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promiseofeywa · 4 months ago

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GUTS ?! simon riley! destroys himself, but spouse!reader tries to soften the blow. content warning !! : self-harm, emotional trauma, short yet graphic description of physical pain, simon not wanting to communicate, angst(?) with open ending, low possibility of part-two (but i can be convinced......) 1527 words .ᐟ

THE ABUSE. The torture. The pain. The nightmares. All of it beginning to become unbearable for Simon.

A shattered man with a hardened heart yet yearning for solace.

Numbing the pain is his only escape. Inflicting harm on himself was his means of release. Past memories becoming overwhelmingly haunting, shadowing all of his thoughts, shoving them into a small jar. His sorrow spiraling into anger, which then morphed into frustration and fear.

Guttural grunts filled the training room, along with the pounding of bare flesh hitting a bag filled with sand. The old and worn-out leather of the punching bag being the victim of relentless hits, for hours and hours. Black wife-beater becoming a dark in a few areas as sweat and droplets of blood, result from Simon’s raw and bloody knuckles, hit the cheap fabric.

You already had his routine memorized by now, result of months (or has it been a year since?) watching and waiting for your husband to notice whenever you stood in the doorway.

Although, Simon always knew when you were walking down the hallway.

His sweet dove who stood patiently by the entry with a water bottle in one hand (that, by the time he acknowledges you, had already gone warm; water droplets trailing down your hand and onto the ground) and a small IFAK in the other, ready to treat his wounds.

Not that he ever let you treat them anyway.

His jaw clenches at the thought of vulnerability, the same thing that caused numerous of the marks that now littered across his body.

His heart clenched whenever you traced them with your fingertips, thinking that he was asleep.

The memory of when Major Vernon betrayed them and had all of his team tortured, brainwashed crossed his mind—

bang.

You don’t flinch as the punching bag hurtles across the room, sand soon after beginning to trail out of the rather large hole that Simon had punched in it. Closing your eyes momentarily before slowly reopening them, gazing at the ground before you and then gradually lifting your gaze towards your husband.

Simon’s body trembled with adrenaline, his shoulders tense and jaw clenched. He leaned against the cold-cement wall of the training room, fast breaths beginning to even out as he got down of his high.

A bead of sweat slowly made its way down his temple, the pain in his knuckles increasing now that his adrenaline had started to die down. He kept his gaze locked on the crumbled punching bag, refusing to look at you.

“M’ fine.”

He muttered out, his voice hoarse as he felt the burning gaze of his dove, blue eyes continuing to glare down at the beaten punching bag on the floor.

“It’s down already, Simon.” You respond, a frown beginning to settle on your face. Simon’s eyes lock on you, his jaw clenched and annoyance starting to build. His balaclava could only hide so much but loving him all these years taught you to know better than that.

“I don’t need yer help, I can ‘andle it m’self.” He grumbles out through gritted teeth, referring to the IFAK in your left hand, glancing at the ringless finger for a moment.

“I haven’t offered it.”

“Then why are ya here?”

“Because I need you to stop doing this to yourself.”

Simon’s eyes narrowed, expression darkening as he took a few steps closer to you. He lifts his hand up and rests his palm on the doorframe beside your head, towering over you. He leaned closer, voice lowering into a dangerous growl.

“Y’ don’t get t’order me around, don’t test me, dove.”

You never backed down, never showed the slightest hint of fear. Why?

You never found a reason to, around Simon.

Your eyes hardened as you stared up at your husband, eyebrow raising at his words. The water bottle crinkled a bit in your grip, water droplets falling onto the ground from the force.

You had no choice.

“Let me take care of you or you’ll never see me again.”

Simon’s eyes widened slightly at your threat, eyebrow raising as an amused huff escaped him as he shook his head in disbelief. He knew you weren’t bluffing, but that didn’t matter to him.

But he couldn’t help as his heart drops at the thought of you leaving.

“Y’ don’t have the guts to leave me.”

He leaned in even closer. His towering height and broad frame looming over your own frame, blocking your view from anything else but him; a clear display of dominance.

You press your lips together as your frown worsened, usual doe eyes that gazed at Simon as if he held the moon and the stars now glared at him as if he took them away.

“You’re right, I don’t—“ You pause, pondering on whether or not say what’s on your mind. "But I don’t have the guts to watch you ruin yourself while I stand by and do nothing either.”

Simon’s gaze flickered, a mixture of anger and guilt in his eyes. A drop of blood began to trail down the arm that Simon had beside your head, slowing down as gravity did its job and had it land beside the drops of water.

He knew you were right, but his pride, his stubbornness, would not let him give in — not so easily.

“Get out of m’sight.” He growled out through gritted teeth, his shoulders tense and jaw clenched. He felt a familiar sensation forming in his head, a sensation of frustration and anger boiling inside it.

“I want you t—“

“Don’t.”

He knew what you were going to say, and it only made his anger flare even more; it began to make him think whether you were a human or a recorder.

Perhaps it was time to listen to you.

He didn’t want to hear it, he didn’t want to face the truth. It didn’t matter if you were childhood sweethearts or if you met at a random supermarket years after. He’s not used to being vulnerable, especially with you; his sweet dove who’s done nothing but stick by his side, obedient.

But even a caged dove yearns for the sky.

Simon’s hands clenched into fists, his purple bruised and bloody knuckles aching, pounding even. His jaw tense as he glares down at you, ready to maul you up if you tested him further.

Until you silently hold your gloved palm out to him.

Simon’s gaze locks onto your outstretched palm, his heart thudding in his chest. He knew what you were asking, what you were offering. His body tenses as his stubbornness wars with his love for you. He desperately wants to shove you out of the training room, to keep you away from the window; not wanting you to peek at the sky any longer—

but a part of him craves the comfort only you can provide.

Without a word, he slowly reaches out and places his hand in yours, fingers bloody. His knuckles were a mess of torn flesh and raw bruises, some of the skin hanging in ragged flaps as blood seeps through the cracks. Dark purple and blue bruises radiated out, swelling out the joints twice its normal size.

You grimaced at the sight, heart dropping as the result of Simon’s self-torture sat in-front of you. You kneel and place the water bottle beside Simon, not letting go of his hand. With your free hand, you grabbed some antiseptic wipes and began to clean the wound, clearing out some of the sand and oil from the leather; the feeling of your husband’s fingers twitching and trembling made you gently squeeze his hand in comfort.

“Fucking hell...” He curses under his breath as he watches you add a generous amount of antibiotic ointment before wrapping the knuckle in a sterile gauze— securing it with some surgical tape, making sure it was snug but not too tight.

His shoulders tense, body on high alert— prepared to pull away if he feels too vulnerable or exposed. Your touch is gentle, the coolness of the antiseptic on his skin a stark contrast to the rough and calloused hands of a soldier.

You let your fingers gently glide over the sterile gauze, not daring to make any eye contact with your husband. Simon didn’t move either, simply watching the way your lashes fluttered whenever you blinked.

He turns over his hand and lets your fingers graze his palm.

Your head moves up, eyes flickering up to meet Simon’s, a mix of emotions swirling in the depths of his sky-colored eyes. Neither of you said a word or made a move, standing in silence, basking in the other’s presence.

