#but I'm not discussing it just letting it build up cause I'm scared

[guywhowatches]

An Office Interview (Part 1)

You felt nervous heading into the building, unsure of what your new job even was. You still didn't even know if you wanted to work here as you weren't that familiar with business of any kind. You'd just seen that they were hiring on the website, and that it didn't require any kind of University degree or even background knowledge of the company. Although, you did find that a little strange. Nevertheless, you desperately needed the job and the money, whatever it was, as nowhere else had been willing to hire you.

As you entered the large main hall, you noticed a man leaning against the desk facing away from you. He was wearing a black fancy suit, matching your own that you wore to make the best impression you could. However, what really drew your attention was his large bubble butt, held up tightly by his suit pants. It was so big and thick that it looked as though it would rip his suit in two at any moment.

As you were fixated by this, the man turned around and saw you staring at him. He then smiled and walked over to you.

"Ahh, you must be the new recruit, correct? I'm Mr Richards." He stuck out his hand for you to shake. You didn't respond instantly, as you were too busy fixated on the rest of his looks. He was a few inches taller than you, with slick brown hair, a small stubbly beard and other features about him that left you almost dazed. However, you quickly recovered and shook his hand.

"Yes, sir, it's a pleasure to be here and I hope I'll be satisfactory to your needs." You felt so scared looking at him up close. He had quite the commanding and tough look about him.

"Hmm, well I'll be the judge of that. Follow me upstairs please." And he turned around, again pointing his large ass at you and walked off. You quickly trailed after him, trying to look anywhere else apart from his butt, which wasn't easy to do with how distracting it was. You even noticed it bouncing a little with each step he took.

The next few minutes dragged by with Mr Stevens showing you round a few different areas, like the canteen and a few offices. Once this was over, you began to climb a flight of stairs.

"And just up here, you'll see with have the- Oh, hold on." He stopped mid-sentence, before leaning against the handrail, almost squinting his eyes. You were a little confused as to what was happening before a loud noise filled the area.

PRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAPPPPTT

You jumped in shock, and looked at Mr Richards in alarm. Had he seriously just farted like that, in front of you, with no hesitation? How and why would he do that? You wanted to ask about this, but then the stink of his wind crept into your nostrils and it was pretty bad to say the least. There was an eggy tang to it that caused you to gag a little.

"Ahh, that's better. The cafeteria food's always messing with my stomach. Now then, shall we continue?" He stood back up formally, with a smile. What, how could he just carry on like nothing had happened? You were about to complain, but he headed up the stairs as you were still recovering from the stench. Maybe this was a test to prove your strength? You decided to let it slip for now, as you still wanted to get the job.

If that was a test however, then these next few minutes felt like an endless exam. Now, with every room he showed you, he would let loose a billowing fart from his enormous backside. Each one just as smelly, if not worse, than the previous one.

"Here you'll find the break room, where we relax and let off some steam." RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPTTT

"Here are the main offices, but you don't need to worry about it. It's just all hot air." FRAAAAAAAAARP FFRRRRRTT

"Here's the meeting room, where we discuss important things such as gas prices, among other things." PPRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAPPPP

As this carried on, the stink became more and more unbearable. You really wanted to complain now, as you felt like you would pass out from the smell. Yet you couldn't for 2 reason. One being that every time you opened your mouth, you swore you could almost taste it, leaving you unable to speak properly from your gagging. And the other being, you just wanted to get the job, as you were so desperate for payment. Hopefully, if you did get the job, you would be put in an office as far away from Mr Richards and his enormous flatulent backside as you could.

Although, with each time he would rip one in front of you, you couldn't help but notice that he had a small smirk on his face, with each time you refrained from coughing on his stink. Was he enjoying this, or were you imagining it?

Finally, you came up to a door, that had a symbol of it. You could tell that it was a toilet door. You weren't sure why he was showing you this though.

"And here we have the toilet cubicle. You'll find at least 4 of these on each floor." As he finished talking, you braced yourself for if he would fart again, but thankfully it didn't seem to happen this time. You were hoping that you would be able to move on when suddenly you heard a flushing noise from behind the toilet door. A few seconds later, a man walked out. He was around the same height as Mr Richards, except with more messy black hair.

As the door swung open, you instantly recoiled from the smell that protruded out the room. It was quite obvious what had occurred in there and it reeked to high heaven. You desperately tried to waft away the stench.

"Ah, hello Richards, you alright?" Said the man, smiling at Mr Richards, as he straightened his suit pants.

"I'm all good, thanks Steven. Just showing the new guy around, seeing if he's up for the job." Richards responded, both of them ignoring your suffering. Steven looked down at you and smiled, with an almost mean look.

"I see, well don't go too hard on him. We may all need him later." What on earth did that mean? You weren't sure if you liked the sound of it.

"Don't worry, he's doing alright so far, and I'll make sure he's fine enough for now." Mr Richards responded causing Steven to chuckle.

"Alright then Richards, I'll see you later." He then turned to look at you. "I look forward to having you around. Oh and kid... I'd give that a few hours before going there, if I were you." He said, grinning and pointing to the toilet door. "Maybe even a day or so, with a nose like yours." He then walked away, chuckling. Why would he say something like that?

FRAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPTTT

You then suddenly jumped in the air, and looked behind you, only to be met with Steven's ass a few inches away from your face. He'd stuck his backside out a bit, in attempt to give it some more force. Because of the distance, it meant that the smell hit you instantly, and it was almost as bad as the ones Mr Richards had been letting out, but now with a combined smell of crap.

"Hah, post-dump farts, am I right? See you later." Steven said, before laughing and walking away. As you were still retching on this ungodly stink, Mr Richards looked at you.

"He's quite the character isn't he. Now come on, I have one last place to show you." And, acting like nothing had happened, he headed off again.

For a second, you really thought about leaving now. What kind of place was this that had them all acting like this, it was truly disgusting. However, maybe you were just misjudging and it only happened to be just these 2 that were this vile. Maybe you could talk to the boss and ask them to keep you away from these 2. It looked to be your only hope. So, you carried on. You tried to stay beside Mr Richards instead of being downwind of him.

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

Eventually, you came to a big door that you assume led into the bosses office. Once outside, Mr Richards turned around to look at you.

"Now, I'm going to go in and chat with the others inside and then we'll call you in for the interview, understand?" You nodded slowly, still feeling very cautious. You also didn't like how he'd be one of the people interviewing you, but hopefully he wouldn't pass gas in front of them, right?

"Very good. Oh, wait a second." He then proceeded to grunt again, much to your dismay.

PRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAARPPPPPPPPPPP

"Phewy." He said, smiling. "My ass sure is chatty today. Maybe he should be giving you the interview instead of me." You stared in disbelief at him, as he turned around and knocked on the door. How could he make jokes about something so horrible? Was your suffering on his rancid fumes just one big joke to him. You quickly covered you nose, with his ass now pointing at you again. Perhaps this job wasn't worth it after all.

Just then, the door opened, and you could see 2 other men you didn't recognise sitting behind a desk. They were both big and beefy, and their suits looked almost too tight for them.

"Hey Richards, you got the newbie with you?" Said the one on the right.

"Sure have Brain." Said Mr Richards, smugly standing aside, revealing you to them. You tried to stand up straight, looking as formal as possible, though it was a little hard to do, with Richards lingering stink still fumigating your nostrils. Also, you couldn't help but feel like the stink had gotten worse, when the door opened, but perhaps you were imagining it.

"Ooh, he's a cutie, can't wait to start working with him." You could've sworn you heard the one on the left say. Did he say that, or was your mind just messed up from the smell. You couldn't be sure.

"Yeah, he's been pretty obedient so far. I need to talk with you both for a sec." Mr Richards then turned back to me. "You wait out here, and I'll come and collect in a few minutes." He looked so tough and commanding, that you didn't dare feel like talking back to him. As he turned around to grab the door, he looked back at you at squinted his face.

FFFFFFFRAAAAAAARRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPTTTTTT

You felt like you were nearly blown off you feet from the sheer force of the blast that shot out his bubble butt. You managed to steady yourself, but it still caught you off guard. The smell that followed didn't make it any better.

"Oops, must've slipped out." He said, closing the door, leaving you gagging and coughing. From behind the door, you swore you could hear them laughing.

Just what kind of job and business was this?

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

To be continued (maybe, probably, idk?)

[maelancoli]

Adding Tension After the Ship Happens

i feel a lot of slow burn ships lose steam after the characters finally get together, whether it's just from sleeping together or them actually engaging in a relationship, so here are some ideas for how to maintain steam.

their problems are not solved now that they've crossed the thresh hold

first things first, the plot itself i'm sure has other details than just their relationship. even the most fluffy of fluff has other things going on than kisses and giggles. don't abandon these details once the relationship truly begins. and if there was any kind of unresolved tension point or previously mentioned ex/trauma/insecurity/fear bring it back! bring things back around that might put a strain on a new, tender relationship. this can either make them have problems or be a way to develop their bonds and *show* it in action. any of these foreshadowing/resurrected points can be added in edits if you didn't start out with them or with retconning if you're writing rp/fanfic. all the writers do it. we see it in tv everyday it's ok if u gotta pull a rabbit from a hat.

their relationship will not be suddenly smooth and solid as if they have been married 20 years

okay they kissed/fucked/agreed to be together. now what? what circumstances kept them from getting there sooner? are those circumstances still present and how will they deal with it as a team? you also don't have to have characters officially together once they've done something physical. there is still discussion to be had and boundaries/expectations to establish. those conversations could be interesting to explore. and, even more-so, this is the perfect point for plot to happen and keep them from being able to have those conversations when they should. you can add angst, you can add miscommunication, you can add anything that tickles your fancy. especially a perfect time to have an ex return to cause some tension and uncertainty if they haven't made it official. they don't know what they are yet and that uncertainty is a delicious point to write it and really give the characters a hard time

utilize the main plot's tension

again, if you're writing more than just a contemporary fluffy romance, the romance should enrich the main plot. the romance as a subplot should be a component which merges with the main storyline and does not take away from it. if you don't want to milk the will-they-won't-they anymore than you already have it's time to build the relationship up in the midst of OUTSIDE conflict. let them disagree about how to resolve problems. let them butt heads. let them be scared and do and say stupid shit because they're scared. let them be worried or angry or frustrated and have to figure out how to balance their newfound vulnerability with who they are and were before that point. let them hurt each other a little so they can come back together stronger.

utilize the characters around them

if it is a plot which is mainly romance filled, then think about the tension from the lives around them. think about their loved ones and how their own issues could influence the plot points the characters have to face together. this could be a time for them to be introduced to loved ones. you could throw in a group trip with silly mishaps and shenanigans. you could even have loved ones try to break them up or doubt the love interest. navigating new relationships while also dealing with friends and family can be a source of plot and tension in and of itself. this can be a point to let love interests reassure each other and prove their salt. it can help them grow closer. it can be the heroic moment for one of them to stick up for the other or prove they're there for them no matter what.

overall if you're struggling with what to do after the slow burn feels like it's sizzling out it's time to zoom out. make sure you are not losing the whole picture of their environment or steamrolling past the real development of new relationships.

[hoshinasblade]

hoshina found you in the rooftop of the training building.

the lights from the skyscrapers miles away from the base looked like beacons from this distance, hoshina thought to himself. you were however looking at the moon, crescent-shaped in the sky, dark clouds swallowing some of its luminescence.

hoshina knew he would find you here. he would have dropped by sooner, but the close-door meeting of high-ranking officials in the force took longer than he expected. even now, his top uniform unzipped and both his hands in his pockets, hoshina can still feel the tension and fatigue from the discussion earlier.

"i'm thinking of quitting." your face is indecipherable, but your voice betrayed the emotion swirling inside you. "i'm no good here."

the commanders of the anti-kaiju divisions met a few hours ago - an emergency session to discuss possible strategies on how they're going to handle kaiju threats going forward. it has not been a week since the attack in the tachikawa base where several officers in your platoon had died protecting each other. the image of people you'd trained with, worked with, even shared a meal with, dying under your command is forever etched on your memories, unable to be erased.

the truth is you cannot even stomach looking at yourself in front of the mirror without feeling like a complete, utter failure.

hoshina stood beside you, the cold breeze blowing the stray strands of his hair away his face. he wanted to offer his jacket to you but settled on putting his arm around you instead. "it wasn't your fault", he said, because it really wasn't. he faced the strongest entity in the horde of monsters that attacked the third division base that night and survived by the skin of his teeth. his only consolation is he didn't lost you in the whole ordeal.

you sniffled. "i'm not like you, soshiro. i'm not... strong." hoshina wanted to assert that what you said is a lie but decided against it. "tell me what i need to do," you pleaded, "cause i don't know anymore."

hoshina wished he could take away your pain even if it means he'll have to be the one to bear its burden.

"as your vice-captain, i am going to ask you to stay," hoshina said before turning to look straight at you. "we've lost a lot of people already, we cannot afford to lose any more." i cannot afford to lose you, he wanted to say.

your scoff surprised him. "and as my boyfriend?" you presented your follow-up question.

"as your boyfriend, i need you here," hoshina answered too quickly. he reminded himself to slow down; the last thing both of you need is an argument. he let the silence enveloped you for a few seconds, just enough to calm his own erratic heartbeat. hoshina, watching you from the corner of his eye, started to speak again. "you remember when you said you wanted to be a defense officer? we weren't even dating back then," hoshina pointed out. "i wanted to be one since i was little, but you, god, i have never met anyone else who wanted to protect people so bad like you do. honestly that's part of why i love you," he told you.

hoshina understands all too well how you feel - the horror of knowing you could have saved people who laid their trust on you but didn't. there are a thousand reasons why he wakes up each day as the vice-captain of an anti-kaiju division, and one of it is because he has to make it up for the people he's lost along the way - he's decided to continue on his mission of eradicating kaijus because if he stops he's scared everything and everyone he's lost will be in vain.

"look, if you really want an out, we know i can't stop you anyway", hoshina said matter-of-factly. "but if you stay, i'll be here for you." his hand lightly touched yours. "i'll protect you. i'll take care of you so you can take care of other people too. i'll protect you."

you did not reply. you did not have to.

[sanguineterrain]

Hi, I love your fics. Feel free to say no to this request but I was wondering if maybe you could write something about asexual Jason Todd? I've always felt like he'd be aspec and identified with him because of that. You write intimacy and love without sex so well, and it'd be wonderful to see it with ace Jason. Maybe one where he tells the reader and he's really scared but they accept him? But if you don't want to, completely fine. Thank you for sharing your writing. 🧡

Hey there nonnie. This one is very personal to me; I'm also ace and have often had the thought that Jason is aspec too. I think sometimes I write him that way without realizing it. I hope you and others enjoy this one! 💓

asexual!jason todd x gn!reader. tw sexuality discussion, some internalized acephobia, love confession. please be kind in the comments.

****

Rain patters on the kitchen window. You'd come over with the excuse of the two egg and cheese sandwiches from the bodega Jason likes so much.

"I think I could eat egg and cheese sandwiches for every meal," he says, mustard on his nose.

You want to say something stupid. Something about bringing him egg and cheese sandwiches in the rain forever. Something about a grave and hunger and what it means to be fed, to feed.

"From anywhere or specifically from the bodega?" you ask.

"Bodega, obviously. Alfred's, too. And yours. Food made with love." He shakes the foil. "I can taste the love."

"Jason?"

"Hm?"

"I..." You touch your nose. "Mustard."

He wipes it off. The thin takeout napkin is tiny in his hand.

"Don't even know how it got up there," he mumbles.

Oh, God. You're about to say something stupid.

"I love you," you blurt. "I—I'm falling in love with you, Jason."

Silence. Jason freezes mid-bite.

"Fuck," he whispers.

You watch as he springs from the couch and starts to pace. He chews on a cuticle, eyes wild. The sandwich is abandoned on the coffee table. You frown.

"Jason. Jay. Hey. Jaybird."

Nothing. You catch his free hand and rub his knuckles. Jason's eyes dart to you. He stops.

"I didn't say that to scare you," you say, even though it hurts, the idea that your love scares him. "It's okay if you don't feel the same."

"I do," Jason says miserably. "Fuck, I do. I love you so much. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

You squeeze his hand, suddenly, incandescently happy.

"You do?" you ask.

"But I—" He shakes his head. "I can't love you the way you want me to."

