#and i really wouldn't have it any other way

[quicksilversnails]

It's so fun how the Princess and the Dragon acknowledges and plays with game mechanics that are assumed to be non-diegetic, and uses them to add insight to the story/characters.

The title card is a really obvious example, being something that TLQ actually sees and can comment on, and something that the Princess hadn't ever seen. What most would assume is just a framing device for the player is a real element of the world/construct.

I think it emphasizes how the story that the Narrator constructed is only "meant" to be told to TLQ. After all, The Narrator only appears in TLQ's mind, providing elaborate descriptions and attempting to contextualize the events of the game as a heroic task to save the world. Meanwhile the Princess is all alone, with no title cards or exposition, no context for why any of this is happening to her. The story revolves around her, but it doesn't care about her beyond her designated role, as something to be slain and hated. Her perspective is irrelevant to the Narrator's plan, so she doesn't get the fancy presentation or necessary context: she doesn't deserve it.

There's also those long stretches of dialogue where the voices talk to each other in TLQ's mind without progressing the story. They're occasionally acknowledged by the Princess elsewhere (Prisoner, Nightmare) but P&tD makes it very explicit and confirms that time is actively passing during these conversations, with TLQ staring in silence for who knows how long.

(Personally I don't think all of the voice dialogue is necessarily in real time, if only because some Princesses wouldn't have had the patience for it. Like if you had really stood still for that long, the Beast would've definitely eaten you... she's not waiting for you to finish thinking lol)

This one I think is more for humour, but it also draws attention to how much of the inner conversation the Princess is missing in normal chapters, when the voices aren't actively speaking to her through TLQ's body. Where we're having vibrant debates or key information revealed by the Narrator, she just sees a silent, staring figure. Speaking of the Narrator, He's completely absent from the Princess' POV, either because He doesn't want to speak to her or is somehow unable to (He does say in Tower that she's not supposed to be able to interact with Him...) Again, the story was not made to be told to her, so she isn't given His context, and because the player is usually so immersed in TLQ's perspective, they probably wouldn't realize just how much she's missing until they see things from her perspective.

One other example: if you choose to [Say nothing] immediately after you excise yourself, the Princess reacts to it:

I just find this so hilarious tbh, and the fact that she repeats back those exact words implies that she literally senses the text written in brackets. If you do it once you're back in the basement, she says this:

I wonder if it's the same for the Narrator/voices... do they also “feel” your actions while you’re choosing them? Do they hear you say (Lie) before you lie? When Skeptic said "Wink" out loud did he actually choose a dialogue option with [Wink] in brackets?? Ok that last one's a joke but there's lots of potential here

I just think it's cool because the average player wouldn't think twice about any of these things, because they seem like simple stylistic/game design choices. In a game where all player input is through dialogue options, the square brackets are an immediately understandable way to convey action, as opposed to plain text. In a game structured around repeating loops, it makes sense to make those loops distinguishable for players by separating each loop with a title card, and the chapter naming convention works as a nod to the fairytale storybook aesthetics the game draws from.

But by placing you into the Princess's head and acknowledging those design choices as diegetic elements that change depending on your perspective, it forces you to reevaluate your experiences: the things you didn't think were really "part of the game" and the experiences you didn't realize weren't universal. It exposes your hidden privileges, the luxuries and structural supports you have compared to the Princess that you don't even notice because you've never experienced the alternative.

It might make you realize how the way you perceive and conceptualize the world might be very different from how others conceptualize it (Tony's recent ask about the multicoloured glass in HEA could also play into this in a fascinating way, with the mismatch in perception between TLQ and the Narrator's script). It's all just very cool for a game that's based on perception.

It also makes me wonder... what other elements of this game are diegetic that we just haven't paid attention to?

Well, I think that the captions are probably also diegetic. TLQ occasionally refers to the voices by their complete titles despite them not ever referring to each other by those titles, instead opting for descriptors like "jumpy one" or "the worst one" or "rage boy" or "chilly little freak" lol. For a direct comparison, Paranoid exclusively calls Smitten "the lovesick one" or some variant in HEA, but TLQ refers to him by his full name using quotation marks, as if he's quoting something he's read:

The voices don't seem aware that these titles exist, while TLQ does, despite them sharing a mind. Also, when the Princess shares a body/mind with you, she never uses their titles either. In the Spectre/Princess and the Dragon, she calls Hero "the nice one", Cold "the quiet one" or "cold little freak", and the Narrator "the bossy one" or "that murder-happy know-it-all". Spectre describes the voices as shards of broken glass on the floor, so she likely perceives them completely differently to how we/TLQ see them.

Even The Narrator isn't aware of His title. If you call Him that in the mirror conversation, He says "'The Narrator'. I suppose that's my job, isn't it?", reacting to the title as if it's His first time hearing about it. There's also this question from the fourth Shifty encounter:

It seems like the titles are presented specifically for The Long Quiet/decider, and that they somehow reflect how TLQ perceives the voices/Narrator, since TLQ takes credit for "calling him" that. If the captions were specifically shown to TLQ in the same way that the title cards are, it'd explain how he has this information without it ever being verbally told to him, and why the Princess doesn't know their titles even when she's sharing your body.

But besides the captions, I think it could be fun to interpret the game as if most, if not all of its game mechanics exist in-universe. The choice menu, the music, the cursors, the save/load icons, saving/loading in general, the title screen, the Clown Princess living in the walls (game files), you name it. Let’s peel away these game mechanics cell by cell! Let's see what meaning we can find together, let's see what we're made of!

[kianamaiart]

Hey hey! You’ve probably been asked this a lot but what made you want to start creating I Don’t Want To Be A Magical Girl?

Also I drew Akia in my style!

Hope you’re having a great day btw ! :0)

First of all this is so rad!!! I loooove how you drew her

And what made me want to make I Don't Want to be a Magical Girl... It was a lot of things! (im assuming you mean the pilot in general)

The idea started off as a stupid doodle/character design practice. It wasn't gonna be anything more than that. I just felt like drawing a cute character with a gun really hahaha.

It's not a particularly original premise and I didn't plan to do anything more with her (as I do with most of my ocs/designs). But I actually did really like this one and couldn't help but think of little ideas and scenarios with her. Things started ramping up in my brain more when I realized I could attach a personal story and personal experiences to it to make it feel less cliche. That's when I started designing the other characters and coming up with bios and stuff

And then that was gonna be it again. I'd maybe do a comic here and there but there was a combination of things that happened that led to me jumping in and making a pilot.

First of all, I had a two month hiatus coming up so I had so much time. I also decided to step down from my directors position to be a board artist again in the coming season. So I really wanted to get some storyboarding practice in and what better way to do that than with this character I ended up really liking? I also don't have a portfolio and I'd been wanting to make something that's very me rather than my work from an existing show.

I'd offhandedly mentioned to my editor at disney that I wanted to do a board for these characters and she told me she'd help me make an animatic if it ever came to that. I couldn't pass up that opportunity! Now, since it was gonna be an animatic and I didn't want it to just be my scratch, I reached out to a bunch of VA friends to see if they'd be interested and they were!

Then other than having that support, just seeing my friends work on their own personal projects has been really inspiring and made me want to also do my own thing! Me and my friend group had just made a whole video game for our friend as a bday present which was so creatively fulfilling and made me realize like "oh my god we're artists we can literally just make stuff".

In the past I'd been so afraid to share my original work and for similar fears I've never wanted to showrun despite having the opportunity to pitch. While it's flattering to be wanted there was this pressure that felt like "oh you HAVE to make something, you're wasting your talent otherwise." (lol this is ironically the thesis of idwtbamg). And as a qpoc, i'd felt this extra layer of pressure to have to make something perfect on all fronts because if i fail in any capacity, i'm failing my community. it'd just be another another reason for people to say "ah queer media and work centering poc just can't succeed." then on the other end, i can only do and write what i know and feared that other people in my community wouldn't resonate with it or would feel like it's inaccurate to their own experiences.

but that's an exhausting way to feel and i've finally decided for myself that i'm just gonna tell stories that are authentic to me and it will reach whoever it needs to reach~ this realization was kind of the final step i needed to push myself to go all in. and now we're here!

[bobblestheninja]

It helps me to think of it like a chicken flock, with a coop as being the safe space.

To have a safe chicken coop you need to keep out foxes, mink, racoons, snakes, or any other species that want to eat chickens/eggs/chicks. In this metaphor these are your homophobes and transphobes and TERFS and other bigoted people. Your safe space isn't safe if those people are coming in. They're what you build your coop to keep out.

But not everything has to be kept out. If a sparrow flies in and makes a nest in the rafters and snacks on the chicken feed that's not hurting the chickens. Adding a Silkie hen to a flock of Bantams is not harming the chickens.

Or you can add ducks, geese, quail, or guinea fowl into your flock, and again it won't harm the chickens, or make your flock weaker. In fact it can make your flock stronger. Guinea fowl or geese are good at raising the alarm if there's a hawk or other predator in the area, so the chickens can run for cover, and a good rooster will also help protect the flock from threats.

You might have to modify the coop or field a teeny bit, or set up a separate coop. (For example if you have ducks and/or geese in your flock you'll need a water area for them, but you also have to be careful about it with the chickens because chickens aren't good at swimming) but them being around is not going to hurt the flock.

Same with opening up your space to other queer people. You may have a few growing pains and have to figure out a few slight changes (maybe a change to the location of meetings so that disabled queers have accessibility, or somewhere with gender-neutral bathrooms for NB individuals, or, if communal showers are needed, some private showers for people who don't want to shower with other people) but your flock won't be harmed by the additions. Just because they're not chickens doesn't mean they'll harm your flock.

It also works when you think about in-fighting. Some chickens can be bullies, and their presence may make it unsafe for the other chickens. A really obvious example, if you've got a flock that is mostly small hens (like Bantams or Silkies) a rooster from a big breed like a Leghorn may hurt them trying to mate [and no, this isn't an anti-men, or an anti-trans thing, it's just that this is one of the most easy to understand flock conflicts.] Just because that rooster is a chicken doesn't mean that it is a safe addition to the flock. A smaller breed rooster wouldn't be a problem, but that particular rooster might be.

It's the same with queer spaces. Just because someone is queer, doesn't mean that they can't make safe spaces unsafe. Queer people can be bigots, there are queer people out there who are incredibly transphobic or racist. If you welcome the TERFs and other bigots into your safe space it may quickly become unsafe. [And I'm not talking about the ones who are slightly confused and just need a little bit of a new perspective, I mean the ones actively attacking people]

Continuing with the chicken metaphor, we may consider Earl to be a little like a guinea fowl in this situation. He is not a chicken, he may be awkward and loud/not say things quite the right way (man are guinea fowl ever loud) but he's not gonna harm the flock. Him being in the space doesn't make it unsafe. He might not understand everything, but he's not harmful, in fact having him there is beneficial as he can go back and tell his friends that he went to a drag show and everyone was so nice and welcoming.

"The trannies should be able to piss in whatever toilet they want and change their bodies however they want. Why is it my business if some chick has a dick or a guy has a pie? I'm not a trannie or a fag so I don't care, just give 'em the medicine they need."

"This is an LGBT safe space. Of COURSE I fully support individuals who identify as transgender and their right to self-determination! I just think that transitioning is a very serious choice and should be heavily regulated. And there could be a lot of harm in exposing cis children to such topics, so we should be really careful about when it is appropriate to mention trans issues or have too much trans visibility."

One of the above statements is Problematic and the other is slightly annoying. If we disagree on which is which then working together for a better future is going to get really fucking difficult.

[twisted-whatifs]

Cultural exchange, Malleus x reader.

Sumary: you’re hanging out with malleus, and end up getting to see his more dragon side.

Notes: it can be read as both romantic and platonic, but there is already an established close friendship, as well as I did put a minor sex joke in there but it’s overall pretty innocent.

2.4K words

His bed is criminally soft, the air smells of fire, pine, and comfort, and the dorm room you´re occupied in screams of wealth and status. So of course, this is exactly where you want to spend your afternoons!

Your head rests against the pillow, letting your hair spill out around your face, as you lay on your side in the middle of the queen-sized bed. The view before you is that of the soon-to-be king of Briar Valley’s room. The floors and walls are shrouded in black, making the fireplace at the foot of the bed seem much more powerful. Though his room isn't the most welcoming at first, you've grown used to it and all its quirks- like the tiny stone pieces on the floor, which he drags with him - by accident - while making gargoyles.

You let out a sigh of relief, not feeling burdened by the tall presence behind you. Rather, you find solace in knowing he's here with you, accompanying and protecting you. You roll over and onto your back, in response to him sitting on the edge of the bed.

“it's nice to finally have some alone time, without that weasel constantly complaining in my ear.” You say with a soft content smile, mirroring his own.

“I know how you feel. I'm beyond grateful for the time here at Night Raven Collage, although having Sebek and Silver tailing me at any given moment can be a burden at times.”