Until you pulled away, turning around as you walk out of the training room. Simon’s jaw clenches as he watches you walk away, a pang of disappointment and frustration coursing through him. The water bottle sits by his feet, but he makes no move to pick it up. Instead, he just reaches over and closes the door.

Loving Simon Riley is akin to caring for a caged dove desperate for the sky; a challenge to give it the space it craves.

#ghost x reader #simon riley #simon riley x reader #simon ghost riley #simon riley x you #simon ghost x reader #ghost cod #cod x reader #call of duty #promise writes #lovingsr #promiseofeywa

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papermatisse · 6 months ago

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Lost and Found || B.BH

♔ pairing: dionysus!byun baekhyun x f!ariadne!reader

♔ genre: angst, one-shot, fluff

♔ word count: 3.5k

♔ warnings: abandonment, murder

♔ abstract: Love comes with all kinds of sacrifices, and after everything she'd sacrificed for her own hopeful romance, all she really wanted was a lover to live with for the rest of her mortal existence. Though the universe—and for that matter the gods who inhabit it—has a cruel sense of humor.

♔ author's note: I've been thinking of writing a Greek mythology story for all of the exos (ot8 [minus Chen, the nation's husband and father]). I have a few plans already, though this one felt the easiest and quickest to execute cause I really wanted to test out and fix my link/tag issue on here 😔

for context, here's a rough synopsis of the Theseus story: the king of Crete angered Poseidon who cursed the queen into woohooing with the king's bull, thus creating a minotaur named Asterion. mortified by this creation, they banished him into a maze and alienated him as if he were nothing, thus creating the bloodthirsty monster he was. the king's son went to Athens bc they themselves had a minotaur problem, but their minotaur wound up killing him. the king of Crete blamed the king of Athens and after some altercations, it resulted in an annual tradition of sending a select few Athenians to serve as tribute and be eaten by Asterion. one of these tributes was Theseus, son of the king of Athens, and he actually defeated the Athenian minotaur. to help him in defeating Asterion, the Crete king's daughter, Ariadne, gave Theseus yarn so he'd be able to navigate the maze, which helped him in killing Asterion. afterwards, they sailed to Naxos, where he abandoned her. interpretations vary of course, but most involve Dionysus marrying Ariadne afterwards bc he fell in love w her.

masterlist

Nestled within the Aegean Sea, lost amongst the plethora of islands which dotted the cerulean expanse of the ocean, lays the idyllic yet ever forlorn island of Naxos. Viridescent fields of crops and greenery encompass the entirety of the island, sloped along the verdant hills which make up its landscape. The only obstruction to its rolling plains was that of its mountain at the very heart of the island, as well as the sandy beaches which encircled it all in a protective ring of golden grains.

Upon first arrival, it had seemed nothing short of picturesque—perhaps even going so far as being the most beautiful sight she'd ever observed in her rather dull and sheltered life thus far. The warmth of the sand which greeted her once she'd hopped off the boat felt like the welcoming embrace of a new start, the fine grains sinking beneath her every step as if accommodating to her new presence. The seas lapped against the shores as if reaching out to her, waving—both metaphorically and literally—like it were greeting an old friend. And the winds which carried with it the strong aroma of sea salt and petrichor encompassed her being in a cool and refreshing embrace, nearly cementing the thought that circulated in her head of what a perfectly quaint and romantic escape Naxos was for her and her lover to settle in and establish their new lives together.

At least that's how it had all felt no more than a day ago. It was astounding how much could change upon settling down to rest after the strenuous voyage to Naxos. A mere daytime nap, meant to simply reinvigorate her, had suddenly turned her whole world upside down, because upon opening her eyes, her lover, with whom she'd risked her entire life in order to save, had all but vanished: him, his boat, and by extension, her heart along with him. She couldn't even see a single speck of him remaining on the horizon, and the thought that he had left her the moment she'd fallen asleep felt ever more disparaging.

Now, she sat along the shore. The sands, cooled with the setting sun, cradled her dejected form. The cacophony of waves crashing against the island served to drown out her cries. And the winds, which had grown significantly weaker as the day waned, brushed against her face as if to gently wipe away her tears. Naxos, with its surreal beauty and tender acceptance, had become no more a prison prompted by her own circumstances just as her accomodations had been on Crete. Exchanging one pitiful excuse of a home for another, though now she was utterly alone.

And all she could do was cry to herself. Cry over her foolishness to have risked everything for a boy she'd fallen for so rashly. Cry over her imminent future and the dread of the unknown which lay in waiting for her. Cry over the abandonment and outright rejection from someone she once believed to be her soulmate.

What a miserable life she led.

What a tragic course of events she followed.

What an absolutely pathetic human being she was.

And how utterly vexing it was that she could not even wallow in her own self-pity by her lonesome for very long.

“(y/n)?”

Her body seemed to register the foreign voice before her mind had, as she slowly turned her tear stricken face towards the newcomer. Though once her eyes met those of the familiar deity, now standing a mere few feet away from her, she quickly turned back to her original position, staring out at the sea. By now, the harsh line of the horizon had become ingrained into her corneas, remaining in her vision even when her eyes were closed, yet she continued to stare forward, hoping to find a stray boat somewhere in the distance. Hoping to see her beloved rushing back to her as if his initial departure was nothing more than an accident. Hoping to fall back into his arms and forget the worries incessantly plaguing her mind.

Though once more, these desires went unanswered, and instead, she was met by this ever so gentle touch skimming carefully over her back.

“(y/n), look at me.”

The demand hadn't held much of an authoritative tone, more so that of an insistent plea, one where she could faintly discern the shreds of desperation laced in between. Yet she remained as is, eyes trained on the ocean, waiting. She thought by ignoring him, he'd leave her alone. Allow her to grieve in peace without his mischief and revelric tendencies. Let her sulk in her misfortune without being reminded of her affiliation with him. Yet he could not even spare her this one luxury.

Instead, in her periphery, she found him crouching onto the sand beside her, seating himself in a way so he could remain attached to her side. The heavy weight of his gaze lingered upon her, even as she attempted to ignore his presence as a whole. Though he seemed none the wiser to her efforts, or perhaps he merely couldn't care less what she thought of him—not that she's out right proclaimed her opinion of said god, but from mere context clues given their history together, she was sure he had a general understanding of where she stands with him.

It had been a few years since she first met Baekhyun. A rather untimely meeting with the god of wine and revelry, one marked by unrequited affections which has since plagued her every waking moment. She had never processed how burdensome it could become to be the apple of one's eye, especially if that particular person was a deity of Baekhyun's caliber, and one she felt nothing towards. And even now as she tends to a broken heart, abandoned on a remote island in the middle of nowhere with no means of escape, she still couldn't conceal the discomfort she felt in Baekhyun's presence, knowing fully well of his affections and how he had been waiting for her answer to his proposal.

Though unlike all the other times he’s randomly materialized before her, usually wreaking of that sickly sweet aroma of wine and teasing her relentlessly until she was pleading for him to leave her be, he sat there calmly and quietly, waiting for her to acknowledge him. It was a peculiar shift in his modus operandi, one that did not go by unnoticed by (y/n), yet even with the silence he granted her, she couldn't bear to speak to him as she usually would.

