cringe but she weirdly felt at peace here, an unknown sense of familiarity and nostalgia made her throat swell and heart ache but she couldn’t explain it. It smelled and felt like a distant home.

Lost in her own little world, she almost didn't notice the raven approaching her in curiosity. It tilted its head innocently at her. Finally making eye contact with the bird, she crouched down. Gently reaching her hands to pet it before the moment was interrupted by her friends worriedly calling her name from behind.

“LILYYY,” 

“THERE YOU ARE,” 

Their shouting intimidated the raven, making it flee. 

“NOO, wait!” She called out to the bird, pouting.

“Who were you talking to?” Jungwon asked first

“She officially lost it chat,”

“I don't even think she had a mind to lose in the first place, to be honest,” Sunoo agreed with Riki, making her hit both of them in the back of their heads. 

“Ouch!” They said in sync.

“What took you so long?” Jungwon, ever the more responsible and worried one asked again. 

“I just got lost in my own thoughts,” reassuring her friends with a smile. “And I was talking to a raven, FYI.”

“What raven? We didn't see anyone?” 

“What?”

“Told you she's getting too old,” Riki replied, shaking his head. Liliana raised her hand, making the younger quickly apologize. 

“Hey guys have you noticed how the flowers here are still-” turning to show them. “Dead..?” She finishes her sentence in utter confusion. 

“Lily, sweetheart, are you feeling well?” Sunoo asked, distressed.

“Maybe, it's time to leave this creepy place,” Jungwon announced. As they left, the unknown shadow stood watching them, her.

_______________________________________

Liliana's POV:

It's been 2 weeks since me and the gang visited that weird castle. I can't help but think back to what happened. I tried my best to ignore it but a gut feeling kept telling me to go again. 

His lover was a human– and the couple was promised peace once more to the land if they got married but the night of; she was murdered in cold blood by her own kind, to them she was a traitor. In a fit of pure rage, the prince retaliated by burning the kingdom down. Centuries had passed and it is said the prince lives alone in the castle still awaiting and yearning for his lover.

“Could it possibly be true?” I mumble to myself as I sit in the mostly empty library. 

“What could be true, darling?” The sweet old lady who owned this small library suddenly appeared, startling me.

“Oh goodness, me! Did I scare you? I apologise.” She said in a worried tone.

“Oh no, it's okay Ms. Charlotte, I was just thinking out loud again.” I assured her while making space for her to sit beside me.

“Sweetie, you have been sitting here for hours, have some tea, would you?” She offered me a cup, and I took it, thanking her. “Is something bothering you?”

“Oh, it's nothing..” I avoid her gaze. She gently grabbed my hands, “you can tell me no matter how mundane or silly it is.”

Ms. Charlotte was always so kind to everyone. She didn't have kids of her own but she treated us all like her own. She is a true gem.

I slowly tell her all my worries and the events that occurred. The old castle, flowers, the raven, and mysterious shadow.

Looking at her unreadable expression, “I probably sound crazy,” her eyes softened before she spoke again.

“I don't think you sound crazy.” She leaned in, “want to know a secret?” l nod. “That tale you read and all the others about vampires are not just tales,” noticing my puzzled face, she chuckled. “Our town has held- or rather buried many secrets of its past in fear and shame. Though we do not know what happened to the vampires afterwards. We did once live in harmony despite our flaws.” 

There's a somber look in her eyes as she continues. “Many lives were lost due to human greed. This town was built on the blood of the innocent, as the guilty ran the other way. It has been centuries since we last heard of vampires. Many believed they went extinct by ending their lives to join their loved ones once more, but it is till this day believed that the prince stayed waiting for his lover to come back and remember him.”

Shocked, I stayed silent for a few seconds. 

“I do not know how or why but I believe you are connected to that place.” 

After our long chat, bid her goodbye with a hug. Waking back to my place, I find myself lost in thought before finally deciding,

I should go back.

_______________________________________

A week later, Liliana finds herself back at the castle. This time all alone. Taking a deep breath, this moment would either confirm or deny all her suspicions.

she opened the main gates with force, the beautiful and quiet scenery welcoming her as the air blew at her face, the grass covered in wildflowers was present again instead of the dead land it turned to in a blink last time.

Caw caw caw,

The raven had returned once again making her speechless. 

“But.. How..?”

The raven approached her carefully now. She reached out, slowly and gently petting it. It was very friendly, making her wonder where it learned to socialize so well with humans. 

Beneath the shadows, he stood. Watching over her in silence. Too afraid to scare her off.

Since the day she stepped foot in here, he couldn't stop thinking of her.

Liliana didn't tell a soul about her whereabouts, she kept this place to herself.

_______________________________________

**Before The War**

“Hey Hoon!” She cheerfully called out to him in the flower field, holding a clover with four leaves, making him chuckle softly at her.

“I must indeed be the luckiest man alive- or dead.” He corrected sheepishly.

They laid there in each other's arms for hours enjoying the crisp air and clouds. 

—

“Hey Hoon!” She called out to him after not seeing each other for weeks. Running into his arms as he embraced her like it would be the last time.