You let out a small kind of laugh, finding amusement in the fact that he, too, acknowledges those two and their overprotective nature. Releasing another sigh from your lungs, you close your eyes and bask in the peace of the moment; the bed beneath you lulling you to sleep, yet your mind still drifts.

“I could so live here - it's way better than ramshackle. That much is certain.”

“If it were up to me, you would have already had a room of your own in our dorm.”

“But it doesn't work like that, does it? Crowley wouldn't let me stay here in a million years”

“No, unfortunately not.”

He finishes off before laying down next to you, joining you in simply relaxing in the presence of each other. As tempting as it would be to open your eyes and turn your head to see him lying next to you, sleep is dragging you in.

“You know, all this dorm stuff… It's so weird to me. Where I'm from, we don't exactly have a magic mirror to tell us where we belong.”

"Well I have to admit, it is a bit of an oddity here as well- But how is your world, for it to be so different from ours?”

“I think a very big part of it is that in my world, we simply don't have magic and because of that, anything within the realm of magic is entirely foreign to me.”

“How intriguing… I think it's safe to assume you miss your home?”

“Yeah… the world I'm from is so different to yours… Like, for example, in my world dragons don't exist.” I finally open my eyes and turn to look at him. As I do, I see him quietly laughing.

“Believe it or not, the people of this world believe the same.”

“Really?!... But aren't you like a dragon?”

“To answer your question, no, I am not a full-blooded dragon. Rather, I'm a dragon/draconic fae, the two are different. According to the public, dragons are extinct, and even though I am in direct opposition to their claims, the general knowledge stays the same.”

“Woah… that's… wild?”

“You're right, it is, my Child of Man…”

“... Well, what does it entail to be a dragon fae?”

His gaze, which earlier had been focused on the ceiling, dipped down to meet yours. His breathtaking green eyes are locked on your own, as he gives you a quizzical look.

“What do you mean, Dear?”

You turn to your body to fully face him, as you sit up on the bed, looking down at him and taking in your position looming above him. He lays relaxed against the sheets, with his hands on his stomach. It is a rare sight for many, but not for you.

“Like, what's it like? What differences does it make?...” You shot a look up to his horns “... What does it look like?”

“... You wish to see my dragon form?”

“-YES”

He's taken aback for a second before his face softens into a smile and he laughs, like actually laughs with heart.

“You humans are such curious creatures… I should warn you, that you might not like what happens if you choose to go through with it.” A mischievous - almost playful - smile is spread across his face. It makes you smile too, to see him so genuinely enjoy something.

“And what does that mean? Is that a threat?”

“You'll find out~” There's no way you're backing down now. You wait patiently as he slowly sits up on the bed, his back just a few inches away from the headboard, his back is as straight as ever.

“Where do we start?”

“Well I've already seen your tail once, but I would love to get a chance to see it up close!”

And with that, a tail spins itself around the edge of the bed from where it connects to him. It's as if it was never hidden in the first place, by how you didn't even notice it appeared. It is longer than his legs and it is covered in beautiful black scales, that shine blues and purples in the light, along with a couple of spikes along its back, ending at the tip with a small appendage (look at the picture for reference). Your eyes are busy studying his tail, while his eyes are busy studying you.

“... Wow… Can I touch it?”

“Go ahead… But be careful, one wrong move and it could easily fling you across the room.”

“You wouldn't do that, would you?”

“Maybe,” He says with that same grin on his face. He clearly wouldn't do it. He's just saying it to tease you. Taking his advice, I carefully reached my hand towards his tail and he so graciously moved closer to me- to the point where the end was touching my thigh. The scales are smooth and cold, yet I can feel the warmth from underneath them, it's a similar feeling to holding a snake yet way bigger- and that it belongs to one of my close friends. My hands trail across its length, admiring the intricacies as I run my fingers up the sides of one of the spikes, gently tapping the tip when I reach it to see how sharp it is. When retracting my finger, it was wholly intact. The spikes aren't particularly sharp.

My eyes met his once again, he wore a face of satisfaction as he observed me.

“I was right. You didn't send me flying”

Breaking the silence I spoke up, and in response, he chuckled- not so much because he found it funny, but rather, perhaps he was simply amused by my intrigue of his extensions. My hand was still on his tail, absentmindedly stroking the scales in an up-and-down motion.

“The last time I saw your tail, I didn't get to see it in such lights as the ones we currently have- Your scales are breathtaking”

“I'm glad you think so.” As he finished up his sentence, he lifted the end of his tail, until the tip was at perfect reach. Taking in the unspoken invitation, I make a final stroke from one of the points of the three-pointed tip, down before he retracts it, adjusting his position against the headboard.

He leans towards me, lifting his knee to support his elbow, so he can rest his cheek on the back of his hand. Meanwhile, his face is reflecting his highly aroused state of mind.

“Are you ready to move on to the next ones? To indulge your curiosities more; or do you wish to back out while you can?”

“You make it sound like I’m in some sort of imminent danger…”

He raised a brow and squinted his eyes, exaggeratedly scrutinizing me- for his standards- you, that is to say, most people as well, rarely ever see him so animated as he is now “Who says I'm not? I strike fear upon whoever may witness me.”

“Well, not me.”

“Perchance you're the peculiar one, then?”

I scoff and roll my eyes, not taking the jab to heart, before returning my gaze to his happy one. ”Well… you got wings right?”

“Indeed I do; you wish to indulge them next?”

“Sure, let's see them.”

Closing his eyes while nodding, he leaned back slightly, returning to a more neutral position, and relaxing his shoulders. “If I do, then it would make it a lot easier for me if I were to remove my shirt; are you comfortable with that, Child of Man?”

“Yeah, sure, I don't mind.”

“... And you can promise to not tell of this to anyone? If my grandmother were to catch wind of me undressing before a human, I would not hear the end of it.”

I chuckle at the thought.

“I promise- It won't end well for me either!”

He goes ahead without further conversation, beginning to undress. As the layers of fabric lifted off his body, it revealed more scales splayed across his features- even on the features visible earlier. The scales beautifully apply to, and exaggerate the contours and highlights of his body and face, making him look even more inhumanly beautiful.

He sits on his knees in front of me, threatening to make my neck ache if I had to look him in the eyes. Then, faster than I could compute, I’m surrounded by black. His large- large- wings encircle me. I whip my head from side to side, trying to look at them fully before my eyes lock with his. He wore the same stupid grin he did earlier, only bigger, I didn't even know he could be this expressive.

“So, child? Are you intimidated?”

“I-... well yes, kind of...”

His voice is roaring as he laughs at me, having his fun to the full before it softens into a more apologetic one.

“Sorry, the last thing I would want is for you to be scared of me.” He raised his hand and gently glided the back of his fingers against my cheek; he's been very bold recently.

He unflexed his wings, allowing the light to flow back to us. Between the very forward displays of affection, his high mood, and your eyes having to accommodate more light, you need a moment to adjust. And following you as you adjust, he does the same with his position, allowing you full access to his back. His wings go far lower than his back- the ends splay down far onto the bed.

You slowly reach out your hand, first coming into contact with the skin between the shoulder blades. His teal-tipped hair ends tickle your fingers before you finally come into contact with the wings. They spout out unusually from his back, with a joint prominent on the shoulder blade. As your hands glide upwards towards the tip of the top joint, you lightly graze over the talon placed on it, and moving your hand down further to the very end, you grasp the tip and watch it flex out and unfurl again, taking in and admiring the intricate ways it moves.

A few minutes go by of this- by curiously taking in his features, as he sits with his back turned to you in silence, to not interrupt your so focused observations; his wings being the biggest muse as it stands. Mesmerized by the way the thin tissue of his wings unfold when they open up, or the way that they can shield you away from almost any danger out there, within but a second.

The hair running down his back shifts, as he turns his head back to look at you, gazing at you with what could almost be described as sultry eyes.

“Did you have your fun?”

“Oh, if I did- your wings are enchanting, Malleus.”

He's turned over so he's facing you again, now getting yet another good look at the scales adorning his upper body. He smiles in contentment, the worn-out traces of his lipstick emphasising his lips as they curl upwards.

“So, Mal… is the next step full dragon form?”

“Oh no, my Child of Man, I think that will have to wait for another time; royal secrecy and indecency rules and whatnot.”

“Aw… Though when that does happen - which it will- can I ride you?”

“I can't promise anything, but it certainly wouldn't go against my reservations.”

Before you could answer, a notification rang through your phone, that Crowley gave you back at the Scarabia incident. As it turned out it was a text from Epel, in a group chat you’re in with your first-year friends. But as the screen lit up, the time caught your eye.

“There's only about an hour left, until I have to meet up with Grim again for dinner… how about we savour these last few moments?”

“Do you have anything particular in mind, prefect?”

He raised an eyebrow before answering, and when he was done speaking you took a bold move to lean forward, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him down to lay on the mattress along with you.

“Could we spend the time cuddling until I have to go again?”

His usual warm smile returns to his face, though differently this time, accompanied by the slightest redness dusting his cheeks.

“I would be delighted to.”

He gently grabs onto your waist, pulling you closer to his body. The scales on his neck feel cold to the touch, as you make yourself comfortable laying your head against his chest; letting the soft rhythmic thump of his heartbeat lull you to sleep before his tail wraps around one of your legs. Lastly, he opens his wings and wraps them around the two of you.

Staying like that, the two of you lay comfortably in each other's presence, before you had to return to whatever duties and responsibilities await you outside his room.

A/N (Chrille): from what I've heard, in Briar Valley, there's a rumour/belief that dragons are extinct? I’m not too sure though. Also please exuse if my grammar or mommas are weird English isn’t my first language😭

[esamastation]

Hello, here follows a bit of original LITRPG writing in the form of a forum post. I have no idea how to explain or what to title it. It is a thing.

In which the origin of System is pondered upon.

-

Theories of Apocalypse forum

The System - is it human made? by the Witchess of Londonium, 1st of June, 20xx

Guys, I figured it out, I connected the dots. 

The System wasn't created by the IFAR. 

I know, I know, there's like a billion theories about this, and of course everyone knows what the Elves say. The System is a Gift to all of humanity. Sure. And then there's that crackpot Mayfeather's theory about it being inheritance from ancient aliens that bred with humans thousands of years ago. Personally I think that's just because he wants a harem of furries, but each to their own. And then there's the stuff about american military experiments that went rogue, but that seems a bit too much of a coinkydink for me, what with the apocalypse happening at the same time.

Though, now that I think about it, a weird human program would go rogue during the apocalypse, wouldn't it. And I actually kinda do think that's close to what happened - though not that it was secret military drugs or nano machines or whatever.

I think it's something bigger - something we all knew and loved, in the old world. Something… ever present, that was part of all our lives. Something utterly beyond IFAR's comprehension.

I mean, think about it. This thing is huge, in like, cosmic, evolutionary, technological revolution sense, huge! This thing is like the dawn of information technology but times a hundred, with, I don't know, genetic engineering and all of weight loss and bodybuilding industry thrown in the mix. This is the "next step in human development" level of stuff!

And weight loss and bodybuilding industries of old wish they had what we have now. We can literally level up now, and with each level we get stronger. And that's just on the base level. We can change our species now! I've seen people transform themselves completely with the System. One chick, she's a dragon now, just through the System. This guy I know, super into calisthenics, yeah, he can bench press cars now, through the System. I've seen people with wings, tails, horns, with multiple arms - and there's rumours about this one old lady, she can just transform herself into other things. And all we need to do to make all that possible… is level up and get some exp.

… which, okay, it isn't that easy to get exp, you really gotta work for it, and sometimes it's so damn hard to get ahead you just wanna cry, but still. 

Why would they ever give this thing to us? 

Here's the thing. I don't think they did.

Just think about it - why would they give this thing to us? It makes us stronger, it powers us up - it gives us magic. And okay, yes, it also, consequently, spreads magic around, which helps them, making things more magical and more chaotic and dangerous - but seriously! Why would they want to empower us? They're here to subjugate us! How does giving us all this power and opportunity benefit them in any way? 

It doesn't, it just doesn't - just look at the Dragon Battle of Paris. You can bet your probably by now feathery butt that those guys who ate it in the Boulogne-Billancourt wish we didn't have the System.

So here's what I think happened. I think it was a complete freak accident. 

When the Veil was breached and the Aurora Magicalis happened, those particles changed everything they came in contact with, right? We got magical people and creatures and trees and houses and lakes and, I don't know, magical damn water towers now. And those were like intrinsically linked changes too - the thing with the metro proves it! One thing changes by magic and everything that's a copy or similar enough of the original changes too.

And that's why we have giant centipede trains all over the world now.

Which is still terrifying.

So, what happened to the internet when magic particles hit it? What happened to all that knowledge just interlinked all throughout the world? People think it vanished with everything else electronic - but we know you can't vanish things by magic. You can only move things… or change them.

