#added quotes around sentence because. well.

[forsakenmissives]

🌹

shoutout to my irl for helping me pick the bit to use <3

“Do you want me to feel bad about dating you?” Roy asks, and that’s when Jamie realises. “Is this to prove that you don’t think dating me is terrible?” Because he just has to know. “Is that what this is about?” “Fuck no,” Roy immediately barks. “It’s just a lot easier to come out with someone else on your arm, innit? I’d never do this shit on my own.” Jamie sucks his lower lip into his mouth, chews on it, while his fingers lace and unlace in his lap. “Yeah, yeah. No, you’re right. Good point.” Though he had been ready to come out on his own. And he still believes, if only just a little bit, that Roy is a fucking psycho who would fake date Jamie just to prove a point in a conversation only the two of them know about. “Fuck.”

send a 🌹 and i’ll post a "sentence" of a wip i’m currently writing!! :3

[anantaru]

DAY 24 — BRAT TAMING

kinktober 2023. — masterlist | ao3

𖧡 — including — kazuha, alhaitham

𖧡 — warnings — fem! reader, brat taming, they're mean lmao, petnames used: love, smart girl, oral (male! receiving), cockwarming

𖧡 — KAZUHA

coruscating with a hot prickle underneath your cheeks and your arousal oozing out of you, kazuha wastes no time before he pulls your mouth back into his lower area with your lips open wide to receive his pulsating cock again— more so feel it stick and melt to your tongue so sinfully as you drag the roughness of your wet muscle against the underside of his dick, tickling the buzzing veins.

"i— ah, hardly notice anything," kazuha admits bluntly and chuckles as his fingers comp over the back of your head, "you need to try harder, i fear," what a distinguished way your boyfriend had with words, which, in any other case he does but not now, not when he was attempting to teach you a lesson.

and you reach in between his thighs at his blatant sentence, to properly take his balls in your warm palm— giving him two good squeezes as he instantly swallows back a groan at the harsh treatment you added onto him, being aware that he was exceptionally sensitive right there.

well, granted, this entire ordeal was placed on you for a reason— because sometimes you just cannot help yourself but be a little, mean brat to your handsome boyfriend, until his habitual and subdued personality gets spiked up with a dangerous notion affiliated with lust, desire, and the clear thought of putting you in your place.

"maybe if you, fuck— wouldn't have been so mean, my love," kazuha pauses, roughly curving his palms against your cheeks so he could softly brush his thumbs over the skin, breathing out a whispery moan when he could feel himself shallowly slip in and out of your hot mouth, "i wouldn't have to use such words on you."

you whine in attempt to spell out a witty comeback but are only being crowded with his fat tip grazing over the back of your throat— you hiccup and babble, perceiving him entirely, his slightly bitter taste penetrating your nostrils as your body grew to smell like his luscious fragrance.

kazuha shifts in his seat a little before pushing his hips up your flexed throat to catch you off guard— yet, little does he realize at last, when he fucks your throat and uses your mouth as he pleases, with your saliva and his pre dribbling all over your chin and his boxers, that in reality, you will never stop engaging in this sort of play and be all about the drama, so perfect when you act like a little brat, so kazuha could use your mouth again, no need to urge you on for anything when you're practically salivating at the taste of his salty cum on your tongue.

𖧡 — ALHAITHAM

"don't flatter yourself too much, i'm not even fully hard yet,"

whenever you were acting out— attempting to push and pull against alhaitham's usual stoic and unbothered demeanor, you are most likely defeated right away, yet do not be mistaken because, the moment you do achieve to, quote on quote, step onto the wrong tile, he almost needs to profess the power he held over you.

you take a sharp intake of air before exhaling it out with a tremble the moment he first sinks into you— although much to your surprise, he wouldn't move, he wouldn't even kiss you, only focusing on your sizzling hole swallowing him in like a wet suction pulling on his shaft.

"hey!" you whine, before slipping your hands around his neck so you could kiss him yourself, only to be met with alhaitham quickly turning his head so you'd clumsily hit his ear instead, "w-what's up with you?"

it's in a juncture like this where everything suddenly comes crashing down on your complete frame and holds you hostage against your will, the split second you can remember it in a spur of a moment, vividly, when you were oh so graciously disturbing his peace earlier, just because you felt like it.

"i'm not moving tonight," he proclaims, a little aloof and standoffish but holding your gaze with unapproachable eyes before he repeatedly slaps the plush flesh of your ass, making you squeak out.

"you do it yourself," alhaitham wasn't really interested in a heart-wrecking apology from you, truthfully, he had already planned out and structured how this night would end, obviously in his favor because you cannot beat him— he stops when you're begging him, full of brimming tears, to make you please please cum because you just cannot hold it in anymore!

"i can't," you attempt to move your hips but are being met with one large hand pinning you back down the mattress.

alhaitham was torturing you, that's what it was, at least in your eyes, and you dig into his scalp and ruffle his hair, aiming to make him kiss you again (and failing) before scraping your nails around his ears, where he was a little sensitive, yet not even that worked out so you ultimately go down to his neck— your lips curved up into a sweet and apologetic pout, hoping he'd show mercy tonight.

"okay, i'm sorry, i went to far, i'm sorry sorry sorry.." you mewl out in a frantic exhale, the heaviness of his throbbing erection melting within your walls was maddening, and it hurt, a mild pain battering your pulsing cunt as your pussy flutters greedily around his girth, wishing to chance his mind.

alhaitham noticed how you were glistening all over his dick, he feels how your cunt squeezes him experimentally too, but it's more than just wanting you to please him tonight and make it about him, which in actuality, the scribe didn't give a single damn about his pleasure— but it's about obedience, just how it's found in dogs following their owner, and instead of using words, he uses his thick cock stretching you out until you're whining and loosing all of your witty responses, both of you fusing and becoming one.

but that agonizingly sizzling tension in between your squished bodies, ugh, it was surrounding you, your soul and mind, it was beginning to simply steal your breath away.

"but you're such a smart girl, right? always having a comeback to everything, so try harder."

©2023 anantaru's kinktober do not repost, copy, translate, modify

[parksunghoonism]

rant about @/drunkhazed.

If you haven’t seen yet, a writer—a real person—on this app, here, in this godforsaken place, posted a teaser to a fanfiction she was writing that would be about the k-pop group Enhypen. Now, you may be wondering, ‘Well, what’s so wrong with a teaser?’ What’s wrong about the teaser is the fact that the fanfiction was quote ‘inspired’ by the real life case of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Yes. About the two brothers who went through emotional and sexual abuse by their own father. Yes. About the two brothers that while being traumatized, their own mother stood by and did nothing to protect her own children.

This person says in their most recent post: “My original plot was based around 1 member only, but after watching documentaries about the case, I was inspired to make this a story about brothers.”

So, what you’re saying is, you fucking knew about the case beforehand, and yet still chose to start writing the fic. So, what you’re saying is, even after gaining more knowledge about the case, you again still chose to continue to start writing the fic, and in doing so, chose to even develop it more.

Oh, and another thing, this person also says: “I am behind the brothers 10,000% personally, and hope for their peace.”

Now, someone explain to me this, because maybe I’m a little stupid, maybe I’m the one who just can’t understand and I’m simply being a judgmental prick. But, why would someone write a fanfiction inspired by the trauma of people who they say they hope for peace for? Because you’re actively using their past to write fanfiction about more real people.

Currently, the brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, are 56 and 53 years old. They were first arrested back in 1990 when they were 21 and 18 years old. That means, the brothers have spent damn near half of their lives as criminals, and they were going to die as criminals after they were given a life sentence.

Finally, in the replies of this post, this person had told another commenter under a reply—of which I cannot see, because the original poster removed it: “There is nothing else to be said.” With this ‘😐’ emoji added at the end.

Yes, there is.

Why do claim to ‘apologize’ when you remove replies? Why do you claim to ‘apologize’ when you’re going to delete the post? Why do you claim to ‘apologize’ when half of the replies in which people are rightfully calling you out, you have removed? Why do you claim to apologize when you are later going to delete the said ‘apology’? You’re not apologetic, you’re doing damage control.

Moving on, how is people seeing your face relevant to the fact that you’re trying to apologize about something? I seriously don’t get that, and I doubt that needed to be said, unless you were trying to gain some sort of sympathy from other people.

My final point, and quote: “Everything else being thrown in, is truly just slanderous, and hate to say—bullying.”

Now, what I am about to say, is going to be a tad vulgar, so, if you don’t like that, I apologize, but, I am incredibly upset at the time that I am writing this.

Nobody, in their right god damn mind, gives an actual fuck if you feel like you’re being bullied, when you were fully aware of what you were doing, when you decided to write your shitty-ass ‘work.’ You, yes you, chose to continue to write your stupid fucking fanfiction, even after you had learned more about the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Because while you’re talking out of your ass on the internet, those two poor men have to sleep in a disgusting cell, while their families beg and plead for their release.

You knew what you were doing. You just did not care. And that, makes you an absolute pathetic excuse of a human being in my eyes.

— Have a nice day everyone. ❤️

[lutewife]

"Hate so passionate it blooms"

Chapter one - First Extermination

1752 words, fem!reader, reader is in hell for a reason, sinner!reader, reader is oblivious, canon divergence here and there, no NSFW in this chapter, angst, toxic yuri, canon-like humour

Crossposted on AO3: @YuriCameo

Warnings: blood, murder and all... It's extermination, duh. Nothing too bad though.

It all started years ago...

It was the time of the first extermination, since you opened your shop.

Noone in the pride ring liked it, obviously. And you just happened to live in it, being a sinner - flesh and blood. Your only source of income, your own sex shop, was there too. Very successful one to boot, since in Hell, let's just say, people really like these kind of things. And as weird as it was, your shop was top notch, being the most successful one in the Pride Ring. You swore you wouldn't leave it to destruction under any circumstances, because, well, you needed that money.

And you kept your word. Now you were standing in front of your shop, scanning the area and waiting for inevitable. Your employees, moved by your dedication, have also agreed to defend it. Ah, the deep connection between a demon and their sex shop. Truly touching.

You gripped your weapon tightly and, for who knows which time, looked around with watchful eyes. Turning to your employees, you managed to make a shaky smile appear. Someone in these difficult times must fake confidence, otherwise the fight is already lost - it was one of your beliefs and you had to fulfill it.

- It's okay, girlies. I don' see anythin' strange happening - you said trying to lift up the mood. -Y'know, maybe they were bluffing afterall! M-Maybe nothin's gonna happen! - you added, when you didn't receive any reaction from your employees, trying to convince yourself. Fearful faces of the other demons didn't went unnoticed by you, but you tried to ignore it for your own good.

Well, they were right to be afraid. Afterall, they were employees of a sex shop, not some angel hunters, for fucks sake! And the only person with some fighting knowledge was you, their boss who was almost shitting her pants under pressure and who probably didn't know shit about killing angels. Absolutely excellent position they were in.

