#at least they'll send a replacement

[siriusleee]

I spend $40 damn dollars on the dog subscription boxes and 2 of the toys are done in 2 days.

[totodiletears]

My unpopular opinion (well unpopular with employers at any rate) is that if your workplace is going to require you to do shit that requires having a phone, even if it's just 2FA for your work email and nothing else, then they should provide you with that phone. My personal phone should not be connected to anything that will ever intersect with the IT department's work.

[eddiemunsons-missingnipple]

The interview

90sRadiohost!Eddie Munson x fem!reader

Summary: You decided to have a little fun with your boyfriend while he's busy during an interview.

Warnings: smut, hurt/comfort 90s!Eddie, tommy lee, oral (female & male receiving), slight throat fucking, some dirty talk. orgasm denial. Jealous reader. If I missed anything, please let me know nicely.

Workd cound: little over 4.1k

Mini series masterlist

A/n: Not proofread. Ignore any mistakes. This was kind of rushed, but I hope you all still enjoy it. I recommend at least reading the first fic, but you really don't have to to understand this.

18+ minors dni

Year 1991

Eddie had been teasing you all day. His hands kept inching up your skirt while you were busy organizing his desk. In between commercial breaks, he would lean over and whisper the filthiest things in your ear. He was trying to get prepared for his interview later today, but he couldn't help himself when it came to you. You could tell he was nervous. He always got nervous before a really big interview.

Any time you worked in the studio with him, his hands never left your skin. He was constantly touching you. He'd bend you over his desk before or after his show and take you slow or hard. Depending on his work day.

Today was no different. Even with his anxiety spiked high, Eddie still couldn't take a second to try something with you. You've never dated someone who made you feel this desirable before. The way he looked at you was enough to have you giving in.

You were straighting paper next to him while he was talking to someone who called in for some advice.

"Yeah, but she's got all of these toys. I feel like I'm being replaced." The man on the opposite end of the phone complained. He had called in because he found his girlfriends sex toys, and now he's insecure about them.

Eddie leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes. He looked over at you and bit his lip before responding. "Her vibrators are not your competition. They're your friend. Use them."

The mention of vibrators reminds you both immediately of your first introduction together. The phone call that started it all and a romance blossomed soon after.

"So is that all you called to cry about?" Eddie smirked. He keeps eyeing you up and down as you straighten up his mess.

"Uhh yeah man, that's all." The man awkwardly replied. You could tell he felt embarrassed now after Eddie said what he said to him.

You felt kind of bad for him. But Eddie was always harder on the men who called in than the women. He'd always tell you most of the time the women needed reassurance, and the guys were just selfish assholes in bed. He wasn't a dick to all of them who called for help just the ones who deserved it. The guy that just called in got it the worst from Eddie.

He had been practically sweating bullets all day long about this interview. Some of the callers were getting his smart ass remarks the most because of it. Eddie wasn't like that with you. All day, he tried to have you in some way.

"Come on, baby. They'll never hear you whimperin' my name with Megadeth playing. Jus' let me taste you." He whined and begged.

You immediately shook your head. "You stay back Munson."

Eddie pouted, pushing his bottom lip out. He got on his hands and knees crawling over to you. You couldn't help but smile and try to back away from him in your chair.

"Ah ah baby, get back here. All I wanna do is make my cute girl cum on my tongue. That's all." Eddie tried to make it sound so innocent as he grabbed at your ankle to pull you back.

He's grinning from ear to ear. "You like keepin' your man starvin?"

"I swear to God, Eddie." You giggled and squirmed. His hand had such a tight grip on your leg.

"I've fucked you on that desk so many times. Let me lick your pussy for a little while. It'll help with my jangled nerves." He made his voice low and seductive. Just the way you like it. He knew how to send a shiver up your spine. "What if I laid back on the floor, and you got to ride my face?"

"Eddie, I'm warning you." You tried to sound serious, but your smile gave it away. You liked it when he talked to you like this.

Eddie crawled his way up to you while you sat in your rolling chair, throwing your legs over his shoulders. Your skirt drapping over his head. You could hear him hum to himself and with one finger pushed your panties to the side. His tongue darting out to lick a long strip up your wet folds.

You gripped at the arm rests "maybe just for a little while."

"Thank you, baby." His voice muffled under your skirt. He kept your panties pushed to the side while his tongue flicked over your aching clit.

"Goddamn sweetheart you're always so fucking wet for me" Eddie practically groaned at the sight before him.

You tried so hard, not to moan. Which only spurred Eddie on more. The thought of his co-workers and boss hearing you both outside that door turned him on so much. Having you screaming his name while his face was buried between your thighs. He could cum in pants just imagining it. He has before when all alone in that tiny studio. With nothing to occupy himself but his dirty thoughts of you.

Eddie gave your clit a quick kiss before wrapped his plump lips around it sucking softly. You gasped before one of your hands flew to tug and pull at his hair."

"Mmmm--Eddie!." You covered your own mouth to quiet a moan. He sucked even harder when he noticed you were trying to be quiet. Your eyes flutter closed. You tried to put one of your feet to the floor and get away from him.

"Where ya goin' baby?" He lifted his head from out under your skirt and yanks you roughly back to his mouth. He lapped at your wet folds before going back to your clit.

You tried to push his head away only to end up pulling him closer. Your thighs shake as they hang over his broad shoulders.

"Eddie, don't stop." You mewled. You kept your voice as low as possible. You could feel him smiling against you. You know he enjoys seeing the effect he has on you.

Just as he really got into it, there was a loud bang at the door. Eddie lifted his head out from under your skirt once again. He looked to you and then back to the door, waiting for another knock. Two more loud bangs rattled the hinges and he was quick on his feet.

"Fuck." He muttered under his breath while answering. Eddie swung open the door to come face to face with his boss.

"We have Tommy Lee on in five for that interview. Stop fucking around in here." His boss scolded him and you.

"Yea yea no one cares, but alright." He slammed the door back closed. He was frustrated that he had to stop what he was in the middle of doing. "We'll finish after this, I promise."

You nodded and fixed yourself back up, trying to regain composure. "Don't worry about it."

Eddie shot you look but couldn't say anything as he put his headphones on and got close to his mic again.

"Welcome back. Everyone, hope you enjoyed that little break, but now we're about to talk with Tommy Lee." He greeted his listeners back after a few songs.

You handed Eddie his notes for the interview. He really didn't want to talk to him but knew his boss would kick his ass if he didn't. You snorted when he looked annoyed. His face still glistening from your slick. You picked up a napkin and went to clean off his face. He quickly grabbed at your wrist, mouthing "no," so you mouthed "fine" right back. Which earned you a small laugh from him before he playfully swatted your ass making you yelp.

You let him get situated as a little idea popped in your head. Since he loves to tease and torment you all the time. Since he just can't seem to keep those hands off of you. Maybe you'll show him a little "appreciation."

"Hey Tommy, so uhh tell us what's it like with the new lead singer you guys got now?" Eddie looked over his questions he was allowed to ask. They were the same dull, bland questions every interviewer did.

You could tell he was bored out of his mind. He did not want to do this at all. You were going to wait until for a song break or even after his show went off air. But the looks of pure agony on his face made you pity him in this moment.

Eddie was currently leaning back in his chair, his feet propped up on the table, struggling to untangle his yoyo. The notes resting on his lap, as he asked them in a monotone voice.

"Yeah, it's going good so far, different sound, but I think our fans are digging him so far." Tommy sighed into his phone. You could also tell he didn't want to do the interview with Eddie.

You walk over, tapping his feet. He immediately drops them to the floor on command. You pick up his interview notes, placing them nicely on the table. He thinks you're trying to keep him looking professional, but you had other plans.

You smiled and moved behind him to whisper in his ear. "Will you let me suck your cock?"

His eyes buldge out of his skull. "NOW?"

He practically yelled into the mic while Tommy was discussing Motley's new album.

You nodded and went back in front of him to get on your knees between his legs. His hand moved to your face, and his thumb smoothed across your bottom lip. You took it in your mouth sucking it gently. Earning you a low whimper from him.

"Oh my bad, sorry." Eddie spoke, clearing his throat. He snatched his thumb from your mouth. "You were saying?"

Your hands start rubbing his thighs up and down. You could tell he was trying so hard to hold it together. He pinched the bridge of his nose, getting frustrated with himself and you.

"I've been a good girl. Can I pretty please have your cock in my throat?" You whisper.

You forward to kiss his prominent buldge straining in his jeans. He dropped his head down, and his headphones slipped off and landed on his desk. Eddie fumbled around to put them back on. He prayed no one heard any of that.

Eddie's expression was something of shock and lust. He's not used to you being this forward. Normally, he had to work you up to get you like this. You're getting brave, and he couldn't be happier.

You slowly unzipped his pants. Your eyes never left his, and his eyes never left yours. It was like he was in some sort of trance watching you. He wasn't even paying attention to the interview anymore. Everything Tommy was saying fell on deaf ears. His focus was solely on you. You glance over at the mic, signaling him he needed to focus.

