#and I will probably post here once in a while

[kalims]

⭒ㅤwhose (not) random kid

premise. crash landing from the future is apparently your kid, not that you know that anyway... in the form of a mixture between you, and your... supposed counterpart, clues are bound to pile up as to whose child this is.

parts. rosehearts, kingscholar, ashengrotto, al asim, schoenheit, shroud, draconia

cont. gender neutral reader, use of 'mada' which is just 'mama' and 'dada' cut in half for our resident shrimp (aka yuu) staggering 6.1k words woah

note. hello, hello! for a while I don't think I can work on azul's part </3 it's gonna be a very busy week for me for the following two weeks (i can say i am already in hell week) for finals so it might be a while before I can pick his part up hehe. in the meanwhile... here's leona ;) if I can commit to a date for azul, you can check out the posting schedule at my pinned since I will be updated it once i do!

as usual, just comment if you also want to be added in the taglist ^^ if those already on want to be removed you can also drop a comment to inform me!

leona

i should take a bite–was a brief thought that swam through your mind just as you turned a corner to another seemingly endless hallway. the floating lanterns, and candles alike light up in a short flash of dim green when you passed, extinguishing completely when you found another hallway.

in your hands was none other than a doom sandwich from the cafeteria, plucked then fought after its other nineteen siblings in the tray. if you had a word it would probably be chaos, you’d think there was a pyramid of golden bars in the cafeteria from the crowd of students outside before the bell.

there was indeed not.

“shehehe! take this, our protege!” were the humble words of a ghost occupant of the main campus, who had apparently come to view you as an underling of theirs. so if slipping the wrapped delicacy into your hands discreetly with a wink was their idea of a ‘good job’ then who were you, honestly to decline?

out of courtesy you wondered whether or not to inform your friends alongside the large crowd in the front of the room but decided against it because you were in the right mind to not dive first into that… mob and lose your beloved gift immediately.

in short, the students of this unfortunate institution were not above using dirty tactics for a single, stupid sandwich that happens to induce a recollection of memories when eaten (alright, you do see the appeal).

you hid it within the inner pockets of your blazer, lacking the nausea you had through the first few times of travelling through the mirrors as you stepped through and found yourself in the warm, humid air of savanaclaw. thankfully, as with all condiments from the cafeteria, the food would always remain warm.

alright. you did feel a bit dizzy but as were such with certain out of the world aliens like yourself. 

“we’re missing a disk, yuu-yuu!” 

you turned your head at the mention of your name, spotting a few savanaclaw students either lying still with varying pants or grabbing a drink at their own magishift field. a few disks were strewn around the dusty ground but you steeled your gaze at the source of your called name.

politely, you waved. this time, you’re not sure why cater’s nickname for you had extended from the upperclassmen of heartslabyul (well, the first years regard you normally anyway.) then to savanaclaw residents. for a dorm with such virile individuals, they’re still teenagers who like to pick on you, albeit less disdainful and more teasing after you’d helped the dorm out.

before, they were just demons to you!

you nudge your chin towards the many lying around. “there’s a lot of disks around, upperclassmen.” you pointed out, the cheetah eared second year doesn’t even spare them a glance like catching your attention were more of his concerns than a not-but lack of disks. “if you’re asking me to carry one to you, they’re really heavy. i’m sure your magic can carry it well anyway.”

buttering egos must be an acquired skill around here.

cheetah only flashes you a toothy grin, two fangs poking out from under his lips. “nah.” he replied with a shake of his head, patting down the towel slung around his shoulders to the perspiring skin of his neck. “want to be our disk? last time got everyone motivated to be the ones to throw you around.”

“no, thank you!” you bowed politely, turning around at record speed.

he snorted.

“bye, yuu-yuu.”

in hindsight no one would ever be sane enough to be a disk after watching a magical shift game considering it might as well just be a blur of color with all of the spells trailing after it. unfortunately, you were more so dragged into the role and reluctantly accepted your fate.

it was not a fun experience! you shivered, keeping your head straight to the entrance of the dorm as you resumed walking and ignored the disappointed hollers behind you. if you can’t see them, they don’t exist.

a breeze brushes through your legs.

the breeze trips you from your stride.

dazed with confusion, you remained stomach against the ground for a moment. what was that? you wondered after your brief startle, moving to push yourself up from the ground. a frown creases the space between your brows when you regained your stand and spotted the brown dust littering your otherwise, clean uniform.

you sighed when you found that it did not only cover your forearms, but also the front of your entire uniform. you might as well be rolling around on the ground to justify the mess on your clothes. 

this place really hates you.

“sorry…”

jumping ten feet from the air (you wish. you’re exaggerating for good measure.) you whipped your head around, searching from the pitched, misty voice that seemed to chime pretty close to your ear.

… must have been the wind.

the wind knocks you to the ground again when you moved forward despite your initial dumbfoundedness.

when you raise your face that once again planted to the ground, you are not greeted by the air you expected but rather than a pair of green eyes that was not familiar in the slightest when you pair their shade of hair alongside the irises.

“i’m sleepy. can we take a nap?” 

you gaped, horrified at the scare. “WHAT IN THE WO–”

‎⎯⎯ . . . ‎

grim on the other hand feels like he’s in heaven.

setting aside cans of tuna’s under your bed felt like a mastermind plan he’s been devising for weeks, there was no way you’d discover the pile below! he chuckled to himself. at last, with you away for the night (he assumes you are, since you’re goin’ over to meet that overgrown cat!). grim is at least thankful for this one time that leona kidnaps you away from him.

with his feast laid out in front of him grim spares a loud cackle that shook him with so much please that warm puffs of smoke slipped through his canine teeth, the blue fire larger with his laughs.

now i can eat! finally! after weeks! he cried in his head.

grim was just about to leap in to tear through the metal can to ravish his meal but instead startled upwards at the sound of a door slamming against the wall he worried the entire building just might come down on him for a second.

dust flew down from the ceiling and floated on the top of the cans. grim’s flames roared brighter in response to his otherwise perfect evening.

myaaahh! it’s just one foot on it. he thinks to himself, dimming at the thought of facing your fury. you sounded angry considering you literally slammed the door despite knowing it would challenge the stability of this… dumpster! his anger doubles down into satisfaction considering he took it upon himself to indulge in this feast up in the attic.

where you, after spotting the state of dust during the first few days, remarked to never step a foot in there again with a sneeze.

grim sneezed, then sniffed. it isn’t his sense of smell that matters now anyway, but his sense of taste!

though that fleeting sniff has him sniffing again, having caught a whiff of some scent that’s not familiar in the slightest. spicy, earthy with no traces of your own unique smell that divides you from the other students grim refers to as ‘nobodies’.

but slightly familiar.

he just about jumps to the ceiling with how shocked he was from the sight of the door leading down from the attic quite literally flew from its hinges to the air, falling heavily down the corner of the space with a wave of sound, and dust that momentarily blinds grim who coughed at the overwhelming amount of particles he had inhaled in the wake,

“ah!” grim yelled in surprise, ears folding back. he shuffled to the other side of the room, body reared back defensively.

he does not know what’s worse, these acts of anger involving the furniture having you as the source or… the savanaclaw dorm  head that had just climbed the steps to the attic with begrudging slowness.

leona wrinkles his nose at the smell, turning his head to the side with a displeased expression plastered on his face. at the very least, the monster is intelligent enough to read that he’s less than in a talking mood. “you,” he all but growled, ascending the steps fully.

“m..me!” grim huffed, trying to look intimidating by the puffing of his chest. “this is private property! my henchman owns this place!”

the lion waves him off. “don’t care. whatever they own is mine, whatever i own is theirs.”

another menacing step from the male has grim blanching and scurrying back. until he feels the dusty expanse of the wall brushing against the tip of his tail comfortably, he at the very least makes sure the flame doesn’t accidentally get the whole building catching on fire. if he didn’t you’d be far scarier than this leona right now.

well… except this leona is the one enticing fear in him right now, not the imagination of you.

what in the world did you do to this guy? he thought frantically. he would have thought leona was immensely content with the fact that you were visiting his dorm like he was every other time. did you fight? why was he even here? did you throw him under the bus?

right. grim might have eaten one of the chilled meat inside the savanaclaw fridge–only finding out it was leona’s right after he spat out the wet piece of paper with his name stuck onto it but…

“you know why i’m here?” leona scowled, not bothering to crouch down to the monster’s height. such an action was below him, that’s why he only peers down through his lashes at grim who confusedly shook his head.

he mocked, voice coming out stuck between a low rumble, and a growl. “your ‘henchman’ owes me now, makin’ me wait all that time and being a no show.”

as if to showcase his irritation, his tail flicked sharply. ears pulled back but twitching at every little sound like he expects to catch yuu in the action of hiding from him or something. grim begs to differ because he has no idea where you were.

it must have shown on his face but leona refused to be in the dark about your whereabouts. “so,” he squinted, flashing a canine tooth. threatening all the well, and of course less than happy. “if you tell me where that herbivore is, maybe i’ll spare you from the storm that’s coming to them.”

more like tell me now or you’re not gonna like what’s gonna happen next! grim cried in his mind.

leona tilted his head, eyes skimming from grim to the surrounding room. “or maybe i can just bring the storm here? this place’ll be nothing but a poor imitation of that scarabia with all the sand i’m gonna leave it in.”

“you can’t destroy ramshackle.” grim protested. “this is my–yuu's home!”

the male waved him off. “i’ll just rebuild it into somethin’ more suitable for them. easy.” briefly distracted after entertaining a thought, leona’s face smoothed down into blankness. “they can just stay with me.”

leona was in for the worst mood in the century when two whole hours after your designated meeting time at his dorm, like usual which you almost always upheld by being there in the first place, sometimes a little late but nonetheless present.

initially one hour was the most he was willing to wait. then leona thought to spare you another gracious hour before he eventually begrudgingly stood from his already comfortable position to the bed to look for you himself. there was no way he was going to pass up on quality sleep.

not that he would’ve tolerated waiting for five more minutes for others, much less an hour then two.

unfortunately. it was just you.

he flicks your forehead twice. “that’s for being two minutes late.”

you frowned at him. 

he shook the memory off before it can fully be the pin in the inflated balloon he currently calls his emotions. he’d flick you more than one twenty times that’s for sure, until the only thing you’d remember was him, even though leona knows his finger would lose the force by the third flick and you’re simply just feeling him poking you.

“anyway,”

“yuu ain’t here. they went to meet you, didn’t they?!”

“that’s right.” his eyes narrowed.

“then it’s not my fault they didn’t show for your attitude!”

leona grinned and stepped a foot forward with a bit more force than necessary, creating a stomp that promptly startles grim. “what did you just say?” he taunted, daring. say it again.

he sidestepped the ball of blue fire that came from grim’s teeth. “i’m telling yuu.” he said off-handedly.

grim panicked, straightening and sitting in a manner that was almost docile. “no!”

the man scoffed at the silence that settles into the air. your little partner was useless when the only thing tying him to this college was you and the audacity to not ensure your safety boggled him so much leona was almost tempted to transfer you over to savanaclaw despite your countless denial.

better to be safe than sorry. he thought. he would rather you be safe than him be sorry.

one glance at grim and of course the yapping he’d been doing the entire time, leona concludes that this little thing wasn’t any better in the where in the seven is yuu department. the only thing he’s irked about is that he went all the way here–that you somehow made him go all the way here.

he pinches the bridge of his nose, turning on his heel and sluggishly descending the steps from the attic. he must be going mad.

grim does not bother to muster up any form of courage to ask where leona was going, he already knew.

he could only think about what was gonna happen to the poor soul called you.

on his way navigating through your sad excuse of a (temporary) home, leona can feel the presence of your many spirit friends staring. to some extent he understands why, he did almost bring the entire dorm down since his arrival and he hasn’t even used a drop of his magic yet.

they can at least be grateful he shut the door on his way out.

leona momentarily thought about simply using a transportation spell to get him to the mirror chamber, from ramshackle to the main campus… it was quite a far destination to go through back to back. maybe he should think about hitting up a mage who excels in mirror transportation.

whoever made the mirror chamber. for your convenience.

wait a minute. why should he be worried about your convenience when you just about stood him up?

leona decides against the spell. it was complicated, and his thoughts was not in the right place to focus on converting his body and mind at the same time. he reckons he might as well be sending himself to somewhere farther with his state of disarray.

all the way to the mirror chamber, his face was etched into a permanent scowl. leona only ever kept your notifications unmuted, so a buzz from his phone has him reaching and opening it immediately.

one new message from chek–

he shuts the phone as his perpetual scowl deepened.

if seeing leona actually roaming the halls and not dozing off somewhere was a surprise, his face was practically a loud sign warning to stay away. that’s exactly what the passing students did, spared a glance, double checked, then steered clear from his way without another attempt at gossip.

they knew he could hear whatever they were saying. not that he cared enough right now.

the strange feeling of getting transported from the mirror chamber back to savanaclaw shortly takes all thoughts from his mind before it returns as he registers the familiar feel of his dorm, soothing but not quite home. home would more so be a person to him than a fleeting thing like a place.

like…

“dorm-leader!” 

“welcome back!”

“what were you up to, dorm leader?”

a chorus from entirely different people sound from the therianthropes likely practicing for a match that was ages away. such was the spirit of savanaclaw students that want to excel in one singular area like magishift when they put their mind to it. leona can atleast say he feels the same.

the long sigh he emitted was a quick sign he was annoyed, a sign that his dorm residents have learned to read over the years. they doubled down from their excitement at seeing him and settled a bit more pliantly.

most probable thing tied to his temper nowadays was probably you.

a lynxes’ ears twitch as he recalled seeing you earlier, talking to cheetah. so why was the dorm leader mad? “leona-senpai.” he started cautiously as the male walked past him, not sparing him a glance but definitely listening.

leona thought lynxes was just greeting him until the other continued. “you here to see yuu-yuu?” 

he stopped in his steps, the slow swing of his tail betraying the nonchalance plastered across his face. from the way he turned his head over a shoulder a little was his own universal gesture of urging someone to continue.

despite a moment of excitement at the prospect of his dorm leader paying attention to him, lynxes relishes it quickly. “yuu was just on their way to the dorm.” he continued as cheetah perked up at the mention of the name. both of them do not think too deeply on the obvious uncoiling of the tenseness from leona.

cheetah nodded along. having resigned to resting by one of the bleachers seeing as he’d been playing for over half an hour. “yeah. the little human dropped by earlier with their scrawny self smelling good.”

at leona’s critical eye, cheetah back tracked. “like food. i’m sure it was for you, leona-senpai.” he huffed, sharing an incredulous look with lynxes. geez…

the only really scary thing about yuu was the fact that you’d managed to wrap their dorm leader around your fingers like it was nothing. you seemed like you weren’t even trying anyways! you were just… there, and it’s like leona’s the one keeping you close even though he was notorious for, well. doing nothing.

“where’s the herbivore?” 

“they were on their way to the dorm.” lynxes replied.

cheetah sighed wistfully. “what a shame, really. was really looking forward to yuu-yuu playing magishift again.”

lynxes snorted. “doubt they can even hold up the weight of the disk alone.”

“i meant as our disk like before, doofus.” cheetah nudged him., lynxes scowled lighty at the name. both of them chorus a farewell to leona who had already started retreating after catching the answer to his question. if you were here, while he was over at your place… was that a waste of time then?

perhaps.

he can’t feel a bit annoyed. at the timing–then at the fact that he feels relieved.

leona only grunts in response, his own unique way of a thank you that eliminated the unnecessary need for words. good thing his dorm residents understands his non-verbal cues at least, more so you.

you had an uncanny ability to detect quite a lot about him since, well… the more time you spent together. you said he was grumpy when he doesn’t do anything–which is insane considering he doesn’t do anything at any given time (you just mean he’s grumpy all the time.) and when he asks, you only mimic the look of ‘his grump’.

a response to you. “i don’t look constipated.”

a response to him. “so you’re saying you look constipated?”

the man stepped into his dorm, a certain haste in his steps that does not drain his energy but makes him feel more alive with each assuming step closer to you as he directs himself into the wide area of savanaclaw to his own room.

he barely registers the murmurs of greeting that fly his way with each dorm mate that spots him roaming the halls. of all students in night raven college, it's his own that are most brave enough to still spare him a greeting even if he seemed not in the mood. of course it is, only his dorm doesn’t have cowards.

not that he’s not in the mood anyway. a few minutes ago, sure. but now? he’s begrudgingly unable to deny the anticipation that threatens to lift his lips.

unfortunately he passes by ruggie who immediately walks backwards with his pace to annoy him surely. “leona-san.” he greets with a grin, resting his hands behind his head and skillfully ignoring the incoming obstacles called people.

thanks to his reputation around, the greetings to leona are also mixed in with a ruggie-senpai, or a ruggie-san if it happened to be a first year.

leona gave ruggie the stink eye. “leave me alone.” he grunts out, impatient as he walked.

ruggie makes a show of letting his eyes drift down to his legs. wider steps. “you’re in a hurry.” he observes slyly. compared to other openly tactical students–ruggie was subtle to himself, never quite revealing any cards until the very last resort. one of the reasons leona kept him close. “didn’t know there was anything exciting in ‘vanaclaw.”

the hyena chuckled to himself, raising his brows at a passing sweaty student who was on the verge of a brawl with another.

“don’t care.” replied leona.

“been gone for a while.” ruggie threw back. “i don’t think i’ve ever seen you mope around in your room for so long, and tail it out.”

by the time leona finally spared him an irritated glance, he was speaking again. “so, did ya find em’?” ruggie didn’t need to be told what form of craft had leona rising from his comfortable coffin and going venturing out. its you, always has to be you somehow. be it in savanaclaw or elsewhere.

“no.” he rolls his eyes, finally opening the door to his room about to turn back and shut the door in ruggie’s face–but that was when he expected to see you pliantly sat on his bed and waiting because you owed him that much.

leona stops. staring at the empty space of his bed. he looked around the room, no sign of you but a whole lot signs of ruggie which wasn’t what he was looking for at all.

so he doesn’t care who’s been snooping despite the shameless animal behind him if it didn’t have anything to do with you.

“you came back, empty-handed?” ruggie quirked a brow, dropping his hands from his hair and tugging at the signature scarf of his dorm around his neck with a glance around. “gee. it's hot in here.”

leona pinched the bridge of your nose. whatever semblance of a good mood he had moments ago was thrown out the window when he found–that you were indeed not here in his room where he expected you to be. where else? you weren’t too buddy-buddy with any other dorm mates besides jack, and jack was in his room when he passed it.

you weren’t there either.

cheetah, and lynxes… he sighed in his mind.

“look for that herbivore in each corner of this dorm.” he sniffed, shaking his head.

leona pauses.

he sniffs again.

a scent of yours invades his nostrils, calming his rising temper to a halt suddenly. he stops, and looks scrutinizingly around the room with key focus. you were in here, somewhere. leona took a step closer to the bed, following the warmer tinges of your smell.

he took a right. it faded slightly so he went back.

by the time he was hunting for you, ruggie curiously took a deep inhale and wrinkled his nose. “ack… now this place smells like yuu-yuu. to think i thought them smelling like you was bad.” 

it was true, the scent was particularly stronger than it should be. had he not noticed? the closer he walked to the bed, the stronger the smell was. with each step it practically swirled around in his head to the point where he could just sleep deeply in comfort, tricked into thinking you were laying right next to him.

like you were next to him,

leona stops by the side of his bed, narrowing his eyes at the crinkle of his sheets.

he stared closely until it seemingly squirmed at his intense stare, shifted a bit to the side like there was someone on it and leona’s hand shot out above the area. surprised to feel a limb, ankle perhaps? fit loosely within the confines of his palm.

“gotcha.” he whispered in triumph, tugging at whatever he had grabbed. it felt like a body, a potion perhaps? it didn’t quite feel like you, leona would know how you feel because he felt you in his soul.

leona, and ruggie stared in startle when the air flickered like translucent mirrors that reflected the light, and warped into something entirely.

“a little kid!” ruggie shouted in alarm, scurrying to leona to take a closer look.

the kid in question was… weird. more specifically, they smelled strangely familiar which was strange in the first place. leona leaned in, to which the kid squirmed when he inhaled deeply from the steady pulse of their adrenaline from their neck.

“who are you?” he all but growled, ruggie grimaced at his tone of voice like he was judging the way leona dealt with kids. surprisingly, unlike the usual intimidated bundle they only look vastly annoyed, like leona was a bother.

safe to say the man picked up on that as well.

they turned their head stubbornly. “you’re ruining my nap time!” they exclaimed–it was official. he was a bother. green met green and leona faltered when a haze of confusing familiarity stared at him right in the eye.

he glances at the pair of ears, a ribbon wrapped just below the fluff of hair at the edge of their tail. they must have sensed it because they huffed at his face.

“jealous?” they said at his stupefied face. “mada gave it to me earlier when i found them.”

he doesn’t know who mada is but they have terrible taste.

“a lion therianthrope.” leona observed.

“obviously.” the kid replied.

the former’s face soured, the latter snickered.

“looks like a baby you, but more sassy.” ruggie quipped.

the room pauses. first of all, leona briefly remembers the scent he was following and quickly determined that while this kid was swarming with your smell, it still wasn’t the strongest in the room. second of all, why?

“oi,” he grunted, rearing back when they swiped at his face at the prolonged proximity. “keep your claws in. you better have a good reason why you’ve been keeping my herbivore from me.”

“mada is mine!” retorted the kid with a distasteful scrunch of their nose as they turned their head away from the man, closing their eyes as if it was giving them a disability to look at him any longer. who was that?

leona’s eye twitched and one glance at ruggie quieted the hyena from an ongoing cackle of glee immediately–though he didn’t seem too prone to stopping considering his alternative was looking away so leona doesn’t see his grin.

contrary to the proud stand of the child’s ears, leona’s own flattens in response and he has to remind himself that he’s above chucking random kids who happen to smell like you out the window. “i don’t know who your mada is but–”

“mada is mada.” they huffed.

“...”

leona was quite forced to drop the little ‘rascal’ or so he thought when they feigned a bite at his arm. they plopped down back onto his bed, body too little so they bounced off a little. then… they scurried from the edge, away from him all the way to the edge and grasped at air.

literally holding onto air, fingers clenched around something.

his eyes sharpened. “what else are you hidin’?” he queried at the kid who boredly stuck out a tongue but hid back when his scowl deepened. to some extent he figured it was you, a quiet dispel incantation in his mind sent a wave of magic and the air flickered again to reveal the suspect of his most eventful day.

yuu. you. whatever

you looked like you just got caught hiding beneath a bench in broad daylight, your eyes drifted to the child and hilariously enough, seemed as though you also wanted to hide behind them. “novu…” you murmured lowly, as if all three therianthropes in the room could not hear you clearly. “you said i have to keep quiet and he won’t find out!”

novu blinked repeatedly. their demeanor falling slightly with the curl of their ears, they seemed strangely docile compared to the half bothered demeanor that was in the face of leona. “papa always finds us when we hide.” they whispered back, pursing their lips. “he’s a cheater interrupting our nap!’

you nodded vehemently. “true, he is.”

ruggie coughed. “wait, wait… about leona being this kid’s… papa or a cheater?”

