#WE CAN STILL LIKE HYPNOS TOGETHER.... PLEASE!

[koipalm]

you just reminded me that i need to redownload hades to finish it and get to the epilogue with all the gods (i have 70+ hours on it and i'm not even close). i miss hypnos :( when will his last heart unlock

anon i care about you and your endeavor so so so so much. and now with rhat said i have to tell you this with the heaviest heart. i dont know. i never played that game

[thornnii]

⎯ ☆ my girlfriend

genre: fluff wordcount: 0.9k pairing: percy jackson x fem!reader tags: based on 'my girlfriend' by TV Girl, daughter of hypnos!reader (she/her), use of [reader], from percy's perspective, minor gods have cabins, established relationship, they're like 15 in this, phones/devices don't attract monsters (eg. noise cancelling headphones) summary: sometimes she just struggles to get out of bed. she can’t help it. notes: noticing how both my percy fics have similar titles, anyway happy international sleep day!

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the sun was bathing camp half blood in a golden light as campers began exiting their respective cabins and heading towards the dining pavilion for breakfast. stepping out of his own cabin, percy was immediately engulfed in the wave of campers, but he did his best to push through the current of others toward the cabins of the minor gods. it had become routine for him by this point; wake up, get sorted for the day, go to cabin 15, drag [reader] out of bed, go for breakfast. percy wondered whether clovis would be up yet or not. who knew with hypnos kids. percy knew that if he didn’t go check up on [reader] she’d willingly hibernate like a bear throughout the winter.

percy knocked on the door to cabin 15, his mother had raised him to always be a gentleman. the door was opened slowly, revealing a bleary-eyed clovis who, upon recognising percy, ushered him in so he could close the door once more. percy liked the hypnos cabin. it always smelt warm and the soft violins made everything feel serene. it was an ironic comparison to personalisation of the beds; messy sheets, a collection of cups, plates and cutlery, clothes strewn around, as well as their own belongings from home. almost every bedside cabinet had either a pair of headphones upon it or a pair of ear plugs.

instantly, percy went over to [reader]’s bed. she was still asleep. of course. it seemed incredulous to percy that anyone would be able to sleep through the morning conch, but here was living proof that it were possible. percy gently shook [reader]’s shoulder to try and ease her out of her slumber. she let out some incomprehensible mumble before promptly rolling over and hiding her face in her pillow.

“c’mon,” percy coaxed, “gotta get up and get breakfast”

[reader] spoke into her pillow once more but this time percy could catch bits of what she was saying, “be fine without… don’t wanna get up… didn’t sleep good..”

“you need breakfast.” percy stood his ground, “and the reason you didn’t sleep well is because you never go to sleep at a reasonable time, it’s a wonder the curfew harpies haven’t caught you yet.”

“I’m too smart for them.” [reader] rebutted, finally turning to face percy and squinting her eyes at him.

“yes you are, now up.” percy quickly pulled the duvet away causing [reader] to let out groans and mumbled protestations at his actions. “come on.” percy reiterated, holding out his hands for [reader] to take. she continued to squint her eyes and scowl at him, but took his hands anyway.

“wash up and then we can go to breakfast” percy proffered.

“can’t I just go like this?” [reader] contested, gesturing to her pyjamas of fluffy black pyjama trousers and make-shift pyjama top of a vintage graphic tee.

percy raised an eyebrow, “you know you’ll get into trouble with chiron if you do.”

“when is getting in trouble an issue for you?” [reader] raised an eyebrow.

“please.” percy begged.

“percy, you’re lucky that I even got out of bed, besides it’s not like I really have any activities to do today, so why do I have to get changed?”

percy sighed, trying to reason, “how about you just change into the shirt? at least for breakfast?”

“fine. turn around.” [reader] motioned with her finger.

it was coming close to the end of breakfast when percy and [reader] finally entered the dining pavilion. since it was basically empty, the two sat together at the hypnos table. thankfully there was still some food left, but not as much as percy would’ve liked, especially after sacrificing some to the gods.

“considering you went out of your way to drag me here, are you actually going to eat or not?” [reader] asked as percy seemingly just stared at his food.

“yeah, yeah,” percy shook his head as he broke out of his reverie, “was just thinking.”

“about?” [reader] prodded.

“just… how do you go a day on so little food? if I didn’t wake you up in the mornings you’d sleep straight through breakfast.”

“I nap and I don’t do anything strenuous. I’d rather rot in bed than go on a quest. I don’t need a lot of energy. besides ‘girl dinner’.”

“it’s breakfast.” percy pointed out.

“whatever, not the point.”

percy rolled his eyes at his girlfriend and went back to eating. it wasn’t until the two were finished with their food and basically the only ones left in the pavilion did he ask:

“so, what are you going to do today?”

[reader] shrugged her shoulders, “dunno, might go to the arts and crafts centre. don’t have to do anything strenuous there.”

“want me to join you?” percy asked, gathering their plates to take back to the kitchen.

“you don’t have to, I know it’s not your favourite place, you could go to the sword-fighting arena to practise if you want. I’m probably going to end up falling asleep anyway.”

“cool. I’ll be there to wake you up if chiron or mr d come by.”

a smile spread across [reader]’s face. she gave percy a light smack on the shoulder before looping her arm through his and dragging him off to the arts and crafts centre. she could already feel her eyelids drooping as she walked, anticipating the peace and quiet of the crafts centre that would let her nap until lunch.

© thornnii.tumblr.com 2024

[eldritchamy]

Hey! I'm a Human Domestication Guide Community clerk and I wanted to reach out to say your post about HDG being an inverse fandom was a really wonderful read. Lots of love from the team!

There's "Getting unhinged about your newest obsession", and then there's "Getting so unhinged about your newest obsession that one of the community managers from their discord server reaches out to you on your tumblr about it."

Do I win? Is the Compact proud of me?

I'm still very much new here (I reached this point in like, one week), but so far I'm really enjoying not just the STORIES of HDG, but the feeling of having a shared universe in which they're being told.

So far the HDG community feels a lot like a bunch of trans girls sitting in a sandbox together. We all have the same sand and the same-ish bucket and shovel or whatever, but also everyone in the sandbox brings their own toys to play in this shared space. Anyone can come and go as they please, but it's always the same sandbox.

And you basically get this vibe that's like a cross between collaborative storytelling and parallel play, which is maybe the coolest feeling I've ever had about any "fandom" I've been a part of.

"My OC is a rebel! She HATES xenos and tries to escape but her resistance is not enough to save her!"

"My OC is too gay to function and domesticates herself by accident in under 3 hours!"

"Oh yeah?? Well MY OC goes undercover and accidentally falls for a pink Affini called the MIND BREAKER and then she gets turned into a free use hypno maid service doll BEFORE SHE'S EVEN A FLORET and it turns out she LIKES IT so she tricks her girlfriend into getting everything they wished for and now they're gaaaaaaaay. Also she has dreams where she gets turned into an obedient robot puppy."

"Woag, I think I'm just nutted about what you just said."

"Also she's really emotional about all of it and learns to love herself."

"AWWWWWWWW."

(Seriously, I think keysmasht now legally owns a third of my soul.)

And man, all of that is just so damn cool.

I haven't been here long but I'm having a great time. I actually DID join the discord last night, I just haven't talked yet.

Thanks for reaching out!

[romirola]

For the first time since February 2020, I am sick. 🤒 As a distraction, I thought I'd share a bit of my current WIP. Under a cut because the full fic will be rated E for my typical brand of soft-smut. 18+ only, please!

I'm thinking this fic will be multiple chapters, and I always take the opportunity to remind people that I'm a SLOW writer. I don't start posting on AO3 until the story is drafted in full. It'll be awhile before this one gets to that stage, but oh, it has been a lot of fun to imagine so far.

“You’ve got a hypno-kink,” Milo repeated, giving a thoughtful nod. “So, what do we do about that?”

When Sweetheart had volunteered that information about themselves, Milo was shocked, to say the least. But he knew he needed to be strategic. One wrong move could make them retreat back into their defensive shell.

“I…” Sweetheart grimaced, feeling woefully unprepared for the conversation. “I don’t know,” they answered. “I thought you would think it was weird or something. I didn’t tell you to pressure you into it or anything like that. I’d never, ever want that.” Their hand found Milo’s under the covers and squeezed, the pulse matching the beat of the subtle song their core always sang when they were together. “I just thought you should know. Because I want you to know all of me, and that’s something about me.”

But Milo wanted more than just understanding. Much more. Understanding was a great start, but nowhere near the finish line he had in mind.

He eventually convinced Sweetheart to tell him all about their fantasies involving hypnosis that the stealth had spent far too long pretending were nonexistent or, at the very least, irrelevant. As they delved more into the topic, Milo began to connect the dots. It certainly was in character with Sweetheart. After all, time had shown that Sweetheart was something of a soft dom, which was a preference Milo knew quite well, being one himself. Still, the pair had never gotten caught up with rigid labels or limiting roles. They were way more focused on each other, frankly, and the love between them, to be concerned with trivial things like that. When their nights did veer more towards defined dynamics, however, both Milo and Sweetheart were content to trust each other to discover how to let things play out. It was a system that worked very, very well.

(some other stuff)

Slowly, and with constant prompting from Milo, Sweetheart had revealed more details about what drew them towards hypnotism.

“I like the idea of giving that kind of deep relaxation and guidance, to make you feel good. Accessing that control in a way that helps take away whatever might be holding you back— anxiety, insecurity, worry, whatever. And being in a position to do that for you…” Sweetheart’s thick eyebrows bounced twice. “I like the thought of that a lot. A lot a lot.”

In his quest to understand, Milo continued to press them for more details.

“Me being in the hypnotist's role,” Sweetheart declared with certainty when Milo asked them for more explanation. “And just to be clear, no, not in like a ‘I'll make you do things you don't want to do because I like power and control.’ Like a supervillain or something. Not at all like that.” Sweetheart swiped their flat palm across the air to emphasize their point. “For me, it's more about supporting you so you can do what you want to do and experience it in a really clear, pure way. Giving you that opportunity to just listen, to just be, to not even have to think, only feel. Maybe it’d take shape as me giving you cues that heighten your sensation or let you focus on pleasure,” Sweetheart explained. “Or…” They swallowed. “Maybe I’d have you on your knees, hot and begging and ready to obey any command I gave you.”

[kallie-den]

Reflection

An unethical hypnotist finds out that her new girlfriend has a twin brother, and takes it as an opportunity to create a matching pair

A really fun little force-fem/incest/twinning story my patrons voted for a few months back!

If you like my writing, please consider supporting me on Patreon!  For less than the price of a cup of coffee each month, you can get immediate, early access to everything I write - 4 pieces of hypno-smut a  month, including the latest chapters of all the multi-chapter stories I write. Your support helps me keep writing and is greatly appreciated <3

---

“So, Natasha.” Ethan tried to sound casual as he asked the question he’d come all this way to put to his sister’s creepy new girlfriend. It wasn’t hard; the wine had been flowing freely all evening. “How did you two meet?”

“See, that’s an unfair question.” Natasha giggled. “Not like I can ask you the same thing.”

Natasha was sitting at the opposite end of the couch. She was smiling, probably; that weird, knowing smile that always raised Ethan’s hackles. But he couldn’t be sure. He couldn’t stop staring at her arm, wrapped possessively around Emma, his twin sister.

“C’mon,” he wheedled, spreading his arms. “Don’t I get to know?”

“Be nice to him, Nat,” Emma said sleepily. “He’s just looking out for his kid sister.”

The two of them were slumped together; Natasha, leaning over on the armrest, Emma, half in her lap. Ethan didn’t like that. He didn’t like how at-ease Natasha looked. From how she lounged around, you’d think this was her apartment, not Emma’s. Except now it was both of theirs, apparently. She’d moved in after just two months. It wasn’t right. Something was up.

“Kid sister?” Natasha raised an eyebrow and took another sip of wine. “I thought the two of you were twins.”

“Twelve minutes.” Emma giggled. “But he never lets anyone forget it.”

Ethan shrugged good-naturedly. He was used to this teasing. “Twelve minutes is twelve minutes! Just let me have this, Em.”

The two of them laughed together, and for a moment it was just like old times. The two of them growing up together, or at college, thick as thieves. The twins. No secrets. No weird girlfriends.

“Twins,” Natasha repeated. The moment died. “You must get tired of hearing this, but it’s really something. The two of you truly are just about identical.”

Emma wagged a finger up at her. “Not identical! I’ve told you, dizygotic. If we were identical, we’d be same-sex.”

“That’s right. I remember.” There was a strange mischief in Natasha’s eyes. As if Ethan needed another reason to dislike her, besides the way she’d come into Emma’s life like a battering ram. “But still. That resemblance. Wow. It’s like… it’s like you’re a matching pair.”

“Similar genes, I suppose.” Ethan couldn’t quite conceal his irritation. He sure did get tired of hearing it.

Not that she was wrong, admittedly. As kids, Ethan and Emma had been mistaken for each other all the time. That was in the past now, but it had persisted long into their teenage years thanks to Ethan’s slight build and preference for keeping his hair long.

“Hey, I’m curious,” Natasha said, a wicked grin slapped across her face. “You two ever fuck with the same girl? Maybe even… at the same time?”

“What the fuck…” Ethan breathed, as Emma completely dissolved into helpless laughter.

“Ew!” she protested, after catching her breath. “A three-way? With him? Are you kidding me? How would that even work?”

Natasha shrugged. “I dunno. But he likes girls, you like girls…”

“Yeah, since, like, two months ago.” Emma stuck her tongue out.

Ethan was aghast. Natasha’s comment was extremely weird, of course, but somehow Emma’s reaction was even weirder. A few months ago, she never would have laughed off a question like that. She would have been angry. Repulsed. That was the twin sister Ethan knew. She was proud, and she had always been so dignified.

And she wasn’t a lesbian.