"Jay, whatever you think coming back did, I promise that—"

"No." Jason swallows hard and shuts his eyes. "God, that's the thing. 'S not from the Pit. I thought—y'know, I waited for everything to slide into place. The Lazarus Pit is s'posed to resurrect a person. Build them anew. But I felt the same."

"Felt the same?"

Jason looks at you then, and you know that expression. It's a plea. Don't use this information to hurt me.

You tug him back to the couch, coax him into sitting. He very carefully doesn't let any part of him touch you.

"I didn't, uh, have a name for it when I was younger. I didn't, like, think about sex or anything like that very much before B took me in 'cause I was in survival mode, y'know?"

"That makes sense, Jay," you offer gently.

"Right. Well, but it just... stayed that way. And before you ask, yeah, I've tried. I've tried to force the feelings." He takes a shaky breath. "I remember Dick telling me about how he'd started dating Kori—I mean, Kori, she's beautiful, y'know? And I was like, what's wrong with me that I can't feel that? I knew that she was beautiful, logically, but I didn't... feel it. I picked it apart for months, trying to figure out why I couldn't be like him or B or Selina."

"Oh, Jay..."

"No, I know. I tried. I crushed on a few people, but I never acted on it 'cause I knew there was something... different. Something to hide. And then I thought the Pit would give that to me, that feeling I've never had, and it didn't. And I guess I should be happy that it's not something that needs to be fixed or restored or whatever, but all I feel is shame. I feel sick when someone looks at me like I'm a piece of meat. I attract more attention with how I look now, and it's worse than before, having no control over how people desire me."

You frown. "Jason, if I've ever made you feel that way, I hope you'd tell me. I'm sorry if I have."

"No, you—you're perfect. God, you make me feel so safe. Cared for in a way I haven't known in a long time. And that's why this is so shit. 'Cause this won't work. You want something I can't give you."

"Who says I don't want what you can give me?"

Jason laughs. It comes out choked. "Oh, no, no. You don't know what you're saying. Maybe it'll take six months or a year or two years but you'll get fed up with not having sex. I'm not worth celibacy. I know I'm not."

"Jason." You lightly touch his cheek. He looks at you, eyes wet. "Oh, Jay. Why do you think that? Why do you think you're only good for your body?"

"Hah. I've only been good for my body for years now. 'S nothing new, and it doesn't matter whether I'm a boyfriend or a soldier."

"Jason. It does matter. It does. You're not a body to me, you're a person. A brain. A heart. A good soul."

He blinks fast. "Don't... y'don't have to say that stuff. Let me down easy. It's okay if you leave. I don't have what you want."

"But you do. There's no reason you don't. Sex? I can do without."

He scoffs. "That easy, huh?"

"With you? Yes," you say. "Easiest choice I've ever made, actually. Like deciding to bring you a breakfast sandwich. I woke up and I did that. Because I love you."

His fingers creep to yours. You hold them as soon as he's within reach.

"I'm not gonna change," he says.

Jason thinks it's a warning. You see it for what it is: hope.

"That's alright," you say, squeezing his hand. "I'm not trying to change you."

[woozisguitar]

seungcheol and call it what you want by Taylor swift.

HAPPY 200 FOLLOWERSSSS!!!!

SDFGHJKL its my favourite ts song im so EXCITED for this!! really hope you like it also I should really really think of a better than idol x non!idol😭 also ps: I kinda want to write something similar like this for 'the smallest man who ever lived' please send in suggestions who I should write it for!

requests for 200 celebration post: open (but slow updates!)

warnings: there's a little suggestive, implied part after 'I want to wear his initial...' bit, also mentions of anxiety

My castle crumbled overnight I brought a knife to a gunfight They took the crown, but it's alright

all it took was a rumor. one moment you were laughing with the love of your life, and the next, he was pulled away to investigate the ‘alleged’ rumor. but you knew seungcheol—knew him better than you knew yourself sometimes. you knew he’d never deny if outright asked about being with you, and that scared you. it felt a lot like entering the battlefield only to find that everyone has a gun and you only have a small dagger to fend yourself with. but despite this fear, you knew you would be alright.

All the liars are calling me one Nobody's heard from me for months I'm doing better than I ever was

when seungcheol confirmed the two of you were indeed dating, the media outlets went crazy. it's not every day that an idol decides to date openly, but seungcheol was always known for loving loudly. both your phones went off like crazy almost 24/7, and you decided it was for the best to ignore everyone except your close family and friends. after all, all they wanted was a piece of information about your relationship to sell to media outlets for a minute of fame.

'Cause my baby's fit like a daydream Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

a few days after this, while the tides were still high, you decided to go back to work. you couldn’t let this affect your career, and more than that, seungcheol would never let any aspect of his life affect your own. every day, he would drive you to work, wait till you were inside the building safe, then drive away. he would then pick you up, arriving 5 minutes early so you wouldn’t have to wait alone. your colleagues tried to pester you about details—anything about your relationship with an idol. you even heard rumors going around, assumptions that you were with him for the money or the fame. you just shook your head at the atrocious claims. you knew your relationship was built on love and adoration and nothing else.

My baby's fly like a jet stream High above the whole scene, loves me like I'm brand new So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

once the initial shock of seungcheol dropping you off wore off, people started to stare at him whenever he drove by. and as much as you loved this man to death, you knew this leo was thriving off this attention. you overheard some coworkers in the bathroom a few days later, fawning over him, and you smirked to yourself. they can fawn over him all they want, but you were the one he was coming home to every day.

All my flowers grew back as thorns Windows boarded up after the storm He built a fire just to keep me warm

there were also ugly parts to your relationship now being in the open. coming from a non-industry background, a lot of discussions and speculations about your life went about. some of your trusted friends turned their back on you, outing your quirks to the media, and some went as far as spreading misinformation. you wanted to defend yourself, fight, and scream, but you knew that was sadly not an answer. any reaction from you would be written off as an overreaction, and you were so glad to have seungcheol on your side. he was there constantly to keep you warm when the ice-cold buckets of reality poured over you and reassure you through it all.

All the drama queens taking swings All the jokers dressin' up as kings They fade to nothin' when I look at him

and it was not that different of a situation for seungcheol either. almost every show, every gag parody was a subtle dig at him and his relationship. and he didn’t even want to start about the hate and trolls online. his days at work consisted of attending meetings about damage control and what he could and could not be a part of. his members supported him immensely through it all. on some days, he had his doubts, his questions—the ‘is it all worth it?’ but the second he would look at you, all of this would fade into nothing, and he knew that it was worth it. hell, he would do this a million times again and over if he had to.

And I know I make the same mistakes every time Bridges burn, I never learn, at least I did one thing right I did one thing right

you once made the mistake of trusting the wrong person in the past. thinking they’d have your back, but they were a snake in disguise waiting for the best moment to bite you. at first, you were worried seungcheol might leave you. deny it all and leave you to fend for yourself. but every time he showed up, when he reassured you through your hardest nights, you knew you finally did one thing right.

I'm laughin' with my lover, makin' forts under covers Trust him like a brother, yeah, you know I did one thing right Starry eyes sparkin' up my darkest night

seungcheol’s starry eyes felt like home. whenever a personal fact about your life went viral, he simply took your phone, switched it off, and asked you to help him build a pillow fort with him. you didn’t even know what was posted; he was that quick at sheltering you from it all. you trusted him with everything in you. as long as you had him, you were safe. he didn’t need to outright say it, but you always knew he’d make it all better. so you focused on helping him build pillow forts, laughing at the wonky structure and when your big, strong boyfriend tried to squeeze himself into the tiniest place.

I want to wear his initial On a chain 'round my neck, chain 'round my neck Not because he owns meBut 'cause he really knows me Which is more than they can say, I

when the two of you would lay in bed, a sheen of sweat covering the two of you, he would press a small kiss to the pendant with his initial that lay on your chest. he would drag his nose to your jaw, murmuring a small ‘i love you,’ peppering kisses across the expanse of your neck. his sweet kisses mixed with your breathy sighs were witnesses to how seungcheol knew you and your body like the back of his hand.

I recall late November Holdin' my breath, slowly I said "You don't need to save meBut would you run away with me?" Yes (would you run away?)

when november rolled around, the rumors and claims got worse. a lot worse. one particularly difficult night, as seungcheol held you through your anxiety, you asked him in a small voice, “run away with me.” seungcheol gave you a small smile and kissed the top of your head, whispering an equally small yes. the next day, the two of you were on an early morning flight to a small city in europe. a quick email to both your companies and cashing in the saved-up holidays, you decided to spend the rest of the year with him, exploring another country in hopeful peace.

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to Call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want To

you knew the news of you two skipping town would break out soon, but at this point, you didn’t care. they can label it, call it whatever they want. you had seungcheol, and your baby will always walk back home to you.

[mydearestbeloved]

Movie night with jinwoo, reader and either jinho or jinah where they watch The Descent. When the creatures appear and chase down the group, reader's and jinwoo's hunter instinct kick in and they start animatedly discussing how to best take the hoard down like taking advantage of the creatures' sharp hearing, using the complex structure of the cave etc. out of work habit. Meanwhile, jinho/jinah is there like this isn't a horror movie anymore you guys are ruining the mood 😭

This scenario fits them so well I almost can't believe it 😂

Unfortunately, I'm really bad at anything horror in general. There are only some horror comic/anime that I can stomach just because of their art/animation. Live action is a hard pass, I apologize. I'm a bit better at thriller though 🙏

So, I could only do so much research on The Descent without traumatizing myself. And since I'm not sure if I can put this scene in Trial Player AU official story despite this fitting so perfectly in Jinwoo's and Reader's dynamic, I hope you'll enjoy this short blurp I managed to write somehow:

---

The living room was cozy, dimly lit with the faint glow of the TV as The Descent played on the screen. Jinwoo, you, and Jinah were huddled together on the couch, surrounded by snacks and blankets. The eerie silence of the cave scenes drew everyone’s attention, the tension building as the group of explorers stumbled upon the terrifying creatures.

When the monsters lunged out, Jinah let out a yelp, clutching a pillow to her chest. But instead of joining her in the panic, both you and Jinwoo leaned forward, eyes narrowing, the gears in your heads visibly turning.

“Did you see that?” You said, pointing at the screen. “They rely on sound to hunt. If they just stayed completely still and silent, they could avoid detection.”

“True,” Jinwoo replied, nodding. “But if they had to fight, the creatures are blind. You could take advantage of that by using misdirection—maybe toss something to make noise and attack from a different angle.”

“Exactly! And the cave’s layout is complex enough to set up ambushes. Funnel them into tighter spaces, limit their mobility—”

“Or use the stalactites as natural weapons. It’d take some effort to break them, but with the right leverage, they could cause a collapse to take out several at once—”

“ARE YOU TWO SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!” Jinah’s voice cut through your animated discussion, her face a mix of horror and exasperation. She looked between the two of you, utterly scandalized. “This is supposed to be a horror movie, not a Hunter Strategy 101 seminar!”

You blinked, momentarily startled by her outburst. “But we’re just—”

“NO!” Jinah jabbed a finger toward the screen. “The whole point is to feel scared and helpless, not to turn this into a tactical training session! Do you even realize how much you’re ruining the mood?!”

Jinwoo raised an eyebrow, glancing at you. “We’re just… analyzing.”

“Stop analyzing! The monsters aren’t even real!”

“But Jinah,” you interjected with mock seriousness, “if you think about it, the group could totally survive if they—”

“OUT!” Jinah threw a handful of popcorn at you, her glare enough to make you and Jinwoo raise your hands in surrender.

Jinwoo smirked as he leaned back into the couch, clearly amused by his sister’s frustration. “Alright, alright. No more strategy talk.”

Jinah huffed, hugging her pillow tighter. “Good. Now let me enjoy the movie before you two decide to strategize about how to survive Jaws next week!”

You stifled a laugh, whispering to Jinwoo, “Bet we could totally handle Jaws too.”

Jinah groaned. “I heard that!”

---

Thank you for your ask! 💞

[brooooswriting]

Please I need a part two for oh I know!!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🩷

Oh I know pt. 2

Part 1

It had been some weeks since your discussion with Leighton and she kept being supportive and encouraging about every decision you made. It got to the point where you felt bad about not being out, especially since you’d love to show her off. You felt the worst when it was her birthday coming up.

“So, my parents and my brother are coming down for my birthday and we are going out to eat. Do you want to join?” She questioned as she typed on her phone. You were chilling in the spare apartment your parents had near campus, and you often went there when your roommates were too much.

“Are the others also going to be there?” You didn’t wanna make it too obvious but you already knew that the blonde figured out why you asked.

“No, but that doesn’t have to mean anything” she tried to convince you.

“Cause you’re someone who brings here friends to her family?” She sighed, knowing that you were right and she dropped the topic after inviting you to go to the theta party after she’s done with her parents. You said you’d try to come and dropped the topic too.

At least you tried, but the whole night, you could only think about how sad she looked even though she tried to hide it. She's been the best girlfriend one could be, and the fact that you couldn't celebrate her birthday with her because you were scared actually made you mad at yourself.

Coming out to your parents/family still scares the living shit out of you but if Leighton's family accepted her, they'd surely accept you too. Plus, coming out to your friends and her family didn't mean that you had to come out to yours too. After a lot of contemplating you finally made up your plan.

“So, where are you guys going for your birthday tomorrow?” you asked as the blonde laid in your arms, a movie playing on the small TV you had in your apartment.

“Oh, the fancy place down the street. It's my dad's favorite lunch place and I'm fine with whatever” Her hesitation was obvious but you decided to ignore it as you were too scared to reveal anything of your plan.

“That's nice. What are you going to wear?” a happy squeal left her mouth and she picked up her phone to show you pictures of her outfit, explaining each detail while your hand rubbed over her waist.

Later that night you walked Leighton home. “Good night baby” You checked your surroundings before you pressed a couple of soft kisses to her lips, trying not to let her notice your nerves building up. “Good night” she pressed a last kiss to your check before disappearing.

At midnight, you texted her happy birthday, how much she meant to you, how much you appreciated her, and that you couldn't wait to see her. She obviously didn't answer until the following day. You shot her a quick answer before getting ready, needing much more time as your nerves went wild. You wore a nice suit with nothing really underneath, styling your hair neatly and doing some natural make-up. Leighton's present was wrapped up and sat on the kitchen counter, your keys and everything else you needed next to it. Nervously shaking you sat on the counter before the clock stroke 2:45 meaning that you had to leave now.

You parked your car at the edge of the campus and walked to the blonde's dorm. Leighton was known for being quite punctual so you didn't knock, instead just standing in front of the door, her present and some roses in hand. You didn't have to wait long as the door opened and revealed your beautiful girlfriend in the doorway, her back turned to you as she still talked to her roommates. “Alright, I'll see you guys later,” she said before turning around, nearly running into your arms. “Y/n? What are you doing here?” she questioned as she looked you up and down.

“I wanted to be your date to your birthday dinner,” you said and shot her a smile. “Happy birthday my love” you added, holding the flowers toward her.

She grabbed the flowers with a confused look before looking back at you. “But I thought you said no?” she played with the leaves of the flowers and leaned against the doorway, unsure of what to think.

“I did…but you're way too awesome to hide and I want to be able to go out with you and give you the life you deserve. I'm not scared of coming out if it means being able to be with you in public. I am in love with you and I want people to know” you explained with a sheepish smile.

Leighton smiled at you and hugged you, “I'm in love with you too.” She pulled back to kiss you passionately. Your hands immediately went to her waist as you reciprocated the kiss. The two of you only pulled back when you heard some awws coming from behind the blonde. Her roommates were standing in the common room of their dorm, staring at you with big smiles. Leighton grumbled and pulled the door shut before pulling you along as you had to get going. “Are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret this”

You chuckled and pulled her into you as you two walked to your car. “I am 100% sure about this. There is nobody I'd rather be out with than you.” The youngest Murray smiled up at you and left the topic alone. You opened the car door for her, acting as if you didn't see everybody on campus staring at you, then closed it before getting in yourself. Your hand placed itself on her thigh while she answered some of her happy birthday texts, a comfortable silence taking over the car. Your nerves got worse with each mile you drove but every time you looked at the girl next to you, you calmed down again. She was definitely worth it.

