#and she will keep it as a secret for as long as possible

[timmydraker]

I made myself sad thinking about Tim being alone at his home when growing up and only having someone to talk to when he went to school and so I decided to make him a cat but because it’s Tim it’s not going to be that simple:

Instead:

Imagine Tim who accidently gets a witches familiar.

It starts when he’s six and his parents flight was delayed so he decides to use the extra time to go find some wild flowers in the backyard forest to bring them. He doesn’t know the space very well but he knows enough to make sure he can always see the manner he lives in and keeps a torch and a few snacks with him just in case.

When he first sees the shadow like figure in the corner of his eye the little boy freaks out but manages to calm down enough to take the dozen flowers he had and start heading back. He feels something watching him all the way home and that night when he looks out his window Dow he swears he see more movement.

He swears to leave it be because lords knows he’s too young to be dealing with ghost and monsters.

But there’s one problem that will never change in regards to Tim Drake: he’s too curious.

Once his parents leave again Tim is back on the border of the forest and calls out a cautious ‘hello?’ Into the small kingdom of trees.

Nothing happens and so the next time he brings an offering in the form of a pile of nuts, a pair of his mums earrings she had thrown in the bin because they were apparently unsightly after the turn of the century, as well as a marshmallow from his very secret and special stash.

The next day he found a four holed button the colour of one of the Aster flowers he had given his parents when he first felt the presence.

He made it into a bracelet and wore it proudly for the next few days before his dad made him take it off before a gala.

Luckily the thing in the forest didn’t seem to take offence and instead he found the charm he had left on his desk safely hanging from his window sill without his input.

Tim brought several gifts for his new mysterious friend, mainly marshmallows and bits of his mums jewlery she was didn’t wear anymore.

Whenever he left nuts or any other kind of food it was never moved, even other sweets and treats stayed where he left them.

It’s a year after this little tradition starts that Tim actually sees the presence that he had been calling ‘Curious’.

It’s from a distance as he’s going through photos of Batman on his window sill, legs tucked up and back pressed against the wooden frame that brackets the window. He looks up periodically to the small pile of marshmallows he’s left on a plate just where the woods start, waiting for them to suddenly vanish before he goes to bed, when he looks up and sees it.

It’s tall, as tall as the trees and cloaked in shadows and darkness, so much so it’d be impossible to miss even if the light of his room wasn’t shining out towards it.

Tim gasps silently but doesn’t look away or feel fear, because something in him just knows that this is his friend. This is Curious.

Instead he finds himself smiling, possibly beaming at the animated dark before him.

Curious doesn’t smile back or wave or anything and yet Tim can feel a relief and happiness that’s second to his own and yet feels like it’s his.

When Tim blinks the shadows have reached out to lift the marshmallows into its veil like form, long fingers that seem twice the amount of a humans curl like spider legs around the surgery sweets and then they are lost in the dark of its form.

Tim goes to sleep that night with excitement and hope in his heart, a burning curiosity in his heart as hundreds of questions and theories rattle his brain, but it’s all unimportant compared to the fact that he has a friend at home.

He has someone to, in a way, live with.

The next morning he wakes to his alarm and a heavy weight on his chest.

Tim opens his eyes to see a fluffy monstrosity of a cat, big golden eyes hidden in light brown and grey fur staring at him with so much knowing and understanding. It’s more than even Ives shows him when Tim brushes off questions about his parents.

He knows just as he did the night before that this is Curious.

His Curious.

He cautiously reached a hand to pat the fur and watches his hand disappear into the soft fur like its quicksand. When a loud purr, slightly echoing like its not quite real, rumbles through the little body Tim beams again and squeezes the feline shape as close as he can.

Curious doesn’t leave Tim’s side very often, only when Tim goes bathroom does he give him space. When Tim starts training to be Robin Curious shifts his body into Tim’s shadow so he can follow without having to deal with Batman’s security rules.

Curious follows Tim when he goes to train with Shiva, when he goes to space with his team, when he goes on his trip around the world to save Bruce, but it’s painful for the little familiar because Tim isn’t actually a witch.

Which means there is no power for Curious to draw from and so it’s unable to help at all.

It can change its form but the only physical contact it can make is with its master, it can’t fight with Tim or defend him when he needs it.

And yet Tim doesn’t mind.

While Curious feels like a failure for being unable to do anything for his master, Tim rewards it all the time. Constantly is he giving it new necklaces for its cat shape and marshmallows when they stay guard all night while he sleeps.

In the face of such powerlessness, Curious vows to find ways to help its Tim.

So, it’s a sentry of a sort. No one can sneak up on Tim Drake or Red Robin, because he will always just know that someone is there. No one ever suspects that it’s his weirdly attached cat or his own shadow alerting him with a soul like connection.

Everyone in the family knows that Tim has a cat, because one time Damian got all mopey at dinner and complained that the stray cat he found around the manner lawns wasn’t being his friend no matter what he did.

He ranted about how he brought it food and water and toys but the unnaturally fluffy cat would just stare at him before running off.

When Tim realises that he means Curious he snorts, making Damian glare at him and demand to know what he finds so funny.

Tim simply makes a ‘sst’ like sound twice and suddenly the big cat his waltzing out from under the table and into Tim’s lap.

Damian is furious but mostly embarrassed, acting like he’s upset that Tim didn’t tell him he had a cat when instead he’s upset that he befriended a cat Damian couldn’t.

Tim explains that Curious has been his cat for years and doesn’t like anyone else, so not to take it personally, and when they ask what the gender is Tim reply’s cryptically, “it doesn’t like gender.”

No one knows what to say to that as Tim leaves the room with the cat in his arms, but they all witness the cat lean over his shoulder and lick a long black tendril over his own face.

Bruce nearly sprains something with how quickly he stands up.

[formulaonecrumbs]

junie could you do osc and reader just being domestic. smut, but not just pure smut. him being gentle and loving. maybe a slight flare up but she just begs him to keep going, the feeling of him distracting her from the pains and aches. after they just cuddle and he takes care of her with medications and stuff :)

-🧸

ps idk how much i’ll be active in the upcoming days (activity may be increased depending on how it all goes) but i have a surgery tomorrow so that’s fun

in every small way

Oscar Piastri x PCOS!reader

summary: you’re aching all over, but oscar is there to help in every way he possibly can

warnings: soft smut (p in v), chronic pain mentions, aftercare, domestic fluff

A/N: hi baby!!! i made sure to make it extra long so u can read it before and or after ur surgery, which i hope goes or has gone well! i’m praying for u. depending on when u sent this in, i’m not sure when u’ll be getting it but if u’ve already had it, lemme know how it went pls! message me if u need someone to talk to. i love u, 🧸❤️

⚘ ⚘ ⚘ ⚘

it starts quiet.

you’ve been curled up all day, body aching in that dull, relentless way. your joints feel heavy, your lower back throbs, and even breathing too deep makes something in your ribs tighten. it’s the kind of pain that doesn’t scream—it just lingers, wears you down, makes the world a little grayer around the edges.

oscar knows the signs by now. the way you go quiet. the way your movements slow down. how your eyes look a little glassy, even when you’re trying to smile.

he doesn’t ask what you need. not yet. he just folds himself into the couch beside you, tugs your legs into his lap, and rests his cheek against your thigh. his fingers trace slow circles over your calf, then your knee, then higher—gentle, steady, grounding.

you hum, soft and low. “feels bad today.”

his voice is quiet, warm against your skin. “i know, baby.”

there’s a pause, like he’s waiting, like he’s letting the silence settle so you can lean into it. and you do—because you always do, with him. your fingers slide into his curls, and he turns his face into your stomach.

“distract me?” you whisper.

his eyes flick up. there’s a question there. but there’s no hesitation.

“come here.”

you let him guide you up into his arms, the blanket falling away as he carries you—not far, just down the hallway, into the bedroom that smells like the two of you. he lays you down with a kind of reverence, like he’s afraid you’ll break if he’s too rough, and you melt into the sheets, already feeling safer.

he undresses you slowly. not teasing—just careful. thoughtful. like every inch of skin he reveals is something precious. and when he crawls over you, kissing up your belly, your chest, your throat—you feel it in your bones.

“tell me if anything hurts, okay?” he murmurs, brushing his knuckles along your side. “we’ll stop.”

you shake your head. “don’t wanna stop.”

his mouth is on yours before you finish the sentence, slow and soft, his tongue warm and coaxing, his hands smoothing over your hips, your thighs. you shiver when he slides his fingers lower, between your legs—just barely touching, just enough to make you arch into him.

“fuck,” he breathes when he feels how wet you already are. “you need me that bad, baby?”

you nod, desperate. “just want you.”

he takes his time. one finger inside you, then two, curling gently, building that sweet pressure until your hips are rocking into his hand. he watches you like he’s memorizing it—the way your lips part, the way your breath hitches, the way you whisper his name like a secret.

when he finally slides into you, it’s slow. deep. he holds himself there, forehead pressed to yours, just breathing with you. you wrap your arms around his shoulders, thighs trembling as he starts to move—unhurried, careful, like every thrust is meant to soothe, not just satisfy.

it’s not rough. it’s not rushed. it’s perfect—his body moving with yours, his hands cupping your face, his mouth brushing over your jaw, your ear, your lips.

“feels so good,” you breathe, eyes fluttering shut. “god, you feel so good—don’t stop.”

he groans softly, hips rolling deeper. “i’m not going anywhere. promise.”

your pain doesn’t disappear���but it dulls under him, beneath the pleasure, the closeness. the way he fills you and holds you and whispers how beautiful you are, how good you feel, how much he loves you.

you come quietly, clinging to him, burying your face in his shoulder. he follows not long after, breathing your name like a vow.

and then it’s quiet again.

your body’s still humming, skin warm and nerves hazy, but the aches are creeping back in slowly—like they’ve been waiting just outside the door. not sharp, not unbearable, just there. dull pressure in your joints, a low pulse in your lower back.

but oscar doesn’t pull away.

he’s still inside you, chest pressed to yours, his breath soft against your cheek. one arm curled under your shoulders, the other smoothing up and down your thigh, like he’s trying to keep you grounded with the simple act of touch.

he kisses your temple, lingering. “how are you feeling?”

you hum against his neck. “floaty. sore. but good.”

he chuckles, low in his chest. “sore from me or…?”

“from both,” you admit, and he leans back just enough to see your face.

“alright,” he says gently, brushing your hair back, “let’s get you cleaned up, then.”

he pulls out of you slowly, carefully, pressing a kiss to your shoulder as he moves. you shiver a little at the shift—at the emptiness, at the cold air—and he’s already tugging the blankets over you again, muttering something about how he’ll be back in a second.

you hear the soft patter of his feet across the floor, the sink running, a cupboard opening. the familiar, cozy rhythm of your shared home. then he returns, one hand warm against your hip, the other holding a damp cloth.

“okay,” he murmurs. “just relax.”

he’s so gentle with you—cleaning between your thighs, wiping sweat from your skin, moving slow like he’s scared to hurt you. and he never rushes. not once. when he’s done, he finds a soft pair of his boxers and helps you into them, then one of his old t-shirts, slipping it down over your head with a soft kiss to your shoulder.

“there we go, baby.”

you blink up at him, eyes a little glassy, limbs still heavy. “you’re being so sweet.”

he grins, presses a kiss to your forehead. “always am.”

he helps you sit up, supporting your back as he fluffs the pillows behind you. then he disappears again, returning with a glass of water, two ibuprofen in his palm, and a hot water bottle wrapped in a soft cover.

you blink at the sudden bundle of care. “you’re an entire pharmacy.”