Was that fucked up of him to think? Maybe. Ethan certainly wasn’t in the business of calling people’s sexualities into question… mostly. But this was Em. He knew her better than he knew herself. They’d never kept anything from each other. If she’d displayed even the slightest inkling of being interested in girls, he’d have known about it. But no; by contrast, she’d always been a little boy crazy. She’d even had a fiancé - right up until she’d ditched him for this sleazeball.

Ethan didn’t like her. It wasn’t that she was trans, and it wasn’t that she was gay. It was something more. It was the way she seemed to have Emma wrapped around her little finger. Something was up, and that shit-eating grin Natasha always wore was all but daring Ethan to figure it out. It was why he’d visited, not that he’d ever have told Emma that. If she was manipulating Emma - or worse - he needed to get to the bottom of it. He wouldn’t have put it past her, especially after comments like the one she’d just made.

And what kind of job was being a hypnotist, anyway?

“That’s really gross…” Ethan said quietly. He was hoping for some backup from Emma. He didn’t get much.

“I told you, play nice.” Emma gave Natasha a little tap on the arm. “You were about to tell him how we met?”

“Right.” Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling Natasha was smirking at him as she spoke. “Well, that’s not much of a story. Emma came to one of my shows, we got talking, and the rest is history.”

Emma pressed a little closer to Natasha and favored her with a winning smile. She seemed sickeningly infatuated.

“I see.” Ethan nodded. He needed to keep his cool. See if he could trick any answers out of Natasha. “That sounds nice. And is this before or after you figured out that you, uh…”

He threw Emma a significant look.

“Are a lesbian?” She snickered. “Yeah, pretty much around that time.”

“A little before,” Natasha corrected. Her smirk was widening. “You might say I talked her through it, actually. Maybe made her realize a few things.”

“Yeah.” Emma’s eyes became a touch unfocused. Clearly, she’d had a glass too many. “You were a big help.”

“Oh yeah?” Ethan tried his best to feign simple curiosity. “How’s that?”

Natasha just shrugged. “I’ve had shit to come to terms with too. Gender, sexuality… it’s not so different.” She looked down at Emma and licked her lips. “And then we hooked up. I guess I’m just a smooth talker.”

The way she said it was just so twisted. And that look in her eyes. Once, in college, as he’d been walking back to his dorm room, all the other guys had been looking and talking to Ethan just like that. And when he’d opened the door, a bucket of cold water had fallen on his head.

But again, it was how Emma reacted that really caught Ethan’s eye. She was squirming slightly in Natasha’s lap, subtly rubbing her thighs together and pressing closer to her girlfriend. It was lurid. Ethan felt embarrassed to be watching. He cleared his throat conspicuously.

“That’s amazing,” he said, hoping he could keep the bitter insincerity out of his voice. “But, Em, I’m curious, what got you going to a hypnosis show? That doesn’t seem like your scene.”

She stopped writhing, mercifully, and shrugged at him. “I guess I was just curious.”

“Lots of people are.” Natasha snapped at the heels of that comment. “How about you, Ethan? You seem a little scornful.”

That was putting it mildly. “Call it skeptical,” Ethan replied mildly. He didn’t want to put her on edge, but if he could get her talking… “Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure you’re a great performer! But it’s not. You know. Real.”

“It’s real,” Emma retorted quickly. “It works on me.”

“It certainly does,” Natasha laughed.

Emma squirmed again. Ethan had to fight not to blow his top.

“Maybe it works great on some people,” Ethan amended. “A few people. But not… I mean, c’mon! How does that even work? You swing a little pocket watch in front of someone, and they start dancing around like a chicken? Please!”

“Oh, she doesn’t need a pocket watch,” Emma giggled.

Natasha, meanwhile, was just looking at Ethan. She didn’t look offended, not in the slightest. But there was still something fiery about her gaze. It was like she was being challenged. No, like she was challenging him.

And from her grin, she was very, very pleased about it.

“So,” she said slowly, “I’m guessing you don’t think you’re one of those ‘few people’ it works on?”

Ethan shrugged. “Nah. No way.”

“But your sister is?”

Another shrug. “I guess.”

“Now that’s interesting.” Natasha sat forward a little; Emma shifted to accommodate. “You know, you’re right that not everyone is equally susceptible. But your sister? I can assure you, she’s very, very susceptible. She really goes down easy.”

Ethan felt a vein throb in his forehead at the innuendo. But that aside, she was obviously hinting at something. Some kind of influence she had on Emma. Was she really so cocky she was just going to tell him?

“But you two are twins,” Natasha continued. “If you’re really so different, doesn’t that make you wonder? Maybe it’s that old debate again. Nature versus nurture.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Emma interjected, sleepily and happily. “I told you. We’re not genetically identical.”

“Right. I forgot.” It was as plain as day that she hadn’t. “Still though. Makes me wonder… hey, babe? Sit up for a moment.”

Emma grumbled a little, but quickly propped herself into an upright position and turned to face Ethan, with Natasha sitting behind her. Natasha’s eyes moved slowly back and forth between the twins.

“Wow,” Natasha remarked. “I know, I know, you’re not identical, but… wow. You two. It must be like looking in a mirror.”

“Not really,” Ethan said wearily. Why was she so preoccupied with this? He was trying to get her talking about hypnosis. “Look, same birthday aside, we’re really just brother and sister. It’s not that special.”

“Oh, I disagree,” Natasha replied. “To me, it’s remarkable. Twins or no, the similarity is striking. Maybe you’re just too used to it? That happens, sometimes. You see something every day, for months or years, and it becomes mundane. You know what I’m talking about?”

“Sure, I guess,” Ethan answered impatiently. Natasha had started speaking in this odd, slow way, drawing out the parts of each word into a song-like rhythm. It was kind of annoying. He really wanted her to get to the point.

“You need to get some perspective,” Natasha told him. “Look at this with fresh eyes. At yourself, and your sister. Look. Really look. She looks just like you.”

Ethan found himself obliging, staring straight at Emma. He wasn’t really sure why. It was hard not to, he supposed, after listening to Natasha. Plus, he was a little drunk himself, and it wasn’t like there was anything else in particular for him to rest his eyes on. But also, admittedly, Ethan was wondering: did she have a point? Were they really so identical?

He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think so. There were similarities, sure - eye color, long hair - but plenty more differences. Emma had long, feminine lashes and rounded cheeks, and was wearing makeup. Her hair was loose in a pretty, wavy bob, not tied back in a low, no-effort ponytail. There was a family resemblance, sure, but nobody was going to get the two of them mixed up.

“I… don’t think so.”

Ethan paused and frowned. He was speaking slowly too, and almost slurring his words. Maybe he was more drunk than he’d thought. That was no good. He needed to stay alert if he was going to save Emma from Natasha. Ethan took a deep breath and did his best to focus on Emma.

“Look deeper,” Natasha urged, in that strange, soothing way of hers. “Past the superficial. You have the same eyes, you know. The same bone structure too. Same cheekbones. And your mouths - yes, those are definitely the same.”

“I dunno,” Ethan demurred. His bone structure? He couldn’t really picture it, although as he looked at Emma, it was easy to imagine that it was similar to hers. That seemed about right. “But… does it matter? I was asking Em about why she-“

“We’re getting to that,” Natasha interrupted smoothly. “Promise. Just listen, OK? I’ll explain everything.”

Ethan was mollified by that. An explanation was exactly what he wanted. He didn’t trust Natasha to tell him the truth, of course. Not really. He’d just have to pay close attention until he could figure out what kind of game she was playing.

“Like looking in a mirror,” Natasha mused. “Your expressions, too. So similar. I bet that’ll make it even clearer. Emma, smile for me.” She did so, the corners of her mouth pulling up into a blissed-out smile that matched the dazed, drunken, contented look in her eyes. “You too, Ethan. Let’s compare.”

After a brief moment of hesitance, Ethan smiled. It would have been harder not to, really. When he looked at his sister smiling, it made him want to smile too. Smiles were infectious, some people said. That must have been it. And besides, he reasoned afterward, he wanted to keep Natasha talking. It was best that he go along with this nonsense for now.

“See?” Natasha sounded vindicated. “Exactly the same. The same smile. Don’t you think so, Ethan?”

Ethan looked closely at Emma’s mouth, at her lips, at their shape. Was it the same? Did his smile feel like that? Look like that? “I’m… not…”

“Look closer. Really look.”

He did. “M… maybe?”

“Yes,” Natasha told him. It was hard to disagree when she sounded so sure. “It’s the same.”

Ethan still wasn’t sure. “I… I’d need to check. In a mirror, or something.”

Natasha laughed at that. “No mirror in here. But I bet you can just imagine a mirror. When was the last time you looked in a mirror? This morning, when you shaved? Think back, Ethan. Did you smile, for a moment? I bet you did. Look at Emma, and remember that moment. Imagine that moment.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t really interested in indulging this absurd train of thought, but it was proving hard not to. It was a bit like trying not to think about a pink elephant. If you tried not to, that meant you already were. As he stared straight ahead at Emma, it was remarkably easy to imagine that he was looking into a mirror. That her face was a mirror image of his own. And when he thought about it like that, her smile did indeed seem like a perfect fit for his face.

“I guess…” Ethan admitted slowly. “Yeah. Sure.”

“Yes!” Natasha laughed. “I’m so glad you see. Emma, you can stop smiling now.”

Emma’s smile faded as her face relaxed back into a look of blank, dull, vaguely happy sleepiness. How many glasses of wine had she had? She looked seriously out of it. Ethan was a little worried for her. As he looked, his own face relaxed too. His smile faded, and his eyelids suddenly turned remarkably heavy. He supposed he hadn’t had any less to drink than Emma had.

“I think I’ve just about made my point,” Natasha said. Her smile was still so very wide. “You too look almost exactly the same. Identical twins.”

“Yeah,” Ethan agreed reflexively, before he caught the mistake. “Wait, no, that-“

“Oh, that’s right! Thank you for reminding me.” Natasha interrupted. Ethan was glad she understood. “We weren’t just talking about that, were we? We were talking about hypnosis.”

Ethan was about to open his mouth, to correct her about them being identical twins, but he didn’t. It just seemed easier to let her talk.

“But, you see,” Natasha continued, “I bet if you’re identical physically, you’re identical in other ways too. It stands to reason. After all, how you respond to hypnosis is as much a part of your body as it is your mind. Let me show you. Emma?”

Emma looked just a touch more alert as Natasha called her name, but that didn’t last long. Natasha reached up with one hand and caressed the side of her face, the tips of her nails just barely kissing Emma’s skin. It was so close, Ethan couldn’t quite tell if she was touching her or not.

But she must have been, because Emma’s reaction was remarkable. Her eyelids suddenly flickered up and down, and her eyes seemed to roll up into her head. Her shoulders slumped, and she looked like she might have fallen forward without Natasha’s supporting arm around her shoulder. It was like her soul had departed her body, leaving nothing behind but a blank, empty void.

This was hypnosis. That was obvious, even to Ethan.

“What the…” Ethan breathed.

Was this how Natasha was controlling Emma? He wouldn’t have believed it until this very moment.

But the moment didn’t last. Once Natasha drew back her hand, light slowly returned to Emma’s eyes - although not all of it. She looked completely dazed at first, but eventually she grinned, and blushed, and squirmed a little more. Ethan blushed too.

“It’s a particular weakness of hers,” Natasha explained. “Touch. A gentle touch, right there on her face. You have no idea how easy it is to put her in a trance that way. Don’t you think it would work just as well on you?”

“N-no.” Ethan tried to shake his head a little, but found that he couldn’t. “There’s… no way I’d-“

“You know, it’s real tempting to find out.” Natasha tilted her head.

Ethan’s breath caught. “You can’t do th-“

“Don’t worry.” Natasha kept interrupting him like that. It was annoying, but Ethan couldn’t muster the energy to protest. “I’m not going to hypnotize you. We’re just talking, OK?”

“OK.” Ethan relaxed, reassured.

“But just look closely,” Natasha urged, raising her hand to Emma again. “Look, and imagine. Imagine what it might feel like if someone were to touch you like this.”

She began caressing Emma again in just the same way, stroking her fingertips across her cheek. Emma, once again, was rapturous. Seeing her react like that made Ethan shiver.

“It’s the lightness of the touch that matters, you know,” Natasha went on. “That’s the trick. When you just barely touch someone like this, it’s confusing. The nerves under their skin aren’t quite sure if they’re feeling something or not. It captures all of your attention. Makes you shiver. You’ve been touched like that before, right?”

Ethan just barely managed to nod. He felt like he knew what she was talking about.

“Good.” Natasha moved her hand back up, ready to repeat the motion. “Then you know what I mean. You can remember it. Imagine it. Can’t you?”

This time, when her fingertips kissed Emma’s skin, Ethan gasped. He could feel it. He could actually feel it. It was faint, more like a phantom sensation than a real touch… but that was just what Natasha had been talking about, wasn’t it? Focusing on it didn’t banish the illusion; just the opposite, in fact. Ethan found his whole world consumed by that gentle, phantom touch. It left him shivering, free of thought, struggling to figure out what was real and what wasn’t.

“There we go,” Natasha noted approvingly. “You’re imagining it. I can tell. So now, I’m sure, you can imagine just how relaxing this must be for Emma. The way it makes her mind so very still and quiet. You know the feeling.”

It was true. Ethan did. He could picture it vividly. As he was thinking, he noted that even though Natasha was touching the left side of his sister’s face, he could feel it on his right. A mirror image.

“See?” Natasha said. “It’s potent, isn’t it? Maybe if someone did this to you, you’d be hypnotized too.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed - but then unfurrowed. It didn’t feel right. Emma’s brow wasn’t furrowed.

“Like looking in a mirror, Ethan,” Natasha reminded him. “Identical. Remember that. You’re the same. Look at how deep she is. Look at her eyes. Look at how she feels. You’d be the same way, if you could feel this.”

Once more, she stroked the side of Emma’s face. Ethan shivered at her touch.

“See the light fading from her eyes, Ethan.” Natasha’s voice was like a song. It was as gentle as her caress. But there was a power to it; an undertow, irresistible. “Can you see that? Can you see that in your eyes, reflected in Emma’s? That reflection, fading, just like she is? Weakening? Sinking?”

