#but this one specifically. it speaks to me.

[windghouls]

NEW CHAPTER SPOILERS (INCLUDING WEIRD ROUTE) BIG KRIS RAMBLE

They actually do this really often. Before the new chapters dropped I was super fixated on the player Kris relationship (as expected, its acting up even more now lol.) But I was paying a lot of close attention to all the little choice interactions.

I'm super jumbled and not fully in the loop because I've only been semi-spoiling myself (since I can't play the new chapters right now.) But there's another part in one of the new chapters (chapter 4 I believe) where there's an interaction with Susie where Kris is asked if something's up and if you answer "Say what's on your mind" Kris covers their mouth. I believe this happens if you wait by the pond for 10 minutes.

The notion of them being able to hear the full command before they take action is very much supported by what we see with Noelle in the Weird route and I think its nice to have the confirmation that Kris experiences the player similarly to how Noelle does... with the only difference being that we are quite literally possessing Kris.

Assuming we are possessing Kris's actual soul, I think their ability to work around the player- and resist in the ways that they can- speak to their determination. I remember there used to be debate on whether the red soul is Kris's or our's that's been inputted. Personally, I can see it either way, but I lean towards it being their soul that we are just possessing. I think a red soul very much suits Kris's drive and how far they're willing to go for whatever it is they want to accomplish, even if we aren't sure what that goal is currently.

I really do love their malicious compliance with the player. It's a specialty of their's but it's definitely had me thinking on how they're able to interact with our commands/choices.

There's something specific in the weird route in chapter 4 that has me wondering if Kris is able to do more than just maliciously comply. I think its a possibility that they are completely able to block us, loopholes aside. Maybe they're just determined enough to be able to do it in this one instance due to the severity of the weird route. (We did just do something terrible. And Kris did beat the shit out of us soooo...) (Has me wondering about the third entity theories though cause like... we aren't controlling Kris all the time in weird route, but it also doesn't seem to be Kris. So hm.... seems possible its something or someone else.)

But there's this scene after Noelle's house where Susie is clearly insecure that you guys were off on your own. We are then presented with four choices, none of which we can see, and the screen is tinted red. I personally don't recall having encountered anything like this before.

No matter what you pick, Susie responds by seeming reassured that it wasn't about her and also brushes it off and promises not to mention it again. I think the only conclusion to draw from this is that this was somehow Kris's doing because they wanted to block us from hearing whatever it is they wanted to say. The red tint I think could easily be a reference to the soul being messed with. Due to Susie's response, I don't think its the third entity if there is one, as I'd only attribute them to malicious actions that Kris doesn't seem to approve of.

We know from the previous dialogue with Noelle before THE you know... THE scene that Kris will explicitly say not to mention things again to keep the information out of our reach.

Here's a couple of conclusions I think we can draw with a lot of certainty:

1. We do not need to possess Noelle to control Noelle.

2. We HAVE to possess Kris to control them. They can do whatever they want when we are not inside them and we only control the soul.

3. The wording of our choices matter. Our choices can sometimes be specific and Kris can take full advantage of loopholes within this.

4. In instances where our soul travels away from Kris, (ex. To see what Susie is doing as per Ralsei's suggestion) Kris is able to act on their own. (Supported by catching the tailend of conversations when we return)

5. Kris has some control of their actions even while we are in them and can sometimes act on their own without any say on our end. (Seems to be based on circumstance and maybe it comes down to willpower?) (Ex. Kris playing piano with the encouragement of Susie)

6. Kris can move and appear normal without the soul inside of them. (Though I assume it's probably strenuous to upkeep)

7. Kris might have a way to block our input, even if only in one instance in the weird route. (Maybe this'll continue to be shown in the weird route specifically)

Ok yall goodnight sorry this might have been completely incoherent im so neurodivergent abt Kris

Still incoherent about the new chapters, but something just occurred to me about the mechanics of the player's influence on Kris. In chapter four, Kris defies us by maliciously complying with our command's exact words:

Compare this to a similar scene with Asriel's room in Queen's mansion, where they simply close their eyes as we do the motion of opening the door- here they change what the actual motion is based on the command's wording.

Earlier, they cover their mouth before they can be cruel to Ralsei:

Kris stops themselves from completing their own sentence- they don't have any evidence to just predict what the player will say next, so this confirms they are aware of the whole sentence they have to say before they say it. Kris isn't just being forced through physical actions by the Red Soul, they can actually hear the entire command.

I don't know what to do with this piece of information at all.

[81pastrys]

Opposites Attract

Summary— Oscar isn’t the talkative type but he knows his way around gestures and actions. Until he finds out she doubts her worth as his partner.

Warnings— self-hatred..? ; self-doubting ; loving Oscar ; overthinking!reader ; sensitive!reader

A/N— here’s the mind-blowing Oscar fluff 🩷

Oscar One Shots

Request— hi can you make an oscar fic where reader and oscar had always had this dynamic between them where reader's more of the outgoing, yapping but sweet personality and oscar is more on the reserved quiet side, never talks more then 2 sentences, it had worked out that way and she never noticed his silence until one day one of her friends point it out, and she looks back and notices it and since then whenever they spent time together she notices it too, like it "seems" on the outside that oscar's not paying any attention like being on his phone, or being preoccupied with smth like driving, making sure her order's perfect, and reader misunderstands and wonders if she's being "too much" and gets sad about it, ps reader is a bit sensitive; TYSMMM I LOVE YOUR WORKS SO MUCHHH 💖💖💖

Dividers @bernardsbendystraws @dollywons

The man of only a few words was somehow dating the girl with all the words. How? Don’t ask them, it just worked out that way. She would talk and talk and talk, while Oscar would just sit, nod, listen in. Nothing ever really needed his input, she was just rambling most of the time. The dynamic duo, one talks while the other listens. Yeah they had their moments of sweet cuddles and PDA but nothing too out of the ordinary. Oscar was more present in the actions while she was more present in the talking. It just worked- clicked even.

“Why is Oscar so quiet all the time?” Her friend mentioned at lunch one day. “You’re always talking and if he does talk it’s like a sentence.” She gave her friend a confused smile.

“He just listens, I mean, I’m usually just talking about my day or things to do.” She shrugged it off. What she didn’t say was that it was getting in her head.

Why doesn’t he talk?

Is he uninterested?

“Just seems odd, you can talk for hours and he can barely speak a sentence.” Her friend should really catch the hint and shut her mouth. She diverts her friend’s attention to something else, to ease her mind of the overthinking.

After that she pays more attention. Oscar really doesn’t talk much. He does for medias but he’s being paid to do that and it’s all car and mechanics anyway, not conversation. Not to mention, when they’re together he’s mindlessly scrolling on his phone or looking towards their surroundings. Sometimes he catches her eye but not as often as she believes is right— like he isn’t even interested.

What she does notice is her favorite flowers perched in a beautifully blown, glass vase on her office desk, or her favorite meal prepped in the fridge for lunch. Oscar also makes a point on live television that he’s happily taken.

The confusion wracks her brain for weeks. No, he doesn’t engage much in conversation but he listens. How else would he know she liked peonies and blown glass from Italy specifically? No, he doesn’t seem all that attentive but she feels loved around him.

The idea that she’s just too much to handle runs across her mind. It sends her into a spiral and she ends up in the corner of their shared room crying in a ball. That’s how Oscar finds her. All she hears is a click of the door and a bit of rustling before the door creaks loudly and a sliver of light shines in. “My love, are you in here?” He asked, quiet, reserved. Uninterested.

His confusion is pushed aside, maybe he thought she went out for a walk. He walks into their bathroom, the light now showing her curled up form to him. She looks towards it and sees he was facing her from the doorway. He didn’t even go in the bathroom.

“Come here doll, tell me what’s wrong.” He said. Not a question or negotiation, no, a command. He walks closer and she uncurls from her ball to stand. Hesitantly she inches closer. “What’s got you so upset, hm?” Soft, caring, interested.

She sobs pathetically into his chest when they finally connect. Oscar just holds her. His hand rubbing soothingly over her back and the other massaging her scalp, something she said calms her down— months ago. That makes her sob harder, he remembered. He listened.

They swayed, rocked side to side. His head resting on top of hers, something else she had mentioned— however long ago— calms her. She took a shaky breath and backed away from his chest, which was now soaked from her tears.

He moved her hair sticking to her face to the side, behind her ears. “Am I too much?” She asked, small, shaky, uncertain. Oscar searched her face for any hints of the fact that she must be joking.

“What?” He asked, genuine confusion across his face. “Never. You are never too much baby, who said that?” He knew she could go down media rabbit holes of hatred and hated that people spoke badly about her— but that’s media for you.

“Me.” That hurt Oscar even more than if she got it from some stupid journalist. He took a deep breath and held her face in his hands, reassuring her needs.

“You will never be too much for me.” He said quiet, only for her to hear. “Why do you say that baby?” She pouted, not sadly, but happily. She wasn’t too much for him— she just got into her own head.

“I talk so much and I want expensive flowers and you never look like you’re listening and then you get me such beautiful things and I’m just not the kind of person you.. you should be with.” She rambled and Oscar listened to every word, decoded them even.

“You are the only person I want to be with.” He started off with, firm, reassuring, true. “I get you expensive flowers to make up for the time we lose apart, I listen when you talk because your voice is heavenly, and I get you beautiful things because you deserve them.” She hugged him again, this time tighter with more passion and a sense of feeling loved. “I love you, for you. Please don’t hate yourself for being you, and please don’t stop being you.”

A broken ‘okay’ came from her lips and Oscar soothed her. Letting her emotions take over and the tears flow. He wants her to know he cares and that it’s okay to need an emotional break from thinking.

“You should talk to me when you feel this way doll, I don’t like when you let yourself spiral.” He whispered. Before she could even think about apologizing, Oscar shushed her. “Don’t apologize my love, just let me hold you.” And so she did, she let him hold her until it all passed.

Now all the sweet gestures of flowers or gifts came with little notes.

‘I made your favorite for lunch, I love you doll.’ In her lunchboxes.

‘I missed you and these reminded me how lucky I am to have you’ with a sweet trinket or jewelry or candies.

‘These flowers are an apology for being gone so long for the triple header, I love and miss you.’

Not only did they never discuss it, but they both understood that it helped and reassured her mind. She was lucky to have him and he was so lucky to have her.

She thought it was all crashing down when he started slacking on the notes or gestures. They were in the Netherlands for the grand prix and he planned a flower field date. She loved it so much, but the nagging ‘he’s going to break up with me’ lingered in her head. Until she turned swiftly with a self-made bouquet and he was on one knee.

More boyfriend Oscar 🫶🏻

@il0vereadingstuff @angelluv16 @justaf1girl @pandabiiissh @itznotsophia @kallanfiona

[brujaluas]

what would nature like to say to you?

Pile 1

You have this dreamy energy, a very dreamy one, the kind that people say you seem to daydream and rarely keep your feet on the ground. Be careful not to get too caught up in dreams and remember that you need to live for them to happen, daydreams alone are not enough to manifest the experiences you want. You are also a person who can do better at this stage of life in a large social circle, don't be afraid to socialize! You may even find a specific person who is really cool for you, like your other half, but I'm not trying to get you too excited, I've seen that if I say something like "you're going to find your soulmate" you might go to Japan to meet new people to meet your soulmate for example lol or also through new experiences with people you might get to know a new side of yourself!

Pile 2

Similar to pile 1, nature encourages you to go out a little and try new connections (is everyone here the super hyper mega introverted type or have they lost interest in human beings and relationships?) Anyway, but here's a warning, whether you think so or not, you are an innocent person. There is a naivety in you that can be felt and that's great! But in the real world can be danger, protect your energy and even if someone seems super harmless, remember that there can always be a wolf hiding in the skin of a sheep, I don't want to scare you or make you more paranoid than usual in social relationships (sorry) but remember that bad people take advantage of other people's innocence, unfortunately, don't let yourself trust someone 100% and try not to enter into a codependent relationship (of any kind) with someone. I see that you may feel overwhelmed by all the interactions and prefer to communicate from a distance or you may also be thoughtful about your next steps in life. A change of perspective after meeting so many people, whether you like it or not, can be good for you and your personal development.

Pile 3

You give me a very calm energy, like a summer afternoon, something homey. There is a beauty in the place that is familiar to you. It doesn't necessarily have to be your home, somewhere you know. People don't necessarily make that place good. In fact, they have nothing to do with it, but the place itself has a good energy that suits you very well. I feel that many of you really need to do a complete cleansing within yourself, go through a manifestation, a truly serious metamorphosis. Take care of your physical and mental health! SERIOUSLY! Are any of you French? Do you speak French? Would you like to go to France? Sorry for the questions, but there's something very strong about France here, Paris. You need to cut out certain things in your life, habits. Some people here smoke, so cut that out immediately. It's almost affecting your physical health. I don't want to scare you, just warn you. You can find beauty in everyday routine things, and that's cool and very positive, finding beauty in everyday things.