Humiliation silently lingered in the air even before she could say anything. She didn't know what she'd tell Baekhyun had he pestered her in his usual manner. The last thing on her mind was telling the man who proposed to her—with whom she'd essentially left unanswered—that the man she intended on running away with forever had all but left her stranded on an island to die in solitude. Though somehow, there was a small inkling in her that felt like Baekhyun already knew. And perhaps a smaller, more hopeful part of her believed he was here not to torment her, but rather to check up on her, ensure she was fairing well.

Hesitantly, her eyes strayed from where they'd been zeroed in along the horizon, sparing Baekhyun a small and brief glance.

It was odd. His eyes seemed duller now, a more muted umber tone devoid of that trademark glint he usually dons when running amok. He usually always bore this confident, bordering on cocky, grin that seemed all too pleased with himself and his shenanigans, yet now his lips were naturally downturned, perhaps the first time she's ever seen his mouth in its natural resting position. Even his scent was more subdued, and she was able to pick up the rich undertones of grapes usually concealed by his alcoholic carousing. His gaze was dropped, steadily trained on her hands laying in her lap, and the undivided attention only prompted more discomfort on her part as she fiddled with the fabric of her dress.

She had half a mind to ask him if he was okay, momentarily forgetting her own plight once she saw the shift in demeanor of Baekhyun. Though the silence that encompassed them prompted her own wariness in approaching the subject.

And so they remained as is, the sun now meeting the horizon, igniting the sky into a mural of warm, fiery hues. As the sun continued to set, it dyed the blue depth of the waters into a color akin to wine with its deep and rich crimson shade.

Without realizing it, her mind had begun wandering back to Baekhyun, curious as to why he remained by her side even as she ignored him. And though she didn't know for how long she'd strayed with these thoughts, she did know it was his presence alone that managed to briefly distract her from her current situation.

“Why are you here?” (y/n) asked, voice gravelly from misuse. For a moment, she was met with silence, the ocean serving as white noise to fill the void. But as she dared another glance his way, she saw his somber countenance. It was a foreign expression to be gracing his face, and she found herself intrigued by the furrow of his brow as he remained lost in thought.

“I went to visit you on Crete…” He finally responded, the timbre of his voice lowering with raw solemnity. “I know how you get with the annual tributes, so I wanted to be there for you.”

She shied away at this, never fully processing how Baekhyun's sporadic appearances coincided with certain times. And it was true. Every year as the Athenian tributes arrived on Crete, she distanced herself until after these events were done and over with. Though as she now recollected memories from recent years, she began putting together Baekhyun's arrivals were never truly as spontaneous as she first made them out to be.

He was always there whenever she was at her lowest. She thought it was intentional as a way of tormenting her when she's at rock bottom, but as he continued speaking, a pit of remorse began accumulating within her heart.

“Instead, I was met with… chaos. Carnage. Disorder.” He paused, turning his head in a direction she could only assume was where Crete faced. “Asterion was dead. A tribute had escaped. And the princess had all but disappeared.”

At his final statement, (y/n) stared down in shame. She knew there would be repercussions for her actions, but she thought she'd have been long gone at this point. Too far away to even spare a moment of regret for having abandoned her family and her kingdom. Yet it all came back to bite her. Her brother, cursed and estranged as he was, had been killed. Theseus, her lover who she assisted the entire way through, had been the one to kill him. And she, princess of Crete, had run off in the midst of this mayhem.

“I'm sorry…” (y/n) whispered, voice strained as she fought back tears. “I'm so sorry. I just couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't bear to see more death. Every single year without fail they'd send these Athenians off to die by my brother's hands. And we'd just have to sit there and watch. Watch as they all lost themselves to the labyrinth. And Asterion would…”

As if having finally broken the floodgates, tears began streaming down her face without fail. The tragic life of her brother, born a monster and treated as such. And even if she had never interacted with him, even as she witnessed his bloodshed year after year, the knowledge of his death being instigated by her own involvement was debilitating enough to ground her back into reality.

The gravity of her predicament began to settle in. Sitting on an island, hopelessly waiting for a guy she had only just met and was ready to run away with forever. The realization that he used her for his own benefit, exploited her blind affections towards him only to then leave her for dead. He had probably already returned to Athens, assumed the role of hero who killed the minotaur of Crete—as well as that of their princess. And she sat there, longing for him for hours at a time, seated beside Dionysus himself. The absurdity of it all was almost laughable, and she'd probably be doing just that if it weren't for the overwhelming humiliation she felt coiled and festering within her.

“I helped him…” She confessed aloud. “I gave him the thread so he wouldn't get lost in the maze. I was the one who helped him defeat Asterion. I was the one who helped him escape. It was all my doing. And he left me here as repayment.”

Before she could continue, Baekhyun had suddenly shifted from his position, arms wrapping around her tightly and dragging her into his embrace. Any other time, she'd probably have swatted at him whilst yelling profanities, all while he laughed in delight at her hostility.

Yet now his touch didn't feel repulsive.

She could feel his warmth fully encompassing her, shielding her from the outside world. His hands clung to her body as if afraid she'd slip away from him at any moment. And now closer to him than ever before, she could smell his true aroma past the wine. An almost woodsy scent, just as warm as he was. Fruits and earth and nature as a whole. Faintly, she could smell the ocean intermingling with his scent.

It was so peculiar the way that distinct saltiness had first felt like a refreshing start to a new life, though shifted into an overwhelming and paralyzing apprehension that infested every aspect of her being. Though now, in Baekhyun's protective arms, it felt comforting. As if he himself dispelled it and this island of any and all of its negativity that consumed her.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the tension from her body had melted away. The sound of his heartbeat coinciding with that of the calm waves was like a melodious harmony that transcended her into a state of utter tranquility. His breathing lulled her away from the worries that tormented her heart, and she finally felt at peace.

“Did you love him?” Baekhyun asked. His tone was more inquisitive than anything else. There were no hidden intentions with his question, and although hesitant to admit it aloud to him, for fear of hurting him, (y/n) felt at ease with telling Baekhyun the truth he sought.

“Yes,” she responded quietly. “But I regret it. I regret it all.”

“Don't.” His grip tightened around her, pressing his forehead against the top of her head. “You shouldn't regret the love you give people. Don't let this foolish boy disparage you from expressing yourself to your fullest potential.”

(y/n) remained quiet, surprised by the turn of the events, though still listening intently to Baekhyun's words.

“I've always held such deep admiration towards you. From the moment I met you till now. I could see the way you loved so genuinely and fully. And I thought it was beautiful. I thought you were beautiful. You shouldn't grieve over an unrequited love. Loss serves as a reminder of the love we once felt, and the remorse we feel further exemplifies that. Your love is something so wonderful. Something I adore greatly.”

As he spoke, his warmth seemed to intensify. Filled with familiarity and security, coaxing her further into his embrace until she buried herself into the crook of his neck. He held her as if she were everything he had ever asked for. His touch was like ambrosia and nectar, the sweetest of prose to ever be professed, a safety like no other.

“I find myself wanting to be inconvenienced by you. I want to have you distracting me by lingering in my thoughts. I want to take time out of my day just to see you. I want to love you, even if you don't love me.”

