#but they will have a very appropriate new year's installment!

[gallawitchxx]

🖤 barber!mickey & (not so) shaggy!ian 🖤

here's the 38th installment for this week's @galladrabbles prompt: comfort by @mikhailoisbaby

catch up/read in full HERE -- updates weekly! [ read scenes one & two in their entirety ON AO3 ]

- - - - -

Ian laughs, the resonance of which is warm in Mickey’s body, rippling out through his chest and into his extremities. Mickey knows he’s giving the guy a bit of whiplash—his unique brand of crass and caring tumbling out in an awkward and impromptu fashion—but Ian seems to be rolling with the proverbial punches just fine.

“A whole lot more than just my taste in tacos, Mick,” he says.

For as much comfort lies in the nickname, Mickey realizes that it’s a warning. A flare gun bursting through a pitch-dark sky; red numbers counting down to something unimaginable.

[highvern]

Silk

Pairing: Kim Mingyu x fem!reader

Genre: smut, friends to lovers, established relationship

Warnings: weed mention, alcohol mention, moments of self-doubt/insecurity, oral (f. receiving), fingering, boyfriend Mingyu, making out, hickies, mentions of frat!svt, grinding, panty/pussy job, cumshot, first time together, mentions of previous partners, not seeing heaven pt II!

Length: ~4.3k

Note: another Drunk Goggles installment! this is probably gonna be the last one for a while tbh. im working on something new for my gamer boy husband wonwoo as we speak. "adamas et aurum" was written to balance the depravity that takes place.

MDNI! 18+ ONLY

read more here

Mingyu doesn’t recall the details of the first time he saw you naked. At least what your nude body actually looked like. He remembers it being at his frat’s mountain weekend junior year, that one of the other guys brought you as their date, and how Mingyu’s then girlfriend had broken up with him that morning when he came to pick her up to leave for the cabin. The second he arrived he holed up in his assigned room upstairs, listening as people arrived throughout the day from under the covers.

When he finally came down, he stumbled into an already out of hand game Truth or Dare thanks to Hoshi and his liberal drink pours. Everyone was laughing wildly, DK’s shirt was wrapped around his head, and Joshua looked like he had just taken a shower fully clothed.

“I dare you to go skinny dipping in the lake.”

Everyone knew about Jun’s crush on you so the dare just made Mingyu roll his eyes as he grabbed a beer and walked out onto the porch overlooking the water, hoping to drown his sorrows in the bottom of the bong he brought with him. 

You had never been one to back down, so it was no suprise Mingyu was watching you sprint down the steps towards the lake, discarded clothes fluttering to the ground behind you. He caught sight of your bare rear seconds before you hit the surface with a splash, and that was that.

All in all, Mingyu doesn’t remember much about it.

But the first time Mingyu sees you naked as the girl he’s dating, he’s tempted to grab his phone and document the occasion so he can relive the moment again and again. 

He hadn’t planned for anything to happen tonight beyond the nice dinner he treated you to followed by a stroll downtown. When he walked you to your door to kiss you goodnight, you invited him in. Mingyu thought it was because you didn’t want to end the night yet, happy to oblige you’re desire to prolong his company. 

You’d confessed to each other almost a month ago, and in that time Mingyu tried to be nothing less than a gentleman. Most of his behavior is ingrained in him already: holding open the car door for you, walking on the outside of the sidewalk, getting you the same small bouquet of wildflowers you love from Ms. Kwon every Saturday. All of it as easy as breathing due to his innate drive to care for those who mean the most to him.

Other less appropriate behavior, reserved for you and only you, fights tooth and nail to claw its way out of the most depraved parts of his mind.

The first time you made out, he barely stopped himself from flipping over to pin you against the couch and have his wicked way with you. When he felt you up in the back of his car at the drive in for the first time like a desperate teenager, he had to actually bite his tongue to keep from ripping your shirt off and exploring everything underneath. The few times you’ve sent him suggestive text messages, usually accompanied by a photo of you in the bath with the naughtiest bits covered by bubbles or a suggestive mirror selfie that highlighted your figure, Mingyu nearly cries when stopping himself from sending an even more suggestive response.

The issue isn’t that he thinks you’d dislike him doing those things, tempting him more and more with each passing day. But Mingyu’s worst fear at this point in your very new relationship is that you’ll think he only wants you for sex. Scared shitless that he’s misread the signals you’ve given him, confused innocent gestures as a go ahead to lust and crave. So his simple solution is to not do anything, provide nothing that can point even remotely in that direction. A perfectly PG relationship so you don’t misunderstand his interest.

To say it was a bomb to your self-esteem is an understatement. Mingyu is always the one to pull away first, the one to stop things when they verge on being more, before anything can go too far. Tonight you invited him in with the intention to ask him what his deal was. You know he’s not inexperienced; confirmed by several of your friends in college sharing details after spending a night in his bed. And it hardly seems that he’s regretting sharing his feelings with you; never missing an opportunity to inform you how beautiful he thinks you are or how much he likes spending time with you. The collection of good morning and good night texts littering your phones, each a precious reminder that you’re the first person he thinks of when he gets up and last before he goes to sleep. Down to his eagerness in planning dates, making reservations or buying tickets the second he knows your calendar is clear, effort oozing from his pores. You don’t know any guy that would try even half as much as Mingyu does if they weren’t interested.

There didn't seem to be any hardware issues on his end either. The first time you made out on your couch, the tantalizing feel of his hard cock against your bottom told you he was at least attracted to you. You just don’t get why he doesn’t seem to want to touch you the same way you yearn to touch him.

Tonight starts like it always does. Sitting a little bit too close on the couch, Mingyu’s hand finding your thigh, your own playing with his fingers as you discuss this and that. He tells you how Wonwoo finally got the courage to ask out his coworker he had a crush on. You update him on the work drama with your manager.

Eventually, someone shuffles closer, eyes meet, a head tilts, and all of a sudden your tongue grazes his as he coaxes you into his lap.

Testing the waters, you gently rock your hips against his as you nip his earlobe, releasing a stifled gasp when he rise to meet you. Embolden by his response, your fingertips skate up his chest as you arch further into him, lips searching for his.

“We should—mhm— slow down.” Mingyu pants into your mouth, making no effort to remove himself from you despite his words.

“But I want you.” You gasp as the next buck of his hips has the rough fabric of his jeans grinding against your barely covered pussy as your short dress rucks up higher and higher on your hips.

Dropping to Mingyu’s neck, you hope the rake of your teeth on his jaw will convince him to touch you the way you desperately need.

Your right hand is twisted through his hair, sending chills down his neck when your nails scratch his scalp. The other covers his as you place it on your breast, arching your chest and urging him to give it a gentle squeeze.

“Fuck,” Mingyu groans, eyes trained on the way you fill his palm perfectly.

His next squeeze is answered with another moan. Mingyu knows it’ll burn his ears next time he’s alone in his room.

“Wait.” He breaths.

Mingyu’s tone tells you he���s serious. Still in his lap, you lean back to look down at his face.

His eyes are closed and long breath leaves his nose before he mutters, “We should stop.”

“Oh.” You exclaim shakily.

You try to not let the hurt that arises bleed into your voice but it’s impossible. 

Crawling out of his space, you sit back on the cushion next to Mingyu, putting a foot of distance between you. You focus on anything else besides the man beside you, training your eyes on how your fingers pick at the hem of your dress. The silence between you two is uncomfortable in a way it's never been before.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“Obviously it's not fine.”

“I guess I’m just,” you pause searching for the best way to explain yourself, still unable to look at him. “confused? Everytime we start, you know, you stop. Am I making you uncomfortable? Do you not want to?”

“No!” He winces, shocked by the booming volume of his own voice. “No, I just— I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to.”

Finally looking at him, you ask, “What part of putting your hand on my boobs makes you think I don’t want you to do it?”

“I,” Mingyu responds, hand dragging down his face. “I don’t wanna mess this up and push you too far o—”

“Mingyu, stop it!” You snap, annoyed with his self sacrificing. “You're not gonna mess anything up by touching me. I thought I made it pretty obvious I want you to.”

“You do?”

“Of course I do.” You try to reel in your irritation but it's impossible.

“Why are you mad?”

“Because you’re acting like I can’t make my own decisions.”

“That’s not what I–”

You jump up from the couch to stand in front of him, arms flailing as you grunt in frustration.

“Yes, it is!” 

“I’m just trying to be a gentleman!”

“Well stop!”

“Fine!” he shouts, matching your own exasperation.

Mingyu throws you over his shoulder in a second, long legs carrying him towards your room. He’ll be damned if the first time he touches you, really touches you, is on the cramped lumpy couch in your living room. 

“Put me down!” you yell, fist pounding at his back and kicking your legs in an attempt to get free.

A gentle slap on your ass has your breath stalling. It’s not enough to hurt, barely a brush of his hand but it has your mind reeling all the same.

“Be good.” Mingyu orders, voice rough as gravel.

Oh, wow.

“And if I’m not?”

His steps falter before he continues down the hall, “Haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”

Well at least he hasn’t been completely possessed. 

He gently sets you down on the foot of your bed, stepping back to stand in front of you with his hands on his hips which cocks to the side. You almost laugh at the way he looks like a mom about to scold her kid. 

“I’m not gonna fuck you tonight.” He states simply.

“Why not?” You protest.

Shame rises in your throat like bile when Mingyu hesitates.

“I wanna take things slow.”

“Oh…okay, that's okay.” You reassure him, reach to take one of his hands in yours. “We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.”

“I do want to touch you. But we’re not having sex tonight.”

“That’s okay too.”  You can’t hide the way your breath stutters, flashes of his hand between your legs clouding your mind.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” you nod. “whatever you want.”

“Can I take your dress off?”

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” You tease, smiling mischievously up at him.

Mingyu's own mouth twists as he snags the neck of his shirt, subconsciously flexing the muscles along his arms and stomach enticingly as it rises over his frame. If anyone asks, he’d deny doing it on purpose but the way your eyes scorch across his skin makes him tense just a little bit more. His vision is blacked out by the fabric as it comes over his head, but when it's gone he sees heaven.

The lilac sundress you’d worn to dinner is gone, leaving your hair ruffled from its hasty removal, fluffed around your face enticingly. But it's what was under your dress that has Mingyu’s tongue on the verge of rolling out of his mouth and heart beating like a cartoon character. Your chest is wrapped in a silky pink bra, swells of flesh threatening to spill over the cups with each breath that stretches your lungs, stiff nipples poking through the edge of the fabric. The alluring pull of a matching pair of panties across your hips, accentuating your curves in the best ways, makes his cock twitch; but when you spread your legs, unveiling a tantalizing damp spot, nearly translucent where it clings to your folds teasingly, floods each of his senses with a specific type of hunger.

Fuck.

“Pants too.” You demand, but quickly correct yourself. “If that's okay.” 

You stare at one another for a beat. The clank of Mingyu’s belt being undone is the only sound beyond the duet of shaky breaths. His eyes don’t leave your face as he bares himself down to his briefs, but yours skim down his body, blazing as they trail across his form, to settle on the obvious bulge behind the cotton. When you swallow harshly, Mingyu’s ego flares.

“Come here.” You beckon.

Complying easily, Mingyu covers your body with his; arms caging you in below him as your thighs spread to cradle his hips. He settles on top of you, length nestled snugly between your folds, tip nudging your mound with each breath. It's maddening. Especially when Mingyu can feel your arousal seeping through his underwear and coating the underside of his cock.

Your noses brush gently, fleeting passes of lips as you settle against one another. You’ve only ever briefly felt Mingyu through thick layers of clothing, whether that when you wiggle your way in his lap or the few times you’ve woken up with his length pressed snugly against your ass. It gave you an idea of his size but in no way prepared you for the feel of him now, rigid as steel against your soaking center and threatening to burn you from the inside out. 

“Oh wow,” you gasp into his mouth, relishing in the slow curl of his hips against you.

“I know,” he nods, mind lost in the sweltering heat between your legs threatening to consume him.

You continue to writhe against one another, mouths meeting in rough passes of teeth and tongues. Your ankles lock at the base of his spine, pulling him firmly against you as your hands flutter across his skin, unable to stay in one place for long. Mingyu’s arm propped above you keeps his weight from crushing you, his other settles on the side of your neck, thumb tilting your chin up so his tongue can delve into your mouth. 

A particularly delicious grind of his hips has your head thrown back, moan aimed at the ceiling as you thrash pathetically. It lets Mingyu look at you. Cheeks and chest glowing with a rosy tint, a faint sheen of sweat blooming across your skin as you whine in his hold. The straps of your bra have fallen down your arms, one nipple peeking out from under the fabric, taunting him. 

The harsh suck of his mouth across your breast pulls your back tight like a bowstring. His tongue worships your chest, laving broad strokes you imagine will feel amazing on other parts of your body. He's everywhere, consuming you like a blackhole, ripping apart your entire being and leaving you disoriented. Head tipped back, you bare as much of yourself as possible for Mingyu to touch and tease; all while your abdomen tenses as your lower half cants against his.

Arching just enough to give you room to reach around, you snag the clasp of your bra relieved that the underwire is no longer digging into your chest uncomfortably. Your arms raise to pull it off, leaving you bare from the waist up for Mingyu to admire. 

“Like what you see?” You whisper, relishing in the shell shocked expression on Mingyu’s features.

He can only nod, gaze burning a hole through your chest straight to your heart.

One of his hands cup your chest gently, taking time to let the weight of the swollen flesh settle in his palm. He thumbs the stiff peak, still glossed with his spit from his earlier ministrations. Mingyu puckers his lip to blow a cool stream of air, delighting in the choke whine you release.

“Can I touch you too?”

“Please.” he moans, diving to leave a bruise on the side of your breast.

A depraved idea enters your head, whispering from the most primal parts of your mind. Mingyu said he’s not going to fuck you and you respect that wholeheartedly; the idea of waiting warming your soul. But you want to feel as much of him as possible; revel in the slide of his scorching length against you, deliver the long overdue pleasure you both want. 

“If you don’t like it we can stop.”

“Okay.”

Mingyu doesn't inform you that he doubts he'll dislike anything you do to him. Instead, he stares at your hand pushing his underwear down, fingers circling his cock in awe as you touch him for the first time. His body is miles away from his brain, like he’s drowning under crashing waves and you’re the sun he can see on the surface. Your thumb smears the beads of pre-cum collected at his tip, twisting your tight grip around the head to work him up. Sweat breaks out on his forehead, muscles in his arms jumping at the feeling of your smooth palm. He knows the image of your hand wrapped around his cock is branded in his mind forever. 

But then you do something he doesn’t expect. Your free hand grabs your underwear, moving the crotch to the side and uncovering your slit entirely. The flesh that peeks out from the outer folds is flushed a delicious pink, glistening in the low light with the evidence of your desire. When you hook the bulbous head of his cock under the hem he panics for a second, afraid you’re going to slip him inside. But you just wiggle you hips till he nudges your engorged clit, skin on skin with no barrier. Letting go of the fabric, Mingyu thinks he might be drooling when his cock is covered by soaked silk, sandwiching him against you. The erotic sight kills any coherent thoughts he has left.

“You’re —,” Mingyu starts, tongue heavy in his mouth. “What the fuck—”

He can’t stop watching how his cock moves, able to discern the nearly purple head of his length through the see-through silk that clings to his weeping tip. Your hand rests on your mound over your panties, pointer and middle finger forming a V to border the flared head on either side, giving him a bumper to grind against and forcing him a fraction harder against you.

“Move.” you beg, voice just as wrecked as his. “Please, Gyu.”

Who is he to deny you any longer?

Arms straining as he holds himself up, Mingyu keeps his gaze trained on where you're connected, entranced. Below him, you’re twisting in the sheets, twitching with each prod against your clit but your hand keeps him from slipping away.

Flashes of how from any other angle it looks like he’s drilling you into the bed, stuffing you with his cock rather than rutting against you pathetically, enter his mind. The firm pressure of your knees against his sides, ankles brushing his waist with each roll of his hips barely register in his conscious. Free hand scratching against his chest, your nails raise red lines and dimple his flesh with tiny crescents as he pummels your clit, slick with a mixture of his spunk and your own arousal. Needy whimpers singing into his ears are answered with his own groans, tempting him to shut his eyes and just feel if not for the vision below him.

The realization that he can feel you clench pitifully where his balls press against you, teasing him to just angle his hips a little bit lower and take you like he desperately wants has him surging against you even harder.

The sudden rush of stimulation overwhelms you, forcing your mind to shut down. It's all too much. The feeling of Mingyu above you, using your pussy to get off, fogs your brain. The crude rhythmic squelch where you meet sends shooting stars across the corners of your eyes. How his cock presses against your clit just so, dribbles of his pre-cum coating your most sensitive parts. The harsh squeezes of his hand on your breast, pinching the stiff peek of your nipple while his teeth nip your neck you feel like you might pass out.

“Mingyu!” You keen, chest pressing against his, allowing you both to revel in the drag of your skin on his.

The broken sound of his name on your lips skyrockets Mingyu to his end. Euphoria exploding in his chest, pleasure running from his balls to the tip of his cock as he loses all control of his body. His chest caves and breath stops as he jerks in your hold, rutting against you as his seed pushes through the ruined fabric of your underwear, collecting in globs above where his tip rests right on your clit; you’re fingers still pressing down on your underwear glossed in the overflowing pool of pearly fluid. Mingyu leans up as far as he can to watch, wishing to live this moment again and again. 

“Fuck, fuck!” He chants horsly, unable stop his own hips, even when the friction becomes tortious.

With one last pass he finally calms, muscles spasming as he collapses onto your chest.

The heavy weight pressing you into the bed makes you shudder below, another rush of wetness escaping.

“Good?”

Mingyu just groans into your shoulder, attempting to catch his breath.

“You’re crazy.”

You give an indignant huff, jaw clenching in mock annoyance.

“Don’t act like you don’t know.”

“Yeah well you clearly liked it!”

“My beautiful girlfriend just let me get off using her panties that she’s wearing. I’d be insane if I didn’t.”

“Girlfriend?” 

Suddenly, you're breathless for an entirely new reason.

“If that’s okay with you.” Mingyu mumbles, comically shy as if he didn’t just cum on you.

“That’s definitely okay with me.” 

“Good.”

“Now, how about you make your girlfriend come too?”

Mingyu nearly falls off the bed in his haste to do just that. Throwing your legs wide, he bullies his way between your thighs to gape at the mess of your panties. Nothing he’s ever seen in his life can compare. Something he doesn’t think even the most debased part of his brain could have imagined but you’ve given him knowledge of a kink he didn’t even know he had. Mingyu just stares, damning his refractory period; ruining the carnal desire to cover you in his seed again and again, until the possessive part of his brain is sated and you’re both on the verge of unconsciousness.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” You chide above, impatience reading its head.

“Don’t play with me right now.”

You don’t want to overwhelm him more than you have so you bite your tongue against the urge to tell him you're serious. Maybe next time you’ll let him know how much the idea of him walking around with such a salacious image on his phone turns you on.

“Then touch me, Gyu.”

As pretty as you are covered in silk soaked with his cum, Mingyu knows you’re even more beautiful without the scrap of fabric. Taking a second to rub the puddle of fluids back into the fabric, you twitch as the pad of his finger massages your sensitive clit. When your hips pitch forward to seek more friction, he nearly rips your underwear with his clumsy hands in his haste to free you from them. At the sight of your bare slit, Mingyu pauses. The number of choices he’s presented with nearly drowns him; whether to taste or tease, stuff your clenching hole with his fingers or lick you from top to bottom, maybe make you show him what you like before trying it himself.

But first, Mingyu needs a better look at what he’s working with.

“Hold your legs open, baby.”

Before he can blink, your hands eagerly hook under your knees to spread yourself wide, void a timidity as you reveal yourself; unveiling every hill and valley, soft flesh dappled with pearls of his cum. Desire rushes Mingyu forward to collect the mess with his tongue, a throaty groan clawing its way out of his chest at the combination of fluids.