[terrafey]

“Digit the Witch tried to speak, specifically to swear, but all that came out was an electrical cable. Digit the Witch could not stand cities, and this one was in the running for the worst city she had ever visited.”

Digit, from @cryptotheism’s Six Stomach Murder. check out the first part now and if you like the art, consider throwing me a tip!

[joelslastofus]

The Risks We Take

[Summary: After Joel accidentally hurts you causing you to lose your memory, the truth becomes hard to escape. ]

Angst, mention of death, blood

This story will go into the readers past with SA, this chapter it’s not mentioned specifically but I will warn when it is!

Chapter 1: Tim

Tommy had you in a room waiting alone for what felt like forever. Maria had looked at you strangely when you walked past her, you thought nothing of it at first but the more time that passed the more anxious you felt. Finally Tommy walked in, this time with his brother Joel. Joel and you didn’t speak very much despite him being good friends with your brother, you had a mouth on you and he never could get past an obvious guard you put up. You didn’t like help and you sure as hell didn’t trust anyone besides your brother Tim.

Tommy stood before you with Joel beside him, both men looking as if they were afraid to speak. Neither could look you in the eye.

“So are either of you gonna talk?” You raised a brow, your question making both men look at each other before Tommy finally spoke.

“There was an incident today”

“What kinda incident?” You leaned forward confused.

“Your brother Tim was on patrol earlier-“

“Yeah I know with Jesse. Still waiting for them to get back”

“He didn’t go with Jesse” Joel suddenly spoke, his jaw clenching as he struggled with what he was about to say.

“What are you talking about? I saw them both getting ready to leave this morning-“ you looked around the room scratching your temple.

“What’s this about?” Your patience running thin as it usually did, you were always the very outspoken one.

“Tim went with me this mornin’ to patrol and we…-“ Joel hesitated to speak.

“-we came across a few infected-“

“Where is he?” You abruptly stood up.

“What happened was out of our control” Joel continued but he knew his words were useless.

“Where the hell is he?!” You walked towards him, tears building up in your eyes.

You already knew.

“Tim got bit and…I had no choice-“ he looked away.

“No” you shook your head.

“No, that couldn’t have happened” you whispered.

“I’m sorry” Joel looked down.

Tommy watched as you stood still, crushed with what you were just told. He knew how much your brother meant to you, how much he helped you. He was closer to Tim than Joel was and knew more about you than Joel did. He didn’t know your full story but he definitely knew things he respectfully never shared with Joel or anyone else. He knew how this would affect you. Very quickly he saw the sadness in your eyes turn to anger.

“And…you…you killed him?”

Joel stood up straight, hands at his side.

“I had no choice”

Again, shaking your head as if you couldn’t wrap your head around his choice of words.

You began to whisper words to yourself neither of them could make out just as Tommy slowly reached out towards you.

“Come, let’s sit down-“

“You had no right!” you suddenly screamed rushing towards Joel. Your hands balled into fists, you punched his chest repeatedly.

“I’m gonna kill you!” You screamed as Joel caught your wrists attempting to control you. Your thoughts not making any sense, your feelings getting the best of you and he understood it.

“Listen to me! It’s not what I wanted to do dammit!”

“I hate you!” You screamed kicking him in the shin just as you began to sob.

“I needed him-I needed him” you whimpered. He felt your arms grow weak in his grasp and slowly let your arms drop.

“I hate you..” Joel swallowed hard looking down at you, it wasn’t the first time someone felt this way towards him. It wasn’t the first time he disappointed someone. Tommy attempted to take hold of you but Joel signaled for him to not get in the middle of it. Taking advantage of his distraction, you pulled out a pocket knife and flipped it open but Joel quickly caught your wrist in his hand.

“Dammit” Tommy whispered to himself, neither of them wanting to harm you.

“I got her, Tommy-“ Joel spoke looking down at you as you struggled against him.

“I hate you!” The more you attempted to wiggle your wrist out of his grasp the more tighter Joel’s grip on you became.

“Drop the damn knife” Joel demanded.

“Or what?” You spoke through clenched teeth.

“I don’t wanna hurt cha dammit” he tried to shake the knife out of your hand but you wouldn’t budge.

Joel knew he could easily hurt you, which is exactly what he was trying to avoid.

“What are you gonna do? Kill me too? Did he even know you were going to do it? Or did you just take upon yourself to just end his life without letting me say goodbye?” You kicked his leg trying to wave the knife towards his face when he suddenly turned you around and slammed you against the wall, the back of your head bouncing off the concrete. Just as he did, all Joel heard was a slight yelp from you and the knife was on the floor.

“Jesus Christ, Joel” Tommy whispered as Joel caught you in his arms, blood on his fingers as held your head.

“You fuckin’ knocked her out” he stood in shock as Joel slowly bought you to the ground.

“Shit” he held your head gently laying you in place before he pushed the knife away from your reach. It wasn’t his intention to knock you unconscious, it wasn’t his intention to hurt you in any way.

“What the hell happened here?!”

Maria walked in, shocked with how she found you.

“It was an accident” Joel spoke with regret as he stared down at you, still holding your head in his large hand.

“Shes breathing” Tommy explained.

“She tried to attack him and-“

“I ain’t mean to throw her that damn hard” Joel insisted, his eyes still on you.

“Just wanted her to let go of the knife”

“She’ll be fine, we’ll take her to the clinic and be ready for whenever she wakes up” Tommy gave Joel a nod with reassurance.

A few hours later, Joel found himself repeatedly asking the nurses if you had woken up, even entering your room himself to simply just check on you with his own eyes.

“God dammit, Joel. How many times I gotta tell you, you shouldn’t be in here. Don’t need her wakin’ up losin’ control again”

“I’ll leave” Joel spoke low as he eyed the rope that was tied around your wrist.

“Does she need to have that on?” He asked without looking away from it.

“It’s just for precaution, we’ll take it off as soon as she wakes up and she’s calm” Tommy assured Joel before Maria called out for him.

Walking out of the room he left Joel alone with you. Sitting on the chair beside your bed, he looked at you with deep regret when you suddenly whimpered softly.

“Ow…” you whispered, slowly passing your hand over the back of your head and opening your eyes. Slowly you looked around the room, your vision slightly blurry before you saw a figure of a man. A man quickly getting to his feet as you blinked a few times clearing your vision, it was someone you did not recognize.

“Don’t worry, I’m leavin’-“

“Who are you?” You blurt out in a whisper, confused with a look he had never seen before from you, a look of fear. His brows furrowed, puzzled by your question, puzzled by your reaction. Your eyes darting around when you noticed your other hand was tied against the railing of the bed. Your heart began to race, a panic washing over you.

Not again.

“No, not again, please-“ he could hear the terror in your voice as you began to tug at the rope around your wrist.

“Easy,-“ he attempted to approach you until you flinched.

“No!” You screamed, he stopped in his tracks lifting both hands taking a step back, a bit confused himself.

“Just gonna untie you” his brows drawn together as he spoke. Joel had known you for six months and sure, he’d seen you be defensive, independent but what had you so afraid, he couldn’t understand.

“Just gonna untie you” he repeated to assure you.

“I promise”

With a hesitant nod you looked away as he slowly took a small knife out of his pocket and cut the rope loose and backed away. Quickly you pulled your arm back and practically stumbled off the bed against the wall.

“Hey-hey, slow down” he walked around the bed wanting to help you but your terrified eyes reminded him to pull back.

“Stay away!” You screamed looking around the room for a weapon, anything to defend yourself.

“I’m not gonna hurt you, you’re free to go” Joel took a few steps back giving you space yet you hesitated to move.

“Are….are you with those men?” You whispered.

“What men?” Joel asked. In that moment their faces flashed in your mind. You could still hear their voices in your head…but this couldn’t be that place. This man was willing to let you leave, this man untied you, that would’ve never happened if he was one of them.

“You’re safe here” he spoke softly. He had no idea what you thought this place was, whatever it was, he wanted to assure you that you didn’t have to be afraid.

Your eyes found him, looking over his features as if you hoped something would give away who he was. He could tell how confused you were, how afraid you were, never had he seen you look so vulnerable.

“You know me…you know me for 6 months. I’m Joel”

“Joel” you whispered,

“What happened to me? Where’s my brother?” You took a step closer to the door, a step closer to Joel.

“You um- you were out with him and ya fell and, hurt cha head pretty bad-“ he lied thinking it was for the best. Hell, if you didn’t remember what happened, why not avoid a problem?

“Where’s Tim?” You asked with desperate eyes. You didn’t know this man but by the l look he gave you, you could tell it wasn’t a good thing.

“No..” your voice cracked, your hand caressing the wrist that was just tied up.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered as you began to cry.

“And you….you bought me here? Why was I tied up? What were you gonna do to me?”

“Nothing” he responded quickly shaking his head, his eyes widening.

“I promise you, I wasn’t gonna do a thing” he assured you, you could hear the desperation in his tone, he slowly took a step towards you.

He knew Tommy should’ve listened. He told him the rope wasn’t needed, Joel already felt bad enough having hurt you the way he did.

“Just trynna prevent ya from hurtin’ yaself.” He knew his response was weak but being so lost in your confusion, you didn’t question it.

“How did he die?” You blurt out wiping a tear away. Your question making him tense up.

“He uh…he came across some infected and he…he ended it himself. Found you both not too far out. It was his turn to do patrol and-“ you cried cutting him off, looking away.

He swallowed hard, had you looked up at him you would’ve seen the guilt in his eyes. Not for doing what he had to do exactly but because he wasn’t telling you the whole truth.

Once you were able to catch your breath you slowly looked up at him, wiping away your tears.

“I’ve known you for six months?” You whispered, he responded with a nod.

“Were we…were you friends with me or my brother?” He blinked as if he just remembered something and quickly reached in his back pocket pulling out a paper of what looked like a photo. Slowly he reached it out towards you as you hesitantly took hold of it and opened it to see a Polaroid of your brother with a few men, one of them being Joel.

Your lips parted as new tears formed.

“We weren’t the best of friends but uh, we got along well and uh he was closer to my brother, Tommy” you nodded with a smile.

Joel knew Tim.

“Thank you for showing me this” you whispered.

“You can keep it if you’d like” he replied when the sound of the door opening made you practically run towards Joel hiding your face into his chest, your hands grabbing onto his shirt desperately. Joel didn’t know how to respond, unsure if he should touch you, hold you.

“Everything alright?” Tommy’s eyes darting between you and Joel confused by what he just walked into.

“It’s just my brother, Tommy”

You may not have known much about Joel but his eyes did offer you some kind of sincerity. Something that somehow in the middle of all the unknown, he felt familiar.

“Your brother?” You whispered still not looking up. Tommy didn’t know what was stranger, you not remembering a thing or you running to his brother in fear. It was something you promised yourself you would never let a man see again when you first arrived at Jackson and you had kept that promise up until now. The little that Tommy knew of you, he understood why you were defensive. Tim sharing with Tommy that you had been stuck with the wrong people, he never specified, but he was clear that it was men he eventually wanted to track down and kill.

“She uh….she don’t remember anything” Joel stated the obvious. The two men sharing a look as if they both agreed on something you weren’t in on but you didn’t notice.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Tommy asked as you stood still, hesitant to move or speak.

“It’s alright,” Joel whispered, his hands still careful to not touch you.

“Um..” you didn’t let go of Joel’s shirt as you slowly looked back at Tommy.

“I just remember running with Tim…in the woods and…I..I can’t remember anything else...” Joel and Tommy looked at each other before Maria walked in, he felt you jump against him, turning back to him. His hand gently coming up to rest on your lower back, careful to see your reaction. He felt you tug at his shirt pulling yourself closer. Joel looked up to see Maria as confused as Tommy was when he first came in.

“What did I miss?” She looked at Tommy strangely.

“This is Tommy’s wife, Maria. She’s good people,” Joel assured you as you slowly looked up at him.

After an awkward moment of silence you slowly turned to look back at Maria who welcomed you with a smile.

“How about my wife gets you something to eat, we’ll be right back” Tommy assured you but a part of you panicked.

“Where are you going?” You whispered looking up at Joel.

“Right outside,” you didn’t even have to ask, he could see the question in your eyes.

“I’ll come right back in, I promise” he assured you.

“I ain’t goin’ far,” Maria slowly walked up beside you taking your hand. Hesitantly you let go of Joel as she led you back to the bed while Joel walked out of the room.

~~

“She’s remembering the moment right before we first found her and her brother” Tommy walked beside Joel down the hall.

“Looks like she’s already attached to you, what’d you say to her?” He turned to his brother curiously.

“Not the truth” Joel responded with a hint of shame in his voice.

“Well for now we keep it that way, we don’t say nothin’ till we figure somethin’ out” he continued. “Who else knows what happened…with Tim?”

“Ellie and Jesse” Joel responded, both men remembering Jesse had a crush on you for sometime. A crush that never went anywhere but they knew they’d have to warn him to not tell you the whole truth…at least for now.

“Where did she say she came from again when we found her?” Joel asked thinking about the reaction you had when you woke up.

