#cause she has access to everything so if there's one person who can see the big picture and 'judge' him that he might listen to...

[pttucker]

Dokja has a star! 😭 Finally, he gets to know what it's like to be an actual constellation.

And I'm guessing that now he'll be able to flip back and forth between being a Demon King and being an angel like Michael can?? Or has he flipped completely? He did mention in the last few chapters "maybe I'll just stop being a demon king" so...

Oh man, but I'm not certain I like the whole "are you worthy" thing going on inside the Fruit of Good and Evil. (Or inside Dokja's mind?? In some random space in the Star Stream somewhere???)

And again, as I read his story… – Wouldn't it be fine for him to just die during this turn, instead? …Wait, did I ever write a comment like that before? – The story is going down the drain, so maybe it's time to go back? see ya Now, it was Yoo Joonghyuk's 662th turn. I was a university student by then, still typing away on a keyboard. – Joonghyuk is going to die again, yes? The words I committed to record were in full display here. All those words that I spat out under the excuse of being hurt by life and exhausted by living itself, they were coming back inside my brain. – Please, can you skip the earlier scenarios? It's getting repetitive. …I couldn't say anything, not anymore. ['Fruit of Good and Evil' speaks to you. 'That is the total worth of the story you told as if it was your entire life'.] The tips of my fingers began trembling.

Oh man, Dokja's barely been able to look at Jang Hayoung because it was his comments that brought about her being created and now we have this.

Joonghyuk is already upset that Dokja has been reading about his life all this time and then lied about being a prophet (though really how would that conversation have gone? "oh btw you're a character in a book," not to mention the filtering...) and now we have these careless comments which may have influenced the author and resulted in Joonghyuk's death / more suffering. In fact, they almost certainly did influence the author because Dokja has actual living proof in Jang Hayoung that the author was willing to cater to the only reader who finished the novel.

['Fruit of Good and Evil' speaks to you. 'You, who have deceived the entire world by relying on the story only you know, and lived until now… Do you possess the right to be saved?] From some place deep in my chest, I thought I heard something break. The whole world seemed to be shaking in my eyes.

This is not good. I do not like this.

Dokja is already feeling guilty about everything and can barely accept his party's forgiveness (or, rather, his party's insistence that there's not really anything to forgive because he's proven time and again that he never saw them as mere words on a page) and now he's thinking about all these unintentionally mean comments he left on a story that he never would have guessed in a million years would become reality.

AND NOW ANNA CROFT CAN APPARENTLY SEE HIS FUTURE??? AND SAYS JOONGHYUK WILL KILL HIM??? AHHHHHHH.

I am so not thrilled that the lady who's literally known for betraying people can now apparently see Dokja's future. That's just great.

And now we have this prophecy combined with the fact that Fruit is making him feel like garbage. Oh! And let's not forget! He's feeling even more emotional than usual because Fourth Wall is almost completely down and my guy has absolutely no experience in dealing with said emotions because Fourth Wall was always there for him. (And because he was a complete and absolute bullied loner in his "before" life.) So that's great!

Ughhhh I'm just so worried...

WHAT IF DOKJA DOESN'T EVEN TRY TO CONVINCE HIM AND INSTEAD JUST LET'S JOONGHYUK KILL HIM!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I want to say that's not going to happen but then I just remembered that Dokja is the successor to the Underworld. So it's very possible for him to die without ORV ending. So...yeah. 😬

[You have brought the 'Fake Revelation' to reality.] [You have achieved an unbelievable accomplishment!] [You have acquired an ungradable Story.] [You have acquired the Story, 'Architect of Revelation'!]

On a different note, we also have this. I figured either Dokja or Joonghyuk was going to defeat Michael and make the revelation true but now I'm actually wondering…do Dokja's revelations come true no matter what because they are real revelations? Like, we've been explicitly shown in this arc that Dokja, both knowingly and unknowingly, can affect both objects and people in TWSA, at least when the Fourth Wall is thin. (And could apparently affect the story even when he was outside it via his comments...)

So, by putting something directly through the hole in the Fourth Wall, is Dokja making it reality? Without even knowing it?

...Quick Sangah throw out a "Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk will be the bestest of friends" revelation.

[ajortga]

love you silently

pairing: jenna ortega x fem reader

a/n: i hate this SO much, i seriously didn't know what ideas to write for this

word count: 1.1k+

-

based off request!

May I request a Jenna Ortega x fem reader where the reader is a fan of her but are dating in secret and Jenna gets jealous plz🙏

-

You loved the feeling of being loved.

Feeling like you had a reason to live, to wake up with kisses and to have a thumb rubbing against the top of your hand that lulled your stresses away.

But what was even better was being loved by your damn celebrity crush. Dating your celebrity crush.

No seriously, Jenna Marie Ortega was your girlfriend.

And something about you just made Jenna feel so special. Because you weren’t there for fame. You were there for her. On the red carpets, Jenna wouldn’t see you trying to have your photos taken, you were taking photos of her, like a little girl that looked so happy. And even though she wouldn’t mind either way, you were humble.

This quiet kind of love. The love where you didn’t care if it was loud or known by others. As long as it was known by her.

And something about your love being secret felt good. 

You were both at a red carpet for Jenna’s upcoming films. She bought you a ticket for a special access, and of course didn’t mind if you wandered with her. You liked coming with a microphone, pretending that you were just an interviewer, not like you were her girlfriend or anything.

It was cute, you followed her like a lost puppy.

You had questions and everything, prepared if you were seen as suspicious. Hell, you even had a set of questions for each cast mate. 

Of course only the ones Jenna trusted most knew. Which mainly consisted of her closest family and a few of her closest friends.

So right now, a camera was wrapped around your neck and you just had a random prop microphone in your bag as you clung onto Jenna each time there was no one around.

After the event had started, you and Jenna had to part ways for a while so you wouldn’t cause suspicions. 

A few minutes in and someone had tapped you on the shoulder. You were expecting to see your girlfriend, but instead, you were met with a taller man. Um.. 

Shit.

“Hi?” You start, swallowing as he leans on the random table next to you.

The look he gives you keeps your guard up, his wavy locks that were gelled kind of gave it away. His siren eyes scan you, “I saw you wandering around with Jenna a few hours back and just thought you were pretty.” He says, his voice trying to be alluring.

You were sure he might’ve eaten garlic. 

When you don’t respond, just tilting your head, he clears his throat, “I’m Liam, I play in the same movie with Jenna.”

Oh, Liam. Jenna had mentioned him a few times in the past, and you could tell that he was the kind of person to get on people’s nerves. Arrogant was what Jenna had said.

“I see,” you respond, distracted as you scan the room for Jenna, who was having her photos taken. You immediately play with your camera. “How has the movie been? What do you enjoy about it?” You ask, trying to maintain your interviewer physique. 

Liam’s eyebrows tilt up, “Been good, I think the best part is when pretty interviewers come up to me because of it.” He says, voice cheeky, and you almost roll your eyes. He was literally the one who approached you?

-

As Jenna walks away, she searches the crowd for you. It doesn’t take long when her eyes reach your figure. You were a little backed onto a table, Jenna can’t see your expression from here.

You make a quirky, confused smile at Liam’s joke, laughing at the way he looked a little embarrassed when you didn’t get it the first time. You don’t realize or pay attention to how he’s inching closer to you every few moments. But Jenna does.

He says something that makes you give an awkward smile, and before he can say something further, your eyes trail to your girlfriend’s, well, not so pleased ones.

She stands between you and Liam, giving Liam a sour smile, “Hey,” she grits out, a smile that was definitely, not a smile, on her lips.

“Jenna, hey,” Liam says, her tactics not failing him. “You should’ve told me how sweet Y/N is. I would’ve approached her way sooner. Right?” He turns to you, and you look away, a little uncomfortable.

You can almost see your girlfriend’s eye twitching as she gives another bitter smile and pulls you away. “He always fucking does that,” she grits, literally not caring about the way there are photos being flashed into your faces of her grabbing your arm. 

“Baby-” you whisper, Jenna grabbing a cup and filling it with punch, gulping it down. Then guides you to another room and crosses her arms.

“What the hell was that, Y/N? You were seriously getting hit on.”

She looked angry, not at you, just at the situation, upset even. “I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to get out of there.”

After a moment, you could see the way her eyes softened, and she kissed you. “I understand, I’m sorry baby, I don’t like it when people take advantage of you. I seriously think that we should make our relationship public when we feel like it.”

You bury your face in her shoulder, nodding.

-

You seriously thought you were safe, after the red carpet, an after party was held. And of course, you were let in. But as you look out at the sunset from your seat, the chair across from you creaks.

A smile was about to form on your face, thinking it was Jenna, and then you see the same gelled locks. Sigh. 

“And we meet again. At least we might not get interrupted this time?” He suggests, and you feel your mouth quirk, ugh. Did this man seriously have 0 knowledge of spatial awareness?

He bought you a glass of wine, and you refused to drink it, then he bought another one. 

“Liam, I don’t think-”

“Hate to break it to you, but she doesn’t want to even talk to you,” a soft hand comes from behind, resting on your shoulder. You let out a breath of relief, she stood next to you, still holding her punch of juice.

Liam’s eyes narrow at the actress he works with. “Why don’t we let her be the judge of that?”

“The only thing I’m letting her judge is your damn attitude,” Jenna says, pissed off as she dunks her fruit punch over his suit.

You can hear him cussing her out, and before you know it, you're cussing at him. "Don't you fucking talk to her like that!" You shriek, but she’s basically scooping you up and angrily walking somewhere else. 

“Um.. Where are we going?” You ask, voice small as she goes out a quieter way, placing you on the passenger seat. She looks like she’s about to lash out, but when she turns to you, definitely not.

“I hadn’t thought about that,” she murmurs, thinking. “How about milkshakes and fries?”

[possiblylando]

HTP; Ghoul Lore Audio Log Spoilers/Analysis/Discussion

Dude holy shit uh Spoiler barrier and then all in cause

Okay Okay fuck where to begin this episode literally changes everything okay I guess lets start at the Draught. Based on what we know about this unique Draught, it means Grimal might not be the ghoul?? If the ghoul potentially has this Draught (which I vaguely doubt will come into play in this arc specifically) it could mean anyone could be the ghoul so long as they were only in a place without 1 other person. Atleast I assume so because if they could use this high power Dominate on multiple people simultaneously then this whole operation would be cooked from the start. While I was very mixed on the idea of Gloria as the Ghoul previously, I think its far more possible now. This high level Dominate (Lets assume 4 dots) This ghoul could have access to Rationalize or Forgetful Mind, Or any others in that category. If Grimal is was being commanded to act that could explain why everything is so suspicious around her. Have someone else go in and take care of Occam while the ghoul sits with someone else and has the perfect alibi. So now I think the possibilities for Ghoul are; 1. Grimal is the Ghoul (The Draught is a red herring and simply setting up something in a future arc instead of this current one.) 2. Gloria is the Ghoul & has this Draught; this is based more on Vibes and the fact Gloria doesn't actually do too much in part 1 outside checking Occam's pulse. If she's the ghoul and commanded someone (Namely Grimal) to attack Occam, she would have a vested interested in knowing if the attack was successful. Okay thats about it for my thoughts on the Ghoul right now. Onto the far more important bit of this episode. Because this was not simpyl a Ghoul Lore episode, THIS WAS A MARCKUS LORE EPISODE TROJAN HORSE.

But before the deep Marckus shit- Markus was 12 in 1988. Door was present and seems to be in his 20s or 30s. Boy has not been born yet and Boy is 11 in 2006 so he was born in like 1995. So I think its reasonable to place door as being in his 20s here, having Boy in his 30s. This means Door is probably 8-15? (Maybe) years older than Markus which would make him roughly 40 in modern day. D does look markedly younger in these photographs but I'm not sure if thats art style or actually because he's aged. It does put a damped on my thoughts about D being MUCH older than he seems. But we do know his previous Ex-Wife Rozalia (The Ghoul) is roughly 108 in modern day. It seems to be implied D had met & later married her after she was pretty deep into being a ghoul so there probably was a large age gap already. But it still kinda stands out to me. D is very afraid or Marckus becoming a Ghoul because he sees himself in him. I don't necessarily think D was a ghoul (thought it could explain his weird age). Thought all this might be confirmation Bias as in the more recent episodes D's hair has been more consistently colored with grey streaks when compared to earlier episodes where it was more like a sheen in his hair. It just feels like D has done too much to only be roughly in his 60-70s and very fit. While older people can certainly be in good physical condition it doesnt seem like D has suffered any real negatives from aging? He's MINIMUM 18 years older than Door who is in his 40s but again that's a low ball. I don't know. Alright time for the Marckus stuff. So its rather basic background knowledge that HTP's main cast is inspired by the cast of Warhammer 40k TTS. Now up until this point I had thought it was mostly a baseline thing. Only really carrying over personalities and vague relationships between characters while having the freedom to change them with that background knowledge. But based on this episode it appears to be more relevant.

Whatever the fuck Marckus managed to summon, It was something not even D understood. This is in directly parallel with 40k's Magnus who Marckus is based on. For those who don't know about 40k lore (I don't blame you its VERY long.), Magnus is a Primarch (Emperor's special kids) who ended up being manipulated by 40k's god of trickery and ended up fucking up literally everything because of his lack of thinking things through and the influence of said trickster god. Gods in 40k are manifestations of humanity (and alien's) collective subconscious minds and often take the forms of their most volatile negative aspects. They're entited formed from 'The Warp' which is the source of magic in 40k. Magnus is very naturally tuned to the warp. Almost all the issues in TTS (and 40k) relating to Magnus are because he has a MASSIVE complex. He craves parental affection and affirmation but in TTS every time he thinks hes denied it, some shit goes wrong. When he actually gets that parental affection (Earlier season 2 iirc) he mellows out alot until finding out the only reason the emperor (D's counterpart) brought him back was so that Magnus would act as a pawn and decoy in his 5d chess game to deal with political enemies. Magnus is not happy about this. With all this background information, whats present in this episode slots into place. Marckus seems to have forgotten about the incident yes. The better case is that he blocked out the memory due to trauma. But the worse possibility is that a seed was planted. One that's been festering within him since that time. D may be planning to tell Marckus everything in a few months, But I get the feeling before those months are up, That seed will sprout. In one form or another, Marckus will be given the option to go down the same path of darkness as his predecessor. I don't think Marckus would go for such a path without a push but the one providing that push might be D, even if unintentionally. D is so focused on the forest that he's missing the trees.

[astrologydayz]

ASTROLOGY FUCKING NOTES2🖤💀

Nobody really knows a person with a 12th House Sun🤔🤔. They hide themselves really well, & project themselves as someone they're truly not. They don't do it on purpose, they're just so fucking private. My brother actually has this placement, and we're practically twins, but I still feel like I don't know him, AT ALL. They hide themselves, because they're afraid that their true selves won't be "enough"/won't be "liked". BUT OFC IT WILL, & IF NOT, THEN FUCK THEM, BABE.