At this, a sob slipped past her lips, and she clung onto him harder. Away from it all, everything inside her felt tumultuous and heightened. All of the emotions she'd been bottling up for years seemed to overflow in Baekhyun's presence alone. Her heart ached with grief, remorse, hatred, anger, defeat. Yet it also sang like never before, healing itself from years of anguish and torment.

And after the cathartic intervention came to a conclusion, faces marred by dried tears and eyes reddened with strain, a peaceful serenity had settled over the two. By now, the sun had long set. The cool of the night had begun penetrating the warmth of their embrace. The sand beneath them no longer retained the heat of the afternoon sun. The oceans were calm and still. The winds now settled into a gentle breeze. The world was asleep, silent in every regard. The day had ended and (y/n) had made it out alive, no doubt due to Baekhyun's influence.

Panic begin settling in her as he shifted, rising to his feet and pulling her up with him. Though when she met his gaze, loving and sweet and attentive, she began to settle once more. His hands held her own, thumbs softly brushing over her knuckles, all the while maintaining his sight on her face.

“What would you like to do?” He asked. “I can build you a palace here on Naxos, away from the cruelties of the world and the people who inhabit it.” His smile grew wider, bearing that familiar wickedness whenever he was up to no good. “I could overthrow the monarchy of Crete and reinstate you as its sole sovereign, allow you to redeem yourself and your honor, perhaps even reestablish Crete as a just and fair kingdom.” Both options were tempting, neither having any inherent consequences as long as Baekhyun held sway in their components. And she could tell Baekhyun had more to say, but she quickly intercepted before he could propose another offer.

“I want to be with you.” Baekhyun blinked at this, chuckling as if she were telling a joke.

“I will be there. You can't get rid of me that easily.”

“No.” Her hands slipped from his, reaching forth to cup his cheeks and bring him closer. “I choose you, Baekhyun.”

She pressed her lips against his own, soft and delicate. He seemed stunned for a moment, his body moving subconsciously for the first second or two, but once he had fully processed where he was and what was happening, Baekhyun began reciprocating. He kissed back just as earnestly, his hands reaching up to hold onto her wrists as he poured every ounce of his adoration into her. And (y/n) couldn't help but think how perfect it was.

She'd always thought love at first sight was perhaps the most romantic of gestures one could have. The act of finding your soulmate from a single encounter seemed so otherworldly and unmatched. Yet here in this moment with Baekhyun's body pressed against her own as he drew impossibly closer to her, his hands softly wandering in an attempt to map her form into his memory, she found this very moment to be the epitome of what love should be. A gradual fall into love. In a way, she can reminisce on growth and development, reflect on what was not there and how it came to be.

One of his hands had wandered to her hair, gently carding his fingers through the strands, and the other drew patterns on her waist, amorphous shapes that each portrayed his unspoken love for her. She thought back on every encounter she had with him. Every laugh he coaxed out of her even as she tried to hide away from the world. The bittersweet smiles he gave her every time she rejected or delayed his proposal. His neverending determination and devotion, even when facing adversities like herself. And with each revelation, each tender kiss from Baekhyun, her heart seemed to swell with love for him and him alone.

Once more, he was the one to pull away first, perhaps more in control of his long-standing affections than her, yet he didn't draw too far from her. Just far enough for him to look over her countenance with a lovestruck expression of his own. His eyes glistened with this saccharine-like joy, crinkling at the corners with his sweet smile dedicated to her. And she found herself smiling back, an uncontrollable jubilance bubbling in her as she reveled in his affections.

“Come then,” he spoke softly, hands returning back to hers. He brought one up to his lips, pressing one final kiss to her fingers. “Let's go home.”

#k-labels #baekhyun x reader #baekhyun fanfiction #baekhyun fanfic #byun baekhyun x reader #byun baekhyun fanfiction #byun baekhyun fanfic #exo x reader #exo fanfiction #exo fanfic #kpop x reader #kpop fanfiction #kpop fanfic

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vayshkarell · 9 months ago

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How I Made my V2 Cosplay

Oh boy! This right here is about how I make my cosplay head of V2. Some of the stages don't have photos, but i'll do my best to explain what I did. I also have no WIPs of the gloves, but those were super straight forward. Some photos are very low quality due to my phone having a damaged camera at the time, and other photos were taken from my instagram story as they're the only photos I have from that stage. Please note that this is not a tutorial! This is more of a story of a disastrous (but ultimately successful) project done by someone with no idea what they were doing. Please find actual tutorials by more experienced people!

The Modeling Base

This right hear is a big chunk of upholstery foam! I own a ton of this stuff, so i decided the best way to start this was a foam blank. Well, this was a bad idea in retrospect, but hey it technically worked. Kinda. I started by drawing the basic shape, then cutting out thick sheets. From there, I glued them together and began shaping with scissors to get the desired shape. Honestly a 3D modeled blank may have been better, or a base made of foam board pieces used instead. Live and learn I suppose.

After I got the shape to something i was happy with, I began the transition to EVA foam. To do this, I mummified the thing in duct tape and marked seam lines in sharpie. I then cut out these duct tape pieces, and stuck them to paper to act as a backing.

Foam Shell Construction

Once I had a pattern, I began making the actual head. To do this, I traced the pattern onto sheets of EVA foam (I believe 4mm or 6mm) and cut them out. Lots of these pieces needed bevels, some of which i had to dremel as shown below due to them not cutting correctly. Bevels are important as they make the foam crease as desired for angular shapes. I'm still pretty amateur with it though, and frequently got bevels wrong.

As I cut pieces, I began gluing them together with an awful gunk called contact cement. This stuff is a special glue that you let dry before sticking the pieces together, and it pretty cool. Unfortunately it's flammable and a carcinogen. As stated before, I'm pretty new to armor, so lots of the seams have weird gaps I had to fix farther down the line. After quite awhile, I had the basic shell assembled. However, the shell had numerous gaps and pieces that didn't fit correctly. Enter the foam clay.

Foam clay is a substance similar to model magic, and was honestly a life saver here. This thing has a second shell basically made of the stuff. I had to fill gaps primarily around the eye socket, but the entire thing honestly barely fit together.

After some filling and sanding, I made a test optic. And the head looked preeeety bad. There was something just incredibly off about it. This began the massive amounts of revising and reshaping I had to do. And fixing of awful symmetry. The head required a massive amount of sanding around the sides of the face and the chin. Between initial construction and when I began painting, I completely reshaped these areas. I made the chin significantly smaller, and added the indents or whatever (fins?) on the side of the head. However, doing all of this required me to fill in chunks of the interior with large wads of foam clay. If I hadn't done so, then I would've sanded through it in places. I also made the awful decision to gap fill with hot glue. If you've not dremeled hot glue, I don't recommend trying it. It melts the glue and sends globs of it flying, and those things are hot and really hurt.

After even more sanding, gap filling, and re-sanding, I finally got the shape to something i was happy with. Unfortunately I don't have any photos from just before painting.

Priming and Painting

The next step was for me to slather this thing in primer so it could be painted. I use Plastidip, as a tutorial i saw years ago said it was the best primer. Why does it need primed? I'm not actually entirely sure, but it's what I've heard needs done, so that's what I do.