—

“Hey Hoon!” Her tone was ever so cheerful yet there was something underlying in her voice this time. He hummed, his head resting on her chest, the sounds of her heartbeat bringing him peace. The night was quiet as they laid in bed, tangled in the sheets together. 

“What would you do if I left this world?” She asked, playing with his soft locks absentmindedly.

Lifting his head gently to gaze into her eyes before answering with absolute certainty. “I would wait for you in every lifetime. And if someone took you away from me, I would take away everything and everyone they cherish.”

Cupping his face gently, “I love you.” She responded with a kiss that he reciprocated with twice as much passion. Getting lost in each other. 

—

“Hey Hoon!” 

He looked at her curiously.

“Why do you hate the idea of me turning into a vampire?”

Shocked at her bold question, he stayed quiet for a few moments, gathering his thoughts. 

“I would never want to curse you with the same fate as me no matter how selfish I can be.” He gulped, “I would never forgive myself if you turned into a monster like me..” 

“But you're not a monster-” He interrupts her, 

“To you, I am just Hoon but.. To others I am no less of a monster.” The pain in his voice was evident as he avoided her gaze.

She gently held his big cold hands into her warmer ones. No other words were needed to be exchanged, her presence alone offered him more comfort than he thought he deserved.

**After The War**

It all seemed to happen overnight. The screams, the slaughter, the blood spilt, the lives lost. The place was in ruins as Sunghoon ran searching for his lover in the chaos.

“LILIANA!”

“MY LOVE CAN YOU HEAR ME!”

“LILIANA!”

He kept calling till his throat hurt.

There she was, with an open wound in her stomach as humans tied her on the burning stake. Her screams pierced the air as he ran to her pulling her away from the fire but he was too late.

“Hey.. Hoon.. wait for.. me.. please..” She coughed blood before peacefully closing her eyes forever. Even in her last moments, she smiled at him.

He cried loudly begging her to open her eyes again, to not leave him yet.

With his heart burning for his lover, blood covered his vision and arms as his heart ached for her.

She left and he no longer was just her Hoon but a monster seeking revenge.

_______________________________________

Sunghoon’s POV:

Waking up hastily from my nightmare. I stared at the ceiling blankly. Only it wasn't a nightmare but my reality. It was too early to contemplate the difference. Since that unknown girl entered the castle, I felt uneasy. 

Could it really be her? 

But if it was her, she would've remembered me…right?

My own thoughts turned into just her, and they haunted me every night.

After the day I watched her leave with her friends, I couldn't shake the thought of wanting to see her again. I wanted to confirm my suspicions, I told myself.

Then, she appeared again, and again, and again. 

Yet, I still couldn't find the courage to step closer to her. Every week, without fail she visited alone. She just sat there mostly in silence with a book and pen in her hands. Carefree of her surroundings. She would sometimes talk to herself out loud or to the raven, who seemed to grow a liking to her being around.

I watched her leave every time, in the dark shadows. Unable to find the right words to convey.

_______________________________________

Chapter 3: Names & Secrets

The weather was sunny and warm, it stopped raining for the first time that week. Driving to the castle, Liliana hummed along to the music playing on the radio. Whenever she was overwhelmed by the noise and world around her, she loved visiting the castle to sit there despite the pretty long road.

It was all worth it in the end, the fresh scent of flowers and the air just felt different.

The unknown presence around her didn't go unnoticed, it didn't seem to be a sign of any danger though so she didn't worry too much about it. But today, she wanted to explore the place more. 

Walking around the long hallways and just appreciating the architecture. Following behind her from afar, he stood. 

The raven sat on the top of her head as she spoke to it like it could respond.

“Hey, I just realized I never gave you a name,” she said casually.

“Caw!” The bird said.

Suddenly, she stopped walking to turn around, “why don't we ask our little stalker friend here for advice.” 

He paused. 

“How did she notice..?” Sunghoon thought to himself

“You're not exactly that subtle you know.” She smiled amused as if she could read his thoughts.

“She smiled.. Is she not afraid of me?”

Slowly coming on out, he revealed himself to her.

She walked closer to him, “So, does it have a name,” she pointed at the bird who flew to his shoulder. 

“No.” His deep cold voice made a shiver run down her spine.

“Why not?” She tilted her head, confused. It was a habit she never let go off. One that made his cold heart melt every time. 

“You ask too many questions.” His voice remained cold and dry. 

Liliana pouted, her big eyes shimmering in the sun making his cold heart swell more but his expression was still stoic.

The two fell into a pattern from then on. 2 months passed quicker than anticipated.

“Hey, ice prince,” that's what she called him since they met.

“Sunghoon.” He corrected her softly.

Not hearing him the first time, she tilted her head.

“It's Sunghoon.” He said more firmly this time, looking deeply into her eyes.

“That name.. Sounds so familiar.” Her thoughts were interrupted by him suddenly walking away. 

“Hey Hoon! Wait!” The nickname flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

His entire body stopped. 

“Did she just..” His mind turned blank but his face stayed neutral.

