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whatsnewalycat · 4 months ago

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No Strings Attached

Dieter Bravo x OFC Louella - Psychomanteum AU

[ psychomanteum masterlist ][ ao3 ]

WC: 2.7k+

Tags/Warnings: lua 2nd person pov, ghosts, psychomanteum au where they were together in spring, set after chapter 2, bickering, alcohol, drugs, addiction, ethan, anonymous sex mention, a boat load of sweeet sweet yearning folks

Notes: This is a doc I just found in my Psychomanteum folder. I think this is what I was originally writing for Chapter 3, but changed direction. Some of these conversations and prose proooobably got recycled into different chapters, but I can't remember. ANYWAY it's cute so I'm posting it as a Psychomanteum AU Snackie Poo (i'msosorryforsayingthatohmygod)

-----

Since Katie’s party, the two of you have hung out a handful of times, mostly with Parker, going out to a bar and having a few drinks. Between whatever actor things actors do while they’re in the city, he’ll sometimes text you to see what you’re doing, and what you’re usually doing is baking.

It surprises you a little every time he comes over. Why would an exciting guy like this want to hang out in your apartment while you work? Not that you mind. The company is nice. Most of the time he’ll chat with you while he sketches and happily disposes of any defective product. Sometimes it goes quiet while the two of you concentrate on your respective tasks, but it doesn’t feel awkward.

This is the modus operandi when Dieter slides his pencil it into the spine of his sketchbook and studies you, “Do you believe in ghosts?”

Out of breath from rolling out puff pastry dough, you look at him and pant, “What?”

“Ghosts,” he leans against the counter, pressing his thumbnails to his lips as he waits for your answer.

You huff, setting your rolling pin down, and remember the picture frame on the spare bedroom floor. The face you imagined you saw in the mirror. Sometimes you hear noises in that room, but can’t bring yourself to investigate. The only time you enter the room is to get supplies, and even then, you speed run and don’t dare look up at the mirrors.

“No,” you avert your gaze from his and turn around to wash your hands in the sink.

“Wow, you’re a terrible liar.”

You turn around and gape at him as you dry your hands, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“So you do believe in ghosts, got it,” he gives you a cheeky grin. You roll your eyes but don’t deny it. He leans forward onto his elbows again, “If I tell you something, will you think I’m crazy?”

“Dee, I texted you yesterday and asked if you think that Avril Lavigne is really herself or a body double. I don’t think I’m qualified to make any judgments on the sanity of other humans,” you toss the kitchen towel over your shoulder, then start folding the dough into layers.

He tilts his head and frowns, then points at you, “I think you might be onto something there,” then shakes his head, “Ok, well…”

His Adam’s apple bobs and his eyes flick to the spare bedroom door. You stop folding the pastry dough and stand up straight. A shiver runs down your spine. He gnashes his jaw back and forth, then takes a deep breath, “I see him sometimes.”

You shake your head and search his eyes. Not out of confusion. You just don’t want him to say it.

He slides his sketchbook across the counter, flipping it around so you can see what he drew. There, sketched in graphite on the creamy paper, is your husband. He’s standing in the open doorway of the spare room. The illustration is unruly, yet intricate. Your mouth falls open as you press your fingertips to his face, and you feel his sorrow. So much so, you flinch back and shake your head again, “Sorry, um, I–”

Dieter watches your eyes start to well with tears and his shoulders slump, “Fuck, no, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Is he still there now?” you whisper, meeting his big, sad, brown eyes.

They flick to the door and back to you, and he gives you a nod. Your stomach drops to the floor and the hair on the back of your neck stands up.

“I need to leave,” you announce, throwing the kitchen towel off your shoulder onto the counter, then take off your apron and drop it on the towel, “Right now. I have to leave.”

He stands up off the stool, pushing it out behind him, pointing to the puff pastry, “Should–I, uh, should I wrap that up?”

“Um, y-yeah, put it in the fridge, thanks,” you walk around the counter and past him to grab your purse, shove your feet into your boots, then walk out the door and wait for him in the hall.

He emerges while putting on his jacket, then you lock the door and start toward the elevator. The hall is silent except for the rustling of their clothes and footfalls. You slap the down button on the elevator and cross your arms.

“He was trying to talk to you,” Dieter explains.

You shake your head, “I don’t care.”

“You don’t care?” he challenges.

“Mhmm,” you nod, hitting the button again, harder this time.

“Terrible liar,” he mutters to himself, then stares forward at the elevator doors. And he probably thinks he’s being funny. But it’s not funny. You don’t react.

Once the elevator dings, you’re inside, pressing the doors closed button before they even open all the way. He steps onboard. They accordion shut.

“Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out,” he tells you earnestly. In the foggy reflection of the stainless steel doors, you can tell that he’s looking at you.

“Well, you fucking did,” you snap, and wish you could take the words and shove them back into your mouth. He faces forward and his gaze drops to his feet.

The doors open and Dieter pushes out in front of you, storming out of the building. By the time you make it outside, he’s gone. A pang of guilt stabs through your chest. The cool, dewy air sticks to your skin and makes you shiver. You regret not grabbing a jacket, but start off towards your favorite hole-in-the-wall bar anyway.

O’Malley’s is a dingy dugout bar about a block away from your apartment. It’s so dimly lit in contrast to the bright afternoon sun, you have to squint and go off of muscle memory when you walk in the door. On a Tuesday, during daylight hours, when the temperature outside is finally warm enough to melt the gritty snowpiles that have been accumulating for months, the establishment is essentially empty. One sad sap sits at the bar, jacket hanging off the back of his stool, staring down at the lowball glass clutched in his fist. He’s leaning onto the bar with a ringed hand propping his head up.

You approach and pull out the barstool next to him, droning, “Hey there.”

Dieter casts a glance to you with a raised brow, then scoffs when he recognizes you. He lifts the glass to his lips and empties it into his mouth, then pushes his sweater sleeves up to his elbows.

Nick, the portly bartender you see here frequently during the week, approaches, “The usual?”

“Yeah,” you nod towards Dieter, “I’ll get his, too.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he sits back and pulls a wallet from his pocket, then throws some bills on the bar top, “I was just leaving.”

Fucking hell.

“Dee–” you reach out and touch his arm, and he turns towards you and stares expectantly. You chew on your bottom lip, dropping your gaze to the floor before sighing, “Please stay. I’m-“

Nick returns with a whiskey neat and vodka cranberry, sliding them in front of you and Dieter before asking you, “Tab?”

“Yes please,” you answer with a polite smile, then turn back to Dieter, whose scowl has softened, “C’mon.”

He sighs and his shoulders release, then he relaxes back into the barstool. Neither of you say anything as you take a sip of the drink, then you turn to him, “I know. Like, um. I know that he’s there sometimes. But I don’t—“ you shake your head, “I don’t want to know.”

He sits up and leans his elbows against the bar, turning to watch you. You chew on your bottom lip and watch the ice cubes clink together as you stir your drink.

“What was he trying to tell me?” you ask finally.

“I don’t know,” Dieter frowns, “I couldn’t tell.”

You saw Ethan cross into the threshold. Through some kind of an otherworldly osmosis, he was absorbed by the membrane that met the two of you at the end of the silent, iridescent wormhole.

“Why would he come back?” you whisper, mostly to yourself.

“Why do any spirits come back?” Dieter shrugs and takes a big sip of whiskey, “Unfinished business.”

All you can think is that it better be a fucking apology. He owes you that much. Ethan was so fucked up that night. Did he even know what he was doing? Or had he been planning it?

The man that woke you up in the middle of the night on Christmas and made you get into his car with the intention of totaling it… that wasn’t the man you married. You wonder how much coke he had really been doing in the weeks, maybe even months, leading up to the accident. Towards the end, it became commonplace for him to be out all night without explanation.

He would stumble in at 7am, talking a million miles a minute, a sharp sniff interrupting his monologue every 10 seconds, hands trembling like your grandma’s when she started showing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. When he finally crashed, he’d go to bed and sleep until the sun went down, where he would isolate himself for a day or two. Then he would go out to run orders to your clients and not come back until 7am. Rinse, wash, repeat.

One night, when big, fat snowflakes were fluttering to the ground outside in big, he was standing in front of all the order boxes ready to go, making sure he had everything. You came up behind him and wrapped your arms around to his chest, laying your cheek against the back of his winter coat, “Can you come home tonight? I miss you.”

“Baby, I’m with you all the time,” he chuckled, placing a hand over yours, rubbing his thumb against you affectionately.

“That’s not what I mean,” you told him quietly. His thumb stopped undulating and his body tensed. Your heart was pounding in your chest when you finally admitted out loud, “I’m worried about you, Ethan. I think it’s becoming a problem again.”

You let go as he stirred beneath your embrace, turning around to face you. His body only became more rigid, shoulders tensed up to his ears, jaw gnashing, as he assured you, “It’s not a problem. I promise. I’ll come home after dropping these off, ok?”

He pressed his lips your forehead, sealing his promise with a kiss, and you mumbled, “Ok.”

He didn’t come home until the next morning. You weren’t surprised.

“You ok?” Dieter nudges you.

A lie waits, ready to roll off the tip of your tongue. Instead, what comes out is the truth.

“No. I don’t think so,” you take a sip and look down at your drink, “But, what can ya do?”

“Mmm, I think I have something that could help,” Dieter mutters in a suggestive tone. Your heart skips, then you look at him and realize he’s pressing a joint up between his lips, “Wanna go for a walk?”

This brings a smile to your face, but you protest, “I didn’t bring a coat, it’s still chilly outside.”

The joint bobs as he frowns and grabs his jacket, “Use mine. I’m fucking sweating, anyway.”

—

The passersby barely pay the two of you any attention as you stroll at a leisurely pace through the park, passing the joint back and forth. His sepia fleece jacket hangs down to your knees and keeps you almost too insulated.

You close your eyes and take a deep breath, tasting the vapors of melting snow clinging close to the earth. The sunshine seems to melt away the foul mood you were in earlier. In your euphoria, you trip on a crack in the pavement, stumbling a bit. You steady yourself and giggle in embarrassment.

“So glad you don’t have anyone following you with a camera right now,” you comment.

Dieter plucks the roach from his lips, holds the intoxicating smoke captive in his lungs, and offers it up to you, “How do you know we don’t?”

You scrunch your face up and make a full 360, scanning for any potential paparazzi, and shoo the roach away. He exhales and shrugs, then tosses it into a disintegrating snow pile, “I’m just kidding, I think I’m off their radar for the time being.”

“Yeah? Have you been a good boy, Dee?” you giggle. The way his whole body seems to perk up at the question is not lost on you.

“Not so much that as I’m not the biggest shitheel in the media at the moment,” he smirks, looking you up and down through his sunglasses.

You hum and nod, although you have no idea what he’s referring to, “Ah, yes. That one guy did that one thing.”

He laughs, “There’s always another guy doing another thing. It never fails.”

“Ol’ reliable,” you respond, then tilt your head in curiosity, “How is your divorce going, then?”

“Boring, next,” he groans.

“No no no, sir, you told me my dead husband is haunting my home today. Even the scales.”

“Are you sure you’re not the press?” he raises an eyebrow at you.

And, of course, it’s a joke. But that side glance gnaws at your gut the same way that Ethan’s narrowed eyes did. Looking at you like you’re an informant.

‘I didn’t tell anyone about the ink, Lou.’

“What?” your shoulders slump. You come to a standstill, and stammer, “I wouldn’t–no, what?”

He stops, too, and turns to you, “I’m just kidding, Lua.”

“Oh,” you breathe a sigh of relief, “Ok. I’m not, um, trying to be snoopy.”