“...”

“both!” replied novu cheerfully.

this time you seemed to be in jetlag to process the information, staring at novu’s face before it shifted to leona. “huh,” you murmured. they kind of looked alike, from the eyes, to their seeming shared feline traits. “HUH?!”

you sat up immediately, hands shooting to the small shoulders of novu who perked up–instead of being offended by your sudden startle they seemed incredibly pleased and nuzzled into the warmth that seeped from your palms through their top.

“what do you mean papa?” you swallowed. suddenly feeling incredibly nervous, especially with the heavy aura leona is emanating behind you, you really don’t want to turn around and see what kind of expression he’s wearing on his face. 

the urge to shake the kid who had technically kidnapped you from the forbidden thing called crashing leona time then happily insisting it was novu time now. just a few intentional widening of their eyes and you begrudgingly followed them along to leona’s room which was surprisingly devoid of the man himself.

just from the small bits of his, and ruggie’s conversation when they returned you easily concluded he came looking for you.

and… well, you don’t really want him to see you at the moment when you unintentionally-intentionally blew him off.

you meant. it’s fine, right…? you do spend a lot of your time with him, so just a few hours wouldn’t be too bad.

everything is not fine! you screeched in your head. any hopes for respite from these two were promptly thrown out the window when novu’s face soured when they glanced at leona.

“papa doesn’t share you with me, so i have to take you first.” novu said proudly. at this point the hands on their shoulders weren’t enough so they climbed on your legs and slumped against your front, distinctively making a sound of contentment as they relaxed.

befuddled, frazzled, more words relating to perplexed ran through your head as you confusedly wrapped your arms around the little figure and pet the top of their head. novu seemed especially pleased when your fingers neared the fur atop their ears and even rubbed their head against yours in what seemed to be affection.

still shocked to oblivion, as in my soul just left my body you turned your wide eyes to leona who, to your surprise, did not bear a face of grump but a more unsettling blankness that cleared any semblance to emotion really. he stared intently at your head, obviously ignoring the disappointed look ruggie is digging to the side of his.

the hyena–when he caught your gaze also spared you a shake of his head as if he was non-verbally insulting you with an insinuation of something you haven’t even done, or yet to anyway.

you had briefly caught snippets of their exchange during your small interaction with novu, leona growling out an out which left ruggie no chance to deny but concerned enough with the new addition being seen to close the door on his way out.

when leona finally spoke, he furrowed his brows at novu. a flicker of annoyance at the sight of the clear coddling of the little one against you and the fact that you welcomed it. “i don’t have any kids.” he huffed like it was obvious.

novu did not open an eye but spared him a reply. “i don’t know how you and mada made me but you’re my only papa, and they’re my only mada.” despite their previous acts against leona, they were oddly proud of proclaiming themselves as his child.

leona raised a brow. he reluctantly softens, or instinctively you’re not sure.“you’re not from around here, are you?” he quipped. the bed dips under the new weight as he settled down next to you, surprisingly restrained enough not to pluck the kid out of your grasp and take their place.

he leaned back against the pillows, resting the back of his hand on his forehead.

“i’m where i’m supposed to be.” sniffed novu, a lower tilt to their voice trailing off that spoke volumes about their state of consciousness. “with you, and mada.” 

novu nuzzled against you, shifting slightly like they wanted to wriggle out. you retracted your arms to your sides and they sighed deeply when they settled in the middle of the bed, eyes still closed and breathing evening out.

“don’t leave me for so long.” they yawned.

you blinked.

leona kept staring at the ceiling.

why was he so docile?! you were still trying to wrap your mind around it all!

“goodnight.” you muttered dumbly.

you turned your head to point a sharp gaze at leona–who sighs, feeling your stare and grumbled under his breath.

“night.” he rolled his eyes.

the room lapses in silence from a while, bathed in the dawning set of the sun. you considered stealing a blanket from leona’s drawer but decided against it, considering the dorm is still quite humid even at this time of day, if you were at diasomnia you’re sure you’d have frozen to death even with a pile of them on top of you.

you snuck a glance at the elusive novu, their energy burnt out as they fell to a sound sleep, occasionally their ears twitched when your body shifted the slightest bit, reaching out as if you keep you from going.

aw. you kept still.

“is this my future?” you sulked to yourself, sighing as the weight of your shock faded into the air and left you slumping against the bed.

“is it so bad?” leona commented after your remark faded a bit.

you crossed your arms, sneaking a glance at him. “they’re cute.” you referred to novu.

not an answer to his question. leona thought in irritation, you always did have a way with a head made up entirely out of air. then again, his might be as well if he’s taken such a deep liking to you that prevents him from letting go–that in the first place was demented of him, he was not clingy.

leona does not entertain the pictures that his mind conjures to rebuke his denial of fondness in physical form.

sleeping on you, teaching you chess, keeping you close? that was just him collecting pieces to discard.

sure.

“just sleep, you’ve been looking for me all day, right?” 

leona closes his eyes. “i have.”

he’d just have to give you a reason to look forward to seeing a novu again.

‎⎯⎯ . . . ‎

by the time you woke up there was something draped around the bed.

you instinctively patted the space next to you, not feeling the strange feel of novu but the hard plane of leona’s cheek. he does not swat at your hand but spares you an annoyed scowl. you note that he’s… well, a lot closer than he should be even with the missing space of novu between your bodies.

oops. the only thing to pull leona out of a grumpy mood in the morning was a meal. you clearly did not have the current power to do so as you had… fed the doom sandwich to a pouty novu.

thankfully ruggie popped in, barely blinking at your sprawled figures on the bed but more surprised at the missing recent addition. “where’s your lovechild?”

jack’s voice rose from the hallway. “their what?!”

“get out.” leona sneered. “you’re ruinin’ my morning.”

it wasn’t already ruined?! all three of you cried in your minds.

trivia

their unique magic is “from where do you see me?” which you might already guess is being able to conceal themselves in thin air, alongside a thing, or person they have to be directly touching as they’re still young, and inexperienced to properly control their unique magic without a medium.

novu is written to be an equally cheeky 7 year old that happens to take naps very seriously, and not so energetic when deprived of sleep (i’m trying to write all of the children to be generally gender neutral lol but i do have a ‘implied [gender]’ next to their names in the draft lol! as you might guess, alice is feminine… but what about novu?

a second italicized word means that it was novu! for example: ‘must have been the wind’ is really just the wind, whereas: ‘the wind knocks you to the ground’ is the cheeky novu!

cheetah, and lynxes are not their actual names. just called them what they were, which is an actual cheetah, and lynxes therianthrope who both respectively belong in the family of big cats.

unlike alice who was on a clock during their time in the past, novu wished to sleep well and was sent back in time to find you so they can enjoy a lengthy sleep as the future you had not returned home alongside future leona due to a political exchange.

so once they finally fell asleep, they will eventually return.

yuu hid the sandwich and tailed it out of the cafeteria immediately, not wanting to stick around to know that one of the non-humans with crazy senses smells it on them and decides to target them!

ruggie usually doesn’t comment on the weather of savanaclaw but he does say “its hot in here.” because it felt warmer compared to the outside, which didn’t make sense. it was very much due to yuu, and novu in the same room.

magical shift disks are known to be heavy in weight alone, that’s why it's mainly used to direct imbued in magic. yuu did, actually get roped into a game by being a disk which was… an experience.

jack was supposed to be hear but i missed the bullets where i outlined him LOL

writingerror on archive of our own inspired partial parts of this work (as well as me writing once again honestly) which includes the interactions with students to yuu, as well as the.. yuu being a disk part which is a chapter in one of their works!

the reason why leona’s ‘morning’ is not ruined despite him already being bothered first thing is due to you!

🔖: @lostsomewhereinthegarden @staplertwst @rinis-reality @rhyzoma @iamprodigious @irzali-imagines @glitterandgoldfinds @luna-looniesblog @wokasiv @readrecieptoff @miyaswmire @dakissomewhere @yourfavouritecitizen @rei-vii @colombia-chan @ceramic-raven @leitor-sonolento @night-shadowblood-writes2 @ms-shroud @bju3c0re @usernamesarehardtomake @wonderlandcrown @los3rtown

[macabrebatz]

SOMETHING THERE (Caged Warcraft Orc/Reader)

Summary: Orcs have invaded your world and you're tasked with taking care of a very angry, very injured imprisoned orc. But he's not the only one that's going to be taken care of.

Author’s Note: Hello, lovelies! A little while ago I got sent an ask here about the captured orc in the movie Warcraft (you can read the post here). I love the concept so much that I just had to write about him. He's unnamed in the movie so I just refer to him as an orc throughout this. This can be read as a generic orc x human story but just know this was written specifically with this big drooling guy in mind. Hope you enjoy!

Warnings/tags: 18+ MDNI, fem! reader, orc x human, canon divergent, smut with some plot, teratophillia/monsterfucking, injured character, conversation about mates, teasing, size difference (this orc is bigger than you no matter your size), let's pretend that Warcraft orcs would actually fit for a moment, fingering, standing sex, rough sex, unprotected p in v, some degradation, possessiveness, he's mean I don't know what else to tell you, choking, hair pulling, semi public sex (?), Lothar makes an appearance, no aftercare, NOT beta read

Word count: 4.7k

Your job had been straightforward for the most part. You were a handmaiden often tasked with cleaning and maintaining the kingdom's dungeons. There had never been many prisoners kept in the lower parts of the castle, not while you had been of service there at least. Most of the time the cells were empty and you were often tasked with taking care of other parts of the castle instead, places frequently overlooked by the other maids.

But all of a sudden you found yourself busier than usual when a handful of knights dragged in a nearly dead creature of the likes you had never seen before. It took multiple men to pull him down the steps of the dungeons and into a barred cell.

Lothar, a man you had become friends with, followed behind his fellow knights, watching as they hovered around the prisoner.

“What exactly is he?” you asked quietly.

You had met all types of denizens of Azeroth. Elves, dwarves, worgen….but never anyone like the large, tusked man that laid before you.

Lothar shrugged, not knowing the answer to the question.

“If I knew I would tell you. They just…showed up. I don’t know where they came from. Or how many there are. We took the other one to the king for questioning. She’s tiny compared to the rest of them,” he mumbled.

You looked down at the floor, staring at the smeared trail of blood leading from the stairs to the cell.

“He’s wounded?” you questioned, looking back at the cell.

“Yes, he was going to attack the other one we captured. Can you keep him alive?” Lothar asked.

You nodded. You had cared for injured and sick prisoners before. Some of them probably wouldn’t have lived if it wasn’t for you.

“I’ll need supplies though.”

“I’ll get you everything you need. Just be careful and try to keep your distance as much as possible. He doesn’t seem to be the friendliest,” he said.

Lothar left you with the other knights, disappearing up the stairs. After a few minutes, he returned with a box of supplies, far more than enough to heal any wounds. He ushered the other knights out and wished you luck as he sauntered away.

You had unlocked the cell and spent a considerable amount of time trying to remove the rugged bone armor and leather from the sleeping creature's chest. You then began cleaning and stitching the stab wound, silently cursing Lothar for creating such a nasty wound to begin with. Never once did the being move or wake. His breathing was weak and a part of you thought he might die right then and there from the amount of blood he had lost.

But his chest continued to rise and fall as you snipped the end of the stitches with your shears. A sigh of relief escaped your lips as you sat there for a moment, watching the sleeping creature.

He was large, bigger than any human you had ever seen. He had long greying hair and an untamed beard. Although his eyes were closed you could tell that one had been previously injured, the skin around it scarred and almost red. On the opposite side of his face, a deep scar ran from his lip up the side of his face. There were pieces of metal embedded in the skin where the wound had been closed and healed over the metal.

There was a part of you, deep inside your mind that found the rugged stranger quite attractive. But you ignored that part of your mind, pushing those thoughts aside. You knew nothing about the being that laid before you and you weren’t going to let curiosity get the better of you.

You wrapped a bandage around his shoulder and chest, something that proved to be quite difficult with how large he was. But you managed to do it regardless, securing the bandage so it wouldn’t move.

You stood up and walked out of the cell, closing the door behind you.

There was still blood all over the floor and you quickly turned your attention to that, scrubbing the floors by hand, something you had done time and time again.

About an hour passed and as you found yourself on your knees, scrubbing the last bit of blood off the floor you heard shuffling. You glanced over your shoulder to see the creature waking up, slowly sitting up, reaching for his chest and grimacing in pain.

He shook his head and looked around, growling as he slowly became more conscious. His head turned, stopping when his eyes laid on you. For a moment neither of you moved, staring at each other, but then the creature lurched forward toward the bars and let out a roar. You jumped back in surprise, almost knocking over the bucket of water sitting beside you.

The roar ceased as he grabbed his chest once again, falling onto his knees in pain. Your fear was quickly replaced with worry, standing up quickly and walking closer to the cell.

“You can’t do that. You’ll make the wound open back up,” you said.

He snarled and said something in a language you had never heard before. He sat back against the wall, glaring at you.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” you said.

He didn’t say anything else. He just sat there, grumbling and holding his chest.

And that’s how almost every day had gone for weeks. He would over-exert himself out of anger, trying to break through the bars of his cell. You would scold him, telling him he needed to rest, which he would ignore. He would yell at you in his native tongue and you would ignore him, setting down food and water in front of the bars, just enough for him to reach the plate but not you.

Some days the yelling and banging on the bars would get so loud that the knights that stood guard at the entrance of the dungeon came rushing in, scared for your safety. You would shoo them away, assuring the worried knights that you were fine. They were honestly happy to leave, not wanting to be so close to the creature behind the bars.

Not all days were like that though. Sometimes he was quiet, too tired to do his usual routine of raging. On those days you would talk to him while you cleaned or while he sat and ate, filling the void of silence with your voice.

You would just talk about things on your mind, gossip from the other handmaidens, stories you had heard from the knights that would try to flirt with you and impress you with their war stories. The table and chair that had been set out for you slowly inched closer every day as you sat and talked to him during lunch.

You rarely ever had anyone to talk to throughout the day. Sometimes one of the knights would join you for lunch or Lothar would talk with you as you cleaned when he wasn’t busy, but it was a rare occasion. So now you found yourself droning on to the prisoner during your time spent cleaning and your breaks. He didn’t seem to mind but you honestly couldn’t tell. His face often had some form of a grimace on it, a snarl always daring to creep up.

You weren’t sure if he could understand you either until one day, while the two of you ate, you finally asked him a question that had been on your mind.

“What exactly are you? Lothar hasn’t answered the question yet. You’re not human…not an elf. Your teeth are kind of like a troll’s teeth. A bit smaller than theirs though,” you rambled.

You didn’t expect him to say anything. On days like this, he never said anything. After a moment, he broke the silence with one word.

“Orc.”

You looked up from where you sat, glancing through the bars of the cell. He was looking back at you, his working eye staring at you.

“An orc? That’s what you are?” you asked.

“Yes,” he said.

“So you’ve been able to understand me this entire time?”

“Yes.”

He leaned his head back against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. He didn’t say anything for the rest of the day.

A couple more weeks passed and the caged orc had seemingly calmed down. He no longer yelled and raged on, often sitting in silence.

But sometimes he would speak, occasionally answering questions you had about orcs and his culture. He was often cold, even mean when it came to replying, but you simply shook it off.

You asked him about his cloudy eye and the large scar running up his face. That seemed to perk him up. For the first time in almost a month, his cold demeanor dropped. He told you about the fights he won, boasting about how many times he had come close to death. It was the first time he had ever been talkative. Usually, he would give short responses to your questions but now he was painting vivid pictures for you as he told a story for every scar.

“And this,” he brought his hand up to the healing stab wound on his chest, “is nothing. A scratch.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You laugh, but it’s true. Your tiny knights couldn’t kill me if they tried,” he said.

“Lothar came pretty close,” you chuckled.

He frowned, a growl escaping his lips as he stood up and slowly walked towards you. You sat just out of reach from him, you had moved your table even closer to the cell over the past few days. Despite his gruff attitude he had begun to grow on you. You enjoyed talking to him and maybe even staring at him a little.

You took a sip from your water as he stepped closer, gripping his hand around one of the metal bars.

“You talk about that one a lot. Is he your mate?” he questioned, his voice low.

The question took you by surprise, causing you to choke on your water.

“No…no. He’s not. We’re not…no,” you said in between coughs.

The orc hummed, sounding almost amused by your answer and frantic coughing.

“No? One of the other knights then? Or one of those handmaidens you’re always talking about?” the orc asked.

You shook your head as you sat your glass down.

“I don’t have a…mate.” The word felt foreign to your lips. You could feel your face heat up as you frowned, averting your eyes from the orc.

There was a small moment of silence before you heard him chuckle, the sound of his voice echoing off the stone walls.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I’m sure you’ll find a puny little knight one of these days. Although I doubt they could keep you satisfied,” he said.

Your jaw dropped a bit, shocked by the sudden forwardness of the orc.

“I think I’ll be satisfied,” you said, scoffing.

“I highly doubt it. The men of your species seem…inadequate,” he said, sitting back down.

You couldn’t help but stare at him. Why was he talking about this? What was he getting at?

You shook your head, deciding to change the subject.

“How is your wound?” you asked.

“I told you. It’s just a scratch,” he mumbled.

“You were stabbed with a sword. You’re lucky you’re even alive,” you sighed.

He scoffed, sounding offended that you would even suggest that he could’ve died.

“May I please check it? To make sure it’s not infected?” you asked.

“I guess,” he grumbled.

You stood up, walking closer to the cell. You swore you could hear Lothar in your mind scolding you for doing exactly what he said not to do. But you couldn’t exactly keep your distance if you wanted to do your job properly.

The orc leaned towards the metal bars as your hands snaked through, untucking the bandages and slowly pulling them off of his chest. The orc grimaced at the sensation, traces of dried blood had caused the bandages to stick to his skin. You hadn’t had the opportunity to clean it. It was the first time since he had first arrived that you felt comfortable enough to get close enough to examine him.

“It looks…fine. It could use a little cleaning though. Wish I had a healing potion to give you but I don’t know any alchemists,” you said in a quiet voice.

“I don’t need any of that,” he grumbled, looking down at you.

“At least let me clean it. Surely dying from infection isn’t the way you want to go,” you joked.

“Fine,” he chuckled.

You smiled. It was odd hearing the orc laugh but you found it slightly endearing.

You turned, grabbing your supplies from the table and turning back around to the orc. You hummed to yourself as you cleaned his skin with a washcloth, wiping away all of the traces of dried blood.

“No mate,” the orc said, snapping you out of your thoughts.

You looked up at him, confused.

“What?”

“You have no mate,” he said.

Really, this subject again?

“Yes, I thought we established this?” you asked.

“Why?” he asked.

“Why are you so interested in this subject?” you mumbled.

“You ask stupid questions all the time. Why can I not ask you a question?” he said.

You rolled your eyes and looked away from him, focusing your attention back on his wound.

“I don’t know. Just haven’t found the right person. Why do you care anyway? It’s not like we could be mates,” you huffed.

“And why is that?”

He was looking down at you. You felt your face heat up a bit as you averted your gaze.

“You’re too…mean. And grumpy. And I’m ninety percent sure you were going to try to kill me for the first few weeks you were here,” you said.

You turned away from him, grabbing a new roll of gauze.

“I’m not trying to kill you now,” he said.

You unrolled the gauze and started wrapping it around his chest.

“Yeah…I know. Can we please drop this subject? It’s not like I would be your type anyway.”

“Type?” he questioned, not understanding the phrase.

“Your type. It’s what you’re attracted to. Now shush and let me finish,” you said.

There was a moment of silence between the two of you. All of a sudden it was becoming very hard to think clearly. Something about being so close to the orc while he was watching your every movement was managing to make your head foggy. Sure, you found him attractive. Something about his ruggedness and size was alluring. But you never expected him to make your knees weak. And he hadn’t even done anything to you.

You did your best to ignore whatever feelings were brewing inside of you as you finished bandaging his chest.

“There,” you said, “all better.”

“Thank you,” the orc grumbled.

The rest of the day came and went quietly, all without a word about the previous conversation. You found yourself staring at him. Your stomach felt fluttery and it was becoming more and more difficult to suppress what you had felt all along.

When you went to bed that night you couldn’t help but repeat the conversation in your head, completely puzzled by the orcs’ fascination with the fact that you were ‘unmated’.

Such an odd thing to be hung up on.

What was worse was that your own fascination with the orc seemed to be getting stronger.

So much so that you couldn’t sleep. You tossed and turned all night, your mind racing just at the thought of the imprisoned orc.

So much so that when you finally did fall asleep, you dreamed about him. You were being held by him in your dream, the same way you had hoped to one day be held by a knight or maybe even a skillful mage. But for some odd reason, the thought of being held by the orc brought you more comfort than every silly knight fantasy you ever had.

So much so that the next day you found yourself scooting your table and chair closer to his cell. Something you had already done but now you were repeating the process every day for a week, slowly inching it closer and closer.

So much so that you started to purposely loosen the laces at the top of your dress. At this point, you weren’t sure what was overtaking your mind. You found yourself wanting to tease him, something you never thought you’d do.

So much so that you had been lingering in the dungeon well past the curfew given to the maids. You wanted to be in his presence. To say he was growing on you was an understatement.

So much so that about a week later when you bent down to pick up his plate, something you had done every day since he arrived, you didn’t walk away from the cell.

This time the orc gripped you by your hair, yanking you back hard against the bars of the cell. You yelped as the plate dropped to the floor. He let go of your hair and his hand snaked through the bars, wrapping it around your throat. His other hand rested on your stomach, holding you in place.

“Are you done teasing?” he asked as his grip tightened around your throat.

“Teasing?” you squeaked.

“Do you really think I’m clueless? Every day you get closer and closer to this cage. You’ve been staying in here late at night. And your breasts have practically been falling out of your dress. It’s almost like you’re begging me to rip it off you,” he growled.

He was absolutely right. You had been caught red-handed.

“Are you going to explain yourself, human?”

He had you pressed against him so tightly that it was almost hard to breathe. You could feel something hardening against your backside and that fluttery feeling started building in your stomach.

“I just…”

“You just what?” he said.

“I just want you to touch me,” you said just above a whisper.

“Say that again. I didn’t quite hear you.”

You couldn’t see his face but you just knew there was a smirk plastered across it.

“Touch me. I want you to touch me,” you repeated.

“Just a few days ago I was ‘too mean’ for you but now look at you. All needy. Maybe if you ask nicely. Maybe if you beg,” he hummed.

