#aid’s random midnight thoughts | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

antimonyandthyme · 4 months ago

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1.2k, carcar, late night condom run

“This is—”

He means to say humiliating. Exceedingly mortifying. They’re both wearing obnoxious baseball caps, as if that’ll serve as sufficient disguises. Carlos is sporting a shit-eating grin, and the night air has turned his cheeks pink, obvious even under the brim of his cap.

This is. Actually the most fun he’s had in awhile.

It’s unlike him to be helpless in the face of Carlos’s obvious glee. But it’s late, and both their shields are a little flimsy.

He trails slightly behind, watching the way even Carlos’s feet seem giddy. The stupidest thought crosses his mind: I don’t see you this happy on Sundays, isn’t that something, and it takes all of his willpower to force the words back down his throat.

“This is, what? Come on, Oscar.” He doesn’t like it when Carlos’s voice dips like that, turns teasing. Turns him all warm. “Don’t tell me you’ve never gone on a midnight condom run.”

“Not in Monaco,” Oscar says.

He only realizes Carlos has stopped when he bumps his nose into something. Presumably Carlos’s back. Reluctantly, Oscar looks up from Carlos’s feet. Carlos is wearing a soft, amused expression.

Oh. He might have just insinuated he hasn’t gone out for condoms in Monaco. Which in turns insinuates he hasn’t been having sex since he got here. Which in turn insinuates that he’s only been seeing–

Oscar tugs his cap down, opens his mouth to stutter out some excuse.

“All stocked up, eh?”

“Shut up,” Oscar mutters, cheeks flaming.

Carlos laughs. Actually throws his head back and full-body laughs at Oscar’s expense. Unbelievable. This guy. A menace. Oscar kinda hates him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll show you the ropes, rookie.”

“Stop flattering yourself.”

Carlos jabs a finger into Oscar’s bicep. “It’s not flattery if it’s true,” he says. His feet are back to dancing. His eyes are crinkled into half-moon shapes. Oscar tries and fails to level the squeeze in his chest.

Thing is, Carlos isn’t wrong. Sex with Carlos has been. Well.

They’re both sporting the most inconvenient of erections, barely hidden behind the thickest pairs of sweatpants Oscar could find. Carlos had wrinkled his nose at Oscar’s choice of clothes. Oscar had raised an eyebrow, like You wanna wear jeans with that boner? And Carlos had caved, albeit with patented-Carlos-grumbling.

Making out like they were competing to steal each others’ air, hands grabbing, tugging, touching. Separating only when Oscar had realized his apartment was out of the essentials. Throwing on clothes while painfully hard, stealing their way to a drugstore with a cashier who hopefully wouldn’t recognize them and put two and two together.

Kinda crazy, doing that last bit. Kinda crazy, doing it with Carlos.

Carlos strolls into the store like he doesn’t know the meaning of shame. Stalks right down to the aisle of condoms.

“Wait,” Oscar hisses, dragging Carlos back by the elbow. “Could we make it less obvious?”

“What?” Carlos says. Mouth half-open, head tilted like he can’t figure Oscar out. Oscar’s come to realize he’s on the receiving end of that look from Carlos too many times to be safe. “Make what less obvious?”

“Oh my god,” Oscar says. Not a single thought between the man’s brown, brown eyes.

He yanks Carlos into a random aisle, throws two random packages of band-aids into a basket. Then two bottles of kid’s gummy multivitamins sitting on the next shelf. Whatever. They’re pretty tasty, so they won’t be going to waste. Some safety razors. Some coconut oil.

“Oh,” Carlos says, “oh, less obvious with the condoms, I get it now.”

“Do you ever shut up?”

“You know they’ll still scan the items right?”

“Here,” Oscar says flatly. “I’m getting this for Pinon.”

It’s a pink donut chew toy, complete with raised sprinkles for effect. Dog toys for aggressive chewers! the tag says. Oscar has no idea whether Pinon likes chewing or not. He’s not about to start caring.

Carlos, for once, isn’t arguing. He’s got another one of those weird looks he’s directing at Oscar, one of those that turns Oscar’s stomach inside out.

“How do you know his name?”

It’s Oscar’s turn to be confused. “What,” he says. “Don’t you like, talk about him all the time?”

Carlos rolls his eyes. “You’re mixing me up with Charles.”

Impossible, Oscar manages not to say.

“I rarely talk about him,” Carlos says. There’s a hint of a smile, curving his lips up. “Very, very rarely.”

“Well,” Oscar says, floundering. Carlos and his stupid, stupid eyelashes. “You must have, on Instagram or something–”

Ah. Shit.

Carlos grins. Blinding, too bright for Oscar to face head on. In the middle of the entire store, he runs his knuckles under Oscar’s jaw. He’s got Oscar right where he wants him. A menace. Oscar doesn’t know how he goes about acting like that. Sucking up all the space in the room while being unaware of how he turns heads. Unashamedly buying condoms in the middle of the night in Monaco with Oscar as if it were something he would do any day. A menace, three times over.

Carlos looks down at their basket, now half full.

“The cashier is going to think we have very kinky sex.”

“Oh my god.”

“Coconut oil, really? An aggressive chew toy? You could have just told me if you wanted to be gagged–”

“Shut up,” Oscar squawks, even as the idea lodges itself somewhere underneath Oscar’s rib like a bullet, “shut up you idiot–”

A laugh sneaks out of Carlos’s dumb mouth, where it sees fit to expand itself until Oscar’s laughing too. Unacceptable. Oscar curls an arm around his belly, protectively. Carlos is slapping his knees. It’s not even that funny. It’s Carlos’s fault Oscar’s wheezing so hard he can barely breathe.

“Now,” Carlos gasps, “can we finally get what we came for?”

“Fine,” Oscar says. He reaches for the box, nestles it carefully in the middle of the basket. Looks almost natural. “Now no one will suspect a thing, see?”

“You’re very bothered, for someone so unbothered,” Carlos says.

Oscar’s knee jerk reaction is to deny it. How many layers will Carlos peel off him tonight? It feels too much like losing, only that Carlos isn’t gloating, already trotting off with their mishmash basket of goodies without a care in the world. Carlos leans over the counter, says something that makes the cashier laugh, tilts his body and jabs his thumb over his shoulder in Oscar’s direction in the universal gesture of I’m talking about this guy in a way that makes it clear I want everyone, him included, to know I’m talking about him.

“Don’t believe anything he says about the chew toy,” Oscar says faintly.

Carlos laughs. The cashier laughs. Oscar manages something high-pitched that might pass off as a laugh.

They refuse to pay for a plastic bag and Carlos makes Oscar shove the box of condoms down one pocket, the rest of the shit in the other, while he skips off with the donut and bottle of coconut oil.

Classic Carlos.

Their shoulders bump, on their way back. Every step scrapes the edge of the pocketed box against Oscar’s inner thigh, right near his now soft dick. It doesn’t matter. Just the thought of Carlos’s warm hands around him is enough to get him going again.

Carlos tips his head toward Oscar, boyish grin making him look all of twenty. He squishes the toy in Oscar's face. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

If he were a little braver: I’m bothered because I know what I’m signing up for. The space between races will hit me with a separation anxiety I’m probably not equipped to deal with, and I’ll learn the names of not just your dog, but your family’s, and I’ll start looking at my phone with a goofy smile and have everyone around me question it because they'll know, they'll just know, and I’ll have to learn how to lie better, and pretend better, all because I’m into you.

Oscar takes a breath. Exhales for long enough that all the words escape him.

“Wasn’t so bad,” he says.

#athy texts #fanfic #rpf #carcar

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obeymeluv · 6 days ago

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Random Moments with Malleus [Malleus x Reader]

Random moments with Malleus Draconia (five parts)

I - Showing Support

He never expected the magicless human to be so bold as to approach him as the last class ended. But, then again, you weren't like all the other people in Twisted Wonderland. Savanaclaw and Octavinelle avoided him like the plague; his reputation preceded him across species and habitats. Those in Heartslabyul uttered his name with the same quiver and baited breath as their own housewarden!

And yet, here you stood, staring up at him with a squint to your eyes that he found both enchanting and amusing. "We fae are enrapturing, aren't we?" he teased, meeting your gaze in a polite bow. He resisted the urge to blow a piece of hair from his eyes.

"Ever so," you snorted as your grin widened. "But in all seriousness, don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Oh, that's right!" Lilia perked up beside him. "There's a--"

THE HOUSEWARDEN MEETING! his mind roared, eyes frantic and glittering. For ONCE he would be PRESENT! Deaf to the energy already swirling around him, the magic sparking betwixt his midnight strands and horns, Malleus disappeared in a plume of smoke.

"Good talk," you coughed, batting away the smoke. Lilia disappeared in similar fashion, bemoaning that Malleus would go straight to the meeting instead of grabbing his official robes. Sebek took off to stand guard outside said meeting as Silver apologized on behalf of all three.

"He really appreciates it," Silver swore, "he always wants to be included."

II - Giving Aid

Malleus doesn't know what stopped him but he felt his muscles coil at the last second and snatch your wrist as daintily as possible. He glared at you, eyes like hard-cut emeralds. "I will only say this once," he hissed, hunched over to avoid suspicion and keep himself quiet, "do not eat anything he offers!"

"Isn't it rude to deny the generosity of the fae?" you tried to wrestle your wrist back. Malleus readjusted his fingers subconsciously, keeping his long nails away from the delicate skin of your wrist. He, Lilia, and Sebek were doing their best to school you on the ways of the fae since you were now a resident of Twisted Wonderland and gifts and etiquette were top priority.

"Only when their cooking won't kill you!" "Heed Master Malleus!" Sebek rounded the corner sharply, growling quietly. You don't know if his sudden presence startled you or if it was the fact he was actually being quiet. "He speaks from experience!" "I beseech you, Child of Man," Malleus begins again as Sebek is summoned to finish setting the table with Silver. "Do not--"

"Dinner's ready! Come and get it!" Lilia's voice echoes in the stone walls of Diasomnia.

You'd heard stories but clearly these were childish exaggerations. Besides, Silver grew up fine and strong! Your confidence in Lilia dwindled rapidly as you looked at a bowl of purple...something...with bits of carrot and some kind of cream drizzled in. Whatever it was, it smelled sweet and smoky and you were concerned.

"A hearty soup!" Lilia smiled as he handed out rolls for said...soup...and talked about how it was a good choice for such abysmal weather outside. Silver steeled himself and relaxed his face as he slid the first spoonful in his mouth.

No help there, you thought as you looked for any hint of what it tasted like before you met your fate. Sebek's method seemed to be eating it too fast to care, much to Lilia's ire. The green-haired freshman ignored the lecture on his manners. You swallowed dryly and looked at anything else besides the soup and Lilia as the first spoonful slid down your throat.

Not too bad. Looks were deceiving! It tasted like purple yam and...coconut milk? The soup was silky and you didn't see what the problem was until you were a few bites in. That next spoonful seemed to breach a layer of shredded carrot and what you hoped was celery as a rush of bitter, bitter, bitter exploded on your tongue.

You don't know how you didn't gag. Silver noticed the flinch in your posture and started talking very loudly about his next training session. Sebek nearly deafened poor Silver as he begged for Lilia to tell you an old story. The old story would keep him occupied far longer than training pointers and regimens.