“a sexy, barefoot pharmacy,” he smirks, handing you the pills and water. “take these, then you can lie on me for the rest of the night.”

you swallow them obediently, and he climbs back into bed, pulling you onto his chest. the hot water bottle settles against your lower back, and his hands never stop moving—one massaging lazy circles into your hip, the other stroking through your hair like he’s trying to soothe you from the inside out.

it’s quiet. peaceful.

the only sound is your breathing, slow and steady against his ribs. he smells like skin and warmth and something comforting—like home.

after a while, he speaks, voice low and soft. “wish i could take it all away.”

you lift your head just enough to meet his eyes. “you already do. every time.”

he leans in, kisses you slow. not needy. not hungry. just… full. full of love. full of quiet promises.

you fall asleep on his chest not long after, body warm, pain eased, heart so full it almost aches.

and he stays awake a little longer, one arm around your waist, his other hand still tangled gently in your hair—watching over you like he’s trying to protect you from the world.

you wake to the weight of a hand stroking down your back, slow and steady, fingertips tracing lazy shapes through the fabric of oscar’s t-shirt. it smells like him—warm and worn in and safe—and you realize you never changed out of it last night.

your body still aches, but it’s muted now, dulled by rest and care. the heat of the water bottle tucked behind you is long gone, but the memory of his hands, his voice, his warmth is still lingering in your bones.

you shift a little, pressing your face further into his chest. he hums softly, lips brushing your hairline.

“morning,” he whispers, voice raspy with sleep.

you smile without opening your eyes. “morning.”

“how are you feeling?”

you take a second to check in with your body. sore, still. stiff in the joints. but not miserable. and wrapped in the cocoon of his arms, it’s easier to breathe.

“better,” you say, curling closer. “still achy, but… you helped.”

his hand slides up your back again, slow and comforting. “good.”

for a while, neither of you moves. there’s no rush, no alarms, no noise from outside. just the soft weight of blankets, the rhythm of his breathing, the warmth of his skin under your cheek.

eventually, he nudges your temple with his nose. “stay here. i’m making breakfast.”

you mumble a protest, trying to cling to him, but he laughs and kisses your forehead.

“i’ll bring it here, promise. just rest.”

you let him go only because you know he’ll keep his word. the bed feels colder without him, but the scent of him still clings to the sheets, and you tuck yourself into the blankets like they’re his arms.

twenty minutes later, he returns—barefoot, hair sticking up, carrying a tray with tea, buttered toast, cut-up fruit, and your favorite painkillers neatly lined up on the side.

“you are actually ridiculous,” you murmur as he sets it down beside you.

he grins. “ridiculously good boyfriend, you mean.”

he fluffs the pillows behind you, helps you sit up, then climbs back in beside you, legs tangled with yours under the covers. he hands you the tea first, warm and perfectly steeped.

“you’re spoiling me,” you say softly, taking a sip.

he leans in, brushing his lips over your cheek. “you let me.”

you eat in bed, sharing bites of toast and fruit, stealing sleepy kisses between sips of tea. at one point, you rest your head on his shoulder and he reaches for the pills again, offering them with water, thumb brushing your bottom lip as you drink.

“bath after this?” he offers. “i’ll run it. bubbles, candles, whole thing.”

you glance up at him. “you’re kind of a dream, you know.”

he grins again, crooked and smug. “yeah, but i’m your dream.”

you roll your eyes and lean into him, still smiling.

and when he does run that bath—warm water, lavender bubbles, soft towels waiting by the side—you let him help you undress again, every motion slow, unhurried, full of care. he kisses your shoulder before helping you into the water, sitting on the floor beside the tub with your hand in his.

not rushing. not talking too much.

just… being there.

exactly what you need.

THE END :>

[guzhuangheaven]

Is it true there was only one emperor in China who never had a concubine?

Yes, Emperor Hongzhi of Ming.

While we're on this subject I think the most likely reason Emperor Hongzhi was monogamous is actually quite sad.

Emperor Hongzhi was the son of Emperor Chenghua. Emperor Chenghua's favoured consort was Consort Wan (Wan Zhen'er), who was famously much older than him (17 years), and was his nanny since he was baby. There was a lot of unrest and Emperor Chenghua was hidden away in the care of Wan Zhen'er, and then they started sleeping together when he was a teenager. Can you say he was definitely a victim of grooming? Anyway, when Emperor Chenghua's parents found out about the relationship they married him off but after he became emperor, Emperor Chenghua continued to favour Consort Wan, who as (debatable) records would have it, began sabotaging all other concubines so that they couldn't have children, because she herself couldn't have children.

Emperor Hongzhi was only born because his mother was a palace maid who was then hidden away. Emperor Hongzhi himself was raised in secret from his own father until he was 6, and then his mother mysteriously died, many say on orders of Consort Wan.

You can probably argue that part of the reason Emperor Hongzhi was monogamous was because he saw the damages done by his father favouring Consort Wan, and that would be fair. I think it's also insidious cognitive dissonance to just take the fact that he was monogamous at face value and solely praise that. We as modern people can talk all day long about the damages of the concubine system to women, but the reality is, this isn't a drama where characters can do whatever the modern writer wants of them. This was an actual man living in a society where he was taught all his life that one of his very job was to have as many children as possible by any means possible, and was almost definitely cricitised for being selfish for having only one wife. I'm sure there is merit in praising the strength of his conviction in sticking to his guns despite all of that, you also have to acknowledge that it was a decision likely fueled by the unprocessed trauma of his childhood. And if you believe Wikipedia, his favour for his only wife/empress ended up being doing the same kind of damage if he had been favouring a concubine in the same way, and there was even fewer ways to keep it in check.

Anyway the reason I'm saying this is I've come across videos on Youtube that take a very modern lens to Emperor Hongzhi's decision to be monogamous without acknowledging it's not a simple matter of him being just unusually faithful and unentitled, it was a matter of horrible trauma, and in terms of dynastic legacy it also wasn't a great decision considering his only choice for an heir ended up being not that great.

One such video even said "Hongzhi was the only emperor who kept his vows" and I know it's just an expression but the cognitive dissonance of that made me go cross-eyed, because what vows? When did men in the Ming dynasty vow to have only one woman till death do them part as part of his wedding?? Again, most likely he would have been highly criticised for his monogamy as an emperor, and the fact that he still remained so regardless speaks more to his trauma than him being the only emperor who ever existed with any decency towards women.

[admirationandromantics]

Guilt and Grudges, 2: Darkness

Another one out, hope you guys like it so far! I don't really know what to write on these intros anymore, since not much is happening. I'm getting ready for exams, I'm working, and I'm writing. That's about it. I almost forgot to post this chapter tonight because of it, lol. Anyways, enjoy! <3

I try not to breathe loudly, but this is intense. Was it always so hard to get to the top? We walk up a couple of stairs and take a turn. In front of us is a large dark figure, and I look up to meet Josh. 

“Hey man, what’s up?” 

He smiles, giving Sam a nudge on the shoulder to greet her. I see a faint blush on her cheek, but I can’t determine if it’s caused by him or the cold. 

“Not much, waiting for you of course” 

“Man, I feel like this mountain gets bigger every time I climb it” Chris exclims, a loud sigh forced out when talking another step. 

“Really? Feels the same to me” 

“Oh come on, you grew up here, it probably feels like it’s shrinking” 

“I guess that’s true” 

I interrupt them both, cold and tired, wanting to get to the lodge as fast as possible. 

“Hey Josh, nice to see you, BUT how about we keep moving?” 

“Well, can’t keep the ladies waiting, can we Cochise?” 

“We cannot” 

I meet Sam’s eyes, and she’s also tired, not as bad as me, but still. She grabs my hand and starts dragging me up as I whine. “Sam, I was joking, we can make some snow angels or something. Just lay down, romantically, looking up at the stars…” 

“It’s clouded” 

“That’s the only reason why we’re not doing it?” 

She laughs, and I pull myself together. It isn’t long now. Despite the cold weather, snow, wind, heavy bags and ice, I finally glimpse the dark pine planks of the lodge. 

“When are you gonna install some cell towers up here? I’m getting withdrawals already” Chris asks, and I hurry to the stairs, sitting down and relaxing. Sam stands over me, breathing heavily as well. Were we really that out of shape? 

“You got a spare million lying around, I’ll fix you right up” Josh empties his pockets, showing the lack. Chris starts fumbling around with his blue jacket, feeling himself up. I want to do that. 

“Funny you should say that, I think I left it in my other jacket” 

They start walking towards us, probably about to open the door. Finally. Josh scurries up the stairs, flickering with a couple of keys. Chris follows through, his hand brushing lightly against the hood of my jacket. Fucking hell. How am I supposed to survive this if every little touch makes me heat up like this? It’s fucking embarrasing. Luckily, no one seems to notice, not even Sam. 

“Yo, yo, yo, are we getting things moving up here or what?” 

“Yeah man” 

I lift my head to Sam, and we share a look. This “boy-talk” is already drilling a hole in my head. I think she hates it even more than I do, her eyes rolling so far back her head that I can’t see her irises. A smile finds its way to my lips. If Josh and her got together, she would smack him every time he said something weird, I just know it. And Josh’s reply? Definitely something like “yes ma’am” or “as you wish”. There’s no secret that he’s down bad for her. 

“Lead the way, Cochise” 

I hear them moving down the stairs, each thump vibrating through my body. 

“What’s going on?” I ask Sam, who’s looking up at them attentively, following every move. 

“Frozen lock, I think” 

They both get down, Josh continuing around the lodge. Chris, however, stops in front of me, mouth opening then closing, as if trying to say something. This leads to Sam taking a step back, giving me a thumbs up from behind him. I give a hard stare in reply. She can’t be that obvious around him. 

He’s smiling, that sweet smile that he always does when happy. I look up in awe, hoping to control my eyes a bit. He lifts his head, finally speaking. 

“So, how’re you doing?” 

“Hmm, good now. Surprised by how out of shape I’ve gotten” I laugh, a bit embarrassed by myself. Ugh, if he could just hoist me over his shoulders right now I would never speak ill of the guys again. And that’s a challenge. 

“Well, it is right after the exams. Are you freezing?” 

“Yeah a little” I think about the fire inside. Sitting in front of it, warming ourselves. There are other ways to do that too though. Jesus Christ I’m letting my mind wander again. “I think I could use some time curled up by the fire” I continue, looking at him intently. I can imagine the yellowly lights gracing his face, his skin. I almost feel disgusted by myself for being so forward about it, I really don’t mean to. 

His smile falls a bit, mouth still open as he takes a deep breath. I can see him swallow, and a sinking feeling embraces me. Oh no, I’ve been caught, he knows, and this is not the right time, not after everything that’s happened. I’m definitely stupid. 

“Yeah… that does sound pretty nice” 

His voice is different, breathy and serious. He keeps eye contact, holding intently as if trying to say something else, trying to get me to understand something. I don’t know what. 

“Christopher Hartley! I’ll have to call your mother and complain if you don’t get your ass here immediately!” Josh shouts from the other side. I give him a weak smile, arm raising in a small wave as he makes his way over. His absence is already noted on my body. I already miss him. 