Now he was the one teasing. He didn’t move, his hands didn’t even flinch. He just held you tight, pressing you against his erection.

“Please. May you please touch me?”

You were almost whining, pushing back against him. He chuckled, finding your neediness amusing.

He let go of your throat and turned you around so you were facing him. Sticking his hand through the cell, he brought it up to your bust and gripped your dress, ripping the fabric down the front like it was a piece of parchment. You gasped as it fell to the ground, leaving you in nothing but your underwear.

“I liked that dress,” you pouted.

Not to mention the fact that it was technically your work uniform. A problem you would deal with later you supposed.

“You look better without it. Now take those off unless you want them ripped as well,” he said, looking down at you.

You nodded as you slipped off your undergarments, tossing them to the side.

He pulled you closer to the bars until you were almost pressed against them, lifting up one of your legs with his hand, cupping underneath your knee. His free hand snaked down and one of his large fingers found its way to your cunt, spreading apart your folds.

“You might as well be dripping. Already so wet and I haven’t even got started yet,” he said.

The orc didn’t give you time to respond as he slowly began pushing his finger inside of you, stretching you out as your walls wrapped around his massive digit. A moan escaped your lips and it echoed throughout the room.

“Sshhh, be quiet,” he shushed you, as he began to pump his finger inside of you.

His thumb rubbed against your clit, drawing little circles around it as his other fingers thrust in and out of your pussy.

You mindlessly ground into his hand, adding to the friction and causing ripples of pleasure to shoot through your body. You had never felt this full before. The size of one of his fingers was almost triple the size of a human’s.

Soon he was adding a second finger, gathering your wetness and pushing into your entrance, curling with every thrust of his hand.

“Gotta stretch you out if you want to take me,” he mumbled, fucking his hand into you at a quicker pace.

Your legs were trembling and you could feel yourself clenching around his fingers. His thumb rolled over your clit faster, pressing down on the sensitive bud.

You did your best to stifle your moan as your orgasm hit you.

“There you go. Cum on my hand,” he said.

One of your hands gripped onto a cell bar while the other reached through, reaching up and pressing against his shoulder for support.

He didn’t give you time to recover before his fingers slipped out of you and his other hand let go of your leg. His hands unfastened his pelt, revealing his hardened cock underneath. It felt like there was a lump in your throat as you swallowed, looking down at it. You could see why he insisted on stretching you out beforehand. You were a bit worried about it fitting inside of you.

“Don’t worry, it’ll fit,” he said as if he could read your mind, “Now turn around and bend over.”

You did as he said, turning your back towards him and leaning down. His hand grazed over your ass for a moment, giving it a light squeeze before he reached forward and grabbed your arms. He held your wrists behind your back, his large hands covering them completely. His other hand held his cock, sliding it against your clit, teasing you with the head.

You groaned, wanting to push back on him, but he held you firmly in place.

He slid his cock towards your entrance and began slowly pushing into the hole. You stretched around him, the feeling felt so new to you that it sent shivers up your spine. Although his fingers had done a good job stretching you out, it was still nowhere enough to accommodate the size of the orcs’ cock.

You felt him tug ever so slightly on your wrists, pulling your entire body closer to him, sliding into you at an agonizing pace.

Another moan began to slip from your mouth, unintentionally loud. Before it could come all the way out, his hand moved from your wrists to your mouth, muffling your moan as he continued slowly pushing his cock into you. He growled, a low rumble coming from his chest.

“Shush, you don’t want your little knights to come running in here, do you? You want them to see you like this?”

You shook your head, slightly horrified at the thought of a knight walking in, especially if that knight happened to be Lothar. You hadn’t even given that possibility a thought.

“Then be quiet for once,” the orc said.

You nodded, and his hand slipped away from your mouth. This time it settled on your shoulder, his other hand slipping off his cock and gripping onto your hip.

He held onto you as he began to slowly rock into you, thrusting the rest of his length into you. Your back arched as pain and pleasure crept up inside of you.

“Is this what you wanted?” he asked in a patronizing tone.

His hips were slamming against you, he was giving you no amount of time to adjust to his size. His balls slapped against your cunt with every thrust. That and the sound of you squelching around him radiated through the dungeon.

He reached forward, gripping your hair once more, pulling you all the way to the bars. You hissed as he yanked your head back.

“I asked you a question. Is this what you wanted?” he questioned.

“Yes. Ah-yes, this is what I wanted,” you said.

He let go of your hair, pushing you back down with his hand as he continued to pound into you through the cell bars.

“Look at you. Pathetic human. Taking my cock like a greedy slut,” he chuckled.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to hold back your moans. Every thrust was unrelenting. You could feel him sliding against that spongy spot inside of you and it was slowly pushing you closer to the edge.

You were getting louder and louder, whimpering as the orc fucked you.

His thrusts suddenly halted and you whined.

“No, why’d you stop?” you asked, near tears.

“I thought I told you to be quiet?”

“You did but-“

“But what?” he said.

“Please keep fucking me. I don’t care if they hear us. I only care about you,” you pleaded.

You weren’t sure what had overcome you but it was true. In that moment all you cared about was the orc behind you.

There was a brief pause before the orcs’ hands were wrapping around you, pulling you as close as he possibly could despite the cell bars between you. It was like something snapped in him as he began rutting into you, burying his cock deep inside of you with every roll of his hips.

You moaned, not caring if anyone heard you. You were so wrapped up in the pleasure that you weren’t even sure if you cared anymore if someone walked in.

“You’re mine, do you understand? I’ve ruined you. None of those pathetic knights can have this,” the orc growled behind you.

You were at a loss for words as ecstasy washed over you, too in a daze to answer.

“You don’t want them anyway, huh? I’ve stretched you out so much that only I’ll be able to satisfy you.”

You didn’t say anything but your body answered for you, clenching around his cock as he fucked you. And he noticed, grip tightening around you almost immediately like he was afraid you’d somehow slip away.

“Oh, you like that? You like that I’ve ruined you for everyone else? You want me to make you my mate, don’t you?” he said.

You found yourself nodding your head, not even thinking about it. Maybe it was just the pleasure or maybe there was truly something else. Something there deep in the back of your mind that wanted more of him.

“All mine,” he groaned.

Your body shook as you reached your second climax, moaning as you tightened around him.

“That’s it. That’s it. Cum on my cock. Just like that,” he grunted, still thrusting into you.

You were whimpering underneath him, slowly becoming overstimulated as he chased his own high, bucking into you. His cock twitched as he moaned, cumming deep inside of you. His hands were still wrapped around you, holding you through the bars as he filled you up.

Before you could pull away there were sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs.

Your mind was too foggy to even react when you looked up, seeing the all too familiar face of Lothar stopping at the dungeon entrance.

“Oh my….what are you two…put some clothes on!”

Lothar had covered his eyes with his hand, completely in shock.

The orc chuckled, letting go of you completely. Your legs buckled underneath you and you stumbled forward, slipping off his cock and falling to the ground.

You heard the jingle of keys before they were tossed near you, sliding on the stone floor.

“I was coming to let him out. He can thank his chieftain. I’m just…I’m going to go,” Lothar said, rushing out of the room.

You laid on the floor for a moment. Too exhausted to move, too embarrassed as well. You could feel the orc’s cum leaking out of you onto the stone. You would’ve fallen asleep right there if it wasn’t for the voice of the orc pulling you back to reality.

“Are you going to lay there all day or are you going to let me out, my sweet mate?”

[gaysindistress]

Hello children time for angst. The 141 boys come home and their SO has packed up and left while they were deployed. Left a breakup note on the bed, and just left. Who's tracking them down to sort this out, all proper like? Who's getting smashed at the pub? then blasting a boom box of love songs outside their apartment? (it's probably Soap).

Gather round children, mother has been asked to tell an angsty story.

Cap John Price is tracking his love down but waiting a bit to say anything. He wants to check in and make sure that you haven’t been kidnapped or anything like that. Before he dives head first into what could be a suicide mission, he needs to know all the details. Deployment has always been difficult and you’ve been through it before but this one was the worst yet. It went months longer with particularly no communication whatsoever. You didn’t even know if he was alive for most of it and you couldn’t do it anymore. You’d already been having issues prior and this extending deployment was the last straw. A note on the bed with a clean house is how you told him.

He’d probably spend a few days to a week observing you before he knocks on your door with a bottle of scotch and a jewelry box in hand.

“No not here to propose, love. I know we’re long past that. Just here to talk,” is what he told you as he settled into your new living room and deposited the box on the table. It was the cameo necklace that you’d be wanting for years but could never justify the cost of. He’d meant to give it to you before all of this happened albeit now is as good a time as any.

Johnny MacTavish

Soapy boy is blasting music outside of your window but he’s stone cold sober. He probably spent the first week or so at a pub every night. He definitely called and texted you while drinking like a fish but he never went to your apartment. It wasn’t until he called you one night and heard someone’s voice in the background, using a tone with you that warranted a visit from Johnny boy.

He started by leaving the boom box under your window and then snuck around to the front door. He could hear this other voice saying something in a foul tone as they came to open the door. Your voice could be heard trying to convince them to quiet down but it was no use. They swung open the door and there was Johnny with his Glock drawn, aimed right between the eyes.

“This arsehole been bothering you, Bonnie?” He seethed behind a smile as he pushed the barrel between their eyes and forced them back into the apartment.

It’s safe to say that the blasting boom box caused a few noise complaints and covered up a bloody reunion.

Simon Riley

This is the first thing I thought of 😂

Simon hasn’t touched a bottle of alcohol in years but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t tempted when he saw you’d left. The bottle of whiskey you bought for him before you knew he was sober sits on the table, staring back at him. He won’t drink it but he’ll stare at it until he’s coming up with a plan.

He’s not waiting a second longer than he has to once that plan has formed. He’d be sitting, waiting for you to come home within hours of him coming back and being cleared.

“Sit, dove,” he told you from the shadows of your kitchen, “start talking.”

Kyle Garrick “Gaz”

I’ve need to be so honest with you guys, I barely know Gaz so I’m running off of a few posts and prayers that this is accurate.

Gaz is panicking the moment he doesn’t smell you when he opens his door. He’s trying to keep from absolutely losing it when he notices that your shoes are gone by the door. He’s holding back tears when your books aren’t piled up on the coffee table. His knees are buckling when he sees that little note in the middle of the bed with your ring in front of it.

He’s the one who’s calling everyone he knows trying to figure out where you are as he’s racing around his place for any clues.

Gaz shows up at your door a quarter past midnight, soaking wet with tears streaming down his face. His chest is rising and faking rapidly as he stares at you. He can barely muster up a word before he just grabs you and pulls you into a tightest hug imaginable. You’re both sobbing in the rain on your doorstep by the time he pulls away enough to ask you why.

Fast forward to him desperately holding you against him as you make love. There will be bruises where his hands gripped at your body in the morning but either of you care. All that matters is that he’s here with you.

Colonel König

This man wears a hood because of his anxiety. Do we really think he’s going to be busing your door down?

No. He’s not doing any of the above. He’s going to see the note, read it in disbelief, and drink the most expensive bottle of alcohol he has while staring at the note. He’s going to accept and agree with your reasons for leaving without question. The colonel will of course keep tabs on your safety, not because he can’t let you go.

He’ll occasionally watch your place when you ask because you trust him and he knows your cat’s routine, not because he feels the need to be a security check. He’ll agree to go out with your old friend group because he needs to get out there again, not because he’s desperate to catch a glimpse of you.

König knows that you left for a reason and he respects that reason full heartedly. He just has a hard time letting go when he knows that you love him still and it’s his name that you call out every night

[f1smutwriter]

| 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭 (𝐨𝐛𝟑𝟖)

★ :: Ollie bearman x Bestfriend!Reader

★ : 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 :: she just wanted to see what he was doing. But things to a turn for their friendship.

★ : 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 :: SMUT! grinding, fingering, clit rubbing, praise (just pure praise), unprotected sex (I think the fuck not sit down), riding, pet names (baby, princess, pretty girl), innocent dirty talk, neck kissing, fluff, and probably way more.

★ : 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 :: Haven’t posted in forever, not really feeling in the mood to write lately. I hope this is good enough <3.

˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡

I was sitting on Ollie’s bed while he was playing games with his friends. I was getting bored since he’s been on it for hours. “Ollie” I groaned loudly to try and get his attention, but no he continuing playing with his game. "I'm just gonna go home then" I said getting up getting ready to put on my shoes before he grabbed me.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry after this game I'm all your okay" He whispered in my ear wrapping his arms around my waist.

He pulled me into his lap while I get comfortable, "Here try see if you like it" He whispered softly kissing my head as he taught me all the controls and what all the keys do.

I moved trying to get more comfortable, then all of a sudden I feel his groan and hold my waist hard. "Sorry am I heavy" I asked scared that I hurt him getting off quickly. "No No your okay" He reassured me pinning me onto his lap so I didn't move.

I was playing his game as he rubbed my thigh squeezing softly. "Stop moving princess" He groaned into my ear. Once I feel his bulge causing me to gasp. "I told you to stop moving" He whispered as he moved me on his bulge softly. I whimpered as I move my hips on him softly.

“What can’t handle it” he whispered feeling his breath blow against my ear making me shiver. “Stop” I mumbled feeling my cheeks go ready.

“Needy baby” he whispered into my ear feeling my pussy get drenched. “Gonna let me touch you. Know you need it” he hummed into my neck kissing it. All I did was nod opening my legs to give him more room. “Good girl baby” he whispered slowly slipping his hand into my tiny shorts. He felt how soaking wet I was.

“So wet you really need me that bad” he says in his raspy British accent that can make any girl go to her knees.

“Please” I whined softly needing his touch. “Please what darling” he asked teasing me to tell him what I want. “Need you to touch me Ollie need it so bad” I whined bucking my hips into his hand trying to get friction. “But I am touching you” he teased even more causing me to whine loudly. “Your being mean please touch my pussy” I pout feeling my thighs close to get friction.

He slowly rubbed my clit seeing how i would react. Feeling the friction I throw my head back whimpering. “How’s that feel baby” he asked rubbing faster making me moan. I shiver moaning softly moving my hips. He gently slipped two finger in my causing my eyes to roll back into my head.

“Found it huh” he gloated fingering my pussy while curling them. “Yes don’t stop” i moaned. I feel myself getting closer as his fingers non-stop abuse my g-spot. “Good girl taking my fingers so good” he growled moving his fingers faster.

“Your close I can feel it, clenching your tight pussy around my fingers” he smiled moving them faster hearing the wet sounds of my pussy go throughout the room. “Close” I told him feeling so close as I grip his wrist. I moaned so loud cumming all over his finger feeling the knot in my stomach snap.

“Sshh I know princess I know” he hummed gently slowly rubbing my clit to calm me down. I finally calmed down from my high looking at him “thank you” I mumbled kissing him softly. “Of course will always take care of you” he grinned rubbing my back. “Need to feel you baby can I” I questioned making him let out a chuckle “don’t even have to ask.”

He slowly took out his cock showing me how big he truly was. I looked up at him stroking his cock slowly. He let out a groan before stopping my hand. “Ride me princess “ he says before putting me on his cock sinking down. I gasped at his size, shutting my eyes from the stretch. “So good” I uttered out feeling pure euphoria.

I slowly moved up and down going all the way up before sinking all the way down. He gripped my hips moving my hips faster.

“We might break my chair” he teased bucking up into my cunt feeling so deep he was practically in my stomach. “Feel me baby feel me so deep in your pretty pussy gonna cum so deep inside you” he groaned bucking faster my eyes rolling back. “Fuck always wanted to fuck this pussy didn’t know it’d be this tight. Fuck” he grunted going faster.

I hide in his neck moaning my lungs out pretty sure the people next door could hear. “Close need to cum” I moaned biting his shoulder causing him to moan. “Yeah is my princess gonna cum on my cock” he replied softly rubbing my hips while he rails me to oblivion. “Yes” I babbled.

I moaned before from practically having the best orgasm of my life. My thighs shook trying to stop him then I felt his thick warm cum in me. “Fuck” he moaned gripping my waist squirting his load in me. “There you go nice and full” he whispered kissing me causing me to kiss back.

“You know I really did mean it I really do like you” he says softy rubbing my back. “I like you to Ollie so much that I let you cum in me” I snort hiding in his neck. “Be my girlfriend” he asked. “Only if you buy me food” I teased softly smiling at him. “Anything for you” he says before kissing softly before he takes me to the bed and we slowly drift off to sleep.

˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡˚｡⋆ ୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⋆ ˚｡

★ : 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 :: I finally wrote and posted let’s give a round of applause guys. Anyways after me shading myself part 4 of the short series of Lando and Charles is coming very soon then a jealous fic of Charles is also going to be posted after that. I hope y’all are like the new aesthetic because I’m living for it. Anyways enough talking hope you guys loved this fic. I mean it’s Ollie bearman who wouldn’t. Anyways bye bye love yall see you soon

[christopherisfoive]

Heyy I just read your prompt list and I thought prompts 6, 13 and 18 could go well together, would you mind doing it with chan? Like after hours after a show where he just finished freshening up and y/n as a stylist was fixing up the rest of their outfits for tmr when they somehow and stuck and blablabla. Maybe you could also mix the sharing a bed prompt but turn it into a sofa (bc dressing rms have sofas more often).

You could think abt it and if you don’t want to it’s always alright!! Hope I hope you consider this! Thank you<3

Order’s up. Locked dressing room, one backstage sofa, and three prompts on espresso, coming right up. Thanks for the late-night combo; Chan’s about to learn what “after hours” really means. Stick around for the drop. ☕

After the House Lights Fade l Bang Chan × Stylist!Reader (Y/N) l soft with a brush of heat

The arena is long-since dark when you slide the garment rack back into Stray Kids’ dressing room for the final time tonight. The post-show buzz has drained into an exhausted hush, only the low hum of the hallway lights keeps you company while you sort tomorrow’s stage jackets.

You’re tugging a stubborn zipper when the door clicks shut behind you. A familiar voice follows.

“Thought I was the last one here,” Bang Chan says, towel slung round his neck, damp curls escaping his cap. His hoodie hangs loose over gym shorts; the scent of fresh shampoo still clings to him.

“Almost,” you answer, half teasing. “I’m staging your encore outfits for morning. Go home, Leader.”

He chuckles, easing onto the couch and unlacing one sneaker. “Five minutes. My car’s not even here yet.”

The zipper finally yields with a metallic sigh. You hang the jacket, brush lint from the sleeve, and turn back just in time for the overhead light to blink once … then snap off entirely.

Total darkness. A beat of silence.

“Fuse?” you ask.

“Could be the motion sensor,” Chan offers. “They cut main power after midnight.” He stands somewhere and you hear him find the wall. A muffled thud follows. “Door’s locked.”

“It auto locks from the outside,” you groan. “And security’s already swept this wing.”

Chan laughs softly in the dark. “Stuck in a dressing room together. Sounds like a prompt from Tumblr.”

You bark a tired, half-delighted laugh. "How do you know what that is?"

He finds his phone flashlight first; you follow. Twin LED beams reveal the room’s only sanctuary: a mid-century sofa that’s fine in daylight but suddenly looks intimate with the rest of the world blacked out.

Chan raises a brow. “Sofa beats linoleum.”

You shrug, heart thumping louder than your phone’s battery warning.

“Won’t argue.”

Twenty past midnight

You sit at opposite ends, knees almost touching. Your flashlights prop against water bottles, casting soft halos upward. Stage clothes in their garment bags sway like quiet ghosts.

He rolls his shoulders back against the cushion. “Does it ever get easier?”

You tilt your head. “What, the chaos?”

“The… balance.” He shifts, gaze on his bare knees. “Crowd screaming your name one minute, fluorescent quiet the next. Some nights it’s like free-fall.”

You hadn’t expected honesty this late. You tuck one foot beneath you and nod. “I think adrenaline leaves a vacuum. The silence rushes in and you hear things you’d ignored all day.”

Chan huffs a small laugh. “Exactly.” His fingers toy with the towel in his lap. “And then there’s you—steady, folding sparkly jackets like it’s nothing.”

You glance at your folded hands. “Steady is a costume too.”

That sparks something between you, an unmasked acknowledgment. The distance on the couch shrinks without either of you moving.

He clears his throat. “If you weren’t styling idols, what would you be doing?”

“Probably restoring vintage clothes in a dusty attic,” you admit. “Feels safer dressing mannequins, they don’t sweat through silk.”

He grins, dimples flashing. “We try to behave.”

“You try,” you echo, smiling into your knees.

Conversation drifts from first concerts to hometown foods, then slips deeper family expectations, loneliness on tour buses, the weight of always being “Bang Chan” even on grocery runs. You share how you still double-check hotel irons because a garment once scorched on your first big job and you cried in a stairwell for twenty minutes. He admits he still worries that every new song could be the one that flops.

Somewhere in the middle of comparing worst case scenarios, your shoulders meet. Neither of you corrects it.

1:13 a.m.

The flashlight on Chan’s phone dies, plunging half the sofa into softer shadow. Only your beam remains, backlighting his profile: high cheekbones, exhausted eyes, the faintest quiver of a smile that isn’t for cameras.

You realize you’re staring.

He notices.

Silence blooms, heavy and sweet.

Chan’s voice drops to a hush. “Y/N.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I—” He hesitates, swallows. “Can I tell you something without you fixing it?”

“Try me.”

He exhales. “Some nights, after an encore, I look out at the empty seats during tear down and I’m terrified it’ll be the last time anyone fills them.”

Your throat tightens. You shift closer until your knees overlap. “You fill the seats because you make people feel less alone. That won’t fade overnight.”

He studies you...really studies, and the shy gratitude in his eyes steals your breath.

The last flashlight sighs and goes dark. Neither of you reaches for the phone.

He whispers, barely audible, “Don’t go. Not yet.”

Your pulse thrums everywhere at once. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Even in darkness you sense him lean in, a question written in heat. When your fingers find his hoodie strings and tug, it becomes an answer. His mouth brushes yours softly, like a first chord strummed on acoustic: tentative, reverent, promising more.

The kiss lingers, slow, exploring and then deepens, hunger unfurling under restraint. Hands slide: his palm at your jaw, your fingers threading through hair still damp from the shower.

Eventually you part, breaths tangling midair.

He rests his forehead against yours. “Tomorrow,” he says, voice rougher now, “I’ll pretend this was impulse if you need me to.”

“Don’t,” you breathe. “I’d rather remember it clearly.”

A metallic clunk echoes down the hall. Emergency lights hum back to life. Footsteps. Security doing one last pass.

You two stand quickly, refastening composure like safety pins, crooked but functional. At the door, Chan’s fingers brush yours.

“Breakfast after fitting?” he asks, voice gentle but sure.

You squeeze back. “Only if they have black coffee.”

He grins. “I can live with variety.”

The latch clicks open; fluorescent light spills in. You step out together, hearts beating steadier than when the night began. Both a little star-struck, not by stages or screams, but by each other under a single, flickering bulb.