“What?” He blurted out loud, accidentally. Voice a little higher than normal. 

She smiled at him bashfully, “sorry, it just felt right.”

He tried to contain himself, “It's okay.. I don't mind.” His gaze softened before going back to that mysterious glint that captivated her.

“Okay, Hoon.” Her smile was just as bright as the day he lost her. 

This all felt like a sick joke from the universe to him. “Why can't she remember? And why did she have to find this cursed place again. Why does she keep coming back..” His thoughts in disarray.

_______________________________________

Liliana's POV: 

The next day, I sat on my bed ideally, and decided to call Jungwon for advice.

“What's up, Lily?” He picked up.

“Wonie, can you keep a secret?” I nervously asked. 

“Of course, is something the matter?” His tone is noticeably softer now. 

I confessed to him what I have been doing lately and about Sunghoon. Maybe it was part of my imagination but he suddenly went quiet after hearing that name.

“Won?” I speak, cutting the tension in the air.

“Liliana, did.. you.. say Sunghoon?”

“Yeah why-” He interrupts me, “isn't that the name of the vampire prince from the local tale?” He carefully asked and suddenly my world stopped as I remembered what Ms. Charlotte told me before.

“Liliana, are you somehow connected to him? If he wanted to kill you, he wouldn't have waited this long.” My eyes widened as we both tried to connect the dots.

Before we cut the call he told me. “I don't think he wants to hurt you but please be careful, if anything happens call me immediately, okay?”

Opening my laptop, I start to deep dive more and reread what I might have missed. I noticed no one has mentioned his lover's name. Packing my bag, I sprint to the library. 

I pushed the library doors open, the familiar bell ringing. The tension was thick, and it seemed like my unexpected visit wasn't all that unexpected.

Ms. Charlotte stood there with a warm smile, “took you long enough, sweetheart.”

Not knowing what to say, I felt tears cloud my vision. I had this strong feeling that I was supposed to remember something, or rather, someone but I just couldn't no matter what I tried. 

I kept going back to the castle as if somewhere in my heart I was expecting Sunghoon but something was blocking that from my memories.

“Oh, honey,” she embraced me warmly in her arms as I helplessly cried.

“It's not your fault.” She repeated gently, patting my head until I calmed down enough to talk.

“Why do I feel like a piece of me is missing?” I asked anxiously, looking at my feet that were shaking.

“Because it was taken away from you.” She held my hands as I looked at her with an expression mixed with both surprise and confusion. 

“400 years ago, you were the princess that was supposed to marry Park Sunghoon. After your own people killed you, he went borderline hysterical. Killing everything and everyone who stood in his way, because of his sins, the gods had cursed him with a fate to where you wouldn't remember him until the day he atoned to all his past sins.”

Trying to process her words, my body felt heavy making me faint when I tried standing up on my own two feet.

_______________________________________

Somewhere in her dreams, memories of her and Sunghoon appeared.

“Hey, Hoon!” She shouted cheerfully running to his side as he chuckled softly at her. Opening her hands, a ladybug appeared, “did you know that ladybugs symbolize good luck!”

—

Images of them holding hands, kissing passionately under the lit moon, embracing one another on the grass, and being tangled in the sheets all become distant and distorted as one memory plays vividly.

“LILIANA”

“MY LOVE CAN YOU HEAR ME”

“LILIANA!”

He kept calling till his throat hurt.

There she was, with an open wound in her stomach as humans tied her on the burning stake. Her screams pierced the air as he ran to her pulling her away from the fire but he was too late.

“Hey.. Hoon.. wait for.. me.. please..” She coughed blood before closing her eyes forever. Even in her last moments, she smiled at him.

— 

Waking up while gasping for air, she finds herself in a strange room. Recalling the dream she had, she felt her whole being and soul shake. She wanted- no needed to see him.

“You're finally awake?” Sunoo spoke, he had eye bags and looked worried sick.

“Lily!” Jungwon called out almost in disbelief.

The door swung open revealing Riki who ran into her arms. “You dumbass, had us all worried sick for days.” Feeling her throat bubble up, she apologized while sobbing uncontrollably. 

“It’s okay, Lily. We aren’t mad.” Sunoo reassured her, his hand rubbing her back.

“Yeah, but you do owe me 20 bucks now,” Riki tried to lighten the mood. Making the others chuckle at the silly bet they made months ago. 

“I need to see him, please.” She weakly called out, still shaking.

“Ms. Charlotte caught us up with everything.” Jungwon shared. 

“We will take you there but first, please drink some water and eat.” 

“But-” Sunoo cuts her off, agreeing with Riki, “no buts, you need energy to see him.” His gaze was soft but his tone was firm, leaving no room for debate.

_______________________________________

Final Chapter: Fate 

Sunghoon waited for her to visit again. Days passed and she never came. He began to feel his whole being scream, unable to leave the castle to go see her. The curse tied him down to this place. Away from her. 

She was his salvation and damnation.

“Is she okay?”

“Did she get hurt?”

“What if she remembered?” 

“Does she hate me?”