When you pulled up you already saw the Murrays standing in front of their Range Rover. You parked behind it and gave Leighton a nod before getting out and opening the door for her, holding your hand out to help her get out. “You gonna be fine” she whispered to you as you closed the door and walked up to her family after giving your keys to the valet parking.

“Hello, my name is y/n y/l/n. I am Leighton’s… girlfriend. It's a pleasure to meet you” you said to her parents, shaking each of their hands before settling back to your spot between the siblings. Some anxiety lifted off of you when they smiled at you.

“Well, it's great to meet you y/n. I'm Henry and this is my wife Mimi. Should we go in?” they were extremely nice to you and started to walk in when you two gave them a nod. You were walking behind the rest, your hands intertwined and a big smile on your faces.

The dinner went amazing, her parents were so nice and accepting that your heart ached at the thought of your family never being like this. But when Leighton giggled at some comment Nico made and her parents countered, you couldn't think about anything else but the beauty of this moment.

When dinner was done, and your discussion with Henry over who would pay was over, you walked outside to retrieve your cars. The sun was nearly setting by now and the family still had to drive some hours to get home. “It was really great meeting you y/n. And remember you're invited to the family meeting next month” Mimi said as she hugged you goodbye.

“It was really nice to have you here” Henry said and went to shake your hand, “but don't you dare hurt her” he whispered, still too loud as Leighton groaned behind you.

“I won't sir, I can promise you that” you answered and moved on to say goodbye to her brother when he nodded at you.

Not long after you sat in your car again, your hand placed in hers as you drove back to the campus. “They love you” she happily grinned at you as you drove. “Thank you, for doing this. I know how scared you were” she added.

“This was the greatest thing that I could have done. Thank you for your patience and support baby” you countered as you parked the car and pressed a kiss to her lips. “So, changing and then to the theta party?” she gave you a happy nod and jumped out of the car.

That night you danced together on the dance floor, made out right next to it and went home together with everybody knowing that you were each others. You were happier than every, even though you knee that it was only a small amount of time until your parents would figure it out. But that was a problem for another night.

[dsireland86]

Hi! Could I request something with Matt? Where the reader and Matt always dance the line between friends and something more and it irritates the others that they keep denying it?

Thanks!

Another Matt One-Shot! Thank you 😊

Denial

Tags: @philomenie @supersquirrel1996 @foliosgirl @angelmarie89 @fadingintothegrey @theanarchymuse95 @thisbicc @lma1986 @dominuslunae @shayzillaaaa @fadingintothegrey

The box fell over, dumping most of its contents onto the floor. Y/N growled, frustrated with how the day was already going, and it wasn't even noon yet. She was starting to rethink her decision in helping Matt declutter the warehouse, thinking it would have been best if she'd just stayed in bed and shut the world out.

"Hey, let me help," came a soft voice. Matt bent down and helped Y/N toss the cables and extra pieces back into the box. 

"You alright? You seem a little stressed this morning." 

"Yeah," Y/N sighed. "Well, no. The water in my apartment building got turned off last night because of a busted pipe, leaving me with no shower, no coffee, and little tolerance."

"Shit, I'm sorry! Why didn't you say anything?"

Y/N shrugged. "Didn't want to complain, I guess. There's nothing you can do about it, unless you know how to fix a busted water pipe."

Matt grinned, draping an arm over her shoulder. He pulled her close, running his hand up and down the side of her shoulder. The sweet, affectionate gesture made Y/N's body shiver, stirring the pot of swirling emotions for Matt inside her.

"No, I can't, but I can offer you a hot shower and a hot cup of coffee over at my place once we're done here, if that'll help."

Y/N blushed, lowering her head to escape embarrassment.

"Sorry, was that too much?"

"No, no, no, it's fine!" she assured him with a smile. "I really appreciate the offer."

Her fingers found Matt's fingers that were around her shoulder, briefly lacing them together. The way her touch made Matt feel was insatiable, causing him to shift from the increased pressure against his shorts.

"Yeah?" Matt's stomach flipped inside him, and his heart was pounding.

"Yeah," she smiled again.

Y/N picked up the box and carried it over to Matt's work table, sitting it down. She glanced Matt's way once more, grinning like a schoolgirl, before turning and walking away with the brightest smile on her face.

"Man, you've got to tell her, Matt. It's obvious she's into you," Noah stated, coming up behind him. He clamped his hand down on Matt's shoulder.

"Tell her what?"

Noah gawked at Matt. "Really?"

Matt shrugged.

"You like her. You know you do. She likes you. Why are you both denying it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Noah. I don't like her like that. Y/N and I are just friends. She's been talking to some other guy anyway, so yeah."

"So," Noah shrugged. "Doesn't mean anything."

Matt's face fell.

"Whatever. I'm not discussing my personal life with you right now. I've got too much on my mind.

"Dude, she likes you. You like her. Just admit it."

Matt sighed loudly.

"Whatever. Go," shooing Noah away.

Matt did like Y/N, a lot, but he was scared as hell to admit it. She didn't feel the same about him. There was no way. He was her boss and had been for almost a year, never picking up on any of the same vibes that he felt towards her. He was just trying to be nice, regardless of how crazy she made him feel.

Throughout the day, Y/N and Matt continued their weird awkwardness around each other. Whether it was apologizing to the other if they had accidently knocked into each other or hands brushing against hands as they reached for the same thing, Matt and Y/N were fighting the truth like a bull, choosing to stay in complete denial about their feelings for one another

"If they don't kiss or do something, soon, I'm gonna lose it," Jolly commented to Noah and Nick. "Have you seen the two of them today? What hell is up with that?"

The three looked over at Matt and Y/N, who were working through a box of computer parts together. Her giggles and his smiles were giving all of them tooth aches.

"God. Matt is being ridiculous," Nick chuckled.

Noah sighed, plopping down on the couch and stretching his long arms over the back. "Just wait. Something's going to happen. Knowing Matt, he won't be able to handle it much longer."

"Why do you say that?"

Noah raised an eyebrow, twisting the ring on his right hand.

"Matt's an impatient person. When he wants something, he'll just take it."

Jolly hummed. "So, what you're saying is that by tomorrow, Matt and Y/N will have slept together?"

Noah grinned, cocking an eyebrow.

"No way." Jolly disagreed.

"You wanna make a bet?"

Jolly narrowed his eyes, staring at Noah.

"Fifty dollars says she doesn't."

Noah stuck his hand out. "Deal."

"Hey, Y/N, you want this last Celsius in here," Folio asked, buried in the refrigerator.

"Mmm, I think that's Matt's. Doesn't he get really mad when people take his drinks, especially if it's the last one?"

Folio peered at her from around the side of the fridge. "Well, yeah, but it's you. He won't care."

"Who won't care about what?" Matt asked, casually forcing his way into the conversation.

"You won't care if Y/N takes your last can of Celsius."

"Oh, no, go ahead. Maybe it'll make up for that missing cup of coffee this morning." Matt winked at Y/N, making her smile.

"See," Folio noted. Y/N chuckled.

Matt stopped next to her and just stared at her for a moment.

"You okay?" she asked, skeptically.

He nodded as a small smile spread over his lips. Y/N grinned, looking down again.

"God, the two of you are ridiculous," Folio groaned, closing the fridge and handing Y/N the energy drink.

"Just fucking sleep together, already and put us all out of misery."

"Folio, what the fuck, dude!"

"What! It's obvious you two like each other."

"Oh, no," Y/N denied, shaking her head. Matt looked at her as if her words stung.

"Well," she shrugged nervously, "you're my boss. That's all."

Matt shoved his hands in his pockets, looking away.

"See, I'm her boss. Sleeping together would be out of the question," he stated, glancing over at Y/N, who opened the can of Celsius and took a long sip.

"These are the last two freaking boxes," Y/N sighed, dropping the ones in her arms with a thud. Matt gave her a stern look, raising an eyebrow.

"Hopefully, there's nothing valuable in there."

"Really? Matt, we've gone through forty boxes, and not one thing in any of them is valuable."

"Well, maybe forty-one and forty-two will be different."

"Make that forty-three," Nicholas corrected, dropping one more box on top of the other two.

"Ugh," Y/N groaned, scowling at Matt. "I just want to shower."

"Alright, look, take my keys," Matt said, pulling them from his pocket. "Take my car, go to your apartment and get whatever you need for your shower, then go to my house and take one. Use all the hot water if you want to, I don't care. I'll get one of the guys to bring me home."

Y/N stared at Matt, her eyes etched with curiosity.

"Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to inconvenience you or anything."

"You're not. Honest," Matt assured her, with a soft grin.

Y/N's lips curled into a sweet smile, graciously accepting the offer.

"I won't make a mess. And I won't use all your hot water. You won't even know I was there."

Matt nodded, watching as Y/N turned around and walked out of the warehouse, silently hoping she would wreck his entire house.

Matt pulled the spare key out from the small box behind the planter, unlocking the door. His two boys greeted him with wagging tails and hand licks, so excited that dad was home and after plenty of pets, kisses, and outside potty breaks, Matt finally climbed the stairs to check if Y/N was still in the shower. It was quiet, not a trace of running water.

"Y/N?"

Matt checked the spare bathroom first, hoping Y/N didn't choose to use it; not when he had the huge walk in one in his bathroom. To his disappointment, she had, which honestly didn't surprise him.

"Y/N?" Matt called out again. Her stuff was still in the bathroom, so she had to be here somewhere.

Going back downstairs, Matt checked the kitchen and the living room, stopping immediately when he glanced over the couch. Y/N was curled up under a blanket, fast asleep. She was a beautiful sight to see, so relaxed and at peace, making Matt's heart race.Kneeling down next to her and gently brushing strands of hair away from her face, Matt watched Y/N sleep, focusing on all the pretty little things about her he had never noticed before. After a few minutes, he decided that a bed would better suit Y/N than the couch. Carefully lifting her, he carried her upstairs and laid her down gently in the comfort of his bed.

It was pitch black when Y/N awoke to the sound of silence. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she looked around, trying to figure out where she was. The touch of a hand on her lower back startled her, but the voice did not.

"Hey," came the sleepy voice of Matt as he rolled over on his side. By now the dim light from the hall seeped into the darkness, creating the right amount of light for them to see each other.

"Hey."

"You fell asleep on the couch."

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Matt. I didn't mean to. I just,"

"It's fine, Y/N," Matt said, scooting closer to her. "You don't have to apologize."

"You sure?" Y/N sounded so uncertain that Matt was being honest and it bothered him.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Why do you always question me when I say it's okay?"

Matt sat up next to her, their shoulders touching. Her being this close to him was really messing with his head and his heart.

"I don't know," Y/N, huffed a laugh looking away. But Matt stopped her.

"And why do you always look away from me when I'm trying to be nice to you," laying his hand over her cheek to pull her back so that he could look at her.

Through the soft glow of the moon and the hall lights, Y/N never looked more beautiful to Matt than she did right now, with messy hair and sleepy eyes. He was captivated by her, afraid to look anywhere else but at her. His thumb trailed back and forth over her lips as they continued staring at one another and the utter silence was the perfect setting for the light sound of only their heartbeats.

Matt's eyes darted between Y/N's.

"How have I never noticed how beautiful you are?"

Y/N shrugged. "I'm pretty average."

"Whatever. Don't even pretend you don't know how incredibly sexy and amazing you are."

Y/N just stared at Matt. "If you say so."

"I do. You're pretty perfect."

"Oh god, Matt! I'm a ridiculous mess," Y/N groaned, bringing her hands to her face.

"Hey, no you're not. Come here." Matt pulled Y/N towards him, shifting their bodies until she was sitting between his legs, up against his chest.

"Good?" 

Y/N nodded, leaning all the way back against him. Matt was warm and comfortable, making it even better when his arms came around and wrapped around her.

"Is this okay?"

... "Better than okay," she sighed, resting her head against his shoulder.

Matt leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the side of her temple. The feeling of his lips on her skin made Y/N shiver.

"Goosebumps," Matt whispered against her ear, his hands trailing up and down her arms.

"Matt," she whimpered in the dark, her voice trembling.

He kissed the side of her face and this time she tilted her head so he could get a better angle. The feeling of Matt's lips gliding along her skin made Y/N clench her thighs together. This was wrong. He was her boss, her friend. But why did it feel so right?

"Matt, what are we?" she softly asked as his hands found hers.

"We don't have to be anything. I'm tired of people trying to label us."

"You know the others already think we're something, right?

"I had a feeling."

"Are they right?"

"You tell me, Y/N," Matt answered, lacing his fingers through hers. She shifted, turning around and facing him.

"I think you know what we are, Matt. I think you just want me to be the first to say it."

Matt clenched his jaw tight, unable to hide the way his body was reacting towards her. He was dying to tell her the truth, yet scared she'd run away. But then she surprised him by wrapping her arms around his neck and throwing her legs on either side of him, pulling herself up into his lap. Y/N gasped lightly the moment she felt his hard length press against her core, causing Matt to grunt.

"Then say it, Y/N. Tell me what we are, what you want, and I'll give it to you, whatever it is."

The desperate, yet promising look in Matt's eyes was enough for Y/N. With her arms around his neck, she leaned into him and kissed him, softly at first, hoping this wasn't a mistake. She pulled back, looking at Matt's reaction. His eyes were blown wide with surprise yet with a hungry need for more.

"I can't lie anymore, Matt. I want you, and not just as a one night stand."

Matt smiled, slipping his hands around her face, pulling her back in for another heated kiss, this time harder.

"I'm all yours baby. I'm not going anywhere," he promised, pulling back for a moment to look at her. "And fuck, don't ever stop looking at me like the way you are right now."

Y/N giggled, throwing herself back into another kiss with Matt.

"Baby, I can't hold back anymore," Matt groaned the second she pressed her core harder against his erection. "I want you, right here, now," he panted between her kisses.

"Then take me, Matt. I'm yours."

Matt gazed at her for a moment, hoping that what she was saying was true.

"You're serious? No fucking with my head?"

Y/N smiled, grabbing the waistband of her shorts and pulling them off her. Because it was dark, Matt couldn't see her, but he didn't have to. Y/N took his hand and placed it directly between her legs, letting him feel how wet she was for him.

"I'm yours, Matthew. Only yours."

With neither one of them denying their feelings any longer, her promise was all Matt needed. Slipping two fingers instantly inside her, he claimed Y/N as his by making her cum on just his fingers alone. It was unlike anything Matt had ever felt before. She made him feel powerful, fully in charge and capable of anything. Their love making for the first time changed everything for both of them. There was no fear, no questions, just wanting and love, neither one of them able to get enough of the other. The room was filled with nothing but moonlight and moans, cries of passion and groans of ecstasy mixed with the smell of sweat and sex. It was unlike anything they had ever experienced. It was love; pure, undoubting, unwavering love.

[cecilysass]

Beacon (2/6)

Read on AO3 | Tagging @today-in-fic and my poangpal @libbytxf

“And where did you say you saw this?” Scully is distracted, briskly unpacking her suit jackets, quickly pivoting between the suitcase on her bed to the modest closet.

“In the hall,” Mulder says impatiently. “Outside the room, like I said. Come on, Scully,” he urges. “Let’s go sit out there for a while and wait. Let’s see if she comes back.”

Scully gives him a look. “Mulder,” she says, like she’s trying to be patient, “we made an eight hour drive today. It’s seven-thirty, and we haven’t eaten. I propose we find some dinner and get some sleep. Ghosts can wait until morning.”

Mulder resists an urge to groan. “I take it you don’t believe me.”

“That you saw a ghost?” Scully widens her eyes in flat disbelief, folding one of the previously discussed sweaters. “Of course I don’t. I think you probably saw another guest going into her room, and you’re just … overtired from the drive.”

“Overtired? I’m not a five year old, Scully,” Mulder says, irritated. “She spoke directly to me. I very clearly observed her. I know what I saw.”

“She spoke to you?” Scully looks up in mild interest, then begins putting folded items in dresser drawers. “What did she say?”

He gnaws on his lip, feeling strangely self-conscious. “Uh, something about, ‘Come to me… my love,’” he mumbles.

Scully raises her eyebrows in amusement. “Pretty intimate, Mulder,” she says, folding another shirt. “Do you know this ghost?”

“It doesn’t sound like something a random living guest would just … say to a stranger, does it?”

She shrugs with a tiny smile. “Maybe the guest found you attractive. Maybe some nice lady was inviting you into her room.”