“You are way prettier than a cartoon beagle,” he smiles, then starts walking again. You catch up to him and try not to let the way your stomach flutters show on your face. It does. He smiles wider, then it fades to a frown as he shrugs and scratches his neck, “The divorce is going. Annie is staying at the house until it’s finalized, so I’ve been living out of hotels, which gets old,” a sly smile creeps across his face, “It is a little easier on the dating front, though. Living in hotels, that is.”

“Why’s that?”

“Sex is just better in a bed. A little more room to work with than the bathroom of a club or the backseat of a car, you know? Plus, then they don’t feel like they have to leave right away.”

“That’s probably why I prefer those places. Don’t have to stick around afterwards.”

He grins at you, “Is that right?”

Something sparks at the middle of you when you look over at him and shrug, then he licks his lips and nods, looking ahead.

“So you’re dating people?”

“I don’t think dating is the right term,” you frown, “More just, um… casual sex, I guess.”

He raises an eyebrow at you, “Since when?”

“Does it matter?” you tuck your hair behind your ear and look down.

“No, not at all,” he nudges you, so you look at him and see the good will on his face. “I just… Well, I’ll really kick myself if I could have been begging you to sleep with me this whole time.”

Your mouth is all of a sudden very dry. You blush and chuckle, then shake your head, “I’m looking for no-strings-attached situations.”

“I am all about no-strings-attached,” he touches his fingertips to his chest and grins, peaking his bloodshot eyes over the rim of his sunglasses.

“Mmm, no, see, we have strings,” you sigh, then count each of the following points on your hands, “I don’t fuck clients. Or friends. Or celebrities going through very public divorces.”

Or people I have a big, giant, throbbing crush on.

“My heart,” he clutches the front of his shirt theatrically.

You giggle at his reaction. The conversation dies momentarily, and the sounds of the city fill the cool air between you. You feel compelled to elaborate, “I’m not ready. With the dead husband and all that. I don’t want a pity fuck, or a goddamn significant other. I just want to get off, then I want it to be over. No strings.”

He nods, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his pants, “No judgment here, m’dear.”

#psychomanteum #psychomanteum au #dieter bravo #dieter bravo fanfiction #dieter bravo fic #dieter bravo x ofc #dieter bravo x you #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal character fanfic #pedro pascal fanfic

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buckysgrace · 2 months ago

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9. Owner of A Lonely Heart

Billy Hargrove x Fem!OC/Tommy Hagan x Fem!OC

Now That We Don't Talk

CW: Stepcest, cheating

Billy

Tommy’s negative attitude carried over into the next day when he returned, continuing to ignore everyone. He seemed intent on making everyone miserable, but Billy wasn’t going to let that bother him. Not when he felt like he was getting somewhere with Nora. His daughter.

It felt odd to think that, so strange that he hadn’t even spoken it outloud. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to and he definitely didn’t want to confuse her. But he liked listening to her, sitting by her when she doodled and playing with her. He couldn’t believe that he had helped create something so soft and kind. Like she had taken the best parts from him.

He had offered to take up story time that night, even though he was sure he was pressing his boundaries. But Tommy hadn’t been there and Kim was more than happy to pass him the book she’d been reading to Nora. She had suggested taking time to take a nice bath, but the look she gave him told him that she had plans for later.

And Nora had let him know when he was reading it wrong. She did her best to explain how each character spoke, when they were being silly or just talking in a normal tone. He was surprised she had fallen asleep at all, considering the questions that followed after each time too.

He messed with his lighter in the kitchen, his leg bouncing on the stool as he imagined how nice a cigarette would be right now. It’d been some time since he’d had one, but the cravings never truly left. Tomorrow. His goal was to get a new pack tomorrow.

“When are you leaving?” Tommy’s voice made him jump, his fingers nearly hitting the open flame before he dropped it on the floor. He shook his head, bewildered by his interruption as he bent down to scoop the lighter up.

“Uh,” Billy paused for a moment, “I’m not sure. I got that interview, so-, I guess once I get enough for an apartment.” He said seriously, thinking about the auto shop he’d finally gotten through to. He hoped it would work out.

“I can cover your first few months if you need it.” Tommy suggested, his eyebrows furrowed together as angry lines filled his expression. Billy nodded slowly, flicking his tongue across his bottom lip.

“Is something wrong?” He asked tiredly, feeling like there was no point in dragging this out. He wasn’t one for the dramatics. If something was wrong, he preferred for him to just spit it out. It was that easy.

“Do you feel something for Kim?” Tommy turned towards him quickly, his dark eyebrows furrowed together as his brown eyes filled with anger. Billy blinked slowly, thinking about what Kim had said yesterday. He didn’t think that Tommy really knew about them, but now he wasn’t too sure.

“What?” He asked, losing his composure for a second as he tried to read his friend's expression. All he was met with was bitter fury. There was no denying that.

“Are you attracted to Kim?” Tommy asked slowly, “Your sister.” He crossed his arms, holding his chin up high before he swallowed harshly. Billy rolled his tongue across his teeth, trying to bite back his own complicated feelings. He reminded himself that it would all be worth it, even if they hurt Tommy. He didn’t want to, but he wanted to be with Kim. And there was only one way to do that.

“She’s not my sister,” He replied at first, watching as Tommy scoffed and dropped his hands, “Why would you ask me that?” He questioned him slowly, watching as he dropped his head and shook it.

“I think I saw something the other night?” He mumbled, questioning himself as he pushed his hands through his dark hari. Billy stared at him, even though he was sure he already knew what he was talking about. There was a reason he had rushed out so suddenly. Apparently he hadn’t drunk as much as Billy had originally thought.

“What are you talking about?” Billy tilted his head, searching for more answers. His pulse had quickened, his nerves growing as he waited for the truth to come out. It just needed to come out. It would be easier that way.

“Don’t bullshit me,” He said as he pointed a finger at him angrily, “You and Kim. You’re fucking. How sick are you?” He spit out all at once, his voice growing louder and angrier as the look in his eye grew more intense. He breathed in deeply, unsure of where to start.

“Tommy-,”

“I invited you into my fucking house, let you live here for free,” He rambled off in fury, “And you screw my wife.” He held his hands up in dismay, laughing like it was funny. Billy began to bounce his leg, feeling a little jittery.

“I can explain.” He told him as he rubbed his fingers across his chin, having a feeling that he wouldn’t be interested in anything he had to say. He had no apologies either, he was just going to come clean. Even if it was blunt and hurtful. It was the truth.

“What? That it was an accident? That you didn’t mean for it to happen?” Tommy asked him with wide eyes, looking surprised as he gestured back towards him.

“No,” Billy said at last, “None of that. It wasn’t an accident.” He stood to meet Tommy, unsure of what he could really say or do to make it better. He had done a terrible thing, something awful. But he wasn’t going to pretend like he wouldn’t do it again. It wasn’t a mistake. He wanted to be with Kim despite all things.

The feeling of Tommy’s fist colliding with his cheek echoed across his face, taking him by surprise as the pain jolted down his body. He kept his chin pointed down towards the floor for three seconds, reminding himself that Tommy had a right to be angry before he acted too out of control.

He rubbed at his face, knowing that he deserved it. He really did. He met Tommy’s angry gaze, his heart pounding roughly inside of his chest as he took another deep inhale.

“I didn’t want to hurt you.” He said at last as the room grew chilly. It was the truth. Tommy meant a lot to him. He had been selfish before, but when he was young he never thought things would get this deep. He knew Kim didn’t either. But they had to deal with it now.

Tommy continued to stare at him, his features hardening as he pressed his lips tightly together. He rubbed his fingers over his knuckles thoughtfully, leaving Billy in worry. Things were going to get bad.

“I want you out.” He said softly, fury radiating off of him as he pushed at Billy’s shoulder again. Billy took a step back, trying to keep a safe distance between the two of them. He wasn’t going to like what he had to say next.

“I’m not leaving without my family.” He told him seriously, watching as Tommy just seemed to seethe even worse.

“Then you and Kim can leave.” He gestured angrily towards him, challenging him. Billy knew he was waiting for what was to come.

“Nora too.” He told him gently, trying to remain calm as Tommy’s life fell apart in front of him. He may not have been happy with how it was going, but he was certainly going to mourn it. It was quiet for a heartbeat, for a second too long.

“She’s not yours.” Tommy’s voice shook as he spoke, his anger falling away into grief. Billy felt awful, terrible. But at least he knew. At least Tommy could pick up the pieces and go on with his life now. That had to amount to something.

“What’s going on?” Kim asked horrified as she walked down the stairs, her eyes wide as her gaze landed on Billy, “What happened to your face?” She asked seriously, making him frown as he brought his hand back up to his face.

“I want you out,” Tommy huffed angrily, “I want a divorce.” He pointed angrily at her this time, making her eyes widen as it all came towards her in a rushed heat. He sighed deeply, wishing she didn’t have to face him.

“What are you talking about?” She gulped harshly, pressing her fingers into fists as she balanced her weight from foot to foot. Tommy laughed, shaking his head as he turned away from her.

“He knows,” Billy mumbled, wincing as he pressed down on his sore skin again, “He knows everything.” He told her truthfully, watching as the emotions rushed across her features. She was quiet for a moment, likely trying to find the right thing to say too.

“Tommy, I-,” She breathed in deeply, “I’m so sorry. I know this is hard to-,”

“Get out.” He said simply, resting against the counter as he glared at her. She nodded her head, looking like she knew there was no fight left. At least they both understood that. They waited for a moment until Tommy turned and left, disappearing down the hallway.

“What are you bringing?” Billy questioned her softly, following her in the opposite direction as she headed to her room. She furrowed her eyebrows together, shaking her head for a moment.

“As much as I can,” She spoke, looking like she was in a haze, “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone.” She moved her hand to his chin, examining the aching side of his face before he pulled away. They could deal with that later.

“I don’t think he’ll want us back.” He reminded her, watching the realization set in her eyes. He wondered if he had fucked up, if she had really wanted to be with him.

“Nora is sleeping,” She gulped harshly, “But she’s going to want her toys. Some blankets for sure. All of her clothes.” She listed things off of the top of her head, sighing softly as she dropped her forehead against his. He held onto her, rocking her back and forth.

“Do you need help?” He asked her softly as he tried to ignore the guilt that was sitting inside of him. He hoped that Tommy would understand one day.

“I just need my clothes,” She breathed deeply before she raised her eyes towards his, “What happened?” She tilted her head as she pulled away, pulling bags free from the closet.

“He confronted me,” He said slowly, “And I told him the truth.” He watched as she rubbed at her eyes, looking exhausted.

“Billy.”

“He already knew,” He defended himself, “I didn’t do it just so you’d end up homeless.” He said a little harsher than he meant to, but he didn’t want it to seem like he had done it on purpose.

“I didn’t say that,” She inhaled deeply, “I’m just trying to not panic.” She rubbed her hands together, looking nervous as she glanced around the room again. He could see the gears behind her eyes twisting and turning, forming the next plan.

“Don’t panic,” He told her seriously, “I’ll work on Nora’s stuff. Quietly.” He promised, not wanting to wake the sleeping toddler either. He didn’t want her to be worried either. It would make things harder. He was slightly anxious, wondering if she’d ever accept him as her father.

“Okay.” Kim nodded her head, furrowing her eyebrows as she flicked her tongue across her bottom lip. She began to pull clothes out, shaking her head like she was trying to remove her negative thoughts.

“Don’t panic,” He told her softly, cupping her face as he brushed his fingers across her cheek, “I’m really sorry about this.” He promised her, hoping that she wouldn’t hate him for what happened.

“It’s not your fault, it’s mine,” She clarified, even though he disagreed, “I’m just scared about how Nora will react.” She promised as she pressed a gentle kiss against his thumb, making him feel a little better.

“I know,” He kissed her softly, unable to help himself, “I’ll get her things.” He told her gently, watching the quick way she began to gather her things up. She didn’t seem too keen about sticking around either.

