#Something is odd something is off and you better believe something is wrong and strange let alone peculiar

[maacbrem]

Absolutely insane about the Thelyss brothers in Vasselheim cause like

Essek the Bright Queen is RIGHT THERE SIR PLEASE - but then, so is his brother, his little brother he probably still thinks of as a child because they were allowed to be children so briefly before anamnesis failed to come and they had to make something of themselves as new souls in an ancient Den, and Verin is the youngest Taskhand of Bazzoxan and a highly accomplished Echo Knight but he’s going to war??? Against aliens and would-be god killers and Ludinus Da’leth???? And Essek is a heretic fugitive and selfish to his bones, but he loved his brother even when he didn’t think he was capable of love at all, even if he wasn’t very good at it. So he stays in Vasselheim and he makes sure that these strange, awe-inspiring legendary heroes know his brother’s face, his voice, his armour, so that maybe if he falls one of them will deign to pick him up. He thinks about his friends, far from him now (Caleb, out of his reach and likely preparing to do something reckless but too brilliant to be called foolish), and looks at his brother, who will also go, who might never come back.

And Verin??? The youngest son of his Den, the second new soul prodigy by necessity who never really understood his brother but loved him anyway, who mourned their father so hard that he tried to become him by throwing himself against the endless hordes of the Hells, who now answers the call of all the gods and Exandria itself to fight a war with impossible odds, offering himself and his soldiers as potential cannon fodder so that the legendary heroes of the age might emerge victorious? I need to know how long he’s known what Essek did (because I know that Essek confessed and part of him hoped that Verin would condemn him, his righteous, devoted brother), and I need to know if Essek faked his death or just vanished, and I need to know if Verin wept for him. Verin who loves his people and his country and his god, who believes in things like faith and loyalty because he’s never really had cause not to, who has to find a way to believe in his brother, too. He learns to recognize this Archivist disguise and a few others that Essek favours, and he stops referring to his brother by name ever just so he doesn’t forget at the wrong moment, and he carries the beat-up booklet of Ashari poetry that he first learned to read Common from that still has child-Essek’s penmanship in the margins and he thinks about how seasons change and how winter doesn’t really kill, it just rests, and the process of a butterfly’s metamorphosis isn’t really that far off from the Luxon’s decree to become your ever-bettering self.

Essek doesn’t say “come back” but he does say “fight smart” and Verin knows what he means. Verin wraps him in a spine-cracking bear hug, uncomfortable in his armour but Essek has gotten better about physical affection in the past few years and one day Verin intends to thank the Mighty Nein personally for that. Verin says “stay sharp” and then quieter he says “i’ll see you again” and Essek hears ‘in this life or the next’ and he very calmly and sanely doesn’t start screaming, but he does press a pearl to Verin’s forehead (Caleb’s variation of the somatics, a useless bit of sentimentality made powerful that Essek adores). And then they have to part ways before Verin rejoins the Kryn contingent and Essek disappears back into the crowd, two brothers finally on the same side but unable to stand together.

Anyway, I think they’re neat.

[mcflymemes]

THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the tv show (season 1), adjust as necessary

i can shove 12 gummy worms up my nose. you wanna see?

i was blunt... i was direct... and if i do say so myself, i was pretty darn mean.

is that a threat or a promise?

i learned something from you and you learned something from me.

i can't believe i might have to wear plaid.

teach me to be smart!

i mean, this is probably the most boring hotel in the history of boring hotels.

none of them even noticed me.

do you need some help with your bags?

i'm not that strange... except when i get really nervous i can't stop talking which is odd because i'm aware of it and you'd think i'd know better but for some strange reason...

what kind of superficial airhead thinks that's cool?

are you wearing lipstick?

i protest against them.

i got dragged off by a cop!

i guess i should say goodbye. or... you could invite me to your suite?

do you know how much they cost?

it's so much nicer than the mini-van we used to live in.

is there a hall of fame for this kind of stuff?

that's what trees look like before you cut them down.

what's that on your face?

thanks for the red sox tickets!

you tend to be un-smooth.

some of this candy is older than you.

somebody ordered the "i'm sorry for what i did last night" buffet.

get us into the wedding.

we may live in a palace, but we are not royalty.

what did you set on fire?

have you seen what you're wearing?

will you guys stop fighting?

we are not fighting. we are having a creative discussion.

stop agreeing. you're annoying me now.

i'll have you know, i flunked that math test purposely just to get away from you.

are you familiar with the gear shift?

you're making me nervous with all this technical talk.

why don't we just relax, turn on the radio? would you like AM or FM?

let's find out how rich i am!

you're gonna learn to drive?

have you heard the good news?

i love the rush of the road, the wind in my hair.

they shouldn't be too hard to find. we'll just look for the car that's going in reverse.

i suppose i have a slight tendency to be a bit critical.

have you seen my kids?

which goes first, the milk or the cereal?

it's a special night. don't make me slap you.

did you just flick flour into my face?

come back here and take this banana creme pie like a man!

how would you feel if people were spreading rumors about you?

we don't have a dungeon.

i recommend you go away!

this is not a joking matter.

there's no such thing as ghosts.

just 'cause i don't need it doesn't mean it's not mine.

don't take this the wrong way.

i made it with my own two hands.

i've hit rock bottom. and i don't like rock bottom. it's so... rock bottomy.

i have about twenty different ones. which one do you want?

i actually cooked for three hours.

do you ever find yourself feeling discouraged, unfulfilled, unappreciated?

try this hot dog!

[cosmerelists]

Rosharans Rate Foods Not Native to their Planet

As requested by @makothedorito :)

@makothedorito wanted to know what would happen if Stormlight characters encountered food not native to their planet. Here's what I think!

1. Szeth reviews Mountain Dew

Szeth: Horrible. Szeth: A bright, unconscionable green color. Sickly, horribly sweet. Like acidic poison in my throat. Szeth: Also made me feel, strangely, as though even without powers, I could fly. Szeth: ... Szeth: 3/5 stars.

2. Lift reviews Mountain Dew

Lift: Actually,SzethonlytooklikeonesipbeforeItookitfromhim. Lift: IsawthecrazylookhewasgettinginhiseyesandIwaslikenosir. Lift: Luckily,IdrankthewholebottleandI'mnotbeingaffectedatall! Wyndle: [crying]: Mistress, PLEASE use Regrowth I think you're dying!

3. Shallan reviews chocolate

Shallan: Oh, 5/5 for sure! Shallan: Radiant likes the dark chocolate because the "bitterness adds to the sweetness," apparently. Shallan: Veil likes milk chocolate coating other things--so like sugar with another, harder layer of sugar. Shallan: I gotta say--I like the bars! Something about being able to crack off pieces and eat them is so satisfying. Adolin: So the 19 wrappers I see around our room... Shallan: Head's up, I may never sleep again!

4. Rushu reviews coffee

Rushu: My research indicated that this drink is supposed to make you alert and eager for action! Rushu: But...my thoughts have never BEEN so sedate. Honestly, I could take a nap right now. Rushu: Odd. Rushu: 4/5, I suppose.

5. Nomad reviews hot 'n' spicy wings

Nomad: [a single tear running down his face] Nomad: Finally...some good fucking food...

6. Renarin reviews steak

Renarin: You would think that "well done" is the opposite of "badly done" but Renarin: ... Renarin: I suppose I know what it is like to eat leather.

7. Bridge Four reviews pizza

Lopen: Man, it's great! Look at this one--so thin and droopy you have to roll it up to eat it! Rock: What is your insanity? This one that is so thick you must cut into it with a large knife is the way to go. I want my pizza to be as deep as my fist. Lopen: Thin is better!! Rock: Thick is superior!! Skar: I can't say why, but I'm partial to the one cut into squares. Really crackling crust, too. It just feels right, somehow... Rock: Skar, friend, I respect your opinion even though it is 100% wrong. Kaladin: Isn't all pizza just a tad...greasy? Lopen: Ha ha! You say such weird things somethings, Kaladin! Lyn: Ooooh....this one with ham and the sweet yellow fruit is AMAZING! Best pizza of all time hello?? Lopen: ... Rock: ... Skar: ... Kaladin: ... Lopen: I can't believe we have to kick Lyn out of Bridge Four. Lyn: HEY

[rei-ismyname]

Uncanny X-Men #6 From The Ashes

We're starting to see Raid on Graymalkin come together with each team having a member in custody, but first we get to know these kids a little better. Spoilers, naturally.

Yeah they're a mystery to us too.

Calico/Becca has been in pretty serious denial about being a mutant and is easily the least worldly of the four. Context clues told us she grew up wealthy, sheltered, and that her mother did a number on her. It's good to make that explicit but I think something is lost by doing it in third person flashback. This is information she doesn't know and considering what happens next it'd be more effective to have her tell her own story. The flashbacks feel jarring to me too, knocking me out of the present. Her having Ember kick Logan was pretty funny though.

And she's cured! 🙄

Calico has a breakthrough after a minute talking to Gambit, completely accepting her mutanthood. I think this would be the place to hear her speak - just a little back and forth instead of Gambit getting through instantly. She basically drops out of the story at this point, repeating that she's a mutant to anyone who'll listen. Yeah, she's been going on about goblins and her mother the entire time, and she was clearly in denial, but the sudden acceptance feels unearned.

We're not done with Harvey X, it seems. He's died at least once on page and said his powers would move on when he did. Does that mean he's not dead or was he just wrong? The thing with fakeouts is that the more you do it the less readers trust what you tell them. Logan brings up the old guy whose death bed he visited in issue #1 and shares the story behind the Tequila. He asks them to drink it with him and Rogue realises he's heartbroken. This feels unearned too, frankly. We'd never seen this army buddy before and while it's sad, there's so much trauma in all these people's very recent history. Krakoa, The School, Chuck, a genocidal war, Beast, hundreds of thousands of slaughtered mutants. The narrative doesn't really need new trauma when so much is already set up.

It sucks to lose an old friend, but the reader doesn't know the guy at all so it comes out of nowhere. A lot of page space was dedicated to the Sarah Gaunt/Chuck relationship and both aren't present in the story right now. Imagine if that space was spent on, say, Sarah/Logan instead. Very little needs to be changed and being blinded/nearly killed by his now monstrous ex would be a payoff that was setup.

I have complex PTSD myself and I would love to see it handled well in this book, but it's off to a weird start that centres Rogue more than Logan. He's in the middle of sharing his trauma and reaching out when she does this. It's really fucking odd, and I have an uncomfortable feeling it's not meant to be. I'll reserve judgement and see how this plays out.

Is the spit take because of what she said or because she's acting strange? You all have PTSD

Uhhm, what? Is this meant to be Harvey X's influence on Rogue? Her narration seems to suggest that, though she's still using her accent. I don't know, but it feels off. It's great to see the letters PTSD in an X-Men comic, because no shit Logan has PTSD. However, once you pathologise it instead of just referring to trauma, you need to pay that off. I'll believe that when I see it. Also, she just cut him off and told him. Logan says she's not qualified to diagnose that and he's right.

The kids are off to school! I think this is an interesting way to keep the education element of X-Men books separate from the mutant part, and naturally the kids run into bullies straight away. We're shown the other kids listening to Jitter though her confidence is attacked by jerks making fun of her stutter. Ransom has her back but Deathdream is really committed to the bit. This scene shows us what class dynamics are at play too. Showing and not telling might seem like faint praise, but I appreciate it when it's done elegantly. It's something this title has struggled with and I'm happy to see Simone lifting her game with the kids. That said, the bullies are extremely generic. Total cutouts that could be from 1950 or 2024. That's probably intentional but high school drama is a trope that's been beaten to death. If you're going to do it you want to do it well.

More bullying happens and Deathdream seems to take Ransom's words to heart, scaring the bullies with Eldritch horrors. Deathdream really doesn't seem bothered he's about to catch hands, but Ransom rolls his sleeves up and lays them out. I think the Olympics business was overegging the pudding, we can tell from his stance and form that he's trained in boxing. Or maybe this could have come up when they fought the X-Men. Everyone would notice an Olympics hopeful boxer. It could have been in Rogue's narration and wouldn't need to be vocalised as the skill is being used. Chekhov's Skill - it's narratively satisfying.

Unfortunately, while this is going down five heavily armoured dudes corner Calico and tase TF out of her. They call it in to Graymalkin and the Raid is set up. I wonder how they got into the school or knew they were here at all. Cerebro explains the latter. Why are they so obsessed with these kids anyway? Dr Ellis was concerned for their lives 2 issues ago and now she's encouraging brutality. Whatever, big ding for the Uncanny team's record of caring for children.

Kurt and Jubilee head to the store to do shopping and Kurt BAMFs away to save a little girl from being hit by a bus. For once he gets some gratitude, though while he's doing this Jubes is being cornered by Siryn, Blob and maybe Wild Child in full Hound mode. She gets snatched up too and Kurt returns to blood and mess everywhere. He calls Rogue and she tells him to get back quickly. The ending leads straight into 2 issues of Raid on Graymalkin (with 2 over in X-Men) and both teams have their motivation. I'm not looking forward to the contrived conflict but maybe we'll get some answers. We saw Siryn and Blob being tortured in earlier issues, but I'm surprised they're here unsupervised. Perhaps those collars are responsible.