He feels the tips of his ears growing very warm, but smiles in an attempt to appear unruffled. “Well, admittedly it’s been a while, but I'm pretty sure you scare people off when you start talking about love right out of the gate.”

She shuts the dresser drawer and turns around to face him, folding her arms. “So is what you saw consistent with what this ghost is said to be like, Mulder? From the reports and the stories?”

He shifts positions uncomfortably. The truth is that he doesn’t know. He is much less informed than usual about the details of this case. He’d seized on this impulsively, based on Scully’s state of mind, and he didn’t take the time to do his normal deep dive into research beyond what was in the file. He didn't really read anything about the history of the inn.

“I’m not sure,” Mulder says. “I’m a little light on details, like I said, until we talk to Duncan.”

She fixes him with a searching look. “All right. Then let’s wait and talk to him,” she says.

Mulder huffs. “May I remind you that what we do know about this case is that people who reported seeing this ghost were dead from heart failure within the week?”

He’d think maybe she would want to check him out as his doctor at the very least—express some concern for his well-being—but she’s not even looking his way now. He feels petulant, even though he knows that Scully simply doesn’t believe in ghosts who can cause hearts to stop. That’s who Scully is.

“Yes, and speaking of, I had a thought about that,” she says, pulling her shoes out of the suitcase. “I was going to take some samples of the piles of renovation materials outside and send them to a lab. I was wondering if maybe some of the building materials being used might be aggravating pre-existing heart conditions in some guests.”

“Really?” Mulder thinks this over. “So… guests stay here, they inhale some dust or something, and it causes a heart attack?”

“Only if they had some unknown underlying cardiac issues already,” Scully says. “So it wouldn’t be that common—it would only affect a select few. This isn’t completely unknown in the literature. It seems like a possibility worth looking into, anyway.”

“Hmm,” agrees Mulder. “Yes. If the timing works out. If the renovations were happening at the same time as the deaths.”

“That’s the kind of thing we’re here to investigate, right?” Scully says with a wry smile. “Why they put the I in FBI and all that?”

She’s moving briskly back and forth from her suitcase, all energy, all purpose. And it hits him: he didn’t notice it before in his excitement over seeing the ghost, but Scully is in a much better mood. She’s practically bustling. A little flirty, a little argumentative, a spring in her step, a theory on the tip of her tongue.

The case has her, he thinks. Being in the field has her. He knew this was a good idea, even if it has already put him in the crosshairs of a murderous ghost.

“The toxic dust wouldn’t explain the ghost sightings,” he points out to her, in part because it’s true and in part because he craves her engagement again.

“No,” she admits, “it wouldn’t. But we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to learn anything else.” She points a firm finger towards him. “No ghost hunting tonight, Mulder.”

“Fine,” he acquiesces, raising his hands in surrender. “Fine.”

He sees her pull what certainly looks like some lacy scraps of underwear out of the suitcase. His eyes track hungrily as she places them in the drawer, and then he quickly looks away so she doesn’t notice him watching.

There is a moment’s pause. He quietly clears his throat.

“What are we doing for dinner?” he asks.

“Banoy said there was pizza delivery.” She looks at him hopefully, shutting the drawer. “Pizza in your room in 30 minutes?”

“It’s a date,” he says lightly. ***

They eat the pizza sitting side by side on his bed, looking out the large window into the black Vermont woods. Lamplight outside bounces off the falling snowflakes, each one flickering and sputtering against the dark canvas of the night. Mulder tells her a ghost story he remembers from the Vineyard, one about a whaling captain’s widow. She listens and rolls her eyes in the right places.

He walks her back to her door—just to be safe. She gives him a strange, bemused look as he does. Maybe because it’s exactly a three step walk.

That night he dreams of Scully with a flashlight in a field on a snowy night, Scully cracking jokes with flushed cheeks in the light of the moon, Scully calling out his name with snowflakes all around her. “Come with me, Mulder. How I miss you.” ***

“So you’re here to learn about our ghost,” Banoy says eagerly, pouring coffee at the stone counter. “All the way from Washington. All the way from the F.B.I..”

In the morning they meet Duncan and Banoy in the inn’s large and airy country kitchen. There is a breakfast nook with a round table and a cushioned bench seat surrounded by windows. Scully gazes admiringly at her surroundings as she sits down. Some of her best memories are of time spent in comfortable, cheerful kitchens like this. She thinks of cooking for the holidays in her grandmother’s large kitchen in California with all her female family members: mother, aunts, grandmother, cousin. Sister.

This kitchen is filled with bright white winter sunshine, the kind of light that has a pure, clear quality, like it was refracted through ice. She glances at Mulder’s face as he slides in next to her on the bench. His expression is serious, and the diffuse light gives him an ethereal look.

“I have lots of questions, as a matter of fact,” Mulder says.

“But we’re actually here to investigate the three deaths,” Scully corrects Banoy, trying to steer the conversation on track. Actual human deaths, not ghost stories. “Three deaths in six months, correct?”

“Yes,” Duncan says sadly, setting a platter of pastry in front of them on the table. “And it’s never happened like this before, has it, Banoy? I can’t understand it. That’s why I called you.”

“Maybe it’s not connected,” Banoy says, setting their coffee down on the table. “I have always said that. Maybe the deaths and the ghost are just a coincidence.”

“I’d like to talk through the deaths,” Scully says. “When did the first—”

“I saw her,” Mulder interrupts her, leaning urgently towards Duncan. “Last night, almost as soon as we arrived. Is that common? Do all guests see her?”

“Saw …?”

“The ghost,” Mulder says eagerly.

Well, Scully thinks with some irritation, there goes our opportunity to cling to the illusion of professionalism.

“Did you?” Duncan says, visibly taken aback.

Banoy smiles sympathetically and leans over to fluff Mulder’s hair. “Oh, you sweet boy.”

Scully frowns, failing to understand this reaction.

“What does that mean?” Mulder says, his eyes darting between the two men, apparently equally bewildered.

“Nobody’s explained about our Hero? Who she visits?”

“No,” Mulder says. “All we know is that she’s allegedly visited some people who later died of cardiac arrest.”

“No, no,” Duncan says, taking off his glasses to wipe them on his shirt. “She has been appearing for years. Decades. Long before the heart failures.”

“Hero is her name?”

“It’s what she called herself,” Duncan says. “Her real name was a mouthful, Sophronia Younge, a daughter of one of the town’s founders. The family built the original house we’re in, although it was expanded in the later nineteenth century to its current size and layout, of course.”

“And Hero has appeared to others?” Mulder asks, a crease deepening between his eyes.

“Well, not just to anyone…” Banoy says, winking at Mulder.

“By legend, she only appears to the lovelorn,” Duncan says. “Only those who hold deep and abiding love, like Hero did in life herself. You’re sure you haven’t heard this? It’s a reasonably famous local story.”

Scully’s gaze had been shifting out the window, to study the bird’s eye view of the town’s streets, but now her head swivels and her eyes lock on Mulder. She finds herself very curious to see his reaction.

“No, I had not,” Mulder says, raising his eyebrows. He straightens his posture in the seat, shifting uncomfortably. “But I’m a single guy, so she’s obviously wrong in this case.”

“Is she?” Banoy says.

“I’ve never heard of her being wrong,” Duncan says, amused.

“It’s not about being single,” Banoy says. “Single people can have longing in their heart. No lucky lady you pine for, Agent Mulder? Or man?”

“Sorry,” Mulder says with a tight smile. “I’m going to prove a pretty disappointing romantic hero.”

He picks up a piece of pastry and shifts his full attention to taking a bite.

Feeling inexplicably discomfited herself, Scully lets her eyes wander back to the window. The town’s streets are visible down the hill, and she can see two children marching down the road, dragging toboggans across the newly fallen snow. She stares at them like they are suddenly very interesting.

She knows Mulder has dated women before, and she even saw him interact once with an old paramour. But it’s hard for her to imagine him pining. It’s hard to imagine him giving that much thought to anything besides work, honestly. She can’t imagine him thinking about anything besides the Truth, besides some esoteric case he’s read about, about some work-related puzzle.

She tries to imagine him sitting at his desk thinking about a romantic partner with those kind of feelings. Or waiting in his apartment, sitting on his couch eager to see someone, eager for someone to come over.

The idea of him wanting someone—of having some walled-up secret desire—well, it unsettles her. It makes her ache to think of it, something so human and vulnerable inside of him that he’s intentionally holding back. Probably it’s because she isn’t used to thinking of him as an ordinary man, she tells herself.

Being so close to the windows gives her a little chill, makes goosebumps rise. She rubs her arms to warm them.

“Of course now you should be careful,” adds Duncan, his tone growing serious. “It used to be that seeing Hero was just fun, just local color. But it’s become so dangerous.”

“How’s your cardiac health, Agent Mulder?” queries Banoy.

“What do you mean?” Scully says, her attention now fully engaged.

“That’s exactly why I called you,” Duncan says. “Because lately people have … perished after seeing her. At least some people.”

“You should tell us all you know,” Scully insists.

“Starting with Hero?”

“Yes,” Scully says, making quick affirmative eye contact with Mulder, who looks stunned. “Starting with Hero.” ***

Her name wasn’t Hero. Her name was Sophronia, from the Greek for wisdom. Her father was a scholar, a classicist like all good 18th century educated men. He must have been some sort of eccentric to end up in Vermont, which was the frontier back then, but he was well-to-do enough to get some land and farm and start the town. At one point, Duncan tells them, their house—this inn—was the biggest, most impressive in the region.

Duncan recounts this with the precision and storytelling flair of an amateur historian, pausing to wipe his glasses with care.

“This is where the story becomes more local legend and less history,” he says. “Sophronia had a lover, a young man. But legend holds that her father disapproved, and so Sophronia had no choice but to meet her lover secretly. When she wrote him letters, she called herself ‘Hero’ and her lover ‘Leander.’ You know. Like the famous lovers in mythology who couldn’t be together.”

“I don’t recall that myth, as a matter of fact,” Scully says. She glances at Mulder, who is not asking the many questions he’d initially claimed to have. He’s listening, but his face is stone.

“Oh, it’s a tragic one,” Banoy says. “The ancient Greek lady Hero lives in a tower on an island, and her beloved Leander swims across the sea at midnight to meet her. She puts a beacon light in the window so he can find his way. But one night the light goes out, poof, and Leander is lost in the stormy sea. Hero is wracked with grief and throws herself out the window to join him in a watery grave soon after.”

“A beacon light,” Mulder says, speaking for the first time in a while. “Like the name of the inn?”

Duncan shrugs with a smile. “The drama of this story has been good business for us,” he says. His expression grows serious. “Until the deaths, that is.”

“So what happened?” Scully wonders. She gestures to the town and snowy Vermont landscape outside the window. “There’s no stormy sea here.”

“Well,” Duncan says, “somehow Sophronia’s father found out about her carrying on with her own personal Leander, and he kicked her out. Sometimes you hear he kicked her out in a snowstorm, but more often, it’s mild weather, which makes more sense given what happens next.”

“Just tell them the story,” Banoy urges with an eyeroll. “You say I’m the dramatic one.”

“The following morning, the two of them are found, Sophronia and her lover—Hero and Leander—drowned in the center of town. Soaking wet and completely dead, caught tragically in one another’s arms.”

“When you tasted the water saturating her dress,” Banoy says theatrically, “it was salty, even though we are seventy miles from the sea.”

There’s a pause, as though Duncan and Banoy are waiting for their tale to be fully appreciated by their audience. Scully clears her throat impatiently.

“A compelling story,” she says, “but what about the ghost?”

“Oh, well, ever since, people have occasionally seen Hero in the inn,” Duncan says. “Sophronia, really, although we always refer to her as Hero. She traditionally appears to people in love, and she speaks to them like they’re her Leander. It was a common ghost story, growing up here in Hellespont. In those days, members of the old family still lived in this house.”

“You’re from Hellespont originally?” Scully asks.

“Yes, I’m a local,” Duncan says. He looks around the kitchen with a look of wonder on his face. “I grew up adoring this house from afar. Used to sit on my bike outside and stare at it as a kid, make up fantasies about it. Eight years ago, Banoy and I were living in California, and I heard this place was up for sale. By that time, I had the money we didn’t have when I was a kid. I couldn’t resist coming back to make it ours.”

“We couldn’t resist,” Banoy adds softly. “A historic inn in Vermont? Please, it’s like living in White Christmas.” He smiles adoringly at Duncan. “With my very own Bing Crosby.”

Duncan smiles back at Banoy and reaches out to take his hand. Scully feels a pang of something that she worries might be envy.

“At first, some members of the Younge family—the descendants—were somewhat … hostile to us moving in,” Duncan says. “You know, years of the original family owning the place… and then a kid from a nobody family and his gay Filipino lover move in to make a bed and breakfast. Not everyone’s favorite thing. But … I think they’ve warmed up to us now. Don’t you, Banoy?”

Banoy smiles thinly and shrugs. Scully makes a mental note to follow up on that—local resentment of current inn owners. “Tell us about the deaths,” she says.

“The first was maybe six months ago,” Duncan says. “Right, Banoy? The beginning of summer. June. That first one was Austin Spantikow, a young man, in his twenties, vacationing with a girl he was looking to impress.”

“They started talking about seeing Hero at breakfast the first day. We teased them about his feelings,” Banoy says regretfully. “We thought it was cute.”

“Two days later we called for an ambulance, but it was too late,” Duncan says. “He was so young. No previously known heart problems. But if it had just been that one incident, we wouldn’t have thought anything about it. We definitely wouldn’t have thought Hero and his death were related.”

“I’m still not sure Hero and the deaths are related,” Banoy sniffs. “I’ve said it a thousand times. The other two people who died didn’t mention seeing her.”

“Mr. Knight, Jim, a guest in his fifties, staying here on a fishing trip to give his wife some space. Elena Denney, thirtysomething, who was talking to someone online the whole time she was here for a girls’ weekend,” Duncan continues. “Both of them dead within a few days – almost exactly the same situation as Mr. Spantikow. No prior heart conditions, found in their beds already unconscious by our staff.”

“Has anyone else mentioned seeing Hero?” Mulder says.

“A local couple, Gary and Pam Kromkowski, stayed here for a romantic night at Halloween,” Duncan says. “They claimed they saw her, too, and they left with no incident. But … Gary proposed that night, and I wondered if saying they saw the ghost just made for a good engagement story.”

Scully nods, making a mental note of that.

“Did any of the victims report seeing anything else unusual? Besides the ghost?” Scully asks. “Anything else that you might say would qualify as a hallucination?”

Duncan and Banoy look at one another, squinting in thought. “No,” Duncan says. “I can’t remember anything like that.”

“Me neither,” Banoy agrees. “And Mr. Knight and Ms. Denny, we don’t know for sure that they saw the ghost.”

Duncan has still been holding Banoy’s hand, and Scully sees him squeeze it. “It’s been upsetting, of course,” he says. “We love this place. We don’t want anything like this associated with it.” Banoy places his hand on Duncan’s forearm comfortingly.

“Please forgive me for asking such a potentially personal question,” Mulder says suddenly, his face very serious, “but have you seen Hero?”

There’s a pause as the two men look at one another again. “No,” Banoy says mournfully. “And we don’t know why.” Duncan shakes his head.

“Maybe she’s homophobic,” Duncan suggests with a shrug.

“Bigoted 18th century bitch,” Banoy adds wryly.

“I have another theory, too,” Duncan says. “I personally believe she doesn’t appear to people who are happily partnered, reciprocally in love. I think she appears to people who are yearning. You know. Looking across the water for the beacon.”

“Unrequited,” Banoy agrees with a judicious nod.

Mulder nods distractedly. Then, unexpectedly, he stands up.

“Mulder…?” Scully begins.

Without warning, he spins on his heel and walks out of the kitchen. Scully and the two men sit behind staring blankly after him.

“Oh no,” Banoy says in a hushed voice. “Did we… strike a nerve?”

Duncan turns to Banoy. “God, what if he had a recent break-up or something?”

“We’re over here practically saying he’s unloved,” Banoy says, shaking his head.

“I apologize.” Duncan turns to Scully. “I sometimes say too much.”

“No, no,” Scully says inadequately, “he doesn’t … no. No recent break-up.”

“He just seemed upset,” Banoy says.