[nabi-unveiled]

I've struggled with what to write about Heesu in Class 2.

Opinions have been polarized, and I know that whatever I write isn't going to resonate with at least half of the people that I follow and respect. It helped that I wasn't going into this blind. I knew it wasn't a typical BL. I had read a LOT of commentary in the past couple of weeks.

Many people who wanted the source material didn't get what they wanted/needed. I can understand that. While I typically like it when adaptations twist and build on source material, I have had the experience where I was incredibly disappointed in an adaptation. I Hear the Sunspot -> I'm talking to you. When you hold something near and dear to your heart, it hurts when you don't recognize it anymore. Especially if the adaptation removed the things that you valued and loved.

But I hadn't read the source material on this one so that wasn't a factor for me. I do plan to read it now that I've watched the show. I will probably keep the two as completely different entities in my brain. Based on people's reactions, that feels like the best move forward.

Many people who DIDN'T read the source material also didn't get what they wanted/needed. They might view it as homophobic or disrespectful of serious issues. Or it may never have connected with them emotionally. But my world is VERY homophobic so this felt very real to me. It connected emotionally and it hit HARD...at least in certain scenes.

My feelings are too raw to really discuss the show analytically. I'll talk pacing, visuals, astronomy metaphors and all that once I finish up my astronomy project for work. I'll try to approach it objectively when I write up the analysis of individual episodes. There is a lot to dive into on that score - some positive, some negative, some neutral.

However, right now, in this moment? I can't even think about how I would "rate" this show. I'm too busy having big feels after the finale. Because while it may not have been a "BL" by many people's standards, it was definitely queer. And that counts for something. I'm no high schooler - I turn forty in a little over a week - but it scraped my open wounds and made them bleed. Honestly, episode 11 of Your Sky did that to me too. I just kept my posts private on that one, because this feels like serving myself up for judgment. I might regret this post.

I tried during my two hour walk last night to figure out what I could say. Every take I tried got personal fast. I can't separate it. And in the end, I've decided to not even try.

So is this post meta analysis? No.

Is this post a critique or analytical evaluation of the show? No.

Is this an endorsement of the show? No.

Heck. Half of this post probably isn't about the show at all.

It feels weird to say since many people around me call me a robot or unfeeling, but this post is pure emotion for me. It's probably oversharing. Just like whether a show is popular or not, I don't have a gauge for that. I'm the person that will spend two weeks talking to almost no one outside of my children/husband, but then spend three hours discussing all things garlic with some random person I never met previously. That's Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo's fault. I don't really have an in between mode. I'm silent, or I don't shut up.

Warning: This got long. No surprise there. Also, in case it is a trigger for you, religion and sexuality are intertwined throughout this post and it touches on themes of coming out.

Anonymous Inbox Warning: If you read this post and come into my inbox to worry about my "mental health" or "recommend therapy" or anything similar, I'm just going to delete it. Therapy is great. I'm aware. I highly recommend and advocate for it. That is not the point here.

But after watching Heesu, here are the things stuck in my brain.

I envied Heesu and Seungwon.

Was it hard for them? Yes. Were they struggling due to things that are unfair and that I wish weren't true of society? Yes. Will they continue to struggle? Unfortunately, yes. But they're figuring themselves out and are coming to terms with their identity in high school. There's something to be said for that.

Thanks to neurodivergence and my conservative, religious upbringing, I didn't figure myself out until I was already married and had my first child. Both in terms of sexuality and my personal religious beliefs, I was in my mid to late 20s before I figured things out.

Because for many, many years I just thought I was evil and morally bankrupt. After all, I really enjoyed Cruel Intentions and I really really thought it would be a whole lot of fun to make out with Watts in the garage (Some Kind of Wonderful). @dribs-and-drabbles I loved that they were one of your ships. But I could never ship it. Keith didn't deserve her. She was mine.

But this was a problem, because I was taught that sex was the root of all evil. Even heterosexual sex. And to have such perverse desires meant something was morally and drastically wrong with you. Stupid purity culture swamp.

I decided that if I tried hard enough and studied enough, that I'd figure out how to fix my broken brain. After all, there were ways to overcome my broken hearing. There were ways to overcome my broken empathy meter. There were ways to overcome my attention issues and the chaos of my brain. Surely, there was a fix for that part of me that really liked thinking about the Olsen twins and Taylor Hanson too.

I'm fine with being called "stubborn", "argumentative", "weird", "scary" and the dozens of other not quite positive adjectives I hear about myself. I mean this with full sincerity -> it doesn't bother me. I get called plenty of positive things too. And one man's "stubborn", is another person's "independent". But I didn't want to be evil. So I tried. I really did.

It took me a long time to accept that I wasn't actually broken or morally bankrupt. It took me a long time to figure out the problem was as @babyangelsky put it that desire was considered a swamp to begin with. I'm still hoping my person accepts that one day too.

So yes, I'm incredibly happy for Heesu and Seungwon that they figured all of that out in high school. I hope this show, BLs in general and changes in society as a whole help teenagers get there much faster than me. I'm sure a smartphone or internet resources like we have today would've helped.

I felt relieved when Heesu figured out that there was someone in his world who wouldn't judge him.

Even as I deconstructed religiously and embraced my sexuality, I never worried about my (younger) brother's reaction. I always knew he'd be in my corner. He was a musical theater major. He's kissed men as part of his shows (our family doesn't know that), and he had already deconstructed (they also don't know that). He figured things out much faster than me. He listens to me talk about BLs and all of my fun dilemmas with them. We have never directly talked about my (or his) sexuality though. Sex is not something easily discussed in our family. Plus, we're still siblings. I really don't want to think of him in that way.

But I know he has my back. And that has meant everything over the years.

However, my brother lives 5 hours away. I get to talk to him only a couple of times a month (if that). He's not the people that surround me on the daily. And the people that surround me? They WILL judge. Strike that. They DO judge - everyone and everything. Openly and loudly. I live in a very close knit, very conservative, very religious family and community. It wasn't my intention to stay, but words left unsaid mean I married someone who talks a lot about traveling and seeing the world but never intended to see it.

And nine days out of ten, that's okay. I love our home that he built with his own hands, our hikes through the woods, our gaming sessions, and our "fun" times too 😉. But that tenth day when I take a break from work, stop doing the laundry or packing the kids' lunchboxes and really think about everything? It's rough.

For a very long time, I kept all of my thoughts on religion and sexuality completely secret while being swallowed alive by my black hole. I tried to convince myself that it didn't matter. But when I found that one person in my daily circle who I realized would accept me? It was a miracle. It changed everything. I eventually found a few. I'm forever grateful for those former coworkers.

It's insane how much lighter it feels when you remove the load by "just one person", and how much strength you gain when you realize that you are not really alone in your thinking. In funny things (to me), they weren't surprised. "I thought that was a given. It's pretty obvious."

Over the years, the Tumblr community has been another light for me. Even when I was lurking. Just knowing that there were people out there who'd have no problem with my kinky thoughts went a very long way. So that scene for Heesu, when he realized Seungwon wouldn't judge him - I felt it in my bones.

The tennis court scene in the finale with Chan Young/Heesu pains me...for both of them.

And I'm still standing on it.

I can't judge this scene objectively within the narrative. It got too personal so most of what I say about this scene will have very little to do with Heesu/Chan Young's actual relationship. Again, this isn't meta. This is emotion.

I had a strong negative reaction to Chan Young in episode 1. This was followed by a humorous bit of time with @lurkingshan when my brother pointed out that he was a lot like my husband all the way down to him being a competitive tennis player in high school. I didn't expect just HOW far that analogy might go though.

Because just like Heesu, I started by coming clean with my Chan Young. Difference being that my Chan Young is my friend, lover, and other half.

So this line...

I've heard it. I took YEARS to come completely clean precisely because I knew it was going to hurt him so very deeply. I tried to soften the blow. I tried to lead up to it in small steps. But it didn't help.

Side note: @my-rose-tinted-glasses By our standards for Min Jun from Business as Usual, this might make me the bad guy. It's probably why I am trying so hard to forgive him. I haven't got there with him yet. Ghosting feels different to me. Min Jun essentially left the court.

This line...

I've heard it too. It was wrapped in language about moral corruption and rebelling against religious rules just because I disagreed with them. But the gist was the same. Choosing myself is being selfish. I've just decided I'm okay with that. That I'm worth being selfish about. If I have to be my own biggest fan, so be it.

But this one...

It's the reason that I can't analyze this scene objectively (yet). Because it's true. I destroyed my husband's whole world and vision of our life together by my confession. In gaming terms, it was a headshot. In the show, Chan Young now has to reframe everything that he thought was a part of their relationship and decide where to go from here. It's not an easy task.

When I liveblogged Let Free the Curse, I said I wasn't going to touch Juyeong's cross necklace and how he removed it to be with Dohoe. That I couldn't deal with it. This is why. As @respectthepetty pointed out in their Let Free the Curse commentary, that cross is heavy for my Juyeong and it's not a fun place for me. I've put the person I love in a place where they have to choose every single day whether to put on that necklace that they VALUE and BELIEVE in or choose to embrace me, the person they love, who is also the sinner on the road to hell. It's tearing them apart and robbing them of their joy. And while I'm no longer being sucked into my personal black hole, I now get a courtside seat to all of their pain. I created a rift in their universe.

So while many people are understandably upset that Heesu is apologizing in this scene.

I didn't see it as apologizing for being queer.

I saw it as apologizing for hurting the person they love and care about. For being a source of pain. And yes, there IS a difference.

Because yes, I struggled with my identity for years. But I'm not sorry that I now understand myself, and I'm not going to trap myself in a glass room. I will not apologize for being myself. However, on that 10th day, when everything gets a bit too real for us both, I get to hear the tears at night from my person. And I am really sorry that I'm the cause of them. I really wish I wasn't.

So I'll forgive him if he hits a tennis ball at me from time to time. I'll dodge most of them. The ones that connect WILL hurt. But he's hurting too, and it's going to take time for him to put that racquet down.

We've been on this court for a very long time as he decides what to do about that cross necklace. But it took me a long time to put us on the court in the first place.

I'm really hoping we get here one day.

For both of our sakes. I really hope we do. But we may not.

For now, I'm just glad that we're both refusing to leave the court on that tenth day. Because the other nine days are still a blast.

I'll try to watch the scene with the actual narrative in mind next time.

It broke my heart when Seungwon's mom asked him what she should do.

It WRECKED me like no other scene if I'm being honest. Even worse than the tennis court scene.

Why? Because I don't want to hurt my kids. I don't want to end up on my bad mothers list. I'm trying to figure it all out, but it's tricky. I had a similar conversation to this one with my two older children just a few weeks ago. Unlike the tennis court, this is relatively new territory for me. They're just now getting old enough to understand. For context, I'm not really "out" by most people's standards within the larger community. I'd like my Chan Young to stop hitting balls at me before I move forward in that regard. I'd really like to have him by my side if I take on our community and the rest of our families. So for now I wait as he ponders what he's supposed to do.

But I haven't kept my thoughts on things or my reality from my kids in the meantime. They know my beliefs and where I stand. They are even aware that I blog and watch BL. They laughed at me quite a bit during the emoji tag game as I tried to figure out the coffin in @dramalove247 's set. They thought it meant vampire by the way.

Six days out of seven, it doesn't really impact them much at all. But on that seventh day, they're getting very mixed messages from the adults in their life. The one that says all the things we grew up with. And the one (me) that constantly says choose kindness, choose people, choose yourself, screw purity, screw normal, screw the rules.

The mixed messages will impact them. It does confuse them. And as much as I'd like to, I can't shelter them from that without lying about who I am and what I believe. But I also can't protect them from all of the ugliness in the world.

So when my braveheart that always speaks his mind asked a few weeks ago if I ever thought about just telling everyone. I responded very similarly to Seungwon's mom here. "I can do that. Do you really want me to? Just think about what would happen." It took him all of about 15 seconds. "It would be bad. Real bad. Yeah, don't do that."

So I'll stay silent and evade...for now. I'll stop when their answer changes or if, like Seungwon, they or another kid in the community needs me to flip the table for them so they can proudly embrace their own identity. Their needs are my priority when it comes to the larger community.

In the meantime, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure they feel loved and supported for who they are. We watched Star Trek during our family movie night the other month, and when we got to this scene...

my oldest laughed. "Mom. That sounds like something you would say."

That feels like a win in my book.

And if Heesu in Class 2 makes even one queer kid have hope that they'll be accepted or gives them the courage to step into the light in a world that's not a BL bubble, then that's a win in my book too.

No matter where I end up rating it once I can approach it more objectively.

[rtv-puzzlevision-studios]

☆ THE RTV!PUZZLEVISION TOUR [Part 3]

Note: I didn’t want to push the post back again, so you’re getting it the next part now, and I will add more drawings later!

Participants actions:

Becky

Nicknack

Lucas

The Scammer

Marie

Creature

Lilith

Grinnames

Messy

Lari

Rayas

Nira

Nia

Harley

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

A few minutes before the vote…

The purple meme guardian figured to stay in the main hall for now, leaning against one of the pillars of a nearby door.

Waiting for questions, so he could distract himself.

Most for now were going to Meggy, probably because he didn’t look to be in a too good mood and while he appreciated that the people seemed to respect that, he also really hoped for a distraction right now.

It didn’t take long until one arrived.

The asker was a black haired girl with black and red horns and long red ribbons that were wrapped around her torso.

What SMG3 focused on more were the sharp toothed grin and swirly eyes however.

A pretty sick look, he approved of everything except the fact she wore no shoes.

Who did that?

“Question! For all of you!  Why did y’all start working here? I was wondering because well… as cool as working for Mr. Puzzles is, it seemed surprising to me that all of you just got up and began working in a film department all of the sudden! So… what made you want to work here? Why the change?”, she now voiced her question.

Ah, what a question to start off.

“Well, Mr Puzzles first made us the offer after, uhm, the whole incident with the old home.”, Meggy awkwardly began. “Back then SMG4 rejected it on behalf of us, but we eventually agreed to star in a few movies anyway, you know for trial, before….well…”

“E-either way!”, Tari now cut in, awkwardly rubbing her neck with her one remaining hand. “After the whole incident with SMG4…we kind of needed to take our mind off the whole thing. Find something new. So, Mr. Puzzles offered that we could work for him instead! Surprisingly enough our movie somehow still was successful besides all…well-”

“Besides 4 losing his marbles and nearly killing Mario.”, SMG3 added dryly, before noticing the eyes on him and clearing his throat. Damn it. “Sorry.”

Yep, maybe answering questions wasn’t a good idea after all.

“I will, uh, check on Eggdog.”, he quickly excused himself, escaping the look of very that had once again settled in the eyes of his friends.

God, he was starting to get sick of it.

Having escaped that awkward conversation, he took a deep breath, before starting to walk through the hall without any real destination.

That was until he noticed a girl with a fox-like appearance and striped vest step a bit too close to the staircase to his liking.

She better not think about going up after he just told everyone the room was off limits!

Now changing course over there, he made himself known by clearing his throat, before noticing the plushies on the floor and picking them up for her.

Right, they handed those out at the Art Department, right?

“I apologize…”, the girl now started rambling. “I came to pick up my plushie... um... Animsay came and... I got spooked badly... I wasn't going up the stairs. I would never go against the rules you set. Oh... and Hi.”

Of course it was Animsay, that one was nothing but trouble.

He was about to reply as the muffled whine of Eggdog could be heard from upstairs.

SMG3 sighed internally.

Sorry buddy, but those were too many people for you and Mr Puzzles doesn’t like you either.

SMG3 still remembered the last time Eggdog growled at the tall TV head for the entirety of their meeting.

“Is there... a dog up there?", the girl now casually asked, the previous nervousness replaced by curiosity.

"...Yes. But, I cannot bring him out. And if you are curious, I already fed him before you guys came. And, again, not going up the stairs.", he quickly responded before she could get any ideas.

Fans could be like that after all.

"Alright.", she answered politely to his surprise. That easy?

SMG3 now handed her the Mr Puzzles plushie back.

Okay, maybe he was being way too uptight here.

Relax, SMG3, relax.

“Hey SMG3?”

He turned around to come face to face with the ribbon girl from before.

Come to think of it, he should probably apologize for leaving like that just now-

“I just wanted to let you know that you’re the reason I came to the tour. I just loved watching you be yourself, so confidently and unafraid!”

Oh.

Well, this was another pleasant surprise.

Especially given he, uh, wasn’t exactly at his best today.

“You inspire me, man!”, the other now continued, bowing her head. “ I wouldn’t have started watching the show without you!”

Show?

Ah, she probably meant one of the many they starred in lately.

“Thank you, heh.”, he now meant, actually managing a somewhat proud grin. “Always happy to cast inspiration into the world.”

"Anyways! I hope you and the crew don't mind a special surprise in the fridge later!”

SMG3’s grin got a confused edge. “In the fridge? Wha-”

Aaaaand she was gone.

Well, he guessed he would have to find out later.

Mood slightly lifted, he figured he could return to answering some questions.

Maybe even show off some old props, add more to the tour day and all that.

He also noticed that brown haired girl with glasses and blue-eyes watch him before, so maybe she had questions.

Turns out, someone had other plans because in the next second Boopkins joined him out of the guest room.

“Three! You should totally join us in watching some anime! It’s really fun!”

The meme guardian visibly grimaced because he was well aware that his and Boopkins taste in shows was VERY different.

Still, it wasn’t like had anything better to do right now…

“Ugh, fine.”, he agreed, to which Boopkins replied with a “Hurray”, grabbed his hand (cmon man, he had an image to keep!) and dragged him over to the guest room.

In it were a few other participants including a girl with cat ears and pink eyes and the girl with the striped vest and fox features from before.

"...Fine, what are we watching?", he now grumbled to Boopkins who happily walked over to the seats.

"We are watching a Pokemon short! It's pretty good.", the fish replied, now waving to the fox girl. "And she picked just the right one that is an old classic."

SMG3 looked over to he at that, raising an eyebrow.

The other simply nervously evaded eye contact.

A shy one, he figured.

“Decent choice", SMG3 now commented, relieved that not one of those weird romance flicks had been chosen.

Not that he minded romance per say, but Boopkins had a peculiar taste that he found horrendous.

Guess he could stay here for a while and enjoy some good old pokemon.

☆

A few minutes later the results were in.

“ALRIGHT, LISTEN UP! WE ARE GOING TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA DEPARTMENT NEXT!”, RTV announced, before turning to Swag, Lucian and Chris. “Do me a favor and get the rest of the participants if they aren’t here ALREADY. We don’t need some getting left behind.”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Ugh, you take the guest room, Chris, I don’t wanna deal with all those otakus-”

“I literally saw you watching anime this weekend-”

“Nu-uh.”

“I did.”

“You did not. Anyway, I can’t hear, you bye-”

“Swag, I swear to-”

BAM!

Chris turned around with a slightly embarrassed smile as Swag slammed the kitchen door in his face, before pointing towards the guest room.

“I, uh, will be on my way.”

With that he quickly walked away to gather the rest of the participants.

“I’m honestly surprised they haven’t blown anything up yet…”, SMG3 muttered to Lucian who let out a loud sigh.

“Don’t jinx it. I had to confiscate a rocket launcher last week.”, he meant, before patting the man’s back and moving out to the gaming room. “Hang in there, man.”

“Always…”, SMG3 muttered back, before stretching and looking up to RTV who seemed to be thinking about something.

Whatever it was, it couldn’t be too good as his expression was turned into a scowl.

SMG3 followed his gaze and saw it land on the head of the Social Media Department.

Why she was even here, he had asked himself the second she walked in. 

Where had she been all this time anyway?

He heard something about a vacation, but this was a bit of a spontaneous return, no?

Honestly, given the boss and her seemed to have a disagreement in opinion (and she rarely did her work), he thought she either quit or was fired.

Shrugging to himself SMG3 turned his attention away from Animsay and now spun back around to RTV.

“Uhm, I will go check on the storage area since nobody seems to be looking there…?”

The TV head took a second to register that Three was talking to him, before his smile was suddenly back as he looked down at the meme guardian.

“Sure, you do THAT!”

“Alright…”, SMG3 mumbled, before strolling in the direction of the door.

“Oh, and Three?”

He halted, looking back.

RTV had his head slightly tilted, giving SMG3 that knowing look that he knew all too well by now.

“If you would LIKE we can talk later.”

Ah great, he probably saw how rudely he had dismissed the kid earlier on.

“Yeah….yeah, I will think about it.”

With that SMG3 quickly continued his way to the storage.

It wasn’t like he didn’t appreciate the offer to talk, really, it was nice to be offered to talk about your problems.

Especially when your friend group hadn’t been what it was before and the people you were closest to were gone.

However, recently things have gotten even worse.

Stress, Fights and the slow but sure dread of starting to doubt his own memories.

At times past events just seemed foggy and every time he tried to look past it, a headache immediately followed.

Was it amnesia?

Is this how Alzheimer started?

He had no idea, but he had been through these one-on one talks with Puzzles before and while they sometimes helped, he felt like this was something he would have to start dealing by himself.

It was also not lost on him that his headaches often appeared after his “therapy” with Puzzles.

So until he figured out what was happening, he would kindly reject the offer.

Maybe he would ask the head of the Health Department later vaguely about issues with memory.

However, as he scanned the area for the white squirrel that was part of said department, he could not find her.

Later then.

SMG3 reached out for the door handle, before having to sidestep before he was able to be hit by the door that opened in the next second.

“Hey-”

The person coming out wearing a long hoodie and jeans, halted briefly, the cap with the Puzzlevision logo hiding their eyes, the rest of their face features being hidden by a black mask.

“...sorry.”, they muttered after freezing for a split second, before quickly moving past Three.

Three gave them a perplexed look, before opening the door back up for him to step in.

For some reason the voice sounded awfully familiar…

He sighed.

Probably a fan he met before or something…

The storage area was dimly lit, old props and furniture collecting dust on the shelves and in corners.

For now, it seemed like everyone had cleared out of here already.

Not much to do after all.

Letting himself flop on a nearby box, SMG3 grabbed a framed picture from next to him, brushing off the dirt and dust with his sleeve.

The smiling faces of the old SMG4 crew looked back at him.

To think there was a time where he disliked them all.

Right now, he was just really missing the old times.

The times where he would fight with them over the most stupid stuff for entertainment only, the times where they teased each other without feeling like walking on eggshells, where Saiko and Bob still talked to him and when Mario and SMG4 were still there. Before SMG4 lost it.

In hindsight he should have seen the signs.

It was him who went through similar struggles, he was the one helping SMG4 out of that perfection mania and yet he failed to see that SMG4 never got better.

Why else would he do this to Mario?

To his friends?

If Puzzles wouldn’t have been there…

…

…now with all these questions being asked…when exactly did they first meet Mr. Puzzles? It was right after they lost their old castle, right?