Ethan could. He really could. It was just like looking in a mirror. They’d always had the same eyes. Everyone said so.

“Then that settles it,” Natasha concluded. “You’re just as weak to hypnosis as she is.”

It was hard to disagree. It was hard, because Ethan just couldn’t seem to think. He struggled, briefly, to muster some resistance, to find the words for a rejoinder, but it all melted away when Natasha touched the side of Emma’s face - of his face - again.

“Identical twins,” Natasha sang. “Look at the twin in the mirror, Ethan. Look how deep she is. Look how deep you are.”

Ethan couldn’t seem to find the fault in her words. They just washed over him. He couldn’t avert his eyes from Emma. He was just staring at her, searching her face for differences. There were none. Not really. Not that were anything but superficial. The deeper resemblances - those were all that stood out to him now.

They truly were identical. At least, in all the ways that mattered.

“And, you know, if you’re a mirror of each other, you can’t possibly be different,” Natasha pointed out. “That wouldn’t make any sense. So, if I…”

She leaned in and whispered something in Emma’s ear. Ethan couldn’t make out the words.

“Three,” Natasha started counting. Something within Ethan tensed in anticipation. “Two. One. Now.”

On her mark, Emma started raising her right arm into the air, up to the level of her shoulder, moving in a slow, smooth, almost robotic way. It was obvious she wasn’t moving by her own volition, but by Natasha’s; more than anything else, it was like watching someone pose a mannequin.

Ethan was captivated, and as he watched, something strange happened. A growing sense of lightness, of buoyancy, started swelling in his left arm and, after a moment, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye and realized that he was lifting it into the air. He hadn’t meant to. He hadn’t even known he was doing it. But somehow, it just felt right. It was automatic, and trying to force his arm back down again seemed like it would take more effort than he could possibly muster. Before he knew it, Ethan’s arm was up to his shoulder, and he was mirroring Emma’s pose.

He was stunned. It was like magic, and it just confirmed what Natasha had been telling him. Looking at Emma was like looking in the mirror. They were identical. They were reflections. It was undeniable now. Ethan certainly couldn’t see a way to deny it. He felt just as blank and dumb as Emma looked - and that was perfect. That was how it should be.

They were twins. They were the same.

“You understand now, don’t you?” Natasha said softly. “You’re identical. You’re a mirror of each other.”

Ethan did. He wanted to nod, but he couldn’t. Emma wasn’t nodding.

“Say it,” Natasha instructed. “You’re identical.”

Ethan looked into Emma’s eyes. Blank as they were, there was a kind of mutual recognition there. A tacit understanding of their place and their rhythm, and perhaps thanks to that, at the very same moment, they opened their mouths.

“We’re identical.”

They spoke in one voice, soft and dreamy, two layers of speech in perfect harmony. Natasha looked like she was having the time of her life as she fed Emma the next line:

“You’re the same.”

“We’re the same.” Two voices. One voice.

It was even easier, the second time. It felt perfectly natural. They were identical twins, after all.

“You’re mirror images.”

“We’re mirror images.”

“Good,” Natasha said approvingly. “But, you know, there’s something important about mirror images. They look the same, but they’re not really the same. They can’t be. One is the real thing. One is just a reflection.”

She was right, Ethan realized. But what did that mean for him and Emma?

“Ethan,” Natasha said, once more raising her hand to Emma’s face. “You can feel this. We both know it.”

She caressed Emma again - this time, on the opposite side of her face. Ethan shivered, and all the little hairs on his skin stood to attention. Each time, the phantom sensation got stronger and stronger. By now, it was no different than if she’d simply been touching Emma. And each time, Natasha’s touch made Ethan feel a little dreamier, a little more docile, a little more mindless.

“You can feel it,” Natasha repeated, as she repeated the motion. “But I’m only touching Emma. Don’t you think that’s funny?”

Ethan didn’t know what to say - not that he could say anything at all, not when Emma wasn’t talking. It wouldn’t be right.

“I can touch her. But you feel it. If you touch someone who’s looking at a mirror, you can see your hand in their reflection. But if you touch the mirror, they don’t feel anything at all. Isn’t that right?”

Ethan could clearly see that it was. He was waiting with bated breath for Natasha to help him understand.

“I guess that must mean that you’re the reflection,” Natasha concluded. “And Emma here is the real deal.”

Hearing that made Ethan’s heart quicker. He was… just a reflection? What did that mean? He wasn’t a reflection, was he? He was a person. He was his own person - well, kind of. He and Emma had always been two of a kind, not just one. They were identical twins. But still. Surely he was more than just a reflection?

Ethan was about to insist on that - but then Natasha touched Emma again, this time in the center of her forehead. Inch by inch, she moved her hand down, over the bridge of her nose, then the tip, and then across her lips to her chin, all so gently she was just barely stroking the tiny hairs on her skin.

And Ethan felt it all.

With that touch, his protest broke apart like shattering glass. The pieces, slippery and ephemeral, slipped between the cracks of his hypnotized mind. He lost track of everything that he’d been thinking. Of everything he’d been worrying about. Ethan was left with nothing but the simple, rapturous pleasure of Natasha’s touch. It was so gentle and perfect, it transformed him into nothing more than a lightning rod for that blissful, simple joy.

Once it passed, he was nothing. He was empty.

“You’re the reflection,” Natasha told him. “And Emma is the real thing.”

Those words poured into the emptiness of Ethan’s mind. He was grateful for them. They made him full. They made everything make sense again.

He was a reflection. Nothing more. He didn’t know what that meant yet. But he was safe and secure in the knowledge that Natasha was going to tell him.

“And what does a reflection do?” Natasha mused aloud. “It reflects. That’s all.”

Ethan reflected Emma. He was Emma’s reflection. It was perfectly simple.

“That’s what you’re doing now, isn’t it?” Natasha pointed out. “And that’s good. You’re a very good reflection.”

Natasha was right. Ethan was reflecting Emma. Mirroring her. Her pose. Her movement. Her speech. Her feelings. Her trance. Knowing that, hearing Natasha’s praise, filled him with a faint, warm glow.

“But,” Natasha added, “you’re not perfect. And a mirror image has to be perfect.”

The glow faded. Ethan was crestfallen. A mirror had to be perfect. Mirrors couldn’t be wrong. If he wasn’t perfect, it was like he wasn’t a reflection at all - and that just wasn’t right.

“After all,” Natasha went on, “your hair isn’t the same, is it? And you’re not wearing makeup. Your skin is that little bit rougher. No skincare, I guess. It’s a shame.”

It really was. Ethan had pointed out many of those same differences before, but now they filled him with unbearable sorrow. What was he, if not a reflection of Emma? Nothing. Nothing at all. What was he going to do?

“Would you like me to fix that for you?” Natasha asked, before leaning close to Ethan’s sister. “Say ‘yes’, Emma.”

“Yes,” Emma said - and Ethan did too, of course, at the very same moment.

He meant it. His sorrow was turning to yearning. He needed to bridge the gap between himself and Emma. And… Natasha could do it? He was so grateful.

“I’d be glad to,” Natasha replied graciously. “Wait here a moment, Emma.”

She managed to extract herself from the couch without disturbing Emma, who remained sitting perfectly still. Ethan did too. Natasha didn’t need to tell him to do that. It stood to reason. He was Emma’s reflection.

When Natasha reappeared in the corner of Ethan’s view, she was holding in her hands a couple of combs and brushes. She sat down again, this time behind Ethan. That struck Ethan, but he couldn’t figure out why. He couldn’t think. Emma looked totally mindless and hypnotized. She wasn’t thinking.

“Here.” Ethan felt Natasha pulling out the hair tie he used to keep his simple ponytail in place. “Let me.”

She started brushing his hair, and Ethan did his best to stay frozen still, like a reflection should. Her touch was as gentle as it had been when she was caressing Emma. It felt wonderful, and made it that much easier for Ethan to remain calm and relaxed. He’d never had his hair brushed before, but he liked it. It felt good.

He noticed that Emma looked like she was feeling good too.

After a few minutes of careful brushing with one implement after another, Natasha was done. She sat back and stood up.

“There,” she announced. “Much better. Almost perfect, in fact. After a trip to a stylist, it’ll be spot-on.”

Ethan could see his own hair falling around the sides of his face now. It looked wavy and sleek - Natasha’s brushing must have neatened it up and helped it regain its natural shapeliness. He didn’t need to look in a mirror, of course. He could just look at Emma. He knew they were the same.

"Next,” Natasha said, as she reached down to Emma’s handbag, “makeup. I know just how Emma does it.”

With painstaking care, she started doing Ethan’s. First, foundation, then concealer and contouring, and then the finer touches: eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick, blush. It was clear she was well-practiced.

“I’m not doing it exactly like hers, of course,” she commented as she worked. “You need a few extra touches. A little heavier on the foundation, a little more contouring. Feminizing makeup. Don’t worry. You’ll learn how.”

Ethan absorbed that without question. He was in heaven. Each touch of Natasha’s fingertips, each stroke of her makeup brush, felt wonderful - and the best part was knowing that, with each passing moment, he was getting closer and closer to becoming Emma’s true reflection. To being exactly what he was supposed to be.

“Perfect!” Natasha announced, and sat back. “If I do say so myself.”

Ethan didn’t need a mirror to know how he looked. He was the mirror, and the real thing was right in front of him. He knew exactly how he looked: wonderfully, unmistakably feminine. He could have passed for a girl. He hoped he did. He needed to pass for Emma.

“Clothes, mannerisms…” Natasha sighed dreamily. “I guess there’ll be time for that later. For now… hm. You know, ‘Ethan’ doesn’t really suit you anymore.”

That didn’t bother Ethan. He no longer felt any real attachment to the name. Reflections didn’t have names. Not really.

“It’s really tempting to just call you ‘Emma’ too.” Natasha giggled. “But I think that would get confusing. How about… Ella.” She giggled again. “Emma and Ella. Perfect.” Natasha reached back and stroked the side of Emma’s face as she addressed him directly. “Your name is Ella.”

Ella shivered as that suggestion worked its way through her mind. She didn’t doubt or question it. Reflections didn’t have names, but Natasha had given her one, so she did. Simple.

Ella. It was practically a reflection of Emma.

And it was her name.

“OK, Ella,” Natasha said. “You just stay there for one moment. No need to wake up. No need to think. Just sit there, nice and calm, nice and still. Like… like a reflection, when no one’s looking in the mirror. Just be nothing.”

It was easy. Being nothing was easy. What was a reflection anyway? Light on the surface of a mirror. Nothing.

“Emma.” Natasha turned to Ella’s twin. “Three. Two. One. Wake up.”

Over several seconds, as Natasha counted, Emma stirred. When Natasha told her to wake, her eyelids flickered rapidly again, just as they had when she’d first hypnotized her. Then they opened, and for the first time in minutes, they contained a spark of life and awareness. It took a few long moments for the fog to clear, but once it did and she saw what had been done to Ella, Emma gasped.

“Nat, you… you actually…” Her entire face suddenly became flushed. “Oh my god.”

Natasha laughed, and threw herself down on the couch behind her girlfriend. Both of them were staring at Ella. She hadn’t stirred.

“Yeah, I hypnotized him,” Natasha replied. “The asshole was practically begging for it.”

“D-don’t say that!” Emma was trying to sound cross, but she couldn’t manage it; her voice was shuddery, and full of a strange excitement. “He was just looking out for his kid sister.”

“You should have told him it was too late,” Natasha purred, slipping a possessive arm around her waist. “That I’ve already got you. But you didn’t - and now I have him, too.”

Emma gasped breathlessly. “T-that’s so… fucked up.”

“Don’t look at me,” Natasha mocked. “You’re the one getting off on it.”

At that, Emma let out a high-pitched whine of protest that dissolved entirely into a moan as Natasha’s hand pressed insistently against the front of her dress. “N-n-not fair! Y-you made… me f-find fucked-up stuff like that h-hot.”

“That’s right.” There was a wicked glint in Natasha’s eyes. “Even the fucked-up stuff I did to you. Too hot to resist. Too hot to even want to.”

Emma was too far gone to even protest now. She just moaned and slumped against Natasha, unable to fight the predatory hypnotist.

“Hey, watch this,” Natasha said, and addressed Ella again. “Ella, see how turned on Emma is right now?”

Ella did. Now that Natasha had drawn her attention to it, it was obvious. Emma was flushed and squirming, she was breathing hard, and whenever Natasha touched her, she moaned.

“Time to be her reflection again, Ella.”

As soon as Natasha said that, it hit Ella. The heat. The arousal. It was physical and immediate, just like when Natasha had stroked Emma’s face. Ella started panting and felt her face grow hot. Within moments, she was just as horny as Emma looked. The only major difference was that, in Ella’s case, the arousal was also visible as a distinct, swelling bulge between her legs.

Natasha laughed when Emma moaned at the twisted display.

“W-what are you gonna do to him?” Emma breathed. “T-the same thing… y-you did to me?”

“What?” Natasha teased. “Make him a lesbian? Make him love me?”

Each possibility got a fresh moan from Emma’s lips. She looked unbelievably turned on - and so did Ella.

“Maybe,” Natasha mused. “You know me, babe. I’m impulsive. But I do like the idea of keeping you both. A nice little matching pair. Your “brother” is staying down here for… what? A week? That’s plenty of time for some fun.”

Her hand was up under Emma’s skirt, touching her directly. She was putty in Natasha’s arms. Natasha had made her so hopelessly weak and submissive.

“But for now, let’s give your new sister a finishing touch,” Natasha decided. She reached into one of the pockets of her jacket and pulled out a pill bottle, opened the lid, and poured one out into her palm. “I can spare a few HRT doses. Hey, Ella, open your- wait, no. I have a better idea. Emma, here.”

Emma looked at her curiously and, before she could say anything, Natasha fed her the pill. Emma almost choked, but immediately accepted Natasha’s fingers into her mouth.