Pound for pound I'd say this is the best issue of Uncanny yet. It had some super odd moments but most of them were relics of the first arc. I do wish we got more time to know all the characters, especially the Outliers, before moving into a mini crossover but this is what we have. Still skippable but seems to be getting better. I'm interested to see how the PTSD thing plays out though my expectations are low. I know that sounds quite negative for what was an improvement, but the first arc left a bad taste in my mouth and trust is earned. Also there's NINE main characters which is really not especially sustainable in a book like this. There's just not enough space, and you end up in situations like heading into an event without a solid grasp of where most of the cast is at.

Don't stand behind a horse, Logan. Lucky you have a healing factor.

[tsukimara]

𝙰𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝙳𝚊𝚢

➸ A silent voice / Koe no katachi AU

➸ « Text » = Writing || ❝ Text ❞ = Sign language

➸ Art: En (On Pixiv)

➸ Warnings: suicidal thoughts, overthinking, anxiety.

➸ 𐙚PREVIOUS ||𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒|| NEXT 𖹭 — Masterlist

➸ Chapter 5

Wanderer quickly let go of your hand as the group of people kept talking about you and laughing under their breath as they walked down the hall. He felt his heart beating, he didn't know what it was from and he didn't like it at all. After a long pause, he glanced at your face which was as nervous as his. It was quite awkward so he wanted to suggest going for a walk, but you beat him to it.

❝ Do you want to do bread duty with me? ❞ — You saw how puzzled his face was, so you immediately started explaining what it was — ❝ Bread duty is something I always do after sign language class, I feed the fish. Let's go, I'll show you. ❞ — He watched you smile from ear to ear, he nodded showing that he agreed and that you can lead.

As you were walking together to feed the fish, out of nowhere he started thinking about you again. Even though he didn't know what your older sister and younger sister looked like, he knew that you lived with them, along with your father, whom he had seen from the car in the past when he was talking to his mother. He's sure that if he saw you two together he wouldn't be happy to see him after all this. He hoped that you were feeling better and had many real friends in current school, without any problems like he did to you.

When you reached the bridge, you started taking out bread in a sack from your bag. After opening it, you started throwing small pieces of bread into the water where many fish immediately appeared and ate them. Wanderer was a bit surprised that you came to feed the fish after class, not everyone wants to do that. He patted your shoulder lightly to draw your attention to him for a moment.

❝ Why are you feeding the fish after class? ❞ — He signed as you put the bread down on the bridge railing — ❝ Our breadman doesn't come on Tuesdays, so I volunteered to do it. I like it when people count on me. ❞ — He looked at you strangely when you signed, he never understood why some people found it happy, maybe there was just something wrong with him.

❝ You're odd... ❞ — He noticed how you looked away and slowly tore off pieces of bread. He rested his hands on the railing and ruffled his hair slightly, angry at himself for signing it. He didn't mean to be rude, he just let it slip. He still couldn't believe that you were standing here together when all he had to do was apologize and ask for forgiveness. He just had to do it before...

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw you reading your old notebook where others wrote terrible things to you. Why were you reading this? You didn't want to forget the past? How he humiliated you along with the others?

❝ Y/N... Listen, why don't you give me that notebook? ❞ — Yet you didn't pay attention to him because you were busy reading and flipping through the pages. He didn't want you to read it so he tried to take the notebook from you but you immediately pulled it to your chest. Wanderer didn't give in and tried to grab it from your hands again, which caused the notebook to fall out of both of your hands and fall into the water.

Both of your eyes widened and you immediately leaned against the railing to find it. He didn't want it to end like this, but if it meant you wouldn't read it, he didn't mind that much. He turned his head towards you, but what he didn't expect was that you were in the middle of jumping into the water. He tried to grab you by the waist, but unfortunately you managed to jump in front of him and all he heard was a splash.

"Y/N!" — He yelled your name, he would never admit that you scared and worried him at that moment, he felt how hard his heart was beating. He quickly tossed his jacket aside and jumped in after you. When he was underwater, he surfaced to see where you were. He heard you gasp next to him as you tried to push the hair out of your face to see anything. You kept searching for your notebook as if your life depended on it. Was it really so important to you? If so, why?

You kept dipping in and out of the water just to find that damn notebook, he knew there was no point in trying to convince you, so he started looking too. It wasn't easy but luckily he saw it covered in sand and more. He noticed how you were still searching, not giving up, which confused him. He poked you lightly on the head with his finger and when you looked at him he handed you your notebook which you happily took. You bowed as a thank you and he just crossed his arms as he raised an eyebrow.

❝ Is this really important to you? ❞ — To which you nodded and slowly started to get out of the water. Wanderer ruffled his wet hair slightly, not understanding you at all, he didn't see anything that important in that notebook. He sighed and shrugged, it wasn't his place to judge, after all it was yours and not his. When you were back on the bridge, he noticed you were shivering slightly due to the cold wind, so with a little reluctance, he handed you his jacket and you stared at him in shock.

❝ Take this and don't think about doing such stupid things. Don't do it again. ❞ — He scolded you, but you gladly took the jacket from him to put it on. He watched as your cheekbones lifted high, causing him to turn his head to hide his embarrassment. He felt his cheeks burning, he didn't know why he was reacting like that because of you, he wanted it to go away quickly.

"Y/N!" — Wanderer heard someone calling your name, he looked straight and it turned out that it was your father, Neuvillette, who was walking towards you with a not very happy face. It seemed like your dad hadn't changed, he looked the same as before. He gently removed the hearing aid from your ear and noticed that it didn't work due to contact with water. Then his eyes landed on Wanderer, who was watching your father anxiously.

"Let's go home." — Neuvillette lightly patted your back to show you to go to the car. As you started walking you looked at Wanderer one last time with a smile and showed him in sign language 'see you later'. He hesitantly did the same and while you were gone, he was left alone with your father. Wanderer squeezed his hand as he watched Neuvillette take your backpack, he wanted to apologize to your father too for what he did but it was harder than he thought.

"Sir?" — Neuvillette's cold gaze met his pattern, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. Before he could say anything, your dad simply walked away from him, leaving him alone in the middle of the bridge watching him get into his car and drive away. Wanderer clenched his hands, causing them to turn white and his eyebrows furrowed. He knew your father didn't have to forgive him or listen to him, but he really did want to apologize and he was just ignored. He looked at the ground and gritted his teeth to calm down, he didn't want to suddenly explode with anger. He could only be angry at himself and not at the others who were innocent in this situation.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

You looked at your father uncertainly as you got out of the car. You hoped that your father hadn't said anything mean to Scaramouche or that he hadn't hurt him in any way. Neuvillette, seeing your expression, took out the small notebook and pen that he always kept in his pocket to communicate with you in some way and gave it to you so that you could write down what was wrong. You took it and, after writing, handed it back to him to read.

« You didn't hurt him, right...? » — You noticed a small smile on your father's face and he shook his head, making you sigh in relief. You knew your dad wouldn't do it, but you always wanted to make sure. As you were about to enter your home, you suddenly realized that you hadn't asked Scaramouche about his new name, which gave you another reason to meet him again.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Wanderer was returning home late at night, he was still wet, which reminded him of the old times when he jumped into the water with his old friends, Kazuha and Heizou. Just thinking about them started giving him a headache, so he decided to stop thinking about it and his thoughts returned to you. You signed 'see you later' which meant you wanted to see him again. Why? You should dislike him or even hate him, why did you treat him like a friend? And if he saw you again, your father would definitely not like it, knowing that you normally talk to your past bully like friend.

But it wasn't that bad, right? He should be happy that you weren't mad at him, or you were, maybe you just hid it. Wanderer scoffed quietly as he couldn't calm down the thoughts that were swirling chaotically in his head. This notebook was important to you even after all this and only because he brought it back to you. He had already forgotten why he even kept it in his room instead of destroying it or do something else. But maybe that's a good thing. You were odd, but in a good way, that's what he wanted to sign earlier, but he didn't allow himself to show that he was weak, while also hurting you a little, which he didn't want.

Wanderer thought his mother was already asleep but when he entered the house he was greeted by his mother with warm food which was quite suspicious, at least she was a better cook than his sister.

"Welcome back Kuni! Come eat before it gets cold." — He just shrugged, took off his shoes and went to the bathroom to wash his hands. His mother was suspiciously happier than ever, not that he didn't mind because she had every right to be happy however it was quite weird. When he sat down at the table, he noticed that Nahida was not sitting in her seat as usual, so his mother had probably already put her to bed. As he ate, he felt her eyes so he raised an eyebrow at her and she just smiled slightly.

"Why are you so happy?" — His mother took out an envelope which he placed next to her head while she slept, causing him to immediately stop eating — "Thank you for the money, I see that you tried very hard. I would be very proud."

"Would?"

He watched as her gaze suddenly went blank as she looked at the envelope with the money and she frowned.

"Why did you want to kill yourself?" — Suddenly the silence became loud, Wanderer tensed like never before and his eyes were fixed on his food. His hands became clammy and he felt his stomach turn just looking at the food. She wasn't supposed to find out, at least not in the way. How was he supposed to explain this to her? He couldn't look at her, he knew that if he looked straight into her eyes he would see her disappointment.

"I... Um..." — He couldn't say anything. His mother threw something on the table and it was his calendar which was half torn which made him more stressed. He never thought he'd have a conversation about this.

"So is it true...?" — He couldn't lie to her because it would make things worse, so he clenched his hands tightly and nodded slightly, still not looking at her. There was silence, which worried him a little, so he decided to glance at her. His eyes widened when he saw tears, which was rare for her. He saw that her face was filled with anger and sadness, two emotions that he most didn't want to see on his mother's face.

"Why?!" — Suddenly she took the envelope with the money from the table and pulled out a lighter, keeping the flame close to the envelope — "Promise! Promise you won't kill yourself! If you don't do this... I will burn it all! I don't care that you sold everything to get this money, you have to promise!!!" — Burn? No, no, no, no, no, she couldn't burn it! He immediately stood up to take the money away from his mother, but she brought the lighter closer to the envelope, which made Wanderer stop moving.

"Don't be stupid!" — He snapped at her, she couldn't burn it. No — "You're stupid! Every time you earn this money again I will burn it and burn it until you promise me! Until you promise me you won't kill yourself! You have to promise me that!"

"Mom-"

"NO! I won't listen to your excuses! Not any other words from you, I just want to hear your promise! Otherwise I'll burn it!"

"I-"

"Promise! Just tell me!" — His heart began to beat faster when he saw how close the flame was to the envelope. He felt like he was going to break down, but he didn't want to cry in front of his mother, so he fell to his knees in front of her and put his forehead to the floor.

"I promise I won't kill myself! I promise! I promise!" — Wanderer gritted his teeth tightly, felt like he was sweating and his body was trembling slightly. He frowned as he still pressed his forehead to the floor, not wanting to look anywhere else.

"I hope you really mean it..." — He watched her from the floor, but quickly began to stand up, stumbling a bit when he saw the burning envelope in his mother's hand.

"Mom!" — She quickly let go when she felt burning, they tried to extinguish the flame quickly, which they managed to do, but...

"There's nothing left." — He said as he looked at the burnt remains of the money, there was nothing left. Nothing. They both looked at the leftovers and sighed quietly.

"I wouldn't want that money anyway." — When she said this, he raised his eyebrow and bandaged her hand after the burn. After finishing his mother's bandage, he said small goodnight to her and went upstairs to his room also checking if Nahida was still sleeping. He smiled a little when he saw her sleeping sprawled out on the bed, his cat curled up next to her head.

He quietly left and went to his room which was almost empty. He looked at the calendar he had taken from the table earlier and felt a little guilty. Maybe he really shouldn't do this? After all, then he will never see the smile on his mother's face again, he will not take Nahida to kindergarten by hand, he will not be able to pet his cat, he won't see you again...

He sat down on the floor, hiding his face in his hands, trying not to break down. He still felt this feeling that he didn't want to be in this world, he knew this feeling wouldn't go away anytime soon, but something made him want to fight, even if it was small. He promised, so he will try to fight even if his life falls apart. He will try.

He stood up and took the pages he had torn out of the calendar. He took the tape and glued them back, then hung it on the wall. He crossed his arms as he stared at it blankly like his mother had before and closed his eyes.

Tomorrow will be another day.

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Red = I can't tag you

[leviathans-watching]

Uuuh uuuh uuuuh I got a request!

Remember that drabble you did about Mc from the new obey me game keeping a painful distance from the brothers cuz they are not the same brothers as the one form the og game?

What about a reversed perspective for this one?

How does the brothers feel about an mc who's clearly into them and clearly keeping distance?

obn!brothers reacting to a distant mc

includes: the brothers x/& gn!reader (no pronouns mentioned)

wc: .7k | rated t | m.list

a/n: oooh this was so fun! and i really think that they'd just think mc was a freak lololol. thanks for requesting and i hope you enjoy!! my inbox is open to chat, req, or leave feedback, so come stop by!

please please please reblog

➳ lucifer just doesn’t understand. sure, it’s not like he wants this random demon to be all buddy-buddy with him and his brothers, but sometimes you act in the oddest of ways. sometimes you seem to be able to practically read his mind, leaving him with a strange sense of familiarity, but other times you won’t even look him in the eyes. he knows he can be harsh, but surely it wasn’t to that extent, right? it’s not like he wants you to be buddy-buddy with them, but he has to admit he wants to see that sadness leave your eyes when you look at them.