"Baby, please." He pleaded covering up the mic so no one can hear. You freed his painfully hard cock out of his pants. He let out a sigh of brief relief. His pants were getting increasingly uncomfortable the harder he became.

Licking your lips, you take him in your hand and kiss his leaking tip as you begin sucking it. Your tongue swirling around the head, cleaning off every bit of his precum. He rolled his head to the side. Eddie's struggling to remain calm and collected for this interview. His boss will kill him if he fucks this up.

You stopped and pulled your mouth away slightly to spit right on his cock. Using your spit and the little bit of his precum as lubricant. You gave him a few good strokes twisting your wrists pumping cock. He gulps as he watches you. Beads of sweat coated his forehead making his bangs stick to his skin. His hands were gripping hard onto the table. His knuckles turning white. His rings scratch at the surface.

"I can't wait to have you inside me." You teased. Your voice low enough under the table for only him to hear. "Thinkin' about you struggling to fit it all in at once."

You take his cock in your mouth slowly until he hit the back of your throat. You stayed still for a moment, allowing yourself to breathe through your nose.

He lets out a shakey breath and covers up the mic once more. "I'm gonna make you feel every inch. You just wait until I get your ass home."

You smiled around his cock at his threat. Can't be much of a threat if you'd enjoy every second of it.

"So Tommy!" Eddie piped up with too much enthusiasm even for him.

You began bobbing your head up and down, taking him as deep in your mouth as he could go. You moaned when one of his hands rested on the back of your head. Drool was spilling from the corners of your mouth and down your chin. The head of his cock hitting so far at the back of your throat.

"I-I HEARD--" He stuttered after you swallowed around him. "I heard you guys are planning a tour."

Eddie was quick to fix himself. This whole interview, he had been battling to stay on task. His abs flexed when you reached to push up his t-shirt. He's biting his lip hard enough to draw blood.

Your mouth working on him lazily giving the messiest blow job you could. Your spit dripping down from your chin onto the tuft of soft curls peeking out from under his pants. Your nose nestled into the them, taking in his musky scent.

"Uh huh yeah, a tour within the next year or so." You could hear Tommy's distorted voice over the speakers.

"Ohmyfuckinggod...." Eddie grunted through gritted teeth. His jaw clenching.

Your mouth sucking on his cock harder. Your head moving up and down faster. One of your other hands creeped higher under his shirt to pinch his nipples. His face is beet red. All he wants to do is shut off his mic and moan out your name. The fact that he can't properly give you any praise is driving him insane.

Eddie shakes his head, taking a long, deep breath. The interview is almost over. Couple more questions, and he can let go.

"I--I mean, very exciting to hear that as well. He laughed slightly. Not at what Tommy says, but at the disbelief of what you're doing to him right now.

Usually, it's the other way around. Nine times out of ten Eddie is the one with his cock buried in you while hes live on his show. You've gotten so bold and brave over this last year of dating. He wasn't complaining.

Eddie's just so used to the shy girl he first met. But then again, you did call him and have your first orgasm on his radio show with hundreds of people listening in. That boldness was always there.

You pinched his nipple harder and ran your fingernails down his abdomen, leaving a tiny red trails behind. He bucked his hips roughly pushing his cock further in your throat. Nearly causing the back of your head to hit the table. His cock throbbing and pulsating in your mouth.

You pulled him almost all the way out. Your lips wrapped perfectly around his sensitive tip, still sucking firmly on it. Taking your other hand you stroke his cock giving you're throat a break for a couple of minutes. His strangled moans are enough to make you want to keep going.

Your lips leave his tip for you to whisper up at him. "You wanna fuck me so bad right now. It's driving you crazy that you cant."

"Oooh my god, you're gonna get it--fking hell, you're gonna get it." He growled lowly, covering his mic with a shakey hand.

The corners of your mouth quirked up when your hand starts pumping his cock faster. A line of spit connecting from your lips and to his head. Your mouth and chin covered in drool. It was a sight to see, and he was mesmerized by it. He hastily snaps out of it and readjusts his headphones.

Eddie cackles into the mic and runs a hand down his face. "Tommy, tell me about your love life really quick...saw that hot blonde on your arm recently."

"She's good. we're thinking about getting married." Tommy announced to Eddie and the show.

Eddie looks down at you and pats your head. "I saw her in that music video last year. I can see why you'd want to marry her."

"She's uhhh somethin" else." He whistled, fixing his collar as if he was getting hot thinking about her.

He stops patting your head to cup your jaw gently.

You stop stroking his cock taking your hand away. You slip him back in your mouth, relaxing your throat, taking him in inch by inch again. You swallowed hard around him purposely. His body twitching from the sensation. Your mouth felt amazing and so warm.

"Ahh...uhhmm--well, that's good." He blurted out. Eddie felt like he was going to burst at any moment. Your throat closed around him each time you took him further down. "Hey man, listen, we gotta cut to a small intermission."

"No no it's cool." Tommy laughed in the phone.

"On our small intermission how about we play somethin' this next song is called "a letter to Elise by the cure"

You continued to bob your head as if you weren't preoccupied with what he said. That tinge of jealousy coursing through your veins. Your face was growing hot, replaying what he said about that girl.

The lustful look in his eyes when talked about the music video she was in. It pissed you off but also made you incredibly sad, too. You try to keep those feelings at bay and pay no mind to them. Eddie pushed his chair away from the table to give you more room. You move around on your knees following him.

"Fuck baby, you're doing so good." He purred, relaxing back.

His hips bucking up thrusting his cock in your mouth. He repeated his movements over and over. His cock going down your throat feverishly with little to no warnings. Eddie wasn't rough, but he wasn't gentle about it either. He was tired of all the teasing. Tears springing to your eyes each time his cock slides down your throat harder. You could tell he was getting close. You could sense it.

"Love you, s'much sweet girl." Eddie brought his hand out to caress and wipe your tears. He smiled warmly down at you. You were still feeling jealous by his comment towards Tommy's girlfriend.

Eddie groaned, rolling his head from side to side. His mouth hanging open. "Shiiiiiiit I'm gonna cum."

"You're gonna be my good girl and swallow it?....maybe if you're lucky ill cum on your tits later. He chuckled a cocky smile appearing on his face.

You look up at him through your lashes and whined. His hand on your hair, and he roughly pushes you down on him and pulls you back up. Your mouth making the sloppiest wet sounds while fucked your throat. You had to stop. Your emotions were beginning to be too much.

Your eyebrows furrowed, and you released him from your mouth with a loud wet pop. You slapped his hands away from your head. You coughed and gasped, trying to catch your breath. You weren't going to let him cum. Not after what he said about some other girl he clearly liked a lot.

You stomped over to your chair and sat down, crossing your arms over your chest. Eddies mouth drops open in shock, too stunned to speak. His cock laying flat against his belly coated with your spit just begging for your attention.

"Baby, why'd you stop?" He rasped. His face full of concern at your sudden attitude. He doesn't know what he did or said to make you upset. Where you upset at how rough he was being with you? You normally liked it when he used your throat like that.

That hint of jealousy is getting stronger, and you can't help but not ignore it any longer.

"Nothing," you scowled, not daring to look over at him.

His chest rose and fell fast. He's panting and trying to catch his breath. He was so close cumming until you removed him completely from your throat.

"Something is obviously wrong. Talk to me." He spoke tenderly. He didn't care about finishing at the moment. All he cared about was you and fixing whatever it was that upset you.

"Why don't you ask his girlfriend to help you cum." You sneered still looking ahead.

"Is that what this is about?" Eddie grinned but quickly got rid of it. He knew better than to let you see him smiling. He wasn't laughing at you. He just thought it was kind of cute how you are obviously jealous over that.

"Sweetheart, come here."

You gave him a side eye and saw he was motioning you over to him. You rolled your eyes and got up to sit down in his lap.

His hands instinctively go to hold your waist. His chin resting on your shoulder with those big brown eyes of his looking up at you. You resisted the urge to look at him.

"Now you know because I said that doesn't mean I want her. You're my whole world baby." Eddie kissed your neck, trying his best to reassure you.

"You didn't have to say it while I was busy doing.....that to you." You finally looked back at him, and that's when he saw the hurt in your eyes.

he knows where he screwed up, but he was just doing his job. He truly didn't mean it. He has to flatter the guests. Inflate their already too big of an ego. Give them a bigger head than what they already had.

"Sweetheart, that was inappropriate, but you have to remember this is just part of my job. I have to say these things, it's just my radio persona." Eddie explained in a calm manner. He didn't want you being hurt by anything he said.

You know this is part of his job, but for some reason, that really did hurt you and filled you with so much jealousy. You know that type of stuff comes with the territory of what he does for a living. You used to listen to his show all the time before you got together.

You should be used to it by now. For the most part, you are. You chalked up your problem with him saying that to that stupid face he made when thinking about her as his cock was in your mouth. It made you feel like he was picturing her doing that to him and not you.