Not seeing him in almost a year, to spend an eternity with going up the mountain, then just leaving? I’m being dramatic, I know that. But he feels like a drug, the small dose getting more and more wanting. My cravings are growing by the second. We left off at a terrible time, starting something that wouldn’t even make it an hour. And the circumstances make it even more difficult. How can we start up again without feeling guilty for the things that happened? Without being reminded by them. If we were downstairs, we could’ve stopped them. Or we could’ve reached Hannah or Beth. I wish we had. 

“I’ve seen a lot of foreplay in my days, but what the hell was that?” A familiar voice sounds beside me. I look up, meeting Matt and Ashley. 

“Way to greet me Matty” 

“I mean, come on. The tension is obviously there, do something about it” 

“Leave her alone Matt, they were both thinking about fucking each other by the fire” Ashley chimes in, a playful smirk on her lips. I look at the both of them, shocked by the incredibly rude greeting. 

“You haven’t even said hello” 

“I saw you four days ago” she defends, arms in the air and taking a step backwards. 

“I’m sorry, hello, anyways-” 

“Nope” I stop him, finger put up in the air. I stand up, walking to the other side of the lodge. No way I was gonna be teased this way. I mean, what if Chris suddenly opened the door behind us? That’d make for an awkward situation. I hear one last thing before I turn the corner. 

“She’s embarrassed we’re right” 

Assholes. I’m not that obvious, at least I try not to be. Ashley knows because I’ve told her, and so does Sam, who also told Josh last year. Now Matt also knows, though I don’t know how. I would’ve answered the same thing if someone else asked, maybe in a different tone, but still the same. 

“Alright, alright, I got it. Jeez” 

“You’ve got what?” I ask, surprising him from behind. He mumbles, cheeks getting flushed and not meeting my gaze. He looks everywhere but me. 

“He’s got a plan!” Josh shouts, hand waving, signalling for us to follow. I walk beside Chris, sensing his nervousness and wondering what’s got him so worked up. 

“What kind of plan?” 

“A secret one” 

I laugh, the silliness of it being a bit unnerving. Still, I’m intrigued, wanting to know more. 

“Can I be part of it?” 

“Oh, trust me, I believe you will” 

“Great, can’t wait” 

Josh laughs, and I smile, unknowing of what I’ve joined in on. Chris is still silent, swallowing hard and looking out in the forest. 

“So, how’re we planning on breaking into my parents lodge?” 

“We’re breaking in?” 

Chris finally chimes in, letting me hear his voice and see his face. “It’s NOT technically breaking in if you own the place” 

“We’ve already had this conversation” Josh sighs, turning around and walking backwards. 

“How’re we getting in?” I ask, retraveling back to the original question. If the door doesn’t work, maybe a window or another backdoor will. 

“Well, I didn’t say I had a plan on how to do it” 

“You sounded like you had a plan” Josh throws out his hands in despair, head to the sky as he sighs dramatically. “You better deliver, or else you got five lovely ladies who are gonna be freezing their buns off, and last time I checked, that’s not a good way to get laid” 

Chris tenses up again, giving a low huff in response. I laugh, Josh teasing him is hilarious. 

“Wouldn’t want to spoil Josh’s plans with Sam” I whisper to him, just loud enough to make Josh hear. Chris’s lips move up in a smile. 

“Hey, I’ve got A LOT of plans for you this weekend, just so you know. So don’t get too surprised” 

“Bet Sam will be surprised” 

“Oh, shut up guys” 

We get to the side of the house, waiting for someone to form an idea. I look around. An empty fire-axe display, a couple of windows and a power box. Chris moves to the power box, and Josh follows. 

“We’ve got ourselves a thinker, nice on” 

They place themselves on either side of the box, one pulling and one pushing. I run over to help, suddenly aware that I’m not doing anything. A few grunts and pushes, and the box is right under the window. I breathe out. Almost wish I hadn’t helped them, that was hard. 

Chris wastes no time, and jumps on top, slightly grunting as he does. Josh signals for me to follow, and I nod. He gives me his hand, and I take it, letting him help me up on the slippery box. A loud thud is heard, followed by whining. 

“I’m okay!” 

I help Josh up, and we move over to look in through the window. Chris is laid flat on his back, eyes pinched closed and arms spread. I give a small laugh. He’s adorable. 

“Should’ve paid more attention in climbing class” 

Josh and I immediately share a look, both of us furrowing our brows and wrinkle our noses. We look back, and he has already begun lifting himself up. 

“You mean gym?” 

“Yeah, you know, with the climb up the rope-” 

A loud shatter interrupts him, and the room goes dark. I look around, seeing the light bulb has exploded. I lean in a bit, wanting to see him better. 

“Woah”

“Did I do that?” 

“I don’t… I don’t think so” 

Josh fumbles with his jacket, hands going in every pocket before he finds what he’s looking for. A lighter. “Here, use this” he shouts, throwing it at Chris. He catches it with ease, lighting the small fire. The room lights up again, and everything gets more visible by the yellow flames. Oh, and his face, the way the light and shadows work together… 

“Woah, Chris, I just got an awesome idea” 

“Yeah?” 

“Totally” 

“Well, what is it?” 

“Okay. So, I’m pretty sure that I’ve got some deodorant in one of the bathrooms, you could use that with the lighter” I look up at him weirdly before asking. 

“How is a stick of deodorant gonna help?” 

“Same question!” Chris exclaims, pointing to me. 

“Spray-on, it’s a can” 

“Ohh, yeah, now I gotcha” 

“I still don't follow” I add, waiting for someone to explain. 

“Flamethrower!” 

“Just like we did with the little army dudes!” 

“Yup, the ones we melted” 

“You guys are madmen” I butt in, gaze going to and from them both as they talk. 

“Didn’t you ruin a couple of toys with fire?” Chris asks. 

“No?” 

“Did you even have a childhood?” Josh jokes, pushing my arm. 

I shake my head in response, letting them figure it out. If this was the way to get the door open, then let it be. 

“Anyway, lock!” 

“Yeah, flamethrower on the lock. On it!” Chris salutes, and Josh does the same back. 

“Godspeed pilgrim!” 

Chris turns around, and Josh and I jump off the powerbox, careful not to slip on the ice. I take his offered hand, my other one placed on the box as I carefully lower myself. He’s already on his way somewhere. 

“Hey, Josh…”

“Yeah?” 

“I just wanted to check on you, I know this year has been hard”

He puts his finger up, urging me to stop talking. 

“I truly appreciate that you all came back this year, I know it must feel weird. But you guys are some of my closest friends, and I don’t want to lose that” 

I nod, smiling a little his way. 

“Well, okay. Just know that we’re here here for you, anytime” 

He smiles, the atmosphere feeling lighter and lifted. 

“Thank you, you should have a grown-up talk with Chris too”

“What do you mean?” 

“You know what I mean” 

I cross my arms on my chest, unsure about how to approach the subject. 

“Josh, I want to, but it all feels a bit…”

“Icky, weird, disgusting?” 

“No, absolutely not. Maybe a bit disrespectful?” 

“To who?” 

“Your sisters” 

The air around us gets heavy again, and I beat myself up for not thinking before answering. He slowly nods his head, as if understanding something he didn’t before. 

“Okay, listen. They don’t mind” 

“It’s not that. Everything started last year?” 

“Something happened between you last year?” 

“Right when the prank happened, we were in the upstairs bathroom…”

“Shit” 

“Yeah”

“Fucking hell. And no one else knows?” 

“No, and as soon as we heard commotion downstairs, we ran to see what was happening” 

I try to explain, but everything sounds so vague and bad considering the circumstances. 

“Hey, I get it, bad start. I appreciate both you and Chris, for everything you did, also that night, but don’t let that stand in the way. If you need my blessing, you’ve got it. You both deserve each other, and last year didn’t doom you as it did others” 

I look up at him, trying to read his expression. But there’s something different there. He looks different, like another person. His eyes are empty and blind, the darkness clearly visible. Maybe this is not a good thing to talk about. 

“Thank you Josh, but I think we both need to be on the same wavelength about this, especially after not having contact for a whole year” 

He nods, and is about to turn around again when he puts his hand up, dramatically spinning around back, a finger pointed right towards me. I look at him surprised. 

“You know, I don’t think Chris will find that can on his own” 

“What? Yes he will, he’s a smart man” 

“I mean, academically, yes, but give that man a location and he might go an entire different way” 

I give him a sceptical stare, and he gives himself away as I catch a glimpse of his playful smirk. Was everyone on this mountain going to tease me? 

“None of you guys are funny, I left the others because I thought there was a chance I wouldn’t get teased here” 

“Oh, you’re no fun. You just need to shoot your shot” 

“Absolutely not!”

“God knows the only way Chris will do it, is if you put a gun to his head” 

“He might not even then” I add, the thought sinking in. If it really mattered, he would’ve done so already. Whatever these feelings are, they’ll pass. 

“Oh, I guess we’ll see. But you still need to go inside” 

A loud shriek is heard, something which definitely came from Chris. I look at Josh, and he just shrugs. Rolling my eyes, he helps me up on the power box, and I carefully make my way in. 

“Josh, it’s super creepy down here!” 

“Got your phone?” 

I reach into my pocket, grabbing my phone and turning on the flashlight. The cellar lights up, full of dusk and boxes. 

“Um, still creepy Josh!” 

There’s silence, too much. He doesn’t answer, and I try his name again, but to no avail. Shit. I would definitely struggle to climb back out, so the only option left is to find Chris or the entrance. It’s been a year, and I don’t remember everything. I walk further in, deciding to ignore every dark corner and room. The door to the hallway is open, and I quickly make my way, immediately feeling the familiarity with the dark wood and wall decorations. It’s like nothing’s changed. Except the atmosphere, and dust, and that sinking feeling that something bad will happen. I walk to the end of the hall, noticing the family portrait at the end. Beth and Hannah look so alive, the brush strokes bringing out their colour and vibrancy. I miss them, both of them. 

A loud noise bursts my bubble, making me look to my left to see the previously open door being slammed shut. My breath hitches, body tensing as I grab the doorknob. It’s locked. It probably has an automatic lock on the other side, and the wind made the door shut. There are most likely other windows open that made this happen. I breathe out, clutching my phone harder from being frightened. I just need to find Chris. That’s the only reason I'm here in the first place. 

I take a right, walking further into the building to see a door creeping open right in front of me. I wait for Chris to go through, but he doesn’t come. The door is left open, the creaking noise burrowed in my brain. This is fucked up, wasn’t it closed? I thread forward carefully, each step taken with great caution as I make my way. I look through the door, seeing the familiar sight of the lodge’s hallway and main room. Thank God. 

I walk to the door and look through the windows. Sam and Ashley are standing there, waiting for it to be opened. I knock, and they both jump at the sudden sound. 

“Just me, didn’t mean to scare you!” 

“Good, Chris already tried” Sam complains, trying to look back through the frost-covered glass. 

“Yeah, I can’t see him” 

I feel something behind me, something big and dark casting a shadow on the door. Soft yellow light approaching and a small creek right behind me. My body, which is already tense, gets stiffer, and I try the door handle to no avail. 

Two large arms go around me. One on my waist and one around my neck. I scream before my mouth is covered with a massive hand, pressing down on my lips. 

“Shit, it’s just me, just jokes” Chris smiles, letting go of me. My heart is beating out of my chest, pulse skyrocketing and breathing uneven. 

“That’s one too many for today” I state, and he gives a small laugh. 

“Sorry, couldn’t help myself” 

He comes closer, arms closing around me in a gentle manner. The touch is soft, and too short as he leans away, lifting my face to look up at him. I’m calm now, the adrenaline rush lowering and my senses coming back. 