His thoughts spiraled as he paced back and forth for hours chewing on his nails until they bled. The metallic taste only made him more numb. 

In his disheveled state, it was all filled with her voice, scent, warmth, her. She consumed his soul whole. 

Stopping all his thoughts, in the chaos of his mind, her voice rang and echoed through the walls, calling for him. 

His body froze. 

“Liliana..?”

There she was, this time, she remembers. This time she won't leave. 

Liliana ran, but of breath, calling to him.

“Hoon!” 

“I remember now!” 

“I'm back!”

Not wasting a second longer, he ran towards the sound of her voice. This time, knowing it wasn't a dream.

Finally, they stood a few feet away from one another in the same garden they once always laid in. Breathless and eyes red from crying. She whispered as stray tears fell down her face, “I missed you.” But she still smiled. The wind blew, making her look ever more beautiful in his eyes as the sun set.

The next few moments are almost a blur as they embrace one another tightly on the grass, surrounded by wildflowers. Scared of letting go, of losing each other. But no longer feeling like they were missing pieces of themselves. 

“What took you so long?” He whispered softly against her hair.

The question was more rhetorical, yet she still answered him with one of her own.

“Did you always know?” Unable to hide the hurt in her voice.

“Yes,” he whispered, not wanting to hide or lie to her or himself any longer.

Lifting her head, she looks into his eyes. his hands reach out hesitant at first before she grabs them, covering him in her warm skin. Oh how much he missed her touch. He cradled her face, fingers tracing her skin in a familiar tune.

Lightly tracing her bottom lip with his thumb, his gaze moved towards her lips then eyes again, silently asking for permission. Without saying a word, she leaned in first, closing the gap between them.

The kiss started off so sweet but soon became more desperate. His hand moved with more urgency, wanting to feel her as close as possible. While his other hand held the back of her head, guiding her. Hating any distance between them. 

Gently biting her bottom lip, drawing some blood, making her breath hitch. His tongue carefully soothed the pain. Liliana blushed at his silent vow. “Mine.” it said with certainty.

Minds dizzy. Her body laid on top of him, pulling away to catch their breaths. Her hands stayed tangled in soft hair. His eyes shined a beautiful ruby red, his look alone claiming her soul.

Separated by the same cruel fate that bounds them. So close yet distant, their souls intertwine in an eternal rhythm that bled red of their love that no century or distance could break. 

_______________________________________

EPILOGUE  

Sunghoon slowly got accustomed to the human world after being sealed away for centuries.

“Hoon?” She called out to him half asleep, standing in nothing but his t-shirt in the kitchen, making him chuckle.

“Yes, my love?” He answered sweetly while fixing them breakfast.

Instead of saying anything, she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

“Come on, angel, I have to finish making breakfast,” he smiled, still not pushing her away.

She stood on her tippy toes, placing a feathery kiss on his neck, leaving a shiver down his spine.

“What was that?” He giggled, turning around to hold her waist, pulling her closer.

“Just wanted to say thank you. Is that so wrong?” Resting her hands on his chest. Her eyes glimmered with mischief.

Their mornings and days were now filled with each other. No longer aiming wordlessly and waking up alone, they found home.

_______________________________________

© heeikeuu | likes and reblogs are appreciated ♡

TAGLIST: @yeonmuse @deluluscenarios @strawberryenha @coldkeycat

[minijenn]

Universe Falls Chapter 21: Scary-Oke

Story Summary: What would happen if the Crystal Gems had settled down in a place other than Beach City, a little backwoods town just west of weird…? What if, upon coming to Gravity Falls for the summer, Dipper and Mabel were to befriend Steven and Connie? What kind of magical, mysterious adventures would they have? And, how would they fare against the combined threats of merciless Homeworld Gems and a certain triangular demon?

Find out what happens when Magic and Mystery meet in Universe Falls...

Chapter Summary: The Pines and the Gems band together to defeat an undead threat… with the power of music! Under the cover of night, Gravity Falls slept silently, peacefully. Or at least, most of the town did.  Tonight, Steven and Greg had stayed up for a movie marathon. Nestled into a cozy pile of blankets in the back of his father’s van, Steven kept his eyes trained on the monster flick playing on the tiny TV. Despite the film’s cheap effects, he still gasped when the hero landed the finishing blow on the last of the zombies pursuing his group.  “Oh man, that was the scariest movie we’ve watched tonight yet! I wonder if real-life zombies would be as terrifying as that one.” “Eh, probably not, Schtu-ball,” Greg shrugged, smirking. “I mean, that zombie was pretty slow. The guys in the movie could’ve outran him if they’d gone at more than just a light jog.” “Oh yeah? And how would you know?” Steven flashed his father a challenging grin. “Have you ever outran a zombie, Dad?”

Click the link to read more; all comments are appreciated!

[matts-girlfriend]

It’s You I Welcome Death With- Chris Sturniolo

TattooArtist!Chris and MakeupArtist!Reader

chapter 5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

warning this series will contain, substance abuse, angst, arguing,tension,swearing, mentions of absent family, blood, abuse (not from chris). smut, oral, this is a warning for all chapters

The text came in while Y/N was elbow-deep in books and essays.