Plastidip is a spray, so I of course did this outside. After a ton of coats, I was left with a shiny surface ready for the paint. Not much to say on primer.

Due to not currently having a functional airbrush, V2 is entirely hand painted. I coated this guy in red paint, and i mean coated the entire thing. Even areas I'd later paint black. Quick tip: Don't do that. It's a waste of paint. But i did it anyway cause I'm a dumbass. I also had issues when doing the black with getting it to stick, and when removing tape it caused some paint to peal off too. I originally had painted a barcode on the side of the head, but removing the tape took the black paint off too. Sooooo no bar code.

Once I got the shell painted, I did the optic. The test optic I used was marker on unicorn buckram, but that stuff is really hard to see through, the markers looked bad, and I couldn't pain it without clogging the mesh (due to not having an airbrush and having to do it by hand.) So, I got different mesh: a larger weave black mesh. This stuff I was actually able to hand paint, thus how I got the iris I did.

The Gloves

The gloves were, frankly, rushed. I bought a pair of cheap black costume gloves online, and then glued foam to em. For the gloves, I just used paper patterns to make the foam pieces. No fancy patterning here, just drawing shapes. After cutting the foam, I hot glued it, and then painted them. No priming on these, cause I was lazy and had a con coming up.

Conclusion

So that's about it! Thank you for reading this monster of a post! I'm hoping to eventually do a V1 head, so I'll be repatterning the V unit head soon. When I do, I'll probably make an actual tutorial. I dunno. We'll see.

#ultrakill #ultrakill v2 #ultrakill cosplay #cosplay #robot cosplay

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cozcat · 6 months ago

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One thing I am desperately hoping to see in season 3 of Wheel of Time is the girls going back to the White Tower, and a big part of this is to ensure Egwene's link to it is cemented before she becomes Amyrlin. I also desperately want her to have done her Accepted test, and I would like to see it. So, a while back, @fuel-prices and I had a big conversation about this, and this is where I've landed on the three arches. Full spoilers ahead.

Egwene is called to her test. Siuan may be there, or we may introduce Anaiya onscreen, or we may see Lelaine - as Sheriam isn't in season 3. But that's not the important part. She goes into the arches, ter'angreal or no ter'angreal: I could see Egwene being a Dreamer being an altering factor itself.

Be steadfast.

The first test: she wakes up somewhere familiar, and not. The Mountains of Mist are home, but the city around her is not. An attack is coming, and coming again, and they have been abandoned - by other cities, by the White Tower; all they have to protect their land, their children, is their own bodies. And Egwene - Eldrene - knows what she must do. All the power she can summon, and then some, and she must, and she will - but she cannot, because the way back will come but once.

(In this, we lean into the 1x03 focus on Egwene at Eldrene's death, and fully commit to her being a reincarnation of Eldrene. We can foreshadow her becoming Amyrlin elsewhere - let's foreshadow her death some more!)

The second test: horrors, and to the horrors that await her in the present. She is in the Two Rivers - maybe Wisdom, after Nynaeve's death; maybe not. "The Trollocs are coming again, and the Whitecloaks have left us." Maybe she sees her parents, other characters we know; maybe she sees Rand, Perrin, Mat, Nynaeve. Perhaps Perrin, as it leans into foreshadowing. But the way back will come but once, and she cannot save the ones she loves from the Whitecloaks.

(There is precedent for this. Egwene does dream of a bunch of foreshadowing of the Battle of the Two Rivers - this is just another way to do it. And we did consider the Seanchan here, but it feels, well, too obvious - why not go for a less expected test, rather than the obvious, just to heighten how much Egwene being a Dreamer is affecting it?)

The third test: horrors, and horrors again, and in for the final set of them. But horrors do not await. Instead, a group of tanned women, their eyes looking older than their faces, in algode shirts and skirts, in a red sea of sand. "Egwene, you will come to us, and you will know when that must be, just as you know now from where you will leave." And all Egwene can do now is wait, because this is all the third arch will be. The way back comes, and Egwene is waiting for it, staring at the spot she knows now that it will appear; she walks out of the third arch with her head held high and her back straight.

And so, Egwene knows she needs to go. She eventually learns to Travel using Tel'aran'rhiod - why not use it now, so she uses it to travel to the Wise Ones, and use it again later, when she decides to leave them to travel to Salidar? And, her traumas are her own, so no sense to mention it. (Plus, the secrecy from Nynaeve and Elayne will help divide them further emotionally.) Siuan will find a way to get Nynaeve and Elayne out of the Tower and hunting Black Ajah for sport - she'll send Egwene after them when she comes, but Egwene is gone, and cannot be sent.

I found that on rereading it, Egwene's test all revolves around Rand, and Egwene being unable to protect him - which is odd if not entirely pointless to do onscreen, because, at the end of season 2, she protected him. Also, a lot of her test is stuff we've seen elsewhere in the show. We've seen Nynaeve lose her child. We've seen Rand have the provincial life with Egwene and their daughter, Joiya. We've foreshadowed Egwene becoming Amyrlin and can do that in so many other ways. We've seen the Accepted test go wrong. We don't need those as repeat beats, so why not something else entirely?

And so, this is something else entirely.

#wot #wheel of time #mywot #wot book spoilers #a memory of light #robert jordan #egwene al'vere

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thatgirl4815 · 1 year ago

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OF Favorites Rankings

I did this once before the series aired, but I thought it’d be fun to rank the core characters in OF in the middle of the series’ run and once more at the end.

I’m gonna tag some of my active OF moots here (and some new OF friends as well!) if any of you want to play too—no pressure at all! And of course, even if you aren’t tagged, please feel free to play along! I’m super curious to see how opinions have changed from the beginning to the middle to the end. :)

@abstractelysium @nihilisticcondensedmilk @just-gm @firstkanaphans @prapaiwife @dreamedofyou @sandrayy @fanfictionroxs @khaopybara @tiedankelstotheocean @thegalwhorants @autisticbokutoenthusiast @itsmelb @way-too-indecisive @k-white @waitmyturtles

1. Sand

Of course it was going to be Sand in first place (get it…First place?)

He might be morally dubious in Ep6, but if anything, that makes him more endearing to me (don't ask me how). If they all play dirty, he can play dirty too. Plus, he's just got the vibe. The t-shirts, the jackets, the boots, the independence. The superior music taste? Mans has it all except for money. Though tbh, the moment that solidified Sand as my favorite was when he ran after Ray at the end of Ep6--he was just dealt a personal attack by Ray in front of everyone, but he doesn't even hesitate to go after him. And that is the marker of a ✨ favorite character ✨

2. Ray

Naturally, both Sand and Ray have taken the top spots (pun intended), and it's because I have a special place in my heart for "woobified" characters (did I use that right @waitmyturtles? 😂)...and Khaotung executes his layers so beautifully. Ray did go in for a nonconsensual kiss (which he later apologized for, but I digress) and he did hash out some pretty brutal insults last episode. Irrespective of his feelings for Sand, it's indisputable that he has used him in some aspect to distract himself from Mew. So for all that, Ray is also morally dubious--but I'll use the term realistic instead.

I just want to give him a hug and tell him that he matters. Because clearly that is something he's heard only a few times in his life. And maybe if he heard it more often, we could avoid situations like the one at the end of Ep6.