“I swear to God, if you scare me one more time during this trip-”

“You’re such a scaredy-cat” 

“That’s the point!” 

I hear snickers outside as we keep bickering, and roll my eyes. Didn’t these people have other things to do than listen to us? I look down, seeing the spray in one of his hands. Oh, that’s right, they don’t. 

“Let’s get this thing open” I wave to the lock, and he gives a smile, hand pushing me out of the way. He puts the lighter in front of the spray, and I take another step back, just for safety measures. He sprays, the flames being big and ashy as they go against the metal lock. I look over, making sure that he stays within the secluded area, and doesn't set the wood on fire. Luckily, he seems to have full control. 

Finally, it seems enough, and before I can stop him, he’s quick to grab hold of the handle and open the door. The others thank him, while I notice the shaking and clutching of his left hand. 

“Thank you, thank you” he bows. “I’ll be here all week” 

A loud noise and fast-traveling animal runs out beside us, and I hold my breath, standing still as it passes. Chris yelps, jumping back while the other’s make way for it, letting it run back into the forest. 

“Crap, that thing freaked me out” Chris breathes out, his hand on my arm. Poor thing. 

“What was that?” Ashley asks, still laughing a bit. 

“It was like, a bear or a tiger or… something” 

“Awe, it was just a cute little baby wolverine” Sam taunts, walking past him and clapping his shoulder. The response makes me giggle, and he pulls his hand back, having both of them in the air and waiting for some consolation. 

“Baby?” 

“Don’t worry buddy, you’re gonna be a big boy soon” Josh adds, walking past him with Ashley and Matt. I give him a nudge, and we follow them into the main room of the lodge. 

“Home sweet home” Josh exclaims, hands outreached to the dark space. 

“Sweet is not the word I’d use” Matt whispers, and I agree. It’s dark, weird and feels too eerie for me. It’s like we’re in a horror game. Ashley rubs her arms, trying to stay warm. 

“Oh my gosh, it’s so good to be inside, even though it’s still freezing” 

“I’ll get a fire going” Josh walks over to the fireplace, placing down some logs and setting up. 

“This place barely looks any different” Matt comes up beside me, looking over all the furniture. 

“My thoughts exactly” I tell him, meeting his eyes. There’s some kind of worry in them. I bet he still feels bad. No wonder, no one should really feel good being up here. Not after what happened. 

“What’s up, party people!” 

“Hey!” 

Mike and Jessica make their entrance, both psyched to get the action going. Most of us greet them back, but I notice that Matt doesn’t. He looks at Mike with contempt, something dark brewing. That’s what we all need now, some drama. I walk over to Ashley, sitting beside her on the sofa. Don’t want to be in the fire-zone when the shooting starts. 

“Make yourself at home, bro” Josh tells Mike, still fumbling with the fire. 

“Will do” 

“Yeah, come on in” 

Shit, now it starts. I give Ashley a look, and she leans in to whisper something to me. I listen while the drama unfolds in front of me. 

“I was by one of the telescopes earlier, and saw Mike and Emily exchange quite an ‘intimate’ hug. Matt wanted to see, and I was unsure about what to do, but he just looked anyway. I think it really hit a nerve” 

“No wonder” I whisper back. “Wouldn’t you be pissed if you saw your partner do that with an ex. The ex right before you. Who, you have A LOT of history with?” 

“Well, yeah, of course” 

Things seemed to have cooled off a bit between the two, Mike with both of his hands up in surrender and Matt taking a step back. Mike walks over to Jess, arm going to the back of the sofa, behind her. She nuzzles into him, and I can already sense Emily’s anger before she wanders into the lodge scoffing. This was going to be a long retreat. 

“Oh my god, that is so gross. Are you trying to swallow his face whole?” she walks towards them slowly, stopping a couple of meters away, arms crossed over her chest. Not more drama. Matt takes a step towards her, hand reaching a little out for her. 

“Em…” 

I can imagine how he feels, seeing his girlfriend and ex like that, and then seeing his girlfriend get jealous. Still, he isn’t aggravated anymore, just trying to calm her with small steps. She doesn’t budge, but keeps looking at the couple with disgust.

“Seriously, can she be any more obvious?” 

Jess snuggles further into Mike, taunting her and showing him off. I can already see that Mike’s getting uncomfortable, knowing something is about to blow up. Emily leans a bit down, as if talking to a toddler, staring Jess down. 

“No one wants in on your territory, honey” 

“Excuse me, did you say something?” 

Jess now rises, walking up to her. The tension in the room strengthens, and I look over to the others, but everyone is fixated on the next move, sucking in the drama like sweet nectar. I sigh, feeling Ashley’s hand on mine, uncomfortably shifting as she watches. This’ll go nowhere, the bickering and bitching. If someone doesn’t stop them, they’ll keep going, maybe even get physical. 

“Hey, watch it!” 

“Oh, you’re the only one who can put him down? No one else gets to play with your toys?”

I lean over to Ashley, whose eyes are still glued to the fight. 

“Is none going to stop them?” 

“I wouldn’t dare to put myself in that position” 

Josh stands up, shaking the ash off his fingers. 

“Stop it! This is not why we came up here, this is not helping. It’s not what I wanted” 

Sam stands up as well, taking a few steps and adding to the statement. 

“If we can’t get along for ten minutes, maybe we just need a little break?” 

Josh looks over at her, an appreciative smile on his lips, then turning back to the others. 

“Yes! Mike, why don’t you check out the guest cabin, the one I told you about?” 

Mike stands up, hand outstretched for Jess. 

“Yeah, want to go do that?” 

“Any place without that whore” 

“It’s right up the trail” Josh adds as they walk out. Emily finally turns around, noticing our big eyes and awkward faces. Matt imitates an explosion, causing her to roll her eyes. I take a breath, looking over at Chris. His lips are thinned, and he also lets out some air. Jeez, that was a lot for most of us. Hopefully, things get better tomorrow. Matt walks over to Josh, noticing the lacking fire. 

“So, should we get this fire going?” 

“Yeah, working on it” 

“Where’s my bag?” Emily asks, looking over at Matt. 

“Huh?” 

“My bag… The little one with the pink pattern, the one I got on Rodeo” 

Her boyfriend gives her a dumbfounded expression, shrugging his shoulders. 

“Matt, are you listening? Matt, I need my bag!”

“Oh my god Em, maybe you just forgot it!”

“Do you seriously think I’d just forget my bag?” 

“Well, I-”

“Do you?” 

“Guess not” 

“You must’ve left it down by the cable car station” 

“Ugh”

“Come on, hun. We’ll be back soon” 

Matt sighs, walking over to her by the door. 

“Then we can get warm?” 

“We can get very warm” 

He caves, arm outstretched and letting her lead him out. I lean back on the couch, energy drenched. God, why did I come? Ashley leans back, lips against my ear as she whispers. 

“See how easy it is for them to say what they want to do to each other instead of OBVIOUSLY thinking loudly?” 

I hit her, and she laughs. All the others look over curiously, but I just shake my head to them. 

“Okay, I’m gonna go take a bath” Sam exclaims, patting Josh’s shoulder and walking up the stairs. 

“Need help?” Ashley asks, already making her way beside her. 

“N-” she hits her, looking over at us before agreeing. I roll my eyes as they both walk upstairs. 

“What’s that all about?” Chris asks, and I tell him nothing. I can see Josh trying to hide his smile, still unable to get the fire going. 

“Shit, forgot to give Mike and Jess the keys” He stands up, and I do the same. 

“I’ll sprint over with them” 

He walks backwards, looking at both of us while throwing the keys up and down, catching them in his hands every time. 

“No, no. You guys are guests, get comfy, have sex, whatever” 

“Man” Chris interjects, but he turns around and laughs. 

“It’s what everyone else is doing, just follow the herd” 

He disappears around the corner, and I sit back down. They finally made things even more awkward between us. The silence is deafening, only broken by a couple of giggles from upstairs. 

“I guess we should talk” Chris suddenly says, eyes still on the ground, body leaning forward on his knees. The cold is almost as bad as the sinking feeling in my stomach, but I still nod in reply. 

“Let's get a fire going first, it’s icy in here” 

“Coming right up” he says with his comedic voice, the tone lightening the mood. We both walk over to the fireplace, setting up the last logs and lighting some matches. I watch his fingers as he does. The fingers tensing a little as he swipes the match to create fire. He  leans into the fireplace, and manages to light right on the bark, setting the logs ablaze. I hum at the light, the air around us starting to get a little bit foggy and warmer. 

I look up at him, noticing how close his face is. I carefully inch closer, everything in the background blurry as I look into his eyes. They’re wanting, as if needing something, or someone. His mouth is slightly open, and I bite my lip a little in anticipation. Both of our breaths are heavy and uneven, and I can feel it on my chin as he gets closer. 

“I gave you five minutes!” Josh exclaims, and we both jump back. We look up, and Josh is standing between us, the girls on the top of the stairs watching intently. I stand up, making my way back to the couch. Chris does the same, pushing a smiling Josh out of the way. 

“We were building the fire you so miserably failed at” 

“Damn, harsh man” 

“Sam, want to help me beat up Chris?” Josh shouts. 

“I was just getting into the bath!” Sam responds, shouting down from upstairs. He gets a playful smirk on his lips, hand going to his mouth to carry his words further. 

“And, do you need any help with that?!” 

“Hardy har” 

Chris and I look at each other, before looking at the flirt. He has a slight blush on his face, almost invisible. 

“Well, if it isn’t the little Sammy-lover” Chris smiles, leaning cockily back on the couch. 

“At least he wishes to be”

“I hate both of you” 

“Maybe he’s the one who needs to be left alone for five minutes?” 

“Shut up” 

He laughs a little, and I smile at the thought of him finally opening up a bit. This was healthy for him, feeling like this. I’m still unsure about the whole lodge-ordeal, but so far, he’s good. 

“You know, we have a spirit board here somewhere” He says, side-eyeing us with a sly smirk. 

“A what?” 

“Wow, you have a spirit board?” Chris asks, leaning forward interested. 

“Yeah, yeah, they’re fun right?” 

“Absolutely not” I say, shaking my head. After everything that has happened here, I’m not checking for ghosts and demons, that’s the last thing we should be doing. 

“Should we have a seance?” 

“No”

“Yes” 

“They’re a joke, they don’t do shit” I try, but my argument fails. 

“I know, but it's still interesting” Chris says. 

I look over at him, and he’s looking at me pleadingly. Puppy eyes and a pouty mouth. I try to resist, but my defences fall, and I sigh. They both take it as defeat and cheer. 

“But, only if I get Ashley with me” 

“She’ll be easy to convince” 

“Josh! No hot water, kind of a major oversight don’t you think?” Sam says, coming down the stairs. Ashley walks behind her, coming down to take her place beside me. 

“Yeah, yeah, just gotta fire up the boiler, it’s in the basement” 

He turns to us, already beginning to leave with Sam. 

“You guys see if you can find the spirit board” 

“A spirit board?” Ashley asks, and I just sigh. “They forced me to” 

“Can’t say no to this handsome face” Chris smiles, getting up to look for the board” 

“Come on, let’s go find it, it’ll be like a scavenger hunt” and she drags me up by the arms as I whine. “Fine” 

We look for a while. At one point, we lose Chris. He walked into another room, not to be seen again. I try closets and shelves, but cannot find anything. 

“Think it’s time to regroup?” 

“Yeah”

We walk back to the main room, voices immediately heard. 