He gathered up Nora’s things into the reusable bags he’d found. He was glad that her clothes were so tiny, since it seemed much easier to toss all of her things together. He worked on her toys next, carefully removing her dolls from her bed to put them away.

She slept on her back, her hands raised towards her head as her pink curls were sprawled out underneath her. Her little lips were parted, expression relaxed as she slumbered on. He felt bad, extremely guilty for how her life would be changed overnight.

He took her bags out, then grabbed his things and carried them down into the trunk. He really had been smart to just live out of his suitcase. It made everything easier.

He gathered up the things Kim clearly valued next. The blankets she had clearly created, her books that were loved on and some of the drawings that Nora had created. Then he gathered up some food, deciding that it was only safe.

“I think I got everything,” Kim whispered as she carried her things down, “I’ll grab Nora in a minute.” She listed off the top of her head, eyes moving as she tried to recall if she was forgetting anything.

“I can get her,” He offered, chewing on his bottom lip, “Go get your things put away.” He told her seriously, ensuring that she could carry it out before he turned on his heel.

He walked back up the stairs, then gently opened her room as he glanced up at the little stars on her ceiling. He’d get her some more when they had a place of their own. When everything was in place and not a mess. He’d make it up to her.

“Hi,” He told her gently, feeling bad as he lifted her up into his arms. She was warm and soft, though her features wrinkled up into confusion, “Hey, you can keep sleeping. We’re just going to go on a little trip.”

“Whewe?” She asked tiredly, rubbing her eyes before she dropped her head onto his shoulder roughly.

“Maybe to see dolphins,” He promised as he gently carried her down the stairs, glad that Tommy wasn’t there to see them. He’d probably end up with another bruise if so, “Your mommy is outside.” He told her as he gently carried her out

“Not my toes.” She whispered, furrowing her eyebrows together tightly before she was out again. He smiled gently, pausing before he allowed himself to kiss the top of her head. He thought he should be allowed to do so now.

“I can take her,” Kim met him at the car, still looking distressed as he gently passed Nora to her, “Is there anything else you need?” She asked softly, still looking a little hazy at the moment. Like she hadn’t processed what had just happened.

“I didn’t come with much.” He told her gently, reaching out to squeeze at her elbow gently. She furrowed her eyebrows together, appearing to be going through her mental checklist.

“Her bunny,” She said quickly as she met his eyes, “She loves it. I need to get it really quickly.” She began to walk around him before he grabbed her softly, making her stop.

“I can.” He reassured her, wanting her to take a second to sit down and relax. She watched him for a second, eyes drifting back towards the mark that was forming on his face. “Are you sure?” She asked him as she breathed in deeply, her worries and nerves painted across her features. He felt bad for her, wishing that he would’ve been here to fix things a long time ago.

“I’m not scared,” He chuckled as he touched her chin softly, “Trust me. It’ll be fine. Go ahead and get in the car.” He held the door open for her, making a point to watch her crawl inside and sit there before he shut it.

He raced back inside, taking two steps at a time until he walked into Nora’s little room again. He hoped this new beginning would be good. That it wasn’t selfish.

He gripped the bunny, taking in how worn and torn it was from being loved on. He looked around the room for a moment, wondering if he had ruined his daughter’s life before it had even started. He hoped not.

He made his way down the stairs, wondering what Tommy would do with the house. Pictures still remained on the walls, but he had seen Kim take all the photo albums. He pondered on if Tommy would toss them or keep them. He figured he wouldn’t ever find out.

“Here,” Tommy grumbled, but his eyes told a different story as he thrust the money into Billy’s hand, “That’s for a hotel. Just for tonight.” He said roughly, looking like he didn’t trust him with the money.

“I owe you.” He said honestly, not expecting him to be so kind. He didn’t owe them anything.

“It’s not for you,” He hissed, looking angry all over again, “It’s for that poor little girl up there. You’ve ruined her life, you know that right?” He questioned him, hammering that fear deep inside of Billy.

“She’ll understand one day.” He mumbled, hoping that was the truth. He wasn’t sure how things would work out, but he would be with Kim. That's what mattered.

“Just fuck off.” Tommy shook his head, looking defeated this time as he walked away. He watched for just a moment, wondering how he would make up for a betrayal like this. He didn’t think he ever could. He just hoped that Tommy was able to be even happier than they were. He deserved it.

Tags: @cassandracorvo @mrprettywhenhecries @eyehartart @losingmygrasponreality

#billy hargrove #Billy Hargrove x fem!oc #Billy hargrove x female original character #Billy Hargrove x original character #BIlly x Kim #now that we don't talk #billy hargrove fanfiction #billy hargrove imagine #billy hargrove x oc #tw stepcest #tw pseudocest #billy hargrove stepcest #cc x oc #au #tommy x kim #Kim Mayfield #Billy Hargrove is a good dad

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keep-the-wolves-close · 3 months ago

Text

The Hound’s Pursuit

Chapter 1: Crossroads of Chaos

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the movie Triple Frontier and I don’t claim to have created its original characters. The only characters that belong to me are Juniper and JD. This is posted for pure entertainment, and I do not make profit off of this.

Warnings: mentions of violence, language, PTSD (I think), tension between old friends, mentions of dead bodies, anxiety, dread, loss.

Pairing: Will “Ironhead” Miller x Juniper “Hound” Winters

Word Count: 2,629ish

Author’s Note: I hope you all enjoy! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it! A little nervous about this one.

“No,” Juniper’s face sharpened intensely at her older brother’s buddy Santiago from special ops, who breezed in through the door to the bar. “Absolutely not.” She frowned as she observed Santiago searching for the room, and when he spotted the siblings he strutted the rest of the way over to them.

Pope called out to grab her brother’s attention. “Deadeye!”

Juni felt her shoulders tense. Every time this man showed up, some hare-brained scheme was attached and it left her waiting in the wings worried sick about whether or not her brother, friends, and herself would come back in one piece.

JD screwed his face up at her reaction to their friend. He understood her trepidation when it came to Pope showing up out of the blue, but he’d welcome any of his friends with open arms any time. Pope had an over the shoulder laptop bag that he swiftly set down next to a chair on JD's side of the table. Pope set a black plastic clipboard, the kind that had storage once you opened it, down on the table.

Juni eyed it suspiciously, remembering the day he’d come to her and JD to ask for help with the last mission in Brazil taking down the well known criminal powerhouse that was Lorea. They were rich for a few short days. Until they weren’t. The thought of how Redfly’s family was making out crossed her mind.

To Juni, the bar suddenly felt like the locker room at the gym before Benny’s fight, the night Pope gathered them all to sell his scheme. The whole group gathered together, debating whether to trust Pope’s latest get rich scheme or not. Whether they could even achieve it. Juni laid her reservations of the cons outweighing the pros out on the floor before Benny bit at them to focus because he was going into his fight.

She remembered the look Will gave her like it was yesterday. The silent agreement with her solid points. Juni looked back to the clipboard. Unless they were files from the job he’d just come off of, Juniper just knew that meant he was here on business. She’d only ever seen that portable clipboard when he was working.

The last time he’d shown up brought chaotic planning and action. They went from being together, watching Benny fight, to being in Brazil seeing the arsenal Pope had acquired over the years, within 24 hours. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this time was no different. She could smell chaos brewing from that clipboard. The feeling of the heavy weight of her holding Redfly’s body wrapped up made her shudder. The memory of carrying her fallen friend made nausea creep up her throat.

Her mind worked quickly to figure out what Pope could be up to. Could it be Lorea’s son? A family member? Someone Lorea worked closely with wanting revenge? No, the family hadn’t gotten a good enough look at them on the way out. Could it be another big guy Pope had been gunning for since becoming a full time hired gun advisor? She could hear her heartbeat in her ears. Her breathing sped up as all of the endless possibilities sped through her mind. The mumbles of conversation swirled around her and the clinking of the glasses were an ample reminder of the war going on in her mind. The dim lights, almost deafeningly bright.

JD rose from his chair and clapped hands with the subject of Juniper’s ire. The intrusive noise added to her annoyance. “Hey man, good to see ya! Didn’t know you were back in town,” he chuckled, cutting through the tension between his sister and Pope. The men slapped each other on the back and released each other. JD welcomed Pope with an easy grin, oblivious to his sister’s internal battle. All Juniper could feel was dread pooling in her stomach. The last few times he had shown up brought nothing but chaos and extra therapy sessions.

Juni glanced between the clipboard and her brother. Her heart thudded in her chest as she wondered if JD had already been roped into whatever Pope had come here to discuss. Part of her wanted to shield JD from anymore trauma, but she knew he would make his own decision regardless of her fears. During the mission in Brazil, they’d come close to losing everything. She couldn’t let that happen again.

It was like her brother could feel her rising anxiety. JD knew Pope probably had some idea in his head, and considering how the last one ended, it was a shot in the dark on whether he would accept it or not. Despite the warmth of the bar reddening his cheeks, he felt the bite of the cold air of the upper Andes snap at his face and a shot rang out in his head. A flash of Redfly falling forward, and their special ops brother’s blood splattering across his face crossed his mind.

He shook his head and pulled himself out of the memory feeling his breathing begin to slow down and even out from the almost hollow breaths the memory had caused him to take. He rubbed his fingers against his palms trying to get rid of the sweat that had started to push through his pores. A wave of survivor’s guilt hit him. He didn’t blame Pope. It could have happened to any of them. It was just bad luck. He still trusted Pope, but after Redfly, it was a shaky foundation that his blind acceptance stood on. He glanced down before meeting Juni’s gaze.

He looked her over, catching her straight back and the fidgeting of her trigger finger and silently shook his head. Juni felt her chest release ever so slightly when she spotted the slight hesitation in her brother’s eyes. At least she wasn’t about to be barraged with the news that her brother would be heading off on some idiotic mission.

“Yeah it was a last minute thing. I didn’t even know until this morning.” Pope paused to glance in Juniper’s direction. Her face remained unchanged from the foul, unamused look. A slow smirk spread across Pope’s lips. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the ankle biter! How you been, Juni?”

A voice boomed out from by the entryway, “Pope, JD!”

Juniper blanched when she realized who the voice belonged to. Something was off. Benny and Frankie showing up and at the same time as her and her brother, definitely smelled like Pope was up to something. She loved Benny and Frankie like brothers, but they never showed up at the same time unless it was planned. She glared over at JD while he was occupied with the commotion of his brethren showing up.

“Benny boy!” Pope spun around with his arms outstretched, his antagonization of Juniper forgotten. Following behind Benny, the other heathen of the group, Frankie stepped into the bar. Benny’s brother, Will, strode through the door last.

She leaned against the back of her chair and propped her elbow along the top of her seat, observing four out of the five men act like children. Seeing all of them so carefree and happy, even for a few minutes, made a soft grin sprout on her face. As much as Pope’s presence had her on edge, she didn’t really hate him. She just wished he wouldn’t bring trouble around as much. Nothing could ever be a simple visit for Pope.

Catching Will’s eyes glimmering at her between the guys, Juniper’s smile widened at the quietest Miller. She and Will were the most moderately tempered of the group. The ones who had the most control of their tempers, anyhow. Choosing their words carefully, the logistical, analytical thinkers. The observers.

When the group was together, they often sat quietly with each other, keeping a watchful eye on the rest of the troublemaking group. They talked, but more often than not the conversations were non-verbal. Slight nods here, gentle touches there. If there was one thing William Miller was good at doing, it was speaking with his eyes. Will parted his way through the group and opened his arms to her.

Juni stood slowly and moved towards Will. She felt the eyes of her brother and the rest of the gang lock onto her as she returned Will’s open arms. His warm voice caressed her ear as he leaned into the hug, “Junebug.” Goosebumps blossomed down her neck from the sound of the nickname he had given her years ago. Her heart fluttered at the affection.

She was tempted to tell herself that it was a particular mission, or an exact moment that she’d gained a soft spot for Will. But she knew the truth. The second those stony blue eyes batted their lashes at her, she’d been a goner.

