#at first it wasn't my plan at all to expand on what happened between their childhood and the day they reunite

[ozzgin]

The wonderful wizard Ozz. I have had this concept stuck in my head like a worm!

Could you imagine a Darling escaping from their Yan, not to run but just to feel the rain on their skin? I've been consuming this prompt like a heroin addict and I can't seem to get enough!

If I were to expand your prompt, I quite like the idea of a Yandere that can't really go full yandere because Reader is just too willing. He loves yandere content and can very much relate, but none of the escalations can happen if, well, the object of his obsessive affection doesn't protest in the first place. Is it too far fetched from what you'd imagined? Let me elaborate:

Yandere! Male x Willing! Reader

AKA: When you want to be a Yandere, but your Darling unfortunately cooperates.

The Yandere has been stalking Darling for months. Journal entries, walls plastered with photos (and the occasional creepshots), recordings. He just can't get enough of his Darling. He loves everything about you and can barely function throughout the day, fantasizing about your life together.

Enough is enough and he finally decides to make you his. He's been consuming media of similar tropes, with obsessed men pleading for a chance and having to force their way in because of rejection and fear. He's prepared for everything. Your tears, your trembling voice, your hands pushing him away. He finds you, approaches you and confesses his feelings, knuckles white as he grips his fists in anticipation. Your eyes widen for a moment, before narrowing in a smile. "I had no idea! Sure, I'll go out with you." Huh? Wait. This wasn't...this wasn't in the plan. Somehow he'd been certain you'd refuse. He must've mumbled the last part out loud, because you respond with "Why would I say no?"

A very good point indeed. You will change your mind, however, once you learn the extent of his love. You're holding his hand and following along as he takes you to his place, completely and utterly unaware of what you're about to witness. He can't truly be your boyfriend if he has to hide his very nature, after all. You might be disgusted, frightened, offended. He can already hear your screams, demanding explanations. It's all out of love. "It's okay if you don't understand", he mumbles to himself, watching your frozen body as you gaze into his room. You take a couple of steps towards the nearest wall, tracing the hundreds of images with your fingers. "Wow. You never mentioned being into photography", you remark, impressed. "It's like an exhibition! But...you might have to work on your angles", you blurt out, a little embarrassed, pointing to one of the creepshots. "This isn't very flattering. Did you take it in a hurry? It makes my legs look disproportionate." He can only stare, taken aback. "S-sorry" is all he manages.

Okay, but don't imagine your life will continue as usual. You've only seen a glimpse of his adoration. Now that you're officially dating, he cannot allow anyone else to have access to you. You have to understand, he cannot protect you properly if you're not under his watch all the time. As much as he cherishes you, he will have to be rough if needed. That's what he tells himself as he shoves the required tools in the trunk of his car, speeding towards your apartment. Once there, he fidgets on the sofa, considering his speech. You seem to be just as uneasy - perhaps you're predicting what's to come? - casting your eyes down and giving short answers. "I think you should move in with me." He states solemnly. You gasp and throw a hand over your mouth, and tears quickly well in the corner of your eyes. "How did you...how did you know?" You say between sobs. Huh? "I didn't want to burden you with my problems, seeing as we just started dating...but my landlord won't renew the lease. I was so scared I'd be homeless."

He clicks his tongue. This isn't very yandere, more like the average couple experience. You bring the final moving box to his car, fitting it in the trunk. "By the way, what's with all the rope?" you ask. "Just move it aside", he sighs. How can he explain it? He's been training, sweating and bleeding for a marathon and right before the whistle, they handed him the first prize. His muscles are aching for the sprint that never happened. Of course he's grateful to have you at last, but somehow he feels like he hasn't proven his dedication properly. You just don't get it, do you? How sickening his love is for you.

As the days pass, he eases into his role of...how does one even call it? Pseudo-captor? When you found his journal, you blushed and confessed how no one before him put this amount of effort into knowing you. All the male contacts from your phone vanishing? It was about time you cleaned up your acquaintances and it was nice of him to help. The AirTags he's hidden in your bags and pockets? You appreciate his safety concerns. Nowadays, with all these perverts freely walking the streets, you can never be too sure.

One morning he wakes up to an empty bed. He jolts up, dazed. Could it be his wish was finally granted? You must've gotten tired of him and tried to escape. Oh, silly little Darling love. You should've known there's no more walking out once you said yes. He checks his phone and pounces out, ready for the hunt. As he sprints along the street, he finds you suspiciously close to his home. Not very smart of you to...what are you even doing? Your hands are raised up, fingers fanned out under the pouring rain. You notice his presence and turn to face him with a wide, childish grin. "I haven't done this since I was a child. When was the last time you felt the rain on your skin?" Only now it occurs to him he's been running in this downpour and his clothes are soaked. He was too focused on finding you.

"I thought you escaped", he almost whispers. "Escape? From what?" You tilt your head in confusion. He places his cold, large hands over your cheeks. "Do you comprehend I'm very much obsessed with you? I'm not joking around. You're never, ever leaving me. You're stuck here forever. I mean it. I really do. I'd rather kill you with my own hands than let you go. Because I love you." You take a moment to admire the intricate patterns of his irises, pupils dilated in a spiraling madness. By the end of his erratic oration, he's panting and digging his nails into your skin.

"I know."

[barcaatthemoon]

serial heartbreaker ii || alexia putellas x reader ||

whether it was intentional or not, there was definitely something going on between you and alexia.

part i

you woke up in a bed that definitely wasn't yours. the sheets were by far the softest that you had ever felt in your entire life, but the mattress itself was firmer than you preferred. groaning a little, you turned onto your stomach and pulled a blanket up over your head. almost immediately, you were hit a wave of perfume that definitely wasn't yours.

confused, you lifted your head up to see that you were not in your bedroom. suddenly, you were hit with the memories of what had happened the night prior. anger and sadness threatened to wash over you, only held back by a feeling of optimism. yes, you and leila were definitely over, but there was definitely room for something between you and alexia.

it was stupid to be thinking about getting in a reltionship so soon after your last one had officially ended, but you couldn't help it. you hated being single, something that most of your friends knew already. besides, you'd be a liar if you said that you weren't interested in alexia. she was alexia fucking putellas after all.

"buenos dias," alexia said as she climbed back into bed with you. you could smell coffee, a cup held by the hand that wasn't gently shaking you awake. alexia had heard you moving around, so she knew that you weren't fully asleep. "(y/n), it's time for you to wake up. come on, it's almost two."

"in the afternoon?" you lifted your head a little to see her nod. you shot up, nearly knocking into alexia as you did. she chuckled, smiling as she watched you try to blink away your tiredness. "you let me sleep until two in the afternoon?"

"you had a rough night, and a rather fitful sleep. i wanted to make sure that you were rested today. now, we can stay in bed all day if you'd like today, but tomorrow, we have plans," alexia told you.

"oh, and what would those be?" you asked.

"mapi wants everyone to go to the beach," alexia said. you liked the sound of that, not having gotten to hang out at the beach with your friends in quite a while. "so, what do you want to do today?"

"first, i'd like to drink that coffee," you said as you reached for the cup. alexia handed it to you, rolling her eyes at your little grabby hand motion. you leaned into her side as you sipped on the coffee, both of you discussing some lunch plans. alexia ordered some food in, promising that you didn't have to leave her bed until tomorrow.

…

"hello gorgeous!" mapi exclaimed as she pulled you in for a hug. you laughed as she dragged you down onto the sand, the two of you rolling around a little. you were careful of her knee, much more careful than she was. behind the two of you, ingrid and alexia set up a little area to relax for a bit.

"she looks happy, considering," ingrid said as she watched you run around with mapi. "is she still staying with you?"

"yeah, we didn't leave my bed at all yesterday. i haven't had a lazy day like that in forever," alexia said. she ignored the look on ingrid's face, a question she didn't dare ask her captain about you just yet. that was the sort of thing mapi would have done for her. it wasn't that ingrid was shy, but she had a bit more respect for alexia's boundaries than mapi did.

"i didn't know the two of you were that close," ingrid said. it felt like a safe option, something that could be expanded on in whatever way alexia felt comfortable. that was the sort of thing that ingrid had learned at her time in barcelona. it was tricky to navigate certain conversations and topics with alexia, you being one of them.

"she's easy to be close with. there's something about her, it puts me at ease," alexia said. mapi had mentioned alexia possibly having a crush on you. she had definitely joked about alexia getting jealous whenever leila started talking to you romantically. however, the captain had brushed all of it all, denying it all vehemently.

"well, whatever happens, i wish you good luck," ingrid said. alexia blushed as she turned away from ingrid, who was smirking at her with a knowing look. mapi liked to say a lot just to get a rise out of alexia, but it seemed that the defender hadn't been inaccurate with her comments about alexia having feelings for you.

…

"when are you going to make a move on ale?" ona asked as she sat down next to you on alexia's couch. she was staring at you expectantly, like she already knew your feelings. it wasn't that hard of a conclusion to come to, most of the locker room had figured it out already. since your breakup with leila, you had spent maybe a total of four days at your own apartment in the span of a month.

"ona, shut up," you hissed. alexia was in the kitchen, chatting away to her mother on the phone. ona laughed at the look of pure panic on your face.

"hey, i'm happy for you. lucy won't admit it, but she's looking forward to double dates. all you have to do is say something. ale likes you too, she's letting you practically live here already," ona pointed out. you blushed as you realized that ona had no idea that you'd been sleeping in alexia's bed with her at night.

it seemed that your first night here had set the tone for the rest of your extended stay. alexia had you going to bed about three hours earlier than what you were used to, but you didn't mind it. she'd get ready for bed with you, let you sleep in her clothes at night, and hold you until she had to wake you up for training. it was nice, something that you hadn't gotten even whenever leila was still at the same club as you.

"i don't know if i'm ready for a relationship, and you don't even know if alexia likes me," you told ona. she rolled her eyes, scoffing at your statement. a part of her was proud of you for not rushing in, but alexia definitely had a thing for you.

"well, don't let her pass you by. i'm sure that ale won't stay single forever," ona warned you. the thought had crossed your mind, but you always tried to ignore it. if you thought too much about alexia getting another girlfriend, someone to take your spot in her bed, you always got sick.

"lo siento-," alexia sat down on the other side of you, her hand landing directly on your thigh, "-what are we watching?"

"it is your tv," you said nervously. alexia gave you a look, knowing that you had been monopolizing control over her remote while you'd been over. alexia had opted for watching matches on an ipad while you flipped from tv to tv show.

"hmm, i almost forgot," alexia joked. you rolled your eyes as you forced yourself to look away from her. alexia squeezed your thigh as she reached forward and grabbed the remote. she put on some old game footage, ona groaning and getting up to leave.

"i will see you both later. bye cari." ona pressed a kiss to the top of your head. alexia retracted her hand at the little token of affection. you frowned as she did, immediately reaching out to take her hand in yours. alexia smiled down at the two of your hands. she missed the look that ona shot the two of you as she put her shoes on. "remember to use protection!"

"ona!" you yelled as you twisted to throw something at her. the smaller woman was already out of alexia's apartment, leaving you to sit there awkwardly. "i'm sorry about her, she's being ridiculous."

"she is right, protection is important," alexia said. you laughed as you settled back on the couch with her. "you have been spending a lot of time in my bed, so i guess it's not a terrible conversation to be having."