“Don’t swallow,” Natasha instructed, before grinning. “Now. Kiss the mirror, babe.”

Emma’s eyes flew wide, and her cheeks turned a deeper red than ever before at the sheer, taboo thrill of what Natasha was intending. She shook her head a couple of times - but after the time Natasha had spent in her head, she was no longer capable of saying ‘no’.

Ella had no reaction at all as, slowly and trepidatiously, Emma stretched out toward her. For some reason, she expected Emma’s lips to feel cold - but they didn’t, the kiss was white-hot. Driven by her own arousal, Emma kissed her twin passionately, lips pressed eagerly against hers in a desperate bid to sate her hunger. The taboo only made it hotter. Ella, of course, mirrored every little bit of her passion - and accepted the pill Emma passed into her mouth through the kiss.

Natasha just laughed as she watched the two sisters making out for her own sick amusement.

“Good girl,” she praised when Emma finally drew back. Emma blushed again. “God. You have no idea how hot it is, watching you kiss. My very own matching pair.”

“Y-yeah.” Emma couldn’t even bring herself to disagree anymore. She had been molded into a willing accomplice.

“OK, Ella,” Natasha said, “I think it’s time to wake up for tonight.”

She snapped her fingers.

Ella almost slipped off the touch. He - she - could barely remember where she was. She just stared at Natasha and Emma, baffled by the lurid looks on their faces.

“W-what?” she said embarrassed. “What… happened?”

“I just hypnotized you,” Natasha told her. “Guess it works just as well on you as it does on Emma.”

“Oh.” It was starting to come back to her now. They’d been arguing about it. For some reason, Ella had been agitated about… something. About Natasha? That seemed right, but then it seemed very wrong.

After all, Emma loved Natasha. Why would Ella feel any different?

“I hate to say I told you so,” Natasha teased. “But…”

“Fine! You got me,” Ella confessed. She shifted around on the couch a little, trying to hide the huge bulge in her pants. Why was she hard?

“So… what’s my prize?” Natasha pressed.

“Your prize?” Ella blinked, confused. “Um… what do you want?”

Natasha made a big show of contemplating the question, before answering: “I think my prize is, I get to take you clothes shopping tomorrow.”

Emma giggled. “Watch out, Eth- I mean, uh, Ella. You just know she’s going to make us match. She’s kind of obsessed with it.”

Ella blushed. Hearing that made her feel strange, somehow. Tranquil. Needy. She nodded submissively.

“I guess I should have known better,” she murmured. “We’ve always been identical twin sisters.”

---

I would like to express my gratitude for the generosity of all those who support me on Patreon, and to give a special thanks to the following patrons in particular for their exceptional support:

Artemis, Chloe, Grillfan65, The Secret Subject, Morriel, Dex, orangesya, Red, dmtph, MegatronTarantulas, Vanessa, Madeline, BTYOR, Sarah, Mattilda, Emily Queen of sloths, ntad, Shadows exile, Abigail, Hypnogirl_Stephanie_, Jade, mintyasleep, ZephanyZephZeph, Michael, Be_Be, Tasteful Ardour, Chris, Dennis, Full Blown Marxism, Morder, S, Brendon, Drone 8315, Jack the Monkey, Jim, Erin, HannahSolaria, Christopher, hellenberg, Kay, Miss_Praxis, Violet, Noct, Charlotte, Faun, BrinnShea, B, Foridin, Jennifer, EepyTimeTea, Slifer274, Roxxie, Phoenix, Ivy, Jim, Sebastian, Joseph, Yaoups, Thomas, Liz, naivetynkohan, Basic dev, SuperJellyFrogEx, Katie, Lily, spyrocyndersam13, zzzz, Mal, Jose, Bouncyrou, Anonymous, Bacon Man, Nimapode, Melody, Kunoichiru, FemKUltra, Z!, Flluffie, Ash, Artemis, Geckonator, TheRealG, Anonymous, Bob, J, nathan, GladiusLumin, Ada, Kyle, Marina, Space Prius, Alex, Michael

[needybimbopuppy]

Feel free to save this ask til youre more lucid (sorry for asking the genuine kink advice question during your intox session) but how does hypno actually work? Ive rped hypno type stuff during scenes with my partner, but that just amounted to pretending to be hypnotized, the closest ive ever come is slipping into subspace for a bit. Is it kind of like that, is it completely pretend, or is there more to it?

sorry i took so long to answer! i wanted to make sure i had the spoons to answer it because hypnosis (specifically erotic hypnosis, but hypnosis in general) is one of my genuine special interests. i love talking about it so much!! i'll try and be as concise as possible but because it'll probably be fairly long i'm adding a read more!

if you have any questions or want me to expand upon certain things, please feel free to ask! even if you're not this anon and just have other questions i love hypnosis and i love educating people on it!

so! first thing's first, to clear up some basic myths: hypnosis is in fact real. it is not a commonly studied phenomenon, but it is something that there's still quite a bit of supporting evidence for and a lot of examples of it. this makes it, technically, a pseudoscience. that word has the connotation of being fake, but all it really means is that we haven't empirically proven its existence, as hypnosis is just generally not studied on an academic level, if that makes sense. there is a lot of hobby research around it! there are even a few full on conventions.

that being said, hypnosis (and to expand upon that) and other mind control kinks are also very commonly simply roleplayed as well without necessarily going into the technical know how hypnosis tends to require! it is not a necessity to engage with actual hypnosis, but it very much does exist and imho creates a really strong basis for actual hypnosis.

see, the states of hypnosis and subspace are incredibly similar. they're not the exact same, but hypnosis essentially works by taking a state of trance — an altered state very similar to subspace —and using that state of trance to essentially bypass the concious mind to speak to the subconcious mind. and people reach these states of trance really easily every day without realizing. i'm not a driver so i can't speak to this, but the most common form of trance is a phenomenon called highway hypnosis. have you ever driven somewhere and realized you arrived without necessarily being concious of getting all the way there? that's a state of trance. or how about playing video games and then realizing you lost hours? another state of trance.

hypnosis is the skill of guiding someone into these states typically verbally and then using those skills to alter thought patterns as these trance states tends to allow someone to do things like alter thought patterns or install triggers (i.e every time the hypnotist does something like snap, the subject would go deeper, things like that).

entering trance is a skill of its own too. a lot of people get discouraged because it's hard to reach that state immediately, but it genuinely takes practice to allow yourself to be molded as well. it takes time to carve these neural pathways in a way that makes it more accessible; a newbie might be really difficult to bring under, but someone who's been a hypnotic subject for a decade is a lot more used to the sensations and how to give in.

there is a lot of nuance to hypnosis and how it works and what's possible and what's not, of course. not every methodology is going to work for every hypnotist or every subject, and a large part of it comes down to two very key things: trust and repetition/consistency. i, sadly, have not reached this level with anyone yet but i have seen people who have played together for years pulling off feats like control without trance, deep personality rewriting, etc. it's genuinely very fascinating even just to research.

of course you can do hypnosis with anyone. you don't need all that for temporary triggers or brief fun, i just mean to emphasize the power those two elements can have! i've gone under for people i've known for five minutes, but they'd never be able to rewrite key things.

generally, hypnosis is best with a real living person, but it's also possible via things like written trances or audio files.

this was already a lot so i'll cut myself off here but please reach out if you want to know anything!!!

[superkooku]

A missed potential in Hades (the game)

Ok, listen. I'm a fan of Supergiant Game's Hades (haven't played Hades II yet. Because my PC is a potato and I hope the full version will be in PS4). Yes there are bothersome inaccuracies, but...

The characters are fun, the game is surprisingly not repetitive yet consistent, the mechanics are cool, Hades and Persephone are actually compelling (a miracle in mythology retellings). And Hypnos is a fun lil goober.

But I feel like there was one huge missed potential. No, I'm not complaining about Dionysus for the 100th time or OdyPen being tossed in the trash in Hades II (gosh I hope it's a fake out and they're still together 🙏🙏🙏).

I'm talking about this guy :

This is Asterius, better known as the Minotaur. Yes it's the third time I talk about him today, but I just had an idea for him that I want to share.

I actually like what Hades did with him ! Again, I have more positive thoughts about this game than negative.

I'd even go as far as to say this is the best version of Asterius I've seen, imo.

He's an actual character, capable of speech. He's not always seen as Theseus' sidekick, even having his own moments with Zagreus. He's the more intelligent one, he's more human than Theseus and I love that about him. Like Achilles, but to a much higher degree, he mellowed down in the afterlife and lost his murderous rage.

The ironic friendship with his murderer is also very cool.

But we could've done so much more with this wonderful concept. Hades is essentially a game about mending broken relationships: Persephone and her family, Orpheus and Eurydice, Achilles and Patroclus, Thanatos and Hypnos... but Theseus and Asterius never really contributed to the main plot. They're just kinda there, doing their own thing.

I think adding ONE element would change everything, an important part of the Underworld (so Zagreus can interact with it) and something interesting for both Theseus and Asterius : the three judges. More specifically Minos.

A plotline where Minos and Asterius' abusive relationship will be discussed and Theseus actually being a good person for once and standing up for his friend.

Maybe with Minos apologizing and seeing that Asterius isn't a monster. And Zagreus being the catalyst for fixing the relationship, because in all those encounters, he learned to know who Asterius is.

Bonus point if Ariadne and/or Phaedra are mentioned. I see the latter appearing. Heck, maybe the former in a "Dionysus wants to resurrect her" storyline.

But this post is about Asterius and Minos. Between the underworld themes, the broken family of Crete, Asterius' humanity, Theseus humbling himself, it'd have been integrated so seamlessly !!

Just by adding a room for the three judges, with whom Zag regularly interacts, or fights as bosses, or just NPCs like Charon/Chaos with unique gimmicks.

Maybe fun interactions with Radamanthus and Aeacus too, though I have less ideas for them.

Please tell me there's a fanfic out there exploring that ! Or that Hades II will somehow do it 🙏.

[wormthing]

Taking commissions for some Animal Jam items:

I've been playing Animal Jam Classic lately, and drawing in their Art Studio, and I cobbled together a wish list of random items I want. I'll draw a piece of art for you for some of those items; it doesn't specifically have to be for an in-game Masterpiece item. Check below the Read More for the list of items I'm looking for.

(And of course my commissions for $ USD are always open still!)

Please trade me at least one item off the list below in exchange for a piece of art.

Please message me about your proposed commission and what items you'd like to trade! Let me know if you want this drawn as a Masterpiece item, or if you just want a regular image file in exchange, probably done in MS Paint in a similar style above.

Give me a few days to get the drawing done!

If you want me to draw your avatar, I am not going to draw culturally insensitive items. I'll let you know if I have an issue with your proposition.

I can take payment when the art done/approved and we can trade, but I can also do half-payment up front.

If you want a Masterpiece item:

A Masterpiece Token included in the trade is appreciated, but not required.

Give the art time to be approved. If it isn't, I'll see if we can work something out.

Please keep complexity down, especially in regards to colour schemes.

Click below for my wish list! I'll cross things off as I get them (or add to it if I see stuff I really want).

Check out the Animal Jam Wiki (link) to look up these items (or other related pages). (I also said what event they were from if applicable.)

Den items:

Painter's Palette ("Let creativity fly" collection) [Got it!]

Fancy Pottery Wheel (same) [Got it!]

Cosmo plushie (2023 scavenger hunt) [Got it!]

Peck plushie (same) [Got it!]

Rare Wavy Bookshelf (2013 rare item monday) [Got it!]

Rare Giant Panda Plushie (promotional) [Got it!]

Rare Giant Tiger plushie (Lunar new year prize)

Art Camp Bead Station (2021 Art Camp collection) [Got it!]

Mira Tapestry (2017 Mira v Zios event)

Mira Banner (2017 MvZ event, not to be confused with the Beta mira banner)

Glowing Spiked Phantom (2019 box prize)

Clothing:

Phantom Beanie (2017 Fall box prize)

Slime Green skullies (2022 trick-or-treat event)

Cursed Hypno glasses (2021 spooky sale)

(I'll also take the Rare Hypno Glasses with the similar colour scheme instead!) [Got these ::-)]

Classic Werewolf mask (2022 spooky sale)

Classic Creature mask (same) [I got a bunch of spooky masks from someone!!! ::-D]

Huntress hat (this is the only members item here)

Low priority:

Any other* promotional plushies (for non-members)! I love them ::-) [*Note: I now have: Rare giant panda, Rare giant raccoon, Rare monkey]

Any Slime Green clothes (for non-members)

Non-member Halloween masks from 2022 (Classic Vampire Mask, Wicked Witch Mask)

A green spiked collar for non-members [Got it!]

My Den has other art I've done, some of which is from 2024 but some is from 2017! My username is 113457.

[smallraindrops-blog]

Wake Me From This Dreaming

(part sixteen)

Word count: 6.3k

Warnings: graphic descriptions of dead bodies, implied violence, nightmares, some light horror, trauma, no beta

Notes: hi! Thank you to everyone for the love in support, I am not 100 percent sure on how many parts are left, but we are in the endgame now.

Also I posted a short you might want to read before this.

The masterlist

Please heed the warnings.

~

The smell of wood filled your lungs every time you breathed. Huddled in the quiet dark with your fellow warriors, you couldn’t shake the feeling that this wooden horse was a grave.

Odysseus sat across from you, his head bow as Agamemnon whispered something to him. His brother, and Helen’s husband, Menelaus had been quiet since they got inside. There was a hardness in his expression, the gray of his eyes were smothered ashes.

A few souls away from you, Pyrrhus was just as silent. In the darkness, you could see his flaming red locks. There would be a reckoning coming after what could be the final battle. If you or Pyrrhus lived long enough to see the sunrise that is.

Odd how the horse sounded like a ship, the creaking seemed louder than any sound you could make, like a kelpie hissing in your ears.  A memory, hazy and faded, returned. 

You as a boy, on your hands and knees as you moved your toy horse. Adjusting the legs to make it looked like it was running. Pa smiled as he watched you play. A scroll lying forgotten in his hands.