3. Nick

I’m having a bit of an inner battle with myself over this one because Nick came out of the gate with some very immoral behavior, and yet I’m still putting him above Mew, because something about him is just so…pitiful. Admittedly, I've been growing more and more frustrated with him as the series goes on and he still fights for Boston's affection when Boston has proven time and time again that he just doesn't care. Boston keeps him on a rope, and in some ways I sympathize with Nick's struggles, because it isn't easy to turn the feelings off once they've already been cemented. But alas. He's digging himself further and further into this hole.

4. Mew

A lot of my gripes with Mew have been in respect to his treatment of Ray, but I go back and forth because I do understand the mental toll it must take on him. Regardless of whether or not he's responsible for helping Ray through his mental issues, as his closest friend, I think it should've been him running after Ray at the end of Ep6. Yeah, Ray said some shitty things about everybody, but Ray has only ever wanted what is best for Mew. And Mew was going to watch him run off and potentially get himself killed, even after Ray admitted what Top had done. Something about that just doesn't sit right with me.

Despite all of this, Mew does appear to be the most level-headed of the group (alongside Sand, though that was put to the test last ep). And the moment he played TopBoston’s sex audio right in Top’s ear? Phenomenal. He nailed that execution. I will laugh when he's on his revenge kick next week.

5. Cheum

Cheum is this low firstly because she doesn't get a lot of screen time, and secondly because she's made some comments that are a little questionable too. I can't remember who said it, but someone pointed out just how often she references how lucky Mew is to be with Top--which is a little strange, looking at him like he's some big prize. Also, not to bring everything back to Ray but...she contributes to the "burden" discussion quite a few times.

I do really enjoy the small snippets we've gotten of her with April. I like that they finally gave their relationship a little bit more context in Ep6. They do seem to have some pretty solid communication (at least compared to the others) so I'm pleased with that.

6. Top

I know a lot of people have felt sorry for Top. And I understand that completely. I struggle to given that he not only cheated but lied about the cheating--and likely would never have admitted to it. For Mew, someone who values communication and honesty so strongly, it's like a punch to the face. I hope Top gets what's coming to him. (Also, stealing Sand's boyfriend? Wtf dude.)

7. Boston

Not much to explain about this one--I can understand why he is some peoples' favorite for the sole reason that he is the one creating all the conflict in the first place. But he's so twisted, manipulative, and careless that I just want Mew to kick him into that pool a hundred times over. I don't expect him to rise from last place by the end, but if he does, it'll be a miracle.

#only friends #only friends the series #ofts #only friends favorites game #sandray #raysand #topmew #bostonnick #only friends episode 6 #firstkhaotung #forcebook #neomark #only friends series

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kazamajun · 3 months ago

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Scorpio Rising

Pairing: Jun Kazama x Kazuya Mishima

Content warning: Sexual content (18+ only), monster/devilfucking (kind of), cunnilingus

Synopsis: An AU wherein Kazuya goes straight to Yakushima from Italy, arriving there before everyone else, and reunites with his wife in his brand new form. Character study and NSFW. Canon compliant up until T8 main story chapter 8. Includes references to personal headcanons and theories regarding T2 events.

Word count: 6k

Ao3 version: Link

Kazuya Mishima does not believe in destiny.

He had always scorned the concept of fate, the idea that the course of his life could be up to the whims of some intangible force and not something built with his own hands. His to determine.

Thus when all the pieces of his plan fell into place with ease, he derived satisfaction from the knowledge that it was entirely due his own meticulousness.

Jin Kazama had unleashed Azazel by generating strife, and emulating those the same circumstances had been a simple enough thing to enact. The endgame of course, weakening the seal enough to tear Azazel from the flimsy prison of that woman's arm. Upon being freed, the beast had been cocky, unwarrantedly so due to the ease with which it was vanquished - now for a second time - and absorbed by Kazuya. Once taking on the resulting new form he had swiftly adjusted to the devil's power, surely a sign that it was always meant to be in his hands.

Those who stood against Kazuya now in The Colosseum were no match for him, and they knew it. Their defiance was, at most, merely an inconvenience to him. Even that ambitious exorcist. Immobilizing the devil temporarily was brave, but insufficient, as was that giant glowing arrow of his. Despite all those flashy aesthetics no meaningful pain is inflicted, Kazuya has taken and withstood much worse and from stronger individuals in the past. Though, there is a breaking of skin at his shoulder which triggers something internally, as if Azazel sensed some weakness or an escape route to seep out of Kazuya's body. Unbidden, roiling purple smoke seeps from the wound like sand from a cracked hourglass. Kazuya barely has time to register it before his muscles violently convulse with the force of the consumed demon rebelling inside him. Wrenching from within, it feels like Azazel is trying to turn him inside out. A unique agony.

Loath as he is to leave an enemy alive, Kazuya is forced to evaluate the merits of a tactical retreat. None of those before him are truly a threat and fighting any further would simply soak up time that could be applied to a better purpose, and forcing Azazel into stillness is of a greater priority. The rest will be dealt with later. Steeling his willpower and testing the full capacity of his new wingspan, Kazuya leaves. His goal here has been accomplished to its fullest extent, and this knowledge soothes any potential dent to his ego caused by abandoning the fight. Mentally he is already compartmentalizing the pain and turning over the next court of action to take. For a fleeting moment he considers returning to G Corporation to recover and get a SITREP, but the notion is dismissed just as quickly. Nina is no friend of his, not like her sister, but she is a professional who can be trusted as far as she finds the compensation to be adequate. His forces are in capable hands until her contract ends. Finding a way to quell Azazel and cement his new power is foremost in his mind. The original devil is putting up a far stronger fight against being assimilated than his own devil had, which was to be expected, and he has come far enough now that averting unnecessary risks is tantamount. There had to be a way to subdue it until it fully became a part of him. With this decided, there was only one natural conclusion to draw.

The Kazama shrine.

Kazuya is no stranger to this lineage's powers. He had met Jun Kazama during the second tournament and been fascinated by her strength and uniqueness. Eventually he consented to her temporarily suppressing his devil, a decision that - unforeseen by both of them - had cost him the edge he needed to defeat his father. Back then, youthful hubris had him believe he could kill Heihachi with nothing but his fists and long-kindled rage, but Kazuya has learned a lot since. Power is power, no matter the source, and every possible advantage had been needed to ensure that he put that old man down for good. Training, strategy, and the strength in the Hachijo blood passed down from his mother, Kazumi. When he had finally defeated Heihachi, it almost felt like she had been with him. Kazuya is not a spiritual man, but some small piece of him likes to think that vengeance has brought peace to Kazumi’s soul.

Jun had mentioned her family's ancestral shrine once, that it was the centre of sacred land that in itself was a nexus for power. At the time Kazuya had thought little of the information but it could serve him now. If he were to claim that for himself and use it to suppress Azazel's will as his body adapts to the absorption, he would achieve complete mastery of the devil's full potential with minimal risk.