Scully suddenly feels a bubble of frustration well up inside of her. How typical, for Mulder to be upset for reasons she doesn’t entirely understand, by a ghost story, of all things. No doubt there’s more to this story she didn’t know in advance that has caused him only to rush off to some unknown location.

“It’s just how he is,” she explains. “He’s … an unusual man.” Her voice sounds more exasperated than she expects.

“Hmm,” Banoy says, nodding at her appraisingly.

Swallowing back her annoyance, she makes her apologies and goes to search for Mulder.

She can’t think of where he could have possibly gone, and she has a well-earned suspicion he might have gone off investigating on his own, possibly seeking out his precious ghost.

But she rounds the corner from the kitchen to find him standing in the living room, staring at the open door that leads to the staircase, his expression frozen.

“Mulder?” she says.

He doesn’t move or respond, like he’s been hypnotized.

“Mulder.”

He startles, swiveling to face her suddenly. His face is ashen.

“Hey,” she says in concern, walking to his side. “Are you okay? Did you see something?”

He turns to look back at the staircase, and her gaze follows his. There’s absolutely nothing to see. Just empty wooden stairs, old-fashioned wallpaper, a well-worn hand rail. It’s the same staircase they came uneventfully downstairs on this morning.

“What’s wrong with you, Mulder?” she asks him.

He’s still staring at the empty stairs, his face expressionless. “Uh, nothing,” he says. “I thought I saw something. Probably just my mind playing tricks.”

“Something like before? What you thought was ….?”

“Maybe,” he says. He scratches the back of his neck. His eyes and mouth show no sign of his emotion.

Scully peers at the stairs again, seeing nothing but the most commonplace details. “Maybe? You’re not sure?”

“I don’t know,” he says suddenly. “Maybe.” He shrugs violently. “The truth is … having heard what Duncan said, I don’t know about before either. Maybe you were right.”

Scully blinks, somewhat taken aback.

“I guess it is possible … I misunderstood what I saw,” he says, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Maybe I did just see another guest and I somehow just misinterpreted.”

“You misinterpreted,” she repeats incredulously. “You were so confident earlier.”

“Yeah,” he says, looking away awkwardly. “But … well…”

He doesn’t finish, but in a bolt of certainty she realizes what this change of heart is about.

He believes Duncan’s tale. And he really doesn’t like what being able to see Hero’s ghost reveals about him. To him, it uncovers something private. Something he’d preferred others not know, not even his partner.

This idea shocks Scully into complete silence. Her mind races furiously as she tries to process this, the possibility that Mulder actually could be harboring some kind of secret feelings of love. Which would mean Mulder could be actually seeing someone. She remembers in the car earlier when he said he had a hot date for Christmas. She’d taken it as a self-deprecating joke, but why did she assume that? Why wouldn’t he have a hot date for Christmas? He’s single, good-looking, capable of wit and charm.

And apparently … capable of deep and abiding love. According to a ghost, anyway.

Maybe it’s only me who lives outside the boundaries of ordinary human life.

“Anyway,” Mulder says, apparently eager to change the subject. “I was thinking maybe we should do some research this morning, then meet up later and check in. What do you think?”

“Okay,” she says, trying to match his businesslike, conversational tone. “I should go to the medical examiner and check into their records on the victims.”

“Yeah,” agrees Mulder. “I was going to check out the town’s historical archives. See if I can look further into the inn’s history.”

“All right,” she says, falsely cheerful. He still isn’t meeting her eyes. “Should we meet back here for lunch? One?”

“Sure,” he says. “I’m… going to go upstairs and put on a sweater before I go.” His eyes rise to the stairs again, and he looks hesitant.

“Me, too,” she says, after a beat.

He doesn’t respond or look at her, but walks up the stairs decisively. Scully, left standing by herself in the living room, is suddenly aware of being entirely alone.

Maybe that’s what a ghost is, really, she thinks, looking around the inn’s living room lobby slowly. An absence. A form given by our minds, by our subconsciousness, to what is simply a lack of presence. Isn’t that the tragedy of the dead, after all? The negative space left by what we once cherished. It’s the most cruel that nothing can be.

But the dead are not really nothing, she reminds herself. They’re merely unseen. And what’s unseen isn't necessarily what’s unreal. That’s precisely what faith is, belief in the God of things seen and unseen, like the familiar words of the Nicene Creed say. Just because you don’t see someone with your physical eyes doesn’t mean they’re truly gone. Just because you’re looking at a lump of flesh in an autopsy bay doesn’t mean you’re seeing anything real or meaningful about that person.

This has been something she’s been holding on to as of late. Since Melissa, since she came back to the church.

She stands there a moment, hyperaware of absence around her. The dead, the unborn, the lost, the unrealized. In her imagination all of the absence in her life seems to be congealing in the air, growing thick and oppressive, making breathing impossible, choking the life out of her.

She shakes her head, impatient with herself. This is silly. There’s work to do. After a moment she follows Mulder upstairs to get ready to go. ***

[a-complex-joke]

The Farmer, The writer, and the Parrot

Farmer x Elliott (x Leo!platonic)

Stardew MASTERLIST

Farmer is nervous to ask Elliott if he would be up to adopting Leo, or any kids in the future. Farmer is also worried about how Leo might react to the offer.

The farmer had been frantic all morning, they had done all their chores for the day.

Yet they had been avoiding even looking at their partner, Elliott the whole time.

For the past week since Leo had moved to town, The Farmer seemed deep in thought and even a bit skittish. 

Elliott had indeed taken notice of their behavior, noting the fact that they hadn’t even come home that night, opting to stick by the mines.

Was he worried? Sure. but the farmer often lost track of time and would return later than reasonable, while still waking before himself.

Elliot found it admirable, but Ignoring him was a step too far.

“So where are you going?” Elliott said standing between them and the door.

“I was going to the mines, Clint requested way more Iron than I already had” they smiled not meeting the redhead’s eyes.

“Farmer tell me the truth, have I done something to cause you to grow so distant… is there someone else?”

It broke his heart to admit the insecurities he had been feeling, and on the flip side, it saddened The farmer that they had made him feel so.

“No! There is no one else who could ever compare to you” They put a hand to his cheek.

“Then why have you been ignoring me”

The farmer looked to their feet, mumbling something.

“Darling, you know I can’t hear you when you do that” He lifted their chin.

The farmer took a deep breath before letting it out.

“I know he never really discussed the whole if we wanted kids or not and I know it all of a sudden, but seeing Leo living all alone with no one to take care of him, it just feels like a pin is stabbing my heart. So I've been bringing him meals every day, and last night he was already asleep when I got there but I could tell he was having a nightmare so I just stayed there to comfort him. And what I'm trying to say is I want to adopt Leo, but I was scared of how you’d react” 

There was a loud silence in the room as The farmer caught their breath.

“Oh thank Yoba, I thought you were going crazy and acutely doing an order for Clint there for a second, Harvey was on speed dial,” Elliott said releasing a breath himself.

“That’s what you're focusing on, I just spilled that I want us to raise a child together.”

“Hun, I'd love to raise a little army of children if you wanted, honestly the fact that you want to bring Leo into our lives just makes me love you more,” He said embracing his partner.

“But what if that is not what he wants, Linus is perfectly content with being somewhat homeless, and they are close as can be. What if he takes it as an insult” The farmer vented, tears threatening to fall.

“The worst that could happen is that he chooses not to come live with us. Even if we don’t adopt him, he’ll still be in our lives as will we in his. And we’ll care for him no matter what” Elliott said kissing their forehead.

“How did I get so lucky to marry such a caring man”

“It came with the job I guess” He joked.

The two decided to wait till they could commission Robin to build another room, even If Leo rejected the offer they weren’t gonna give up on the prospect of being parents.

To say Robin was ecstatic at the news would have been the biggest understatement since the town ‘learned’ of Mayor Lewis and Manires Affair.

A month had passed before the pair decided they were finally ready to ask Leo. A room decorated with a large window looking out towards the farm, what more could he want?

“Hi Leo, how are you today” Farmer asked sitting down next to him.

“Oh hi, Farmer, I'm good, are you and Mr. Elliott all right, miss Robin said you guys were doing something life-changing, that's why your house was under construction right?”

Oh, Robin and her loud mouth.

“Well, yes we are planning on doing something very different, and it actually why where here. We needed to ask you something really important” Elliot said now getting down to his level.

“Now before we do we want you to know that you can say no, and we won’t hold it against you” 

The child nodded.

“We wanted to know if you’d like to come live with us, we want to adopt you. You’d be our child and we’d be your new parents” The farmer was starting to struggle a bit.

“You’d still have the tree house of course but, maybe this could be more of a clubhouse for Jas, Vincnt, and you.”

Leo stayed silent before speaking in a hushed voice

“What if I lose you like I lost my real parents” tears poked out of his eyes.

“Oh hun come here” The farmer pulled Leo onto their lap, ushering Elliott to come closer.

“We don’t plan on going anywhere, and even if we did that won’t be for a long while”

“Will I still be able to visit with the parrots?” Leo questioned.

“As long as they don’t eat all the crop” Elliott tried lightening the mood.

The three sat cuddled in the tree house till Leo had become tired, falling asleep in the arms of the farmer.

“You know I can carry him” Elliott offered as they walked back home.

“no I've got him, he’s really light, we’ve got to fatten him up,” the farmer said a little concerned.

“I'm sure Gus would love to have a taste tester with an exotic pallet”

“Don’t you think we spend enough money there?” “Crab cakes are good, not my fault

They had finally made it home and placed Leo down in his new bed.

“Good night, my little Parrot,” The farmer said kissing him on the forehead

[crestwood-survivor]

Mythal in the Deep Roads Pt. 2: Trespasser DLC

Everyone who has played through the Trespasser DLC already knows that the ancient elves were in the deep roads, but I noticed some things in my most recent playthrough that I haven’t seen discussed. Mainly, the coffin room:

But let’s go through the area first. We exit the Eluvian and find ourselves in this weird combination of elven-dwarven ruins beneath Thedas. One of the things that stood out to me about this area is how Evanuris symbols we find (or at least I could find) are Mythal’s and Fen’Harel’s. There are two giant Mythal statues in this section, one is near the Eluvian we enter:

And the other is deeper into the area:

There's this one:

And finally two handing over the "coffin room" at the very back of this area:

There's also lots of wolf statues, some framing the eluvian:

Or caved in hallways:

On the path leading through the area:

And framing the "balcony" overlooking the coffin room:

Notice what there isn’t? Any statues for the other gods.

All the other elven ruins we’ve seen have had multiple gods portrayed in them, even in temples dedicated to one specific god. For example, the Temple of Mythal had a whole separate area depicting the other gods as well as hart and owl statues. The Temple of Dirthamen also had hart statues and statues of Mythal and Fen’harel. But in the deep roads? It’s only Mythal and Fen’harel. This to me implies that whatever operation was going on the deep roads, it was Mythal’s project.

Let’s go over some of the comments companions make in the area.

Cole has a few things to say. The first thing he’ll say is: “Songs screaming far away. It wants to wake up but can’t remember how.  No one should be here.”

This immediately made me think that Cole was referring to a Titan. Lyrium, the blood of the titans, is frequently described as singing. Cole makes similar comments if you take him through the deep roads in The Deep Descent DLC. Valta also describes what she hears from the Titan as a song, but she also tells us something else that’s important: Titans do not stir lightly. The Titan from the Deep Descent was asleep for a thousand years, and only woke up and started causing trouble because the breach disturbed it. Cole says that the songs are screaming far away, so it’s possible that this is a dormant titan that is near the area we are in.

Dorian will say: “It shouldn’t be this dark. Dwarven buildings are lit by molten rock. That doesn’t just go out.”

I’m not sure what to make of this comment, but it seemed odd to me. Maybe someone else has thoughts on this?

Further in, Cole will make a comment about the Qunari and Lyrium: “The stone sings. The song scares them. It’s the wrong song, the wrong blood. They don’t know how we stand it.”

Is this suggesting that Qunari have a greater sensitivity to Lyrium? What does the “wrong blood” mean? Is it referring to the Lyrium, the titan’s blood, or the Qunari’s blood? If Cole is referring to the Qunari’s blood, this wouldn’t be the first time someone has commented on their blood in the game. Kieran can comment on the Qunari Inquisitors blood at Skyhold if he has the Old God soul:

Kieran: You're the Inquisitor. You're very tall. Mother didn't say you were a Qunari.

Inquisitor: Oh? I'm told it's the first thing one notices about me.

Kieran: I noticed your blood. It doesn't belong to your people.

Here’s where things might get a little tin-foily.

When we get to the end of this area, the part looking over the coffin room, Cole will say:

“They’re all singing. Coffers, coffins, corpses that aren’t dead. A song crying out in the dark.”

The type of coffins/tombs we see in this area can be found in other parts of the main game. Here is an up-close screenshot of the tombs in this area:

And here is an example of the same type of tomb from the Solasan Temple, which is also associated with elves:

Based of Cole’s comment, I think the tombs we see in this room may contain ancient elves that are in uthenera. The “corpses that aren’t dead” part is what really makes me think this is the case. Uthenera is described as an alternative to dying for the ancient elves. When they didn’t want to be a part of the world anymore, they went into uthenera. It sounds similar to a coma. Abelas calls it the blissful sleep that never ends. The Mythal statues poised above the tombs, looking down on them/watching over them, makes me think that these are some of her people that have been put into Uthenera.

I’m not done with this topic yet; I still want to discuss the notes left behind by a dalish Qunari, but this post is already stupid long so it will have to wait.

[simplysedusa]

Do you have any silly head-canons for the rrb. And I mean downright ridiculous.

I'm so sorry this took a while to answer. The original one that I was gonna talk about turned out to be a bit..angstier than I realized and I figured it'd be best to save it for a ficlet idea I came up with. 😉😈

So, here's some other silly headcanons:

I stated in another post talking about the Rowdyruffs that Brick's guilty pleasures are boy groups. This also applies to K-Pop groups. He's into K-Pop (but he listens to other genres of music as well) and only Boomer and Butch know because they hear his tone-deaf ass mispronouncing every other Korean word in the shower. Both Boomer and Butch decide to keep this info to themselves because 1.) they want to live and 2.) who'd believe them? Brick's got private, secondary stan accounts with VPNs locating him in the Bermuda Triangle, pretending to be some 15 year old girl named "Becca". He's mostly a boy group stan (NCT, Ateez, Stray Kids) but a few girl groups managed to catch his interest (Dreamcatcher, G-Idle, Twice). And no, he's not above arguing with twelve year olds about record sales or popularity.

I'd imagine Bubbles stops by the Ruff household and catches Brick humming a very familiar tune to himself, and she's the one who casually tells others whenever the situation calls for it. Much to Boomer and Butch's chagrin, no one bats an eye.

After the events of "Bubble Boy", Boomer suggested getting revenge by having them dress up as the Powerpuffs and causing chaos across town. Originally, Brick and Butch were against it, but then considered the "evil acts" they could get away with and were suddenly on board. Unfortunately, they couldn't find the right dresses (plus Boomer and Butch's hair would NOT cooperate) and they gave up.

Halloween is their favorite holiday. Scaring people and free candy were great, but the boys really loved wearing costumes that they stole from the Halloween Party stores downtown. Their favorite group costume was of the Ministry of Pain (and the looks of Townsville citizens' faces as they arrived at their doors made it all the better for them).

Boomer's a dog person, Butch is a cat person, and Brick's neutral. The three had discussed wanting a pet to play with while under Mojo and HIM's care. They both reluctantly agreed so long as the vote was unanimous. Boomer and Butch damn near fought to the death to try to convince the other or Brick to change their minds. Boomer decides to let the matter slide. He finds a Beebo and keeps it a secret until after they move in with Ms. Keane.

Since receiving their new hairstyles in "The Boys Are Back In Town", the boys are very particular about their hair. They started to wear color-coded silk bonnets to bed after getting the idea from Sedusa when they broke into her place by sheer coincidence one night and spotted her wearing one.

RANDOM BITS OF KNOWLEDGE IN REGARDS TO SCIENCE AND ROBOTICS. The boys may struggle with finding the atomic weight of a certain element, but they know chemical reactivity (what elements will react to one another without exploding) like the back of their hands. Blueprints for death rays are like memorizing phone numbers for them. They were kicked out of the robotics club on their first day (and almost expelled entirely) after demonstrating how to build an actual laser and for rebuilding functioning, miniature Mojo robots from scratch. Blossom nearly considers going back to homeschool when she learns that she shares all of her A.P science classes with all three of the Ruffs.