With her face tucked into his shoulder, she murmured, “Hey, Will.” His warmth felt like a safety net from Pope’s chaotic presence and the storm that always trailed behind him. The goosebumps continued to sprout along her spine when he splayed his hands on her back, anchoring her.

“So, you less mad that I’m here now?” Pope’s voice cut through the moment, ripping her out of the cocoon of enchantment Will always seemed to wrap her in.

Juniper hesitantly pulled away from Will, the loss of his warmth snapping her back to reality when Pope’s words settled in. “No, actually. I’m not.”

Pope sputtered at her admission.

“Because when you show your face, you’ve got some wild get rich quick scheme that’s dangerous and life threatening.” Everyone’s face darkened when they thought of Brazil.

Pope reached down next to the table and picked up a laptop bag. He laid it on the table, keeping his eyes on his hands, and pushed it toward Juni. Looking up at her through his thick lashes, “but with you there JR,” he turned on the charm but Juni’s face remained sharp, “we’ll have the best Hound on the scent.”

Juni’s heart dropped at his use of her special ops nicknames sending unwanted thoughts and flashes screaming in her mind. Redfly taking too long because he got greedy, messing up the timing of the plan. The Lorea family almost catching them. Crashing in the mountains. She steeled her face and squared her shoulders. Memories of crash landing at the top of the Andes, and the kid from the village attacking them took over her mind. The group almost lost everything the last time. She couldn’t sit and watch it happen again. “Absolutely not.”

Pope’s face became crestfallen at her quick dismissal. Juni’s eyes fell to the floor. She knew Pope was just trying to give them opportunities to make the rest of their lives easy, but the repercussions that inevitably followed weren’t always worth the weight of the risk.

Pope scoffed at her refusal. “C’mon Juni, you're the key to making this work.”

“Me being there the last time didn’t stop anything! What would it stop this time?!”

“That’s exactly why we need you, Juni. To make sure it doesn’t happen again. We both know you’re the best chance we have. Me and the guys are lost without you.”

“Do you honestly think —,” her words began to tumble out in panic. Will placed a hand on her lower back to offer comfort. Benny and Frankie shot each other concerned glances at Juni raising her voice. She was like Will and didn’t do it often. “Getting caught with my pants around my ankles in the fuckin’ jungle isn’t exactly something I wanna do again. I almost didn’t get us out of the tight spot we were in then.”

“You and Benny got outta there just fine! You’re a deadly combo!” Pope continued to lay on the convincing. “You and Will are a fatal pair. If you two knock your heads together on this one, we’ll be set!”

“Pope, what the fuck?” JD yelled when he noticed the military posture pulled out of his sister. A sense of guilt hit him, realizing just how much Pope affected her with his words, and how often he’d let it happen. A sense of protectiveness washed over him toward his sister and he glared at Pope. The bullet scar she carried reminded him of the stakes at hand.

“There’s a reason we called her the Hound, JD.” Pope tried to smooth his proposition to Juni over. “For this one we’d need a little more recon than the last one. She’s the best person for it.”

Juni glanced at Will, his fingers gently rubbing her lower back. There was trepidation in his eyes. He wanted to trust that Pope knew what he was doing, but after Brazil, he wasn’t so sure how far he would jump for Pope anymore. Juni could see that Will was hesitant. She knew exactly what she had to do because no one else would.

“Santiago Garcia, I said no,” her voice was harsh and raw. She grabbed her jacket and purse. Thinking about all the ways whatever Pope’s idea was could go wrong. She gave a sharp look at her brother. “Joseph Winters,” he winced at her tone, “if I even hear the slightest hint that you’re going to go along with whatever his idiotic plan is? So help me god.”

She gave an irritated look to the rest of the group. They should know better after the last time. “We’re not the fucking Avengers.” She paused, hoping the statement would bring everybody back down off the ledge. “We can’t save everyone. Hell, we barely made it out of —,” her voice caught and her hands balled into fists shaking with rage, fingernails digging into her palms — “Brazil alive.”

“Look Juni,” Pope tried to calm her, holding his hands out in surrender. “I get it. But this time is different. I can’t do this without you.” She looked like she was ready to throw a punch, and Benny sidled up next to her and his brother, ready to jump in and stop the fury that was Juniper Winters.

Pope took a step back, seeing the turbulent violence behind her eyes. The air around the group shifted. It popped and crackled with Juni’s anger. Seeing Benny come between them, brought an understanding to the situation he hadn’t had before. He pointed to the laptop, “with that information and any other details you find, you’ll be the most knowledgeable person in the group. You’ll know the terrain, how many people, you’ll have maps and rap sheets, blueprints. Security details. You’ll be the best equipped person to keep us alive.”

Juni stood between Benny and Will, chewing on her lip as she stared at the ground. Pope’s voice softened, making her look up at him. “Meet up with us tomorrow and at least hear me out first.”

Will gave Juni’s waist a soft pinch. She moved her gaze over to him. The look Will was giving her told her he understood her reservations. He squeezed her side, letting Juni know that if she decided to be there, he’d have her back the entire time.

Juni huffed at Pope while holding eye contact with Will. The healed bullet wound gave a phantom throb as she weighed everything. If she went and didn’t like what she heard, she could leave. It would be as simple as that. On the other hand, she wouldn’t be able to watch over her brother if she didn’t go. Or the guys. “Okay, fine.”

Pope prematurely celebrated. “Yes!”

Juni held out a finger to Pope, effectively shutting him up. “But I reserve the right at any time to tell you all you’re a bunch of fuckin’ dumbasses and leave.” She looked through the group, letting her point sink in. Frigid fear of uncertainty freezing her.

#triple frontier fanfiction #triple frontier #will miller fanfic #will miller/ofc #benny miller #frankie morales #santiago pope garcia #fanfiction #fanfic

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bullet-clubs-bitch · 1 year ago

Note

I would love a BCC smut headcannon fic! I’ll leave it up to you! Not many people write about all of them. Thank you! 😊

Fine Print

An: This started out as some form of head cannons and turned out to whatever this is. I honestly don't know what this is.

Blackpool Combat club X Fem reader

Main Masterlist

Word count: 835

Summary: When Regal betrayed the BCC they were in search of a new leader and somehow you fit the part. You should have read the fine print

When Regal turned on the BBC months ago I didn’t know what to expect. Sure we all knew it would happen at some point but did that point need to be right now? I had the pleasure of being ringside for the match against Mox and MJF, I saw firsthand the look of betrayal on Jon’s face once he realized what had happened.

The next few weeks were a bit of a daze, originally I was just being used as a distraction, as bait for this feud with Max. I honestly didn’t mind it, I still hated him for what happened during our days in the pinnacle so when Regal came to me with the idea I had to accept. Now that he’s gone the BCC needed a leader. I would assume the torch would be passed to Mox or Danielson but me? What did they see in me? Why did they want me to take over their sacred club?

Those next weeks as the new leader of the BCC went well, almost too well. We would travel and room together since that’s what factions do but I always felt like there was something else. The way the boys would exchange looks between the other hoping I didn’t realize but I always did. The way they would get jealous when other male talent approached me backstage. I almost felt like I was pray and they were predators waiting to find the right moment to attack.

Tonight I had a match on Dynamite against Hikaru Shida, of course the boys needed to be ringside for my match. When I arrived at the arena I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, almost like I did something wrong. Just then Shida came up to me.

“Hey Y/n!” Shida said, approaching me with a big smile

“Hi Shida, you ready for tonight?” I asked

“I’m ready to kick your ass” She said laughing “But I came to give you a bit of a heads up”

Heads up? Why would I need a heads up?

“I think your little club is mad at you?” Shida said to me before a “Good luck”, with that she left

I stood in the middle of the entrance frozen in fear. What did I do? Everyone knows not to piss off the blackpool combat club. Trying to prepare myself for the absolute worst I walked down a few halls until I made it to our private locker room. I knocked on the door, no response, so I knocked again, still nothing. I slowly opened the door and realized it was pitch black in the room, just then I felt someone grab my arm and pull me inside.

I tried to move, make a sound, but I couldn't. Whoever grabbed me had a tight grab on my wrists from behind with one hand, the other covering my mouth. Still I tried to escape but then I felt it and I realized exactly what was going on. I could feel the hard erection pressed against my ass. My body now was able to relax, just for a moment. Then that’s when I realized that it was Mox who held me, at least I thought it was, I was still in the dark.

Just then the mystery man let go of me and the bright lights turned on, revealing the entire blackpool combat club.

“Where were you yesterday?” Mox asked as he slowly approached me, now face to face

I didn’t know how to respond

“I’m asking you a question: doll face, where were you?” Mox asked again, voice louder this time

“Home?” was all I could manage to stay

“That’s just not good enough, you see we don’t appreciate you not joining us yesterday” Danielson said “The BCC we eat, we sleep, we train together. You know this. So why weren't you here yesterday?”

I didn’t know what to say, truthfully I wanted to travel to the show alone today. I was starting to grow a bit uncomfortable at times, I swear Yuta was watching me in the shower the other day.

“What’s the matter? Cat got ya tongue?” Mox said as he grabbed me once again, pressing my ass against the bulge in his jeans. “You feel that Y/n? This is what you do to me, I’m pretty sure you do this to all of us. I’m going to say this once baby so you better listen. You may be the leader of this club but I will tell you what to do. Part of your job Y/n, will be to help me out with this little problem I have here alright?”

Just then, Mox gave the others a nod to which Yuta, Claudio and Bryan left the room leaving me and Mox alone.

What have I gotten myself into?

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retrobr · 8 months ago

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Lazytown Shenanigans Pt. 6

Yesterday I completely forgot to write a new post and only remembered to do it now... But we're back, dear people, and this time I'll ramble about only one episode: "The Last SportsCandy."

This time I took a couple of screenshots because one person asked me to do it, so that you understand what I'm talking about in some parts of this post 🙏

Well, let's begin!

"The Last SportsCandy."

The episode started with Robbie searching for Sportacus and wanting to feed him a sugar apple once again. Well, what can I say, the simp is simping as always, good for him /hj

But these dorks weren't the most important part of the episode, since, oh my god, there was something more interesting than that (I'm surprising myself a little by saying that to be honest), because the episode in general really was interesting to watch for me.

Before I get to the most exciting part of the episode, I want to point out that the scene in which Meanswell threw a sack at Stingy and made him shut up brought me a different kind of joy. 😈

Ok well, let's talk about the key part of the episode, finally. I should declare that Robbie is a fucking genius for making a time travel machine. I can't even imagine how he knew the mechanics of time travel and was able to make this idea a reality. And all that time travel concept is SO FREAKING AMAZING in my opinion, because we got to see some more different locations and even new characters once again!!

First of all, I will touch on the topic of the 1950s location. GUYS. THE WAY I GASPED WHEN I SAW THIS.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THOSE VIBES OF THE 50-80S' AND THIS SCENE MADE ME SO GIDDY AND HAPPY AND-

AND WAIT WAIT OMG IS THAT A REAL JOHNNY B??? I MEAN THIS GUY'S OUTFIT LOOKS IDENTICAL TO JOHNNY'S AND WELL. I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN (if that's really him I'm going to cry out of joy, one of my favorite characters got some more screentime 😭)

And I am genuinely interested to know who these guys are. I sat for a long time, racking my head, trying to figure out who these guys were, but I had no idea. Maybe that's some of Lazytown's citizens who used to live there?..

(if they are not some canonical characters, I should make that blonde girl one of my original characters-)

Let's move on to the time when Johnny SportsCandyseed used to live (unfortunately I didn't remember the exact year, my apologies). OH MY GOD I REALLY LOVED THAT ONE AS WELL. I loved the monochromatic image of this time very much

AND GOOD LORD. ROBBIE'S — or, to be more precise, that Robbie version's — OUTFIT. JUST TAKE A LOOK (I also attached a clearer version; it's saved on my phone for some reason, and I don't remember where I found it)

It gives me the Wild West vibes, like really bad. If you guys follow me because of my NatM stuff, you know for sure how much I'm fond of those cowboy and Wild West themes, and Robbie's outfit kinda looks like it.