—

The flight to Yakushima is long and truthfully, Kazuya has no idea what he is looking for but feels he will know it when he sees it. His senses have been expanded beyond anything he had ever possessed before and once the island comes into view there is a noticeable change in energy flow, even the trees themselves hold a measure of unique energy now discernable through the new awareness granted to him, and he is certain this was the right decision. Flying overhead the canopies he focuses on what he can sense, glaring down through the boughs until something catches his attention. A trace of that unmistakable thrum of the Kazama lineage. Jun often kept her aura suppressed as a form of training and so as not to intimidate wildlife or any spiritually sensitive humans, but on occasion she had let that guard drop around him and even all these years later he'd never forgotten the sensation of her presence. What he was searching for had to be here.

He swoops down through the trees carelessly, following that feeling like a beacon. It leads him to a passage whose exterior is adorned with shimenawa and the inside is an oddly serene place; Yakushima in its entirety feels remote and alien to one like himself who prefers the comfort and convenience human civilization has to offer, but this area seems particularly untouched even in comparison to its surroundings. Almost as if it were frozen in time. He feels power coursing beneath his feet and in the walls and vines. Nature has either reclaimed or perhaps coexisted alongside what remained of this area for a long time now, but it is unnaturally quiet. It is fascinating, even Hon-Maru had no such energy coalescence and it makes him all the more determined to find the source.

A white bird flutters into view and flies down a nearby hole in the ground and, with little else but instinct to guide him, Kazuya pursues this strange sign of life emerging from the silence. The bird appears to share his destination - the shrine's altar comes into view, but what is more surprising than this spontaneous guidance is the figure laying there; bioluminescent surroundings, stray motes of mysterious light and a stray shaft of sunshine simultaneously shrouding and highlighting the motionless form with a mysterious radiance.

He had figured this place empty and forgotten, and watches with unconcealed surprise as the bird makes contact and merges with the one upon the altar, who then gasps like someone previously drowning taking their first breath of air after breaching the surface.

This could not be real.

The form of Jun Kazama slowly stirs after some heaving breaths, sitting up from her previously supine position on the plant-laden slab. With innate grace she turns to slide her legs to hang off the altar's edge while she remains seated, visibly taking a moment to recover from her prior unconsciousness.

"Impossible." Kazuya remarks aloud, though more to himself than anyone else. To think she could have been here this whole time... it is difficult to process. Absurd. And yet, it is a consistent reality manifested in front of him, observed by every single one of his multiple eyes as he drinks in the vision. He feels strangely unmoored by this tableau he bears witness to until Jun raises her chin and looks at him. Meeting that familiar gaze causes an odd twisting in his chest, this time one utterly unrelated to his current predicament with Azazel, and which only intensifies once she speaks.

"Kazuya," Jun breathes, both at the surprise of seeing him at her awakening, and shock at the form he is in. "What have you done to yourself?" She has seen his devil form before, and it was never like this. The tail, eye embedded in his chest, along with various ridges and hard crystalline facets that emulate armour are all new, forming a more imposing silhouette; and while his features and voice are recognizable enough they too have been altered, taking on a more inhuman edge. His aura is different too. Still, she knows it is him, the same way she has always known him.

It does not surprise him that Jun's instinct is to challenge and question. It would not be her if she didn't. She wields her sincerity like a form of strength and it's something Kazuya welcomes, for it is assurance that this is real. And the difference in how he appears now makes it a fair query. He feels indomitable now, and with such strength comes boundless freedom and possibility. "I have become who I was always meant to be." A statement he delivers with confidence and pride, backed with the full weight of belief. The power of devils was his birthright, his to claim alongside anything else that is within his ability to grasp. That is the natural order of the world, and to be left with nothing is for the weak.

Jun's gaze narrows slightly and for a moment appears unfocused, as if she were seeing right through him. Something she had seemingly been adept at doing since they had first met. But, being laid bare in front of one you trust is not shameful. Thus Kazuya does not shy away from her scrutiny, and Jun is able to discern that he is not alone, not truly. There is something inside him roiling and raging to be freed. Not his innate devil who he had a tug-of-wills with all those years ago. This, this is something distinctly new and vastly more powerful. Directness is part of her nature, so Jun further presses with gentle concern. "And that… passenger of yours?"

It is entirely unsurprising to him that she was able to sense Azazel, given the abilities displayed back when their lives were first interwoven. Abilities that Kazuya knows she would have continued to refine in the years beyond, as he has with his own. Discovering that she lives has invoked a mix of emotions that Kazuya forces himself to shove down, to be pragmatic and prioritize. It is clear now that the power he sensed earlier was not merely a trace remnant of the Kazama lineage's spiritual energy but Jun herself - though this does not alter his goals and may in fact serve them all the better than attempting to suppress Azazel alone. "It is a matter I have faith you can assist with, as you tried similar once before." Kazuya approaches where she is seated and takes one of her gloved hands between his own with great care, consciously ensuring his talons are not at risk of grazing her. It had been over 20 years since their last contact, and the touch is surprising with how natural it feels. As if his fingers curled around hers was simply how they were meant to be. A strange feeling. He raises her hand to press it palm-first against his chest. "It is the progenitor of devils, Azazel. If you can purge its consciousness, only I shall remain."

The Kazama clan have not been exorcists in generations, not in the commonly understood sense of the word. They preserved harmony and sought only to defend, rather than engaging directly in the hunting of anything supernatural. Still, there had been oral histories passed down about the origins of devils and their singular root, an entity creating servants for itself to carry out its wishes. An irony that one such supposed 'servant' would surpass that creature itself. Though, if anyone were to be capable of such, Jun reckons, of course it would be Kazuya.

The feel of his hand and chest are so different from that of the calloused fingers and firm skin inhabiting her memories. And while his torso retains the same basic musculature and distinctive scar beneath, the demonic shell prevents Jun from being able to feel his heartbeat - something unsurprising and yet a slight disappointment. In the past it had often been a comforting pulse. Perhaps this form felt the need for his heart to be more heavily guarded.

And despite it all, he is still so familiar. It is a little jarring that so much could change and yet stay the same, something that transcends the purely physical; Kazuya himself is like a lightning strike - unpredictable, fleeting, yet forever altering what it touches. Growing to love him changed her, an affection and truth that has endured all these years. And so, he has asked for her aid with unquestioning trust, and she will provide. It is as simple and as complicated as that. Jun looks from where he planted her hand, where she is now touching contemplatively with splayed fingers, back up to his eyes again, and gives an affirming nod. She is confident in her ability to fulfil his request, empowered here in this sacred place.

"It will hurt." Kazuya does not fear pain, she knows this, but imparts the warning nonetheless. A small grunt of acknowledgement as Kazuya braces himself is all Jun waits for before calling upon every piece of purifying power she can muster, maintaining a razor-sharp focus to sear and eliminate Azazel's consciousness from existence without harming Kazuya more than necessary.

How long it takes is something neither of them could define, other than to say a duration that pushes them both close to their limits. Even with her unparalleled concentration it still feels like a sun being forced between his ribs, blossoming light burning with a ferocity akin to holy fire immolating every nerve ending for dilating moments that stretch out intolerably… until finally, it stops. Jun's hand falls away, and Kazuya sags forward unintentionally in the aftermath of the spiritual cauterization, from both the agony and catharsis. Their faces hover dangerously close and linger, both of them breathing slightly harder from the exertion and endurance, respectively. For a moment they share one breath. Jun looks into his crimson eyes, first the main pair then the third one in the centre of his brow, as if searching for something.