"alexia, we aren't fucking each other," you reminded her. alexia let her hand fall away from yours. you didn't notice, but she watched as you frowned again, this time not reaching out for her.

"you want us to be, though, don't you?" alexia asked you.

"no," you answered confidently. alexia's face fell, having been certain that you liked her. "i am not good at casual sex, and i don't see the point of trying to be now."

"so… you want something more?" alexia asked.

"i want to be with someone who will love me," you said. alexia perked up a little, turning her body towards yours. "i'd like someone who cares for me like you do."

"i can do you one better," alexia said. she gently cupped your cheeks as she leaned forward. you felt her nose brush against your face. it drove you a little crazy having her so close, but purposefully not kissing you. "what if i love you? would that be okay?"

"just promise me that you won't break my heart, please." you sounded dangerously close to begging, something that you hated.

"i could never," alexia promised you. you leaned in to close the distance, letting out a sigh as alexia kissed you back. you melted into her arms, finally getting to do something that you had been wanting to for so long. a part of you felt like it should have happened earlier, but you had always needed a little outside help to make any sort of move.

[hispg]

Between royalty and vows

Pairings: Prince! Leon x Fem! Reader

Summary: A forced marriage, a fate set in stone, nothing could change that.

In the world of royalty, there were no choices, only obligations to fulfill. What you didn't expect was to become engaged to a renowned prince, ready to succeed the lineage.

Until that moment, you still had some hope that everything would work out, maybe it wasn't so bad. But it would be a shame if your future husband had a mistress.

Wouldn't it?

Wc:2.6k

Warnings: slow burn, angst, hurt/ comfort, cheating, arranged marriage, eventual smut, one-sided love, affairs, (I'll put more once things start to progress).

Prologue | 1 |

An:It took me a little longer to post, sorry! I'm in my week of college exams, the finals are approaching. I'm studying a lot, feeling very tired. Thanks for the sweet messages! I didn't expect to receive so much support! I appreciate it!💕💕💕

Chapter 1: Sunset

As soon as the sun rose, Leon was already awake, it's not as if he'd managed to sleep through the night in any case, he was too anxious for that. That morning you would arrive at the castle, and consequently start living here. It was a big step, certainly, but it was more than necessary, especially as the wedding approached.

He himself couldn't believe that he was getting married in the next few days, it had all happened so quickly that he hadn't even had time to think about it properly. Just like that, his life was turned upside down, a pang in his heart every time he thought about it. Every time he thought that he was being forced to marry a stranger, someone he didn't have a shred of affection for.

All these thoughts disappeared once there was a knock on his door, causing him to push down his sheets and start getting ready for the day.

"Your Highness, your father wants to speak to you." The familiar voice of his butler, Ausdret.

Leon lets out a tired sigh, only muttering a small, "I'll be there."

He knows what his father wants to talk to him about, to reinforce his duty once again, to remind him about the dynasty.

There was no escape, and that was all that was on his mind as he got ready. He took longer than necessary, on purpose, just not to leave his bedroom now.

After he'd finally finished, he went to look in the mirror, just to make sure he was properly dressed and polished, after all it was supposed to be a big day. But his eyes stopped wandering over his face, and hovered on a lipstick mark on the collar of his shirt, enough to bring a small smile to his face, eyes sparkling with the memory of his beloved, his only one.

Knowing he would have to hide it, he took one last look before tucking the collar back into place. Making sure no one else could see.

As soon as he left his room, his butler was waiting for him outside, making several attempts at small talk, which Leon wasn't interested in, though. His mind was far away, as if he had never been here in the first place.

Once he arrived in his father's chamber, he was greeted with a big smile, which was not reciprocated by Leon. Only a small nod came from him.

"So everything's settled?" A small whisper, a question that Leon already knew the answer to.

His father proudly replied, "Yes, I've already arranged everything with Vladimir. You and she are getting married in the next few days." His father speaks, looking at the other man in the room, Duke Vladimir, his father's best friend.

However, Leon didn't seem at all excited about the situation, in fact, he seemed rather upset.

"This will be great, we'll finally be able to expand our business." This sentence came from Leon's father, who was more than happy with the pact.

It was a long-standing interest of the king, of course, who wouldn't want to expand their business with one of the richest royal families?

But on the other hand, Leon had other plans. Plans that were not accepted by his father.

"Cheer up, the girl is a beautiful princess, very kind from what I've seen. I'm sure you'll get on well." Vladimir says, trying to console Leon, but frankly, it only seems to have gotten worse.

"How long do we have to stay in this marriage?" Perhaps he was still hoping it would only be for a short time.

"Indefinitely. They will be the source of our success, especially the princess. We need to collaborate with them, just as they collaborate with us." The king says, somewhat obviously, that he won't be breaking the contract any time soon.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll talk to the other servants. We need to organize the wedding invitations." Vladimir says as he leaves, just after bowing to the two members of royalty in the room.

Silence followed, Leon too upset with his father to speak a single word, while the king was daydreaming.

An ambitious king who would slowly make his reign the most prosperous in history, he couldn't ask for more. This would make everything perfect for Leon to take the throne and make the nation of Italy even prouder.

"I don't know how far your greed will go." A plausible complaint coming from Leon, directly confronting his father.

"I only want what's best for you and, consequently, for my nation." They both knew where this conversation was going, but since they were both hard-headed, they would continue anyway.

"What's best for me? You've arranged a marriage with a stranger and you think that's what's best for me?" By now, Leon's voice had changed considerably.

King Leonardo didn't like arguing, least of all with his own son. However, he would never tolerate his disobedience, never.

"And what would be better for you? Marry a paltry lady? Honestly, you need to think bigger." And the king hit the nail on the head, because that's exactly what Leon was getting at.

Ashley did come from an affluent family, but she wasn't as rich as the British family. Which in this case was yours.

"Don't you dare talk about her like that." Leon was once again affronting his father, which would certainly have serious consequences.

"Listen, if you want to continue your affair with this so-called Ashley, go ahead, I won't stop you. Now don't expect me to let you ruin your own future, too."

The two of them looked at each other not very kindly, especially Leon.

It seemed like he was being generous. What's the point? Living a life on the sly with the woman he loved? It didn't seem fair. It wasn't fair.

"You still have a lot to learn, my son." The king spoke with a certain heavy heart, and at the same time a jaw-dropping arrogance.

But how could Leon calm down? He didn't even know the woman he was going to marry and, even worse, he couldn't commit to the person he loved, Ashley.

But what irritated him even more was the fact that he knew it was all his father's whim.

But even this marriage wouldn't stop the prince from having a relationship with this woman, even if it meant an extramarital affair. And Leon didn't care if that had consequences, not even for his future wife.

"All I ask is that you don't complicate things. I'm still being kind enough to allow you to have these affairs, whether with Ashley or any other woman." That would even sound gentle if he wasn't talking about extramarital affairs.

"... Alright, Father." Once again, Leon swallowed his pride and let it happen. But then again, it's not as if he could do anything against his father's wishes.

Leon stormed out of his father's chamber, strong, heavy footsteps echoing down the so far empty corridor, and he didn't even look back. His mind was in the purest of shambles, fists clenched and an expression that wasn't the friendliest.

As he walked quickly through the corridors, he couldn't help but notice the commotion outside, expensive carriages arriving in the castle courtyard, making room for butlers to work and remove whatever was inside.

He imagined it was the arrangements for the marriage, since it would take place in the next few weeks. So it wasn't anything that caught his attention for long.

However, as soon as he looked up from the mezzanine, he saw the familiar figure, it was you. Wearing a simple blue dress, delicate gloves that covered up to your forearms, and of course, he couldn't forget your soft features.

As soon as you saw him from the hall, you gave him a discreet smile, making him let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding. Even for a brief second, his expression softened, but that didn't make him any less upset by the whole situation.

Queen Sarah spoke to you politely, saying how grateful she was for the courteous company of the princess, who was in fact being awaited by the other residents of the castle, at least most of them.

In fact, the queen felt lonely, since apart from the governesses, she had no other female companion to talk to during the day.

Slowly, Leon descended the grand staircase, stepping onto the red carpet, his steps light and slow, as if he were analyzing what he would do next.

Your eyes met his, and you smiled gently, bowing to him as you should. And he reciprocated, of course.

"Princess." He said, giving a nod to his mother, who politely curtsied to you.

"I'll get your bedroom ready." She says, her voice sweet and calm, as she moves gracefully through the castle.

You felt a shiver run up your spine at the thought that you were about to share a room with him. Since you weren't married yet, you were just going to sleep next to each other, a door that could be opened to connect one room to the other, since couples who hadn't made a commitment weren't supposed to sleep together until they were married.

"You have a beautiful home, prince." You murmur, the sweet smile always on your lips.

He chuckles a little, offering you his arm to hold, "Let me introduce you to the castle itself."

You smile, taking his arm and letting him lead you, obviously he was only doing it out of politeness, but you'd love to spend a little more time with him.

When your covered fingers curled around his arm, you couldn't help but feel the muscles that flexed with every slight movement, without any effort. Just as you couldn't help but notice his eyes every time he looked at you and explained something, the way his voice echoed through the empty corridors.

You walked side by side, your footsteps echoing through the unoccupied hallways, giving off a calm and intimate atmosphere somehow. You noticed the paintings, the properly placed decorations.

Even the curtains matched the carpets, as much as you were used to this sort of thing, it was still breathtaking to see such a sophisticated place.

You felt that despite your enchantment with the prince, you could see his lack of enthusiasm for you, you could see that it sounded more like a duty than anything else.

What did you expect? That it would be a fairy tale? In this life you were leading, the heart didn't always follow the rules of fairy tales.

"Let me take you to the courtyard, it's a nice day." You notice the sigh at the end of the sentence, as well as the distance he kept.

Even with all his explanations, all the talk about royal life, homework, the explanations for every painting in the corridor, you didn't pay much attention. Your attention was focused completely on him, perhaps because you were hoping for a hint of feeling, whatever that was.

Too bad you wouldn't find it even if you looked hard enough.

As soon as you left the large building, you were presented with a landscape that looked more like a hand-painted picture.

The courtyard was perfect, full of roses and other types of flowers, a wooded area, the grass all at the same length, without a single flaw. Meticulously cut bushes, flowers that adorned the greenery and gave it extra life, it seemed magical.

The afternoon sun shone down on the whole place, bringing everything to life. The birds humming and bathing in the water fountain, nature stretching as far as the eye could see.

"I hope you are pleased, princess." Leon says, his calm, velvety voice immediately making you look at him.

"Certainly, it's very well appreciated." With a sweet, polite smile you answered him, approaching the fountain and sitting down on one of the edges.

And he repeated the gesture, sitting down next to you.

Just as you were about to engage him in conversation, a strong wind whipped against you, causing your hair to tangle, the softly combed strands to fall into your face, undoing a good few minutes' work in an instant.

Then you felt a warm, robust hand on your cheek, brushing the strands behind your ear.

A gesture that was intimate, no doubt about it, and that was able to make you blush slightly as soon as you felt his hand graze your cheek, but which he pulled away.

"Thank you." You say with a gentle, shy smile, tidying up a few more of the strands that were still getting messy.

Despite his smile, you could see the piercing blue gaze, without much emotion. His gaze, which seemed to be as cold as ice, was still so attractive.

"My pleasure, princess." The warm tone didn't change his placid expression, not even if he tried very hard.