Just as you were to say another one of your reassuring quotes again, it began. Everyone absolutely paralyzed, along with you, but you were the first to actually get yourself together.

- It's a-okay guys, there's no need to pani... - you didn't even finish the sentence. Most of your employees were already running for their own lives, screaming mercilessly, leaving everyone else and your shop behind. So much for teamwork.

You groaned and shot your middle finger at them.

- HOPE YOU KNOW, Y'ALL ARE FUCKING FIRED! - you yelled, needing to release your frustration. Hearing that, the others who were contemplating escaping, shrunk into yourself. Good. At least you'll have someone to sacrifice.

Many things were happening at the same time. You've seen buildings collapsing, demons panicking and fighting for their lives, even some of them kissing passionately on the verge of death. Geez. Dramatic much.

Deep down you were as terrified as them, though. If it wasn't for your money and kinky goods, you wouldn't give a damn and run away too. Unfortunately you needed to stay.

Just as you were focusing your eyes on the angel who was slowly approaching you, a commotion inside of you shop could be heard. Or maybe... Above it. You raised your head and couldn't believe your eyes.

There were thousands of downright identical exorcists descending from the sky, perfectly above your shop. You nearly had a heart attack (though you didn't actually have one) and shot a panicked glance to your co-workers through the window. Did they really have to send the second wave here?! Maybe you didn't think it over afterall.

Not even thinking about it, you moutched: "Run!". Your people gladly did so, screaming and shierking, causing even more commotion and the blood-thirsty angels to pay attention to them. You fought the urge to facepalm.

Great. Now it was happening.

The exterminators mercilessly murdered your employees one by one, while you were watching. Their sick and twisted faces (or maybe they were masks? you didn't really know) seemed even more happy than before. If you haven't seen that they descended from the sky with your own eyes, you would've thought they were demons.

You would be traumatised if not the fact that you've seen worse things. It's hell, duh. But nevertheless it wasn't a nice thing to witness and you definitely must act.

That's why you began to get your ass out of here. You ran like your afterlife depended on it (because it did).

While you were doing so, you heard something collapsing. Looking back, you saw your shop completely destroyed, with one of your employees in their huge ass demon form.

It was touching to see they were trying to defend the shop. But it was now completely destroyed, so...

- Goddamnit! I'm taking this outta your pay! - you said irritated.

You wanted to swear more, but suddenly a familiar voice could be heard.

- Boss! Here! - your best employee yelled, seemingly inviting you to their hiding spot. You let out a quiet cry of joy. Finally someone who is useful in this shithole. You started walking over there, but then in a blink of an eye...

From your cheerful employee's smile began spilling black blood.

You couldn't believe your eyes. There wasn't an angel here just a minute ago. And now she was standing before your dead co-worker, stained by their blood.

- They were a hellborn, you bitch! - you cried out, letting your frustration spill.

The exorcist looked at her clothing, just now noticing the mistake.

Something just snapped inside of you then. She wasn't even paying attention to people she killed. It wasn't an angel, it was a monster! With furious scream and swing of your weapon you ran towards the enemy.

But just as you hit her with it, the weapon broke against her head. You began to retreat with fear, but you were interrupted by the exorcist:

- There is no point in trying, sinner. You can't harm me - you could almost hear the feeling of superiority in her voice.

Something about the way she said it rubbed you the wrong way. You were now overflowing with the desire to fight.

- Oh yeah?! I won't believe you, until I... - you grabbed a spear, that was left in a dead body behind you - ...tRY!

You swung the weapon and to your surprise, this time, the exorcist dodged, almost getting hit.

Oh, so that's how things are...

Now it was your turn to smile triumphally.

- Hm? What was it 'bout being invincible? - you laughed and put a hand on your hip, swinging the spear on your shoulder.

The exterminator seemed furious, smile disappearing from her mask.

- You little BITCH! - she yelled, now preparing to attack you too.

But to her dismay you dodged skillfully and began a new set of attacks. You were fighting for a while, there was no end to this heated moment in sight. She even managed to injure you slightly, but fortunely you dodged just in time. Eventually, though, you managed to knock her over. The training you went on in your previous life was finally paying off.

You climbed on top of her, holding her wrists up and swinged the spear again, preparing to kill her, but... You aimed past her head.

- Oh, yeah! How could I forget. Let's see what disgusting face lies behind your little mask! - you said, wanting to enjoy the victory.

The exorcist looked even more furious than before, trying to move her head away from you. But she failed and you took it off slowly.

Oh.

Oh.

Her golden irises illuminated in the low light and short, white hair was messy from fighting beforehand. She looked furious, her eyes were narrow and on her pale skin there was a droplet of your own, red blood, that was spilling out of your injured hand. Some of the blood even managed to get into her (very kissable) lips. She spat it out at your face in anger.

You didn't even notice her saliva mixed with your own blood, which was flowing down your face, and just stared at her wide-eyed (possibly blushing).

- Happy? - her voice brought you to reality. It seemed even more attractive now that you have seen her face.

In a moment of inattention, you forgot that you weren't holding her wrists now.

Smirking, the woman took advantage of it and punched you in the face. Hard.

- OW! FOR FUCK'S SAKE! - you screamed and staggered, creating exorcist the opportunity to break free. And that's exactly what happened.

She kicked you down and then, as you were laying on the ground, then rose in the air, preparing to escape.

You, completely beaten up, just raised your head at her and yelled:

- Wait! What's your name?!

The angel just stopped in the air and looked back at you, with her pale face.

- Why the hell should I tell you? You disgust me - she deadpanned.

You thought for a moment.

- I-I, um, I know Lucifer! - You bluffed, desperate - I'll tell him you killed a Hellborn! Yeah! You fucked up! - That was a lie made up on spot, completely unbelievable. You even admitted it to yourself, prepared to fail.

The exorcist turned around and just as you thought she'll fly away, she spoke:

- It's Lute. My name is Lute.

What a nice name...

Wait! No! Disgusting! Very disgusting! What a horrible name!

- My name's [name]. Better remember it, you shithead! - you got up, staggering - From now on, you're my worst enemy! - you didn't even realize how silly that sounded then.

- Sure. Whatever you say, sinner. - She snorted, looking at you from above. The slight light reflecting off her halo added even more charm to her face. You couldn't help, but notice her long, beautiful eyelashes.

She was a horrible person. Really, she was. This "Lute", as she was claiming to be called, probably killed thousands of souls, before she killed your employee.

But you just couldn't help to wonder...

Why hadn't you killed her?

Notes: I'm sorry about any mistakes I've made or if my writing's kinda off, English is not my native language, so spare me please 🙏 The lack of Lute fics on here is a crime, I just HAD to write smth, even if it's not perfect. Also it will be multiple chapters and yes, there will be smut 😳. stay tuned, darlings ! 🫶

[lilacthebooklover]

NPMD Incorrect Quotes

Grace: And then they ran into my knife. They ran into my knife ten times. Steph: You mean you stabbed them? Grace: They ran into my knife.

Ruth: Are pigeons drones? Richie: What? No, I'm trying to sleep. Ruth: Think about it. How come you've never seen a baby pigeon? And why do you never actually see a pigeon nest? Because they're DRONES! Richie: *Crying* Please let me sleep...

Steph: Ow! Pete: What’s wrong? Steph: I have this weird pain right above my eyebrow. Pete: It’s called a stress headache. I got my first one when I was four.

Richie: I have a question. Pete: Shoot. Richie: Is the S or C in scent silent? Pete: I’m going to be thinking about this all day. Steph: Okay well, cent is pronounced the same way as scent so I’m gonna say the S is silent. Richie: Okay, but sent is also spelled the same way. Pete: Google says that the C was added in the late seventeenth century, so I guess the S is silent. Ruth: Plot twist, both the S and the C are silent and the E actually makes the sss sound. Pete: Ruth is not allowed to talk anymore.

Max: You know, there’s only one person in this world who can tell you what you are. Richie: Me? Max: No. Max: Me.

Ruth: I desire moisture. Pete: Please just say "I want water" like a normal person.

Steph: You know, when I first met you, I really didn’t like you. Grace, after a moment: …I thought there was going to be another half to that sentence? Steph: Nope!

Ruth: I'm an empath. When I'm around hot gay people, I start having gay thoughts.

Grace: Don’t worry, I know exactly what I’m doing. Everything is going to be fine! Pete: How can you still say that? Grace: Because sometimes, when things get tough, denial is all we have.

Steph: Pete, I got suspended from school… Pete: WHAT?!?! What did you do? Steph: My teacher pointed at me with a ruler, and he said “there is an idiot at the end of this ruler”. Pete: And…? Steph: I asked which end… Pete, unable to contain his laughter: Okay, you just made my day.

Kyle: Can I have some water? Max: *starts chugging his water bottle* Max: *chokes from drinking too fast* Max: *spills water all over himself* Max, coughing: I don't have any water.

Richie: A mosquito tried to bite me and I slapped it and killed it. Richie: And I started thinking. Richie: Like, it was just trying to get food. Richie: What if I went to the fridge and it just slammed the door shut and snapped my neck? Ruth: Are you ok?

Pete: Where’s Grace? Steph: Doing stuff. Pete: I don’t like the sound of that. Where’s Richie? Steph: Trying to stop Grace from doing the stuff. Pete: And Max? Steph: Trying to stop Richie from stopping Grace from doing the stuff. Pete: I see. And what are you doing here, Steph? Steph: I’m supposed to stop you from stopping Max from stopping Richie from stopping Grace from doing the stuff.

Ruth: Help! I’m drowning! Pete: Calm down. We’re only in six feet of water! Ruth: NOT ALL OF US ARE TALL!

Grace: Woah dude, premarital handholding? That’s just not cool or groovy.

Max on Monday: *glues a dime to the sidewalk* Heh heh heh. Max on Wednesday: *walking down the street* Ooh hey! A dime!

*Everyone is playing a board game together* Grace: I will put 'A' down to make 'A'. Richie: I will add onto your 'A' to make 'AT'. Steph: I will add onto your 'AT' to make 'RAT'. Pete: I will add onto your 'RAT' to make 'BIOSTRATAGRAPHIC'. Ruth: *flips the board*

Max: When Grace was born, the gods said, "She's too perfect for this world." Steph: Please. When she was born, the devil said, "Oh, competition."

Ruth: I wouldn’t put it in those words exactly. Pete: Why not? Ruth: Because I don't know what they mean.

Mayor Lauter: Well Stephanie, I have to say, I'm really disappointed. Steph: Well, you didn't HAVE to say it. You could've just thought it.

Max: I’m proud to say I’ve come over my fear of ghosts! Jason: Eyy, that’s the spirit! Max: *gasps* whErE???!!!??