It seemed like a sick joke. Give the enemy what was essentially a giant toy with a surprise on the inside. 

There were so many things that could go wrong. What if the Tojans knew and set the horse aflamed, burning all of them alive? What if- what if- you closed your eyes. If there was one thing you learned in the brutal ten years, there was no place for self-doubt during a battle. 

Do or die.

‘The pain of death is but another obstacle.’

’And fear is for the weak’ 

It was something you and your father repeated together quietly before battle. It was a prayer of some sort. A father telling his son to not fear what could come for them both. it had been Achilles’ own way to comfort you, to say that he loved you.

Your mouth twisted in bitterness, your father had died twice. Once when Pa took his last breath, then once again when he was killed by Paris. The man who started all this.

“I know.” Odysseus whispered. Your eyes snapped toward him. It was hard to see his face in the darkness but you felt the sharpness of his gaze rested on you. “The killer of your father- his brother still lives. You will get your justice.”

“Yes.” You stated quietly. Odysseus was wrong. He didn’t know.

Was there even a point in killing that fool? In any of this? It wouldn’t bring back your Father or more importantly, Pa. Hector was the true murderer of Achilles as far as you were concerned.

Hector was dead. Father was dead. Pa was dead.

it was just you left now.

One of the spies silded out of the mouth, Peros. It was too dark to see his brown eyes but you knew what his expression must be. Grim determination. 

Ten long years. 

Peros gave a thumbs up before returning to his spot. Just as he did, you heard the sounds of the door of Tory beginning to open. You and everyone else stayed quiet as a shade when the horse began to creak as it was pulled inside the doomed city.

Hell awaited them all.

~

Once, during the early days of house guard, Hypnos had floated down to poked your cheek with a single finger. Repeatedly.

You scowled, batting the finger away as you realized that the god wasn’t going to accept your attempt to ignore him. For his part, Hypnos didn’t look offended, watching you with a wide grin.

“Can I help you?” You flashed a fake, toothy smile. It usually could scare people off. Hypnos blinked those sleepy, golden eyes and tilted his head like a curious puppy. You hated that it was actually a little adorable.

“When you are training Zagreus, I noticed that you tend to go for his legs or ankles. But not with me. Why?” Hypnos pointed at his own feet, currently hidden by his long chiton. 

“I mean, don’t get me wrong. I am very happy you decided not to break my bones.“ Hypnos said quickly, as if wanting to make sure you knew that. “Please don’t start.”

You debated if it would be worth your time to respond. At the hopeful glance Hypnos gave you, you knew he wouldn’t let it go. 

“You’ve seen how quick His Highness moves, right? For him, it is both his strength and his weakness. I doubt very many people could land a hit when he is running and it is clear he relies on it.” You grumbled, thinking over the last few training sessions. “Stop him from moving and he is a sitting duck. It's the easy way to win against him.”

”Ah.” Hypnos tapped his cheek thoughtfully. “And me?”

“What about you?” 

Hypnos gave you an unimpressed look, “You don’t attack me like Zagreus. I was wondering why.”

You shifted on your feet. The reasons you didn’t go hard on Hypnos was mainly because it was clear the god wasn’t a fighter. Zagreus could take a hit, you weren’t sure about Hypnos. 

Besides, it was highly unlikely Hypnos would need to know how to fight like a warrior.

“Maybe I don’t want to hurt your feelings.” You told him. Hypnos’ mouth dropped open in surprise then he broke into genuine laughter. You shoved down the surge of pride at making him laugh.

”Now I know that isn’t the reason.” Hypnos sighed after his laughter died down. “I guess if you won’t tell me, you got your reasons.”

”If I had to fight you...” you paused, letting the suspect build for a moment. Hypnos leaned in closer with a grin, playing along. “I would go for a surprise attack. Take you down quick and clean.”

“Why a surprise attack?” Hypnos blinked.

”You said it to Zagrues once during training. Just one snap of your fingers and it’s nap time for everyone.” You said. “Not to mention, you can vanish in a second.”

“Huh.” Hypnos mulled over your words, circling in the air lazily. “You make me sound like I could be a problem.”

”You already are.” You said under your breath, hating that your words sounded a little too fond and caught Hypnos’ ankle when he tried to kick at you. His limb felt delicate under your grasp, like fine pottery that could crack if mishandled. His skin was softer than you expected.

His golden eyes caught yours, wide in shock. His cheeks went redder the longer you and him stared at each other. A knot formed your throat, heat clawing up the back of your neck.

Letting him go after a few moments later, you cleared your throat. Thankfully no one else was around to see you acting like a fool.

“I think I can hear Master Hades calling me.” Hypnos squeaked.

The house was dead silent, not even the sounds of quill marking paper reached your ears. You didn’t point that out.

“Of course.” You replied as he vanished. 

A nearby candle flickered as if laughing at you

~

Slender fingers trailed over the worn leather of the himantes, the paleness of his skin were stark against the dark leather. It felt intimate, like it was his fingers caressing your skin.

Before you might have made yourself look away but not anymore. The privacy of Hypnos’ bedchambers allowed you the luxury to just look at him, to study the ways his short curls fell around his face. The gentle bow of his lips, the fans of his white eyelashes.

You devoured the sight of the beautiful god before you, never wanting to forget this.

Hypnos’ expression was thoughtful as he glanced up at you, “I thought you gave Zagreus these.”

“He got my backup pair, these were the ones I used all the time.” You informed him, taking the himantes back. The leather had been made from a strong ox, giften by your parents for your birthday. 

These, along the nectar Hypnos had gifted you, were along your most prized possessions. You had fought and died with these on. Hypnos gave a quiet hum, his eyes lingering on the leather as he settled on the floor, his back supported by a mountain of soft pillows.

You lifted an eyebrow, grinning slightly. “Wanna try them on?” 

His cheeks darken but he gave an enthusiastic nod. He quickly removed his jewelry along his arms, exposing new flesh. The gold clacked quietly as it fell to the floor. 

Hypnos offered his wrists, like a sacrifice. The bones looked fragile, the veins prominent under his skin. His hands remained steady despite the vulnerability revealed by his flesh.

You swallowed, a simmering heat low in your stomach. Ridiculous, how much just seeing that affected you.

With a gentleness that you didn’t know you were capable of, that only revealed itself for Hypnos, your fingers cupped around his right hand, your rough fingers brushing against his soft palm. 

His breath hitched.

“Whenever putting this on, always loop around the thumb and start the wrap behind the hand.” You explained quietly as you worked the himantes around Hypnos’ elegant wrist, caressing his warm skin as you moved downward. 

“Three times around the wrist.” You whispered, very aware of the nervous flutter of Hypnos’ pulse. “Then the same for the hand and knuckles.”  

Then you placed his wrapped hand down and began on the other one. Once you were done, you took a moment to admire your work. A deep feeling of possessive satisfaction surged in your chest at the sight of your himantes wrapped around Hypnos’s hands. 

Hypnos flexed his fingers curiously, then wiggled them with a laugh. “This feels so weird. But also like maybe I could take on a whole army.”

You chuckled, leaning back on your hands. “Try making a fist.”

He obeyed, at first it was incorrect with his thumb tucked in. At the click of your tongue, he corrected it. 

“Remember. Always inside-“

“Or end up with a broken thumb.” Hypnos finished with an amused eye roll, punching the air. It was one of the many things you had regularly reminded him of.

Hypnos glanced at you, a glint of mischief bright in his eyes. A slight devilish curl to his smile. You narrowed your eyes at him in a silent dare. 

At his first swing, you blocked his fist with a forearm, smirking at his annoyed gasp. He tried again, and this time you caught his wrist in an easy hold. Hypnos tried to pull away to no avail and he tried to land another hit with his free hand, you caught his other wrist as well.

You lifted an eyebrow, your amusement growing at his scowl.

“Jerk.” Hypnos hissed as he tried to wiggle out your grasp but you heard the hidden laughter in his tone. “You should be nicer to me, shade.”

At that, you used the momentum of his struggling body to bring him down next to you, his back landing on the pile of pillows. In a smooth motion, you silded over, pinning his wrists down. 

Hypnos felt so soft under you, the sensation of the himantes warmed by his body heat made your head rush with hunger. He felt like he was yours and yours alone.

His breathing turned shaky as his amber eyes met yours. You became greedy at the mere sight of him like this, of his pink tongue running along his lips. He breathed out your name like it was a prayer.

You leaned down, your mouth a hairbreadth away from his. “I think I've been perfectly nice.”

His snarky reply was lost as you claimed his mouth. You sunk into the kiss, coaxing him to part his lips, to give in like you had to the softness of his form. He did, unfurling like a flower with a quiet, pleased moan.

Later, with Hypnos’ warm body against yours, you carefully unwrapped his wrists, your fingers smoothing the marks left in his skin until he was whole once more.

~

(Current)

Spring had arrived and Queen Persephone had returned to the world of warm sunlight and sweet blooming flowers. She had left the underworld with a gentle promise and deep jade eyes that shined with unshed tears.

Which meant everyone else was dealing with Master Hades’ black mood. Right now, the unfortunate victim was Hypnos. 

“What do you mean your overdue paperwork is missing?” His voice boomed over Hypnos’ wordy explanation, the depth of his anger rattling the house. A nearby candle rocked from the vibrations and not for the first time, you were tempted to give it a small nudge and let it set the place ablaze.

The thought of all Master Hades’ precious paperwork burned into a crisp was almost enough to bring a smile to your face. 

Hypnos blinked up at Hades, his hands clasped in front of him. He looked tiny, his feet on the ground. “It means it is missing and I don't know where it is. You know, like the dictionary definition of ‘missing’ is-” 

“Enough! I do not have time for your foolishness. Go get another copy and. Don’t. Lose. It. Again.” 

“Aye, aye captain!” Hypnos flashed Hades a cheerful grin with a two finger salute. Hades murmured something under his breath, his fingers rapping his desk as Hypnos walked off.

When Hypnos got close enough, you caught his attention with a short wave. You made a gesture toward the candle, lifting an eyebrow in a silent question.

Hypnos smothered his laugh with his hand over his mouth and shook his head, his curls bouncing sweetly. The sight of his delight was more than enough to make you smile. 

You watched him all the way until he passed the administration’s doors, his cloak fluttering behind him. Only then, you let out a deep sigh. 

With spring’s arrival, it meant that it had been at least half a year since... Everything that happened. Hypnos was still not able to call upon his powers fully, even the slightest effort seemed to drain the energy out of him. 

His last attempt at floating had caused him to pass out almost immediately. You had gotten very good at catching him before he hit the ground, his chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath-

You didn’t know it was possible to drown in smoke and dirt as screams echoed, fire devouring everything it’s path like a mindless beast. Ares’s nails digging into your neck as Achilles wailed, carrying Patroclus’ body in despair among the bloodied streets.

The wheels of the wooden horse were bloodied, its mouth looked like a twisted, horrible smile as people ran around it.

Golden eyes met yours, once bright turned dull, Hypnos’ beautiful face ruined as Pyrrhus reached down-

You shook your head roughly, ignoring the glance some of the close by shades sent your way. Busy bodies, the whole lot of them. 

It wasn’t new. You had dealt with this even before Hypnos. Memories twisted into nightmares that creeped in and pulled you away from reality. It was likely just prolonged stress that had brought the foul things back in greater force. 

You let out a sigh. 

This would pass as it always did.

~

There was a ritual at bedtime. 

You weren’t sure when it started exactly but it was one you began to look forward to. After settling in the pools of soft blankets, pillows tucked behind their head, Hypnos trails his fingers along your chest, sometimes down your stomach then slowly back up.

Hypnos always felt unbelievably soft and warm against your body. You were addicted to how he felt, always finding a place for your hands to touch him. Sometimes you would let your hands roam, pressing gentle kisses against his neck, whispering devotions into the flesh you worship.

But one thing always remains the same. 

Hypnos will fall asleep first, you made sure of that.

Sleep didn’t come easily for the god anymore. Another thing stolen away from your beloved. You made sure to lock the anger away, it didn’t belong in the quiet, sacred place for just you and Hypnos.

Later, you will fight the rage out with Zagreus but not now, not here.

His brow furrowed, and you shifted to smooth away the tension, brushing gentle fingers along his forehead. You thought it worked for a moment only for his eyes to open slowly.

Golden irises met yours, with an unexpected sharpness to them. When you cupped his cheek, he sighed and nuzzled into your palm.

”I wonder what my domain looks like now.” Hypnos confessed in the quiet dark, with only you and the canopy of stars to hear. “Do you think it works just fine without me? I haven’t seen it in forever.”

You heard the unspoken questions. 

What if nobody needs me even for sleep? For dreams? Am I really that useless?

You shook your head, “Pure chaos. When everything goes back to normal, you will have tons of paperwork to get caught up on.” 

Hypnos gave a little huff, “No paperwork in the dream realm.”

“Sounds nice, we should move there.” You said with a cheeky grin, trying to get a laugh out of him. You didn’t but Hypnos smiled at you. His fingers brushed against your lips and you kissed his fingertips.

“I thought I was supposed to be the goofy one.” Hypnos teased. 

You smiled against his fingers. “Learned from the best.”

That got a small laugh from Hypnos and he shifted, tucking himself back against your chest. You sighed happily, kissing his forehead, rubbing his back in long, smoothing stokes.

Eventually, Hypnos’ face went slack, his breathing even and deep. You didn’t fall asleep, not yet. You lingered, watching his face until sleep won. 

~

Blood dipped from the wooden horse’ mouth, limbs dangling between its twisted lips. 

Its eyes gleamed with unholy glee at the feast before it. 

You stared. There shouldn’t be eyes- there shouldn’t be eyes- blood red irises rolled down to you as the monster realized you there.

Then in a flash, its mouth opened toward you, the mouth fleshy pink with white fangs bloodied with those of the innocent, of the damned. You couldn’t move- run run run!