“Taste so fucking good,” he rasps. “You’re so hot.”

Lightening erupts in your veins under the languid heat of his tongue, every muscle twitching as he delivers maddening swirls through your folds. The fact that Mingyu is tasting the lasting traces of himself as he eats you out is like a punch to the gut. Broad strokes against your clit distract you from his hand sneaking up to circle your opening before a thick finger enters you. 

But the stretch isn’t nearly enough for how wrecked you feel, already teetering on the edge.

“More!” 

The hand you’ve ghosted down your front is pinned to the bed before you can even make it below your belly button.

“You’re gonna take what I give you.” He informs you, but gives you another finger all the same.

When a needy moan tickles his ears, Mingyu knows you’re waving a white flag, a wordless plea for him to continue playing with you as he pleases.

Fingers pistoning, Mingyu’s pointed tongue circles the bundle of nerves at the top of your slit. When he crooks the digits buried deep inside you, your back leaves the bed. The hand pinning your wrist abandons its grip, allowing him to use his fingers to spread your folds and keep your clit uncovered for his tongue to lash at.

“Don’t stop,” you cry, voice thick and broken. “Please, I’m so close.”

Both of your hands find the soft strands of his hair to hold him in place. Your feet plant on the bed beside his wide shoulders, allowing you to hump his face pathetically as the drenched squelch of Mingyu’s mouth against you fills your ears.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,”

Your finish is bubbling to the surface, a roaring boil in your blood that deafens all your senses except where your boyfriend plays with you. Mingyu’s arm stretches up your torso to palm your breast, fingers pulling your taunt nipple. He’s pulling out all the stops, trying his hardest to send you over the edge.

“Come on, pretty girl. Let me make you come.” he begs around your clit.

“Please!” you sob. “Please, please, please!”

You’re in a frenzy above him, ecstasy inches away. Your hips bucking is so hard they threaten to dislodge him but Mingyu takes it in stride. Elbowing your thighs apart, forcing them up and open to pin you in place so he can keep going. It tickles a part in your brain that imagines what he’ll do when he does fuck you for the first time, spreading you out before making you take his cock. 

The visual paired with stretch from a third finger sets you free.

“I’m—Mingyu! Oh my god!”

The simmer in your blood boils over, starting at your core and rushing to your toes and fingertips. Wrecked moans leave your bruised lips, eyes squeezed against the licks of pleasure overwhelming you. The only thing you can hear is the rush of blood in your ears as every muscle in your quivers so hard tears gather in your eyes. He doesn’t stop as you twitch in his hold, arms flexing as he strains to keep you spread so he can work you through it. You clench so hard around his fingers his arm halts before putting in more effort to pummeling your pussy. When you cry at the overstimulation he finally relents, delivering a last long lick along your slit before moving away.

Mingyu’s face is soaked, chin and cheeks covered in your juices, nose and cheeks flushed. You just stare, mouth open in wonder as he sucks his fingers clean.

“Holy shit.”

“You okay?”

“Shhhhh.” You press a finger to his pursed lips. “Brain goo, hot boyfriend just made me cum.”

Mingyu crawls up your body, peppering gentle kisses here and there as he goes. When you're face to face you just stare at each other, expressions full of fondness and exhaustion.

“But seriously, where the fuck did you learn that?”

Mingyu’s question is answered with a maniacal giggle.

[candlewaxandp0lar0ids]

this is halloween || han x reader

Summary: You weren't happy about getting detention, but getting to be around Jisung almost feels like it could make it worth it at first. At least, until you realize that there's a killer on the loose in the school, and that he plans on getting rid of all of you.

Word count: 6.3k

Genres: high school au, slasher au, thriller/mild horror

Warnings & Tags: angst, class clown!han jisung, final girl!reader (gender isn't specified but that's the vibe), graphic descriptions of violence happening inside of a high school

A/N: Last (late) installment in that Halloween mini-series. To reiterate, this contains description of violence and murders occurring within a high school, which can be triggering to some, so do exercise caution.

I.N. · Seungmin · Felix

It was never supposed to go that way.

For starters, you should never have gotten detention and, mind you, you'd still insist that it was totally unfair that you'd gotten it in the first place. Any reasonable teacher would have looked at the facts, which were your test results, as stellar as ever, and Nari’s test results, stellar as they never were, and assumed that she’d cheated and used you to do so.

Your physics teacher could not be described as ‘reasonable’. He’d called the two of you to his desk, using the one mistake you’d made that she had, of course, written word for word on her test as proof, and he’d given you both detention. You would have tried to defend yourself, had your eyes not immediately filled with tears. When Nari had started rising her voice, accusing you in the same breath, you’d known your efforts would be wasted anyway. You’d hung your heard low, and you’d gone back to your seat.

The first detention you’d ever gotten in your life, and it had to happen on the very last year of your time in this dreadful place. God, you couldn’t wait to get out. Yes, college entrance exams were looming terrifyingly above your head, but there was still freedom at the end of the line, freedom at least from your peers. You’d take that as a win.

At the end of the day, having only gotten a fifteen minutes break to spew your venom at your understanding best friend, you dragged your feet to detention. A confused Ms. Kim had greeted when you’d gotten there, all the more so because you were a few minutes early. As you’d handed her the detention slip, however, she’d had no choice but to let you in, though she had patted your shoulder as she did.

You were not the type of student to get detention. You were the one who got straight As, who never raised their voice, who had painstakingly managed to make one friend who you had clung to since your first year here. If you could avoid drawing attention to yourself, you’d take it. You only raised your hand in class if the teacher had been waiting for someone to speak for the appropriate amount of time, tried to make yourself be forgotten the rest of the time. It did not work quite as well as you would like, but you had stayed out of trouble so far.

The same cannot be said of the students who enter the room after you. Nari runs in right as the bell rings, looking sheepish. She mouths a ‘sorry’ in your direction, like she didn’t try to throw you under the bus after the teacher caught her. She’s quickly followed by Hanseok, the school star athlete, who looks like he’s trying to shrink himself, which is no small feat considering how wide his shoulders are. He keeps his eyes on the floor, and you wonder what could have landed him here. He’s not known for getting into trouble.

Next is Taewoon who walks in nonchalantly, like he does that every day, which, to be fair, he probably does. Known troublemaker, you have no idea why he’s here tonight, but he’s regularly caught doing wild, stupid shit nearby. Ms. Kim shakes her head at him and he just shrugs. Last but not least comes Han Jisung, fashionably late, class clown and another regular. As he walks in, he leans on the desk, grinning at Ms Kim.

“Is that a new hair cut? It looks great!”

She rolls her eyes, but she can’t hide a smile in return.

“See, you’re here so often you notice that kind of things.”

“Of course I’d notice!” he protests, sounding offended as he’s weirdly good at doing — to be fair, it does still get him out of trouble most of the time.

She gestures for him to go to his place, but she doesn’t seem too mad, and he has a satisfied smirk on his face as he does. It’s as he’s doing so that he spots you, and his eyes go wide. He looks around like he thinks he’s gotten the wrong room, before altering his course to let himself fall down on the table next to yours

Your heart is beating like crazy in your chest and you do your best to smile at him the right way — you know, not too briefly so he doesn’t think you’re rude, and not too long so he doesn’t think you’re interested because, ahah, that’d be ridiculous, that’d be soooo embarrassing, there’s no way that would happen.

You may or may not have a raging crush on him.

Look, he’s funny. He’s cute. He looks at you when he makes a clever joke to see if you’re laughing. You don’t hang in the same circles, and you know it’s stupid to entertain your thoughts about him, but you just can’t help them. You wish you could quash your feelings before they hurt you. Because they will. Undoubtedly. Been there, done that. Love hasn’t worked for you, and you’d rather not delude yourself into hoping it could this time.

All these good resolutions vanish when Han leans towards you.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, sounding so confused. “Did you get lost?”

You sigh.

“I was accused of cheating on a test,” you mumble, trying to sound casual about it and not like it makes you want to cry.

“What?” His eyes look like they’re trying to pop out of his head. “That’s ridiculous.” Then he leans closer, conspiratorially. “Want me to try to get you out of here?”

Your heart is beating so fast.

“No,” you squeak despite trying not to. “It’s fine. I guess that’s— part of the high school experience, right? I should live through that at least once.”

He looks deeply confused for a second, then chuckles as he settles back in his chair.

“You’re the only person who’d think that way,” he says, and you think he sounds fond as he says it, but you know that your brain is prone to wishful-thinking. Then, with a regain of interest “Tell me if you change your mind, it’s not too late.”

He settles comfortably on his desk, resting his head on his backpack. It’s already dark outside, as it usually is at this time of the year. Cold, white streetlights have turned on over the football field, and the cloudy, starless sky gives the school a gloomy vibe. It doesn’t help that it’s eerily quiet, the kind of quiet that you’ve only heard when you’d lingered too long in the library. Lively halls are empty now, as are the classrooms. On this last night before winter break, no one has stuck around. Even clubs have taken pity on their members and let them escape tonight. It’s only the six of you left in the building, and maybe a few lingering staff members and guardians.

You glance around at what others are doing, trying to figure out what you’re even meant to do in here. Jisung has closed his eyes and is clearly intent on taking a nap. Nari has pulled out a notebook and is writing in it dutifully. Hanseok is looking out the window with a blank look on his face. Taewoon seems to be sleeping as well. Finally, Ms Kim is reading a book — romance, by the looks of it —  and seems to have no plan of acknowledging your existence until the bell rings and frees her of your presence.

With a sigh, you start pulling out your books. Jisung opens an eye. With his face smooshed against his backpack, his cheeks look even rounder.

“I can still get you out,” he whispers.

You smile, but shake your head.

“It’s fine. It will all be over in an hour anyway.”

Ms Kim clears her throat to remind you to stay quiet. You jump at it, and she gives you an apologetic look, but you’re already back to burying your head in your books, trying to be small and inconspicuous and most importantly, not to anger anyone. That’s what you do after that, even once the room gets quiet again, and that’s where you still are, half an hour later, when the lights suddenly go off.

You look up, startled, and for a second you can’t see a thing, until your eyes get accustomed to the unexpected darkness. In the meantime, someone stands up, not far from you, and surprised shouts rise in the room.

“Everyone stay where you are!” Ms Kim shouts. Phones are starting to come out, lighting up the room, and soon you see that Jisung’s standing next to you, with one hand on the back of seat. He’s so close he’d brush against you if he moved just a little to the left. “It’s either the electricity or someone forgot we were still here. I’ll go see what’s happening and I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Can’t we just go home?” Nari whines. “C’mon, there’s, like fifteen minutes left.”

“Make it thirty,” Ms Kim corrects sternly. “Everyone better stay here. Anyone who leaves will get detention for the first week when we’re back in class.” When protests erupt, she raises her voice. “I’ll let you off the hook if there’s an issue with the electricity, but for now, you guys need to stay there.”

She leaves the room as more people are protesting, not paying one ounce of attention to it. It looks like it’s not the first time something like that has happened to her.

Her footsteps in the hallway have barely faded that Taewoon is already getting up.

“Fuck it,” he says, making a whole show out of it. “I’m not sticking around.”

“You’re going?” Jisung asks. Clearly, he’s thinking of doing it as well. He glances around at the rest of the group. None of you have moved from your seat. “What about you guys?”

“I can’t miss practice,” Hanseok says.

“I’ve got a part time job, I can’t lose it,” is Nari’s answer.

That leaves you, and it takes you a second to realize that Jisung is looking at you and waiting for an answer.

“I— I don’t want to get detention again,” is all you can manage to mumble. It sounds pathetic to your ears, but he nods all the same.

“What are you doing?” Taewoon asks him again.

“I’ll stay behind this time,” Jisung sighs dramatically. “Live your life to the fullest for the rest of us, okay?”

Taewoon snorts.

“Sure. Enjoy yourselves here. I’ll see you after the break.”

You feel envy as he escapes the room. You wish you could care this little about all the trouble you’d get into. At the same time, being in your shoes brings advantages that you quite enjoy. Just not particularly tonight.

Then, Jisung pulls his chair to come sit next to you, setting his phone on your table so you can both see each other’s face, and you change your mind.

“You should have taken my offer,” he smiles at first, before his expression shifts to a more serious one. “You okay? It’s happened before, don’t worry about it.”

“I’m fine,” you answer, maybe too quickly. Mostly, you’re wondering why he feels the need to tell you that and if you look so fragile to him that he thinks this would send you into a breakdown. “Does it usually come back on?”

He shrugs.

“Yeah, most of the time. Sometimes there’s a tree that’s fallen somewhere it shouldn’t and she lets us go.” He glances out the window. “It’s pretty windy tonight. Maybe it’s the case.”

As you look out, you see Taewoon crossing the football field, before disappearing under the bleachers, from where he can reach the parking lot. At least one of you has gone free, you think, feeling bitter about all the things that have kept you in this spot.

“Hey, you’re getting the full, five-star high school experience,” Jisung’s voice brings you back to the present. “I can get you in trouble more after that, if you’d like.”

A small laugh escapes your lips.

“I think I’m good.”

“You could see the boys’ locker room from the inside,” he insists, and you laugh again.

“That does not sound like a good experience!”

“The inside of the teachers’ lounge,” he offers as you roll your eyes. “Steal exam questions. Change your grades. Give lower notes to your rivals.”

“What rivals,” you protest, though you’re grinning from ear to ear at this point.

“Are you saying that no one’s good enough to compete with you? And here I thought you valued my intelligence, wah, you think you know someone—”

His chatter takes your mind off your situation. There’s something about having Jisung’s undivided attention, about him clearly having noticed how down you were feeling and trying to cheer you up, that makes you feel all fuzzy inside. You’re not used to someone’s eyes staying on you for that long, certainly not his eyes. And yet he’s choosing to use time that could so easily be spent doing something else with you. Your heart beats so fast you think it’s going to fall right out of your chest.

Ten minutes go by before Nari’s voice interrupts your talking.

“Shouldn’t Ms Kim be back by now?”

Her expression is composed, she’s leaning back in her chair to look at you, but her voice is at a higher-pitch than usual. A glance at your watch tells you that she’s probably right and a cold hand comes wrap around your heart to squeeze it, before you shake it off. No need to feel that way. There’s likely a completely fine explanation.

“Maybe she’s run into Mr Park,” Jisung offers, smoothly. Then, with a gasp, “Maybe they’re having a quickie in the principal’s office.”

You chuckle quietly, but Nari’s not amused.

“Shouldn’t someone go look for her?” she asks. When no one volunteers, she continues, “She’ll never believe me if I go and I really can’t lose my part time job, but, you know, maybe if it was someone else…”

You know where this is going, and she’s not exactly wrong, yet you worry about getting in trouble all the same. Stupidly, you’re afraid you’re going to get yelled at. You hate getting yelled at. You’d probably cry if that happened.

“I’ll go if you go,” Jisung says, eyeing you, saving the day once more — saving your day at least.

“Okay,” you reply, and you surprise yourself at how quick and easy that was. You blame it on the relief you feel for not having to go out there alone. “I’ll come.”

He smiles at you when you say that. It’s kind of embarrassing how it makes butterflies take off in your stomach.

“Everyone be good,” he chastises the other two as you open the door. “Nari, you’re in charge while we’re gone, okay?”

She sticks her tongue out at him while Hanseok scoffs. Still, they’re both grinning as the two of you venture out into the quiet, dark high school.

You’re not one to believe in supernatural creatures. You like logical, provable, tangible things. Still, out there, irrational fear seizes you, wrapping its tentacles around you. Your footsteps echo loudly in the hallways, and the measly flashlight from your cellphones are nowhere near enough to light up the entire place. No matter how your orient them, there remain dark patches all over.

“It’s kind of cool,” Jisung comments as you’re starting to bury yourself in your thoughts again. This time, you don’t know if he’s doing it for your benefit or if he doesn’t like it when things stay quiet for too long. “Who knows, maybe we will see her with Mr Park.”

“I think they’re both very much married,” you reply, and some of the worry washes away when you hear your own voice. Suddenly, you’re not in this unfamiliar place anymore, but back in the halls of the high school that you walk in every single day.

“Like that’s ever stopped people,” Jisung grins. “C’mon, he’s not bad-looking for his age.”

This time, a very genuine laugh bursts out of you.

“That’s not an image I needed!” you protest.

“Like you’ve never thought about it before,” he teases, and as you let out noises of disgust, his flashlight sweeps over the floor. “What do you think? Do we start with the custodian and the principal’s office, or do we go for the basement? That’s where she’d be if it’s a problem with the electricity?”

“She’s probably in the basement if she’s been gone all this time,” you reason, but you really do not want to venture down there at the moment. Even with Jisung by your side, you don’t think you’d enjoy this small of a space with no lights other than your own. Just thinking about it has your throat becoming tighter. “But, uh, maybe we can start with the principal’s office?”

Jisung agrees to that with more enthusiasm than it warrants, and then you listen to him dramatically offer possibilities about how Ms Kim and Mr Park could have gotten together. You laugh more than you should, more than you would were you with anyone else in the same situation, and it’s not the right place nor the right time, but you know you’re falling in love with him. You’ve always suspected that it was just a matter of spending more time with him, always told yourself that it was therefore not a good idea. But here you were now, and there was not a thing you could do about it.

“Okay, here we are,” you say, interrupting a truly wild scenario in which the teacher and the principle are Russian spies who got married as a cover but were actually high school sweethearts. “Should I, uh, knock?”

Jisung shrugs, moving past you to try the handle. As he does so, you’re struck by how quiet it is. There’s no way she’s in there, we’ve wasted our time, you think.

Then, to your surprise, the door opens. Jisung walks in. Then freezes in the opening.

“What’s going on,” you ask, taking a step forward to look over his shoulder, “don’t tell me they’re really—"

But you’re not met with the sight of two lovers. Instead, your eyes first find Mr Park, slumped on his desk, something that you can’t identify sticking out of his back. On the floor, right in front of Jisung, is Ms Kim. She’s lying on her back, her eyes wide open and her pupil still and empty. It takes you a second to realize that the angle her head is at with her body is wrong, and a second longer to understand that that’s because her throat’s is nothing more than a wide, gaping wound. Underneath her, a puddle of blood that you realize you’ve stepped into. She looks so pale, compared to how she was just a few minutes ago.

You open your mouth to scream. Before you can, though, Jisung’s hand comes to cover it, and you only let out a whimper as your eyes search his. For the first time tonight, he’s lost his nonchalant confidence.

“Someone could still be there,” he whispers to you. “We shouldn’t stay here.”

With one last look at your teacher, he closes the door.

Things are blurry after that. You remember him grabbing your wrist as he drags you away from the scene. You remember him trying a few doors before pulling you into an empty classroom. You remember him vomiting in a trashcan and self-consciously wiping his mouth afterwards. You remember sitting on a table in silence for you don’t know how long.

“We have to get out of here,” he says at some point. He sounds sure of himself again.

“We have to— we have to go get Nari and Hanseok,” you answer. As soon as the words leave your mouth, you feel guilty for not having thought of them immediately. Shit, they must still be waiting for the two of you to return. Someone could have— someone could have already—

You’re on your feet before you think. It’s unlike you, but it says a lot that your brain doesn’t harp on that in the moment. There’s an urgency in your chest that you’re not used to feeling.

“We need to go get them.”

Jisung studies you for a second, then swallows, Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

“Okay,” he says. His voice is weak. “Okay. We’re getting them and then we’re going out of here, right?”

You nod. Guilt and fear are battling within you, but both feelings are directed towards the people you’ve left behind. You think it would kill you if something happened to them that you could have stopped.

The walk back to the detention is faster, but it feels like it take ages. Jisung keeps close to you, checking behind you while you keep your eyes on what’s in front of you. You see nothing, hear nothing. Just like earlier, the high school feels empty. Unlike earlier, you know it is not.

You’re almost there, starting to breathe again, starting to think you’ll make it, when you hear the screams. Terrified, you back into Jisung, who wraps his arm around you.

“Light,” he hisses, “light out, now.”