Ruth: Make no mistake. Not only am I party rocking, but I am also in the house tonight. Richie: But are you shuffling? Ruth: Every day. Grace: What language are you two speaking??

[sleepy0s]

creating stories

Jimmy: So, everyone, what does a story NEED?

Grian: A character! Martyn: A setting! Pearl, a gleam in their eyes, in a near-whisperL REVENGE.

 DOUBLE POST TODAY Because i'm posting a redo of an old chapter as well. These may become a common thing :>

Redo of the first chapter! Second new incorrect quote will be out later!

This is set in their highschool years, all siblings.

438 words

~~~

Jimmy’s whole class had been told by their English teacher that he had to go home and explain what made a good story to his family. For homework. And whilst most kids weren’t going to do it, Jimmy was DEFINITELY going to do it. What if the teacher asked his siblings? And they would totally rat him out. 

Anyway, Jimmy had forced all 3 of his siblings to sit in the front room and listen to him. Grian, 16, had zoned out ages ago and was just tapping his knuckles on the table. Martyn, 19, did not want to be there as he wasn’t even in school anymore, but Jimmy had threatened to cry. So. Pearl, 13, was apparently loving it.

Jimmy, 12, had been ranting about what a story needed for the past hour. And finally decided to test if his siblings had been listening. “So, can any of you tell me what a good story NEEDS?”He hummed, waving his hands around dramatically. After no one responded, he picked on the first one he saw, which unfortunately was- “Grian, you go first!”

Grian, realising he had been called upon, shot his head up, after a couple of seconds and processing the question he responded, “Ah. Characters?”

“Yes, Very good! Martyn?”

Martyn, as quick as always, had been listening the whole time, “A setting.”

Jimmy smiled, happy that at least one of his siblings was listening to him. “Ah, see it’s not that hard guys! Now, pearl-” Jimmy’s sentence stopped as he stared at the girl. “Pearl.?”

The young girl was smiling like she was on a sugar high, crouched over her paper as she doodled down what seemed to be a character plan, completely unaware of what was happening around her. “Peeaarrlll! Were you listening to me?” Jimmy complained, yelling at her.

She looked up at the yell, “Of course I was listening!”After a couple seconds, after realising they were probably waiting for her to respond to Jimmy’s earlier question. Which she had not heard, she added. “What was the question again?” 

Jimmy sighed sadly, “What does a good story need?” The girl responded immediately with no hesitation, “Oh, obviously every good story needs some REVENGE!”She giggled madly to herself. Oh yea, they definitely needed to get their sister checked out for.. Something. No way she was completely sane in that head of hers.

After a few minutes of silence Martyn stood up, “-Right, Well I think that’s enough for one day. Jimmy, we will tell your teacher you did the homework.”He patted the boy on the head as he left the room.

[asteroidzzzn]

stargirl | part 2

pairing: rockstar!ellie x bartender!reader

warnings: cursing, smoking, eventual sexual themes, ellies kinda an asshole, reader is delulu (are u sensing a pattern here)

songs in this chapter: r u mine? - arctic monkeys

word count: 1.8k

a/n: i love dina in this

summary: the fireflies is a new band consisting of three people. after being cheated out by their former bassist, they needed to find a replacement, and quick. who better than you, the cute bartender that hasn't touched an instrument in years?

you stepped off the train, glancing down at your phone and back up at the sketchy looking building in front of you. the address dina sent you checked out, meaning you were in the right place. graffiti covered every surface you saw as you walked around searching for the entrance.

you were startled when a cardboard box fell and something scurried out. you sighed. it was just a stray cat.

you tried a metal door underneath a wobbly staircase, but it wouldn't budge. jesse told you they would leave the door unlocked, so this wasn't the one. you went around the back and heard a faint noise coming from a propped-open door.

you entered the hallway and quickly found the group. it was a small room with a single green couch, soundproofed walls, and a coffee table nearly spilling over with bottles, books, and food.

dina and jesse greeted you while you navigated around the wires scattered around the floor. ellie was on the couch, taking up the whole thing, of course, scribbling in the journal she held.

"sorry i didn't bring anything... i had to sell all my old instruments a while ago," you spoke softly, embarrassed about your financial situation. jesse had already picked up a beautiful white guitar with brown accents and held it out to you.

"don't stress it, you can use ellie's."

you gaped at the guitar, holding it with extreme care.

"thanks, ellie," you shifted to face her and gave a small smile. she glanced up at you, and something about her expression said this was the first time she noticed you were here.

"what did i do...?" she noticed her guitar in your arms. "oh, yeah."

you pursed your lips and nodded. you leaned towards dina to whisper.

"so, does she write all the songs? seems pretty focused."

she guided you to sit down on the floor and gestured jesse to join you. she settled in, and you noticed disappointment flash on her face. "we all pitch into the writing, but she's been more intent about doing it herself recently," dina lowered her voice. "she's also not as much of a dick usually, but she just went through a messy breakup. we're trying to love her through it, but she got so closed off."

you felt a twinge of guilt at the new information. you mumbled, "yeah, i get that."

dina continued, "i guess she thinks writing about her ex is good songs material, so she insists she writes alone because she's the only one that," she uses air quotes, "really understands."

jesse nodded in agreement, shoving some cheetos in his mouth. "i've been saying, dude, she's jealous we've never broken up," he mumbled through a full mouth, tilting his head to dina.

your eyebrows lifted. dina and jesse seemed like an unlikely couple, but they also complimented each other very well. it was sweet that they shared a passion for music, and were able to be in the same band together.

dina groaned, "it's like she's back in her angsty teen era."

"yeah, she was insufferable enough during high school," jesse added on. "see, watch this," he turned his body to face ellie.

"how's it going? you got a title yet, or do you need a little help there?" mockery dripped off jesse's voice as he teased her.

"fuck off," ellie replied before jesse could finish his sentence, causing the three of you to share quiet giggles.

"so, when will we practice playing a song?" you inquired.

jesse snickered. "once broody over there is done writing her seventh sob st—"

"ow! fuck, that hurt!"

you and dina couldn't hold back the laugh that escaped your mouths when a pencil flung at jesse's head.

"i heard that. stop being a dick."

"you could've killed me! that almost hit my eye!"

"whatever," she threw the journal onto the coffee table and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "i'm done for now, you wanna try out a song, new girl?" ellie spoke.

"oh," you began, when you realized she was speaking directly at you for the first time. you didn't even bother correcting her with your name, "yeah, which one?"

the band exchanged looks, and dina pulled out her phone. she clicked on a recording titled R U mine?

"this one's kinda a work in progress," she explained, "we were in the middle of touching it up before anderson left."

ellie frowned. "that's too hard for her, pick a different one."

"i can handle a challenge, at least let me listen to it first," you bit back at ellie, clicking play on dina's phone. the song started up immediately with an intense bass riff, followed by symbols as ellie began singing.

you loved it right away. the desperation in ellie's voice, paired with the reckless drums, sudden sharp riffs, and undertones of the keys, had you hooked. it was an incredible song.

just before the bridge, there was a short duet between the bassist and guitar, which you assumed at the time was anderson and ellie. it made you nervous to play a duet with ellie, especially while knowing the last person that did was much more experienced than you.

regardless, you told the band you wanted to play this one. while everyone was preparing their instruments, ellie approached you.

"you don't need to do the intro, i will," she stated simply, beginning to turn around before you caught her arm. her head snapped to look at you, pulling her arm back sharply.

"give me a chance, i won't know what i can or can't do without giving it a shot. if it sucks, you can do it instead next time we run it," as intimidating as it was, you didn't allow your gaze to falter.

her eyebrows were furrowed, with an otherwise unreadable expression. "fine."

you weren't sure why you were pressing so hard to have a chance to show yourself. you wanted to impress, obviously. but for some unknown reason, you felt as if ellie's validation would feel much more rewarding than the others.

you glanced at ellie. with her bangs perfectly falling in front of her face, tank top that had her toned arms and a beautiful forearm tattoo on display, and dark hazel eyes, she was mesmerizing. she was even more attractive up close, and yet, you wished she could be the version she was in your head.

it was selfish, and you knew it, but you couldn't help but picture her as the charming, enticing, brilliant girl you witnessed on stage a few days prior.

she suddenly gestured to you. "whenever you're ready."

dina shot you a thumbs up, and you grinned back.

you hesitantly grazed the strings with your pick as you took a deep breath.

you tapped your foot in a quick rhythm. 5,6,7,8

your eyes flew between the sheet and the guitar as you started up the song with the complicated riff. jesse added on with the drums, and ellie with her guitar.

you let out a sigh of relief as you settled into a pattern and the song continued. you had skimmed over the sheet before beginning, so you knew the first hardest part was over.

it was going much smoother than you expected. you settled into a comfortable space where you followed ellie's lead, and your instruments harmonized perfectly. ellie's eyes closed, and she muttered the lyrics to herself.

you restrained from staring, deciding to focus on giving your best performance, and not fangirl over the rockstar to your left.

the duet was approaching, and you had to hit the first riff. you felt a heavy sense of not wanting to disappoint. this needed to be perfect.

you chewed on your lip as thoughts rushed through your mind, but no time to carefully think each one over.

you had always hated using picks when you played, but were too polite to turn it down when ellie threw you one. you forgot how much you loved having the feeling of the strings on your fingers, and the stinging reminder of it in the morning.

in a quick moment you would later explain as an instinct to follow your gut, you dropped the pick and began the duet, instantly feeling much more confident.

ellie glanced at your hands once her part began. you prayed she wouldn't be upset at your decision. you had already come to realize she had quite a short fuse, and wasn't afraid to let loose on even her seemingly closest friends.

you strummed your guitar again as she paused, and your section eventually lead into the song resuming. there was an intense build up before it calmed down, coming to a gentle ending.

your heart raced with excitement. you thought it was amazing, and you were extremely proud of yourself. you glanced around the room, hoping to hear feedback from any of the band members.

dina's smile grew slowly.

"she told you she could handle a challenge."

jesse let out a short laugh while beaming. "that was great!"

all ellie did was shrug. "not a fan of picks?"

"no, i've always preferred to play without."

she crossed her arms. "sounds better with it. you should get used to it."

you scoffed. "it makes the song sound too scratchy if guitar and bass use a pick. especially if you play this one live, it'll make their ears bleed."

she took a sharp inhale through her nose, turning to dina and jesse. "you guys think it's better when both are on pick, don't you?"

dina and jesse remained silent, but it was clear whose side they were taking.

ellie let out a bitter laugh. "might as well let new girl rename the fucking band while we're at it. next we'll make her the lead singer! how does that sound?" she spat out as she removed the guitar, threw it to the couch, and stormed out the door before you could run it again with vocals.

"i-i'm so sorry, i just... wanted to help," you stuttered, in shock.