“Said they were apart of some group out west that got raided” Tommy looked at his brother curiously.

“Why do you ask?”

“When she first woke up and noticed she been tied up…she yelled out somethin’ that made it seem like- I don’t know” Joel brushed his hand over his facial hair taking a deep breath. Not knowing much himself, Tommy didn’t share what Tim had told him.

“Probably confused” he replied to his brother. Joel stood silent, he knew there was no way he’d have an answer on what you meant unless you decided to share it yourself.

“And if she remembers the truth about Tim on her own?” Joel looked back at the door that you were behind before looking back at his brother.

“She’s gonna be pissed, this dont even sound like the same woman that’s been with us all along. Must’ve hit her head pretty damn hard” Tommy chuckled as Joel looked lost in thought.

“Or maybe this has been her all along” Joel whispered low thinking just maybe this was why you always had your guard up. A fear that lay deep within you that you refused to share with others.

~~

“That woman is nice” you motioned towards the door Maria had just walked out of as Joel walked towards you.

“Yeah if you need anything, you can always go to her.” He nodded.

“So-“ you whispered, eyes looking around the room.

“Where are we? Like where-“

“Jackson,” he responded, hands in his pockets.

By the look on your face he could tell it was nowhere near where you expected to be.

“Far from where you were?” He wanted to know more about where you came from.

“Kinda, I..Tim and I..” your voice trailed off into silence as you thought about the last place you remembered.

“Where have Tim and I been staying?” You asked trying to distract yourself from your own thoughts.

“You were living in a house just by mine”

“A house?” You raised your brows. How strange, Jackson so far sounded like nothing you had ever come across before.

“When can I go back to this house?”

“Soon as you feel up to it, I’ll walk ya back”

“I’m ready to go now.”

~~

Walking beside Joel you noticed a few people staring at you strangely, of course no one you remembered. You wondered what they were thinking.

“Here we are” Joel stood beside you in front of a two floor house with a porch and handed you the keys. You swallowed anxiously before he looked over at you and waited for you to take the first step up the stairs.

“I can wait outside-“

“No, please…come with me” you blurt out staring at the door. Joel looked over at you and silently gave you a nod, slowly following you up the stairs.

Hesitantly you walked inside, the first thing you noticed was your brother’s blue hat sitting on the coffee table. A lump forming in your throat you looked away.

“Is um…is this home…is it secure?” You asked looking around the house.

“Our community is safe-“

“Nobody can break in right?” You rushed towards the windows before noticing each one was set with a trap. Joel caught up beside you, noticing the wires built around it. A sad smile forming on your lips.

“Tim would do this” you whispered looking at how the house was set up. Joel had never entered your house before, never had he seen anything like this. Tim knew what had happened to you, he knew how much it changed you, how much it traumatized you and when he found you he promised he would always keep you safe. You didn’t remember him doing this in particular but you knew it was him. Tim had specifically made it set for you to connect whenever you were in the house by yourself. The trap would send alarms throughout the house to go off if anyone tried opening a window or unlocking a door.

“Hell of a security system” Joel spoke low as he looked around the room.

“Tim knew how I felt about being alone. He was a great big brother” you spoke softly.

It made a little more sense now to Joel, why Tim refused to do night patrol. He didn’t want to leave you alone at night because of how afraid you were.

The both of you distracted by a sudden knock on the door you jumped beside him.

“It’s alright, probably Tommy” he assured you before opening the door as you stood behind him.

“Sorry uh…-“ Tommy turned towards you, an uncertain expression on his face.

“We have Tim’s body…if you’d like to see it” your lips parted in shock.

“His..,body?” Your hand over your heart.

“I didn’t know…I-“

“You don’t have to see it if you feel it’s too much” Joel turned to you, a look of concern.

“I have to. Please take me to him” you whispered. He silently nodded and followed you out with Tommy.

~~

Once Tommy bought you into the room, all you could see was his body covered with a white bloody blanket over him. You could feel your heart racing as Joel stood beside you, he could hear your breathing quicken.

“I’m right here” he leaned over to remind you.

Tommy turned to you hesitantly and crossed his arms.

“Maybe it ain’t a good idea to take the blanket off-“

“I want to see him” you insisted stubbornly. Tommy looked over at his brother who knew exactly what Tim was left looking like. Half his head blown off, he knew it would be too much for you. Joel turned to you, clenching his jaw looking down at the ground before he looked up at you.

“Maybe Tommy’s right-“

“I said I want to see him” you repeated not looking at either of them.

None of you noticing Ellie in the doorway, she watched as Tommy slowly took the blanket off your brother’s body. A sharp gasp escaped your throat, the sight feeling like a hit to your chest. You almost felt as if you couldn’t breathe, you lost your balance, Joel taking hold of your body straight up against his.

“I got you” he whispered one arm around your waist. You instantly turned wrapping your arms around him, clinging onto him as you cried. Ellie watched as Joel comforted you, guiding you away from your brother’s body as Tommy covered it.

The echoes of your cries haunting him as you grabbed onto him tightly. Tommy looked up and could see the guilt his brother felt, a guilt that he was struggling to hide.

“I know” he whispered, his hand brushing down the back of your head.

“He killed himself..he just-“ you sobbed.

“He did what he had to do to not risk hurting you, he was brave” Joel continued to lie. Ellie quietly squinting her eyes realizing what Joel was doing.

“You gotta be kidding me” she whispered to herself before rushing off.

~~

Joel had left you with Maria and her son for a bit of a distraction while he went to take care of a few things. You liked being with Maria and her son Benjamin, playing board games with him and forgetting the trauma that you had just learned in a short period, it helped even if it was just for a moment.

Joel was in his house buttoning his shirt after a fresh shower when Ellie walked up to his doorway.

“He shot himself huh?” Her voice making him look up somewhat surprised to see her in the house.

Joel stopped for a moment with a deep frown as his hands fell slowly to his side.

“It’s best she doesn’t know the truth-“

“According to who?”

“Tommy and I agreed” Joel looked away uncomfortably.

“How convenient” she responded sharply.

“Look, I know you don’t understand-“

“You’re right, I don’t understand why you lie about things-“

“It’s for her own good. We tried telling her the truth the first time and she got-“

“Yeah I heard what happened, you’re the reason she doesn’t remember a damn thing” Joel looked up slightly defensive.

“It was an accident. I wasn’t trynna hurt her, you know I wouldn’t-“

“Actually I don’t. I don’t know what you’re capable of anymore” Ellie stalked off, her footsteps heard loudly until she walked out and slammed the door shut.

Joel stared off into space with guilt, what he was doing didn’t feel right no matter what he was telling himself. You looking to him with comfort and trust poured salt on the wound.

~~

Maria and Tommy had left you at your front step, Joel could see the uneasiness you felt as he walked towards your front step.

“Meant to come back earlier” his voice causing you to jump, he immediately stopped where he was.

“Sorry-I…wasn’t thinkin’” he spoke gently looking up at you from the bottom of the steps.

“It’s ok, just gonna take some time for me to get used to…everything. It’s been a lot..”

Joel nodded.

“You take all the time you need” his comfort giving you a feeling of peace you needed. He could see how hesitant you were to go in your house, yet he didn’t want to invite himself in.

“You alright?” He took one step up.

“Oh uh-yeah” you looked back at your door. You felt stupid, you felt-

“Remember I’m right next door, if you need me you just flicker a light or somethin’ if it’s late and you don’t wanna come out. I’ll be right here” you breathed in relief with a nod. It was nice having Joel look out for you.

“Thank you, Joel” you stared silently at the door before slowly reaching out and turning the knob. The last memory you had of spending a night alone was before you found your brother again, the memories haunting you, making you sick to your stomach. Joel watched as you stood still, looking into the empty house. He wanted to help you but he waited until you turned back to him.

“Joel?” Your voice trembled when you called out for him.

“Do you think…maybe…just tonight..you can-“

“Need me to stay with you?” he finished your question hearing how much you struggled to ask.

“Course I can” you let out a breath of relief as he walked up the stairs beside you and led the way in.

It felt strange having a man that you didn’t remember spending the night with you, yet it also felt somewhat comforting, feeling you could trust him. Knowing that your brother knew him bought you that comfort.

“My brothers room is-“

“I’ll stay on the couch” he quickly interjected, a part of you relieved, not exactly wanting your brother’s room to be touched and he knew that.

“You get some rest, I’ll be fine here” he assured you seeing the doubt in your eyes.

“Joel. I really appreciate this, I don’t know how to thank you-“

“Don’t. Ain’t nothin’ to thank me for” he looked away feeling the guilt tearing through him.

“You’re being very kind to me. The last time I remember being alone was before Tim found me and…-“ you shook your head shaking off the thought.

“Just accept my thank you, please” Joel stood silent for a moment before giving you a nod, his lips pressed tightly together, you smiled and walked up to your bedroom.

~~

Joel had no clue just how deep the situation was turning into. Ellie informing Jesse of the lies being told. He didn’t think it was fair and Ellie holding so much resentment made sure he knew just how much of a liar Joel had been.

“So that’s why you two haven’t been talking” Jesse looked down at the table he sat at.

“And the best part? We’re not supposed to say anything. Tommy and Maria know and they’re just sticking to it”

“Can’t stay like this for long” Jesse whispered as Ellie shrugged.

“It can’t.”

[thousand-winters]

I just think the average TLH reader would benefit greatly from being scared to death of being picked on as a child because of the color of your skin and your general features as a person of color before they try and say that Alastair was a bitch for no reason.

Was he wrong? Yes. Do most people not understand what it's like to choose to eat or be eaten in an environment such as that when you can't hide the part of you that makes people judge you? No, so they can fuck off before they try to say anything about Alastair.

[dollyswishingwell]

ur last set of hc's inspired me!! ^^ I was wondering if you could please write for the lads guys with an autistic partner, where too many things have been out of place in their schedule, and they're overstimulated, and they just get really snappy (not yelling, just quiet, angry one-word answers and such) and anxious, almost in tears from such things occuring, but the problem is - they're in public. So their partner just..shuts down? Ignore this if this is too specific for your liking, or you just don't wanna do it :P i've just been having an annoying week lolol THANK YOU!! love ur writing.

ᯓ★ˎˊ˗ Safe space

𝒲𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝑔𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 ˙⋆✮ Rafayel, Zayne, Xavier, Sylus, Caleb

𝒢𝑒𝓃𝓇𝑒/𝒲𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 ˙⋆✮ fluff, literally just cute

> ࣪𖤐.ᐟ The boys with a Autistic reader

𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙡 °‧🫧⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

1. He notices the shift in you immediately.

Your silence, stiffness, or clipped tone? He’s locked in. No teasing, no questions, just that quiet, serious focus he only shows when you need him.

2. Gets you out fast and silently.

Arm around your waist, hand in yours, he steers you somewhere quiet without drawing attention. Doesn’t explain to anyone. Doesn’t care to.

3. Goes totally soft and grounding.

Gentle hums, warm scarf in your hand, forehead resting lightly on yours. He keeps the world small and slow until you can breathe again.

4. Never takes your snappiness personally.

“Don’t touch me”? He backs off instantly, no fuss, no guilt trip. Just nods, gives you space, and stays within arm’s reach in case you need him again.

5. Glares daggers at anyone who judges you.

If someone whispers something nasty? His expression goes cold. “You can leave,” he’ll say flatly. “You’re upsetting her.”

6. Loves you more for your sensitivity.

“You feel too much,” he murmurs later, brushing your hair from your face. “But that’s why you’re magic. And I’ll guard every inch of it.”

𝙕𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚 ⋆꙳•❅‧*₊⋆☃︎ ‧*❆ ₊⋆

1. He notices the moment things go wrong.

Your silence. Your rigid posture. The way you stop making eye contact. Zayne doesn’t need you to say anything, his hand gently moves to your lower back, guiding you out of the crowd before you even ask.

2. No questions, no fuss. Just protection.

He’ll get you somewhere quiet, an empty hallway, a stairwell, his car. He never pushes you to explain, just stays close with steady presence and low, quiet breathing to help ground you.

3. He shields you from the world, literally.

Long coat drawn around you, body angled in front of you like a barrier. If you’re overwhelmed, his tone drops to something calm and grounding:

“You’re safe. Just breathe. I’m not going anywhere.”

4. Remains perfectly composed, even if you’re snappy.

You could mutter “don’t touch me” or go completely still, and Zayne would only nod. His voice would be calm, professional, but softer than usual:

“Alright. I’m here when you’re ready.”

5. Anyone else causing trouble? They get one warning.

If someone speaks to you harshly or comments on your state, Zayne doesn’t raise his voice, he lowers it.

“Step back. Now.”

Cold. Precise. Enough to chill bone.

6. He sees your sensitivity as something sacred.

Later, once you’ve calmed, he’ll help restore your routine, down to your preferred tea, playlist, or folding the blanket just right.

“It’s alright. You didn’t ruin anything.”

Then? A kiss to your temple. Steady hands. A quiet, constant kind of love.