You woke with a jolt, sweat coated your body as you realized where you were. Stars gleamed overhead. Hypnos was barely awake, watching you with concern twisting the delicate lines of his face. 

His hand was on your shoulder, lingering there from his efforts to wake you up.

”You were screaming.” Hypnos whispered, staring down at you. You flinched at his expression, sitting up before you placed a hand on Hypnos’. You gave his slender fingers a gentle squeeze as you tried to normalize your breathing.

”Just a bad dream, love.” You reassured him. Not that it seemed to work. Hypnos bit on his bottom lip, his eyes shiny with unshed tears.

“Hypnos?”

”I hate this.” Hypnos’ voice cracked and his eyes slammed closed. “I know this isn’t about me but I hate that I can't help you.”

You immediately wrapped your arms around him, hauling his body into your lap. You kissed his brow over and over as Hypnos took deep breaths. 

“I used to keep the nightmares away. I was actually a little useful.” Hypnos confessed. “I just wanted you to get some good rest and- I missed being useful. I miss my powers, y/n.”

”I know, my love.” You murmured against his skin, hating that he was hurting and there was nothing you could do. Hypnos already went through so much, this was just kicking the god while he was down. 

“What will happen if I don’t ever get it back?” Hypnos whispered, staring down at his hands. “It should have come back by now, surely.”

You cupped his chin, moving his face toward yours. He tried to resist at first however your hold was unrelenting and Hypnos met your eyes. His lips quivered but he didn’t try to look away.

”You are Hypnos, god of sleep and dreams.” You gave him a smile. “You are far better than anyone I know. Gentle and clever and just a little bit silly.”

Then you let your expression turn serious. “I know your godhood will return, I have nothing but complete faith in you.”

Hypnos swallowed and gave a watery smile. It broke your damn heart. “I- okay. Okay, if you believe in me, then what choice do I have then to believe you?”

“Exactly.” You whispered. 

He let out a shuddering breath and tucked himself against your body, hiding his face in the hollow of your neck. You held the god in your arms and silently cursed Pyrrhus for what he had done.

But most of all, you cursed yourself for failing the one person you loved the most.

~ 

“Let me try again.” Hypnos murmured before taking a deep breath. His eyes closed as he tried to bring the quill toward his outstretched hand.

Thanatos watched, a faint furrow of concern on his brow. The first few attempts at training had been rough, until everyone had realized Hypnos would have to start with baby steps.

Zagreus rocked on his heels, quiet as Thanatos and Hypnos trained. You frowned when you realized he had glanced toward you once more, his expression hopeful. Crossing your arms, you lifted an annoyed eyebrow at him.

”Staring at them isn’t going to help Hypnos. Let’s do some training for ourselves. Maybe even with real weapons this time.” Zagreus whispered. 

You opened your mouth, ready to dismiss Zagreus when Hypnos made a sound of frustration. He yanked the quill and bent it before tossing it at Thanatos’ feet.

He glared at the quill as if it personally slapped his mother. “I don’t understand! It had been centuries! Millennium and countless eras! I can feel every second!”

”It hadn’t been that long, Hypnos.” Thanatos snapped, annoyance clear in his eyes. He picked up the ruined quill, letting it burn away in a green burst of flames. “I swear you are so dramatic.”

”Says the guy who just burnt a quill.” Hypnos copied Thanatos, hamming it up a bit. “Ooooh, look at me and my dumb green flame.”

Thanatos took a breath, “This is coming from you, who just broke it a childish fit!”

Hypnos scoffed, “At least I am open with my emotions, Thanatos. Unlike someone I could name.”

”Don’t start that again-“

Zagreus kicked at the floor, sighing like it was your fault. “There they go off again.”

“You always do this, Hypnos-“

”I do not-“

You and Zagreus just stood there in silence. You suspected he felt just as useless as you did. The loud argument continued, to the point that Skelly covered his nonexistent ears. You could feel both his and Zagreus’ eyes on you, waiting for you to step in between the brothers.

Why did it have to be you?

“Blah, blah blah. That all you can say, it doesn’t help bring my power back-“

”Maybe if you listened-“

”I am! You need to listen to me when I say it is not there anymore.”

it was without a doubt that you supported Hypnos in everything but there was only so many times you could listen to him and his brother yell at each other. With a disgruntled glare toward Zagreus, you went to the twins.

Hypnos kept a smile during the fight but you saw the tightnesses in the corners of it, the way his cheeks reddened from frustration. Thanatos looked more calm but the hard line of his jaw gave away his anger.

“Let’s take a break.” You ordered, placing a smoothing hand on Hypnos’ back. It was then you realized that Hypnos was trembling, it was so silght you barely saw it but you could feel it. 

There was a moment of harsh silence, the brothers glaring at each other down then Hypnos broke it and he glanced up at you. You ran your hand up and down in quiet comfort.

Hypnos let out a breath, his body relaxing under your touch. “Yeah, let's do that.”

Thanatos shook his head, “Sir Y/N, can I have a word with you?” He shot a hard look toward Hypnos, who gave him a surprise blink. “Privately?”

You didn’t move. Or agree. You simply glanced down at Hypnos, waiting for his permission. Hypnos couldn’t hide the hurt, not from you then he gave a shrug.  At that, you murmured an agreement to Thanatos.

Green overtook your vision and you became lighter than air, then force slammed into you, causing you nearly fall backward. You caught your footing at the last moment, bracing a hand on a nearby wall. 

You studied the room, trying to get your bearings. It took a moment before you realized you were in Zagreus’ chambers. You grimace in disgust when you realized you had a foot stuck in a dirty pile of clothes and promptly kicked it away.

All that just to take you to Zagreus’ room, and Thanatos had the nerves to call Hypnos dramatic. You just hoped the dirty laundry was the worst of it. 

”Really?” You said dryly. You shot him an unimpressed glance, leaning against the wall with your arms crossed. “Next time, give me a warning.”

“You can’t keep babying him.” Thanatos snapped. The god shook his head, his white hair falling in front of his face. He blew it out of his face with a scowl. It reminded you so much of Hypnos that you had to bite back a smile.

“Pushing him isn’t helping him either.” You shot back. “It isn’t like he isn’t trying. You and I both know he has been trying every single day.”

You knew some bitterness slipped into your tone, you couldn’t help it. After you were the one who saw how much the lack of powers had affected Hypnos, you were the one who comforted him after every training lesson with Thanatos. The one caught Hypnos before he hit the ground.

It wasn’t a burden to do so, you would catch him every single time. But Hypnos wouldn’t - didn’t - want his twin to see the tears and you weren’t going to betray him by telling Thanatos. You just hated that his and Thanatos’ relationship wasn’t a problem you could fix by swinging a few fists around.

So you used your words the best you could.

You continued, “He had been working on this stuff outside of the training, this isn’t him being ‘lazy’.” You made a point of doing finger quotes around the word ‘lazy’. “Your frustration with this whole thing, with him, isn't helping. I can promise you Hypnos feels ten times worse.”

Thanatos pitched his brow and after a beat, he grounded out. “I know that.”  

You waited for him to gather his words together. 

“Something is wrong but I don't know how to fix it. No one does.” Thanatos blew out a breath. “It should have come back by now.”

It looked like it had killed Thanatos to say it, to admit that this was beyond his powers, beyond everyone else. Nyx had reached out to the olympic gods, not even the healing powers of Apollo could help.

Hypnos hasn't admitted it, not outright but it was eating away at him. Often you found him sitting alone and staring in the hearth, his eyes shadowed.

“I don't know what to do.” Thanatos repeated. “It is becoming hopeless at this rate.”

At that, you sighed. “I don’t know either. We need to support him and saying that it is hopeless isn’t going to help.”

Thanatos parted his mouth to say something else however before he could, Hypnos stepped into the room. He glanced between you and Thanatos but didn’t meet your eyes.

”I need to go back to work.” He murmured before walking past, his head ducked low. You reached out but he jerked away and picked up his pace. The silence left behind was a heavy one. 

You hissed out a soft curse, rubbing the back of your neck in frustration. Thanatos’ shoulders slumped, guilt clear in his eyes. “I will talk to him.”

”Don’t.” You warned. “It will just start another argument. Let's just give him some breathing room. I will talk to him after work.”

You glanced toward the entrance, worry and fear were like sharp rocks deep in your stomach. 

~

Rolling waves crashed against the beach, white foam caught between your childlike feet. The closer you got, the foam turned pink with spilled blood from the first battle. Your tiny steps in the sand grew into the size of a man, blood spattered over your hands.

Men bobbed in the water, as birds swooped in and others disappeared among the waves, never to be seen by their loved ones again. 

A corpse was slowly being pulled in, the legs already being eaten by fishes and a seagull pecked at the back of the split-open skull. 

You were going to be sick. 

When you were able to lift your head again, you felt a hand on your shoulder. When you looked up, it was Pa. Only not.

Skin grayed, his mouth bloody and the hole in his chest and stomach let his insides spill out. Faint animalistic screams reach your ears, loud wails of pain drown out the sound of the waves.

Pa was trying to say something-

A hand grabbed yours, and you whirled to stare down at what you thought was a corpse. Ares began to laugh as he pulled you among the piles of bodies-

“I’m here. Shhhh. Hey, dearest, breath. I’m ordering you to breathe.”

You gasped. Blinked. 

It took you a moment to realize where you were. You were standing in front of the hearth, the flames danced, sowing its light in the chambers. A pair of hands were cupping your face, Hypnos’ face twisted in confusion and worry. 

When your eyes landed on him, he smiled but there was a nervousness to it. Like he wasn’t sure if he should.

You let out a breath and covered Hypnos’ hands with your own, running your thumbs along his fingers in an effort to smooth yourself. Your eyes closed in quiet relief.

Just your mind playing cruel tricks on you. Nothing more. 

“Seems like it was a bad one.” Hypnos whispered. 

You simply nodded, you weren’t going to scare Hypnos by telling what false visions haunted you.

”It’s been a while since you had a rough one.” Hypnos prodded. Your eyes snapped open, Hypnos was staring at you with narrowed eyes.

”It’s fine, my love.” You tried to reassure him but it was clear by his expression he wasn’t buying it.

You tried again. “Hypnos-“

”I can tell.” He kept his voice low, stepping closer to you. “You usually don’t get this shaken up. Have they been getting worse?”

You hesitated then when you saw a flash of hurt in those lovely golden eyes, you broke.

”Somewhat.” You admitted, shame burying deep inside your chest. You pulled him into a hug, your arms wrapped his slender waist and his hands settled on your shoulders. “But this is nothing new, love. I’ve been dealing with these since before we met.”

Hypnos’ forehead dropped to your chest, he didn’t say a single word. You cupped the back of his curls, dropping a comforting kiss against the top of his head. Together, you and him stood there, soaking in the heat of the hearth for however long. 

Then Hypnos pulled away, and took your hands in his. You waited, squeezing his fingers in silent reassurance.

“I am going to ask you to do something for me.” Hypnos whispered. 

“Anything.” You promised immediately.

At that, Hypnos’ lips curled up in a smile. “Careful. You are not going to like what I am about to ask of you.”

”Just ask me, love.” You told him. There was a warning bell going off in your mind but you ignored it.

”I want you to take me to see Pyrrhus.”

You stared down at him. It took your brain a full three seconds to comprehend his words.

“No.” You said dumbly.

“No.” You repeated. Your voice was dipping with ice and you shook your head as you took a sharp breath. You stepped away, anger boiling in your chest like lava. The idea of Pyrrhus being even in the same room as Hypnos was enough to make your head rush dizzily with sheer rage.

“Abso-fucking-lately not!” You snarled and began to pace the length of the chamber, like a caged lion. Your hands flexed and uncurled only to return into fists, your nails digging into your palms. “Are you mad!? Hypnos- I- No, I am not letting you go near that animal!”

You knew you needed to calm down, to listen but the memory of Hypnos’ bruised face, of golden blood spilled on the floor of Tartarus, of Pyrrhus looming over Hypnos, mocked you.

Hypnos sat down on the chaise, his legs crossed as he watched you. His chin resting on his hand as if bored.

“You are handling this better than I expected.” Hypnos commented mildly. Like one would for the weather. His complete calm and disregard for your sanity and his safety made you whirled around to face him.

”This isn’t a joke, Hypnos!” You roared, hands becoming claws. 

“I know.” It was so quiet, so firm that it gave you pause. His expression was calm and sure in a way that you haven’t seen in a long time. You forced your breathing to slow and rubbed your forehead as your shoulder slumped a little bit.

Once you were sure that you were the one in control and not your rage, although simmered low in your guts like a monster lurking close, you went to him. 

Kneeling in front of him, you took his hands. Looking into those golden eyes, all you could ask was, “Why?”

“I need answers. And it is clear I am noting going to get it just by sitting around.” Hypnos said. “I’m… sick of being like this. I can’t remember what could had cause this.”

“And you think Pyrrhus can be trusted to speak the truth?” You replied quietly. Hypnos’ mouth twisted, the first sign of doubt. 

“I don’t know. I just know sitting and waiting for my powers to return to me isn’t working for me.” Hypnos waved off your reply before you could say it. “I know, we tried other stuff. I just know I need to do this.”

You said nothing for a long moment, staring down at Hypnos’ slender fingers between yours. It was always something you admired about him, the delicate artwork that was his hands.

“Do you remember that talk we had once? About how you would fight me?” Hypnos whispered. “You would try to take me down in a surprise attack before I knew what hit me?”

You winced. In hidesight, you wouldn’t had told Hypnos that. Or at least softened it a bit.

Hypnos continued, “All I can feel is that something is deeply wrong. There is a sense of dread lingering over me. Like before he attacked me.”

“I-“ your mouth snapped close. There was real desperation in Hypnos’ tone and you knew no words would comfort him.

“Please.” Hypnos begged softly. 

You wanted to say ‘no’, to keep him safe in the house and away from that creature that caused all of this. But… it wasn’t your place to do so, if this was Hypnos needed to do, then so be it.

You nodded, you were his most devoted worshiper, whatever he wished of you, it was already his.