As the two of you stood in silence, all you could hear was the gentle breeze and the birds singing, everything seemed so peaceful.

Except for the restlessness of your heart, which stubbornly pounded every time he looked at you. And you mentally plagued yourself every time this happened.

Why was he doing that? Out of courtesy? Politeness? Decorum? Or were you thinking too much? Creating too many expectations?

And so you remained, gazing at the horizon and watching the sun slowly set, watching the magic of nature while your minds were in a whirl.

Your hand on the edge of the fountain, as well as his, fingers almost grazing each other, and you were tempted to make a move.

However, it would have been inappropriate for a lady, to say the least. Especially knowing that the chances of him taking your hand away were high.

So you'd better make the most of what you had.

As the garden began to darken a little and the sunlight slowly faded, Leon stood and looked around, seeing that it was already getting dark.

You've spent the whole day walking around the castle, so time has passed too quickly. At least for you.

"We should go, dinner should be ready by now." He was the first to break the silence, once again offering his arm and his company to take you to the dining area.

And there you went again, walking slowly through the courtyard back into the castle.

However, halfway there Leon stopped, picking up a red rose that had fallen to the ground. As soon as he knelt down to pick it up, he turned to you and planted a soft kiss on the back of your hand, his warm lips brushing against your gloved hand. It sent shivers through your body.

"Red looks good on you." He murmurs, placing the flower in your hair, very gently so as not to mess it up.

You made a little chuckle, the blush clear on your cheeks. Was he doing it out of politeness? Or just to keep up appearances?

It would have been a beautiful, subtle, gentle and even romantic gesture. That's if you hadn't noticed the lipstick staining the collar of his shirt.

Oh oh, poor you.

[amphiptere-art]

I'm going to share these TLDR's of my DCA timeline theory stuff. And in the end explaining all the individual theories building up to the timeline. So read through this thing if you want to either agree with the theory or just understand my thinking whenever I talk about the DCA.

The very very shortened timeline.

Jack is first- jack dies- Eclipse The theater attendant is made out of his corpse- Eclipse prefers to act Sun and be Moon- Eclipse gets moved to the daycare- Vanny puts a mock Jack-o-Moon (Arcade Eclipse) in the arcade machine.- Eclipse is powered down, and Jack takes the place of Moon.- Sun is created in the separation.- All major story beats in the games happen.- when they get reset, Eclipse is brought back, Moon/Jack gets returned to his semi dormant state, and Sun still exists because he grew too much of a personality.

And more expanded timeline.

Jack-o-moon is the first DCA like animatronic ever made. Evil gremlin man because he was made to be spooky. Jack-o-Moon dies in the fire at Fall fest. Years later fasco finds there body and attempts to wipe him out of it to make Eclipse. Eclipse is a theater attendant with two modes, but he's just the same person acting two people. Eclipse likes to be himself in the moon form and likes to act sun.

Eclipse is moved to the daycare either because the theater wasn't making as much money, or because the old code of Jack-o-Moon started to leak through. Everything is fine until Vanny pops up and gives Eclipse the balloon world arcade game. The arcade game has a mock version of jack-o-Moon (The Arcade Eclipse), to trigger what's left of jack-o-Moon in Eclipse. Eclipse gets shut down, and jack-o-moon takes his place. What's left of his sun acting protocol is activated.

Jack-o-Moon is now the evil gremlin Moon. The newly sentient Sun is literally running off of basic protocols and starting to burn out due to just not having enough info about the world. Meanwhile (Jack-o) Moon causes chaos during what was supposed to be a normal nap time because he's being spooky. Daycare gets shut down, with the lights always on to stop moons spooky. Sun is driven a bit mad by isolation.

Gregory happens. Sun or Moon fight off the endos that try to invade the daycare from the theater, getting damaged. Sun tries to make a light fort, to keep Moon away. Fails due to some random person doing arts and crafts with him. Cassidy happens. Eclipse is reset, and comes back. Jack is put into sleep again. And Sun has grown enough personality to still be there.

And now for all the theories, and explanations for this little timeline.

Jack is the first.

This is going off of a lot of theories that Fall fest is extremely old. And that the carousel in help wanted 2 was in Fall fest. Evidence being that there is a barn and a windmill in the background. A barn that looks very similar to the help wanted curse of dredbear barn. There's also the evidence that the DCA has a bunch of mimic like details. Something that is also remarked as old. Help wanted 2 is an entire VR experience that might be based on real events. Jack-o-Moon is only found inside of the carousel and foxy's log ride. A log ride heavily based on foxy's original dark ride from Fall fest and seems to turn into a fall fest themed ride with Jack. And a carousel that is heavily connected to Fall fest. I believe Jack was created back during the Fall fest days.

Eclipse the theater attendant.

There have been multiple mentions that some sort of theater attendant existed. At least in the books. The only evidence we have in the games is that it's Sun and Moon's face are used for the theater entrance, and the comedy and tragedy masks. But the evidence in the books is abundant. It is suggested that at some point in time the DCA was either planned to be in the theater or was in theater. The reason it didn't happen is inconclusive between the books, and game evidence. But in simplicity the daycare attendant didn't work in the theater for some reason. Usually glitches, or budget cuts.

The arcade Eclipse being Jack-o-moon.

I will admit there isn't much evidence here for this connection other than looks. But there is a ton of evidence that at least the arcade game was involved somehow. Let me remind everyone that Jack-o-moon does have some sort of sun mode. Both modes are labeled with the same name. So it can be assumed that Jack-o-moon already had an "eclipse version". The arcade game is a clear representation of the Sun gaining a moon face, And then becoming an eclipse. The only available moon-faced sun is Jack-o-moon. Plus with the fact that Jack's eyes and mouth glow. In the pitch black Jack-o-moon might really look like the arcade Eclipse. Therefore that's where the connection is.

Jack being Moon

This is mostly an explanation for the dissonance between the moon that is explained by Cassie and some sources versus the moon that is experienced by other customers and Gregory. It is self-explanatory that an animatronic like Jack. Built around the specific season of fall. The spooky season. That Jack would know everything about being spooky. It might be his entire being. The nice Moon is described as soft and caring. All things that actually match with Eclipse. If you put a moon face on Eclipse, the mannerisms match what Cassidy explained. While if you slap a moon face on jack-o-moon, nothing much changes from Gregory's experience and the customer complaints. Reason for this particular theory explanation.

Sun is forced to become a person.

Again this is more of an explanation / No evidence theory. There are plenty of theories upon what Sun and Moon are, and if they were ever one person. It is simply unclear. What is clear as that moon might have been first. Moon has an abundance of merch in the warehouse. Sun does not have this abundance. Moon also has an entire section of the warehouse and other areas that seem to be based all around him. Not only does this help with the theory that Eclipse is Nice moon. It supports the theory that Sun was second. Again there's not much I can explain about the whole separating and becoming their own entity. That's a can of worms based on guesses. But. I at least have supporting evidence that sun was definitely second, and It would make the most sense that if Eclipse was offline Sun would have to exist. Whether it was Fazbear quickly building him up, or him popping an existence is up to your own terms.

I'm putting some of these in bundles now because there's a lot in the games that I'm sort of passing by quickly because... Well they're in the game. So they're mostly just explanations. But I'm going to explain the thinking here anyways.

Endo fight in the daycare/The light fort and the engineer guy screwing Sun over.

Endo fight in the daycare. This honestly is a very supportive theory just not talked about. There are endos all over the daycare. There are endos all over the theater and the outside of the daycare especially. There is a creepy crawling endo coming out of the theater screen. Something happened between the theater endos, and the daycare. The daycare attendant has no reason to be damaged other than wear and tear. Yet he is heavily damaged. For some reason or another the endos attacked the daycare. I have yet to have a solid reason for why, But the endos do seem to just attack anything they don't know. And given that the staff bots can turn evil through Vanny, I would assume the same can be said for the endos since they seem to be summoned. So for whatever reason. Either vanny or the endos themselves crawled out of the theater and attacked the daycare. It might even be around this point that the daycare attendant made the light fort to escape the endos. Who knows.

Like I said help wanted 2 in my opinion it is an entire VR experience. But. That doesn't mean I don't think the engineer down there wasn't doing something physical. While yes everything we do in the games is fake, a lot of it echoes real life. So it is assumed that the person down there eventually actually did try to handle everything they were testing for. And even if that did never happen. It is still likely that Sun made some sort of light fort, and it got destroyed during a blackout. All power is gone in the daycare. It is assumed that Sun was at least out for long enough before that blackout happened.

Ruin ending explanation

This is another thing that isn't quite a theory and it's just an explanation to help line up with my previous theories. It mostly just follows what happened with Ruin. At the end of ruin Sun and Moon both seem to be in pain. Sun from being locked away and moon from fighting off sun. And when all is done Cassidy resets them and Eclipse comes back and seems to have full power over the body.

First of all. The whole Jack being Moon thing, helps explain why a thing that might have just been a virus would have a personality. Moon's not a virus, he's just Jack. So Moon can legit feel pain. Sun of course is just mentally pained. There might be some pain from trying to take over but mostly mental pain.

Sun is the only one that calls out after Eclipse takes over. So it's uncertain if Jack/Moon is still there. But I like to think he is. Just maybe in sleep mode. Sun even sounds like he's powering down. So the both of them might be turning off in Eclipse's presence. But I definitely think they're too unique now to just be erased, or absorbed into Eclipse.

But onto a side things. Eclipse says happy birthday. A completely random and arbitrary thing. There is also the chance that Eclipse is booted up in safe mode. Basically in a similar mode to Freddy. Where he's there personality-wise but he's also kind of not there. Eclipse is pretty blind to just how ruined the place is. Similar to the fact that Freddy takes far too long to realize that his friends are kind of evil. Echo this with Roxy being a fair bit more alive than Freddy or Eclipse ever were. So it's assumed that he's in safe mode. So "happy birthday" might be a boot up prompt? Strange boot up prompt that could easily be placed with a "powering on" prompt. But maybe it's just there to cover up If they break down during performances. Since Eclipse pretty easily shoves off this happy birthday thing as if he didn't even say it. It also could just be the last thing he said before he got turned. Basically completing the sentence he was supposed to say. Either way it's just an interesting extra idea.

[centuryberry]

Queen of the Mountain Universe

So, after watching Season 5 (which has devastated me, by the way - completely and utterly destroyed me), I was inspired to incorporate a certain character into the Queen of the Mountain Universe and tie together the AUs tied to the games. (Excluding the A/B/O AU, Fae AU, and the Imperial Harem AU.)

This technically isn't a fic spoiler since I won't be adding any of this into the main fic itself, mind you. I already have too much planned in Acts II and III to include the new revelations, but I'm writing my ideas here. (May consider writing some oneshots set post-QotM.)

Warning: Spoilers for LMK Season 5 below!

We all knew it was Xiangliu. This snake man has a grip on me that only happened once before when Season 1 Macaque sashayed into my life. Holy hell, he's the definition of chaotic neutral. Also, the hints of lore he dropped before casually moving on because he thought it wasn't important? Drove me insane. What do you mean you and Wukong used to be friends? What do you mean Macaque made a deal? What do you mean be "he's winning"?! Who's he?!

I have no idea what LMK has planned for him (or if he's even going to come back in the future seasons), but I know what plans I have for him now.