You’re too scared to do anything other than what he suggests. It overtakes your whole body, freezes your muscles into place. His chest is pressed against your back as you stay perfectly still, and you can feel his heart beating wildly, betraying the fact that he’s in the same state as you. In the distance, a door slams open.

“Don’t leave me here!” Nari screams.

In the dark, someone that you have to assume is Hanseok rushes past you. He’s fast, powerful. Whoever you hear after him is fast too, footsteps squeaking in the hallways, and all you’re thinking is that Nari is wearing heels.

At least Hanseok’s making it out is the thought that follows — for a second at least, because it isn’t long after that there’s a shout of frustration and the sound of someone struggling with a door. Then screams, intercut with disgusting, wet sounds that you can only imagine are what a knife produces when it’s brought down into someone. Tears stream down your face in silence. The front door’s locked and Hanseok— Hanseok is—

“Nari,” you whisper, choking on the word.

Jisung nods and pulls you forward, but by the time you get to the detention room, it’s empty. You check for a body, turning your cellphone’s light back on, terrified you’ll find one, and you can breathe again when you don’t find her anywhere.

“Now we have to go,” Jisung insists.

“But she’s—”

“We’ve done what we could. C’mon, we have no way of knowing where she is, she could be out by—”

The speakers creak horribly.

“Attention, students,” a man’s voice comes through. It’s loud and booming, but more than anything, it’s even. It doesn’t shake, doesn’t have the hysterical accents that you’ve heard in movies. If anything, it sounds like he’s playing the role of a school announcer, and the thought makes you sick to your stomach. “Lee Nari. Han Jisung. Kang Won— Ah, no, I suppose that’s been taken care of, hasn’t it. Im Taewoon.” Then he pauses for a second, before reading your name, and you feel overcome with helplessness. Before that, it felt like it was— You’re not sure what you were feeling, but it didn’t feel targeted. Now, you think that even leaving the school might not make the nightmare end. “Well, you might not be who I’m looking for,” the man chuckles— he fucking chuckles — after saying your name. “We’ll see. If you’re good, I’ll consider letting you off the hook. The rest of you though… you won’t cause trouble again.”

This is like a bad slasher movie with a stupid premise, something you’d make fun of if you weren’t caught in the middle of it.

“Windows and doors are locked,” he announces dramatically. “Breaking out only means that I’ll come get you, so do yourself a favor and surrender, hm? I promise to make it quick.”

Then he hangs up.

“What do we do?” you whisper to Jisung. “You— you love horror movies, right? What should we do?”

He stares at you.

“Yeah, I— I do. I didn’t think you’d remember.” It’s not the moment, but for a second — less than that, a fraction of it — you’re no longer a terrified prey but a teenager again, feeling like you’ve just exposed your crush. “I— one of us should leave.”

You shake your head.

“He said he’d hunt us. He could show up at our parents’ house—”

“I know,” he interrupts you. “But that’s— that’s why one of us should stay here.”

Again, you shake your head, more vehemently this time.

“No. No way. We’re not— We’re not doing that.”

He grabs your arms, the motion gentle instead of forceful, like one more attempt at comforting you as he looks straight into your eyes.

“Listen. One of us needs to leave. I— I think he’s probably watching the windows. He must know that we’d try to leave, right? So he’s— probably ready to give chase.” He swallows thickly. “If he— If he has a rifle or something— But that’d give someone else time to escape, if he leaves too. If not… Someone could go get help. Nari might have called the cops already, but that— that doesn’t mean they’re coming right now.”

“No,” you repeat, because you think you know where he is going with this.

“I’ll— What do you want to do? I— I think I should go.”

He’s close enough that you can see there are tears in his eyes.

“You should— you should be ready to leave from the other side when I do,” he whispers, and you want to cry too. “I’ll distract him.”

You shake your head, but you don’t think you can change his mind.

“Hey, I can be really fast, okay?” His tone gets lighter. “Maybe I’ll outrun him.”

You’d be more inclined to believe that if the man hadn’t been able to catch up with Hanseok — though you suppose that he wouldn’t have on open grounds, and that gives you some hope that you desperately cling to.

“You better,” you hear yourself say.

Jisung lets out a long, deep breath, then turns around to face the window. It’s true that they’re locked; they always are at the end of the day. But they’re not known for being particularly solid. As a matter of fact, they regularly get broken by football players. You wonder if that’s what got Hanseok in trouble, then shove the subject as far down as you can, because it reminds you that he’s— he’s—

“Okay,” Jisung mumbles, grabbing a chair and getting ready to swing it at the window. Just as he lifts it above his head, though, he stops himself and sets it down to face you.

Something passes between the two of you. It’s hard not to think that this might be the last time you see each other, however his escape attempt goes. Jisung swallows thickly.

Then he’s grabbing your shoulders and pressing his lips against yours. It’s brief, kind of clumsy. Nothing about it is how you envisioned your first kiss. But his lips are soft and warm, and he’s holding on to you like he never wants to let go.

He does anyway, looking at you with wide eyes.

“F–For luck,” he mumbles.

“Sure,” you choke out in response. “No, uh, no problem.”

You’ll die of embarrassment at that later on, if you don’t just die tonight.

His chair smashes through the window, the sound unbearably loud in the silence of the school, and he doesn’t stick around to see what happens. Cutting his hands on the broken glass, he jumps out while you back out of the room to go crouch in a dark corner. You peek to see him sprinting through the football field, waiting with baited breath to see the killer following after him.

He doesn’t.

You wait longer.

Still nothing.

And you realize you’re stuck in the building with him.

“Well, well,” the voice in the speaker says, right as the realization settles, as calm as it was the first time. “Seems like we’ve had an infraction. Too bad. Seems I’ll have to go hunting once I’m done with you.”

Then it cuts again. For a while, you can’t hear yourself think over the terrified thoughts that fill your mind. You think of following after Jisung, but you have no way of knowing if the killer would let it slide twice. Truth be told, with Jisung gone, you feel your old patterns of thinking catching up with you. You’re too scared to go, and the more you wait, the more you think it’s now too late to go. Your anxiety has you in a chokehold, with no intention of letting go.

What does get you to move is the greater fear that the killer could come inspect the place, now that Jisung’s left. He must have noticed that only Nari and Hanseok were in the room — if he thinks Taewoon was still here, probably because he was murdering Ms Kim at that point, that would have to mean the three of you were together, in his mind. It begs the question of how Taewoon got out, but you wouldn’t be surprised if he had his ways of doing it, even with the windows closed.

You don’t turn your light off, listening closely as you cross the hallways. You’re aiming for the kitchens, though you haven’t actually stopped to think about it. All that your mind can supply with as a justification is that you need a weapon. Realistically, you don’t think it would do you any good. You probably wouldn’t be able to use it against anyone. But who gives a fuck about realism right now? You might die here tonight. Three of the people you used to see around every day are gone forever already. If finding a knife makes you feel better, you’ll get yourself a knife, dammit.

You regret it when you make your way through the cafeteria. Because of how it’s situated, there is more light coming from outside in here than there was elsewhere. You’ve already started to see the dark as an ally, and leaving it makes you feel incredibly exposed. Despite that, you run through it, bent in half, trying to stay behind the tables, and get into the kitchens.

You’re searching through the drawers for a knife when the most terrifying sound you can think of right now resonates behind you.

The door. Someone’s opened the door.

You crouch behind one of the many kitchen isles. Silent tears are running down your face, but adrenaline is keeping you from completely giving up — for now, anyway.

“Who do we have here?” the voice asks, and you press a hand against your mouth so you don’t accidentally give yourself away. It doesn’t just echo in the cafeteria though, no, it comes out through the speakers as well. Like he wants the survivors to know that he’s gotten one of you, and that they never had a chance in the first place. “I’ll be very disappointed in you if it’s you, (Y/N). If you’d stayed put, you might have had a chance. Now, I have to wonder if you helped your friend leave, too.”

Glancing over the corner, you see a man in a mask slowly walking through the kitchen. Slowly, you start backing up, careful not to make a sound. If you run, maybe you’ll get to the door. If you get to the door, maybe he’ll lose you and you’ll be able to hide better.

Please. Please. You just want to make it out of here. You want— you want to go to college. You want to ask Jisung what that kiss meant. You want to get home to your parents.

It’s as you’re getting up that you bump your head into one of the drawers that you’ve left open. Once it happens, you’re on your feet in an instant, making a dash for the door, but the man intercepts you before you can get away. You fall on your back when he pushes you, and he shakes his head at you.

“I thought you were better than that,” he sighs. “It truly is a shame that you got caught up in this, but I suppose you weren’t as good as you made yourself out to be.”

He raises the knife. Tears blur your vision.

Then there’s a loud smack. Nari appears behind him, a bent plastic tray in her hands and tears streaming down her face.

“I’m s–so sorry you got detention because of me,” she sobs out, chest heaving, and all you can do is stare — though a part of you that right now is very far from the surface appreciates the sentiment. You note, vaguely, that she’s barefoot, probably having ditched the heels when she realized they would only get her in trouble.  She holds her hand out, and you take it without hesitation, pulling yourself to your feet just in time to see the man rise again behind her. He’s rubbing the back of his head, but he’s nowhere near unconscious, and he’s close. You pull Nari away, but his knife still slashes across her back and she falls forward, screaming.

You back up, but his eyes aren’t on you. Instead, he goes to stand above Nari. She tries to crawl forward, crying, and you see him lowering himself above her.

If you don’t want to watch her die in front of your eyes, you need to find the fucking knives.

The first two drawers you stumble into as Nari struggles and desperately hits at the men are empty.

The third one has knives.

You can’t afford to think as you rush back towards them. The man raises his knife once, and Nari catches the blade with her bare hand. You try to tune out both the screams and the sounds. Then he grabs her wrists with the one hand. Raises the knife again.

You’re out of time.

You stab him in the chest, and he lets out a sharp, horrified gasp. You push him backwards while his blade catches at your arms, the adrenaline too strong to feel it for now. You drive the blade into him, again and again and again, until he’s fallen and his knife has gone still, and all that fills the room are Nari’s tears and whimpers of pain.

It’s only as your own pain catches up with you that you admit what’s just happened.

You did it.

You lived.

 They take Nari and Hanseok to a hospital first, both of their wounds being much more significant than your own. Hanseok’s condition, from what you’ve heard, was ‘critical’. You’d felt hope at that, at first, but the looks people had exchanged had soon quashed that.

They weren’t optimistic.

As they leave, you stay wrapped in a blanket, sitting in an ambulance as your arms are being disinfected as the cops search the building. All of your limbs ache like you’ve just run a marathon, but you can’t make yourself look away, no matter how hard you’ve tried. Staying there, you hear, vaguely, that the killer was a former member of staff that had been let go earlier in the year. He’s alive too, for now, because you hadn’t known where to aim when you’d attacked him — ironically, that’s the same reason Hanseok’s still breathing. His exact motive was being debated still, but you found unable to care. Why would you give a shit about why he'd done that? All that mattered was that he’d done it.

You’re sitting there, stewing in those thoughts, when Jisung appears. You don’t think they were supposed to let him through, but it looks like he managed to sneak in. He’s clearly been crying, his eyes all red and his face puffy.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, his voice breaking as he chokes on the words. “I didn’t think— I didn’t think I’d be leaving you alone in there with him. I— I did as fast as I could, I promise, but they— they thought it was a prank call and I—”

“It’s—” You want to say ‘It’s fine’, but the words refuse to come out of your mouth. “It’s not your fault,” you manage to say instead. “You had no way of knowing. I’m— Nari and I should both be fine. You did— You did the best thing you could have done.”

Nari had mentioned, as you were lying with her on the cold floor of the cafeteria, that she’d seen you walk in, soon followed by the man. She hadn’t found herself able to stay away. Who knew, if she hadn’t felt so guilty, maybe she wouldn’t have gone in. Maybe if it had been Jisung, he’d be gone by now. Maybe if you’d left through the window, the killer would have followed you.

There are too many what ifs to let him blame himself.

“I’m glad you made it,” you say softly, trying not to cry again.

He nods, opens his mouth, then shakes his head as tears flow once again, and just comes to sit next to you. It’s not so often that you see Han Jisung so completely quiet. You rest your head on his shoulder, trying to bring him what comfort you can, certainly taking all that you are able to from his touch.

You know, in that moment, that the consequences of tonight would likely follow you for the rest of your life. You don’t know if there will be a single day in the future where you don’t think of it. But right now, the thought that maybe, just maybe, not everything that comes from tonight has to be horrible and dark and crushing helps you to just keep breathing.

Jisung’s fingers quietly rub circles on your skin. He presses a kiss into your hair, mumbles ‘Thank you’s to no one in particular.

Finally, you allow yourself to close your eyes.

since this is different from what I usually write (and gets brutal), I'm exceptionally not using my taglist.

i enjoyed writing this and wrote almost 4k for it today, so, uh, sorry if it stops making sense at around 3k in. something that i particularly enjoy is breaking genre expectations by jumping into another genre. here, the first half is inspired by your typical high school movies, before veering into a thriller/horror movie, which i quite like (but it can also be disorienting and i'd get it if you didn't enjoy it). anyway.

if you've made it to this point, I hope you've enjoyed this series and this installment of it! don't hesitate to comment or reblog, honestly any feedback or support is appreciated. i'll see you all again for the hyung line in December (and maybe even in the meantime with other projects, who knows). take care!

[galaxyedging]

Pre-outbreak Joel Miller x older f!reader.

A little reverse agr gap Halloween smut with Joel.

The Hard on due to the Witch's Wardrobe

Even if you do say so yourself, the new porch looks amazing. The skeleton fortune teller is set up at her crystal ball. One that, when switched on, will reveal the spirits trapped inside. The webs have all been hung with your usual level of care. Spiders and bats hang from the newly installed beams, waiting for unsuspecting trick or treaters to get tangled in them. The dry ice machine is all set under the table to bellow out and welcome any guests. The meticulously carved pumpkins all sit with their various creepy grins. The candy bucket is all set up outside for anyone who finds the whole thing too spooky. Those who dare to knock will come face to face with the witch who lives there.

A sly grin plays on your lips at the thought of your costume. This year, you really are a witch. Well, you might have done a drunken spell after being inspired to reconnect with your witchy past after watching the latest episode of Agatha. It was a simple love spell. To some people, it would be as corny as using a wishing well. To you, it was more about self empowerment. Believing the words of the spell and that you did deserve love. Or at least a really good one night stand. That area has been lacking lately.

Even post menopause, your sex drive was still high. The building of the new porch did nothing to help. Four days of Joel Miller showing off his strength and competency. That man was enough to drive anyone feral. Especially when he actively listened to all your needs when it came to your new porch. His eyes never left your as his pretty lips pursed in thought. He rebuffed your jokes about being old and planning for the future with a ramp. Even when the building started, he checked in every step of the way. You often wondered if he would be that attentive as a lover.

The trick or treaters started early. Little toddlers dressed in age appropriate outfits braved the porch and you cooed over their princess dresses and superhero outfits. Especially the little girl who wore a Princess Spider Man outfit.

Then the older children came in their more scary attire. Among them was a vampire soccer player, complete with fake plastic teeth. She was accompanied by her father who’s costume puzzled you. He held a plastic bloody machete but his outfit was his usual jeans and t-shirt.

“Maybe avoid anything chewy, you know, with the teeth.” you nervously joke to Sarah.

Even in your sixties you still didn't feel like you had teenagers worked out. The last thing you wanted was to seem uncool. Sarah laughed genuinely as she took a piece of candy and you popped another one in her pail.

“And you are…?” you offer the bowl to Joel.

“A Contract-or Killer.” He beams at you at his own stupid pun.

“Funny.” You laugh even when you roll your eyes.

“He thinks he is. Oh, there's Marcie. Marcie!” Sarah skips off to her friend at the next house.

Joel watches her meet up with her friend and her mom. “They are having a sleepover once they've hit up a few more houses.” with Sarah safe his attention turns to you. “So your costume? Let me guess…sexy witch?”

The compliment short circuits your brain for a second. “I was going for a regular witch.”

“Oh, I'm sorry. You just look…I didn't want to not acknowledge the effort you put in.” Joel seems genuinely flustered.

Was he trying to flirt and he feels like you've spurned his advances? You might have thirty years on him but you definitely felt like he was checking you out on more than one occasion.

“So you're all alone tonight? On the scariest night of the year?” You prod.

“Yeah, I guess I didn't think of it like that. Do you have any spells to protect me?” There's a glint in his eye as he speaks.

“A couple by I'd have to stay close for them to work.” You emphasise your words by stepping forward.

“How close?” Joel takes his own step forward.

“Very.” You breathe.

Joel's broad shoulders are the only thing anchoring you to this plane at the moment. Your grip on them tightens as you ride him on your sofa. That was as far as you got once you discarded your bowl of treats in favour of a much tastier one. The spooky sounds CD has been cranked all the way up to hide your moans. You hope that they hide Joel's as well, as he moans and grunts beneath you with each bounce of your hips. Joel's right hand that had spit slicked his bare cock for you to take. It remained at the base with his thumb tuned up to graze your clit with each of your eager bounces. Your first orgasm didn't seem to phase Joel much apart from a gritted out ‘fuck’. It did jolt him into action to invert your positions. Instead of letting you take what you wanted he is now giving you what he wants you to take. Your toes curl in your black and white stockings as Joel jackhammers into you, now chasing his own release. Showing his hard earned stamina, he manages to draw another climax from you before he reaches his own, filling you with his red hot cum.

Maybe it wasn't your spell that brought Joel here tonight, but after that, you were definitely under his spell.

[jesuschristmattyhealy]

you're the only one I want to see

to the anon who suggested this idea: I hope you know it has become a permanent installment of my before-bed-fantasy-dream-time. this is very much inspired by the Andrew/Amelia Golden Globe's interview, hence the title. thanks to @hereyeswerefilledwiththestars for the reader's interview theme I appreciate you bestie <33 hope you all enjoy comments and feedback is always appreciated. ilysm

////

“I think you’re being summoned.” 

“Am I?” 

You watch in professional disbelief as Harry Styles turns in profile to find that, yes, his publicist is waving him onto the next interview. 

“Oh, yeah,” he pouts, “So sad, I was having such a good time chatting.” 

“Don’t worry,” you reply with an air of chumminess you can’t quite believe is coming across as effortless, “We’ll find a time soon, darling, I promise.” 

“They can’t keep us apart, I won’t let them,” he declares, “Keep up the good work.” 

“I’ll certainly try!” You call after his retreating back. As soon as he’s out of ear and eye shot you double over, wheezing to the camera man, “I can’t believe I just had a full conversation with him.” 

It’s the 2023 Britt Awards and British GQ has hired you as a representative for the red carpet, after your web series gained popularity and got you noticed by large publications across Europe and America. In a world where every interview has to have a schtick, yours is called “Two Drink Minimum,” a show where you invite celebrities out for at least two drinks and ask them increasingly more ridiculous questions as the night progresses. So far, you’ve hosted names such as Pedro Pascal, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jonathon Van Ness and in the new year, it seems like everyone’s publicist is in your inbox asking for a feature. Your career has led you to a lot of “pinch me” moments, but watching Harry Styles’ ever-sequined back sauntering away from you calls for a punch square in the face. 

Suddenly, a male voice pulls you from your star-struck stupor. 

“I was hoping you’d be here.” 

You start, spinning around to come face to face with the man who decorated both your high school bedroom and college dorm room, and your phone lockscreen for as long as you can remember having one. Matty Healy, wearing a dark green suit and an amused smile.

You press a hand to your chest, “You scared me-” 

Instinctively, he reaches for your forearm, “-oh no, I didn’t mean to scare you-” 

You grip the sleeve of his suit, hardly believing his real skin and bone is beneath it, “-you just materialized out of nowhere-” 

“-I was just so excited to see you, I couldn’t help myself.” He giggles — really giggles. 

You can feel your face heating up in spite of yourself, “Wha- excited to see me? Matty Healy please-” 

“No, really, ask the boys I’ve been dying to meet you.” 