I think the internet got whammied, guys, the same as the rest of us - and like everything else that got whammied, it gained a life of its own. But the internet isn't like a train or, I don't know, a taxi cab that's suddenly alive, it doesn't really have a specific territory where it exists. It's everywhere in the world and it's got no one specific spot where it starts from and we just accessed it with our phones and computers and whatever. 

(Yes I know the internet has physical forms on servers and data centers or whatever, shut up, I'm thinking magically here.)

So, the internet gets magically whammied. Where does it go? It goes where it's always gone - to us. It was made by humans, for humans, for sharing of human discovered and developed and intended information. So it just… attached itself to us. And it's still doing the same thing it's always done - sharing information.

And why is it running out of lives like a videogame now? Well, have you ever wondered how much of the internet bandwidth in total was taken by online videogames? Okay, it probably wasn't that much - but it was still kinda significant amount! Or who knows, maybe the first bit of the internet that got whammied was someone's Steam account, who knows.

Either way, I blame the evils of online videogames, as many concerned aunties have before me. Heh.

Or maybe I'm talking out of my ass and it's all a plot by the Elves to Stockholm Syndrome all of humanity - but isn't it a bit weird, how none of them have this thing? Isn't it a bit of a hell of an inconvenience to them, that we do? Did no one else notice in the early days how shocked they all were to see some of us flinging magic right back at them?

And isn't it a little bit more comforting to think that this Awesome thing that now unites us all wasn't made by our enemies - but that we ourselves made it?

Because, guys, I definitely don't think they were expecting it. When I ran into goblins the first time, they totally thought they could just roll right over us. Orcs too. And the Elves, man… I'm definitely not the only one with a bad first impression. I don't know what they were expecting me to go, bend over, lick their boots, beg for my life, maybe. They were definitely not expecting a fireball to the face, lemme tell you.

Between you and me, I don't think they would've given me, or anyone, that skill if they had a choice in the matter. 

Also it just makes sense though, right? I mean, it's not like Elves even know what videogames are. They don't have computers, they never developed, like… Dungeons and Dragons or anything like that. I bet some human had to explain to them what levels and upgrades even are - because that's, that's really weird and really niche human knowledge, in the grand scheme of things, right? It hasn't been a thing for more than maybe a hundred years.

I don't actually know how long the concept of a "Character levelling up and getting more powerful" has been a thing - feel free to let me know because I am kind of obsessed with this and I suddenly need to know.

Anyway, The System. It's definitely been to the benefit of all of us using it in this bullshit apocalypse, right? And the IFAR… Yeah, I don't think it's been to their advantage at all.

Also, like, come the feck on. When you really think about it, the info the System gives us… isn't it kind of familiar? Boil it all down and what we have are chats and forums and wikis at our fingertips! What kind of invading force gives the people they're invading a communication tool like this? Like, sure, it took a while to get here and it takes effort to use it, it has a cost - but so did the internet.

This is nothing new to us, human peoples of the Earth. Such as it is, right now… invaded and transformed and on the brink of being conquered by damn fantasy Elves… 

So, that's my pitch. The System is the sentiment and magical new form of the World Wide Web, with an online RPG twist.

What have you been doing with it?

336 credits, 759 replies, 163 awards.

-

Tadaah, the thing. Relating vaguely to this Isekai based DND campaign idea I had, which was originally an original story which I wanted to write, which I think is this?

Also IFAR is short for "Invaders from another reality", lol.

Anyway. The thought won't leave me alone but I have no idea what to do with this. Maybe I could do prompts based on this? Idk. Some sort of RP thing??

[five-rivers]

Soft body horror makes me think of the soft parts of the body - maybe something happening to his human internal organs would be interesting? Vanishing, mutating, or becoming something Other perhaps

(This is also inspired slightly by Black Hole Son, which is a good fic and a fun read.)

.

The Fenton Fantom Freezer (and, wow, Danny had sure frozen when he saw that name written down on a scrap of paper on the kitchen table) did not, quite, work as advertised.

The weapon looked and acted like a handheld spotlight more than anything else, but it actually did something with energized beams of ectoplasm that Danny hadn't quite been able to follow when his parents had been gushing over it at breakfast. It was supposed to paralyze ghosts. It was, in fact, supposed to paralyze one ghost in particular. Phantom, as the name suggested.

However, as Danny could currently attest, it did not do that. Not completely, anyway. Instead, it made every movement weak, small, uncoordinated. They were still movements, however, so if he could just manage to move fast enough--

Danny felt the 'spotlight' of the Fenton Fantom Freezer fall on his legs and destroy the little coordination he had managed.

"Mads! I found him! Wow, that Fenton Fantom Freezer worked like a charm!"

Danny tensed - as much as he could, anyway - as his father approached and then dragged him up by the back of his collar, away from the trash he was trying to hide behind.

"Oh, excellent, Jack!" said Maddie, running around the corner. She was carrying a smaller weapon. Danny didn't remember what, exactly, it did, but he knew it was one of the restraint-type weapons. A net gun? No, it was more complicated than one of the net guns. He remembered that much-

He didn't have any more time to think about it. Maddie pressed the muzzle of the weapon against his back and pulled the trigger. Something solid thunked into him, and when Maddie pulled away, it expanded, wrapping around him, forming a... Well, it was a net gun. It was just a complicated net gun. Regardless, once it had fully deployed, it only left his head exposed.

Even if his powers were working properly, instead of responding as weakly as his muscles, Danny could tell getting out of this would be hard. There was a slight buzz through the filaments of the net that told him it was either slightly electrified or energized with ectoplasm. He couldn't tell which one right now, and it didn't really matter. He wouldn't be able to phase through either way.

It reminded him unpleasantly of Vlad's... cube thing. Had he ever gotten the name of that? He didn't remember.

At least this wasn't shocking him. Yet.

Jack heaved Danny over his shoulder, annoyingly careful about keeping the 'spotlight' on him. Spotlight. More like a stoplight. He'd have to use that if he ever had the misfortune of encountering this thing again.

"Can you believe we finally caught him, after all this time?" asked Jack as they started back towards the GAV. Danny could hear the excitement and happiness in his voice, and the same part of himself that had driven him to let his father capture him, once upon a time, fluttered, weirdly pleased to be the object of that excitement. "What should we do to him first?"

"A thorough examination," said Maddie, promptly. "We'll also need to build a dedicated containment facility to better study its capabilities - assuming it survives the examination, which it certainly should, considering."

As his parents started to talk about the experiments they were going to run on him and what they expected the results from his dissection to look like, it occurred to Danny that he should probably... stop this. Somehow. Probably by turning human. That would be good.

Not in the middle of the street where anyone could see, but in the back of the GAV, maybe after the doors were closed and only his parents could see.  They would understand.  They had to.  

Not being able to see where they were going due to being slung over Jack’s back, reaching the GAV was a bit of a surprise.  Jack put him down on a fold-out gurney that Danny had only barely been aware of despite being in the vehicle all the time, and started strapping him in before Danny could even formulate what he was going to say.  By the time Jack got halfway through, Danny decided that words didn’t matter because the stupid stoplight would probably still be affecting him after he transformed.  His luck was bad like that.  

He reached for his transformation, and found it out of reach, just like the rest of his powers.

It was a strange experience, to panic mentally without being able to panic physically.

Jack buckled the last strap, cinched it down, then strapped the light overhead, so it would shine on Danny during the whole ride.  Then, with a satisfied nod, he shut the back door and went up to the front with Maddie.  

The light - the weapon - was also a weird experience.  It was oppressive.  That was what it was meant to be.  It was a weapon.  But it was also… gentle, almost.  Like a very heavy blanket draped over his whole body.  If that blanket had a sheet of lead in it.  And also a whole gym’s worth of weightlifting equipment.  

His parents were still talking in the front.  The actual content of their words flowed through his ears like water down a drain, lost in the buzz of panic, but the mood of it, the excitement…  They were giddy.  Like kids at a birthday party.  Like Danny and his friends at the premiere for the latest Dead Teacher movie.  

They were… they were really looking forward to this.  To cutting him open.  

They’d be so disappointed when he got away.  Because he would get away.  He had to.  

He just… wasn’t sure how, yet.  

The car pulled to a stop.  “I’ll go ahead and get the lab set up,” said Maddie, unbuckling herself.  

“I’ll be right behind you, Maddie!”

Danny tried to tense, tried to prepare himself to escape, but the forced lassitude of the Fantom Freezer didn’t give him any openings.  He was unhooked from the gurney and bundled up, just as tight as before, and carried to the front door.  No one stopped them.  Fentonworks didn’t really have neighbors, for obvious reasons.  

From there to the lab was something of a blur.  Danny didn’t even remember being carried through the kitchen.  But he must have been.  

“Oh, good, Jack,” said Maddie.  “Just lay it down here.”  She gestured at the flat, shiny, clean examination table.  Above it a copy of the Fenton Freezer was installed, like a spotlight.

“Great thinking!  The battery on this baby was about to run down.”  

“I thought so.” 

“So, what’re we starting with?” asked Jack.

“Cataloguing the subject’s anatomy,” said Maddie.  “Its behavior seems to diverge from other ghosts, but does its body?”

“Ooh!  I’ll get out the dissection kit!”

“And I’ll get the recorders!”

His parents split up, running to opposite sides of the lab.  This would really be a good time to escape.  He wouldn’t even have to go far.  The portal was right there.  

Painstakingly, he shifted himself to the side of the table.  

“Hm,” said Maddie, returning.  “It looks like we’ll have to use the restraints after all.  It has some movement.”

“Huh,” said Jack.  “Maybe we’ll tweak the Fantom Freezer after we see what this guy is made of!”

Maddie put the recorders - already lit up green - to one side and shifted Danny back to the center of the table.  “I think that would be a good idea.  Having such a simple and safe weapon is a real game-changer.”

Yes.  Danny would agree with that statement.  This whole situation was certainly a change.  

With a press of a button, metal cuffs rose up out of the table top and latched around Danny’s wrists and ankles.  “There we go,” said Maddie.  “Now, let’s get this suit off of him.”  She picked up a pair of scissors.

“What about that zipper, Mads?” asked Jack.  

“Oh, interesting,” said Maddie.  She squinted down at Danny’s suit.  “There is a lot more detail here than I would have expected.  You can see the weave.”  She took a pinch of the fabric between her fingers and rubbed it back and forth.  “It’s fairly similar in texture to standard Fentonworks hazmat fabric, but it’s much colder.  I wonder if there is similar detail on the skin.”  She reached up to the grab the zipper of Danny’s suit, just under his chin, and started to pull it down.  

With a zipping sound, Danny opened up.  His ribs pulled back, slowly, gently, like the petals of the flower.  He gasped, and he could see his bare lungs inflate.  Parts of his intestines, no longer held back by suit-skin, started to bulge and spill out.

Danny’s first thought was that it didn’t make sense.  He’d taken his suit off in ghost form before.  He’d seen his skin, in all its detail.  He could feel his skin right now, his hands resting against the insides of his gloves.  

His second, slightly hysterical, thought was that he’d never heard his mother swear like that before.  

His third thought, though, was that it made perfect sense.  

Ghosts, he knew, didn’t have one set shape, one set composition.  Technus went through different versions of himself regularly.  Bones were optional for most ghosts.  Sometimes they had them, and sometimes they didn’t.  Spectra liked turning herself into fire.  Frostbite had told him that a ghost’s appearance could change based on their power levels, feelings, desires, and self-perception.  Bertrand and Amorpho were outright shapeshifters.  Danny himself deformed to dodge attacks.  

What was this, if not a way to dodge an attack he’d seen coming for years?  

His parents wouldn’t have to cut him open.  He’d already done it for them.  It hadn’t even hurt.  

He wanted to laugh.  He couldn’t.  

“... is actually the outer envelope of the subject, part of its body.  There is no ‘skin’ underneath it, although there are a number of pseudo-bones and pseudo-organs.”  Maddie paused to touch one of Danny’s ribs.  “While the organs appear remarkably anatomically correct based on cursory observation, the rib analogs detached from the sternum and spread outwards, almost as if presenting the organs to us - which is ridiculous, but still…”

“So, specimen jars?” asked Jack.  

“In a moment.  We need to document where all of these pseudo-organs are.  It probably doesn’t matter, but–”

“Right you are!  I’ll get the camera!”

They were going to cut him up anyway, then.  Danny wondered how he’d do with missing organs, seeing as being split open from throat to groin wasn’t giving him much trouble.

“You know,” said Jack as he took pictures, “the way these are colored, it reminds me of something.”

“Not human organs,” said Maddie.  

“No, no,” said Jack.  “Of course not.  But–  I’ve got it!”  He put down the camera and ran up the stairs.  

“What is he off to now?” muttered Maddie before going back to speaking into the recorder.  “On closer inspection, with other light sources, the surfaces of the organs appear to be matte… perhaps suede?  The lungs are inflating - to what purpose? - but the heart does not appear to be beating.”