𝙓𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙧 ⋆⭒˚.⋆🪐 ⋆⭒˚.⋆

1. Xavier doesn’t react with panic, he reacts with stillness.

The moment you go quiet or freeze, he tilts his head slightly, observing you carefully. Then he speaks in a soft, even voice:

“Too loud. Too much. We’ll go.”

2. He guides you somewhere calm like a ghost in the crowd.

No sudden moves, no dragging. Just his hand gently curling around yours, weaving you both through the chaos like it never touched you. His presence alone feels like stepping into silence.

3. He mirrors your shutdown energy, quiet and neutral.

Sits beside you in stillness. No pressure. Just matching your posture, slow breathing, calm presence. Every few minutes, he might murmur something like,

“I’m here. You don’t need to talk yet.”

4. He physically blocks others from approaching without a word.

If anyone tries to get too close, Xavier just… turns. Blank stare. Straight spine. The kind of quiet, unnerving presence that makes people instinctively walk away.

5. Your snappiness doesn’t phase him at all.

If you mutter “stop” or flinch, he just blinks and nods, adjusting immediately. “Understood.”

Not hurt. Not shaken. Just quietly recalibrating his comfort to match what you need.

6. Later, he handles the reset in his own clumsy but loving way.

Offers your favorite snack a little awkwardly. Wraps you in a blanket wrong the first time, then tries again. Puts on your comfort show and lets you lie on his chest.

“Sensory overload neutralized,” he says with a small nod, a smile so tiny, like he just completed a mission.

𝙎𝙮𝙡𝙪𝙨 ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𓅨⋆｡°✩

1. He clocks the shift before you do.

The moment your breathing changes, or your responses get clipped, Sylus’s gaze sharpens. He leans down and murmurs in your ear, smug but low:

“We’re leaving. This place doesn’t deserve you anyway.”

2. Zero tolerance for the crowd.

He doesn’t shove. He moves. And people get out of his way. Whether it’s a gala or a street market, he cuts a path with sharp eyes and sharper energy, arm snug around you.

3. He handles your shutdown like a mission.

If you go quiet or freeze, he doesn’t push or ask questions. He just lowers his voice and says,

“Don’t speak. Just breathe. I’ve got you.”

And he does. No mistakes. No delays.

4. Anyone who even looks at you wrong is a target.

If someone stares, he’ll smile at them, that smile.

“You look confused. I suggest you stay that way, and not get involved.”

His aura alone does the rest.

5. You can snap at him, flinch, go silent, he doesn’t flinch.

He only tilts his head and calmly adjusts, like recalibrating a weapon.

“Tch. You’re allowed to unravel. I’ll hold the thread.”

6. Later, he spoils you into calmness.

Plush robe. Favorite drink. He’s brushing your hair back and telling you about all the boring people he ignored just to come home early.

“You don’t need to be perfect out there. You only need to be mine.”

𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙗 ⋆｡ ‧˚ʚ🍎ɞ˚‧｡ ⋆

1. He notices before you say a word.

You’re fidgeting. Breathing uneven. He shifts immediately, his arm curling around your waist, voice soft against your ear:

“Hey… too much?”

No teasing in his tone, just instant concern.

2. He gets you out of there, fast, but calm.

Whether he’s in casual wear or uniform, Caleb always moves with purpose. He doesn’t make a scene. Just murmurs, “Come on. Just follow me,” and carves a path through the noise like it’s air.

3. Your shutdown doesn’t scare him, it breaks his heart.

If you go silent or can’t speak, his whole expression softens.

“Breathe, baby. Just squeeze my hand if you can hear me.”

His thumb strokes yours like he’s grounding you back to Earth.

4. You can be snappy, rigid, trembling, he never takes it personally.

He’ll just nod and go quiet, sitting beside you like a warm shield. A gentle, unwavering presence until you’re ready to return to yourself.

“It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

5. If someone stares or speaks up? Colonel mode.

His whole demeanor flips cold. He steps forward, voice low and threatening:

“Back off. Now.”

He doesn’t need to raise his voice, he commands respect. You’re his priority, not their opinion.

6. Later, he spoils you with quiet playfulness.

Blankets. Snacks. Maybe his jacket draped over your shoulders. He’ll lay his head in your lap, look up at you and whisper:

“You did amazing today. But I’ll destroy the entire planet if it happens again, just say the word.”

A smile. A kiss to your hand. Safety, always.

[lieslab]

Lane seven is for losers (and lovers)

꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎ ꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎

Pairing: Seungmin X gn reader

Summary: Your boyfriend promises not to cheat at bowling, but all he tells is lies.

Genre: Crackfic

Word Count: 3.4K

A/N: I believe in Kim Seungmin cheating (at games) supremacy. This was supposed to be fluff, but it fits far more under the crackfic terminology. Long live Seungmin's cheating spree <3

_ _ _

“Whatever you do, you’re not allowed to cheat tonight.” 

“Cheat?” Seungmin glanced up from his bowling ball. “How would I cheat at bowling?” 

You narrowed your eyes, causing a smirk to quip up on his face. He shrugged innocently, but you knew better. “Don’t play with me, I know how you work.” 

“I’d never dream of cheating on my significant other, especially not when it comes to bowling.” 

“Uh-huh. Yeah, sure, whatever you say.” 

“Don’t believe me?” 

“Never. Deception lies behind those puppy eyes of yours. I’m onto you and I’d never let you get away with such a thing.” 

“I don’t expect you to.” A glimmer of something sparkled in his eyes, causing your face to fall slightly. Before you could speak, he smiled and went back to shining the orange bowling ball in his lap.

He was planning something and there was nothing you could do, besides sit and wait for it to happen. 

~ ~ ~ 

Lane seven, you had a good feeling about it. You spent two weeks planning the perfect little date. Tucked away in the back corner of town, you drove the two of you to the smaller building. It wasn’t huge and there were only a handful of other people around the building. 

Down at the opposite end of the lanes, an older gentleman and his wife were in a pair of plum purple polos and jeans. White bowling shoes sat on their feet and they took turns rolling their balls down the lane. You assumed they were waiting on others. They must have had a bowling league, or maybe they came here from a distant game. 

Whatever the case, you caught wind of their laughter. You couldn’t stop glancing over in their direction. You enjoyed their playful bickering and teasing. In your own pair of borrowed bowling shoes, you waited for Seungmin to wipe down his bowling ball. You never understood the importance of it, but Seungmin insisted it was key to winning the game. 

He originally sat with the ball in his lap. One hand steadied the side and with a maroon cloth, he wiped small circles around and around the top and opposite side. Just when you thought he’d finished, he placed it back in the return machine beside yours. 

He pushed on it, rolling it upside down, and started to wipe it down again. All you could do was roll your eyes and wait for him to finish. “Just like Changbin taught me,” he explained. You didn’t listen to him talk about the specifics of the game. 

Honestly, you really didn’t care about all the specifics. In your head, all you had to do was roll the ball down the lane and knock over pins. The automatic screen above your heads would keep track of the score. All you needed to do was knock down more pins. It should be easy and relatively simple. 

“Okay,” Seungmin finally stood up, “I’m ready to start. Go ahead and go first.” 

You turned your back on the elderly couple and headed for your bowling ball. “Are you ready to lose Kim Seungmin?” 

“Yeah, sure. Go ahead and give it your best shot, hot shot.” 

“Thank you, I will.” You stuck your fingers in the lime green holes and started towards the lane. Ten pins faced you and waited for impact. You twisted your hips, sucked in a deep breath, and pulled back your arm. 

Behind you, Seungmin watched in silence. His eyes scanned your body with a silent amusement. So set on winning this thing, you had no idea what kind of ideas he had up his sleeve. 

A loud thud and a steady rumble. Your ball rolled over and over and over again. Gliding smoothly beneath the overhead warm yellow lights. Just before hitting the pins, it started to venture to the left of your aim. “No, no, no, no!” 

Seungmin laughed and pins clattered. Two out of ten. Your head jerked around, he pointed and laughed at you. As the machine whirled and cleared away the dropped pins, your ball popped back out next to his. With a huff, you headed over and grabbed it. “I’m going to get a strike this time.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Childishly, your tongue stuck out at him. You didn’t see him imitate your stance. Instead, you swung your arm back and let the ball rip again. It rushed down the lane, too fast and too curved. Over and over and then- 

“Oh, gutter!” Seungmin taunted behind you. “Gutter ball! Gutter ball! You got a gutter ball!”  

“This is all your fault.” 

“What did I do?” 

“You’re a distraction!” 

“Me?” He glanced down at his t-shirt and sweatpants. “Yeah, sure. Just admit you’re a bad bowler and take the L.” 

“Suck my-” 

“Woah!” He held up his hand to stop you. “It’s only the first round and we still have so many to go. If you have issues, take it up with the pins, the machine, or your ball. Maybe just take it up with yourself in the mirror and your lack of pro skills.” 

“Oh, yeah? Like you could do much better.”

“Watch me because I will.” 

So you did. Angrily, with your arms crossed over your chest. Your nostrils flared and you huffed. Seungmin vowed to be better and he was. He shifted himself more to the side and threw the ball harder. You watched, trying to memorize how he stepped into the throw. 

The ball’s constant whirling ended with a loud crash. His hands formed into fists and he cheered. “Yeah! Strike! I told you!” He spun around to face you, but he was met with your eye rolling.

“You’re not going to win this,” you said. 

“Watch me.” 

What was supposed to be just an ordinary game turned into something far more entertaining than you ever expected. 

~ ~ ~ 

You didn’t recognize the first time Seungmin cheated. Too busy swept up in the chatter and laughter coming from a group of rowdy incoming teenage boys, you missed him taking steps onto the bowling lane and launching the ball closer to the fresh placed pins. He jerked backwards before the ball impacted, hurrying back towards your side, as if the cheating had never happened. 

At the sound of a loud clatter and call of another strike, you glanced over. “What? Already? How’d that happen?” 

He shrugged, “I guess I’m just that good.” 

Your head tipped back to find the screen. So far, Seungmin had three strikes and was in the lead. You? You, on the other hand, you weren’t doing so great. Maybe that microfiber cloth really did hold the secret to winning, but you didn’t ask if you could borrow it. No way. 

You’d triumph and go forth. You grabbed your ball and headed back down the lane, determined to gain your first strike. Seungmin sat back at the booth by the ball return machine. He picked up his sweet tea, saturated with condensation, and slowly sipped. 

You mimicked his movements and let your ball go. A quiet prayer fell beneath your breath, but it fell upon deaf ears. The ball shifted and slammed hard into the gutter. 

Seungmin chuckled and took another sip. “Hey!” He called out. You spun around, wondering what he wanted. “I think you missed the pins a little.” 

“Shut up!” 

He raised his hands in defeat and watched you come back to retrieve your ball. A few lanes away, the group of teenage boys discussed strategies and ways to gain points. Your eyes went over a few times, but Seungmin’s focus stayed on you. As much as you hated to admit it, the added noise caused you to lose focus. 

It was one thing to see the elderly couple. They were on the other side, their voices were softer. You only picked up snippets of their words, but with a group of nearly six teenagers, if one wasn’t loud, another was. It shook your focus and made concentrating feel extra difficult. 

“Are you going to get a strike this time?” 

You shrugged and went back to the lane. A head held tall and spine straightened. Your arm reached back, you stepped into your throw and- 

“WOO!” 

Right as you threw the ball, your hand shifted. The ball curved and didn’t even make it a fourth of the way down the lane before it slammed the gutter again. You jerked to the side, expecting to see one of the teens pointing and laughing at you. Chaos ran through their veins, but none of them looked your way. 

“Oh, yoo-hoo!” Seungmin called out. You spun to find him grinning ear-to-ear and waving his hand above his head. “What a shame. Another gutter ball. I guess that means it’s my turn now. Sit down and let me show you how it’s done.” 

“Did you just-” 

“What?” 

“Kim Seungmin, did you just cheat?” 

“Can a man not be excited for his date’s bowling session?” 

“You totally just cheated!” 

“Nuh-uh.” 

“You yelled!” 

“You should learn how to tune out noise.” He grabbed his ball and headed to the spot you were in. 

You sputtered, trying to push out words, but none came. Not a single word could defeat him. You should have known from the start, even when it came to bowling, Seungmin was going to find a way to cheat. 

He hummed, stepped up to the edge of the bowling lane, shimmied his body, almost mockingly, and let the ball fly. When it hit the gutter, you jerked upright pointing at him. “HA! Take that! How does it feel now?” 

“Feels like a victory, considering I’m still winning.” 

He didn’t show any signs of distress. Taking his time and coming back to you, he pulled out the microfiber cloth and took it to his ball once more. The entire nonchalant scene pissed you off far more than you’d like to admit. 

He posed again, but before he let the ball go, he dropped to all fours. You blinked, trying to understand what he was doing. Your head cocked, but you remained rooted in your spot. He crawled further down the lane, laid down, and shoved his ball. 