You look down picking at your nails. "I know. I don't know why it bothered me it just did....I guess I thought you were thinking of her while I was doing that to you."

He shakes head but lets you finish before speaking. "You're the only one I want and need. You're the only girl I've ever been with that makes my heart skip a beat every time you look at me. You're the only person I think about day and night. Always. You're my first thought in the morning and my last thought before bed."

Eddie hooks a finger under your chin to make you look at him again. You fight back the tears that threaten to spill from your eyes.

"You really mean all of that?" You sniffle leaning back against his chest.

He held you tighter to him. "I've never lied to you once, and I don't plan on starting now."

You smiled, playing with the ends of his long curly hair. "Did--You want me to help you finish?"

"I'll be okay. All I want to do is hold you. Can I do that?" He turns his head to kiss your forehead and rubs your back soothingly.

"Yeah, you can hold me." You got yourself more comfortable in his lap. If he wanted to coddle you, then you'll let him and milk it for all its worth.

Eddie's hold was strong, almost like he was afraid if he let go, you'd dissappear. He doesn't like seeing you this way. You're beautiful and have no reason to ever question his loyalty to you. Especially over dumb questions, his boss hounds him to ask.

"The interview will be over before you know it, then I'm all yours." He exhaled, resting his head on top of yours. You felt horrible for what you did earlier. The guilt finally settled in.

He shifts in his seat. "Don't worry, I'm gonna have you begging for me in the back of my van after this. I don't think I can wait to get you home."

You knew he wasn't exaggerating either. He's been craving you all day long, and he's not going to pass up on any opportunity to have you. He's also feels bad about hurting you and wants to worship every part of your body.

Eddie needs you to understand just how much he loves you. He's always been better at showing you than telling you. His love language has always been touch and music. So you'll be getting all of that and more tonight.

[hypewinter]

Bruce sighed. He was in over his head. Wayyyy over his head. Honestly he only had himself to blame. Really what was he thinking? He'd taken in one child and suddenly thought he was an expert in traumatized youths? He'd been overconfident and rash and now Danny was suffering for it and would probably hate him forever now and-

"I can hear you fidgeting through the door!" Came a voice that broke Bruce out of his spiral. There was a shuffle before the heavy wooden door swung open. A boy with floppy black hair and ice blue eyes stared up at him.

"You could've just knocked ya know?" Danny said.

Bruce fidgeted a little more, embarrassed that he'd been caught. "Bu- I thought you were-"

"Still mad at you?" Danny interrupted. "Yeah, I can tell by your face. You didn't even bother to wipe off your eyeshadow."

It was true. Bruce had rushed through patrol and gotten back home as quickly as possible. He'd barely shed his armor as he practically tripped over himself trying to get up to Danny's room. He had come up with and memorized the perfect apology to smooth things over between the two of them and had been dying to get it out before he messed anything else up. But now all the words he'd rehearsed left him.

"Wait. You're not angry?"

Danny leveled him with a blank stare as he leaned on the door frame. "Oh I'm always angry. Just not at you. At least not right now."

Upon seeing Bruce struggle to form words, Danny continued. "You were right," he said. "I shouldn't have beat up Dylan and his little minions. I knew they were intentionally trying to goad me into hitting them and I did it anyway. I-I'm sorry."

For the first time since their conversation began, Danny looked away. His look of mild annoyance was now replaced with one of shame.

"I just- they were making fun of my family. Saying stuff like 'they were small town trash and no one would miss them'. And that comment just set me off." Tears were now springing to Danny's eyes as anger took over his features.

Danny's hands balled into fists as he continued. "I couldn't just let that go. Especially not when they're the ones that are trash. They're so bothered by a 'commoner' wearing the same uniform as them that they feel the need to persistently bully me even when I have nothing to do with them. We don't share any classes, I eat lunch alone, I'm not in any clubs or extracurriculars and if I had a choice I wouldn't even be going to that damn school to begin with!"

Tears were freely streaming down Danny's cheeks as he stopped to catch his breath. His whole body was shuddering with fury. Bruce carefully put a hand on the boy's shoulder, ready to back off if Danny pulled away but he leaned in instead. Given the go ahead, Bruce carefully pulled Danny into a hug, slowly patting his back.

It took a while before either of them spoke. "I know what they said was out of line," Bruce started. "And trust me, they'll definitely receive punishment. But-"

"I know, I know," Danny murmured, turning his face to the side while still clutching onto Bruce's shirt. "Sending 5 boys to the hospital with my training is still bad."

After staying like that for a while, Danny finally looked up at Bruce. "Am I gonna be expelled?" he asked.

Bruce gave a soft smile. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. I promise."

Danny finally pulled away, rubbing at his face with his sleeve and returned Bruce's smile with a toothy one of his own. "You're gonna bribe them or something aren't you? There's gonna be a conveniently placed donation or something. You're just like those rich pricks," he teased.

"Heyyyy! How come Danny gets to cuss?" came a small voice from beyond the shadows of Danny's room. Soon enough, Dick made himself seen, Zitka cradled in his arms as he sleepily stolled forth.

"He's not," Bruce answered quickly. They had just convinced Dick to use more "colorful" insults as opposed to outright cursing and Bruce for one was not willing to face Alfred's wrath if he reverted back. A side glance at Danny told him the exact same thought was running through the boy's mind too. Leave it to Alfred to put the fear of God into two vigilantes who beat up criminals every night.

Dick yawned as he reached out for Bruce. "Then why'd he just say-"

"Don't tell Alfred and you'll have my dessert for a week," Danny interrupted in a panic.

Dick grinned. "Deal," he said as Bruce picked him up. The little boy blinked his eyes a few times before falling back asleep in Bruce's embrace.

Danny halfheartedly glared at the sleeping child. "I swear that kid is gonna grow up to be a politician the way he manipulates like that."

All Bruce could do was sigh. After all Danny was probably onto something. Dick knew very well the influence he had on others and never shied away from using it. It was very likely that he would be holding this particular little incident over their heads for at least the next two weeks.

Bruce looked at Danny, a thought suddenly dawning on him. "Why was Dick sleeping in your room? Did he have a nightmare again?" he asked, shifting the conversation.

Danny shook his head. "Nah. He just insisted that we both make up. He wouldn't leave until I agreed. That kid really doesn't know the meaning of 'no'."

Bruce felt his heart melt as he looked down at the boy in his arms. Why was Dick such a sweet child?

Danny grinned as he started heading downstairs. "Don't get all sappy yet. He was also walking me through his plan of how he got back at Dylan and his gang for my suspension."

The smile dropped from Bruce's face. "Wh... what do you mean revenge? Danny? Danny!?"

I told y'all I'd do it myself if I had to.

[speedycoffeedelight]

I don't know if how readers going to get everyone jobs once their all humans, I know you've only just touched on it and will be exploring it more later, but I could imagine there being sooooo many shenanigans around it.

~

Reader: Okay Charlie, it says here to fill in all your details. I got your full name, address, blah blah blah... Hey, whats your age? Forgot to fill that one in.

Charlie: Oh! I'm 271. Hehe, time sure flies by you know.

Reader: ... Okay. *types 27*

~

Reader: Okay, so there isn't any available host positions at the local station but they are looking for some intern with pay. It says here that there is an option to rise the ranks if you take them, is that alright?

Alastor: I suppose it will have too do, at least its better to work in radio than in any other pointless media. Besides, I'm sure they'll see I'm quite the suitable candidate if the current host needs to be... Replace.

Reader: Please don't kill our local host Al.

~

Reader: Age?

Angel: 36.

Reader: Date of birth?

Angel: 1911, just after the turn of the century.

Reader: *Do mental maths to figure when Angel should have been born if he's currently 36*

~

Reader: Any useful skills relevant for the job in question?

Lucifer: I have been the King of Hell since its creation, that should count for something.

Reader: ...

Lucifer: ... Um, I am a hobbyist toy maker? Would that help?

~

Reader: So it says that there are plenty of bars, restaurants, clubs and café in the area looking for waiting staff. Do you want me to send your CV to all of them right now or do you want to look them over first?

Husk: I don't see why I can't just walk in and ask for a job, that's what we used to do. You even printed a CV out for me, that's alot more than I had when I first got employed.

Reader: ... You do not understand how much I currently wish ya'll could do that.

Okay I absolutely love all these little scenarios you've made and I can definitely see them happening 🤣🤣

Readers gonna have one helluva rough time getting them in jobs and with this cast, woooo boy!!

I feel like we both have the same brain rot for this au (⁠~⁠‾⁠▿⁠‾⁠)⁠~

[bonny-kookoo]

Jungkook

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 | Part 5

A smile from you is all he needs to feel recharged.

Tags/Warnings: Game Designer!Jungkook, Non Idol AU, established relationship, Angst , emotional kook, suggestive messages, poor Maria pt.1 [Tags will be different for every part!]

Length: 1k Words

There is no taglist for this fic.

Collab with @euphoricfilter ! 💜

-> Masterlist

♥━━━━━━━━━━•.♡.•━━━━━━━━━━━━♥

This is not going to plan at all.