Jack came thundering back down the stairs, triumphantly holding a… doll?  No, was that–?

“Jazz’s anatomical model!  D’you remember making this with her, Mads?”

“Oh, fascinating,” said Maddie.  “I wonder if the base organism for the ghost was familiar with a similar model.  It would explain why it seems to have both male and female internal organs.”

Well, that was sure an embarrassing mistake.  Not one Danny could fix right now, or maybe ever, but if he could ever get away, he’d be sure to work on it.

“But,” said Jack, “is it time?”

Maddie smiled, and the overhead light glinted on her goggles.  “It’s time.  We can start on the pseudo-organs.”

Jack squealed in delight and tossed the model onto a side table.  “Let’s do the intestines first, since they’re all spilling out like - Oh.”

Danny closed his eyes as his fathers hands closed around the pink rope of his intestines, bracing for the pain, because there had to be pain at some point.  There wasn’t.  In fact, it felt sort of… pleasant.  Like hands squeezing his shoulders, only… inside.

“What is it?” asked Maddie.  

“I don’t think this is actually attached,” said Jack, “and it feels…  I dunno, like a stuffed animal.”

Danny opened his eyes in time to see Maddie reach over to feel the organ.  “It does,” said Maddie.  “Like a plushie.”

“Weird plushie,” said Jack.  “But that gives me an idea for a new product!  How’d you feel about a Fenton Dissectomatic!  For Kids!”

“I’ll put a pin in it,” said Maddie as she helped Jack wind Danny’s intestines around Jack’s arm, as if it was a rope.  “Should we examine these in detail now, or later?”

“Later, I think!  I want to see what else is in there.”

Maddie nodded, then unscrewed a specimen jar and held it out to Jack so he could drop the intestines in.  There was a dilute ectoplasm already inside the jar - to better preserve the samples, he’d heard that lecture a million times - and it felt weird when the organ - when his organ - hit the liquid.  Like drinking, but backwards.  

“That was the small intestine,” said Maddie.  “Large, next?”

“Let’s do the whole abdomen!” 

They continued, organ by organ.  The large intestine, the liver, the pancreas, his kidneys, his diaphragm.  Danny… laid there.  Because that was all he could do.  The vaguely pleasant sensation persisted, but it was just too intimate for him to fully disconnect with– with everything.  

“Weird that his lungs are still working without the diaphragm, isn’t it?” asked Jack, excitedly.  

“It does show a fundamental lack of understanding,” agreed Maddie.  

And– How?  Had Danny forgotten some connection between the diaphragm and the lungs?  What did the diaphragm do, anyway?  Something about hiccups?

“Should we try the lungs first,” said Maddie, running her hands over the organs, “or the heart?”

“Lungs!” said Jack.  “Gotta wonder if that movement is just some kind of mimicry thing, or if it’s functional, somehow.”

“This is all mimicry.”

“Well, yeah, but is it actually taking in air, or is the movement totally ectoplasmic?”

“Good question, Jack.  Let’s find out.”

Danny’s lungs slipped free just as easily as all of his other organs.  His rib cage, mostly bare, quivered, as if shivering.  

Danny did feel cold.  

He kept breathing.  His lungs kept inflating.

“Last one,” said Maddie, “then, we can start looking at some of that musculature.  It–”

An alarm went off.  Not anything big, like the Ecto-Exodus alarm, but something small and tinny.  

“What’s that?” asked Jack. 

“Oh,” said Maddie, “I put on an alarm to do dinner.”  She sighed.  “I want to finish this but… We are trying to be better about eating as a family.”

“Yeah!” said Jack.  “Hey, I’ll help, and it’ll all go super fast!  It’s not like the ghost is going anywhere, huh?”  He patted the Fantom Freezer fondly.  “We can even show the kids, after we eat!”

“I don’t know if they’ll want to right after they eat, Jack, it is a bit gruesome for the layperson…” 

Still idly talking, they washed their hands in the sink and went up the stairs.  One of them shut off the main lab lights on their way out.  

Danny blinked at the ceiling, at the light of the Fenton Freezer, slowly.  He was alone in the lab.  His suit– his skin was loose.  

He really hoped that this wasn’t a permanent change, because this was… disturbing.  His still mostly human brain didn’t want to process the sensations it was receiving at all.  

But that was fine.  He had to put all his focus and the little movement he could accomplish on getting out.  

With the minuscule amount of force he was able to bring to bear, he pulled his arm out of his skin bit by bit, slipping naked fingerbones past the cuff of the restraints.  The limb flopped out, muscles ropes of green.  Just as slow, he reached over to one of the equipment tables and grabbed a tray.  With one burst of strength, he swung it overhead, smacking the spotlight of the Fantom Freezer off of him.  

Then he laid there, exhausted by his exertions.  His parents could come back at any minute, but he just…  He had to rest.  

He picked up the edge of his suit skin and pulled it out from the restraint before slipping it back on.  He was already moving easier.  He did the same trick with his other arm, this time trying not to look at his bare muscles, and then had enough range of motion to hit the release button.  The rest of the restraints retracted into the table.

Feeling dazed, he reached down and pulled up his zipper.  

Then, after a moment’s thought, he pulled it back down, revealing his skin and chest.  He touched it.  He could feel it rise and fall.  He reached down.  He could feel his stomach and everything else under his belly.  

Then, bracing himself for disaster, he turned human.  He didn’t die instantly, so he phased his hand inside his body.  It felt exactly the same as it had all the other times he’d done this, looking for things he’d swallowed by mistake or for shrapnel from a fight.  It was– Everything was there, from the diaphragm (what did it do, anyway?) to his beating heart.  

He looked at the specimen jars lined up all around the lab.  

If his organs were still in him, where had all of those things come from?  If those were his organs, what was inside him?

He shuddered.  

Then, he went ghost.  His zipper was already pulled up under his chin, and he could feel the suit slide loosely back and forth against his skin.  His fingernails caught slightly against the stitching of his gloves.  

He breathed.

Then, he flew up through the ceiling, towards his room.  Dinner was going to be soon, after all, and he wanted to be in his room when his parents called him down. 

[uncleasriel]

I would argue that those modern editions still struggle to deliver on 'narrative' in the same way that, say, a robust 'narrativist' (Ugh, old Forge speak) game of Fate RPG would - or better yet, a game like Kagematsu would.

Looking at 5e D&D - it does make the characters more survivable, so you can create your won little OC and have them act out their own little stories. (A smart-ass comment story I once told a was "I min-maxed my character so they could survive combats long enough to talk about their feelings".) But that very survivability dilutes what earli9er editions were goodat, and doesn't add much in concert with it.

But when you look at any other mechanics, they're kind of haphazard - a Background might grant Skill bonuses, or starting equipment, or some Bonds, or even a Special Feature to push (When the Folk Hero uses Rustic Hospitality, the player can get a Safe Place to rest among the Common Folk). But while those are nicely grafted on, how often are they employed? How often do all of these function mechanically? Realistically, how often do folks use Backgrounds for anything other than Skill Proficiencies? Wouldn't it be more narratively compelling if the Bonds had some mechanical benefit (Gain a Hero Point/XP/etc if they cause problem for the character or the GM uses them to Compel the player or Intrude on their plans?)? Wouldn't D&D reward that kind of play more if the Dungeon Master's Guide had a guide on how to effectively set those up? Would is still 'feel' like D&D if it did?

I question whether it was Older D&D Editions proper, or some soft of variation on the Six Cultures of Play that cropped up over time. I think OSR in particular has embrace the 'naturalism' of the environment over concerns like game balance, and reinterpreted into new approaches using older versions of the rulesets (or remixes thereof).

I would personally say that ThyDungeonGal is mostly complaining about how the loudest voices in ttrpg culture of the past 10 years have been through D&D, that most people assume D&D (and its ilk) are the be-all, end-all of TTRPGs and struggle to conceive of ways of playing that aren't implicitly colored by the quietly assume "D&D-isms" like Combat Balance, having to do Lore/Perception/Skill checks to accomplish a thing (instead of just getting the information from the GM), prioritizing mechanical invocation over creative description of actions ("I want to make a perception check for footprints" vs "I check scan the room to look for hidden signs of the suspect's passage"), or the like.

D&D, especially under the age of Streaming Actual Plays, have tried to sell itself as "The Play Pretend With Your Friends Story Vehicle", when the mechanical support for them really isn't as robust as it ought to be. I would argue from as far back as the 2000s (when I got into D&D) folks tried to play it that same way because "it was the game for that" - a core assumption shaped by the availability of what titles you could find at the local game story, most of whose options were either d20 3.5 sourcebooks or White Wolf supplements. Where I am living now, most folks tried to do the same with with Palladium books - forcing them into the shape of "play pretend games" and using some kludges of half-assed homebrew the best brains in the highschool AV club could cobble together.

The point I'm slowly circling is that there are so many more diverse diverse RPG titles and game systems that can emulate specific genres or modes of play, and folks just aren't discovering them because D&D'smarket dominance sucks up all oxygen in the room. There are titles that can do so many more wild and crazy things, from violent crime thrillers like Hollowpoint to playable love stories like The Romance Trilogy to presteige TV simulators like Dramasystem or Prime Time Adventures. There are settings and systems that cover things like Victorian Monster Hunters, Humanistic Occult Horror, Victorian Pulp Adventurers, 1930s Pulp Heroes of various sorts, space opera ... and still so many people entering the TTRPG Space can only ever concieve of things through the lens of D&D. Even half the titles I listed still have many "trad" gaming assumptions, and don't really push what the genre can do.

At the risk of coming off like a grumpy old Marxist...D&D is a cultural hegemony that quietly places limits on what "playing pretend with made-up rules" can be, and most folks don't really question it, or know how to question it.

Well, that's my long, rambling, unformed answer. I hope that was coherent and not too asinine!

One of the funnier manifestations of gleeblor is Pathfinder players: I'll make a post about how D&D will color people's expectations of what RPGs can be like and create a very narrow set of expectations about the medium, and inevitably some Pathfinder player will be like "haha yeah those D&D players should really broaden their horizons, Pathfinder fixes all of their issues," and my friend. I'm sorry to say this but you are not immune to gleeblor and in many regards where it comes to expectations of playstyle created by the game, your favorite game is in fact just another company copying D&D's homework and slightly altering the wording.

[ledesaid]

Billy body-swaps #4

╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║╝╗║

Excellent news.

He survived the Doomsday attack.

Even better news! Flash is officially engaged!

But, today is the day to talk to Batman.

Wrapped in the blankets how a maki in the abandoned subway car, the little boy from Fawcett waits impatiently.

Today is the day. He repeats.

When the clock strikes midnight, he will jump again.

Tick. Tock...

Not much longer...

Tick. Tock...

The dripping from some pipe makes time run slower.

Not much longer...

Batman promised that he could... train... with him...

├───────────┴┴────────────┐

Does anyone know how to drive a car? Because Billy doesn't.

How is he supposed to stop the car when it's going so fast?!

Billy: Stooop!

A loud sound of the brakes throws him practically over the steering wheel. He's still alive, he can swear he might have a bruised rib.

But he's still alive and the car stopped!

Billy: Um... open?

This time the car didn't obey. His grimace of disgust faded as he looked at the cars’s dashboard, filled with buttons of all sizes. He guessed one of them would open the hatch.

Before pressing a large button, he quickly patted his face.

Who was it this time?

"Holy molly! I'm Batman!"

...: Sir? Are you alright? The car sent an alert.

Billy: Yes, yes, everything's fine... thank God the car stopped, it would have been a problem if we crashed out there.

Agent A: By any chance, might you be young Master Marvel?

Billy: Hello Agent A, it looks like I came back to Gotham City.

Agent A: I see, Master Marvel. I shall set the Batmobile to autopilot and escort you back to the Batcave.

Billy: That would be great, I wouldn't want someone to steal its tires for parking it where it shouldn't be.

Agent A: You would be surprised if I told you how that story concluded, sir. Absolutely riveting, it was!

Billy waited patiently while the car resumed the route, but didn't hesitate to play with his communicator. Maybe a little greeting to the League....

Billy: Hello, I'm Batman. Gotham City needs reinforcements. I'm taking the night off.

Billy thought: "Wow, I'm so responsible... Batman would be proud of me."

He can swear someone gasped on the other side of the call.

Superman: Looks like it was Batman's turn today. Do you need help with anything else, Marvel?

Billy: No, I'm just going to check what's inside each compartment of my utility belt, or maybe figure out how to open it first!

Superman: We'll send reinforcements, Marvel, and happy birthday!

Billy: Great, thanks a lot, Mr. Superman! That was two weeks ago, but I appreciate it!

Billy cut the call before another comment slipped through, and indeed, Alfred was in the cave as expected… with a tray of cookies!