”When do you want to go?” You asked.

Relief bloomed on his face before his jaw tightened in determination.

”Now.”

~

Somewhere far away from the gloom of the underworld, a queen stood in her garden along with her mother, their faces were twin masks of pain and sorrow.

The world should be a riot of blooming life. Trees lush and green with the sound of baby birds, olive grooves should be flushed with food, apple trees filling the air with sweet flowers and colorful wildflowers should be dancing in the wind, their sweet faces tilled to the sun.

There was nothing.

Somewhere close to bright blue waters of the coast, a golden prince of the sun frowned at the entrance at one of his temples. Where was the music, he wondered with his hands on his hips. 

The sound of lyres should be drifting into the newly spring air. The clean smell of freshly ground medicinal herbs was missing as well.

Peeved, Apollo went inside, ready to have a word with his head priestess. 

Only when he found his followers, he gasped in horror, recoiling away from them. They stared back with blank, sunken eyes, as if they didn’t recognize their god.

Like a creeping, strange vine, it spread to the depth of the forests of lady Artemis, and she watched as her animals stumble and birds fall from the sky, exhaustion causing their form to shake apart. 

The god of wine only stared in muted disbelief as he walked through his grapevines, brown and dead from the lack of care. Just as many of his worshippers were, their bodies scattered and the others stared back with dull, sunken eyes.

Thanatos lingered in the doorway of a family home, his grip tightened on his scythe. 

He knew he needed to find Hypnos and he vanished from the living realm. He would not admit that fear lingered deep in his stomach. Because if they couldn’t fix this...

Farmers collapsed in the fields, poets lost their words in puddles of ink and confusion. Babies screamed as their mother weeped in exhaustion and confusion. Ships rocked among the ocean waves, quiet as a grave.

It didn’t matter. 

From the poorest beggar to the most powerful king, all of them searched for the relief of oblivion. 

The world was wide awake. 

[foreststarflaime]

Strangest but also best idea I’ve ever had.

(Before I say anything about the idea: I hope we don’t get Hades 3, or else Nyx will run out of kids for the Hades Kids to collect like Pokémon cards)

(ALSO NEVER GONNA SHUT UP ABT THE FACT THAT BEN STARR VOICES PROMETHEUS!!!!!!!)

Hear me out;

Hades (2) and FFVII (Remake, Rebirth and CC) crossover, but it’s the FFVII characters in the Hades (2) situation.

Don’t know if this is exactly how the character swaps would go, but here’s my take on it, and those who I don’t know (this is disregarding all ships amongst Hades and ff7 characters):

Melinoë - Cloud

Zagreus - Zack

Hades -

Persephone -

Achilles - Angeal

Patroclus - Seph

Than - Also Cloud (because Zack also gets shipped with Cloud)

Meg - Aerith (you get the idea, right???)

Nyx -

Chronos - Also Seph

Hecate -

Chaos - The Goddess / Minerva (hahaha)

Skelly - Kunsel

Eris - Also Aerith

Nemesis - Tifa

Moros - Vincent

Dusa - Cait Sith

CERBERUSSSSSS - Zack at heart.

Charon - Also Kunsel

Hypnos - Also Vincent (he eepy)

Prometheus -

Icarus - Cid

Odysseus - also Kunsel

Heracles -

Zeus - Verdot

Hera - Cissnei

Ares - Reno

Apollo - Rude

Athena - Elena

Herems - also Kunsel (everyone is actually Kunsel)

Artemis - Tseng (is this my love for both Artemis and Tseng showing? Maybe,)

Demeter - LAZARDDDDD

Dionysus - Rufus

Posideon - President Shinra

Aphrodite -

Hepheastus - Barret

Hestia - Angeal’s mum because I can

Selene -

Feel free to give your takes on the character swaps (please do)

Ooo I love that idea! I’ll admit I still haven’t quite finished with the first Hades (I know, throw me out of the classics department), so my knowledge of specifics is somewhat limited esp in the Hades 2 realm of things

God I love the idea of Zack as Zagreus sm! I feel like that would work so well with him! I once read a time-travel fix it fic where he was stuck in a time loop of the escape from Shinra Manor to his death trying to get Cloud to safety and it was so heartbreaking, could totally see that kind of vibe there. The sunshine character struggling over and over again relentlessly trying to keep their positivity >>>>>

Despite my constant ramblings comparing Achilles to Genesis, yeah I think him as Angeal works so well in this situation, especially with having Sephiroth as Patroclus. God that hurts my heart to think about actually ahhh 😭

Melinoe I know less about but from what I’ve seen omg yeah I love the idea of her as Cloud! I could also totally see her as Sephiroth though with the whole being trained her entire life to kill thing, and speaking of yeah Chronos as insaneroth or Jenova herself is perfect imo, and as for Hecate idk who she’d be if Melinoe was Cloud but if Sephiroth she could potentially be Vincent in a sort of stole Seph away from Hojo or was charged with his protection by him au

Hades I could easily see as some Shinra director or even the president himself, not sure which one exactly though

For the others yes yes love it, might come back for more commentary on those later if I have more detailed thoughts lol

(Hades 3 but instead of another kid it’s Zagreus and Melinoe going on a quest together??? 🥺🥺🥺 sorry lmao I am just a sucker for sibling relationships in media)

[agentplutonium]

hello i would like a cabin match please!!!!

kins: -Damien, as with many people in the fandom, I too am an academically and occupationally focused menace focused on fighting social issues in their chosen field. -freelancer, for similar reasons as above but add in the most certainly works too hard and burns themselves out and also would much rather help everyone else around them than stay still and focus on themselves -cam,,,, listen. we basically have the same job. yeah. -pet, we may know nothing about them but that should be ME

loves: (time to give myself away) -regulus, for the bad days. i'm giving him the icepick. he can just scoop my brains right out -milo, for the good days. maybe i just am attached to him being silly and his cool mom but he's fun -vega, another man i would let do terrible horrible things to me and i would say thank you. -guy, i love my silly boy. he's goofy and dorky and i love him stealing hoodies and being a bit of a slut.

thank you in advance <3

I love these sm actually this is gonna be a fun one to unpack. So, as usual, my headcanons for the kins:

Damien: Ares, in the most loving way this is painfully obvious. if you really wanted to you could probably put him in Athena. actually might fit him better. ANYWAY

Freelancer: I said Hermes before for FL, but now that I'm really thinking about it? There's another answer and I just can't put my finger on it. Aphrodite? Also Ares? Maybe, anyway moving on

Cam: Hypnos, it's like the only fitting one /lh

Pet: i- im actually not sure with this one. I'm like wracking my brain so hard and nothing is coming to mind. oh well we'll move on

but again, considering all of them together we are getting a very interesting vibe /pos. genuinely have to like come back to this one after thinking give me a moment.

OKAY SO after careful deliberation, I think I am gonna give you Athena cabin. For the fact that she is the goddess of strategy (of war, but still) and wisdom. yeah ^^

[flower1622]

What the future can hold?

Chapter 21

While Percy was inside the camp, standing on a rock looking at the sea with a sad face, a tear falls on his right cheek. In another place, a blonde girl with a blue cap is looking at the window, inside of a bus, while she holds a necklace in her hand and a tear falls on her left cheek.

Music for the moment

Some days later:

Percy has been training the new demigods and helping the campers in the camp. After his break up with Annabeth, Percy has tried to find himself and enjoy others' company, especially Clarisse's. He and Clarisse has been spending some time together whenever they can, just as two good friends. They talk about normal stuffs like college, professions, movies, series, their hopes for the future and many other things. People that are in the camp are still trying to process Clarisse and Percy's new friendship and Percy and Annabeth's break up.

Clarisse and Percy decided not to care about their opinions because they are old enough to decide what to do with their life. So, taking advantage that the camp is more empty, they exchange tables during lunch and dinner. Sometimes, they sit at Poseidon's table and others, at Ares' table while everyone stares at them and they just look at each other and talk among themselves.

Percy has woken up late today and missed breakfast, so he had to go straight to the training area where the new demigods were waiting for him. He trained them and when he was saying goodbye to the kids, someone claps it's hands.

- Bravo!Bravo! Has anyone told you that you are great with swords? - Clarisse tries to joke 

- Well...if you mean that by killing many monsters and fighting gods....so, yeah...I could say I'm really good... - Percy says

- Well, for someone who wants a normal life and hasn't been visiting the camp more times, you really still are a good fighter....but do you think you could win over me, Jackson? - Clarisse asks with a devious smile while taking the sword Percy gave her as a present and pointed it at him.

- Well, let's see, shall we, Clari? - Percy asks with a smile and takes his sword pointing at Clarisse. 

- You promised... - Clarisse says angry

- So did you... - Percy says with a smile provoking Clarisse.

- Fair enough - Clarisse says and starts fighting with her sword, but Percy intercepts hers with his and they continue fighiting, one blocking the other. Their swords clash. 

- Come on, Clarisse! Give up! You may be better than me with many things, but in sword fighting, I win! - Percy says with a smile, his face close to Clarisse's.

- Never! - Clarisse screams. They continue fighting with their swords until they point each sword to the other's throat.

- I guess this is a truce! - Percy says with a smile on his face while still pointing his sword at Clarisse's throat. Clarisse doing the same.

- Yeah.... - Clarisse says with a smile and then suddenly she notices something. She puts down the sword and puts it back in her waistband of your pants. Percy frowns at that and looks at the direction Clarisse was looking and saw a little blonde boy holding hands with a little girl that has dark hair. Both were with their backpacks.They were coming at their direction, so Percy puts down his sword and turns it into a pen again and puts it in his pocket.

- Hey, guys! - Percy says, but the kids don't answer him. Percy noticed they were introverted people, just like Nico, so he lets it go.

- We are ready! - The blonde boy says

- Alright! I'll just take my things and meet you guys at the camp's entrance... and please, wait for me there. Don't walk out of the camp, am I understood? - Clarisse asks serious 

- Okay! - The blonde boy says and the little girl only nods her head. Both walk away leaving Percy and Clarisse alone. Percy looks at Clarisse expecting an explanation.

- Well...? - Percy asks

- Well.... they are the Hypnos' sons I mentioned before....and since Chris' death, I became a little protective of these kids...so, every time I visit my mom, I take them with me. She likes them and they like her.... - Clarisse says and sighs

- They....they don't.... - Percy tries to say

- If they don't have a mother? No...and their family lives in another country. Their mother was italian. I don't know what happened to her, if she died or abandoned them. I didn't have courage to ask them...not after what they witnessed. They are completely alone here..... - Clarisse says

- Wow.... - Percy says shocked 

- Yeah, wow....but that's why I came here. I wanted to talk to you and ask if you....if you.... - Clarisse says while she looks away from Percy.

- If I... - Percy notices that Clarisse is nervous, but still wants her to finish what she is about to say.

- If you.....would like to spend the New Year with me at my house in Arizona? - Clarisse asks

- Wow! This is what I call a surprise! - Percy says and laughs

- If you are gonna keep laughing at me, I think It's better that I go alone with the kids... - Clarisse says and walks away, but Percy holds her hand.

- Sorry! I wasn't laughing at you.... I just got surprised, that's all. But, I would love to spend time with you at your house to celebrate New Year! - Percy says.

- Great! Well....I'm gonna go get my things and meet you and the kids at the entrance, alright? - Clarisse asks

- Alright! - Percy says with a smile while he watches Clarisse walking away. She turns around to face Percy and throws something at him. Percy gets it and looks at his hand. He sees a small transparent bag with an apple and a bread inside of it. He looks at Clarisse.

- Next time, try to wake up more early! - Clarisse says with a smile and walks away. Percy looks grateful at Clarisse and smiles at her retreating form.

[ask-orchidthemew]

@ask-backpack-hypno 

ASK:  Vesna @ Orchid: " Cursed by the Gods ? With a power that could kill them ? How preposterous. Do you have any proof that Gods would actually create something that could destroy them. Or did you blame them for your existence. You didn't ask to be made but are you sure Gods asked for you to be born, and with such ability ? "

ORCHID: Maybe they didn’t want me to be born. Or maybe they wanted a challenge. Either way, I have every right to blame them for my existence. So I’ll play the part for them. I’ll be the monster. And I’ll destroy every precious thing they’ve ever created. Oh, this room looks promising.

CYTO: What exactly are we doing anyways?

ORCHID: Just looking for something to jog my memory a bit. Start grabbing some scrolls.

CYTO: Sure, okay! Say, what was it like when all the mews were still around? I’ve only ever heard stories.

ORCHID: Don’t know. Don’t remember. 

CYTO: Really?

ORCHID: Nope. Can’t seem to recall much of anything since I woke up in Unova.

CYTO: Oh, haha, I can relate. It really sucks, huh? 

ORCHID: Oh please, don’t act like you have any idea what it’s like. To have your life taken away from you without a word. Left in a world you don’t even recognize. No idea as to which part of you is really you or not.

CYTO: OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE!!! My left brain is literally gone, you see? And that SUCKS! It’s lonely, like, everyone expects you to be someone else, and you aren’t so now you’re just disappointing them. And it’s frustrating too! How do other pokemon have more of a right to my life than I do? To my memories? How is that fair?? I try to keep smiling but... it sucks that a part of me is just... gone. And I don’t know how to even feel about it. So I get it.

ORCHID: That’s not an... incorrect comparison. But I don’t plan on staying like this. If these scrolls have even a clue as to who I was, then I’m looking.

CYTO: Then I’ll help! We’re amnesia buddies, so we’ll help each other get our memories back.

ORCHID: I don’t need help? And I’m definitely not gonna help you out.

CYTO: C’mon, we both understand each other like no one else! We were brought together by fate~

ORCHID: No, you just happened to be the first pokemon I encountered. 

CYTO: Yeah, fate! There’s gotta be a reason why we met each other!

ORCHID: Hey, you wanna dig through old scrolls? Be my guest. If it’ll shut you up at least.

CYTO: HELL YEAH!! Amnesia buddies!