The knowledge that the men of the 1975 have even mentioned your name, let alone had full conversations about you, is almost too much to handle. You search for a word, anything really, that might be appropriate. Your brain feels like hot pea soup. 

“And where is your… gang this evening?” 

His brow furrows, you immediately regret saying anything. Staring at him might’ve even been better. 

His lips turn up at the end, “Gang?-” 

You’re already explaining yourself, “I don’t know why I said that you’re-” 

He’s smiling full on now, like he knows something you don’t,“Yeah, there’s a name for what we are, love, it’s a-”

“- A band, I’m sorry it’s just that I’ve been talking to Harry Styles and I’ve lost all cognitive ability,” you joke, gesturing wildly at your forehead.

He rolls his eyes, the smile becomes a smirk, “Oh that’s it, is it, you’re still thinking about him? Should I leave, should I go find him for you?” He points his thumb behind him, already turning to go. 

You reach for his arm again, giggling at his sarcasm, “No, no, Matty that’s not what I meant-” 

“- No it’s alright, I don’t want to stand in the way of true love.” He waves one hand at you, the other loosely holds your finger tips.

“No, honestly what it is is that I’m actually getting really nervous around you but I was embarrassed so I used Harry as a cover,” Truer words had never been spoken. 

He’s nodding, a single strand of hair tickling his eyebrows,“Oh, there’s the backpedal, no it’s alright the damage is done, I see where I stand. Just England’s second best male pop star, that’s alright.” 

You whistle through your teeth, donning a jokingly skeptical look,“I don’t know, I feel like Ed Sheeran might have that title.” 

His mouth actually falls open at that,“Ed Shee- right I’m leaving, you’ve slandered me for the last time-” 

You’re laughing now, the nerves have gone. It feels like you’ve been old friends forever,“No! Matty, don’t give up on us-” 

He shakes his head, looking away from you into the crowd, “-after I was so kind and complimentary to you-” 

“- you’re right I’m the worst, I’m awful-” 

“-telling you how excited I was to see you, practically baring my soul-” 

“- please come back, let’s talk about this!” 

“Ok, fine you’ve convinced me.” He circles back to you, clasping his hands in front of him. His eyes make a trail from your eyes to your mouth to your necklace back to your eyes. If you weren’t blushing before you certainly are now. 

You take a deep breath, “Ok, now you were telling me where your band is.” 

“Yeah, they’re queueing at the Glam Bot.” 

“Oh, is there a line?” 

“Yeah, it’s ages long too, I couldn’t stand there any longer. George is gonna text me when we’re up.” 

“Do you have your pose planned?” You ask. 

“No, and I’ll tell you what we should probably figure that out because that thing is proper intimidating.” 

“Yeah, it comes at you awfully fast doesn’t it?”  

“Yes! It’s so fast, I get nervous just watching it.” 

“Matty Healy? Afraid of a robot?” 

He frowns with his whole face, leaning backwards,“No, no, I’m not. I’m a big guy, I don’t get scared-” 

You roll your eyes, laughing through your nose,“That’s right I forgot, forgive me.” 

“-It’s fine, just try to remember next time,” He winks at you, just barely so much so you think you might have imagined it, “No, I’m mostly just scared that I’ll blink or something stupid.” 

You make a noise of agreement, “Do you want to practice not blinking?” 

He bites his lip in thought,“How would we do that, exactly?” 

“Easy, we’ll just have a staring contest.” 

“Oh yeah, okay .” 

You square off, each of you closing your eyes in preparation. 

“Ok,” you say, “Counting us down. Three, two, one, go.” 

You open your eyes and are immediately met with his stare, dark amber, autumn leaves and the forest at sunrise, maple and mahogany. Your breath catches in your throat. He’s smirking at you again, as if he can read your thoughts. You try to think about neutral things, dogs, going to the grocery store tomorrow, how much your feet hurt right now, just in case he can. 

“My eyes hurt already,” You whisper. 

He doesn’t say anything, just hums something under his breath. It all feels strangely intimate, all these people in the room and he’s staring at you like you’re the first person he’s ever seen in his life. An idea washes over you suddenly. He’s rocking back and forth slightly on his heels. Just as he moves forward, you lift your hand and snap your fingers in front of his nose. He blinks immediately. 

“Ha! You blinked!” 

“That’s cheating!” He’s indignant, his Northern accent evident. 

“It’s not cheating, I’m just preparing you!” You laugh as he shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. 

“This is so unfair,” he rubs his dry eyes with the heel of his palm. 

You pout sarcastically at him. “I’m so sorry, I hope someday you can forgive me.” 

“It might take a while,” He wrinkles his nose at you, then is distracted by his phone lighting up i his pocket, “Oh, George is demanding I come back now.” 

Your stomach falls slightly, “Yes, go back to your-” 

“Gang?” he raises his eyebrows. 

“-exactly.”

He touches your arm again, the skin tingles, “So sorry to leave you, I feel like that was probably the most worthless interview you’ve done all night-” 

You laugh. 

“Not like that it was bad, I just feel like I didn’t give you anything whatsoever.” 

You place your hand over your heart, “Don’t worry, it was very impactful to me.” 

“Ok, well that’s all that matters,” He’s inching away, lingering slightly, “Maybe we uh… maybe we can have a redo on your show.” 

You hum agreement, “Now there’s an idea, Healy.” 

“I have good ones sometimes.” He shrugs, thumbs in his pockets. 

“I’ll have my people get in touch with your people,” You say, and before you can stop yourself, shoot him a pair of finger guns. 

He’s almost turned away, but does a double take, laughing, “Did you just finger gun me?” 

“Pretend that didn’t happen.” 

“Sure. I’ll see you in there.” 

He walks away, giggling still, looking over his shoulder at you. You retreat to the bathroom to call your roommate in hysterics. 

[khaohomies]

TTTE OCS I'VE BEEN WORKING ON, YAY!!!

The sillies... (I'm too lazy to draw trains)

LORES UNDERCUT!

Milo BR Class 90

Human name: Milo Mansfelid

Freshly out of the workshop, it's true to say that Milo is new to the world. Because of this, he's very unaware of his surrounding. He is a very approachable engine, loving to chat about random new topics he found interesting(The topic can literally be anything). He can go on and on forever and very unaware of how the others think of it. He have a very open and optimistic point of view and doesn't mind opening up a conversation with anyone, this causing some problem when the conversation is not appropriate for the current situation. oh boy he LOVES gossiping and talking behide someone's back. When his chattiness get one someone's nerve he isn't afraid to snap and taunt them back, causing him quite a joker reputation in the railway.

Note:

During his early years. Milo doesn't have a name, only a BR numbers. He got his name from when he ask his first driver what he was drinking, thus the name 'Milo' origin.

He've never visit the island of sodor, but would love to if they ever install electric polls

Love reserching and learning random knowleges.

He learned many creative and hurtful insults he can use from Bulldog.

Bulldog BR Class 55 'Deltic'

Human name : Bud Ballin Burton

Your usual grumpy engine. Losing many coworkers and friends from both roads and rails to scrap and accidents can be quite hard. The large diesel mostly keep to himself, not wanting to build up many relationship with the others. The few that he have close relation with are his crews and few vehicles and rolling stocks. The class 55 is the type to get easily annoyed and can be seen snapping at the others, this putting him in many problems with the others. But don't worry! He eventually tone down with the help of his close coworkers and Milo.

Note:

He used to be one of those ''I HATE STEAM ENGINE!!!" Diesels but quickly come to his senses years later.

His driver call him "bulldog" because when he snap at the other engines, his driver think of a dog barking.

When he did laugh he laugh LOUD

He was annoyed by Milo at first meet but eventually keep him around cause' he's fun

He went from "We all are going to get scrap anyway so why should I care" To "We don't last forever so lets make the most out of it"

Share things he knows with Milo

(human) Milo is literally the reason he quit smoking

Milo and bulldog have mentor/apprentice and Sibling sort of dynamic and they did other shenanigans with the other mainland engines

+ Some face concept of milo!

[oneatlatime]

City of Walls and Secrets

I am also once again saving the commentary for a rewatch.

I still think rock trains are neat but their inefficiencies hurt my brain. The friction! They should at least install dynamic braking.

That's big. This show has really confined itself to the hinterlands so far, so this is really novel. I had no clue anything this big existed in the Avatar universe.

Complete nitpick time! Given that earthbending is a thing that exists, why bother making things out of stone with individual tiles like this?

Single most threatening musical sting of the whole show so far goes to an overly smiley tour guide.

Wow! I hate this lady already!

"Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls! There are the ones outside, protecting us, and the ones inside, protecting us from smelly poors!"

"In case someone brings home a lady friend!" Do you know your nephew AT ALL?

Both Iroh and Zuko are right. Life does happen everywhere and without your permission. But, the city is also remarkably prison-like.

He got them jobs in an afternoon. AN AFTERNOON. Stop it Iroh, you're making me feel inadequate.

Once a fuckboy, always a fuckboy. This particular leopard can't change his spots, no matter how he tries to dress up his actions in a new law-abiding veneer. I feel sorry for Smellerbee. Her faith in her leader isn't exactly being rewarded.

So... is there a law on the books that makes being a firebender illegal in Ba Sing Se? Because the head-in-the-sand vibe I'm getting from Judy makes me think that the average citizen doesn't even know there's a reason to dislike the Fire Nation. Iroh and Zuko could probably bend as openly as a waterbender or an earthbender could here.

This whole being handled thing must be dredging up some pretty nasty feelings for Toph. This is specifically what she left behind.

Speaking of precisely targeted torture, Judy is engineered to be as irritating to Sokka as possible. Man of action versus Lady of script.

What a productive use of time! What an exemplary case of turning over a new leaf!

Iroh buddy I have news for you regarding the ingredients of tea.

That's like the nicest thing a member of the Fire Nation royal family has said all year.

How to get Iroh's ass in gear: Step 1: Make insulting tea. Step 2: There is no step 2.

I thought that little thingy in the background was one of those electricity things.

The attention to detail in this show is stupid. There's a moving reflection of the carriage in the water as it goes past.

Hi forbidden city!

Ba Sing Se has a morality police?

I've already run out of patience with the city and I'm 7 minutes in. I haven't even made it to a commercial break yet!

Their house is cute but the veranda is so substantial that it's probably really dark inside. Also there's a pumpkin hood ornament on the roof.

I don't think you can stop there for a month. Have you guys forgotten the now-doubled ticking clock? Eclipse and comet?

Oh ok we're doing 1984 now. Damn. This show goes places.

I stand corrected. Everyone knows about the war and would be appropriately non-welcoming to firebending. But not openly. This could be like one of those Bugs Bunny bits where he traps someone in societal rules. If someone told a firebender not to bend, all they would have to do to get the guy off their case would be to ask why they aren't supposed to be firebending. What's the guy going to say, because there's a war on?

Shout out to Pong for doing the Gaang a solid and providing the only useful info since they've arrived.

There is something very Gollum-like about Jet, crouched in laundry on a roof in the dark, talking to his stolen spark rocks.

Sokka. Feet off the artwork.

Time for Toph to weaponise her oppressive upbringing and out-fancy the fancies in the name of ending the war.

Aang can master an element in a couple of months but a qualified expert declared manners to be beyond him.

I just realised that Sokka and Katara don't have a last name.

Sneaking into a Bear's (JUST Bear's) birthday party may be the single least violent infiltration attempt in the show so far.

Smellerbee is very articulate, and it's rare that this show spells out its themes so obviously. No metaphors, just "you're obsessed. It's not healthy." And Jet still doesn't get it. Maybe Smellerbee should have tried metaphors.

Normally glowy green stuff is bad news, but all of Ba Sing Se's green lighting is surprisingly cozy.

Sometimes, rarely but sometimes, Zuko has to put up with a lot of nonsense.

A raise? Did I miss a timeskip?

Busting in to a local business, yelling about the enemy, pulling out a lethal weapon: How to Look Sane, A Guide by Jet.

Customers, amirite?

I guess the Bei Fongs are too minor as nobles?

"You don't know what I had to do to get seats this near the bear!" but I want to.

I know this guy's voice from something.

Momo ghost plan. I want it.

Pretty funny that the busboys plan works better than the fancy ladies plan. Goes to show you should always play to your strengths.

Get de-wheated punk.

I'm not sure I've rooted for Zuko this wholeheartedly since The Storm.

Jet be like.

Judy is not good at her job. Like really not good. Her insistence on getting out of there before they cause a scene caused the scene. Nice going!

The music slowing down when Judy's face falls is really effective.

You ever get the feeling that it should be Aang who ran away to the circus rather than Ty Lee?

Actually a travelling circus would be a great way to be, and remain, an incognito airbender. Aang should have done that rather than frozen himself. Ok I'm not sure how much say he had in that, but you know what I mean.

For the first time in his life, Zuko has people take his side. It's too bad that it's based on a lie, but it must feel nice.

I would have preferred if Zuko had a clean win against Jet - they're both great with swords, but I thought Zuko was better - but an assist from the funky hat police works too.

I'm getting some funky vibes from the funky hat police.

Bye! I won't miss you!

The face on the guy on the left is the funniest part of this episode.

Now these are some funky hats.

I know this scene is supposed to be scary and tense and action-packed, but I can't get over the fact that the king just did a drive by. They carried him in one side and out the other. This concludes the King's presence at his Bear's birthday party. He's a very busy man, you see.

Long Fang's title keeps getting fancier.

Brain washing crops up quite a lot in kids' cartoons. This is not the first time I've seen this plot beat.

Forget the Fire Lord. Forget the Fire Nation. Long Fang just threatened Appa. Long Fang has to die now.

The Judys are replaceable. Given everything else this city seems ok with, they're probably disposable too. Yikes!

Final Thoughts

This episode was probably the most expository I've seen this season. Maybe even the whole show. It was a big infodump with barely any humour. Actually that's wrong; there was humour, but not to my taste.

Jet is infuriating as usual. I think the writers are going for the villainous decay trope, because smooth-talking season one Jet hasn't reappeared once.

I feel really sorry for Smellerbee and the archer guy. I wonder if they even wanted to go to Ba Sing Se in the first place.

Once again, for the third episode in a row, Zuko is one of, if not the, most reasonable character. Season one shouty Zuko is gone. Is this what I think it is? Has Zuko really turned a corner? If so, I'm liking (rather, disliking less) this new Zuko. This is good. I'm also surprised, because in my experience, if you want to domesticate someone, you don't put them in a customer-facing role. That will have the opposite effect and make them turn feral.

Iroh is having too much fun. It's good for him to have something of his own going on. I think he's been in Zuko wrangling mode 24/7 for the last two? three? years, so he definitely deserves to pursue his own interests for a bit. But I can't see Zuko being a tea boy for long before he's back to needing wrangling.

What's the long term plan though? Are Zuko and Iroh going to live the rest of their lives in Ba Sing Se? Are they waiting for something? Are Iroh and Zuko functionally dead, with Lee and Mushi taking their place?

I will give the show credit for finally coming up with and antagonistic force that Aang & company can't just bend or talk into submission. Bureaucratic tomfoolery covering for authoritarian censorship and information suppression and re-education was not something I'd ever have expected in this show, because it's a little too much like the real world, if you know what I mean.

I don't like seeing our heroes unable to triumph, so this episode was kind of uncomfortable to watch. It felt off the whole way through, which I credit to that creepy music box tune that played throughout. The soundtrack of this episode was a cut above what I usually hear in this show. I noticed it more than I usually do, and I mean that in a good way.

As someone who'd be lucky to pass as a busboy, upper class intrigue and social games stuff doesn't do it for me, so this wasn't an episode I was going to enjoy anyway. I preferred the B plot with Zuko and Iroh, for the sheer absurdity of the concept. Imagine you're in 1950s London, having barely survived the Blitz, and you come across Himmler working in a pub. It's so odd that it almost wraps back around to normal again.

I didn't find this episode very enjoyable. I don't like the forced inactivity that's been imposed on the Gaang. The humour was not to my taste. The worldbuilding was substantial, but - probably thanks to Joo Dee, whose name I've definitely been misspelling - it felt inorganic, like a lecture. Which the writers do lampshade by making Joo Dee sound like one of those audio guide things you rent from tourist attractions. But lampshading a fault does not make a fault go away.

Thanks to what happens to Jet, I know that the people of Ba Sing Se don't dare even think about the war, for their own safety. But after spending more than half a season being shown every type of refugee and victim of war in other parts of the Earth Kingdom, I could not bring myself to give a flying fuck over Pong's concern for keeping his house. The city is frustrating, the officials are frustrating, their priorities are beyond frustrating. Zuko was right when he said he didn't want to make a life there, although I did find the lower ring where Zuko and Iroh are to be far more comfortable than the high ring where the gaang is.

This episode makes me want to bite something.

And still no Appa.

[hirocimacruiser]

Thorough comparison of JGTC vehicles

M・S war in the GT300 class

Mitsubishi and Subaru continue to engage in a fierce battle in the WRC, but there is a feeling that a new battle will take place at the JGTC, which has moved to the circuit. Cusco Racing entered the GT300 class a little earlier than last year with the Impreza, which has poured its know-how into building dirt trial class vehicles. On the other hand, Mitsubishi has started entering entries this season with FTOs made by Ralliart, with engines by HKS and chassis by Nova. Let's do a thorough comparison.

Photography: Shinji Takizawa/Takahito Naito/Satoshi Kamimura Interview cooperation: Cusco/Nova Engineering Photography cooperation: Fuji Speedway

The Mitsubishi/Subaru war breaks out even at JGTC, which is currently the most popular!

The most interesting race in Japan today is the GT Championship. In this year's GT

championship Mitsubishi and Subaru face off.

Noda. Subaru started accepting entries last year with the Cusco Subaru Impreza.

The vehicle uses a 2-door coupe body. Since Cusco (Carrosse) specializes in producing dirt track D vehicles (unlimited modification class), they utilize their D vehicle know-how and develop their own machines, although the engines are supplied by STI. Mitsubishi, on the other hand, is the Taeivon FTO, which has started entry from this year. Basic design by Mitsubishi modified by Ralliart. HKS, which has been working on Mitsubishi's motorsports engines for a ling time was in charge of the engine, and Nova Engineering, which has worked on race cars in all categories including top formulas, was in charge of the chassis. As you can see from this, the Cusco Impreza is a pure privateer, but the Taeivon FTO is a private car with factory support.

-The dark brown color is very strong.

Now, when I compare the construction of these two machines, I notice something interesting. Both have a normal FF or 4WD drive layout from factory. However, the drive layout chosen for each GT model is FF for the FTO and FR for the Impreza. If both had around 300 PS of horsepower, they would have chosen the lightweight and simple option over 4WD traction. However, since the FTO is a horizontally mounted engine, unless you choose 4WD, the only option is FF. How much is 300PS?

However, FF, where steering and drive transmission are handled by two wheels, and rear drive, where each wheel is separate, are at a considerable disadvantage in terms of tire wear.

However, knowing this, FTO chose FF. On the other hand, Subaru's horizontally opposed 4-cylinder FR engine is longitudinally installed, so it easily becomes an FR engine that is not found in production cars. Furthermore, the engine is compact and has a low center of gravity, so the layout clearly gives the Impreza an advantage in terms of balance.

As for the engine, both are 2L turbos.

FTO is handled by HKS, but basically WRC for group A. Since the Impreza is also supplied by STI, its performance is probably quite similar. By the way, the nominal values ​​from each team are 300 PS/40 kg-m for FTO and 320 PS or more/35 kg-m for Impreza.

However, when it comes to the chassis, both cars have been created using different approaches. As I wrote earlier, the Cusco Impreza was built using the know-how of dirt trial D-class vehicles. There are no restrictions on modification of D vehicles. At Cusco, we are using this unlimited know-how to run on dirt to create vehicles that fit within the framework of the GT Championship. The chassis is mainly reinforced with pipes. Rather than a monocoque frame, it is more appropriate to call it a pipe frame covered with a steel shell. The structure is such that all suspension input is received by the pipe. That's why there are pipes running along the floor.