Also I'm really interested in knowing who this guy on the left is (maybe I'm just stupid and they said who he is in the episode, but I have no idea tbh)

At first I thought they were both some kind of odd version of Robbie and Sportacus (because the guy on the left looks somewhat like Robbie and Johnny's voice sounds very similar to Sportacus' to my hearing), although that's not true lol. I'm just silly

But I should say that Johnny is probably my new favorite Lazytown character. He is such a silly and goofy man, I'm not sure why but I really like him 🥺💜

I think that's all I wanted to say about the time-traveling part. Also I may be mistaken, but Robbie's "Oops, I did it again" line from the song was a reference to Britney Spears' song. You can hit me baby one more time on my head if I'm wrong guys, I don't mind /j

In the final part of this rambling I would like to say that I was so fucking amused at the rescue scene; the way Sportacus dropped Robbie like a sack of potatoes (while he was in a literal sack) CRACKED ME UP, WHAT WAS THAT 😭😭

In general, I quite liked that episode, mostly because of the aforementioned new characters and locations. It was very well done and shown, and because of that I can say that this episode borders on being my favorite 🤓👍

Thank you guys for your attention, as always. Have a good day 💜

#lazytown shenanigans #lazytown #robbie rotten #sportacus #mayor meanswell #stingy spoilero #my ramblings

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sootonthecarpet · 24 days ago

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tagged by @derring-do!

Last song: vandaveer's cover of 'poor edward' off alice by tom waits. it came up on byron's shuffle the other day and I wanted to check it out closer sometime (I only know like two vandaveer songs) so i put it at the bottom of a list I then wound up listening to last night

Favourite color: n/a but I'm very partial to yellow- and neutral-greens of all saturations, purples, grays, the intersection between the two, blood reds and black

Last book: I read a bunch of novels in november and haven't been reading much this month, I think the most recent one I actually finished was Turbulence, author's name already forgotten (Byron may put it in the comments haha), about a gay pilot on a haunted ass flight.

Last movie: The Howling, yesterday afternoon. Previously, I had watched it and The Beast Must Die on the same day (a bit under a decade ago), and confused the two in hindsight. Spent the whole time yesterday like 'when do we get to the part with the dinner party full of big game hunter assholes getting picked off one by one?' incredible SFX though and pretty exciting ending!

Last show: Babylon 5. about to watch another episode.

Sweet/spicy/savory: if I had to pick just one, I guess savory, but all three at once in strong equal proportion is one of my favorite flavor profiles. I start at least 4/7 days of the week with like, noodles or rice flavored with chili garlic paste, soy, and sugar lmfao.

Relationship status: committed LTR, we're polyamorous but not currently dating anyone else (tho we recently had a breakup with a third).

Last thing I googled: 'bunions wikipedia' I think? I usually just go to wikipedia when I want to look something up, but I know recently I was in a hurry and just typed it all into the bar. I think, but cannot confirm, that this was the bunions, as I often go into an incognito window for quick searches just so I can quickly get back to my original page by hitting the triangle on my phone.

Current obsession: preparing a wide variety of small pies...

Looking forward to: getting my bf's take on the last two seasons of Babylon 5, since I know he's fascinated by the pacing and structural issues that can arise from behind the scenes production issues in tv dramas. also, we're gradually assembling the components of a shrimp nano fishtank (warm, acidic, possibly blackwater) and next month we'll probably be able to set it up.

Tagging @oldmanpuppyplay, @aurpiment, @theremharths, @activatedsludge, @emperorclaudiusofficial, @wozapi, @matamorose, @freakvampire, @lun4rcr0w, @hazelrose3637

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bonbonchocolates · 1 year ago

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Tinder

Yandere Taehyung x Reader

Part 1 Part 2

Summary: When your best friend creates an account on Tinder account for you....

Warnings: yandere Taehyung, stalking, obsessive behaviour, horror themes, major character death, minor character death, tae is kinda creepy here

A/N: Again originally from my Wattpad account. I hope you like it and if you do please leave a like.

____________________________________________

You saw that man coming closer to you. You were terrified and started to move backwards. Now in the light of your apartment his face was clearly visible and it was Taehyung.

"T..tae-hyung"

You shuttered in fear. You have no idea what he is going to do to you. He kept coming closer and closer. You kept moving backwards but to your bad luck the back of your knee hit with the couch.

"Yes babe"

Now he was really close to you and you were trapped between the couch and him. You tried to run away but he was quick to grab hold of you. He pulled you closer and his breath hit your face.

"I love you so much babe"

"Tae-"

Suddenly you started to feel dizzy and then you lost your consciousness. Last thing you saw was Taehyung holding you and had a creepy smile on his face.

___________________________________________

You woke up at the sound of the alarm clock. You observed your surroundings and found that you were in your bedroom. You checked yourself and you were wearing your night dress.

Was it all a dream?

You got up from the bed and picked up the baseball bat kept in the corner of your bedroom. You slowly opened the door and went into your living room.

You carefully searched everywhere and you couldn't find anyone. You saw your balcony door was locked from inside and even your main door was locked from inside. Nothing was out of the place.

Then you remembered something and quickly started to search for your phone. It was the only option to confirm if all that happened yesterday was a dream or not. You couldn't find your phone anywhere in the living room so you went back to your bedroom and found it in the bedside table.

You opened it and saw the notification. You received a message from Taehyung. You quickly opened it.

_________________________________________

VANTAE: Good Morning.

____________________________________________

You checked the previous messages. The last message was when you said him about the outing with your friend and there was no conversation between you both after that. The next message he sent was the 'good morning' message today.

That means it was all a dream.

You were so happy to know that. You sighed in relief. You thanked God that was a dream but it felt so real. Just then your date with Namjoon came to your mind. You found you received a message from Namjoon during midnight, probably when you were sleeping.

____________________________________________

NAMJOON: Sorry bae, I could not pick you up for the date that I promised. Actually the boss held me late. Hope you don't mind.

____________________________________________

You didn't reply him and thought of talking to him in person at your office. You realised that you were getting late for your work.

____________________________________________

Time Skip:

Office hours were boring for you today as Namjoon was not there. You received a lot of messages from Taehyung but you ignored him. After that dream you don't feel comfortable with him.

Later that evening you invited Rose to watch Netflix with you. You told her everything even about the dream. She scolded you for ignoring Taehyung. You realised that it was just a dream and not his fault. She told you you couldn't lose a potential friend just because of a bad dream.

About Namjoon not coming to work today she suggested that maybe he was tired as he had to work late night yesterday. You hoped it was true. Truth to be said she is an amazing friend. She always with you since childhood. You are happy to have her.

___________________________________________

A few months pass and no clue of Namjoon. He didn't come to work for almost a week and then you come to know from your boss that he resigned. His sudden resignation seemed suspicious to you so you text him but he didn't reply. You tried calling him but it was of no use.

You even visited his apartment where he used to live. There you got to know that he emptied his apartment a week ago. You asked his neighbour and a good friend of his that he once introduced to you, where he could go? His friend was clueless and told that Namjoon left without saying anything. You were now worried about him.

Today you decided to visit his brother, Seokjin's restaurant. You are sure that he may know where is Namjoon as he is his brother. You saw the signboard reading 'Eatjin' you entered and asked the counter lady about Seokjin. Just then you heard the beaming voice of a man.

"You are Y/N right?"

He seemed a few years older than you. You don't know how he knows you and were about to question him.

"I'm Seokjin, Namjoon's brother."

He introduced and let his hand for a handshake. You gladly accepted it.

"So how's Namjoon?"

Why is he asking to you? How are you supposed to know about him?

"What do you mean?"

"Stop joking Y/N. A few months ago I got a text from Namjoon in that he told me that he is moving out with you as you are pregnant and asked me not to search for him. I was angry at him first but then I understood him, he did it for the best. So how's my little nephew or niece?"

"What are you talking about? I don't know where Namjoon is? That is the reason why I came here to ask you."

"If you don't know where he is and I don't know where he is, where is Namjoon? Come let's sit and talk."

He took you to a corner table and asked you about everything and you explained it to him. He suggested that you should report it to the police. The police assured you that they will start searching for him and let you know if they find any clue about him. Seokjin told you to inform him if Namjoon contacts you.

____________________________________________

A week pass with no sign of Namjoon. The police were still not able to find him. You were so worried for him but Rose helped you calm down saying everything will be alright.

You even told everything to Taehyung, he assured you that you will soon find your friend. That was indeed true the police finally found him. The police discovered his death body from the warehouse in the middle of the jungle.

You were broken after hearing the news. Rose tried her best to calm you down. Namjoon's funeral was delayed as his body was sent to posterm.

Almost after a week you attended his funeral with Rose. You couldn't help but cry. After the funeral Seokjin took you to his house. He tried to comfort you.

"Y/Naah don't cry, everything will be fine. Think about me I lost two of my brothers. I hope whoever killed Namjoon gets caught soon."

You quickly wiped your tears and checked your watch and you realised were getting late for work. You needed to go to your work or your boss might fire you. You didn't went work for almost two weeks. You took leave from Seokjin and he told you to take care of yourself and promised to remain in contact.

You were about to leave when a picture of someone unexpected caught your eyes. It was Taehyung's picture but what is it doing in Seokjin's house?

"Oppa who is this?"

His gaze followed to where you pointed.

"This is Taehyung my youngest brother. He passed away from a road accident almost three years ago."

You were shocked after getting the information. You hurriedly left from there.

____________________________________________

It was already evening time and now you are at the terrace of your office building. You could see the whole city from there. You could not even focus on your work today and got scolding from your boss. You didn't mind it as you were already not okay.

You were so confused and couldn't figure two things out. Firstly, what happened to Namjoon? Who killed him and why? Secondly, who is Taehyung? If he is dead who is the one texting you? These questions were eating your head and you had no answer to it.

You were so busy in your thoughts that you didn't notice that you are at the edge of the terrace currently. Just then you heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind you. Before you could turn back and take a look at the person, someone pushed you. You slipped from the terrace and fell. Last thing you saw was people surrounding you before you closed your eyes forever.

___________________________________________

Unknown POV:

I sneakily came from behind and pushed Y/N from the edge of the terrace. I watched her falling down slowly. I felt a pang in my heart. I didn't wanted to do this but I had to. I can't let anyone else have my love.

If I do let her live, I would have to kill another brother of mine and I didn't want to risk it.

"Now you are mine forever babe."

____________________________________________

#yandere #yandere bts #yandere taehyung #taehyung #taehyung x reader #yandere taehyung x reader

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emmy-dekarios-bg3 · 22 days ago

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Heart of the Weave (part 2)

This is a sequel to my original fic Heart of the Weave. Please only read if you have read part 1.

Chapter 4

Time is a thief. A mean, spiteful thief. Neeve is now six years old and her first day back at the Academy is today, but it feels like only yesterday she was learning how to walk. She’s now advancing to the more advanced room of Magic. Gale will be walking with her to class, since she is attending Blackstaff after all, and on top of that he will be wearing Jenevelle in the baby wrap – and all these years later, watching him wear that thing gets me going.

“Bags packed?” I ask Neeve, who is wearing her purple sweater and brown pants, looking ridiculously similar to her father. She nods with a perky smile, her brown eyes bright with wonder.

“Can you do my hair like yours, mommy? I love the way you do it. It's so pretty and I want to look like you.” Gale smiles at me as he places Jenevelle on the changing mat to get her ready for the day. “You remind me of a mermaid.”