Not only is he behind schedule wise, he's also not thought about the possibility of what this all might look like to you at all. Because why would you even think that in the first place? He'd be absolutely stupid to cheat on you, let alone with a 64 year old married woman of all people!

But then again, you don't know that part- and he also can't really properly explain it as he would surely blow his own cover, and he's just too close to the finish line to give up now. He already almost cried at deleting your face ID and fingerprint from his phone, feeling like he deleted the memory of setting those things up too, but he swore himself it's for a good cause down the line. You'll make so many more memories together for sure, and they'll top those more than by just a little. He'll make sure that they will.

[Alright, I'm so excited! Next time let's do it this way right from the start- no need to make it so complicated!] Maria had wrote him in full, and he reads over it with a bit of worry. Does she really understand what he meant by his worries?

[I'm not sure you understand. I'm planning something big, and I'm also behind when it comes to physical intimacy these days, you know?] He writes the woman, who he's asked prior about the rules and such regarding.. well, sex in the home he's renting out for the upcoming special occasion he's planned. He doesn't want to get locked up for not following some Airbnb laws he overlooked after all. That would just be embarrassing. [And we're very intimate people. I'm taking her pleasure and happiness seriously, if you get the hint.] He texts her as he boils some water on the stove for his absolute accurately made ramyeon.

[Oh trust me, I've been young too! No need to be shy, I can only imagine that emotions will run high most likely!] She responds, and Jungkook pursed his lips for a second, before he starts to play with his piercings deep in thought.

[No, Maria, I don't think you get it-] he begins to type. [-it's been almost two full weeks at this point, that's the longest we've ever gone without any sex, we're talking at least three orgasms a day times fourteen, I've got some major catching up to do..] jungkook sends her, before he puts his phone down for a second as to prepare the instant noodles properly.

[It's fine, really. No need to worry!] The woman responds. But jungkook wants to make sure.

[She's a squirter- you know what that is right? Either way it's gonna get messy so I'm just making sure you REALLY know what you're getting into if you say it's alright because the carpet looked really nice and I'm not sure how to get cum stains out of that] he rambles, not noticing you emerge from the bedroom now as you put your bag on one of the kitchen chairs. [I can replace it too if that happens no problem, you know how my girlfriend gets haha. Well you don't but you will know after we're done with the place-] he taps and accidentally sends out as you call his name, causing him to almost drop his phone into the soup pot on the stove, only barely catching it in time before he can practically throw it into the pocket of his sweatpants. "Yeah?" He asks towards you, and you look at him still way too hostile in his opinion.

He knows you can be a bit of a hot head. It's what he loves about you- how fierce you can get and how you'll always stand your ground. But he also knows that you're a bit of an aklebiter with some serious anger issues sometimes- once you see red, you don't see anything else anymore. So he's got to be careful not to fuck it up any further, because once he loses you, he loses for good.

Because you're stubborn if you've made up your mind.

"The water's boiling over." You mumble, avoiding his gaze as you sit at the kitchen table, arms crossed in defense. He jumps at your words and turns off the stove at that, somewhat awkwardly playing up some food into bowl for the both of you, watching you eat silently across from him with an almost needy gaze.

You're gonna probably try and kick his balls if he asks you to sit on his lap right now, so he swallows down the request to keep them intact.

He's gonna seriously crunch some hours while you're sleeping over at a friend's house so he can still make the deadline, able to pass up on sleep with you not actually home to scold him for it. He hates the fact that the app on his phone constantly reminds him of the lack of intimacy between you two- taunting him with notifications about his streak being broken, his record being topped, his spot up top on the scoreboard being taken. He hates it. He created this app, he should be the one who's best at it too!

God he can't wait to get his hands on you again. He feels like his dick is going to fall off in the next few days.

And it's not just that, either. He doesn't sleep well when you're not with him, he misses all the interactions you usually have during the day, the love, the intimacy of just being close, he misses it so bad. And he kind of doesn't want you to leave right now- he'd love to just call it quits and just cave in, but he's come too far now, and you're also a strong independent woman. You deserve to choose where you want to go or stay, he's got no say in that- or at least he shouldn't try to have it.

"I.. You'll text me when you wanna come back home, right?" He asks as he finishes his bowl, and you shrug.

"Whatever." You mumble. "S' not like you want me home for more than the chores anyways." You huff into your food, and he can't help but feel his eyes tear up. No, stupid Jungkook, don't fucking cry right now. You're gonna ruin it all with your dumb tears and weak heart just like always-

"I do want you home.." he mumbles quietly, blinking harder to avoid you spotting anything off- but you notice. Of course you do.

"...I'll text you." You say, and that at least soothes his mind for the moment as his phone falls out of his pocket, screen cracking and making him cringe.

Fuck. That's the what.. 20th time this year?

But it's all worth it, if it means he can at least see the hint of a smile pull at your lips for once.

The sight alone motivation enough to make him work even harder now.

[oneofthosebells]

The more I sit with S3 of Young Royals, the more I love it. I feel like it gave us the revolution we were promised but it was personal instead of systematic, and that's okay.

Sometimes you can't burn down everything, some systems are too entrenched to change overnight. But even so you can choose to change yourself, and you can change the people around you, and you can learn and listen and grow. You can choose to put yourself first when you're up against an enemy that's too big to fight and the fight is making you lose sight of who you are. You can choose to walk away from the toxic situation. You can choose the friends that help you grow over the friends that hold you back. You can choose yourself and your friends and your family over the person you have romantic feelings for. And those are all revolutions in their own way.

Hillerska closes, ending the cycle of bullying and abuse. But the elite will fight to open it again because of course they will. That's how it works. The rich and powerful will always cling on by their fingernails to keep the status quo that works for them. (As Terry Pratchett put it, they'll "do what the aristocracy have always done, which is trim sails and survive.") But even if it does re-open, that doesn't undo all the good done by closing it, because things will never be exactly the same again. The school inspectorate will be breathing down their necks, they'd probably have to replace all of the board and most of the staff to re-open, and a few parents at least will re-consider sending their own kids there. Remember how Henry said the school was having problems finding students even before all of this happened? The old regime can't hold.

The monarchy wobbles, but will survive - or will it? Like the school, it's run into big problems. The monarch doesn't look like she wants to do this any more. Her consort is, let's be honest, about as much use as a jelly pickaxe. The only heir they have left is a teenage sex offender with an eating disorder and a pill addiction. So maybe it too is on its way out. Or maybe, like the school, they'll fight to save the institution at all costs, and probably they'll succeed; but something fundamental has shifted. A seed has been planted.

I just really like all the loose ends and unanswered questions tbh. I know it didn't work for some people, which is fair enough! But it really worked for me, because it feels realistic. That's life. This is a small snapshot of 9 or 10 months or so in the lives of a bunch of teenagers. Of course they're not going to have all their issues sorted out yet. Some won't have even realised what their issues are yet (cough, August).

But what this ending gives us is some small, personal revolutions in the present and hope for the future. (For the characters we love, anyway. August is a bit screwed. Yay!) And I think that's beautiful.

I don't think S3 was perfect by any means. There's things I could nitpick if I really wanted to (#JusticeForMaddie). But I just don't want to? Because everything we did get I love to bits, and that's more than enough for me.

[chaoticreation]

10/29/23

This area is a death sentence without transportation. I'm running out of food, I can't get my prescriptions, can't flee in an emergency, and me and Syd have been freezing for like, a month, aside from the past two days because it's been surprisingly warm out for October. But November is around the corner, and it's gonna get cold. Fast.

I don't have the funds to repair my van, or the furnace.

Eventually, I'm gonna go homeless if the taxes aren't paid, but the van and furnace are extremely pressing matters right now.

If you can afford to donate, I'd appreciate anything you can spare. If you can't, that's okay. You can still help by sharing this campaign! Please don't donate if you can't afford to, but please SHARE no matter what!

OUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON IT. YES, I AM BEGGING. I'M TERRIFIED.

Gfm requires at least $5 donation, so if you can't swing that, you can send less to:

ven.mo: https://account.venmo.com/u/rroche90 pay.pal: roryjroche@outlook.com

Edit, 11/7/23: And we also don't have hot water now either. When the plumber came to give me an estimate on the furnace, he found that the hot water heater had a bad leak, so that was turned off to reduce damage.

Edit, 11/12/23: Septic problems now, too. Sinks are backing up. Woo! Still no heat, btw. It's been a month without heat and it's getting colder. Friend bought Syd a bigger hospital cage, but it hasn't arrived yet, so poor girl has to continue to suffer. Still no transportation, either. HEAP has said they'll pay half the furnace bill if I'm on the deed, which I can't and won't do until the taxes are paid off. I'm not about to inherit that debt.

@sydthetiel is being kept in a tiny hospital cage in my office with a space heater. Not ideal, but it's keeping her warm at least.

We're really not okay.