➳ mammon scratches his head. that was the second time today you’d done that. the two of you were just having a nice conversation and then you’d suddenly shut down, eyes going a million miles away. you’re a strange one, that’s for sure. and the way you kept your distance from them was just plain hurtful. mammon was once a great angel and you won’t even talk to him half of the time! even despite all of his gracious attempts to try to get to know you better. all for your benefit, of course, no other reason.

➳ levi hesitates to approach you sometimes. not because he doesn’t like you, but because you don’t seem to like him very much. you jump when he talks to you, as if you’ve seen a ghost, and when you think no one’s looking, extend that to all of them as if you can’t quite believe what you’re seeing. at first, he’d kind of thought it was angel/demon prejudice, but as time goes on, it really doesn’t seem like that’s the case. and whenever someone tries to ask, you play dumb, an act that convinces no one, except for maybe diavolo. but he’s always been an odd guy too.

➳ satan can’t figure you out at all. you’re hardly scared by his outbursts, or at least hide it well, and you sometimes talk to him as if you guys speak comfortably all of the time. you also have his tastes figured out, recommending him books that are weirdly suited to him, but at the same time, you seem cautious towards him. like you’re trying not to get too close. but again, it doesn’t seem like it’s due to his anger. you’re often nicer to him then compared to when he’s more levelheaded, and it’s kind of nice but also confusing at the same time.

➳ asmo watches you move around them, suspicion rising in his bones. you’re just so attuned to him and his brithers–acting before they speak, sensing what they need before they do. it’s like you can predict their movements, and he’s not excluded from the treatment. you know his favorite brands even though he can’t remember telling you them, cook his eggs just to his liking, and even understand his complex closet organizational system without him having to explain it. yet you pretend you don’t, asking questions he’s sure you already know the answer to, and it just rubs him the wrong way, there’s something off about you.

➳ beel thinks you’re pretty nice. you understand the pull of their sins without passing judgment, help them out when needed, but you maintain a coolness, a distance he can’t quite bridge despite his efforts. and sometimes, you’ve got this look of grief in your eyes that makes him wonder if you’ve lost someone too, but you never open up about it, dancing around your past with the help of solomon. he wants to get to know you better, connect with you, but sometimes, that seems like the last thing you want.

➳ belphie wants to hate you, he really does. how is he supposed to accept this random demon in their house, all up in their business, just because stupid diavolo commanded it? ridiculous. but you grow on him over time and he finds himself wanting to get to know you better despite his best efforts, something you don’t seem to want, except for every now and again when you’re strangely soft with him. he doesn’t get it and definitely doesn’t get you; what kind of demon is so nice anyway?

leviathans-watching's work - please do not copy, repost, or claim as your own

[mrs-elsie-barnes]

The Old Gods and The New - Chapter 1

Rules to Follow | Loki x Reader

The Avengers bring you to the compound after a series of odd events draws their attention. Life seems to be looking up, until your abilities start to show again.

Chapter warnings: 18+ for implied sexual content, false/medical imprisonment

Series Masterlist | Loki Masterlist | Masterlist

The cold, bleak conference room was a welcome balm against the uproar of the last two days. 

You weren't sure how it happened. One minute you were furious, staring down from the balcony of your flat, anger bubbling through your veins. And then you were watching a row of cars burn in the car park below. 

Maybe you would've gotten away with it if the weather was bad. If less people had been around. If it hadn't gone viral on TikTok. If it was the first time you'd done something weird. 

It wasn't unusual for people to have strange powers, not anymore, but there were certain rules to follow. Rules that included not setting cars on fire and frightening passersby. Rules your grandfather had set about staying in the flat and controlling your emotions, taking your medicine and laying low. 

A hand snapped in front of your face.

“Okay kid, spill. What are you?” Tony asked. 

“Uhm, I’m not anything at all?”

“No, come on. Setting shit on fire, what’s that?”

“Monster, alien or wizard?” Sam piped up.

“I swear to god Samuel quit it with that,” a pen flew across the room with surprising accuracy and embedded itself in the wall behind Sam’s head.

You’d seen them on TV, the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Captain America, Black Widow, Hulk, Vision, Scarlet Witch and Iron Man. It’d be cool if you had any idea why you were here.

“Mr Stark. I didn’t even know I was doing it until it was too late. I don't know how it happens, but I promise I’m not a threat. It wasn't deliberate, you have to believe me." Your voice wavered, tears pooling in your tired eyes.

“Tony, let her sleep. She can use the spare room on our floor. We’ll keep an eye on her”

“Thank you Mr Rogers” you choked, wiping your eyes.

“Steve, please” his face was soft, reassuring.

It took an hour to find you something proper to wear.

A day to get your room fixed up, belongings brought from your little flat in London and new furniture procured

A week before you ate with the team, although you watched them from a safe distance. 

A month before you really spoke to anyone. Eventually they called in a therapist. 

The compound was nice, spacious and modern. There was no work to do, like at your grandfather's flat, just lots of questions that left you tired and disoriented. 

Lauren the therapist was the only person you'd really communicated with, even though you were sure she was relaying the information back to the Avengers anyway. 

"So from what I can tell, she's around twenty five to thirty." Lauren addressed the room, taking in the gathered Avengers. "The details of her life are very hazy, she lived in that flat you visited, Steve, with her Grandad. I know she cared for him and he died some months ago leaving her the flat in his will. She takes medication every day." Laura turned to Bruce "I hope the few I managed to pass on were helpful, so you can refill her script when she needs it." 

"That's the thing," Bruce said, "I can't work out what she's been taking. I've had FRIDAY take scans and vitals, asked Dr Cho, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with her." 

"Because she takes her pills?" 

"No, Steve, there's just - there's nothing wrong with her. Her temperature is a little elevated. But that's it, not a dangerous amount. I'd just say she runs warmer."

"So what's in the pills?" Tony asked, leaning over Bruce to look in the manilla file he had spread open on the table. 

"If I didn't know better I'd say something alien."

"But you do know better…" Tony prompted. 

"Adgardian maybe? But in a bottle from her local pharmacy. The name on the bottle’s been scratched off and I couldn’t find anything like this on any pharmacy database."

Tony and Steve turned to Natasha and she nodded. She'd not been able to find anything either.  No phone, no social media, home schooled. Sam suggested they do it the ‘old fashioned way’ and started to encourage Lauren to bring the woman out of her room to spend time with the others in hopes she would make more friends and let more information out.

As you spent more time with the group they found you brought a strange sense of calm, arguments stopped as you approached the table, worries about missions faded away. They even spent more time together as a team organising movie nights and parties, sitting together and being more tactile.

That’s when things started to get very strange.

The old evening routine of everyone slinking off to their bedrooms had been replaced by an easy comradery and then a fizzle of excitement started to build. The music seemed muffled and even Steve and Bucky’s heads felt fuzzy, drunk.

“Let's play spin the bottle!” You declared, downing your beer and lining it up on the coffee table. Before anyone else could fully agree you had flicked the bottle, everyone watched it slow until it came to a stop in front of Wanda.

“You girls don’t have to kiss if you don’t want to,” Steve said. But you shook your head. 

“I don’t mind if Wanda doesn’t… I like girls too and it's just a game, right?” you shrugged.

You leaned over and kissed Wanda quickly on the lips, noting the frisson of tension that built when you pulled away. 

Sam went next, “your lucky night,” he laughed before pulling you in for a kiss. 

The next spin was Natasha and somehow no one was surprised when it landed on you again. Natasha leaned in close but, before her lips could meet yours, you tilted your head to whisper in her ear, “I know there’s someone else you want to kiss, you don’t have to." Natasha blushed, but pressed a warm kiss to your lips anyway.  

“Did you rig this bottle?” Steve asked, picking it up before spinning. You, again.

Bucky put his hand on the bottle. “I wonder who” he laughed, but you had noticed his eyes move across the circle to the red headed assassin. 

As he leaned in for the inevitable kiss you put your hand up, hiding your mouths, “she’s a good kisser,” the words were out before you could stop them. Bucky pulled back, frowning.

“Who?”

You didn't answer, but your eyes danced across the circle to Natasha, studying Bucky's face as he followed the line of your sight. With their eyes locked you placed a chaste kiss on Bucky’s cheek.

You felt dizzy, only two beers in, but your head was swimming. The rest of the group weren’t fairing any better, both girls falling asleep and the boys nodding back against the sofa. Quietly you removed yourself from the pile of blankets and slunk back to your room. You hadn’t meant to say any of that, but you could feel it deeply, so deeply the words had bubbled out before you could swallow them back down. 

That night your sleep troubled you, the room was too warm making you sweat and writhe in the sheets and dreams of the Avengers flashing behind your closed eyes. 

The next morning no one could make eye contact, each team member focusing on their coffee or toast, eyes down.

When you sat down the same static spark of electricity seemed to move over the kitchen island, making everyone squirm and move in their seats.

Eventually Wanda completed the group, walking in red faced and nervous as she looked around the kitchen before visibly relaxing.

“Oh, we all had the same dream!” She exclaimed “I don’t feel so bad now.” She said, cheerily. 

“Wan, you’re not meant to read our minds,” Natasha protested, covering her ears as if that would make any difference at all. 

“Can we not talk about it,” Bucky grumbled, looking away from Natasha.

“But you slept, Bucky, isn’t that good?” At least Wanda was happy, you felt hot and sick “you didn’t have a nightmare like usual, you had the same …”

“Enough,” he snapped, slamming his spoon into his bowl a little too hard, milk splashing on the spotless counters. 

“Your dream was different though,” Wanda put a hand on your temple despite your attempt to squirm away, “yeah, yours was very different. And so was yours,” She pointed at Natasha who looked over to Bucky without thinking.

Wanda squeaked, a hand over her mouth “But Bucky, yours was just like…”

“Thats enough, ” Steve stood hands on the counter, “we need to figure out whatever is going on here,” everyone looked away blushing as he crossed his arms, Captain America voice in full effect. “For goodness sake, I’m going to speak to Bruce.” 

Steve stormed out and a rush of air moved across the island as everyone breathed out. Wanda let out an awkward laugh, head down so she wouldn't catch the eye of her teammates and left the room. 

After that incredibly awkward breakfast you began to pull away from the more open group spaces and started to spend a lot of time in the lab with Bruce while he tried to synthesise your medication. The small unlabeled tube of pills one of Stark’s assistants had packed for you was now empty. But all Bruce had been able to discover was a heavy sedative.

“You shouldn’t have even been able to walk around taking something that strong." He took his glasses off to rub a hand over his face, the fatigue of a sleepless night of experiments catching up to him, "you feel okay now?”

“Yeah”

“But you’re an inch taller than yesterday you said?”

“I’m an inch taller than I was this morning.”

Bruce rubbed his hand on his face, dangling his glasses from the other hand.

“Okay, walk me through what happened again”

“So I sat next to Captain Rodgers and Sergeant Barnes in the kitchen and when I stood up I was an inch taller, I could tell because my jeans were too short.”

“That’s not how growing works,” Bruce took a seat beside you and huffed out a breath. 

“I know that I’m not doing it on purpose”

For the last few days you had been slowly growing the trait of anyone you were in close contact with. It was unnerving everyone, looking up and seeing their eyes glowing back, or their hair colour tinged in highlights around your face. But worse still was that there was no clear explanation, none that you could or would give. 

It wasn’t the only change the team had noticed. Wanda, Nat, Sam, Steve and Bucky spent the most time together and they had all spent the most time alone together with you. But after only a few days they refused to even enter a room if you were there, prefering to skirt around the edges or take a different route.  

They couldn’t forget the night when they played spin the bottle, in fact they had thrown away all the beer of the same brand and there had been no more team evenings suggested. 

When you were alone with them a tension seemed to fill in the air. Steve had shifted your training rotation so that no one was ever left alone in the gym with you. Sam admitted you’d almost kissed last time you were alone and, red faced, Wanda agreed. Natasha and Bucky had also blushed, looking at each other out of the corners of their eyes. They complained that you kept trying to make them stand next to each other, and had even locked them into a cupboard 'by accident’ while pretending that you were unable to find the key until Steve freed them.

You couldn’t seem to control the feeling either, a primal urge inside of you growing the longer you were without your tablets. Growling and clawing until you had to excuse yourself and take a handful of the sleeping pills Bruce had given you. 

Wanda admitted, as you escaped the building tension for the last time, that this was when her dreams were the most extreme and everyone nodded along. Their nights filled with vivid, primal scenes, moaning and panting, the touch and taste of another filling their senses. 

And, though you could hear them talking about you, you could never admit that your dreams were different, that you saw yourself orchestrating their dreams like a puppet master, like a god and you’d wake in a cold sweat. 

Frightened, they placed you in the medical wing, a secure room with two way mirrors, sound proofing and, most importantly, a lock. Bruce told you that it was somewhere safe, where you could withdraw from the medication that was dwindling in the little orange bottle. But Tony was relieved that the team could relax now without you around. 

Alone, you took another sedative and rolled over in your plastic bed, under the thin sheet, and cried. 

The last time the team had met someone who had so easily got inside them and changed their dynamic, they had ended up with an alien invasion. Steve was sure you weren’t in control, thinking about your embarrassment and desperation when Bucky and Natasha were locked in the cupboard, how quickly you left the room whenever the conversation became heated. He was sure, sure , you were safe, that it was just a side effect of whatever you’d been taking all these years and that given time everything would go back to normal. 

Tony, however, was taking no chances. 

“We need to call Thor.” He suggested as they watched you through the mirror, you were reading a book and running your finger over your lip as you concentrated. With each pass of your finger your lips changed colour, working through shades of pink and red. 