It takes everything in Butch to not make another Rowdyruff once he learns of Bunny and Bullet. Brick likes the idea but thinks it's too much work, while Boomer is completely repulsed at the idea of having another brother. (He might just help make a Rowdyruff pet however, but his Beebo and Valentino are enough of a handful. 😉)

That's all I got at the moment, but if I have more, I'll be sure to share lmao.

[m-jelly]

Hi, my lovely Jelly ❤️

What about arrange marriage theme with Levi x reader? Reader is from a noble family and must marry Levi whom she has never seen. Reader, of course, does not like this idea, but the wedding still took place.

She is embarrassed and does not know how to behave with her husband. I like the idea of ​​how they will gradually get to know each other more and more after the wedding. It will be awkward at first, but they end up falling madly in love with each other.

I understand that arranged marriages are inherently terrible, but I'm just wondering how the characters will interact and build relationships in such a situation.

P.S. it can be Royal AU orJapanese AU or Modern time just choose which one you like more ❤️❤️❤️

xxx Olya

@ladycheesington <3

Arranged love

Pairing: Levi x Fem!Reader

Genre and tags: Royal AU, east Asian inspired, romance, falling in love, awkward love, fluff, arranged marriage, shy Levi and reader.

Concept: Levi is smitten as soon as he sees you on the wedding day. Once you're married, he whisks you away to his palace where he spoils you rotten and tries his best to get to know you. You like Levi right away, but you are a bit scared of what might happen. You slowly open up to Levi, and you give in to your love.

Taglist: @ladycheesington @levisbrat25 @nyxiieluna @li-anne @galactict3a @youre-ackermine @thebobaprincess @2moth-anon2 @cypidity @notgoodforlife @demonsimp6 @nbinairyn

Levi released a long sigh as he waited for you to be brought to him. He was a little nervous about everything, but his mother had assured him that you were a living goddess as sweet as honey. Kuchel had seen your painting, met you in person, and adored you. She wanted you as her daughter-in-law, which is why Levi was marrying you today.

He turned and gazed at the doorway to hear the announcement of your arrival. He perked up a little in anticipation of meeting his wife. He let out a shaky breath and felt his heart skip a beat when you entered the hall in your long white robes and a hood to hide your face.

He gulped hard as you moved closer to him and stopped at his side. He inhaled deeply and felt overwhelmed by the floral scent that was you. He felt his cheeks burn when you gazed at him causing his heart to skip a beat. Levi couldn't believe how beautiful you were with your delicate and very little makeup with coloured lips.

You felt your heart flutter and your cheeks burn as you gazed at the man who was going to be your husband. You couldn't believe how handsome he was and he had such a charming smile. You weren't that important, you were just a daughter of a politician but Levi was the Prince. You were shocked when you heard the Prince wanted to marry you. You had no clue that Kuchel was the Empress when you met her.

The ceremony was sweet and perfect as the two of you felt nervous with each other. He walked with you to a special carriage and helped you into your spot. He sat with you as the two of you were paraded around for all to see. You felt a bit flustered when Levi held your hand the whole time.

Once the parading was done, you were taken to the palace gardens where food and drink were served for you, your family and your friends. You enjoyed your food and felt comforted. You had been dreading this moment, but everything seems okay. You were a bit worried about the end of the night because it meant consummating the marriage.

Levi poured you a drink and smiled softly at you. "We have some time to talk."

You gazed at him. "Thank you, and I suppose we do, your highness."

Levi cleared his throat. "It is Levi to you."

"Yes." You bowed your head. "Well, what do you wish to discuss?"

"You."

You felt your cheeks heat up. "There isn't much to know. I'm not very interesting."

He reached over and played with some of your hair. "But I'm very interested."

You smiled at Levi's sweet smile. You turned a little to face him and began talking about yourself. You shared what you loved and your cute hobbies. You lit up in delight when Levi talked about himself and the things he enjoyed. You both found yourselves slowly falling for each other and discovering you had a lot in common with each other.

Levi talked with you until the end of the feast. He rose from his spot and helped you to stand. He guided you inside his home and released you so the attendants could change you into your night robes. He felt a little nervous about tonight because he knew it was about consummating the marriage, but he wasn't sure he was ready and he was certain you weren't.

He changed into his night robe and blushed at how much skin he was showing, he was practically naked but his privates were covered. He shifted a little and moved into the wedding chambers to see you sitting on the bed with your legs to the side and the shoulder part of your robe slipping down.

Levi turned to the attendants and bowed his head. "Thank you, now leave us. I don't want anyone near this room." He slammed the slide doors closed and listened to them talking before walking away. He released a sigh and turned to you. "You may pull your robe on more."

You tugged it on a bit. "Am I not pleasing?"

He moved closer to you. "You are like a delectable fruit I am dying to take a bite out of, but we have just met and I would like to explore these feelings between us first."

You let out a long sigh. "You know, I'm very thankful. I was very nervous about tonight."

"So was I."

You smiled a little. "I'm glad you feel the same way."

He offered his hand to you. "Come."

You took his hand and rose to your feet. "Where are we going?"

"To our special garden. I don't let anyone into this garden unless I give them special permission."

You walked out of the room and onto the deck through the slide doors. You admired his little sitting area of cushions on the floor. You followed Levi down to the grass and moved across the garden to a small pond with a little waterfall bit in place to keep the water flowing.

Levi sat and pulled you to sit on his lap. "We'll enjoy the peace. I think we should talk more as we enjoy the stars and maybe we could try to cuddle and kiss."

You looked up at the stars and gasped at seeing part of the galaxy. "Incredible."

Levi looked up before slowly looking at you and enjoying the view that were you a lot more. "You're right, incredible."

You looked down at Levi and felt your cheeks beginning to burn. "Levi."

"Yes?" He softly said your name and played with your hair. "What is it you desire?"

You felt your heart flutter when you watched him kiss your hair. "I would like to try that kiss."

"I would too." He pushed his fingers into your hair as his eyes searched your beautiful ones. He smiled softly and brought your head down. "You are a vision." He pressed his lips against yours.

Your heart soared when Levi's warm lips pressed against yours. You felt like you were in ecstasy. You had been so nervous to meet Levi, but you never imagined he'd be this perfect and his lips so addictive. You parted your lips and welcomed a playful lick of his tongue on your lip. You moaned a little in response as a tingle began in your body.

Levi slipped his hand over your back and felt a pleasure burn within him. Your lips were so soft and sweet. He felt so happy kissing you. His heart fluttered in his chest and he wanted to kiss you more. He flicked his tongue against your lip to test if you wanted him. He smiled when you moaned and opened your lips. He sighed through his nose as his tongue pushed into your mouth.

You wrapped your arms around Levi's neck and you hummed in delight. You pressed your body against his allowing you both to feel each other's bodies. You moaned with Levi as he gripped you tightly and slowly lay back on the floor. He rolled slowly onto you and dragged his body against yours making you purr at Levi.

Levi pulled from your lips and blushed as he looked down at you. "You are so wonderful." He played with your hair as he sighed. "I was thinking that tomorrow we could do some tea tasting. We'll try different teas together, make them too and we'll have little biscuits too."

You giggled. "I would love that."

"I'm glad. Oh and perhaps on another day we could possibly go horseback riding?"

You smiled softly. "That sounds wonderful."

Levi lay on his back and pulled you against him. "I want to cherish you."

You rubbed his chest. "Me too."

[streamdotpng]

Enid bounces in place, waiting on Yoko and Wednesday to get to the park. Divina sits next her with much less animation, but Enid knows she's just as excited.

"I'm going on a date with three girls!" She holds up her index, middle and ring finger to Divina. "Three!"

Divina laughs softly, taking her hand and kissing it.

"You seem excited. And not because you're on a date with your girlfriends, but because you have three." She tugs Enid in close, kissing the top of her head. "Nice to know we're just trophies to you."

"Wha— no!" Enid pulls away and kisses the bridge of the siren's nose. "That's not true. I love you all for other reasons!"

"Hm. I definitely know one of us sees the other three as a trophy."

Enid nods, puffing her cheeks out.

"Wednesday." They say in unison.

"Yeah, she's absolutely proud of dating three unique outcasts. I'm pretty sure she rolled dice to choose between me and Bianca."

"Nah, you shoulda see when we first got together. I knew she loved me so much it hurt her —'cause she told me constantly— but, y'know, sometimes I'd see her gazing at you and Yoko for a 'lil too long to be considered a passing glance, you know?"

The siren kisses Enid's cheek, wrapping her arms around the werewolf.

"Good to know I'm so hot Wednesday couldn't keep her eyes focused on just you."

"Mm." Enid crosses her legs and rocks side to side, "I know she's loyal, and we did discuss maybe adding a person or two."

"Did you?" Divina sips her water bottle, "I can't imagine how awkward that must've been."

Enid bobs her head, smirking.

"It got extra awkward when I told her she could have you, and I only wanted Yoko." She points her hand at herself, smug and unaware.

"Just for that, I'm not warning you." She sips her water.

Enid scoffs, "warning me of wh—"

"RAH!" Enid jumps out of her skin, screaming.

She turns around, and Yoko is wheezing from her laughter, pointing at Enid with one hand and wiping her tears with the other.

"THANK YOU, DIVINA! I OWE YOU A DRINK!" Yoko cheers over her laughter, falling into a coughing fit.

"Oh," Enid starts, still catching her breath and cooling her face down from the embarrassment of having four different families turn to her. "You asshole!"

She runs at Yoko and tackles her, careful to not hit her head on the large rock next to her. They both go down giggling.

"You asshole! Scaring me —your beloved girlfriend, whomst is your favorite— in public?! Who gave you the right?!" She takes the front of Yoko's shirt in her hands and shakes her, unsteady in her actions because of her laughter.

"God gave me the right!" Yoko yells back, grinning. "Also: stop riding me, we're in public!"

Enid goes silent in shock, mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"YOKO!"

"Uh!" Divina taps Enid's shoulder frantically, looking behind them. "Calm down!"

"We are in public!" Enid looks up, following Divina's eyes, "she needs to be roughened u—" she stops talking as she sees a park attendant walking towards them with a heated glare.

Enid gulps, letting go of Yoko's shirt with one hand to wave at them.

"Hello!"

The attendant's glare harden. Enid can see Wednesday sliding a knife out of her sleeve in the corner of her eye.

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

"How did you three get us banned from a public park?!" Divina throws her hands up as Yoko ashamedly leads them to a karaoke place she found.

"I didn't even know you could get banned from a public park!" She walks behind Wednesday, glaring a hole into her.

"Why did you take out a knife?"

"When have you known me to not choose violence?"

Divina purses her lips into a thin, disappointed line.

"And what have we all said about doing that?"

Wednesday dips her head down, shamefully. Somewhat.

She turns to Yoko.

"Why did you say that?"

"Uh..." Yoko kicks a rock, refusing to look the siren in the eye. "I thought it was funny?" She grins uncertainly.

"So, you made a mockery of us?"

Yoko looks down again.

"Sorry."

"Hm."

The vampire turns to a little building, pushing open the door. Wednesday immediately almost teleports to a table, sitting down and ignoring the loud people.

Yoko goes to the counter, talking to the short person there and handing them her card.

Divina leans down to Enid's ear, a halting hand on the werewolf's hip.

"You're not off the hook either, Puppy. What you're you thinking, cursing and yelling in public while playing into the energy of our girlfriend who we all know is prone to saying dumb shit?"

Enid blushes, both embarrassment, and from the feeling of a bruise forming on her hip.

"I... thought it was funny?" She smiles nervously. Divina squeezes her hips tighter.

"Brat." She lets go after kissing her cheek, and walks over to Wednesday, leaving Enid to awkwardly shuffle over to Yoko.

Divina sits in the booth next to the smallest of her girlfriends, pulling the short woman into her side, laying her head over hers.

She kisses the top of her head.

"My girlfriends are absolutely insane. Especially you."

"You complain, and yet you've still not reported me to the police."

"You'd break out."

"You complain, and yet you've still not broken up with me."

Divina smacks the side of her head like she's a cat, then kisses the spot and wraps an arm around her shoulder.

"I could never break up with you. Almost entirely because I love you; partly because I've met your parents, and I think they'd start sending me dead fish in the mail if I broke your heart."

Wednesday places her hand over Divina's, leaning into her side.

"They wouldn't do that. If anyone understands love, it's them. Also, even if they tried, I'd kill them. You deserve to make your own choices."

"Huh, I think that's the first time I've ever heard you not advocate for violence."

Wednesday just hums in reply as Yoko and Enid chat animatedly with the person behind the counter.

"Those two are enjoying this outing, at least."

"Aw," Divina boops her nose and grins at the glare she gets, "you know you're enjoying yourself." She kisses the smaller woman's lips.

Wednesday's ears turn red; she looks to the side.

"Silence, Siren."

Divina dips her head down, nosing at the author's jaw.

"But you look so cute blushing red, Wednesday."

She shivers and pushes the siren's arm off her shoulder, scooting across the booth until she's on the other side. Divina sticks her tongue out, mumbling a "you know you love me, Shorty." As their girlfriends walk back.

"I think me 'n Yoks are gonna use the karaoke machine! Here," Enid places their drinks down, Divina and Wednesday's in front of them, hers and Yoko's next to those.

"Don't spill 'em!"

The two watch their girlfriends jump on stage, silently fearing for their song of choice.

Enid tosses Yoko a microphone, accidentally bonking her on the head.

"Sorry!" Is Enid's stage-whisper.

Yoko rubs the spot and gives a thumbs up, grimacing.

As the bass fills the air, they both knew they were right to worry.

Enid starts yelling:

"I SAID CERTIFIED FREAK—"

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

"How did you two get us banned from a karaoke place?" Wednesday asks, walking in front of Divina, the siren's hands resting on her shoulders.

Instead of their reactions of last time, their girlfriends are barely able to walk, they're laughing so hard.

"So— sorry! But it was—" Enid actually collapses to the ground, falling to her hands and knees. She makes a wheezy laugh, tears darkening the concrete.

"Ho-holy fuck!"

Yoko drops to her knees, grabbing Enid's shoulder to steady herself.

She laughs too, so hard she starts snorting.

"I— damn!"

Divina starts laughing, giggles at first, then slowly building to loud, echoing laughter.

Wednesday stares at her girlfriends, all on the ground,, on two on their knees, one of them with her hands, and her other, other girlfriend has her hands on her knees to stabilize herself.

She smiles, watching the moment with a heat in her chest.

Their little moment is ruined when the sky darkens, and rail starts falling.

"Shit!" Enid yelps, crawling under a tree to avoid it. Yoko leaps after her.

"Why are you here too? Vampires can't get sick from the rain!"

"Girl, my foundation was 89 dollars! I'll eat garlic before I let it run!"

Enid nods, muttering a "good point."

Divina just stands there, closing her eyes like a dog in the sun. Wednesday stands with her, crossing her arms and looking at the siren.

"Are you liking the rain, Darling?" She asks as Divina does a little spin, wiggling in place like she's vibrating.

"Yes! We never get rain around here!"

"You look like a 7/11 hotdog with how you're spinnin'!" Yoko calls out, taking refuge with Enid under a dense tree.

"Don't call her a 7/11 hotdog, Tanaka." Wednesday takes a spray bottle from nowhere, and spritzes the vampire, nearly getting her in the face.

"AH! NO!" Yoko grabs Enid's shoulders, hiding behind her, using her like a shield. "You wouldn't shoot your favorite girlfriend!"

Wednesday pauses, finger still on the trigger, unable to shoot, trapped in a crossroads.

If she doesn't shoot, she admits to having a favorite.

If she does shoot, she shoots Enid, who is innocent.

Her hand shakes. Enid whimpers.

"Damn it." She lowers the bottle begrudgingly, glaring at the vampire. "Damn you, Tanaka."

"Ooo, last name. You're in troubleeeeee." Divina drawls lazily, doing a little dance in the rain. She likes it, at least.

Yoko sniffles at her words, "so rude."

Divina takes out her phone and takes a picture of the two, cowering under the branches and leaves like lost bear cubs.