"it's not your fault, hun," dina softly spoke, standing up from her stool and walking towards you. "she's too stubborn for her own good, but you'll be good for us, i know it."

you tilted your head in confusion, silently asking for her to elaborate.

dina sighed. "we kind of got used to her pushing us around, since we know how angry and destructive she can get. she needs someone, like you, to not be afraid to challenge her when she's stuck in her ways. and for the record, we thought you were right with the whole scratchy thing."

your heart soared, smiling brightly at dina. "thank you, really."

"yeah, babe, that was wise, i second that," jesse chimed in, creating applause by tapping his drumsticks together, which made you and dina chuckle.

your mind wandered to ellie, and you felt horrible for making her angry. you weren't sure what was going to happen with her. she remained a mystery to you.

you needed to figure her out.

a/n: cute band bonding time and ellie has a temper tantrum. i promise u she will let her guard down eventually 😭 she just needs to be an asshole now so the character development really hits 🙏 hope u all enjoyed this chapter!!!! this series is sm fun to write (*^▽^*) i love learning new stuff about music!

taglist: @ximtiredx @gold-dustwomxn

[petalssunwards]

written for @wait-whos-batman DCU Valentine's Day event! It's all over the place, mostly because Jason is high - though there isn't any explicit mention of drugs other than one or two sentences!

It's desi!reader. Lemme know if you want links to movie/song/string ornament! Jay quoting the Hobbit because that's my obsession these days!

You weren’t concerned when the racket at your door started. A little confused, perhaps, because usually Jay loved giving you heart attacks via jumpscares. However, this was hardly the first time he had tried to pick a fight with your apartment door.

The first time it had occurred, you two weren’t exactly friends - just classmates who collaborated on assignments. It hadn’t stopped him from waking you up at 3 am with his insistent knocking. He had then raved on about the brilliant fucker who almost had him believe in a hopeful ending to Romeo-Juliet and why the heartbreak is his due in this existence. You just let him have it after you figured out he had been talking about the movie goliyon ki raasleela ram-leela. It wasn’t like he was wrong and did apologize for barging in after running out of steam. He was the only person in grad school who spoke decent Hindi and you weren’t letting him go.

Your friendship over shared cups of masala tea had taught you three things about Jay:

1. was a hopeless romantic and always cursed out tragic endings

2. His eyes glowed green during his impassioned speeches

3. He loved dramatic entrances which ranged anywhere from silent to boisterous.

Hence you weren’t particularly worried when something metallic thudded against your door, adding the clanking of your string ornament in the mix. But when the door finally opened - you just gawked at the glowing red helmet in astonishment.

“What the everloving fuck” Yes - that summed up your sentiments pretty well.

“The key works” Red Hood’s distorted voice offered in lieu of an answer.

“I am on the quest - a perilous one”  He proclaimed.

You definitely never handed apartment keys to the vigilante in question. The only person you trusted enough to have it was your best friend from college - Jay Todd Peterson.

Fuck - did Red Hood get the key from Jay? Why would Jay?  Did he hurt Jay for them??

You stupidly stared at the Red Hood trying to make sense of the situation. The fuck was he talking about??  You hadn’t realized you verbalized your thought until Red Hood responded.

 “You told me I can crash here if I want -”  Could a mechanical voice be pouting?? 

“Guess not - “ he murmured as his shoulders drooped, his whole body sagging in defeat as he turned to leave.

This was a gesture you recognized - it was Jay equivalent of puppy dog eyes - the one he had perfected to use as a lethal weapon so that you would be swayed to do his bidding. It was like watching a sad labrador, always tugging at your heartstrings.

“Jay?” you hazarded a guess and Red Hood turned around - arms crossed on his chest in the classic ‘I’m stubbornly sulking - but you have to figure out the problem ’ pose.

“Oh for heaven’s sake.” You grumbled and struggled to drag your best friend - who seemed more interested in patting your head -inside.

“I am on a perilous quest -” Jay declared again once he settled on the couch and without the distorted voice modulator it didn’t sound like a malevolent threat.

You tried to hold your laughter but the sight of Jay sprawled on your couch, wringing his hands like a punished child and quoting The Hobbit was adorable.  (If one disregarded several weapons on his person). The green of his irises was barely visible but other than that there weren’t any injuries.

You nodded dumbly - some part of your brain stuck on your best friend being a crimelord. He didn’t need any prompting because he continued in a solemn voice,

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, a partner in crime you could say, and it's very difficult to find anyone.”

Whoever had drugged him (you suspected Ivy ), clearly had thrown him for a loop. It would be better if he stayed here instead of galavanting off on the streets, ruining Red Hood’s badass reputation. So you fetched him water and midnight snacks, settling in for the show. This should be fun.

“Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you.” You played along and were rewarded with a bright smile. 

“There is nothing like looking if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.” He fired off.

“And what would you be looking for, kind sir?” you asked, struggling to match the serious tone of his voice.

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be re - repe- re-p re-ss-ed." Jay flopped on his back with his head in your lap, when he failed to properly speak in an over-the-top British accent.

“I always wanted to be in love you know??” his whisper was so soft and you strained to hear him.

“I want someone just for me. Where one is in love even before they know it. I want love like Arwen loves Aragorn, wholeheartedly - all good and bad, worse and worst!. No takebacks! Someone who is there always supporting me, loving me. I want to hold on to them. Like you know - they would be the absolutely best decision I would ever make. But good decisions aren’t exactly my forte.” He rambled as if confessing a sin.

You opted for listening to him, reciprocating his trust by safeguarding his secrets deep in your heart, and continued running your fingers through his hair, lightly scratching his scalp. He heaved a contented sigh with closed eyes, burrowing closer and for a moment you thought he had fallen asleep.

Jay had never opened up quite like this. Listening to him divulge his deepest-held thoughts while high as a kite, felt like cheating. He wouldn’t want you to know his secrets, but then again that ship had sailed when he had shown up at your doorstep in the Red Hood regalia.

Maybe this was something he had to get off his chest?

“wo haseen murti pyaar ki, milegi muze kabhi naa kabhi… muze jiske pyaar pe ho yakeen; wo pari, wo hoor, wo nazaneen” he hummed the mangled a song under his breath. 

“Sing that song to me.” he nudged your knee, “The one where they flap like birds.”

He irritated you until you crooned it, chiming in whenever he remembered the lyrics.

“Why am I Arkenstone?” You wondered aloud. Jay’s erratic mood affecting you as well. It wasn’t as if you hadn’t considered a possible romantic dynamic between you two, but Jay always had some invisible boundary he would never cross.

“Have I told you how much I admire you?” He clutched your other hand in both of his. He softly placed it on his beating heart.

“Your soul shines like silver in the firelight, like water in the sun, like snow under the stars, like rain upon the Moon!” 

“Because you are a great and wondrous jewel. And I would go mad if I ever lost you to anyone else!”  he answered simply and sincerely, borrowed eloquent quotes long forgotten.

“Would you love me even if I were Gollum?” He questioned sleepily, his thoughts running away from him again.

You peered at him for any lie, but his heartbeat didn’t even waver under your palm. He was relaxed as if he hadn’t just tilted your world. What were you going to do with this silly man?

You wanted to ask him if he really meant it or if it was just a rambling of a drugged man. You didn’t have the mental capacity to unpack all the implications tonight.

“Yes, I would,” you whispered against his hair, softly kissing his forehead. "very much so, good and bad, worse and worst!"

There would be a lot of hard conversations the next morning, but tonight you would dream about this absurd man wrapped in your arms.

[ellestra]

Farming content James Somerton style

Edited: I cleaned up sentences, removed typos and added some links

You've probably seen the latest hbomberguy video that highlights plagiarism problem on youtube. He gives several examples many I never heard about but I've been recommended iilluminaughtii before and watched some of her stuff before getting tired of seemingly endless volume (now I know why). But then he gets to the real subject of the video and I did watch a lot of James Somerton videos. And I liked many of them. I liked them a lot.

I didn't give him any money and, as much as it came as relief, I kept thinking how this must feel so much worse for people who did. I thought about supporting him for a moment when he posted (in April this year!) how his videos are getting less views because youtube algorithm and demonetisation of gay creators (it's a real thing so it was easy to believe) and he will be forced to stop creating if people don't sign up to his patreon. But I was casual viewer and he seemed big enough so I didn't. It must feel like such a betrayal to those who created a real community around him. Just like his film production company it's clear now it was another of his scams. It's infuriating how well it worked.

Somerton deleted his patreon now (along with his twitter and discord server) so there is probably no recourse for those affected. The only good thing is that someone big enough highlighted what he did (and brought receipts) so he had to stop. When smaller creators called him out it either went unnoticed or he managed to make himself a victim (and send his fans after them). He actually did what Anita Sarkeesian was accused of and gaslighted his followers about it. His misogyny just adds an extra bitter taste to this.

At the end hbomberguy talks about how if Somerton was open about what he was doing this could've been his niche. He said it just as I was thinking basically the same thing. I'm sure there is a market for field review type of videos. Not review like movie or book review but in academic sense when you take other people articles on the subject and compare to show the state of research on the subject on at the moment.

This kind of reviews doesn't need any original research. The value is in giving people overview of where the field is at and pointing them to the actual research so they can read more in depth about the results. If you already did the search for all the sources this is a perfect format to use them. Most people don't have time or resources to comb through all the resources themselves but they like to learn about it and this is why videos like that are popular. That's why iilluminaughtii, Somerton and al. were able to cash in on it.

But of course this kind of things have to properly cited. And they cannot be just all quotes. You have to make coherent points not just make stuff up for the transitions (lies that actually made Todd in the Shadows make a video not about music). I suppose that's too much work. Too much effort when you need to crank out content to satisfy all the sponsors.

I was glad to find out I already watch most of the queer creators recommended in the hbomberguy's video (and put on this watch list) as an alternative (I would add Caelan Conrad to it - funnily enough I found them through their video about antivax movement). I trained my youtube recommendations well in which way it skews but it's easier to kick out all the obviously awful when you know what talking points to avoid. It's much harder to spot grift when it pretends to care about the same things you care about. Somerton was saying all the right things. It just wasn't his words.

Did he even believe any of it? I bet he'll insist on yes but the laziness says otherwise. It seems like it was all just for the money and fans this angle gave him. That he enjoyed being cool to the audience he built and the stuff it bought him. Be gay do crime for real. Only he didn't write that one either.