To be honest, Xiangliu (the Nine-Headed Demon who nearly scammed Ao Guang and his ilk in Chapter 16) wasn't supposed to be significant in the Queen of the Mountain universe. But with how Season 5 ended up, I made him into a more important player.

Just like the LMK world, I'd like to think that the QotM world also experiences a similar "cycle" in the form of "resets." It would make sense, right? As In the Sun's Embrace and Sunchaser are games that encourages reloads and resets to explore different routes, it's not too far-fetched to think that the world itself experiences something similar.

I've always had a fondness of Time Loops in stories, especially with at least one person remembering every loop. Xiangliu would be that person in this case. Somehow, he became aware of what was happening and yearned for an escape from this constant resetting of the world.

(He must've gone insane gaining and losing friends, lovers, and enemies, doomed to repeat the same song and dance again except his bonds would never be the same since he's always changing and always growing while everyone else regresses every time.)

Eventually, he removed himself from the living world all together and replaced one of the Ten Kings of the Underworld to find a way out. Still, he'd pop up here and then to maybe make some interventions or watch when something new played out.

While a lot of the diverging AUs are mostly due to the different choices made by individuals, I'd like to think that Xiangliu made some of them possible. Notably, Warlord Shanzha AU, Withered Grave Flowers AU, Detoxify AU, and Extra Pilgrim AU.

Well, you noticed how LBD seems to be absent in those AUs, right? How Yue magically comes out of things alive and unpossessed by her into the modern era? Well, the answer in Xiangliu. He doesn't do this in every cycle, but he sometimes has the heart to spare Yue from her canon fate. Making her fate better always seems to give happier endings to all of the celestial monkeys. Not perfect, but happier.

(And, because it would be so funny to me, I'd like to think he at least hooked up with every member of the celestial monkey poly occasionally in between cycles. So he has a history with all of them which I may expand on in another post if anyone's interested.)

So, there you have it. A way for all of these AUs to technically be canon. (Thank you, Season 5.)

As for what Xiangliu is doing during Queen of the Mountain, he's doing nothing. For the first time, he didn't have to do anything to make a drastic change to the usual script. For the first time, he's interested to see how things turn out. Because of a certain six-eared baby monkey yaoguai who ended up in the palanquin.

[shepherds-of-haven]

Sorry if this has already been asked before, but have you ever thought about writing a sequel to SoH? I know you said it would be a stand-alone book, but I think a sequel where we explore different continents would be extremely cool. I just love these character so much and idk if I’m ready to say goodbye. I know we still have a bit left but still…

Hi there, this message has been sitting in a long queue of messages I've fallen behind on answering for a while now, but I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to send it! It ended up being extremely thought-provoking for me, and you may have single-handedly made me reconsider my stance on a Shepherds sequel! XD

I always planned on this entry being a standalone game, though I was toying with the idea of eventually writing a sequel that follows a separate cast of characters (aka different protagonist and companions, though with room for potential cameos with the old characters). Pretty much like how Dragon Age does it! I won't go into the potential plot details now, but I was thinking it might take place sometime between 10-15 years in the future, and it would follow "a new generation" of Shepherds in a different locale. I've sort of hazily cobbled together ideas for the story/main premise, but companions outside of the main protagonist have eluded me at the moment--I really need to focus on this game, its DLC, and my next book first, so I haven't given it too much thought!

However, your comment has unearthed some feelings I've been having about a potential sequel, too! It's hard for me to feel like I'd be ready to say goodbye to the cast, as well... It's so easy for me to write them because they've been in my head for so many years, and starting an adventure in the world of Blest with different and new characters admittedly feels a bit strange. It's like having to hang back a grade while all of your friends graduate high school and then looking around at the incoming freshman class like "welp, I guess you guys are my friends now! 😒" lol. I'm torn on the issue: I don't want to not challenge myself or refuse to move out of my comfort zone as a writer--in short, I don't want to be the kind of writer who recycles the same characters and material because doing something new is daunting to me, and I don't want you all to feel like I'm making endless sequels/trying to recapture old magic and should just move on to something new, either--but I do love my cast and I'm not sure yet if I should definitively say, "No, their chapter is done with this game and it's on to the next!", because I can see so many adventures happening to them even after this story is over!

The problem lies with endings--there are so many different endings planned for this game that I hesitate in treating any of them as the true or canonical one, but otherwise trying to account for all of them in a sequel feels quite impossible to accomplish when I wasn't planning on a continuation--along with other logistical concerns that I can't get into at the moment. Like, what if you end the game with all of the Shepherds except Halek dead? What if your friend ends the game with all of them alive, but the MC is dead? This game alone is already 1 million words, but a direct sequel would probably wrack up hundreds of thousands of variations based on all of these choices in its first chapter alone! 🤔

That's why I figure DLC is the happy medium here: you can expand on or create new content and adventures for the characters, but slot them into the timeline wherever you wish, like in between Chapter 7 and 8, etc. And episodic adventures might keep things small and streamlined enough that I can update them more consistently, rather than hacking away at one giant sequel game!

Aaaaaanyway... All this is to say: I have a lot to think about! Absolutely nothing has been decided yet (not even close), but these are just some of the things I've had rattling around in my head. Thank you again for your sweet and honest words: I'm glad you're so fond of these characters and would miss them. I would, too! But whatever ends up happening, I know this game won't be the last time we see them. :)

Thanks again!

[gabrielsbubblegumbitch]

First off, I absolutely adore your in-depth analysis and fantastic understanding of the Hazbin characters!! not sure how much you've touched on this topic particularly, but I'd love to hear your take on it! (esp w/ its relevance in szn 2)

How do you interpret the past dynamic between Vox and Alastor? Do you think Vox was genuine, close friends with Alastor, or were there hidden agendas of any kind? Given just how much their ideals and *everything* clash in present day, im curious yet struggling to pinpoint what exactly what MADE them acquaintances (and as close as they are implied to have been), besides solely their connection to technology and entertainment media, before their inevitable fallout. did Vox reallyyy change that much during his time in Hell? (or was there always an underlying tension between them?) (also, just, what the hell happened between these two)

Awww thank you ❤️

So, when it comes to Vox and Alastor, I think what brought them together was their ambition. Both of them crave power, though they define it differently. In my headcanon, at the beginning, Vox was more like Alastor because he didn't have enough influence to be his perfect self. Starting from nothing was hard for him because, like most capitalism lovers, he had never experienced building from scratch. Even though Alastor was simply useful to him, whatever they had was real. But it wasn’t genuine, because Vox is a narcissist, and we often attune to others perfectly. He liked Alastor, so he portrayed himself as someone Alastor would also like. In Vox's mind, this was just a way of caring for their friendship.

Additionally, Alastor is a very guarded person, so he wasn't fully genuine either. He hid things from Vox and often manipulated him because he knew how much Vox cared. Alastor cared too—he saw Vox as a perfect addition to his friend group, someone he could see as an equal. Knowing how driven and ambitious Vox is, Alastor seriously hoped they could rearrange Hell together, get rid of all the Overlords, and make the game more interesting.

The first issue that arose was Vox's greed. He wanted to expand (I wrote more about him here), but not in a way that Alastor liked. This was the first time Alastor realized that Vox might want to overthrow the ruling class just to take their place. Vox tried to explain that it was completely different—overthrowing old money would give power back to the people, creating a perfect anarcho-capitalist utopia, the ultimate survival of the fittest—something he and Alastor both wanted.

They were just two friends who started with a common goal but eventually realized they had very different ideas about making it real. Think Charles Xavier and Magneto or Dumbledore and Grindelwald. They began to notice flaws in their plan. On paper, a society where anyone can achieve high social status through determination and hard work sounds very free, very much up Alastor's alley. But upon deeper inspection, they realized that capitalism cannot exist without oppression and surveillance. It’s just a matter of whether it’s the government or corporations doing it.

Tension grew, and at some point, they couldn't stand each other. Especially when feelings came into the equation. Alastor hated that Vox loved the idea of him. He knew they were completely incompatible, and Vox would never truly love him, so it felt objectifying to know that, in Vox's mind, he wasn't even a real person, just something Vox wanted him to be. On the other hand, Vox was terribly frustrated with Alastor not playing along with his fantasy. They could have become the most powerful couple in Hell, but Alastor rejected both his advances and his ideas. However, the toxicity worked both ways—Alastor felt betrayed by Vox, so he became unnecessarily cruel and neglectful, trying to punish Vox for being who he was.

Okay, I know this take is filled with my personal headcanons, but I think that canonically their relationship followed this pattern of alliance based on common goals and mutual (mis)understanding, eventually falling apart after realizing they actually wanted very different things.

Regarding its relevance in season two, I expect that we will learn their exact backstory. I hope that after years of feeding into hate and bitterness, they will escalate this conflict until there's nothing but scorched earth. Also, I think we will learn that Alastor does, in fact, care deeply—he hates Vox fiercely but hides it better.

[laurfilijames]

Heyyyy love! Okay, Idk if you have spoken about this before but what inspired you to write Breathe? Other than Will being scrumdelicious. But how long did it take you to think up the idea of it and then get it into writing ?? 😇

I actually haven't ever been asked this and I've been so excited to answer it despite how long it's been sitting in my inbox (I'm sorrrryyyyyyyyy 😭)

Long story short; the first time I watched Triple Frontier I KNEW I needed to write for Captain William ‘Ironhead’ Miller and the moment he stepped onto that stage, he owned every part of me.

To make the story longer; Charlie once again was so captivating playing his role and added so much depth to his character and gave more than enough to embellish on.

Will Miller is seriously my idea of a perfect man.

Looks? Check.

Military personnel? Check.

Wounded Warrior (mentally and physically)? Check.

Strong and masculine? Check.

Devoted to his duty and brothers (in the literal sense as well, hi Benny 👋🏻). Check.

Able to keep his shit together (mostly, also see; Benny). Check.

I'll stop myself before I get too carried away because I can go on forever as to all the reasons why I love this man.

So after the first time I watched it, I immediately started it over and watched it again.

And then again.

And again.

It was like an epiphany. I HAD to write for Will Miller.

I'd say by the next day, I already had plans to write for him, and the main premise of Breathe was noted down in a mish-mash of thoughts in a document.

I knew Will would be suffering long-term with his PTSD and reader would be helping through it all while they fell in love (hello, hurt/comfort 🤤).

I had just started my own gym journey at the time and was obsessed with being there and feeling good and was discovering how difficult training can be. (Still to this day when I'm struggling with something at the gym I imagine the TF boys and everything they've gone through, and picturing a sweaty, pumped-up Will is all the fuel I need to push myself). To me, it all plays in with Will’s character so much and knowing Charlie is so dedicated to physical activity whether for himself or for a role, it helped to inspire this idea of reader and Will hitting it off between sets 🥵

When I wrote the first chapter I really wasn't sure if it would successfully turn into a series. I had ideas of course (and smut to fulfill!) but it was a quick 1.8k that was sort of “take it or leave it” and was my intro to writing for the Charlie fandom. Dipping my toes if you will.

And then the second chapter came. And then the third quickly after.

I was hooked.

I wrote four chapters that I was so proud of and then my muse went in other directions (Jax, Jay and Pete were lurking) and then it took me a few days shy of a year to make the next update.

I had a few encouraging friends to help that next chapter happen and now the series has exploded with interest and I am in constant awe at the response!