“What can Thor do?” Bruce had had enough stress for one month, thank you very much, and was much happier handing out medication until they could find somewhere else to send you. All he needed to do was refine some samples and he’d be able to remake your medication and then he could give Fury the go ahead to have you moved. 

“He can bring Loki,” Tony said, jumping up to sit on the tall lab counter and tossing a few blueberries into his mouth. 

Bruce looked over at him, one eyebrow raised. “Is that a good idea? The man’s mad.”

“I don’t want to see him anymore than you do. But they could help us figure out if this is magic like them, or a mutation, or if…it’s something else. Then you can pack her off to whichever medical facility you think is appropriate.” Tony waved his hand around in the air as if to demonstrate the unknown fears they all shared. “She shape shifts, Bruce. Loki can do that. And the manipulating thoughts and feelings? Maybe she can learn to control it. We need her to control herself and maybe, maybe , if we’re nice enough, she’ll want to help us too.”

“Do we really want Loki to teach her that, how do we know we can trust him?” Bruce cringed, thinking of the havoc the man had wrought, even if he was being manipulated. Loki was powerful, who knew what he could achieve with a little planning. 

“Thor can help keep him in line,” Tony seemed confident and although his confidence was often catching, Bruce still felt the deep simmer of apprehension sitting low in his gut. 

“At least we’re not fighting like last time,” Bruce sighed heavily, the memory of his last encounter with Loki still fresh in his mind. 

“No, but the sexual tension is killing me. We need to end this.” Tony laughed, thinking back to the red faces of his colleagues and their lack of enthusiasm when he suggested they get drunk and play spin the bottle again. 

“Okay, fine, Tony, you win. Call Thor.” Bruce sighed, leaning forward onto the counter and resting his head in his hands.

“And Loki?”

“And Loki."

<;< Masterlist

Part 2>>

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

To Keep Fighting Part One

Summary: Steve kisses Eddie during the make him pay scene. Steve’s parents are decent folk who are furious about being kept in the dark. Steve’s injuries are rather serious. Hopefully, it's just a two parter. Don't worry, Eddie comes back.

Steve held out his hand to help Eddie up off the mattress. The way Eddie's hips were positioned on the mattress, Steve tried not to think about them thrusting upwards or about that stupid slutty looking bullet belt that hung seductively off of his hips. Eddie grinned, his eyes sparkling mischievously as if he knew what Steve was thinking. Maybe if Steve’s eyes hadn't wondered down to his hips or his his face hadn't heated up. Damn it, Steve had been blatantly checking Eddie out, and Eddie knew it.

He grabbed Steve’s hand and let him pull him up. Eddie held onto his hand for a moment, rubbing smooth circles into his skin. He winked and let go. Steve’s face grew warm. Focus on the plan, Harrington, not on the man. Eddie bent over to collect his spear and shield. Steve took the opportunity to let his eyes roam over his backside. Very nice. He heard someone clear their throat, and he saw Robin giving him a questioning look.

"Later," he mouthed.

Eddie straightened up and looked over at Steve, grinning.

"You ever get that feeling like someone is watching you?" Eddie asked. "Strange, isn't or maybe not so strange?"

Steve had been caught. Shit.

"Uh, I mean, yeah, not so strange," Steve cleared his throat. "It happens."

Eddie laughed, placing a hand on Steve’s arm. He lingered for a moment before squeezing his bicep and walking off. Steve didn't really have time to process any of that before they were getting ready to part ways. He made them promise not to be heroes, not to be cute and do anything stupid. Steve turned to walk away.

"Hey, Steve?" Eddie called out.

Steve around, hope rising in his chest as he looked at Eddie, who looked back at Steve. It was a look of such utter clarity that Steve was sure that Eddie was going to walk over to him and kiss him.

"Make him pay," Eddie said.

Steve waited for a moment, hoping for anything else, but when it didn't come, he had to walk away. It felt wrong to leave it like that. What if something went wrong? What if they died?

"Fuck it," Steve cursed.

"Steve, what - " Robin started to say.

Steve turned around and started walking towards Eddie with purpose. He cupped his face and drew him into a searing kiss. Eddie let out a muffled moan before responding eagerly to the kiss. He gripped Steve’s shoulders, pressing his lips hard against his. He let one of his hands travel to the back of Steve’s neck, his fingers curling into his hair. Steve poured everything into the hard, desperate kiss, and he hoped that Eddie somehow knew that he didn't want this to be a one-time thing.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you, big boy?" Eddie asked, leaning his forehead against his. "You better come back now. You kind of owe it to me."

"You better not do anything cute," Steve said.

"Except for you, I promise not to do anything cute," Eddie said.

Steve gave him one more quick kiss and then walked away, feeling hopeful. He smirked when he heard Dustin squeaking and talking animatedly with Eddie behind him. Meanwhile, Robin was gaping at him.

"What the fuck was that?" Robin asked.

"I kissed Eddie," Steve shrugged.

"Yeah, I saw that," Robin said. "I was there. We were all there. You like guys? Since when?"

"I mean, I think I've always liked guy, I just wasn't really sure about it. You know, not until Eddie," Steve shrugged. "Doesn't change how I feel about girls though."

"I can't believe that you kissed a guy before I kissed a girl," Robin said, rolling her eyes affectionately. "Thanks for telling me or showing me. I'm going to go look ahead."

It was awkward because now he was left alone here with Nancy. She was looking at him with an odd look in her eye that he couldn't describe. Was she put off by what he just did? No, Nancy wouldn't be like that. . . would she?

"So, you and Eddie?" Nancy asked.

"You don't have a problem with that, do you?" Steve asked. "I mean, I wouldn't think that you would be, but. . . ,"

"No! No! I don't. I think it's great," Nancy said and sighed. "I know that I've probably been making eyes at you, but I think that maybe, it's just, a trauma response to everything that's going on. Honestly, I think there's always going to be a part of me that's going to be connected with you, a part of me that's always going to have feelings for you. I did have feelings for you. I just didn't know how to deal with everything."

"None of us did," Steve said softly and then paused, smirking. "I don't blame you for making eyes at me. I mean, obviously, you still think that I'm hot."

"Yeah, that's clearly never going to change and clearly, Eddie thinks so too," Nancy scoffed. "He was being so obvious."

"Was he?" Steve asked.

"You whipped off your sweater and threw it at him. The poor man needed a cigarette afterward," Nancy laughed and paused. "You know, I'm not surprised that you like guys."

"Really?" Steve asked.

"You and Tommy were always a bit intimate," Nancy said. "I always thought there was something between you guys, but I figured if you wanted to tell me then you would. I know that I can be pushy sometimes, but I would never push anyone about that."

"Pushy? No, curious or investigative is a better term for you. You really would make a good one," Steve sighed and paused. "You know, there was a few times that we got drunk and got handsy with each other. I didn't really question it then but now. . . with Eddie . . . "

"I think it's different with Eddie. I mean, maybe you were attracted to Tommy but with Eddie, I think that you have real feelings for him too," Nancy said. "And you just weren't ready to accept that part of yourself."

"Well, I'm ready now," he said softly.

"I found it!" Robin exclaimed.

They entered the Creel House and were immediately stopped by the vines on the wall. They nearly choked to death and once again, Steve was gasping for air. Something let them go and they made their way up to the attic. They threw everything they had at the bastard, but he made his escape out the window, wounded but obviously still alive. They made their way back to the trailer, feeling of disappointment and failure weighing heavily on their shoulders. They stopped when they heard the fourth chime and the ground shook. No! No!

"Max," Nancy whimpered.

They ran back towards the trailer, running as fast as their feet could carry them. When they got closer to the trailer, they saw something that made them stop. Dead bats surrounded Dustin and Eddie. Dustin was holding Eddie's still body in his arms and he was sobbing, screaming. Steve froze, his entire body was cold, and he wanted to throw up at the sight of Dustin in such despair. He wanted to scream at the sight of Eddie's still body. Steve collapsed next to them. He was dead. Eddie was dead.

"You promised," Steve whispered. "You promised."

The ground was shaking, and they needed to get out of there. Steve snapped out of it and pulled Dustin away with the help of the others. Dustin was screaming and fighting them. He managed to calm down long enough to let them drag him out of the Upside Down. He knew that they needed to get to the others. When they got to the Creel House, the ambulance was driving away and in the stolen RV, they drove after it. While they were in the hospital, Lucas told them that Max had died and then came back. She had died and now they don't know what's going to happen to her.

This was too much. Too fucking much. As they waited in the hospital, for their parents and to await news on Max. . . the ground shook and Hawkins was hit with a giant earthquake. They all shared a look. Hawkins was being opened, and the Upside Down was spilling into their home. Vecna had won, and they had lost. Everyone's parents had come to collect their kids. . . everyone's except Steve's. . . Shit, they were supposed to come home today.

"Robin! My parents were supposed to come home today!" Steve said.

"Go! We'll stay with the kids. I don't think they're going anywhere, though," Robin said. "No matter how much they try. I think they're talking about carrying them out."

Steve couldn't bring himself to laugh. Eddie was gone, he was gone, and Steve could still taste him on his lips.

"Robin. . . " Steve sniffled.

"Oh, Steve," Robin said and hugged him tightly.

Once she let go, he checked on Dustin before he left for his house. Dustin had hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry," he sobbed.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Dustin," Steve said and squeezed him, planting a kiss into his hair. "I need to check on my parents, but I'll be back."

"Be careful out there," Dustin said. "Love you."

"Love you too, kid," Steve said ruffling his hair.

He let Claudia pull him into a hug before he left in the stolen RV. There were fires everywhere, splits in the road when he got closer to the center of the town. Bile rose in his throat. How many people died? Were his parents among the dead? When he pulled up in front of his house, he was relieved to see that his parents' car was in the driveway. He stepped out of the vehicle and started to walk up to the house.

Steve could feel the adrenaline start to fade and suddenly he felt really heavy. Everything was starting to hurt. Steve opened the door and walked into his house. He could hear his parents' voices. They were shouting, his name was mixed in somewhere. Everything sounded really far away, like he was under water. Was he in shock?

"Where is he?!" Maggie Harrington yelled. "John, what if he was amongst the - "

"You can't think like that, Mags," John cut her off. "We'll find him."

"Ma! Dad!" Steve called out.

"Oh, thank god!" Maggie shrieked and they ran into the hallway.

Steve collapsed on the floor and threw up all over the carpet.

"Steve!" John yelled.

They rushed to his sides, and he burst into tears when they put their arms around him. Steve yelled out in pain, clutching his parents.

"What happened, my love?" Maggie asked, tearfully. "Sweetheart?"

"Where does it hurt, son?" John asked.

"Everywhere," he sobbed. "We had something. . . we had something. We lost. . . we lost. . . Eddie."

He couldn't help himself when he started telling them everything. Everything. When he was done, he let himself relax in their arms, let himself be soothed by their touch, and then he blacked out.

TWO DAYS LATER. . .

Steve shifted in the recliner, frowning as his mother fussed over him. He hated not being able to do anything, but everything still hurt and as much as he wanted to be able to pretend otherwise, he couldn't really move all that much.

"You don't ever have to worry about us ever leaving again. The company has officially been passed over to Lawrence, and now we can retire. Which is something we have been striving for so that we could spend more time with you," Maggie said as she tucked the covers at his waist.

He was currently shirtless, clothes too sensitive against the road rash on his arms and back.

"You're not going to be too hard on them, are you?" Steve asked.

"Maybe not on Hopper since he spent months in a Russian prison," Maggie said. "They both left us all in the dark. Now, I understand why you didn't tell us, you were listening to them because they were the adults. You're a good boy. Joyce left and I know she was protecting her kids but she left the others here while we were left in the dark. Who was supposed to protect them? It shouldn't have been left all to you, Robin, or Nancy. You're still kids, too. If she was going to leave, then she should have told the other parents. She should have told us."

"Ma, I'm okay," Steve said softly.

"No, love, you're not. I look at you and I see a battle worn soldier. It shouldn't be like that," Maggie sniffled. "I need to yell at someone."

"I seriously told you everything?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, son, you did," John said, leaning against the doorway of the living room. "You also told us about Eddie. . . all about Eddie."

"Dad . . . " Steve trailed off.

"Your mother and I love each other but not in the way that you might think," John said softly, his eyes full of understanding.

"What?" Steve asked in confusion.

"When your father was in Ireland, we hit it off at a bar. We told you that," Maggie said. "We didn't tell you that it was a gay bar."

"What? What were you two doing in a gay bar?" Steve asked.

"I'm a lesbian, dear," Maggie said.

"I'm gay," John said.

"What?! You two are married!" Steve exclaimed.

"We love each other, and we are best friends. We made vows to each other, to our friendship, and we kept them. This marriage may not be romantic or sexual. It does have meaning," Maggie said. "And we've each had partners over the years. We're sorry for not telling you sooner.

"It's okay. Wait. . .How did you - ?"

"Turkey baster," John said. "We both really wanted a kid, and we were blessed with you."

"Holy shit!" Steve exclaimed and then he laughed. "A gay guy and a lesbian walk into a bar, get married, and make a bisexual baby!"

"It's the gayest joke ever!" John laughed.

"John!" Maggie exclaimed but the corners of her mouth were twitching.

"What? Our kid is funny," John said and then he looked at Steve softly. "I'm proud of you, son."