“You're sweet, baby. I would be so happy to do your hair, come sit down.” Neeve squeals and sits down happily in front of me, and I prepare to pin her hair back and put my favorite barrettes in her hair. These were heirlooms from my grandmother; on my mom’s side, let's be clear.

“I'm going to miss you, mommy. I love you so much.” She sighs and closes her eyes. “Today will be fun. I hope.”

“If anyone gives you any problems, just say the word. Your father can put them into place,” Gale comments as he searches for Jenevelle’s purple dress. “Just don't get yourself into trouble. I know you won't but I figured I'd mention it.” Neeve sighs again, but laughs lightly.

“Yes daddy. You have my word. Oh, sorry. Professor Dekarios.”

“Don't call me that at home.” Neeve busts out laughing, and Gale gives her a smirk and rolls his eyes playfully.

“And…done! Your hair is finished. Why don't you go look in the mirror and tell me what you think?” Neeve stands up and rushes towards our bathroom mirror, shrieking from excitement. “Well?”

“I love it! You made me look like…like a princess! When my hair grows out, I'll look like you. I have your face after all. Daddy! Let's go! We’re going to be late, mister!” Gale laughs and puts Jenevelle in her beautiful purple dress that Morena had made for her by hand, then places her in the baby wrap.

“Alright, I'm coming. I had to get your sister dressed for the day. We better skedaddle.” I stand up and Gale leans in to kiss me, his warm touch making me feel more alive than I've ever felt. The spark, the love, the intensity…it's still there and always will be. “I love you, my sweet darling. I hope you and Tara have a wonderful day to yourselves. You deserve it.” I smile and nod, leaning down to kiss Jenevelle’s forehead as she coos, her little hand reaching out to touch my cheek.

“I love you too, love. Now go, teach some things!” Neeve hugs me tight, hesitant on wanting to leave. “Are you nervous, little duck?”

“I am. And…I'm sad. I don't ever want to grow up. Jenevelle is so tiny. She's always been tiny. I wish I was.” Gale and I exchange a sad glance as I'm holding her in my embrace. “And you and daddy…”

“Honey, sssh. Go to school, make some friends. This is a discussion saved for another time. Go test out your magic skills and be yourself. We can always talk about this another day.” Her words caught me off guard. I didn't expect her to bring up such a devastating subject that I'm not sure how to discuss with her. She's so young, yet catching on so quickly; hopefully she will meet some friends that will keep her in a positive mindset. Neeve nods and holds her daddy’s hand as they walk out the door, and my heart feels a little sadness as I watch them leave. It's a harsh reality that she will be aging, while the rest of us aren't. Shadowheart and Astarion are in the same boat as us, with their son Asher.

I begin to clean the tower, and Tara is following me around to keep an eye on me; she must suspect I'm not myself right now.

“Emmy, dear, is something the matter?” I knew it. I pause as I'm folding Jenevelle’s onesies, and then sit down in the rocking chair for a moment. “You can tell me.”

“How do I explain to my child the whole…immortality situation? How she's going to grow up and one day leave us here? I don't want to explain the truth of death, and I can't even imagine losing my daughter one day.” I can feel pain in my heart as I'm saying these words out loud. Tara jumps up in my lap and lays down, purring in comfort, though she's hesitant on what to say.

“She will need to know someday. She doesn't need to know now, but she will need to know at some point. She deserves an explanation, and it seems her curiosity is much more present now and she's realizing her sister is still a baby after all these years. I would wait until she's a little older, so the conversation of devils and the Hells don't spook her too much, but…she does deserve to know at some point, honey. The conversation won't be easy, but you have me in your corner.” I sigh, staring at the portrait of my girls that sits on Jenevelle’s changing table. I'm making a promise to tell her before she's a teenager, but now is not the right time.

After spending quite awhile cleaning throughout the tower and making a delicious lunch that waits for Gale and Neeve, he comes home with just Jenevelle, who is curled up comfortably against his chest. Neeve isn't in sight anywhere, so I stare at Gale with a worried expression.

“Hello, my love,” Gale murmurs with a smile. “Before you worry, Neeve is with Karlach, Wyll, and Maddox. I bumped into them on my way back home and Neeve was begging to hang out with their son, so of course I said yes. They'll bring her back home this evening.” I exhale a breath of relief, my tense shoulders relaxing. “She had a wonderful day at school, by the way.” I approach Gale as he places his coat on the rack and he places his free hand on my waist, leaning in to kiss my lips.

“And your day, love?” I ask with a smile, my eyes wide as I look up at him.

“All went well for the most part. Jenevelle did get fussy and cried, but luckily that was on my break when I was about to feed her. It was unusual. The cry…it was like she was spooked. I couldn't figure out what was wrong for the life of me. You know me, I'll panic each time she cries, because it doesn't happen often. Last time she cried like this…” He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. “Well, she saw a devil.” I can feel my heart sink into my stomach, worried to death it's yet another devil, but I really hope it's not. What could have Jenevelle so scared?

“Did it last long? She seems alright now.”

“No, she was fine once she had her bottle, but it wasn't a hungry cry. I'm probably paranoid. You know how I get when it comes to our children.” I gently take Jenevelle from his arms and hold her close, her hand wrapping around my finger. “You made me lunch? Love, you're the best. And it's my favorite sandwich too.” I watch a smile grow on his face as he looks at me with grateful intent. I admire him in his purple teaching robes, his hair slicked back and beard nicely trimmed; I can't help but lock my attention on him.

“I'm so glad you're home.” Tara flies into the dining room with a letter on her back, a smile curled up on her precious feline face. “Oh?”

“A letter addressed to Gale and Emmy Dekarios, from Blackstaff Academy. It looks like an invitation of sorts. You must read this out loud to satisfy my curiosity!”

“Would you like to do the honors, my love?” Gale asks politely with the sweetest tone, his left brow raised. It appears he might suspect what it's about. I take the letter from Tara and open it, reading it aloud:

“DEAR DEKARIOS FAMILY,

WE WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY INVITE YOU TO THE ANNUAL BLACKSTAFF ACADEMY BALL LOCATED IN OUR BALLROOM. PLEASE ARRIVE IN YOUR FINEST ATTIRE AND RESPOND BACK BELOW INDICATING YOUR ATTENDANCE. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

-BLACKSTAFF ACADEMY”

My eyes widen as I read the invitation, excitement coursing through my veins. A ball?! I've never attended one before. Gale mentioned that they were on hold for a few years following the destruction caused by the Absolute and its followers, but now that everything is organized and more put together, it's finally coming back! I gasp, and turn my gaze to Gale.

“A ball?! We’re…”

“Yes. I’d love to take you to the ball and introduce you to all my colleagues at last. A fancy get-together and the opportunity to dance with my lovely wife, showing her off for the world to see? Elegant wine and eating in the dining hall?” My face lights up as he speaks, and now all I'll be able to think about is what I've been wanting to attend my whole life! It's a dream come true.

“I accept, Professor Dekarios,” I respond with a wink, then kicking my feet excitedly. He stands up to put his plate away, then gently kisses my forehead.

“I knew you would.” My heart skips a beat as I mentally prepare for the upcoming days ahead.

#bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #gale x tav #wizard of waterdeep #ao3 #archive of our own #dad gale #gale bg3

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realultimatepower · 2 months ago

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my friend @marchperi tagged me in one of those "what's your last X" posts, which is the first time anyone has ever tagged me across two accounts on here, so here we go.

Lockscreen

The Vault-Tec-esque style has always been dependable for me. Shit, I gotta plug this thing in.

Last Song Listened To

I was originally gonna say that I couldn't remember and that it was just some song off Yacht Rock Radio on SiriusXM (don't judge me, I'm white, you may as well ask me to stop breathing before I stop listening to Steely Dan) BUT I actually just finished watching the latest episode of The Penguin, and they played a song by SWANS over the end credits, so I'll put that here.

youtube

Last Photo I Took

This picture has a story attached to it that I don't feel comfortable sharing because it ended an argument that I still have some lingering frustrations over. Whatever.

Last Movie I Watched

Rewatched this for family movie night yesterday. First time I've seen it again since I was a kid. I liked it a normal amount back then, and I like it the same amount now even if some of my thoughts about it have changed as a result of being slightly more analytical about the movies I watch. I think my only gripe with it is how the romance between Kim & Edward is a little bit too easy. It's not rushed, it just seems to fall in place just because rather than any actual connection between the two. Maybe there's some commentary about how Edward represents a world unlike either of the ones Kim currently inhabits (the 90s rebellion of her generation against the 50s sensibilities of her neighborhood) and that's tempting to her, but idk. I usually write up these letterboxd reviews for the stuff I watch (no, I won't share my account on here) but since I got up for a few minutes to cook my dinner, I didn't wanna write up my thoughts based on a partial rewatch. I'll probably refer back to this post later, though.

Closest Thing to My Left

The remote to my ceiling fan. Lame, but that's the closest thing to me. I'm being fully honest with this.

Last Meme I Saved/Screenshot

This shitty little squirreljak, because the topic of that republican who adopted a wild squirrel came up in the politics channel of this server I'm in, and there's this other guy in the server who posts this pic so often that it's become an inside joke. My opinion on "Peanut"? I think this is a stupid thing for people to rally around, but that's the point. The right is always playing these dudebro games about not taking anything seriously so when anyone calls them out on it the Leftists trying to treat it that way end up looking even sillier. That said, I saw that tweet from some pundit about Trump "winning 48 states if he [puts on a squirrel suit]" and thought it was some gaga about securing the furry vote because I hadn't heard about the Peanut debacle prior to seeing it, and since I doubt that's what the guy intended when he made the post it makes it so I'm laughing at him instead of him laughing at me. All-in-all, I really hope the next time I hear about Trump after he loses in 2 days is about him dying, and then I'll never hear about him again.

Most Embarrassing Song You Have Saved

I don't have a Spotify because I can listen to music on youtube for free with Ublock (or on SiriusXM through my parents' account), but I do keep a playlist on youtube so I pulled the song for this prompt from on there. It took some searching, because i've got over 800 songs spread out over 3 separate playlists that while others may find me to be embarrassing to have in there, I feel no shame over because that's simply the person I was at the time and most of it is still objectively enjoyable (things like a PSG AMV set to the song Danger Days or a Mother Mother song I liked long before they became hip to dunk on). But, I eventually found a song that I thought was funny at the time, but now I think if people knew I ever liked it they'd think I was an actual fan of his.

youtube

Most Problematic Movie You Still Watch for Nostalgia

Originally I was gonna edit this to be the most problematic film I feel nostalgic for, because I don't actually rewatch movies that often when there's so many that I haven't seen yet and time is a precious commodity, BUT there actually is a somewhat problematic feature that I do rewatch at least once a year.

Well, "problematic" in the sense that soooo many fans of the original absolutely despise this remake and Matthew Broderick for "butchering" the role of Harold Hill. I still haven't seen the original to compare it against yet, but I have a feeling I'm still gonna prefer this one simply because I love the hokey mid-2000s acting in it as much as I do the musical performances. If you think this is a copout, just ask any theater major you still have contact with their opinions.

I don't know if there's usually a limit to how many people you can tag for this, so I'll pick 5: @visonoda @emosighcrylaugh @st4rm41d @theinsanewombat @thepleasuregoblin

#realultimateposting #video #audio #SWANS #edward scissorhands #eminem #the music man #Youtube

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norbezjones · 3 months ago

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Whumptober Day 3: Set Up For Failure (Romance The Backrooms)

Look, in case you couldn’t figure it out from June Of Doom & Whumptember, I like whump. So I’ll be participating in @whumptober when I have the time/energy to. I may use all of the day’s prompts, or I may use some of them. We’ll see what happens.

Like usual, I will be doing these for the characters of my story Romance The Backrooms, a liminal space otome with 5 main love interests. This is an original work, not fanfiction.

Enjoy!

(I also included the @fictober-event prompt today!)