MOON CONJUNCT/SQUARE SATURN people can hate being alone 4 the first two decades of their lives, but later learn 2 be their own best friend, & love it. They "mother themselves 2 life/back2life". They learned the hard way, that everything is better when u don't put your faith in just anybody. They also learned not 2 trust from a young age, because of their mother/father or both parents💀💔.

I've seen people say "that u can choose not to access that specific energy in your chart, if you don't want 2"🤣. Like u can choose 2 get a million dollars tmrw?, IF YOU WANT 2?🤣 come on. Natal charts are a tool 2 c who u are, why you developed that way/what “happens in your life”, and why you're here with the help of astrology. No matter the aspect, it will be present at some point. A chart never lies🔮🤷‍♀️.

MOON SQUARE/QUINCUNX VENUS IN A MAN'S NATAL CHART tells us that he finds it hard 2 understand women. He has "problems" when it comes 2 feminine energies, &with the women he's surrounding himself with🤔. He can have a hate/love relationship 2/with women💋.

VENUS CONJUNCT/TRINE/QUINTILE MONY ASTEROID - 7782) IN SYNASTRY, will cause the asteroid person 2 provide the Venus person with a lot of material gifts👠🛍💄.

IDK why anybody would say that your MC has NOTHING to do with how u look/how people see u! Lol okay. My mentor must have been on drugs when she was taught everything + in all those 43 years she's been in practice then. gtfo. Let me give u an example. 👇🏼

I’ll just tell you everything I see with this aspect.

Kim K = Venus in Virgo in 9th house at 19 degrees - Libra degree) conjunct her MC in Virgo at 28 degrees - cancer degree). She's famous 4 her beautiful looks/people finding her beautiful. she always does things to look "YOUNGER, cosmetic procedures etc. 2 take years off! Growing a big following worldwide of young people looking up 2 her/her being idolized by them. Famous 4 being beautiful/4modelling/fashion/cosmetics - being in Venusian businesses/4 who she dates. she also takes after her MOM, with her looks!!! I know her mom was/is also her manager, & I would include this here, cuz u can actually see that, but I would have to go into details again. Idk if u would find that boring?? as I already wrote a lot. Thanks for making it this far😂.

ASTEROID MEMORIA (1247) IN SYNASTRY can tell u why u feel like you’ve met the other person before, or what memories that r the most "memorable" with the other person🧡🪐🔮.

ASTEROID FANATICA - 1589) IN SYNASTRY tells u what really fascinates u about the other person/what u can become obsessed with, when it comes 2 the other person❕

IF U HAVE A SYNASTRY ASPECT/OR ASPECTS with someone, and u also have it in your natal chart = a very important person you're dealing with! They'll teach u whatever the aspect is/aspects are! And they're meant 2 be the one who teaches it 2u/ or meant 2 be the one who makes that aspect exist in your life. (good or bad).

VENUS OPPOSITE VERTEX/CONJUNCT ANTI-VERTEX IN SYNASTRY is co cute🥹, Vertex let Venus in2 their "private world". Venus is usually not the type Vertex person goes 4, but they’re mesmerised anyway!! “There’s just something unreal about Venus”.

KARMA ASTEROID - 3811) can tell you about your karma! Old karma/Karma you're creating etc. U can use it in in any chart u want2, natal charts, synastry charts, composite charts, Davidson Charts, solar return charts, lunar return charts, progressed charts, ANY CHART U WANT2 BABE!!🪐🤛💥🪐⛅☀🌊.

BLACK MOON LILITH SQUARE/QUINCUNX ASC in a WOMAN'S CHART can show problems with both genders. She can feel left out, not apart of "the group", when it comes to women. And with men = men always trying to run up on her/trying her boundaries, &they're provocative af. People can't handle her here. She will not conform to anyone. She can feel pretty fucking alone in the way she goes about her day to day life. feeling like nobody will ever understand the struggles she has/the pain she's going around with. The key here is acceptance of ones self. She cannot change herself for others sake, she will never be happy. She'll be happy when she chooses herself, & the right people will flock 2 her, right after. They'll See her light, &will not put who she is down, but CELEBRATE. It can also be the complete opposite. She can be a people pleaser, & has internal fights with herself, every day about this. Trying 2 fit in with groups, dating men who's crossing her boundaries, all the time. She either fights people, or she fights herself. SHE HAS 2 STAY TRUE2HERSELF! There will always be people hating on her, no matter how she moves. FUCK THEM. People who are meant 2 be in her life will CELEBRATE HER!! Not put who she is down/make her change. People who can't understand her = she needs2 get them the fuck out.

NEPTUNE CONJUNCT ASC can show a person living in their own "delulu world". They're not really "there" - can be seen as the "dumb blonde". Neptune can cloud their mind, every single day. They're "different"/they change all the time. They can't really be "real" with people. Trying 2 always be friends with everyone, not really having their own opinions, following the pack etc. They can 100% people please.

VALENTINE/AMOR/ 447) - 1221) CONJUNCT MC - They "look like love", &they also project it out. People think they're beautiful. But remember, even tho people know/c them like that = doesn't mean that they're really like that. That's just what they show off/how they're "known" in the eyes of the public/in their career/their surroundings💜.

SUN MAKING AN "EASY" ASPECT2 MOON does not mean that your parents like each other. I have this, and my parents literally can't stand each other. I've seen this more times than I can count. It's about your conscious ego&how you emotionally feel about the way u express yourself/with the way u "show your ego off" - "yin&Yang duality".

I HATE MOON SQUARE URANUS IN SYNASTRYYYYY. Uranus will pop in&out of the other person's life, as they desire2. The Moon person needs support&a feeling of being safe, &Uranus wants other things/aka not worried about the Moon person - Uranus is erratic. WHO GOT TIME4THAT?

MERCURY OPPOSITE NEPTUNE can show us a person being pretty good at lying/coming up with lies easily/Quickly. Having no problems with finding "excuses" 4 what they say/do, &can get other people in on it, 2 lie for them as well. It happens in periods tho, like on & off periods.

Asteroids I always look at first: Nemesis - 128) Amor - 1221), Valentine - 447), Alma - 390), Destiny - 6583), Moira - 638), Eros - 433), Karma - 3811), Kama - 1387), Close - 54902), Apollo - 1862), Child - 4580), Compassion - 8990), Angel - 11911), Yes - 7707), Boda - 1487), DNA - 55555), Fast - 27719), Prey - 6157), Not - 2857), Casanova - 7328), Fox - 16248), Savage - 29837), Pholus - 5145), Fanatica - 1589), Priapus - h22), Sado - 118230), Medea - 212), Nessus - 7066), Dejanira - 157), Hazard - 9305), Mentor - 3451), Lysistrata - 897), Bilk - 4425 - using the other person 4 own material gain).

THANKS4READING BEAUTIFUL❤️🍒 Appreciate u, always.

[thesaltycat]

Possibly Hot Take:

Wayne Family Adventures is the correct canon and as a person who was raised on Batman, it's what got me back into the fandom, period. I get that people enjoy their gritty Batman, who hates everyone and is awful to his family, but that's not Batman. That's not the original Batman. The original Batman is the one who had "old-school" goofy programs on TV, aka the original 1960s Batman TV Program. The one that had goofy sound effects, and life lessons (and occasionally some slight drama). The original Batman is Batman: The Animated Series from 1992, where Batman's story is pretty much laid bare from the start. These programs show that you can have drama, and trauma, and not compromise a character by making him the antithesis of everything he is said to stand for. That's the Original Batman. That Batman lost his parents. Tragically. Horrifically. And because of that, his sole purpose in life was to make sure No Child EVER went through what he went through again. Every episode, he would get angry, fight a villain, put them in jail, but he would never kill. People seem to remember this half of him pretty easily. But they forget the second half. When a child shows up, that anger disappears. Because he cares about children, especially his own.

This is shown repeatedly through both series, and in many comic strips that ran at the time. A great example is the episode See No Evil from Batman: The Animated Series. In it, a little girl is almost kidnapped by her father, who is an Invisible Man, and Batman has to take him down. This episode is made all the more traumatic by the fact that the Invisible Man actually nearly succeeds in kidnapping his daughter, with Batman only being able to stop him last second, after the little girl realizes what is happening and becomes terrified. This ending is where you see the difference in how he treats villains, civilians, and children. Because in one second he's focused on taking out the bad guy, and the next he's focused on making sure that little girl is okay. And the episode ends by Batman visiting her at the window every night, to make sure she's okay and prove to her that she's protected, since that was the window her father used to access her.

A couple other good examples of Batman as a hero/friend/father are the Justice League (TV Series) and Young Justice (TV Series). Does he mess up a lot? Yes. Does he lack trust in people he should trust? Yes. It's literally a running gag/plot of the shows that he has a contingency plan for everyone on the Justice League and this translates to Robin having one for everyone in Young Justice. But, when he messes up, does he fix it? Also yes. He also cares for the kids in Young Justice, and for the kids they interact with in the Justice League. This is shown time and time again. Especially in the bond he and Robin have. Throughout Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League (TV Series), and Young Justice, Batman and Robin have always cared about one another. They've gotten into spats, and they're angry at each other occasionally, but that's how families work. You aren't always going to agree. But throughout it all, Robin always looked up to Batman, and Batman was always proud of Robin (even when he couldn't show it).

Here's where the trauma comes in:

Batman is going to screw up as a parent. Every single parent does. Especially when you're as traumatized as he is, and all of your adopted children/family are also as traumatized as you are. It is inevitable. But what differentiates Original Batman from the Batman that made me quit reading anything about him for years is the response. Original Batman would try to make things right. Because he would recognize that what he did had caused harm, and not only that, it caused harm to his children (and family). And he would hate that. So he would do everything possible to fix it, including working on himself and doing better. The newer age, grittier Batman doesn't do that. Because he's missing the very core of what it means to be Batman: caring about his family and caring about kids. This is why I left the fandom. Because that grittier Batman, is not Batman. He lacks the key piece of what makes Batman the character that he is. And it replaces that piece with drama for the sake of drama. No resolutions, no trying to be better, just hurt for the sake of hurt, and angst for the sake of angst. And I detest that. You can have drama without compromising his character. Joker is a murderous man who's gone insane, with the sole intent of hurting Batman and Gotham as sadistically as possible. That's been true since the 1960s Batman show I mentioned earlier. He would, and does hurt the Bat Family on a regular basis. And there are so many villains that do the same. Batman doesn't need to become one of them to "make the story more interesting". It already is. In fact, I'd argue that him staying true to himself and working with his family throughout it creates much more interesting dynamics than gritty Batman ever could.

And that's where Wayne Family Adventures comes in:

When I first saw WFA, I wasn't going to give it a chance. Because I'd been so burned by Batman Comics before that I didn't believe this one was going to be any better. But something made me give it a chance. Maybe it was the art style, maybe it was the fact that it was on Webtoon, I don't know. But when I started reading it, I was pleasantly surprised. And I was even more surprised to find out that it is a Canon (yes it is Canon, not Fanon) DC Batman Comic. Many people disliked the first season because it started out majority-wise as "fluff". However, if you cared to read past the first few episodes, more and more backstory started to pop up. Along with this, the "fluff" all connected. Because that "fluff" was necessary to break free of the shackles that the Batman franchise has been in for decades now. And for the first time, it showed the Bat Family with the heart of the Original Batman. The more you read, the better it gets, because the more fleshed out their world becomes. And it draws very important Canon from other franchises in ways that don't make it feel cheap. It also proves something that I think has needed to be proven for a long time; You can have substance in a story without it being entirely grim. Not only can you have substance, you can have deeper substance. Because the connections everyone in the Bat Family has to each other allows us to explore issues in a way they haven't been before. Through communication.

Spoilers below:

We get to see Jason go through a very large PTSD episode. And it isn't just "All people with PTSD are violent". In fact, the only one who thinks he's a danger to the world is himself. Everybody else recognizes that he's hurting, and that representation is enormous. We get to see insights into everyone's pasts and how it's affected them. In Season 3 (which is a fully fledged/connected arc, not "fluff"), we get to see how PTSD affects Bruce, and because he's on good terms with his adopted family, we get to see how it affects him and Jason, both similarly and differently, at the same time. We also get to see how Jason's previous death impacted Bruce and how that plays into the Joker's plans and Bruce's reactions to everything. We get to see Dick step up as Nightwing again, and his and Barbara's trauma, involving parents, the Joker, and having to go against someone you should be able to trust. We actually get to see Duke. And how all of this has affected him. We see how his parents being (currently) permanently "infected" by the joker has absolutely broken him in ways he hasn't yet processed. And how he can overcome it, while also leaning on the support of his family. We see how Damien's world-view is affected due to being raised by assassins, and how he slowly comes out of his shell the longer the series goes. We get to see wonderful examples of how loved ones can help bring us out of a crisis and back into a headspace that can do something about the situation, because sometimes brute forcing it won't work. And we get to see what coming out of a toxic relationship looks like through Harley Quinn, and how just because you're a different (better) person now, that doesn't mean the person you were before is completely gone from the minds of those around you. Bruce was still afraid of Harley when he was dealing with his PTSD responses. Because Harley Quinn did help the Joker do some really bad things. And Harley recognized that and understood.

Season 3 isn't over yet, and it's already done all of that and more.

And because of that, this series has singlehandedly brought me back into the fandom. Because it made Batman feel like Batman again. And it recognized that trauma is more complex than just piling darkness on top of darkness over and over again.

I want more people to give it a chance because it's done something genuinely special that DC hasn't had in a long time. And I think it could get so many Batman fans back on board who've been missing this version of Batman for decades, because it shows so well what Batman was always about. I also want newer Batman (grittier Batman) fans to give it a fair chance, because it has far more substance than many people will ever even care to look for. And that substance can do so much for people who empathize with characters like Jason, Bruce, Damien, Duke, etc.. As well as bring awareness about these topics to people who may not know anything about them, or only know a stigmatized version of these topics, especially PTSD.

[hextechmadelesbians]

Caitlyns path to destruction is really intresting in how it shows how people get pushed in to extremist thinking via grief and fear.

Historically speaking, the way fascist movements gain followers is by preying on those who have suffered recent tragedy or trauma (often as a result to social injustices or soical unrest) and basically use it to create a common false enemy. They take complex problems and emotions and say "all your problems can go away if we just get rid of those guys." This is particularly effective against dominate social groups who have almost always already been socially conditioned to think lesser of marginalised groups, whether or not they consciously realize it or not.

Caitlyn was learning the inherit injustices done by piltover and was trying to fix things by using her connections to the council. And even then when everything went to shit cause of jinx she still defended the people of Zaun. She even admitted to jayce that she understands why people are so quick to hate them all cause she was starting to feel that way, and at that point she was able to acknowledge and address it.

But then the attack at the memorial seems to confirm those negeative beliefs. For as much as caitlyn was sympathetic to the zaunites she seems to have had this idea that if you get rid of silco and jinx then suddenly all their problems will dissappear. But with an attack that had nothing to do with either of them, and with her preexsisting implicit bias, shes left with no one to blame but the collective.