"As am I," Maggie said.

Just as Steve was about to cry the doorbell rang. He quickly wiped at his eyes as his parents went to answer the door. Claudia and Sue rushed to Steve's side as soon as they entered the living room. Charles and the Wheelers followed behind.

"How are you doing, dear?" Sue asked.

"I mean, it hurts but I'll be okay," Steve said.

"Oh, honey," Claudia said.

"Claudia, Sue, I want to thank you for looking after our son while we were away," Maggie said. "I didn't get a chance earlier."

"It was our pleasure, Maggie. He's a great kid," Sue said, looking at him proudly.

"Thank you for telling us about what's been going on with our kids," Claudia said and then sighed. "We haven't been able to pull them away from Max for even a second. Poor girl. Everything they've been through. . . Everything you've been through, Steve."

"I still can't believe it," Ted said, shaking his head.

"Believe what you want, Ted," Karen said as she clutched Holly close to her. "But there's a gaping hole in the middle of town."

Steve smiled. It sounds like they've had that argument before. Maggie knelt down next to Steve.

"We've also contacted Wayne Munson. He's going to come by and we're going to let him know what happened. He's been putting up missing posters," Maggie said softly.

"He deserves to know," Steve said and then he looked ashamed. "I don't know if I can tell him."

"It's alright, love, you don't have to do everything," Maggie said. "We'll handle it."

She pressed a kiss to his forehead. The doorbell rang and she left to go answer it. Steve watched his parents lead Wayne Munson into the living room and he looked down at his hands. They shouldn't have to do this. None of this should have happened. Steve should have stayed behind. No, what if something happened to Robin and Nancy? He had to go and be a hero. He to be cute. Why the fuck couldn't he have listened? Why did he have to try to save them?

He blinked back tears. Getting mad at Eddie wouldn't do anything either. It wouldn't bring him back and getting angry at the guy who was truly responsible for all of this wouldn't help either. Although, picturing bringing that asshole back to life only to kill him over and over again helped a little bit. All of this was so fucked up.

"Steve, are you -," Karen started to say.

"Mommy! It's snowing!" Holly exclaimed.

Karen went to the window her daughter was peering out of and looked outside. Karen gasped causing everyone to rush to the window. Steve was a little slower than everyone else, but he made it to the window.

"What is that?" Claudia asked.

"It's the Upside Down," Steve said. "It's coming into Hawkins."

Steve. . . where am I. . . Steve, I'm so sorry. . . fuck. . . am I dead?

Suddenly, the bat bites flared painfully, and he bent over, screaming. Steve collapsed to the floor, and everyone quickly surrounded him.

"Mommy, what's wrong with Steve?" Holly cried.

"I don't know, sweetie," Karen said.

"John! Maggie!" Sue shrieked.

The last thing he saw before he blacked out was his parents rushing into the room with a sad, panicked looking Wayne Munson. Everything around him was dark and the floor beneath him was wet. Steve walked toward an object in the middle of the strange looking room. As he got closer, he discovered that it was person hunched over and crying. Steve moved forward, his foot making a loud splash in the water. The person whirled around. Steve's heart leapt into his throat. It was Eddie.

"Stevie?!" Eddie exclaimed. "Are you real?"

"Are you real?" Steve asked.

Eddie jumped up and threw himself into Steve's arms, hugging him tightly. Steve winced but hugged him back, burrowing his head into Eddie's neck.

"Did I die, Steve?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, yeah, you did," Steve said and pulled back from the hug. "You promised that you wouldn't do anything!"

"I'm sorry, Stevie," Eddie said. "I just didn't want anything to happen to you like they did with Chrissy. I didn't want to lose you."

"Instead, I lost you. We lost you," Steve said.

"I think I'm in hell, Steve," Eddie sniffled. "It's like I'm dreaming sometimes. It's mostly just memories. Other times, it's like I'm looking through my eyes but it's like I'm not in control. There's this voice in my head, Steve, and he's telling me or whatever I am now, what to do."

"Like you're a puppet?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I can see Hawkins and it's a wreck. The voice keeps telling me to feed, Steve, but I don't want to and for a brief moment I can take control. Instead, I went after a deer and there's blood dripping down my chin. It's a nightmare, Stevie," Eddie said.

"I think maybe that it might not be a dream," Steve replied. "I think you're alive, but I don't think you're in control. I mean, the Mind Flayer controlled people last year. You have to fight him, Eddie, you have to take control."

"I don't know, I don't think that I can," Eddie sobbed.

"Baby, yes, you can. You have to, not just for Dustin. My parents just told Wayne that you're dead. He's a mess," Steve said. "Eddie, he thinks you're dead. I hate to be a dick, but do you really want to leave him alone? You have to fight, okay?"

"He thinks that I'm dead," Eddie said softly. "He's probably better off. I mean, I've always been a burden. I mean, he doesn't even get his own bedroom, I'm a constant screw up and I'm sure the murder allegations aren't going to be easy for him. He's better off."

"Don't you fucking say that!" Steve yelled at him, gripping his shirt tightly. "No one is better off without you! Dustin is a wreck without you! He thinks that it's his fault that you died. You can't leave him like this. You can't leave me like this. There isn't a minute that goes by that I don't think of you! Please, I want to be with you. I want to take you on a date. I want to hold you and to be held by you. I want to know more about you. Please, I want you. Most importantly, I want you to fight for you and everyone who loves you. Please, fight."

Eddie surged forward and kissed him, holding Steve's face in his hands. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against Steve's.

"Okay," he said.

"Okay," Steve smiled.

"You know, offering to suck my dick would have saved a lot more oxygen than that speech you gave," Eddie said.

"Why'd you have to ruin it?" Steve laughed.

"Nah, I didn't ruin it. I think I made it better," Eddie said. "It was a nice speech, Stevie."

Steve's eyes opened to find his parents crying over him. His nose was wet. Why was his nose wet? He touched his face and when he pulled his hand away, there was blood on his fingers.

"Sweetheart?" Maggie sobbed and he looked at her.

"Eddie . . . ," he said smiling.

"What about, Eddie, son?" Wayne asked.

"He's alive," Steve said before passing out again.

[helaelaemond]

The Light Beneath Your Skin - Billy Washington x plus size!reader

Pairing:  Billy Washington x plus size girlfriend reader - thank you @arcielee for letting me borrow your Billy x reader origin story, you slay

Word count: 2k

Summary: you're a plus size woman who's insecure about it. Billy finds a way to reassure you, at least for now.

She/her pronouns, established relationship, no sex

Content warning(s): in-depth talk of body issues/insecurities, fatphobia, mentions of past sexual harassment

Rating: Gen/Teen

You never thought that anyone you were attracted to would want you back. No one ever had, not really. Your father used to tell you that you were pretty, that you looked so much like your mother. Across the table, your mother would agree and smile. By the time dinner was over, she would lament how monstrous she looked.

Billy isn't much of a cook. He can't afford to take you out much. But he's trying more often now. He made you a pasta and mushroom dish not long ago, and he smiled when you ate it together.

You were never teased to your face. But once, the boy you liked grinned at you across the classroom in Double Science, and you blushed. His friend then joked that he liked you, and he'd been almost violent in his response. 'Eugh, that's disgusting! Don't fucking say that!' He shoved his friend so hard that he fell off his stool, and they both cackled. That kind of thing happened a few times, actually. The mere hint that you had interest in a boy put a target on his back. A laughingstock by association.

Billy holds your hand, his long fingers resting easily between yours. "You're quiet tonight."

You smile faintly. "Just thinking."

"Hm. Wanna share?"

Shrugging, you wrap your arms around yourself and try to hide your double chin in the neckline of your jumper. He watches you for a moment, before leaning forward and resting his forehead on your shoulder.

The first time someone kissed you, you hadn't wanted it. Nineteen, you'd been, on a date with a man who seemed nice online. In the booth of the restaurant he had taken you to, he slipped his hand up your skirt so high that it had frozen you in place. "You like this?" he asked. The memory of his face is a haze now, all grey shapes and soft shadows. A void, a memory that you no longer sink into. You shook your head slightly and managed to whisper the words, "please stop." And he did. For a moment. He smirked, and after, you thought it would be alright. An hour later, though, he dragged you outside and into the alley, where he pushed you against the wall and ground against you. He kissed you and it felt strange and alien and made your throat close up in fear, disgust.

At some point, the man without a face told you "you should be grateful for this. Who else is gonna want someone like you?" and you believed him. You tried to enjoy it.

He was right. No one else even looked your way for years. You got a few matches on dating apps, but as soon as you were honest about your size, the matches were gone. You didn't even get a first date.

"Hey," a voice calls to you. "What's wrong?"

You smile and shake your head, laughing softly. "Nothing. Nothing!"

Billy sits up and tries to touch your cheek, but you pull away. The sudden movement spills the tears gathered in your eyes. The smile stretches into a wince. He watches you in silence, and when your face cracks into something sadder, he squeezes your hand. "Tell me."

Your voice is strained as you try to find the right way to say it in a voice that is steady. On both counts, you fail. "I don't have the right words."

"Use the wrong ones."

"Who else is gonna want someone like you?"

You remember an advert you saw for a food product once. Odd, you thought at the time, that to advertise food, someone like you was ridiculed. A man in a workplace break room was sat at a table with a larger lady who was making eyes at him. The whole premise was that with a better lunch, he could sit with the pretty and thin ladies, and the fat lady cried from the rejection. It was supposed to be funny.

The man in the advert had been slender and tall, like Billy. Billy has never given you reason to think he might not find you worthy of love. But the whole world tells you that one day, he will.

"Why are you with me?"

"Oh." His voice is soft. You've asked him this before. The first time you asked him, he was understanding. By the third time, he was irritated and angry at needing to repeating himself. After that, things got worse for a bit.

That was a while ago now.

"What's brought this on?" he asks, and his large hand strokes your leg.

You shrug. It's impossible to look at him.

"Hey?"

You bite your lip before speaking. "Tried to find a nice dress for next week. Nothing in my size."

Billy sighs and shifts on the sofa. "Try another shop."

"In a shopping centre of fifty thousand bits of clothing, not a single one was for me." Your chest hurts.

"You'd look beautiful in a bin bag."

"But..." your lip trembles again. You wonder if your chubby cheeks shake like some gruesome creature gobbling a foul feast. "I just want a pretty dress."

Dissolving into tears makes your cheeks burn with shame. Billy wraps you up in his arms anyway. He's so tall.

He pulls you against him on the sofa, and eventually, with a pillow for your head, you lie in his lap, and he strokes your hair soothingly. He doesn't say anything. Billy is a man of few words. Tender fingers glide through hair, gentle on any tangles they find. Occasionally, his nails make contact with your scalp and a quiet noise sounds in your throat.

When you try to get away from him, he holds you down. Quietly, he shushes you, and you melt. He murmurs your name. Your cries are softer now. The headache begins to fade.

"I'm sorry," you whisper thickly.

"Don't apologise."

"Billy, I'm so sorry, I-"

"Shh."

"No, I-"

"Are you gonna listen to me?"

You look up at him blearily. He shaved earlier, and his cheeks are soft. He uses the aftershave you got him for his birthday. He'd turned the box over in his hands quietly, and sniffed the bottle in curiosity. The pleased face he had pulled was so endearing. You remember everything with him. He smells like that birthday.

"Tell me what you thought of me when you first saw me."

Your brow furrows slightly. "Eh?"

"Eh?" he echoes with the hint of a grin. "Tell me."

"You know."

"I wanna hear it."

Licking your lips, you take the hand in your hair and pull it down to your chest to play with his fingers. He lets out a shallow breath. "You came through the door out of the rain with your hood up. But it was wet. Just cotton. Bit dirty." You remember everything. "You ordered a black coffee, and you were so quiet that I couldn't really hear you."

"First thing I ever bought with you was a raincoat." He rubs the back of your hand with his thumb.

It soothes you. "Yeah."

"But what did you think of me?"

"That you looked like a sad, wet cat." You laugh when he gently presses your sides, tickling you slightly. How you used to hate him touching you. Always afraid he'd recoil in disgust. Still afraid. "I wasn't sure about you. You looked a bit..."

"Hmm?"

"Stern."

"Hmm."

"Why're you asking?"

Billy's gentle smile - the secret one, the contented one - fades slightly. He leans his head back against the sofa cushion. "I dunno... I dunno how I can ever convince you that between the two of us... it's you."

Knots twist in your stomach. Around his fingers, your hand tightens. "What's me?"

"You're... you're the one."

"What?"

"I... I ain't got the words."

You smile faintly. Closing your eyes, you let your head sink deeper into the pillow on his lap. "Any'll do."

"I'm just some bloke. But you?... God, you've got this, this, this light in you."

Not the words you expected. "Billy."

"Nah, I mean it. I knew it the first time I saw you. This bright old smile, this loud and happy voice, you just... shot into my life. It was stupid to spend money on coffee every other day, but I couldn't... I couldn't stay away."

Loud. Happy. Pictures of jolly clowns dance across your eyes. No one wants to fuck the clown.

"Yeah, I'm a laugh a minute." It's impossible to keep the bitterness out of your voice.

"Listen to me," he chides. "Don't make me feel stupid for saying the wrong thing."

"Sorry."

"I know."

You sigh. There's always somethng you need to apologise for these days. He deserves someone whole and kind and beautiful and sexy and-

"You got this light in you," he murmurs again after a long pause. "It comes through your skin like the sun."