When all ten pins flew down and scattered around the edge of the lane, you stared at him in shock. Not because of the strike, but because you couldn’t believe he had the audacity to cheat so openly. He didn’t regret it either. He practically skipped back to your side beaming. 

“Did you see that?” 

“You asshole.” 

“You’re a sore loser,” he continued. “I’m doing my part as an honorable bowling player and-” 

“Honorable my ass and you should be disqualified.” 

“Someone’s feeling defensive because I’ve already won the game. We only have a few rounds left and even if you gained strikes with each turn, you’d never catch up to me. I’m simply adding my own form of entertainment.” 

You glared at him and scowled. As much as you hated his reasoning, he had a point. You were defeated and there was no way you could catch up. Your arms crossed over your chest and you dropped into your seat with a huff. 

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that. If you want to, I’ll let you cheat for your last few turns.” 

“How many times have you been cheating during this game?” 

“Uh…” He grimaced and shrugged. “A few.”

“I think we have varying views of ‘a few.’” 

He gestured back to the lane, waiting for you to take your turn. Just because you could, you leaned over, grabbed his sweet tea, and took a large swallow of it. He groaned, came over, and pulled it away from you. 

“Hey, cheating is one thing. You spreading your cooties is entirely different. Come on, loser, I’m going to show you how to properly aim and throw your ball.” 

“I don’t have cooties.” 

He laced one hand through yours and tugged you to the ball return with the other. His fingers stuck into your ball and the moment he tried to pick it up, it slammed back into the metal rack with a large clatter. His eyes widened and he jerked around to look at you. “Babe!” 

“What?” 

“Oh my god, this entire time I’ve thought you sucked at bowling. No wonder you can’t score properly!”

“Huh?” 

“Your ball practically weighs a thousand pounds! What size ball did you pick up?” 

“What do you mean what size? I just picked up the color I was drawn to. I like the lime green, it’s pretty.” 

He busted into a laugh and reached up and slammed a hand over his mouth. He spun around, turning away from you, and dropped to his knees. You stared at him feeling confused, until a voice came from behind you. 

“Are you feeling alright, son?” 

Behind you, the older couple from earlier appeared. The older man’s eyes met yours. Honeydew eyes, worn wrinkles, and thin lips. His wife lingered behind him, digging through her purse with bright red polished fingernails. “Does he feel okay? I have some anti-nausea medication in here.” 

“Oh, I don’t think-” 

Seungmin’s head popped up. He spun around with a red face. A smile broke out as he laughed again. “No need, I’m okay. My significant other here hasn’t been scoring very well and I just realized they grabbed a ball with a heavier weight. This whole time, I thought they were terrible at bowling.” 

“Oh, dear,” the woman uttered. Her hand went up, trying to hide her faint smile. 

The man laughed, reached out, and patted you on the shoulder. “You must be new to bowling. Eh, that’s okay. My wife and I weren’t good when we started out, either. If you need some pointers, we’d be happy to assist you.” 

Embarrassed and mortified, you found the courage to nod. You’d need all the help you were going to get if you planned to beat Seungmin, but if the ball was lighter, it’d be helpful if it was easier to roll. Seungmin offered his ball and the couple spent nearly a half hour teaching you everything you needed to know. 

It was safe to say that bowling was a hell of a lot easier when you knew what you were doing. 

~ ~ ~ 

“One more round! Please, Seungmin? One more round and then we can go.” 

“But you’ve already lost and I’m out of sweet tea.”

“I know, but I’m feeling a strike. I’ll buy you another sweet tea before we go. One more and I’ll let you have your win in peace.” 

He sighed, but gestured to the lane. “Okay, go ahead. It’s all yours, but seriously, this has to be the last one. People are really starting to fill this place up.” 

You took your aim and the helpful pointers from the older couple came back. Apparently, they took up bowling after retirement and found so much enjoyment in it, they joined a local league. The thought briefly crossed your mind as your eyes met Seungmin’s while they taught you how to stand properly. 

Would you two be like them some day? When your natural hair faded and skin began to sag? Would you still be able to find the energy to go out and swing around a bowling ball, despite your body wearing down with age? You hoped so. 

A final time, you brought the ball back. Your eyes laid on the single pin in the middle of the lane. Every muscle relaxed and your heart steadily pounded against your ribs. You held your gaze, letting your eyes keep hold of your aim. You started to throw and- 

The brush of gentle fingertips along the sides of your ribs caused you to gasp. Your arm jerked and the ball dropped. Seungmin laughed, but it was cut short when you screamed in pain. The ball landed on top of your foot. 

Something cracked and your leg gave out. The noise around you halted and Seungmin’s eyes widened. He called your name as you stumbled, reaching out to catch you. You barely caught his hands before you hit the ground. 

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to. I thought it’d cause you to get another gutter ball. I-I wasn’t thinking straight.” 

You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to ignore the throbbing in your foot. Your skin pulsed against the tightened black laces. “Forget the sweet tea, you owe me a trip to urgent care.” 

“With pleasure.” 

He echoed apologies non-stop as he helped you hobble out of the bowling alley. He offered to give you a piggy-back ride, but you refused. A few staff members tried to check on you, one offered to call for an ambulance, but you were stubborn. Headstrong and nearly as determined as he was. 

“It hurts,” you mumbled when you got to the car. 

“Yeah, no shit. You dropped a heavy bowling ball straight onto your foot.” 

“It’s all your fault.” 

“I said I was sorry! How can I make it better after urgent care?” 

“You spend the next few days helping me without complaining.��� 

“Fine.” 

“And no more cheating!”

He sucked in a deep breath. “Even with a broken foot, you really know how to push my buttons.” 

“Kim Seungmin!” 

“Fine! No more cheating! I’ll stop!” 

“Thank fuck.” 

You slipped into the car, having to rely on him for help. You were quiet most of the drive. You could only focus on the sharp pain each time you moved your foot. It ached, no matter how you tried to angle it and it wouldn’t stop. The throb jerked upright into the front of your leg. 

No matter what happened next, you just hoped the pain would be kept to a minimum. 

~ ~ ~ 

A few hours later and with the help of Seungmin, you slipped onto your couch with a sigh. A velcro boot sat snug around your foot. Still swollen and in pain, you were told to elevate it. If needed to, you could take off the boot and ice the area. 

“What do you need me to do?” Seungmin asked. He didn’t say it out loud, but there was worry in his eyes. Ever since his actions caused the injury, he’d been internally beating himself up about it. “I can get a pillow for your leg.” 

Your head shook and you shifted upright. “I need you to come sit behind me. I’ll worry about that later. Right now, I just want to be close to you.” 

“Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you again.” 

“Please?” 

He approached you cautiously and slipped behind you. After he sat, you slipped back and curled onto his lap. Like usual, his arms wrapped around you and provided comfort. You leaned over, letting the side of your face fall against his chest. 

“Thank you,” you whispered. 

“Are you crazy? You should be yelling at me. I fractured your foot!” 

“I don’t care about that at the moment.” 

“Huh?” 

“You heard me. Don’t let it go to your head, but I had fun, even if you were cheating. It did provide high quality entertainment.” 

“But I hurt you.” 

“And I’ll heal.” 

He reached up and pushed your hair away from your ear. “You really know how to give a guy a heart attack. We can never go back there. Everyone stared at me like I murdered you. It’s going to be the next trending Dispatch article.” 

“I’m okay.” 

“I can see it now. Kim Seungmin tries to kill his significant other. On Friday evening-” 

You laughed and his heart skipped a beat. He leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to the side of your temple. “The next time I cheat, I’ll try to make sure I don’t injure you in the process.” 

“I appreciate that.” 

“So… should I get that pillow for you now?” 

“Sorry, bubs. You’re stuck being my pillow for the rest of the night.” You hunkered down, enjoying being close to him. “When I’m ready to get up and use the bathroom, I’ll let you know.” 

“I can’t believe I love you.” 

“I can’t believe you broke my foot.” 

“I said I was sorry!” 

You’d never be able to stop teasing him and for the rest of your lives, you’d be telling the story; even at your future bowling league, you’d recount how the love of your life broke your foot while trying to cheat at bowling.

| ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ | ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ | ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ |

Taglist: @lia-linny @seungnishi @stellasays45 @emilyywhyy @rockstarkkami @flightlessackerman @inlovewithstraykids @velvetmoonlght @chrizrizz @ari-hwanggg @m-325 @justcallmewhatyoulike @bokkiesluv

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[gm--requests]

Reading "with" JJK guys pt. 1

Nanami (slight nsfw), Suguru, Toji (slight nsfw), Sukuna

warnings - afab reader, "pet names" (baby, pretty girl, kid, woman, brat), implied smut, some nsfw/some sfw, talks of philosophy (absurdism and extremist freedom)

words - 2440

request - closed                     inbox thirsts: open 

plus size *fat* reader :) 

pt.2

a/n - i will be posting choso, megumi, itadori, and gojo next ^^ lmk if i forgot any warnings!! not proof read because it is 4:30 AM and i'm coming down from gardening so i really couldn't be bothered... anyways pls praise me for writing something!! and also if you know how to bring anime characters to life hmu, i promise i wont tell anyone else how and i only want to bring 2 (maybe 3) to life and only one of them is troublesome so i can skip him if i need to okay love you <3

Nanami - reading the same book right alongside you. No matter the genre or the source of the literature he is reading it with you. It’s not because he necessarily enjoys the reading itself, but more so because he loves being able to have another thing to share with you. You can talk about it over dinner or in the bedroom. It also gives him a default on sporadic gift giving. It’s not like he’s spending his money on himself, so when you get into a specific series or an author you like drops a new book, you can guarantee you have a hardback copy upon release if not pre-release. He always buys you the nicest version and himself a paperback.  

Nanami’s brows furrow as he reads, “This is more explicit than I expected.” 

You giggle, “You say that every time.”

Nanami cracks a small smile and glances over at you, “I suppose I do…” 

The two of you go back to reading in a peaceful silence until a soft and incredulous, “oh…” leaves your mouth. 

Nanami looks at you as soon as you begin speaking, “I didn’t expect all of that…” 

He slowly nods, “I’m assuming you made it to the portion where he gets a bit… violent?” 

“He fucks her open wound Kento!” Your voice loud, truly flabbergasted. 

Nanami nods again, “Yes it would seem so… They both enjoyed it, though.” 

“When you said it was more explicit I expected you to be being a bit prude,” Nanami raises an eyebrow at this, “But no– It really is more explicit! Even I don’t think I’m into that. Maybe the knife-play itself, but not the wound intercourse…” 

“Am I normally prude?” He asks seemingly ignoring everything else said as he brings a large hand up to remove his glasses as he faces you fully, expectantly. 

‘Well, I dunno…” 

“You don’t know?” He cocks his head, “You didn’t find me to be too prude when you begging me to put a baby in you last night, pretty girl.” 

Your eyes widened comically at his statement, “Kento!” you gasped, face ablaze and he chuckled warmly at your reaction. 

“Perhaps, I can take the rest of the afternoon to show you just how lecherous I can truly be,” He pulled his plain white tee shirt over his head as he spoke. All you could do is grip your book like a useless shield. 

Before you could process it, said “shield” is pulled from your hands and placed on the bedside table, as Nanami climbs over you with a thick thigh pressing between your squishy ones. He brings his face to the crook of your neck, nosing at your soft jaw until you tilted your head. Nanami nips and licks at your neck. 

“Seems like my pretty girl has two heart beats,” he teases, bringing his hands to your waist and making you grind firmly against his thigh. You whimper and he smiles against your neck before coming to meet your eyes. 

“I’m not going to cut you up or anything, but I’m certainly going to fuck you until you’re stupid, my pretty girl.”

You can’t really respond at all with his lips pressed against your own.

Suguru - loves it because it gives him time to work on his own things like writing manifestos and being idealistic. 

You’re snuggled comfortably into your bed, so engrossed in your book that the world outside doesn’t exist. Suguru on the other hand is sitting at your desk across the room, bent over his own work. Two notebooks and three philosophy books are spread out. His eyes shifted from one to the next as he went from scribbling different notes to highlighting and annotating. 

If anyone walked in and saw the two of you, they’d never believe that this is what either of you considered to be a good date night, but they were in fact wrong. 

Lo-fi music filled the background ever so subtly and the rain pouring down outside elevated the whole experience. 

Every once in a while one of you would speak and break the other out of their bubble. 

“‘Ruru!” You exclaimed, “they kissed!” 

Immediately Geto was turning in the desk chair, beaming at you, “Fuckin’ finally. I was starting to think it wouldn’t happen until book 4.” 

You groaned, “I knowww! I can only handle so much slow burn before it starts to feel like I’m roasting myself over an open forest fire. And I’ll be honest,” he looked at you amusedly, “I wouldn’t have waited that long. If they wouldn’t have kissed in this book, I would have said fuck it to the whole series.” 

He laughed and shook his head, “You always say that, but then 12 books later you’re still invested~” Suguru’s tone was cheeky as he swiveled back around. 

“You don’t know.” you grumbled. 