So why did it feel so-

SMG3 hissed at the sudden stinging in his head, massaging his temple with one gloved hand.

Alright, enough of this.

He didn’t need another headache today.

This whole thing was one already.

Putting the picture to the side, he stood back up before making his way over to an old mirror, giving his reflection a critical look.

Man, he looked like shit.

And here he tried to at least look presentable.

Hah, he must have looked like a roach next to Mr. Puzzles.

Trying to somewhat sort his dark hair by brushing through it with his fingers, he suddenly spotted something that made him frown.

The trapdoor in the far corner of the room was left open.

It never was supposed to be, Security made enough of a fuss about it.

Walking over to it, SMG3 closed it with a quick shove, before pushing a narby box over it.

Problem solved.

He would scold Boopkins later for it, the guy always forgot to close stuff.

Hands in his pockets he now walked back out, watching how everyone started to huddle up in the group again.

He now briefly noticed that Rayas wasn’t there, probably having gone to somehow take that drawing off her vest.

From all participants, she had probably been the most chill to speak to.

Though, he also couldn’t put the dish from Grim- Grinnames (?) aside, that one was hella good too.

Whatever it was.

In hindsight, he probably should have asked.

But yolo, right?

No risk, no fun.

While his mood has slightly taken another drop down, he still noticed how much at ease the gang was right now.

Tari seemed more cheerful, Meggy seemed more content and Boopkins, well, was still as happy as always.

It felt good, seeing them like this…

He just wish he could be the reason for them to be like this.

☆

Back in the main hall, Animsay meanwhile had taken a seat at the railing of the stairs, kind of just waiting for the voting to end.

When the result was announced, she made a triumphant gesture which quickly was hidden by an innocent wave in RTV’s direction who was glaring at her.

Too bad, too sad, they were going to her department after all.

Jumping down the railing, she now watched how the people started to gather.

Her gaze briefly fell upon the blonde scammed who he seemed to hide something beneath the stairs.

Who knew what she was doing, Ani sadly didn’t despite knowing what was written down right at this moment.

Some viewers liked to keep it interesting, she could respect that.

Walking past the blonde woman, she gave Marie who just returned from her talk with Meggy and Tari a wave, before jumping over Creature who was still watching the stars with amazement in their one eye.

How long had it been for Ani since she last watched the stars?

Hm, not too long.

Way too long for me.

Yeah, well, your point of view didn’t matter right now.

Humming the smaller TV head walked in the direction of the bathroom, giving Becky a peace sign as she passed her, noting that she looked quite better than a few minutes before. As Ani passed Lilith, she briefly gave the sketch a look.

Man, was she motivated to draw right now, but duty came first.

“Looking good!”, she commented, her screen giving a long smile, before she finally moved on to her actual destination.

“Knock, knock!”, she called, while actually knocking against the bathroom door.

When Nicknack heard Ani's familiar voice she almost choked, triggering a coughing fit, but she quickly covered it up with a harsh groan.

She took her head out of her hands and looked over to the shut door, now speaking more groggy and pissed to cover up her emotions.

But we know better, don’t we dear readers?

"WHAT the hell do you want, Ani?”, Nicknack’s voice sounded through the door.

“Well, I kinda wanted to see how you’re doing and this sounds like your average mood which means you’re super duper depressed.”, Ani smoothly replied leaning next to the door. “Anyway, the tour is continuing!”

Smiley face.

Nicknack remained quiet for a second, the Ani could hear her starting to shuffle around.

The sound of her getting up.

Ani never really understood why she didn’t just refuse to do what RTV wanted of her.

What’s the worst he could do?

Fire her?

He ruined her eye.

Yeah, okay, but it could have been worse plus he wouldn’t pull that in front of all these participants.

Personally, Ani was quite happy when Nicknack finally stepped outside now, looking grumpy as ever. She liked her, she was very entertaining with all her misery.

Angst always was good stuff.

Who she didn’t expect though was the small white squirrel following her out.

Nira of the Health Department, another last minute one she now remembered, silly her.

“Heyaa!”, Ani greeted the smaller head, a grin plastered on her screen as usual.

“Let’s get this over with….”, Nicknack sighed, to which Ani gave two thumbs up, before skipping over to the main group. 

“Thaaaanks for that, Lucian!”, she grinned, taking the latte which the head of security had been handed previously handed by Rayas, before stuffing it in Nicknack’s hands.

Rayas was right, the girl needed it alright.

“...you’re welcome…”, Lucian grumbled, following them back to the group.

Time to get back to the main event!

☆

Most of the people had gathered back by now, getting ready to move to the next department.

Lucian now took his position at the end of the group, waiting for RTV to take the lead again.

Absent-mindedly, he noted how another person with a cap had now joined the people walking more towards the end of the group.

Hm…

Did he see him before…?

Motion from his side, made Lucian turn his attention towards another masked participant now coming towards him.

There was something slightly eerie about the many eye holes the participant’s possessed and the general way she carried herself so Lucian couldn’t help but slightly tense as she came closer.

“Relax partner, I’m not here to do anything bad…At least not to you or your fellow pals." 

How…very calming.

Still, he noted how she wasn’t nodding in RTV’s direction at that.

Another one who had a quarrel with the boss it seemed.

Well, who was he to blame?

"And what do you want?", he asked, before scolding himself lightly to come off this harsh.

She hadn’t even done anything.

“I just wanted to give you this…”, the other replied, before handing him a piece of

[Oh?]

When Lucian took it and unfolded it, he slightly froze at the drawing of him and Colores.

Happy, without a Puzzlevision uniform.

Something that could have been.

He felt his heart ache.

"Let’s be honest…You and her don’t get nearly as much credit as you both should. I mean- if it weren’t for you two, I’m pretty sure RTV would have taken more punches in the face than can be counted on fingers, or he would’ve gone insane from managing all the fan-related stuff, haha!" 

Lucian was only partially listening, most of his attention still focused on the drawing.

Why he wasn’t this appreciative of art before, he didn’t know.

Right now this piece of art was the only thing showing him what a better world could be like.

"...Hey bud...I hope everything works out for you and your sister, and you don’t have to keep the drawing if you don’t want to! I just thought it’d be nice to give you both a bit of recognition- without, ya know...Having to deal only with the "you-know-who" fans.", the girl now continued, before punching his shoulder lightly.

He finally managed to snap out  of his trance at that.

“Alright, enough of my yapping…Take care, and thanks for your time.", she now added before making a sudden turn around, quickly disappearing in the crowd, while Lucian still was fighting with his words.

“Thanks…”, he now spoke to air, before looking back at the drawing, one thumb gently stroking over it.

This.

This was what he was enduring this for.

With a swift motion, he then carefully folded it in half, before putting it in a side pocket of his utility belt before anyone could give him weird looks.

He really had needed a reminder for what he was still working for.

☆

RTV in the meantime had waited until everyone was gathered before taking the lead again.

“Well, if you’ve said your GOODBYES then we can get moving again!”, he spoke, before leaning down to Lucian. “Do what I TELL you for once and keep an eye on her.”

He nodded in Ani’s direction.

She had been way too civil for his liking and he didn’t trust it.

Usually it meant something was about to happen.

Lucian followed his nod before sighing.

[Come on.]

“You’re asking something impossible of me.”, he flatly gave back, but still followed the order and joined Ani who gave him a cheerful wave.

Odd, he had expected more complaining.

RTV scoffed, now taking the lead again, opening the doors of the castle again with a swift motion, before leaving Chris and Swag to keep them open.

“BACK we go to Block B! No worries though, you don’t have to walk the STAIRS again. The Social Media Department is on the ground floor!”, he explained, now leading them back out again over the courtyard.

☆

Close to the end of the group, the participant that had previously nearly run into SMG3, was now trailing along as well.

Pulling the cap deeper into his face, a set of blue eyes was nervously flicking from one side to another.

So far nobody seemed to have noticed that SMG4 hadn’t even been part of the group before, but for how long?

At least the Puzzlevision logo and mostly hidden face seemed to keep the system from recognizing him, but still.

This plan was reckless and that meant a lot for his standards.

Yet this weird tour had also one of the very few chances they had to get in without anyone ringing alarms.

Unfortunately, despite a bunch of unholy amounts of planning and screaming at each other, the plan already was horribly derailing

The plan had been the following: Use the underground tunnels to gain access to the castle: Check.

Let SMG4 sneak into the castle: Check.

SMG4 sneaks into his old room and uses the pc there to gain access to the headquarters files and system: Gone horribly wrong.

The blue meme guardian had just been about to walk up the stairs after having a near stroke following the surprise encounter with SMG3, as he was stopped by Chris who had started rounding people up in that area.

Arguing wasn’t an option, least he needed was more attention, so SMG4 begrudgingly had followed him to the group, ducking his head more and more when not only half his old crew, but also enemies game into view.

It was a wonder nobody had recognized SMG4 yet, but he knew the more time he spent here, the more likely it was going to happen.

And then it would be a goddamn miracle if he survived.

Taking a deep breath, SMG4 tried to keep at the back of the group, but also not the far end.

Unfortunately, he also had his run-ins with Puzzles’ hitman and he still remembered all too well the view of the gun barrel in his face.

Lucian on the other hand probably still remembered the knife that Beeg lodged into his shoulder afterwards.

And what was up with the tour anyway?

SMG4 had long known that Puzzles was meddling with things he shouldn’t but who the hell were these people that looked exactly like some of his fellow resistance members?

For example he was pretty sure that the masked person he saw talk before to Lucian had been Lari, or did look a LOT like her, because he could recognize that hair anywhere.

He then looked forward where a certain dragon shapeshifter was walking, wearing a cap like him, vigilant and having that same unmistakeable armband that the Marie he knee was wearing too.

If both hadn’t previously walked past him without even sparing him a glance, he really would have believed they followed him from their base over here.

But they didn’t.

So who were these people? 

As several more people passed him, the meme guardian quickly pulled his cap a tad more over his eyes, before hiding his hands in his hoodie.

Looks like he had to trust in another part of the plan.

Beeg and the rat keep an eye in case things go wrong: In progress.

☆

“I say we leave that dimwit.”

In one of the underground systems beneath the studio, Mickey Mouse was currently about to leave and call it a day.

Unfortunately, a certain mini sized version of the same idiot that messed up the plan was now holding him back by his tail.

“Ugh.”

“Listen.”, Mickey argued, folding his hands together in a pretend calm gesture. “We kept an eye out, nobody ever said anything about going in and saving his back!”

“Uuuugh.”

Mickey frowned, before sniffing a crossing his arms, turning his head away.

“Hah, I’m above that!”

A sharp tug on his tail made him flinch and he snapped around again to glare at Beeg.

“Fine! You’re going to lose anyway!”

“Rock, paper scissors!”

“Augh, ugh, ugh!”

“...”

Mickey squinted at Beeg’s round hand stump that had suddenly grown two fingers to cut his flat paper hand.

“Oh, you cheater!”, he exclaimed, throwing hands in the air in resignation, before wiping a tear from one of his cartoon eyes. “I’m so proud…anyway!”

They both now turned to the open vent through which they had previously watched what had been going on in the castle.

“Guess we are going back in there…”, Mickey meant, unenthusiastic about the thought of getting dust on his already battered clothes again. “Do you still have the map?”

As an answer, Beeg pulled out the map of the ventilations system from who knows where, before rolling past Mickey and straight into the shaft.

“Don’t think about sneaking to that dog again! Your weird shaped friendship almost got us caught!”, he called after the little guy, only receiving a slight echoey grunt as a response.

With a loud sigh, Mickey now followed back in, trying to keep up with the rolling blue thing that was Beeg in front of him.

Previously, before SMG4 went in by himself, they tried to save themselves some trouble by accessing SMG4’s old room through the vents.

Unfortunately, the area there had been riddled with motion triggers, triggers that were even for his cartoon shape difficult to pass by and Beeg almost jumped right in when he heard that egg shaped dog in the room below whine.

So that was quickly scratched off the list of options.

The other option, SMG4 just managed to fail, so in Mickey’s option this whole thing was done.

But no, rescue operations had to commence.

This was what he got for letting Didney make hero propaganda in the masses.

Grumbling, Mickey crawled through the thin metal system, his round ears having been pressed flat on the ceiling.

Probably serving as a good mop for all that dust.

“You know, there is absolutely no way the TV snob doesn’t know about these tunnels when he even rigs the ventilation.”, Mickey now spoke up again. “My best guess is that either the system is too big or that he didn’t think someone would use them to get in and that’s why we are still here.”

“Augh…”

“Okay fair enough, he probably also didn’t expect us to enter through the sewer system and break a way through those sealed off entrances.”, Mickey admitted, before sniffing at his clothes. “I didn’t expect myself to do that either…”

Beeg now stopped, letting out a grumble, before rolling to the side into another shaft, revealing to Mickey the placement of yet another row of motion triggers.

“This way too? Well, I tried to tell you, guess we have no choice-”

Another grumble and a threatening move into the mouse’s direction.

“Hey, hey, hey! I was just joking! Fine, let’s find another way to the….Social Media Department? Where are we anyway? I lost track a few minutes ago…”

“Aeugh...”

“...what do you mean you don’t know?!”

Mickey now robbed closer, trying to spy through the grid nearby.

Just a hallway, could be one of many in this maze of a building.

“I thought you could read the map!”

“Ugh!”

“You guessed?!”, Mickey repeated, before letting out a dry snicker. “Yep, that’s it for me. See you, I’m out!”

When Beeg attempted to drag him back by his tail this time Mickey retaliated.

With a frown, he snapped around, arm growing comically longer as he tried to get the other to let go by dragging and pulling him.

But the little shit was tough.

And grew just a little bit bigger before rolling on his side.

Squishing Mickey’s hand.

Letting out a few curses that would certainly fall under Didney censorship, Mickey flinched back, ready to kick that oversized ball of a menace right through the walls of the vent-

Beep. Beep.

Both froze.

Then they slowly turned to look at Mickey’s tail whose tip hung right in front of one of the motion triggers.

“Oh boy…”, Mickey gulped.

☆

For a second, RTV meant to hear a distant yowl and he turned his head back to the hallways they came from, but could not spot anything.

Hm, probably just his imagination. Turning his attention back to the matter at hand, he now opened the next double door, before pointing forward at the corridor of doors similar to the of the Art Department above.

“Welcome to the Social Media Department!”

His smile slightly strained as the head of said department ran past him in the next second, spinning once around.

“Whooooo! Home sweet, home!”

Decisions had been made and oh, how he regretted them right now.

Letting out a low sigh, he then motioned towards Animsay.

“Animsay will now explain to you the BASICS of this department.”, he explained, before stepping into the corridor where Animsay now opened the door to the biggest office room of the department.

As soon as she entered, each monitor that sat on the many desk rows including the giant screen at the end of the room flickered on, displaying the Puzzlevision logo.

“If you prefer old-school you’re absolutely in the wrong place here.”, Animsay now said, before jumping on the long desk at the end of the room to give herself a better view over the participants that now entered the room. “We are all digital, baby!”

Putting hands on her hips, she now gestured around the room.

“We are mainly responsible for making ads AND as the name says, manage pretty much everything connected to social media!”, she now began pacing on the desk, raising a finger. “Into that counts the creation and coding of websites, boosting and advertising Puzzlevision media and posts, but also…moderation.”

She now stopped pacing, folding her hands in front of her, head tilted to the side.

“After all, the internet can be a nasty place! Accusations are thrown around to defame, insults are spam posted, inappropriate content, yada, yada, you know it all!”

She pointed at herself.

“We take steps to dim it all a bit down, keep it cool…”

A shrug.

“And sometimes when alarms are being raised due to threats and concerning comments or we simply find information that may be searched for, we give the goods over to security and law enforcement! Ain’t that right, Swag?”

Said guard frowned, pointing an accusing finger at the smaller TV head.

“You sent the cops my address three times!”

As a response, Animsay made a slow bow.

“Only to show you the dangers of sharing it with others online!”

“It was just our employee group chat!”

“Yeah well, personally your comments about your tank also made me very uncomfortable and so for the sake of society, I thought it was time to act.”

“Oh, you bi-”

“Back to TOPIC.”, RTV interrupted them, feeling a headache coming.

“Sure!”, Animsay meant, the scribble smile never having left her screen. “What else is there to say? Well, my office is next door but that’s not really interesting. There are a few side offices as well for brainstorming or if you prefer a smaller environment. Oh yeah and then there is the room to the room one day further where we talk to-”

For a second, the line on the screen seemed to glitch out and Animsay halted, before moving on like nothing happened.

“Well, sadly it’s off limits! Unless, boss over here allows a look?”

She now turned over to RTV whose expression temporarily turned into a frown.

Last thing he needed to explain was the whole contact past the 4th wall and the tumblr inbox.

“Off-limits I’m afraid.”, he curtly answered, offering an apologetic smile into the round. “VIP only.”

Animsay now clapped her hands together.

“Welp, that’s all then! If you have questions they can be asked now!”, she grinned, now flopping down to take a seat.

☆

While Animsay went on to answering questions, RTV kept a close eye despite having almost all of the security watching her.

Lucian because he ordered him too and Swag because he was still not over his little dispute with her.

There were reasons why Animsay wasn’t too loved among staff and aside from her too cheery attitude, it was also the fact she was one big troublemaker.

Older staff would sometimes tell the stories about how calm and docile Animsay had been once upon a time and then she suddenly switched, changed her name, changed her attitude, personality and then one day she started to appear with the TV head.

RTV gave the clunky thing a glance.

At least the program seemed to work well enough to keep her from spilling anything confidential for now.

Bzzt.

Pulling out his phone, RTV briefly noticed that he had not been the only one getting a message, in fact Lucian had too, meaning this was from Wr3n.

The fact that he was messaging them both could only mean so much good.

We got a rat in the building. The mini version of SMG4 is there too.

Got them out of the vents. Taking chase right now.

Elimination or Capture?

RTV’s hand visibly tightened around his phone.

Of course.

Of course they would take the chance when he got almost all of his staff at home.

Eliminate.

He didn’t need to read Wr3n’s next message.

It popped into his head the second he read the first text.

A rat never came alone.

It’s likely SMG4 is here too. 

There was no way he would refuse the chance to visit his old friend.

Look how his dear friends were holding up.

With a motion of his hand he ordered Lucian to give the sign to blockade the exit.

The head of Puzzlevision then started to slowly walk through the group, giving each face a close look.

He could skip all the non-humans already, the girls too, look out for clothing that hid facial features.

In the middle of the room, he stopped, before slowly turning towards a guy with black hair, a cap and black mask attempting to hide the familiar facial features. They did at first, the Puzzlevision logo also keeping him safe from Wr3n’s detection.

But now that RTV was looking closely, there was no more hiding.

He would always recognize this thorn in his side.

“SMG-”

In the split of the second he reached out, the meme guardian had suddenly pulled something out of the pocket out of hiss hoodie.

And shot.

RTV didn’t feel a bullet bury itself into his screen.

Instead something akin to an energy ray hit him.

In the next second the whole room could watch how RTV’s TV head heavily glitched out, before instantly growing black.

Not a moment later the whole man fell to the floor with a loud clang, screen splitting slightly at the impact.

SMG4 stood there for a second, EMP gun still pointed, before his eyes flickered from side to side.

First in the participants around him and then to the security guards who were now pulling their weapons.

He was so screwed.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Unless…

Well, this is a poll-based adventure after all! So…what do you guys want to do?

Few seconds for them, 1 day for us.

Please wait this time with writing your actions until the poll is decided, as I will drop an extra part with the result, describing in a shorter part what happens next!

Tag List:

@niranutcake @fenicearts420 @leirom71000 @entityarts @alelathedragon @mylifeisfakeenjoy @lari-the-dragon @lislelycan-i-am-dumb-lol @rat-n-atty @nia1sworld @untitled14360 @Irayasostripes @theclosetcreature @jovialoddity @purpdrawsthings @varian-the-alchemy-boi @beckycat19 @runrabitrunrunrun

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

Let’s talk about Half-Maia Celebrían Theory

A while back some were asking for a “megathread” on this topic, and here it is. Is there any validity to this in “Rings of Power”? Are there any clues or hints this could be a possibility?

Side note before I start: personally, I don’t think the show will go with this theory, but I don’t cross out them teasing it because it keeps the fandom speculating and currently Sauron is probably the last iconic “pop culture” villain without grandchildren. Still, I enjoy this theory, specially in a fanfiction setting (where everything is allowed).

Anyway, this post is for the “Half-Maia Celebrían” enthusiasts out there.

1) Children keep showing up on Sauron’s plot in both S1 and S2

Galadriel and Sauron arrive at Númenor (1x03)

Sauron’s illusion to Celebrimbor (2x06)

“Did I cause someone you love pain? A woman? Perhaps a child?”

"Rings of Power" 1×06 (Udûn) vs. 2×08 (Shadow and Flame) parallel

+ (2x07 = Adar causing Galadriel pain)

This most likely has some symbolic explanation, but still. Why did Adar brought up “a child”? No idea. He takes his father role very seriously.

2) Galadriel touching her womb in connection to Sauron

The first thing she does after walking up after the eruption of Mount Doom and when she gets up she calls for Halbrand, and spends the majority of the episode babysitting Theo (1x07)

Having visions of Sauron (2x02; 2x04)

She touches her chest quite often, too (which probably had a pay off in S2, but we have to wait for S3 to see what are the consequences - if any - of this).

3) Elrond x Celebrían

Self-explanatory.

4) Elrond “shade”

This might be foreshadowing for something else, but I’ll add this in here, too.

5) The innuendo

“Fighting at your side, I... I felt... If I could just hold on to that feeling, keep it with me always, bind it to my very being, then I...” (Sauronbrad, 1x06)

“I'd all but given up. But you, you believed in me. You saw strength in me. You pushed me to heights that no one else could have. I will never forget that.” (Sauronbrad, 1x08)

“Touch the darkness once more.” (Finrodron, 1x08)

“Sauron used me. And under his hand, I was played like a harp to a melody not of my choosing.” (Galadriel, 2x02)

“It was entirely of your choosing. […] “The Lost King” who could ride you to victory. You gave him everything he wanted and then thanked him for it.” (Elrond, 2x02)

“I cannot let him in again.” (Galadriel, 2x02)

[goldbloomsworld]

You Know, I Think I Can Understand Why Michi Didn't Care About Mai

P.S: This post is meant to explain bad parenting, not excuse it. And this analysis will be focused on the show, not the comics.

Inspired by @zuko-always-lies and a Twitter thread I made earlier in the month(https://tinyurl.com/5epfmkvp)

The relationship between Mai, Michi(her mother), and Ukano(Mai's father) is not one that is given vast amounts of exploration. In fact, it's only explored in two episodes. But it still provides fascinating insight into the FN upperclass, and how imperialism can warp human relationships, even for the victors.