“Holy crab, you were scared, admit it”

“I was not!”

“Come on, you totally pissed yourself!”

“Josh!” 

Up the stairs comes the three guys, Chris wearing a monk-costume. I look him up and down while Ashley’s laughing so hard she almost can’t stand. She has to turn away to calm herself. I smile, walking towards him as he joins his hands in prayer. 

“What the hell are you wearing?” 

“I’ve found my true calling?” he says, hands making a cross over me. 

“You know monks can’t own stuff, or have relationships, or sex?” 

He thinks for a bit, looking me up and down with a small smirk. Is he… cocky?

“I guess I need to change profession then” 

“Omg, will you take a vow of silence?” Ashley laughs, coming up beside me. He starts talking without sound. And I can’t help the small snicker that escapes my lips. 

“Okay, okay, we get it” 

He draws forward the spirit board, and I whine again. Why did we have to do this? 

“Here’s our one-way ticket to the spirit realm” 

Sam is already walking up the stairs, not wanting to take part in the activities. I almost want to join her. A hot bath clearly beats seeking demons. But I don’t, instead, I take off my coat and hang it on a chair before walking over to the others. 

“Bold move of you with the sex-comment” Ashley whispers, and I give her a small smile and I rest my head against her shoulder. 

“Well, you all have told me to be a bit more forward” 

“That’s my girl”

Taglist: @porcelainbluedove @b3rryb3t

[featherlesswings]

Hey, so if you’re a Critical Role fan & a fiber artist, especially if you have ADHD, and would like a project to work on while watching episodes, I have a fun proposal for you!

More than likely you’re familiar with the concept of Temperature Blankets by now. Well, someone in a crochet group mentioned making a Super Bowl “temperature” scarf, where she pre planned certain stitches and color changes depending on certain things that might happen during the Super Bowl, so she wouldn’t get bored.

My idea is designating your preferred colors and stitch changes based on possibilities of things that might happen during a Critical Role stream!

The list is long, so I’ll put it under a cut.

Critical Role “Temperature” style blanket

-Completely new Sam ad character

-Return of an old Sam ad character

-Uncomfy, cringe, or disgusting Sam ad

-new intro

-oneshot

-miniseries

Matt says:

-toothy maw

-obfuscate

-in the interm (interim)

-map comes out

-combat is initiated

-natural 1

-natural 20

-“that’s cocked”

-HDYWTDT

-“making my way” or the derivative “memawy” it has become

-“it’s been a while”

-“iiiit’s been” (indicating One Week by Barenaked Ladies)

-new song lyric reference

-PC flirts

-NPC flirts

-Sam’s character gets a crush

-Taliesin says “fuck it, let’s get weird.”

-Gilmore’s Glorious Goods is mentioned

-a new vendor character becomes instantly beloved

-guest player is brought out

-guest PC dies within minutes of being introduced

-Matt introduces a monstrous character and one or more player/PC declares them hot

-shopping trip

-new outfits/new character art revealed

-overnight camping during which Watch is Kept

-a new tavern/restaurant is introduced

-Matt accidentally gives someone or something a name that is immediately made perverse by the cast

-a word or phrase catches Laura’s dirty mind and she starts laughing

-guest GM

-slow travel (steeds, on foot, cart, etc.)

-modernized non magical travel

-Teleport, Dimension Door, Blink, Misty Step, or other form of magical travel is used

-secret backstory revealed

-the cast gets attached to a new NPC

-a combat specific ad is hastily read as Matt sets up combat

-Liam makes us cry

-Sam makes us cry

-“what is my mother’s name?” Is referenced

-illegible dice (especially Ashley)

[if you’d like to suggest additions, I’m open! If you make one, and want to post progress online, tag me! If you post on IG, tag me as (at)SparrowfeatherCrafts. These are meant to keep working on each Thursday, or if you’re binge watching, keep working on it as long as you like! You can choose color schemes inspired by characters, or whatever inspires you. Doesn’t have to be a blanket, either. I saw people making Temperature Snakes, and I’m sure it would be fun to see how long a snake, or scarf, or whatever you want to make you can achieve. Enjoy! I’m asking you to open your heart to chaos 💚 ]

[ghostedgwen]

bet on all three | p.parker [part one]

note : full-on petey parkour comeback with this onslaught of fics I have for him - imma let the boys at hogwarts rest and let my favorite spider boy shine! ALSO YESS MORE JOCK!READER X NERD!PETER DYNAMICS

warnings : mentions of injuries, themes of bullying, some scene of reader getting mugged - crime and all that, reader is confident and extrovert while peter is the complete opposite, f!reader but i try to keep physical appearance as vague as possible.

You're Midtown’s golden girl on the soccer field. He’s the dork with a camera and a secret. It starts with tutoring, teasing, and late-night subway rides - and somewhere in between, lines blur, jokes linger, and Peter’s not so invisible anymore.

Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights, tell me 'bout the first time you saw me

The nurse had long since given up pretending either of you were urgent cases.

Peter sat on the bed to the right, legs swinging awkwardly off the edge, an oversized ice pack balanced against the side of his forehead like he was nursing the world’s dumbest battle scar. You, meanwhile, were reclined just across from him, ankle propped on a pillow, sock rolled down and a smaller, sad little pack of ice taped gingerly to your bare skin.

The silence between you crackled, not uncomfortable exactly - just…strange. Quiet. Like the air before kick-off.

“Okay,” you said finally, tossing your head back against the pillow. “I’ll bite. What sport do you play?”

Peter blinked, surprised that you were talking to him. “What?”

“You’re here. You’re bruised. You’ve got this vaguely tragic, injured-veteran thing going on,” you said, gesturing lazily toward his forehead. “I’m assuming there was a dodgeball incident. Maybe you took a basketball to the face. I’m just narrowing down the suspects.”

Peter flushed. “Oh, uh. No sport. Just Flash.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Flash. . . Thompson?”

He nodded.

You squinted at him. Then, like it clicked, you sat up slightly and gave him the most deadpan look known to man.

“Oh. Right. The 'bullied' position. That classic athletic role.”

Peter made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a wince. “Yeah, that’s - honestly not wrong.”

You grinned and dropped back against the pillow, satisfied. “Tough break, Parker.”

“Thanks,” he muttered, then peeked over at your leg. “What about you? That looked like a nasty fall. I saw you land weird during sixth period.”

You glanced at him, surprised. “You were watching?”

He coughed. “I mean - not like watching watching. I was passing by. Coincidentally. You just - you stood out. Cleats and all.”

You smirked. “Sure. Coincidentally.”

Peter shifted in place like the bed had suddenly grown teeth and was munching on his ass - very descriptive.

There was a beat of silence again. The nurse’s radio (to your surprise, people still listened to those in the age of Spotify and Apple Music) played something soft and instrumental in the background, and you let your head tilt toward him.

“I’m fine, by the way. Just a light sprain, I think. She said I’ve gotta rest for a few hours, keep it iced. Not allowed to limp dramatically down the hallway for attention.”

“Shame,” Peter said before he could stop himself. “Would’ve been good for your image.”

Your smile widened. “So you have noticed me before.”

He opened his mouth. Closed it. Looked, very briefly, like he might spontaneously combust.

You didn’t push. Just let your head roll back and closed your eyes with a smile, saying lazily, “Maybe next time Flash clocks you into a locker, you can fake a nosebleed. You’ll get the comfy bed.”

Peter didn’t answer right away.

But when you cracked one eye open, he was already watching you.

And that’s when it started.

Peter hadn’t meant to stay the whole time.

He’d only stopped by because he heard the game was happening on the field behind the science wing and figured - maybe - he’d catch a few minutes before heading home. Not like he had plans. Not like anyone would notice him, half-tucked behind the bleachers with his backpack on both shoulders like a certified dork.

Except you noticed.

Of course, you noticed.

It was just after half-time, the sun hanging low and golden over the chain-link fence, casting long shadows across the field. You were on a water break, jersey sticking slightly to your back, shin guards grass-stained and cleats crunching softly over the sidelines as you walked toward the bench.

Peter watched from his spot in the stands, somewhere in the third row. Not too close, but not too far. Safe distance. Neutral zone.

Classic nerd formation.

You unscrewed your water bottle, took a long drink, and scanned the crowd.

When your eyes landed on him - he froze.

A second later, you smiled.

Not a quick, polite kind of smile either. No, this one was teasing. Intentional. A little mischievous. You raised your hand and gave him a casual two-fingered wave like you were saluting a secret, then punctuated it with a wink.

Peter’s whole soul left his body.

Unfortunately, so did his visibility cloak of anonymity, because a couple of people sitting near him noticed. One guy nudged his friend. A girl turned and whispered behind her hand. Heads started to swivel.

“Yo, who’s she waving at?” someone muttered.

Peter immediately ducked his head, burning red, suddenly fascinated by the stitching on his backpack strap. He sank lower in his seat like he could physically fold himself into the bleachers.

From the field, you just laughed.

Peter could feel it - the eyes, the energy. Like you’d thrown him into the spotlight with one casual blink, and now the whole school had questions he was not equipped to answer.

(Starting with: Why would you wave at Peter Parker?)

He peeked up again after a second, cautiously.

You were already jogging back toward the field, hair bouncing, focus snapped back into the game like it hadn’t been a big deal. Like you hadn’t just melted a boy’s brain with a single wink.

Peter sat there for the rest of the match, stunned and a little breathless, chewing absently on the cap of his pen and pretending - albeit poorly - not to smile.

The museum was one of those day-long detours they only did once a semester - strictly for the “enhanced learning experience,” which just meant cramming four buses full of over-caffeinated high schoolers into a building filled with things they were technically supposed to respect.

Peter was, predictably, not with the rest of the group.

He’d veered off the tour path half an hour ago with his camera slung around his neck and a quiet determination to get the perfect shot of the light through the dinosaur wing. The bones were fascinating, sure - but it was the shadows he was chasing, the geometry of ribs and vertebrae etched in dusty sunbeams.

He didn’t notice you until you stopped beside him.

“You always ditch field trips to chase the light?” you asked, cracking open a soda(not sure you're allowed to have those inside) and leaning one hip against the railing.

Peter startled so hard he nearly dropped his camera.

“Oh - uh - hey. No, I mean - sometimes. Not always.”

You tilted your head. “You know you’re gonna get chewed out if they do a headcount, right?”

Peter blinked at you, still trying to catch up. You weren’t in uniform anymore - just jeans and a hoodie, sleeves shoved up. You looked so casual, so at ease.

He, meanwhile, was sweating bullets.

“I just wanted to get this angle,” Peter said, lifting his camera slightly. “The way the light hits the Allosaurus - kind of reminds me of that scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey, y’know? With the monolith and the apes?”

You raised a brow. “Kubrick, huh?”

Peter blinked.

You took a sip of your drink, nonchalant. “That’s the ‘Dawn of Man’ sequence, right? Where the bone turns into the spaceship?”

He stared. “You’ve seen 2001?”

You grinned at the disbelief on his face. “What? Think jocks can’t get nerdy too?”

Peter opened his mouth. Closed it. Flushed. “No - I mean - that’s not what I meant, I just - I didn’t peg you as a film buff, that’s all - ”

“You didn’t peg me?” you said, mock-scandalized, then laughed when he stammered harder.

“I - I just meant you don’t really seem like the - like the type who - ”

“I’m messing with you, dork,” you said, nudging his shoulder. “Relax.”

Peter let out a breathy laugh, heart pounding stupidly - the things you do to his poor heart.