[blink-blank-bliss]

Hey Blissy your turn. I hear you are: "Neural Nets and Pretty Patterns owned voice actress and pleasure puppet"

Some odd questions for you:

Would you desrcibe yourself as being in a bdsm relationship that uses hypnosis as a tool like a Dom-sub relationship + hypno, Or a Hypno-Domination H-D/s relationship? Just curious how you'd define it - because you seem happy and you guys are still going strong, or is it a Hypno relationship +D/s?

Could you say please what the most important part of the hypnotic relationship is - like the thing that makes the hypnosis most effective for you?

Could you also please say what submission means to you, what are the core components for submission to be happening?

Thank you in advance x x x

Hi Doll! It's always a pleasure to hear from you and I'd be happy to answer your questions, I apologize to any reader who actually plows through this whole thing for what may be a little too much of a glimpse behind the curtain at Actual Me and not the public face of Bliss, but oh well, I don't really get a lot of serious questions and I am delighted that you've asked me, so buckle up here we go.

I don't think I would use any of those terms to describe my relationship with Neural. We are primarily romantic partners and best friends, and we work together to create weird kinky artsy audio porn stuff. He's the creator, but I do a lot behind the scenes to help keep the content coming and I take my job as Cunt Muse seriously. Yes, we have kinky sex and it's fucking great, but it's just a small part of a relationship between equals. He has, however, spent a lot of time inside my mind, as I have in his. It's given our relationship something that I guess I would call ...mental intimacy? haha that sounds gross idfk. But I've never really had this before and can't imagine having it with someone else. The content is a part of it, I love acting and he just writes me the most fun roles to play. haha in the one we are working on now I play the most sadistic nun ever, it's so cathartic, I swear I'm healing generational trauma doing it haha. Getting to explore all of that together is really sexual and really hot but it's not like ... hypnosis. I love having wild kinky trancey scenes with him and he is a wonderful dom, knows how to push my buttons just the right way to take me apart and always makes sure to put me back together after, but it's not as important to me as it is that he has made me laugh every day for over 5 years without fail or that he can write me a part to play in a script that will both highlight my talent and turn me on.

I think the most important part of the hypnotic relationship is trust. I trust him and he trusts me. I know he is committed to being good to me and good for me, as I am for him. He's proven it to me through haha some honestly insane shit storms of life and I know I have proven it to him. And we've been at it long enough that we've seen the proof, both of us are better stronger people than we were before we met. This is what makes us equals, but it's also what makes it possible for him to slide inside my mind like he's coming home and make me into nothing but his. For a time at least.

ok so this is a two-parter. Part 1. What does submission mean to me? So ok I am old. I came out as queer and kinky in a world where to be kinky you had to put on a latex dress and go in person to what they called an "S & M Club". It was terrifying but thrilling. But as far as kink goes, I'm a little jaded at this point. I feel like I've literally seen it all. I've been to at least 50 kink conventions of all varieties. I've taught classes, hosted infamous dungeon parties, demo dollied, bootblacked, partied with all manner of kinky people. but like.... I'm fucking old and I did it already. Now yes, I am still submissive, I am still a masochist, but I just don't have anything left to prove to myself or anyone else about it. Submission has been a part of who I am for more than half my life now, but at this point, it's pretty much just a sex thing for me. I mean yeah I call Neural Owner or Daddy when we play, and yeah it was hot as hell when I asked him to choose my new hair color, but it's for fun and a sex thing. Part 2 is pretty cut and dried. I'm jumping over the safety speech part here and just say that I'm only talking about power exchange that I would consider RACK. But for submission to occur there has to be some kind of agreement that you are going to give up your power to another for a period of time in some agreed upon way. That's what we mean when we talk about consent really. it's what makes healthy power exchange possible, without that it's all various degrees of abuse and codependency and people making each other into less than they are. Gross. I'm also going to answer a question that you didn't ask, but my advice to any submissive but especially those getting into it: -sit down with yourself and really decide what your values are, what your limits are, what your needs are, physically emotionally mentally before you go giving your precious self away to a dom. - Sub frenzy is a thing, it's crazy, I've been there, but it is Not Real and it will fade, take your time in establishing relationships and making commitments no matter how hot the scenes are. -No matter how much you worship them, your doms will remain human. Humans have limits on their time and their energy. Humans are not all-knowing. Humans get sick. Humans make mistakes. Don't put divinity level expectations on your human partner. It's a set up, no one can live up to it.

[imhereforscm]

Comparing the SCM gods to the ones of greek mythology

(before you start reading, please admire this beautiful gif........ Okay, thank you:D)

Warning: Cursing, spoilers for some main stories, at least one dirty joke, if you see any typos I cannot be hold accountable even though it is all my fault, also if you like Aphrodite... Well, I'm sorry for the offense...

Leon—Helios

Helios was known for being a beautiful god and always dressed in the finest garments, while riding his chariot across the sky. And he was also very powerful—like Leon🙃. Also, Helios is one of the deities of fire (because sun + fire?? You know how it goes) and leo is a fire sign. (I was close to assigning Zeus for him, due to how horny they both are, but Leon has limits. For example, if a bunch women were surrounding Leon, he'd try to escape them, while Zeus would try to multiply his dick in order to fuck all of them at once.)

Scorpio—Ares

(Scorpio is my favourite SCM god and Ares my favourite greek god, so that comparison makes me really happy 😭💘) They're both misunderstood and seen as harsh and cruel, but that's actually not the case. Just like Ares was a great father for his children, because he wanted them to have the father he never did, Scorpio also has that side to him with Antaresia. And in general, they both show a menacing façade at first, but if you search deeper, you'll know what brave, fair and respectful men they actually are.

Teorus—Apollo

Apollo's a bright god, hence being the ruler of the sun—among many other things, lol. And Teorus also owns a bright personality with how friendly and cheerful he is. Also, he is in charge of the shifts between days and nights later in his stories and that also reminds me of Apollo.

Dui—Hestia

Both sweeties and cutie pies to a fault and peacemakers. Hestia is protector of the household and that takes me back to Dui and how much he values the concept of friendship and happy relationships in general, given his experience with the loss of his friend.

Huedhaut—Hades

They both get the short end of the stick, yet none of them complains. Also, Hades, the gloomy and isolated god of the underworld is wedded to Persephone, the sweet, bright goddess of spring, who everyone seems to love. Doesn't that remind you of Hue and Clotho??? Here. *Passes you a tissue box* We can cry together.

Ichthys—Hermes

Hermes represents the concept of communication and that is a connection that came to be made between him and Ichthys, due to how extraverted and friendly Ichthys is with everyone. Also, Hermes comes and goes between the world of the living and the underworld, so I compared it to the department of punishments.

(Also, Apollo and Hermes are besties and that can give us Teorus and Ichthys soooo)

Karno—Demeter

The moms of the group. Sweet, nice and tender, but both can surely kick your ass if needed. Also, Demeter's love and protection towards Persephone makes me remember Karno and how he cared for the MC when she was still a little kid.

Zyglavis—Dike

The goddess of justice with her symbol being the scales is something that brings Zyglavis to mind and I won't accept objections.

Aigonorus—Hypnos

No explanations needed. No objections accepted.

Krioff—Hephaestus

They both have fire as their element and Hera Y E E T I N G Hephaestus off Olympus is a connection between their family issues. Also, they're both rumoured negatively among the gods. Hephaestus for being ugly and Krioff for being the god of destruction.

Tauxolouve—Dionysus

They're both pretty chill and they're both very artistic, given Tauxolouve's love for painting and Dionysus representing the concept of theater. Also, don't you freaking dare to look me in the eyes and tell me that this cg of him pressing the grapes to his lips isn't very Dionysus of him. Don't! Don't even dare lie to my face!

Partheno—Aphrodite

They're both known as deities of love and beauty even though they have a pretty revengeful side to them.

(No offense to anyone liking Aphrodite, but I'd gladly add my signature to wipe out Aphrodite and replace her with Partheno. Aphrodite and Zeus are the two things I hate most—after math and snails.)

Bonus:

The king—Eris

Now, for this one, I was between Eris and Zeus, but I ended up with Eris, due to the lack of hormonic chaos from the king's side. Eris is the reason the Trojan war occured (*wipes tears at the flashbacks*) and what does that remind you of???? 😄 The king's mania to fuck with everyone's peace and quiet!! 😃 Also, Eris has taken and a liking to Ares, because he represents the negative side of war and that means more food for her AND THAT REMINDS ME OF THE PLOT OF SCORPIO'S SEQUEL AND THE KING'S OBSESSION WITH HIM!!😃😃😃

Now, I know there are plenty of other greek gods that could he compared to the SCM gods, but I had to pick one this time soooo yeah. :D (I can probably do more parts though, where I'm comparing more greek gods to the scm ones)

[yzeltia]

Dream of a Lost Paradise

Chapter 10: Dreamer in the Lost Paradise Characters: Keith Summers, Hayzel(Hypnos Unsundered), Priapus (??? Unsundered), Shadowhunter, Y'mhitra Rhul Rating: T Notes:

"Leave me be."

Keith looked on in awe. A tree towered overhead a round plaza with crisp linens string overhead. Beneath it, Hayzel sat, looking out into the horizon. A picture of peace, if it were not for the sky aflame.

"Hypnos, please! There is still hope for our star. Another path we can take," Keith heard someone plead.

Something was off with the voice. A familiar, yet unpleasant tonality that made him want to rub his ears. Hayzel turned, responding to the name, listless gaze, a striking electric blue.

"That is what Thanatos said when this all began. And it didn't work. Loss after senseless loss. I have no reason to have faith in Venat's honeyed words and believe her solution will be any different. Her dream would part me from Charis, and she's convinced Echo to be a part of it. 

“Tell me Priapus, what good is a world bereft of your loved ones? My brother given to Zodiark. My love, your brother, following a heretic with my sister in tow into another flavour doom. Ethyris is dying because we chased perfection over learning to love life as it was. Without love there is no meaning.

“I'm content to burn with this star. At least in the endless dream that waits for us, we can be united."

Keith felt his fist tighten and head shake.

"You'd see us all doomed because you don't believe we'll succeed. If you cannot have an eternity with Charis, let us burn!? Must you always have your stakes so high!? We're joining Venat so that you might have the eternity together you wish! You want all or nothing! He's giving his all so that you won't be nothing!"

Despite the screaming, Hypnos remained unmoved, attention moving to the ruined sky.

"Energetic and passionate as always. You'd have made a good Azim."

"Is there really nothing I can say to change your mind?"

Hypnos didn't respond. Keith's vision shifted, looking down at someone's robes and balled fists as it turned and headed away from the plaza.

He wandered on, through a once beautiful and vibrant garden, blighted by the doomed skies. Arriving at a fountain, the voice let out a frustrated scream then slammed their palms down onto the brick edge. The vision then moved to the water's reflection, and upon Keith seeing a likeness to himself, he jolted awake.

-

"Yikes!"

Keith shot straight up, finding himself back in the inn room he'd woken up in before. The room was dark this time, save for a candle upon a table in the corner of a room that Shadowhunter was using to read.

"Rest boy," the Garlean ordered gruffly, not looking up from his page.

Keith frowned, then jumped as he felt someone shift next to him. Atop the blankets, Y'mhitra snoozed, undisturbed by the Hyur's outburst and movement. He blushed deeply as he checked under the blanket, finding himself bare.

"Why do my clothes keep getting taken," he hissed through the dark, giving the sleeping Miqo'te more space.

"You were knocked out again. It's a surprise you've not taken ill before now the way you treat water as a bed. Though I suppose they say fools can't catch colds," the older man responded dryly.

"Yeah but Mhitra-"

"The lass didn't see your shame and fell asleep tending to your fever. Something about excess aether. That is not my field of expertise so I cannot say for certain what was wrong but the Seedseer said it's akin to what the warriors of light experienced in the early days of their journey."

Keith lit up a bit but before he could even speak Gaius was ready with, "No, you're not a Warrior of Light. Though you remind me of the Miqo’te one.”

“You’ve met the Warriors of Light?”

“...We’ve crossed paths.”

Keith looked on, expecting a story, but Shadowhunter returned to his book. Thinking of what he’d seen, he leaned back against the headboard and sighed.

“You’re sticking around,” he asked.

“I’ve been given permission to remain here, watched, until I take care of the Ascian.”

“About that��I don’t think Hayzel’s trying to do anything bad.”

The Garlean grunted in response then looked up to Keith.

“I saw something in my Echo thingy. They were there looking sad and everything was kind of falling apart around them. They were sad ‘cause their loved ones were all going to do something to save the world but they didn’t think it’d work. It’s all kind of fuzzy, but I think Hayzel just wanted to meet my brother…again? They suddenly felt so familiar…like they’d been my friend for a long time.”

“Ascians don’t make friends with us. They just manipulate and scheme to achieve their end goal, summoning their Eikon.”

“Yeah, but…the Hayzel in my Echo didn’t want anything to do with that. They just wanted to be where Carter was.”

“I’ve fought them boy. Their the enemy of our star and you’d offer friendship?”

“Yes. You’re Garlean. Your countrymen invaded my homeland and now that we’ve ousted them we’re still at odds with one another. Yet, you offered help to my brother and I when we needed it, and have fought side-by-side. You’re my friend. Hayzel too.”

“Your heart is far too big for your own good. We are, at most, comrades with a common goal. Would you be as charitable if I were the man that robbed you of your hearth and home?”

“The Black Wolf?  I’d probably sock you one pretty good if you were…I dunno. I’d have a lot of complicated feelings then. But the Warriors of Light already took care of him….right?”

Shadowhunter stared for a moment then returned to his book, “Go back to sleep boy. We’ll go tell the Elder Seedseer tomorrow to see if they have any more information on the whereabouts of your brother and their apparent Asican lover.”

Keith tilted his head then laid back down, making sure to not disturb Y’hmitra as he settled in. It seemed to him that the Shadowhunter was going to be a difficult sell…but he felt a certainty within him that his Hayzel wasn’t bad. Moreso, that they needed help.