Should you blot the taste with rolls? They look normal! Or should you just eat it really fast and be done with it? The horrors of the soup deepened as you ate--tiny mushrooms were caught in something winding and kelp-like that hadn't been cut up properly. Something toasted and leaf-like crunched amidst another clump of carrot.

That was your last bite! Whatever that crunch was you were done! You wiped your mouth quietly, sweat beading on your brow as you tore into a roll to settle your stomach. You weren't sure how much time had passed but it was enough to eat two more rolls. The way your insides were dancing, you were sure you'd eaten an alchemy project instead of food.

The bitterness of the soup swarmed you, your guts writhing as you stood calmly. Don't talk! If you talk you're going to puke! you told yourself as you pushed in the chair. Your distress was like smoke on the wind to Malleus. "I shall walk you home, come Child of Man!" Malleus practically dragged you to the front door of Diasomnia. He made the jump to Ramshackle in a burst of green and you puked so hard you almost fell into the brush.

"I have you, Child of Man. It's alright," Malleus cooed, holding you by the waist. You begged him to take you to the tiny bathroom upstairs and he complied, holding your hair as you knelt in misery. "I have you," he assured as you painted the toilet purple.

III - Domesticity

Something in Malleus was riled and rigid when he realized he hadn't seen you all day. His forehead itched as more scales threatened to break the facade of human skin. It was most unusual not to see his Child of Man! Where could they be? Had something gone amiss? Were you injured and in need?

"Something on your mind?" Lilia winced against the building winds as clouds loomed overhead, dark and dreary. Their casual walk from Diasomnia to the main campus ended at the door of Ramshackle. His respectful knocks went unanswered and Malleus didn't know if he was more disappointed or worried.

"Not at all," Malleus lied with a straight face, holding his head high despite his dejection. A light drizzle began as he waited morosely under the shelter of your feeble porch.

"Are you sure?" Lilia put his hands on his hips and peered up at the stubborn prince, brow quirked. The rain drummed harder.

"I--" "Hurry, guys! We have to get it inside!"

The piercing reply died on Malleus' lips as three figures lit up the rain like watercolors bleeding across a canvas. You were running up the steps with your arms full of groceries, Ace and Deuce not far behind. Keys jingling and slipping in your hands, Malleus stepped aside as you, Ace, and Deuce all but tripped over each other to escape the weather.

Had you even seen him? Malleus stood nervously in the doorway, almost feeling like he was intruding on a moment. He forgot that humans traveled in packs for convenience and safety. Something clutched in his chest nauseatingly at the thought of Ace and Deuce caring for you.

He was glad they cared for you and ran errands with you, undoubtedly, but something made him sick all the same. "Offer to help!" Lilia gave him a shove, "Don't be a shadow in the doorway!"

Malleus swung his tail at the fae--not hard, just the end--but it was no use. Lilia was gone, bits of green magic snuffed out by the rain. He cleared his throat, three heads poking up and pooling together to assess the sudden intrusion.

You relaxed much quicker than the other two and he was pleased. Malleus smiled at you. Deuce and Ace excused themselves, something about drying off and changing into spare clothes as you began to root through the grocery bags. "May I?" Malleus drew up beside you, peeking curiously at the eggs and other sustenance you chose for yourself.

"Please!" you smiled so brightly for someone so small and wet. It was quiet adorable! He marveled at the quiet domestic bliss, the simplicity of putting away groceries. It was a novel experience for him since he grew up in a castle with kitchen help. You taught him how to cradle--not crush--the eggs and began to promptly fry up some meat when he accidentally sliced the package with a claw trying to put it in the fridge drawer.

You flipped the meat and motioned for him to sit as you tossed some bread in the nearby toaster. Malleus straightened his posture and nestled into a chair. Or would have, had he not touched something icy. The chair groaned and scratched the floor as he shoved it away with his tail, the appendage tangled around the legs.

"Oh! Hold on!" even if it was an old piece of furniture, you wanted to save it. You didn't have much to begin with. A lone bag clattered to the floor. "I forgot about those!" you laughed to yourself as you snatched up the plastic handle and fished out the item in one swing.

"Ice cream?" Malleus couldn't help but laugh, hand coming up to shield his fangs as he did so. Grandmother always said it was rude to bear your fangs in any situation but a mating ritual or war.

"For when you come to visit," you shook the box of pre-wrapped ice cream cones before putting them in the freezer. You rushed back to your pan with a hurried squawk as you tried to save the burning meat.

"I am most honored," Malleus chuckled as you turned to present him with two plates of toast and slightly burnt meat.

IV - Gentle Nights

He would like to say he used decades of cunning to arrange the wonderful and well-deserved sight in front of him but that would be a lie. It was almost laughably easy to be alone with you. Rare, yes, but easy enough. Lilia was enthralled in his online ventures, Silver was at the mercy of his drowsiness, and Sebek simply honored the wish of his dear future king to be alone with his beloved.

Malleus' heart hammered wildly in his chest at the sight of you. So soft, so smooth, so glorious and ethereal in a matching silk set. If you asked him, he was lounging and mustering all his fae wiles to beckon you into his embrace. If he was honest, the lounging was more being smitten and in awe of you and helplessly begging for a kiss with his eyes because his voice was nothing around you.

"Are you going to get under the covers or just lie there looking all pretty?" you leaned over him, the dragon falling readily onto his back as the heat of your body tickled his side. Your hair framed your face and he reached up to caress your cheek. Oblivious to the gentle tugs underneath him, Malleus snapped to attention when your cold foot snaked under his top. The hiss was ungodly and definitely fae; he recoiled with wounded eyes as you giggled and slipped under the bit of sheet you dislodged.

"Fiend!" he grumbled, throwing the tasseled shawl over you and tying it up. The fae grinned smugly, the two of you nose to nose.

"I'm trapped!" you gasped dramatically, arms encircling his neck. Kisses feathered against his cheek and started a winding path around his face. He slipped under the covers and fluffed them as he tucked them around you.

"Mine forever!" Malleus rubbed his chin against your forehead as he guided you down under his neck to protect you from his horns. His tail beat a steady rhythm into the bed as he kissed the crown of your head.

"Always." you kissed his fingertips, then his knuckles, as you laced your hands with his.

V - Beautiful Mornings

Being fae, he didn't need as much sleep as a human. Malleus relished in the moments of early dawn where the cocktail of oranges and yellows gave you the most beguiling glow as it diffused against the curtains in his room. He rolled carefully to his side to observe you, his happy gurgle low like a gentle rolling brook. Having another set of vocal chords could be quite damning and inconvenient sometimes but he couldn't even hate the way he loved you or how you inspired his draconic body to show it. The housewarden batted an errant strand from the curve of your face, freezing as you twitched.

His heart stilled, falling into a gentle bloom of adoration when you relaxed into his sheets. The smell of you and him in the morning was truly intoxicating. Malleus' pointed ears flexed as the slow shuffle of movement sounded nearby.

Lilia was waking up.

He had only a few minutes more to indulge in this mesmerizing sight before he was accosted. Your hand had wedged itself under his pillow, searching for him even in your sleep. Malleus freed it gently, kissing your palm before folding it against your body and straightening his side as carefully as possible. Tip-toeing to his vanity, Malleus settled carefully in the chair and tipped his hair back for the enchanted brush. Yawning softly into his hand, Malleus flicked a finger to the polishing cloth nearby and pointed to his right horn.

Malleus knew better than to do anything with eyeliner or mascara first thing in the morning. Lilia had a radar for such things and getting stabbed in the eye with a wand grew old long ago. He stared with bleary contentment at his own reflection, at the suggestion of you behind him, as Lilia cracked the door open.

I had suspicions the youngling stayed over! Lilia's eyes flicked from you to him, growing more stern as they did. His brows furrowed. What have I told you about this?

No eggs before marriage, Malleus smirked, eyes and brain waking up and beginning to shine with fae playfulness.

Besides that! Lilia rolled his eyes, I know I've told you--

We've done nothing uncouth, Lilia, Malleus looked away as the lipstick bobbed and pointed at the elder fae threateningly. Or with emphasis. It was hard for Lilia to tell. I just wanted to spend some time with them, Malleus rolled his head slightly as the cloth worked on his other horn, and if you wake them I shall fry all of your technology until it looks like the pheasant you turned to cinders last month.

Lilia turned up his nose at the youngster. Just see that your presentable and downstairs, young man!

In due time, Lilia, Malleus promised. He lined his eyes and fixed his lashes. The young prince was powdering his face when you hugged him sleepily. Malleus squeezed your hand against his chest affectionately as you grabbed the floating brush with the other and tended gingerly to his hair. "Good morning, beloved."

"Good morning, sweetheart." you kissed the scale on his forehead, fixing his bangs like he liked.

"You spoil me," he mused as you cradled his face in your palm and did your best to apply his lipstick. It was hard with him grinning like the fool he was for you.

"I try," you shrugged, now sitting in his lap to get his bottom lip.

"And you succeed." Malleus tipped your chin up and pressed a long kiss to your lips.

#twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #malleus draconia #malleus x reader #malleus draconia x reader

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burdenandacrop · 1 month ago

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can I pretty please with a cherry on top request fluff like late night gaming fluff 🙏🏻

˗ˏˋ ❝ for you, i'm an insomniac. ❞ ˎˊ˗

this idea is so SO cute, i hope you enjoy ! thank you for your patience for how long this has taken me :,)

summary : schlatt begs you to come over to watch him play re4, he doesn't admit it's because he misses you so he just says it's because of 'how cool it was that he found his old playstation two.'

♯┆established relationship, only fluff, fem reader !

as the covers slowly became one with you, the distress from your work day became nearly invisible. working with the general public wasn't a walk in the park so it was the moments like these that somewhat made it worth it. your eyelids eventually became heavy as you attempted to pay attention to the video that was quietly playing on your tv. whatever youtuber that was talking through the screen was quickly beginning to sound like gibberish as your brain began to completely shut off. seems like your body was actually allowing you to sleep peacefully for the night.

letting out a final sigh before allowing yourself to fully surrender to the exhaustion, closing your eyes and hoping the next day makes up for the last. you were too comfortable to even nudge your tired arm to the remote to shut off the video, your electricity bill would thank you, but that didn't feel necessary in the slightest. just silently thankful that it wasn't another night of taking sleep aid because you were stuck awake at midnight when you had an early morning shift the following day. instead, it was a quiet friday night where you knew you could just seep into your covers until noon if you pleased, just as you'd been begging for in the past five days.

“♪ ding ding! ♪” then went off your phone, immediately making your closed eyes scrunch up in aggravation. it was probably just your friend sending some video, no need to check it. they’d understand in the morning. back to focusing on the soft ambiance of the gibberish you were hearing play from your tv, no need to worry about anything other than sleep.