[vidjausers-fable]

Pen Pals(Veneer X OC)Chapter 1

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Oh my god, I fell in love with Veneer and Velvet the moment I heard their silly little quotes and songs. I also have fun drawing them!? Anyway, this story is completely for fun, though it’s been a while since I’ve last written a fanfiction. Nothing is beta read in this chapter, so be kind if pointing out mistakes. Below is something I drew specifically for this fiction (though obviously it was inspired by the Barbie and Ken meme)

Also located on Wattpad and AO3. Chapter 2 and 3 are already located there, but soon will be here as well.

Once they had been arrested, Veneer and Velvet were booked and thrown into prison immediately. Well, it was more of a correctional facility if anything. A place where they wanted to prepare young adults who had made stupid mistakes for the outside world. Velvet didn’t take the change well but Veneer made no complaints, believing that it was the right thing to do because of the crimes they had committed. All those Trolls they had hurt…It weighed on him more than it did his sister. Velvet received a harsher sentence compared to her brother. Veneer’s was smaller because his heartfelt confession helped save the Trolls from his sister and expose their scam right away. 

However, the two shared a cell in the correctional facility due to a bit of a crowding issue. Their rooms were split in two, one side for Veneer and the other for Velvet. It wasn’t the ideal living situation, but Velvet was the only one complaining about it. 

The siblings looked completely different than what they used to. With no access to makeup in the facility, their faces were blank and deprived of any makeup and creams, and both adored the orange jumpsuits that read “Mount Rageous Correctional Facility” on the back. Velvet complained about her looks and image on the daily, as if it had not already been diminished. 

Veneer sat at his desk with one of the books checked out from the Library, trying to somehow read and drown out the voice of his sister whining in the background. It was hard to do both at the same time so he closed the book with a loud sigh, “What is it this time, Vel?” he asked and spun around in his chair to look at his sister. 

Velvet was half laying on the bed, her knees hanging over the edge. She threw her hands up and around dramatically as she spoke, “This isn’t fair! They took away another hour of my rec time from me just because I wanted an extra five minutes to eat. Didn’t I tell them I’m a slow eater?” She kicked her feet around as if she were a child having a tantrum.

Veneer leaned against his palm, unimpressed. As always. “And how did you ask for this extra five minutes?”

His sister glared. Did he Really ask her that as if she had done something wrong? “I asked, like a normal person! DUH!” she retorted sarcastically, throwing her hands up. 

Veneer rolled his eyes. He seriously doubted that, but he wouldn’t say that out loud. “Maybe…just maybe Vel, you should ask a bit nicer,” he suggested and added before she could interrupt, “Unfortunately, the people here don’t like to deal with our attitudes.”

“Me? An attitude! As if! This place is worse than a shoe store with no branding,” she groaned. “And a restaurant without lobster.”

Veneer gave up talking to his sister and turned back toward his desk. There was no use arguing with Velvet. She was an entitled brat. She always tried to get the last word in, and it was impossible to point out her mistakes, or her flaws. In her eyes, she was flawless and never did wrong, and only did right. He’d dealt with that entitled attitude his whole life, and that attitude was the reason that he was in the correctional facility right now. It was honestly pathetic, but there was nothing that he could do about it except not give in to her tantrums and ignore them when they arose. Of course, it was easier said than done. She practically threw a rich snobby princess tantrum every day. “Why don’t you back me up anymore, like you used to?” Velvet abruptly sneered. Veneer could already see her expression without turning back around.  

“Veneer, don’t ignore me.”

Over time, Veneer had found ways to stand up for himself. It was easier when they weren’t next to each other, but also because he was over her and her dramatic antics. 

“Because.” Veneer closed the book he was trying to read, “It’s your fault we got into this whole situation in the first place.” He had to resist the urge to turn around and throw the book directly at her head.

“You didn’t exactly stop me when I kidnapped the Troll.”

“Because I couldn’t Velvet!” He argued, finally turning to her, “You took the Troll without even telling me at first. You put him in a diamond perfume bottle without a word. I knew it was suspicious when I suddenly caught you singing one day, or remotely have any talent. I bet if I didn’t walk in on you in your room that day with the Troll, that you would have kept all of that stolen talent yourself and left me at home with our parents, which by the way, I CARE about the fact that they disowned us. They get death threats because we scammed everyone, and can’t practice their dentistry anymore. They sold their business to pay off our debts, and you think they hate us? I know you hated them, but do you honestly think that they deserved all of that?” The entire ramble left him in a single mouthful it felt, leaving his sister appalled. He had so much to say to her that his words tumbled out almost all at once.

Velvet gasped, her jaw wide open and a hand over her heart, as if he tried to strike it. “They deserved it, Veneer, for the way they treated us growing up! They were nobodies and didn’t give us anything.”

“How did they treat us, Vel?! They literally did nothing wrong our entire lives! We had everything we wanted! You got a car for your sixteenth birthday and you pawned it off to buy a stupid golden ring! You don’t even have it anymore, you threw it down the drain when we became total frauds and got more money, which you used to buy worthless junk. Our parents are saints compared to how you talk about them.”

“Are you saying this is all my fault?”

“It is, Vel. It’s your fault we’re in here because of you. And I won’t change my mind about that.” He turned his back to her once again. Ever since they had been arrested, it had been nothing but anger between the siblings, bubbling over the tea kettle. Veneer swore that his steam was running out fast around her. 

“It’s your fault too! You used the Troll as much as I did!”

Veneer ignored her. 

“Veneer, you can’t throw all the blame at me!”

Veneer ignored her again, at least until he heard her stand up and stomp toward him. Right as he flipped around, she grabbed the front of his orange jumpsuit and began to shake him. She bared her teeth in anger at him, shaking him until his neck popped, “You can’t throw all the blame on me, Veneer! That’s just not fair. You used the Trolls just as much as me, so you’re not a perfect saint. Neither were our parents. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What do you mean?!”

Metal clanged on metal and the siblings turned around to face the door of the cell. One of the Correctional Guards stood at the door, his baton against the cell bars, clinging back and forth until he had their attention. He glared at the two, though mostly at Velvet—the universal trouble maker. “Behave yourself Velvet, and stop arguing. That or I can extend your banishment from the rec room to the whole week. You wouldn’t want that would you?”

Velvet, still holding onto her brother’s shirt, glared at the officer, debating in her head if this was still worth it. If fighting her brother was worth the only freedom that they got in that joint. The two shared a long eye contact battle before she gave in, letting her brother go after shoving him back into the chair, and returned to her bed. “Whatever,” she snapped before rolling onto her side with her back facing the two. 

Veneer adjusted his shirt before looking at the guard, a bit frazzled and his heart racing. Even she got to him sometimes. “Whew…” Saved by the guard.

The guard watched Velvet and when he felt as though she was calm enough, looked to Veneer, the one he really wanted to talk to. He took out his keys from his side pocket and the clanging of the metal made the two perk up. “Veneer, your counselor wants to see you now.”

Velvet immediately interrupted, sitting up, “What about mine? Doesn’t she want to see me?”

“She would, if you would stop destroying her office at every appointment.” He stopped fiddling with the keys and glared at the sister, waiting for her to settle down again. He looked to Veneer and waited for him to approach the bars, as part of the protocol for entering and leaving the cells. 

“What for?” Veneer asked, approaching the cell door. “It’s not time for my appointment, is it? I don’t think it would be…” He sounded panicked. 

The guard opened the door. Veneer was required to step out and press his back to the wall with his arms out and palms faced down. Veneer was a low threat so only one guard was needed, though at some point Velvet needed four. He quickly locked the door because as expected, Velvet threw herself against the door and grabbed the bars in rage and growled. She even reached down to try and swipe the keys as they were shoved back into a secure pocket. The guard scoffed in her face and turned to Veneer, patting him down. The guard took his shoulder and pulled him in front of him, letting him walk where he could see him. 

Patting Veneer’s shoulder, he chuckled, “We really need to get you your own cell, buddy boy. Your sister gives me an ulcer everytime I open her cage. She’s like a dog who’s had everything handed to him, but still darts out the damn door whenever it opens.”

Veneer chuckled nervously, “Yeah…Uh, do you know why my counselor wants to see me? I didn’t do anything bad, did I?” He tried not to panic or ruminate like he used to. Besides, nothing he did was as bad as his sister…Though he honestly still felt as though he was a kid again, being sent to the principal's office, just multiplied by ten and with more consequences.

“I dunno, they don’t tell me anything. She didn’t seem mad, if that makes you feel any better.”

“I think it does.”

Veneer fidgeted his hands on the walk to his counselor’s office, guided by the guard. The guard opened the door and only shut it once Veneer sat across from his counselor. His counselor was a middle-aged blonde Mount Rageous person. She was prim and proper, and despite her strict posture and formalities of speech, she was a caring woman with bright blonde hair and honey amber eyes. Her office space matched the same atmosphere of her person. Everything was neatly arranged. There was a funky splash of red paint on the wall, pictures of cute animals under cheesy motivational quotes. There were also nick nacks scattered across the room. One of them was one of those solar powered bobble heads dancing along to no beat, sitting across from Veneer with a playful catty smile.

Linda greeted him with a warm smile. Veneer was still getting used to having someone like Linda to talk to. She always listened and never interrupted him, like his sister did. 

“Dr. Graham…Uh, why am I here?” he asked and the emotions immediately flooded in, trapped within from where he had been dealing with his sister all day. He sunk down into his chair, trying to hide, “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”

Linda gasped and reached across the table. She knew that Veneer wasn’t a touchy-feely person, so she touched the desk right in front of him instead. “No, no, no, dear! Actually, I have something exciting to share with you.” She waited for Veneer to slide back up into his chair and sit properly.

“What…is it?” Veneer asked hesitantly. He expectedly leaned forward.

Linda bounced, her own excitement showing as she pulled out a folder from her file cabinet. Everything was so perfectly organized that it took no time for her to find anything. “Since our system runs on good behavior, and you’ve been on your best behavior—might I say even better than those who have been here for years—we decided to give you a huge reward. Now, we don’t just give these away to every patient here!” Her hand was on a document, which she pushed across the desk then flipped it so it faced him. 

Before him was a blank tan file cabinet folder. 

Veneer’s eyebrow raised. “What’s in that?”

“You won’t know until you open it. Go on!” She pulled her hands back and clapped as Veneer reached for the folder. He picked it up and opened it to the first page. He read it and frowned. 