Edit, 11/16/23: Still no heat or hot water. Plumber isn't even actually getting back to us lmao. Mechanic got back to us, though, and they've found that the brake lines are rusted and need to be replaced. They want an extra $3500 for that. So it'd be roughly $6,000 to get my van repaired. Or I can just fix what I can fix at $2,000 and take my chances with rusted brake lines, and be an accident waiting to happen because I'm desperate to not be trapped in a freezing house with no meds or food or water lmao. Or I just don't get to have transportation back. Or I have to buy a new used vehicle, for like, $15,000+. So... mostly there's just no hope left for me. I'm ready to just give up. It's too much to fix, and my odds of survival are at 0 anyway. I won't last the winter here, and I can't even leave.

Edit, 11/22/23: That plumber ghosted us. We got a new plumber. He came out yesterday and got the furnace rigged to work, just in time. As he pulled into the driveway, it started sleeting and snowing. Throughout the night. The problem is, the furnace isn't fixed, so it could crap out at any moment. The water heater is off, but still leaking, so it's time sensitive to have it replaced. But he's pointed out another problem with that; Rex's hoarding. We need to be able to get rid of enough of her crap to get the equipment in and out. He can do it, but it's gonna cost. Additionally, the chimney isn't in great shape so we have to do something about that, or it's going to defeat the purpose of these replacements. Waiting for the quotes on everything.

As for my van, it's ready to be picked up, without the brake lines being finished. We found a new place that said they'd charge between $700-$1000 to replace the brake lines. A lot better than $3,500, but still not money I have. So until I can do that, it's a risk driving it, but I really don't have a choice. I can't stay living like this, trapped in the middle of nowhere. It's defeating me mentally and physically. But there's another problem too, that won't be covered under warranty. A knock sensor. No idea how much it'll cost yet, but it needs to be replaced in order for the van to pass inspection in December.

I'm feeling incredibly hopeless. I can't even run, because I have Syd, and I'm not going to abandon her. She's my kiddo. She's in a bigger cage now, happily. But I'm at such a loss of what to do. We're not going to survive the winter here without these repairs, and fleeing is going to be really difficult, and I may not have a home to come back to in Spring if I did manage to leave for the winter with Syd.

[zorciarkrildrush]

Pointless post but it bears repeating how much capitalism destroys genuinely breathtaking advancements in technology

Like my boss said in future AI will be able to replace therapists (and I agree), and today he sent me an article about companies like Replika, and I told him that's the exact reason it's gonna be shit.

So long as companies have to demonstrate infinite growth, any kind of company that will make "therapy" AI models will have outside influence fucking up their shit. For anyone using these to alleviate their loneliness, or to feel better, or solve their problems - (as people already use LLMs right fucking now, I will mention) these companies are gonna be insanely tempted to "maximize app interaction time" and "promote repeat spending habits" and a lot of machine-washed language that all means their goals will no longer be to treat or help those users and send them on their way. Destabilizing them just the right amount to keep them around, and paying, and unhappy, is what their real goal will be.

Specifically what I said was "and there's gonna be an ethics committee and the EU will impose fines and it's gonna be a whole deal where nobody wants to admit the problem is capitalism".

And my boss doesn't give a shit, he thinks people that affected by AI (a Belgian man supposedly killed himself after being talked into it by some LLM) are weak and natural order and blahblahblah. And like, sure, weak people exist, but why would you be cool with them suffering? Why would you be cool with companies preying on them? If this generation had companies preying for personal information and spending habits to feed ad algorithms, the next thing they're after is your mental health, and it's just cool that they'll get it? If your kid, when they're 28 and you aren't looking over their shoulder, if they kill themselves because some ai agent, pressured to make graphs go up, gave him shitty gaslighting advice and ignored signs he's going over the edge, you're gonna be stone cold and say he shouldn't have been weak? What the fuck?

And I told him I'm a stupid idealist and yes, Instagram and Tiktok etc are already poison, but I'm a fucking dumbass who thinks if the current generation grew up with X amount of poison, at the very least I want the next generation to grow up with X-2 poison. Definitely not gonna be happy "letting things be as they are" (which means I'm cool with X poison existing, and cool with the next generation growing up with X+1 poison - I'm not! Not with either!)

And it petered off like that. He doesn't care about anything outside of his immediate existence, he thinks people who are weak or not as smart or talented should just get better or die, and I think that's insane and sad and that what he's saying with his whole mouth is something a lot of people actually say just by not saying anything.

[seat-safety-switch]

Building a race car is a huge undertaking. You can start with a production vehicle, but as you race it, you'll slowly notice things deteriorating. Maybe you'll get lucky, and it will just be wheel bearings you have to replace prematurely. If you're really in the shit, or if you started adding a ton of power, you'll be seam-welding and buttressing parts of the body as they tear themselves apart under the repetitive, brutal forces. Things will break that make the dealership parts monkeys claim they "ain't never sold one of these before."

Anything that's successful on track, even a car that once ran on the street, is a melange of hacks, tears, and sleepless nights of re-engineering. And every major city has experts who can help you make things more reliable, for a price. For instance, did you know that old iron-block engines will slowly drift out of square the more you pound on them? After a couple years of hard use, they need to be re-bored, or they'll devour crankshaft bearings alive. That little bit of knowledge cost me (or at least my tax-deductible street racing team, Project Dodge, which, it is important, is legally distinct from myself and accepts all liability for its own actions or inactions) the approximate price of sending a conceptual artist to the International Space Station.

What this means is that, if you're sitting there in the stands cheering on the professional race car that looks like your car, you're actually cheering on some kind of futuristic jet fighter wearing the skin of your vehicle like Buffalo Bill. This, of course, should not discourage you from cheering on a professional race car. Cubic dollars have been spent on every inch of the car, developing it into a new kind of monster that is ready to do battle with all the others. Then thrown away, of course, because things wear out, and race car builders need to put food on the table, and races get more competitive every season.

Anyway, that's why I'm driving a Craftsman Truck Series racing truck to work these days. Those eggheads at NASCAR did a pretty good job on this thing, and our remarkably lax import laws don't blink an eye at a "Chevrolet pickup truck plus spares" driving across the border, even if it is at 120dB and fully sideways. And with my boring commute to work, chances are this thing's race-hardened might will never break.

[czigonas]

What if not dead Soap, not traitor Soap, not taken-by-Makarov-and-brainwashed Soap, but a secret fourth thing: Soap who wakes up alone in the tunnel and thinks he was abandoned by his team. Add in a little memory loss for spice, shake him up and let him go.

Price, Gaz, and Ghost who couldn't stay until the cleanup/retrieval teams arrived. Who had to leave Soap's body behind and try to catch up with Makarov before his trail goes cold. Soap who wakes up alone, covered in blood but more concerned with where his team has gone. How could they leave him behind? He trusted them, thought they would never betray him... but he's here and they aren't.

Soap who knows the faces of the 141 but not their names or why it hurts to think about them. And their faces and that hurt are all tangled up in the sharp feeling of betrayal (how could they leave him?) and so he thinks they're enemies.

But also Soap who still has an instinctive, visceral hatred for Makarov and his men, so he makes himself a third variable in the fight. He pulls on a balaclava and a skull mask (the skull is important - drenched in a feeling of bittersweet love - but white is a colour not for him so he'll choose red like the blood he woke up in, lost and alone) and becomes a threat to both sides.

Meanwhile, the 141 is reeling from Soap's loss but needs to replace manpower, so they pick up some new people and... it's hard. Ghost and Gaz do not take easy to them. Even Price finds it hard to give the new guys the same leeway he did to Soap. They're all a little colder without their Sunshine. Eventually they run across Soap in the field, however.

Maybe it's just Price and Gaz at first; Ghost retreating into solo missions as he spirals towards self-destruction. They have a lead on one of Makarov's suppliers but when they reach the compound they're meant to infiltrate, they find someone's beaten them to it. Gaz is the one to spot him; alerting his captain to the red-masked figure who's cornered their target and is in the process of making him regret working with Makarov.

They'll never know what gave their positions away, but Gaz will swear down later that the shot that nicked a tree three inches to the left of his head was not a miss. That the man in the red skull had him dead in sights and, at the last second, his hand twitched to send the bullet wide. They get their target - a little worse for wear after enduring the attentions of the mysterious stranger - but they both know it's not the last they've seen of him.

Price sees him next but instead of anyone familiar he's got one of the newbies at his back and this time there's no deliberate miss. Maybe it isn't fatal but the poor soldier standing in a place not meant for them will likely never fight again. Price takes it for the kind of warning it is and refuses to allow any of the other FNGs on any mission where they might encounter the red masked man.

Ghost is the last to meet him, at least up close. Maybe he's only seen the man in passing, neither of them really paying attention to each other except that they're staying out of each other's way. He's heard enough from Price and Gaz to consider the other skull wearer as more of an inconvenient and unpredictable ally than any sort of threat, though. It's been proven more than once that, where both the 141 and Makarov's men are present, the stranger will target Makarov every time. (And if Ghost is apathetic enough by this time to not particularly care if he doesn't fall under the same strange pseudo-protection that Gaz and Price do, well... no one will call him out for it.)