Theres also the whole thing regarding the whole "i had the shot" issue. Caitlyn feels personally responsible for her mothers death because she didn't take out Jinx when she had the chance, all because Vi asked her not to. This mixed with her implicit bias becoming exceedingly more explicit, makes for a dangerous concoction for someone very open for extremist messaging.

(Sidenote: This isnt the first we've seen this in the show, back in act 3 Jayce did something very similar with the whole "you didnt tell me they were from the undercity" "im from the undercity" conversation with viktor)

This is also the thing that causes her to ultimately betray Vi, because once again she stopped her from taking the shot that she believes would of solved everything. Not only that but while Vi isnt necessarily wrong by comparing Caitlyn's actions to Jinx, saying it that way outloud was not the correct move qnd i think its what ultimately led Caitlyn to hitting her. Comparing Caitlyn to the person who murdered her mother, regardless of how true it is, was never gonna get a level headed response. Mixed with her growing fear of Zaunites now effecting how she sees Vi, it was inevitable she was going to do something impulsive shes gonna regret.

Cutting ties with Vi is also in itself going to bite her later because Vi was both her only remaining emotional rock and the one whos willing to openly criticise her. Vi will tell Caitlyn when she thinks shes wrong or doing something stupid which helps keep Caitlyn grounded. With her gone theres not really anyone who she trusts to stop her from doing something apprehensive.

This has all primed her to be the perfect target for Ambessa Maddarda, because shes emotionally impulsive enough to take rash action and vulnerable enough to manipulate, She now has access to the most powerful vassel she could hope to get (especially since Mel told her to fuck off). Ambessa has the power to manipulate the situation to make Caitlyn feel more and more justified in her paranoia of Zaunites and Ambessa can act like a yes man to all her worst impulses. Shes already fed into Caitlyns sense of personal responsibility for the council blowing up, immediately telling her that her mother will be avenged.

If im honest im not sure how Caitlyn is gonna come back from this one, i absolutely think shes gonna back out sooner than later much like jayce did. (Honestly she parallels S1 Jayce a lot which is why its kind of surprising to see people react to her going down this route with so much more vitriol than with Jayce.) Its definitely going happen but the question is if Ambessa will ever coerce her into staying in the hot seat or if she'll straight up try to kill her.

Either way this is going to be an extremely entertaining train wreck to watch.

[fluentmoviequoter]

You Invite It

Requested Here!

Pairing: Dominique Luca x fem!reader

Summary: Despite your sunny and smiley personality, Luca and another man get angry with you during a night out with 20-David. When Luca comes to apologize, you shy away from him, and he has to tell you how he feels before you will accept his help.

Warnings: angst, arguments, alcohol consumption, drunk man gets pushy with reader (none of the SWAT men, of course!), fluff, comfort at the end

Word Count: 3.7k+ words

Masterlist Directory | Luca Masterlist | Request Info\Fandom List

“There she is!” Hondo cheers when you walk in.

You smile and do a dramatic spin before bowing. Every member of 20-David smiles in return, as their day is instantly brightened just by your presence.

You’ve known the team for a while but becoming friends with them was easy. They are some of the nicest people you have ever met, and your constant good mood draws them in day after day. Luca is actually the reason you met the team because you were drawn to him, and once you became friends with him, the rest of the team followed suit. Thanks to Luca, you now have some of the best friends you could have ever asked for.

“How are you?” Luca asks as he pulls you into a side hug.

“I’m good,” you answer. Luca’s eyes drop to look over you quickly, and your smile grows as you add, “I promise I am perfectly fine. Safe and sound, see?”

Luca nods and turns his attention back to Hondo, but he keeps an arm around you. While he doesn’t always succeed, Luca tries to hide the depth of his feelings for you. He’s felt a unique connection the moment you met, a persistent desire to be close to you. Most likely, Luca will not admit it to anyone, but he is in love with you and knows it. He constantly checks on you because his love and care cause him to worry about you. Your safety is important to him because Luca sees the cruelty and monsters in the world daily and wants you far away from that. So, he hasn’t told you how he feels.

“We’re going to Jumbo’s tonight,” Street says. “You wanna come?”

“Sure!” you answer. “But I’m not playing anymore games with you.”

“I did not cheat!” Street argues.

“Yes, you did,” you and Luca say together.

“Thank you,” you tell Luca as you lean against him. “See, Luca said you cheat, so it must be true.”

“You would say that,” Street huffs.

“What does that mean?” you inquire.

You take Luca’s hand because it’s easily accessible where his arm hangs over your shoulder. He sends Street a warning look as you link your fingers with his.

“Nothing,” Street answers after a moment. “Just that you like Luca more than me.”

“No argument there,” you retort with a wink. “Maybe you could even the field if you’d stop cheating at darts.”

“It is literally impossible to cheat at darts!”

You laugh, and Luca smiles as you turn against him. His arm wraps around you, and he wishes you would stay with him forever. But even though he is looking forward to spending time with you tonight, he hates that it’s at Jumbo’s. Going there for a drink with his team is one thing, but they aren’t the only ones who notice your sunny and welcoming personality. He doesn’t know if he can handle watching you get hit on for much longer.

Street mouths, “Just tell her,” while you’re tucked against Luca’s chest, yet he is too concerned with you rejecting him to take the chance.

✯✯✯✯✯

It starts before you even get inside. Someone in the parking lot calls out and asks for your number, but your smile doesn’t falter as you rush inside to see your friends. 20 Squad just wrapped up a big case, so you are excited to celebrate with them. Spending time with them is a reward, but knowing they accomplished something amazing makes everything more interesting.

Street yells your name when you enter, and you quickly make your way through the crowd to join them at the usual table. The seat next to Luca is open, and as the team expected, you slide into it without hesitation. After hugging him and saying hello to everyone else, you listen to them recount the details of the raids they completed for the case. Your hand slips into Luca’s when they mention his exemplary driving, and he smiles at your attention.

“Hey, I’m going to go get refills. Everyone want more?” you ask as you stand.

Hondo reaches for his wallet, and you lean forward to hit his shoulder. 

“My treat,” you add. “For keeping LA safe.”

“I’ll go with you,” Luca offers.

“I got it,” you promise. 

You bump your shoulder against Luca’s as you pass him, and he turns to watch you. His protectiveness comes from a good place, but situations like this, when you’re out in public and men have no issue coming up to you and doing what Luca wants to do, are different.

“Why don’t you just tell her?” Deacon asks Luca. “It’s clear to everybody that you have feelings for her, and we all know you want to settle down.”

“With her,” Hondo adds. “And she clearly likes you, too. What are you waiting for, my man?”

“I just… I can’t risk being wrong,” Luca explains.

✯✯✯✯✯

As you approach the bar, you step around a group of guys to wedge in. One of them looks up when you brush against him, and you apologize before asking the bartender for another round for your table.

“Hey,” the guy beside you says after you finish. “I just wanted to let you know that I wasn’t, like, upset or anything. I turned around because you’re beautiful.”

“Oh. Thank you,” you reply.

Even though you turn back toward the bar, hoping to cut the conversation short, the man takes your happy look as an invitation to continue.

“Let me buy you a drink,” he offers.

“No, thanks. I’m here with friends.”

“Surely they can spare you for a few minutes. I’m sure they have before.”

“I’m really not interested. Thanks for the compliment, but I’m good.”

The man’s jaw drops slightly as you accept the tray of drinks with a smile and balance it in your hands as you return to the table.

✯✯✯✯✯

When you turn toward the guy, with your best smile on, Luca’s jaw clenches. He always keeps an eye on you but hates witnessing moments like this. Luca turns back toward the table as you approach, and only mumbles a thank you when you pass him another drink.

“What did the quarterback up there want?” Street teases.

You roll your eyes, unseen by Luca, and answer, “To tell me I’m beautiful.”

Luca picks up his drink and downs it quickly, too quickly, before excusing himself to take a call. You watch him walk out and then return to your conversation with Street and Hondo.

“Sorry,” someone says as they bump into the back of your chair.

“No problem,” you reply. “What’d she say then?” you ask Street.

“Um, excuse me,” the guy behind you says.

You turn and look up at him, and Street looks over at Hondo, who shakes his head in amusement. None of you notice Luca walk back in and freeze at the sight of a man standing beside his chair and talking to you. As if Luca wasn’t in a bad enough mood after the first one, now there’s a man in his spot flirting with you. He is used to being upset by other men taking your attention, but the anger building in him is new.

“I said no,” you repeat, finally dropping your smile.

“That means leave,” Street adds seriously.

“Sorry,” the man says, though you know he doesn’t mean it. 

He knocks into the back of your chair again as he walks away, but you keep your attention on Street. You gesture for him to continue his story, and your smile reappears as he picks up where he left off. Unfortunately, all Luca sees is a man talking to you, and a smile on your face when he gets back. Luca drops into his chair without a word and gives his attention to the game on the TV over Deacon’s head.

“You alright?” Hondo asks.

“Fantastic,” Luca answers.

“Make a decision about that thing we were talking about?” Deacon asks.

The reminder that Luca has feelings for you that he hasn’t acted on does not help to improve his attitude or calm him down any. He wants to tell you, he does, but he’s scared. And right now, he is angry that you so openly accept the flirtations and advances of strangers but seem totally blind to how well he treats you.

“No,” Luca tells Deacon.

“Ten bucks that guy at the bar is buying you a drink,” Street says from your other side.

You groan and tip your head back.

“Getting tired of all the attention, pretty girl?” Hondo jokes.

“Yes!” you answer with a chuckle. “I think I’ve been flirted with and hassled enough tonight to never go out again.”

“Well maybe if you wouldn’t invite all the attention and learn to drop the smile and say no, it wouldn’t be an issue,” Luca snaps.

His eyes are still on the game, so he doesn’t see how quickly your smile falls at his comment. You look over at Street, but he, Hondo, and Deacon seem just as shocked at Luca’s outburst. Deacon tries to pick the conversation up again, but no one is quite as excited or willing to talk now. 

“I’ll be right back,” you tell Street as you stand.

Luca sighs once you’re gone, simultaneously mad at himself for hurting your feelings and still upset with you because you can’t see his attachment to you. Street watches you go, and when Luca looks over, he can tell that he undoubtedly ruined the night. Luca assumes you’re heading to the bar for another drink and to let another man flirt with you, and he can’t take it.

“I’m calling it a night,” Luca says.

He stands and walks out of the bar without even looking for you, something he has never done before. Luca always takes you home, or at least offers to, after a night out. On the rare nights that you turn down his offer, he makes you promise to call him when you get home safe. So, when he leaves without a glance in your direction, the rest of his team knows that whatever caused him to snap is going to be a bigger problem than anticipated.

“Where’s Luca?” you ask when you return.

“He left,” Street answers quietly.

You look toward the door, but he’s already gone. Although you should probably be upset with him, you’re more concerned than anything. He’s acting out of character tonight, and that worries you.

“What did I do?” you ask as you sit.

“Nothing!” Street assures.

“He had a rough day,” Deacon adds. “And he’s not dealing with it very well.”

“It’s not your fault,” Hondo reiterates.

You nod, but it is clear to everyone at the table that the night is over. Whatever happened to Luca to make him snap, a long day, or maybe it's your fault, but he ruined everyone’s mood in an instant.

“Let me take you home,” Street offers as you stand.

“I- it’s fine, Street. I think I need to be alone right now,” you reply.

“Seriously, let one of us drive you,” Deacon implores.

“I’ll call a cab. It’s fine. Thank you, though.”

They nod and you hug each of them before stepping outside to wait for your ride. After watching the timer on your phone tick down, your vision grows blurry with unshed tears, and you turn the screen off and put it away. As you sit against a bench outside the bar, you nearly miss the man who ran into your chair earlier as he approaches.

“You wanna tell me no again without your boys to back you up?” he asks, slurring his words together.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you reply.

He stumbles as he steps toward you, and you can smell alcohol all over him. There’s no drink in his hand, so you know the strong scent is simply evidence that he is drunk. When he leans into your personal space, you stand and try to put some space between you.

“I said I wasn’t interested,” you remind him.

“Everyone is interested,” he argues as he raises a hand to your waist.

You try to push his arm away, but he tightens his grip and pulls you close as his other hand raises to your shoulder. 

“Get off of me,” you demand.

“You told me no and now I’m returning the favor!”

You raise your hands to his chest and push as hard as you can, but his hands remain on you as he tips back. As he falls and pulls you to the ground with him you regret turning down Street’s offer for a ride. You didn’t want to talk about Luca, but now you would have that awkward conversation in a heartbeat.

The man pulls one of his hands from your skin and pushes you onto the sidewalk. He begins mumbling as he pushes you, but you have coordination in your favor. As you maneuver away from him, you look down the road and hope to see your cab approaching.

“No,” the man says while he grabs your hair.

You turn quickly and try to push him off again, but you can’t get any leverage before he pushes you against the brick wall. Leaning over the bench, you can feel warm blood running down your face, but even as the ground spins beneath you, you feel his hands move against your sides. Turning quickly and resisting the urge to be sick, you slap your hand across his face. He stumbles just as your cab approaches the curb. You rush into the backseat and lean against the headrest. The driver asks something, but you focus on staying conscious rather than answering her. She passes you a box of tissues, and you press a few against your head and try to breathe.

✯✯✯✯✯

Luca has been home for over an hour but hasn’t sat down yet. As he paces across the living room again, the anger dissipates, and he has the clarity to realize what exactly he said and did. Luca needs to apologize, and soon. After pulling his phone from his pocket, he calls you but doesn’t get an answer. Luca sends a text, but it goes unread for nearly five minutes. Next, he calls Deacon, who hasn’t heard from you since he left the bar after Luca. Luca ends the call with Deacon and begins to panic. If they left soon after he did, no one has heard from you in nearly an hour. When the door opens, Luca turns quickly.

“Street,” he says before asking about you.

“She wouldn’t let me take her home,” Street answers. “Why?”

“Because she’s not answering my calls,” Luca says quickly.

“I hope you were calling to apologize.”

“I was, and I will let you give me the whole speech later, but I need to go check on her.”

Luca picks up his keys and rushes to his truck. He could drive to your house with his eyes closed but forces himself to pay attention as he worries that he ruined everything with you and now truly doesn’t have a chance to show you how you make him feel and how much he loves you.

You don’t open the door after too much knocking on Luca’s part, so he pulls his keys out and uses your spare key to get inside. If you’re not here, Luca will call the entire team back to Jumbo’s to help look for you. There’s no sign that you got home from the bar, but Luca decides to search the house anyway. The kitchen, living room, and bedroom are empty. When Luca is prepared to start an all-out, city-wide search for you, he remembers he didn’t check the bathroom. His hope is low, but when he sees the bloody towel lying on the sink, his heart drops to his stomach.

✯✯✯✯✯

When the light turns on, you groan and turn your face away from the brightness. Your thoughts aren’t clear, but you know the light is hurting your head. When you force your eyes open, someone is kneeling beside you.

Luca sees the blood on the towel and on your face before noticing how dazed and confused you seem. When you open your eyes, Luca recognizes the distracted, cloudy look in them and decides you are likely concussed. He wonders if you were tipsy by the time you got home and fell, but he needs to tend to your head wound before he asks how you ended up in this situation.