Nick S:

hey need a favor if you’re not booked—photoshoot thing for the shop, you in?

She didn’t hesitate.

Y/N:

i’m in. send details.

⸻

It was kind of weird how easily she clicked with Nick. He was the least chaotic of the brothers—organized, sharp-tongued, stylish in a way that made her trust his skincare routine more than most dermatologists. His tattoos were minimal, well-placed. And most importantly: he gave zero fucks about flirting with her.

God bless gay men.

The shoot wasn’t anything major, just some new promo shots for the tattoo studio’s Instagram. She was blending foundation into some guy’s jawline when Nick perched on a stool beside her, sipping an iced coffee with three shots of espresso and at least two existential crises.

“You’re good at this,” he said, watching her work.

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

He smirked. “Not surprised. Just impressed. That’s different.”

Y/N raised a brow but didn’t argue. The compliment felt genuine—like everything else about Nick.

When the last flash of the camera went off and everyone started packing up, Nick nudged her gently with his elbow.

“Hey. We’re throwing a party Saturday night. Kind of a big thing—grand opening slash shop launch slash excuse to get drunk and show off our new house.”

She wiped her hands on a towel. “You inviting me as the artist or the entertainment?”

“As the hot girl who made our models not look like sleep-deprived zombies,” he deadpanned. “Come on. It’ll be chill. Just a bunch of gays, tattoo guys, and questionable influencers. You’ll fit in.”

Y/N hesitated. Crowds weren’t her thing lately. Neither was pretending everything in her life wasn’t on fire.

But Nick looked so hopeful. And truthfully, she hadn’t been invited to anything in a while that didn’t involve cleaning up someone else’s mess.

She sighed. “Fine. But if someone plays Taylor Swift unironically, I’m leaving.”

⸻

Later that night, she sat cross-legged on her bed, tossing M&M’s into her mouth while Ava scrolled TikTok beside her.

“There’s a party,” Y/N said casually.

“Are you going?” Ava asked, not looking up.

“I think so.”

A pause. Then:

“Who’s throwing it?”

Y/N didn’t answer fast enough.

Ava narrowed her eyes. “Who’s throwing it?”

She sighed. “Nick. Chris’s brother.”

Ava dropped her phone. “CHRIS’S brother? Tattoo boy Chris? 2AM-blunt-sharing, sad-eyes, fine-as-fuck Chris?”

Y/N groaned. “Stop talking.”

“Oh my god.” Ava was fully sitting up now. “You’re going to his house. That’s basically Wattpad endgame.”

“I’m not even sure if he’ll be there.”

“But if he is, what are you gonna wear? Should I do your eyeliner? Do you want slutty or mysterious?”

“I hate you.”

“You love me,” Ava sing-songed, already grabbing her makeup bag.

⸻

She got to the party late.

The backyard was lit up with string lights and half-empty bottles. Music thumped from inside the house, not quite loud enough to be obnoxious. People were scattered in small groups, drinks in hand, laughter echoing off the walls.

Nick spotted her first, weaving through a crowd of guys who looked like they could hear colors and girls who looked like they were on the verge of throwing up.

“You made it!” he grinned, pulling her into a quick side-hug. “You look hot. I’m telling everyone you’re here to scout models.”

She snorted. “Please don’t.”

Matt appeared behind him, a drink in each hand. “You’re the makeup girl, right?”

“Y/N,” she said.

Matt gave her a once-over that wasn’t flirty—more curious than anything. “Cool. Heard about you.”

“Hopefully good things.”

Matt just smiled like he knew something she didn’t.

Chris was nowhere to be seen, and honestly? That was fine. She made polite conversation, complimented someone’s earrings, pretended not to notice three different girls making out on the porch swing. It was all good.

Until she stepped onto the upstairs balcony and saw him.

Backlit by moonlight, blunt tucked between his lips.

Black hoodie. Rings catching the light.

No girl beside him.

Of course.

Chris turned just enough to catch her watching.

“You always stare like that?” he asked, voice low.

“Only at people who look like they’re about to drop the biggest breakup song of the year.”

He grinned, holding out the blunt. “Come judge me closer.”

She walked over. Took it. Smoked in silence for a second before speaking.

“You really always smoke at parties?”

Chris shrugged. “Better than being outside. Less noise.”

“Mm.”

Another hit.

Then he asked, “Why are you like that with guys?”

“Like what?”

He gave her a look. “Mean. Distant. Untouchable.”

She didn’t answer right away. She usually wouldn't've but the weed in her system made it all the more easy to open up.

“I haven’t trusted a guy since I was thirteen and got left to raise my little sister alone.”

Chris didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink.

But something behind his eyes changed.

He said nothing. Just passed her the blunt again.

She took it slowly, then asked, “What about you? Why all the girls?”

Chris leaned back on the railing. “Sex is just sex. It’s easy. No one expects anything. No one gets close. But kissing? Kissing’s different.”

Y/N arched a brow. “You don’t kiss?”

“Not unless I mean it.”