I've really pushed myself with expanding on plot and adding a level of angst I never have before, and I only have my friends and readers to thank for being so enthusiastic about it and helping inspire me as I go. 💗

I have plans to finish the series within a chapter or two, something I’ve never done in my writing career (the thought is so bittersweet 🥲) but most of my stand-alone Will fics can easily tie in to this story, and I know I will always write for him even after this story is ‘completed’.

I'm not sure if this is at all the answer you were looking for 😅 but I'm so grateful for you asking it and again I'll apologize for taking so long to answer! I just love this series and talking about it always breathes (lol) new life into it and keeps me motivated to keep going!

THANK YOU!! 😘💗

[danieyells]

In Tokyo debunkers I have been thinking about the first years and what they have in common.I think all of them are short-sighted or have tunnel vision this isn't a bad trait

I may be wrong on this or miss remembering so if I'm wrong please correct it.Please excuse the formatting I'm on mobile and the length.

Leo-

He is the easiest one for this,the speech that Alan gave him at the end of vagastorm kinda sums up lot of leo problems.There was a post about Leo possibly self-sabotage or disregard for his own self, there's merit look at the scene of Leo,Alan and Thoma.

He may have figured out that Alan wasn't going to hurt him but Thoma was a complete wild card in that situation,he was grabbing his axe.Along with setting up the PC,he used her to his liking and was planning to fuck her over after the fact.Image if his planned success what would have happened most likely no more access to the PC if she believes her boasting does not work.That means no more spying on Thoma and Alan.

Please tell me if this has any weight.I have to go to work.Thank you

Sorry this took so long, anon! I wanted to reply earlier but I thought that maybe mobile wasn't showing parts of the message(it sounded kind of like you were going to list the ways the other first-years were short-sighted/prone to tunnel vision) so I wanted to check it on desktop and my Taiga brain ADHD made me keep forgetting 8'D Excuse me for rambling so much, I get a little long-winded! TL;DR, I do think you're right, although Leo isn't as careless as you think, and I think Sho isn't really prone to tunnel vision or short-sightedness beyond that he seems to bounce between interests somewhat easily.

Yeah, I agree that the first years are a little prone to tunnel vision--like, they all must have come here with something in mind and that something will expand in their time here. Ritsu intended to acquire clients--particularly the famous and wealthy Frostheimers who are prone to controversy and scandal. Ren has implied some issues with his family so he possibly did this to escape the responsibilities of home--and now he has to try and escape the responsibilities of work too. Sho. . .I think Sho is the least short-sighted of them in a sense? Sho seems very much like he takes things day by day and he does whatever catches his interest and whatever makes things easiest for Leo, even if it means he gets in trouble when Leo should've. He's really intelligent and has a plethora of hobbies and interests, although he puts a lot of his passion in cooking and tends to drop most other things that aren't sports. And Leo, like he said, came here expecting it to be a lot more fun to be around other people who made pacts with demons, and he acts like he only cares about thrills, profits, and having a good time. Most of them don't care about others or only care about others in superficial ways that benefit them(again, with the exception of Sho who at least seems to be more good-natured and considerate so far, unless Leo is telling the truth when he says Sho acts that way to get and keep customers, which wouldn't make sense since Sho only recently started the food truck.)

About the meeting in the car, both of them were reaching for their weapons, not just Tohma. Because they didn't know what was happening when they were summoned to the car by the other but they were both confused, so they suspected foul play and prepared for a fight either way. They may have been about to fight each other, suspecting the other wasn't actually themself, frankly. I think they had their hands on their weapons before that panel was shown. See how they both already have their hands off to their sides by the time Leo pops in, after they both get confused? Reaching for their weapons was happening before Leo made himself known.

But Leo is smart enough to know Alan wouldn't let him get hurt even if Tohma started swinging--although I imagine he was being sarcastic when he said he didn't think Tohma knew who he was and he knew Tohma wouldn't just start attacking him mindlessly. Tohma was at the entrance ceremony(he already saw Tohma's information with Darkwick so he would have recognized him anyway, and he could probably ascertain from how diligent Tohma is that he would also recognize Leo already) and he also knew Tohma knew of him from when he listened in on them previously. Even if Tohma did pull out his weapon, Alan would have recognized Leo and his voice when he started speaking and protected him. Leo knows who his muscle is. He wouldn't have had put himself in a situation he didn't think he couldn't safely get out of. He does this kind of thing far too much to not know his exits--not to mention, you don't immediately hurt or kill someone who pulled something like he did. You get information first. It's just the smart thing to do, especially when they're already worried about a spy. (Plus you can't just willy nilly try and kill motherfuckers on campus. The likelihood that Tohma was actually going to try and kill, or even injure, him was slim to none.)

As for convincing the PC their power didn't work, they already knew it worked from when they used it in Frostheim. They just wouldn't think it always worked. He would still be able to ask them to come and use it on the basis of 'let's see if we can get it to work.' He'd be claiming it'd help them, because if they don't know what does and doesn't cause it to work, they and Darkwick would want to figure it out--and since he would be able to say 'it seems like it works when we use it together' they'd end up relying on him to help them understand when it does and doesn't work. The PC just probably wouldn't be sent on missions with them due to being a liability. Also, he could still spy on Tohma and Alan--just not while they're in the soundproofed car. He mentions in the campus chat that they likely have more than one place they meet up(unless he wasn't spying on Tohma and Alan at that point, but somebody else), and he also plants bugs in the car according to his home screen dialogues(although they get destroyed.) He'd be able to spy on them less, but it's not like they only ever meet in there, and I'm sure he'd figure that out quickly enough.

You have to remember what the guy does for a living outside of being an influencer--he corners rich people and basically makes them give up money in exchange for him not releasing information they'd wanna keep private. His proper introduction is at the "mercy" of a guy with a knife who's clearly threatened to stab him multiple times based on the multiple stabbed pillows around them, summoning Sho to help him. He puts himself in danger all the time, but he always has at least one way to be backed up. He was second in scholastic ability among all the first years. He's extremely intelligent and clever. Yes, he is short-sighted, but that's in terms of making things work. He'll treat the symptoms without resolving the problem if he can, like Alan said--if it gets the desired result who cares if it's right or wrong in the long run? But he's not so careless that he'd put himself into that much danger with no backup plan--although he is careless enough to put himself in the danger in the first place, but. Everything involves risks.

The problem is that backup plans can fall through and understandings of situations can too. Like Alan said, he does need to take better care of himself because he absolutely is careless--not extraordinarily so imo, but definitely careless. Leo is willing to put himself in danger for an end goal, but it's not like he runs into things with no plan and no backup. Leo is smart enough to get things to work with his wits and his words 99% of the time, but that one percent is gonna get him in real trouble eventually--and we've already seen his plans partially fall through two or three times(although two were after they served their purposes.) Alan realized when Sho wouldn't eat the spicy donuts that he and Leo lied about who was at fault for their acting outside of the scope of their mission. Even at the end of the encounter with the anomaly, Sho ended up telling the [half?] truth and backing up that the PC was able to buff his stigma instead of going on with their deal, which Leo hadn't expected. And the PC and Alan, in Alan's character story, end up investigating the actual circumstances behind Jun and Takeru's deaths. He's used to things working out for him and going his way, so he doesn't consider enough what could happen if they don't. Short-sighted, yeah, careless, yes but not as much so as you might think. Calculated risks, normally really good at math. But sometimes you get the math wrong.

I do think you're not wrong as far as most of them being a little short-sighted though. The only one I kinda disagree with is Sho, but even Sho's like. . .he only cares about his interests, but he goes through with what other people want from him anyway sometimes? Like he tends to train with Alan in The Pit despite complaining about it a lot, enough so that Alan doesn't have to use the punching bag in his room as much when he trains since he can spar with Sho instead. He's also constantly doing whatever Leo wants despite seeming to dislike it, and letting himself take the fall for Leo's bad behavior. But maybe that follower mentality is a sort of short-sightedness and tunnel vision as well. . .then again, like he said to Hyde, "If I can use you to get ahead, I'm doing it." That's not really very short-sighted at all, he clearly has other things in mind. . .but it's hard to tell with Sho. We rarely see his motivations. Like I can't really pin down what Sho is. . .after in life. But also, Sho cycles through interests(with the exception of cooking and maybe basketball) frequently, so I get the feeling that's the point. Sho doesn't know what he wants either, and he follows who and whatever seems most interesting. When the PC says he could make money off of cooking, he takes a shine to that idea and immediately opens up a food truck. Fortunately he seems to like cooking and serving food for others a lot, because he's sticking to it at the moment.

[indigosabyss]

Unexpected Baggage Pt 4

They had scarcely been fished out of the ocean and given towels to dry themselves off when Charles was already herding Erik towards Raven.

"This is my sister." He explained quickly, as the two sized each other up. She's like us, he added mentally, sensing Erik's defensiveness.

Erik pinned him with a look, "Is that your only trick?" He asked. 

Charles shrugged, "More or less, I can read people's thoughts."

He didn't spend much time dwelling on the more malicious uses for his abilities.

Erik continued looking at him with a considering look, gears turning in his head.

Before he could give into his urge to look deeper than just vague impressions, Erik asked him outright, "Is there a range? For how far you can read a person?"

"Uh, well, I never tried to experiment much, but I'd say a mile? Maybe??" He hazarded to guess, unsure what Erik meant by the question.

"Why're you asking?" Raven asked bluntly.

Erik looked at her again, "I need help finding someone."

Charles licked his lips, "Well, in that case, I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I know what you'll do to the unlucky fellow when you find them."

Erik huffed a laugh, "I'm not going to kill them. I know how to find my targets by myself. This is a favor to someone else."

"Someone not hellbent on vengeance?" Charles asked. Somehow he doubted Erik socialized much outside of that circle.

"Yes." Erik agreed emphatically, "She's waiting on the docks and needs help from someone like you. I'll introduce you when we get back to shore."

Raven and Charles looked at each other, and Raven shrugged in whats-the-harm way.

[this got longer than expected, so the rest is under the cut]

Back on shore, Charles convinced their CIA escort to let them slip away from the hubbub, letting Erik lead the way towards the dark containers.

"She's around here somewhere." Erik assured them distractedly, cupping his hands around his mouth, "Kamala!"

A consciousness nearby sparked in recognition at the call. Charles turned at the right time to see a person walking up to them.

On first look, she was a young girl, perhaps in her mid teens, and on the shorter side if that. She was also radiating amusement.

"Hey, Erik." She said between laughs, "I saw the Coast Guard got called in. What happened to me being a liability?"

"The Coast Guard wasn't my fault." Erik told her crisply, "And you would have alerted them faster if you came with me."

"Alright, Mr 'I Am The Night, I Am Vengeance'." She put on a growly voice before collapsing into peels of laughter.

"I never said that." Erik ducked away to clarify to Charles, before shaking his head at her, "I brought these people to help you find your friend, but if you're just going to laugh at me-"

"Wait, really?" The girl gravitated towards them, hopping slightly in place, "Hi! How're you planning to do that? Why's Erik trusting you with this? What're your names? I'm Kamala Khan, by the way."

"Raven." She was grinning as she shook the new girl's hand.

"Charles Xavier." He repeated the greeting, "And Erik has been very accommodating of us because we all have a commonality."

Kamala squinted at them, "You all... hate Shaw." She guessed.