Wednesday rolls her eyes and takes off her blazer, handing it to Yoko.

"Take my blazer, and stop being dramatic. You will be fine." She rubs the other woman's hands as she passes the blazer, internally beaming at the contact.

Yoko whines as she takes the clothing and lifts it over her head, pulling Enid in with her. She presses a rain-wet kiss to the werewolf's forehead.

The werewolf isn't taller than the other woman, so she sort of just waddles under the coat.

Wednesday takes Divina's hand; she begins leading the siren down the dirt path to their house, leaving their girlfriends to skedaddle like cartoon characters to get back to them.

"Hey!" Enid whines, dragging Yoko by the sleeve to catch up with their partners, getting soaked in the process. "You forgot something!"

"No, we didn't." Wednesday keeps walking. Divina laughs. Yoko and Enid start running into the forest after their girlfriends.

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

Enid towels off her head, bumping into the wall next to her.

"Yoko!" She calls out, still unable to see from the shaggy hair in her face. "Snookums, did you see my hairdryer?"

"Yours or mine?" Yoko yells back.

"Mine!" She can hear a bang. Most likely the vampire hitting a wall.

The door opens, and something taps Enid on the shoulder. She reaches blindly and takes the dryer, placing a hand on her hair and pushing it aside so she can safely plug it in, and not put it in the wall and kill herself.

"Thank you, Yoko!" She gets little 'mhm' in reply, turning on the hairdryer and moving her hair around.

She smiles because she can finally see again, the first time since Yoko lost Wednesday's blazer in a bush and Divina had to fish it out.

Enid cackled at her pun, much to Wednesday's disgust. Yoko laughed with her, even when her makeup ran.

"Move," Enid feels the other woman nudge her with a socked foot, shoving her deeper into the bathroom. "I gotta dry my hair too! I can't keep up my sexy vampire aesthetic if I look like a wet rat!"

Enid grumbles lowly, stepping aside so her girlfriend can enter the room with her.

"Coulda just asked, Yoks." She begins lowering the hairdryer down to the ends.

"But then I would've been able to poke you." Yoko grins. "And where's the fun in that?"

"Where's my fun?!" Enid points a finger at her love, heated glare aimed. "All I get is bruised rib!"

""A bruised rib"?" Yoko laughs, hair half dried. "I'm sure you'll get a bruised rib. And I'm sure the rib fairy will give you the turbo-suck as an apology."

"YOKO!" Enid screams, the sound ringing out on the walls. She stops her dryer.

"Shh!" The other woman presses a finger to her lips, trying to keep Enid quiet. "If those two hear us, Wednesday won't give us kisses! And Divina will say—"

"I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed." They say together.

"She's really good at putting her mother energy to use. And by 'use', I mean shaming us."

Yoko nods, turning her dryer off.

"I keep saying she'd make a great milf, but no one believes me!"

The werewolf sighs, turning the bathroom light off and leaving.

"It's not that we don't believe you, it's that, that is a really weird thing to say."

"So you admit I'm right!"

Enid pointedly ignores her, walking to the living room. She walks over to the couch, plopping herself down on the soft blankets and pillows.

"I'm tired," she whines, "I wanna sleep."

Yoko walks over and drops on her back, pushing the air from her lungs.

"Baby, I love you to death and back, but could you not?" Yoko giggles into her shoulder blades, kissing the spot there.

"But I wanna!" She snuggles deeper into Enid's sensitive muscles.

"Love you too." Enid wheezes.

The two lie there to a few moments— the werewolf being used as a pillow. The rain hits the windows outside.

"Yoky?"

"Yeah?"

"Where are our girlfriends?"

"Outside."

Enid hums, burying her face deeper in the couch. She's so close to falling asleep, even with Yoko's weight on her back. It's like a really comforting boulder.

"We should watch them. Make sure they don't hurt themselves." Yoko mumbles. Enid agrees, wrapping a blanket around her tired frame. She slips on her flip-flops, stepping onto the porch with her girlfriend.

The vampire sits on one of the chairs, Enid curls up in her lap.

"You tired, Pup?" Yoko asks against the top of her head, kissing the crown.

"Yes. I got all nice and tuckered out during our day out, then I got comfy on our soft-ass couch, with you acting like a weighted blanket, and now I'm out in the cold, rainy air." Enid whines. "I'm 'eepy as fuck."

"You 'eepy, Puppy?" She baby-talks, pressing rapid kisses to her cheek. "You wanna go 'eep?"

"Yes." She curls up tighter, seemingly trying to fuse into Yoko. "I am so fucking 'eepy. It's unfair how how goddamn 'eepy I am."

"Look." The taller woman whispers, nudging Enid. She cracks open her eyes, looking out at their land.

Divina and Wednesday are dancing, holding hands and moving together.

She watches them as Divina spins the shorter woman, three times in a row.

"Hey!" She calls out. "Divina! Do the thing!"

The siren's eyes widen, and she shakes her head quickly, waving her hands around.

"No, thank you!"

Wednesday turns slowly, like a possessed doll. "What 'thing', Darling?"

"Damn it, Enid!" She scolds, biting her lip. "She can't know about the thing!"

"The fish-based love of my life, tell what the 'thing' is right this second, or I will grill you to perfection."

Divina's face scrunches up in fear.

"Sorry."

She lifts her hands into claws and starts moving them side to side, whipping her neck back, getting rain in her face.

"No." Is all Wednesday says, walking back to their home.

"Wait!" Divina runs to her, intent on grabbing her girlfriend's arm.

"No." The smallest of the four keeps walking, ignoring the siren and all her worth. "You have hurt me most deeply, Fisher."

"Ooo," Yoko mocks, "last name. You're in troubleeeeee."

"Shuddup, Yoko! Wednesday, Shorty, I'm sorry!" She walks after her, right past Enid and Yoko. "I didn't mean it badly!"

The two still on the porch stand up, Enid wraps the blanket tighter around herself, and they step inside after the drenched two.

"I'm sorry!" Divina slips off her shoes as Wednesday does the same with her boots. "I just thought it was cute!"

"Enid, tell Fisher I am no longer speaking with her until my wounds heal. I am hurt so deeply, I may just pass on."

She walks over to her and Yoko, pressing quick kisses to their lips.

"'Vina, Wendy has decided she loves you more than life itself, and she'd gouge her eyes out before she let herself see you cry."

"Yoko, tell the other two that my heart belongs to you wholly."

Yoko laughs, tugging Enid down onto the couch with a soft grunt of effort.

"Sorry; busy!" She drapes a blanket over the werewolf, grinning as Enid falls asleep almost instantly.

She snuggles deeper into the quilt, melting into a puddle.

"Wednesday, I'm sorry, I swear I am! Please!" Divina walks after the author, both soaked and dripping water onto the hardwood floor. "I'll never do it again!"

"I left this house a taken woman, and reenter a single one. How tragic."

"Hey! I never did wrong by you!" Yoko stage-whispers, rubbing Enid's head where it lies in her lap.

"I left a taken-by-four-women woman, and reenter dating only one. How tragic." She corrects, stepping down the hall, Divina right behind her.

"Please! I promise, I'll never do it again!" The siren swears, hand over her heart. Wednesday steps into the bathroom, grabbing Yoko's hairdryer.

"I'll consider accepting your pleas, but for now, no kisses."

Divina's eyes get big, scared.

"What?" She whimpers.

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

Enid wakes up late. Very late. 'It's dark outside' late. She nudges the blanket off, half sitting up.

She looks around and sees Yoko and Wednesday on one of the couches, Wednesday sleeping on top of the taller woman.

She bleary-eyed looks to her side, seeing Divina writing on the coffee table.

"'Vina? What're you doin' up so late, Sweetheart?" She rasps, voice heavy with sleep.

The other woman's head snaps up so fast Enid hears a 'pop' in her neck. She twists her head side to side, popping the joints.

"I'm just writing down our grocery list."

Enid sleepily pats herself for her phone, taking it out of her pocket and opening it.

She's never been so thankful for automatic light sensing as the phone's brightness is dimmed, letting her read the time.

"W're you writin' our grocery list at two in the mornin'?" She slurs.

"I slept for a few hours, then couldn't fall back asleep. I didn't wanna wake any of you, so—" she gestures to the paper. "—list."

Enid nods, half asleep and ready to go back to sleep. She holds her hand out.

"Cuddle me?"

Divina huffs shortly then, scratching her pencil down a couple more times. She sets it down, pulling the paper close to herself before picking it up and setting it on the end table next to her.

"Better idea." She stands up and grabs the end of Enid's couch, pulling it in so it lines up with Yoko and Wednesday's couch.

The space is big enough that the three can sleep together, albeit cramped somewhat.

She walks over and scoops Enid into her arms, bridal carrying her to the conjoined sofas.

"This is how I'll carry you when we get married." She places her down gingerly.

"So confident I'll say yes." Enid presses into the corner, allowing Divina to slot in next to her, Yoko to her side.

"Would you say no?"

Enid goes quiet, pouting and closing her eyes, crossing her arms.

"What about Wednesday and Yoks, then? Do they just walk?"

The siren grabs hold of Enid's arm, pulling her down. She places the smaller woman down between herself and Yoko, pressing into her side.

"Yoko would carry Wednesday. Purely to spite her."

Enid yawns and nods, stretching like a cat.

"Tha's fair." She noses at the other woman's jaw, kissing the skin there. "I la' you, 'Vina."

"I love you too, Enid." She presses herself closer still, melting against her,

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

"So..." Divina starts as she boils water for their morning drinks. "Am I forgiven for my transgressions?"

Wednesday scoffs against her back, arms around her waist. "No."

The siren runs a hand over the two on her stomach, patting them in signal to let go. Wednesday does.

She takes the hot water and pours some into Wednesday's mug, letting her do her own thing.

"I'm sure the dozen-or-so kisses you gave all three of us this morning weren't real, then?"

"You dreamed it. They never happened."

Divina giggles, and presses a kiss to the crown of the other woman's head.

"Sure."

She walks into the living room where Enid and Yoko are still waking up, holding each other and whining about it being too early.

She takes Enid by the hand, kissing it. "Morning, Pup." She grabs Yoko's face and kisses her, smiling against the sleepy vampire's lips.

"Morning, Yoko."

She can hear Enid pad into the kitchen, mumbling under her breath about energy levels and the sun being a bitch-ass motherfucker.

She wraps her arms around Yoko, who immediately wraps both her arms and legs around the taller woman.

"Spider-monkey." She teases, kissing her head.

"It's bright." She whines, pressing her head into Divina's chest.

"Uh-huh. And it's morning, Doll." She stands up and supports Yoko, carrying her back to the kitchen.

She sits down on a chair and holds the other woman still, admiring her other girlfriends.

Enid has her arms wrapped around Wednesday, much like the goth had done to Divina herself. The werewolf rests her chin on her shoulder, sniffing her. Enid's tail wags behind her.

Divina feels herself get misty-eyed, squeezing here eyes closed and breathing out deeply.

She opens her eyes again, and the scene is so domestic it hurts.

She should needs to get up, but Yoko's got her pinned to the chair.

She can handle being trapped for a few more minutes. Or, for however long Yoko decides she's going to be trapped.

-Writer Anon.

They're just... So cute

I love the feels mate, they shouldn't be working so well but they do

Good for them :-:::

[stormxpadme]

Whumptober 2024 No. 26 - Nightmares

06/04/2018

In retrospect, the decision to build the cemetery in the Mutant High back garden, right by the man-high wall that protected Mutant High from outside attacks and prying eyes, had not been the smartest. This necessary security for the residents also inevitably meant that on some days, it was difficult to find the necessary peace and quiet in this place. The nonstop quiet electric hum of automatic guns and generators able to activate electric fields within fractions of a second for additional protection, made it difficult not only for mutants with heightened senses, even that far from the always-busy buildings, to let themselves fall into the meditation of complete silence.

And it wasn't the cool temperatures in the shadow of massive rock that had you shivering on the difficult walk to the small patch of lawn. The rose bushes that Ororo had planted alongside it back then couldn't hide the sterile, trimmed meadow where nothing really seemed to grow, as if the omnipresent mourning over this part of the mansion would have been souring the soil. The sight of one of the two graves, pompously adorned with a snow-white, tall marble stone and still decorated with lavish flower arrangements from residents and visitors even after all these years, couldn’t manage to brighten this gloomy atmosphere. Especially not if you were one of the few people in the know about there never having been a body in Charles Xavier's coffin. The second gravestone was of a much simpler design; only eight carved letters with the circular symbol of the X-Men above them and a stylized bird on the back. And yet it was only this grave that Ororo had been leaving a new rose in front of every morning for 17 years now. This grave, especially on difficult days like today, Xavier's remaining warriors were gathering in front of, to mourn the one from their midst who had really died. Which had left a gap in their group that had never been closed.

In view of today's events, Scott had expected his wife to show up here sooner or later, too, so it didn't surprise him that someone was already standing at Jean's grave when he wanted to take a few minutes to catch his breath there himself after the last preparations for tomorrow. He discreetly remained in the background for now, not wanting to disturb Katja in her deep contemplation. But he could hear her, the quiet words she told her deceased friend, which the two of them had never been able to exchange during Jean's lifetime, while Katja was fidgeting with a long wreath of flowers between her fingertips. Her tear-choked whisper echoed in his mind though, thanks to the mental link having grown stronger and stronger over the years, that Jean as Dark Phoenix had created between them back then. Scott wouldn't even have been able to not listen if he'd wanted to. If he'd wanted to avoid the pain that Katja's words were causing him.

No, it wasn't a good day, not after what Angelica had so ruthlessly revealed to them about a man-made virus killing more than a hundred mutant kids in what had been supposed to be a sanctuary camp. Even if the X-Men, thanks to this new crime committed by the same psychos of all things, would now finally get answers, would maybe even be able to bring Jean's killers to justice ... Then justice might be served, but it couldn't erase the grief.

“How I wish you were here right now, Jean.” Katja wiped her eyes absentmindedly. ”How I wish you could see our girls, especially today. They're just like we were back then. They can't wait to go into the field properly. I'm so fucking scared for them.” A confession choking Katja's whisper so much that now it was only sweeping through Scott's mind like an icy current, just as painful as Katja's anger earlier during that discussion earlier. Katja, too, crossed her arms tightly in front of her chest, as if she were suddenly freezing out here in her thin top, despite her mutation-induced temperature resistance. A few raindrops caught in her dark mane of worn-down hair. “I'm scared shitless for them, you know? But I promised you. I'll look out of them, no matter what comes. Noemi and Sassy will be fine. I won't let that happen. Never.” The last word became a hiss of hatred aimed at the X-Men's newest enemies in particular. After a brief kiss on her fingertips, Katja let them rest on one of the half-opened flowers of her small gift, after putting down the latter on the grave's pedestal, right next to the weatherproof bowl of fire that had been stoked by a different Mutant High resident every morning for almost two decades now.

Only when Katja remained in her hunched position, her forehead resting wearily on her bent knee, did Scott approach her.

Of course, she must long have sensed that he was standing behind her and didn’t flinch when he gently rested his hand on the back of her neck. She turned her head to the side, revealing her tear-stained face to him without hesitation, and breathed another of those tender kisses on his knuckles. She didn't want to talk; about this subject, they'd rarely done that since back then, but she was glad he was there. “We good to go?”

“Our Cajun and the rookie will have to be working through the night, and Bastian's still asleep, but you guys are all set up for takeoff.“ Scott pulled her up and lovingly took her in his arms.

“If Marie ever finds out that you still call her that, you'll be in a coma for a month,” Katja murmured against his shoulder, trying desperately to distract him from what was weighing down on her so heavily with regard to that trip to a certain other graveyard in Alaska tomorrow. When Scott didn't even show a weak grin, just continued to treat her neck to caresses and kisses, she let out a deep sob. “How can I let this happen? Why didn't I forbid Saskia this whole warfare madness when I still could?”

“So that she doesn't turn away from you and you can be there for her if she indeed might become one of us full-time, just as you promised,” Scott replied calmly. ”We knew that this day would come when we decided that we wanted a child, Katja.” It was his turn to sigh heavily when only a vague nod answered his quiet admonishment.

Katja knew he was right, but it would still take some time before she would be able to accept that. “I'm wiped.” Careful enough to be sure that she was at least no longer angry with him about a certain team constellation on the upcoming mission, she stepped back. “I better crash or I won't be of any use at sunrise.”