Before he could get words out, Linda cheered and clapped her hands some more, “It’s our Pen Pal Program! We like to give these out to our top most behaved patients here. We were quite surprised to see how well you turned out, and how quick and well mannered you were, so don’t take this reward lightly!” She said and took the document back, flipping through the pages, explaining every single one of them until Veneer’s eyes couldn’t keep up with his brain. 

“Wait, wait…So I earned this?” he asked and put his hands on the papers, taking them when Linda let go of them. “What do I do with this? How does it work?”

“It’s easy!” Linda began to explain, “You fill out these forms and I scan and put it into the system. After a bit of Beep Booping on the keyboard, the system finds a pen pal that will be suitable for you! The system is surprisingly 95 percent accurate. When a Pen Pal is assigned to you, you receive their first letter and then write a response to them. After that, you basically send letters back and forth to each other. It’s very old school and the only part that technically plays a role is to keep your documents up to hand and sort out who your Pen Pal is!” 

Veneer was distracted by the exaggerated hand gestures Linda made as she talked. He shrugged it off and began to flip through the papers, looking at them carefully to make a decision. Having someone new and different to talk to sounded…different.

“If you fill this out right now while I still have you in my office, I should get everything uploaded and submitted within a couple hours.” Her fingers clacked loudly against the keyboard. Then she looked to Veneer and gave him one of her trusting, and warm smiles. “Is that something you’re interested in, Veneer?”

After looking through the last of the papers, Veneer took a second to think it over in his head. It would be nice to have conversations with someone from the outside world, considering he no longer had his parents. For once, he wouldn’t have a conversation centered around how did you get here? How did you get busted? Best of all, he could have someone to communicate with that wasn’t his sister. That was the icing on the cake. That’s what stood out to him the most. 

Placing the papers back down on the desk, he looked to Linda with a determined expression. He held out a hand to her, brows knitting together. “Pen, please.”

“That’s it! YAY!” Linda took out a pen from the pen box that was organized by type of pen, colors, and probably even ink levels. Veneer took the pen and began to read everything meticulously and filled out blanks while he glanced over the paper. Linda was quiet, but played calming and relaxing music that she knew Veneer liked to help him focus. 

The paperwork didn’t take long, and he finished it in less than thirty minutes. “Can you look it over and make sure I didn’t forget anything?” he asked, sounding timid as he handed the papers over. 

Linda took the papers and flicked through the pages at lightning speed. A smile crossed her lips. “It’s perfect, I’ll get everything ready for you and you should get your Pen Pal within a week or two.” She looked at the watch on her wrist. “Woo, look at the time. You have to get back to the cell for quiet time. Your favorite time!” She clasped her hands together. “Veneer, I’m so proud of the growth you’ve gone through these past months. You must have been eager for change before you walked through our doors.”

Veneer blushed at the compliments and rubbed the back of his neck. She wasn’t necessarily wrong. “I’m not used to all these compliments…I don’t think I deserve all this praise.”

Linda shook her head and placed her hand back on Veneer’s spot on the desk, giving him a soft and understanding smile. “Just because your sister made you fight for affections, and do terrible things, doesn’t mean you’re less deserving of love. Remember what we talked about, okay?” She leaned back in her chair. “Also, Veneer?”

“Yeah?”

“I received your report for transferring rooms and approved it,” she answered, watching as Veneer became brighter every second. “We just have to wait for a room to become available, alright? You’re next on the list, I promise.” She nodded her head. 

Veneer was disappointed knowing that he had to wait a bit longer, but nonetheless was happy that there was at least one person fighting for him. He nodded his head, determined before standing. “Thank you, Dr. Graham. For everything.” He felt appreciative of the woman, who had gone out of his way to help him become a better person.

A different guard stood outside when Veneer came out of the room, and nodded to the male. Walking in front of him again, he walked all the way back to his room. He felt an anxious pit in his stomach, knowing his sister was there waiting for him and already heard her voice hounding him to tell her everything he discussed with Linda, as she always did. And he didn’t want to do that. Sure enough, his sister was waiting for him with her hands on the bars, and once again the guards had to fight simply to keep Velvet within her cell. It was the same thing everyday, and maybe this Pen Pal program would help change things.  

Veneer was tired of this life. 

[demi-rxndxm-stxff]

Some DigitalTime Incorrect Quotes

Colin: Since we're in a relationship now, your clothes are my clothes too. Don't ask me why I have your shirt on, this is our shirt. Tony: Fine, but when I come strutting in with your fuzzy socks I don't want to hear shit.

Tony: My future partner must be brave, strong, intelligent, successful and organized. Colin: steps on a caterpillar and proceeds to drop to their knees and sob while apologizing profusely Tony: That one. I want that one.

Tony: BE A BETTER PERSON! Colin: WHY?! Tony: BECAUSE SOMEONE NEEDS TO HAVE MORALS IN THIS RELATIONSHIP, AND IT SURE AS FUCK AIN'T GONNA BE ME, SWEETHEART! (Only added this one cause it was too damn funny)

Colin: We both look very handsome tonight. Tony: You know, if you'd just said that I looked handsome, I would have said, "So do you." Colin: I couldn't take that chance.

Tony: Okay, I’m going to get the wedding cake. Colin: Perfect, while you do that I’ll check on the ring bear. Tony: … Tony: You mean ring bearER, right? Colin: … Tony: Look me in the eyes and tell me you are not going to bring a dangerous wild animal to our wedding.

Colin: Two bros! Colin: Chillin' in a hot tub! Colin: Zero feet apart 'cause we're GAY AS FUCK!

Colin: Hey, about that love letter you sent me- Tony: blushes What are your thoughts? Colin: The fourth sentence- Tony: Yeah, that’s where I got really emotional and I- Colin: It’s “you’re” not “your”.

Colin: I don't need to go to bed. I'm not tired, I'll be fine. Tony: But, darling, I'll be so lonely without you. Come curl up in my arms so I can feel whole again. Colin: O-oh. Well. Are you trying to seduce me into healthy sleeping patterns?? Tony: Is it working?

Tony: Do you want to explain the text you sent me last night? Colin: It was autocorrect. Tony: Autocorrect wrote "You're so hot. Please step on me."? Colin: Yes.

Tony: I’ve been dropping them the most insanely obvious hints for like a year now. No response. Colin: Wow. They sound stupid. Tony: But they’re not. They’re really smart actually. Just dense. Colin: Maybe you need to be more obvious? Like, I don’t know… “Hey! I love you!” Tony: I guess you’re right. Hey Colin, I love you. Colin: See! Just say that! Tony: Holy fucking shit. Colin: If that flies over their head then, sorry Tony, but they're too dumb for you. Tony: Colin.

Colin: Okay, but if your not gay then why are you always holding my hand and kissing me and telling me I’m your boyfriend? Tony: Colin- Its satire! Colin: THAT'S NOT WHAT SATIRE MEANS!

Tony: I still have no idea how I’m attracted to you… Colin: Yeah, well, you’re stuck with me, and no take backs, honey.

Tony: You have to apologize to them Colin. Colin: Fine! But I must warn you that this might make me a better, nicer person and that is NOT the person you fell in love with!

Colin: Tony and I are no longer dating. Tony: Colin, that’s a horrible way of telling people we’re married.

Tony: I’m in love with you. Colin: We called off the prank war last night at midnight, dork. Tony: I know. Colin: Ah. Okay. Um. Cool. Neat. Very cool. Cool. Cool. Coolcoolcool-

Colin: I'm trash. Tony: As someone who's environmentally conscious, it's my duty to pick you up. Does 7 work for you? Colin: Colin: You smooth motherfucker. Colin: And yes it does.

Colin: Relationships should be 50/50. Tony cooks us dinner while I sit on the kitchen counter looking pretty.

Tony: Are we fighting or flirting? Colin: I'm pinning you against a wall with my hand around your neck- Tony: Your point?

Colin: So you like cats? Tony: Yeah. Colin: tries to impress them by slowly pushing a glass off the table

Colin: seductively takes off glasses Colin: Wow… Tony: blushes Haha… what? Colin: You're really fucking blurry.

Tony: I think I just figured something out. I got to go. Colin: Aren't you forgetting something? Tony: Uuh…hesitantly kisses Colin's forehead before running out. Colin: No, pay your bill! Damn, who raised you?

Colin: The stars are so beautiful… Tony: They're just giant balls of gas. Colin: You know what, if you're just going to ruin this, then- Tony: And yet none of them are as huge as my love for you. Colin: Oh…

Colin: I want to wake up with you every day for the rest of our lives. Tony: I wake up at 4:30 AM every day to train. Colin: I want to see you at some point every day for the rest of our lives.

[dragonnarrative-writes]

1, 3 and 34 for the writer ask game!

Hello my friend! 💜

Do you prefer writing one-shots or mulit-chaptered fics?

Well... I think right now I prefer writing multi-chaptered fics, but I have a few one-shots in the works.

I like a long story, and I like the way the physical break between chapters changes how I read and write stories. As much as I hate a cliffhanger, I love the way a page break adds to the tension of a story.

I also like multi-chaptered fics as a writer because it lets readers interact with me and influence the story. The Gaz and Soap interludes in Slasher Handler came from asks, and they helped me flesh out their characters in my head and decide where the story is going. @mi-i-zori had a huge hand in helping me decide how I want Simon and Bambi to interact in Transferrable Skills.

3. Describe the creative process of writing a chapter/fic

Whoo. This will be long!

First, I do an "Okay So...!" summary. Basically, I ramble in the discord or write in a physical notebook anywhere between a sentence and (checks notes) 1500+ words. It's a bit unorganized. Some of it is quotes, a lot of it is "script" format dialogue, most of it is rushed transitions. There's a lot of placeholder text that represents its own couple of paragraphs.

(For example: I'm working on making the idea from this post into a one shot. That bit of ramble is 222 words. That part of the story that I'm actually writing became 1931 words. It's gonna be a long-ass project.)

From there, I workshop with friends and my partner. If I'm rambling directly in discord, I'm rolling with some of what my friends are telling me. My partner asks me the really annoying necessary questions, like "why this scene?" and "does that help get you to the smut?" and "are you letting your blorbo be a blorbo or are you trying to force a story you don't want to tell?"

Then I write a first draft. Sometimes the first draft is the only draft, but that's not the case very often anymore. I try to let myself be wordy and imperfect. Get the more detailed idea out in chunks of a few paragraphs, then reread and put in more details.

If there are multiple people in a scene, then I start with dialogue and inner thoughts, then physical actions. In this chapter of Autumn Embers, I wrote the dialogue between Gaz an Wildfire without any direction, then added in the handshakes, Wildfire arching an eyebrow, stepping to the side of the walkway, etc.

Then I let my partner read it! And he points out all of my typos.

Then I shuffle paragraphs around, and fill in spots that become a bit awkward, and then I show my partner again. And then I share it in the discord. Then I unashamedly BASK in the endorphins I get from my friends interacting with the story.

Then I rinse and repeat! Eventually, I identify where the chapter breaks are going to be, if I haven't already.

I do most of my writing in Scrivener, which allows you to write documents within documents and move them around. Sometimes I have chapters already separated. Sometimes I keep a long "working document" and then break it into chapters.

Tagging the people who I riff with often: @sentientcave, @gemmahale, @mortuarywriting, @mi-i-zori, @cordeliawhohung, @cosmicpro, and I'm missing so many other people who's blogs I can't recall off the top of my head or don't know if they'd be okay being tagged.

34. Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?

Five years from now I'll still be writing fanfiction, though I'll probably have moved to other fandoms by then. I think I'll probably still write CoD, since I still love all of my past blorbos.