On the other hand, the Taeivon FTO is naturally reinforced with pipes, but it is also connected to the normal monocoque with steel plates, making it a semi-monocoque, and adding carbon to increase body rigidity. This area is circuit racing, and it is unique to Nova, which handles formula racing.

Suspension is according to regulations

Although no changes are allowed, other modifications may be made.

You can call it freedom, and both cars have completely different suspension systems from the commercially available cars. In order to accommodate the huge 18-inch tires and to keep the vehicle height as low as possible, the wheel house was changed to something completely different, and the engine was mounted as low as possible at the rear. Naturally, the members are also original and produced. Therefore, the mounting position, or geometry, of the suspension arm can be changed freely, and It has been moved to a position suitable for running on the circuit, and of course the arms and uprights have also been made specifically for it.

Now, which of these two cars is faster? Looking at the first round of this season, Suzuka, the FTO showed a fast run that would be hard to believe in its debut race, and managed to finish in 3rd place (Round 2 at Fuji canceled). Objectively, FTO, which is participating in the race for the first time this season and can be called a works model, has an advantage.

Perhaps, but with Impreza's good balance and Cusco's vehicle manufacturing know-how, we can expect a heated battle in Future GT.

I can't take my eyes off the championship.

_____________________________________________

CUSCO SUBARU IMPREZA

ENGINE & DRIVE-TRAIN

①The huge aluminum core is arranged in two stages, with the intercooler on the top and the radiator on the bottom. The thickness of the radiator in particular is surprising when compared to the stock one. (2) The right-hand light serves as an air intake, and the air is guided through a duct to the turbine set in front of the engine. (3,4) If you look closely at the piping, you can see the aluminum pipe extending from the radiator to the bulkhead. This is led through the interior to the water-cooled transmission and differential oil cooler. Incidentally, the engine control unit is installed indoors together with the data logger. (5) the transmission is Hewland's sequential gearbox. Even though it doesn't have a bellhousing, it's very compact.

⑥ When you remove the rear suspension arm and brake, you'll see a reinforcement made of a lot of aluminum, and behind that you can see the differential.

AERO PARTS

① The front spoiler is the type that has recently become mainstream, with large side gills that generate downforce. The air intake has slits that distribute air to the radiator and intercooler, which have two upper and lower stages. ②The front hood is dominated by a huge air outlet. ③Equipped with a huge slitted wing on the rear that combines two wings. ④The rear bumper appears to be of normal shape, but you can see the aluminum vertical plate of the diffuser underneath.

SUSPENSION & BRAKE

①The front wheel house has a huge Brembo caliper and rotor that makes the suspension almost invisible. The arms are of course remade with pipes, and the links are rose joints. ② The rear is the same, but the shock and the parts that connect the shock and upright are compared to those on the market.

It looks like it's strangely sturdy. ③④ The front stabilizer is installed above and behind the engine (perhaps this is a measure to mount the engine low?), so the input from the suspension is via a long rod.

COCKPIT

① Increase body strength by creating a semi-pipe frame with a roll cage. Therefore, bars are not only strung above and along the sides, but are also set along the floor and welded at strategic points. ② The transmission is sequential and has a special lever (maybe the linkage has been removed due to maintenance?). ③Switches and indicators are arranged on the center console that protrudes according to the seat position. ④The seat is moved back considerably and fixed in a very low position. The instrument panel itself remains normal. ⑤ The meter is equipped with a digital type on the steering wheel column. The steering wheel and pedals are also selected to match the seat.

_____________________________________________

The Mitsubishi/Subaru war breaks out even at JGTC, which is currently the most popular!

The most interesting race in Japan today is the GT Championship. In this year's GT championship Mitsubishi and Subaru face off.

Noda. Subaru started accepting entries last year with the Cusco Subaru Impreza.

The vehicle uses a 2-door coupe body. Since Cusco (Carrosse) specializes in producing dirt track D vehicles (unlimited modification class), they utilize their D vehicle know-how and develop their own machines, although the engines are supplied by STI. Mitsubishi, on the other hand, is the Taeivon FTO, which has started entry from this year. Basic design by Mitsubishi modified by Ralliart. HKS, which has been working on Mitsubishi's motorsports engines for a ling time was in charge of the engine, and Nova Engineering, which has worked on race cars in all categories including top formulas, was in charge of the chassis. As you can see from this, the Cusco Impreza is a pure privateer, but the Taeivon FTO is a private car with factory support.

-The dark brown color is very strong.

Now, when I compare the construction of these two machines, I notice something interesting. Both have a normal FF or 4WD drive layout from factory. However, the drive layout chosen for each GT model is FF for the FTO and FR for the Impreza. If both had around 300 PS of horsepower, they would have chosen the lightweight and simple option over 4WD traction. However, since the FTO is a horizontally mounted engine, unless you choose 4WD, the only option is FF. How much is 300PS?

However, FF, where steering and drive transmission are handled by two wheels, and rear drive, where each wheel is separate, are at a considerable disadvantage in terms of tire wear.

However, knowing this, FTO chose FF. On the other hand, Subaru's horizontally opposed 4-cylinder FR engine is longitudinally installed, so it easily becomes an FR engine that is not found in production cars. Furthermore, the engine is compact and has a low center of gravity, so the layout clearly gives the Impreza an advantage in terms of balance.

As for the engine, both are 2L turbos.

FTO is handled by HKS, but basically WRC for group A. Since the Impreza is also supplied by STI, its performance is probably quite similar. By the way, the nominal values ​​from each team are 300 PS/40 kg-m for FTO and 320 PS or more/35 kg-m for Impreza.

However, when it comes to the chassis, both cars have been created using different approaches. As I wrote earlier, the Cusco Impreza was built using the know-how of dirt trial D-class vehicles. There are no restrictions on modification of D vehicles. At Cusco, we are using this unlimited know-how to run on dirt to create vehicles that fit within the framework of the GT Championship. The chassis is mainly reinforced with pipes. Rather than a monocoque frame, it is more appropriate to call it a pipe frame covered with a steel shell. The structure is such that all suspension input is received by the pipe. That's why there are pipes running along the floor.

On the other hand, the Taeivon FTO is naturally reinforced with pipes, but it is also connected to the normal monocoque with steel plates, making it a semi-monocoque, and adding carbon to increase body rigidity. This area is circuit racing, and it is unique to Nova, which handles formula racing.

Suspension is according to regulations

Although no changes are allowed, other modifications may be made.

You can call it freedom, and both cars have completely different suspension systems from the commercially available cars. In order to accommodate the huge 18-inch tires and to keep the vehicle height as low as possible, the wheel house was changed to something completely different, and the engine was mounted as low as possible at the rear. Naturally, the members are also original and produced. Therefore, the mounting position, or geometry, of the suspension arm can be changed freely, and It has been moved to a position suitable for running on the circuit, and of course the arms and uprights have also been made specifically for it.

Now, which of these two cars is faster? Looking at the first round of this season, Suzuka, the FTO showed a fast run that would be hard to believe in its debut race, and managed to finish in 3rd place (Round 2 at Fuji canceled). Objectively, FTO, which is participating in the race for the first time this season and can be called a works model, has an advantage.

Perhaps, but with Impreza's good balance and Cusco's vehicle manufacturing know-how, we can expect a heated battle in Future GT.

I can't take my eyes off the championship

_____________________________________________

TAEIVON TRAMPIO FTO

FISCO race information

I photographed these two cars on the practice day for the second round of the GT Championship, which was held at FISCO on May 3rd. By the way, the next big race to be held at FISCO is the third round of Formula Nippon on May 31st. This year's F Pon competition is fierce. Let's go to FISCO to watch the heated battle. Inquiries: Fuji Speedway ☎03-3409-2365

AERO PARTS

① The outer shell of the Taeivon FTO was designed by the designer of the commercial FTO car. The original FTO design was utilized, such as using the hole for the turn signal as an air intake for the brake, and the design was made more functional. ②The front hood outlet is also well designed. The opening is small, but it seems to come through easily. ③Although the rear wing is large, it looks like it could be attached to a production car as is. It will also be equipped with the Delta Wicker found on the Lan Evo. ④⑤ The underside of the body is covered with an all-carbon undercover, and the rear under spoiler finally functions as a diffuser to increase down force.

SUSPENSION & BRAKE

①②③The front and rear brakes are Brembo, which is standard for GT cars. Although it is a FF, the rear brake capacity is also quite large. The suspension is formally the same as normal, but the mounting position, arm shape, and upright are completely race-specific.The shock with reservoir tank is a double spring specification with a helper spring. (4,5) Inner Fender has been completely rebuilt to accommodate the huge tires. Also, the reinforcement near the strut upper, which is the apex, is like a semi-monocoque made of iron plates, and it seems to be extremely rigid.

ENGINE

(1) There have been some modifications such as cutting the flange, but a normal EX manifold with a heat shield is included. The turbine is also basically normal. This is because the engine itself has a displacement of 2026 cc, which is essentially a WRC Group A car engine. A wire mesh is placed over the right headlight, which serves as an intake to the turbine. Since the nose is low, the intake cooler and oil cooler are mounted horizontally. The engine control is surprisingly Motech. The unit is fixed near the footwell on the passenger side (right side). You can see the machined aluminum stay behind the piping to mount the engine, and the finish is very beautiful.

COCKPIT

① Although the roll cage has a large number of bars, different pipe diameters are used to prevent unnecessary weight increase. (2) However, for the part that needs to be strong, from the roof to the A-pillar, the roll cage and body are connected with a steel plate and made into a box shape to increase strength. ③ Since the vehicle height is low and there is an undercover, the thick exhaust pipe for the turbo has nowhere to go and is pushed up towards the floor. Nearby again! Car is equipped with ballast that takes into account weight balance. ④ Switches that match the receding seats are housed in the carbon center console, which also includes switches for the electric mirrors and power windows. (5) The carbon door has a normal lining...

[brazenskald]

In my first year of university, I was going through a very tumultuous time. There was all the many new things that come from leaving home, some good, some bad. There were the difficulties of a demanding if rewarding job, and I first became acquainted with the not-so-fondly-remembered and not yet fully un-internalized “student lifestyle.” Terrible food, awful sleep schedule, and this omnipresent sense of impending doom that was, at least in my case in Fall 2019, surprisingly prescient. Throughout all of this, I was not prepared to be struck by the warmth and depth and resonant Truth that cut through the noise and spoke to me with a certain book I picked up, by happenstance, because of its pretty cover. That book was A Conspiracy of Truths by @ariaste. You may have heard of them. https://www.alexandrarowland.net/a-conspiracy-of-truths

Now, needless to say I devoured aCoT, and subsequently its excellent sequel A Choir of Lies. I was sorrowfully disappointed to find out after finishing the absolute rollercoaster of Choir that there was in fact, no further reading yet to do. And so, profoundly affected as I was by this (for now) duology, which I will doubtless craft a dedicated and appropriately lengthy treatise at some point in the future, I set the books in a prime place upon my shelf and turned to face the rest of the year buoyed in my hopes for the brightness of Spring and the long lusty laughter of Summer. Alas, they were all of them deceived for another global epidemic was to begin. One (or two) life-altering years in a pandemic later… I returned to university, fully prepared to enjoy the hell out of an actual honest-to-gods academic institution that didn’t begin and end with a computer screen. It hit like a truck. Same awful student lifestyle, more bad habits piling up, and a rapidly growing sense of my own undiagnosed issue rearing its ugly head. I made one decision that saved me, probably. I kept buying and reading phenomenal books. I kept looking for stories to motivate, enervate, and inspire. Somewhere deep in my subconscious, I remembered that fateful message spoken by a Chant on a page three years past. To loosely paraphrase, “Stories [are] people, and the way people are.” I chose to focus on resilience, made it my motto, and sure I still had lots of work to do, but it helped. It gave me the push I needed to keep going.

That last long Winter that seemed so dark that the sun was never going to come back? I went a-wandering, and lo, a new instalment from @ariaste ‘s Mithalgeard universe! Not a Chant sequel as such, but I couldn’t get my hands on it fast enough. It was an oasis. A respite from the grind and dreary routines. It was also gay as… well as gay as a rainbow covered in gold, let’s say. And I cannot recommend A Taste of Gold and Iron fiercely enough, because although in many ways I managed to end my degree on a high note, that book drew me out of the darkness of the coldest part of the year. It gave me the sense to smell the flowers, to bask in the green and golden glow of a soon-to-be-attained victory, long overdue.

Alex had by this point also published several shorter works, (and a whole library’s worth of content on AO3, naturally) which I leapt to read whenever they crossed my radar. It helped that I joined their discord community which was leaps and bounds more reliable in terms of getting updates and also just having the chance to share in mutual fandom gushing. If you’re even remotely interested in learning more about what I’ve talked about here, you should join in! https://discord.gg/XHJ9Uy5gef Everybody there is absolutely lovely. So why do I bring all this up? To summarize a preamble that is, to put it mildly, not short, Alex’s writing sings to my soul. I love it more deeply than my non-existent children, and their body of work continues to evolve and grow and deliver on the themes and core messages that hooked me with that first book.

But wait, there’s more! Life carries on, and with it comes new stories! Specifically, Running Close to the Wind! It’s Our Flag Means Death meets Mithalgeard, which if I haven’t convinced you to go and read those other instalments, well just trust me when I say that is a potent and persuasive pairing! It’s also going to be dropping at an important time for me, what with convocation, another big move in my life, and a whole whack of uncertainty. Much like Avra, Teveri, and Julian though, I’ll just have to brave the rocky waters and hold on to those nearest to me, and that’s what I’d like to focus on at the end of this post. A Conspiracy of Truth taught me that stories are people, A Choir of Lies showed how stories can change people, and A Taste of Gold and Iron drove home that stories we tell ourselves are the hardest to rewrite, but also the most rewarding when we take ownership of them. I anticipate that with Running Close to the Wind, Alex will likely show us (with ample amounts of pomp and queer circumstances) how the story of ourselves can only ever be written by interweaving the tales of those closest to us. Perhaps, we’ll even discover how to navigate the often stormy seas of uncertainty that seem omnipresent these days, whenever we deign to pull our noses out from whichever books we’re currently nestled within. I know that’s certainly something I’ll be looking out for, come this June, and now hopefully you will be too! (This last link does go to the webpage for Running Close to the Wind, Tumblr’s just being weird I guess.)

[fleshwerks]

I do want to use Veilguard's 'be who you want to be' philosophy to segue into Anthem, and why it worked in Anthem. Now, Anthem had to benefit of being a first installment, a new IP, and so it had the opportunity to establish tonality, and it did. It was very much 'found family, heroism, save your city, love your friends, be who you are.' and it remained entirely consistent in it.

It saw your friends struggle through the changing world and expectations, yes. And I'd say, the NPCs in Anthem felt a great deal more 'human', and their struggles appropriate and realistic. You have Faye who's a bit of a mind-mage in a society that controls her kind and uses them for labour. It establishes threats caused by the condition (wandering too far and getting lost, being reduced to a hollow husk, a meat body as your mind and spirit fly too close to the sun). Their mental abilities are also very useful and very dangerous and invasive to others. Faye struggles with that, she's a perfectionist, practical, and holds people at arm's length because of it. She has patience, but gets pretty aggressively upset with irrational and stubborn people who don't do what they're supposed to do for the greater good. You have Haluk who's grappling with being an aging rockstar type, who can no longer do what was his claim to fame and self-fulfillment and self-image in the first place, and who's impulsive, aggressive type depressed, and who really, really, really can't accept the fact that yes, his impulsiveness got his entire fleet of lancers killed, that he's no longer a hotshot, not even a cold shot, and that what few friends he had left abandoned him.

You have the secondary cast, one of whom is a Ft Tarsis cop who's chafing under wanting to do things by the book, but also, not wanting to do the things by the book, and generally not relating to people because of her being fairly evidently on the spectrum, struggling to make sense of the world at all, and coming across as incredibly abrasive at first because she just doesn't know how to relate, and it's made her hurt and closed off, deep down.

You have an obsessed dude who gets split in three, and grapples with not just all three of him dying slowly as a result, but also the fact that he's not 'whole' as he was before, but now there's three of him and all three share one person's memories, but are learning to be three separate individuals. And one of them's a real jackass.

The rest of the world does gossip about you and there's interpersonal conflict, but the tonality holds strong: work out your frankly chafing differences, hold fast, stand united, 'stronger together'.

That's the entire setting. Of all things that Anthem got wrong, it got the human element of acceptance, found family and friendship not just incredibly right, but it's consistent with the world, its lore, its philosophy.

Veilguard it seems to me tried to do something very similar, but the established lore supports none of it, and that's why it's so jarring. What's worse, it is absolutely scared to death of being 'problematic'. Anthem had no such qualms, all of your friendly supporting NPCs were lovable, but also utter pieces of work that butted heads often and ferociously, and you as a player were the glue between them. Veilguard is terrified of introducing strife that doesn't get solved with an one minute dialogue by Rook suitable for addressing 5-year-olds fighting over a toy. So not only is the world sanitised, but so are the interpersonal relationships, and the tonal shift of Veilguard in comparison to the previous games just makes for an absolute mess that doesn't feel like Dragon Age at all.

[oraclekleo]

[Tarot Challenge] March Tarot Challenge

Hello my dear followers, mutuals, soul family members and other tarot enthusiasts!

I would love to interact with you guys more in a more active way and what could be better than a challenge?

What is the Monthly Tarot Challenge?

Simply put - Each month I’ll come up with a prompt for a tarot reading to be done that month. I would like those of you who have a tarot deck of their own, regardless of your level of experience or skill, to reblog the Challenge post, adding the result of the prompted reading. Or you can make a separate post with appropriate tags and ideally tagging me so I can easily find it. This way we can all try out of the box types of readings, no prejudice, no judgement, just good fun and possibly insight and enlightenment. What do you think? Shall we go for it? Let’s start with the March Tarot Challenge!

March Tarot Prompt

Deck Interview!

What is your general vibe?

What kind of readings suit you best?

What do you think about me as a tarot reader?

How can we best collaborate?

Any message you have for me right now.

You might remember I did this exact interview with my Tarot of Casanova Deck.

Pick a deck of yours and ask it the questions above, pull the cards, record the outcome and share it with us here!

It doesn’t matter whether you interview a new deck or a deck you have been using for years.

It doesn’t matter whether you are an advanced tarot reader or you have just begun with cartomancy.

Few lines or keywords are enough as a result, though I hope you can write more as this is your personal conversation with your deck, possibly a tool you’re gonna be using for years to come.

And because my interview with Tarot of Casanova went so well, here is my entry for this month’s challenge.

The Slavic Legends Tarot

Deck Interview!

What is your general vibe? - Ace of Pentacles

This deck is a seed of abundance and pleasure. It goes to the roots of a matter, making each reading blossoming with wisdom. It’s both vastly knowledgeable but also sort of humble and down-to-Earth. It might not use flashy imagery but its messages go deep and reveal the truth. This deck represents the beauty and genius of a common sense which might be sometimes neglected by tarot readers. The Slavic Legends Tarot has the potential to truly expand its significance and grow onto the tarot reader, aka me.

What kind of readings suit you best? - II The High Priestess, IX The Hermit

This deck loves any readings seeking wisdom and revealing what’s hidden. It’s likely to poke my subconscious mind, forgotten memories, even dreams. This deck can explain it all, bringing light of wisdom to the darkness, pulling the information needed from the bushes, guiding the way and installing clarite where chaos used to be. This deck loves meaningful readings, yet those with a direct impact on the querent's everyday life. It’s not a deck to predict the future, it’s a deck to help the querent create their future and build on wisdom and knowledge.

What do you think about me as a tarot reader? - 7 of Wands

The Slavic Legends Tarot deck sees me as a resilient tarot reader, the one who will often take more than enough onto themselves, trying to do all the work and becoming even more motivated by any kind of opposition. Hard-headed is the world. I don’t back up when the reading sounds unpleasant, I dig deep and carry the information with dignity and over the hills. Maybe my readings aren’t cute and pretty but they hit the right spots.