“♪ ding ding! ♪” sounding off loudly once again from your phone, only making you more frustrated with the insistent noise. whoever was texting you wasn't even giving you a five minute waiting period, if it was your friend, you were more than likely going to bite their head off. your sleep was more important than some funny video, the aggravation was definitely your deprivation talking though. you slowly open up your eyes and narrow your eyes to your phone laying on the nightstand. silently pondering if you should check it, reluctant to say the least. maybe it was important, maybe it was your parent? now the unnecessary anxiety was pushing itself into your system, oh goodie.

you groan and push yourself out of the comfortable position, silently scolding yourself because it was obvious you weren't going to find that perfect balance of comfort in a spot easily again. you groggily sit yourself up and yank the phone into your palm and look at the pestering notification screen, your face slightly softening when your tired brain registered who it was that was ‘bugging’ you.

schlatt <3 : Hey goober. Guess what I found hiding in my storage collecting dust.

schlatt <3 : It's my old PS2 in case you were dying to know. Original RE4 too.

you quietly chuckle to yourself as you get your brain to finally wake up enough to acknowledge what the text actually said, you knew he could be random at times; just was hilarious that he felt the need to text you at near midnight about how he found his old gaming console. you type back to him with a soft grin plastered on your face, a teeny bit curious as to what he was probably wanting out of this late night conversation.

you : you're going through your storage at midnight?

schlatt <3 : Yeah.

schlatt <3 : Why. You gonna judge me?

you : no no lol

schlatt <3 : Thought so.

schlatt <3 : You want to come over? It's good nostalgia.

you eyed the last message for a moment, knowing full well that future you would scold you for passing on a good night's sleep. it had been a bit since you saw him after all; though the logical part of your brain was working its magic apparently.

you : i'm reallyyyy exhausted, maybe tomorrow? :(

schlatt <3 : Oh come on.

schlatt <3 : Visibly showing you the reaction. Yeah.

schlatt <3 : Seriously though, you can sleep at mine. Just sleep on the couch while I play and stuff.

it was getting a bit harder to say no, though the thought of driving the distance to his place felt like a nightmare with how tired you were. you were slowly coming out of your groggy state anyhow, so it was beginning to get even more tempting.

you : so you're not gonna be mad if i immediately pass out when i get there ... that's what you're saying ??

schlatt <3 : Of course not. Just want you to see how cool the console is. Even if it's just a few minutes. Then you can honk shoo all you want, baby.

it was as if anytime this man said 'baby' it activated some neuron in your brain to oblige to whatever he had to say, not that it was necessarily terrible. you sighed and fiddled your thumbs above the screen; hovering over the letters and debating if you'd hate yourself later for what you were about to do.

you : okaaay. i'll be there in a bit, just get it set up and everything. :,)

schlatt <3 : Sweet. Be safe. ❤️

you smiled at his last text and shut your phone's screen off as you propped yourself off the bed, you were still in your sleep attire but you didn't feel like changing; he'd understand obviously. not like he was expecting you to show up in some body-con fit to show off his twenty year old gaming console. you swiftly grabbed your bag and made your way to the front door, little did you know schlatt was being well prepared for a spontaneous night like this.

your body was so tired from the driving, the distance between schlatt and you was not a measly amount. he somehow made it worth it every time though. you made your way out of your car and groggily walked to the front door, holding your arms together when the rash realization hit you from how cold it was. would've been smarter to bring a hoodie of some sort, but whatever. you shake off the shivers and knock on the front door, rocking yourself back and forth to keep some natural body heat going.

the door practically swung open moments after you knocked, being greeted with schlatt smiling like it was christmas morning. he immediately stepped out to the doorway to wrap his arms around you and feverishly kiss the top of your head, seems like he really did miss you; just didn't want to bruise his pride and say that in a text message. he soon stopped with his insistent kisses to your scalp and looked down to your eyes, immediately realizing you were, in fact, exhausted. "oh you poor baby." he quietly chuckled out before taking a step back into the doorway to let you enter, his hand never leaving the small of your back as you made your way inside the much warmer atmosphere.

he rubbed your back gently as he shut the front door and locked it, looking back to you and your improper attire for the weather conditions of the north. "and you're trying to give yourself hypothermia." he sighed out as he let his hand trail to your shoulders, giving the tense tissue a soft squeeze and quickly noticing how tense you were. "wasn't thinking that quickly." you mutter out as you look to him and tiredly grin, in return making him take back the notion of wanting to scold you like a concerned father about your carelessness about your health with such chilly weather. your smile was just too cute for him to try and be upset with when it met his gaze. "well- you'll warm up here fine. days if you want." he jokes, but secretly hoping you'd pick to stay the weekend over at his place instead of wallowing in your apartment.

he had that pleading look complimenting his smile, as if his eyes were doing the begging for him. the temptations were obviously making their works, you sigh and pummel your cheek into the soft fabric of his shirt. the action making him lowly chuckle and wrap his arms around you, engulfed as if he wanted to create a cage around you. a silent 'lovely, won't you please stay?' you let your body weight lean against him with a soft sigh, "this was your plan all along?" you murmur into his chest, you could almost feel the soft nod he was giving you. clicking his tongue before looking down to your head and smiling, "i did want to show you the PS2." he chuckled, knowing he wasn't fooling a soul with his words. upon hearing his reply, you softly raise your head to meet with his eyes once again, "maybe i'm not too tired..." you replied with a grin.

he gently tucked his bottom lip in as he heard your reply, instantly being filled with glee; turns out his plan was going to fall perfectly into place. "i was hoping you'd say that." he practically whispered as he stared into your eyes, then trailing his gaze to the living room in which he set up prior to your arrival. you couldn't help but follow the direction of where his eyes were landing, being pleasantly surprised with the view being given to you. your grip on him softening as you saw the coffee table arranged with your favorite drinks and snacks, as well as a singular PS2 controller laying in the middle. you look back to him in slight shock and smile, "seems like you had a plan?" you questioned with a quiet snicker. he smugly shrugged and took a step back from your grasp and cross his arms, "ah, table just- came to be like that. keep fixing it and it keeps going back to that. i think it might be somethin' paranor-" he snickers out before you cut him off with a gentle kiss, your giggles escaping onto his lips as you pursed your lips against his. his laughter was about one in the same, tuned in with yours as he rubbed the edge of your chin with his fingertips.

your laughter was never fading, only lessening when you gently pulled away from the embrace; looking into his eyes with a smile. "you lead the way then." you mutter out and poke his shoulder with a stiffed giggle, making him just roll his eyes and shake his head. "i got a better idea," he admitted with a rather mischievous expression before giving you a certain look, letting you know what he was plotting silently. you furrowed your eyebrows and shook your head with widened eyes, only making him nod with a widening smile. "no. no!" you exclaim with a smile before he ignored your pleas and grabbed you up by the waist and flopped you onto his shoulder. making you just give up on trying to fight it off at this point. he just giggled and gave you a light tap on the behind before walking the both of you to the living room, "air jail for you not wearing a damn coat." he chuckled out, making you gently kick your legs in protest with a groan. you knew he'd get you for that little blip sooner or later.

he gently placed you on the couch, letting a soft grumble escape his lips. letting himself plop on the couch right beside you and immediately pull you to get close as possible to him, it was incredibly evident he missed you terribly. you leaned your head into the crook of his neck, taking in as much body heat from him as you possibly could; he was practically a heat pad. "you can stay like this as i play, y'know?" he muttered as he eyed the tv with the loading screen glowing in the front of you two. "are you gonna start it up, or are you too cozy?" you reply, tilting your head against him so you could get the perfect up close view of his side profile. "yeah, yeah." he softly snickered out as he reluctantly raised his body up to grab the controller, returning right back to his original position. you watched as his finger darted to the buttons to start up the game, seeing how his face practically lit up when the intro music began playing.

you let your body relax into his as you eyed his movements, noticing the little crook in his brow as he was throughly concentrated on getting the controls correct. "1998 ... i'll never forget it." he softly muttered, syncing his voice with leon's as the opening scene began to play out. it was as if he's played this game countless times, which would appear to you as surprising considering he's never stated he even liked the idea of horror games. "you remember it all?" you reply with a snarky tone, snickering to yourself as you adjusted yourself on him. he lightly shrugged and looked to you as the opening scene continued to play on, "not all, just enough from my brother playing it when i was small." he mumbled as he was trying his best to focus on you and the opening scene at the same time, it'd had to have been years since he touched this game. so multitasking was something he'd have to push himself to do. especially when it came to you.

you saw how his attention went back to the screen as the scene faded out, leaving him to his own defenses when playing it. hoping that he wouldn't get jump-scared and jolt his body against yours, cause that'd just be embarrassing. you yawned and sprawled your stretching arms around his waist and let your body sink into the couch further, your head practically at his hip now; not that he really minded. he was pretty much a pillow anyway you laid on him, and even if he didn't outwardly show it, he was happy to be that small ounce of comfort for you. even if it meant making half of his body go to sleep as he mindlessly played video games.

he could feel your body slipping against his, letting his hand scruff up the top of your head with a low chuckle. you looked up to him, enjoying this new point of view of him. how he had his tongue slightly poked from his lips as he walked through the forest in the game, seeing how focused he was to not get startled by a zombie of some sort. his body slightly leaning forward to eye the screen better, you could tell there was about to be a jump-scare of some nature; you just thought it was hilarious to not entail him about it. curling up a smile as he turned a corner, attempting to find the village, and being met with his fate. a loud roar from a zombie rung through the speakers, making him immediately jump in his place. with that silly reaction, you just couldn't help but snicker to yourself about it. making him snap his head to you with a furrowed brow, "you're not funny." he snaps, the newfound adrenaline still working its way into his system.

you just shake your head and nuzzle your cheek into his side with another giggle, "you were so startled, i couldn't help it," you stammer out in the midst of your choked out laughter. he slowly shook his head at you and narrowed his eyes softly, "fine then, you make a grand attempt at it." he snickered out, secretly hoping you'd agree to his plea. he was already imagining how cute you'd look while focusing intently to the video game. you shrug and lean your body back up straight, taking the controller from his hand with a smile. you were a little excited to make him look like a dweeb, to say the least. you adjust your body against the couch, whereas he was already letting his chin rest in his palm as he eyed your movements. even tired, he thought you were the most heart piercing he could fathom. you could see him in your peripheral vision as you moved the controls to walk through the alley. focusing on the incoming noises, for a game that was made twenty years; it sure wasn't playing about thrill factor. guess that's why they call it a classic, yeah?

he was incredibly dead-set on seeing you get started, seemed like he was paying attention to the background noise more than before; which is hilarious considering he was the one who needed to worry about it when playing it for himself. you navigated the gravel and keep your focus on anything incoming, your body involuntarily pulling closer to the edge of the couch. the sight making schlatt try his best to bite back a laugh, seeing you so focused but so exhausted was definitely a visionary. you neared closer to a little shack, immediately clicking on the switch to a hand held. seemed like common sense, y'know dark small place is going to equal the perfect opportunity to scare the shit out of the player. you walked into the shed, hoping to find some sort of loot of some kind, being met with a raging zombie that was growling loudly through the speaker. which in turn, didn't make you jump. it just made schlatt jump. yeah, he really was not cut out for games like this, it was cute to see him attempt them though. you look to him for a moment and back to the screen with a smile as you shot down the zombie, collecting the loot that fell from the character.

you dropped the controller in your lap, trailing your eyes back to him with a snarky giggle; knowing full well the look on his face was not an expression of him being impressed. he just slowly shook his head and gently took the controller from your lap, the slow movement almost being funnier than his face alone. you try your best to not burst out laughing, tight lining your lips and slowly breathing to control yourself. "this game sucks anyways." he stammers out, swiftly putting the controller on the coffee table before flinging his body closer to yours to pull you into a kiss, you could feel the grin from his lips as he did so. "i still have mario kart against you." he snickers out as he pulls himself off of your lips slightly, pressing his lips back onto yours before you could even get the chance to defend yourself. you lightly pat his shoulder in an attempt to get your words out, but his muffled laughter was evidence enough that he didn't like the idea of that. instead, just smothering himself on you. seemed like a much better idea of a fun night, considering he really wasn't that invested in the game. rather that you were in his grasp after such a long while.

you successfully pull yourself off of him to look him in the eye, trying to get your words out in the air despite your infectious laughter. "so you're saying we should retry mario kart?" you stifle out with a smile, his hands continuing to move down your back with a slow motion. "i don't think i want to be cussed out by yoshi again." he chuckles out, his reply making you roll your eyes and nudge his shoulder lightly. "maybe it'll be waluigi this time." you claim, letting your body fall completely on the soft cushion. the sight alone making schlatt slowly not care about mario kart as much. he attempted to get his priorities in check, "so now you're copying me with wario? wow..." he replied with a smug grin plastered on his face. you reach your hand up and shake his face with your palm in a playful aggressive manner, immediately making his face scrunch up in confusion and amusement.