Billy: Thank you very much, Agent A! Can you believe that Superman wished me a happy birthday?! Can I have a recording?

Alfred: No problem young master Marvel.

Billy: I can swear I won't be able to eat other cookies without comparing them to yours! Each chip is bigger than a marble!

Alfred: It's a long-standing family recipe that my mother passed down to me. I make sure they always come out perfect.

Billy lost count of how many cookies he ate.

Robin: No way... you're really not him?

Billy: Oh! Hi Robin! Sorry about last time. I didn't want to get caught so quickly.

Robin: Don't worry, it's no problem, I'm in one piece and Batman didn't punish me! everything went well Marvel!

Alfred: Would you like to keep our guest company while I fetch something from the kitchen?

Robin: Sure, is there anything you want to do tonight?

Billy: Can you teach me how to open the compartments of the belt?

Robin: How about we prepare your own belt instead?

Billy: Really?! Can I have my own utility belt?!

Robin: Sure, we have twelve hours, right?

Billy: Can I have a grappling gun too?!

Robin: Sure, the armory has full.

Billy: And can we go out on patrol? I've always wanted to stop a criminal with the terrifying voice! I saw the Bat-Signal in the sky as I was coming. Can we? Can we go?, please, Robin?

Billy clasped his hands and got down on his knees.

Robin: Just let me take a picture and I'll see what I can do about it.

-------

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | U are here | Part 5 | Part 6

[hell-drabbles]

Lucifer 6

Summary: You have Lucifer leaning on your torso while you ask him what is it about you that turns him on.

(This drabble is also weirdly sweet, so enjoy!!! I swear I'll write for a different character eventually. I really want to gush about all the ideas in my head with somebody... There's nothing more fun than just gushing about one's own creations.)

"Hmm? What is it about me that turns you on?" You leaned against your hand, idly stroking the side of Lucifer's face as his back rested against your torso. His skin was fully flushed, mouth hanging slightly agape. He turned to try and capture your fingers, but you pulled away. "Come on, you can't avoid the question by stuffing your mouth. Tell me. I won't be angry."

You busied yourself with Lucifer's buttons, popping them open just enough to press patterns into the valley of his chest. A pleasant hum rumbled beneath your fingers, and finally his voice formed words.

"Your… your voice," he said, as if you had a vice around his neck. You've heard of devils being driven mad by lust, but somehow it never connected that such a thing was real. You can't deny it now, not when you see this devil before you ripping holes into the sheets below just to keep from touching himself. You can practically see his every twitch and throb through his pants. Any other devil probably wouldn't have as strong a self restraint as him.

"My voice is all it takes huh?" you sighed, then cupped Lucifer's chin, guiding him up until he can no longer look away from you, "that's cute, actually."

Stray hairs stuck to his skin as Lucifer was overcome with full body shudders. You couldn't help but trail a finger over the pulse on his neck, just to feel the fluttering beats of his heart.

"Mm-hmm, very cute." You back away before Lucifer could lunge for a kiss. His eye narrowed to a light glare, still refusing to give him any mercy. Funny. "You know, I was always fascinated by your eyes." You brushed away the hairs to see them clearly, allowing him to snuggle up into your palm. "They're filled with an endless patience and a soft, soft love for the world around them. I never have to worry about doing anything wrong just for being my stubborn myself. And I find them wonderful. I find you wonderful, Lucifer."

Lucifer has lived too long to be shocked by such words, but they softened him nonetheless. His face was still overtaken by a deep flush, with a small smile that looked almost shaky. "…you love to try and make me cry, don't you?"

You softly laughed, "Yeah yeah, but you know I meant every word."

A breath shuddered it's way out of his throat, "I know. That… also affects me, in many shameful ways."

"A lot of things about me affect you, I see," you readjusted yourself and leaned back against your hands, "show me exactly how. You have my permission now."

His pupils dilated so quickly, you thought his iris would disappear. You feel bad for the poor devil that will probably have to repair his clothing. Tore through that poor thing like it was nothing. And what a nice snake design it had.

Just to further mess with him, nudged his moaning mouth wider and pressed your thumb flat against his tongue. His fangs grazed against your skin, as if Lucifer was entertaining the notion of clamping down and never letting go, but never will go through with it without your say so.

It's nice, never having to worry about you suddenly being subjected to random whims and then being forgotten about once that boredom was sated.

Here was Lucifer, a devil king that was essentially untouchable, a king that forces the other kings to hold a level of caution about them, and a king that was currently masturbating with your permission.

How fun. How nice that you two have found and come to know one another.

[hyperfocusfox]

So many of these comments on this post did not pass the vibe check so I wanted to add:

I am 30 and trans. (Genderfluid leans masc heavily)

I only have vague memories of the first 27 years of my life because I was so absolutely fucking horribly miserable every day of my life that my brain literally forgot it. Everything was a misery I was simply surviving.

A huge amount of being that miserable was not knowing I was trans. No joke.

And the MAIN REASON I didn't know I was trans was because my parents made it very clear from when I was a young child that they hated trans people and considered them gross and wrong and a sin against god. Very much not a 'letting your child express themself and listening respectfully' sort of environment. So I never allowed myself to even consider it as a possibility until I was outside of my parents influence. Because it wouldn't have been safe. My brain wouldn't even let me think about it.

Well all things considered how can I be so sure it was the lack of trans support making me miserable and not something else? Glad you asked. Here are some fun facts about me as a kid/teen.

I remember when I was really little and my parents stopped letting me run around without a shit on outside. And I was so confused and upset. Because my brother and my dad got to play outside without a shirt. Why not me? I didn't understand and was annoyed.

I always tried to act like one of the guys at school: climbing trees and roughhousing with people much more than anyone else. Tbh I was a bit too violent because I clearly didn't fit in and was overcompensating.

I used to be fascinated by the one or two trans kids at my school. I would watch them anytime they were around me and emotionally I ached. And I could never figure out why. And then I would have to pretend I hated them because my parents taught me I had to.

I used to watch YouTube videos of people who had top surgery and their experience with it. I would watch late at night when no one was awake and be captivated for hours. And then I would look up pictures of what people looked like after top surgery. And at that time it was much harder to find resources or images for. So I would look for hours. And then I would feel so upset afterwards and not know why. And I would pretend I didn't watch/see any of it because I felt so hurt and confused by my fascination with a topic that was supposed to be taboo.

Sometimes I would be spending time with adults and someone would share news that someone we knew had breast cancer or endometriosis. And I would feel JEALOUS. I would feel a deep jealousy. I would consider them lucky, while other people would mourn and cry over the need for necessary surgery such as mastectomies or hysterectomies. I would wish that were me. And then I would feel like a horrible awful shit person for thinking that. Because what the fuck right?

Do you want to know what it took to make me realize I was trans?

I had just disconnected from my parents and an abusive ex. It was the first time in my life I ever felt safe. The first time I was ever in a position to not be judged in 27 years of living.

And my trans friend was talking to their drunk coworker about them being nonbinary. And the drunk guy turned to me unceremoniously and said 'are you nonbinary too? Is that you as well?'

And I was literally stunned because no one had literally EVERY IN MY LIFE asked me about my gender before. And I gave the most awkward delayed stuttering reply of 'n-no. I'm a female.' It was not fucking convincing AT ALL to anyone present. Except for maybe the drunk guy who forgot he even asked the question by the time I replied. And I literally couldn't stop thinking about it. I thought about that until I literally realized I was trans.

That's it. That's all it took. Was me being in a nonjudgmental environment and for one single person to ask me my gender.

Having any freedom to explore my gender as a kid in a safe way with any amount of support from my family would have been fucking LIFE CHANGING. All the nonsurgical care approaches mentioned above would have been LIFE CHANGING for me as a child.

I still would have fumbled around for a bit trying to figure out what exactly was the right label. (Which I did as an adult anyways while feeling incredibly self conscious lol) But I would have come to the exact same conclusion years sooner with just any amount of support. And honestly it would have been less likely I made any permanent changes I regretted.

Being a full adult who had already gone through a puberty that didn't work for me made everything so much harder. All my decisions felt more pressured and more hectic because I was so desperate to lessen my dysphoria. My body was so mentally distressing to me that even while being very careful to make my decisions with the help of my therapist and my doctor it was still hard to tell what I was doing because it was what I wanted and what I was doing to just try anything to try to fix the dysphoria. (It worked out I'm good and happy with everything I decided to do.)

If I was transitioning as a kid I could have just paused puberty with blockers and then taken the time I needed to figure things out in a social setting without as much stress and crushing dysphoria from my physical body and being worried I needed to do everything right away or it was too late.

Gender affirming care is life changing care for trans people, especially kids. At all levels. The social support, the puberty blockers, the hormones, and even the surgeries. It saves lives. It keeps kids alive. We can skip whole arcs of trauma for these kids by just listening to them and respecting them and letting them figure it out. Please please please protect trans kids and their healthcare.

is it okay for a minor to go through and consent to life changing surgeries?

especially when they cannot drive, vote, get a tattoo, you think a minor has the ability to think through such a decision?

[marydoyouwrite]

Paint My Love

PAIRING: husband!mafia!doyoung, painter!reader (reader is a shy and awkward mess but she's also a softie who expresses herself well through art)

GENRE: smut; arranged marriage; a bit slow burn...?

SUMMARY: You've been married to Doyoung for almost a year now, no thanks to an arranged marriage planned by your families who only want what's 'best' for both of you. You and Doyoung barely meet, and when you do, he avoids you like the plague. Until one night he comes home and he asks you to stay as he eats dinner.

WARNINGS: Doyoung has a big cock, but this is fairly vanilla? Let me know!

5.3k word count

+++

You hear the door to your home opening as you dry the last dish you were washing. And this startles you because it's only past 7pm and your husband is already home.

Husband.

The thought of the term squeezes your heart for a little bit. Seeing each other like this is a moment you dread. Not because you hate him, but maybe because you really don't. You were okay with Doyoung and you thought, because both of you really didn't have a say in the marriage, that he would be too. But apparently not.

After your wedding, he went straight to his room and you had to fight the empty feeling you felt that night. Ever since, every chance encounter you had, either in the hallways, in the kitchen, or on the way out your house, ended up in avoidance. He wouldn't look at you, so much as breathe in your direction. And at first, it made your little heart sad. As someone who isn't really good at making the first move, you took his avoidance as a sign that he wants nothing to do with you.

But now, it bothers you a bit less. You made a schedule around the time he's not home so you wouldn't have to experience the awkward feeling. He's out of the house by 6 in the morning and usually comes home past 11 at night.

This time, you groan inwardly because he's home too early! When you hear him entering the kitchen, you note that there was a slight pause in his steps. Probably surprised to see you there. You don't face to greet him, instead, you focus on finishing the dishes so you can hurry back upstairs and lock yourself in your room.

But your plan is interrupted and you almost dropped the dish you were holding when he clears his throat.

"Sorry, but is there any food left?"

"Oh! Uhm, yeah. T-There's some in the fridge. I'll heat it up."

He nods his head a little bit. You probably responded a bit too fast there but your heart is racing. It was the first time he's ever talked to you. It would be a lie to say you weren't surprised at how deep his voice sounded.

You brisk-walked to the fridge and popped the pasta you cooked a while ago into the microwave. You bowed your head and started picking on your fingers. From behind your hair you moved your eyes to steal a glance at Doyoung just to see him looking at you, too.

You're surprised at the eye contact so you turn around and the microwave was just right on time to do its work. The pasta was ready. You carelessly grab it and put it in front of him. You also got some utensils along the way.

"Thank you, y/n."

And now, you awkwardly stand in front of him not sure about what to do. It wouldn't be rude to leave him, right? Or would it? It's not like you're friendly with each other!

Your thoughts make you hesitate and Doyoung notices it.

"Can you join me for a bit?"

And you're taken aback. You point at yourself to make sure he wants YOU to join him for a bit. And when he nods, you quickly grab the seat in front of him and sit down. Your back is straight and you don't know what to do with your hands. You are lost and you are a mess. You look at everything aside from him. Nobody can blame you. This is a scenario that's happened for the first time in almost a year.

Doyoung beaks the silence.

"Do I scare you?"

"No!"

And you choke on your own saliva before composing yourself and answering him again.

"I mean.. maybe just a little bit? We're not exactly on speaking terms."

This time when you answer him again, you get a chance to really look at him. He is the finest person you've ever laid your eyes on. He has a refined look with very distinct features. His eyes and nose are sharp but everything is balanced out by the softness on his cheeks and the light pink on his lips.

"I'm sorry to make you feel that way. It's my fault for always avoiding you. But trust that I'm the last person you should be afraid of."

Is this an opportunity to ask him? You're dying to know why he's avoided you from the beginning. But at the same time, you don't want to confirm anything that might make you more miserable than you already are. You eventually decide to be brave.

"Why though?

"Hmm?"

"W-Why do you avoid me..."