Billy doesn't talk like this. It's not like him. You hold back snide comments, the knee-jerk instinct to say something funny. Instead, you listen.

"After Cranstead, I didn't think I'd ever see something beautiful again. And then I found you. Shining."

Pain gnaws away at you. It's sweet, it really is. But he could say that about a friend. No one wants to fuck the clown. No one wants to fuck the sun. "That's a pretty thing to say."

"Yeah?" He looks down at you and lets go of your hand. Instead, he strokes the hair back from your forehead and kisses it. "Pretty words for a pretty girl."

"Promise?" you ask. The word almost chokes you.

"Yeah, of course." He sees your face threaten to crumple again. "I love you. You know that, don'ya?"

You nod. It's hard to keep it together. "Yeah. But... but do you... you know..."

"What?"

"I'm worried that... that I'm not..."

He is more patient now than he used to be. Your asks for reassurance were met with anger once. But you learned him - and he learned you. By heart. He will be your broken record. "You're beautiful."

"I need you to promise. That you... that you want me still. Despite how I look. How... how much of me there is."

Billy lifts your hand to his lips and kisses your palm. For the briefest moment, he takes your fingertip between his teeth, before you stroke his smooth jaw. So pretty.

He whispers your name. "I want you every moment of every day. Sometimes, I can't even think straight because all I can picture is you. Your eyes, your mouth, your hands. God, these hands. They make me feel so good."

Blood heats your cheeks. He kisses them.

"And your perfect face. I wish you'd watch us fuck in front of a mirror. You don't know how good your face looks when you're taking me inside you."

Fuck. He's getting so good with his words. He saves so many of them for you. "You think about it?"

"Yeah. I think about coming home and finding you naked. I wanna come home and find every inch of you bare for me. All for me."

"Promise? Promise I turn you on?"

Billy laughs breathlessly and nods. Craning his neck down, he presses a deep kiss to your lips. His tongue meets yours and you taste coffee and sugar. Sweet Billy, dark and hot, steals the breath from your lungs. "You do so much for me," he murmurs between kisses. "You make me laugh. Make me feel safe. You make my dick hard. And," he pulls away enough to look into your eyes, "that light beneath your skin. It saved me. It's like... it's like it was midnight forever, and you brought the dawn."

"You're turning into a poet," you whisper. There is no jest here, though.

He kisses you again, and cradles your head in his lap. "It's what you do to me. Make things beautiful. Even me."

[sparklesandpudding]

Can I get a fluff of Beelzebub with Dom!M!Reader? I want them as a married couple which the gods saw as strange because usually divine beings do not marry nor is faithful to their partner, i just need something sweet from my fav❤️

(Dom as in taking the leads in the relationship/the husband roles. I also just realize how many people asking for Beelzebub after scrolling through your acc and i was like- nahh i can't blame them but i do hope you're not uncomfortable writing the same character again😭)

Yes!!! 💕 I can, thank you for your request! I was getting bored doing nothing until I found this request and I am excited as hell to write 😌 I don't know whether this is headcanons or story since it isn't specified, so I'll do both.

Beelzebub × Dom!husband! reader

Story and (separate)hc's below! Story comes first, skip it if you want only the hcs. Note : I will still use the same (m/n) lore from all my beelzebub writings, which explains why he's unaffected by Beelzebub's curse - Here

Here's a free scrap pic btw!‼️↓

Mini story↓

Believe it or not, no matter what you do, divine beings just simply take what they want and leave. This has been shown multiple times (take zues for example). That is why many look away whenever catching the eye of a divine being is brought up.

But that doesn't matter now that you and Beelzebub are together. Your relationship together is basic proof of loyalty and love. Not just something driven by lust and beauty. Which even the gods found as odd.

What even drove your relationship to be so perfect? There are so many times where you two would get stares from them, many curious if it was really that perfect. There had to be some sort of sacrifice made..or maybe a few lives lost! Or one of you just wanted to use the other for his own benefit. But no. None of their guesses were right.

It was just pure love.

"hun, do you want anything? Water? Ice cream, maybe?" You spoke, your hand gently holding his own—Receiving a neutral look. "No, I'm fine." you gave him a hum, pretending to believe him, before speaking again, refusing to acknowledge that he was just 'fine'. "How about a piggy back ride? I can carry you." His face flushed in embarrassment, quickly avoiding your eyes.

"I said I'm fine."

"maybe you're cold? Have my jacket-"

"(m/n)!"

You chuckled nervously, realizing that you may have went too overboard with the acts of service. But you took good pride being his husband, there is nothing wrong with caring about your male wife. "Sorry hun, I'm very sorry." With a gentle kiss on his face, you proceeded to stroll with him, hand in hand. Oblivious to the steam that came out of his ears from all the love bombing.

Both of you unaware to the watchful eyes of odin, who had witnessed the whole thing go down, deciding to continue walking and ignore it. Jeez, younglings these days, am I right? Young love really was true.

----

"you are so beautiful, love"

Your voice echoed in his ears, a sweet whisper that never failed to put him to sleep. Your hands softly caressing his face, giving him eyes that could only be described as adoration and love. The most beautiful thing he's ever seen. "Love, I'll do all the laundry tomorrow, okay? You just lay down and rest." The voice continued, leaving him to relax better. "You don't need to.."

"Nonsense, I'll do it for you. Then I'll treat you to dinner, okay?"

His face heated up when he felt another soft kiss being planted on his lips, only encouraging him to let go, and give in to all his desires. You felt him cuddle into you even more, not wanting to leave any space for even a molecule— making you chuckle and plant another kiss on him. He felt your face bury into his neck, inhaling his scent while you embraced his body tighter. "I don't deserve you" he whispered, only to receive a small bite on his neck.

"that should be my line."

!Headcanons!

- being given the care that he so longed for, Beelzebub secretly enjoys how you coddle him so much. Even if he's so closed off from others, you are the only exception that he was willing to open up to.

- both of you would always be seen hand in hand together, like you and him were in your own little bubble of love. A mini haven, just for the two of you.

- beings of divine status, would only take, and then leave once they've gotten what they've came for. Which is lust, or other things.

- you were one hell of a protective mf whenever it came to Beelzebub. Any threat towards your relationship would vanish from the face all realms combined.

- I just know that Beelzebub is secretly a very jealous typa person whenever it comes to you. As much as he seems so nonchalant, he doesn't like it when your attention is somewhere else. Because c'mon, don't you love him?

- Whenever there's a little puddle, you'd throw your coat over the puddle, just so that he could walk without disturbances. Ignore the huge space beside the puddle, (which you both could have literally just walked on to avoid the wet space.)

- he was flabbergasted when he saw you commit such an act. Just for him.

- you'd carry him when you thought he was tired...even though his ears only perked up. You would immediately rush him to the medical room if he showed the littlest signs of being hurt...and so much more.

- did I mention that you literally fought with ten dudes, bare handed, just because one of them hit on your spouse? What the hell?

- in bed, he would be a pillow princess. Not needing to do any work at all, just being given everything he wanted! He was envied by the nymphs that someone like him got to be with you. But you shook off his worries, telling him that you'd never leave him for any of them.

- your dates were always at the best places, his place was literally full of your gifts. You buy him clothes, pretty trinkets, mini gifts, and so much more.

- zues also randomly doodles ideas on what you and Beelzebub's kids would look like, after he spot you and him kissing. (He even got Hermes approval on the ideas being good💀)

- no no, because random imagine. I know you randomly give his butt a light smack here and there, even though he wasn't even that thick. You loved to give him flirty comments whenever he was jelly, or give him so much affection and attention to the point where he felt like he would melt.

- the ring you got him was especially beautiful. Your proposal was also in only the most beautiful areas there was to exist, you really loved him.

- Even with all his venting and breakdowns on rare occasions—you were always there for him. Ready to give him some hot chocolate, snacks, water, tissues, hugs- you get the point.

- you were literally perfect. Too perfect for him.

- yet you not once, EVER, showed signs of hating him. Whenever you were frustrated or upset, you never took it out on him. There was just so much about you that made you a saint in his lonely void of darkness.

- that gave him hope. That everything was not so bad after all....as long as he had you by his side.

[hlficlibrary]

✤ Mpreg Fics ✤

A series of posts with the top five fics of each category by kudos plus five more hidden gems from that category! Remember to leave kudos and a comment on the fics you enjoyed to show your appreciation! You can find our other recs here.

- Top 5 H/L Fics -

1️⃣ Cold Little Heart by seducedbycurls (T, 194k)

Louis is a soft omega with an abusive past and an alpha child A few months after getting a divorce, Louis meets Harry, an ex-military alpha wolf that offers him something -odd.

In exchange for teaching him how to cook, Harry will babysit his son, Abraham Louis really could use the help.

2️⃣ Queen of Arizella by seducedbycurls (M, 277k)

Stealing from Royalty is punishable by death.

Louis starts over, doing his best to keep his hands at his sides but he is hungry and he tries stealing from the wrong Royal.

Harry is King of Arizella, he needs a Queen and who better than an omega on the run from death? Louis will learn to become the perfect Queen -the perfect fake Queen, but only for a few months.

A fake lover, a fake Queen, but a real bond.

3️⃣ we can take the long way home by eleadore (E, 27k)

“Fertile,” Louis says, and then laughs because it sounds stupid to say out loud. He hasn’t ever really thought of himself in those terms. Baby-making terms. It’s just one of those things his body can do, like exercise, or go without tea. Doesn’t mean he will.

or, The band takes a break. Harry and Louis come together.

4️⃣ Perfect by happilylarry (NR, 117k)

Soulmates had only been in the history books for the past few hundred years, so people were still trying to get the hang of it. From what he's read, back then, if you met your soulmate, that was that. You either chose to be with them and be happy, or be with the one you truly loved and suffer.

Sort of poetic, you know, if he believed in that shit.

5️⃣ Kiss me on the Mouth and Set me Free (but please don't bite) by seducedbycurls (M, 42k)

Harry is the CEO of Flora Corp, Louis is his new secretary.

"...Louis wanted him so badly. Wanted Harry to pick him up, bite him, and break him. Make Louis his, make Louis cry, make Louis a beautiful, plump, pregnant omega..."

HIDDEN GEMS:

💎 Know a Trick or Two by @sadaveniren (E, 44k)

The night before Louis is scheduled for a Portkey to begin training with the Vratsa Vultures in Bulgaria he heads into Muggle London for one last night of fun. A few months later he finds out he’s having a child.

Eleven years ago Harry had a one night stand and now there’s a strange man on his doorstep telling him his daughter is something called a wizard and she’s got a place at the British wizarding school Hogwarts.

Aka the one where Muggle Harry and Wizard Louis have a one night stand and get more than they bargained out of it.

💎 My Kind of Rain by @lululawrence (NR, 30k)

Louis Tomlinson is a household name after hitting number one on the country music charts with four songs over the last three years. It's time for his third headlining tour, his biggest yet, while he finishes up his third highly anticipated album.

Personally, though, the past year or two have been rough. He's dealing with the loss of his mother and the fact his long term partner had cheated on him before breaking off their engagement. Despite it all, the stage has always been an escape for him and he's ready to be performing again.

Harry Styles is Louis' opening act this tour and he seems nice enough. His fiancé leaves something to be desired, but overall, Louis can't complain.

Or the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill AU where Louis is Tim, Harry is Faith, and just when Louis thinks he is going to get some rest, his entire world turns upside down thanks to the man with curly hair and the voice that seems to sing right to Louis' heart.

💎 (It's New) The Shape of Your Body by @fallinglikethis (M, 18k)

Taking a deep breath, Louis tears open the packet and holds the test in his hands. Deep down he already knows what it’s going to say. He can feel the certainty of it in his bones but he needs to see it. He needs confirmation.

Movies always make it look like you have to wait a bit to know, like you have to set a timer and give it a few minutes, wringing your hands for an answer. Even the box says it’ll take time, but it actually only takes a second after Louis pees on the strip to see the two pink lines appear that tell him what he already knew. He’s pregnant.

“Oh god,” he breathes, staring down at it. And just like he’d known the test would be positive, he knows now that everything about his life is about to change.

💎 Another One For The Road by @reminiscingintherain (T, 15k)

She looked up at Louis with a smile. "Congratulations Louis. You're pregnant." "Oh fuck," he said softly, before his eyes rolled up into the back of his head and he promptly passed out.

Or the one where Louis' on tour when he finds out the hard way that men can get pregnant too....

💎 save me, call me baby by delsicle / @eeveedel

Louis didn't plan for him and his husband to be pregnant at the same time. Somehow, it works out.

An omega/omega love story in three snapshots.

[deancashorrorfest]

Step right up to another wondrous round of DeanCas Horrorfest! The writers and the artists have collaborated to make this year one for the history books. We've got ghouls, we've got monsters, we've got blood, we've got gay love --- And when I say you shouldn't miss this, I mean you really don't want to miss this collection of spooky stories... you really don't know what could happen if you do 🤡🔪 I'd like to thank all our contributors for keeping the spirit of samhain alive and well. DeanCas Horrorfest would be nothing without enthusiastic cult members participants like you. ❤ So, without further ado...

You Better Not Stay || Rated E

story by @friendofcarlotta with art by @demeters-sketchbook

Recent high school graduates Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak have been friends since childhood, and dating in secret for a little over a year. But their relationship has an expiration date: Cas is leaving town, and Dean… well, Dean isn’t. Not with his dad breathing down his neck and a family business to run. 