How can we best collaborate? - XVIII The Moon, XI The Justice

Aww the Moon lady has two dogs just like me! Haha, so sweet! Anyway, we already know each other for a while with this deck. We mostly work very intuitively. This is the deck I can understand very well even when it comes with no booklet. We have a certain mental connection. See the crescent moon glowing at the lady’s head? That’s the clarity of intention. Whatever I ask this deck, it comes with a clear information and message. I respect this deck greatly and it respects me in return, the balance is constantly present. As long as we can maintain a harmonious relationship, this deck is likely to bring plenty of wisdom and joy into my life.

Any message you have for me right now. - 2 of Wands

The vast horizons are awaiting me and my exploring. There’s still so much to learn and so much to experience. I should never stop wondering, craving, and being curious. Life can become an adventure, shall I decide to take the leap and start the journey. And I don’t need to be afraid as I’m going to be guided by a map and protected.

Thank you for participating in the challenge!!

I'm always grateful for any feedback.

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[kriegertops]

In honor of the home wrecker's bday, and trAsh's continued victim tour, I am back with the second installment of conversations with Sophia!

SB: Hi mom and dad!! Omgeeee...so much has changed since we last talked. I am now proud and out and loud! See my new hat- it says GAY. It's official. And I've just never been happier! I'm sure you saw my Glamour article. I mean, they wanted to do a Q&A style, but there would be too many uncomfortable questions, so I just wrote it. It was very wordy (had A LOT of word vomit) but I just had to speak my truth, you know? Yeah, you're right, I did write a very similar article awhile back about my then husband. But that was all lies, obvi, bc this is actually true love. And I shouldn't be denied my truth. Even if it came at the expense of two little kids. Yes, yes, I know! We've been through this. I did feel bad at first. But I mean, I've been pining over Ash for years now, so when we met up in Cannes last year, I just had to go all out to get her. I can't help it if she's an unscrupulous fame-whore who wanted me on site. What was I supposed to do? Oh jesus, not you guys with the timeline too? I thought you'd be on my side! Look, Ash was totally on her way to getting separated (wink, wink) and it was completely on the up and up. You read her notes app apology, right? She did not step out on her marriage. Anyhoo, I just couldn't hold off any longer. I was going crazy, so we had this long, greasy, raspy, conniving lunch where we planned our escapes. And it totally went according to plan! Well, most of it did. We had our grand entrance at the WHCD. Did you see my ladies' see through shirt! No, it wasn't tacky at all- it was totally appropriate. No, I mean, no one else was wearing a sheer shirt, but she rocked it. Her unwashed grease bomb of a hairdo completely deflected from her shirt, so it was all good. In fact, she's pulled this look off multiple times now. And it's so hot! Yeah, she does have quite a few tattoos. Yes, they totally cover her body. But it's so rad- I get to pretend I'm cosplaying with the Joker- it's the best. I'm getting turned on just thinking about it. Ugh, you always ask about her job! Enough! It's starting to get old. She is not currently employed. No, there's been no real job prospects. Yeah, she is burning through her money pretty quickly. Yes, I do occasionally pay for things (all the time) but she's so worth it. I just know, that in 12 years time, everyone will have forgotten about this and she will be getting offers left and right. Yeah, so her ex is still killing it unfortunately. In fact, she's doing so well, that we've had to employ a new strategy- every time she announces or plugs a new job or endorsement, we drop a bunch of pics and/or passive agressive IG stories to take away attention from her her. No, it's totally not working. But since both Ash and I are hard core narcisists with grandiose personality disorder, we're going to keep doing it. Okay, well I gotta go- they're having a blow out two for one strap sale, and I need to build my collection. Let's talk again soon!

Anon you always make my day with these😂 thank you for this😂

[pretendfan]

{Roommates} ELEVEN

(A/N: Do not readjust your screens cos yes it’s true, I’m finally back baby! In honour of the very first chapter being posted a whole year ago last month now. I decided it was time to carry on with this ridiculous story cos there were quite a few things left unsaid, but don’t worry I’m here and here it is the first instalment of part two of the series….hope you ENJOY🙌)

(additional: huge, huge, huge shoutout to @powerfultenderness and @likedovesinthewnd for words of encouragement about this story and both helping me along the way♥️)

(Pairing)

Adrian Chase x Female reader

(Summary)

Desperately in need of a roommate, your co-worker knows a guy, but why did it have to be Adrian? The guy both annoyed and frustrated the hell out of you getting under your skin from the very moment that you had met him.

But this was only temporary there was no need to complicate things by really getting to know one another or even worse catch feels along the way. Sure it had been a while for both of you but hooking up with your roommate was a terrible idea…

wasn’t it?

(Words)

9k (ish)

(Warning)

18+ adults only: Lots of swearing, mentions of sex, mentions of injuries and blood..

{eleven}

“Fuck.”

Cursing softly at first, you then repeat the word a lot louder the second time around rolling onto your back alone in bed, unable to fall asleep despite the fact that work would be beckoning you in a couple of hours.

Removing a hand from your underwear you admit defeat, there was simply no chance in hell that you would be sleeping anytime soon, and the invitation of a quick orgasm lulling you into any sense of calm escapes from your grasp by the second.

Debating the whereabouts of your vibrator you cannot actually be bothered to look for it, unless a certain someone was to walk in here right now and help you out, otherwise there was absolutely no point.

This right here was definitely becoming an on-going problem, one that you couldn’t either talk your way out of or try to blatantly ignore, all because of your idiotic roommate who was notably quite incredible in the sack.

Granted previous hook ups with others were nothing to write home about, but Adrian had set a new standard, one that not even your right hand could keep up with which was a low blow.

“Fuck!” You snap loudly to nobody in particular because of course you are still alone in the apartment, with your muddled thoughts all leading back to the culprit one who had robbed you of sleep, as well as a orgasm or two but who was counting.

Getting out of bed you grudgingly get dressed again into a pair of grey leggings, wearing an old cropped pink tee you yawn resignedly as you get out of bed and walk out to the kitchen, it was definitely coffee time.

Shaking your head whilst you listen to the coffee machine get to work, you cannot believe that this was your life now, very little sleep and a constant thought stream of Adrian chase.

The guy who had grudgingly agreed to move into your apartment, whilst taking over your life despite not being here right now, actually you had no idea where the guy of your dreams (or was it nightmares) was?

That was the thing with Adrian even though the pair of you were just keeping things light and breezy, a statement that should have raised a hundred red flags, yet here you were still unable to sleep the very opposite of things being easy.

The only time you did ever got a decent night sleep was when Adrian was in the apartment, be it in your bed or on the couch the pair of you laying together, putting the world to right with arguments over the best hot pocket filling and conversations like that.

“You are so wrong though-“

“Ham and cheese, it’s simple but so delicious.” You cut off Adrian with a smirk noticing the horrified look on your roommates face.

“Are you mental?” Adrian retorts then seeing the look you give him quickly adds “I was watching Wayne’s World last night, that line was appropriate for the moment.”

“Well in context I will actually let you off that little remark-“

“Cool! So what were we talking about? Oh yeah, Hot pocket toppings let me tell you what reigns supreme around these parts.”

Having learned long ago that once he started Adrian could easily talk for hours, just one random topic introduced and he was away, but of course you knew exactly how to distract him now with ease.

Either kiss the excited words right out of his mouth, because Adrian could never resist an impromptu make out session, but usually that tactic would quickly lead to you hurriedly straddling his lap as well.

The animalistic urge to get closer impossible to resist, whilst you would feel his cock already getting hard and ready to go, the aforementioned random conversation was usually soon forgotten about as well.

Smiling to yourself you pour a large mug of black coffee, suddenly missing the feeling of having Adrian behind you his face buried in your neck, hands gripping your sides steadily as he told you over and over how hot you were.

It was a confidence boost to say the very least, but standing there right now alone in your kitchen it hits you not quite for the first time, exactly how much you miss Adrian when he isn’t here which was becoming a lot.

But you had complete control over it despite the lack of sleep and ache between your legs, this was all just for fun a statement you’ve used quite a lot, over the time that you have been hooking up with Adrian which was a whole month already.

Sitting down at the kitchen island you place both hands around the large blue mug, with a colourful smile on your face despite the early hour because overall Adrian has been quite the interesting distraction, a very sexy one for sure if truth be told.

Well when he is here at the apartment at least you surmise, because this morning already marked day three of Adrian being AWOL, but you wasn’t at all worried or at least you told yourself that.

Part of the deal was that the pair of you had your own lives, which briefly intertwined and you was completely cool with that, it was just that something felt off with this whole set up.

…was this all too good to be true?

There had to be a reason why Adrian was spending so much time away from the apartment, and you with your needs but of course you had tried to voice all of this previously but to no avail, clearly it was nothing to be worried about right now.

Of course your ex was still hovering over you well the presence he left behind anyway, not that he was dead or anything just that the guy was finally out of your life, or so you assumed thanks to not having to field calls from the asshole anymore.

Things were clearly looking up and you had Adrian to thank for that, being both the rebound that you needed and the fuck buddy slash roommate who kind of stuck to your rules, the ones you had to keep adding to the fridge so he would see them anyway.

Sneaking a glance at the fridge door makes you smile yet again to yourself, it widens even bigger still when you recall an evening when Adrian had come home from work, still dressed in his uniform.

See there were many pro’s to having Adrian in your life, despite the guy being misunderstood by a lot of people you took him quirks and all, because the package deal was truly a fucking sight to behold.

Likewise seeing him in his Fennel Fields uniform usually left very little to your imagination, just like that evening when Adrian had walked through the door, and you had decided there and then that he needed to undress right this second.

“I think you should take off that apron.” You inform Adrian in a sultry voice that surprises both yourself and your roommate.

“Oh, really?” Adrian questions with a smirk whilst untying his beige apron, green eyes staring at you with a playful smirk on his lips.

“Shirt next-“

“Not the sexy hat?” Adrian questions with an arched eyebrow.

“Nope, keep that on.” You wink back at Adrian then add “The trousers definitely need to go next.”

“What are you up to-“

“Be patient and you will see.” You state with a lick of your lips which makes Adrian pull down his trousers hurriedly.

You recall with a wicked grin walking slowly over to Adrian, then getting down onto your knees you look up view obscured by dark eyelashes, as you proceed to make out with his slick abs tracing your tongue gently over the firm lines causing your roommate to groan in response.

Thanks to that memory and quickly recalling exactly what had happened next, you squeeze your thighs together tightly at the idea of something happening again soon, but then you remember that Adrian wasn’t even here to help you out.

Having driven yourself mad by overthinking things to the point that you may never sleep again, you decide this was all fucking ridiculous, but at least you were passing the time between now and work only at what cost to your own needs.

That was the thing for someone who had agreed to all this, you still didn’t know where Adrian went spending time away from the apartment and yourself, unable to not take it a little personally but no one else knew that…

“You don’t need to know.” Adrian would inform you in that monotone voice that signalled the conversation was over.

“Should I be worried-“

“Of course not! I’m a big boy.” Adrian confirms with a sly look on his face then quickly states “ I stay late at work, I hang out with Scott or work friends it’s all good.”

“But the late nights-“

“Erm y/n you are kinda starting to sound like my mom right now.” Adrian informs you with a well-timed grimace that makes you roll your eyes.

“Ok I get it-“

“Well you were the one who wanted to keep things simple, this just makes things easier all round.” Adrian states then with a quick kiss on your forehead, he leaves the apartment without a second glance.

Since that conversation you have left the subject matter well alone, which obviously resulted in all this, whatever this was because there was no way things could get serious between you two…right?

Either way the collection of unnecessary thoughts circling around in your mind were indeed firmly off the table, you needed rid of them and the only way was to have a shower, that idea would at least help you out in one way.

Then it would be hurrying to get dressed followed by rushing to work, straight through the morning and lunch rush because the only good thing about your job, was the satisfying way it acted as a full on disturbance for all your stressful needs.

“Why haven’t you left yet?” Scott asks his unwelcome guest, the one who just wouldn’t get the fucking hint already.

“I can’t move.” Adrian whines from a curled up position, trying to hide from everything and nothing, it was easier for everyone if he just stayed here for the foreseeable.

“Shit excuse dude.” Scott deadpans looking over at his oldest friend, the one who was still not moving from the couch, this could very soon become a problem.

“It’s the fucking truth.” Adrian groans into the couch cushion, his face pressed flat against the synthetic fabric, it was really uncomfortable but he currently deserved this kind of torture.

“You know I asked y/n if you could move in with her, but here you are yet again at my place.” Scott begins his voice dripping with sarcasm as he asks “ Did you two like fight or has your roommate found out how shit you are in bed?”

“I made my roommate cum seven times once actually.” Retorts Adrian slowly moving his head up from the couch, to gage his friends reaction, because the statement was all true.

“Bullshit-“

“A lady never tells, but let me tell you that once I get between her thighs magic happens.” Adrian declares finally sitting up from his position on the couch, even adding jazz hands to back up his wild declaration.

“Ok, I work with y/n I don’t think she would like you talking-“

“Seven times.” Adrian cuts off Scott whilst he pretends to count his fingers, a wide grin playing across his face that kind of cheers him up.

“No need to be smug about it.” Scott quickly declares but then adds with a laugh “You do need to tell her the truth though dude.”

“Y/n already knows that I am dynamite in bed-“

“That isn’t what I mean and you fucking know it, if you valued whatever you have with your roommate then you should be honest.” Scott shrugs back at Adrian who runs a hand through his messy hair in obvious annoyance.

“That’s a big ask-“

“So, what is the deal between you and y/n then? I know you guys are clearly hooking up but here you are yet again obviously avoiding her.” Scott cuts off Adrian with the million dollar question, one that not even he could truly answer, well out loud anyway.

“Im not avoiding anyone.” Adrian begins with a hint of deflection in his voice as he adds “ It’s not complicated, but I’m also kind of protective of both myself and how my secret will eventually affect y/n.”

“Oh, and what secret is that?” Scott asks whilst rolling his eyes in his friends direction.

“Don’t start you already know-“

“Well, you are going to have to tell her pretty soon who you really are.” Scott reminds Adrian in a firm voice, making him feel like he was being scolded and not liking it one bit, so he decided it was time to deflect even more.

“Tell y/n that I am really the dark knight?” Adrian questions with a smile that descends into giggles, because he could be funny too.

“I don’t think she would even believe that for a second-“

“Besides Vigilante’s suit is way cooler by the way!” Adrian practically yells cutting off Scott who grins back at him.

“Yeah but you’re not even Batman famous-“

“In Evergreen I am!” Adrian snaps standing up from the couch as if the is would help get the point across to his idiot friend.

“Hardly-“

“Dude, just drop it.” Adrian states narrowing his green eyed glare towards Scott who looked nonplussed.

“Anyways, back to my original question-“

“Just fucking drop it ok?!” Adrian shouts which actually does shut Scott up, but only for about five seconds.

“Someone has it so bad!” Scott laughs with obvious glee on his face.

“Nope.” Adrian states quickly but then adds for luck “You know I have like zero feelings.”

“Well, this is definitely gonna bite your ass sooner or later then!” Scott mutters in Adrian’s direction with a shake of his head.

“Yeah but that’s something for future me to deal with, right now I’m pretty golden.” Adrian surmises with a laugh clearly but firmly because that was the end of the that discussion.

“Whatever.” Scott sighs back in obvious annoyance.

It isn’t until a whole forty eight hours later that you see Adrian, walking into an empty Karma coffee whilst you were tackling a late shift alone with Phoebe, but finally seeing his face again makes your stomach flip and a wicked grin suddenly appears on your face.

This was just the interruption you needed because work wasn’t fulfilling its purpose, for once in fuck knows how long you couldn’t stop thinking about a guy, which meant that Adrian had been well and truly stuck in your thoughts.

… the whole damn day.

Yet here he finally was looking nonchalant about the whole thing, whilst you wanted to rush around from the counter and pull him into a hug, maybe some soft making out but keeping it PG13 because you was still at work after all.

Both respect and consent were two big deals that you knew had to stay on the table, but whenever Adrian was around all you really wanted to do was climb the guy, messy thoughts leading to you practically having to sit on your hands usually to avoid grabbing him at first sight.

What was it about this guy that made you act so feral?

Right now it was because the coffee shop had been quiet so far this evening, which was a bore because Conor hadn’t left any work for you to do, so instead you were inconveniently subjected to Phoebe talking the whole time.

“Hey, look who has decided to come crawling back?” Phoebe asks Adrian with a wink aimed in your direction, that your roommate choses not to notice.

“Why would I do that-“

“You know why?!” Phoebe retorts loudly which instantly makes you regret opening up to your co-worker, but it was the only way to shut her up, by talking about your own problems cos she was truly a sucker for a woeful tale.

“Hey roomie!” You call out to Adrian going for light and breezy, but ending up sounding more dark and restless so you lean an arm on the counter instead, casually as fuck or so you assume.

“Are you ok?” Adrian aims the question at you with a worrying glance, which instantly makes you move because you were trying to look chilled out not completely unhinged.

“I’m fine.” You begin quickly but then add subtly as an afterthought “ So, where have you been then?”

“Real smooth y/n.” Phoebe remarks with a giggle, but seeing the face that you pull she quickly gets back to stacking the reusable cups.

“Jeez, I’ve just been like super busy!” Adrian states in a sulky voice, which makes you look away from Phoebe to spot your roommate not quite meeting your gaze.

“That’s absolutely fine.” You begin with a nod and then state sharply “ But a text or something would have helped me from worrying, I mean wondering-“

“Missing me in the bedroom were we roomie?” Adrian asks with glee cutting you off with his alarming question, that has Phoebe watching the both of you without a care in the world.

“As if-“

“I hope you haven’t been having too much fun without me? Your collection of sex toys is quite impressive, but I’m the kinda guy who likes a little extra fun.” Adrian cuts you off with a smug look on his face that should be annoying, but instead you feel heat embarrassingly flood your underwear.

“I don’t think that Phoebe needs to-“

“Don’t worry about little old me, I’m definitely not listening to this super private conversation.” Phoebe informs you with a devilish grin that proves the complete opposite.

“That’s because I’m now changing the subject!” You retort quickly and with a swift wave of your hand to also signal that they were now done.

“Are you blushing? That’s so cute!” Adrian smiles at you widely, a heavily dimpled grin that makes your stomach perform acrobatics whilst you subtly squeeze your thighs together.

“Let’s talk about this later.” You singsong back at your roommate complete with a pointed look.

“My bed or yours?” Adrian winks happily which causes Phoebe to cough loudly from beside you.

Noticing three guys all walking into the shop you briefly welcome their arrival, hoping that Adrian would quit giving you that look, the one he usually wore before you dragged him into your bed.

“Well I doubt these three guys want to know all the sordid details.” You state looking to the newly arrived customers, all smiles aimed back in your direction, which clearly puts out Adrian as he stands a little more to attention.

“They might want pointers?” Adrian questions with a wink aimed firmly in your direction, but then he looks back as if he recognises one of the guys, a double look which leads to a firm line tensing his jaw.

“Is this the place where it happened?” One of the guys, you notice wearing a balaclava for a hat begins completely ignoring Adrian as he continues “Was there really a sighting of that douchebag Vigilante here, in this shit hole!”

“Excuse me-“

“Vigilante is not a douchebag!” Yells Adrian cutting you off from your hastily prepared speech about Karma coffee.

“What is with the weird hat you are wearing anyway?” Questions Phoebe eyeballing the tall uneasy dude, with the mustard coloured hat, which was just like you expected a balaclava that he hastily pulls it down over his ratchet face.

“We are here for Vigilante-“

“It isn’t like the guy frequents here for coffee or anything, duh!” Phoebe cuts off the second guy, shorter in height, but with blonde hair in a bun.

“Vigilante doesn’t even like coffee!” Shouts Adrian which makes everyone look round at him, whilst he explains “That’s what I heard, ok, so don’t go and like shoot the messenger or anything!”

“Get lost loser.” States man bun angrily which makes Adrian hold his hands on his hips in retaliation.