You look down and brace yourself for whatever his reasons are. You are fully prepared to be punched in the gut.

"I was just thinking you'd be more comfortable that way. I was partly the reason why you lost your freedom."

"Oh."

You slumped at his confession. All this time, you were lonely because he was trying to be considerate. And you don't know what to feel. You recall the nights you felt so lonely. You weren't a sociable person so you had very few friends, and the very few friends you had, weren't always in the country. Contrary to the expectation that daughters from rich families are socialities, you aren't. You preferred doing what you loved.

And being in an arranged marriage made you expect that you would somehow gain a new friend in the person of your husband. After all, you both had no choice. You thought maybe, you can be partners? But then, when he wasn't meeting your eyes and was trying his best to avoid you, you tell yourself that you can't push yourself on people. Creating connections was a choice, even if he was already your husband.

And then now you discover that Doyoung was just being considerate. How many nights of crying would you have avoided if you just made the first move instead of assuming? And how many nights of feeling alone would Doyoung have saved you from if he also didn't assume what you preferred?

So, oh. That was your dry ass response.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I wasn't comfortable. I was... lonely."

His eyes soften and he reaches out to you. It's as if the lowness in your voice and the slump on your shoulders made him understand what you felt.

"I'm sorry, Y/n. It was wrong of me to just avoid you all this time." He lifts your head gently. "I'll make it up to you. I hope I'm not too late to do that."

You hear the sincerity in his voice so you nod at him. You ignore the butterflies in your stomach because you don't want to hope too much.

"Let me just wash my plate and why don't I walk you to your room as a start?" He smiles a little bit and you mirror it.

"O-Okay." You made a mental note to fucking stop stammering.

"Did you cook the pasta?"

"Yeah, is it bad?"

"No, it tastes amazing. Thank you for dinner. I should come home early more often."

"If you can, then I'll always cook dinner enough for both of us."

"I'll look forward, then."

You stand beside him as he washes his plate and utensils. You have a lot of things you're curious about him but you don't want to rush anything. Since he's making it up with you, you guess you'll have more time to talk later on.

"You probably want to ask me a lot of things. You can ask me anything. You don't have to hesitate." He looks down to meet your eyes and you're the first to shy away.

"Okay, but later."

Doyoung just smiles in acknowledgment and puts everything back in the drying rack.

"Shall we?"

And both of you go upstairs to your rooms. It's not awkward walking side by side in silence. It's new, but not awkward. You feel him glancing at you every now and then but he doesn't say anything. It's okay though. You have a feeling that in time, you'll be really good friends.

You reach your room and he opens the door for you.

"Here you are."

"Here I am." You just look at each other for a few more seconds before you break eye contact, again, for the second time tonight. You smile at each other before saying good night.

"Good night, Doyoung."

"Good night, Y/n."

You race back to your bed side and you take your notebook out. Before sleeping, you want to list down some dishes you can cook now that Doyoung is also going to eat what you cooked.

You're not an expert but he said he liked the pasta, so you might be decent cook. Besides, you hated eating out if you could avoid it so you've been cooking for yourself since college.

While scribbling down some ideas, your thoughts drift back to Doyoung's face. How everything is so in harmony with each other. How it's nice to look at and probably nice to touch, too. Then, his lips. Before you know it, you fell asleep with his face the last thing you thought.

---

Doyoung wakes up early. Being in the mafia required him to do so. His work doesn't involve too much fighting. That was his friend's Taeyong's job. His was the business side of it all -- the numbers, analytics, risk calculations, negotiations, etc. Although when it came down to it, he never hesitated to pull the trigger.

Last night was one of the rare times he gets to come home early. It was a smooth week after closing a complicated deal with a Japanese arms dealer. And on the drive home, his mind flashed your image, like it would always do at random times. How could he not think of you? You were a mystery aside from, of course, being his wife.

He never talked to you. Never made it obvious he would steal some looks at you when you cross paths at home. But never did he approach you, afraid that you would run away from him. And god forbid you left him.

On your wedding day, he thought you were the most beautiful woman he ever saw. You were quiet and shy majority of the time but when you smiled, everything around you glowed. But he knew it was an arranged marriage you never wanted to happen. So he swore to make it bearable for you to stay with him.

This time, he wonders if you'd allow him to take a step closer to you.

He couldn't feel any lighter when he recalls how your conversation went last night. He wanted to punch himself when he learned that all this time, you've been lonely all by yourself. But he shrugs off the guilt and instead focuses on the part that you've let him make it up to you. He'll fight hell just to come home in time for dinner every night.

He finishes tucking in his shirt and considers going to your room to bid you farewell before going to the office. Of course you're still asleep. But it wouldn't be weird right? He's your husband after all.

He comes out of his room and goes to yours. He's a bit surprised to find you sleeping on your table and not on the bed. He thinks about how sore you'll feel when you wake up.

He walks to you and sees the open notebook beside you with a list of dishes you listed, and then crossed out, with beef stew encircled more than twice. He smiles at the thought and gets excited for the beef stew you'll cook later.

He gently carries you to your bed and tucks you in. He brushes your hair away from your face and stares at you for a few more minutes. He gently pats your hair before leaving you to get more sleep. He can't bring himself to kiss you. Not when he hasn't made it up to you, yet.

His only thought the whole day is dinner. With you.

---

You hum a random tune as you stir the pot of beef stew you decided to cook for dinner. You feel giddy and nervous at the same time. It's the first time you're having dinner with Doyoung. And of course, the both of you get to talk.

You had a really good day. Aside from the quick whiplash you had when you realized you were on your bed as you recall being on your table prior to falling asleep. But you shrugged it off thinking you transferred to your bed in the middle of the night.

You also had a productive one because you were in the process of completing your collection for your next exhibit which is in 8 months. It seems to be a long time, but your target is to finalize your line up, at least 6 months before your exhibit. And you've decided on your final piece. You were hesitant at first but then eventually decided to do it. It'll be a project that you'll pour your heart and soul into.

You hear Doyoung's car entering your garage and you're elated. The table is set and the stew is perfect. You turn off the fire and quickly run to the door. You don't quite care if Doyoung thinks you're desperate and too excited. Quite frankly, you are excited.

Doyoung opens the door and his eyes widen when he sees you in front of him.

"Hi!" you beam. He recovers from his surprise and he smiles back at you.

"Hi, y/n. It smells delicious here."

"Does it? I cooked beef stew." He looks at you knowingly with a glimmer in his eyes.

"Did you? Well, I looked forward to dinner the whole day."

"Really?"

"Really."

You help him with his coat and walk together to the kitchen. You get the pot of stew and place it on the pot holder in the middle of all the side dishes you bought from a nearby restaurant.

You look at Doyoung and you see his jaw dropped at the aesthetics of it all.

"This is what I've been missing?" You giggle a little bit before serving him some of the stew on his plate.

"Well, I don't cook like this for myself. But I can't let you eat plain dinner."

"I'd gladly eat anything you prepare. I hope preparing this didn't tire you out too much?"

"Nope! It was easy. Plus, the side dishes were from the restaurant at 4th street."

You look at him expectantly as he takes his first bite.

"No kidding, Y/n, but this is the best stew I ever had."

You smile at his words and start eating, too. Getting the beef perfectly tender was worth it!

"How was your day?"

"Oh, well, not much! I have an exhibit coming up in 8 months. I spent the whole afternoon planning my last piece."

"Wow, an exhibition. Do you have a theme for it already?"

The curiosity in Doyoung's voice made you sit straight. You don't get a chance to talk about your work that much. Only when it's time to address your audience do you get to do it. But now, your husband wants to know more about your work.

"Yes, the theme is going to be Syndesi. It's greek for connection."

"Why did you choose that for your theme?"

"Connection is usually what inspires me for my work. When something or uh, someone, makes me feel something, I'm inclined to immortalize it on canvass."

Doyoung looks at you for moment. "I hope I can get a ticket to see your exhibition. I heard it sells out fast."

You laugh at his remark and add, "Well you're in luck because I happen to have a privilege for a plus one."

Dinner goes by smoothly. You enjoy the conversations you had with Doyoung. He kept asking you questions he's curious about and you happily respond to everything.

"Leave it alone, I'll wash it!"

"Hey, you cooked dinner, of course I'll wash the dishes."

"You must be tired though! Why don't you let me? I really don't mind."

"It's okay, this should be quick. If you want you can stay here with me while I wash. Then, I'll walk you to your room again."

You like his idea. So you walk back to one of the stools and sit down as Doyoung folds his sleeves to start washing. For a moment, you allow yourself to admire him. His broad shoulders seem so dependable and his back so strong. You look at his arms and you wonder how it would feel like to be carried in them. You're embarassed at your thoughts so you clear your throat and decide to walk beside him.

"What's your favorite food?"

---

"What's your favorite food?"

Doyoung looks at you as you stand beside him. He's tried not to dwell too much on it but now that you're standing so close to him, he can't help but burn this image of you on his mind. You were wearing a university shirt that's sized so perfectly for you and a pair of red shorts that was too short for his comfort but perfect for his liking. The shirt was modest, and yet it hugged your breasts and your waist in a way that made him imagine lewd and terrible things.

"Doyoung?"

"Oh, yeah. I liked the beef stew you cooked tonight."

"Beef stew is your favorite?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Wow! I didn't know that? I got lucky, huh?"

He looks at you again and he can tell you for sure that he's the one who's lucky. His mind is back in the gutter when he notes how milky the skin on your thighs look. A perfect canvass waiting to be marked by him. He feels his cock getting hard at his thoughts so he quickly finishes washing the dishes so he can save himself from embarrasment.

"Let me tuck you in."

He walks you to your room and bids you good night. He badly needs to deal with the hard on that he brought upon himself.

"Thank you for dinner, Y/n. Good night." You smile at him with a smile that went straight to his balls.

"Good night, Doyoung."

If the smile wasn't enough, you gave him a quick hug before closing the door behind you.

It was going to be a long night.

---

Dinners with Doyoung were the highlight of your days. Before you knew it, 3 months have passed and you've grown closer to each other. He's become a friend you can rely on and you want to think you've also become that way for him.

Tonight, though, you can't cook. You're going to have to buy some take outs because you want to show him something. It's been 3 months since you also started working on the last piece for your exhibition and today's the day you planned to show it to Doyoung.

It took you a whole day to work on the finishing touches before finally being satisfied. You dont want to postpone showing this to Doyoung because today is a special day. It also works with your personal deadline for the exhibit, so nothing can stop you from showing it to him tonight.

You look at the clock and see that it's almost 7. You panic because you haven't ordered the take outs and you are a huge mess! Your hair is tied in a very messy bun with so many paint splatters on your shirt, arms, and thighs. Not very glamorous but you can't afford scolding yourself now. Not now that you already hear Doyoung's car parking!

You run out of your office and get to the door as fast as you can. You were panting when Doyoung came in and he is rightfully surprised to see you.

---

"Doyoung!"

He is shocked and awfully turned on while looking at you as you tried to catch your breath. Your hair was tucked in a bun and you were wearing a loose white shirt with shorts underneath, that he's not really sure about. Hard to say because your shirt went over whatever bottoms you had on. And fuck, he already thought you were pretty. But right now, you were gorgeous enough to make him lose his mind.

"Doyoung, I'm sorry I couldnt make dinner, I was rushing something!"

"Hey, its okay. We can do take outs. Want me to order?" You sigh in relief.

"I was just gonna ask you to! While waiting, I'm just gonna take a shower because I reek of paint and thinner."

"I got you. Take your time and leave the take outs to me."

"Thank you!"

You rush up to your room and he settles on the sofa. He dials a number and asks the person on the other line to deliver some good steak, wine, and sides to your home.

He replays how you looked like again. You were catching your breath and he's convinced he's turned into a lunatic because all he can think about is how pretty you would look like catching your breath under him as he fucked you senselessly.

He pinches the bridge of his nose and decides to take a quick cold shower and change into comfortable clothes too, as he waits for the food.

Doyoung comes down after showering just in time for the food's arrival. He fixes the table and gets everything ready for when you're done showering. And as he hears your footsteps descending down the stairs, he places the wine on the table.

"Steak and wine?! They still deliver at this time?"

"I called a friend."

"Really? He brought it that quick? It was barely an hour." Doyoung laughs.

"Well, he's a good friend. Let's eat?"

The whole dinner, Doyoung had to remind himself of self control. As usual, your conversations were pleasant. He's been laughing at your stories and you've been asking him questions you were curious about. This time, about the places he's been to.

But, hell, his limits are constantly being pushed. You were wearing a pink camisole top with silk pajamas. The camisole gave him a sweet little peek at the luscious top of your breasts. He knows that one of these days, he'll get sick from all the cold showers he's taking.

"Doyoung? Hello?"

"Uhm, yeah? Sorry I was thinking of something I left in the office."

"Oh is it important? Do you have to go back?" He notes the tinge of sadness in your voice.