"No." Though goodness knew the man deserved to be hated, with what he saw in Erik's mind, "We all have a mutation in our genes which allows us incredible powers."

There was a faraway look in Kamala's eyes as she muttered, "Holy shit. Bruno was right?"

"Kamala has powers too." Erik cut in, "There's a lot going on with her except that, too, but she's a mutant."

"Oh?" Raven cocked her head, "What can you do?"

Kamala beamed, and held up her right hand into a fist.

A layer of purple light began to flow over the hand, fluid for barely a moment before it was crystallizing into a brightly glowing solid. A translucent shell under which he could still see the normal flesh and blood.

But it didn't end there.

The glowing fist began to expand, until it was about the size of a bowling ball. Kamala frowned in concentration as she opened the fist, flexing each finger, before stretching it forward to poke Charles.

The construct was a sharp contrast of warm and cold, and the contact was surprisingly solid, sending him stumbling back an inch.

Raven let out a shocked laugh, "That's a good trick."

Kamala beamed again. Literally, this time. The purplish glow had formed a halo around her face. 

For the last eighteen years, Raven had been his only proof that there were others like him in the world. That mutants weren't a far off hypothetical. And now in short order Charles had found five others, two of which were on his side.

It was a heady feeling.

[bismuth-209]

previously on this conversation on wild blue yonder (doctor who) featuring @rowanthestrange, @timetravelingsherlockian and me, we discussed things like "did the creatures turn into the ship?" "why was the tardis there?" "to what extent would the captain's plan have worked?" and mainly exploring the Captain's appearance as similar to the mari lwyd, but this post is trying to move the more creature focused discussion separate

SO.

The Doctor has ended up places where they don't save anyone/instead make everything worse (e.g. the First Doctor expanding the scope of the Daleks,"Waters of Mars", I'm pretty sure Five ended up in a few serials where his job was to witness everyone dying around him). I could see TARDIS logic of "I want those two to spend more time together, so I'll drop you off in a spot where there's double the Doctor and Donna!" Or even "we need you to start emotionally processing what happened with the Flux sometime this century." So it's possible all they were there to do was to hang out with their bestie and witness these beings' destruction. That being said, I'm not sure I'd conceptualize "nothing" as anywhere near "dead". A tree could fall in a forest, and it'd cease being a living tree—but one still would need to step over its trunk, ants would nibble and skitter under its bark, fungi spores would sneak between its growth rings, foxes would huddle under the exposed root ball. The tree would no longer be able to impose its will of "grow as tall as possible for as long as possible and photosynthesize"—yet a new forest would emerge from it. (Forestry experts tell you not to remove downed trees from the forest for this reason.) The fungi spores were there when the tree was alive, but living trees release antifungals to keep them from growing, imposing the tree's will of "protect the living bark and wood" on other creatures. The tree's death releases this will, and the fungi can now prosper from the wood. The problem of the mirror-beings wasn't that they were copies or existed—Doctor Who has loudly and proudly been shouting "clone rights!" for at least 15 years—it was that they couldn't see beyond a mission of destruction of all things. The universe didn't need the edge-beings to stop existing as much as it needed to break the sway of their will—i.e. death.

you are RIGHT saying that death isn't the end. like the being said in the episode: "things keep existing when they're gone". it was a realisation, but i think they might've been like "when i'm gone i keep existing too, so of course the tie itself would too"

the edgebeings want destruction. does that mean eviscerating the trees of the universe? or does it mean cutting them down to let a different form of life take root? to let something else grow?

and @timetravelingsherlockian also said this in the replies of that other post:

I am deathly (pun intended) curious if/how/whether the entities dying relates to the salt (given the ghosts/vampires/undead connotations of the superstition). Your proposition that they could be mirroring the ship itself is still making me crawl through the walls.

which is a GOOD point. the entities got scary teeth after being called vampires etc. would that have altered their mortality as well?

my initial theory that they were a bit of Becoming from the birth of the universe that hadn't Become yet also feels worth mentioning somewhere on this new post.

they also worked with expectations initially. Donna expected to see the doctor walk back into the room, not that soon, but she did, and she expected him to talk.

the doctor expected Donna, and expected her to listen (the most basic function of a companion is to be explained things, even if the doctor knows each is so much more than that, that's the basics), and the edgebeing that was donna said very little.

also something i think is important, wild blue yonder, the song, is a war song, or a jolly exploration song. the doctor sees the universe as something to jolly-ily explore, the edgebeings saw it as war

[honeybewrites]

The Mors

Since they're kind of important to my WIP, I figured I should probably do a post about the Mors. And because I'm apparently incapable of doing anything short, this is once again a long info dump. So strap in, enjoy the ride, and let's go!!

The Mors were founded during the second Dragon War. Headed by Methsenn Uza, the organization was funded by illicit actives that had built up Methsenn's wealth insurmountably. Methsenn's original goal for the organization was to grow her wealth even more and better keep track of all her projects. To have some kind of font should any governments come knocking.

During her steady build of the Mors, Methsenn meet another ambitious woman. Lezin Tilire, who also had several illicit business ventures. Both became very close, eventually marrying and combining their businesses.

Lezin, however, had far bigger ambitions than Methsenn. The two had quite a strong hold on Mirralia's criminal world, but what if they expanded past Mirralia? What if they controlled the criminal world of all the Realms? What if they got their hands in the government? The military? Think of all the resources and power that would give them. Methsenn was hesitant, not wanting to destroy all they had built, but Lezin convinced her to try. They would start out slow, in familiar terrain, getting their people into the Mirralian government.

Slowly but surely, the Mors began infiltrating the Realms. The organization started to grow. They grew to be so large, many sub sectors were created, with people in place to oversee them.

But everything came to a crashing halt when Lezin died. Methsenn, old and unsure of how to continue their work, lead the Mors into chaos until she too died. Without a leader, there was no organization between the sectors, and communication was nonexistent. Many of the sectors started attacking each other, resulting in many of the Mors plans and assets being destroyed. The work was all but back to square one.

It wasn't until a half century later when one of Methsenn and Lezin's kin, Velthon Uza, came into the picture. Ambitious, cunning, and determined as their grandmothers, Velthon began the arduous task of reuniting all the Mors sectors. Using an iron fist, Velthon brought back organization to the Mors, putting in place better operations to prevent such chaos from happening again. From this, one of the Mors most vital positions was created, the GrandMaster.

The overseer of all Mors operations, the GrandMaster had the final say on any matter. They organized everything, and kept the organization working like a clock. Velthon, naturally, became the first GrandMaster. One of Velthon's first orders of business was to simplify the many, many sectors of the Mors, condensing everything down to four main sectors.

Realms Syndicates Sec (R.S.S.): this division is used to deflect unwanted attention towards “minor” criminal syndicates and for short term goals.

Realms Intelligence: this division is used to infiltrate other Realms intelligence agencies and military operations. It is primarily used for long term positions undercover and to keep tabs on all the Realms plans. It also keeps tabes on all Realms governments, especially any individuals that may become problematic or useful to the organization.

Realms Corporation Assets (R.C.A.): this division uses fonts for legitimate businesses for illicit activities. It brings in ninety percent of the Mors funding.

Mors Assets: this division is the font other organizations and Realms see. It deals with the organizations own “agents” and the more “public” assignments they carry out. This division includes Project Viall, among many others. Even though it is the "font" other organizations see, it is still very secretive.

As Velthon approached the end of their life, they put in place a new order; how the next GrandMaster would be chosen. Any Mors asset was eligible, though Masters and Overseers were really the only ones considered. The next GrandMaster would be hand selected by the current GrandMaster, trained by them on how to operate the Mors effectively. When the current GrandMaster was no longer able to carry out their duties, they would take over the position. Under this command of operations, the Mors have flourished.

Now, many years later, they have their hands in almost everything in the Seven Realms. From governments and military, to business and media, they have some kind of control in nearly everything. And their power only grows throughout this war.

The current war raging between the Seven Realms, was orchestrated by the Mors. Having several pieces in place and their hands deep in the Mirralian government, they began to execute their plan to dominate the Seven Realms. Through acts of terrorism and manipulation, the Seven Realms War began under the guise of nationalism, territorial, and defensive motives. The whole point of the war was really to weaken the Realms economically before the Mors officially moved to take over.

Despite the Mors believing they had everything in place to successfully pull off this war in only a few years, they underestimated one Realm. Enkkon.

When the war officially broke out, everyone expected Enkkon to be the first to fall. But they came fighting with the furry of a thousand suns, quickly becoming Mirralia's most serious rival. The Mors scrambled to understand how Enkkon could have such power, how their people hadn't noticed it. That's when it was revealed Enkkon had their own specialty organization, Oraniz, and they were more than aware of the Mors.

Oraniz had captured all of the Mors assets that had infiltrated their Realm, keeping up the guise with their own agents to keep the Mors from being suspicious. Even more than that, the Mors now had to worry Oraniz had agents in their own mists. They definitely do but I won't get into that.

What was supposed to be a quick war to diminish the Realms for easy take over, has now turned into one of the most bloody, gruesome, and devastating wars the Realms has ever seen. Because of this, the Mors put even more effort into one of their special projects. Project Viall.

Created after the second Dragon War and influenced by the creation of the Tanimoriem during the first Dragon War, the project's focus was on creating superior individuals with enhancements to fight in any future wars. To be perfect living weapons for the Mors to use as they wished.

Opil Viall founded the project. A mad man with a genius mind, his experiments were some of the most horrific things you could ever imagine. While his theories were solid, he didn't have much success in creating the enhanced individuals he wanted. Most of his test subjects were insane, bloodthirsty, and incapable of reasoning and thought or understand to follow orders correctly. Rabid beasts of freak nature. It wasn't until many years later when Healer Asurr became head of the project that significant headway was made and the Mors were finally able to start using the subjects in the war efforts effectively.

That pretty much wraps up what I've got for the Mors! I'm kind of sorry for the long post, but not really.

If anyone wants to be added/subtracted for my tag list, you can comment or DM me!

General Tag: @orions-quill @fractured-shield and @leahnardo-da-veggie

EoWC Tag: N/A

[babyrdie]

vulnerable or invulnerable achilles?

I prefer vulnerable Achilles! I know that many people prefer this version because it's the oldest, but that's not my reason. I prefer him vulnerable for other reasons, such as:

The way it affects Thetis! I think the idea of her son being entirely vulnerable instead of just partially vulnerable gives her an even stronger sense of fear for her son's death, which would increase her despair. It would also increase the difference she feels between them, knowing that as an immortal she can never always be at the side of her mortal son. One day he will die. Her, though? She will not die, they will never be reunited in the afterlife. And there are so many ways for this to happen… in the heart, in the throat, in the lungs, in the head… he's so vulnerable compared to her, so vulnerable that she wants to hide him, that she wants to exact all the favors she has acquired from gods. And while mortal mothers already deal with the idea of mortality daily, Thetis…Thetis didn't grow up imagining it, she wasn't prepared to need to worry THAT much.