"i say you be daisy, y'know considering all the fuss between her and wario." he slyly spoke, leaning his face towards yours as you laid against the cushion. "what? because you look like him too?" you snicker, making him roll his eyes with a low chuckle. "oh, shut the fuck up." he playfully pokes before kissing you again, letting his hands trail down your arms. you giggle into the kiss once more, lightly tugging at the collar of his shirt to bring him in closer. drifting your hands to his neck, feeling the roughness of his beard trying to grow under his chin. he let his lips leave yours just so he could get a better look of you underneath him, silently thanking whatever being let him have this gracious view. "you're pretty like daisy too." he stammered out, sighing softly and keeping his eyes on you in near disbelief, "guess that compliments for my mean mug, yeah?" he adds on, making you blow a raspberry and shake your head with a choked out giggle.

"whatever that means." you sigh out, you knew you were getting tired but this whole thing was too much fun to miss out on. he could see it in your eyes, and a small part of him decided to go easier on you. considering your hell of a work week, if you'd allow it; he'd just let you live comfortably under him. he respected you enough to let you have your independence though, or at least until you brought it up. "you know exactly what that means, baby." he cooed out before slipping his hand underneath you to raise you up, seeing how exhausted you were from the look in your eye. you just allowed him to move you like a rag doll, eventually leaning against his shoulder and sighing from the immense comfort of how soft he was. he grabbed the controller and switched out of the game, putting on gran turismo 4, seemed more appropriate to play while he let you sleep. he promised you that anyhow.

you let your eyes softly shut as you heard the opening music ring from the speakers, wrapping your arms around him once more. he looked to your tired demeanor for a moment before continuing on with the game. feeling a smile growing on his lips as he drank in the moment, hoping you wouldn't open your eyes and see his lingering eyes. "days if you want." he softly whispered, as he looked down to your twitchy body falling asleep. he didn't seem to get a reply, safely assuming your body had enough of the day. he couldn't really ask for more though, you were here. it's all he could ask for on a night like this. he sighed and gently kissed the top of your head before trailing his eyes back to the screen. letting his head rest against the top of yours with a warm grin. you didn't take one bite of the snacks he specifically bought for you, but he was just secretly hoping that meant you'd be over long enough to enjoy them in the daytime. this was enough for him in the meantime.

author's note : i swear i was kickin' my feet when writing this, i LOVE soft schlatt. i hope you enjoyed !! i hope i can make my posting schedule more consistent soon, so in the meantime i throughly appreciate your patience :,) also thank you so much for the kind words with my return and stuff, you guys are actual sweethearts.

#jschlatt x reader #schlatt x reader #jschlatt x y/n #schlatt x y/n #fanfic #rpf #writing #fluff

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salparadiselost · 14 days ago

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A random idea that I'm not ever sure I'm going to pick up and finish. AU is that everyone lives in a movie genre and the universe if governed by the rules of that genre. Bruce, fed up with being a failed lover interest, starts to adopt kids from other genres.

-----

"I don't get it," Dick says, standing at the top small set of stairs and looking down them. There's like six of them, hardly enough to actually call it a staircase. Dick could probably jump the full way down without hurting himself. It's definitely not a flight, just six steps to get from the raised dias of the bank's entry to the street. But Bruce is still hesitating at the top, staring at them like they are a snake curled up in the grass.

The man who had assigned himself Dick's father (He doesn't need a father. He doesn't have parents. His parents are dead. Killed. For eight years, their case has gone untouched as cold as their corpses. He needs to solve it. He needs to find the killer. He has to. He has to. He has to...) drags his eyes from the stairs to Dick.

"You live in a *rom com*," Dick practically spat the words. He had been growing to hate this saturated colour, plastic world. There were too many people. None of the streets were ever empty. Movements from the corners of his eyes that his brain screamed could be someone pulling a gun, someone reached for a knife, someone passing a drug off to another, was usually just a woman dressed in LuLulemon pulling her yappy dog along. It was maddening the way that his brain wasn't built for this. He saw people doing things and his mind screamed that it was clues! It was evidence! You need to investigate it! You need. You need. You need.

But he doesn't. Because he doesn't exist here. The Graysons don't exist here. No one has been killed in this city for over 100 years apparently. The worse crime in the paper had been when Miss Betty accidentally stole cupcakes because her and Joe's orders got mixed up. They were getting married now apparently.

Dick shook his head trying to dislodge the part of him that was screaming that he was missing a clue. He tried to focus on the present. Him. Bruce. Stairs.

"This is a romantic comedy," he repeated. "It's all about love, so what's the fucking worse thing that could happen on the stairs."

"*It seems I've fallen for you*," said Bruce suddenly, his voice so devoid of emotion it startles Dick. Dick's eyes snap up to meet the other man's eyes, but Bruce is still looking at the stairs.

"That's the part of the script," he continues, his voice blank. It's disconcerting. Dick has only heard him peppy or bubbly or other words that paint him as a happy-go-lucky dog. He's never heard... this. "I fall down the stairs and I... I break something. I lay there until she's suppose to rush in. She's supposed to be a nurse or a doctor or maybe just someone with first aid training. She's supposed to treat me until the ambulance comes and I'm supposed to say *'it seems I've fallen for you'*"

Bruce finally looks at Dick and he can't even describe what's in the man's eyes. It's... he would almost call it haunted. The same glint that he has when he stares in the mirror.

"I've broken my leg from falling down stairs 48 times. I've broken one of my ankles 53 times. My left arm 18 and my right 26. Three times it's been my collarbone. One time after two flights, it was my back. I was paralyzed from the neck down. I couldn’t move a damn finger, so I just laid there in pain until the clock hit midnight and everything reset. And that’s just the staircase falls. There’s also the open manholes, the broken railings, getting hit by a car, a couple of times where a bridge gave out from under me. Any of them will do as long as I end up hurt and on the ground."

Dick stared. Coldness washed through his veins, fixing him to the spot. For the first time since he got here, fear settled into the pit of his stomach. The only thing he could think to say was: "I thought that nothing went wrong here?"

Bruce gave a harsh laugh that seemed more fitting for Dick's genre. "Everything works out if you actually have someone who wants to love you. If your love interest isn't interested or she just doesn't bother to turn up... well, the universe keeps trying to correct itself even if that means you have to lay in a crumpled, bloody heap at the bottom of stairs for a few hours."

He... he didn't know what to say. Say that he was sorry? That Bruce didn't have anyone coming to love him?

He looked back at the stairs and saw them how Bruce saw them. He tried to figure out what to say, but Bruce just turned on his heel.

"Let's go find the wheelchair ramp."

#kay speaks #bruce wayne #dick grayson #genrelandia #terrible name I know #idk what to call this #movie genre city au #idk

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bvckleyydiaz · 1 year ago

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I know. Guys, believe me, I know. Alright, now that we are ignoring my unintentional months-long hiatus, I come bringing a gift.

(I thought about also writing this scenario for another fandom that I’ve recently fixated on again. Say, the one with the two brothers and the gay angel. Let me know if you would want to see that.)

May also end up rewriting this one. Not sure if I like how it turned out.

So, here’s the scenario:

tw: creepy men in convenience stores

You and Aaron met years ago when you’d been finishing up law school and he’d still been a federal prosecutor. Somehow, the two of you strike up a conversation, and you offhandedly mention to him that you’re looking for work now that you’ve gotten your degree. He pauses for a moment, purses his lips, then says that he has a friend—a fellow prosecutor, you later find out—in search of a legal aide. He tells you that if you wanted him to, he could talk to his friend about setting up an interview. This takes you by surprise. A man that doesn’t even know you, a man that’s only talked to you for about five minutes, is offering to help you get a job. Aaron laughs when you tell him as much, and he tells you that over the years, he’s learned to trust his instincts, and his instincts are telling him that you’re worth the risk. He then hands you a card with his phone number on it and says to call him to set up the interview.

(No one but you has to know about the tiny zaps of electricity that shoot up your arm when you take the card from him. Nor do they have to know about the disappointment that simmers in your gut when you notice the gold band resting at the base of his left ring finger.)

For the first year or so, your friendship with Aaron was... difficult to navigate. Not because of anything he said or did but because of what he was. Aaron being a married man really limited what you felt comfortable doing within the boundaries of your budding friendship. You couldn’t text him as often as you’d like to because of the fight it could cause between Aaron and Haley. It’s for that same reason that you don’t feel comfortable inviting him to meet you for coffee or to grab a bite to eat after work. You know that you aren’t doing anything wrong, that your intentions with Aaron are pure, but you also respect his relationship enough to make certain that you don’t give Haley a reason to suspect otherwise. So, that means settling for sending him a text every now and then to check up on his family—not just him—and see how they were doing.

Less than two years into your friendship with Aaron, he tells you that he and Haley are getting a divorce.

(The giddy, child-like grin that spreads across your face when you hear the news makes you feel like shitty person. But you can’t help it.)

Aaron’s divorce serves as a blessing in disguise. Not just for you but for him, too. It gives the two of you a fresh start, a chance to properly develop your friendship without the fear of stirring up trouble for Aaron at home. You two texting maybe a couple of times a month quickly turns into you two texting nearly every day, even if you don’t really have anything to tell him about. Throughout the day, the two of you would send each other things that remind you of the other, random musings you’d have, just anything that would keep the conversation going. The most liberating thing about Aaron becoming a single man again was that you had the freedom to ask him if he wanted to grab coffee on the way into the office, even if he and the team wanted to grab drinks after a case, or if he and Jack wanted to come to the park near your apartment for a picnic.

Fast forward to the present, almost four years later.

It’s just after midnight on a random Saturday night, and Aaron’s just about to head to bed when he feels his phone buzz in the pocket of his sweats.

He mutters something along the lines of if this is another fucking case before he picks up his cell, puts it to his ear, and answers with a soft, sleepy, “Hotchner.”

“Hey, love. I know it’s late, but I was hoping we could meet up.” There’s something in your voice that feels off to Aaron, but he can’t quite put his finger on it.