I think that by 2029, I will also be finishing up editing an original novel that I want to publish, if I'm not already publishing the second one. I've already written most of 3 novels, and plan to do another one next month.

I do not see myself writing full time, or relying on it as a source of income. I wouldn't be opposed, but I want my writing to be for me, first and foremost. When it's a job, it becomes about what other people want, and I don't think I'd be ready for that by then. Still, it would be fun to get the original stuff out there.

Ask Game

[t4kalcvr]

BEHIND THE PHONE — s. kita smau

[ posted : June 30, 10:30 p.m. ]

CHAPTER 8. The Talk.

“Y/n, c'mon I just- we need go talk right quick. Like a serious one,” Daichi was trying to convince you that he did not mean the talk in a way an actual parent would.

You sighed as you sat back down on the bed, pillows scattered everywhere to keep him away from you. “Fine, go ahead, give me ‘the talk’!” you added air quotes to give your exaggeration a bit of effect.

Daichi gave a long sigh as you both faced each other and he carefully grabbed your hands. “Y/n, you know I love you right?” he began, you nodded with a hum, indicating for him to continue. “You need a boyfriend.” he ever so bluntly stated.

Your jaw dropped almost instantly at the claim, you stammered a little before speaking a full sentence, “WHAT!? I do NOT need anyone, thank you very much!” you were quite offended and Daichi could see that, so he quickly cleared up his intentions.

“Not like that you dummy, I'm not saying you need someone to depend on. I'm saying you have a lot of love to give to someone and you're too picky that you don't!” he took a breath before opening his mouth again, this time you weren't eager for it, “Chizuko...” he stopped breathing as he spoke.

You knew why, he and Chizuko never really bonded well. Sure they did a good job not displaying that but they were always iffy with each other because they both wanted to protect you from everyone. It never bothered you and they never put you between it, they were both incredibly mature and it never caused issues. You loved both of them dearly for that.

Daichi took a second breath as he continued, “Chizuko is with you more than me,” and you could tell that hurt him to admit. “But we both see the way you look at people and behave around them, even through a screen,” he looked you directly in your eyes as he spoke.

“Daichi...” you sighed. You could feel where he was going with this.

“You don't need to keep hiding your face, y/n.” Daichi furrowed his brows in concentration, making sure you couldn't interrupt him. “You’re beautiful and Kita thinks that too, I know he does.”

Daichi grinned as he saw your face light up with a bright red color, usually, you would've said something snarky like “well I don't need a man's opinion” or “I don't need you to tell me that” but Kita? He knew. It was truly rare for you to lose your mind over a guy you've seen once.

He knew you cared what someone would think one day. And although it's not normally a good thing, he couldn't wait for you to meet or have that person. And although he poorly knows Kita besides volleyball-related activities, he knows he's a good guy.

“Why would I- what does that- no!” you finally spoke. Daichi chuckled at your reaction, priceless.

“Y/n, c'mon!” he exhaled, “Go on a date with this guy...” he paused to think up a random day, “Sunday!”

You inhaled, you were going to say no but if he was insisting without even mentioning you asking him out, did he already have this planned? You sighed before putting on a small smile. “Fine, but I'm not the one who's starting this!” your blush deepened.

“You don't have to! I promise!” Daichi laughed as he wiggled your hands in excitement.

You really couldn't believe how Daichi was the one insisting on this. He and Chizuko being the protective type? You kinda wondered what she would think about this right now.

But you kinda couldn't focus on those thoughts because Daichi was giggling and hopping around like a little gossip girl. You loved when he turned into a supportive older sister.

[ text after photos! ]

And despite everything going well for everyone and you being nothing but excited and anxious for Sunday, it didn’t cross your mind about how two posts could make a certain oreo haired boy assume…

“Oh…” he flicked his phone off before setting it down beside him as he laid in his messy sheets…

… he never had a chance.

previous // master list // next

Note :: I was hoping to sneak a little angst in here and I found the opportunity so i took it, also this was kinda last minute so i’m sorry if it sucks! i also decided to add a few more less displayed things and stuff so this chapter was basically MADE on impulse so i’m definitely sorry if it didn’t make sense! i was really in the zone :’)

Tag List 🏷️ :: @idkanymorebuthere @iamapotat @midnightemy35

[0zzysaurus]

do u have any advice for writing g1 wreck-gar dialogue i have a potentially wreckrod ish thing i wanna write but i find myself drawing such a blank when it comes to his TV talk

I have some advice for this!!

Firstly, consider how much TV-Talk you want to actually give him. Depending on his iteration, the degree to which he actually uses it can be quite different. You can get away with doing none, and you can get away with doing a fuck ton. Some official writers have written his dialogue exclusively in pop-culture references in the past, and others have omitted the language entirely.

In G1 and the G1 Comics including the movie, he uses almost entirely film/television references to speak as well as old-school advertising slogans and small print read-offs. If you really need some inspiration, you can definitely find compilations of classic ad reels on YouTube from the eighties. I would suggest going for mostly UK centric media references because that’s what he leaned toward in the film and the show, but he also said US pop-culture references as well so don’t feel like you have to restrict yourself. He’d put on all sorts of accents to do American phrases so if you wanna throw that in, feel free. He also liked to make music references as well, so any song that was popular in that era has its lyrics up for use. This carries over to Dreamwave, Collect and Save, and all other G1 centric media.

In IDW2005, his references are all over the place, nursery rhymes, music, television, even fourth-wall breaking “meanwhile” reads that aren’t explained by the comic as anything beyond his inane rambling. He was more prone to actually making pretty intelligible sentences in IDW2005 with a bit of an odd cadence, but in general he comes off as at least a little bit more ‘put together’, haha.

Don’t feel like you have to restrict yourself on the time period of the references either — in fact, I think the newer the reference, the worse it ages in terms of readability. Older, more obscure texts come off as far more charming. My excuse for locking his TV-Talk in and around the seventies and eighties is the delay in transmission signal across space — in short, it takes a long time for the signal to get there, hence he’s still working his way along older media despite newer media existing. Or you can ignore all that and give him whatever phrases you like from any era of television.

I’m not actually sure that TFA Wreck-Gar says any TV-Talk. He mostly spouts bizarre phrases disconnected from pop-culture or parrots the words of others. Sometimes he’ll come out with a shockingly coherent comment that contrasts against his absurdity. He will often introduce himself in a tic-like manner whenever anyone describes him as something — i.e. if someone were to approach him and say “Wow, you’re tall.” He would likely reply, “I am Wreck-Gar. I’m tall!” before actually engaging in a conversation.

G1 Wreck-Gar on the other hand actually has several instances of referring to himself in the third-person. Now this isn’t all the time, but occasionally he does do this, — e.g. “Wreck-Gar will put you in good hands” or “Could this be the end of little Wreck-Gar? Oh No!” (<- such a stupid fucking quote btw, poor thang…) Do NOT feel like you have to do that all the time, Wreck-Gar is very capable of saying “I” in his day-to-day sentences.

I would say restrict yourself on not copying too many of his lines from pre-existing media, since it can get a little stale repeating the same phrases over and over, BUT if there’s a good line that you really like and it works in the moment, just use it.

Also, don’t worry about it sounding stupid. Do I even need to say why you shouldn’t worry if it sounds stupid? No, didn’t think so <3

[babygirl-diaz]

All It Takes Is Some Trying

Summary: In which Buck finds Eddie's old CD collections and gifts them to him.

***

“What’s wrong?” Buck asked Eddie as he unpacked the grocery bags in the kitchen. There was a sullen look on Eddie’s face that bothered him. 

“Just something Chris said today that struck a chord with me,” Eddie replied, putting the groceries away. 

“What did he say?” Buck stopped unpacking and gave Eddie his full attention. “I mean, he’s 12, Eddie. He’s going through his rebellion phase. You can’t take anything he says to heart.” 

“No, it’s not that.” Eddie frowned. “And thanks, Buck, for reminding me he will soon have a rebellious phase, too.” He paused before adding. “Today, I was about to get out of the truck to walk with him to his class, but he stopped me. He said he was and I quote, “Good.” Like, what the hell is that even supposed to mean?” 

Buck burst out laughing at that. “That means he’s growing up. He doesn’t want Dad walking him to 7th grade, or he doesn’t want you to fall for another one of his teachers.” 

“Well, he knows the latter won’t happen because I am dating his other favorite human,”                                                                                   

Eddie said with a roll of his eyes as he opened the box of cereal and started dumping it into the cereal container. 

Buck moved around the kitchen and island and stopped behind Eddie. He wrapped his arms around his boyfriend’s waist and rested his chin on his shoulder. “You really think I’m his second favorite person?” He asked. 

“No, you and I share the title of his favorite person,” Eddie replied and stopped what he was doing to lean back against Buck. “He would let you walk him to class.” 

“Oh, come on, that’s not fair, baby. I don’t think he would let me walk him to class either,” Buck told him, kissing behind his ear. 

“He’s growing up so fast, Buck,” Eddie said, with a hint of sadness in his voice. “I don’t like it.” 

“You can’t stunt his growth. That’s not how it works. He’ll grow up and he’ll become his own person, and you’ll just have to live with it.” 

“Yeah, but even now, he is hiding away in his room. God knows doing what, and I barely see him.” Eddie huffed. 

“You gotta talk to him like he’s a teenager because ultimately that’s what he is. Don’t treat him like a child.” 

“He’s still a child. My child,” Eddie insisted. “I can’t just let him go.” 

“I am not telling you to let him go.” Buck sighed. “Okay, come on, I found something earlier today. I think it will take your mind off this whole thing.” He pulled away from Eddie and took his hand instead. 

“I don’t feel like it, Buck.” Eddie tried pulling his hand back. “Besides, I gotta put the groceries away.” 

“The groceries will still be there,” Buck told him. “This is way more important.” He dragged Eddie to the living room. “Okay, close your eyes.” 

“Buck, I don’t have time for this,” Eddie said, annoyed. 

“Come on, Eddie, just humor me.” 

“Fine,” Eddie grumbled and closed his eyes. 

Eddie retrieved a box he had left behind the couch and brought it over to Eddie. “Okay, open your eyes.” 

When Eddie did, his eyebrows immediately furrowed. 

“Ta duh!” Buck said excitedly and handed the box over to Eddie. 

“What’s th-” Eddie stopped mid-sentence and his eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, these are my old CDs from when I was a kid. Where did you get them?” 

“Last week when we drove down to your parent’s place, I was in the attic, helping your abuela look for something when I came across these,” Buck replied, grinning at him. “She told me how you would save up to buy these and then stay in your room for hours listening to them.” 

“How did I not see you bring these to the car?” Eddie asked as he browsed through the collection. 

‘I was sneaky.” Buck smirked and shrugged. His heart melted at the smile on Eddie’s face. He looked so in awe of the collection. 

“Let’s play something from here,” Eddie said all of a sudden. 

“Yeah?” Buck asked excitedly. “Do you even have a CD player?” 

“Of course I do!” Eddie replied with as much enthusiasm. “I’ll be right back” He went to the room and after a few minutes and a lot of noise, he came back with a CD boombox. “Had this thing hidden somewhere deep under my bed.” 