She laughed, breathless. “That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.”

“You think?”

“I think the opposite makes more sense,” she said. “I kiss all the time. But I never let anyone get further. Kissing’s just kissing. Intimacy’s letting someone in. Sex is the closest you can be with someone.”

They stared at each other then. Long and quiet. Something buzzing in the space between them.

Chris tilted his head, His tongue swiping by his cheek before he spoke. “So what you’re saying is… you wouldn’t fuck me.”

“Nope.”

“But you’d let me kiss you?”

“Depends where.”

He smirked. Stepped closer.

And instead of going for her lips, he dipped his head to the curve of her neck, warm breath ghosting her skin before his lips pressed right against her pulse.

Soft. Lingering. Petty as hell.

Y/N’s breath hitched. She didn’t stop him.

Didn’t want to.

But then—her phone rang.

Ava.

Her stomach dropped.

She stepped away fast, swiping to answer. “Ava?”

All she heard was sobbing.

“Ava. Talk to me. What happened?”

“Y/N,” her sister cried. “I’m sorry—I—I went to get food and he woke up and he was so mad—he threw a bottle—”

Y/N was already running.

⸻

She didn’t even remember getting in the car.

Just the red light blur of the streets.

Just the fear.

When she threw open the front door, her stepdad was half-passed out on the couch, a new bottle of beer in his hand.

On the floor—glass.

A shard streaked in blood.

Y/N bolted up the stairs two at a time.

Ava was in her bed, crying, her hoodie stained at the shoulder where blood had soaked through. Y/N pulled the fabric back and saw it—a gash just above her temple, still bleeding.

“Shit, baby. Come here,” she whispered, grabbing the first aid kit. “It’s okay. I got you.”

“He didn’t mean to,” Ava sobbed. “I just—I dropped a plate and he freaked—”

Y/N held her tighter. Pressed a clean towel to the wound and kept her voice steady even though she wanted to scream.

“I’m gonna fix this, okay?” she whispered. “You’re safe now. I’m here.”

She kissed her sister’s forehead and bandaged the cut, tucking them both under the blanket like she could shield her from the whole damn world.

And once Ava was asleep, Y/N stared at the ceiling with tears in her eyes and just one thought looping in her head:

We need to get out. Now.

a/n: seriously debating on writting the stepdad falling into a ditch.

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(dividers by @bernardsbendystraws)

[bezierballad]

I actually began to notice a weird pattern with the arcs:

"INSANE DARK JACK THE RIPPER MYSTERY FULL OF MURDER AND BETRAYAL"

"okay time for a curry competition"

"INSANE MYSTERY WITH AN ACTION-PACKED BATTLE BETWEEN SERVANTS AND CIRCUS PERFORMERS"

"oh no someone died at a dinner party"

"INSANE ACTION-PACKED ESCAPE FROM A SHIP FILLED WITH FLESH-EATING ZOMBIES"

"oh no someone died at this school"

"INSANE ACTION-PACKED JOURNEY THROUGH A CREEPY FOREST FULL OF WEREWOLVES"

"okay it's jpop time"

[blueishspace]

Grian "The Watcher" Minecraft.

BdoubleO "Eyes so big they are like two third of his face" 100.

Tinfoil "Giant Green floating eyeball" Chef.

Etho "Weird mysterious red eye" slab.

Keralis "Look into my eyes, nothing but my eyes".

Zombie "Two glowing purple eyes under their base" Cleo.

...

Hermitcraft would be The Eye's favourite place.

[noneorother]

All the music you didn’t hear: The Good Omens soundtrack is lying to you. *Part 1*

The Bonkers Meta Series part 2: Electric Boogaloo.

I so rarely get a chance to misuse my experience in classical music, but here we are. When I realized on my most recent watch-through of the series that the David Arnold score was brilliant, but also really wonky in some parts and I couldn’t put my finger on why, @embracing-the-ineffable suggested I listen to the album soundtrack to compare.

And when I tell you what I found hidden in there, you’re going to need Eccles cakes...

1) The Song is the Clue

So right up top we have this banger. The 12th track on the album is the orchestral backdrop to the scene in the Job minisode where Aziraphale reveals Crowley’s crow/goats. The duration is 2:22 (the only track with multiples on the album), and if you look at the track by itself it doesn’t mean much. But the song just before it is actually from this fucking scene:

You know, the one where there’s a song that’s a clue to a mystery. Except Clue is capitalised, and Aziraphale pronounces it. I’ve seen guesses that this is a reference to the movie Clue, but I would put a lot of money on the fact that we are supposed to read the title of the song currently playing at that moment in the show *as a Clue*, which is super convenient, because the word Clue is capitalized in the track listing. 

Seems like the overlords of Good Omens have a message for us : The song is the Clue. It’s what God wants. Cool cool cool. WHAT SONG?

2) Symmetry in all things 

Before I straight up tell you, we have to go back and look at season 1.

Now I’m far from the first to notice tons of parallels between the story, details and even lines in both seasons. It got me thinking that maybe there are some fun synch-up parallels between the two season’s soundtracks, seeing as they are both 6 episodes long. Here’s the end of S1 and then S2

Oh that’s a bummer, I thought to myself. 