Today’s Prompts: Set Up For Failure, “I warned you”, “I know you better”

Characters: Glarence & Adiel

Other Info: This is picking up right from where yesterday’s post left off. Here’s a link to it if you missed it: Tumblr link, Pillowfort link.

_________

“Glarence, hold on!” Adiel exclaimed as they approached the exit of the amusement park. “What if there’s another exit to the frontrooms here? We can’t leave yet!”

“The only exit was the one attached to the weight game—and you blew it,” Glarence growled, turning to face Adiel with a glare. “Come on, let’s get out of here and try to find a way to another level.”

“At least tell me who that entity was, who was at the game,” Adiel insisted. “Clearly, they were someone important to you.”

“That’s none of your business,” Glarence snapped.

“Oh, you should tell him, Glarence,” a voice interrupted from behind them. “Go on. Why don’t you tell your story?”

Glarence & Adiel turned around to see that the creature was behind them. Its screen was shattered, bit it was still alive.

“I warned you, Glarence,” the creature said, the moon on its cracked screen moving and revealing its sun. “You can’t kill a memory. In your mind, I will never die.”

“Shut up,” Glarence growled, clenching his fists.

“I know you better than you know yourself,” the creature continued with a victorious laugh. “I always have, and I always will. You’re stubborn, and you’ll try to forget me. But no matter what you do, I’ll always be there.”

“I said SHUT UP, Deimos!” Glarence shouted.

Adiel could see Glarence shaking a little. He remembered Glarence’s fearful look earlier, and realized he’d never seen the other entity so scared before. He took a deep breath, and went next to Glarence. “If you want to hurt him, you’ll have to face both of us!” he exclaimed.

“Adiel, what the hell are you doing?” Glarence hissed.

“Standing with you,” Adiel replied. He gave the other entity a reassuring smile and took his hand. Then, he turned back to Deimos. “Bring it on!” he exclaimed.

Deimos laughed. “If you insist.”

It charged at the two, claws out. Glarence jumped back, and Adiel stepped to the side, causing it to miss both of them. Deimos stumbled, and Adiel used that opportunity to push him. That caused Deimos to fall to the ground, where Glarence put one foot on his head.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now,” Glarence growled.

“You can’t kill me, remember?” Deimos replied with a laugh. “That’s a losing game. You’re set up to fail, Glarence. You can’t forget me even though you want to, yet you can’t live without me. Isn’t that pathetic?”

Glarence gritted his teeth, his face filling with anger. Then, with a loud cry, he stomped on Deimos’s head, shattering the screen to pieces. He then kicked it repeatedly, until the light was completely gone.

Glarence took a few deep breaths, watching to see if the creature would try to stand up again. But it was still.

Glarence let out a sigh of relief. Then, he turned to Adiel. “Thanks,” he muttered. “You didn’t have to help me like that. . .”

“Hey, as long as we’re travelling together, I’m here for you, ok?” Adiel said, giving him a smile. “No matter what.”

For the first time since he’d met him, Glarence smiled. “Thank you,” he said. “Now, come on. Let’s find a way to another level.”

And so, the two walked together, in search of an exit.

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museaway · 1 year ago

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Trick or treat! 🎃

hello friend & ty for stopping by! you receive this unpublished fic called distant shores that I wrote a few years ago and never had the heart to share.

for ask box trick-or-treat

distant shores

kawoshin (EVA), 1.4k, set after the final film but it's vague enough that I suppose it could be read as original reincarnation fiction

You see him for the first time across the train tracks, drawn in by a laugh you could swear you’ve heard before. His face is new. Young, about the same age as yours. You wait for him to laugh again in order to see if you were wrong, if the laugh actually belongs to someone else, but the train rolls between you. Through the windows, he’s smiling at a woman in the crowd.

Carry the voice with you to work. Replay it like fragments of a song on endless loop. No other face comes to mind, no time. But it has to be from long ago. Who, though? You never knew the laughter of a parent. Mark it down to faulty memory and focus on the towering documents on the desk.

He’s at the station again the next morning. This time when you look at him through the window, he’s looking back.

It becomes habit, this looking. Without thinking, you take the same position each morning. He never seems surprised when he lifts his head to find you watching. The look on his face is relieved, as though he’s been waiting for you as well.

The morning he isn’t there, devastation sinks in your chest, anchoring your feet to the concrete. All day it haunts you. All day you wonder where he was, if he isn’t from here and has returned to another place, if yesterday’s looking was the last. He hasn’t laughed again since that first day, but you still can’t forget the sound.

After work, celebrate the end of the week with colleagues at the cheap bar near the office. Even the ruckus can’t drown the memory of his laughter. You search every face for him although it’s naive to think that in a city this size, you’d both be here. Coworkers split a taxi home. You take the train, but the platform is empty.

Come Monday, you’re afraid to look and turn a to-go coffee in your hands. You bought it as a distraction and haven’t taken a sip. The cup is hot-to-burning even with the paper sleeve around the center.

Pretend to lift it to your lips. Lift your head. He’s across from you, already looking. Everything around you goes hazy—the station announcements, the other passengers waiting to board. When the train rolls between you, don’t blink. Don’t board. People shove past on both sides but you don’t cross the line. The train departs. You’ve never skipped work before, but he’s smiling and nods toward the exit.

On the sidewalk outside, you touch him for the first time. A handshake. Firm. He holds it longer than most people would, but it’s not strange. His hands are larger, fingers long and evenly thick, with well-trimmed nails. He’s dressed for work—a white buttoned shirt, dark pants—but not as formal as you. Up close, his eyes are gray.

“You missed the train,” he says in a voice you’ve dreamed.

Tongue tied, you nod.

“I’d ask you to get coffee, but…” He motions to the cup in your hand.

“I don’t really drink coffee,” you say. His smile says he knew you would.

“What do you drink?”

“Juice. Usually.”

The hand on yours lifts away and with it, he points down the street. “There’s a cafe two blocks up.”

“Don’t you have work?”

“I can take the morning. You?”

Call in sick. He watches while you do. The sun on his cheeks makes his skin seem to glow.

“I’ve never done this before,” you confess when you hang up with HR.

“Lied to your employer?”

It’s embarrassing. Standing beside him, you feel ten years younger and just as awkward. But he offers an arm, and despite not knowing anything about him, not even a name, you take it.

The cafe is small, just three booths and a handful of tables tucked into a space no wider than a school bus. The seats are held together with strips of silver tape. Sit carefully so it won’t stick to your suit pants and shake open a menu. It has more choices than you would have thought for the size of the place. He orders pancakes. You ask for eggs over easy with toast and a large orange juice. Why are you here with him? Why can’t you get a stranger out of your head? Why is he watching you like it isn’t the first time, but the first time in so long it casts grief across his eyes?

Say, “Do I know you?”

His smile is warm and sad at once. “Why do you ask?”

“You seem familiar.”

He rests his face against a hand. “Is that why you watch me across the tracks?”

Flush but don’t deny it.

Feel relief when the food comes out and provides a reason not to speak for a few minutes. Or so you’d hoped.

“What do you do?” he says as he floods his plate with syrup.

“I work in advertising. And you?”

“I’m a music teacher at an elementary school. How’s your juice?”

“Really good.”

“I thought you might like it here. Why did you buy coffee if you don’t drink it?”

“Isn’t that what people do?”

“People who like coffee.”

Bite into the toast to give yourself time to think. It’s strange he seems so at ease, but like when he offered his arm, you lack the instinct to run from him.

“I thought you wouldn’t be there,” you say.

He settles back in the seat, floating an arm to rest along the top of the booth. “I have Fridays off. If you give me your number, I can let you know next time.”

Blink rapidly as your face floods with heat. “Why?”

He smiles, eyes closing and opening slowly, as though in slow motion. “So you won’t worry.” His eyelashes are colorless like his hair, almost white in the streaks of sunlight through the window that tinge his eyes momentarily red. Yours, for no reason, grow wet. Take out your phone and extend it over your plates. He does the same, and when his name appears on the screen, it’s the name you would have guessed. He holds out a napkin and dries your eyes as though he’s not a stranger.

“Spend the day with me,” he says.

Take the napkin from him. Fold it beside your plate. “Can I finish breakfast first?”

His laughter, jubilant, achingly familiar, fills the diner like music.

He’s content to walk quietly, hands in his pockets instead of free at his sides like yours. You keep your arms straight to prevent your suit jacket from creasing. You ought to take it off, but it’s everything you can do not to look up at him every few steps, to wonder if those eyes could have met your long ago, if you could have forgotten him. He wears a silver chain around his neck. It lays flat against his skin, obscured by his collar, but when he moves its flashes catch you, turn your stomach. Fight down the irrational desire to rip it off of him, smash it under your heel. It’s just a necklace but you taste dread.

He takes you to a park like the one where you take lunch. A mother pushes a toddler on a swing that creaks with each pass. You find a bench and sit together, close enough that your fingers would brush if you flexed your hands. He rounds out his back and sighs, a smile in it. The swing creaks, creaks. Sunlight flints off of his necklace. Quickly, as the dizziness rises, you cover your mouth.

Without a word, he puts a hand on your back, firm against your spine. A breeze scatters dried leaves caught around the bench’s legs.

“Are you alright?” he says.

Nod. Say, “Yes. I must’ve eaten too much.”

He moves his hand in a slow circle the way you imagine a parent might. “Should I take you home?” he asks. You shake your head, drawing both hands down from your face. The breeze on your lips chases some of the nausea, enough to look at him from your peripheral vision. You could swear that you’ve sat together like this before, but the memory—if it is a memory—lacks place and time. An ache throbs deep in your chest where you didn’t know it was possible to hurt.

When you’re able to walk, he takes you to a nearby shopping district. You end up in a music store. “I like to own the albums,” he says before you ask. “It takes up a lot of space I don’t have, but it isn’t the same if you can’t touch them. Do you like music?”

“I love it.”

“Show me your favorite.”

You do.

“I have these,” he says. Somehow you knew that like you knew his voice, the pain in his eyes, the warmth of his hand. “Maybe we can listen to them sometime.”

#inbox trick or treating #kawoshin #my writing tag #I forgot how much I love this fic 😭#I didn't think I'd ended it which is why it has been stalled eternally #but re-reading I quite like where it ends up #the title is a reference to kaworu's name #渚 (nagisa) can mean 'shore'

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wordsaladsenpai · 9 months ago

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Trees recommendations

Hello, long time no post. I want to start something here on my blog about any media recommendations. Whether it be games, books, movies, web novels, shows, etc etc.

I’ll start off with my first recommendation:

Title: Eternal Yesterday

Genre: Japanese BL

Category: Show

Episodes: 8

My thoughts: I usually don’t watch anything BL related because I don’t want to get caught up in the drama and negative connotation (which is honestly quite a fair assertion since many women (I am a woman) have exhibited tendencies towards fetishizing gay men when it comes to consumption of media regarding bl and mlm relationships). I do not actively engage or support the narrative of fetishizing gay men or mlm relationships. This is just a disclaimer. I myself am biromantic and when I usually search for shows or media to consume I try to actively avoid anything overly explicit since I am not trying to consume the media for the purpose or sake of finding my own fantasies or daydream pleasure about any acts of intimacy that might occur in said piece of media. Though I am biromantic myself I do get curious about some of the explicit intimate aspects or details that may occur in the media itself. Though I have to say I do find it quite distasteful if the only plot point is the explicit intimate actions of fan service that maybe liberally splattered throughout a series or work of media. For this main reason I don’t watch many American Tv shows despite being an American myself. I have gained a taste for some shows and media originating in China, Korea, and Japan, as well as Taiwan, and a bit of Thailand. I like how most of the shows I’ve seen from these areas contribute multiple story plot points while still being able to show the progression of the main love interests relationship through the entire show. While each countries media definitely has different styles of storytelling the Japanese BL eternal yesterday really caught my eye.