—

“Y’know,” Suguru begins. You put your book down and look at him quizzically as he turns towards you, his own book in hand, “I think Jean-Paul Sartre might have really been on to something with his ideas on absurdism.” 

He can’t see the confusion on your face as he doesn’t look up as he continues speaking, “He says Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance… and I think to some degree, I agree with this. The idea that we are born without a purpose and in order to live a fulfilling life we are forced to find something that feels like it gives us purpose, but inherently this is weakness because if we are bound by nothing then we can become anything.”

You look at him, confusion and skepticism written all over your face. “But I thought you said earlier that this guy also said that we are ‘condemned to be free’...” 

Suguru nods fervently, obviously excited by all the thoughts he’s having, “Yes! He did, and that is also true! Because freedom is also suffering. We are born to do nothing, forced to make ourselves do something, and will suffer throughout it all. The concept really ties into the idea of Dukkha in Buddhism, of course I’m certain Sartre wasn’t thinking of any such thing, nonetheless if the idea of life is to suffer and we were born to exist in suffering due to a lack of purpose, the ultimate escape from that is to find comfort in the freedom. To become the one who’s idea and “purpose” is to be free and lead others to freedom. Right?” 

His pupils are blown and he’s making sporadic wild gestures with his hands and all you can do is stare at him enamored by his enthusiasm, but completely lost on the concepts that he is firing off. 

“I personally think,” Suguru looks at you expectantly, “that freedom doesn’t exist. Not fully and I don’t think it ever could. To me I am free because I am able to do as I please with my life in the sense of loving you or reading this book. I can get up and go make a sandwich right now or I could ask you for a milkshake and I would still be just as free as the next guy and just as trapped as him too. Even if you went on to be a great leader who brought people to freedom, are they really free when they are following you and taking your word for things? I mean they made the choice, but doesn’t influence affect freedom?” 

You have no idea if what you’ve said is even remotely intelligible, but Geto looks at you with love and adoration, “I hadn’t given that much thought, baby, thank you.”

You grin at him, “Mhm~!” 

When he turns around you feel like a fraud, but go back to your book with a shrug. 

This is love.

Sakuna - huffs and puffs and threatens to ban books from the world if you don’t love on him. Has destroyed multiple books, to which he always replaces because he hates to see you upset.

“C’mere woman! You mean to tell me some fictional story is more important than serving your husband?” all four arms crossed, his frown deepening when you wave him off. 

“I express my want for you and yet you dare to defy me?” His voice is booming. 

You sigh and meet his eyes, “‘Kunaaaa~, I’m trying to read!” you whine and he sucks his teeth. 

“Tch– you had ample time to read while I was out, woman. Now I am home and I expect you to greet me properly.” 

Your bottom lip juts out, “I already gave you a kiss and welcomed you home. I even waited by the door in the way you like,” your tone is still defiant and whiny, “I even made the bed comfy and made your favorite tea just like uraume taught mee… Let me read a bit!” 

Sukuna glares daggers, “I do not care about those things,” he closes the distance between the two of you and plucks the book from your hands before shredding it with his own, “You will give me what I want when I demand it, brat.”  

No matter how many times this happens it never ceases to shock you into silence. Tears immediately welling up in your eyes as you look at the pages and covers of the book that now litter the floor around you. 

Without words you stand up and walk to your shared bed, climbing in it and covering up with the blanket. Sukuna grins wide, thinking himself successful forgetting the reality of the outcome as it has been in the past but when he climbs into the bed and goes to pull you close you stiffen and turn away. 

Again he sucks his teeth, easily manhandling your plush body to be atop his, “Stop this foolishness woman! I have no time for your childish games.” One of his big hands comes and grabs your face, making you meet his eyes. When your watery eyes meet his, he can’t help the way his shoulders sag a bit and his grip on you loosens. His sneer turned into a subtle frown. You sniffle and look away. 

“That was really shitty of you Ryoumen.” Your voice is small and finally the curse sighs and releases you back to your side of the bed. 

A long bout of silence falls between the two of you before he finally, begrudgingly breaks it.

“Fine. I apologise.” The words make him want to vomit, or commit a war crime, and he thinks about doing both when you don’t respond to him with anything more than a defeated ‘it’s okay’.

The next day when you wake up with swollen eyes and an empty bed, you can’t help but dread the rest of the day that will follow. Unable to go to the library in his home, unable to leave his room, and alone until who knows when. 

But by the time you finish your morning shower and skin care, the door to Sukuna’s chambers is opening and closing with a loud slam. You jump out of your skin, still half naked, fumbling to cover your unclothed breasts, Sukuna quickly makes his way towards you. 

“Here.” he grunts, shoving a signed hardback version of the book you were reading last night into your hands, which leaves you uncovered and surprised. 

“‘Kuna-,” you turn the book over in your hands and gasp at the signature on the inside label, “You didn’t have to do this…” you try to be humble, but your smile is becoming harder and harder to contain. 

“Don’t look so thrilled, woman,” his smile is only seen in the slight twitch of the corner of his mouth. As he stares at you he takes in your unclothed softness and finally the smile stretches fully across his face.

 “If you’re so happy, repay your husband for his kindness.” 

Toji - indifferent. Makes you read when his shows are on. Buys you steals a pair of nice earbuds so you can listen to whatever the fuck music fits your story while not interrupting his show and so his show isn’t interrupting you. Has to be touching you and you have to stay in the same room as him. 

“My show comes on in seven minutes, get your ass in here.” Toji hollers

His scarred lips are set in a lazy smirk as you quickly respond to his call and come prancing into the room. Toji sits directly in the middle of the couch, arms draped long against the back of it, legs spread wide. Sweatpants draped low and no shirt. You hand him a beer and try not to ogle him too much. 

“Thanks, kid,” he winks at you before patting the spot beside him on the sofa with his free hand, “Now c’mon. Ya look too good to not be touching me somehow.” 

Your face heats with his words, but you do sit. Moving a pillow for comfort, you rest your upper back against the arm of the couch and throw your legs over his lap. 

“Yer lucky my shows on, dressed like this, it’s like yer tryna tempt me, kid.” his big hand grabs at your soft, fat, bare thigh and you huff. 

“I always dress like this! Now drink your beer and watch your stupid show, so I can read.” You’d never admit it but you dress this way because you know he likes it. One of his shirts, whatever pair of panties matched it, and a pair of fuzzy socks. Despite your plumpness, Toji's shirts make you look like you’re drowning in the fabric and you know that is all it ever really takes to get his attention– looking like you belong to him.

You don’t have to admit to knowing this, because he already knows, so Toji just laughs and squeezes your sensitive inner thigh roughly.  

“‘M putting in my earbuds now, don’t bother me.” You try to say it sternly, but it just makes him grin. 

“Whatever,” he laughs, “Enjoy your book, ‘cause you’ll be too busy to read afterwards.” 

You roll your eyes and he takes a swig from his beer, his hand rubbing up and down your leg, “Hope you’re reading some of that freaky shit you like to get into,” his eyes don’t leave the TV, “you’re always more sensitive when you do.” 

You swat at him and he snickers. You want to respond, but the opening theme to his show begins and you know better than to try and be a brat now. So instead you huff and start your music. 

Pouting because he was right… you were reading “that freaky shit.” 

[butchlinkle]

i think you're misunderstanding both what i meant and what op meant tbh? you're still focused on tabletop games, and also hyperfocused on the terminology stuff.

both i and op are fantasy writers, i make comics and op makes visual novels. I can't speak for where op draws her inspiration from, but i was a prolific reader of fantasy novels as a kid and in particular read a lot of stuff released in the 50s and 60s—stuff that predates dungeons and dragons! that's what I mean by dnd is referencing the fantasy genre and not the other way around—i look at dnd lore and i can see the throughline from which fantasy hits from that era that its drawing from, bc I've read them. it's a game that was made to let you roleplay your favourite fantasy novels!

honestly to me the gameified aspect of it is whatever, there's nothing wrong with how dnd categorises these magical rpg classes—thats just game design. and its fine if other games copy that system, games do this all the time to lower the barrier of entry into picking up a game, video or tabletop. this too is just game design.

but it is annoying when youre making fantasy media wholly unrelated to dnd and tabletop games in general and people go "woah is that dnd?" as if there is not a huge genre of literature that predates dnd, a genre that exists outside of tabletop games completely unrelated to what dnd is doing, and it's also extra annoying if people tell you you're doing stuff incorrectly in your not even vaguely tabletop work because of dnd's specific gameified categorisation system being treated as the "true" definition of everything fantasy.

but thats not the main gripe here, thats just one aspect of it. the main gripe is the idea that fantasy = dnd!

*hitting ttrpg fan with a stick* not everything fantasy is about D&D!

[creatingblackcharacters]

ive been really into greek mythology lately, specifically athena and her subsequent myths, and it is so fucking nightmarish over here. (i want to preface all this as well by saying i myself am white, so if anything i say is ignorant/racist absolutely let me know)

not only do people refuse to see ATHENA as anything but white (and unfortunately the most common depictions of her find base in either epic the musical, where she is white and has red hair, or the percy jackson book series, where people for Some Strange Mysterious Reason refuse to make athena anything but pale blonde haired light eyed despite the author of the series HIMSELF revising this in his show to make her Black), a very large majority of people have also decided that one person from her myths (pallas, daughter of triton), should have the very same depiction.

pallas is from North Africa. in literally every telling of her and athena's myths, she is very explicitly said to be from North Africa. and despite this, the most common interpretation i see of her is, of course, whiter than notebook paper with blonde hair and blue eyes. there is never any attempt to write her as even Amazigh or Arab if the creator doesnt see her as Black either, there is just. Nothing. there is no "oh North Africa is a very varied place! people can be blonde with blue eyes!" excuse for this that is anything but eurocentric racism. i have also seen very few people ever even attempting to depict Africa at all, as a whole, in their greek mythology fan works despite how important the region was and how much of greek mythology was derived from various African peoples beliefs (and then subsequently erased)

it is exhausting to engage in a medium where theres so many different interpretations throughout history and see only This Shit. to see only us, white people, seeing only ourselves and never thinking of anything else. never bothering to learn, never bothering to consider anything else, speaking over every other possibility.

theres also still a lot to say about athena herself. for example- academics and historians have repeatedly and vehemently denied any concept of athena being Black, (see: Black Athena by Martin Bernal and how it was received, even past any arguments of historical inaccuracy its glaringly obvious the racist reasoning behind why people were so venomously against this book) despite how much its also speculated that many parts of greek mythology are derived from African belief, including athena herself!

thats of course not saying anything of athena as shes depicted in actual myth writing either, which is also largely reminiscent of what ive learned of the Black experience, especially in terms of misogynoir. for example, athena is said repeatedly in myths to be "masculine", to have a "masculine" domain and be of "masculine" appearance. her domain is war, but shes a goddess ! she cant be "masculine" ! thatd be inane ! so of course her domain has to be weaving too, she has to be "feminine", they must write her stripping herself in front of a man to be judged by him (judgment of paris). nothing is ever enough.

when she is helpful to heroes she is "like their mother" (fun fact! the ancient greeks themselves also gave her the epithet of "mater", which translates directly to mother), she is surely goodness incarnated ! but as soon as she shows any hint of frustration, of unkindness, of doing anything but complacently and invisibly helping her heroes that are Strangely Constantly Depicted As Strong White Men, she is a suddenly a demon, suddenly she is just a goddess subjecting a mortal to her whims and is an "insufferable bitch". suddenly it is all about ovid and how many times athena acted "unfairly" against other women that these same people see as pale. suddenly athena is "too violent" and it "makes sense her domain is war".

thank you for putting the work in on this blog that you do, as not only has it helped me see all of this in a clearer light, but also has helped and inspired me multiple times to write an athena who is overtly Black. if you or anyone here have any works or work recommendations (animations, artists, etc) that depict or talk about athena being Black, or works about ancient-era Africa, i would love them! i want to see more Black athenas so badly, PLEASE let me know of anything out there

"I've been into Greek mythology lately" ooh friend you coulda stopped there and I woulda told you, from a fellow lover (Patroclus x Achilles, myself), that there is not a single Greek mythology related fandom on here that isn't chock full of people that hate negroes lmao. I've even managed to organize the types of antiblackness into groups, I've observed it for so long. I don't even bother participating directly in fandom (haven't since 2022) anymore, I sit in my corner and write and make art. So 😬

I see where you're going with the potential of using her character to reflect misogynoir! That would be cool. Alas. We ARE getting a Black Athena in the new Odyssey movie (Lupita!) but alas the movie also does not look very good, so. We'll have to hear about that, because somehow "woke" will be blamed amongst other things.

"Ancient era Africa" is an extremely broad request. You want to find more, you'll have to get more specific!

[sirflofy]

I don't know how to tween nor animate so I just draw it since the song has been stuck at my head. (1xPlayer AU my beloved)

Anyways here is me whole long yapping session abt the new 1xPlayer AU (which is also a Forsaken x Blocktales crossover) since the pre prologue released 👇 👇👇👇

1xPlayer AU --- An AU where Player was previously 1x1x1x1 but changed for the better.