I like agility more! Honestly, the idea of him being such a good warrior simply because he was so fast and skilled is much more badass. Him being invulnerable makes it very easy for him to be good. Like, he wouldn't even need to be THAT good, just avoid getting hit in the heel. Even if the enemy hit him in vital spots a lot of times, nothing would really happen. Now, the enemy not being able to hit because he's too agile for that? Ah, so much more badass! And yeah, I like agile characters lol

The Trojans' feelings! Achilles, as an enemy who causes terror in the Trojans (especially in civilians), is much more frightening as he is closer to humanity. It's much scarier to know that someone who bleeds if cut, whose blood is red, is capable of causing so much destruction. It's not that he's unstoppable, he is! He can be hit, he can bleed, he can die. And yet, it's been 10 years and he's still here. One of the main enemies, and he's still here. It's scary because it expands the idea of what humans are capable of. Humans in general, not just a demigod immersed in the Styx River who acquired invulnerability. A vulnerable human, just like everyone else. Although here and there I think of the headcanon that the idea of Achilles being invulnerable was simply a legend spread by scared people (headcanon, remember. In the myths where he's invulnerable, he in fact is)

Apollo's interference in Achilles' death. Apollo having to directly interfere in Achilles' death, despite Achilles being a vulnerable human? Nice! If he were invulnerable, Apollo's interference would be more…I don't know, expected?

Additionally, Achilles is already vulnerable. He plans what will happen after his death (like when he says he wanted Neoptolemus to be under Patroclus' care in The Iliad), he cries to his mother when he's dishonored, he goes into depression when Patroclus dies, he becomes enraged when Memnon kills Antilochus (not Homeric, I know), he regrets killing Penthesileia (not Homeric, I know), he's tricked into death because he loved a Trojan princess (a later myth, I know), in death he's worried about his father and his son (Odyssey, when he talks to Odysseus). Even if we consider the version in which he's physically invulnerable, Achilles is an emotionally vulnerable character. At the end of the day, a version in which Achilles is TRULY invulnerable doesn't exist.

In The Iliad, when Hector warns him that he will die to Paris and Apollo, Achilles doesn't care (similar to how Hector didn't care about Patroclus' warning before he killed him lol). He knew all along that if he went to Troy he would die, and he was dealing with that idea (like he plans what to do with Neoptolemus), but the first time he really wants death or actively doesn't care at all about the possibility is after Patroclus dies. Even before Apollo/Paris killed Achilles, he was already internally dead. So, in theory, even in the version where he's vulnerable, Achilles already had a weakness that killed him (Patroclus, no matter how you interpret/prefer the relationship).

But I don't want to pretend that the invulnerable version doesn't have anything interesting…

Tethis counterpoint! I think Tethis would still be terrified, but instead of having SO MANY possibilities, it would just be because of that damn heel. And if we think about the idea of Thetis not even knowing that the heel wasn't included, I think that would make her mourning shocking in the sense that it was unexpected. Tethis might have thought she had saved him, only to find out in the worst possible way that she hadn't.

Hability counterpoint! Being invulnerable, Achilles didn't need to be a good warrior. So him being a good warrior would only make the whole thing more impressive. He didn't need to be so agile, so strong, so capable, he was already invulnerable. But in the end, he was.

Emotional vulnerability x physical invulnerability. Need I say something? Maybe in the end the idea of him being emotionally vulnerable while not being physically vulnerable is a nice contrast.

But yeah, I'm still in vulnerable Achilles team lol and in the end this is just my opinion

[teababe27]

Give Me Some Rope, I'm Coming Loose

Kinktober prompt list by @josiebelladonna / @feverinfeveroutfic

Prompt(s):

Paradise Day 7: Shibari

A couple IRL stories tonight. Somewhat as a stop-gap while I figure out my fic writing process, somewhat to remember some kinky times with people over the years, somewhat to parse out some thoughts, somewhat to feel like I'm actually contributing.

Yes, I know this is late, but *shrugs*. Work and life.

These IRL stories will be partly stream-of-consciousness, partly thought-out.

Will also supply a pic or two when possible for these.

Rope in general is something I'm still figuring out how I feel about.

My experiences with it have been largely good, but I'm still figuring it out (maybe overthinking and over-rationalizing, but still). I find that when I really liked it, it wasn't me giving up control or anything like that. Honestly, the furthest I'd go in that respect was having my hands tied behind my back. A lot of it was people putting me in a rope harness and doing the usual sensation/sensual stuff that I like; touching, caressing, kissing if I knew them well enough, using any floggers or implements either of us would have, etc. I feel like part of it could be just another form of sensation play, which is something I hadn't even thought of until I had joined Fetlife and expanded my horizons through meeting people, learning, and going to kinky play spaces. But then I also feel like I may not need it because sensation can happen without it? I don't know.

The harnesses themselves often looked really pretty too. I remember a couple times during kinky photoshoots (maybe a topic for another prompt?) that someone put a harness on me and sometimes one of the only poses I could think to do was put my thumbs in a couple of the loops near my upper body like I was popping a collar.

There are two times in particular that I remember indulging in this kink and really coming away like I'd experienced something.

---

2014. My last year of college. It was my second time at this kink club near my school. It was a spacious top floor of what I think was a converted warehouse, with many rooms and alcoves. It was sex-positive; people could have sex in there (though I chose not to, I had heard people do such a few times there), many supplies were provided; semi-private, private (with some themed rooms), and public spaces were there.

L, a much older (I'm guessing 40s or 50s) friend of the friend who took me there the month prior for my first time there, and I talked about doing a scene. When I went there the month prior, he had put me in a rope harness and touched and flogged me all over. I remember liking it and how it felt, so I asked if we could do that again.

We went to a back corner of the place. Red walls on 3 sides, a spanking bench (sometimes a massage table was there too, it depended), a Sybian in the corner, there might have been a cross too, I don't remember for sure, some more hardcore things. One of the walls had rings to hook chains into, but we didn't use those. I just stood against the wall as he put the rope harness on me. I don't even remember the design, I just remember it looking really pretty. I remember it going up and down my body, around my hips, between my breasts, and one part between my legs, grazing my clit a couple times in the process. He touched me all over, caressed my shoulders, back, hips, and chest.

At one point, he pulled part of the rope that rested by my hips, rubbing against my clit. It took me by surprise. I started to overthink. My hips started to reflexively buck. I tried to put my thoughts aside just for this one time. He kept pulling, I started to rise. He soon had to use his finger, as the rope had become slack and the harness had become lopsided. The overthinking started again; I had originally/always planned to save being touched down there by a significant other or at-the-time crush. But I also felt like I had come too far to stop now, and it felt so good. I was so close. Before I knew it, I had reached the edge and fallen over.

I admittedly cried a bit after I came, and had to sit down in a nearby corner (it was also close to the end of the club's hours) and process everything. Wondering if I was too easy, or a hypocrite for telling myself to wait but then letting someone I had only met once prior do something like this to me, if I should have even let him do that to me when I wasn't even sure at first, but it also felt good so why am I feeling like this and what am I feeling, etc.

Definitely quite an experience. If I remember correctly, this was done to me at one other point,

I also find it interesting that one of the things I remember the most about that night and the aftermath was that they had some classic rock (Steely Dan is what I remember the most) playing at one point in the club. So as I was coming down and L was packing up his stuff (which makes me realize in retrospect I should have asked for him to cuddle me or something for better aftercare, I guess I was still figuring that out too), "Do It Again" and "Hey Nineteen" and other songs like that were playing, and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

L: Good song.

Me: Yeah. Seems a bit strange, but I'm not complaining.

TBH it's times like these and with other older friends/acquaintances I met in kink clubs that I think of whenever I hear "Hey Nineteen", lol.

---

This past March. Dungeons and Geekdoms, Saturday night. C (Boyfriend #2) and I were both done with our activities, panels, and scenes/playtime with other people, and we had planned to do a scene together. We hadn't had time alone together in a few months, so I was super excited. C had gone up to his hotel room to get some of the rope he brought for other scenes; I had mentioned I had wanted to try it since it had been a while.

When we got to the dungeon area, we found that it was full. We did not know how long it would be before a space opened up (there was unfortunately only one dungeon space, unlike the last D&G in 2019, where there were two), so we decided to go up to my hotel room for our alone time. I was almost afraid to suggest it, but C beat me to it.

I was still in my Taarna (from the movie Heavy Metal) costume as we walked up to my hotel room, talking about a couple random things. C told me about that one South Park episode that referenced Heavy Metal (which he would eventually show part of to me a few months later). When we got there, he took some pictures of me in my cosplay, which looked amazing. I always feel like a badass and so sexy in that cosplay. After that, most of the costume came off, and I was wearing just thigh-high stockings and my bikini bottoms.

He showed me the rope: cotton and fire-engine red. It felt soft on my skin as he tied the harness around my chest, under and around each breast, moved the rope around my back and shoulders.

He then pulled me close, and we began making out.

"I've missed this," I said in between kisses. "I've missed this so much. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too," C said in return.

We kissed and cuddled, he touched me all over with his hands and one of my soft floggers, he used some leftover rope on the harness to touch me all over my chest and wherever he could reach, it felt nice. I honestly didn't even feel it at times when we were cuddling and rolling in the sheets, it was so soft. It was just a nice sensation. And being around someone I love while doing it just made it even better.

Before he took the harness off and we moved on to aftercare (we just talked about whatever, relationships, feelings, what we've been up to, etc.; I admittedly got emotional and feelsy), he took a few more pictures of me, which I still have saved to this day. It was a pretty nice time, and a nice last scene of the weekend.

[claraxbarton]

You might have answered this before, BUT I’m a recent follower and curious ok!! Generally speaking, what is your writing process like? I’m genuinely so impressed by how many different fics you’ll have going simultaneously and they’re all updated SO frequently. AND THEY’RE ALL SO GOOD?? Like do you have vague plans/outlines or drafts that you expand on/edit? Your accountability post will mention writing a few thousand words and then there’s an update the same day and it’s written so well lmao it blows my MIND bc it seems like you just come up with the plot on the fly and then casually write a lil masterpiece after work like it’s nbd. All of this to say I appreciate your work so much ♥️

<3

So uh, to start off with, I'm guessing when you say you recently started following me, you're probably just reading my HRPF fics? I SAY that/ask that because I've bounced through a few fandoms and I kind of go back and forth between being VERY prolific and finishing up projects and kind of... losing steam.

To be fair to me and not to scare anyone off, before this year I have, for the last decade and change, been juggling two full time jobs, part time work, childcare and a lot of volunteer work PLUS trying to write so like, I'm cutting myself some slack on abandoned projects. Because I'm finally down to 1 full time job and 1 part time gig that is only during the summer. I will ALSO say, in December I switched meds for my anxiety/depression so I'm on a new dose, new meds for the first time in 5 years and I do think that's been really impactful in a positive way.

SO, exposition and TMI out of the way:

I wish I could say I had a really clear process that I follow every time, but I don't want to lie. I create docs with notes - I'm thinking about including those as an epilogue chapter on the fics I'm currently working on, if anyone is interested in my scribbles aside from myself and my beta - and SOMETIMES I create outlines. A lot of the time, I will write a chapter or two and THEN create the outline? That's what happened with Gold Rush, but also with Gold Rush, I have already deviated from the outline like... a lot.

I'm trying to be way more chill with myself than I used to be. I was in this deep grind of forcing myself to be productive because that's where my value was (@kangofu-cb is a real one and has been trying to beat this out of me for years. Beating with love). And I'll be honest, being kinder to myself and putting less pressure is, like, so far, so good.

I usually have about, like... a dozen or so fic ideas in my head at any one time (@dwisp can attest to the DAILY messages of 'hear me out' as can @kangofu-cb), but I uh, I really feel 4 long fic is my simultaneous max.