They don’t even add up to the same number, or playtime, and neither of them is exactly 60 tracks. But do you want to hear a secret? S2 is actually missing 3 tracks on the album. And because there are 2 discs in S2 (cute), the numbers of the tracks start over again from 1. Remember how much God likes sevens? Check out where all the weirdness is happening in disc 2 (I’ve added the missing track listings in red to add context):

After checking each track with the show and listening side by side (for reasons that will become clear in another post) I can definitively say that there is something *very weird* going on at the end of episode 4. 

First is track 7, Zombie dressing room, which seems to actually reach over two distinct scenes of the photo evidence in the dressing room and then Shax in hell even though it only has one title.

But *between* these two scenes we get an eerily silent wine date with Aziraphale & Crowley.

There’s really no music or even sound here besides the dialogue and room tone (until after the cheers), and it seems like a very intentionally silent version of a ritz date from season 1.

My best guess is that we are supposed to divide that track into two tracks of 7, before and after the date to get a second track 7. Or maybe the silent one is missing music? The third track number 7 is the weirdest one. It’s this scene here, when Nina parks her bike, and Aziraphale parks the car at the end of S2E4.

If you take a close listen to the music, it’s a jaunty little piece, with an oom-pah base in 3 ⁄ 4 time. The thing is, this music does not exist in any Good Omens album. Please feel free to correct me, but I’ve tried to find any part of any song that this could even be a reprise of, and I Shazammed it to be sure it wasn’t anything else. This song does not exist anywhere except in this scene. (It quickly morphs into a reprise of the original theme once Nina leaves Aziraphale). It’s an invisible song.

So we have 3 tracks at the end of S2E4: a long one, a silent one and an invisible one. Only one of which is numbered 7, but that all fit into that place in the track listing.

Which, when we add the two extras to the original total of fifty-nine we get... sixty-one! Hey wait a minute.

How are we going to get to 62?

3) The real missing track. 

So the real reason we had to go back to the S1 album was because it contains the missing track that God is talking about. Let’s compare the last tracks on each album.

I’ve highlighted the mismatch between the in-show music and the album in S2, which means I had to add A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square back into the S2 album because guess what, it’s not in the S2 album. Even though it plays in the show. 

You want to know how not in the album it is? Amazon had to track it in the show as a season 1 song. They had to give Tori Amos credit for her song on Good Omens in the X-ray bonus features because that’s how not in the album this song is.

So my fellow beings, if the song is the Clue, then It’s what God Wants.

And if God wants a happily ever after with Aziraphale and Crowley on their own side, then by Job, I think Neil is going to give it to her.

-----------

And there's more where that came from! Part 2 coming shortly.

[arkhamochi]

Batman & Robin (2009, vol. 2) #ochireads

BATMAN REBORN By Grant MORRISON & Frank QUITELY

"The new Dynamic Duo uncovers clues involving the mysterious death of Bruce Wayne before facing off against each other in a heated battle that both heroes will regret — if they live through it! Includes THE BLACKEST NIGHT, as well as stories that lead directly into BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE!" [x]

DISCLAIMER: This retrospective may assume that you have a baseline knowledge of some of these arcs. Remember, this is all in the spirit of friendly story analysis and healthy discussion! All opinions are my own.

OVERVIEW:

Hooooo boy, okay, this one is kinda WEIRD. This volume is mostly filler for "The Return of Bruce Wayne", the greater DC event at the time. Damian is out of commission for the first half (due to the events of the previous volume), but whatever Damian moments are in here are more foundational than at first glance, even if it is at the expense of other characters.

REACTION COMMENTARY: (5 minute read)

Talia: "Isn't he magnificent?" Damian: *looking like a soggy piece of naan bread*

Co-parenting moment with your adult ward's ex girlfriend. Alfred's affection/care for Damian is a lot more unambiguous here, and now I really wish we could've seen their relationship grow in the comics (instead of it being implied "off-page")🥺!!!

To be honest, Morrison's narrative justification for introducing Damian still isn't satisfying to me. It's implied that Talia has promised Damian to inherit the Batman/Wayne empire. Now that he's super involved with the Batman gig, Talia is acting all confused and incensed about it. Am I thinking too hard about this?

SO CUTE!!! A little sweater vest moment as a treat 🥺! Another subtle nod to their genuine relationship, where Damian feels close enough to gossip with Alfred (albeit right in front of the poor subject).

I'm not sure if this is purposeful, but Damian's conversation also seems more relaxed and free flowing (compared to the previous arc). Outside of Robin activity, I don't imagine Damian going outside much, and he definitely doesn't have any friends, so he'd naturally spend a lot of time with Alfred.

Context: it really is a zombie clone!

What a smart cookie! It's a brief but interesting insight into Damian using his own unique knowledge of the Lazarus Pit to quickly deduce that this Batman is a fake, compared to Dick. I wonder if this is supposed to be a direct implication that Dick wouldn't have resurrected the wrong Batman if Damian was with him to challenge the idea?