I don’t watch many Japanese shows or even Japanese BL for that matter so this was my first one ever to watch and honestly I was very surprised and impressed with it. What stuck out to me was the premise of the show, which showed a budding gay romance between two highschoolers. As someone who is interested in the concept of grief and death and emotional connections to others and those we love I thought it was beautiful at harnessing and processing those emotions and bringing it forth visually through the writing and acting and directing. It was perfect. Though I thought an 8 episode drama with a little over 20 minutes per episode would not be enough to really give the story it’s all. I was pleasantly surprised how it worked perfectly. It was a show that made me cry and make me think of my own relationship with my own bf. While it may have been a BL it harnessed different relationship dynamics that I thought was a lovely thing to do since it is about love in all its forms. I could go on forever about this show and honestly it will stick with me as a forever favorite.

Pls check it out.

I watched it on Viki. (I think you can also watch it on Netflix but pls double check the avaliable platforms of where this show might be to watch)

Rating - 10/10

P.S - the pacing can be kinda slow but I loved the awkward pauses and camera panning because it in my opinion realistically showed the progression of a relationship between two people where one doesn’t want to intrude on the other and the other person is very reserved and quiet who also takes a bit more time to open up.

Thank you for reading this long long review. I hope yall learned a new show to maybe watch and enjoy or learn a little bit about me through my thoughts and opinions on this piece of media.

#tumblr fyp #explorepage #fypシ #fyp #explore #fypage #eternal yesterday #tv shows #i recommend #trees recommended #tv recommendations #Japanese shows #tree recommends #trees recommendations #media analysis #my reviews #my tv show review #thoughts and feelings #late night binge

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dollarbin · 11 months ago

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Shakey Sundays #8:

Ragged Glory

Some things are worth waiting for.

At age 14 I dedicated way too many hours to MTV, hoping to catch Neil Young's Mansion on the Hill. I'd seen the song's video just once; the network had seemingly played it a single time just to tease me.

During my weeks of hapless watching and waiting I tried to remember all the crazy stuff in the video; it entered my dreams and morphed. Had there really been a funeral? Who was dead? Was Young a ghost for all of it? Did a choir really sing the silly lyrics? Was that Neil in the gas station too? Were there dinosaurs at one point? Or was I making that part up? And how did guys my dad's age play such killer guitar?

Well, I never got my answers; instead I saw nothing but Motley Crue's Dr Feelgood. Over and Over Again.

But just now, 34 years later, and thanks to this new technology I'm learning to use called google, I finally got to see the video for Mansion on the Hill a second time.

youtube

You can feel Young's burgeoning joy all over this silly video. He'd probably seen Monty Python and The Holy Grail only while stoned on tour and thought his opening gag was entirely original. He's not dead yet!

In midst of my hopeless adolescent search for the video I read in the LA Times that Young had made two additional videos for Ragged Glory, one of which involved high drama between a sexy couple on a balcony. But, reported the Times, neither video had any chance of ever getting a single second of airtime. The writer (it was probably Robert Hilburn, a total dad rock grump who routinely called Use Your Illusion 2 fantastic) mused in the piece on Young's possible motives: Was he delusional? Deceived? Nuts?

Well, making videos exactly how you wanted, which meant you knew would never be seen, sounded genius to me, and I quit watching MTV cold turkey in response. If they weren't going to play Neil Young they weren't going to have me.

I've been thinking about those mythical videos for 34 years straight now. Seriously, I've wondered about them once a month for 408 months in a row. I'm not proud to report this; I'm just a victim of the Dollar Bin (and Jerry Jeff Walker), living my life easy come, easy go...

And now, low and behold, here they are!

youtube

Sure enough, this first one, for the hook-heavy Over and Over, has the balcony stuff; witness the serious, VH1 level, drama: a sexy lingerie lady (women in this era of music videos only wore lingerie; none of them owned pants) squares off with an Anthony Bandaras type dude; passion ensues while the band unrelatedly rocks. There's nothing silly enough here for Shakey-level greatness, although it does look like Young did indeed summon his Budokan era wind machines from the Shocking Pinks desertscape. Hurricane force winds are needed for most of Neil's videos.

And then there's the video least likely to ever be seen by me / anyone else as a kid. Had I been a MTV VG at the time, even I wouldn't have played this for fear of a FCC shutdown: there's the swearing in it, sure, but there's also the guitar solos at the 2:30, 3:30 and 4 minute marks that are so gnarly they do not seem safe for public consumption.

youtube

Unlike the previous two videos from Ragged Glory, Fubbin' Up contains almost no plot; but half way through Neil does cavort with two different buxom ladies; someone has to stand in for Neil on stage and pretend to shred like him while he stumbles about with them. Neil Young's music videos: they make every Sunday Shakey.

As I've written previously, I do not own Ragged Glory on vinyl. (The lead photo above features my fired up cat and a record store promotion poster I got as a kid and have kept inside my copy of Live Rust ever since.) If you've got the record on vinyl and want to swap I'll gladly send you my copy of Old Ways in return (then I'll go buy another copy of that 80's masterpiece to mediocrity; I saw one yesterday for $8; where the hell were all the copies of Old Ways up until a year ago?).

Anyway, when I was 14 I bought Ragged Glory on tape and, truth be told, it was a little over my head. I loved it, sure, but like another perfect record of that era, The Cure's Disintegration, it was just too damn long for my adolescent attention level. I'd especially get lost during Love and Only Love and Love To Burn. The songs seemed interchangeable to me, and on some level they still do.

While we're at it, I'm gonna argue that those two songs heralded the often regrettable nature of Young's lyrics ever since; for every weird and spectral song like Without Rings or Music Arcade there are four or five that remind me not to forget love.

Memo to Neil: I am not in danger of forgetting about love. I'm happily married, and I am familiar with The Sermon on the Mount. But when I drop the needle, I want visitors from space in my Neil Young songs; I want to picture him walking down main street: not the sidewalk, but MAIN street.

But who am I kidding: I can't complain about Love to Burn or Love and Only Love, or anything else on this vital and classic record. No other 45 year old ever rocked this hard. At 45 Stephen Stills stayed fat and laid an egg. Just get this: Young permanently blew out his hearing not on tour for the record but while mixing the live album that followed. How cool is that? At 45 years old, while the rest of us were acting like grown-ups, he sat in a studio and listened to himself shredding at 11, thereby damaging his ears. When I was 45 the loudest thing I did was shout at the Dodgers. And it worked: they won the World Series.

But Neil kept up his revived crazy brilliance from this era long term. Check him out using Love and Only Love to lay siege to Farm aid with Ralph, Billy and Poncho in tow ten years later:

youtube

But at age 14 I never really understood Ragged Glory. It's not an album for teenagers. Metaphors such as, "like a little girl, who couldn't wait" only made sense when I had a daughter of my own, finally asleep at 2am on Christmas eve. It was in moments like that when I wanted to chug a cold one and high step my way around the kitchen, listening to Ragged Glory on headphones. Over and over again...

But I started unlocking the record years before, late in high school. My buddy Matt, a MIT-bound, state champion wrestler in the 150 pound class when he should have weighed an easy 180, was the only person I knew on earth who was as gnarly as Young's soloing on Truckin' Up. And Matt spoke up at lunch one day, when we were probably late for Physics, and told us the story of his 10 mile run the day before after 3 hours of push-ups and brawling on a mat.

Matt had listened to Ragged Glory on his walkman during that run and wanted to report that Forking Up was the greatest song ever written. It was even better, he claimed, that his other favorite Neil song, Homegrown.

I was really into TS Eliot and The Pixies at that point; so he sounded full of crap. But as I listened to him recite Neil's nonsensical, bone-headed lyrics my future self reached out to me and ordered that I sit up and listen; Matt had a point.

Dogs that lick And dogs that bite Hounds that howl Through the night Broken leashes Are all over the floor Keys left hanging In a swinging door.

Amen, Matt. The world is nonsensical and bone-headed. As the great Bob Pollard once warbled, sometimes you need to slay the beast and win the cup. Sometimes you need to fook things up and then scream about it.

There's a lot more to say about Ragged Glory but I'll pause here: happily, Young put out a new extended version of the record, aptly titled Smell the Horse, recently. Writing about it will make some future Sunday Shakey all over again.

#Youtube #neil young #and crazy horse #shakey sundays #stephen stills sucks

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cljordan-imperium · 1 year ago

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Trick or Treat! 🎃🌘🍫 (Olly please!)

Horseman of Conquest, son of the Flamekeeper of the Immortal Flame of Heaven

And a snippet because I do adore him

"I'm sorry, what?" Amaya’s head jerked up. "Horseman, as in the Four Horsemen? THE. FOUR. HORSEMEN?" Her eyes grew large and she fought fear. When he nodded, it was all that she could do not to jump from the bed and run screaming. She took her hand from his and brought both of hers to her chest.

Olly watched as all color drained from Amaya's face and his heart dropped. He couldn't blame her. Two days ago she'd been a human on Earth, now she was an immortal in the upper realm of Hell. "You are safe, please breathe." He'd noticed she’d stopped. "It's a lot to take in and no one is going to rush you on anything. No one you have met here in the Palace or will meet will be any danger to you. I swear to the Divine."

"What about outside the Palace?" Her voice shook and she hugged both chinchirpas to her as they tried to comfort her.

"Don't worry about that yet. You will have someone more than capable of protecting you with you at all times when you are outside the Palace grounds. Even within its confines you won't be alone unless you wish it. You're not a prisoner, Amaya, but we know that this might be overwhelming." Gently, Olly took her hand in his again, thumb sweeping across the back. "I'm sorry I have upset you. I do want you to know that you aren't the only one that is adjusting to a new life here, though. Six of Abriella’s friends from Earth just joined us in the palace yesterday." Once more he gave her a warm smile. "One is also a new immortal and another is searching for her type of being. Additionally one of her cousins has moved in with us as well." He thought it better of telling her the reason. "Once you are doing better and settled into your suite of rooms, I'll make sure you're introduced to everyone."

Amaya considered all he had just said. If there were others who were new as well, maybe she could do this. Having new friends was never a bad thing, especially since she'd have to give up all of her old ones, she was sure. "And when do I meet your and Arch’s wives?" She finally asked. Might as well start with the women married to the men she'd be spending the most time with, it seemed.

Olly blinked a few times before he chuckled. "Arch and I are both single, very at the moment." He cleared his throat as he felt a bit of heat around his ears and on his neck. "Unfortunately we have both been too busy in recent years to have romantic relationships. Arch did have a wife about 600 years ago," he saw her eyes go wide and tried not to laugh. Wait till she met Cruz formally and was coherent enough to remember it! "She however was killed in a war with a band of banshees. He's had a few relationships since, but I fear he still mourns her too much to let anyone too close. I've just not found the one that touches my soul yet." As he finished he wondered why he'd shared so much.

"Oh, oh my. I'm so sorry for him. That’s…that's just terrible." The fact Amaya’s words were truly heartfelt was evident in both expression and tone. "I'm also sorry I assumed. I guess I just thought that being immortal already that…i don't know what I thought." She sighed and shrugged. "Maybe that it is easier to find someone? Now that sounds stupid saying it." She blushed and looked down. She felt like an idiot.

"You're new at this, and to our world. It doesn't help that Earth fiction and our reality are nowhere close." He gave her a sympathetic smile and a light squeeze on her hand again. "No one is going to judge you for not knowing or getting something wrong. Least of all me. I came from Earth originally, and a lot has changed for me since becoming a Horseman and then coming here.” Another reassuring squeeze of her hand and a warm smile. Olly really did like her. She reminded him of a few of Abriella’s friends that had come to Imperium, only this poor girl was completely unprepared for anything that had come at her. At least they had known they were coming before they just poofed in, and none of them were instantly married to a jackass spectre.

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