You gave him a sideways look, playful and amused. “Anyway, you gonna stay out here the whole time, or should I walk you back before you get left behind?”

Peter blinked again, still slightly stunned, then nodded quickly and started walking with you down the corridor - shoulder a little too close, brain still short-circuiting.

Peter was swapping out his physics binder for his English notebook when the hallway’s ambient noise dipped - just slightly, just enough that he noticed.

It was the kind of hush that always came with a collective tilt of attention.

He blinked, turning - and nearly dropped his notebook when he saw you walking straight toward him, hair yet again bouncing, gym bag slung over one shoulder, cleats tied together and hanging off the side.

The usual mid-lunch bustle didn’t stop entirely, but he could feel the stares. See the subtle nudges and elbow-jabs from other students. Peter Parker, Midtown’s resident nerd and Flash Thompson’s favorite punching bag, had just been approached by the star striker of the girls’ soccer team.

He could eat his whole locker from the cringe.

“I need your help,” you said, like you didn’t notice the audience. Like this was normal. Like this wasn’t the exact setup to a Carrie-style prank.

Peter blinked. “W - with what?”

You smirked, amused. “Don’t look so scared. I’m not about to shove you in a locker.”

That. . . did not reassure him as much as you might’ve thought.

You leaned in a little, conspiratorial. “Truth is, I sort of need help with chem. Not a total disaster, but. . .Coach said if my midterm dips below a B again, I’m off the starting lineup for finals.”

“Oh,” Peter said, blinking fast. “Um. Yeah - I mean, yeah, I can - I can help. If you want. If that’s - if you’re sure?”

You shrugged. “I’ve seen your test scores. You’re the only person who didn’t groan when we hit the covalent bonds unit.”

Peter flushed so hard his ears went pink, leave it to you to investigate how much of a nerd he is. “I - I mean, yeah. Sure. Happy to. When?”

He could smack himself, 'happy to'?

“Library,” you said easily. “Tomorrow after practice. I’ll bring snacks - keep it hush though, don't want the librarian kicking us out.”

Peter nodded mutely - afraid he'd say another embarrassing response.

You winked - winked, for the love of God - and jogged off down the hall, calling something to your friend before ducking around the corner.

Peter stared after you like he’d just hallucinated the whole thing.

From behind him, someone muttered, “What the hell?”

Peter closed his locker and walked to class like his feet weren’t touching the floor.

The Midtown library was quiet enough to hear the creak of old floorboards under careful steps. Peter was already at their usual table, settled with a stack of textbooks and highlighters fanned out like weapons of academic warfare. He kept checking the clock—not because she was late, but because she wasn’t early.

And then, she breezed in.

Not in her uniform this time. Her jersey and cleats were replaced with a slouchy sweatshirt and worn-in joggers, hair still damp from a quick shower. She smelled like citrus shampoo and laundry soap - Peter clocked that and immediately hated himself for noticing.

“Hey, tutor boy,” you greeted, sliding into the seat across from him with a soft huff, like you'd just jogged across the building. “Hope you didn’t memorize the whole textbook without me.”

Peter blinked, trying not to stare. “Uh - no. Just the first three chapters.”

You could laugh at that, the whole textbook thing was an obvious exaggeration but of course, he manages to actually give an answer that still impresses you - 'just the first three chapter' he says.

You grinned, tugging your sleeves over your hands as you leaned forward. “Wow. A modest genius.”

He smiled, shy. “You look. . . different.”

You arched a brow, feigning criticism. “Bad different?”

“No! No, I mean - not in a bad way. Just, like, not in sporty attire?” He winced. “That sounded weird.”

You laughed, easy and amused. “Yeah, I changed. Didn’t want to track turf dirt through the library. Figured Midtown’s MVP tutor deserved a little respect.”

Peter turned pink, ducking his head. “Hardly MVP. . .”

You thought about saying, most valuable Peter, but that was too corny - yet funny in your head.

“Hey,” you nudged his ankle under the table, playful but gentle. “Don’t talk down the guy saving my chemistry grade.”

He couldn’t help but glance at your hair again - still damp and pushed behind your ears. “Did you. . . shower after practice?”

Your smile widened. “Wow, you’re just full of observations today.”

Peter backpedaled. “I didn’t mean it weird, I just - noticed. You smell nice. Not that I was sniffing you or anything - ”

You leaned forward on your elbow, eyes gleaming. “You sniffed me, Parker?”

Peter was melting into the seat - him and his stupid mouth.

You let him squirm a second longer before laughing softly. “Relax. I’m messing with you.”

“You do that a lot,” he muttered.

“I like seeing you flustered. It’s cute.”

That shut him up completely.

And for a moment, it was just the quiet shuffle of papers, the scratch of pens, and the realization - dawning on both of you in real time - that this was starting to feel like something more than tutoring.

The library door clicked shut behind you two, the world dim and quiet under the halo of streetlights. Rain misted the air, not quite enough to soak you, but enough that Peter still offered to hold the umbrella.

You rolled your eyes half-heartedly, and let him.

“Y’know,” you said, hopping down the steps and stretching your arms overhead, “we’ve spent a lot of time together recently, but you’re still a total mystery.”

Peter blinked. “I am not.”

“You are! You’re like a human calculator that knows everything except how to actually talk about himself.”

Peter laughed, but it was sheepish. “Okay, fine. I’ll give you four facts. But you have to rank them by how impressive they are.”

“Ooh, a game. I’m in.”

He held up a finger. “One - I built my first working circuit board when I was nine.”

You fake-gasped, jaw slackening. “Nerd.”

He ignored that. “Two - I can recite every single line from The Empire Strikes Back. Backwards.”

“Backwards?”

“Backwards.”

You blinked. “That’s insane.”

Peter grinned, holding up a third finger. “Three - I once got detention because I corrected a substitute teacher’s math on the board.”

“Peter,” you said, mock-scandalized, “were you a rebel?”

“I felt terrible! But he was teaching it wrong!”

You giggled. “Honestly, you were doing the class a favor.”

“And last. . .” He paused, then looked away, scratching the back of his neck. “I kind of. . . taught myself photography because I was too nervous to talk to people, and I figured taking photos would let me see them without having to say anything.”

You glanced at him then - really looked. The quiet way he said it. The honesty in it. He wasn’t trying to impress you with that one. He was just telling the truth.

And it hit something soft inside you - my, a whole new side to Peter Parker.

“Okay,” you said quietly. “That one wins.”

Peter turned toward you, curious. “Really? Over circuit boards and rebellion?”

You nodded. “Photography’s kind of vulnerable. It says you wanted to understand people. That’s. . .cool.”

He looked away, ears turning pink.

You nudged him. “Your turn. Ask me something.”

He glanced sideways. “Okay, so. . . all this time you’ve been grilling me and I don’t even know your favorite food.”

“Easy. Pad Thai.”

“Extra peanuts?”

“Obviously.” (sorry if you're allergic.)

Peter nodded in approval. “Okay, what’s your dream job?”

“Still figuring it out,” you said. “But something where I get to run around. Be loud. And boss people around, ideally.”

He smiled, amused. “So, coach?”

“CEO,” you said, winking. “Or the president. - of Mars”

Peter chuckled. “Midtown’s golden girl aiming high.”

You made a mock-bow. “Aim for the moon, right?”

“Alright,” he said. “Tell me something you’ve never told anyone.”

You hesitated for half a step, then said, “Sometimes I feel like I’ve built myself so tall that people forget to ask if I ever feel small.”

Peter looked at you, stunned silent. And you shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, like your words hadn’t just hollowed something soft in the air between you.

And that’s when he said, soft and awed, “You’re a lot.”

You laughed. “Too much?”

“No,” Peter said quietly. “Just. . . a lot. In a good way.”

You slowed a little as the subway entrance came into view. He hesitated beside you, holding the umbrella still.

Then he asked, “So how come you wanted me to tutor you, anyway? You didn’t really need help.”

You smirked, brushing a strand of damp hair behind your ear. “Guess I wanted to spend time with you. Is that a crime, Parker?”

He opened his mouth to answer, then faltered - unsure what to say in this very moment. This is a scene straight out of those cheesy romcom movies that aunt May loves.

You grinned and nudged his side with your elbow. “Relax. You’re cute when you blush.”

He groaned and hid his face behind his hand, and you laughed, feeling it for the first time - that pull in your chest. A quiet, undeniable want.

He wasn’t just the dork who sat behind the lens or scribbled in his physics notebook.

He was Peter. And suddenly, that meant a whole lot more.

Five days later. Friday evening.

The sky was a dull grey bruise, the kind that made streetlights flicker on too early. Midtown buzzed with its usual end-of-week chaos - horns, rushed footsteps, and the occasional burst of laughter spilling out from delis and bodegas.

Peter was jumpy. He didn’t know why. He hated not knowing why.

Tutoring had gone well - better than well. You showed up with two pens and a pink iced coffee, hair in a loose clip, eyes already bright with something warm the second you spotted him. You’d leaned close during a joke, and Peter hadn’t even processed the page he was explaining because he’d been too busy wondering what your shampoo was.

You waved him off after, calling, “See you Monday, Professor Parker,” before disappearing toward the train station.

And yet, twenty minutes later, Peter still wasn’t on the train.

Because something felt wrong.

It was in his ribs. That strange tug he’d learned to listen to, ever since the spider bite rewired his everything. And this time, the tug led him not toward a mugging or a runaway car.

It led him to you.

He took the alley behind the coffee shop, slipping on his mask mid-air. The suit hugged tight around his shoulders, glinting in the streetlight as he darted above the crowd. He could see the blur of you up ahead - your backpack bouncing against your spine, your headphones in, your pace steady.

You’re okay, he told himself. Just a weird feeling. Nothing’s going to-

Then he saw him. A man, stepping out from a side street, too fast, too close. Peter’s pulse slammed into high gear.

You didn’t see him until the guy grabbed for your arm.

You twisted away, instantly alert, but the man shoved you hard. You hit the brick wall with a grunt, scrambling to stay on your feet.

“Back off!” you yelled.

Peter didn’t hesitate.

He shot a web at the guy’s wrist, yanking him backwards and pinning him against a dumpster in the span of a second. The guy howled, but Spider-Man was already swinging down, landing in a crouch between you and him.

“Hey,” he said, voice low, shaking. “That’s not how we treat people around here.”

The man cursed and thrashed against the webbing, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

Peter turned to you. “You okay?”

You blinked at him, winded. Your elbow was scraped. Your breath came quick. But your voice was steady when you answered.

“Fine,” you said. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“Still,” Spider-Man said, trying not to let the rage leak through, “gotta go saving the people of Queens.”

Your eyes searched his masked face. “Thanks. For showing up.”

Peter hesitated. You were looking at him too closely. Too calmly. Like you were. . . piecing it together - but there's no way, right?

He cleared his throat. “Lucky timing.”

You tilted your head. “Mhm.”

The police sirens were close now - someone had probably heard the commotion. Spider-Man nodded once, then backed up a step.

“I should go.”

“Yeah,” you said, brushing your hair back, voice deceptively casual. “Wouldn’t want people seeing the school’s star athlete getting walked home by Spider-Man. Might ruin my tough rep.”

Peter froze. You were definitely onto him.

But all you did was grin. Just a little - that one was unreadable to him entirely.

“I’ll see you around,” you said, and walked off without waiting for a response.

He watched you go - heart racing, hands still shaking - and for the first time since he’d gotten the suit, Peter wasn’t scared someone had found out.