Also, once again showing Damian has immediate and genuine concern for Alfred's wellbeing.

I have to share this whole sequence of teamwork! Could it be, Alfred and Damian are the secret Dynamic Duo!?

That spit is so iconic, so petty, disrespectful even to a zombie... Even when falling to his death, Damian doesn't scream. There's an initial shock, then reservation. Maybe he's even a little embarrassed? Disappointed in himself? Even the -tt- hints at some annoyance.

Damian has lived his life, not for the sake of living, but to achieve great things. It must be a little humiliating for someone like him to seemingly die in such a vulnerable and "pathetic" way. Does this imply that he doesn't fear death, or that he doesn't give himself permission to feel fear at all?

Fear not! Dick arrives just in time to save him! And Damian is immediately back to his quippy self, making sure that Dick knows exactly what he thinks instead of a "thank you".

Of course, Batman and Batwoman defeat Zombie Batman and save the day :)

Who let this 10 year old into the boardroom???

This whole segment is so appropriately silly. It's interesting how this might be the only time (in canon) Damian has been involved with W.E. affairs, and then he's kinda never put in a scenario like this again. Maybe Morrison was getting a feeler for where Damian's strengths outside of vigilante work might fit? Or maybe it's for a one-off gag.

Either way, I can believe that Damian would enjoy scrutinising data like a challenge to be won, but truthfully would have no interest in running W.E. But clearly it's a concept that didn't take off anywhere, so it doesn't really matter THAT much 😛

A/N: Ok so this post has been in my draft for over half a year up to this point, and I'm only picking it back up now. Apologies for the rustiness in my analysis.

Completely unrelated, have I mentioned how funny this batmobile looks to me? It reminds me of the biddybuggy from Mario Kart...

Anyway, uh...

Really beautiful panel here (even though the context behind it is super silly, so we'll just ignore all that).

Damian was raised on the legacy of Al Ghul, but technically that one only goes back 2 generations. Being promised (by Talia) to inherit the Wayne fortune, I wonder how much he knows about the history of his Father's side at this point? With Bruce (assumed to be genuinely dead at this point) out of the picture, is there an added pressure? An added loss? One day, will Damian's portrait be on this wall?

Just imagine if Bruce's portrait was already up, and then just a single beat of Damian looking at the blank space next to it... But once again, the writing kinda glosses over this character opportunity to forward the plot instead (not a bad thing, but just a shame that the potential is now lost).

GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, good food, good food...

They've obviously built up a healthy rapport at this point, so it especially hurts when Dick doesn't realise the depth of his insecurities (he even brushes it off twice, omg!!!).

For all the surface-level boasting Damian peacocks about his superior skills, (arguably) having already proved himself being worthy of the mantle of Robin, Damian knows, consciously or subconsciously, that it isn't enough. Despite how well he's settled into the role, true approval must come from his father in an emotional bid, and Damian is anxiously aware of exactly how Bruce feels about him.

I've always heard about how Morrison "character assassinated" Talia, and to be honest, my uneducated ass always thought "surely it can't be that bad". My god, it really is that bad.

It's unfortunately difficult to separate this characterisation from "canon" since it seems to be the main catalyst for why Damian chooses to stay in Gotham. Damian's motivations in his introductory comics were pretty vague and poorly written imo, so I am assuming this is Morrison's way of establishing something more definitive-- it's just a shame that Talia's writing has seemingly taken the fall for it.

#1 DICK GRAYSON STAN, DAMIAN WAYNE, RAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is...... silly.... this is so silly... And yet, I must admit, this twist had me gagged.

Context: During Damian's spinal surgery, Talia inserted a device that let's her control his body. Slade then takes over (trying to get revenge on Dick as well).

Jesus, this is grim 😻! Slade kinda catching some shade for being an old man tho hahaha. Really emotional panels from the Quitely; the desperation, struggle, and absolute trust between Batman and Robin is so raw and uncomfortable (positive!).

In an era where Damian was still universally hated, it's nice to see in-context moments of Damian's selflessness and maturity, despite the fandom rhetoric of him being a selfish brat.

DAMIAN CONVINCING HIMSELF THAT (he thinks) BRUCE WILL TAKE THE MANTLE OF ROBIN AWAY WHEN HE RETURNS AAUUUGGHHHOOUUUGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something else that I love about Damian's character that I don't see get brought up often is the theme of unconditional love (for family). Even after what seems like an ultimate betrayal in love and trust, Damian still respects his mother, calls her as such, and still holds on to the expectations that, in a roundabout way, he could still make her proud.

This is similarly the case with Bruce, where Damian believes that Bruce has no affection or trust towards him, but he still respects him (and their relationship) as his father.

To cap this off, I also wanted to include this "writer's commentary" by Morrison lol.

Overall, this arc had a little more bite than the last! Everything is obviously overshadowed by the "Bruce Returns" event, but we got some really definitive Damian moments... even if it was at the expense of Talia's character...

Anyone else have favourite moments to share? Personal analysis and thoughts? Let's talk about it 🥰!