I also have a problem with like, so if you DO want to read some of my not HRPF stuff, I think a good primer is the WinterhawkHood month I did in October with a fic a day, and the consistent issue is: I feel like I'm really good at creating a premise and that premise wants to exist beyond 2-5k. So longfic is probably the format to best tell the stories I want to tell, but, like, writing shorter fic is a lot of fun? That also does NOT answer your question.

Oh! MUSIC! It's so so so so important to my process. I used to put on specific artists, like really get into a singular vibe for a fic. But these days it's just my routine sleepy sad girl playlists (name coined by a former assistant and like she wasn't wrong). Which also probably explains how much sad sack Leon there is in my current fics. I should probably like, get some new playlists going...

Uh, in terms of like, my style/my ideas... so my professional life is theatre adjacent, and I think because of that, dialogue and THE INCITING INCIDENT are really important to me. So usually any fic idea forms around the kernal of the meet ugly and some choice words.

Like, for Gold Rush, I absolutely started from the idea of Leon being a bitch to the press and getting a text from an unknown number/Matthew and it just grew from there.

For Playing Favorites, I absolutely wanted to have former camboy Vince realize his new... work colleague??? Adam Larsson knew he was a former camboy. Which is funny because that moment happens in the middle of the fic (which I AM going to update again soon, y'all might vote consistently for Gold Rush in the polls but this weekend I think it's gotta be some love for my two Lars&Dunn fics).

For Northern Attitude, that inciting incident is, uh, about to occur in ch4 that I'm currently working on. And it's. Well. Yeah. So I got the idea for that 'scene' if you will first and then figured it out backwards?

For Wildfire that, too, has an inciting incident that has yet to make it into a chapter. But she's coming soon.

So really, only Gold Rush started as the beginning as far as ideas went for me? That said, I still START at the beginning when I write. I used to scribble down scenes and then piece them in, but I honestly found it constrained me more than anything else and I'm aware that doesn't make much sense.

I feel like this entire answer is a total nonanswer of me just blathering away. I hope at least part of this is what you wanted and uh... sincerely? Thank you for asking. It means a lot and like, my process is weird and inconsistent but I do genuinely love to talk about my writing.

[heartlandians]

Christmas in August, part 2/5

Newlyweds Shane and Chloe have just added a new extension to the Bartlett-Fleming-Morris family, but when it seems like the couple won't be able to make it "home for the holidays", Tim comes up with an idea to make their first extended family Christmas happen.

Characters: Shane, Chloe, Tim, Miranda, Jack, Lisa, Amy, Lyndy, Lou, Katie, Nathan, Paul.

A/N: Sets around the time of the season 17 finale.

****

Later that night, Tim was tossing and turning on their bed, while Jessica was bouncing up and down along his movements on the other side of the mattress.

They had gone to bed hours ago, but neither of them had gotten a wink of sleep - thanks to Tim.

"What is it...?" Jessica finally had to ask as she was starting to get frustrated with the way something was clearly on Tim's mind and he could barely live with it inhabiting his head.

Tim froze, almost like suddenly realizing he wasn't alone.

"What?" he asked, dumbfounded that Jessica knew something was bothering him. Tim had thought his wife had been sleeping and now, all of a sudden, she was talking to him, asking questions.

Jessica sighed, tugging her hand under her pillow, trying to make it more firm for her head to rest on.

"You've been restless for hours now. Something's going on. So... what is it?" she then demanded to know, her tone low and groggy.

"Nothing. Just go back to sleep", Tim insisted, glancing over his shoulder. He could barely make out Jessica's figure in the dark, but he could tell she had her back to him.

"I can't sleep. Not with you like that", Jessica informed him.

Tim realized he was keeping Jessica from resting. "Sorry. I can just take the couch."

Jessica sighed, feeling the frustration build up. They had been working hard as a couple when it came to their communication skills, and now Tim was about to shut her out.

Not a chance.

The couch was not a solution, not even when she was this desperate for sleep.

The woman got up into a sitting position and reached out to turn on the light on the night stand. She squinted first, letting her eyes get used to seeing again, as she glanced over Tim's side of the bed.

"Or... how about you just tell me what's going on?" she suggested instead. "I don't want you to sleep on the couch. It makes me feel like we're fighting - and we're not fighting. Right?"

"It almost kind of sounds like maybe we're about to..." Tim said hesitantly, turning over on his back.

Jessica arched her eyebrow and crossed her arms, challenging him to focus on the real matter at the hand instead of deflecting on what was going on between them.

"Okay. Fine. -- It's just... The Shane thing", Tim finally admitted.

Jessica kept waiting him to expand that, but he didn't.

"What "Shane Thing"...?"

"I really wanted him and Chloe here for Christmas. You know, one big family Christmas, with all of my loved ones here. But... it's not happening", Tim explained, looking disappointed after trying to hide it ever since the wedding.

"Well, there will be plans to have them here for next Christmas, right?" Jessica reminded.

Tim got up into a sitting position as well as he felt like he really had to get on Jessica's level in order to explain why it was bugging him so much.

"But I wanted it to happen now. You know, after everything we've been through. I don't want them to slip away again", Tim said. "With my girls, Shane... Now with Chloe joining the family. I want to keep this going. -- And I feel annoyed that Chloe's family gets to have them for the month of December when they aren't even going to celebrate Christmas!" he scoffed, waving his hand in a frustrated matter.

Jessica could see where Tim was coming from, but she could also understand the other side.

"Well, it sounded like it was a really important thing for them - and for Chloe, especially. With her giving up the job in London and everything that happened leading up to the wedding, I feel like she might want something to go like she planned - for once", Jessica offered another perspective Tim might have not thought about. "There'll be next year, honey."

She gently brushed Tim's cheek that had pillow lines on it.

"You and I both know damn well there might not always be next year", Tim pointed out. "Haven't we always talked about how everything is here and now? That that's all we really have. We can make plans, but there are no guarantees that we are there to see them happen."

Jessica knew that to be true, so she nodded, but at the same time she wasn't sure if Tim was just using that to argue his point or if there was something more to it.

"There isn't something you're keeping from me, is there...?" she had to check.

"No", Tim said, frowning and shaking his head. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just... I don't want to let go of this moment. This high. I've never been this happy. -- I don't know what I was even thinking, giving my blessing for Shane's move to London..."

He turned to put his legs down on the floor, while still sitting at the edge of the bed.

"At least that's not happening now, and of course I would find a way to be happy for him if it did end up happening after all, but..." Tim trailed off.

Jessica looked at her husband's back, trying to read into the tone of his voice and the way he sat as she was missing out all the facial expressions.

She slowly made her way on her knees through the sea of covers to hug her man from behind.

"I get it. But he's not gone yet. You still have tomorrow with him. And the ride", Jessica reminded, leaning her head against Tim's while her chin rested on his shoulder.

"I guess..." Tim muttered, thinking about it for a while. "I actually have an idea..."

Jessica closed her eyes, almost falling asleep from the exhaustion. "Oh, yeah...?"

"But I'm going to need all hands on deck", Tim said, gently sweeping his fingers across Jessica's arms that rested on his chest. "I can delegate you to help me organize something, can't I?"

"Not if you won't let me sleep you won't..." Jessica mumbled against his shoulder as she pressed a lazy kiss on it.

"Okay - let's get some sleep. We have a big day ahead of us", Tim announced, making it his mission to make the next day something Shane would hopefully never forget.

****

The next morning, when Shane walked out of their cabin to take in the view while his wife was still sleeping, he thought about how he was going to miss this place. They wouldn't be leaving to Calgary with Chloe till tomorrow morning to spend some time with her family, but this was going to be his last full day here and he wasn't going to rush any of it.

Much to his surprise, Shane saw Tim's truck parked in front of his mom and Paul's cabin. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he checked the time from his wrist watch; it was hardly even 7 o'clock, yet Tim was already here. Shane also knew that his mother didn't like early mornings, so it was even more odd to see Tim already visiting her at this hour.

Shane knew that days started early at ranches, but he had hoped that they'd be able to enjoy their breakfast by the dock with Chloe before going off to have the trail ride they had planned. No time for it had been set, but maybe they should have done that, Shane now thought, if this was his dad's impression of a completely normal time to get started on the day.

The door to Miranda's cabin opened and out walked her and Tim. Shane looked at them, clearing his throat a little so maybe he could holler them a good morning, but when he saw the expression on his mother's face, he stopped himself.

She looked so serious, but also fidgety. Glancing over her shoulder, as if to check if anyone was hearing this, Miranda had an exchange with Tim that Shane couldn't make out from this far - but he didn't like the look of it.

In fact, it instinctively reminded him of the time when he and his mom had showed up to the ranch years ago, and both Miranda and Tim had kept this huge secret from him.

The stay at Heartland and the Dude Ranch had been great so far - despite few bumps in the road - but now Shane felt disappointed if it was going to end up in a way that would leave a sour taste in his mouth.

Before he realized what was happening, Shane heard Tim's truck door close as his dad began to leave.

When returning to the driveway, heading back to Heartland, Tim noticed him on the porch and waved him good morning, but didn't roll down his window and stop to talk.

So... he wasn't here for the ride?

Shane was even more confused.

Miranda was still on the porch, about to turn around, when Shane walked down the steps and quickly tried to catch her before she would get back inside.

"What was that about?" he inquired.

Miranda looked surprised to see Shane awake already, but then quickly tried to hide her guilty looking expression by making it seem like there had been nothing strange about that whole visit by Tim.

"Well, good morning to you too", Miranda said first and foremost. "And, what do you mean?" she acted stupid.

"Why was dad here?" Shane specified. "And why didn't he stay to even say greet me properly?" he added, looking after him but all he could see now was a cloud of dust, settling back on the ground.

"Oh... Well, he, uh..." Miranda began, but she was clearly struggling to come up with a lie. "He just asked if Paul and I would like to join you guys for the ride, but I said we would just like to spend the day here, now that Paul is finally here, so..."

Shane squinted his eyes, letting out a scoff.

"You know, one of the skills that I've been able to really develop at my job is my ability to spot a liar - and I'm looking at one right now", he reminded her of his assets.

"What?" Miranda laughed. She wasn't impressed by Shane's tough guy act. "I'm not lying", she insisted.

"Please..." Shane breathed. "You have your tells..." he knew.

""Tells"? Honey, I've been working at a casino. I'm pretty sure I don't have tells", Miranda reminded him of the facts. "Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to keep down that job for as long as I did."

"Everyone has a tell..." Shane corrected her.

"Shane!" Chloe's voice from the other porch reached them.

Shane twisted his upper body around. He wanted to know what was going on with his parents, but at the same time, this was his first morning as a married man and he didn't want to waste it on this instead of really savoring this moment with his wife.

This was the beginning of their new life together with Chloe.

Even though this mystery with his parents bothered him, Shane didn't want to just look back and remember all the hardest times of his past he had gone through.

"Okay, fine, be that way. But I'm not going to let you ruin my day. So... if you'll excuse me...", he excused himself, leaving Miranda on the porch.

Miranda was surprised by Shane's strong reaction, even though she could understand that no one liked being lied to. But she wanted to believe that the end would justify the means.

At least she really hope it would, as she was tired of being the bad guy while Tim got to be the hero.

Years might have passed, but that dynamic had not changed, it seemed.