“Why do you even have it?” Buck asked as he examined the round blue top-loading CD player. 

“That doesn’t matter. Aren’t you just glad that I do?” Eddie asked. 

Buck gave him a suspicious look before browsing through the collection. He pulled out a CD case that still looked in mint condition, apart from the dust, and immediately recognized it. “Hey, Maddie used to have this CD. She had the biggest crush on Enrique Iglesias,” he recalled. “She’d listen to Hero on repeat all day long. She even said that the girl in the music video looked like her. I got so tired of that song that I hid her CD.” 

“You didn’t!” Eddie gasped. He took the CD case from Buck and examined it. “Somewhere deep down, I had a crush on Enrique too. But I just never wanted to admit it. My favorite was always Escape. Although, Hero was my second favorite.” He hooked up the CD player and put the CD into it. 

Soon the sounds of guitar blared through the room, followed by Enrique Iglesias’ voice, as “Escape” started playing. 

“Weren’t you like 9 when this album came out?” Buck asked. “How did you score the CD?” 

“My abuela. She was a huge fan of Julio Iglesias. She knew how much I wanted this album, so she gifted it to me on my birthday,” 

Buck nodded before bopping his head along with the music. His feet soon started moving to the music too, and he held his hand out towards Eddie, “Can I have this dance?” 

Eddie raised his eyebrows and laughed before giving his hand Buck. 

The two started dancing to the music. Buck twirled Eddie around and caught him in his arms and the two laughed before singing loudly, “If you feel like leaving. Then I”m not gonna make you stay. But soon you will find that, you can run, you hide, but you can’t escape my love.” 

“What are you doing?” 

Buck heard a voice and looked over to see Christopher standing there with an unamused look on his face. “Dancing,” he smugly told the kid. 

“Yeah, I can see that, Buck.” Chris rolled his eyes. “What’s that? Is that a new speaker?” 

“Not just a speaker, it’s a CD player,” Eddie replied, turning off the music. 

“You have one of those?” Chris asked, sound a bit more curious now. He went over to the CD player and looked at it in awe. “So cool,” he said under his breath, but Buck heard it anyway. 

“Yeah, Buck found my old CD collection, so we were just playing them,” Eddie told him and showed him the box with the CDs. 

“Can I see them?” Chris asked as he took a seat. 

“Of course!” Eddie put the box on Chris’ lap and let him look through them. 

“Who were you singing along to?” Chris asked. 

“Enrique Iglesias,” Eddie told him and sat down beside him. 

“Wow, there’s a lot of pop music in here,” Chris noted. “Is this Fearless by Taylor Swift?” He asked, picking up one of the CDs. 

“Okay, that’s not mine. Pretty sure that one belonged to Adriana,” Eddie replied, taking the CD from Chris and putting it aside. 

“It’s okay, dad, I like Taylor Swift too,” Chris said, putting a hand on Eddie’s arm. 

“She’s cool. I secretly liked her songs, but it was a no-no to admit it out loud as a boy,” Eddie told Chris. 

“That’s silly. You should be able to enjoy whatever music you want to.” 

“Couldn’t agree more, kid,” Eddie replied. 

Buck watched the pair interact and smiled. He was proud of himself for having found this CD collection. At least it was something that got the father-son duo talking again. 

“Dad?” Chris said after a few minutes. 

“Yeah?” Eddie turned to look at him. “What’s up?” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t let you go to class with me today. I just wanted to do it on my own. I hope you understand.” 

Buck noticed the sad look on Eddie’s face, but then he smiled at Chris, nonetheless. “It’s okay, kiddo. I get it. You don’t want your old man around all the time.” 

“It’s not that! I want you around!” Chris insisted. “I just- I want my classmates to see me as someone who is independent. That’s very important to me.” 

Eddie nodded in understanding. “I get it, Chris. You don’t need to explain yourself.” 

“Thanks, dad,” Chris said appreciatively. “Can we listen to this?” He asked, pulling out a CD. 

“This is the mixtape I made your mom during our senior year,” Eddie recounted, as he took the CD. 

“That’s why I wanna hear it.” Chris paused for a second before adding, “I mean, only if it’s okay with Buck?” 

“Of course! Why wouldn’t i be okay with it?” Buck asked and took the CD from Eddie and put it in the CD player. 

“Who’s this dude?” Christopher asked frowning. 

“James Blunt.” Eddie visibly cringed at that. “In my defense, this song was really famous back then, and it represented exactly what I felt for your mom.” 

“It’s such a stalker song!” Buck laughed. 

“I agree with Buck on this one!” Christopher teased. 

“Hey!” Eddie huffed at them, but then a small smile creeped across his lips. 

Buck wanted to capture and keep this moment forever.

[hannya-writes]

Sandbearer

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Pairing: Morax x Reader, technically…Morax x Guizhong

Other characters: Nah, this is nothing but just one scene (?)

Category: Angst?  I guess, I wouldn’t know what actual category it should be

Warnings: This has no “and they lived happily ever after as a couple ending”

Author's note: I’ve recently entered the world of Teyvat and I’ve read some Morax x reader where Guizhong is a bad girl and she’s an evil scheming villaness and… That’s so sad, I love those stories tho, however I also love stories were reader has dignity and looks for her own happiness, because in this life if we don’t look for our own happiness who will? Anyways, without further spoilers…

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Sandbearer Trees A tree with specially thick branches. This tree is exceedingly hardy, for it's roots reach deep and it fears neither dry season nor evil weather. It is said that such trees can survive in the desert and even beat back the effects of salinization and drought, which is why it is honored as the Sandbearer Tree. Such trees are commonly found in the area around Minlin, Lisha, and other locations. Cut a Sandbearer tree down to obtain Sandbearer Wood.

(Quote from "how to obtain Wood", Genshin Impact)

— You don't love me — Morax looked at you slightly surprised, it was strange for him to hear those words being said in that sad but calm tone. 

He had heard those words before, from past lovers, but they never said it with that certainty, softness and calm. Usually it was a complaint, a scream of frustration or broken words among tears and shaking. It was never during the romantic setting of them watching the fall of dusk.

— Apologies, but I do not entirely understand your words — he took a step closer and you stepped back, making the god look at you quizzically, confused by your reluctance to get closer.

— I do love you, I care about you, about your well-being while you are away. I love your voice in the morning, the way you teach me a bit of everything. — the dragon looked at you as if completely mesmerized by you — I love when you smile without curving your lips up, you smile in secret with your eyes because we are not alone. I love when you pull me closer at night, I love when you chuckle while hugging me. I love you so much…— you gulped down the fear and inhaled long — that I know you don't love me back, not the way I do — 

The god of contracts kept his brows knitted in concentration at your confession. You had taken him up, up and above Celestia with your words only to push him from the cloud he was in, to see him fall? Morax did not understand.

— you are the love of my life, but I'm not yours — Morax felt those words like a blow to his chest, a punch so strong it knocked the air out of him. The Warrior God was defeated by a sentence. No, he was defeated by the truth. 

Morax didn't love you or at least not enough to make him forget about Ghizhong, his best friend, the only person in Teyvat who he couldn't confess to because he knew she didn't saw him in that way. He wondered if he should apologize to you, maybe explain his situation?

— You deserve to be happy, it's because of my love for you that I want you to be happy —

How kind of you, how pure. He had always admired that from you: how generous and caring you were. He remembered now why he had chosen you. You were one of many soldiers. Unlike every other soldier you were kind and caring of those around you. You showered them with your love. You played with kids in the little villages, helped the people hurt and gathered fruit and meat for them. Everyone praised, admire and loved you. He had wanted that, he wanted to love you just like everyone else. He wanted you to caress his hair until falling asleep, he wanted to feel your lips against his forehead and wanted you to talk to him with affection and devotion. 

He had you, had all those things but that didn’t change his feelings; it had only added up to the ones he already had. It was like the feelings pilled inside him.  He did feel something for you and he thought it was love but he wasn't sure, human feelings were so complicated.

— I want to be happy too — Only after hearing you say those words did he realized that you were unhappy by his side.— but with someone else, someone who will live at my rhythm, someone who would love me for being me, someone who can take the seat you have in my heart — 

— No — he growled without any other word incapable of voicing out why he was saying that. He had won that place in your heart, he didn’t want to lose it. The idea of you calling some else “My love”, of your hands holding those of someone else gave him nausea. His Draconic possessiveness showed his ugly face at the idea.

— Morax! — you reprimanded him, as you usually did when he said something out of turn, he had always liked that about you: You were never afraid of him. His hand caught your and wove his fingers between yours. — Morax! — you yelled as he pulled you into a hug. A hug where he hid his face in the crook of your neck and his arms held onto your shoulders.

— do not leave me — It wasn’t a question or a petition, it was an order and you were startled by how booming and authoritative he sounded. He had never used his status against you.

How cruel, you thought, did he knew you were weak against him looking for affection?, your hands itched to hug him, hold him to your body, give him the comfort he wanted.

— No?… — instead of pushing away from you, he pressed his lips against your pulsepoint to feel your heartbeat in his lips, that made him relax and stop crushing you against him— I'm only a human, a human you don’t love… We shouldn’t be together — You were so red in the face as you said those words with him so close

— why not? — his voice rumbled in your body and you looked at the tree by your side, a sandbearer with yellow and amber leaves slowly falling to the ground. His question made you smile with sadness, you knew this answer.

—  because love it's not temporary. When you really love someone you want to live with that person until you grow old, until what is left in the memory is nothing but the good moments, until you can see the other person and think “I would do it all again”. True Love is like a Sandbearer, it resist the bad weather, the extreme situations — you explain and he stops holding you so strongly. — I want to fall in love like that, I want someone to love me back in the same way and you don't. In your eyes I'm only a substitute for Guizhong — it hurt to say it, but it hurt even more the fact that he didn't deny it.

Morax understood, you were always so eloquent and so clear when you stopped to explain something, unlike him. He had always admired that. According to you, he didn’t love you but Morax still had his doubts, he had never wanted to keep a lover by his side. Not until you. You were the only lover who he had made his fiancee.

— You were always different, special — he stated savoring your presence for the last time — I hope you find what you are looking for — he finally resigned, putting his instincts aside and backing up a little.

— You have to let me go — you reminded him and his arms let go of you. — I don’t mean just physically. Morax, I need you to say it. Say that you don’t love me — 

His amber eyes met yours and you were able to see the apprehension in them, it was obvious he didn’t want to say those words. Some times, Morax was very childish.

— I do not love you — It hurt, but that was a needed evil. 

— I do not love you — he repeated leaning closer, trying to convince himself that you were right, he didn’t love you, not really. You were only a caprice, a toy to use when he remembered that Ghizhong had rejected him.

 — I absolutely do not love you — but he needed a last kiss, a last taste of your warm lips in his.