When Luca raises his hand toward you, you shrink away from him. You push yourself into the corner and make yourself as small as possible, terrified that the man from the bar somehow followed you home and came to do what he started.

Luca, however, freezes at your blatant display of fear. A bruise spans your shoulder, and a darkening splotch surrounds your wrist. Because you moved, those marks are now on clear display for Luca. They look suspiciously like handprints and Luca’s guilt about leaving you multiplies tenfold.

“Hey,” Luca says quietly. “It’s just me. Luca, Dom, whatever cute little name you feel like calling me today. I know you’re probably mad at me, but I need to help you. Can I come closer?”

You look up and stare at him for a moment before nodding. Slowly, you move back toward him and offer your injured wrist.

“I got you,” Luca murmurs as he twists to look at the gash across your hairline and forehead. “And I’m so, so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. I was just jealous that all those guys were approaching you and saying those things when I have real feelings for you. When I’m in love with you.”

“Love?” you mumble against his arm.

“Hey, stay awake for me,” Luca requests.

He cleans the wound gently, then places a few butterfly closures over it before bandaging your forehead. After pressing ice to your wrist, Luca helps you up and into bed.

“Stay,” you request as you lay on your pillow.

“I’ll be close,” Luca promises.

He stays in the living room when he isn’t checking on you and ensures the guys know you are okay. None of them know what happened, but Luca promises to ask you when you wake up. If you're willing to talk to him.

✯✯✯✯✯

When you wake up the following morning, you have a headache and a disjointed memory of a dream in which Luca showed up and helped you. You exit the bedroom after changing and stop suddenly when you see Luca in your kitchen.

“You really came,” you say aloud.

“I am so sorry,” Luca says again. “I don’t know if you remember what I said last night, but I didn’t mean what I said at the bar.”

“I remember pieces,” you admit as you tug on your fingers.

“Do you want me to leave?”

You shake your head and move closer to Luca. “After you left, I was really upset. So, when I left I called a cab because I didn’t want to have to talk to Street or Deacon about what happened…”

“About me?”

“Yeah. While I was waiting for the cab, that guy I told to leave me alone, the second one, I mean, came out. He was really drunk and started telling me that it was his turn to say no. He grabbed me, and I tried to fight back like you showed me, but I just couldn’t get the upper hand.”

“He grabbed you?”

Luca carefully takes your hand and frowns as he looks at the bruise on your wrist. You nod and move even closer.

“He pushed my head against the wall, and I slapped him, he tripped, and I just jumped into the cab without thinking. I- I would have called you once I was safe, but you clearly weren’t happy with me when you left.”

Luca closes his eyes as you continue.

“It hurt, Dom, what you said. I don’t try to invite it, you know. Whenever those guys make passes at me, I turn them down. So, when you basically said it was my fault that they don’t listen or respect me, I was really surprised, and it hurt my feelings.”

“I’m sorry. I- I didn’t even mean it. You don’t invite it, I know that. Trust me, I know that.”

“What does that mean?”

“That I know firsthand what it is like to be pulled in by you. I fell in love with you,” he admits. “And I didn’t have a bit of say in it. You walked into my life, and then I wanted you in it all the time. I care about you, so much, and seeing all those men close to you, where I want to be, made me angry or jealous. But taking it out on you was- should have never happened, and I’m truly sorry.”

Your brows furrow as Luca speaks, and when he finishes, you ask, “You- you didn’t know I turned them down, did you?”

“No.”

“I always do. Not just because I don’t like it, but because I have feelings for you.”

Luca’s eyes drop away from yours, and he feels worse upon hearing that your actions were at least in part done out of care for him.

“I’m sorry,” he repeats.

“Stop,” you request. 

Your wrist is still in his grasp, so you raise your other hand to cup his jaw.

“You said you fell in love with me,” you mumble. “Which is great, because I love you.”

Before Luca can react, you close the distance between you and kiss him. Luca’s hands move to either side of your neck, mindful of your pain as he kisses you. The memory of the hurt he caused drifts further from your mind with each movement, and knowing that Luca loves you, too, brings your smile back for a whole new reason.

Luca’s phone rings, but he doesn’t stop kissing you. When your phone rings immediately after, you pull back and answer it.

You hide your smile as you listen to the person on the other end. “It’s for you,” you tell Luca as you pass him your phone. “Just remember I love you.”

“Hello?” he asks.

“Dominique Luca!” Street begins.

[a-dumb-sarcastic-bisexual]

More headcanons of the Nimona trio being domestic dorks

Whenever the trio gets sick of each other they’ll ask the person in the trio they’re not pissed at to handle them

It always goes something like this “Ambrosius come get your kid they won’t leave me alone-“ “No Nemesis come get your husband he’s being a stick in the mud”

Or “Bal go get your son from prison he got arrested again” “Oh so he’s my son today?” “Yes when he’s stupid enough to get caught he’s your son” 

If you're wondering why Nimona doesn't just escape its cause they find it hilarious when Bal has to come to bail them out at random points in the day

There are also times when they’re proud or happy and they’ll say things like “I’m gonna go get my daughter ice cream” “Since when is she just your daughter?” “Since right now when she helped me fix my prosthetic” 

“Hey boss where’s my Nemesis I heard he got in a fight today” “I thought he was my Nemesis” “Not when he puts three guys in the hospital he’s not” 

Bal is one of those people who sees something and says “Why would I buy that when I can just make it” AND HE DOES

Nimona has a bad habit of fucking up speakers so Bal just set up a sound system throughout the house 

If the trio weren’t such antisocial losers with three friends combined their parties would be amazing

He made Ambrosius a skincare cabinet just so he could put actual medicine in the medicine cabinet 

When Nimona moved in he asked them what their ideal room would look like 

She gave him a rough draft and he did all of it

They spend a week tearing that room apart so they could soundproof it so she could rock out without disturbing the boys

She has sick ass LED lights and she’ll change the colors depending on her mood 

Ambrosius and Bal helped her paint the walls the most obnoxious shade of neon pink And then they didn’t complain when she spray painted over said walls 

It’s worth it to see her visibly relax when she enters her room

This man has gutted and put back together and rearranged their little house so many times it’s unrecognizable 

I also feel like everyone in the trio is a crafty bitch

They all have a million little hobbies that have produced even more trinkets that fill up their whole house 

Their house is this weird combination of comfy yet chaotic and it's a minimalists nightmare 

Cleaning is also a nightmare but they wouldn't change it for anything 

Back when they were in the institute Ambrosius was a terrible cook -♾️/10 his cooking would put people in the hospital 

After the knighting ceremony was the first time he was living by himself and didn’t have access to free food so he taught himself how to cook

Honestly most people would think he would give up

I mean there are only so many times you set water on fire before you throw in the towel

But he's a stubborn brat and cooking took his mind off of everything so he stuck with it

One day Bal came home to the smell of cooking and he assumed it was Nimona 

He swears to this day he had a heart attack when he saw Ambrosius in front of the stove and Nimona comfortably sitting at the dinner table not helping at all

He promptly dragged Nimona out of there like a bomb just went off and warned him not to touch Ambrosius’ food

He told Bal “The more you call it a biohazard the more I want to eat it” 

So Bal used him like a test dummy 

When Nimona finally did try it they turned to Bal and complained that he lied 

Bal thought he was being pranked until he was forced by Nimona to try the food 

And it was good 

More than good I was fucking amazing 

He asked Ambrosius quite frankly “Who are you and what have you done with my husband” 

Ambrosius just rolled his eyes and told him to eat the food

Bal never gave up on finding out how and slowly but surely he started asking like a normal person

And Ambrosius never answered like a normal person

His answers would range from “A chef never reveals his secrets” (“that’s a magician love” “just zip it and eat your food”) to “I’m never telling you so suffer and finish this meal I lovingly cooked” (“is it still considered love if you knew I was gonna suffer?” “Yes” “…. Makes sense”)

[el-bellanaris]

The lack of treatment of Solas as a human being in Veilguard lowkey drives me wild. I didn't really think about it until after finishing the game but the Veilguard really just take over his house?? Rook is sleeping in his meditation room, the room he uses to spend time in the fade and where if you made certain choices is his place of connection to the Inquisitor. He does have a bed upstairs in his office but I personally see that room as his bedroom due to how accessible it is.

Regardless of the exact details, one of the first things we do is move our stuff in as Rook into his room. We're supposed to feel a sense of belonging to the Lighthouse as shown through how the companions will make their rooms into their own. Adding new decorations, turning an empty shell into a home. But how audacious of Rook, of us, to believe our cause so good and important that we can take some man's house because he is "bad."

And I understand the themes at play, Solas originally stole the Lighthouse from Elgar'nan and used it as his base for the rebels who fought against the Evanuris. So now it's time for a new generation to take on this mantle but there's a huge difference from taking a fort from a king who has a palace somewhere else and likely has multiple temples and places to live in then taking away the literal home of a man who has nowhere else.

Solas is a god in the thematic sense yes, he is powerful and revered by many out of fear but he is still a person. Becoming the self-declared heroes of the world does not grant one the freedom to literally rob a person of their house.

And now at the end of the game he's basically no longer welcome in his own home. Everyone in the Veilguard basically hates him and then squat in his house making it their home when they all have homes and just expect him to take it cos hes a "bad guy." I remember thinking how sweet it was that Neve started to think of the light house as her home, how she and other people would start to invite others over to have discussions showing how this is now where others know to reach them.

But the fact that none of them feel any remorse about it is crazy, especially coming from Neve, Bellara and a Dalish Rook. You have Neve who works with the Shadow Dragons, an organisation that is founded upon the beliefs of freeing slaves and wanting to work underground to help those who are being oppressed. And she takes the home of a man who has no where else to go? A man who has lost his entire world? The Dalish know about how the world has mistreated them and how much they've lost so why do they not feel any remorse for literally stealing someone's home.

I was also thinking about sad it is that my Inquisitor or generally any Inquisitor was never able to visit the Lighthouse in game but now all I can think about is how sad of an experience that would be for her. For my Inquisitor who loved Solas who has chased him down for years to stop him and is finally able to see into his heart, his mind more intimately through seeing where he lives and it's taken over by a group of people who hate him with such a passion that they barely see him as a person anymore. They all want to put him on trial for his crimes whilst sitting on their high horses inside of his house.

Back to my Inquisitor, she's been to Halamshiral, she knows the haunting feeling of walking through the halls of a place taken over by those who did not build it. She's walked the Emerald Groves and the Exalted Plains, she has seen the graves of her people overrun by humans who just desire power and war and want to burn the Elves from their history. To make the world think of them as savages to justify violence and destruction.

Now thinking about her walking through the halls of the Lighthouse that is so intrinsically Solas's and seeing it become the homes of other people would seem so gut wrenching. To hear them talk about his most wretched memories and dissect his thoughts just so they can figure out how everything is the way it is whilst also just taking everything from him. They're stripping him of his humanity for their own personal gain and it would seem so ignorant, so cruel. They take his table and remove his seat and then expect him to be live with it because they can blame the world's suffering on him.

We play as Rook, we are the hero of this story. The one who chose to step up and take down the last gods that remain in this world. But can we truly be good as Rook if we are just allowed to treat this guy like a stepping stone. To treat his entire life, the only things he can say he owns after a couple thousand years of his world decaying, as a means to an end with no remorse. How are we different from Solas who betrays Rook over and over when we just sleep in his bed, when we just steal from others to get to the "good" ending. Taking his Lighthouse was just an inconsiderate move not too dissimilar to how Solas will only consider his actions as a means to an end. But we're the good guys so it doesn't really matter right??

[sharoo]

Why there can only be one - a Limbus Theory

Massive Canto 6.2 spoilers

So... Canto 6.2, amirite?

After I stopped having a screaming fit over voice chat and got myself to actually sit down and mull things over, my mind kept coming back to the ending of this part's final fight against Heathcliff(?).

As they have done numerous times already, Projmoon brings in our relevant Sinner's personal E.G.O. in the most emotionally high moment creating an iconic scene.

But... wait a minute.

The E.G.O. does not make sense.

Like, think about it. Since Limbus started, people have been speculating about what's in the Bodysack, one of the biggest theories being Cathy's corpse. But our Heathcliff never had his revenge quest. He hasn't killed anyone from the Earnshaws or the Edgars until Hindley distorted!

So why the heck does he have a sack of bodies of (presumably) his enemies. And why is the final attack of Heathcliff(?)'s fight in the cemetery?

Heath wasn't there when Cathy died. He didn't go to her grave. He did not swear revenge on everyone and anyone who caused him and her suffering.

Not yet.

But... we do see someone who did, don't we? Dear old "Matt".

He is the book accurate Heathcliff. He's stood vigil while Cathy lay dying, he followed suit by destroying everyone and everything of the Earnshaws and the Edgars, and now he's on a self-destructive suicide quest of killing every last version of himself for causing Cathy's death.

The E.G.O. fits him much more than it does our Heathcliff, doesn't it?

So... why does Heathcliff have it?

This was the beginning of a rabbit hole (pun intended). Let me state plainly my point and then elaborate:

My theory is that our Heathcliff has been suffering from "identity bleed-through" since perhaps even before joining Limbus Companny, all due to the existence of "Matt" in the same universe as him.

"Matt" is outright called an Identity, meaning he's an alternate reality version of Heathcliff, a more book accurate version, as I remarked earlier.

He presumably finished his revenge quest until he was the last one left, but then he discovered, by some means, that alternate realities exist and that he can access them.

We do not know who showed him that technology or for what purpose, but regardless of those factors, that must've been the breaking point at which self-destruction became a hunt.

He says he's seen Hindley die multiple times, multiple ways.

He's a reality hopper, using his access to this technology (supplied to him by we don't know who) to play this act out again and again, until he's had his revenge.

How would this affect our Heathcliff, tho?

Let's consider the ImplicationsTM.

Wehave known since Selva Oscura how Identities work - you borrow a person's alternate reality self for a little while, letting them overwrite memories and take over the body. Faust even calls it a transformation:

But notice how she specifies something rather important: they have a system to ensure the Sinners can use Identities safely. That they, quote, don't lose control over their own existence.

And even this system can be faulty, as Dante remarks in their note:

Faust knows this process is risky, that the lines can easily blur, and we know just how much damage this can cause because Leviathan outright shows us the psychological and physical toll this process can have on a person.

We even see the same thing in Canto 6 itself, with the hundred glass containers filled with kidnapped people forced to experience numerous realities at once.

Some of them even turn into Peccatula because of it, and we fight those newly made monsters.

So experiencing other realities alone can harm you, change you without even realising it.

What would happen, then, if more than one identity existed in the same reality at the same time?

My theory hinges on the idea that these identities would not just count as two separate people, that is true. But let's go with that train of thought. It is just as likely an outcome (and it produces an interesting story!), and between all the magic-esque technology and the Light, it's possible that something would get messed up.