1x wants to change. For a person who is Hatred himself, he somewhat develope more human emotions other than hate. He envied those people who understand such emotions. He didn't want what they have but instead they wanted to be like them. To be Happy. To be loved.

So by that, 1x decided to change their whole identity. With a new name called, Player. Things start off bad and any conversation with them is like talking to a very awkward teenager at their puberty (plus angry issues at that)... but they get better each year.

This whole ordeal happened before Builderman got kidnapped which is still far from the future. By that time 1xPlayer went on change for the better, no more destruction, no more hacking neither were they playing god.

A couple of years would go by with little but huge progress. 1xPlayer fought through. Keeping their hatred balanced and in control even finally communicating to other people but still their voice does caught people off guard by how deep it is in contrast to their face so they would try sounding a little higher.

By that time, they don't resemble anything close to 1x anymore. They're just, Player. From different clothes, way of speaking, and especially appearance.

But then, 1x wanted to actually step forward. Face an admin. Their friends would talk about a long awaited event, it was a chance to meet the one and only Builderman. Or David Baszucki as he goes by publicly now.

It took a few days to them to decide but over all decided to go. This was a one time opportunity for them to face the admins. The very beings they hate the most. 1x was even unsure whether or not HE was there but it was already too late. They have decided it already with their friends and they felt it was rude to cancel their plans.

Things go as the pre prologue goes until they got sucked in some time travel machine with the now kidnapped Builderman.

(In this AU Builderman will be reverted back to his old body therefore making Shedletsky know about his kidnapping. Ik some theories about Shedletsky being related to the kidnapping or IS the mysterious figure but that is not the case for plot reasons.)

Things go as planned except, they're back at their old body. Their 1x body. They soon realized they have been brought back to their past therefore their past identity.

They would be very troubled by this rummaging through to go back to their old identity. Maybe a panic attack as well. But then it came to him, Builderman is still in danger. If that's the case, Roblox is for sure doomed if they aren't doing anything.

Things settled down and he still had their powers. But, they didn't want to use it. They can't use it. They need to release their hatred to use it. And things won't go as plan if their hatred goes around freely after all most of their hatred are suppressed within them but very slowly relaxing.

But at least they have their own skills. They did have a sturdy ball with him for self defense. But they're more skilled with the sword.

Though they weren't close by the Roblox HQ. They need to go there. By that they went and teleported to a place they're familiar with, Bizville apartment, specifically their own apartment.

It was a little risky but it was the best they could do. Therefore they went there and teleported to the place before eventually meeting Terry.

Shedletsky will not deliver a letter to Player, but instead Shedletsky doesn't know Player at all. So their first meeting is the same but it's just different. (Ofcourse for plot reasons).

Things go like the flow, Shedletsky gives the sword after defeating the kids but It would be lie if Player just wanted to let Shedletsky die right there but they restrained themselves and saved him. They have changed afterall.

Everything happens like the game until the dreamworld. This where things go wrong. After facing Hatred their emotions became rampant. They weren't purified, they can't be purified but they survived, almost barely. Still, they couldn't touch the Ghostwalker. They had to get assistance from the Ghost Chef.

After the haunted manor happened, their hatred had been lingering especially after trying to purity it. Each demo, Player cannot properly maintain their hatred making them go back to their corrupted version (but Player tries to hide it) and be more apathetic. Though deep inside they're still holding up to at least save the future of Roblox.

Until the very last chapter, 1x couldn't hold it anymore and became what they used to be before. People don't know what happened to Player, what they know they just randomly disappeared after saving Builderman. Until the next day where 1x started going rampant that they forgot about our Hero (for a bit.)

Things go the way it was. 1x had disappeared once again and what is left is a long history. Until *DUN DUN* they all got forsaken lol!

Okay I took too long writing this. There are some stuffs I left out because I am lazy to write more right now so yeah.

Oh yeah, 1x4 was created by Shedletsky like in forsaken and is Telamon. You guys know the drill!

ANDDD one more thing--- Griefer has Player's cap, though its roughed up (like in the drawing), Griefer still kept it as remnants of Player who literally just disappeared like they never existed. Where he got it? Somewhere.

Okay cya until I post another drawing :P

[bitofanupsidedowner]

this is probably mean to say but the fact that some ppl genuinely believed will when he said that the painting was commissioned by el makes me genuinely worried about the media comprehension problem.

so el understands the concept of commissioning, does it with no money to her name, and specifically requests a painting about something she knows nothing about because she and mike do not actually talk and when he infodumps she doesn't really seem to listen?

she, after specifying will was painting something she had no knowledge of, commissioned a painting that she isn't even in over something that would be personal to the two of them? she thought the best way to express her love was a drawing of a hobby she doesn't partake in displaying mike and his friends? you think she knows even the first thing about paladins?

at best she could've traded will a couple desserts one night and said "hey just make something mike would enjoy" that is all soooo nuts

this is even ignoring the fact will does all the lying body language and that he is clearly super emotionally compromised when he's saying it. and we've heard el speak enough to know that she is not particularly verbose, let alone all poetic and cheesy and rambling. el doesn't really have the confidence in her vocabulary to monologue yet. especially not as in depth as will can.

like... i'm sorry but it literally isn't even trying to fool anyone?? it's not even really being concealed in the slightest. like no wonder the GA isn't picking up on byler if this is the level of thought they're putting into the scenes they're being shown 🫠🫠

[murderbot-moodboard]

I've made good progress on moving out of my apartment, but my body is currently hating me for it, so I'm awake and you're getting some more thoughts about episode 6.

Something I noticed about episode 6 was how relatable all the characters felt to me throughout the episode. (Even LeeBeeBee's motives were understandable on some level, even if I disagreed with them and wouldn't make the same choices right now, who knows if I would make some of the same choices if I'd lived her life.) I don't think they were necessarily more relatable than in previous episodes, but rather that I noticed because the situations they were dealing with were extreme, and they were all having understandable human reactions to them. The way Mensah acted while performing surgery on Murderbot, steeling herself to do something hard and unpleasant by muttering and vocalizing and wincing the whole time, is exactly how I (and I think many or most people) deal with that type of task. (You know, the type you can't totally dissociate from by thinking about Star Trek characters, or partially dissociate from by pretending you're a Starfleet officer gathering samples of alien plants on a planet. Something many or most people would also do, of course.)

And the way the rest of Preservation Aux reacted to LeeBeeBee's sudden violent death was also relatable. I've never been in a situation quite like that, thankfully, but if I were, I think there's an equal chance I could have any of their responses to it. I just think it really speaks to the good writing, acting, and directing that all of the humans felt realistically human, not like they were reacting a certain way just because it was convenient for the plot.

I also think it's interesting how this episode means that in this alternate universe, it's no longer true that Ratthi has never seen Murderbot kill anyone up close (and Murderbot wants to keep it that way). I wonder if the writers thought about that specifically when writing this part, because Ratthi's extreme gut reaction (pun intended) to violence feels completely believable for his character. This change also introduces an interesting dynamic to Ratthi's relationship to Murderbot that we didn't see in the books as such, so I'm really looking forward to finding out how Ratthi reacts to Murderbot after this and whether he still wants to try to understand Murderbot (as he mistakenly thought he understood it before).

The episode really walked an interesting and difficult tonal line, balancing both the comedy and the horror. To me, when Gurathin said, "Now that she no longer has a head!" it struck me as the punch line to an awful dark joke that I wanted to laugh at, but I felt a touch of guilt for considering laughing about it. That sort of describes the whole mood of that part of the episode, and a little bit of the earlier parts as well. We're given insight into one of Murderbot's favorite Sanctuary Moon episodes, which has a ridiculously implausible plot which is simultaneously sad, and yet it's the episode Murderbot finds soothing. There's a discordant disconnect between the values it's learned as property in the Corporation Rim and the values Preservation Aux hold without always understanding why anyone would think differently. Murderbot itself is a contradiction—a killing machine who wants to protect its clients, and a person who denies its need for or interest in connection while still demonstrating how much it actually cares. The jarring aspects of the episode feel appropriate for the way they show cognitive dissonance forming in all the main cast: cognitive dissonance that threatens their ability to trust each other (and for Murderbot to trust itself).

So, basically, I think this episode was supposed to feel like a wakeup call, reminding both Preservation Aux and us the viewers who Murderbot actually is. How everything plays out now will depend a lot on the leadership of Mensah, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[gothamite-rambler]

Damian (curious): Genuine question, what was it like to be a kid back in your day? I want to learn.

Damian blinked, remaining silent and ready for a genuine answer. Dick took a sip from his tea cup then cleared his throat.

Dick: Um, when I wasn't patrolling with Bruce, I’d just spend hours outside, most time until the streetlights came on.

Damian: What? Why?

Dick: I had to make it back home to be Robin. Bruce said I could stay out until the streetlights came on, at least.

Damian (shocked): What?!

Jason: Is it about that time for gen alpha to find out adults like us had unsupervised childhoods?

Tim: Yep, I've been waiting for this.

Bruce (regret in his voice): I should've read the paper in the cave. Something was telling me to and I didn't listen.

Damian: Everybody silence, except Grayson. You… you had the choice to stay out late until the street lights came on?

Dick (wistful tone): Yep, I used to drink hose water sometimes because I didn't want to pay for water at the bodega.

Damian (more shock): Father, you didn't give him a water bottle?

Bruce: To be fair... they didn't have the ones we have today. I'm sticking to that defense.

Damian: Wow. Well, Grayson, what did you do?

Dick (shrugging): Stuff.

Damian (needing to know): What kind of stuff?

Dick: Went to the store, the library. One time, I even took a bus ride around town. Bruce was so mad when I made it back late. Good times.

Dick chuckled, stirring his tea. Bruce tried to sneak away, but Damian yanked him back.

Damian (furrowing his brow in anger): What, specifically, was he mad about? Please elaborate.

Dick: That I was late for patrol, but really, he was worried about my safety. There was this kidnapper in Gotham at the time. We all called him Kenny Kid Snatcher, he would snatch kids and hold them for ransom. Never killed them, that was another guy. Bruce, who was that guy?

Bruce pretended to read the lower page of the newspaper. Dick sensing the tension, looked around confused.

Dick: Did I say something wrong?

Damian (shouting, angry): That’s not fair! I have to ask permission to go out unless it’s for patrols, and I didn’t get to do anything alone in town!

Dick: To be fair, Gotham’s more dangerous nowadays.

Damian: YOU HAD A CHILD KIDNAPPER AND A CHILD KILLER! TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE HARMING CHILDREN, AND THAT’S IGNORING THE OTHER CRIMINALS YOU DEALT WITH!

Dick: Well, no, it’s not like it was that bad for safety. Bruce always told me not to talk to strangers. That didn’t stop me sometimes. Honestly, that old lady who saved me from a crack dealer kidnapping me was really nice.

Bruce (shaking his head with his eyes closed): Stop talking. Stop talking. Stop talking. Stop talking.

Damian glared at his father, tapping his foot in frustration. He poked Bruce on the head.

Damian: This is unfair. I’m a trained former assassin, I should be allowed to go out alone! Grayson, you wouldn't let me go out and have the fun you had either! What gives? You lived it!

Dick: Yes, and I wasn't going to let you emulate me. No matter what you say the world isn't safe today. It wasn't back then, but it's less safe now.

Damian: You're lucky you speak in a way where that made sense.

Bruce: I just want to state my parents died so if anyone understands how unsafe the world is, it's me.

Damian: Father.

Bruce: I stand by that defense.

Damian (hands on his hips): What were Jason and Tim doing, huh?

Tim: My parents, may they rest in paradise, pretty much made me a latchkey kid. It wasn’t terrible.

Damian: You became Robin because you were bored, right?

Tim: Yeah, but I was an adventurous kid.

Damian: That’s… fair. I respect that. Jason, what do you have to say for this?

Jason (reminiscing): My life was hard. Stepmom was a drug addict, Dad was a criminal, and that bitch egg donor was a backstabbing rat. Catherine wasn’t a terrible mom, though, she just had a drug problem. I wouldn’t want to live that life again. Honestly, I wish I could’ve saved Cathy from it, too - Anyway, yeah, most of the time, parents like Bruce sucked at parenting.

Damian: I agree.

Dick: Yeah, it was the '80s and '90s and they were the children of suckier parents. Not that Martha and Thomas were bad people Bruce, so relax.

Bruce huffed, refusing to respond.

Tim: I’m pretty sure I was at home for two days when my parents went on a trip to see the Statue of Liberty. That was such a great weekend.

Damian shook his head and headed off to his room without another word.

Bruce: It wasn’t me - they put a warning on the TV! As long as the streetlights weren’t on, they were safe… Alfred taught me the same thing!

Alfred: I’m as old as hell, don’t drag me into this. Where I grew up, we had Jack the Ripper copycats, but we could fight back. Unlike you Americans.

Bruce: I’m Batman! That means something here!