For their final date, Dean takes Cas to the old skating rink where they used to spend time as kids. What Dean doesn’t know is that when the rink closed down, something else took up residence there. And it won’t let them go without a fight. Link to Fic || Link to Art

The (After) Life of the Party || Rated M

story by @thebatmandiaries with art by @milfycas

After a fight with Sam one night, Dean wakes up in a world he is unfamiliar with. This world only has one rule: kill or be killed. As a designated Killer, he must kill all the Survivors before they have a chance to complete their task. If he doesn’t, he ruins the risk of becoming a Survivor himself. With the help of Charlie and Benny, other Killers, he slowly finds his footing in the new world he was thrust into. If only there wasn’t a strange blue eyed man to distract him… Link to Fic || Link to Art

Danger In The Mirror || Rated M

story by @dwinchester1979 with art by @keikakudom

Castiel is pulled through the mirror into a nightmare. Now his husband has to cover for his mysterious missing presence as he desperately tries to get Castiel back. Can they figure out the secret of the mirror before time runs out, or will Castiel have to face the girl with the silver dagger all alone?  Link to Fic || Link to Art

The Beginning || Rated E

story by @valleydean with art by @hawkland

One year ago, soon after Lucifer was freed from the Cage, Dean and Sam parted ways. Since then, Dean has been hunting on his own and, along with Cas despite his declining grace, searching for a way to prevent the apocalypse. When the outbreak of the Croatoan virus begins, Dean and Cas head to Bobby’s to plan their next move. On the way, as the contagion rapidly spreads through America, they must contend with the rabid infected, martial law, and humans who will do anything to ensure their own survival. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Clutch || Rated M

story by @dogfishmonger with art by @dolgoyangi

Dean is a normal, stable man in his 20s: He has a job. He has a boyfriend of three years, even if they're on the rocks. He has a little brother in pre-law. There are, simultaneously, things in his upbringing that he simply isn't supposed to question: His father's unexplained, undefined trips out of state. His mother's death. The body he once found in the basement. When Sam runs off in search of answers, Dean and Cas head east to find him. But after catching up with him, something's... different. Wrong. Dean and Cas are at odds—again—with Dean believing that Sam could be in danger, and Cas suspicious that Sam is the danger. Returning to normalcy will involve more digging into forbidden territory than Dean was ever prepared for. In the end, he doesn't even know if it was worth it. They're left with just as many questions as answers, and the answers they do have are ugly, insidious things, glistening oil-spill black and undulating. Link to Fic || Link to Art

The Void Within || Rated E

story by @preetkiran1016 with art by @sketcheun

Dean's still getting used to the ache of loss and grief burning a hole into his chest. Still not used to the empty space where his brothers used to be. His life is a day to day drudgery, the eternal crawl, and since Cas broke up with him, he's not quite sure what he's got left to stick around for. When Jack and Claire go missing, well, he can't just sit back and watch. Digging deeper, Dean finds himself caught in the middle of a complicated web he can't hope to begin to untangle. Missing Kids, Doomsday Cults, and the sudden return of Castiel in his life have Dean spiraling, even with his trusted Service Dog, Miracle, by his side. But the one question remains, above all others- Who were the Men of Letters, and what were they doing in Lawrence? Dean doesn't think he's going to like the answer. Link to Fic || Link to Art

The Crawling Dark || Rated T

story by @sylvanfreckles with art by @cactus-79

Dean was hoping for a straightforward case, something that would let him and Castiel have a little private time together. But what they found in the caves beneath Delving, Colorado was a stinking labyrinth of a death and decay, with an ancient horror at its heart. At the mercy of the darkness around them, Dean and Castiel must face a creature of immeasurable strength and insatiable hunger, with light as their only salvation. After all, it is better to light a candle than to curse the crawling dark. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Apres Moi, Le Deluge || Rated M

story by @folkbloodbaths with art by @an-android-in-a-tutu

Dean and Sam are on a camping trip, and they haven’t been home in a few days. When a sudden rainstorm and an injured ankle have them seeking shelter, an abandoned ranger’s cabin offers an unexpected port in the storm. Except, the abandoned cabin isn’t abandoned. Is its occupant, Castiel, just a recluse, or is he someone — or something — more sinister? Dean can’t help but feel drawn to him, even as he begins to have strange and terrible dreams about rising flood waters and a canopy of billowing black wings. And still, the rain continues to fall. Link to Fic || Link to Art (cw for flashing gif)

For Crying Out Loud || Rated M

story by @rowanspn with art by @solstheimart

Their relationship is perfect. At least, it was once. After a harrowing rescue from the depth of the Empty, a heartfelt reunion, and a breath of reciprocation, Castiel and Dean started to live life as they deserved. However, every Winchester knows that happiness does not stay long, not for that bloodline anyway. One night, following a fight worse than ever before, a terrible accident rips Castiel's life, and heart, in two. The guilt threatens to consume him but there is something far darker hiding in the shadows of his home. Will Castiel find a way to survive the ache in his chest or will the evil within his lonely walls kill him before it gets the chance? Link to Fic || Link to Art

Shall We Begin Again? || Rated E

story by @livingonaprayerstiel with art by @blanchescarlettm

Castiel is rescued from the Empty and wants to pick up where he left off with Dean. But, it is soon revealed that the Empty is not as gone as it seems. Castiel will have to find out who or what can be trusted as he acclimates to his new life. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Tenebrous || Rated E

story by @deancodedcastielenby with art by @hawkland

The war is over, Chuck is done and it's now the time where the Winchesters get peace... or is it. The war against God may be over, but that doesn't mean smooth sailing. Jack promises to be hands off, but there is a storm coming almost 12 years in the making. Sam knows something is wrong with Dean, it started out small, but now.... now it's become a problem so he enlists the aid of Rowena and Eileen, the only ones he can count on, to help him solve the mystery of Dean Winchester before its too late. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Conversion || Rated E

story by @bleuzombie with art by @nickelkeep

In order to avoid a jail sentence trans man Dean agrees to attend religious-based residential treatment for 90 days. Dean fights to maintain his sense of self as he is attacked mentally, and physically, and fights to protect his new friends Charlie and Castiel. Soon the treatment turns to torture. Jail would have been preferable. Link to Fic || Link to Art

The Elevator Game || Rated E

story by @motherofdragonflies with art by @xfancyfranart

The game is simple. Get in an elevator, and follow the rules. If you follow them correctly, the elevator will rise and when the doors open, they will open onto a world that is not your own. When his brother goes missing after investigating the death of a teenage girl in a hotel in St. Louis, Dean Winchester is dismayed to discover it involved an internet legend called “the Elevator Game”. He’s even more dismayed when Castiel—who walked away weeks ago and hasn’t been returning Dean’s calls—shows up, also looking for Sam. Dean doesn’t want to work with Castiel, and Castiel doesn’t seem thrilled about working with him, either. Can they put their differences aside when they discover that Sam disappeared after playing the Elevator Game? Will Dean and Castiel play the game and travel to the Other World themselves? Will they find Sam before it's too late? The choice, dear reader, is yours. You are in control of the story. But choose wisely, for once you play the Elevator Game, things may never be the same again. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Like Ivy || Rated E

story by @abi-cosmos with art by @soloarcana

Dean Winchester was raised to be a killer, but after losing his brother Sam, he could do with a chance to lay low and rest up. Luckily, a 'roommate wanted' advertisement stuck to the window of a coffee shop leads him to Castiel, a professor at a local college who offers him three weeks' accommodation. At first, Castiel gets under Dean's skin, but they soon develop a friendship within the isolated house they're living in. Despite how haunted he is by his past, or how Castiel seems able to read his mind, Dean feels drawn to him and can't help but take things further. But Dean isn't the only one with secrets, and the line between friendship, love, and obsession gets bloody and blurry. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Rough Trade || Rated E

story by @squirrelofcelestialintent with art by @alicetallula

Dean is used to doing what he has to in order to get by, especially whenever his tough, temperamental father kicks him out during one of his rages. Even if it means getting on his knees for a little extra cash. He can take care of himself. He always knew the dangers of a trick going sideways, and he accepted it. What he didn’t expect was for someone to burst out of the darkness and save his sorry ass. Least of all a weird, nerdy little dude who seems to have just as many secrets as Dean and doesn’t know how to use a vending machine. Dean has street smarts and Castiel has (a little) cash. They’re both headed for the west coast to find their families. Teaming up seems like a safe bet. But the more time Dean spends with Cas, the weirder he seems. And the more he suspects that what he saw Cas do to his attacker on the day that he saved him - the terrible, inhuman thing - wasn’t a trauma induced hallucination after all. Screw it. With someone on their tail, Dean’s going to find out who his real enemies are soon enough. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Autumn Obscurum || Rated M

story by @xiejie-liubo with art by @hawaii-shirt-queer

Bartholomew's Bend is a quiet, ordinary place where ordinary people live their ordinary lives. Nothing of note ever happens, and all of the citizens are content to keep it that way. However, their tranquility is shattered when a series of disappearances startles the town's denizens, coinciding with the arrival of the Carnivale Obscurum and its proprietors, Asmodeus and Sands. Inspired by Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes Link to Fic || Link to Art

Can You See Me? || Rated T

story by @kingdumbass with art by @ephemerastardust

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 1995. After being stowed with their Uncle Bobby for the foreseeable future, Dean and Sam set out to make the most of their summer ‘vacation’. When they aren’t filling warm afternoons splashing in the creek, riding their bicycles, or suffering through old TV reruns, they’re in for cleanup duty.  Namely, sorting through all of Bobby’s old crap.  One day, while rummaging through the long-forgotten attic, Sam discovers an antique spirit board and convinces a skeptical Dean to try summoning a spirit. The results of which turn out to be a little more supernatural than Dean bargained for. Link to Fic || Link to Art

Link to Ao3 Collection

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

[escapingrealtiylovinginsanity]

Nick Torres: Smudged & Loved 

I’ve had brainrot for Nick with a metaphysical girlfriend. He acts like such a skeptic but underneath I think he is a believer. I want to throw out that everyone practices differently and there is no wrong way to have spirituality. If this topic makes you uncomfortable, please do not interact. Much love xoxo  

Nick had found it strange at first. The spiritual stuff that you were into. He hadn’t really noticed it the first few months you were dating. You seemed normal. He took you out on normal dates to normal places. The two of you had fun together. When it got to the point where sex got involved it was amazing. And usually at his apartment because he had a more unpredictable job. 

 He knew you were superstitious he recognized the evil eye clipped to your purse to keep someone from cursing you or sending bad luck your way. Other odd but not notable habits. It wasn’t until he saw your apartment that he had any real idea. Crystals, tarot cards, and candles in a corner of the living room and in the bedroom. Crystals were randomly sprinkled throughout the rest of the apartment as well.  

He hadn’t understood it, but he had respected your need for spirituality. You never pushed him into anything. Until he came over to your place at two in the morning in a bad state. While he couldn’t tell you the specifics you knew it was a bad one. Any case that involved kids was always bad for him. He woke you up with a phone call while he was outside your door. You had let him in, and he had slumped onto your couch. You had thrown your hair up and went to grab a beer out of the fridge. He was reaching for it when you pulled it back slightly. 

“Look I know this is your go-to. But can I try something? Can I smudge you?” He looked at you with tired eyes. He put out the front that he thought was all hocus pocus but with the way he reacted to moving the dead and how superstitious he could be you always wondered if maybe it was more bluster than anything. “What’s the worst thing that could happen? You feel the same as you do now and drink a slightly less chilled beer? What if it makes you feel better? Even just a little bit?”  

He gives you a faint nod. You’re not sure if it’s from his exhaustion or just to appease you but you grab a bundle of sage. When you return, he has his shirt pulled off and he is working on his jeans. “What are you doing?”  

He looks at you like you were the one doing something strange “Getting undressed so you can smear me. Isn’t that what you wanted?” 

“Smudge you,” You correct while watching the ripples of his chest and arm muscles, “And you don’t have to be naked for it.” Then you add softly to yourself, “Not that I’m complaining, it would be a lot more fun for me if you were.”  

Nick still looked adorably bemused. “Don’t you need me to be for you to ‘smudge’ it on me?” You push down a giggle as you realize what his mind has gone. He thought you were going to have to smear something onto his skin. You walk up and press a kiss to the top of his head. You were only taller than him when he was sitting down.  

“Baby, you smudge with the smoke. Nothing actually touches you.” 

You take your time smudging him. Letting the smoke permeate around him. You watched as the thick smoke thinned into wispy swirls taking with it the bad juju that clung to him. Even as you could see him physically relax into the couch, you could see the doubt in his eyes. He was definitely doing this only because you had asked him. He was a skeptic, but you knew he had some belief. When he talked about not moving the bodies of the dead and respecting their resting place.  

When you were done, he raised a tired eyebrow at you. You had smiled at him not pressing him with questions of if he was feeling any better. Instead handing him his still chilled beer and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.  

Nick wouldn’t realize the change until he woke up the next morning. He would wake up late, the sun high in the sky and penetrating through the window. He was alone in bed the sheets cool with your long absence. He stretched feeling the relief as his back cracked releasing pressure on his upper back. It took him a minute for his mind to wake up but when it did it was blissfully clear. Then he realized that he had slept. Like really slept. No nightmares, no tossing and turning, no waking up and struggling to go back to sleep with his racing thoughts torturing him. These were all common things for him after bad cases. Yet he had experienced none of them.  