He was scared because he wanted you to - okay, yeah, he is so very screwed.

to be continued . . .

masterlist

[jellycreamjammedart]

This may have been answered already and I’ve totally missed it (if so feel free to just ignore this if you want haha!) but is Cassie aware the toys in Safe Haven are all kids, when did she find out (if she does), and what was her reaction to it? Obviously the animatronics in Security Breach are pretty lifelike, but they’re still just animatronics. Living toys made from children, many of which probably still have meaty flesh bits inside? That’s a whole ‘nother ball park!

I recall having somewhat touched on this on another ask but that was a bit ago already sooooo

The thing about Playtime's underbelly is that if you're outside it (AKA the outside world, the surface, whatever you call,) it's very affordable to keep their dirty secrets hidden... but if you're actually inside there? The gritty reality is very hard to fly over anyone's head. Sure, certain details might be possible to keep hidden, but the overall gist of it all? Not so much.

I feel like Doey certainly would want to spare Cassie from the dark truth, but problem is... that's not really something that can be kept hidden for much long, especially now that she's smack in the middle of it along with them. If he tried lying to her to spare her, she simply would end up finding out some other way, which is arguably worse than being told the truth from the start. That said, I think Doey would try not to lie, but would still be vague, only answering certain questions if Cassie ends up specifically asking those... as well as elaborating on things she may already have found out on her own.

I don't have it laid out how Cassie finds out about what/who the toys actually are, but her reaction to it probably would be just about what you'd expect from a sensible 10-year-old with basic human sense, give or take; I imagine she'd feel so terrible to the point of nausea (like, you ever had to take in some kind of information that made you so upset you felt sick? Kinda like that.) If she can feel sorry for ones like Roxy who are fully mechanical, she certainly would feel for 'toys' who are for all ends and purposes flesh and bone just like her. Distressingly so.

But, Cassie also is still just a kid, and the truth of Playtime is something of a magnitude that may also be too big for a kid to take in, so she also would need to process and digest that shit in bits.

But, if anything, it weirdly(maybe) may also help Cassie further bond with her toy peers (not just Doey but also the other friendly toys in Safe Haven;) while she may not fully relate to what it's like to go through those experiments, she certainly would understand how betrayed those toys kids feel, because they were all lied to by those who virtually should've protected them, looked out for them and those who made everything to earn their trust only to spit it back at them when it was their time to be experimented on. That intense sense betrayal and injustice is something Cassie herself feels deeply in her bones now, left there by "Gregory" AND Gregory. Heck, "Gregory's" betrayal hurts less than Gregory's, because that's exactly the thing about betrayal: it never comes from an enemy.

[1moreff-creator]

I'm very curious. What do you think would have happened if Ace killed Eden instead of Arei?

Assuming the method remains more or less the same, the big difference would be Arei being in the trial instead of Eden. Obviously there would also be gigantic changes in future chapters, but without any chapter past 2, it's kinda impossible to tell what those changes would actually be lol.

That said, the trial sure would have a ton of chances. For starters, Arei would crash out pretty hard the moment people find Eden's corpse in the playground, and I'm pretty sure both of the secrets she knows (David's and Levi's) would get revealed instantly. That'd be a hell of sight, seeing that not only would Levi's explanation happen way earlier than in canon (and there's even a chance that Hu and Vero don't reveal their secrets at all, depending on how the rest of the trial plays out), you'd also end up having David's evilsona for the vast majority of the trial. I guess the whole "let's be less shitty together" conversation might get revealed in full, but there's also a possibility that Arei and David don't even bring it up, since the only reason that conversation got exposed was so that Ace could reveal what David's secret was. With Arei doing that herself, there's not such a big need to do that.

Aside from that, I don't think much would change in the actual evidence backed section of the trial, aside from Arei being a bit more yell-y than Eden was in canon. The big difference would be that the tape situation would immediately reveal Ace as the culprit, with the only defense he could have is saying that maybe Eden took the tape even though she's clearly the victim and not the killer. Or that Teruko took it, but even canon explains how silly that is. With both his possible defenses being obviously really weak, I can't imagine Ace's defense lasting as long as in canon.

Post trial, Arei probably would be a lot harsher towards Ace than Eden was, but again, no other big changes. Again, hard to say how things would move forward without a canon CH3 to base that on.

Aside from what Arei's presence changes, Eden's death would also hit Teruko, Hu, and possibly the rest of the cast harder than Arei's did. And while I can see the others handling it as well as they did Arei's (which varies between characters of course), Eden's death would probably set Teruko back a lot, and her arc about trusting people again would take much more effort than in canon. I don't even know if she'd reach the same point as canon, even with the whole "I should've listened to Rose" thing. I could see her deciding she just needs to pay more attention in general as opposed to socializing more, and thus she'd probably keep isolating in CH3. So, y'know. Unideal.

Thanks for the ask! Loved thinking about this :D

[mountainrusing]

Lily now called him James Potter. If he were a bottle, he’d be shards pierced through Mary’s clenched fists. But he was not a bottle, instead he was dancing with Lily, pressed against each other and giggling in the corner of the Gryffindor common room. What did Lily even see in him? He was the resident arrogant toerag, right? When did that change? Obviously, this was a ploy to make Mary jealous. To make her regret her choice in giving Lily up.

It wasn’t a choice.

And it wasn’t working.

Once again, Mary took a large sip from the bottle of Firewhiskey dangling between her fingers, wishing it were James so she could strangle the neck and watch the blood fall from his stupid face as he spluttered for air. The glasses would pop off his head as it ballooned and floated away into the clouds, where he’d be kicked like a football by birds’ beaks because he was a stupid piece of dragon’s dung.

Tearing her gaze away, Mary scanned the room for something better to do, someone better to do, she’d really appreciate that, if they could touch her body and make her feel good, so far only Lily and Gideon and Benjy and Edgar and Fabian and Kingsley and… quite a few, actually, now that Mary didn’t… now that she didn’t have a best friend anymore. She realised she was fine with anyone who wasn’t Mulciber. When she wanted them to touch her. When Lily was spending meaningful time with James, so Mary had meaningless flings with a whole host of boys, keep them coming, she’d learn the way of life eventually. They did make her feel good. (Not as good as Lily.) Kingsley was Black. (Why did that matter?) But he was a pureblood. (Everything mattered.)

By the window, Remus Lupin was also miserably moping over a bottle. What was interesting about this was the direction of his gaze, following it, landing like a bull’s eye on Lily and James. Two bull’s eyes, both his eyes were glassy yet focused, huge planets orbiting this heavy mass, a boulder on their shoulders, two lovers sharing secrets in the corner.

Mary shoved towards him. He didn’t notice her shifting closer, next to his ear, drawling, “In love with Lily, are we?”

He startled, whipped around to face her, bottle slipping from his grip. Mary caught the bottom, pushed it back into his hands, surveyed his flushing cheeks, frazzled hair, parted lips, before uttering, “Or is it James for you?”

“I don’t—”

Waving him off, Mary rambled, “Fine, not in love, how ‘bout… ‘feeling affection towards,’ how about being… attracted? I’m attracted to Lily, and you are…?”

Remus shook his head, hair falling into his eyes, fist tightening around the bottle as he raised it to his mouth and drank long and deep, draining almost half. When he finally stopped, he scrubbed his lips, and in an overly-polite tone, he requested, “Please leave.”

Mary laughed. It bubbled up her throat, “Such a gentleman, Lupin.” Nudging his hip with her own, “Tell me how you really feel.”

Clenching his jaw, Remus shot a glance at Lily and James — James, he was looking at James — and let out a long exhale, smiling with closed lips, “I’m fine, you?”

He was so basic. Generic. Standard question, standard response, end conversation. He was self-constructed to be as unnoticeable as possible, a people pleaser fading into the background; nothing with him was ever real. It was always an unattached voice and a civil nod, hunched shoulders, better not seen, better not heard, mundane mask plastered over his face, over his entire body, in the way he held himself, ask Remus no questions and he will tell no lies.

Mary took the bait, pushed, “But neither of us are really fine, are we?”

— extract from

she’s Black, she’s Broken, she’s Beautiful

[lensman-arms-race]

Skibidi Toilet episode 78

Holy shit, Boom cooked! How was that fourteen minutes? It felt like three!

I did like getting the whole episode in one go instead of in parts. I hope Boom does it this way from now on (maybe with the odd non-canon silly short here and there to tide us over).

I expect a big part of why it took so long was from sorting out the lawsuit with Next Level! And... we've heard several times 'the episodes will take less time to make', and then that didn't happen. I think what happens is that Boom pushes himself to try something new, it takes ages for him to work it out, then he says 'okay, I know how to do that now, I can churn that out quickly!' And then, instead of only using the techniques he's already mastered, he pushes himself to try something else new, and the cycle repeats. Maybe it'll go faster if he keeps Deer from Ohio on permanently!

Naturally, spoilers abound.

Toilet-Cam 2.0! :D

Notice how the Skibidi is working on the cyan side and the Camera is working on the amber side (the colours of each other's factions)!

(I don't like the helmet, though. An asset made for a round-headed human looks stupid on a rectangular-headed creature.)

It'll be interesting to see what this thing does. The first Toilet-Cam was made to infiltrate the Skibs, but now that they're working on the same side (at least for now), what can it do with a toilet body that it couldn't do with an Alliance strider body?

Notice this geezer with a missile launcher. I hope we get to see him use it - he looks like a grizzled old grandpa-type character who'll probably say something badass.

I took this screengrab for the cute Soundkind (who is possibly echolocating! They're making cute woob sounds), but what is that on the bed in the background?

Looks like a naked melted guy. Is this a Half-Life asset?

Cutesy reference to Steak the YouTuber. :D (That's not me reaching - Boom did send Steak this scene as a leak and joked that it was a reference.)

...Where did that meat come from? I don't think we've seen normal animals in Skibidi Toilet ever! (The Skibidi kitty does not count as a 'normal' animal.)

The Cams get a transmission error and this one taps its head to perform percussive maintenance. That's adorable!

Not that it really matters either way, but who sent this? I'm guessing it's the TVs because of the purple. If it was the Secret Agent, we'd expect it to be green because he's done that to Cameras before.

Holy shit - I think this is the first on-screen human death that wasn't in a goofy fashion. (The humans who were killed near the church died just off-screen.) Piranha Judge Dredd bites this poor lady's head off!

I only noticed this because someone on Reddit pointed it out: you can see the lady's eyeball embedded in Piranha-guy's teeth.

Is this guy a young Astro like the Juggernaut puppy? Are all baby Astros fucking ugly and they turn more human-like as they grow older?

...Do Astros take on the physical appearance of whatever species they devour the most?

I'm not sure what's going on here. Duchess coughs/spits into her hand - what is she doing? She appears, has a munch on the dead lady and comments on how raw the meat is, then gets shot at by POV. What provokes her to spit into her hand right now?

I suppose it's too much to hope that the human lady ingested something that's poisonous to Astros and now it's affecting Duchess, bwoo ha ha.

There were unionized group of researchers in Eastern Europe. Their status is unknown. You need to rescue and deliver the survivors.

Who's this referring to? I assume it's a group of humans we haven't met yet. Could it be where the Secret Agent worked before he became the Administrator of Alpha Hills? And holy crap - we're about to get our first Skibidi POV episode!