"No, no. That's a tomorrow thing. Dont worry about it. What were you saying?"

"I wanted to show you something."

"Really? What is it?"

"Do you remember when I told you I was working on my last piece for the exhibit?"

"Yeah, of course I do."

"Well.. it's done!"

"It is? That's amazing! And are you going to show it to me?" you nod shyly.

"Would you like to see it now?

"I cant wait. Show me."

You stand from your seat and very slowly, you carefully took one of his fingers in your hand. You looked up at him as if asking if its okay to hold him like that. So he assures you by fully holding your hand.

You both go up and walk towards the last room which he knows to be your office. He never went inside as he treats it as one of your private spaces where you can be yourself. As you went inside the office, he sees a huge canvass in the middle covered by a gray cloth.

You leave him to walk towards the canvass. And slowly, you unveil the art work. As you reveal the final piece to your exhibit, he stiffens in awe. He is blown away.

Slowly he walks toward the huge canvass and stares at his eyes that was staring back at him. It was him. The final piece you were excited about, the art that you mentioned so many times, the painting that crowned your exhibit on connections -- was his face.

He can't begin to describe the swell in his heart. He feels out of breath. You have captured everything about him that he thought only a mirror can. Hell, this was better than a mirror. You captured a longing in his eyes that he thought he was able to hide from you.

"I wanted this to be the final piece because the connection I made with you is my favorite one. I h-hope thats okay."

He looks at you and takes quick strides to stand in front of you.

"Y/n.. will you let me kiss you." He sees you part your lips and your eyes widen a little bit, but you let him.

"Y-You can kiss me."

And he does. He kisses your lips with all the pent up passion he's kept within him.

---

Doyoung kisses you with so much passion.

You feel his tongue seeking entrance to your mouth and you welcome him. You part your lips very slightly and he takes his time to explore every inch of your mouth.

You feel feverish because of the kiss and your knees turn weak so you support yourself by holding on to his arms. You feel his hands roam at your back as he continues to kiss you.

You feel his lips travel down to your jaw until he reaches a sensitive spot on your neck. You close your eyes and moan his name as he sucks on the sensitive spot.

"Y/n, you have to forgive me. I might not be able to hold myself back tonight."

"I dont want you to hold back."

Your answer lights a fire in Doyoung and he carries you out of your office and into his room. He sets you down on his bed and attaches his lips to yours again. As he does, his hands roam around inside your camisole. His thumbs play on the skin just under your breasts.

"Arms up, baby."

And you comply. He discards your camisole and throws them somewhere on the floor. He looks at you like he is starved before he lowers himself to your chest. He takes your breasts in his two hands and fondle both of them gently.

"You're a fucking dream. They're beyond whatever I've imagined. "

He puts one of your nipples in his mouth and sucks on it while he fiddles the other one between his fingers.

"D-Doyoung, ahh."

He peers up at you before sucking on your other nipple. He plays with your breasts for a bit more before he lifts himself up. He looks at you and he is proud to have made the skin on your chest and your nipples, the bright color red that they are right now.

Doyoung takes the band of your pajamas between his fingers and pulls it down. He places a kiss on your core before removing the last piece of clothing that' preventing him from seeing the whole of you.

"So, beautiful, my wife. Open your legs for me."

And you do. You dont even feel shy anymore. As far as youre concerned, you're burning for this man in front of you.

"Good girl."

He kisses the inside of your thighs and using his index finger, he makes small circles on your skin. Slowly, he dips his head into your core and starts giving your slit some kitten licks before fully sucking on your clit. You arch your back at the sensation.

"A-ahh! Yes, oh, Doyoung!"

While sucking on your clit, Doyoung inserts a finger inside you and your hips buckle at the intrusion.

"So wet for me. So ready to take me in."

He inserts another and curls it to reach a delicious spot inside you that makes you scream a bit.

He continues to pump his fingers in and out of you as he looks up.

"Can you come for me, Y/n?"

"Y-Yes! Oh god, I-I'm almost... fuck, almost there."

"Let it out, angel."

And you don't need to be told twice. A powerful wave of orgasm hits you and Doyoung rides you through your high by continuously moving his fingers. He goes down on you again to lick the cum out of you.

"Delicious. You taste so sweet."

You catch your breath and realize that Doyoung hasn't removed a single piece of his clothing yet. But that's about to change. You prop yourself up using your elbows as he removes his shirt and discards his pajama.

As he does, his cock springs out in all its glory. You feel a cold sweat on your back as you see how huge your husband is. Not that you had a lot to compare it to. It's just that, you dont think it'll fit.

"Doyoung... will it fit?" Your husband chuckles at your evident nervousness.

"It will, angel. Can you relax for me now?"

You lay back down again and decide to trust Doyoung. He grabs your legs and spreads them wide open. He situates himself between you and grabs something from the drawer of his bedside. Before he gets to tear the packet of condom, you speak.

"N-No condom."

"I'm not opposed to having kids with you, y/n. But are you okay with getting pregnant immediately after tonight? Because it thats what you want, I'll make sure you do."

You almost rolled your eyes, but you don't. Instead, you shyly cover your face.

"I started taking the pill." Doyoung is shocked but his face breaks into a playful grin. And you cant blame him becuase you're not exactly on fucking terms. It only meant that you didnt consider fucking out of the question. It was very much in the question for you.

"I'll grill you more on that after."

"I'd like that, please."

Doyoung throws the condom behind him and he teases your entrance with the tip of his cock. He slowly eases inside of you and you tear up at the penetration.

"H-hurts..."

"I'm almost halfway, baby. Can you take it for me." You nod at him as he bottoms out inside of you. You take a deep breath at the burning pain.

"I have to move now, Y/n."

"Wait! N-not yet.."

"I promise it'll feel better." Doyoung starts to move inside of you. Very slowly at first and gradually picking up the pace. And he's right, it does feel better.

You make all sorts of noises and you're sure you've left a couple of nail marks on Doyoung's back. But you couldnt care less.

"F-fuck, you're so tight!"

One of Doyoung's hands press down on your stomach and you scream at the feeling.

"A-Ahh! Doyoung, faster please." He grabs hold of your waist a bit too tight that you know it'll leave a mark on you tomorrow morning.

"Shit! I feel you squeezing my cock, are you close, angel?"

"Y-Yes! Ahh.... ahh!"

Doyoung slams himself into you with more speed and strength. He puts his thumb over your clit and this sends you over the edge.

"I'm c-coming, Doyoung!"

"I'm close, too. Fuck! Come for me, Y/n."

And you do. You orgasmed so hard and Doyoung thrusts into you a few more times before you feel his hot cum fill your walls.

Doyoung doesnt let his weight crush you and instead he waits for while before he pulls out of you. You sigh at the loss of contact. Doyoung gives you a quick kiss on your forehead before he walks away for a little bit and comes back with a towellete to wipe the inside of your thighs.

After he cleans you up, he joins you in bed and hugs you to his chest. He covers both of you with a blanket and he brushes your the strands of hair that fell on your face.

He stares at you with a warm look before speaking again.

"Happy anniversary, Y/n."

"You knew?"

"I did."

You reach up to kiss him on the lips before snuggling closer to his chest.

"Happy anniversary, Doyoung."

"About the pills..."

You groan out loud, but you look forward to tomorrow.

---

a/n: Enjoy~!

[princessfoxington]

Spoilers for Poppy Playtime Chapter 4!

Do not click read more if you haven't seen or played Chapter 4 yet!

Me and my sister watched 8-bit Ryan play chapter 4, and here's what we got from it!

This game is getting darker and more morbid with each chapter being released! I mean, look at the body count we've got in this chapter!!!!

Both Pianosaurous and Yarnaby were robbed of potential. They trolled us with Pianosaurous's introduction in which he's killed by Doey 5 seconds after we get to see him! and Yarnaby was promoted the most for this chapter, but he didn't get much screen time or have any important role!

Harley Sawyer A.K.A The Doctor is a spectacular villain, and (honestly kinda hot) WHAT? NOTHING! SHUT UP!

I lost my shit when I found out Doey the Doughman is voiced by non other than Michael Kovach! Who also voices: Jax from TADC, Rocky Rickaby from Lackadaisy, Angel Dust from The Hazbin Hotel Pilot, N from Murder Drones, and The Puppet guy from Billie Bust Up. ( I know the puppets name, I just don't know how to spell it and I'm too lazy to search up.)

I hate the fact that The crew behind Poppy Playtime keeps introducing us to lovable characters and then killing them off minutes later!!!! I'M NOT OVER DOGDAY AND I WILL NEVER BE OVER DOEY!!!! 😢

I realize The Player has quite a body count if you think about it: Mommy Long-Legs, Miss Delight, Catnap, Harley Sawyer, and Doey The Doughman! ( I don't really think Yarnaby counts)

I feel like when we finally meet The Prototype, not only will he be terrifying as fuck, but he might pull this "You're just as awful as I am, so you might as well join me" thing on us.

I think we all knew Ollie was The Prototype in disguise. However, The Prototype did mention that there used to be an Ollie. Either he killed Ollie years ago, Or he meant is as a way of saying the boy he was before is gone. Maybe he used to be Ollie, or maybe I'm crazy!

My sweet Kissy Missy! 💗 I'm so glad she's alive, but I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up sacrificing herself for us in the next chapter. After all, she's pretty much the only one we have left to trust.

I feel bad for Poppy, but I also think she's a bit selfish and not empathetic as she was planning on sacrificing innocent loves (and even herself) just to kill the prototype! She's scared, I know that, but she didn't seem to care about The Player, Kissy, Doey, or anyone in safe haven.

Doey's monster form is sad to look at knowing that he is not one entity of a child, but three: Mathew, Kevin, and Jack. We know how Jack became part of Doey, but I'm not sure how the other two children were added into him.

WE ALL KNEW!!!! WE ALL FUCKING KNEW THAT HUGGY WUGGY WAS ALIVE!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAH-

He looks like he has the same injuries as Kissy. He even lost an arm or maybe just a hand. I almost had a thought that maybe He and Kissy or the same, but than I realized how stupid that is! I tend to overthink details when I'm excited!!!!

One more thing, poor Riley.....😭

Well, now we've got to wait another year for the next chapter of Poppy Playtime. Do you think next chapter will be the last?

[margotw10bis]

BUILD A HOME.JJK [m] Teaser

business partner!Jungkook x female reader

Genre: angst; smut; romance (?); friends (?) to lovers

Words: ?

Synopsis: Working with Jungkook is a pain in the ass, resulting in numerous fights that always end up with angry sex. However, you wouldn't want to work with anyone else than him.

Warnings: none for the teaser

Namjoon and Jungkook have done a miracle: redoing the facade wall in just one day. You can read on their faces their tiredness. That’s why you invite them to a Korean Barbecue restaurant tonight.

While entering the restaurant with your brother and Jungkook, you notice how the waitress instantly blushes after eyeing at the younger man. You can’t blame her: Jungkook with a denim jacket is quite dangerous for young hearts… She doesn’t even seem to see you or Namjoon, her glance being stuck on Jungkook. She leads your group — or only the inked man, you can’t say — to your table and you welcome the sweet rest and the chill atmosphere of the restaurant.

You don’t have time to start any conversation that the waitress comes back to take your drink orders. She must have a special talent because she can write down what you tell her without even looking at her notepad, which allows her to be completely focused on Jungkook. You watch her tentatively flirting with him with an amused grin. You wait for the waitress to leave to speak.

"You should give her your number" Jungkook looks at you with a questioning look and you roll your eyes "She seems to really like you" You explain, pointing at the waitress with a nod of the head 

"She’s cute but not my type" He nonchalantly replies, just like he was taking about a piece of clothing 

"Oh come on! Every girl is your type" You sigh with frustration 

"Really?" He asks, playfulness noticeable in his doe eyes 

"Was it like a week ago?" You fake thinking while tapping your finger on your lower lip, clearly remembering how Jungkook abandoned you at the restaurant to end the night with a random woman "You left with a false blond girl. Before that, you were with a foreigner, a French girl I think. Oh, and one month ago, you had a thing with a forty-year old woman. How can you say you have a type?" You joke 

"Don’t be jealous, you’re the only one I stick to" Jungkook says with a flirty tone that makes you shiver in disgust 

"Please, don’t’"You snap back with a laugh

Namjoon is watching your little interaction with wide eyes. He can’t understand how Jungkook could even think about another girl when there is… whatever it is between you two. And also, how can you be okay with Jungkook dating other girls. You two are so fucking weird. 

Between beer and chatting, you gather some meat on the grill and settle it on Jungkook’s plate — you have noticed that he is so into his weird anecdote that he hasn’t eaten for at least ten minutes. In exchange, without even be conscious of it, your partner fixes your woolen cardigan that has slipped from your shoulder. 

Your bother is watching you two with a suspicious eye. 