He lazed in bed enjoying the lightness he felt. You find him there a half hour later resting on his stomach sheet bunched around his waist arm hugging a pillow. You had come to check on him, not used to him sleeping in late. He rolled onto his side at the sound of your footsteps. He gave you a sleepy smile that you returned. “You planning on staying in bed all day?” 

“And if I am?” 

Your smile widens, “Then I request to take the place of that pillow.” He hums in thought, his hand tilting back in forth as he considers you.  

“Granted, on a condition.” One of your hands locks on your hip. “You strip down first.” You laugh and he wiggles his eyebrows at you. You start taking off your clothes, and he throws the pillow to the floor. You climb into his outstretched arms. His skin is warm, and his smell encompasses you. You press a kiss against his neck as he pulls the covers around you. “Thank you,” Nick whispers to you a few minutes later. You pull away from the curve of his neck that you are curled into to look up into his eyes. They are a warm brown. “I feel better. Lighter.”  

You start slipping crystals in his pockets. Rose quartz for love. Tourmaline for protection. Amethyst for safe travel and stress relief. Nick almost always finds a crystal when he slides his hands into his pockets. The feel of them made him smile and he would pull them out trying to figure out what they were for. And after a time, you find it becomes a normal occurrence for him to come into your apartment after a bad day and ask you to “smoke his bad juju away”. 

[a0random0gal]

If you had the chance to change something about the dance of the dragons (TV show or book), what would it be? For example, how a character dies, which team a house is on,or an entire character personally. How would you change it to make the story better, in your opinion?♥️🖤💙💚

Ohh anon i've got a list.

When it comes to the tv show there are a few choices the writers made that just don't sit right with me.

Laenor

I do like the characterization they went for, he's a pretty cool dude who really loves his weird, dysfunctional family. What I really don't like is how they handled his death.

See I truly can't stand it when a character is sugar coated just because they're the protagonist and thus must be righteous and always objectively correct.

So to witness the writers white wash his murder, having him flee to essos instead of being killed by Rhaenyra pisses me off. I get that after showing them being good friends it would be very odd to have her kill him.

But that's the thing, they should have opted for a more ruthless Rhaenyra in the first place!

Laenor's death in the books (at least for me) was the first instance of Rhae Rhae making morally wrong choices in order to pursue her ultimate goal. It was compelling! Here she just takes the easy way out, without having to make a tough choice.

Also his survival really fucks her up when you really think about it. Now all her sons are bastards since her marriage to Daemon isn't valid, and for the upcoming season 2, how are they going to handle Addam and Seasmoke? Laenor is still alive, his dragon won't accept a new rider. This doesn't make any sense and just causes plotholes what the actual fu-

Sidenote: After Laenor's very moving speech on how he was done goofing off and was now willing to really step up for Rhaenyra and their family it's super strange to imagine him ditching them all immediately afterwards Lol.

Rhaenys

My gosh, where do I even begin with this woman?

She too is pretty cool at the start, but then episode 9 rolls around and I roll my eyes.

She's so hypocritical. She tries to shit on Alicent for "toiling in the service of men." When that's all she does in the goddamn story!

She wants Baela to get Driftmark, tells Corlys about it, he shuts off the whole plan cause he wants a kid who he's not even related to on the driftwood throne, and when she complains about it he dismisses her.

So what does feminist Rhaenys do about it?

She... submits to her husband, something she conveniently forgets about when talking to Alicent. My god. Just remove this entire exchange, it hurts to watch.

And the coronation scene, Jesus Christ! It was so cool in the books, why did they have to ruin it? Had they replaced it with something better I wouldn't have complained, but this is just, the worst.

Rhaenys shows how badass she is by.... Brutally crushing hundreds of small folks to death and almost slaughtering the greens.

Cool, cool, absolutely necessary. Thanks Sara.

And you know what's even more infuriating? When she flees to Dragonstone to inform Rhaenyra of all that happened. She says she didn't kill the greens cause she didn't wish to start a war. I'm sorry what?

That would have ended the war at the start! As glad as I am that Rhaenys didn't barbecue them it makes absolutely no sense!

If she had killed them there would have been no dance in the first place!

I hate these dumb show only moments. They needlessly complicated an already complicated story and just mess everything up.

There's probably other stuff I could rant on, like how Aegon was made a rapist sorely to make the audience think:

Oh look! The greens are so baad, they believe a rapist alcoholic douche should be in charge instead of our empowered dragon queen, they sure do suck!

Or how house Velaryon was disrespected and mistreated by D*emyra but still somehow decided to support Nyra's claim.

They didn't really have a motive to be greens though, so I think they should have stayed neutral. Their fervent black support makes no sense.

The writers really should have given them more reasons to back up the blacks or had their beloved queen treat them better so that their loyalty made more sense ( I mean holy hell I wonder how they will handle the two betrayers and Corlys's arrest lmao).

But other greens have already shat on these awful decisions and I won't beat a dead horse.

Book

When it comes to fire and blood I surprisingly have very little complaints, except of course, the Jaehaera situation.

My poor baby deserved better, I've made a post about it in the past

(where I ranted and said stuff I kind of regret now, don't post while very angry guys I don't recommend it)

tackling how the little queen was unnecessarily killed off and how her death genuinely adds nothing so why was it added? God I get upset just thinking about it lol.

Some people say George did it cause he needed Aegon's kids to be born after Viserys's, and apparently he couldn't fathom a married teen not having kids until her 20s, which is veery weird.

The more plausible theory is that he got rid of her cause he wanted more Velaryon queens to showcase how close they used to be to the Targs.

Which is something I had understood already thanks to Alyssa, the sea Snake and all the Velaryons who were masters of ships but whatever.

[mama-qwerty]

Unintentional Insult

From the Knucklesverse au.

~~~~~

Callie sat on the couch, Eclipse spread across her lap, Silver at her hip. Around her sat a handful of Knuckles. (Yes, she was aware that a group of echidna was call a 'parade' but saying there was a 'parade' of Knuckles in her house sounded stupid, so she made up her own term. A handful. Which made so much more sense to her.)

All eyes were on the television before them. She'd treated the group to a movie night at her house, and put in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. She figured it was a safe enough bet for all involved, and thought Gawain may get a kick out of seeing 'himself' featured in a movie.

It seemed to be a hit—lots of laughs at the jokes and various silliness. Little Z got a kick out of the Black Knight, and Cal figured they'd hear the Tis but a scratch! thing in the foreseeable future.

She kept flicking her eyes to Gawain to gauge his reaction, and found him sitting with a slight frown on his muzzle. Curious, she paused the movie, much to the annoyance of the others.

"Whatcha thinkin' about, Gawain?"

The echidna turned, almost startled, at the interruption. "I am . . . surprised to see there were people so similar to us on your world. Is this based on factual events?"

A smile curled Callie's lip. "Eh, not really. I mean, the Arthurian legend is real, but this is just satire. A funny story with the characters."

Gawain lowered his head, in the classic "Knuckles thinking" pose. He hummed, his brow furrowed.

"I suppose given the different forms we've seen in the Sanctuary, it shouldn't seem strange that there would be a human version of myself. But somehow it seems . . . strangest of all."

Callie lifted an eyebrow. "Oh? How so?"

The echidna shook his head, glancing back at the TV. "Hearing my name directed at a human is odd."

The woman shrugged. "We didn't have any echidna Knux's. Maybe this was the universe's way to bring that bit of honor and nobility to Earth."

Gawain nodded, but still looked distracted. "I understand that, but still. There are other creatures that could carry a similar nobility. Why a human?"

A tense silence settled over the living room then. It took Gawain a moment to realize what he'd said, and he turned with wide eyes to the others.

The other Knuckles’ stared at him, glared at him. Boom lay on his belly next to him, Dread was on the couch leaning against the arm. Gnarly and Renegade sat on the floor with their backs against the couch on Callie's other side. And Little Z sat at Callie's other hip.

And they all wore identical expressions of annoyance.

Even Eclipse and Silver stared at the knight.

Gawain flicked his eyes up to Callie, the actual human in their midst. She simply watched him, her eyes slightly narrowed, but a little curl on her lips.

He swallowed hard.

"I . . ." he started, clearing his throat to rid the slight shake. "I meant no disrespect. There's nothing wrong with being a human, of course, I simply don't . . . I didn't . . ."

"Ye better think long and hard ‘bout the next words outta yer mouth, lad," Dread said, his own eyes narrowing. His lip pulled into a slight snarl. "'Cause I won't sit here an' let ye insult this fine lass simply for how she be born."

Gawain swallowed again. He wasn't normally one to give any credence to Dread's threats, but he'd stuck his foot in his mouth and it was hard to extract it at the moment.

"I . . ." he said again, and pushed himself to stand. He held his hands in tight fists by his sides, and gave Callie a firm bow. "I apologize for my insult. I . . . I didn't think. I hope you don't think too ill of me now."

He straightened and looked toward the front door, where his armor was neatly stacked. Callie had made him take them off so it didn't scratch or snag any of her furniture.

"I believe I should go. I am sorry for my rudeness."

The echidna turned and hurried toward the door, cursing his tongue for saying something so rude without thinking. He reached for his breastplate when a hand fell on his shoulder. Gawain whirled, expecting perhaps Dread ready to lash out, but found Callie instead.

"Hey," she said, her voice soft. "Hang on a sec. I wasn't insulted. Humans are . . . well, we can be problematic, yeah. But that's not really strange, I don't think. I'd wager any species could have their bad eggs, echidna included. But I understand it feeling a little odd to hear your name attached to someone else."

Gawain stood with his head slightly lowered, but gave her a nod. "I am still sorry for what I said. Before you and Madam Maddie, the only other human I encountered was a vile witch who wanted to claim the kingdom as her own. So . . . I did not have a very good impression of your kind."

Callie hunkered down on one knee to come more face-to-face with the echidna.

"Hey, I get it. I mean, if I met Dread first, I probably wouldn't have a very good impression of echidna in general, either."

"Oi! I can hear ye!" a voice called, the annoyance evident. "And here I be stickin' up for ye! Aye, there's gratitude for ye."

Callie gave Gawain a little smile, which the knight returned.

"No need to be sorry, and no need to leave. C'mon, wanna finish the movie? I'll make some popcorn."

Gawain seemed to consider this, before giving her a shy smile. "May I have some of that warm cocoa?"

"Absolutely. C'mon, you can even help."

His misdeed forgotten, Gawain smiled, and followed his friend toward the kitchen. Callie passed by the couch, as Dread gave her a little evil eye.

"Where be my apology?"

Callie shoved his hat a little further down on his head with a smirk. "You still love me, little pirate man. You know it."

Dread gave a little grunt, straightening his hat. "Against me better judgment."

"Want a popcicle?"

A pause. "Yes, ma'am."

Boom pushed himself up. "Oh, snacks?! Count me in!"

Callie found herself leading a handful of Knuckles, a hedgehog, and a darkling into the kitchen, ready to raid her cabinets to satisfy their case of the munchies.

[aquaburst3]

While the JP Halloween event isn't completed yet, parts of it are shaping up to be better than I thought. I unironically enjoy Scully as a villain.

Scully is like a weird mix of Cater and Idia, albeit more messed up. He's a huge Halloween stan and idolizes Jack Skellington. He uses his love for his version of Halloween and Jack along with his overly gentlemanly persona to deal with his loneliness. When he figures out Jack wasn't who he thought he was, he grows bitter and angry, doing everything to make his vision of Halloween a reality. He even goes as far as to poison his idol. He's also a boardline yandere, being overly affectionate to them and also holding them hostage. The only reasons I doc points from him is because he's not very craft and his UM is lame.

As for how I imagine this would go down in my fics...

I would imagine that Addie, my Yuu, would hate him. He would seem like all of those creepy gamers who would hit on her and act really racist and creepy while she gamed online back in her world.

At first, she finds him a bit odd and eccentric, brushing off the first kiss on the hand as him being overly formal. As time goes on, she side-eyes him more and more for acting strange and being overly fan boyish towards only his vision of Halloween to get angry when others rightfully disagree. She has a conversation with Jamil, Grim and Vil about this in private. Jamil and Vil agree that Scully is up to no good and they should keep an eye on him.

Later on, Scully incapacitates Grim somehow, she is horrified. He admits that it was him who did that. He explains that he wants to implement his version of Halloween, and wants her help. She could even be his Pumpkin Queen! Addie decides to play along with it, trying to come up with a plan to take him out.

Jamil sees her by Scully's side, and immediately knows something is wrong. Jamil, out of instinct, wants to swoop in and rescue her, because that's his crush (the last part he doesn't admit, even to himself). Leona advises him not to. He tells him that that could easily backfire and if he truly respects her, he would let her handle that bastard herself first and only step in when she asks him to. She has proven quite capable in the past. If that was his fiancée in that situation, he would do the same. Jamil sees his point and agrees. Leona teases him for having a crush on her, which Jamil denies, and Leona's like, "Yeah...I don't believe you."

Addie, Jamil and Leona foil Scully's plans somehow. All of them escape from the book. (Not sure how, since the event isn't finished yet.)

I highly doubt I'd ever write something like this. I have no idea where to stick it in the timeline, I still believe the inclusion of the books that can teleport you to other worlds breaks the world building and I still hate it how everyone forgets what happens after these book events are done. But, it's still a fun what-if regardless.