His mind screeches to a halt when he processes what you say to him. Hey, love, you’d greeted him, the words coming out of your mouth like it was every-day thing. Like it was something you called him all the time.

That’s the first red flag.

“Y/N?” He asks. “Is everything alright? Are you alright?”

“No,” you laugh, a cute, breathy sound that wouldn’t be out of place to anyone else, to anyone that doesn’t know you the way Aaron does. That laugh sets off the alarm bells in the older man’s head. “No, I promise it’s nothing major. I just thought we could grab a snack.” You pause then say, “Oh, there’s a sale on those gummy bears you like at the convenience store on Fifth and Kennedy. Want me to get you some?”

Aaron doesn’t like gummy bears. You know that he doesn’t like gummy bears. Why would you—?

Aaron's body starts buzzing with adrenaline, like he got a shot of espresso straight to the head. The convenience store on Fifth and Kennedy. Aaron knows where that is; it’s only a couple of blocks from your apartment.

“Are you in danger?” He asks.

“Yeah,” you tell him. “I’ll just put it with my stuff. Don’t worry about it, love.”

“Do you need me to come to you?”

“Yes, baby, I’m sure. It’s not a problem at all. Oh, your sister mentioned something to me about coming to see her this weekend. She lives in New York now, right? How long do you think the drive will be?”

Aaron glances down at his watch. “I’m ten minutes from you. Stay out of sight until then, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” you agree. “It shouldn’t be too bad then, especially if we leave early enough. Hopefully, we won’t get caught up in the usual weekend traffic.” You huff out something between a laugh and a tired sigh. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. I love you.” Then, the call ends. Biting out a curse, Aaron slips on his running shoes, grabs his zip-up and his keys, and rushes out the door.

Under normal circumstances, it takes Aaron roughly ten minutes to get to your apartment. That night, it takes him a little under five. He zips through the late-night Virginia traffic at speeds he’s surprised he didn’t get pulled over for. He haphazardly parks the SUV before making his way to the store.

He doesn’t even have to go into the store to find you. You’re standing just outside the double doors when he gets there, your figure illuminated by the harsh LED lights overhead.

“Y/N,” he calls to you, his steps hurrying into a jog. “Y/N, are you alright?”

You lift your head up to meet his gaze, and he watches you blink at him, as if you’re surprised that he came. “You came,” you say, your voice barely above a whisper.

“You needed me,” he says. And that’s all that matters. “You’re okay now?”

You nod. “The guy ran as soon as the kid behind the counter threatened to call the cops. He didn’t do anything, but I just... something about him weirded me out.”

“Trust your instincts,” he tells you, like the night you’d first met. “They’re usually right.”

“The night we met, you said that your instincts were telling you that I was worth the risk. Were they right?”

With as much confidence as he has in you, which is a lot, he says, “They were. You’re worth the risk.”

tagging: @greg-montgomery @ssamorganhotchner @ssahotchnerr @ssaaaronmontgomery @canuck-eh @wifeyreid @criminalskies @luvehotch @strawbeerossi @hotchs-big-hands @hotchs-babygirl @hotchnerobsessed @honeypiehotchner @hotchnerbau @hotchsdoormat @hotchsdharma @mrs-ssa-hotch @hotchandspencearedilfs

#e posts #e writes #e tags #e’s moots #e’s scenarios #aaron hotchner #aaron hotchner x reader

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gaymergal · 3 days ago

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38 + Aerti for the kiss prompts? 👀💕

😃👋🏾 Hihi Runic!

:3 thank you very much for the prompt! XD 💕 This was very fun to write! 🤩

I might cross post this on Ao3 😶. Let me know if it would be ok to tag it as a gift to you 😃👍🏾

38. Kiss…Because they’re running out of time

Aerith ran like hell itself was on her heels. Damn Shinra. They were really asking for it this time.

She glanced over her shoulder and didn’t see Cloud’s signature spiky blonde hair. She righted herself, bowed her head, and sprinted faster. Man down, she thought to herself as she careened out of an alleyway and onto a busy street.

Had it been six blocks earlier Aerith might have politely, yelled at the ambling masses in front of her to, “Get out of the fucking way!”…poliety. But three blocks ago she realized she took a wrong turn and now had even less time to make it back to Avalanche HQ before the deadline.

She shoved a random drunk out of her path without warning or breaking her stride. His boisterous yelling of obscenities at Aerith’s fleeing, alerted the rest of the street of the florist’s war path and thankfully more people moved out of her way.

As she ran she was aware of not just cursing from those around her. From other store fronts that lined the busy street, she heard people starting the countdown.

10!

Aerith took a large gulp of air and pushed harder than she ever had before.

“Aaaaahhhh!” Too exhausted to form words she yelled out as she turned a blind corner. Her primal scream moved a flock of tourists out of the way.

She might have lost her right shoe.

She could see her destination in sight.

The crowd was getting thicker as she approached the 7th heaven bar.

She had most definitely lost her right shoe, she hissed through gritted teeth as her foot came into contact with something sharp.

Aerith shouldered through the throngs of patrons. She felt a strong hand grab her shoulder and whirled around ready to knockout whoever stood in her way.

Barret looked absolutely terrified and released her immediately. He held up both his hand and gun arm in surender.

She locked eyes with Tifa who was absolutely stunning on this New Year’s Eve night. Aerith stood dazed in the center of the bar, her mad dash from sector 5 finally catching up with her.

Tifa vaulted over the bar counter and lept to catch Aerith before she fell to the ground.

Happy New Years!

Tifa had caught Aerith mid drop. Revitalized by Tifa’s arm around her waist and steading herself with a hand on Tifa’s shoulder, Aerith leaned forward and kissed Tifa just as the clock struck midnight.

The bar broke out into thunderous applause and cheering.

Aerith clung to Tifa as long as she could, savoring her sweet victorious kiss, she would have to breathe again sooner or later. Aerith would have opted for later but Tifa pulled away first.

“You’re bleeding!”

“You’re beautiful.”

Tifa scooped up Aerith, getting her off of her injured foot.

“Barret, get the first aid kit!” Tifa yelled over the joyous celebrations breaking out around them. She set Aerith up on the bar counter and wetted a napkin to clean the small wound on Aerith’s foot. “What happened to Cloud?”

“Sacrifices had to be made.” Aerith replied, still slightly out of breath.

“Sacrifices? Don’t tell me you didn’t get the goods!” Jessie asked, appearing with a flute of champagne in hand for both Tifa and Aeirth.

Barret joined the crew at the bar with a first aid kit and Cloud, who was sporting a black eye, and a serious scowl. “You left me.” he deadpanned

Aerith downed her champagne. “Sacrifices had to be made” She said again, knowing she would have done it all over again to make it back to kiss Tifa at midnight.

“The hell happened to you?” Barret asked, he forwent the kit and grabbed ice straight from the bar and handed it to Cloud to put on his eye.

“Shrina checkpoint at the train station, kicked us off for having fireworks on the train.”

“In sector 5, with like 10 minutes to midnight!” Aerith whined. Their quick jaunt to pick up last minute fireworks and sparklers for the New Year had nearly been thwarted by the evil corporation and their outrageous, ‘no explosives on public transit rules’. Who did they think they were, terrorists?

Tifa put a bandage on Aerith’s foot and, satisfied that it was clean and covered, she stood and then hopped up on the bar next to Aerith, and kissed her cheek. “You didn’t have get here before mid-”

Tifa was cut off by Aerith kissing her again. “Of course I did,” Aeirth said, pulling away just slightly, her words ghosting over Tifa’s lips. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

#ask games #writing prompts #aerti #aerith x tifa

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notsocooljess · 6 months ago

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Please Stay

hi… sorry about this. i mentioned about a month ago i was writing something outside of my comfort zone along the lines of fear. so here it is.

quarter quell AU

content warnings: major character death, canon-typical violence

read this in ao3 here

Katniss.

Her name rang through his head, managing to break through the aggressive clicks from the beetles they were fighting. At least “beetle” was the closest word Peeta could associate with the insect. These beetles were mutts, a creation of the Capitol’s design. With bodies as big as house cats' and pincers over a foot long, they were no feat of nature. Their shells were so strong that their weapons were nearly useless against the insects unless the blades were aimed at the beetles’ joints, which seemed to be left unshielded to aid in their mobility.

Katniss.

He can’t believe the gamemakers had managed to spin the arena on them again. He figured Beetee’s plan had satisfied all conditions necessary to buy them some time: it brought enough excitement to keep the Capitol citizens’ entertained while ending these unpopular Games as soon as possible. Was it not personal enough for them? Not gruesome enough? What, if anything, is ever enough for them?

They had spun it while they were close to starting the plan. It turned out Beetee and Katniss were right: the outer edge of the arena was able to spin as well. The centrifugal force of the outside spinning had sent their group barreling down the jungle and back to the sand of the beach. Their bodies had been launched into trees and rocks, leaving them bruised, bloody, and sore from head to toe. Any progress they had made in proceeding toward the midnight lightning tree was lost. Like before, they had to choose a wedge at random and hope it would be free of horrors until they regained their bearings on where they were on the clock face.

Johanna had made him choose which direction he wanted to go since he was the most familiar with the map.

Katniss.

She was all he could think about as he swung his machete into the unguarded area that would loosely be called the beetle’s neck. Johanna found her stride in using her axe to decapitate the beetles in rapid fashion, and Finnick was able to dual-wield his tridents to kill multiple beetles at once. Beetee sat on the ground between them, slinging a knife at any beetles that managed to make it past the two skilled fighters towards him. Their speed was impressive, but it was hardly fast enough to defeat the insects at the rate they were spawning.

Katniss seemed to be struggling against the mutts’ body armor. With no definitive eye location for her to strike and with little leverage from standing on the ground, her weapon of choice wasn’t ideal for the situation. From the corner of his eye, Peeta saw three arrows ricochet off of the backs of beetles into the winding trees.

“Katniss, climb if you can! Go!” he shouted at her as he sliced through two mutts in fast fashion. This is the quickest he’s moved since his heart stopped.

She was at his back, protecting the other side. He wanted to turn his attention to her and help her move up the tree, but the beetles were populating at such quick speeds that he could hardly pull his attention from the distance of his arm span in front of him.

At the speed they were generating, he was pretty sure the gamemakers were seeking one outcome: death.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard her yelp.

“Katniss!” he yelled as loud as he could. As if on cue, the beetles started retreating from whatever hell they came from.

When Peeta turned around, he saw her. The fighting had shifted their position, and he was ten meters away.

She looked so small, her body dwarfed in its current position. Her knees drawn up to her chest as she laid on her left side, her eyes trained upward. Her chest heaved furiously with every breath. Her gray eyes panicked as they searched his. Her lithe hands desperately clutched her neck in an attempt to try to stop the bleeding from where the giant beetle-mutt’s pincers had severed her throat.

Peeta ran to her, his movements as fast as his false leg would allow. He kneeled right in front of her, and her face never stopped watching his.

“You’re OK. You’re OK. You’re gonna be OK,” Peeta repeated incessantly as he sprang into action. He ripped his undershirt off his back and tore the fabric into a strips he could tie around her neck to stop the bleeding.

When Peeta went to apply the compress, Katniss’s eyes grew wide, and she shook her head frantically. She didn’t dare to make a sound.