But when Ghost finally meets the man with the red skull up close, he knows. He knows those hands, that posture. He knows the way Soap moves and he especially knows the eyes that peer out from behind that bloody mask. But he can't do anything about it in the moment. This is it, the final push, the last hole the rat Makarov has hidden in. Ghost has to keep his head in the game and hope that when it's over he won't have to mourn Johnny twice.

[seventhdoctor]

A Trapezoid of Foils: Judai/Yubel and Amon/Echo

I'm back on my bullshit, and my bullshit is yelling about the trashfire that is Judai Yuki and Yubel. This post is a collection of thoughts on how Amon and Echo were clearly meant to reflect Judai and Yubel in some way or other, and how it feels like it should be neater than it is. The parallels are there, but it's not fully symmetrical and some of the angles are kind of weird...so yeah, kind of like a (non-isosceles) trapezoid!

(Geometry Tumblr do not @ me, I'm doing my best with this metaphor)

Spoilers for GX season 3, naturally. I haven't said it before, but for this post as well as previous ones I'm basing all information and characterization on the sub version of GX rather than the dub (which drastically changes Yubel's backstory and motives).

Yubel and Amon

This is the most obvious one, because Yubel spends two whole episodes and honestly some of their most iconic monologues trying to tear Amon down after building him up the whole season.

They're both antagonists willing to cause harm to the one they love for their goals. For Amon, that goal is the power to build a utopia. For Yubel, the harm is the goal - or at least, the metric by which they will have achieved their goal (showing their love for Judai).

Yubel, of course, claims that Amon is more selfish in his use of harm. Pain is love in their philosophy, but it's mutual pain - dishing out the pain without taking any back would only be mere cruelty. This of course misses the nuance that Echo wanted Amon to use her as a sacrifice, while Judai didn't welcome any of Yubel's twisted affections.

Still, from what I've seen most people agree that Yubel comes across as more "honest" one way or another. And to understand why things feel that way, it's important to look at their backstory and motivations, as well as how their motivations change.

Yubel dedicated themself to Judai's past life, tying themself to him through lifetimes, and in the present remained true to that devotion in unwanted ways. When Judai sent them to space and it ended up being Oops! All Torture, Yubel developed their sadomasochistic philosophy as a coping mechanism and an attempt to reconcile Judai's past promises and present actions.

Upon their return to Earth, they planned to return the "favor": by sending Yubel to the pain and isolation of outer space Judai made them stronger (i.e., infected by the Light of Destruction, with all that entails), so they'll give him his own painful experience (all of season 3) to make him stronger (awaken his power as Supreme King). Then they'll reunite, having both demonstrated their love for each other, and [this part is where the Light of Destruction really twists up their thinking]. Everything they do is in the name of this motive*, whether Judai really likes it or not.

Amon dedicated himself to the Garam conglomerate with Echo by his side before being replaced by his younger brother Sid, the sole blood Garam sibling. He nearly murdered Sid before changing his mind and dedicating himself wholly to his brother instead, a decision Echo and Yubel both describe as willingly chaining himself to their service. Even when given an opportunity to become the heir (all it'd take is watching his brother die to illness, not even murder) he rejects it, and begs for a way to save him.

And yet, when when given the opportunity he made a deal with the devil to break the chains he put on himself and abandon that same family. Then when he gets the chance to obtain power by sacrificing someone he loves, he does exactly that. Then he plans to become king of a utopia free of suffering, and always remember Echo.

So then, what are Amon's motives? Is he somebody who got tired of being abandoned or unappreciated? An ends-justify-the-means idealist? Just a power-hungry hypocrite? It's hard to tease out a consistent character and ideology from him. And in a show where people wear their hearts in their decks, I think this part of why people hate him - and so does Yubel.

Yubel hates Johan because he's terrifyingly like Yubel in some ways, focused and protective and dear to Judai.** Yubel hates Amon because he can't be like Yubel at all, resenting the brother he dedicated himself to and sacrificing the person he loved for power in an empty world forever devoid of that same person.

No way Yubel can be that kind of person, right? Otherwise, what was it all for?

* To be fair, you don't know all of Yubel's backstory by the time of their final duel with Amon. However, even removing the context of their past life that duel together with Yubel!Johan vs. Hell Kaiser establishes Yubel's central motivations more coherently than they do Amon's.

** Help, I know there's been other essay segments on this topic, text and video alike. But I saw a lot of them back in early 2023 when I was mindlessly going through GX material in a haze of hyperfixation and now I've forgotten all the other good sources.

Yubel and Echo

If Yubel's parallels with Amon are about their dedication, Yubel's parallels with Echo are about who they're dedicated to. Both believe in their loved one's destiny to become a king, and take actions to make them that king.

Yubel has historical basis in that Judai is quite literally the Supreme King, bearer of the gentle darkness. To help him achieve that role, Yubel enacts a plot to break Judai until he awakens his Supreme King side. It fits neatly into their schema of things: this is how they make the person they love stronger, so that they will thrive and survive. Make Judai stronger and awaken his old power, and all will be as it was meant to be.

Echo just believes that Amon is amazing enough that he would make a better king than anyone. When the chances arises to help break his chains and give him a world to rule, Echo takes it.

...And boy does she.

Both Yubel and Echo believe their loved ones are meant to be a king. Both give their lives in support of their loved one, and become weapons wielded in their service.

No wonder Yubel was shaken by Echo's devotion remaining within Exodia for just a moment - it's not all that far from their own.

Unfortunately Yubel's only direct interaction with Echo is goading her attack on field-Yubel during the final Amon duel. Otherwise they only speak of Echo as someone used and abandoned by Amon - which in itself has potential, given Yubel's own feelings about Judai sending them away.

I think GX could definitely have explored this connection a bit more. There's space to fill here.

Judai and Amon

As noted above, Judai and Amon both have roles as kings - at least, in the eyes of their single most loyal people. Judai holds the title of Supreme King as the wielder of gentle darkness, and while not confirmed his past life sure looked like a prince. Amon simply has ambition, talent, and an ideal world in his mind.

And in operating with the ambition of kings, they both do terrible things to achieve power. Judai lays this out explicitly in the Edo vs. Amon duel:

Amon lets his need for power get in the way of his other relationships and priorities, and sacrifices the ones he loves to obtain Exodia similarly to how Judai sacrificed his friends and eventually uncountable innocents for his own goals - finding Johan, and then ruling as Supreme King. Straightforward, right?

But I think there's another parallel between the two that's a lot more interesting. Or...most of a parallel. Namely, their relationship with their other halves and the responsibility of a loyal follower who would give up anything for you, be it their life or their humanity.

What do you do when the person you love most dedicates their existence to you - to the point of throwing everything else away, even their very life?

Of course, the Judai-Yubel and Amon-Echo situations aren't exactly the same even putting aside the issue of reincarnation. (For the purposes of this essay I'm not making huge distinctions between Judai and his past life, but if you want to get into the details I've written about that previously.)

Yubel went ahead and made their sacrifice without Judai's input, and all he could do was decide how to respond. He chose to dedicate himself back to them so hard it crossed lifetimes, so hard he chose to risk his own existence for them as well in his next life.

Amon, on the other hand, is the one who proposed Echo sacrifice herself for him. Echo agreed to it, and even by the end she stood by her decision. But Amon loaded the gun and pulled the trigger.

He tries to honor her sacrifice, of course. He's always mindful of Echo's sacrifice and what it means. But in the end, he did choose to sacrifice her, ultimately using her as a pawn. Their love never trumped his own objectives.

And I think the example of Amon and Echo leads to the question: if Judai had the choice of letting Yubel become a dragon or stopping them, what would he do? When it was explicitly their will?

This is another missed opportunity, one that could have solidified the parallels neatly. But GX never asks that question, so the answer is unclear. What could have been a parallel is just kind of...askew.

Judai and Echo

Okay, I admit there isn't a lot here off the top of my head. Probably the best parallels between them are in relation to their other halves, as the people "harmed" by their villainous partners, and how they respond to that harm.

Judai rejects Yubel's torments as unwanted attention, until he remembers the past and flips to understanding why Yubel did they did and makes moves to unite the two of them forever. Echo, meanwhile, understands Amon's motives from start to end and...lets herself be sacrificed, the end.

I don't know about this one. Really, ultimately Echo is supposed to be a willing participant in her own sacrifice but in the end I still don't feel like the narrative gave her a strong sense of agency in the matter and it really weakens my attempt to write this section.

In Conclusion

Some of these connections are stronger than others for sure, but I argue that they're all there in some way or another. They're very uneven and overall I'm not entirely sure what you're meant to take from the parallels, and I wish I could give something neat and concise for this section. Instead, it's a bit messy and misshapen - hence, the trapezoid metaphor.

Still, I think there's interesting room for thought in this awkward space. I was certainly thinking about these parallels while working on the latest chapter of Need (accidental last-minute plug?) and trying to figure out exactly what the prince felt while Yubel was in the middle of dragon surgery. What must it be like, to be in these relationships of sacrificial devotion?