“You are definitely going to regret saying that!” Adrian demands unhelpfully.

“Leave him, we are here for the hot barista chicks.” Guy number three announces finally piping up with a creepy laugh, whilst proceeding to cut off an angry looking Adrian who was bouncing on his feet.

“I’m definitely not interested.” Phoebe proclaims once again folding her arms with purpose.

“Like we said hot stuff we’re really here for Vigilante.” Guy with the man bun reminds us like that was a definite plot point in this scene taking place.

“He has been seen several times around these parts, so we are here to have some fun with you ladies until the asshole appears.” Guy number three states with a gnarly grin that makes your skin crawl.

“What did we do?” Phoebe asks indignantly whilst folding her arms, sulking like she was about to have a complete meltdown, which pretty much tracks for her.

“Nothing yet gorgeous.” Guy number two with the man bun declares, quickly followed by a wink which makes your co worker pull a disgusted face.

“This is not happening-“

Before you finish that sentence you notice two things one that an elderly couple have just walked into the shop, and secondly that Adrian was suddenly nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Adrian?” You hiss at Phoebe who shrugs back helpfully, which does nothing to calm your annoyance right this second, where the hell did he go?

“Enough of the pleasantries let’s get this fucking party started!” Shouts balaclava dude pulling out a small gun from under his black hoodie, which causes the elderly couple to thankfully flee right back out of the coffee shop.

“We have nothing to do with this Vigilante dipshit!” You announce darkly at the same time that Phoebe puts her hands up when she finally spots the gun in the room.

“He was seen here?” Questions balaclava guy his voice muffled slightly by the fabric obscuring his lips.

“Out the back of the store, well over a month ago might I add, but we haven’t seen him since.” You retort whilst trying to hide the annoyance from your voice, because this could not be happening right now, where the fucking hell was Adrian.

“Read the news, he’s a busy guy!” Shouts Phoebe again unhelpfully which makes you wish that you were anywhere else but here right now.

“Look.” You begin in a calm voice pushing away all negative thoughts towards your roommate to ask “ We can figure this all out but you will have to put that gun away first.”

“Or what sweetheart?” Questions balaclava guy who grins smugly taking a step forward, whilst you try to stand tall from behind the counter.

“Here we go-“

“Fuck this!” Snaps the third guy cutting off Phoebe, whilst he nudges his accomplice hard on the shoulder as he adds “ Can we talk to the manager because there can’t just be you two little ladies here all alone?”

“Sadly it is just us little ladies who are having to suffer with all this bullshit!” You snap then raise your hands when another gun is aimed at you from across the room.

“Hey, where did your boyfriend that super nerdy guy go to?” Mr man-bun guy asks over you his voice as grating as his appearance.

“He isn’t my boyfriend.” You provide as if everyone needed to know that right this second.

Regardless man-bun had just made a very good point, you think to yourself noticing that Adrian had yet to make a reappearance, even though you could’ve really used his help right about now.

The guy had some muscles and he knew how to use them, well in the bedroom at least you had gained first hand knowledge of that, but clearly right now wasn’t the time for that kind of thinking.

Having literally seen him earlier for less than ten minutes, you couldn’t help but wonder if Adrian was actually avoiding you, chuckling out loud to yourself at the stupidity of your thoughts because the store was literally being held up.

“What are you laughing at bitch?” One of the assholes snaps but you ignore them equally pissed at so many things, seeing how tonight was rapidly turning to shit in so many ways.

“Let’s just cut to the chase here ladies, I want you to empty out the register right now or I will start firing shots-“

“All of this trouble is being caused for a few measly bucks?” Phoebe demands with wide eyes, cutting off the apparent ringleader Mr balaclava, who replies with a cacophony of slurs in return.

“What the hell-“

“I’m getting really fucked off now!” Yells the shortest of the guys, luckily sans gun but the red of his face, matched the colour of his hair and in turn his apparent mood.

…you and me both sir.

Meanwhile Adrian was stood halfway down a conveniently placed alleyway, situated beside the coffee shop, hurriedly tugging down his work trousers to replace them with his suit he would show those assholes.

But first Adrian needed to obviously become less of a civilian and more like his alter ego Vigilante, happy that there had yet to be any gunfire but he needed to hurry up, save y/n and of course Phoebe like the badass that he was.

Recognising one of the assholes from somewhere but unsure where, Adrian quickly concludes that they will be easy to get rid of seeing how inept they were, plus he was also in the mood to exact some pain.

…for protective reasons of course.

Obviously Adrian cared about his roommate and he knew they were both having fun together, but he had needed some time away despite missing y/n late at night, Scott’s words suddenly echoing around in his head like an annoying pop song.

This was where things were actually complicated because he could show y/n who he really was like right now, the idea makes him regret his lunch choice, the feeling that it might reappear causes him to leap up quickly to his feet.

The decision was simple, for now he would continue being both Vigilante and of course Adrian separately, but right this second he has some serious ass kicking to do to protect his roommate.

Combat trousers, black long sleeve and work boots all finally back on, Adrian glances up the alleyway to see if he was being watched, because someone could report him and that was the last thing he needed right now.

Hiding his rucksack behind a green dumpster, Adrian briefly hopes that no one would steal it, because his work clothes were in there, plus some ninja stars that he couldn’t carry.

Not having his full armour because it obviously couldn’t fit in his bag, did put him at a disadvantage of course, but that’s why he trained as hard as he could.

…especially in hand to hand combat.

Debating his opening line Adrian bounces on his feet but stops dead when he hears, the unmistakable sound of a gun being fired, a million and one desperate thoughts litter his mind as he races further down to the back entrance of the coffee shop.

“Was you supposed to do that?” Phoebe asks aiming her question at the balaclava dude, who stupidly just shot his own leg and right now he was on the floor groaning in pain.

“Does it look like it?!” Curses the idiot on the floor sarcasm pouring from his voice kind of like the blood from his leg wound.

“Look, who do I need to call?” You exclaim cutting off one of the other idiots as you forcefully retort “ Either an Uber to get you to the hospital or the cops you decide.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary right now.” A deep voice states loudly behind you, turning round to spot the whole reason why this was all happening right now.

“Oh shit, it’s Vigilante!” Phoebe cries with apparent glee that makes you roll your eyes, why was this masked idiot even in Evergreen still, and not like in jail where he should be.

“That’s the asshole!?” The guy on the floor yells like no one had yet seen Vigilante standing there, arms folded across his firm chest wearing a black long sleeve that was definitely working wonders for him.

You shake your head angrily at that thought, why was it that right now you were checking out the masked guy, and not like grabbing Phoebe instead to make a quick exit out of this place.

“Don’t just fucking stand there and gawp get him!” Balaclava guy snaps causing you to look back at Vigilante who was still rooted to the spot.

“I think we should leave-“ You begin slowly.

“Nobody moves!” Shouts man bun guy moving away from his hurt teammate on the floor, causing Phoebe to step back from the counter and you grab firmly onto her lower arm.

“I think that you guys are finished here right?” Vigilante questions whilst walking straight past you and Phoebe, to vault over the counter despite it being open at the end to land straight on top of the man-bun guy.

“Get him!” Groans balaclava dude trying to get up from the floor, not doing a great job seeing there was a lot of blood around him he must have shot himself pretty deep.

Adrian grabs at the guy he was currently standing on, pulling one of his arms out he then stomps on it firmly, joyous was the screams that erupted from the idiot as he continued to kick the crap out of him.

“Trying to hold up a coffee shop? Pretty lame job guys I think the shooting yourself aspect a sweet twist though.” Vigilante states with a deep laugh that reverberates through his mask emphasising the glee tenfold.

“They were here for you!” Phoebe announces which makes you widen her eyes at her whilst she grins back.

“Well here I am ladies!” Vigilante announces loudly.

“I am going to kill you once and for all myself!” Balaclava dude shouts finally standing up and looking super pissed off as he attempts to swipe at Vigilante.

“Who are you even I-“

“You killed his brother!” Shouts the short redhead angrily as he then states “ And now it’s your turn!”

“Can you at least take this outside?” You shout noticing a group of people standing around by the store front, several holding phones up which were in turn obscuring their faces.

“It’s fine babe I’ve got this!” Vigilante waves off your comment with a cocky shake of his head, which briefly makes you narrow your eyes at the masked idiot despite the fact he was helping you out.

….none of this made sense?!

Where was Adrian in all this? Vigilante’s number one fan boy and he was nowhere in sight, probably got called away by Scott who was off work today, this information somehow annoyed you even more.

“Nothing to see here!” Vigilante announces whilst holding the injured criminal in a firm headlock, before he drops down on the floor pulling a perfected wrestling move, he must have learned from a certain wrestling federation.

“Fuck!!!!” Screeches the guy on the floor no longer caring about his leg wound, because his head had just aggressively met the floor, causing you to look away.

“Should I be calling the cops?” Phoebe asks you, looking a little ashamed as she continues to film on her phone what was happening, whilst Vigilante destroyed the shop.

Sure he was beating the crap out of these guys, who granted were idiots but did they even deserve this, also the masked anti hero had broken a display that you had spent ages preparing the other day.

“I don’t even know your brother who I apparently killed?” Vigilante questions whilst two of the three assailants were laying on the floor, hell you weren’t even sure if they were breathing.

“Wild hearts-“

“Oh fuck, that shitty little crew?”Vigilante retorts incredulously then with a muffled snort adds “The have all long gone, long gone if you get my meaning.”

“I’m calling the cops-“

“Wait, I’m not done yet!” Exclaims Vigilante in a deep voice , cutting you off as he tries to grab the last guy, who was stupidly trying to flee the scene.

“You are making things worse!” You snap clearly over all of this, wishing you could just shut the shop up and leave with Phoebe by your side.

“How am I making things worse?” Questions Vigilante with his gloved hands firmly attached to his hips,head tilted to the right obscured obviously by the ski mask.

“You’ve bought your bullshit back in here and I want you to fucking leave!” You shout angrily considering your idea from moments ago of just fleeing the scene.

“Thank you for protecting me Vigilante, you are such a hero and a badass!” Vigilante mimics your voice terribly as he shakes his hips at the same time.

“Can you just get the fuck out-“

“The cops have been called!” Cuts in Phoebe gleefully then pointing to the masked idiot adds “ You better leave Vigilante.”

“One sec.” Vigilante laments as he reaches one hand into the pocket of his fitted trousers, pulling out something you cannot see until it’s thrown at the guy who was trying to escape.

…huh ninja star, explains a lot.

“What the fuck?!” Cries the last guy to hit the floor, trying to get aforementioned item out of his back without much luck at all.

“I did it! Thank you ladies and gentleman, what a performance?!” Vigilante shouts raising both arms above his head, which briefly causes his fitted black long sleeve to rise up, you feel Phoebe hit you very hard on the arm.

“Can you get-“

“One more thing before I go.” Vigilante cuts you off which makes you fold your arms across your chest, but soon you drop them to your sides, wondering what the hell you were currently watching.

“This is my victory dance!” Announces Vigilante out of breath, hands still above his head as he shakes his whole body it was a sight to behold, truly.

Moments later you hear the chorus to one of Beyoncé’s songs being played out, quickly looking at Phoebe who was pointing back at the masked weirdo, currently gyrating his hips which made you close your mouth.

“My butt, my butt, look at my crazy, sexy butt!” Adrian sings whilst placing both his gloved hands on the back of his ass, as he continues to shake what his mama gave him.

You find yourself unable to look away from what was happening, which was Vigilante dancing like he had not a single care whatsoever, the lucky bastard.

“Adrian would be super jealous right now if he saw your face.”Laughed Phoebe catching the look you make which was apparently a picture to say the least.

“Here are the cops!” You announce at the same time your co worker turns the song off from her phone, causing Vigilante to stop dancing like he was in a dance club and not a coffee shop.

“That’s my cue!-“

“Thank you Vigilante!” Phoebe cuts off whatever the masked guy was going to say, instead he salutes the both of you then races out the back, hopefully that would be the last you ever saw of him again.

“I better go talk to the cops.” You begin stepping out from behind the counter, avoiding the three guys all groaning on the floor, being especially careful not to slip on the blood either.

“Think I need a moment!” Declares Phoebe with a low whistle escaping her lips as she states “That was so hot, I need to call Vince and see if he’s free now I’m horny.”

“From all this!?” You question your voice sounding disbelieving despite enjoying the ridiculous dance that Vigilante had performed a little too much yourself.

“Don’t judge!” Pouts Phoebe but it soon transforms into a grin when she adds “ I bet if Adrian was here right now you would be all over him.”

“It’s not like that-“

“Sure, you are just friends who now hook up, the greatest idea that has never gone wrong in the history of ever.” Phoebe retorts quickly complete with a smug smile to finish off her statement with a flourish.

“Yeah, just friends.” You announce flippantly whilst watching, as two uniformed cops finally walk into the shop, taking in the ridiculous scene around them.

…it was going to be a long night and you really, really, really didn’t need this bullshit right now.

With a smile that just wouldn’t quit, Adrian believes that earlier tonight had gone so well, sure he had originally been there just for his roommate but the final payoff had been immense.

A bunch of losers looking for Vigilante when he was right there, literally under all of their noses, it was too perfect he just hoped that his roommate now appreciated the masked vigilante a little bit more.

Adrian knew that he shouldn’t have felt so smug about all this, but he just couldn’t believe his luck, so much so that he had spent a lot of time this evening hunting other criminals.

…why waste a good run of luck when things were going so good!

Smirking to himself under his mask he just couldn’t shake off how happy he felt, gone was the stupid idea of him hiding away from you, Adrian could just continue to be himself and no one else would be the wiser.

Only difference now was that he was hooking up with you, he clearly cared about y/n despite telling everyone otherwise, but Adrian could in no way ever tell you the truth about himself.

Well not anytime soon anyway because he wanted to protect you, and in turn himself definitely not wanting you to get hurt for his own actions, also how could he even begin to explain everything to you.

Scott liked to joke that it was so obvious who Vigilante was, but Adrian knew he had a pretty good track record at hiding his endeavours, it was just that he needed to play this well and somehow make his BFF proud.

It was moments like this quite late at night, that he found himself wondering about Chris Smith, because Adrian missed the guy so much but he was also glad that you were still around.

Scott however usually scoffed at Adrian whenever he bought up his real bff, citing that his oldest friend was still around, and his crush was rotting in some prison somewhere.

Granted that was true but Adrian hated the idea of Chris being in trouble or even worse dead, that was the final thought that made his smile slip of his face, how had he even gone from thinking of you to this?

Locking away those thoughts somewhere in the back of his mind, Adrian goes to call Chris it was a habit he still had yet cut out, listening as it goes to voicemail reminding him that he also missed hanging out with Eagly as well.

Shoving said phone back down deep into his pocket, he ponders the idea of bringing home a pet back to the apartment, wondering if you would be cool with either a guinea pig or something way more exotic.

Adrian stands up from his position on the curb, considering his idea for a moment but then thinks better of it, as he imagines a tiger for example wrecking the apartment which wouldn’t go in his favour for sure.

…more importantly where would he even get a tiger and at this hour of the night, it was impossible.

“Thank you officer for the lift back.” You tell the female cop who grins back friendly, brushing some curly dark brown hair from her face, and with one final wave she disappears from view.

Wow, and you thought that Adrian was the masked Vigilante’s number one fan? He had nothing on this woman who short of keeping a scrapbook, knew an awful lot about the masked maniac’s coming and goings.

Telling you how others teased her on the knowledge she held, the guy was an obvious psychopath of course but he was interesting in his movements, oh and hey did you see his ass?

Not like literally of course but your mind betrays your bad mood, by recalling the moment that Vigilante had won and broke out dancing, shaking his cute butt like his life depended on it.

…was it wrong that the aforementioned image was now a core memory for you?

Chucking down your bag at the same time you shake that very thought away, you recall why you was still in such a mood, oh yeah it was because of your roommate.

Where the fuck was Adrian? Seeing how he had just left without even saying goodbye, was he in trouble or like you kept suspecting just avoiding you.

What had you done? Everything was cool from your end of things, what was wrong with Adrian, did he think the sex was bad or something between you.

That thought makes you stop directly in your tracks, on your way through to the open plan kitchen, fuck had Adrian gone cold were you acting too needy or something for him?

Ok you were back to spiralling all over again, when in fact you should be angry at Adrian for leaving you at Karma coffee, because something bad could have actually happened earlier tonight.

Now that’s the thought which leaves a sour lump in your throat, what if the guys holding up the coffee shop had actually been competent in their field, leaving yourself or Phoebe injured or worse in their shitty efforts.

Luckily Vigilante had happened to appear at the right time, which was also suspicious but you knew Evergreen was filled with idiots and psychopaths, even though this specific one did kind of save your life.

…once again.

Taking a deep breath you feel overwhelmed with your thoughts, so take a seat on the floor instead of the stool beside you, placing both of your hands flat on the cold wooden surface you ground yourself.

Usually evenings working with Phoebe were spent listening to her talk on and on, she spoke enough for both of you sometimes, during those moments when you needed quiet most of the time.

Instead tonight had been a complete mess which left you feeling a little lost, not to mention how you were going to explain everything to Conor tomorrow, he would find out a way to blame you for all this somehow.

You chuckle to yourself when you realise that more than anything right now, you wished that Adrian was here with you for a cuddle, seeing how he gave the best hugs understanding the cue when you needed comfort most.

…which was super sweet, because he knew your needs even better than you did sometimes.

Remembering that he wasn’t even here to yell at makes you angry all over again, was he playing games or just being oblivious, clearly you didn’t know the answer which makes you silently scream into your hands.

Fuck this, you needed a shower to wash away the events of tonight, hopefully Adrian would be back by the time you were finished, then you could finally have some kind of a talk with him.

…maybe even finish the night with some make up sex.

That was what it actually boiled down to, you were still frustrated of course and the past couple of days hadn’t helped one bit, so all you needed was one night to make things right.

Apparently this was clearly asking too much when you finish drying your hair, leaving it messy and curly to match your feelings, because of course Adrian wasn’t back yet.

But this wasn’t good enough for you, because it was about time you finally had some answers, otherwise you would not be sleeping again tonight which was not an option.

Fine if he wanted to play the avoidance card then you would try and get his attention, despite the fact you had been doing the exact same, but that didn’t matter right now obviously.

Calling his number only leads to Adrian’s voicemail, where you were seconds away from leaving a message, but instead you call him another five times in a row all yielding the same result.

…where the fuck was he?!

Scott watches the TV through both of his hands which were poorly shielding his eyes, Karma coffee was on the late night news, whilst Adrian was sat next to him narrating over the reporter what had taken place.

“Vigilante saves the day yet again this evening, but sadly there were no casualties not even one bad guy died, which was a little disheartening-“

“I can’t actually believe this!” Scott cuts off Adrian loudly as he continues “How the hell is y/n because I know she was working late tonight?”

“Well that’s the thing…” Begins Adrian with a loud sigh which causes his friends eyes to widen but he soon consoles Scott as he states “oh no she’s fine! Still pretty sore at Vigilante but I will soon win her over.”

“That’s all you have to fucking say?” Scott asks with a firm punch to Adrian’s right side as he adds “ Please tell me the whole story, plus why the fuck are you even here and not with your roommate-“

Scott stops talking when he hears his friends annoying ringtone, some Britney Spears song that made him want to rip out his own ears, but that was a whole other thing.

“Who is it-“

“I better take this.” Adrian declares with a blank look on his face, closely followed by a loud audible gulp which makes Scott grab the TV remote to mute the news.

Staring at the phone screen you cannot believe your eyes, when you notice that Adrian had actually answered the call, his voicemail hadn’t kicked in after eleven rings so that was actually him speaking.

“It’s you!” You announce in a way more softer tone than you were originally going for in your opening statement.

“Hey y/n how are things?” Adrian asks you trying to go for smooth, but it falls pretty flat even to your own ears.

“How am I?” You retort sarcastically the fact you had been happy to get hold of him, was swiftly replaced by that anger you had been holding onto quite tightly.