“Katniss, please. I can handle the looks of it. Please, let me help you,” Peeta pleaded with her. When she shook her head again, he saw streams of blood rush between the cracks between her fingers at the pulse rate of her slowing heart.

Desperate to help, Peeta went to remove her hands so he could quickly tie the fabric and stop the blood that was flowing freely from her neck. Katniss finally tried to protest his actions, but all she managed was an aggressive gurgling noise.

Peeta frantically searched her face, both terrified into action and paralyzed with fear. Katniss produced a singular cough that sprayed his face and chest with her hot blood.

Peeta’s head pounded. His face was hot from the weather and her blood and his tears. He went to move her hands one final time, but she responded with an almost imperceivable shake of her head. They had both faced death enough to know when it was inevitable.

He perched his body over her’s. His tears fell onto her, the tendrils of water leaving streaks in the dark crimson red that coated her hands and neck. Heavy tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.

“Please, Katniss. Please don’t die for me. Please stay,” he began, as sobs wracked through his body. His shoulders lurched forward as he watched her face scrunch in pain and agony and sorrow. The tears in the corners of her eyes finally rolled down the sides of her cheeks.

When she relaxed her face, her eyes met his sharply, the silver of her eyes rapidly transforming into a dull gray. Sorry, she mouthed to him, more tears trailing down her cheeks.

“Katniss, no. No. Don’t be sorry - please. Don’t be sorry. I wouldn’t be here without you. I couldn’t have done this without you. I can’t do it without you,” Peeta pleaded, his sobs pausing so words could escape him as quickly as possible, “I need you. I love you. I love you. Damn it, Katniss, I love you so much,” he finished through a choked sob.

Peeta could see she was trying to hold on for him, but the graying of her skin and the slowing of her heavy breaths told him his words were spoken on borrowed time. Her eyes searched his face again, saying everything she couldn’t.

As the heaving in her chest became dangerous, appearing painful, Katniss released the grip of her right hand from her neck. Using her last remaining strength, she extended her arm toward Peeta and placed it over the left side of his chest. Love, she mouthed to him.

She brought her bloodied hand up to his soaked cheek, and he clutched her hand with both of his. They stared at one another until the grip of her left hand loosened on her neck and her eyelids fluttered closed, shielding her silver eyes from the world for the last time. A second later, her canon fired.

#im sorry #i wasn’t originally gonna post this #but i figured i worked on it so i should post it #i was gonna add more past this ending #about peeta’s response to what happened #but felt this was an appropriate cut off #maybe i’ll expand it one day #but this is emotionally taxing to write and not my favorite idea tbh!!#even though i wrote it!#so that may be awhile away if it ever happens #katniss everdeen #peeta mellark #everlark #the hunger games #catching fire #everlark one shot #everlark fanfiction #jess writes

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serious-tabaxi · 5 months ago

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Ok, so, This is all set within the fictionally metropolis of Midnight Park, a city of 10 million on the shores of the Maryland coast. Midnight Park is a very divided place, with the tech moguls of the Silicon Heights looking over the squalor of Hooverville, the lush gardens, parks, and graveyards of Greenbelt being leeched of life from the smog of the Production Quarter, and the ever-watchful eye of their heroes of the Luminary Society just can't pierce through the shadowed allies and tunnels their rival villains lurk in.

First up on the hit list is Squall, Dr Simon Gale, the oldest of the villains who looks a bit like an cantaloupe balancing on top of a bowling ball, or some hybrid of that guy from those Boom Beach ads that was a meme a few years back with classic Eggman or Doc Ock. They were bullied for their looks during their childhood (especially by one Benedict Bright who you'll see later) and would grow into a meteorologist and climatologist, top of their class. Unfortunately, they were cursed to became one of the first to realize the potential dangers of climate change back in like the 90's and nobody took their observations seriously, reminding them of their childhood torments. In a fit of rage, the used experimental equipment for inducing artificial rainfall to turn a light drizzle into a pounding storm, flooding Midnight Park and dawning the modern age of heroes and villains. Unfortunately, they're ego would only grow and they'd slowly begin to see themself as the arbiter of natures wraith and be blinded to the cruelty of their actions.

Next up is Tox, Dr Garrett Adams. Dr Adams wasn't anyone special, just some humble chemist working for Venture Chemicals Co in the Production Quarter. That all changed during Squall's storm though. The floodwaters caused the chemical vats to burst and spill, dissolving several workers alive whilst Garrett was stranded in the rafters above where they're body slowly absorbed the fumes. Their skin and fat began to melt off their muscle and bones as it turned to wax from chemical exposure, soaking in chemical fumes and radiation as Adams used what first aid supplies he had to stave off death. By the time the floodwaters receded, Him and the chemicals had become one, a congealed mass of atomic tallow and luminous green organs within in endless agony that warped his mind into nothing but an abyss of hate. hate. hate. hate.

Then is Everyman, Tomas Jackson. Jackson was some unremarkable middle-aged conservative man who believed in standing for what you think is right and a growing resentment for the government. That was, until, some random no-name crook broke into his house and stole a family heirloom, his grandmother's old necklace, at which point he attempted to follow shotgun in hand to get it back. When he couldn't and the police also failed to find it, he was filled with rage and vowed to take makers into his own hands. Doning a home-forged steel helmet, gloves, trenchcoat, and voice changer, they set off into the night with a shotgun, a dream, and a very black-and-white sense of morality. These days, many of his fellow hands-on right wingers have donned similar costumes and joined him in his secret lair, the Halls of Justice, to find, torture, and execute whoever they deem guilty.

Mister Bones, Benedict Bright, was a bully growing up, especially to a young Simon Gale. His parents own a large carnival boardwalk by the name of the Bright Time Mile in Founder's Bay. His father died when Benedict was in his twenties and gave him control over the park. This was not a good idea as Mr Bright thought that the fear on the faces of others was just the funniest thing ever and slowly but surely made the park more thrilling, more threatening, more terrifying so he could laugh at the helpless scared children. He got a degree in sociology so that he could be even better at scaring people until they lost their minds and had his engineers work on developing advanced animatronics capable of free motion and though. Eventually, the Bright Time Mile's fear factor was toned down significantly to attract new guests and Mr Benedict started to dress in a more fitting costume, red and black with skeletal bodypaint. However, soon after this refurbishment, reports started to come out. Of of man in a black and white pinstripe suit, skull-faced gasmask, wide brimmed hat, oversized blood-stained mallet, and a simple wand loaded with a radioactive isotope that would melt the flesh right off your bones, and this man would chase you down without relent or remorse laughing at your screams until you could scream no more or grew too brave, at which point they'd get bored and leave.

Amp, Ruby Neumann, was the daughter of a German immigrant and was a lover of all things adrenaline-pumping, especially hardbass music. When they reached adulthood, they attempted to start a band, Bloodboil, but it never got off the ground. After that, she became a audio engineer and pioneered some interesting techniques. During a job under Benedict Bright to try to create audio disks that hum at just the right frequency to cause hallucinations, the hero Technopath broke in and gave chase, causing the equipment to short out and drive several other workers deaf. She escaped but lost the research for the disks but came to realize something; being chased... is actually pretty fun. She crafted a custom sound-suit covered with speakers that sounded at a frequency that could shatter stone and a sonic blaster that would rupture flesh and became a mercenary for the various gangs of Midnight Park, serving under them for the ultimate thrill.

And last for the villains is Krake, Richard Steinman. you already know about them. A cosmetics surgeon and geneticist who helped transgender and non-binary people transition until they had an otherkin awakening themself and was hit by a gnawing, insatiable longing to be an octopus (or, rather, the BODY of an octopus, they already were one in mind) even though they knew that they could reach reach it until Squall's storm created Tox and Midas, neither of which can really be considered human anymore and gave poor Steinman hope that they can achive their heart's desire with enough equipment, chemicals, and test subjects and so set up a secret lab in the Midnight Park underground where they performed inhumane experiments attempting to crack the code of transformation, eventually managing to figure it out and partly turn themself into an octopus, the happiest day of their life, but now aware of the toil they've reaped on the innocent citizens of Midnight park, all the friends they've lost and traded for power-hungry gangsters who wanted power for cheap, and these days they cry themselves to sleep every night,

However, now, it's hero time.

First is co-founder of the Luminary Society, Silver Sentinel. Henry Steele was a car mechanic in Founder's Bay until getting a new job as an engineer for Benedict Bright at the Bright Time Mile designing animatronics. He did this for some time before slowly realizing that what Bright wants aren't just animatronic mascot characters, but androids, semi-aware fake people, and that just didn't sit right with them and so they left, turning back to their old work for a while before bumping into an Everyman recruiter who conviced them to serve under the forces of "Justice", taking a box of mechanical limbs from their old job and created a primitive suit of power armor to boost his strength. After about a month though, he realized that Everyman was just a butcher, killing any who he arbitrarily deemed "Guilty" and moving one actually without doing anything to make Midnight Park a better place and so, left them. He wondered guilty and aimless for some time before meeting Coldheart and founding the Luminary Society to atone for their past sins, establishing a strict code of honor to make up for it.

Of course, Next up is Coldheart. Emeline Eaton was a skier, the best in all Midnight Park in fact. She would ski down the slopes of Appalachia every winter preparing for the day she could enter into the Winter Olympics, her personal dream and everyone believed in her. One winter when she was setting off, a strange man in a hazmat suit approached her, not a single snowflake on their body preaching how fit she was. She listened, confused, until the figure proclaimed how much he DESPISED health as they took off their hood, revealing the vile molten features of Tox right before Emeline punch him right in the face in response, only for Tox to merely laugh as the chemical cocktail begain to make her flesh melt too arm-first. She fell on the ground and rolled down the slope, slamming right into a frozen lake. She awoke later that month after the thaw with bluish frostbite skin and discovered that no level of cold effect her anymore but if she were to ever rise above the freezing point, she'd begin to melt like Tox. She lived for a week sleeping in mall freezers and walking around with a sack of dry ice tied to her back before meeting Silver Sentinel, who rigged up a crude insulation suit to keep her cool and together they formed the Luminary Society.

Midas, Dr Gianni Agneas, was a quantum physicist specializing in using particle smashers and accelerators to transmutate old or synthesize new elements. He was working on an experimental device he named the Philosopher's Engine that could transmute any one substance into any other when Squall's storm hit, lightning striking the side of the lab and causing the machine to go haywire spouting particles and radiation until it exploded, knocking Gianni out in the process. When they awoke, Everything left in the ruins had been transmuted, including themself, they had been turned to a scintillating rainbow of elements such as lead, bismuth, and sulfur and whatever they touched would itself be transmuted into something different. After a few years as a medical oddity, they had learned to control their powers, being able to choose what they turned what into, joining the Luminary Society and turning enough trash into gold to allow them to buy an abandoned observation tower to turn into their headquarters, the Luminary Spire.

Technopath, Nathan Sutton, isn't from Midnight Park, he's not even from the east coast. Born in the state of California as the son of the tech billionaire Dell Sutton of Telekinetics Inc, Nathan never faced much hardship growing up and so spent most of their time reading comic books and watching movies. They were big fans of stories about cowboy and pirate vigilantes and secret spies infiltrating the lairs of megalomaniacal masterminds. After hearing of the Luminary Society following the purchase of the Luminary Spire and their growing awareness of their father's love of money over them, he underwent an experimental surgery to have Telekinetics Inc technology installed into his body, becoming a cyborg with built-in radios and electromagnets granting them powers like remote usage of electronics, telekinesis, and more before moving to Midnight Park and applying for the Society several times before getting approved as their youngest member. Silver Sentinel is something of an idol of theirs and they seem potential in the young cyborg and have taken them in as a pupil.