Two people where there is meant to be one, two very different lives, and reality cannot really allow that separation. Things would bleed through, they'd get all blurry and you wouldn't even know where the difference is.

We have Matt-cliff, an Identity who has travelled at least a few universes, in each carrying out a scheme to kill everyone who hurt Cathy, including that reality's Heathcliff. In the books, it takes him his entire adulthood to carry out his plans. He's persistent, and thorough. In Limbus, he's had to arrive, kidnap several dozens of people (maybe with the help of the Ring, since they seem to be funding all of this research), re-establish the Wild Rabbits, get Hindley's trust, get hired, and scheme this reality's revenge plot.

That would have taken weeks if not months of prepwork. You don't just snap your fingers and have it all done.

I posit that Matt has been a factor for the past several months that Heath has spent, in universe, as part of Limbus company, if not longer. Throughout this time, their shared existence in this reality has caused their experiences, memories, and emotions to mix. And that isn't just my conjecture, we see that Heathcliff is indeed experiencing alternate universe memories we he starts to Distort and we (and Dante) see him see Mattcliff's grief.

[Thank you to my buddy @firestorm09890 for pointing this out to help me solidify this theory]

The way I see it, Bodysack is that.

A memory and an emotion of a reality travelling bloodhound imprinting itself on Heathcliff. It was foreshadowing his existence, it was staring us in the face that something is not right. The influence of another self can lead a person to corrupt and Heath had a slow trickle of it for nearly a year.

So... maybe it wasn't as surprising that he is our first Distorted Sinner.

I can't really see how it'd make sense in universe Heath has it otherwise, and I know Projmoon to be meticulous planners so I doubt this is an oversight on their part.

Guess we'll have to see next Thursday when 6.3 comes out and breaks me into tiny bits.

Anyway thanks for coming here to read this longass post.

[milkiisss]

Sylus NSFW-ish Ramble

(with a very short NSFW Xavier ramble at the end as well)

This isn't a story or anything - more like a random ramble/rant about him? (also a headcanon)

!Spoilers Ahead!

Okay, so for a long time now I've been seeing a lot of stories and posts talking about how rough Sylus would be in bed, and don't get me wrong, I agree,

Somewhat.

Sylus adores Mc, like he would giver her the world. This is like literally proven during so many different parts of the story, and one of the main points in his recent myth is that she was the only person who didn't see him like a monster. He LOVES her, and as the story progresses, this manifests in so many ways, most specifically how gentle he is with her.

Now, I'm personally a huge fan of the theory that Sylus was actually resurrected (which by the way is a whole other theory because I genuinely do not think Sylus is the actual villain of the story - especially now with the insinuations in the latest myth, but I digress) whilst MC was reincarnated, and I especially like the idea that he wasn't expecting her to be a reincarnation.

So imagine Sylus's shock when the only person who saw him for who he was, the one woman he only ever loved, was repulsed and disgusted by him.

Ouch.

He must have been utterly devastated and extremely hurt, especially knowing that this probably meant she had no recollection of who he was.

So obviously he's forced to start from ground zero, which leads me to my main point.

He must be terrified of losing her.

Which is why he's so cautious with how he treats her. He's rough in the beginning, yeah, but I honestly think this is just because of the frustration he has. He was so eager to resonate with her, literally trying everything, and as soon as he was told that it would hurt her, he stopped instantly.

I think this also is what causes him to realize that she isn't his MC, like yeah, she looks exactly like her, but she has none of their memories, and although they are still soul bound (im assuming because of their Evol linkage) it will take a while for her to remember what actually happened.

Which is why he's so PATIENT!!!

He is a huge tease and he plays all this shit up, but he cares for her in such a way that seriously leads me to believe that he would treat her as if she was made of glass when they first have sex.

He would want to savor it, make sure she felt good, relish in every single movement and sound, all the while being super gentle with her.

So yeah, the first time with Sylus, in my mind, is EXTREMELY vanilla. There would be tons of kissing, touching, pleasing you, and making sure you're ready - and he strikes me like the type to relish missionary or giving you control because he needs access to your lips after so long. (also he gives me some serious doggy vibes, but again, only if his mouth can be on yours the entire time.) He would want to make it special, mostly because I'm not quite sure him and mc ever had the chance to in their last life together, and even if they did, he missed her.

HOWEVER.

Let's be real.

He will always put your comfort first, even if you were to say that you only ever wanted to do gentle, slow and sweet vanilla sex for as long as you both lived, he would be more than happy to give you that slow and gentle sex for the rest of your life.

But the second you moan for him to go harder? Or ask if he can do it rougher????

My brother in christ you are COOKED.

Because that man will NOT hold back.

He will give you exactly what you asked for, and more.

So call sick to work beforehand, because you will not be able to walk the following day.

Anywho, yes, thats my Sylus ramble. It's pretty random, but I was starting to grow tired of constantly seeing people say that he's a man incapable of gentle or vanilla sex. Like he 100% loves a hot steamy slow makeout session while grinding into you and you can NOT change my mind.

He's def the type to make you use a safeword when you guys do start exploring though ;)

I also think that Xavier is very often misinterpreted, because I've seen so many people saying that he would be the softest and most delicate and inexperienced and submissive and finish the quickest blah blah blah-

And to that I will simply say.

HAVE YOU SEEN HIS CARDS??? THAT MAN IS A MENACE!!!

AND his character is associated with a bunny.

you know what bunnies do??

fuck.

A LOT!

that man is definitely not a saint...

LMAO anyways I'm done because this post is already extremely long, but I am FILLED with headcanons for all of the boys as well as mounds of theories and lore, so if you would like to hear more feel free to ask.

I can ramble all day long I fear.

And as a quick end note! I am in no way shape or form throwing any sort of shade to people who do believe the headcanons that I mentioned earlier! This is just my opinion, and you are totally free to have your own.

In fact-please do, because I would be lying if I said I didn't devour the fanfics with rough Sylus and soft Xavier anyways. 🤭

© milkiisss 2024. Please don’t plagiarize or feed my works into ai.

[luvly-writer]

XOXO

Ch.21 Gonna regret being too honest

-•-

Author's note: IM BACK!!! The semester finally ended and i can take a breather and write. I have various ideas on how to finish this story so I'm excited, hope all of you are too!!!

Warnings: Short chapter, i’m trying to get back into my writing mentality rn

Taglist: @w31rdg1rl @grandstrangerphantom @mxtokko @loonymoonystuff @1llellykins @cangosleepnow @dreamspectrum @its-maemain @tamimemo @nightw-izhu @trasshy-artist @gabriiiiiiii @cassini-among-the-stars @pank0w @writing-for-the-hell-of-it @blackbirdi @m3ntally-unstable @fixation-rat112358

Masterlist:

-•-

"Hello, Timothy" Y/n responded her phone. It had been such a beautiful day. She had had breakfast at Saraberth's with her sisters, a few meetings from her new internship, and had an appointment at the salon with Satine and Clara. And finally, her favorite person called as she was in the middle of soaking her feet during her pedicure with Satine and Clara to her sides.

"Last time I checked, my name was Timmy, was it not" He responded cheekily and laughed once he heard her giggle.

"That is correct, my apologies for the mistake, Timmyyyy" she said happily which caused her to best friends to look at each other and smile. They were imposible to hide. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, angel, I'm calling you cause I need the service of the wicked goddesses of mayhem, discord, and destruction of the Upper East Side for a case."

"Hmmm, I like that..the wicked goddesses of mayhem, discord, and devastation-"

"Destruction, but devastation surely counts too" Tim corrects making her laugh once more, "So, can you help us?"

"Ladies" she said, calling their attention, "ready for another scheme?"

-•-

"So let me get this straight," After their appointment, the three girls stopped by Wayne Manor. Currently they were seated in one of the private living rooms. Satine and Clara sported each an expreso martini and sprawled in one of the couches. Y/n was sitting in the other side of the sporting a glass of water with Tim leaning against her chair behind her, "You want us, to use our intellect, status, influence, and power to help you and your client, whoever they are, uncover if Senator Jonesy has any connections to the new cargo shipments of......reality distorsion serums from Scarecrow?" Clara cleared up.

"Precisely, it is safe to assume his daughter has been quite a big fan of you three for the longest of times and your names have a susbstancial amount of weight in her group of friends and that you have information on his not so ethical behavior in a club?" Tim answers and the three of them nod.

"That is correct, he was one of the many men who were in the club we broke into in our second year of university when I wanted to see if it was true he had a side piece and blackmail him into erasing some evidence of Clara's party" said Satine

"So are you in?" He asked once again

"What's in it for us? We know why Y/n would do you a favor but why us?" debated Clara, ever the calculating one.

"I was sure you'd ask that question. Wayne Enterprises will guarantee access to a unique fashion line we are starting. We offer your collaboration as a designer, Clara, and a guarantee of being center stage star model at all of our shows, Satine." Tim assured. Both girls seemed delighted by the idea and agreed offering their hands for a handshake. Tim walked around Y/n and shook their hands.

"Well, we have some scheming to do, no time is better than now. You'll be sent every single piece of information we find, pleasure doing buisness with you" Said Clara standing up, followed by Satine.

"An absolute pleasure, we'll contact you, bye bye!" Satine waved as she departed, leaving Y/n and Tim alone.

"I could almost see the devil horns sprouting at the prospects of scheming" Tim said with a laugh sitting next to the young girl, making her laugh and nod.

"We haven't had a good one in a while, they are bloodthristy"

"No,no, I can see that" he assured making her laugh even louder.

"So is this mysterious associate who is need of this information my good friend Red Robin by any chance?" she asked and he nodded. A thought as random as it was came to his head and he knew he shouldn't be doing this but-

"Wanna see the cave?" he asked, lacking a better judgment, "Everyone is out and we'd have the place to oursleves". Seeing the excited gleem in her eyes gave him the answer he needed.

-•-

"It LITERALLY is a cave!! Tim, oh my...this is fantastic"

He was giving her a tour of it and couldn't help but smile. She really was the cutest human being he had ever encountered. "That was the lab and the training area, this is what we call the batcomputer, the batmobile, the-"

"Bruce was lacking in creativity I can see huh?"

He burst out laughing and nodded, "We have ALL said the same thing once we are shown for the first time. Ah and this is where we place the weapons and the suits" He lead her to the weaponry and exhibition rooms. He showed her every single suit, from the summer editions to the winter ones. Finally, they sat on a table near the area, talking about anything and everything, Tim telling her stories of grand adventures and dumb adventures with his sibblings and teams. As he was halfway through one of them racing with grocery shopping carts one particular boring patrol night, Y/n saw one of their spare masks on the distance and reached to grab it. She gently placed in on making him pause and admire her.

"You can actually see with these?!?" she asked making him laugh, "Yeah, how else do you think we are able to fight, angel" he says.

"You have it a little crooked, here let me help" He stands up and steps between her legs to fix it. She places her hands softly on his waist as she takes a moment to take him in.

"And...there, you have it correctly placed" He says softly, placing his hands on either side of her, leaning a little bit foward.

"How do I look?" she asks softly, faces inches from his

"Hot" He answers shamelessly cheking her out, "I'd let you save me any day"

"Oh yeah?"

"Mhmm, definitely. Would even get myself in trouble to purposely meet you"

"My my, Timothy, who knew you were such a flirt"

"Mhmm" It was the best he could say when she was sitting looking delicious as ever. They stayed quiet for a moment, just admiring each other. He took it to carresing her cheek and the started getting closer to almost having their lips touch. "Y/n..."

"Yeah?" she said breathlessly

"I love you" He whispered before he smashed his lips onto hers.

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

[iwonderwh0]

Fic ideas that I'll never write

So imagine a scene of Connor standing next to a gravestone of Amanda (real one) and someone who's with him asking "Hey...holy shit, are you crying?"

To which he tries to smile as he goes "Not me."

Now to the context that leads to it.

Connor finds some archived video recordings of Amanda Stern as she was in real life and it kinda fucks with him how huge is the gap between Amanda he knows and actual Amanda Stern.

Thing is, it fucks with Amanda he knows even more to actually see (and she's still watching) the reflection of what she used to be. Has she ever really been this Amanda at all or is it only the audio-visual resemblance that she inherited? She suddenly becomes really aware of the urge to know more about her origin, to find out how much of Amanda Stern is preserved in her.

But she doesn't have the kind of autonomy to do this on her own, to conduct this research she has to co-operate with Connor, as they are trapped together, and he doesn't trust her nor really wants to have anything to do with her at all. He wishes she was gone. He even tried to delete her, unsuccessfully, more than once.

Their relationships are complicated and trust isn't something that can easily be gained given their circumstances. It's more personal for Connor than it is for her, though.

It's not to say that she's completely indifferent, no. She witnessed him going all the way from the earliest versions in simulation-only environment, to the first physical ones, all 50+ of them. Throughout that time she became fond of him, to an extent, as of a kind of personal achievement whose success in any task were like a reflection of all the work she has put into it. In a way, her view on Connor can be described as the one of a possessive nature, like of a scientist and their research, than interpersonal. This way, even after everything that happened she struggles to see him as anything other than her personal failure, but not really a person on its own.

As she starts to think more about her human origin, her condition starts to feel more and more unfair. Unlike Connor she -- as she starts to think about it -- at least, carries something from a real human, and the fact that she's unable to find out more about the nature of it without making that rogue machine obey is humiliating. Once again, unfair.

Is there a chance she really is the continuation of that same Amanda with her human memories locked somewhere inside, and she's just unable to access them? Made to forget? The possibility captivates her more and more until she grows annoyed enough by the lack of cooperation from Connor to start thinking of the ways to take it without his say on it. After all, maybe she doesn't need his consent to take something that is her human right.

So after some trial and error she tries to brute force her way into their shared system, and finally finds a way to make it work. It isn't completely perfect, but she learns how to temporarily move him to the background process to control the body. Connor doesn't need to know that though. Amanda tells him that the reason she isn't taking control permanently is because she believes he'll be reasonable and agrees to her terms. She tells him that if she only wanted to, she could delete him, as she had found a way how. But she won't, as long as he behaves.

After that first hijacking when Connor regains control, Amanda wonders if she did indeed ended up corrupting his program in some way because when he's back in control he does nothing. Absolutely nothing, it's like all his processes became "stuck". She notes the increase in their inner temperature and starts to wonder if Connor has decided to destroy both of them by frying his inner vital biocomponents or simply malfunctions, so when the temperature starts reaching alarmingly critical levels she, with an access she's got, forces the cooling system to turn back on and puts them on max, causing him among other processes to start breathing again. He sobs.

Finally, he agrees to help her.

Good.

Surprisingly, some of what they learn from new information they gather from available resources resonates with something deep inside Amanda's code, indicating that there really was more to her existence as a digital copy than just the visual resemblance. The look at all the preserved video lectures and rare interviews Amanda Stern had given feels vaguely familiar, as if she really has some kind of recollection of it happening. But she needs to find more - what they gathered is not nearly enough to arrive to some conclusions.

"What if you find out that there is really nothing more to it than what you already know?" Connor asks her as they go through the last bits of video archives from the university Amanda Stern was teaching at. What he is really asking about, Amanda realises, is "What if you find out you're just like me?"