Hearing muffled voices on Adrian’s end you can clearly make out Scott’s voice, warning his friend about something, quickly followed by a door closing loudly.

“I’m alone now-“

“Are you at Scott’s?” You demand cutting off whatever your roommate was about to say whilst surmising “So you skipped out of Karma without even saying goodbye to me, when moments later the actual store was held up!”

There is a far too long pause ,which makes you look at your screen to make sure the call was still active, what the hell was Adrian playing at?

“I-er I had to go to work I was running super late, wow the shop was actually held up how are you?” Adrian replies eventually complete with stumbling his words, leaving you with a brief sense that this guy was indeed talking absolute crap.

“So you do care then? Well your fanboy crush Vigilante came and saved us somehow-“

“Oh, shoot did I miss Vigilante?” Adrian questions quickly cutting you off yet again, which was still very fucking annoying.

“Yeah, if you had stayed at the shop you would’ve seen your fave anti hero, maybe even had time to get his autograph.” You state voice filled with venom, because this was not going how you had expected it to.

“I don’t carry my autograph book everywhere with me-“

“That was sarcasm, how could you have left me, I haven’t seen you for days and then you fuck off again?!” You snap cutting off Adrian this time, who you then hear sigh down the phone, like this call was an inconvenience for him.

“Honestly I was just busy.” Adrian laments in a low voice which makes you roll your eyes as he states “ I genuinely had to work, I’ve been busy, I thought I was being breezy.”

You cannot help but laugh after Adrian says this, but then you quickly imagine his face that kicked puppy look which made you want to protect him, but was he telling the truth?

“I think I should crash at Scott’s tonight-“

“I think that you should to!” You yell hanging up the call on Adrian, feeling nowhere near less angry than earlier, which meant yep you guessed it.

…fuck all sleep.

Your mind was wide awake as you fought with your own thoughts, stuck staring up at the living room ceiling, laying on one of the couches instead of your own bed.

It wasn’t as if this was a serious relationship or anything, but you both needed boundaries that went without saying, especially seeing how today had been an unmitigated disaster.

…yet despite all of this you still would kill to be in Adrian’s arms right now, what the hell was wrong with you?

Closing your eyes you cannot help but imagine Adrian laying down next to you, no wait him sitting on the couch with your head on his lap, gently stroking your hair whilst his other hand rests low on your hip.

…ready to move lower at a moments notice the thought makes a soft whine escape your lips, making you roll onto your front to bury your face in much needed embarrassment.

Thanks to the ludicrous events back at Karma coffee, both yourself and Phoebe are rewarded with the next couple of days off work, and you didn’t even have a speech prepared to thank everyone.

Clearly you were still in a bad mood over everything, how had things been so good recently and then all this shit suddenly happened at once, what’ve you done to deserve this?

The last time you had heard from Adrian was a day and a half ago, so you were granted free rein of the apartment, still annoyed that you had woken up in a horny frame of mind this morning.

It was like you had arrived full circle all over again, which surely meant that this cycle of shit was now over, despite the fact that you were still super frustrated and overwhelmed.

Go figure that anger acted just like an aphrodisiac, of course only in certain cases like right now, because you were truly finding it hard to cope without your mind drifting back to your roommate.

It was hot and you felt like you were on fire, even after having a cold shower but this clearly wasn’t just because of climate change, nope it was because you just needed a real good fuck sesh.

The kind that takes takes your breath away and makes you feel helpless, like whoever your were having sex with was relentless in their efforts to make you orgasm, Adrian liked nothing more than to watch you fully lose it.

A grin spreads across your face one that soon disappears, when you remind yourself you are alone, and taking some time away from your roommate which included not thinking about him.

But that was the thing especially being stuck at the apartment, all you could think about was Adrian his things were all around the place, and you still felt like there was some unresolved words that needed to be said.

Of course he was hiding out at Scott’s place, why you wasn’t exactly sure maybe he was embarrassed he had left Karma coffee, leaving you with a psychopath and three idiot criminals.

Besides none of that actually mattered when it was too warm for clothes, the thought had crossed your mind to just walk around naked, but Adrian wasn’t here and you didn’t even know when he would be back.

Piling your hair into a messy bun, pretty sure that you had even missed a few strands of hair but there was no one here to impress, so you decided to wear a dark purple lace bralette and underwear to complete the look.

Walking back out of your room you decide to make yourself useful, obviously you needed a distraction seeing how work wasn’t on the cards, so it was time to sort out and fold your clean washing instead.

…rock and fucking roll.

Either way this would help keep you occupied for at least a few minutes, and take your mind off thinking about Adrian, how much you wanted to shout at him and then let him bend you over the couch.

Focus you remind yourself carrying on with the task in hand, until you come across a super faded black tee shirt that most definitely wasn’t yours, which meant that is must be Adrian’s.

Holding the tee shirt up makes you grin cheekily, the fabric was very soft and there were chipped red words on both sides, which were both funny and ridiculous.

“Don’t do drugs.” You announce out loud reading the front of the tee, then as you switch it round quickly state with a quick giggle “Do me.”

The very image makes warm heat throb rapidly between your legs, as a delicious thought sharply enters your mind, wouldn’t it actually be great if Adrian appeared whilst you were wearing his tee shirt.

Before overthinking it you pull the soft tee shirt over your head, pretty much at the same time that there is a loud knock on the front door, unable to believe your luck you head through the kitchen.

Sure Adrian wasn’t one to knock on the door but maybe he wanted to apologise, which would be music to your ears, and then the real fun would finally begin.

Too caught up in the idea that it actually was your roommate, you ignore the fact you were wearing a tee that just covered your ass, complete with cute lacy underwear underneath and open the front door desperately.

…go on guess who it was!?

{TAGLIST} comment to join♥️

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[theworldvsyoshiko]

Alright, current state of the colony, because children keep piling in and I haven't talked much about some of 'em.

Yoshiko "Happy" Russell: Needs no introduction. She's 22 now, which is fitting because she's currently living roughly the life of a grad student: she wakes up every day, has a beer or two with breakfast, and then spends the next sixteen hours in a cave doing research on important topics like 'how do we more efficiently generate power' and 'how do I mass produce space cocaine?'

Her mech army's grown a bit, but this is the point of the game where having a few mid-tier mechs is less 'game-breaking' and more 'allowing me to keep up with the difficulty curve despite having a mostly-pubescent population.'

Mami "Poopy" Tanner: Now 18 years old. After getting her leg ripped off by a bear, she went to jail, found Cyber-Jesus, and converted to the Creticonian Creed. She's persuasive as hell, so she's now the preacher counterpart to Yoshiko's leadership role in the ideoligion. A mech raid smashed down the wall to her prison cell and shot off her peg leg, so Hairy made her a new bionic leg. ... I mean, they could've just put another chunk of wood on there, but it seemed like the appropriate welcome to transhumanism.

Tied with Yoshiko for the title of best marksman, the best Social person by a wide margin, and a pretty damn good doctor, botanist, and cook. 'Who installed her bionic leg if she's the doctor?' you might ask? The answer is simple: Yoshiko installed it, immediately after drinking a beer, with a skill level of 'significant familiarity' in medicine. (One step below 'capable amateur,' for the record.)

Marta "Hairy" Bryant: Now 19 years old. She's the crafting specialist, which means that she's responsible for about 80% of the colony's income, and also the backup researcher. And a backup mechanitor, for that matter. She's like a mirror of Yoshiko, if Yoshiko had learned how to do anything useful before the age of about 15. She had a prosthetic arm when she arrived, so now she's got a bionic arm, because having a better-than-nothing kinda replacement arm on your main crafter sucks.

She also has the Coward trait, so I don't know why I gave her a shotgun, because she runs away screaming when enemies get into shotgun range. Thanks to being the backup mechanitor, she's the caravaneer, since she can use a herd of non-vital mechs to haul everything.

Anyuan Ji (no nickname): He's 15 now. You can tell that he's fifteen because even though he's not really a combatant, he's decided to walk around shirtless wearing nothing but a bandolier. He's still bad at everything... except Construction, where he's a capable amateur. So he spends all day making spike traps and doing unskilled labor like making bricks and processing fuel. This has turned out to be pretty useful, because literally everybody else's time is worth too much to spend much of it on things like that.

At least he's converted to the Creticonian Creed, so now he's only constantly seething about Yoshiko's cool bedroom.

Alyona Pruitt (no nickname): Also 15 now and, fucking thankfully, no longer a member of that fascist pig religion. Unfortunately, she basically went around calling everybody else racial slurs back when she still followed it. (Again: she is also a member of the race she considered inferior.) Everyone's list of relationship modifiers with her includes things like 'Insulted x4.' So most of the colony isn't very fond of her. It's a... work in progress. Look, this is what happens when you adopt feral teenagers.

No fixed role, but she's a good all-rounder. Like, really, she's at least decent at everything but art, medicine, plants, animals, and melee, and most of those are categories I really don't need help in anyway. Her traits are Misandrist and Slob, and you'd think this would cause more problems than it has so far.

Siennah "Renze" Sia: I haven't talked much about Renze yet, which is a shame, because she's kinda been the star of the show since she arrived. Here's what you need to know about Renze: She is a Hussar, essentially a genetically engineered supersoldier. In exchange for being really aggressive (this will be a problem sooner or later), perpetually addicted to combat meth from the age of 13, and bad at lots of things, she's naturally really durable and good at fighting,

Except Renze is 11 now and she spends 90% of her time cooking and making clothes. She loves them. She would happily cook all day every day if she could. She adores Poopy, which makes sense, since Poopy was also weirdo gun gremlin as a child. Her genes make her the third-best marksman in the colony already, so she's got a sniper rifle to keep her at a safe distance. She's getting her genes catalogued, and hopefully some day we'll be able to re-engineer her without the aggression and meth addiction. Until then: the drug lab is spinning up production.

Joseph "Jam" Zarkos: I still don't know what this kid was running from, and considering that the last time a child showed up chased by mystery danger it turned into a siege that made me consider evacuating the colony, I am concerned.

He's 11. He's naturally incredibly passionate about plants and animals, except he has the trait Animal Hater and he in fact follows an ideoligion that teaches that humans are so superior to animals that being nice to an animal is an act of self-debasement.

[fearecia]

In this ongoing learning curve of "oh, these symptoms are actually an allergy response," I've come across some products for use around my house. I've been dealing with dryness on my hands for absolute years, requiring daily moisturizing to combat and keeping cuticle clippers handy to trim off the hang-nails before they get ripped off. I also trim off the slivers of skin that peel back from behind my nails (not technically hang-nails, I don't think).

For the record, I've always struggled with Dawn dish soap (aggressively dries out my hands and will make my knuckles itch and split) and generally stuck to Palmolive (raised on it). I have always been allergic to Dove products (bar soaps, body wash, etc - I blamed the moisturizers in them. No idea if that's the real culprit or not) and have generally used Softsoap or similar products for hand soap. After discovering that everything I was using had fragrance I couldn't smell, I swapped to these products that I could find in my local WinCo.

Ecos Hypoallergenic Dish Soap

Seems to be as effective as the Palmolive. I might be using a bit more soap for the same degreasing effects, or it might just be that since I haven't found a major refill bottle to buy, I'm noticing how fast I go through a bottle (I'm very aggressive in my dish soap use, so this isn't unusual).

Sappho Hill Bar Soaps

I got the Natural one and stuck one on a soap tray in each bathroom in my house. Rinses nicely off my hands and leaves that clean feeling. I haven't aggressively tested it against oils and grease from working on the motorcycle or something similar yet.

The overall redness of my hands has decreased and I'm not struggling with massive levels of dryness anymore. I haven't been picking up the cuticle clippers hardly at all either anymore, though I will admit to not having been paying as close attention to that side effect. I think my nails may also be getting stronger, but I think that correlates more with oral antihistamines more than the soaps. I've had the new products in use for 2-3 weeks now. I think I noted the possible changes in nail thickness over a month ago.

Now that I'm paying more attention, I think I'm also reacting to my shampoo and conditioner, and maybe the body wash. I installed a shower filter that I think made a small difference in the level of red on my chest after taking a shower, but I'm definitely still having issues there. Now that I'm paying attention, the redness pattern seems primarily isolated to my hands, forearms, face and chest, which tracks with the shampoo and conditioner. And I've definitely seen that it shows up right after using my shampoo. So that will be getting swapped out next.

I've also had oily hair but a flaky scalp for like... Ever. I had a brief period of time where that went away when I was being treated for acne with whatever that Vit-A derivative medication is. And then it went away again for a week or two when I was taking all the MCAS meds (I sadly ran into problems with the pharmacy for one medication and started reacting to another, so had to quit both of them). I'm kinda hoping that maybe the oily hair/dry scalp problem is another allergy related issue that I can treat with the appropriate products.

For moisturizing, I currently use Renew Lotion by the Melaleuca Company*. I started using it years ago when I lived on the top of the mountain in Colorado and my skin could not stay hydrated at all. Most lotions barley got me through 24 hours. This stuff took care of my skin for like a week. I've had multiple people who are medical professionals try it and love it (because it helps combat the dryness of constantly washing their hands). I've also had folks who have eczema use it and claim it is better than their prescription lotions. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny in terms of how much less you need of it and how long the effects last. I will be considering it as another potential allergen source at a later date. For now, I'm barely using it, so I'm not super concerned at the moment.

*Yes, the Melaleuca Company is an MLM from what I can tell. I get the lotion because it's the best thing I've ever found. They have a variety of other products that are probably good as well (tea tree oil is the big component of their stuff) that I have never tried. I get the lotion on Amazon, which is probably about double the cost of what you would pay if you found someone selling the products directly (I used to get it for $20 a bottle with I had friends who worked for them). So, yes, MLM sucks, but products are solid.

Side note, I stumbled over this thread with recommendations for hypoallergenic products for MCAS folks:

Anyway. Just recording things and the process for future me/other people. Goodness knows it's reading things like this that has helped me figure a ton of shit out in the past.

[singswan-springswan]

can we get director’s commentary on Moonspell por favor?

ooooooh okay okay. tbh moonspell feels so long ago that I'm not sure I remember much of my thought process while writing, but let me make an attempt.

first of all: chapter titles. Usually when I write fics I don't bother with chapter titles ((((mostly because I don't often write multi-chapter fics but that's another thing altogether))))). For this fic, however, I wanted to use the lines of this one cool poem:

which influenced my final chapter count. I think I originally only planned to write three chapters but then I was like. well the poem has six lines. and I knew what I had to do. If you noticed, the second fic in the series depicting Ezra's monthly woes is also named after this poem.

You must know that the first chapter of the fic had me totally envisioning that diner scene from into the spiderverse. I wanted to immerse myself into the setting. backwater diner, at least a decade old or so, best burgers in town, etc. It's giving dark and quiet past the fluorescent lights and reflections in the glass. Kanan keeps seeing one of the inquisitor wolves in the flower bed over Ezra's shoulder and realizes that the kid is being stalked by Lothal's latest Problem People. Most of the plot from this fic was taken directly from the original imagine I wrote of the werewolf AU, which is in the first installment of the series and also floating around somewhere on my blog.

I really wanted to set the stage for future character dynamics. Really lay out the groundwork for plot development and Ghost Crew at large coming together slowly. Since the fic is written mostly from Ezra's perspective, most of the foreshadowing and allusions are vague and weird, because bro does not have context. Very subtle hints at what's going on, and I did do my best to write Ezra as someone honestly considering all the possible scenarios for these strange events with a perspective that does not include any supernatural influence whatsoever. wanted him to just be ??? the whole time.

It was really fun for me to write the dynamic between Kanan and Ezra. The two of them have nearly polar opposite experiences with lycanthropy. Kanan was raised in a massive pack, and Ezra has been on his own with his abilities hidden from him since before he could really remember. What seems obvious to Kanan would blow Ezra's mind. Kanan is the only person in a position to mentor Ezra, but he's also very resistant to this fact. He hasn't been living with Ghost Crew for the six years leading up to his first meeting with Ezra, since he and Hera split ways after the AU equivalent of A New Dawn, so bro is not a family man. He's just a tough charming bachelor lone wolf trying to mind his own business. Unfortunately, the plot loves him. Ezra on the other hand has grown up in foster care, assuming himself to be human on top of that. He's a nice enough kid, but he's a delinquent with a rap sheet at the local police department. He's been in and out of foster care for years. Most guardians get sick of him before long, and he expects Kanan to do the same, especially when Kanan doesn't even have an interest in starting a family.

All of these factors made for an understandable tension between them. I spent a lot of time trying to carefully tweak the dialogue and tonal descriptors so the readers could feel the friction early in their relationship but also be able to see their easy chemistry and how much they have in common.

I think I wrote the tire blow-out shortly after my own first experience having a tire explode while I was driving. Since the sounds and sensations at the time were not at all what I expected, my idiot shebs did not pull over for a solid mile and almost kriffed up the back axel. Luckily, Kanan's car flipped on its side and stopped him before he could make my mistake 👍rip ezra though he'd never been in a car wreck before. I like to think his thoughts on the matter were appropriate for someone of his age. Most amusing chapter in my opinion.

I really liked the chapter in the school cafeteria where Sabine complains about her family's hunt and warns her friends not to venture out on the night of the full moon. Admittedly, a lot of inspiration for this series came from Teen Wolf. I'm always one to appreciate a good highschool drama involving supernatural conspiracy (which doesn't turn out to be as deep or dramatic as the kids make it. think: adults and kids in the same town are living different genres of werewolf thriller). Part of that chapter was me trying to sketch out the mechanics of Sabine's hunter family operations, and again, Ezra's chronically-out-of-the-loop pov made that difficult. I also needed to establish Ezra's goon squad. He may play the part of the loner, but let's applaud this guy for having a solid four friends who could all do way better than him. Nixie is an OC I threw in there to fill up empty space. yes, I named her after my favorite mako mermaids character because I MISS her. anyways

Sabine being the popular girl punk sneaking weapons into school and putting her combat boots on the table scaring everyone including her closest friends has a very special place in my heart. Sabine deserved a dynamic high school experience okay my girl was SUFFERING at the Imperial Academy in canon I just know it.

Wanted to hype up the shift with a chapter of whump by putting Ezra through a mix of sensory overload and fever. headcanoning that moonspells do that to inexperienced werewolves. given again: Ezra's outside pov, the conversation between Zeb and Kanan is unsettling; not just because Ezra can hear it from two stories above them. I got a kick out of rubbing his obliviousness in. poor guy has been told nothing. that very specific vibe of mystery prior to main character enlightenment when everyone else seems to know what's going on was something I felt very appropriate to capitalize on.

On the flip side, when I got to Kanan's pov, I wanted to refrain from mentioning things in great detail because he already knows everything, and is instead only making vague references because none of this is nuanced to him. I think the only thing I really detailed from plot relevance for Kanan's pov was his relationship with Hera, which was important exposition to establish the high stakes in the scene (and lay some groundwork for their dynamic throughout the series). We got to emphasize more his attitude about the whole situation. again, Kanan does not want to be involved at all. Fortunately, a few pov chapters also highlight his sense of obligation. He's an unreliable narrator for insisting that he doesn't care when hopefully his actions show the opposite with an instinctual compassion and meticulousness. This version of Kanan is a lot more rough than the one Ezra meets in canon (mostly because he hasn't been living with Hera since he met her), and I wanted to reflect that with his attitude and behavior especially with the way he handles Ezra. I wanted all his softer moments to be fringe and allusive so I could spend future fics wearing him down.

Overall, the goal of this fic was to throw Ezra into the supernatural world with little explanation. Lots of setup for future shenanigans. world-building and slotting characters into their roles. cooking with a mildly funny but also weird unsettling vibe to go with Ezra's suspicions that he stumbled into a horror story. Kanan doesn't want to be the dad that stepped up he doesn't want to be a dad at all. betrayed by the narrative fr.

Thank you for the ask! I was actually just thinking about this series and it was fun to return to these musings for a bit. I forgot just how long this fic was until I needed to talk about what the kriff I was thinking.

always open to more requests!