Scott took a closer look at Katja, the dark traces under her eyes that Katja's smudged make-up revealed, difficult to make out because of his limited vision. Great, just what he'd needed right now. “Nightmare phase?”

“Started the day before yesterday. It will pass, don't worry. Anniversary is yet to come after all,” Katja explained bitterly. Anniversary. By now, it had indeed almost been 18 years already since Scott's old arch enemy from his teenage days had assaulted her, back on that terrible day in the New York sewer system. 18 years of intense nightmares, often lasting for weeks at a time.

Scott took Katja's face between his hands, resting his forehead against hers for a moment. He'd managed to accept some of the terrible things that happened during that time of endless tragedy after Liberty Island, after Alkali Lake back then; to understand that fate had left them all no chance to change anything about certain things ... But he would die one day without ever having forgiven himself for not being able to protect Katja from his greatest enemy. “He's dead.”

“I know.” Katja had always been the one who, despite Scott's glasses, had been able to see the darkness in his eyes in such moments. And as usual, it was the hatred for himself over this atrocity that she'd never been able to talk him out of, that helped her to suppress her own grief and fear and to be as strong for him as she had become during the Phoenix crises at the latest. “Let's just go to bed, okay?” It was a little early for that, but no one would be in the mood for shared dinner together tonight anyway, and Hank and Ororo could take over supervision duty just as well. "Let's make the most of the time until Sassy comes back from her training." It was a request, not a demand, but Katja knew that Scott would never have been able to refuse one of those on an evening like this, no matter how much administrative work was piling up on his desk. The latter would still be patiently waiting for him tomorrow. Katja needed his closeness and care right now, to help at least try to forget.

On such nights, no matter how hard he tried to do his best, he could always see the tears in Katja's eyes, the old panic ... That wouldn't be any different today. Nevertheless, it would never have occurred to him to push her away.

That, Katja always made impossible for him anyway, at least since she'd recovered from her abuse trauma more and more in the course of the years, even without the help of a therapist, against all the odds – not least thanks to her studies to become a badly needed Counselor at Mutant High, as Scott suspected. Her insecurities having slipped away, she honestly was enjoying her nights with him again by now and also knew exactly how to initiate them most quickly, even when Scott, too, felt as physically and emotionally drained as on this depressing day. She waited for him on the bed with a genuinely excited smile after a quick shower of his, with her legs pulled close to her chest so that her tight jeans emphasized her cute behind, catching his gaze as he closed the thin folding door that somewhat provisionally separated the sleeping area from the rest of the apartment. That was enough for a little discretion; Sassy was old enough to roll her eyes and turn up the music in her room when she was around and things got too much for her. Or to spend the night at Noemi's.

Today, they were undisturbed. Scott could drop down next to Katja without hesitation, wrap his arms around her slim waist, testing the waters. There wouldn’t be any experiments this time. Right now, they both just needed a little of the peace and warmth that the mere presence of the other so close to their own could always provide.

Accordingly unhurried, Katja made a start, starting to unbutton his shirt, with her lips softly on his. With old routine, her fingertips avoided every single spot on his chest where scars documented his life in the field, especially the rough tissue graveyards on his right shoulder from Ontario Lake and on his hip on the same side, from the Scapels Moon. A yearning sigh escaped Katja when Scott buried his hands deep in the back pockets of her jeans, directing her well-trained body over his until she was kneeling above him. Her warm breathing was tickling his lips, followed by the playful tip of her tongue. Slowly, deeply, it slipped into his mouth, in the same calm rhythm that her hands were caressing his bare chest in, that his hands were guiding her lower body ever closer against his, letting her feel his rapidly growing arousal. Her fingertips teasing his nipples, her sharp nails pushed back the sensitive hardness with firm pressure until the delicate skin reacted with hundreds of tiny electric shocks to Katja's soothing kneading. A tender smile curled on her lips when a first moan left his mouth. Her groin was pressing into his harder and harder until Scott braced himself on the mattress behind him with both hands behind him, panting, his legs crossed behind Katja's back to keep her in this promising position. His shirt fell down his arms and was promptly held there by Katja's firm grip. Her eyes were sparkling teasingly when she leaned forward, looking up at him provocatively before her tongue was hotly tracing the line between his pecs, her increasingly rapid breathing nurturing the odd drop of sweat on his skin, without her mouth coming anywhere close to his nipples even once.

When it did at last, the heat of desire burned in his loins almost painfully, so that he pressed them against hers again in a helpless movement, holding Katja's hips firmly tight when she wanted to jerk away instinctively, moaning away shamelessly, until a first height darkened her eyes, caused by nothing more than that targeted movement of his hardness against her most sensitive point, through far too much clothing. Only now did Scott let himself sink down onto his elbows to finally get rid of his shirt completely, to give Katja a chance to pull her top over her head, open her bra, while she was still trying to catch her breath, trembling.

Her hair brushed his bare skin like a soft mane, her sweat-drenched face nestled closely against his chest, just for a moment, before she continued her sweet torment of his nipples as if nothing had happened, switching between these sweet caresses of her tongue and tormenting them with her teeth. Gently but firmly, she freed herself from the grip of his legs and scooted a little lower, her hands playfully stroking up and down his waist, repeatedly towards the waistband of his trousers without lingering there. She was playing. Another time, she could have dragged that out for hours, but Scott didn't want Katja to only have to escape into stubbornly keeping active that night to handle her grief.

So he forced himself to get the desire throbbing through his body under control, folding his hands on Katja's neck to pull her back in.

Her kiss was passionate, deep. She knew exactly how to drive him crazy with just a touch of her tongue against the roof of his mouth. She tasted of salt, of lust. Her body was shaking in anticipation again already; she let him feel it without moving a muscle, her hip pressed firmly against his.

Flipping them over to draw things out a little longer still was a challenge, but luckily Scott's life had been shaped by the need for such discipline since his youth. The tender touch of Katja's skin on his cheek made up easily for the sudden lack of her kiss when he pulled away. Her sweetish fragrance engulfed his senses, her beloved pure taste accompanying the path of his lips moving lower on her body. The softness of her beautiful curves filled his firm grip, her nipples hardening willingly against his tightening knuckles. His lips were avoiding her scars, too, caressing the sensitive skin that had been spared from those at the time, until not even the slightest tension had Katja's muscles cramp until she could forget, her back arching longingly when Scott stripped her off her pants and underwear as well before following that good example himself.

“Turn around,” she pleaded when his mouth resumed its journey up her bare, slender thigh, pampering her silky skin with hungry kisses. ”I want to touch you too.”

Actually, Scott hadn't had that planned, not tonight, when things should be about her feeling better ... But when he tried to reach for her hand to rest his lips on it dismissively, Katja pulled away and traced his cheek, his glasses, right below the swollen skin under his eyes, marked by tears that only she knew about. You need it, too.

Scott couldn't find the words to thank his wife for her endless care, her attention, and her affection, so he fulfilled her wish, getting down on his knees on the bed upside down, his hands spreading Katja's legs in invitation, caressing her sensitive inner thighs, his tongue tracing the delicate crease of her hips.

The fragrance of her desire lured him in before he'd even properly touched her, but she didn't stop for even a moment herself. Her hands slipped along his tense groin muscles while the tip of her tongue tip provocatively traced his rock-hard length. Her head leaned back widely, she caught the violent twitch going through his lower body. Hot wetness engulfed him, chopped breathing teasing the weight of his balls until he thought he wouldn’t be able to endure another second of this superiority of sensations.

Only when his mouth soaked up the glistening traces of her desire from her swollen folds, did her concentration waver, too, and she stopped taking him in as enthusiastically as if she wanted to bring it to an end immediately. Scott focused on these wonderful impressions of her well-known taste, her scent, the clenching of her muscles when two fingertips found their way into her hot tightness, and a bit of this overwhelming tension in his loins subsided. Ever until they found a firm, slow rhythm, Katja's skilled mouth repeatedly drawing him in all the way, in time with the circling movements of his fingers deep inside her, the game of his tongue at her most sensitive spot. The juices wetting his skin seductively washed over his senses, making it easier to ignore a dangerous twitching right there where all his want gathered in this one certain spot. A throaty groan threatened to trigger an old sensitivity in his lungs, which he immediately chased back to where it'd come from. His back was tense as if his spine was about to let out a protesting crack ... But somehow, he managed to pull away from Katja before she could provoke an orgasm that he didn't want to let happen this way, not today.

Her hips came to meet his in challenge when he came to her, her nails digging into his back. She was so temptingly tight and wet when he took her that for a second time, he could hardly hold back. And the way she was biting her lower lip almost painfully, rutting her hips violently against his, it was probably no different for her.

All by itself, his hand sneaked between their bodies, coming to rest on that one spot he had already just attended to so enthusiastically. A brief, firm rub with the tip of his thumb was enough to make Katja come a second time that evening, to banish all worry from her pretty round eyes, even if only for a short time. For tonight, that was all they could give to each other.

It was Katja's turn to wrap her arms and legs around him and flip them around cleverly before she'd even fully recovered. She blew his senses with a fast, harsh rhythm, knowing exactly how to make him completely helpless within seconds. In the last of the daylight falling inside, her bare breasts were shining with the heat of her desire, pressing into his massaging touch, the game of her muscles around him torturing his self-control. Her full, broad lips were a sweet temptation pulling away from him every time her body arched in her arousal. She was so goddamn beautiful, and Scott would never not see her this way, despite the many scars on her skin that still tormented her to this day. She was no longer shaking; the memory left her alone, at least in these minutes together, when Scott was able to show her the right, one of the most beautiful sides of love. And yet the sun hadn’t even set completely yet, Katja's body was still on top of his, their union not yet at an end ... That was when he could see the darkness return to her eyes already. Feel her in their slow kiss. Taste it in the salt on her cheeks when his lips caressed her face, every inch of it. It was not over, it never would be. Not on days like this. They didn't talk, but they both knew. At some point, Katja fell asleep, with her head pillowed on his chest, long minutes only after they'd heard the door to the apartment outside close and Saskia was trying to forget her restlessness about tomorrow in somewhat unmelodious German music from her computer next door. L’Âme Immortelle rarely failed at accompanying the threat of apocalypse with a cynically fitting sound. When Katja woke up in the middle of the night, long after she had curled up on her side, wisely turned away from Scott, her hand held the knife that always lay under her pillow even while she was half-asleep. When Scott gently took it from her and pulled her back against him, the tears began to fall again. They had found love that evening but no reassurance.

Ororo seemed to be right ... The arrival of Bastian as the sole survivor of this drama at the New York II camp had unleashed something evil. Even though he tried not to show it to Katja ... Scott was seriously worried about his family and friends for the first time in years.

*******************************************************************************

@whumptober | @whumptober-archive

[wildwinterlunas]

So, I don't exactly know if you've discussed this, but I think it's clear about what this current season is going to lead up to, and why I think it's so important to be adamant and weary about Null Sector's plans.

The evidence is there, and the claim?

Null Sector is trying to start another Omnic Crisis.

However, this one is less 'a glitch in the system'

And more, 'hitting the factory reset button and installing a virus intentionally right after.'

Why?

WELL BUCKLE UP YOUR BAMF BELT KIDDOS CAUSE THIS IS A TRIP AND A HALF.

As we know from story missions, Omnics are being subjugated and indoctrinated across the globe, all at once, in almost every part of the world by Null Sector and those helmets that quite literally place them under a catatonic state and wipe the Omnic's memories.

Torbjörn's analysis on the helmet is very clear when he brings up a very important piece of information:

"I don't know...this device is a nasty piece of work. I think I can get it off, but the bigger problem is, I'm not reading anything in the Omnic's memory banks."

"He's still alive, but it's like the essence of who he is,...is gone."

Now, when we say essence, I'm pretty sure we're saying the Iris, or Aurora's essence that was implemented during the awakening. Now I get what you're thinking. 'Ok Anon #324, but if the Iris gets removed, then why is Ramattra talking about Iris? During the Toronto mission?'

And to you- I say- oh ho ho, my dear, that's exactly what we should be fearing. Let it tie into the fact that there's also one of these Voicelines from Ram when talking about his favorite animal:

"Ants. They build marvelous structures and cooperate when threatened. I find them... Inspirational."

Toronto mission, hell, even the humans are terrified. Everyone is swarming in groups. It's not just gameplay either, when Sojourn is directing the groups of scared Omnics onto the ferry boat, it only proves Ram's point more. People are scared, people are grouping together to fight back, hide, run, and that's exactly what NS wants.

Not only is Null Sector wiping the Iris and awakening out of the Omnics altogether, they're creating a brand new version of the 'Iris'...let's call it 'Pink Eye' cause from what I've seen it's highly contagious. Not only from wiping memories, but also using the memories of strong fighters as well. Human's memories. (*Cough Cough* Ana.)

Have you heard Ram talking during the Toronto mission? He specifically states:

"Together, our one minded purpose. We will make this world, our paradise."

"We welcome you into the Iris."

----------

You let me know what you think about this. I wanna hear some raw thoughts. Big brain mode, no idea is a bad idea. I'm hungry for knowledge.

All I know is that, a couple of things could happen.

If those helmets are taken off, someone is going to have to sacrifice their memories either to bring back the original Aurora awakening and reinstall essence to the Omnics. Wonder who.

If NS ends up indoctrinating a major part of the Omnic population, many will die when and if those helmets do something else. If they can send out a location signal, who knows what else they'll do.

If sentience is reestablished into Omnics and possibly other software coding, this'll be one hell of a trip for all those Null Sector bots.

Man you had a brain blast and I. AM. LOVING IT!

Honestly I love your theory and I don't think there is much to add! It also is a good way to bring in the Junkers cause apparently he found the secret to Omnic life in the Australian omnium-

That could be a way to bring all the omnics back, the Australian Omnium was the place where Aroura was built after all. They could end up brining a second awakening, some residual of Aroura left in the Omnium. It could also lead to the sentience of the Null Sector drones, specifically the bots that are based off of actual people.

Like the C-455 Sharpshooter, P-900 Warhead, S-900 Sentry, A-7000 Wargod and K-2000 Blademaster. If they all have the same glitch that A-7000 has them that is one hell of an identity crisis they're going to have.

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

All that aside, I want to present my own theory. A counter theory if you will.

And that is Ramattra doesn't know that those helmets are erasing Omnics, he just thinks they are in a catatonic state. There is no indication that Ramattra knows what the subjection helmets are actully doing to Omnics.

If you look back at Ramattra's short story there is no implication of Ramattra wanting to create a new Omnic society through hitting a reset button;

There is an indication of imprisonment, of taking away other Omnics choices in order to make them listen, but that is very different from hitting a reset button. Essentially killing the soul of Omnics. It's something I don't see Ramattra doing knowingly. However, there is a group of people who would not only do this, but has tried to do this before.

Talon.

Something I remember from the Story Missions is Torbjourn saying that the helmets put an Omnics mind in a loop. It's something I didn't think much about. Until I read "The Hero of Numbani".

In that book Sombra hack and installs a virus several Omnics around Numbani. A virus that locks Omnics in a constant loop, and gradually corrupts the Omnics memories.

Sound familiar? There is also the fact that a part of Doomfist's beliefs that are presented in that novel are anti-omnic.

Not only that but I always found it strange that Dommfist, someone who wants conflict, would help someone who has the motivation of "Peace at any cost". Ramattra goal has and still is, for freedom and peace. Something that if he were to gain, would go against Doomfist's want for conflict.

Unless Doomfist is just using Ramattra and Null Sector as a tool to create conflict, adding either an updated version of Sombra's virus (or what he thinks is an updated version), to remove Omnics souls and create a true Second Omnic Crisis.

Not only that but that could also lead into an explanation on what "The Conspiracy" is, maybe it's another God AI who wants to do what Anubis did but has learned from the mistakes of the first Crisis and is trying to make it so they are guaranteed to win.

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

Either way I am excited for both of these theories, with the first one it's going to be interesting to just explore that aspect of Null Sector, if they get Omnics back are they going to still have their memories, their souls? Are they going to resort back to their basic programming, are they going to go back to being under Anubis's control?

In the case of the second theory, how will Ramattra react if he truly doesn't know what the helmets are doing? Will he stop the invasion? Will he double down? Will he go after Talon?

It's all so interesting!