Nightshade, real name Sophia Burke, always preferred plants to people. Plants wouldn't bully you for being weird, plants would always listen to what you have to say, plants would never be "too busy" to pay attention to their child. As she grew, she got a degree in botany and toxicology whilst studying abroad. When she came back however, She discovered that her parents had been murdered. No matter how strained there relationship, she still valued their lives and so went out to try to find the killer, Using her knowledge to blend into the plantlife and apply subtle poisons to their enemies to render them inoperable. Eventually she found the culprit; Everyman, Her parents were corrupt it turns out and had been engaging with drug smuggling for the black market and he couldn't let that stand. Shaken to her core by that discovery but still wanting to put a stop to Everyman's crimes and not believe that they're strong enough, she joined the Luminary Society to train, though her willingness to kill give her a strained relationship with the rest of them.

And that's it. That's them, my boys!

i imagine at least Menoa would, in response to Everyman's semi-fascist outlook, make himself into a hero called "Nuance" that would show up to every attempted murder, and debate the murderer in the middle of them attempting to do the murder.

meanwhile Akari would be the one who actually prevents the crimes.

sorry i'm thinking in terms of me ocs.

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streamdotpng · 1 year ago

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The voices talk to Enid sometimes.

Sure, their crazy mutterings has driven her to headaches and the wish to dig her nails into her brain to keep them quiet but!

It was nice to talk to someone.

Hard to keep contact with anyone when you moved to some random place of nowhere so any company - even if it was in the hushed murmurings of past wolves that crave and crow for the blood that had suffocated them - was better than nothing

But through the frenzied murmurs of chase after that squirrel! or the cry of a McDonald's! that doesn't exist in this tiny town, Enid can hear the voices of people that isn't so lost to grief and death.

They're the older ones from before the massacre and the taint, when her status was a blessing and not a curse.

They talk when the sun first rises, the only time where most of the craved seemed to almost hibernate and Enid appreciates the way the midnight sky breaks apart for the light warm glow of orange.

It feels like she can breathe during these times. She appreciated the night sky, loving the moons glow like every wolf but..

Enid closes her eyes, remembering the look Wednesday gave her all those nights ago.

Yeah, like every wolf.

It's no wonder her blood went for wednesday when they could. Who wouldn't?

are you alright? a voice asks, it's enough to make enid open her eyes and bask in the tiring heat of the sun and her body aches. The voice didn't hold the harsh gnash of teeth, like a snarl echoing but they speak with the soft strain of a voice, one so used to screaming.

"missin' her," Enid answers. There was no use for lying. "seems like no matter where I go, I'll think of her."

The mental image of a ? pops into her head and Enid humms, pulling her knees up to lay her arms and head on them.

She feels tired.

She should sleep soon. It's too early to be up, she needs to head inside.

(To the empty halls? The cold bed?)

Maybe she should stay out a little longer and feel the warmth, vitamin D is healthy after all.

"got away from jersey 'cause they're livin' there," Enid murmurs, tracing her arm with a finger as her eyes stared onto the rising sun. Maybe if she stares long enough, the light will sear into her eyes instead of someone else. "i helped picked their house and-"

She choked, her throat closing before she let out a breath.

".. I don't know why but I thought that could've been us someday," Enid admits as her eyes blur. "just me and 'day, like in nevermore."

There's no shame in wishing, it speaks and Enid breathes a shuddering air as she blinks. It's only human.

The werewolf eyes drops and she burrows her head fully into her arms.

"human to wish for someone else?"

Yes. We earned our place here by doing so.

"I don't know what to feel about that," she drly mutters. "kinda crazy to know that thousands of old spirits are wafting in my brain."

We are here to aide when we can.

Why couldn't you aide me when it mattered then? She wants to snap. Why couldn't you tell me that I would end up like this? Miserable, alone.

Exactly what she didn't want.

Enid wants to scream, she wants to choke out the words of why.

She burrows herself deeper, wishing that the cushion of her arm was another ones shoulder. She thinks back to damp woods, of harsh breathes and blood staining her hands as she holds the one person she cares about in this world.

She thinks of Wednesday.

Thinks of that small curl of her lips and the way her cheek dips into a beautiful dimple. Enid breathes in the dust of her clothes and wishes that it's the familiar ache of some kind of poison and dirt from the Addams cemetery.

"why can't I stop," Enid says, her eyes a glazed empty blue as she gazes into nothing. "why do I see her everywhere?"

The world must be mocking her because even when the wolf left to a whole different state, to as far as she could go. Enid sees the girl she loves in every step of the way. In the woods she walks, the dark of her kitchen, the blood that spills from her fingers as she works, stuck in the shadows inbetween the houses-

Wednesday is there like a parasite, leeching onto her brain and leaving Enid unable to think of anything else.

It takes a moment but when they answer, it makes Enid laugh. The sound a pathetic watery wheeze as a tear slips before the rest follows.

It makes sense, doesn't it?

You love her after all.

#Au thoughts #Or I write Hermit enid #Writing #Enid Sinclair #Wenclair #Angst

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junos-cacophony · 6 months ago

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why is fate of the stars actually kind of a good song

especially the last part omfg ashbdhhdjsjsjdjd

#either that or i’ve been listening to too much g&e recently #🍊rambles #not art #tally hall #tallyhall #good & evil #good and evil #g&e #fate of the stars #aid’s random midnight thoughts

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eziojensenthe3rd · 20 days ago

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Midnight Gaming: Ancient Egyptian Sleep Aid! How to handle your inner and outer demons through healthy sleep habits and overwhelming violence!

Hey all, happy new year and all that jazz. 2024 was only slightly better than 23 and hopefully 2025 ends up being better than how it appears. I suppose since this is the first MG post of the year, I feel its only appropiate to dedicate the news segment to an explanation. And hey in return you'll get 4, thats right, 4 games I had played past midnight during the december break.

So Midnight Gaming is a series born out of a strange coincidence in 2024. One night I played Crime Boss Rockay City and decided to check twitter a bit before heading to bed when news broke of trump having been shot at. I thought it was just an isolated incident and went on my merry way until the next event.

Another day, I played Fallout 76 past midnight, checked socials again and lo and behold, biden caught covid. Ok so 2 times thats happened, nothing to make a big deal of. Mostly just enough to make a doofensmirtz meme out of but surely it wont happen a third time.

Later on another day, I played Divinity Original Sin past midnight, checked socials and wouldnt you know it, biden stepped down and kamala replaced him in the presidential running. So now I have a thrice coincidence where I've played a game past midnight only for some major event to have happened. Hell later after I started this series, I played Deathspank past midnight, right as the stock market crashed. Seems like a good time as any to start a blog series intent on recreating those conditions.

Best way I can describe this series is that of a guy sitting by himself at the corner of a bustling bar, drunkenly rambling to himself about video game media and current events and maybe occasionally says some compelling shit. Thats pretty much it. As for what this series is to me, its mainly a means for me to get back into writing and creating stuff again since I used to do that in my early teens before burning out and just stopping.... so now Im finally trying to get myself back into that with this series, but it also helps push me into playing more games instead of just browsing youtube and social media, try and get into the backlog a bit.

I usually pick a game to play to or past the stroke of midnight, look up any major events or news, mostly gaming related, and then write about them the next day. Thats the gist of this series.

Honestly when it comes to opinion based thinkpieces about video games, theres bound to be a risk of someone getting irate over what I said. Sometimes its entirely my fault and I wouldnt mind the criticism, hell its why I usually ask for feedback at the end of these. But other times.... look, there are people who spend their working days writing articles with clickbait headlines, with paragraphs of what are arguably just expanded hot takes, who collect a paycheck at the end of the end of the week.

I dont get paid to do this, Im doing this solely for the love of the game. So if I say an opinion that you disagree with please understand that I am sorry, it will happen again.

Of course thats assuming anyone reads this....

ANYWAYS GAMES NOW

First up is Nightmare Reaper which is a rougelike fp... get back here. Yeah I get a lot of people might be feeling a bit of roguelike fatigue nowadays but this game is definatly worth checking out, assuming you havent already. Ypu're a mental patient in a asylum, go to sleep and murder your inner demons through various enviroment with any weapons you find in there. The combat feels pretty damn punchy with all the weapons you come across being effective and varied between either melee weapons, conventional firearms, explosives or even just magic.

Alot of the guns do seem to follow the borderlands formula of having different stats depending on the item rarity, with prefixes such as leech chance, reload speed, magazine size and of course the lovely random projectile which changes what your weapon shoots to one of several different projectile types which could either be plasma balls, ice shards, knives or in my case.... vegetables. Most of the time I just get vegetables as the projectile.

Of course you'd need to scour the map to kill every enemy, find every secret and collect every treasure (which can be irritating when you're stuck on a level looking for that crack in the wall hiding a secret) so you can get all the gold bonuses for completing them per level so you can use them to buy upgrades in an upgrade screen that has you play a super mario bros like game to get the upgrades. You use the gold to enter a level, complete the level and you get the upgrade. Its how you're going to unlock the double jump and dash abilities as well as your typical upgrades like max health and ammo counts.

You'll also unlock two other upgrade minigames with their own unique currencies, the topaz game being a pokemon game with pills that act as modifiers with drawbacks and the jade minigame which is a space shooter with the jade being gained from playing the arena gamemode accessed via a different bed. You can thankfully turn the minigames off if you dont want to bother with them and just buy the upgrades outright. Overall good game, made it to the end

So next up is Powerslave Exhumed, a remaster of the saturn/ps1 version of Powerslave that has been released on most consoles. If you didnt know already, there were two versions of Powerslave with the pc version being a build engine boomer shooter while the console version was more akin to a metroidvania with you collecting upgrades and backtracking to earlier levels to get past obstacles you didnt had the right item.

You know a game aint fucking around when it throws an m60 light machine gun as the 2nd weapon you find. Anyways aliens are invading egypt, the spirit of ramses offers some help and guidance as you travel to a number of locations, lighting up bugs, mummies and catgirls as you look around for the next item that lets you progress, as well as any transmitter pieces if you want that good ending.

The nightdive port does work fairly well, though in fairness I havent really played powerslave before so if there were changes or differences, im afraid I wouldnt notice. I can however say that I played this first on the easy skill to gauge the difficulty before bumping it up on hard and it definatly feels like a jump since not only do you face more enemies, there attacks do hurt a bit more. A lot of moments in my session resulted in me having low health, trying to find jars in the hopes they drop health power and of course dealing with the damn mummies who can't seem to decide whether their skull projectiles are homing or not. Sometimes they go forwards into a wall, sometimes they chase me with a bit more efficiency than doot skeletons rockets from doom.

From what I played so far, Its a neat lil game and I like the egypt locales and themes, especially since you dont end up in only desert temples and tombs. Theres some abandoned mines, a swamp, a lava cave zone and of course theres the lands that the aliens terraformed that you can go to near the end. One major complaint though, whoever made it so that the breakable jars can sometimes explode when broken, sending out exploding snakes that can damage or outright kill me when I was needing health or weapon power?