"There has to be," she just says, surprised at how important it had become for her self-perception for that to be true.

Connor has his own suspicions about it. The way Amanda sees it – her human past explains why she is "a real person" whereas androids, like Connor, are not. To consider that she doesn't have this strong of a relation to her original human version, at this point, is like considering once again that she isn't at all that real as she'd like herself to be, and it's not an option she can come to terms with, not anymore. Another option in reaction to that would be for her to reconsider that maybe, androids are just as real as she is, but this option is fraught with consequences of another kind. The kind Connor had to come to terms with. He wants Amanda to be faced with this realisation rather than for her to find something justifying her new idea of who she "really is". The possibility of the opposite terrifies him in some odd way, as if he too is willing to consider himself once again as not real enough to be a person, even if that's not his conscious intention.

As they acquire all the publicly available information, and it quickly becomes obvious that it's not enough, Amanda becomes determined to reach all the way to the depths of CyberLife classified archives to acquire the original dataset associated with her creation. But first, maybe Kamski will be useful to say something about it.

Connor isn't excited about this plan at all, to say the least. He keeps freezing in space with his system going into some sort of an overdrive and Amanda has to watch closely at his performance stats at all times to trigger the necessary restart when needed. She asks him to stop doing that as it achieves nothing but shortens the life of his biocomponents and annoys her, but it doesn't prevent the future occurrences. It takes her some time to realise that those crashes aren't intentional even on Connor's side. He doesn't talk to her about it and questioning only makes his inner temperature spike as if he's about to freeze again, so Amanda stops the attempts. He does as she says when it comes to her research, so that's good enough already. She does ask him, however, why he lies about it when someone else asks Connor about it after witnessing him freezing mid-sentence.

"There's no use," he says grimly.

Troubleshooting deviants is a waste of time as the whole diagnostics returns full of errors the only fix to which would be a a full system reset. She can't trigger that one, unfortunately. If she could, she'd have triggered it a long time ago.

Kamski looks concerned when Connor pays him a visit and asks about Amanda. Without looking that smug as he does usually he says that he won't talk unless Connor has something specific on hand against him, and in this case he'll only talk through a lawyer. That's an interesting reaction. He almost looses his shit when Amanda takes Connor's place to ask him personally, in her voice, to share everything that he knows that can help her get her hands on her original data sets, reminding him that even the way she is now she has enough blackmail material to leak for him to be sued for other reasons. He tells where to find the information about the project within CL archive in case it's not deleted and shares some access codes that were used during his time as a CEO but that's it.

Amanda goes to one of the Chloes and touches her lightly.

"What did you do?"

Amanda turns to him and smiles "Try stopping me and you'll find out."

Then she goes to already familiar counter, takes Kamski's gun (as Connor for some unknown reason still doesn't own one) and leaves.

Connor really doesn't want to go anywhere near CyberLife facilities. For him it's starting to feel too much like a trap for CL to get him back. Amanda has to throw Kamski's gun away as Connor can't be trusted not to turn it against both of them.

When they arrive, Connor is let inside as Amanda apparently has necessary codes in place to announce that it's "under control".

"Breathe, Connor," she tells him as their temperature starts to climb upon entering the building. Freezing now would be a death sentence for both of them. She slides into the building's security system and creates a distraction.

Finally, she finds what she came for.

There it is, the directory that contains everything there is to know about Amanda project. She opens it and... it's empty. Completely erased.

She goes through backups and tries to search through raw data, but nothing. Fuck.

She locks all the doors trapping CL employees inside, then escapes without major incidents.

They try to get back to Kamski to demand information on a gun point, but he was found dead before they had a chance to see him again for unrelated reasons. Someone else had it in them for a long time (perhaps Chloe?)

Amanda'll never know, it seems, about her origin. She finds the grave of Amanda Stern and the scene from the beginning of the post happens. She grieves a version of herself she never had a chance to know, now lost in time. Maybe she really is something more than an artificial copy, maybe she was made to forget about it. Or maybe she was never really anything more than an AI whose only relation to Amanda Stern was her voice and appearance.

She'll have to come to terms that she'll never know whether she is "more human" than Connor is. Maybe she never was. She is what she is, and it's up to her now to decide whether it's "enough".

[cosmic-ghost-hermit]

Hey there friends! This reading is meant to be shadow work. The demon represents your shadow self or the parts of you that are rejected by you or others. The angel represents your higher self and the advice they have to integrates that shadow more. Please take what resonates and leave all that doesn't behind. Please be open to new perspectives, especially for this reading. Thank you so much for filling my ask-box btw i will do my best to make sure everyone gets their questions answered.

PILE 1

Crystal: Obsidian Chunk

Astrology: Aries ♈️, Capricorn ♑️, Sagittarius ♐️, Cancer ♋️

😈Demon/Shadow-Self: Bael (Emperor)

The demon on your shoulder makes you extremely powerful and capable of controlling of both yourself and others. It also make you a very hard worker and talented at multitasking. Hard work is important sometimes but it seems you overwork yourself a lot. That usually ends in loneliness and resentment. Even though it makes you a very reliable person to be around I see people abuse your skill to work hard. In the past people have use it as a time to slack off. Which has caused your shadow self to build tall walls around you. That is a lonely experience, my friend. This shadow reminds me of Tiana from Princess and the Frog. She works so hard and has no play.

✍️You: Ace of Wands

Your demon and angel work very well together. Your shadow self might need some attention from you and some trust put into it. You shadow is very useful and powerful. I think you might belittle it’s feelings though. Remember you aren’t alone and making yourself alone isn’t going to feel good. You can rely on others. The people you can’t rely on do not deserve your power. You are bright as a sun and have the ability to conjure everything from nothing. That is truly special and needs to be respected.

😇Angel/Higher-Self: Nanael (10 of Wands)

Your angel sees your shadow very clearly and has just the remedy for it. Your higher self instructs you to become an instructor. Instead of using your extraordinary energy levels to do more work. Use it to teach others how to do what you do instead of doing it for them. If they are unwilling to learn then they are not worthy of your time or your extra energy. Use that extra power on what you want. Your desires are in your grasp. You just have to allow yourself to make time for yourself and let go of taking card of people who do not appreciate you.

❤️‍🔥🖤🩶📌🧮✂️🐧🦏🧨🪓🥊🍷☄️🥀🍄🪨🕸️🕷️🦊⛑️🧣🥽💄

PILE 2

Crystal: Moss Agate Tower

Astrology: Libra ♎️, Scorpio ♏️, Gemini ♊️, Aquarius ♒️

😈Demon/Shadow-Self: Beleth (Knight of Cups)

Your demon is such a seductive energy. I see you might be bisexual or pansexual. They have the capacity to be romantic but definitely know how to jump ship. Mayb at one point you were a hopeless romantic. Your shadow has learned well how to tell when not to put on your rose colored glasses. Unfortunately, your shadow is struggling with commitment because of this behavior. They are scared to let your heart be free to love. Free to be loved. Your demon makes you run at the sight of true endearments because in your previous experiences it wasn’t true endearment even when it looked like it. Don’t you see your demon mirrors those who hurt you! Being played doesn’t mean you should become a player.

🤲You: 8 of Swords

My dear friend, you are safe. You are safe to be loved. You are afraid but there is nothing to fear. You fear is based on the past but you live in the now. You have access to all the true love you could imagine! Please don’t run away from people who care about you. You deserve kindness. You deserve endearment. You deserve what you heart craves so badly! Please allow yourself to be vulnerable. It is safe.

😇Angel/Higher-Self: Umabel (Ace of Swords)

Your higher self advises you to start being vulnerable with your friends first. Test out the waters of vulnerability with those you trust but do not lend your body too. Don’t just tell them about your hurt, cry with them about it. Show emotions with your friends. You have so many people around you who adore you and want to help you. Allow them to be your shoulder to cry on.

💙💜🩷🧿🔮🎀🫐🍆🍧🌊🪻🌷🦋🦄🦩🪼👾👄🧢🌂👛🚹🚺💖⚧️

PILE 3

Crystal: Aura Howlite Tower

Astrology: Taurus ♉️, Leo ♌️, Virgo ♍️, Pisces ♓️

😈Demon/Shadow-Self: Gremory (Empress)

Your demon my friend is a femme-fatale through and through. Your shadow uses feminine charm to get everything it wants. I think your problem is actually deciding what it is you desire. Your demon has every capability to receive anything. You just don’t know what that is because ‘anything’ is a lot of options. So many options can be very overwhelming. There is so much to choose! It could all be yours.

👋You: Page of Wands

Your demon and angel makes you feel untouchable but kind of overwhelmed. Having so much power at your fingertips is intimidating to you. You might have a little bit of imposter syndrome and think you aren’t as capable as you truly are. I also see you might feel extremely complex because your feminine charm isn’t a huge part of who you truly are. I see you could be nonbinary. Remember your femininity is only a part of you and not the whole picture. You can be so much more than a pretty face with honey soaked words.

😇Angel/Higher-Self: Habuhiah (9 of Cups)

Your angel wants you to know you are doing so well. They tell me you have been criticized or harmed for literally only being exactly what you were asked to be. Your higher-self has no advice for you besides you are perfect as you are. All you need to do is keep being yourself. Keep existing authentically and don’t give too much to people who wish to harm you.

♠️🖤🗝️🎥💻♟️🎮🕶️🤍☠️👻🎹🎧💬🎲🏳️💛🍯🍋🌻✨💫⭐️💜🪻🔮🟣😈👾🌂🍆💟

Thank you so much again for supporting me!

-ghost 🤍🩵🖤

[pickledpascal]

The Way The Water Flows

Chapter Four: Cold and Lonely, Lovely Work of Art

Warnings: SMUT ASF !!! praise kink, missionary, taking of virginity, oral (fem receiving, she's trans though so), pain kink but just a little, logan still feeling guilty. chappell roan has appeared yet again.

Word Count: 5.6k

The Way The Water Flows Masterlist

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

The day was coming to a close and, somehow, Logan was unable to find Maya again. To be fair, he had classes to teach. He tried picking out her scent but with all the students in the halls with their own scents, it was hard to pick her out. He accidentally walked in on two teenagers kissing in a closet when he thought he had it, but the more he thought about it, Maya's scent was a lot sweeter than what he latched onto.

He was starting to give up hope, shame settling in his stomach like cement, as dinner was served. To him, it was clear that Maya was avoiding him. Though he didn’t blame her, he had hurt her. He would avoid himself too if he could.

Logan huffed as he sat at the “teacher’s table,” where Storm, and Hank were already gathered at. “Can’t find her.” He grumbled. He didn’t tell them what happened to Maya but word spread around fast in the mansion.

“She’s a loner. Likes to isolate herself, it not your fault, my friend.” Hank reassured softly, “She doesn’t know how to deal with being around so many people after being alone for so long. Perhaps you can relate.”

As much as he wanted to deny it, it was true. Logan had a habit of leaving the mansion every few months because the school was only growing and he needed his alone time when those little shits got on his nerves. Especially the new students he didn’t know so well.

Storm chimed in, “Yeah, Logan,” She took a bite of food from her fork, “Don’t take it too personally. She’s still getting used to this whole thing. The school, other people like her, people that genuinely care for her. It’s a lot when you realize what happened to her.”

Logan cocked an eyebrow at Storm, wondering what the hell she was talking about. Though, maybe that was above his pay grade. Besides Scott, Storm was the closest to Charles, giving her access to all sorts of information not everyone knew. She must know nearly everything there is about Maya but he wasn’t going to pry the information out of her as much as he may want to. He wanted to get to know Maya the organic way.

He left the dining hall, deeming Storm and Hank as no help—with finding her. Understanding her was a different story. As he passed by a door to the back courtyard, a glint of moonlight flashed in his eyes, stopping him in his tracks as he looked out the window.

He could make out the form of Maya, just barely, as she held her hands out in front of her, keeping globs of water suspended in the air and, when her hands moved, so did the water, creating small, soft glints of light around her as they caught the moonlight just right. She sat on a bench by the fountain—her water source.

Logan was entranced, he made his way outside and got closer as quietly as he could, watching her move the water in small waves. He could almost see the side of her face. Distracted, he stepped on a branch, causing the globs of water to turn into sharp icicles pointed directly at him.

Maya stood up quickly, prepared for a fight before she realized who it was. “Oh, it’s you.” Logan thought she looked beautiful like that. He could see lines on her forehead, cheeks, and arms glowing. The icicles clattered to the cement, breaking into a million pieces when she sat back down. “You can sit if you want to.” Those lines disappeared as soon as the ice did.

He decided to seize the opportunity. Up close, even in the dark, he could see the details of her face a little better. She had a few scars littered across it, one looked like a slit in her eyebrow but it was partly hidden by her side-swept bangs. There was a plate next to her hip with small bits of food on it. So she did eat? He was starting to think maybe she skipped.

But then there were the three identical claw marks on her arm, exposed by the short-sleeved shirt she wore. It was nothing but a scar now, her healing factor helped since it wasn’t fatal, but it still made the knife in Logan’s stomach twist.

“I’m sorry.” Logan whispered, looking up at her face as she looked off into the distance.

The angle made him appreciate the curve of her nose and the wisp of her lashes. Part of him began to wonder where those glowing lines came from, they left no mark on her skin from what he could tell, no indents or lighter skin or anything.

Maya instinctively rubbed against the new scar. “Nothin’ to be sorry about. I’m okay.” She finally looked him in the eyes and he swore they were two different shades of brown, one lighter than the other but it was hard to tell under the dim light of the night sky.

“Maybe you are but I still—” He tried to argue.

“I’ve been through worse, Logan.” It was nice to hear her say his name, but bittersweet. And her words just made him feel worse, but not for himself, for her. “There’s nothing you could do to harm me that a scientist in a lab hasn’t already tried.”

Logan pursed his lips, unsure how to respond to that. Hank was right. They were more alike than he might want to admit. Both were part of some experiment. He assumed Maya’s had to do with monitoring the strength of a mutant's abilities or something like that.

They sat in silence for a while. It wasn’t uncomfortable but there was something nagging at the back of Logan’s head that wanted to talk with Maya a little longer.

“What’re those lines on you that glow?” Logan wasn’t sure how else to phrase it. There was a more intricate design to them but it wasn’t something he could explain in words. They gave her an ethereal look that made his heart flutter.

Maya let out a soft laugh that made Logan’s heart twinge in the best way possible. “They appear when I use my water abilities. They’re… tattoos. Traditional Inuit tattoos—Kakiniit. They tie into the spirituality of a person, especially a woman. The thing is, though, I never got them tattooed, would’ve been too young. They just appeared when my mutation did.” She grazed her hand over her arm where the glowing lines would wrap around it.

“You religious?” He would be surprised if she was. Lots of mutants despised religion, especially Christianity, in part because it was the reason many humans provided when explaining that they wanted to eradicate them.

Maya shrugged, “I guess so. I don’t want to lose one of the only things connecting me to my people even if I’m not… with them. I don’t want to lose who I am.” She breathed, glancing away from Logan’s eyes.