This is the first piece of dialogue we get when we first meet Mai and Michi:

It may not seem like much, but there's a lot to unpack here:

The conversation starts with Mai voicing her intense displeasure with the move to Omashu. Michi responds by bringing up Ukano's new appointment and their families' rise in status, and she states that Mai should be happy and enjoy the perks of their new position. Mai then responds by saying she has nothing to do and nothing ever happens, which Michi responds to by scowling.

Now, Mai isn't someone who's shy about expressing discontent (we see that throughout the show). But Michi's response (or lack thereof) to her discontent is very telling about their relationship. Firstly, Mai felt comfortable enough with her mother to openly express her dislike of their current situation, which indicates that Michi is probably the more active and approachable parent (Mai was angry about the way Ukano handled the pentapox situation, but all she did was offer him fireflakes).

Secondly, she didn't expect anything more than for her complaints to be dismissed and ignored. When she voices how bleak Omashu is, she doesn't expect a response, nor does she react to Michi's disdainful frown.

On Michi's end, while she's definitely not passionate about her daughters' continued misery, and would like to see her happy, she also doesn't really care. She never once asks about possible solutions to her daughter's boredom or isolation, nor does she ask Mai about what exactly is missing from her current life in Omashu that's causing her misery. She has no response to Mai's second comment, and is content to just side-eye her and move on.

I think we can all agree that this isn't stellar parenting, but if we go back and look at things from Michi's perspective, it makes sense:

I think there's enough in the text to conclude that Michi had fertility issues (Having 2 children 13 years apart doesn't seem like something someone in Michi's position would have done by choice. )

(Plus, if you believe Mai is Izumi's mother, this may be why Izumi is an only child).

So imagine this: you've spent a significant amount of time trying unsuccessfully to produce a male heir because men are the only ones that get high-ranking positions in your nation(remember guys, Azula was the only female in the war meeting and she was the Crown Princess who was specifically invited by the Firelord). While you're going through that, you and your husband have been working to advance his political career in order to protect and elevate your family. Then, finally, after 13 long years, you have a son, and soon after that, your husband is elevated to the position of governor of an entire colony. You've hit the jackpot, and all your efforts and ambitions have finally paid off. Under those circumstances, how perceptive would you be to the needs of the least necessary member of your family?

That scowl is foul, but I understand

In an imperial system, someone's intrinsic value is based on how much of an asset they are to the system. Mai is neither her family's future nor is she it's present. Her greatest task is to marry well, and her biggest prospect was burned and sent on an impossible scavenger hunt. Every time we see Michi care deeply for something, there's a logical reason(she cares about the fate of the city because her husband could potentially lose his governorship if it's mishandled; she cares about her son because he's the future of the family), but Michi doesn't have a logical reason to care about Mai, so she doesn't. And that makes Mai feel like her feelings don't matter, which causes her to repress herself.

Azula, the world's least qualified psychotherapist

I do think Mai cares about her family, and she wants their approval. But she much prefers that the company of the Fire Siblings and Ty Lee to theirs. That's why she was ready to go the moment she had the first opportunity. I'm not a big fan of the way the comics reset the familial relationships, because it didn't feel earned, and it felt like Yang missed the point of the original dynamic.

PS: I don't know why so many Zutara shippers insist on denying Mai's trauma. It doesn't actually make sense from a shipping standpoint because Mai's trauma doesn't somehow make her more suitable for Zuko (you could even argue that it makes her less suitable if you want to take it that far). Honestly, sometimes it feels like character spite drives certain segments of this fandom more than anything else.

[softlypaintedseafoam]

women's wrongs

synopsis. sanji is a supporter of many things, women's wrongs being one of them. he just wasn't expecting women's wrong opinions to be among them; the cook supposes there is a first time for everything.

pairing. roronoa zoro x f!reader

word count. 1k | masterlist

content warning. written with a plus-sized reader in mind (but read as you prefer), pre-timeskip (post-little garden/pre-drum island), presently unrequited feelings (zoro has feelings for luffy as of this moment in time), usonami and lusan undertones if you squint

reblogs & interactions appreciated.

a fic that was hilarious inspired by my conversations with @hash-slinging-slasher-trash about her selfship verse with zoro and i couldn't resist writing it. i find it hilarious that depending on the verse, sanji and/or zoro judge for who you have feelings for but try to be supportive in their own way and thus this story was birthed

Conflicted doesn't begin to cover the expression on Sanji's face.

Conflicted, disturbed, confused and utterly full of disbelief. Those words combined probably summarize his expression best and even then you feel as if a new word should be invented entirely to describe it. You bury your face into your hands, ears hot. "The mosshead," Sanji asks, incredulous.

You nod, face even warmer.

"Mosshead." He says again, voice weak from your confirmation he unfortunately heard you correctly.

You nod once again.

This is all a mess. Here in his kitchen while he preps for tomorrow's breakfast, Vivi stands watch, Luffy and Zoro sleep and Usopp cares for an ailing Nami you know you have found yourself in a hot mess. You're sure when Sanji asked you "a berry for your thoughts?" that this was the least likely confession he expected to receive. Yet it all came flowing from your lips like a dam bursting through a crack.

"I have feelings for Zoro," you squeaked in a fluid motion, fingers clutching the tea cup Sanji gave you for dear life.

"My condolences," Sanji grumbles, equal parts empathy and pity sketched into his face.

You can't hold back a snort despite yourself. "Sanji."

As if remembering his chivalry, the cook stands straight at attention. "Forgive me, my lady, I only meant," the blond pauses, gathering his thoughts at speeds unknown to man. "Respectfully, the man who has caught your attention-"

"Is in love with Luffy, I know," you groan as you remember this oh-so-important fact. "Trust me, I am very aware of that fact." It's hard not to notice. When you initially joined the Straw Hats, you thought Zoro a stoic yet battle-hungry bounty hunter turned pirate who seldom showed how he felt. As it turns out, the swordsman is rather expressive save for how his face solemn and irritated when at rest. Zoro emotes quite often, in truth.

Zoro laughs when he's amused.

Zoro grins when he teases.

Zoro even pouts when you point out he should have noticed he was lost three tree loops ago.

You can feel your lips twisting into a smile in spite of your dilemma and do your best to fight it. Then you remember a flash of yellow and red, bright like sunshine and your smile falls as quickly as it started. Yes, Pirate Hunter Zoro is very expressive, you realized quickly.

For a ー former ー noble, such as yourself, you're not used to seeing love in its truest and most pure form. Your parents' marriage had been arranged by your grandparents, your parents merely had you to maintain the status quo and any match you'd find would be a man they approved of and would help you produce quality stock to continue the bloodline.

Vivi's lucky, you think of your fellow princess who is happily tucked away in a blanket on the crows nest doing her part. Her parents loved each other and they love her. Even her servants adored her so. Your heart aches as its strings are tugged. Luffy's lucky too.

He receives love as easily as he gifts it, even to those he doesn't know very well. He makes you feel like he's been your best friend for your entire life, despite having only met nearly a month prior. You'll always appreciate him for that and you know you are not the only member of the crew who feels this way. You all love and appreciate Luffy, some of you more than others.

Zoro more than others. His gaze lingers when he sees Luffy barreled over into himself as he laughs at whatever tall tale Usopp has weaved.

He smiles when Luffy makes his silly faces.

If you hadn't known better, you would think Zoro believes in Luffy more than he does himself.

Monkey D. Luffy is the sun; you're not even the moon.

"No," Sanji sets down his knife on his cutting board and presses his hands firmly on the dinner table. "That bum wants a man who picks his nose. In public! You can't have feelings for someone like that; I won't allow it. Besides, any clown who is in love with Luffy over a literal princess isn't worth anyone's time, let alone yours."

You're giggling again as you shake your head, "I appreciate you trying to make me feel better but you don't have to do it at Luffy's expense. He's a great guy to fall in love with. He's sweet." Loud and selfish but he's somehow sweet and selfless for it.

"He's fine," Sanji makes a face, shrugging. "He'd be better if he stopped breaking into the fridge every other night." Blue eyes look pointedly at the five giant mouse traps set around it, prepared once more for their war with the captain. You shake your head in amusement.

He complains but I think he secretly likes it. At least, if how Sanji smiles at Luffy in exasperation every meal time is anything to go off of. Sanji brow furrows when you tell him as much. "You can make that face all you want but you like how much likes your food."

Had you been one of your crew's male counterparts, you're sure Sanji would have scoffed at your words. Since you are not, he can't find it in himself to protest. "It's the least he can do if he is going to eat us out of house and home," he murmurs, mostly to himself, with a quiet huff. "You'd think he'd never eaten all his life with how he scarfs it all down, the shitty rubberman." He rests his hands on his hips with a sigh, finally relenting.

You grin at your small victory.

"I guess there are technically worse choices for the barbarian swordsman could have gone with," Sanji shakes his head, one eye closed in reluctant acceptance. "If he wants Luffy, he can have him. That doesn't change the fact that no mellorine should sell herself short."

"Sanji," you start to no avail.

Sanji shakes his head, not wanting to hear any further protests. "Trust me, my lady, you can do much, MUCH better than that guy. I'll make sure of it," he swears solemnly. "For all we know, your prince charming is right around the corner waiting to join the crew so he can throw himself at your feet. As a servant of love, I can't sit back now that I know this information."

It's your time to sigh as Sanji rambles on, cutting his carrots quickly.

[popcornforone]

ARE YOU NOT EDUCATED?!

A Mr Ben Fan Fic (with some surprises)

At the time of writing this after creating & editing a first draft of this fic, it’s just gone past midnight into Monday 24th March. The last week we were spoilt for Pedro content & when we get our man looking that good for so many days it’s hard to stop the creative juices going. So yesterday after I posted something on Saturday which took off, I decided to write a fic about it, & well once again Mr Ben is our suffering man for this.

Synopsis:- after the release of Gladiator 2 it’s all the kids at school can talk about so Ben asks you to come & sit in on one of his enthusiastic classes

Word count:- 8200

Warnings:-DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNDER 18! Oral sex 69, size mentioned, lots of innuendo, swearing, colleagues to lovers, unrequited love, age gap, alluding to more sex, teasing, fantasy’s, role play.

Thanks as always for stopping by & having a read peoples. It’s always really appreciated that you read these. Yea I know I was meant to slow down with the fics but I just can’t stop writing at the moment.

Monday second period, your free lesson, no kids, no interruptions, time to play catch up. You were halfway through grading a stack of essays when a familiar, slightly exasperated voice broke your concentration.

“Please tell me you’re free third period on Wednesday.” You glanced up from your desk to see Mr. Ben standing in your doorway, leaning against the frame with the world-weary look of a man who had just fought a long & exhausting battle except, instead of a battlefield, it was probably the high school hallway. His dark curls were slightly disheveled, & he was gripping his flask probably filled with strong coffee like it was the only thing keeping him alive.

“Uh…” You hesitated, already sensing whatever he was about to ask would be a lot. “Why?”

He sighed & stepped fully into the room, rubbing a hand down his face. “I need another teacher to monitor my lesson because my students have lost their minds. Every single one of them has apparently watched Gladiator 2 this weekend at the cinema, which, by the way, they are not old enough to see they are underage, & now they’re convinced they’re living in ancient Rome.”

You bite back a laugh. “Oh no.” You hadn’t had this issue yet, maybe your students knew to not bring it up with you. Where as they all see Ben as a much more fun teacher who would have probably seen the film this weekend. He had, you’d actually gone with him & a couple of other friends as a large group to see it. You did sit next to Ben & share popcorn with him while you fawned over Paul & Pedro on the big screen.

“Oh yes,” he said, dropping dramatically into the chair across from your desk. “I tried to start a lesson on the fall of the Republic, thinking it would at least make them read, & one of them actually stood up and shouted, ‘The Senate is corrupt!’”

You covered your mouth, trying not to laugh. “That’s… impressive?”

“It’s insufferable.” He gestured vaguely, looking at you like he was already regretting every life choice that had led him here. “They keep calling me ‘General,’ they refuse to sit unless it’s in some kind of weird, dramatic gladiator pose, & one kid actually tried to fight another kid with a ruler because he said he ‘had to earn his freedom.’”

At that, you couldn’t hold back your laughter anymore. “Okay, yeah. That’s a disaster.”

“Exactly!” He pointed at you like you finally got it. “So now I need backup. Someone to keep them from forming an actual underground fighting ring while I try to salvage my lesson.” He tilted his head slightly, giving you an exaggerated pleading look. “Please? For the good of the Republic?” Those eyes love to be big & pleading. So brown. So smouldering.

You rolled your eyes, still smiling. “Fine. I’ll help.”

Ben let out a dramatic sigh of relief. “Thank you. You are a true ally to Rome.” He winked.

You smirked. “Just promise me you’re not going to encourage them.” There was a pause. A very suspicious pause.

“…Define ‘encourage.’”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “Ben.”

He stood there with a sheepish look, already backing toward the door. “See you Wednesday!” With his coffee in hand he made his exit, leaving you with the distinct feeling that whatever was about to happen in his classroom later this week was going to be absolutely unhinged.

You weren’t trying to look nice today. Not exactly. It’s just that… well, if you were going to spend a whole period sitting in the back of Ben’s classroom, watching him flail through whatever chaos his students had planned, there was no harm in making sure you looked presentable. So what if you spent an extra few minutes on your hair? Or picked a shirt that you knew looked good on you? That was just… professionalism. Totally normal. Absolutely not because of the way Mr. Ben somehow managed to make a button-down & rolled-up sleeves look ridiculously attractive every single day.

Nope. Not at all.

By the time third period rolled around, you were a nervous ball of energy for lots of reasons. You were already seated at the back of his classroom, casually checking your phone as you waited for him to arrive. The desks were empty for now, but you could practically feel the energy that was about to hit. Those kids were going to walk in like they were entering the Colosseum, & you were just here to keep them from actually killing each other & help Ben out in anyway you could.

Then, the door opened. In walked Ben. In a tunic!

Not just any tunic, a white Roman-style tunic with a fitted waist, draped fabric, & a damn leather strap slung over one shoulder like he’d just stepped off the set of the movie. Like he was actually Pedro Pascal.

Your brain short-circuited. He was still wearing his usual work shoes, & he had a coffee in one hand, but somehow, he still looked like he belonged on an ancient battlefield instead of a public high school classroom. Your fingers tightened around your phone as you stared, way too hard, at the ridiculous yet unfairly good-looking sight in front of you. You can feel the butterflies in your stomach.

Ben, completely oblivious to the effect he was having, blew out a breath & ran a hand through his dark curls. “Okay, before you say anything, just know that I tried to resist.”

You blinked, mouth slightly open. “Resist… what, exactly?”

He motioned vaguely at himself. “This. The whole… outfit.” Your brain was still buffering. “But then,” he continued, sighing dramatically, “I realized that if I don’t lean into it, they’re just going to push harder. So, I figured, fine. Let’s embrace the chaos. If they want a gladiator, I’ll give them a gladiator.”

Oh, you were so in trouble. You’ve had a thing for Ben for a while but this was now unlocking a fantasy you didn’t know you had. The white tunic, the knees on display, his hair all messy. It was going to make you a hot mess especially if he was going to use his strict teacher voice at the kids, that always made something brew inside your loins.

You swallowed, forcing your voice to stay even. “Uh-huh. & you think this is going to help?” Ben shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee like he wasn’t currently dressed like every history nerd’s fantasy.

“Honestly? I have no idea. But if we’re going down, we’re going down in style.”

You nodded slowly, crossing your legs to keep yourself from fidgeting. “Right. Totally. Very… strategic of you.”

He shot you a grin. “Glad you think so. You ready?”

Absolutely not. But before you could respond, the first wave of students started trickling in, & as soon as they saw him, all hell broke loose.

“GENERAL BENEDICTUS HAS ARRIVED!” One of them screeched, the madness began.

Ben barely had time to set his coffee down before the classroom erupted into full-blown hysteria.

“GENERAL BENEDICTUS HAS ARRIVED! Roma! Roma! Roma!”

Half the class immediately slammed their fists over their hearts in some kind of dramatic salute, while the other half started chanting. Ben sighed, rubbing his temples like a man who had seen too much.

“Guys, we talked about this. No cult-like behavior before noon.”

You, meanwhile, were still recovering from the sheer visual impact of him in that tunic, so you barely managed to stifle a laugh. A group of students suddenly realised you were there. Your little chuckle instantly recognisable. A few whispers started going around.

“Miss is in awe of your presence, General,” one of them announced solemnly.

You immediately choked on air. “That is not what’s happening, I’m merely here to observe” not that any child really paid attention to that statement. Neither did Ben, the absolute menace, he grinned as he addressed you staying in character.

“You hear that? You’re in awe.”

You shot him a sharp look, refusing to acknowledge the warmth creeping up your neck. “I’m in awe of how you still have a job.” That only made him laugh as he reached for his glasses, sliding them on in one smooth motion before ruffling his curls, because apparently, he needed to make this harder for you. Those thick frames make you feel so unnecessary. You swore he did it just to be annoying. Or worse, just to test you. Because now, with the slightly messy hair & those glasses slipping down his nose, he looked less like a ridiculous history teacher playing dress-up & more like some unfairly attractive historian who had just come back from excavating Pompeii. It was too much. You needed help. You needed divine intervention. You needed to not think about attractive mr ben is normally let alone right now.

But instead, you’ve got a classroom of unruly students, whispering like this was some kind of romance subplot in their imaginary Roman drama.

One kid leaned over to another and muttered, “The Empress is struggling to contain her feelings.”

Ben clapped his hands together. “Alright, that’s enough. Everyone focus, it’s time to learn.” Damn that strict voice made the heat rise even more.

Silence. Blank stares. One kid yawned. Another pulled out their phone. Ben sighed. “Oh, so now you’re quiet?”

One of the students shrugged. “It’s just, you know… we were expecting something a little more…” He gestured vaguely. “Inspirational.”

Ben arched an eyebrow. “You want inspiration?”

“Yeah! Like, something that moves us. Like Maximus or Lucius did.”

A slow, devious smirk crept across Ben’s face. without warning, he turned, swept his arm dramatically across the room & launched into a deep, commanding voice:

“What we do in life… echoes in eternity.”

You are trying so hard to play a poker face but it’s failing. This is not good for your own imagination.

The class lost their minds. Gasps. Cheering. Someone actually stood up & yelled, “HONOUR TO GENERAL BENEDICTUS!”

You? You just sat there, gripping your chair so tightly your knuckles went white, because of course the one time you had to monitor his class was the day he decided to be the most attractive man on Earth. Ben had no idea of the effect he was having on you.

The classroom was buzzing. The students were practically vibrating with excitement, fully buying into whatever delusions of grandeur General Benedictus had inflicted upon them. Ben, clearly thriving on the attention, paced at the front of the room like he was about to lead an army into battle. You, meanwhile, were still trying to recover from that damn what we do in life echoes in eternity moment. You were not recovering well.

“Alright, soldiers of Rome,” Ben called out, clapping his hands together. “Since you all think you’re gladiators now, let’s see if you’ve actually learned anything.”

Once again Silence. The students, so loud just a second ago, suddenly looked anywhere but at him, textbook signs of kids who definitely didn’t do the assigned reading. Ben let out a long, dramatic sigh. Then, with a slow turn & a sharp flick of his wrist, he pointed straight at them.

“ARE YOU NOT EDUCATED?”

The students erupted in laughter. Someone pounded their desk. Another kid actually fell out of their chair. This was the most chaotic & most engaged you had ever seen a class.

But You on the inside, You were so done.

“Oh my god,” you muttered under your breath, pressing your fingers to your temples. Ben just smirked. Smirked! Like he knew exactly what he was doing & was loving every second of it. If he wanted to be that dramatic, then he’d better start actually teaching something.

“So,” he continued, rolling his shoulders back. Such big broad shoulders that you had tried to rest your head on in the cinema when this outfit was on the screen almost dropping hints to him that he could be your general “Let’s try this again. Who can tell me what the phrase strength & honor meant in the context of Roman military culture?”

Silence. More averted gazes. You sighed. Classic kids.

Ben, still ever the optimist, scanned the room, waiting for someone to answer. When no one did, he huffed & turned toward you.

“My lady?”

Your brain crashed.

Like, full system shutdown. Because first of all… my lady?!

Second of all, he had said it so smoothly, like it was the most normal thing in the world, like it wasn’t a one-way ticket to your complete& total flustered demise. Like he had been Acacius trying to seduce his wife in the film. Heat flooded your face instantly. You were absolutely sure, that you had just turned the exact shade of a ripe tomato.

“W-what?” you croaked, barely processing the question.

Ben raised an eyebrow, clearly amused at your sudden inability to function. “Strength & honor. What did it mean?”

Oh. Right. The actual lesson. You’d completely forgotten this was actually happening.

You cleared your throat, trying to will yourself back to sanity. “Uh, it was a motto used by Roman soldiers. It represented their loyalty to Rome & their personal code of ethics, courage, discipline, self-sacrifice.”

Ben grinned, snapping his fingers. “Exactly! See? At least someone did the reading.”

The students barely reacted, still caught up in the fact that their history teacher had just called you my lady.

You could feel them staring at you. Whispering. Giggling. Just to make it worse, one kid whispered, “The General & his Empress… a forbidden love.” But it was near you & loud enough that you could hear it.

You wanted to die.Ben, oblivious as ever, just sighed dramatically. “Can we please focus?”You were never going to live this down.

Ben then actually started teaching, everything still chaotic but getting calmer. A bit like the senate in Rome. You were so close to regaining control of yourself. Sure, you were still vaguely overheating from the my lady incident, but at least Ben had moved on. At least the students were somewhat engaged again.

“Alright, let’s talk about the structure of a Roman legion. Who can tell me how it was organized?” Ben asked the class. Dead silence. The students just stared at him, their newfound obsession with gladiators clearly not extending to actual military formations. Ben groaned. “Seriously? Nothing?”Still nothing.

You sighed, pushing back your chair as you stood up. “Okay, come on. You all know at least something about this.” The moment you moved to the front of the classroom, the energy shifted. You had co taught in the past but usually he was in a blue shirt & you hadn’t put as much effort into your look as you had today.

A low murmur ran through the students. Smirks. Whispering. Your stomach dropped. You had just hand-delivered them a golden opportunity to make things worse.

Ben, still completely unaware, just gestured toward you. “See? She believes in you. Show her that her faith is not misplaced.”

One of the kids leaned forward, grinning. “Ohhh, she believes in you, General.”

A chorus of ooohs swept through the room.You froze.

Ben turned to you, frowning in confusion. “Wait, what?”

More snickers. Another kid stage-whispered, “Our Empress stands beside her General at last.” You could feel your soul leaving your body. It’s hard enough to get kids to respect you at school but now, this would spread like the plague.