[sheridanartsite]

Happy 1 Year QSMP!!!

It's such a bittersweet feeling celebrating the 1 year anniversary of QSMP. There have been so many events, friends, happy times, sad times, and so much more during this time.

Firstly I want to send a huge hug and thanks to everyone working (past or present) on this project. From the builds, the npc actors, the twitter updates, the enigma/lore writers and the funny little bloopers along the way everything done by the admins and Quackity Studios team to bring this project so much life and entertainment, I THANK YOU!! The QSMP has been such a joy to watch as someone who's been on this journey since day 1.

Secondly with the current situation regarding the mistreatment of team members and the dismissal of the updates account it has been emotional to look back on the good this project has done while knowing now how difficult it was for those making it. Much love and support to the team members who left the project and those still on. QSMP is not going to be the same without Dapper and Pomme. I don't know if Ramon will be replaced with another actor, but to the two Ramon admins know that your portrayal of the character will be greatly missed and you guys truly shaped an amazing character. Ramon and Dapper being friends before this project and then carrying that friendship through the characters is still one of my favorite things. Agent 18 and Dansir both brought so much joy through their various characters and behind the scenes work. Thank you guys so much.

Like everyone else, I don't know if this will be the end of the eggs, if they'll replace the egg actors for those who have left, or if they will eventually be able to resume their roles [at least for a proper goodbye :') ], but I do have hope this isn't the end of the QSMP. I have hope the proper measures will be taken so that reimbursement of payment will be made and moving forward all workers will be properly paid. It just sucks so much that so many people that truly love this project suffered so long and it was something that could have been solved much sooner had it been properly handled.

I will continue supporting this project and hope the team listens to Pomme's request of not substituting another actor to her character. I miss q!Jaiden and q!Max as well and am so happy that they were a part of the QSMP, their characters were so funny and cool and honestly a lot of their character's actions have had such a big impact of the story and the server itself.

So here's to a year of QSMP and all the fun communities and memories, and hopefully here's to many more! <3

[snippy-tano]

I have a soft Tech request that I think we all desperately need.

Reader is in college and is staying up late to finish assignments in the library and Tech comes looking for them and sits with them once he is told that they'll be there for a while. He just pulls out a little trinket from his belt and fiddles with it while they work

You're absolutely right Pro, we need soft Tech in these trying times.

I hope you don't mind, but I made this more of a modern-AU. it was really the only way it made sense to me in my head and I thought it would be fun because I haven't done of those before. I really hope you like it!

please send me more tech requests! i'm emotionally distraught still and it helps!

((also fun fact, the bit I mention in the fic about a comically slow elevator is based a little in reality from my last year of undergrad and when I liked in an apartment building on campus and the elevator was so fucking slow. like. think of the slowest elevator you've ever been in and this one was slower by like two whole minutes))

masterlist is here!

taglist is here!

tagging: @pro-fangirls-unsocial-life; @marvel-starwars-nerd; @mackstrut; @dissapointingpancake; @ahsokatano-thetogruta; @welcometothepedroverse; @fractiouskat; @mandaloriandin; @bantha-shit; @badbatch-simp24; @katelynnwrites; @s1st3r; @leotatombs; @torchbearerkyle; @rain-on-kamino; @the-navistar-carol; @bombshe77; @arctrooper69; @social-mockingbird; @littlebluebatbrat; @get-wr3ckered; @techissuperior; @dangraccoon;

------------------------------------------------------

Chilly Nights

It was late in the library, the only others who remained were in a position probably similar to yours. 

A student nearby was buried within a mountain of books, looking just as haggard as you felt. Another was fast asleep, snoring softly among a mess of papers. There was another who was weaving in and out of the rows and rows of books clutching a small note in their hand, clearly lost and confused. 

You took another sip of your long since cold coffee, not even tasting how bitter it had become. You adjusted the noise-canceling headphones on your head and picked up your pen once again. 

It was so dead in the library that you never expected anyone to approach you, at least that was until you felt a soft tap on your shoulder. Your reaction was a little over-the-top, but you were beyond sleep deprived and totally not paying attention. Your pen went flying as you jerked in your seat, heart pounding. Your headphones slipped off your ears and you turned abruptly in your chair to see Tech standing beside you, not looking the least bit phased by your reaction. 

“Apologizes. I did not mean to startle you.”

You pressed your hand to your chest, reaching up to take off your headphones. “It’s okay, I just wasn’t expecting you.”

“You were not responding to my messages and I determined you would likely be in the library.” He said, adjusting his glasses on his face. “I was correct.”

You laughed softly. “Yeah you were. Thanks for coming to check on me, but I’m going to have to stay here for a bit. I have a lot left to do and I know I won’t get anything done in my apartment.” 

“Ah. I see. Then I am sorry for bothering you.”

“Don’t. It’s okay really. I’m sorry I can’t leave with you.”

“It is quite alright. Let me know when you decide to leave and when you arrive home.” Tech said and you nodded. 

“I will. I promise. Thank you Tech.” You said with a smile and he nodded once before turning and walking away. 

You let out a sigh before turning back to your table. You picked up your pen off the floor and replaced the headphones over your ears, playing the next song. Without much more fanfare, you got back to work. 

Seeing Tech had been a surprise, but it did seem to help your productivity. His presence, though brief, was enough to jump-start you and help you refocus. It still took a few hours, but you managed to finish everything you had hoped to accomplish and then some. It was right at the moment that your eyes started to burn from exhaustion that you finally decided to call it a night, noticing it was way past midnight. 

You tugged your headphones off before stretching your arms above your head, wincing at the sound of your joints popping from lack of use. 

“You should really see a doctor about that.” 

A voice once again had you jumping on your seat. You spun to see Tech sitting at the end of your table, a few small trinkets spread out in front of him. 

“What are you doing here?” You asked, staring at him. 

He didn’t even look up, just picked up a screwdriver and continued fiddling. “It is late and you should not walk back alone.”

“Did you leave?”

“No.”

You blinked. “You didn’t have to stay.”

“I am aware.” Tech said, ever the conversationalist. 

Your shoulders deflated as you sighed. “Thank you for staying, it was sweet of you.”

“It was no bother. I had a few things I wanted to accomplish and the library has adequate lighting. Besides, I believe Wrecker already to be asleep and I did not want to disturb him.” Tech replied and you smiled softly at the mention of Tech’s much larger brother. 

“Well, give me a few minutes to pack up and we can go.” You said and Tech only nodded, continuing to work on the small piece of machinery in his hands.

You watched him work for a moment before begrudgingly beginning to pack up your things. It didn’t take long and by the time you finished, Tech had tucked away his small device and shouldered his own backpack. You pushed in your chair and followed his retreating back as you walked through the silent library. You waved to the student on duty at the front desk as you left and they gave you a tired wave back. 

The doors opened and you were hit with the chill air outside. You tucked your hands into your jacket pockets and picked up your pace to match Tech’s long strides as you turned to head to your apartment.

The walk was largely quiet, which was fine with you. Usually silence was something you did not like, but for some reason with Tech you never really seemed to mind. Campus was just as quiet, you could see the occasional student or group of students walking, but for the most part, it was just the two of you. 

It was calming. 

Far sooner than you would have liked, you reached your apartment building. You turned to say goodbye to Tech, but froze as you watched him walk up the steps to your building and place his hand on the door. He turned back to you when it was clear you weren’t following. 

“Are you going to unlock the door?” He asked and you quickly moved to scan your ID at the door. There was a click and Tech opened the door for you, following after you stepped inside. He waited with you at the hilariously slow elevator and waited as it began its crawl up to your floor. He also walked with you up to your door, waiting as you unlocked it. 

“You didn’t have to walk me to my door Tech.” You said and he shifted on his feet, adjusting his glasses. 

“I was merely confirming that you did in fact make it home. I will take my leave now. Goodnight.”

He gave you a nod before turning to leave, you reached forward and caught his wrist. 

“Wait!” You said too loudly, wincing and hoping you didn’t disturb anyone else. Tech didn’t move and you quickly released his wrist. “Thank you for walking me home. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Tech looked back at you, meeting your gaze as a wave of warmth filled your entire body. “Yes. I will message you. Goodnight.”

This time you let him go, watching as he walked to the elevator and stepped inside as no one else had called it yet. You gave him another smile before opening your door and disappearing inside. You shut the door behind you and let out a breath, smiling. 

Tech truly was a sweetheart. 

And you’d find some way to thank him, but for now, the warm feeling he left behind would keep you company for the remainder of the night. 

[otdiaftg]

Neil and Kevin discuss the future.