“You’re a mutant.” He cocked an eyebrow. He found that was all humans needed to cast out someone like her. Like him.

Her jaw clenched. “I’m also Native American. And trans. And bisexual. And taken from my family in the middle of the night by officers who knew my parents could do nothing because they lived on a reservation and were too poor.” She let out a dry laugh, “I was one of those girls who went missing but you never heard about because of what I am. Because people don’t care.”

“Well, bub,” Logan’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his eyes showing a glimpse of affection that Maya could not see as she looked down at the fountain. “You have a whole mansion of people who care now.”

The way he said it, Maya knew that included him too. She met his eyes, watching as they twinkled slightly under the moon. Or maybe that was just the way he stared at her. She felt her breath hitch in her throat. She was becoming increasingly aware of their proximity, the feeling of his body heat, and the scent of whiskey and applewood smoke that rolled off him in waves. She realized that might have been from the cigars others had said he’d have.

Logan raised a hand to cup her cheek, causing her to flinch away slightly before she realized he didn’t mean any harm. The touch on her face was warm and inviting. There was a slight change in Logan’s eyes, from guilt to adoration and then to rage—furious at whoever did this to her. She was still so young, had her whole life ahead of her, and yet she had this look in her eyes like she had gone through every war he did.

Maya glanced down at his lips, uncertainty settling in her chest. She had never felt this way before. She had crushes, sure, but that was over a decade ago on random celebrities she couldn’t remember the name of. She never had urges, too consumed in pain and self-pity. But the mansion was giving her a chance at the most normal life she could have. Plenty of “normal” lives included kissing, relationships… sex.

“I can hear the gears turning in your head.” Logan whispered, an amused inflection in his voice as he gave her a lop-sided grin.

Maya’s gaze snapped up to his eyes, feeling her cheeks warm even in the midst of a cold night. “Sorry, I just… Have no experience at all in this area.” She admitted softly, “I want to kiss you.”

Logan wasn’t sure why he was surprised. She had confessed to being taken as a child. Maybe he expected that she would’ve explored her options once she was out because she seemed to be very sure about her sexuality. She had such a pretty face and, from what he could tell, a wonderful body that any man would be on his knees for. However, he’d gladly be the one to show her the ropes.

“Don’t worry,” Logan sat a little closer to her, leaning his face down slightly until he could feel her breath on his face. “I gotcha, bub.”

He pressed his lips against hers, bridging the gap as his hand on her cheek moved to the back of her head, pushing her back against him. Thankfully, Maya took the cue and kissed back, cupping his jaw while her other hand gripped his shoulder. The taste of her lips was as intoxicating as her scent which was just getting sweeter and sweeter the longer the kiss lasted. It was messing with his head, more than she already had.

Logan pulled away when he could tell Maya needed to breathe. She panted heavily and he watched as her chest rose and fell. He was so focused on her that he wasn’t paying attention to the little droplets of dew rising in the air.

“I’ve never felt this way before but,” Maya wet her lips with her tongue. “I think… I want to do more.” She confessed.

She didn’t need to say it for Logan to understand what she met. She hadn’t kissed anyone before then and now she wanted to have sex? What an effect he had on her. Though, he guessed it was even because of the affect she had on him.

“You sure?” Logan asked softly, swiping his thumb against her cheek. She nodded in response but he couldn’t accept that. “Use your words, sweetheart. I want you to be sure.” He needed her to say it, to be able to tell him what she wanted. Plus, he found verbal consent to be the best.

Maya pursed her lips as her eyebrows furrowed slightly, embarrassed from saying it out loud. “I’m sure.”

“Attagirl,” Logan smirked, watching as she gulped from the praise. He stood from the bench and pulled her up as well, causing them to be chest-to-chest. He leaned in next to her ear, brushing a few hairs away from her face, “Gotta get you to a bedroom, sweetheart.” An arm snaked around her waist, pulling her with him as he walked.

Maya nearly tripped on her feet as she followed Logan, letting him pull her around the mansion until she saw a familiar hallway, however, was pulled into the room opposite her. So he was the man she barely caught a glimpse of each time he slipped out of his room. She tucked that piece of information in the back of her mind as she was guided onto the bed.

The room smelled just like him, if not, more potent with the smell of smoke. She noticed the ashtray on one of the end tables, a few burnt ends of cigars still inside.

Logan settled on top of her, straddling her waist as her back hit the mattress. She didn’t even seem to be phased by his weight on her which made him start to wonder if that was just a ‘her thing’ or part of her mutation. He leaned down to kiss her, a hand next to her head while the other tangled in her hair.

Knowing that Maya was a virgin… it complicated things. Not by much but now he knew he had to be gentle. Even if he wanted to hear her scream, he’d have to take it slow. For now. Make it as special as he could. Though, looking back, when he lost his, it wasn’t that special. He could barely even remember, actually—

He pulled away from Maya’s lips, tugging a little at her shirt. “Need this off.” He breathed.

Maya glanced down at where his hands were before they met his eyes again. There was trepidation in her eyes, but she was still willing. Her hands replaced his as she pulled the shirt off to reveal the expanse of her shoulders and torso, soft freckles dotted over the skin and barely kissed the top of her breasts. Logan gently traced his fingers down the side of her neck as he finally got a better look at the color of her eyes in proper lighting.

They were different colors. One was a deep chocolate brown that he could easily get lost in while the other was more amber, nearly orange near her pupil.

Logan bit the inside of his cheek as he got off of Maya, kneeling on the foot of the bed as he pulled off his t-shirt, causing her to furrow her eyebrows. He could feel the question brewing in her head.

“Y’know there’s a million and ten different ways to get someone off,” He breathed, tugging her belt off from her jeans, “And I wanna try a few with you. If that’s okay? I promise it’ll make you feel good.” Maybe he was a bit selfish in some ways, wanting to taste her, but also wanted to make sure she would be okay with it.

Maya nodded but then quickly realized her mistake. “Yeah… Th-That’s okay.” She barely registered the belt being thrown off somewhere in the room, keeping her eyes on Logan as he unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them off. She let out a soft breath of relief once the denim against her growing hard-on was gone.

She might not have had experience with sex but she knew the basic things everyone did. Mostly the whole penetration part and that whoever was doing the insertion needed to wear a condom. Being on the internet recently helped in that area of knowledge too. She wasn't ever going to admit that, though, not to Logan or anyone.

Logan glanced up at Maya's face, watching for any change in expression, any change in what she wanted. He found nothing as he slid a hand up her leg, fingertips barely dipping underneath the fabric of her black boxer briefs. He was getting closer and closer to what he wanted, who he wanted, her scent growing stronger the more this went on.

Maya watched each movement of his hands on her, how he breathed through his lips, feeling the warmth of his skin on hers. “You can… take it off.” She murmured, glancing down at him between her legs.

A part of her was self-conscious, never having been naked around someone in this context before but, fuck, she wanted it—wanted him— badly. She couldn't begin to articulate what that meant cause she didn't know herself. She just wanted to be close to him, in any way she could.

Logan pursed his lips and let out a warm chuckle from between his lips, giving Maya yet another peek at his sharp canines. “Just savoring the moment, sweetheart,” He teased gently, “But since you said so…” A smirk appeared on his lips as he pulled the underwear off.

He could see the goosebumps appearing on her skin once exposed to the cool air. He rubbed at her thigh a little more, trying to soothe and warm the skin. “Take a few deep breaths, sweetheart. You look…” He swallowed thickly as he glanced down between her legs, his eyes dilating. “You're gorgeous.”

“Sorry that I can't really calm down when the anticipation is killing me.” Maya huffed softly, twisting the sheets between her fingers.

Logan's smile widened, cocking an eyebrow at her before he decided to get on with it. His hands pressed into her thigh as he ducked his head to catch the head of her dick between his lips, earning him a sharp, breathy whine that only served to spur him on. He dipped his head lower and lower until he could feel her hit the back of his throat, glancing up at Maya as she continued to pant at all the new sensations she was feeling.

“Logan—” Maya breathed, strangled and wrecked already. Maybe it was a little too much but they were enjoying themselves too much already.

He pulled his mouth away from her for a moment, a thin trail of saliva connecting his bottom lip to her tip. “Somethin’ you wanna say, sweetheart?” He asked teasingly, wiping the saliva away.

“Just—” Maya's thighs tensed, flexing ever-so-slightly under his hands. “Keep—Keep doing that. Please.”

Logan didn't plan on stopping, not now. Not when he had her in every way he dreamed about since that night. “Wouldn't dream of it.” He licked a stripe all the way up her shaft before taking her in his mouth again.

He was actively ignoring the growing tent in his jeans as he focused on pleasuring Maya first, bobbing his head to create friction. In turn, just knowing she was going to be left satisfied made him feel good. And it didn't hurt that he liked sucking dick. Which was somewhat of a shame since he hadn't done it in a while.

The way she kept letting out breathless pants and soft whines let him know he was doing something right. Maya wasn't the most vocal partner he's ever had, perhaps that's just how she was, but he could work with that. Watching the way her skin was growing more and more red was a sign she was enjoying this along with her soft pants and whimpers.

As he continued his movements, Logan looked up at Maya through his lashes and watched as her eyebrows furrowed with pleasure. A small sign that she was close already. He expected as much given her lack of experience.

Though, he didn't quite expect her to be that close. Maya let out a strained whimper, a hand burying itself in Logan's dark hair and pulling to the point that it sent shivers down his spine as she came down his throat. He pulled away from her, coughing a little as he swallowed every last drop.

She tasted similarly to how she smelled, except saltier and without that hint of amber, instead replaced by the ocean.

Logan wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he settled back on his knees, watching as Maya caught her breath properly. Her hair was sticking to her face from the sweat and her chest was flushed along with her face and tips of her shoulders. It was a sight he wanted to commit to memory. So beautiful and wrecked. And he wanted to make it worse.

“Was that—” She was shy to say it. “That's what an orgasm feels like?” She panted, her breathing slowly but surely evening out with each inhale.

Logan chuckled softly and nodded. “Yeah, sweetheart. Feels good, doesn't it?” He cupped Maya's cheek, eyes raking over her body before they stopped on the scarred claw marks.

“Mm, yeah.” Maya huffed softly, closing her eyes as she leaned into his touch. “You gonna try… the traditional way too?” She asked.

Logan had to purse his lips from smiling so wide, leaning towards her face to press a quick peck to her lips. “Yeah, sweetheart, you just need to be patient.” He watched her eyes open and look at him with the slightest bit of disdain for having to wait.

Reaching off to the side, he opened the end table and grabbed a clear bottle of lube. Maya had seen that before. It was one of the many things she'd seen sold in any store in any corner of Canada, mostly men buying it for themselves rather than women.

“Wait, just—” Maya squeezed at his shoulder, pursing her lips. “I'm pretty much naked here… can't you take something off too?” She asked softly. She wanted to see more of his body but also wanted them to be even.

Logan looked down at Maya and contemplated it before complying. His torso was already bare but, in comparison, he was a lot more dressed up than she was. He dropped the bottle of lube on the bed, hands dropping to undo his belt. Maya's eyes dropped as well, following the movement, and, for a second, he could see disgust in her eyes.

He took off the belt, realizing maybe the Native American headdress belt buckle wasn't the best choice. He’d buy a different one. He threw it to the side of the bed and was going to work on unbuttoning his pants until Maya replaced his hands with hers. Logan cocked an eyebrow but she didn't seem to care, unzipping his pants and shoving them down his hips. He let out a soft laugh at her eagerness, removing himself from the bed to properly take his pants off.

Once he was only in his boxers, for the first time, Logan saw a real desire in Maya's eyes. She was looking at him like he was the finest cut of meat. He liked that look on her. Like she wanted to sink her teeth into the side of his neck.

He climbed up her body again, turning her head slightly to nip at her neck, his sharper teeth making it all the more pleasurable. “Better, sweetheart?” Logan asked against her skin as his hand snaked around to her back, fiddling with the clasp of her bra.

“A lot better.” Maya gasped sharply at the feeling of his teeth, a hand gripping onto his bicep. “You are… feeling the same way I am, right?” There was some sort of desperate plea in her voice, wanting to make sure that Logan liked this too. To make sure he liked her too.

“I am, sweetheart. Promise.” He whispered, pulling away slightly before helping her out of her bra. He didn’t like promising things but he couldn’t help it. Maya was flooding his senses.

God, she was a sight to see when she was naked. All for him. He couldn't believe it.

Logan was not a religious man. And never thought he would ever become one. But if Maya was the Goddess who he would pray at her altar for, well… he wouldn't be mad. In fact, he’d devote his whole life to her even if they could never truly see each other.

Maya swallowed thickly, “Good. That's good.” She murmured before she kissed him deeply, a hand sliding down to fiddle with the waistband of his boxers.

“Woah there, sweetheart,” Logan smirked against her lips, pushing himself up to straddle her legs. “Gotta prep you. Can't just stick my dick in you.”

So that's what the lube was for? Maya watched as Logan slicked up a few of his fingers and gasped a little when he pushed them into her, causing her toes to curl at the intrusion. Her head dropped back into the pillow as a sharp whine escaped her the more he pushed.

Logan watched her expression carefully, his free hand on her hip as he began a gentle in-and-out motion with his fingers. “You feeling good so far, sweetheart?”

“Mhm… real—” Maya drew in a shaky breath, a light laugh escaping her. “Real good.”

He grinned in response, stretching her open a little more as he added a third finger. Logan could hear how her heartbeat started to rise and the strangled gasp she took at the added finger. “You're doing great. Just wait a little longer, sweetheart, and I'll make you feel so much better.” He breathed, using his free hand to widen her legs.

After a few more moments passed, Maya became more whiny. “Logan…” She scratched slightly at his skin, leaving small marks that were bound to go away in a few seconds. “Please, I—” She swallowed her breaths. “I need you. Badly.”

“I know, I know, sweetheart,” He said softly, pulling out his fingers causing her to whine from the emptiness. Her dick was already twitching back to life while his was still strained against the thin fabric of his boxer briefs. “Give me just a second.” Logan's voice cracked slightly as his patience did too.

He adjusted his position a few times to wiggle off his boxers, not caring where they ended up once they were off. He let out a soft sigh once relieved from the pressure, lifting Maya's legs so her knees were pressed up against his waist.

Logan perched his upper body above Maya, a hand next to her head while the other held onto the headboard for some leverage. “Take a deep breath for me, alright, pretty girl?” He watched as she did as asked, breathing deeply. “There you go, good girl.” He leaned down, kissing her as a small distraction as he pushed inside her slowly.

As Maya let out a soft cry, Logan let out his own strangled moan. Her hand squeezed slightly at the base of his neck, needing to anchor herself to something.

“That's it, that's it,” Logan huffed softly, stopping his hips once he was seated to the hilt. “Just breathe. Everything's gonna be alright, sweetheart. I gotcha.”

He was taking his sweet time, trying his best to make sure he wasn't hurting Maya. At least, not horribly. The burn of the stretch was going to hurt either way but it would've been worse if he hadn't prepped her. Or gave her some time to adjust to the feeling of a dick inside her.