Ben blinked at the class, then looked back at you. Really looked at you. & after many years of being colleagues & friends finally, it happened. You saw the exact moment realization dawned on his face. The slightly widened eyes. The way his breath hitched just barely. The slow, dawning comprehension that maybe, just maybe, this was affecting you a little more than it should. Your lips parted slightly, your whole body tense, praying he wouldn’t say anything. Instead, being Ben, the hapless fool he is, made it worse. His mouth curved into a slow, dangerous smirk.

“Oh,” he said, voice dropping just enough to be dangerous. “I see.”

No, you don’t see anything, shut up shut up shut up.

Before you could form a single coherent thought, he turned back to the class, hands on his hips like he was thoroughly enjoying this. “Alright, settle down,” he said, his usual easy confidence returning. “The Empress & I are here to teach, not provide entertainment.”

Laughter. Absolute chaos. Someone actually clapped. You were done. Absolutely, completely done. worst of all? Ben knew it now. You could see the amusement in his stupidly handsome face. The awareness. You were so screwed.

Eventually bell finally rang, cutting through the chaos like a lifeline. You had survived just. Ben was in his element in lots of ways. Students grabbed their things, still whispering & giggling as they filed out. One of them actually had the nerve to pause by the door, hand over their heart, & declare, “Strength & honour, General. & … best of luck with your Empress.”

Ben barely held back a laugh. “Out.” You said sternly. The kid grinned & bolted before you could put them in detention for sassiness. just like that, the classroom was empty. Except for you & him. You exhaled, pressing a hand to your forehead. “Well. That was…”

Ben leaned against his desk, smirking. “Educational?”

You gave him a deadpan look. “I was going to say insufferable. But sure. Let’s go with educational.”

He chuckled, arms folding over his chest, the fabric of that damn tunic pulling across his broad manly shoulders in a way that was deeply unfair.

“Hey,” he said, tilting his head at you. “You survived.”

“Barely.” You scoffed. You turned to grab your things, determined to get out of this room before your body temperature spiked again. But then, because the universe clearly hated you, Ben spoke again.

“You know,” he mused, “for someone who came here to keep my class in order, you seemed pretty entertained.” You froze. Slowly, so slowly, you turned back to him, carefully schooling your face into neutrality.

“I was entertained,” you admitted, tilting your head. “Your theatrics were… impressive.”

Ben let out a low, amused hum. “Uh-huh.” He was looking at you now, not just with the usual casual charm, but with something… else. Something you couldn’t quite place. Before you could think too hard about it, you added, because clearly, you hadn’t suffered enough yet:

“Plus, you did look the part.” The words left your mouth before you could stop them.

Silence. Tension that the sharpest Roman blade would find hard to cut. Ben’s eyebrows lifted slightly, that slow smirk returning like he knew exactly what you meant.

“Oh?”

Oh no. Abort. Abort! Your brain thinks but your heart is leaping with joy.

“I mean…”You waved vaguely at his tunic, grasping for literally any escape. “The outfit. It worked.” Again the wrong but right thing to say. Ben watched you, eyes flicking over your face, his smirk deepening.something had shifted. The teasing was still there, but underneath it, there was something quieter. Something sharper. Like he was actually seeing you. For the first time today, maybe for the first time ever, you weren’t sure you could handle it. Your own little crush no one knew about had been fine for you to secretly have on Ben but now you could see it his eyes… he knew.

You cleared your throat, grabbing your bag. “Anyway, I should go.” Ben was still watching you, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. As you reached the door, he called out,his voice lower, softer:

“You really think I looked the part?” You didn’t dare turn around. Instead, you just threw a look over your shoulder, as casually as possible:

“Don’t let it go to your head, General.”

“Of course not…” there was a slight pause before you left & then you heard him say those two words “…my lady”

You left quickly back to your own class room, before he could see the ridiculous, completely flustered smile that had taken over your face.

You had almost recovered. Almost. How you taught period four you had no idea at all but you got through it. You were desperately trying to focus on your actual job, shoving any & all thoughts of General Benedictus out of your mind, & those rather stunning knees.

Ben was already in the teachers’ lounge when you walked in at lunch time, back in his usual teaching look, blue shirt lose tie. Not your favourite though he only wears that on parents evening.

Because the universe loved to torment you today, he was mid-conversation with another staff member, loudly recounting his lesson. You hesitated at the door, debating if you should just turn around & starve, but it was too late. You were already here. You could do this. You’d just grab your lunch, not make eye contact, & pretend like Ben hadn’t spent an entire period unknowingly ruining your life. Easy… or so you think.

You headed straight for the fridge, determined to keep your head down, however Ben’s smooth voice carried across the room. Always music to your ears.

“I mean, I knew they’d be excited about Gladiator 2,” he was saying, “but I did not expect full-scale reenactments.”

The other teacher, a geography guy from down the hall chuckled. “Yeah, I heard one of the kids say something about General Benedictus?”

Ben groaned. “Oh, that.”You stiffened, pretending to be very interested in your lunchbox. “They started calling me that the second I walked in,” Ben continued. “I figured if I didn’t lean into it, they’d only get worse.”

The other teacher laughed. “Well, they’re definitely invested. I overheard a couple of them still talking about it after class.”

Ben smirked, shaking his head. “Yeah? What were they saying?” Your heart started to race.

The geography teacher grinned, grabbing his coffee. “Something about ‘the General and his lady.’” You choked on absolutely nothing. Ben froze. You both knew by the end of the day the whole highs school would know. You are both doomed.

The other teacher frowned, looking over, not putting two & two together . “You okay?”

You cleared your throat, way too quickly. “Yeah! Fine! Totally fine!” Ben turned his head toward you so fast you were surprised he didn’t get whiplash. Slowly, his lips curled into a smirk. The menace of the man.

“Oh,” he said, voice way too entertained. “So you did hear all that.” You hated him. But you also wanted him.

Desperately trying to play it cool, you shrugged & grabbed your drink. “Hard not to, considering you’re basically broadcasting it to the entire room.”

Ben hummed, still smirking. “Huh. & here I thought you weren’t that entertained by my theatrics.”

Any bit of resolve & restrain from you was falling, crumbling like the Roman Empire.

The geography teacher, completely oblivious to the war happening between you two, just laughed. “Man, those kids are gonna be talking about this for weeks.”

Ben shot you one last look, smug, amused, interested, before turning back to him. “Yeah,” he said, lips quirking. “Something tells me this isn’t over.” You practically sprinted out of the room with your lunch. Because, judging by the way Ben had just looked at you, you had a very bad feeling he was absolutely right. There was nothing you could do to stop this plague of the general & his empress being the school gossip.

You barely managed to hold yourself together until you were out of the teachers’ lounge. The second the door swung shut behind you, you let out a sharp, frustrated breath. You didn’t know your heart could pump that hard & fast. Every nerve on edge. You stormed down the hallway, gripping your lunch like it had personally offended you. You weren’t even thinking about where you were going, just that you needed out. Away from the smirking menace that was Ben. Away from the way he’d looked at you, like he was considering something he never had before.

Your feet carried you straight to his classroom. Of course they did. It was auto pilot. On Wednesdays you & Ben always have a little catch up at lunch in his class before the afternoon lessons. You shoved the door open, dropped your lunch on a desk, & pressed your hands against the cool surface, trying to breathe. You needed a minute. Just one minute to collect yourself. To not think of that smug handsome face.

The door swung open behind you.

You knew who it was before he even spoke.

“Wow,” Ben said, voice far too amused as he leaned against the doorframe. “Didn’t realize my classroom was your personal melodrama retreat.”

You squeezed your eyes shut. “Oh god, just leave it for 5 minutes please”

Ben stepped inside, letting the door fall shut behind him. You felt him approach before you even turned.

“I mean, you did run out of there pretty fast,” he continued, his tone light but aware. “Almost like you were trying to avoid something.”

You whipped around, pointing at him. “Oh, don’t you dare…”

He raised his hands in mock innocence. “What? I’m just making an observation.”

You scoffed, grabbed you lunch & went to walk past him to head to anywhere he wouldn’t be. But Ben, of course, moved with you. He turned just enough to stay in your space, his smirk deepening as he watched you try to put distance between you.

“C’mon,” he drawled, voice dangerously smooth. “Tell me the truth. You were a little entertained today.” He was close enough you could hear his voice reverberate. Sounding so soothing. Ben leaned in slightly. “Also…” His voice dropped just a bit. Just enough to really ruin you. “You did say I looked the part.”

You whirled on him, eyes flashing. “I hate you.”

He grinned. “No, you don’t.” The tension was suffocating now.

Something tight & hot crackled in the space between you, heavy enough to steal your breath. You swallowed hard, pulse hammering as you forced yourself to hold his gaze. “You…” Your voice came out shakier than intended. “You are the most insufferable man I have ever met.” Ben tilted his head, studying you. His smirk faltered for just a second. His eyes flicked to your lips. that was when you knew. He wasn’t just teasing anymore. He felt more .He wanted you flustered. He wanted this tension. He wanted you.

Your breath hitched.

Ben exhaled slowly, his voice turning low—thoughtful.

“…Huh.”

You swallowed. “What?”

Ben’s tongue flicked over his bottom lip, his gaze burning now. “Just thinking,” he murmured. “Maybe the kids were onto something.”Your stomach flipped. Because suddenly, you were the one being studied. You were the one making him pause.The tension was too much.You needed to get out.

Now!

Without another word, you spun on your heel, practically running for the door. Ben didn’t stop you. But as you yanked the door open, his voice followed you, soft, teasing, and way too damn smug.

“Speak later, my lady.” You slammed the door shut behind you. Ben on the other side of the door just smiled. Feeling his own butterflies. Wondering how his heart had never felt this way about you before.

You had never been so happy to see the end of the school day. Back home, no kids, no gossip, no Ben or General Benedictus. You had done everything in your power to shake off the day. You’d taken a shower. You’d put on comfy pajamas. You’d made tea, curled up on your couch, & sworn to yourself that you weren’t going to think about him.

Yet Here you were, staring at your phone. Almost like you were manifesting it as you opened your messages, right there, was his name on your screen. New message to read.

Ben: So. About today.

You blinked.Oh, hell no.

You couldnt help it though. You were typing back before you could stop yourself.

You: No.

Three dots appeared almost instantly.

Ben: What do you mean, “no”???

You groaned, flopping back against your couch. Of course he was doing this. Of course he wasn’t letting it go.

Another message popped up.

Ben: C’mon, admit it. You had fun today.

You hesitated.Your fingers hovered over the keyboard, torn between ignoring him &…well …Being honest. Because you had fun. You did. You always did with him. Even when he was an idiot. He was your friend, your idiot & you wanted him to be more than a friend. Even when he was making you want to tear your hair out. You needed him more than air especially, when he was making your stomach flip with nothing but a smirk a

& a well-placed my lady. You exhaled sharply, shaking your head before finally typing back.

You: It was tolerable.

Ben’s reply was instant.

Ben: Tolerable?? Wow. Okay. I see how it is.

You smirked, suddenly very pleased with yourself.

You: Glad we’re on the same page.

A pause. Three dots… & then

Ben: …And what page is that, exactly?

Your breath hitched. Because that… that was flirting. The menace. The smug handsome menace. You bit your lip, heart hammering as you stared at the screen, trying to figure out how to respond

…Another message.

Ben: Because personally, I think we’re on a very interesting page.

You froze.Your pulse roared.Oh.Oh. Not that he could see you getting flustered, but you felt like he could. Ben was not just teasing anymore. He was doing this on purpose. Your stomach flipped, for a split second, you considered throwing your phone across the room, changing your number & running away. But that was to irrational. Instead, you took a steadying breath &typed back, pulse racing.

You: And what kind of page would that be, General?

This time, his reply took a little longer. when it finally appeared, your entire body burned.

Ben: Wouldn’t you like to know, my lady?

Oh, you were so in trouble.

You had barely slept. Which was entirely Ben’s fault. When you did eventually get some

Sleep, your dreams were filled with him wearing that costume, smiling like the cat with all the cream & also adjusting his glasses in the sexiest way. After that conversation last night, especially the teasing, the my lady, you had spent hours replaying every little moment from yesterday, overthinking everything.

Now on Thursday you were sitting at your desk, nursing a coffee like it was the only thing keeping you alive, desperately trying to pretend like you weren’t waiting for him to show up. Because of course he was going to show up. He was Ben. Even without his information he liked to pop in each morning to see how his friend was… now the tension & unspoken words meant more than friends was very much on the cards. when the door finally opened, & he stepped inside you felt the flutter of your heart. Yeah. You were so screwed. Because Ben wasn’t just Ben today. He was smug Ben. Ben with a purpose. & this Ben, well he was wearing your favorite tie.

You froze. It wasn’t parents evening, this was a deliberate choice for you… for his empress eyes only. Ben smirked, strolling in with zero shame, his hands tucked in his pockets like he knew exactly what he was doing.

“Morning,” he said casually. God that voice was so enchanting. Your eyes flicked to the tie. Then back to his way too pleased face.

“You’re wearing that on purpose,” you accused.

Ben tilted his head, all faux innocence. “Wearing what?”

You glared. “The tie.”

Ben glanced down at himself like he’d just now noticed. “Oh. Huh. I guess I am.”

You groaned, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Well it’s still a nice tie” he shrugged at your words. “your impossible somethings you know that”

Ben chuckled, stepping closer. “You said that yesterday too. Starting to think it’s your pet name for me.”

Your face burned. Like you had been a naughty student being told off by her favourite teacher.

Before you could snap at him, he pulled something from behind his back, a coffee. Your favorite coffee. He placed it on your desk with a smirk. “Peace offering.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, suspicious. “Why?”

Ben shrugged, his voice dipping into something softer,something almost sincere.

“Because I was kind of an ass yesterday, it was kinda fun though,” he admitted. “& because…” His lips twitched. “I don’t want my lady holding a grudge.”

You hated how much that stupid nickname made your stomach flip. You sighed, glancing at the coffee. “You’re so lucky I need caffeine.”

Ben chuckled. “I know.”

Yours in your mug had gone cold so because you were weak, you took a sip. It was so good. You let out a little moan, this was when Ben moved closer. Close enough that the air shifted. Close enough that you could smell him, his stupid cologne, the faint scent of coffee on his breath. Close enough that your heart stumbled, because suddenly, it didn’t feel like teasing anymore. It felt like something else. Something bigger. Something dangerous. Something desired.

You swallowed hard, setting the cup down with slightly shaky hands. “You should…”You cleared your throat your voice trembling & betraying you. “You should go before class starts.” Ben didn’t move. His gaze flicked down, to your lips, which you didn’t realise were pouting.Then back up. Slow. Intentional. & so very hot. Your breath hitched.

finally, Ben exhaled, stepping back with a knowing smirk.”See you later, my lady.”

He left you staring as he walked out, trying to comprehend its all, gripping your desk, completely ruined.

The day had been torture. Ever since Ben waltzed into your classroom that morning, smirking, wearing that tie, giving you your coffee, he’d been everywhere. Usually this is nice but after the recent developments of the last couple of days this was suddenly impossible. Walking past your door at just the right moment. Flashing you a look during lunch. Brushing just a little too close in the hallway. Every single time, it sent your brain straight into dangerously unprofessional territory. With that & kids from all year groups asking you about his infamous history lesson, You’d barely made it through the day.

Just before the final bell, you found yourself back in his classroom. Alone. The excuse had been flimsy at best, something about checking on a lesson plan, making sure tomorrow’s class was set, but the truth? You had caved. Because avoiding him clearly wasn’t working. Neither was pretending you didn’t want him just as badly as he wanted you.

You stood near his desk, fingers tapping against the edge, when the door opened behind you. You didn’t even have to turn around. You knew who it was.

Ben’s voice was low, teasing. “Couldn’t stay away, huh?”

You let out a sharp breath, turning to face him. “You are”

“I know,” he smirked. “Impossible.” You glared, but your own eyes danced at him betraying you. Ben took another step closer. “Admit it,” he murmured, tilting his head. “You’ve been thinking about it all day.”

You swallowed. “Thinking about what?”

Ben’s gaze dropped, to your lips. Your stomach flipped.

“This,” he murmured.

His large hand cupped your face, your eyes locked, warmth filled you veins as your lips parted & then he kissed you.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t hesitant. It was everything he had been holding back. His hands found your waist, pulling you against him, & god, he kissed like he meant it. Like he had been dying to do this. Like he had no intention of stopping anytime soon. Your fingers curled into his shirt, your body melting into him, holy hell…this hot & it was happening. After all the teasing. After all the tension. It was bloody happening.

Crash!

The door swung open. A chorus of outrageous teenage gasps filled the room.

“Ohhh my god!”

“Called it! Called it!”

“THE GENERAL & HIS LADY.”

You ripped yourself away from Ben, mortified, while he just groaned, rubbing his face.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered. You turned to face the students, who were, at this point, losing their minds.

One of them dramatically clutched their chest. “Sir, I feel betrayed.”

Another wagged their finger at you both. “So that’s why she was in the back of the class yesterday, she wasn’t just observing; she was admiring.”

Ben let out a deep sigh. “Alright, that’s enough. You all have classes to get to” It did nothing.

One kid just grinned at you. “Miss, was the lesson that entertaining?”You wanted to die.

Ben turned to you, clearly biting back a smile. “You did say you were entertained.” You digged him in the ribs, Hard.

The kids absolutely lost it, Ben just laughed, because now, neither of you had any chance of pretending this wasn’t real. You didn’t want to. You were ecstatic Ben felt the same way as you.

Some of the kids dispersed & left the door & you saw this as your moment to leave too. You had made it maybe three steps out of Ben’s classroom before a very firm hand wrapped around your wrist, tugging you right back inside.

The door now shut. Just you & your man. The kids all off to their lessons their little display they had witnessed now private.

Ben wasted no time & pressed up against the desk, staring up at a very smug, very smirking Ben. You exhaled sharply, trying to ignore the way your entire body thrummed at the closeness.

“Running away?” he asked, voice way too amused.

You glared. “You’re insufferable.”

Ben just hummed. “& yet, here you are.”

Your pulse roared. Because he was right. You were here. & you weren’t running. Not anymore.

“I’ve always been here Ben, it’s always been you” you run your hand through his hair.

Ben studied you, his smirk softening just a bit.

“So,” he murmured, voice dipping into something dangerous, “are we going to talk about what just happened?” You swallowed hard.

“Well,” you managed, trying to sound casual, “we did just get caught making out in your classroom, so…” you face can’t hide your delight.

Ben groaned, closing his eyes. “Don’t remind me.”

You grinned. “Oh, we will never be allowed to live this down.”

His eyes flicked open, burning now. “That so?”

Your stomach flipped. “Mhm.”

Ben tilted his head, watching you closely. “Y’know,” he mused, voice dropping just enough to ruin you, “I actually kept the costume.”Your breath hitched. Oh, that was dangerous information. Your lips parted slightly, your brain immediately spiraling into places it shouldn’t…

Ben noticed. He always notices even when he thought he didn’t.

His smirk deepened. “Oh, you like that, huh?”You refused to give him the satisfaction of an answer. But your face, the way it burned, the way your gaze flickered just slightly, betrayed you.

Ben grinned. “Wow,” he teased, “& here I thought you were all prim and proper”

“I am into roleplay,” you cut in flatly, surprising even yourself. Ben froze. You saw it, the slight stumble, the way his pupils dilated. His tongue gliding over his bottom lip.

“Ohhh,” he murmured, stepping closer—too close. “You’re going to be so much fun.” Your breath caught.

Before you could think, before you could stop yourself, you leaned in slightly, just enough to whisper, “Isn’t that right, Benedictus ?” Ben froze solid. For the first time all day, he was the one caught off guard. His jaw tensed. His fingers twitched against your hip. His entire body stilled as something hotter, something darker, flashed in his eyes. Suddenly, you were the one in control.

Ben inhaled sharply, his gaze flicking over your face. “You’re playing a very dangerous game, my lady.”

You smirked. “Am I?”

Ben exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “You have no idea what you just started.”Your heart pounded. Then just as he leaned in, just as you swore he was about to ruin you completely.

A knock.

You both jumped back as the door creaked open slightly.

“Uh, sir?”

You turned, only to see one of the students from earlier, barely holding back a shit-eating grin.

“We forgot our books,” they said, clearly lying, their eyes flicking between the two of you.

Ben sighed, rubbing his temples. “Jesus Christ.”

The student just smirked. “You’re welcome.” They bolted, laughing way too hard as they ran down the hall. Ben groaned. You just grinned, grabbing your bag & heading for the door. But just before you stepped out, you leaned in one last time, letting your lips brush his ear.

“Strength & honor, Benedictus .” Leaving Ben standing there, stunned, breathless, & completely ruined. This was so not over. Not by a long shot.

One thing lead to another & it was soon Friday night. You were sat on Ben sofa, an occurrence that happened from time to time as friends. It’s usually at this time in the evening you either ask for a pillow & blanket so you can crash at his or he puts the two of you in a uber so he can make sure you get back to yours safely before taking the exact same uber back to his. He was always a gentleman to his lady, he had never truly realised it until earlier in the week.

What at the start of the week had been a friendship had tonight ended up with the two of you at a nice steak house, longing glances over wine, hand strokes, moments where silence was all the was needed, & kisses tasting better then the delicious meal you had eaten. This was more than friends. You sat in the sofa trembling a little, wondering where Ben was he had been gone a while. Had he gone to bed & forgotten about you sat on his sofa?

“My lady” you hear bounce off the walls breaking the silence.

“My gen…” you don’t complete the sentence as you turn your head to his direction. The room is now filled with your laughter. There he is. Back in his Roman costume. The white glistening, the cape swishing, the hair messed up. He’s showing off his broad shoulders & Tiny waist. Those knees, oooh they made your own go weak. He look’s ridiculous & exquisite at the same time. The smirk on his face twitching. Clearly he is glad this has an impression on you.

“Tell me, if we were the general & his wife, how would I court you?” He asks. “Would I bring you flowers, would I bring you wine, would…”

“Your favourite tie, bringing me coffee & your sexy glasses is all I’ve ever needed Benedictus” you interrupt & slowly get off the sofa making your way across to him. You hesitate at first to touch him but then see the want in his eyes so your hands glide over his shoulder. You let out a deep sigh, inhaling his scent. Always arousing.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“cos your much older & way out of my league”

You say looking down stroking the soft material. He then grabs under your chin & lifts it. The eye contact intense, his words from the soul.

“I may be slow at picking up signs, but if you’d let me know much sooner, we could have been addressing this along time ago” his thumb trails over your lips. You stand on your top toes to make sure those lips connect with his. Deep, powerful & emotional, like this kiss has been built up for years, which in your head it has. His hands were caressing your neck as the kiss got steamier before one of them slid to your back & slowly started work on the zip on your dress.

“Maybe this needs to happen somewhere more grand for a general” you say, breathy already. Radiating arousal at his touch as the zip reaches your lower back.

“Only the best for my lady” he says before he scoops you up into his arms & carry’s you to the bed you have long dream or of occupying.