"You should run." "I can't," Neil said again. Neil realized his fingers were shaking and raked his hands through his hair. It didn't calm the nerves shuddering over every inch of his skin. "I ran for eight years, Kevin. It was horrible even when my mother was alive. Where would I go now that I'm alone? Andrew thinks I'm safest if I stay." "You said Andrew doesn't know." "Andrew thinks my father was a gopher who skimmed money off his boss's payment to the Moriyamas. I told him my parents were executed for their treachery and that I ran with the money. Andrew wants me to use the Foxes' infamy to stay safe. If we're in the news every week it's hard for someone to get rid of me, or so he says." "Notoriety can't save a security risk like you," Kevin said. "You know too much. You could destroy your father's territory by speaking to the wrong people. They knew your mother would never betray her family to the Feds, but you are an unpredictable and frightened child. The master wants to salvage you. He's going to sign you to the Raven lineup in spring. So long as you keep quiet and keep your head down he won't tell the main family he's found you." "I'm not a Raven," Neil said. "I never will be." "Then run," Kevin insisted, low and frantic. "It's the only way you'll survive." Neil closed his eyes and tried to breathe. His heartbeat was loud as gunfire in his ears, drumming holes into his brain. He dug his hands into his shirt, trying to feel his scars through the cotton. When he breathed he smelled saltwater and blood. For a moment he was three thousand miles away, stumbling alone and broken down the highway toward San Francisco. Neil's fingers ached with the need for a cigarette. His legs burned with the desire to run. But Neil's feet stayed planted, and he opened his eyes again. "No." "Don't be stupid." "Running won't save me this time," Neil said. "If the Moriyamas really do think I'm a threat they'll send people after me. My mother and I could barely outrun my father. How am I supposed to escape his boss?" "At least you'd have a chance," Kevin said quietly. "A chance to die somewhere else all by myself," Neil said, and Kevin looked away. Neil put his hands in his pockets, feeling his keys in one and his phone in the other. He twisted his fingers through the key ring, tracing ridges with his fingertips until he found the key to Nicky's house in Columbia. Andrew gave it to him in August when he first promised to protect Neil. Neil looked down at the fox paw they were standing on. As he spoke his fear seeped away and was replaced by an unhappy calm. "If I was going to run, I should have done it in August. Andrew told me it was my last chance to get out. I decided to stay. I wasn't sure he was enough to stand between me and my father but I wanted this too much to care about the risks. Maybe I didn't fully understand the stakes then, but this hasn't changed." Neil crouched and pressed his hands to the orange paint. "I don't want to run. I don't want to be a Raven. I don't want to be Nathaniel. I want to be Neil Josten. I want to be a Fox. I want to play with you this year and I want us to make it to championships. And in spring when the Moriyamas come for me I'll do what they're so afraid I will. I'll go to the FBI and tell them everything. Let them kill me. It'll be too late by then."

Day: Sunday, September 10th Time: 10:45 AM EST

[emeraldtart]

Gold Watcher! Yuu

The third level of the Nightmare Realm, Deadly Decadence. It is a level tailored specifically for those who values wealth above all. Those died in greed are coated in the gold and wealth they loved so much. Yuu is no different. They are one of the youngest Gold Watchers, but they are still lethal nonetheless.

Lord Malak had ordered them and their family to chase after the mortal going after their ring piece. As Yuu raise their axe, preparing to deal the killing blow as their siblings cornered the mortal, a neighing sound pierced the eternal night.

`There aren't supposed to be horses here,' was the last thing they thought before getting hit by a horse-pulled carriage.

They heard their siblings cried out to them in their telepathic bond, and heard the thud of the mortal's body and the smell of copper as their blood was spilt by a spike trap.

At least Lord Malak will be pleased.

He blinks a couple of time, and before he knew it the statue was gone.

Arrival

Grim opened the coffin and almost got flattened by a golden statue wearing the ceremonial robe.

Yuu ran all over the school, trying to find out where in the Nightmare Realms are they.

They ended up in the library, and when Grim arrived they immediately stop moving.

Crowley came to a cat monster trying to tear the ceremonial robe off a statue.

When he diverts his gaze to Grim, he heard a heavy step and saw that the statue had moved from a salute to a wave.

"A-Are you alive!?"

When there's no response, Crowley did his signature thinking pose and close his eyes, thinking what the hell just happen.

"Myah! It moved again!"

The statue moved from a wave to handing a piece of paper to Crowley.

It says, "I can't move if you look at me. Close your eyes or divert your gaze. Then we'll talk,"

So Crowley did. He even grabs Grim (in his Rope of Love) and turns around, their backs facing the statue.

And they hear a voice.

They tell them their name is Yuu, and asks Crowley where they are.

Crowley tells them they're in Night Raven College, and urges them to follow him and also to watch for their familiar.

To which Yuu replies that they can't, because if someone sees them they'll freeze in place. It's not an option, it's an unfortunate curse that traitorous witch (Bierce) had put to make things 'fair' between the monsters and the mortals that came to their realm.

Crowley can't remove the curse, but he can modify it. He changes the condition for Yuu standing still from 'being within line of sight' to 'making direct eye contact'.

So Yuu, who tries their best to just look at the floor, go to the hall with Grim and Crowley.

When the time comes for the Dark Mirror to sort them, it says something very concerning.

"A soul full of greed, coated in the gold that was loved so much. Your time had passed, your body had long perished, and yet you still remains here in front of us all. A soul filled with greed for all things, there are no dorms that can fit such huge desires, so this soul belongs to no dorm,"

So that was concerning. Wait, does that mean this student is technically dead!?

Grim, upon hearing this demands that Yuu gives the robe to him.

Chaos ensues and when Crowley asks someone to stop Grim, Yuu threw their axes.

Yes, axes. They take it from somewhere and they didn't stop. It wasn't until Grim was completely surrounded by golden axes that they finally stop.

Azul is looking at the axes with an incomprehensible face. Are those axes made of real gold?

Crowley can't send Yuu back because their home isn't in this world, so they have to stay at Ramshackle for a while.

It was a total downgrade from the manor they used to live in, and it's also made off wood. Yuu is a bit scared to climb the stairs, they fear the floorboards might not be able to support their weight.

Luckily, it did. But the creaking increases their anxiety, so they might need to find some wooden planks and replace it first chance they got.

Grim comes in and they battle the ghosts. Yuu is technically a 'ghost', having already died and the current form is just what they gain after arriving to Deadly Decadance. So their axes can do damage to the ghosts.

After Crowley checks in, they got promoted from guest to janitor.

Crowley expected some complaints since they're dressed like an aristocrat, but they didn't.

Most monsters spend their time cleaning their respective Realm and made some adjustment to their it. I mean, how often is it for an average human to get past the monkeys, Agatha and Lord Malak?

Dwarf's Mine

Yuu doesn't sleep. They spend their night cleaning what they can. They don't know how to deal with the plumbing and electricity. The ones in the manor never had such problems, weirdly enough.

Their first task is to clean the Statue of The Seven and the area surrounding it.

Yuu half expected the statues to move and talk, like they did. They didn't.

As they wondered who the statue was made in the image of, Ace appears and explains who they all are.

The moment Ace made fun of them, they decided to make fun of him in return.

All it takes was one. Single. Blink.

They moved behind Ace and taps his shoulder. When he turns around.

He came face-to-face with a wide, open mouth and an axe raised above.

Yuu started to laugh like mad after Ace fell over from shock. Ace asks them for a fight to which they refuse. So Grim takes over because Ace called him a raccoon.

Their fight ends with them charring the Queen of Hearts statue.

The trio ends up having to clean every single window in school.

Yuu obviously can't climb a ladder and clean the upper windows, because, you know, their weight.

They realise that Ace is gone and tracks him down using telepathy. Where they find out that he is leaving them and Grim to do all the cleaning. They also heard Ace's mind dissing them, so they grab Grim to find and drag that card soldier.

They ran into Deuce, and after a chase Deuce ended up throwing Yuu (which takes a lot more effort because gold) towards the chandelier.

So now they need to get that magic stone or its expulsion.

Yuu sees Ace, Deuce and Grim arguing which almost leads to them getting killed and decided that they need to intervene.

They went back to the dwarf's house for a strategy meeting.

They told them to work together.

Grim: Don't tell me what to do, henchman!

Yuu:... What did you call me?

Grim: You're my henchman, obviously.

So Yuu briefly turned into their nightmare mode and destroys the table and the floor in one swing.

After a few seconds of horrified silence, Yuu turns back into their regular form and acts like nothing happened.

Let's just say that the three's braincells are permanently shared from that point on.

Since Yuu is the fastest, they'll get the magic stone. The other three needs to work together to distract the miner.

It works, but when Yuu gets back the miner notices what Yuu has in their hand and went to get it, pickaxe in hand.

Only for it to get chopped clean in half by a golden axe.

Ace: Wait, you can defeat that miner in one swing? Why didn't you do it before!?

Yuu: I forgot.

They definitely didn't.

They get the stone back to Crowley, and now Yuu and Grim's position is promoted to students (prefect for Yuu) of NRC.

That night, Yuu wonders how the other Gold Watchers are faring.

Bonus: The other Gold Watchers are planning to raid Bierce's dimension because they think she's responsible for taking one of them. Malak and Mama Bear are scared by their determination.