"You’re sure you two are not together?" He cuts Jungkook off 

You can’t help laughing, a little too much not to offend the younger man. 

"What? Of course not" You end up answering 

"Hey, don’t be too startled by the idea, I’m a great boyfriend" Jungkook pouts

"No, you’re not. I know you way too well. Stop talking non sense" You reply, grabbing his cheeks to tease him even more 

"Well, the perfect boyfriend that I am is going to take a piss" He announces while snapping your hand away from his face

[fraudulent-cheese]

You know, funny you bring that up, i actually kinda went on a rant/analysis about this in discord the other day... More centered on the kids themselves than their parents but yes, i'd argue the parents of the kids post gen 1 are at best a little neglectful or too hands off, and at worst just do not care about their child's safety whatsoever.

To get a concrete answer answer on this however, we kinda need to know exactly how the more dangerous and absurd aspects of Total Drama were considered in canon. Like. was the ending scene of world tour actually aired in canon? were all the scenes in mike's head only there for our convenience or did they actually convince this italian boy to dress up as his alters and reenact their discussions? Do the people in universe think the more dramatic scenes or harsher injuries were exaggerated for the cameras, or is the promise of a million dollars enough to sway concerns? (because let's be real here: a million dollars is a fuck ton of money. i calculated for fun what money Cameron would actually be giving in his ending and if every camper takes him up on his offer they get around 77 grand. which is crazy)

If we're talking specifically Gen 1 parents, basically every parent except Sierra's and Alejandro's gets a pass for letting their kid on TD, since it's kinda plot relevant that they were duped into thinking it would be on a luxury hotel and not. crappy summer camp except there's a middle aged guy torturing you for clout. (if you want i'll drop what i said about Ale and Sierra's parents in a seperate reblog because i had. alot to say.)

HOWEVER. I cannot give this pass to the Gens 2, 3 and (maybe) 4 contestants or their parents. Outside of the ones that didn't know (Damien, maybe Dave, unknown if Anne Maria or Ella watched more than just a couple episodes since they only talk about the singing), they really watched the "get thrown out of planes" season or god forbid the "toxic waste" season and decided "yep, auditionning this show is a great idea, actually".

Yes, it was the most popular reality show in universe at some point, but REALLY? Are you sure this is a good idea? ZOEY ARE YOU SURE THIS IS A GOOD IDEA YOU SAW THE VOLCANO FINALE

This goes double for the Pahkitew Island cast, btw. based on their audition tapes + Leonard's stated age in Ridonculous Race, they had to have had sent their tapes close enough in time to the actual filming of the season itself. Which means this was after Revenge. Like at that point auditionning for TD would only be something you'd do if you either:

desperately needed to be away from your family/get that mil

considered the more outlandish happenings to be staged in some way

have the ultimate "Nah i'd win" mindset and just think the bad shit won't happen to you because yes

In any case, their parents HAD to have let them be on the show. How. Especially for the Roti cast's parents, actually (i hc that TD's ratings started dropping after World Tour but this isn't confirmed in canon) because as established, this shit was POPULAR popular. They at least had to have heard about it, and i wouldn't understand why you wouldn't at least double check to see if the show wouldn't make your kid get life long consequences from it. Then again, maybe im overestimating what regular people know about Reality TV and all of it's possible consequences on their contestants or whatever.

So yeah. Gen 2 and Gen 3 parents are not off the hook whatsoever on this... but im not sure about Gen 4.

Listen. Listen. Hear me out. I don't know how much the reboot cast knew about the show. Idk how much teenagers care about 10+ year old reality shows, no matter how popular they got outside of youtube videos talking about the more negative sides or keeping up with the former contestants. or something. I sincerely doubt the show wouldn't have developped an Action Park-like reputation, but... people still went to Action Park when it was open. Even after people fucking died. Maybe it morphed into daring your friends to submit an audition or hoping you could get major clout out of it?

But im still giving Gen 4's parents the major side-eye. They were VERY MUCH alive and aware of the show while it was airing, Priya's parents are proof of this.

On one hand, the most recent related season to TD in canon was most likely Ridonculous Race, and from what i know it got less extreme than TD? In terms of injuries? Like the worst that happends is a broken arm and a concussion i believe. Trends get forgotten quickly. Maybe they promised it would be safer somewhere in the contract??

On the other... They were alive during the time TD presumably aired in canon. They had to have heard about some things, right? Unless Chris burried the intern deaths, the injuries, the everything, (or it was covered up as staged/it was actually staged) shit had to have come out eventually right? RIGHT??? Did no one do any double checking? Granted some of the reboot parents already seem neglectful in canon (Ripper, Chase, Scary Girl, Julia even come to mind), but... Did Damien's parents not ask about it at all? Did neither Raj or Wayne's parents double check what their kids would be doing for summer? Do their parents even know they're going on Total Drama at this point???

uh, TLDR: Something is up with the Gens 2 and up parents, but i'd argue there's something up with the contestants themselves as well.

when u think abt it a lot of td parents are shitty like lightnings dad wouldnt even pay attention to him, duncan’s dad questioned if they really loved him, heather’s parents were celebrating she was gone, sierra’s mom is neglectful of her to the point she puts her idols before her own daughter, trent’s dad doesn’t support him being into music, cody’s parents forget his bday, courtney’s parents have pushed her so hard to succeed she feels inadequate when being anything but successful.i’m p sure u got good td parents like dj’s and cameron’s moms, but like….jesus christ dude

[euphoria-looney]

Uie wait so if ever when they start to go yandere for the reader, what happens to Serena? Or what is her deal basically? Is the entire thing from powers or their own volition or something? Are they being controlled by someone else? I'm kind of invested in the fic now OvO

Or, if ever, would reader go back for one of the love interest once they go yandere or are the love interests still the same? Will they turn yandere too or will they just be the same? Admittedly I just want them all to grovel and I really want reader to make them all suffer 👉👈

Thank you for your 'who said money can't buy happiness?' fic because it activated my neurons I live the manwha concept (no matter how much it boils my blood in the good ptsd manner everytime I read it) but also I really want another crumb of og!villainess/villain!reader because they really softened my heart, the entire thing reminds me of that one manwha with the fmc Penelope Eckart

Sorry for being long! I hope your day goes great and thank you for writing such lovely pieces of literature!! (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)/

For the first question, "What happens when they all go yandere on [name], and what happens to Serena?" They still care for her and they still love her but it’s just not as strong as it used to be especially with [name] changed now being the main character of the story her story, Serena will be on a balanced scale whether she still wants to be the center of attention and whether she wants [names] attention only on her and find everyone else as competitors.

The second question, "What's her deal?" Her deal is that that’s just how she behaves and how she acts from the moment she kinda existed in this universe she has a main character role and she obviously doesn’t know that she’s inside a novel so she’s just acting how she normally is. She is the female lead so everything will go her way. She’ll be smart, capable, and a lovable character from the reader's point of view from the og! Novel.

Whenever you read her since it’s in [name]'s POV and I like to portray her character negatively as of now what’s happening in the universe of how she acts we think she’s annoying but when we were in the other world, Serena was the main character of the novel 'I Stole the Villainess Loving Family'. She was the badass MC that you would love to read about but cringe so much that you would have to drop the novel.

On the third question, no, Serena is not being controlled by anybody. She is following the plot which is actually all her own actions. This is how she behaves. This is how she acts from your perspective. If you were in her POV, you would have to understand that she has been the main character everybody around her has admired her, loved her, and worshiped her simply because she was placed in a position as the female lead, which made a ton of people attracted to her.

Fourth, there will be many love interests that go from Serena to [name] or just love interests that simply got created because they have spent and developed with [name].

[name] Unfortunately for now, if there are no changes to my plot, will not fall in love with any of them and avoid them if anything because of how they treated her and how they treated the og! Princess [name] it is because she believes why should love someone only when they start changing and it annoys [name] to a point where she cannot, and will not forgive anybody who suddenly develops attention or attraction towards her because they only change when they start interacting with the new [name].

It just wouldn't make sense why she'd forgive them when she knew what Princess!Reader went through how the people changed around her when they treated Princess!Reader like a joke.

There will be a lot of crumbs of OG!princess [name] because in her world, technically modern old world there’s a version of batfam of their own where they neglected her, which is why the OG!modern!reader is called neglected!reader because in their own world batfam neglected them, and they left. They built a successful business of their own and made friends, and unlike in the historical kind of novel setting we have a modern one where she has never met any of the Batfams enemies or allies so that just opens up a whole other world of love interest for her as well, so sometimes I'll write her, but not a lot as she’s not the main focus of my "Who Said Money Can’t Buy Happiness?" plot.

That is all please do tell me if there are any spelling mistakes or something you're confused about 😍

[mizu0xox0]

Watching from afar.

[You x L&D's boys, reader is not mc, Isekai reader, unrequited love?,Angst no fluff.]

This was based on this Tik Tok I saw today:

It's been 365 days since you last arrived in this world. Into Linkon City, into the fictional world of Love and Deepspace the otome game that you've been playing for a while now well honestly you couldn't remember why you started playing the game. Was it the storyline? Character designs or the otome aspect? But whatever it was one thing was certain you never expected to be in this world. Hell, you weren't even supposed to exist here and yet here you are in a world not your own.

You were sure that you would have been like any human turned into a wanderer by now if you weren't saved by a hunter. A female hunter to be exact, you knew her but she didn't know you of course. The main character of the game, the female lead whom you spent hours upon end editing her face and making her look the way you wanted yourself to look. She was you but without any flaws or even if she had them you couldn't really nitpick anyone as you had many flaws. From then on that was your first encounter with your mc not that she knew you. She'd only know you as the person she saved from a wanderer attack like many others she's probably saved before as her duty as a hunter. However as you were escorted to safety a flash of silver and white passed by your and towards her. You caught a glimpse of her hunter colleague, Xavier. He looked worried well not that any ordinary person could tell but you had spent too much time with the hunter not that he'd know. He was probably checking on her to make sure she wasn't hurt from the wanderer attack in any way or form. While you were escorted to safety and left alone after being checked for any injuries.

The next encounter with her was during your visit to Akso hospital. You were there for a check-up after a few days from the wanderer attack, while there you heard a familiar giggle as you turn to see down the hallway was her and Dr Zayne. They were probably heading out for lunch considering it was lunchtime in Linkon right now. As they passed by you couldn't help but steal some glances at the all too familiar doctor. Hopefully they'd eat their fill, you wouldn't want the doctor to overwork himself to death but then again he wouldn't as he now had a reason to anchor him down to reality and remind him of his meals and breaks. But that someone wasn't you.

Your third encounter was on the streets of Linkon as a festival was happening. As you walk through the busy streets you hear the faint sounds of arguing but the playful kind. The voices sounded familiar, so you turn your head in the direction of where the voices came from. Ah the famous artist of Linkon, Rafayel and her. You see a plush keychain in her hand, probably deciding whether or not to get it but Rafayel snatches it out of her hand and pays for it either way. Saying how she wouldn't stare too long and put so much thought into something she wouldn't want plus the keychain was cute and cheap in the eyes of the artist. As the two walked further you're left alone and can only look as the figures grow smaller and smaller further down the street.

Your fourth encounter was during a snowy day in Linkon. Maybe you should've taken a look at the weather report as it was freezing. As you walked you accidentally bumped into someone. A taller male and oh her. As you apologized to the male for not looking while walking. Well you recognized the male, Sylus. The leader of Onychinus of the N109 zone. As you walked down the road probably to home, you could hear the warmth of Sylus and her. She was telling Sylus about how she recognized you as one of the civilians she saved from that night. Not that the white haired male knew you like you knew him.

Your last encounter was in the supermarket while shopping for some necessities. As you walked you passed by two people pushing a shopping cart. Well one of them was and that person was Caleb the Farspace Fleets Colonel. The other of course was her, the mc. Try as she would she couldn't reach the top shelf which had some snack she wanted so Caleb helped her by using his evol. Which was indeed a sight to see not that you could even see superpowers in your world. It was strange seeing them doing something so mundane yet filled with joy hurt you. Yet upon seeing the look on Caleb's face that feeling melted away as you continued for your hunt for items on your grocery list.

In the end as you sat at the cafe drinking you drink while looking at the setting sun. You knew you could never be the one whom he had come to the future for to save, you could never be the one who had him be cursed by the gods for loving you, you could never be his bride that he waited for 800 years, you could never be the one whose soul was bound to him and you could never be the friend who he grew with since childhood. Could never was a word too gentle and soft, no you would never be. No matter how much you could try to get involved in their lives you just weren't her plus it felt wrong. Trying to take something that was never yours in the first place. But you knew you could be happy even if it hurt you if they were happy with her. You would be satisfied just watching from a far being a side character in their stories.

Thank you for reading and sorry if any of the lore or characterization is wrong, please feel free to correct me if anything is wrong! Also Happy Chinese New Year may all of you have the best years ahead!