I hope you stub your toe. Anyways next game.

I played Blood West back when it was in early access and enjoyed it for what it offered. The 1st act where you rise as an undead cowboy in a wild west teeming with monsters and cryptids is.... well not really original. There are several other bits of media that cover a weird west kinda vibe, heck there's even a game called that made by ex-arkane devs. But were not gonna critique this on originality, just on what it does and if its fun. And what it does is pretty good and is pretty fun.

For one, stealth is prioritised heavily since a lot of enemies can either close the distance to maul, shoot at you with firearms and spells or a mixture of both and the rusty revolver you find early on wont do much to stop them unless you aim for the head, so you better do your best to sneak past them or find better equipment.... or just whack em up the head with an axe when they aint looking.

Yeah I havent really done a proper melee build in Blood West but you could handle a lot of early game enemies with just a rusty axe and some stealth so you can sneak attack some enemies. Heck if you pick the perk that improves your stealth as well as save up cash to buy the bone knife from the shaman early on, you can sneak around and backstab a good amount of threats like a spy from Team Fortress 2 doing a montage for his texas audience.

Doing a proper melee build would be neat to do since theres a good number of skills that work with it such as improving swing speed and doing more damage along with a berserker skill that lets you get health back with melee kills. Mostly I try to stick with the bow for early game before moving towards the sawn off shotgun and lever action rifle, though I mostly just use melee anyway to save on ammo. Hmmm.... I should actually get around to doing that run huh?

Anyways blood west is good, they have the VA for Garrat from the thief series voicing the cowboy, used to be a guy called Jake "the voice" or whatever but they replaced him with Nick Valentine. Also a dlc released recently for this called dead mans promise that has the Shadowman VA in it. Go play it.

So now, finally, we are at our final game for this 2025 start for Midnight Gaming and its a game I've been playing a lot past midnight, all night in fact. From 2024. Its pokemon sleep.

Given the formula I've settled for this series, sleep is gonna be something I have to balance to make sure I dont burnout again while doing this. So I figured I try to use a sleep app to help with that.... and I have a bit of history with Pokemon given I played a lot of blue on gameboy... I was pretty into pokemon as a kid to be honest. The games, the show, the films, the card game, nearly all of it at the time.

So I decided to go with Pokemon Sleep to try and build a healthy sleep schedule via means of bulking up a snorlax with berries and meals. And sleeping, that too is involved. You basically catch some pokemon by feeding them biscuits before enlisting them into indentured servitude to gather berries and ingredients while you feed them candy to make them stronger and get better helpers in your weekly sleep campaign.

So important thing I found from online reasearch early on was that getting a pokemon with the main skill Energy for Everyone gives them a chance to recover some energy for all your helpers, making them perform better throughout the day. Of course its best if the pokemon has a nature that boosts main skill chance as well as sub skills that boost the chance of an activation or a double activatiob, that way you can proc the skill and keep your "helpers" topped up like a living energy drink.

Igglypuff is a good pokemon to catch early on since they have the skill, evolving takes less resources and every evolution levels the pokemons main skill up by one, meaning getting a pokemon that you can evolve 2 or 3 times means you can level their main skill up a bit. Me though I went with a sylveon since they're apparently good. Though it takes a bit to get one. You need an eevee along with 80 eevee candies and about 150 hours of sleep logged with the eevee you want to level in your party. At the very least, I have them now and they have a good nature thats boosts chance along with chance boosting skills, so they occasionally trigger a double skill activation which raises the teams energy by a lot.

And I named them Astolfo. You might say its because they're both pink and you'd be half right.... buuuutttt its also because they remind me of a can of monster energy, so I named em after a character related to that drink thanks to a.....certain......picture.

If you know, you know.

Biggest complaint about Pokemon Sleep is that I have never gotten to track my sleep at all. The hours were saved but any other information beyond that is gone, an error that says they couldn't track my sleep info so I just get a balanced sleep type each time and left to go my merry way since the sleep points, pokemon attracting and other stuff still works.

Also the diets you feed your weekly snorlax are a bit strange. Theres three categories of recipes you can make that your snorlax will want to eat and only eat for their daily meals. Each week a different snorlax will have a different type so you end up cooking those foods for them. First off, Curries and Stews? Makes sense, you can build a decent diet out of that, I think. Salads? Again fine, pretty healthy though, since your aim is to bulk up your snorlax, there isnt very much calories that you can shove into them to fatten them up. And finally, Desserts and Drinks? Yeah... feed your Snorlax a breakfast of fizzy soda that sounds great and definatly not agonising on an empty stomach. Whats for dinner? A hot cup of milk, fuck you.

Its fine, Poke Sleep is fine. Add me on there so I could mooch candy from you.

So thats that. First post of 2025 and it was a big one. Hopefully I can get back to talking about one game and one bit of news for this series agaib and I hope to continue working on it. I generally want to do something that gets me creating something, while also pushing me to play more games. And if any these posts convince you to play any of the games I talked about, thats cool.

Anyways, thank you all SO much for reading this issue of Midnight Gaming. Feel free to leave feedback or game suggestions and I'll talk you all another time.

Ok you know what, it was this pic here and its comparing the size of the can to his co...

#midnight gaming #gaming #pokemon #blood west #nightmare reaper #powerslave #fps #pokemon sleep #monster energy

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lulutaylorsimaginarium · 1 year ago

Text

The Chain

Summary: When the guys get stuck in a situation and hunted down by a drug lord. Frankie makes a call he really doesn’t want to make to the only person that can help them

Words:1069

Warnings: “creator chooses not to use warnings.” If you click Keep Reading, that means you agree that you’re the right age to handle mature themes. We handle our own triggers with kindness and grace

AN: Mind any grammar mistakes even though the story has been checked. The author is dyslexic and it is the wonders of her brain.

PART ONE

She never saw herself going to Brazil. It was never on the list of dream places to visit. In all honesty Gabby had never really thought about Brazil at all but when Frankie called her asking for her help. She couldn’t say no. He saved her life once and she owed him. So, without even thinking about it ,she hopped on a plane from The Netherlands for São Paulo. He didn’t tell her why and how of it all. Frank needed her help and that was all she needed to know.

That was all fine and good, until she was wandering down a dirty street trying to find the right green favela at almost midnight on a random Tuesday.

Jet lagged and grouchy

She had been in dangerous places before. She had worked for a non-for-profits for almost four years. She had been an aid worker for the ten years before that.

Gabby had been all over the world, but she had never walked through a slum at thistime of night. She hated to admit it.

Gabby was a little on edge.

Checking every window and door of every house, every alleyway but she couldn’t see very far.

Why the heck was Frankie here in the first place?

Gabby was starting to get ticked off. She flew across the planet to help him and he couldn’t even met her at the airport, the city centre or even at the top of the street. Gabby didn’t need a horse and carriage, but an escort might have been nice.

Suddenly she heard a strange sounding bird

“Caw caw”

A human sounding bird, from on high.

Gabby frowned before rolling her eyes and turning around putting her hands on her hips

“Come out, come out wherever you are” she sang playfully “I know it’s one of you”

She heard feet sliding down a dirt slop and didn’t have to wonder if they landed on their feet because it sounded way too graceful for a bulky military dude.

“In all the slums in all the world”

“Hey Benny” she said sweetly before hugging him “What has he got me into?”

“You’re not going to like it Gabs”

He took her bag out of her hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Strangely it did make all the difference.

“Is he at least in one piece?”

“Physically we are all okay. We’re just up a creek, that’s all”

“Okay. Well, I’ve been up a creek before. We can figure it out”

He led her over to the right place and guided her into the front door. The only person she saw when she walked through that door was Frankie. She sighed and rushed into his arm before he picked her up of the dirty floor. She felt his hand on the back of her head, holding her for a few more seconds than he should have.

“I’m okay”

“Hey” she said before looking around the room before seeing a tall blonde guys standing in a corner “You, I don’t know”

“Will”

“Oh, you’re the brother”

“I’m the smart one”

“Well. I mean. Blows to his head and all. It’s not difficult”

“Nah, he was born that stupid” Will laughed before Benny hit Will’s arm. Gabby had four brothers. She understood.

“Someone better tell me what’s going on. Garcia, I’m looking at you”

“Why are you looking at me?”

“You are normally the mastermind and I’m guessing since I’m here that plans A through C or even D haven’t worked”

“We need you to help us move something”

“Something you shouldn’t have?”

“Something that can’t be seen by anybody else”

“Like what?” she asked hesitantly

“If you could use all those connections that I know you have. So, we can move this. That would be great”

“You want me to use company resources? What are you trying to move?”

He moved aside and looked at the two palettes in front of her. Pope moved the cloth off the palette and showed her a corner of the money

“Someone is going to skin you alive”

“Costa Rojas”

“Nope” she spun on her heels “Nope. You can go to hell”

“It’s not that hard, Gabby. Just call someone. You don’t even have to come with us. I don’t know. Have someone meet us”

"Garcia, if you think I'm going to use my company’s reputation to smuggles dirty money home for you. You are insane"

"It's that or we all die. Including Frankie" Her mouth fell open stunned that he would even use that as a tactic “Just thought you might want to return the favour”

“You’re an arsehole”

“Funny, it’s not the first time you’ve called me that”

“Yes, and it is a little more true every time I use it”

“Oh come on, I’m not that bad”

“You’re blackmailing me”

“Only a little bit”

“Gabby” Frankie started to speak before she fixed him with a glare

“You do not get to speak right now. I’m just as pissed at you” she rubbed the back of her neck and sighed “I have to get out of here for a bit”

“Gabs”

“Frank” she warned before he watched her walk out the door.

Frankie glared at Pope every emotion written over his face.

“She’ll be back. She’ll be fine” Pope shook his head.

He hadn’t been expecting her to be this stubborn. Although he shouldn’t have been surprised. Gabby turns stubbornness into a fine art.

It was the only reason she was still alive.

“I’ll go with her” Will offered

“Thanks man” Frankie said rubbing his right shoulder, stressed

She had stopped down the street the rip the plastic wrapper of her fresh packet of cigarette. She didn’t know why she had brought them at the airport before boarding but it made sense to her now and thank God she had.

Her hands shook with rage as she tried to light the cigarette between her lips.

“You wanna go for a drink?” someone asked quietly behind her “You could use one”

She turned around to see Will leaning against the closest building

“I don’t drink”

He took the lighter out of her hand and lit her cigarette for her before slipping the lighter back into the packet.

“Well, you can watch me drink. We’ll get you something else”

“It’s almost midnight”

Will offers her his arm “Come on, you haven’t known me long enough to be pissed at me yet”

Despite herself. Gabby laughed, she took his arm and they walked down the street

#romanticism #triple frontier #netflix #Santiago “Pope” Garcia #santiago garcia #William “Ironhead” Miller #Will Miller #Francisco Morales #Frankie Morales #Ben Miller #pedro pascal #oscar isaac #garrett hedlund #charlie hunnam #santiago garcia x oc #The Chain

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wasteland-squog-baby · 5 months ago

Note

However, now, it's hero time.

And that's it. That's them, my boys!

The boys. They be back in town?

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