Ben lays you down gently on the bed, his hands never leaving your body, as if afraid this might all vanish if he let go. You reach up, fingers immediately finding the soft folds of his cape, tugging at it slowly until it slips from his shoulders & you discard it onto the floor. Your eyes trail over him, the absurdity of the costume, the way he somehow manages to make it sexy. The chest plate is next, & as you unclip it, your knuckles brush against warm skin & tense muscle beneath. Ben watches you, breath heavy, lips parted, not saying a word. His gaze is hungry. Focused. Mush like a general about to conquer what’s rightfully his.

“Tell me,” you whisper as you reach for the fabric at his waist, “did they make underwear in ancient Rome?”

Ben huffs a soft laugh, tilting your chin with his finger. “For you? I’m going historically accurate.” & sure enough, when the final layer drops, he’s gloriously, completely bare beneath.

Your breath catches. You’ve seen him before, glimpses, tight shirts, damp post gym moments, but nothing prepared you for this. He’s all power & heat & perfectly ruined restraint, & somehow, still smirking like he knows exactly what he’s doing to you.

You sit up, sliding your dress off your shoulders & letting it pool around your waist before you shimmy it the rest of the way down. You’re in your underwear, but not for long. Ben takes over, unclasping your bra with skillful fingers before tossing it aside. He kisses down your shoulder, your collarbone, reverent, teasing, & hot as sin.

“Now,” he says lowly, voice rough & dark against your ear. “How do you want this?” Its commanding. He’s into this.

You bite your lip, emboldened by the haze between you. “I want to taste you.”

Ben’s breath catches. His hands flex at your hips. “Yeah?” he murmurs.

You nod, grinning as you push him back onto the pillows & crawl up his body, straddling his chest for a moment, teasing, before shifting lower. At the same time, he tugs you gently forward, guiding you with that same maddening patience he always has, only this time, it’s deliciously wicked.

Before long, you’re both shifting into place, mouths hungry, bodies aligned in that perfect, obscene symmetry. You moan against him the moment he slides his tongue over you slowly, expert, so Ben. He groans, hips jerking as you take him in your mouth in return.

It’s messy, hot, overwhelming. It’s worship & ruin & everything you’ve both been holding back. He tastes like salt & skin, & you make a mental note to thank the Roman gods for whatever twist of fate led to this exact moment. Just before the edge starts to creep in, before your entire body threatens to break from the pressure of it all, Ben pulls back just long enough to murmur, breathless against your thigh:

“Still entertained, my lady?” You just moan your answer because words? Useless now… & will be for the rest of the night.

Saturday morning & Ben’s bedroom was a mess. The sheets were tangled & smelled of you. His gladiator costume was somewhere on the floor, a discarded relic of the absolute sin that had taken place. You were still breathless. Your body was boneless, melted into the mattress, your skin still buzzing from everything he’d done to you the night before & this morning. Ben, equally wrecked, lay beside you, one arm draped lazily across your stomach. Neither of you spoke. Not yet. Still in a sexual haze of lust. Because neither of you had fully recovered. But the silence wasn’t awkward. It was warm & comforting. You look at your man, watching his magnificent chest rise & fall. Noticing every drip of sweat. He’s perfect. He’s your kind of perfect.

Your fingers lazily traced along his forearm, & Ben hummed, a low, deep sound that sent a pleasant shiver down your spine. Arousing you instantly. You turned your head, finding him already watching you. Smirking. The Smug bastard.

“You’re insufferable,” you muttered, voice hoarse from… well… Everything.

Ben chuckled. “& impossible” he added that made you laugh “yet…” His hand slid along your waist, pulling you even closer. “Here you are.”

Your lips twitched. He wasn’t wrong. You exhaled, tilting your head just enough to kiss him, slow, lazy, thorough. Ben sighed into it, his fingers pressing into your hip, his body shifting just enough to remind you, that He wasn’t done with you yet. His erection is already starting to form again.

When you finally pulled away, he gave you that look. The one that had ruined you in the first place. The one that meant trouble.

“Y’know,” he murmured, his nose brushing against yours, “I think that was my best history lesson yet.”

You huffed a laugh. “Is that so?”

“Mhm.” His fingers trailed absently along your thigh. “& you, make an excellent student.”

Clearly the role play of him coming home after a grand battle was now making him have even more of a teacher fantasy. You were only going to encourage it. You smirked. “Think I deserve extra credit?” Ben grinned, flipping you onto your back with zero effort, settling right between your legs.

“Oh, my lady,” he murmured, voice wicked & full of promise.”I think you deserve everything.”

Then he showed you exactly what he meant.

Again.

& again.

& again.

Making sure you really were entertained.

[forsaken-headcanons]

i ' ve been rotating the idea of an objectified forsaken crossover in my mind for a while , so why not post it here ?

[ major spoilers for objectified ofc . ]

-

-

▪︎ the spectre has no clue how they got there . they ' re effective , though , so they stay .

▪︎ wagyu and citrus are the only survivors who were forsakened as killers [citrus because he has one of the highest kill counts aside from like dynamite / mushroom and wagyu because . well . the parasites . ]

▪︎ ^ if he ' s alone , wagyu ' s body will revert back to his " normal " form [ no visible signs of assimilation ] . elliot thought he was a survivor and tried giving him pizza . he was saved for last that round .

▪︎ whenever he ' s killer , wagyu physically restrains himself from going anywhere near dragonscale in fear of accidentally assimilating her , not knowing assimilation is impossible in the rounds .

▪︎ ^ meanwhile , citrus won ' t exactly go out of his way to spare spool , but might save him for last , due to their bond .

▪︎ dynamite and mushroom find themselves wandering into the forest outside of rounds , due to force of habit . it worries the others .

▪︎ the survivors physically restrain anyone else from trying to stun wagyu , mushroom is the only one allowed to do so because of her assimilation immunity . chance is an exception , due to his gun .

▪︎ dragonscale does not recognize wagyu , due to his bug - like features .

▪︎ shedletsky has tried riding razor once . it did not go well .

▪︎ citrus mainly targets 007n7 and two time , due to being " easy targets " in his eyes .

▪︎ due to her tonic immobility , sharps is usually easy to kill . gum stays close to her due to that fact .

▪︎ fuzzball always has to stay near razor , due to her delirium . razor can and will kill other survivors in her outbursts . c00lkidd is afraid of her .

▪︎ painkiller and fossil have began researching about the spectre . their findings were ... startling to it , so they were found in the lake .

▪︎ sugarcube and c00lkidd get along startlingly well . minty and 007n7 bond over this fact , but brandy carries a grudge against him [ " his kid tries to kill us . " ] .

▪︎ two time has tried to convert sugarcane to the spawn cult . she was afraid of them , so she called her dads . two time had a black eye .

▪︎ spool still has his knife and crowbar . he refuses to stun citrus , though .

▪︎ wagyu hates two time , they remind him of sunny . two time is always the first one dead in his rounds .

i ' ll probably add more in a separate ask , so , may i be known as ' vanilla anon ' ? thank you in advance . stay safe !

I JUST GOT ONTO OBJECTIFIED hi this reminded me to go catch up. I was also kicking my feet and giggling while reading these they all fit so well /silly Objectified and Forsaken crossover fits so well the more I think about it omg.

Wagyu as a Forsaken killer sounds horrifying. Citrus would make use of the damage effects in Forsaken though I can't give examples, can't remember right now. Something like hallucinatory effects. Actually both of them would do that. Actually actually half the cast would have some hallucinations due to the whole starsheet thing

I feel like most of the Objectified cast would be Sentinels, or at least Survivalists with defensive capabilities. At least tougher than ones like 007n7 and Noob. Also Minty and Brandy sharing some form of molotov ability but it works best when they're together forcing them to work together again. Some of characters like Sugarcube or Fuzzball could be Supports but half of them are Sentinels to me

Seeing that this AU puts the Objectified survivors with the Forsaken characters- There's another swords(wo)man on the team with Gum now!! Shedletsky would probably want to duel with her for fun, though Gum wouldn't like him as much. Especially with Sharps. Gum staying with Sharps is so cute,,, Oh and I think John Doe's corrupted form might remind the survivors of the parasites back in Objectified.

I love everything about this hi Razor hi Dynamite and Mushroom hi Fossil and Painki Oh. Oh they're um. hcoughs. hi Dragonscale hi Brandy and Minty!! Also Sugarcube and c00lkidd getting along aww

I yapped a bit much for this (probably my longest post oh gosh) but hi vanilla anon, welcome!! This is good please drop more ideas /nf

[wurrrmlyy]

Solitary Bee!Autobot High Command

vague as hell descriptions for these guys. Sorry! The specifics are subject to change but it's okay. Earthspark is the background of this AU but I make up my own designs... I'm so cool like that. Also deepest apologies to any screen readers I'm not sure how legible the alt description is!!!

i am essentially playing toys here. i have taken earthspark apart at the seams and then remade it. S1 is mostly canon compliant though. probably

Information dump under the cut ↓

Pre VS Post-Earth AB High Command

The Autobot High Command was once much, much larger. At its peak, it consisted of:

Optimus Prime

Elita One

Ironhide

Prowl

Jazz

Ratchet

Red Alert

and more!! I havent figured everyone out yet

Currently, it's just Prowl, Elita, Megatron and Optimus. The Earth mecha previously hypothesized that Cybertron is dead and any mecha inhabiting it is also dead, but then Prowl showed up!

ELITA ONE

Elita is a very capable SIC, but has a sharp attitude and while alluring in general, is not exactly charismatic. She has fantastic war stories and took part in the original rebellion against the senate before the factional split.

She is a highly decorated general with several monstrosities under her belt.

With the limbo that came from Megatron joining and then immediately getting unofficially integrated into the HC, Elita has become a little bit pissed off. Optimus, you can't just do that! That's stupid!

General snippets:

Elita was handmade by a blacksmith during an economic lapse. She originally was a dual-wheel model with heavy armor and strength. In Functionist Cybertron she tested, ran and operated heavy equipment. In wartime models like hers would probably be enlisted as multi-use canon fodder because theyre just so durable

She has a vague moral backbone... her strongsuit was doing all the things that made Optimus queasy. This was a lot of things in the early days of the war.

Elita was the one that found Bumblebee when she popped out of the hotspot

Very angry. Elita crashed out several times during the war. Jazz so eloquently put it; "when she was mad, the world around shrunk away in fear!"

Earth needs has led her to adopting a somewhat sillier behavior. Frankly, it has not mellowed her intense personality out in the slightest. Bumblebee remains terrified of her to this day, but that might be a Bumblebee thing. It does make children more receptive of her, though.

Jawbreaker thinks Elita is SOOO cool. Elita has tried her hand at being some kind of mentor to him. Unfortunately, Elita is no exception to the 'terrible with children' rule of HC. As evident by Bumblebee.

She is a TANK. She is the heavy hitter and the hit taker!! She has a big heart but its also full of nails and ash

OP has probably destroyed his friendship with Elita. Communication faltered on Earth. Is Megatron in the HC? Is he a co-leader? Is he the new SIC? Elita doesn't think he should have the power he has at all!! Not this early, at least.

Probably the most 'on task' out of the Big 3 (OP, Megs & Elita). She doesn't think Optimus is taking this seriously, and is also convinced that Megatron is still malicious even if she respects his attempts at 'doing better'

elita should also probably be trying to 'do better' though... looking at that war criminal resume

PROWL

Prowl is the Autobot paperwork guy. He makes everyone's life easier, and is also the Chief Tactical Officer. He's polite to a fault, and somehow comes off as a prick all the same, which probably has to do with his unnerving gaze. Those eyes pin you to an operating table, it's extremely unpleasant. Nobody has ever told him this.

He's level-headed and neutral toned, and most of his emotions have to be picked apart through knowing him for a long time and being receptive to micro-movements.

When he showed up to Earth, he immediately crashed upon seeing Optimus and Megatron in tandem with each other. He does not trust Megs at all.

General snippets:

The reason nobody has told Prowl he has a clinical stare is probably Jazz's fault. Jazz wholeheartedly believed that Prowl would tear his own face off if it came to it.

i drew his lineart with the wrong brush

Has an unspecified history with Tarantulas as a reference to IDW. Uhhh he hates the guy and does not trust him anywhere near the Terrans. He's definitely scared of him but the whole thing is in the background

Prowl's extreme caution was given to Bumblebee. There is a running gag in my head about Bumblebee's hab on the Ark being in multiple places at once. Prowl approved of this. HC rule of 'being atrocious with kids'

Prowl is disabled. He has 'crashes' pretty infrequently, but they build up and can be perpetuated by stress. Lengthy crashes can cause processor damage through heat so he has several cooling mods. Crashes make him extremely disoriented.

His existence as a tactical officer was top secret for a very long portion of the war. this made him very isolated

i have genuinely no idea where i got the 'polite, terrifying, comes off as a prick' interpretation of prowl but its there and its not leaving

okay thats it i dont have anymore energy left to pump into this thing

[shaibonbon]

Was there a particular event in Bonbon's life that caused her shift in personality from happy Minibon to current adult Bon?

(For the lazy readers) Yes. As much as I say it was a gradual change, I can divide it up into 4 major events and from those events, the 3rd one is (imo) the most impactful one on her personality shift. Tdlr, in 7th grade she ends up changing classes and ends up with no friends and with falling grades, that spills into disaster. Warning, Big lore dump bellow:

(Now the yapping answer for Edu, since you are the only one reading all of it. If you aren't Edu and read all of this, please say something I will give u a cookie). To talk about it, I need to give some context about the previous stages. Her life doesn't happen in a vacuum, so the events that came beforehand, already changed shaped in ways that matter (and we have to be on the same page here).

I want to say, this is all a bit WIP, I don't have good names for the events despite having somewhat clear timelines, it goes: Birthday Party, School change, 7th grade, and graduation.

Birthday Party

This takes place when Bonbon is very young (the bon on the left in the drawing). It is also what I was drawing on that unfinished comic 💔. I still plan to BUT, I have been thinking, and I will probably draw some simpler episodes before that comic. Anyhow, the consequences of that party is in a way where it all began. Like I did put in the sheet, Mini Bon is a very energetic cute bunny, and in almost natural way she tried talking with the entire class and considered everyone, even some outside of it, as friends. That all stops after the party. Kinda like a harsh dose of reality is injected all at once on her special day. Her trust with everyone, including her closest friends, suffers greatly and she gets hugely upset. From the this point forward, she kinda pulls back from interacting with most of them. She becomes more cautious, more insecure and far less extroverted. And welp, from the pov of an outsider you would look at her after a few weeks the effects might seem "subtle", but they linger on for the next years and have an impact, even if she doesn't realize it or thinks about it. (This event is probably the one I need to work out more, so if it feels a bit empty thats why)

School change

it's fairly obvious how impactful this one can be. Bon unlike her former classmates, ends up changing to a school in a different on village. It's scary, new environment, new schedules and routines, lots of new people, teachers and expectations. Bon doesn't handle it well. For example, the new schedule means she has to wake up way earlier while arriving home later. While this isn't that bad, it does mean she is more tired and has less free time to have fun. While the new routine it's a bit brutal for her initially, she struggles a lot. Getting the wrong bus, leaving the wrong bus stop, missing the bus, and many other things she screws up that I won't dive rn (future comic episodes perhaps) Trying to make new friends is not easy either. All classmates already know each other and have their friends group formed. It leaves her into this situation when the bell rings, she is left awkwardly alone. Bon becomes more anxious, shy and bit more withdrawn.

It's not all bad luck, Bon gets "adopted" by Cinnamon (who's design I haven't shown yet) and they become such good friends they turn into besties. At this moment you see the previous event affect how she behaves, no longer being the extrovert, she was and being far more cautious with who she chooses to be friends, she ends up focusing on just this one friendship. Quality>quantity way. This for real helps her survive the next 2 years in that school. Sounds good eh? Still, the silly nerd mini bon you see me post around, only exists to those who are closest to her (Cinnamon). Rest of the class knows nothing about her, to them she is just a quiet ghost during class and outside nobody. They don't really care either. Neither does bon, she already has what she wanted.

7th Grade

Ah the breaking point! (middle bon in the drawing) After 2 years, due to the school system works and the subjects she picked, she gets shuffled to a total different class. Cinnamon, despite still being in the same school, stops passing most time with Bon. Not only their calendars don't match up, them having no means of contact outside of school, and having classes in different blocks of school meant they really only saw each other a few times a week. Cinnamon meanwhile just made new cool friends, ending up passing time with them instead. (dw bon, at least you had to be replaced by like 5 people) Bonbon on the other hand fails to connect with any new people (partly a lot due to the 2 previous phases). it's not for a lack of trying mind you, she really doesn't connect with anyone the same way she did with the fox, she got extremely unlucky.

Another factor into play, 7th grade is when school gets more serious. Bon is a intelligent person, but that actually backfired on her. She never felt the need to study or work outside of school. What she learned in class was usually enough for her to get average-good grades. But from this point onward you had to study and practice. But when you pass most of your life without studying, you don't learn or get the motivation to do it from one day to the other. Nor do you make it a habit. (hint: she starts falling) To make it worse, school calendar just got brutal, she could be waking up at like 7:00 and arriving home at 19:40. Aside from being extremely boring, it sucks the energy out of you. You arrive home and the last thing you want to see is a freaking textbook. You just want to relax and have fun for once, so you you game a little too much.

I want to put yourself in her boots. You have basically no friends, your grades in school plummet, no matter how hard you try. At the same time you arrive home constantly tired and drained, also you are a teen, puberty is a thing and it does affect your behavior. How would you feel? Welp, for this poor teen bunny girl, saying she got very upset is to put it lightly. It nukes her self-esteem, everything just starts feeling hopeless to her. Small things change, thinking of a pretty outfit becomes an annoying chore, and no one would care either way, so you skip that for the extra minutes of sleep. Quickly, trying to talk with people at school takes too much energy and feels like a waste. You become grumpy, closed of and rude sometimes. Hard to find reasons to smile when life sucks am right? I could go on but you probably get how this is the most significant "major point" bc she gets very similar to how Bonbon is later in life. It's basically the middle ground between the 2 phases, you can still make her smile, she still would appreciate if you talked to her. Her eyes will light up if you bring a topic she likes. This phase lasts for around 2 years, think of it as a big storm. (in the drawing this is Bonbon on the right) Afterwards she manages to enter contact with Cinnamon outside of school and they reconnect again. Her grades are no longer going in into hell, heck some improve. Later on she gets lucky and even lands in the same class of Cinnamon again. Life starts to look up til-

Graduation, it is the final one, which I will leave for another day or ask. The final piece for how she becomes nowadays Bonbon.

I hope you enjoyed reading this very WIP, cringe, badly written lore dump. Hopefully it gives y'all a clearer picture of what I'm aiming for tho, and that I in fact do have in mind a clear story and episodes layed out for Bonbon. (Granted i have to write them and draw them). Of course I didn't go into much detail, I mainly explained the consequences of each phase. I didn't go through the episodes of those phases, since many of these "events", (or the correct word would be "phases") last a few years and are a lot of episodes together. Welp thank you<33.

[doubleslashkarma]

I do think that like, most of Newt’s character IS a good person. But I do think he falls into the catergory of being too scared to go against those in positions of power in him (ie, higher keepers/kingdom leaders) and default thinks of their actions as good, and it caused Lukey to get hurt a lot. I do think he’s realized that they were wrong now though

oh yeah, so. to be a bit more serious about it, my newt hate is a tad bit over-exaggerated. i do think he's mostly a decent guy. most of my beef with him revolves around his actions (or more accurately, inaction) while Lucas was being held hostage.

more yapping under the cut because i do go into more detail here:

my post earlier was because some people in lukey's chat seemed genuinely taken aback by the idea that newkey might have been toxic. (i think they were probably fine in the Kingdom of Null era, but once it moved to the lab it all went to shit).

the fact that he was being considered for high keeper indicates to me that he was in a position of power. not THE authority, but perhaps higher ranking than an average joe. and he really did... nothing at all to stop what happened to lucas from happening

we have memories of newt telling lucas that "they can be annoying, but they're good people" and then immediately turning around and having to make sure that lucas remembers his own name. in lukey's memory lane, one of the books explicitly states that newt denied lucas freedom on multiple occasions. ("i did tell you they wouldn't like you going out" is INSANELY victim-blamey as well, but c'est la vie). newt i think downplayed the severity of what they were doing to lucas in his own head and convinced himself that it was for the best. far too long, in fact. to the point where there was nothing left.

newt broke lukey out, yes, but not until lucas was functionally dead. he let his belief that the keepers wouldn't hurt lucas blind him, and i have to believe it wasn't entirely subconscious at some point, considering he was clearly aware of how bad it was.

the fact that newt has chosen to keep his distance from lukey, while still keeping an eye out for him does make me think he understands that he should've taken action sooner. i like that he respects lukey as a separate person and is letting him take his own course in life without interfering too much.

that's a lot of words to just say "i agree with you on this one" but i've been sitting on this for a while lmao

[transman-badass]

A Collection of Cthulhu Mythos links for the Curious

A very quick round up of videos, websites, and blogs, mostly aimed at newcomers to the Mythos, to tide y'all over while I work on my Big Series. I will probably update this as I find more relevant stuff to share.

Mythology and Fiction Explained and The Exploring Series Cthulhu Mythos Video Series

Bite sized episodes giving overviews and mild speculation on the gods, locations, and entities of the Mythos. These episodes are five minutes long on average.

HorrorBabble

A massive collection of readings of cosmic horror stories here, not just ones written by Lovecraft, but others too, from Lovecraft's circle of friends, to modern authors, to really obscure writers. Some of these videos are several hours long, others are under 15 minutes. Also has a ton of stories not from the Mythos, so do check it out.

HP Lovecraft website

Has basically everything you could ever want to know about the man himself - his fiction, his poems, his massive amounts of letters to fellow writers, and more. If you need to find something he wrote, it's probably here.

HP Lovecraft Historical Society

A massive collection of fans of the universe and the incredible things they create. They sell a whole lot of stuff, from props to productions, as well as some creative commons stuff free to download. Once a year on Lovecraft's birthday, they offer one of their incredible audio dramas for free. Worth keeping an eye on for that alone.

Deep Cuts in a Lovecraftian Vein

I love this guy. Criminally underrated blogger who takes a scholarly but deeply readable approach to the Mythos - and not just the ones written by Lovecraft himself! Seriously, if you check out one link on this post, make it this one. Dude needs your support more than ever.

Social media links

Lovecraftian and Cosmic Horror starter pack on Bluesky

r/Lovecraft on Reddit

Got a link to suggest? Send a DM my way and I'll check it out.

Alright! This is just the beginning! Next week, I hope, we'll start my own deep dive into the Mythos. Let me know if you'd like to be added to the tag list for that! You can also buy my own fiction over on Itchio or Ko-fi.