A tiny interaction, but an informative one. Buzzsaw (now equipped with the portable POV camera) gives a thumbs-up to Tri-Cam, who doesn't return it (with a slight head-shake no). Buzz is happily going along with the truce for now (in fact, it was his squad-mate Rambo who initiated it!), but Tri-Cam isn't happy about it.

What a huge size difference between Tri-Cam and the two newer soldier Cams! I think the first techfolk built by humans were more or less human-sized because they were supposed to be able to work in the same spaces as us, but now that human civilisation has collapsed that's no longer important. The techfolk are free to design their shells to meet their needs.

Sabre's moobs are absolutely getting bigger over time, aren't they? Either that or he's bad at reading washing instructions and keeps shrinking his clothes.

I wonder if the scarf-wearing TV is inspired by any fan-made characters? Giving TVs scarves seems to be a popular design choice!

I saw someone on Reddit suggest these are the first three TVs we see. The first two normal TVs we 'officially' see go ;) and c: - and although Sabre doesn't officially appear until much later, there is a purple-screened TV visible in some background scenes as far back as episode 30-something. That could well be Sabre!

The TVs teleport away - now we know they haven't stopped using the teleportation network altogether.

Firstly: Polycephaly, my beloved! Swoon!

Secondly: "Hugs?" - has Boom seen Drakk's Buzzsaw x Polycephaly fics??! 👀

I reckon he's at least looked at fanfics in aggregate (or had someone compile the info for him) just to get an idea of what characters and pairings are most popular.

If I go on AO3 and have it show me Skibidi Toilet fics and exclude crossovers and fics under 1000 words (because those are more likely to be stupid joke fics), I get 271 results. That means that the currently 18 Buzz x Poly fics are a not insignificant chunk of them!

I laughed like a twat. When the figurines for Polycephaly and Buzzsaw come out, they need to be made so that Buzz's hand fits Poly's crotch.

You can't tell from the still image, but Polycephaly makes a very subtle jolt and Buzz very slightly caresses with his thumb. Yes, it's funny, but it's also so delightful how Boom puts so many tiny details into his animations.

...Missed opportunity for Buzz to say 'Now I know why they call you Polycephaly'.

God, I wish that were me.

(I wish Polycephaly didn't tuck his tie into his trousers; it's not a good look. My boy needs a cummerbund or something.)

But then!

Big lore drop incoming that made my brainworms squeal.

We travel through the void... and Polycephaly speaks forwards.

Do you possess even dimliest concept of what this place is?

Is it future? Or is it past?

Is this the moment G-Toilet crashed to Earth?

Maybe Titan TV said 'you can't kill the dead' because TVs perceive time in reverse. From their point of view, they start off dead. 👀

Presumably we're really seeing these scenes in the void - if they were just Buzzsaw's hallucinations, the portable camera wouldn't be able to pick those up.

What resides in the corners of this darkness and what happens when outside entity stays there for too long? One of us has the answer.

Ohhh my goodness, oh my goodness, this makes my tits erect. The Void as a spoopy domain is a concept I use in my fics, and I'm not the only one to think it. I reckon either Boom reads fanfic, or we fic-writers have very similar ideas to Boom on what TVs and the Void should do. Both of which are very gratifying!

Jeffrey wouldn't mind some company.

Banging my head on the wall. Eating my own hands. Biting pieces off the wall and eating my teeth. /positive

Jeffrey. My beloved.

Twisted abomination of a TV that resides in the corners of this darkness. Who stayed there too long. Oh my goodness. The lore. The implications.

(I even had a somewhat similar idea for an OC, but it was in RP only so Boom couldn't possibly have seen it. That means we really do have similar ideas about TVs. Oh wow.)

Can Jeffrey leave the void? Does he want to? Is it his prison, or his home? Was he a prototype for Polycephaly? The first TV to discover and attempt teleportation? So many juicy possibilities!

I wonder if Boom did that so he could see what fics would emerge as a result?

Also lmao at the mood whiplash from ball-grab to eldritch fuckery. (Was Buzz holding onto Poly's robot knackers during that whole monologue?)

Lord help me, I'm gonna fuckin' kill.

Oh, Buzz has two hands now? Guess the saw bit is detachable.

Buzz's swords slice off Astro heads with ease - hopefully the Skibs share these upgrades with the Alliance.

The sword bit on Polycephaly's back is actually a sword!

No prisoners, Bozo.

Buzz performs his second on-screen war crime. (Killing an enemy who's surrendered - the first one was killing a medic.)

Rest in shit.

Brilliant line. And one I'm surprised I've never heard before.

Oh, there's the saw. And yes, he does do with it just what it looks as though he's about to do.

(That is a weird sentence. English is weird.)

Probably a war crime, but the Geneva Convention likely doesn't protect alien invaders.

It's pretty funny the juxtaposition between how brutal the actual Skibidi Toilet canon is, compared to the funny little toys that you can buy in toy shops next to the Pokemon plushies and Five Fortnights at Poppy's or whatever kids like these days.

Wow, even in the post-apocalypse YouTube rebuilt their building after G-Toilet flattened it! :D

So who's the purple streak?

Him! The he! My beloved boy!

"You're screwed." [unscrews]

Genius bit of subtitling. :D

The Detainer claws are growing on me a bit. I still prefer those cuddly stems, though. Also Polycephaly needs his poly of cephalus.

Tiny bit of character building: Buzz says "Nice job, friend" and Poly replies "Watch yo back, dumbass." Polycephaly says 'watch your back' instead of 'shut the fuck up' or similar. (Well, I assume it's true to the subs; I haven't bothered playing it backwards to find out.)

Larry shows us he's not just a pretty face. (Is he called that because of the phrase 'happy as Larry'?)

...Wow! Can all the TVs detach and fly their heads now?

Bwoo ha ha! Yesmate!

Buzzsaw helpfully takes Larry's body with him. It's funny how it stays rigid instead of ragdolling. :D (Also, Larry has now touched Polycephaly's balls by proxy.)

Poor Buzzsaw gets left behind on the battlefield because he takes action to stop a cloaked Astro from hijacking Polycephaly's teleport. The text 'spy detected' was presumably rendered by the portable camera - is it relaying its HUD to Buzz's shades? Or is Buzz just very good at spotting things? He is a former human, after all, and we're very good at noticing patterns and deviations!

Larry's head is still in the field piloting the dead Astro, so presumably Larry's headless body will arrive back at base. I'd like to think that people put things in the neckhole and take silly selfies with it. Maybe incompetent workers get berated with 'Larry is more productive than you' (because he just sits there and doesn't break anything).

Maybe Larry eventually makes his way back to base and finds his body being used as a vase.

Larry (still piloting the Astro shell) doesn't seem to notice Buzz or be inclined to help him. Larry is now a Chekhov's Gun for sure. Is Larry on a mission to retrieve Titan TV's shoulder-screen that got left behind at the fight with Juggernaut? Something has to happen with that screen! Boom made a conscious decision to have it fall off intact instead of being obviously damaged beyond repair.

Luckily for Buzz, the Soundkind have been cooking!

Notice the silly guy jumping.

...I'm really baffled by how many people seem to think this was Titan Speakerman. The scale is clearly all wrong, there's no core, and the silhouette is too different for it to read as the same character.

At first I thought this was just a large speakerman and they're now all this tanked up, but it seems this is an elite unit! Boom said their name is Executor - I suspect Boom was going for 'Executioner' but English isn't his first language.

Boom also called Executor a 'semi-Titan'. Maybe we'll start seeing these giant elites in the other factions too? (Though Polycephaly arguably could count as the TVs' semi-Titan.)

Well, now we know why the episode took so long. It probably took 3 months just to render all these bloody particles!

She! The her! Oh my fucking goodness!

The shorts version of this scene had Everybody Wants to Rule the World, which was some welcome nostalgia but I prefer the soundtrack in the full version. It needs the gnarly synthwave.

The crosses are a certainly a choice of imagery. They're the wrong way around to be a reference to cross-guard lightsabres. (Are they an Evangelion reference? I've never seen that but I've heard it has lots of cruciform imagery because the makers thought it looked cool.)

There's an exciting moment of character development when Speaker Matriarch throws Buzz's sword back to him. It wasn't that long ago they were on opposite sides, and the Matriarch watched her comrade Dark Speakerman die at the hands of Buzz's comrade. And yet she's willing to fight alongside him for now.

If this is how juiced up the Executor and the Matriarch are, how fucking overpowered is the Titan going to be?

No more hiding.

[cccakessslicemeee]

Dont do this to me when I have 20 minutes left on my lunch break.

I feel like both Adine and Fabian would be in cahoots over trying to find a way to extend their friends lives for as long possible through magical means or whatever. Nothing crazy or extreme enough to end the world but maybe they kill a dragon and Fabian really, really wants Riz to drink it.

And Riz is like... I've eaten dragon before... Remember Kalvaxus? I think it might be a myth...

Riz downs the nasty potion anyway and it's gross... Yeah real nasty.

And then they stumble upon one of many scams that where someone says they found the fountain of youth and it's just some remote island with pretty water or some shit. Fabian tosses Riz in every time and he's like "guys stop. This is the fourth one this month you are not gonna find it we could be solving real fucking cases-"

Fabian just looks so damn sad and Adine keeps her cool, she won't say it but 60 years is not a long time especially when you might have forever.

Adine will have plane shift.

I'm pretty sure after Riz eventually passes he's gonna do the secret angle nonsense. The first person he sees is Fig in Hell and she's like... Oh my gosh is this goblin Riz? Sees right through his disguise and slobbers all over him. She's just so thrilled to see him. He is happy to see her but he very quickly is like "I have a mission." Fig is so ready to help.

Adine and Fabian start spending a lot of time in hell. A lot.

Fig can't get over Riz's wings they are so cool.

I'd write more but I gotta deepthroat a six inch chicken cutlet in like 5 mins

Hello Fabian & Riz enjoyers be it platonic, romantic or otherwise. How do we feel about them staying in each other's lives well into adulthood and maybe even living together and Riz looking Fabian in the eye and saying "You know I'm gonna die before you hit a hundred, right?" completely unprompted at breakfast or something. And then silence. How do we feel about that.

[a-dog-called-dusk]

I think it's important that we acknowledge that "it never occurred to her that the sheer force of her anger wouldn't just incinerate him" is the Stephiest sentence to have ever Stephed.

[sea-buns]

Holy fuck, man. What a trip Fearne has been on, huh?

You tell her how grateful you are to have her in your life, you flatter her, you tell her you need her, that you have to do this together. You have her make a promise that has this woman, born of chaos and fey, agreeing through shaking hands and a trembling voice.

You make her deceive your friends; you make her follow where they cannot know; you make her help you into this contraption; you make her feed this thing into you despite the fact that you both have been warned extensively of the risks. You make her watch you crumble and splinter and shatter and fracture and burst and implode. You make her watch you die, over and over and over and over, for a minute in agonizing bullet time.

You make her do all these things, because when she tries to back out, when she tries to not be the one who let you do this—how could you do this—

you tell her, "YOU PROMISED."

Because if there's one thing you know, it's that the fey do not break a promise.

[mothusband]

came clean to my dad about quitting my job (1 month after i quit btw) AND about getting another pet and he didnt judge me for either 🫡 i can finally breathe a sigh of relief

[odietamox]

my mom told me to keep a secret from my little sister but now my sister told me that out dad told her this exact thing and to keep it secret from me. what the fuck.

[muninnhuginn]

having to make myself just pull back a second and go for "simplest explanation that fits all the facts and isn't accidentally inferring beyond the facts we do have".