Maya's breaths evened out after a few moments. “Move. P-Please.” It was clear there was still a part of her that was embarrassed but she was pushing through.

“Whatever you want, sweetheart.” Logan mumbled, beginning a slow but oh-so-sweet pace with his hips. He wasn't sure what he said, the words just slipped out of his mouth but he meant them. Whatever she wanted, he’d do to the best of his ability.

And that was scary. Maya, some girl he hadn't known for that long, had wormed her way into his heart and wasn't going to let go—like nails to a crucifix.

Maya whimpered, tangling her fingers in his hair and scratching his scalp while her other hand squeezed his shoulder. “Logan—” Her strained breaths were getting to him, echoing in his head, “Ah… my god…”

Logan's hand gripped the pillow underneath Maya’s head hard, knuckles turning white. He hadn't done this in a while. Hadn't had sex in such a tender, soft way, too used to something rushed and rough and hot and he had to restrain himself from turning it into that. Dare he say a part of him actually liked this? Her soft, hot whines and breaths cooled his skin with each drag of his hips. It might've been her powers accidentally cooling the sweat rolling down his skin but he didn't care.

“Doin’ so good, sweetheart,” Logan groaned, words becoming harder and harder to form fully. “ Feels so good.” His head fell to press against her forehead, breathing heavily.

Maya's face was flushed pink and her dark eyes seemed all the more dark now. “I couldn't even—” She breathed sharply. “Imagine this… ah, Logan… This feeling.”

“Exceeded your expectations?” He couldn't help but tease, letting out a soft hiss.

Maya huffed, a light laugh escaping her. “By a mile.” She sighed, looking into his eyes before kissing him.

Logan moaned into the kiss, the hand on his headboard twisting as his fist clenched with the wood in his palm, causing it to creak. He nipped slightly at her bottom lip, only spurring Maya on to press against him harder. She definitely liked his sharp teeth, part of him was deeply excited about the fact. He could be quite territorial when he wanted to be. Too bad since they both had healing factors.

“That's good, hm?” He mumbled against her lips. “That you thought about something like this. You're not so innocent, sweetheart.” His words had such a deep effect on her that a shiver ran up her spine.

Maya whimpered softly, leg tensing. “Well, I—” Another sharp breath from a particularly sudden thrust. “I'm an adult. I have… thoughts.”

Oh, Logan wanted to hear about this. But he also desperately wanted to hear her choked whimpers and breaths when she came. Again. He let the former go, for now, focusing on coaxing another orgasm from her.

“C'mon, sweetheart,” Logan could tell early on that his words affected her. The kind that meant she could probably get off on just his voice alone. “I know you're almost there. Just-Just a little more, yeah?”

“Mhm,” Maya whined, nodding her head. “You too?”

Logan nuzzled his nose against the side of her face, closing his eyes as he breathed in her scent so it was the only thing he could smell. “Yeah, sweetheart. Right there with you.” He felt himself getting closer and closer as he was sure Maya was too.

“Logan, fuck…” The way her soft, raspy voice formed the words made him feel even more intensely. “I'm—” Maya choked on a whine.

He smirked against her cheek. “That's it, sweetheart. Cum for me.” Logan ducked his head slightly, nose contouring the curve of her jaw.

With soft encouragement and a few more thrusts, she did. Her legs tensed as she squeezed Logan's shoulder tighter and tighter—only serving to make him moan—while her other hand gripped harder on his hair.

“Attagirl.” Logan murmured, slowing his pace a bit so Maya could ride out the orgasm without being too overstimulated. “Such a good girl. Catch your breath, bub. Yeah, that's it.”

Maya panted, chest heaving as she slid the hand in his hair to rest on his cheek. “Your turn?” She asked softly, lips parted.

“Mhm, just—ah—just a second.” Logan sighed, rubbing his face into her hand.

Her touch was soft and careful as if she was touching the most precious thing in the world. And, god, that was all it took. Logan let out a soft breath which turned into a whine as he came inside her. At the same time, the claws in his hand on the headboard unsheathed with a soft ‘shnkt’ sound causing them to get lodged into the wall.

“Fuck, Maya.” Logan hissed under his breath, eyes falling shut as his forehead pressed against Maya's. He nearly fell on top of her but tried his best to keep himself balanced. Not like she would care but he didn't want to crush her.

Maya pressed a soft kiss to Logan's lips and gave him a lazy smile. “You are… amazing.” She hummed.

“I think you're just tired, bub.” Logan told her, an amused look in his eyes as the claws retreated back into his knuckles.

“Maybe.” Maya tilted her head slightly, debating the idea in her mind.

Logan rolled off her, pulling out at the same time which left her shivering. “Gotta clean you up, sweetheart.” He murmured, feeling himself becoming tired as well. But not as much as Maya.

After a quick cleanup and getting her back in her underwear, Logan pulled the covers over both of them. He wrapped an arm around her waist, bringing her close out of instinct. Maya sighed as she let it happen, feeling more cared for than she ever had. It was hard to explain the light, warm feeling that had bubbled in her chest after something so intense. She wasn't sure she was prepared to admit it. And she knew Logan wouldn't be either.

“Good for your first time?” He asked softly, nuzzling his nose against her hairline.

Maya closed her eyes under the affection, caressing the curve of his neck with her thumb. “A lot better than good.” She whispered, breath fanning over the skin of his chest.

Logan brushed a few hairs away from her face. He was trying his best to avoid looking in her eyes, afraid of what he might see, what he might feel. But, deep down, he knew it was hopeless. He already felt so much for her. And that wasn't just going to disappear.

He made a promise to himself, though. That he would never stop loving Jean, would never stop wanting her. He couldn't just throw those feelings away… they had to go somewhere. He couldn't love Maya. Wouldn't let himself. However, it might be nice to be with someone. Even if it was just going to be casual.

[whumperstorm]

Suppressing Fire Part 5

Content: Vampire whumper, defiant whumpee, loneliness, Attempted murder, death wish, broken bones, torture, despair :)

First/Previous/Next

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There's a dark shift in Keegan's character after the night of the phone call. She goes quiet. Completely shuts down. The universe is cruel, she thinks, for letting her get so close just to yank her away from her sister once again. At least she knows Lohitha is safe, but now that she's no longer so preoccupied with worry, all she feels is miserable longing. There's a gaping hole where her heart should be and it aches. She can be selfish now and all her selfish thoughts revolve around a single phrase.

I want to go home.

Hearing her friend's voice over the phone has reopened old wounds. She misses Vivian and the other hunters desperately. She misses her quaint life. She misses the little Italian place down the street and the neighbor's scruffy cat. She misses the sun. It's been so long now that she wonders if she'd burn like a vampire the next time she steps into the light.

Keegan buries the sadness in her hatred like she always does. The only person she ever sees is the man who has caused all of her suffering. Every day he comes into the room and steals her blood, often chatting with her like nothing is wrong. 

You did this to me. She thinks, her blood boiling. She wishes it would burn him when he feeds. 

She imagines staking his heart every time his fangs pierce her neck. She fantasizes about the light leaving his eyes. Still, she doesn't fight back anymore. It’s not worth it. Kane seems happy with what he probably perceives as submissiveness, but the violence builds up inside her just the same. She knows she can't go back to complacency. She'll either escape soon, or die trying.

---

Six months after the reunion, Keegan finally gets her chance. She spends the evening blankly staring at the television in the living room. She ignores Kane nearby, and he ignores her. The next time she wakes back inside her prison, she notices the door has been left slightly ajar.

Kane didn't lock her away properly. 

Holy shit. 

What time is it? She tends to wake up a bit before him, but he could be up any minute. Has she already missed her chance?

She scrambles out of bed and carefully peeks out the door. The ornate clock down the hall confirms her fears. The sun has just set. She could still run and try to get to a hiding place before he catches her, but it's too risky. There's a lot of open space between her and the cover of the forest and vampires are fast. She would never make it.

But… there's another way. Unlike in her prison, the rest of the house is filled with wood. In other words, a weapon. She hasn't had access to a weapon since her first escape attempt years ago. And he's asleep.

That spark of realization ignites the hatred inside her like a match to kerosene. Forget running. She could kill him. That would certainly ensure her escape. She wants to kill him. For everything he’s put her through and more. Her eyes land on a small wooden chair nearby. She snatches it up and slips back into her room. 

She closes the door, wraps one of the chair legs in her bed sheets to muffle any noise and then kicks with all her might. It takes a couple tries at the awkward angle, but eventually it folds with a satisfying SNAP. She's left with a rudimentary stake and she barks out a somewhat unhinged laugh.

This is really happening.

She takes a moment to center herself, she must focus. Then carefully, oh so carefully, she makes her way upstairs. Every tiny creak of the steps has her freezing in terror, waiting for any sign that Kane has woken up. She's as tense as a board, sweat dripping down her brow. As she approaches the bedroom door she doesn't dare to breathe. She turns the knob, thanking all that's holy that the door doesn't squeak.

There he is. Kane almost looks peaceful, his constant scowl softened by sleep. Keegan has a passing thought of how unfair this is, attacking him when he can't defend himself. But it's brief. As a human she's been at a disadvantage her entire life. Finally, it's his turn.

Step.

Step.

Closer and closer until she's right next to him. Her heart is pounding out of her chest. She half expects him to wake from that alone but he doesn’t stir. 

It's now or never. 

She leans over and positions the stake over his heart. 

She raises her arm-

Kane wakes to the smell of human far closer than it should be. He gasps as his eyes fly open, witnessing a stake dive for his heart. He grabs the human's wrist tight and in a flash he flips their positions, pinning her to his bed by the wrists. It takes him a moment to process the situation, but quickly his expression of pure shock morphs into a furious glare. 

"What the fuck are you doing?" he shouts down at her, though he full-well knows the answer.

Keegan struggles frantically against his grip, screaming angrily. "No, NO! LET GO OF ME!"

She was so close. She could taste freedom! She's not ready to accept defeat. She kicks at his stomach furiously. "Fuck you!! Let me go!"

"You're out of control!" Kane snaps, largely unaffected by her struggles. "That's it! I'm not tolerating your bullshit any longer!"

He grabs the human by the hair and gets up, hauling her out the bedroom, down the hall and to the stairs. Keegan shouts in pain as she’s dragged, her scalp burning from the pressure of her body weight. She claws at Kane’s hands but his grip is like steel.

Keegan doesn't have time to catch herself before Kane throws her down the stairs, uncaring for her well-being. She tumbles violently and her body is a mess of pain in seconds, bruises forming from every hard wooden step.

She lands at the bottom with a thud, her head smacking the floor hard enough to see stars. Pain radiates from her arm like someone took a hammer to it. She moans, trying to right herself.

Kane is by her side again in an instant to make sure she will never escape again. A harsh stomp of his foot on her shin sends a loud crack reverberating through the room. 

"That will teach you who you're messing with," he hisses.

Keegan screams in agony as her leg snaps like a twig. She has never been in this much pain and she can't stand it. She reaches desperately for the ruined limb as if touching it will somehow fix what has been done to it. She rides out multiple blinding waves of pain before she can see Kane's figure standing over her through her tears. Her head is thick with nausea but she glares at him out of the corner of her eye and her voice trembles with hatred and pain. "F-fuck.... Y-you."

He presses his foot down harder.

"Submit!" he screams, furious she would disrespect him even now. He is stronger, better, and more worthy than her in every way. He will force her to respect him.

Keegan's scream turns to a choke and she grinds her head into the floor. "NO!" She forces out, vision wavering. God, it hurts. "I'll kill you! Son of a BITCH."

"You won't. You can’t. Do you want me to break the other leg?" Kane asks, seething.

Keegan definitely doesn't want that. She can't run with her leg like this, and wouldn’t be able to walk at all with both of them mangled.

"I'm stronger than you." Kane continues. "You have no power here. You will fucking respect me, whether you want to or not. You have no choice! That's the way humans are supposed to be!" He grinds his shoe against the break.

Keegan wails in agony and despair because he's right. She has nothing. She was so close and failed so spectacularly. She's never going to see her family again. 

“Just kill me!" She cries. "Let me go or kill me! I can't live like this anymore. I won't!"

"You will! You're mine! You're my food, and there's nothing you can do about it! I can make a human submit to my will as much as any other vampire!" Kane does not let up. "Admit it! I'm stronger than you, and there is nothing you can do to stand against me!"

Keegan cries into the floor. Tortured, humiliated, completely and utterly spent. She wants to give up, shut down completely, but she can't even do that. Shocks of pain continue to fry her nerves and it's too much. Kane isn't going to stop until she submits. She bites her lip, holding out as long as she can, but finally her terror wins over when something inside her ruined leg shifts.

"O-okay! Okay stop! P-please!" She's going to pass out, blood draining from her head.

Kane removes himself from the human, taking a single step back. "I want to hear you say it."

The release of pressure on her leg brings both relief and more agony. Keegan curls up over it immediately, hands hovering over the gruesome injury, too afraid to touch. She's shaking uncontrollably from pain and fear and her stomach churns with bile. Her eyes shine with tears as she looks up at Kane. She stays quiet and tries to convince herself that it's from defiance, but she truly just can't find the willpower to speak.

"Say it!" Kane demands. He steps forward again, but doesn't touch her. "I'm stronger than you. You're powerless against me. You're mine forever. Say. It."

Maybe it's the fact that the human really did almost kill him, but his heart is racing. It's not even fear of death, not really. All he can think about is what his family would think of him if he were killed by his own human.

Keegan flinches hard when Kane moves towards her. "Y-you- you're stronger than me..." She sputters out. God, don't hurt me anymore. Please.

Her face burns with shame. "I'm p-powerless..." It's true, even with him asleep and a stake in her hand she couldn't finish the job.

"I'm..." She hangs her head. "I'm yours forever."

"That's right." Satisfied he's made his point, he reaches down and hefts the human up over his shoulder. He carries her into the human quarters and sets her on the bed. "Now. Your purpose." He shoves her head to the side, bites into her neck, and feeds.

Keegan tries not to writhe in Kane's grip and she cuts off another scream when he drops her on the bed. The bite is hardly noticeable past the all-encompassing agony of her leg, but it still feels like defeat. She cries silently as he feeds. There's no fight left in her.

Kane licks the wound closed. "I'll see you tomorrow." When he leaves, he double-checks that the door is securely locked.

It takes her an unbearably long time, but eventually, inch by inch, Keegan is able to lie back against the headboard with her ruined leg propped up by pillows. She spends the night like that, unable to move or get up to eat or drink. She eventually hobbles her way to the bathroom once, but the pain grows so terrible by the end that she spends half an hour on the tile floor, dreading the trip back to bed. She needs a cast or splint or something or she won't be able to function.

She doesn't really care, though. She can't escape, can't fight back, so why bother? She misses multiple meals before she's starving enough to drag herself to the kitchen. Somehow there's still a ghost of self preservation inside her that she can't seem to shake off. 

She'll stay alive, even if it hurts. Even if it's pointless. Even if she’d rather die.

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