Alfred: You weren’t bloody then! Don’t make me bring up your thumb sucking phase.

Bruce dropped his shoulders and grumbled, returning to reading his newspaper. Damian came back with his backpack filled with art supplies, his kid debit card and Nintendo switch.

Damian (making an annoucment): I’m off to the bus station! I’ll see you before the streetlights turn on tomorrow.

Damian ran off, followed by Dick and Jason, attempting to stop him. Bruce remained seated, Tim raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

Bruce: I’m on a break, and his other dads will punish him.

[just-dreaming-marvel]

Every Breath You Take

MAIN MASTERLIST / MARVEL MASTERLIST / CHRONIC ILLNESS MASTERLIST

Logan Howlett x Female!Reader

Word Count: 2,310ish

Request: I ran to your asks when I saw they were open! I love your work so much! I was hoping for a scenario with Logan and a female reader with asthma! I was thinking something along the lines of trilogy Logan and the reader are in the earlier stages of their budding romance. The reader is still really shy and flustered by Logan. Maybe she hasn’t fully opened up to him yet. They are paired up on a recon mission and the reader’s asthma starts acting up. She tries to play it off and use her inhaler subtlety but is still too winded and needs a piggyback ride back to the jet. That way Logan and her can have time to have a more “heart to heart” convo. I hope this isn’t too specific ( I don’t mind if you take a completely different approach with the fic!) I have asthma and it always flares up in the most inconvenient times for me. I always wondered how it go if Logan were to help me deal with it. Sorry for rambling! No pressure to choose my request, I will genuinely be enjoying any work you post

Notes: I know that I wrote this fast! It just called to me and I had to get it done! I hope you like it!

The forest was cool and quiet, the kind of quiet that meant something could be watching. You followed Logan up the slop, trying to keep your footsteps light even though your legs were screaming. Recon missions weren’t usually intense, but this one was longer than expected. The sun was already dipping low. You kept your head dow, counting your breaths— four in, four out. Or, at least, you tried to. 

The tightness in your chest had started creeping in twenty minutes ago. You’d hope it would pass, but you knew it wouldn’t. Your steps were getting shorter. Your lungs felt smaller. 

Ahead of you, Logan passed and glanced back, “You good?” His voice was low and gruff— always rough around the edges— but there was some concern in it.

You hated that you noticed every little inflection. You hated even more how you grew sheepish under his gaze. You nodded quickly. “Yeah. Just… steep hill.”

He didn’t look convinced, but kept walking. You let yourself slow down a few steps. Your hand slipped into your jacket pocket and grabbed your inhaler. You angled yourself behind a tree and took a quick puff, holding it in and waiting for the magic to kick in. It didn’t.

You cursed silently and pushed forward. Each breath felt thinner. Your throat itched, your chest burned. You told yourself to not make a big deal of it. Logan wasn’t already doing a majority of the work. You didn’t want to be the reason h had more to carry. But then you stumbled. It wasn’t big, just a misstep on a branch, but your foot slid out from under you. You caught yourself against a tree and the sound of your wheezing carried, causing Logan to turn sharply.

“Alright, stop,” he said, arms crossing over his chest. “What’s goin’ on?”

“I’m—“ you tried to speak normally. “I just need a sec.”

“You’re winded. Bad.”

“I’m fine. It’s just… I’ve had worse.”

Logan’s brows furrowed. He scanned you head to toe, eyes catching the slight tremble in your knees and the inhaler in your hand. His gaze softened just a bit.

“Hand it over.” He held out a calloused palm.

“What?”

“The inhaler.” He wiggled in fingers. “Let me see how much you’ve used.” Reluctantly, you passed it over. He turned it in his hand, then looked back at you. “Doesn’t look like this is doin’ the trick right now.”

You shook your head, still holding onto the tree. Your chest was heaving with the effort of just standing upright. Without another word, he turned around and crouched low, hands braced on his thighs.

“Logan, what—“

“Piggyback time. You’re done walkin’. Don’t argue.”

“I can’t— That’s— You don’t have to—“

He twisted enough to glare over his shoulder. “You really want make me ask sweetly? Or do you need me to just throw you over my shoulder?”

You stared, dumbfounded. Then, with a mixture of shame and relief, you stepped forward and wrapped your arms around his neck. He hoisted you up in one smooth motion, one hand under your thighs and the other steadying your back. You felt the strength in him immediately— it was so effortless and natural and warm. His body heat seeped through your layers, grounding you.

“You weigh nothin’,” he muttered, moving his hands into a better position to start walking. “Should’ve done this an hour ago.”

You couldn’t help the wheezy laugh that escaped. “You’re… ridiculous…”

“You’re worse. Tryin’ to push through an asthma flare on a recon op. What were you thinkin’?”

“I didn’t want to slow you down. I didn’t want you to think I couldn’t handle it.”

There was a pause, then, “you think I give a damn if you’ve got asthma?” 

You didn’t answer, didn’t know how to.

Logan sighed. “Listen. You’ve got nothing to prove to me. We’re a team. That means if something’s wrong, you gotta say something. Otherwise, I can’t watch your back.”

You reacted your head against his shoulder, letting your eyes slip shut as your breathing slowly began to even out. “I’ve never been good at… asking for help.”

“Yeah. I figured.” His tone wasn’t cruel, just knowing and a little amused. “I notice things. Like how you never talk first in a room. How you always stand by the door like you’re not sure you belong. You do, by the way. Belong.”

Your breath caught— not from the asthma this time, but from the weight of words.

He shifted you slightly to keep his grip steady. “And just so we’re clear… I like you. Kinda been waitin’ for you to stop bein’ so damn skittish around me.”

You froze, half in disbelief. “You… like me?”

“You thought I carried your stubborn ass outta pity?” He snorted. “Nah. I just needed an excuse to finally hold you.”

You kept opening and closing your mouth, at a loss for words.

Logan chuckled at your silence. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. You don’t have to pretend with me.”

The clearing where the jet was waiting was in sight now. The stairs were already down. The mission was technically a success, but it felt like much more than that.

You exhaled slowly, letting yourself lean into him a little more. “Thank you.”

He grunted— his version of you’re welcome— and carried you the rest of the way way without complaint.

~~~

Weeks later… 

It was supposed to be a clean in and out mission, like they all were supposed to be. You should’ve known better. The facility was colder than expected. It was underground with tight hallways and poor ventilation. You stuck close to Jean at first, but then split to cover more ground. Logan had been just a hallway away. 

“Left wing’s clear,” he said over the comms. “You good over there, sweetheart?”

You smiled at the nickname— a recent, quiet addition that you didn’t hate. “Still breathing,” you replied.

That was a half an hour ago. Now you were running, or at least trying to. Your chest was on fire and your lungs were stiff. There was smoke curling through the hallway from a faulty generator explosion. You turned a corner and leaned against the wall. You grabbed your inhaler.

“Shit,” you rasped, shaking it. 

It was empty. You tried anyway. There was a hiss, no medicine. The panic crept in, cold and sharp under your ribs. You dropped behind a support beam, bracing yourself as your breaths turned ragged and shallow. It was getting hard to think. You fumbled for the comm in your ear, pressing the button with trembling fingers.

“Lo—“ Your voice cracked. “Lo… gan—“

You couldn’t even get the rest out. But he heard it, the panic, the wheeze. And the moment he did, something primal kicked in.

“Y/N? Sweetheart? Where are you?” He barked, already moving. “Talk to me. Now.”

Static at first, then the faintest of gasps. “… engine… room… hallway… east side…”

He took off in a dead sprint. “Move!” As team members found themselves in his way. 

Logan didn’t wait for orders or check for cover. His claws were already out, just in case he had to rip through the walls. You heard the thunder of his boots before you saw him.

“Hey— Hey, I’m here.” He was suddenly so close it nearly hurt. 

You blinked up through watery eyes. He dropped to his knees in front of you, gently prying the useless inhaler from your hand and shaking it. “Shit. Empty.” 

You nodded, too breathless to answer.

“It’s okay. I got you.” His arms were around you instantly, one cradling your back and another under your knees as he lifted you like it was nothing. “You listenin’ to me? You’re gonna be okay. Just stay with me.”

You couldn’t talk, but you nodded again. Barely.”

He pressed his cheek to your temple. “You’re scarin’ the hell outta me.” He was already moving, carrying you back towards the exit. Somehow, he clicked his comm. “Someone prep oxygen on the jet. We’re comin’ in hot.”

You felt yourself fading a little— the edges of your vision softening, sound warping. But the steady thud of Logan’s heartbeat beneath your ear kept you grounded.

~~~

You sat hunched over a portable oxygen mask, finally breathing mostly normal again. Your lungs still ached, but the panic was gone. Logan was crouched in front of you, watching every inhale like it was the most important thing he’d ever seen. When you pulled the mask down, he exhaled sharply and rested up to brush away some of the sweat that had formed on your forehead.

“You gotta tell me when you’re runnin’ low,” he said quietly. “You don’t get to scare me like that.”

You met his eyes. They were raw, dark, and terrified in a way he rarely showed.

“I didn’t mean to— I thought I had a backup,” you whispered, voice raspy. “I’m sorry, Logan.”

He shook his head and leaned forward, foreheads nearly touching. “No. No apologies. Just promise me— next time, you tell me.”

“I promise.”

His hand slid to your cheek, rough thumb brushing over your skin. “I meant what I said. I’ve got you. Every breath, sweetheart. You’re not doin’ this alone.”

You blinked back tears— of relief, exhaustion, and something warmer. “Thank you for finding me.”

His lips barely brushed your forehead. “Always.”

~~~

The mission was now over. You were safe, but your body hadn’t quite gotten the message. After the med bay cleared out, you sat perched on the edge of the cot. You were still in your uniform and your lungs were still achy. You’d been given more oxygen and the all-clear from both Jean and Hank, but your limbs were heavy with exhaustion. You hadn’t even mustered the strength to peel off your boots. That’s how Logan found you.

“You still sittin’ here like that?” He murmured, stepping inside.

You looked up, managing a tired smile. “Didn’t feel like moving.”

His eyes scanned you with that unreadable look. He wasn’t panicked like before, but still intense, like he was cataloging every slow breath you took just in case. Then, without a word, he stepped forward and bent down.

“What are you—?” He quickly stopped you up. You gasped, arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. “Logan, I can walk—“

“Yeah, well, I can carry,” he responded simply, already striding down the hallway. 

You didn’t argue. Every step Logan took was deliberate, as if he didn’t trust the world not to knock you out of his arms. When he reached you room, he budged the door open with his shoulder and walked straight to your bed. He laid you down gently, like you might break, then crouched at your side to tug off your boots and set them aside. You watched him in silence, too tired to speak. Then he surprised you again. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off his own boots, then swinging his legs up and sliding under the covers beside you.

“Move over,” he grunted.

You did— heart hammering a little— and he settle din behind you, sting arm sliding around your wait like it belonged there. His other hand curled protectively on your shoulder, thumb brushing your collarbone. You let out a long, shuddery breath as you melted into him.

“You don’t have to stay,” you whispered, even though you desperately wanted him to.

“I have to,” he responded softly. “You nearly stopped breathin’ right in front of me.  You think I’m sleepin’ in my own bed after that?”

You didn’t answer, just nodded and shifted to rest your head beneath his chin. A long silence stretched between you. His fingers kept a slow, soothing rhythm against your arm.

“You scared the hell outta me, y’know,” his voice was low and quiet.

“I know… I was scared too.”

He pulled you closer. “Well, nothin’ to worry about now. I’ve got you.”

~~~

You woke late, groggy but alive. Logan wasn’t beside you anymore, which made your heart clench. You sat up and looked around to see if he was still in the room, all you found was that things were different. Your nightstand had been reorganized. A fresh inhaler sat in its original packaging next to a backup. A small plastic container held individually wrapped protein bars, electrolyte drink packets, and a water bottle. A sticky note, written in Logan’s messy handwriting, was stuck to the wall.

You don’t get to scare the shit outta me again. - L

You pressed your lips together to keep from smiling too wide. You slipped out of bed and over to your closet, where you found two of his flannels hanging in your closet. It was territorial in the gentlest way possible. You changed into one of the flannels without hesitation.

~~~

A week later… 

You were on the training deck, running drills. Logan lingered by the wall, watching as you finished your routine. When you caught his eye, he gave you a nod— his version of a compliment. Later, in the locker room, he found you alone. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

“Been thinkin’,” he muttered.

“That’s dangerous,” you teased.

His lips quirked. Then he stepped closer, voice dropping low. “I meant what I said, y’know. I got you. Every breath. Every day… And I know you’re still gettin’ used to me. To… this.” He gestured between you with a rough hand. “I am too. But I’m not goin’ anywhere.” There was a beat of silence. Then he stepped closer and cupped your face with both hands. “I love you.”

The confession hit you gently and with weight. It was just a simple truth. 

You reached up, fingers curling around his wrists. “I love you, too.”

He let out a breath like he’d been holding it in for weeks. Then he kissed you like the world had finally lined up in his favor.