Kazuya leans back, seemingly oblivious to the scrutiny, rolling his neck and turning his focus inward as his eyes close. Where there once had been Azazel's rebelling and twisting sentience waging internal war against captivity… he now feels only silence. Upon this confirmation he reopens them, satisfied.

Jun gently touches his shoulder, her fingers skirting the edge of what she notes to be a freshly-healed wound there. She knows her task is done and his expression verifies it. "So, what now?" The world has moved on for seven years without her, and while she knows their shared affections have entwined them in a manner that is not subject to time's whims, the man before her is a mystery in ways beyond his physical form. The Kazuya she'd known was from decades prior, and people change under the irrevocable march of years.

"I was told you had died." Kazuya utters once his breathing evens out. The words carry a current of disdain. A ridiculous notion, that she could have been slain by the same creature that had taken out other - in his eyes, inferior - martial artists. But, she had vanished without a trace and the boy genuinely believed her dead. Knowing Jun as he does, Kazuya was aware she would not voluntarily have left Jin alone; nor sent him to Kazuya's own monster of a father had there been any alternative. Thus, he had accepted the news for truth and with no small measure of grief, albeit channeled into violence before being buried deep and smoothed over with a topsoil of simmering rage. Heihachi and his men had awakened the cursed thing, set off that whole chain of events and robbed Kazuya of a loved one for the third time. Or so he’d thought. Now that the more immediate danger was over and there actually was time to process it all, to reconcile the fact that something he'd believed for so long was actually untrue, has Kazuya more shaken and in need of answers than he cares to outwardly admit. His wings flare slightly with agitation.

"I almost did." Jun replies with an open honesty. Recalling the sensation of being close to death was far from pleasant, but divulging the memory is a necessity, she knows. "Calling upon the power in this place I defeated the ogre that attacked us, but it had fatally wounded me in turn. The voice of my ancestors guided me here to rest, and I was kept from death until I could heal." The mystical protection is not something Jun herself fully comprehends. She had trusted in where the sound of her family's lullaby led her, and it is how she survived. Perhaps it did not need to be more deeply understood than that. Her hand raises from Kazuya's shoulder to lay along his cheek. Even armoured as it is with demonic cartilage, his bone structure is still familiar and the feel of him soothes something in her. And it seems to be reciprocated, as it is impossible to miss the way he ever so slightly tilts his head and leans in to the touch, his disconcertment slowly ebbing.

For Kazuya it is a strange thing to be cared about so openly. To have one so dedicated to you yet who asks for nothing in return. Even all these years later, Jun's first act had been for his welfare, and done without question. It causes an ache, tugging at that carefully compartmentalized sense of loss where all these years without her had resided. One of his hands comes to rest over the top of her one gracing his cheek, lingering there briefly before he gently lifts her hand away and just below the hem of her glove he presses a small kiss to her bare wrist in wordless response and acknowledgement of her selflessness.

"Kazuya…" Jun has seen visions of the atrocities committed in their time apart, and she is not blind to the flaws in the man she has chosen to love. Life has been cruel to him, and this made him cruel to the world. A defensive coldness and closed-off nature cultivated for survival. But she has also seen his honesty. How he honours his word. His capacity for loyalty. The way that cold nature could melt under the warmth of understanding and patience. How he challenged her and was her match, in the way only a true counterpart can be. All these things and more are what earned her love all those years ago, and are why she chooses to have faith in him now. "I only left Tokyo when I knew you weren't coming back. 'til then, I waited, and only returned home once I knew I was alone. But I never left you. Not even after we were parted." Physical separation, be it distance or death, was incidental and involuntary. In both the spiritual and emotional sense he had always been in her heart, was the last person she thought of before succumbing to the lull of otherworldly sleep in this place.

Kazuya would not say he suspected or hoped for as much, someone as captivating as Jun could easily have moved on if she wished. It is heartening to hear, and her sentiments echo his own. It was either Jun, or no one. She is singular, her uniqueness and strength equalled only by her capacity for compassion. While he had never quite grasped why he should be the recipient of it, it was a gift cherished and not to be squandered. "I would have you at my side again - if you will have me." The words are stilted; the ability to express tender emotions had never come easily as he had been raised to see sentiment as weakness; cold rage being the only thing that allowances were made for. But here he is doing his best to be sincere, even if it comes off as formal.

There is nothing she wants more in this world. But still, one last thing remained. “I… felt you die, Kazuya. When your heart stopped, I knew.”Her admission is like a vulnerability, revealing an old wound. Something unspoken, but nonetheless carried all this time. In that moment two decades ago she had felt the true fragility of their planned future, the speculated idealism of how things would be once he was finally free of the threat of his father. It had shattered and slipped through her fingers back then. Which leaves a hanging question in this current moment. “When you were brought back, why did you never seek me out?”

The answers to this are myriad, and ultimately; meaningless. It had been a mistake on his part, one fueled by selfishness and fear. Kazuya is silent for a long moment, giving the question the consideration it deserves and his tone is low when he finally speaks. “The version of me you loved, was a man you thought could be redeemed.” He is not saying this to hurt her, nor does he believe she carries any illusions to be shattered. Kazuya can tell she knows his sins, and has seen right through him yet her eyes still hold that same unconditional affection. Such deserves nothing less than full candor. “Dying and being dragged back taught me one thing — if I was to finally kill Heihachi, I had to dedicate myself to it in a way that left no room for anything else in my life. Or so I once believed. And I justified it with the notion that when that was done, I would find you and see if you could still care for the man I had become.” The words sound foolish to him now, far too idealistically simple. He had gone in the complete opposite direction to his overconfident prior self, but still been equally naïve in both cases. “Then I got the news you had been killed. The rest, I presume you know. This path I have walked has left me beyond redemption. It is not something I desire. But you—”

Jun unintentionally silences him by interlacing her fingers though his and gripping his hand firmly. The gesture was meant to be reassuring, though perhaps it is that very assurance that serves to derail him. “I never wanted you to change for me, Kazuya. Who you are is for you to decide; not me, and not your past. All I wish for is for us to have a future.” Another squeeze, and therein lies her answer to him. “Consider yourself warned that I will not accept being parted from you again.” Sincerity is in her words, her touch, as both of her hands rise to cradle his face. Thumbs sweep softly across his cheekbones, conveying her wholehearted embracing through firm statement of fact coupled with gentle caress. Touching this new form of his is novel, all glittering edges, subcutaneous glow, and textures varying from smooth crystalline and firm carapace to rough edges and then to more conventionally human-like skin. She had embraced his original devil all those years ago, and while the change with that transformation was far less drastic, appreciating this new one was no hardship. He is spectacular, and what matters the most is knowing the man she adores is in there. That he is fully in control. "I have been without you for long enough." As if to punctuate the point, Jun removes her gloves, both a symbolic and literal removal of barriers; the need to touch without obstruction.

Kazuya welcomes the contact, allowing her to explore the new facets of him with her hands, content with the gentle affection and the soft awe in her stunning eyes. He settles for merely resting his hands upon her waist, content to slowly re-acquaint himself with the feel of her in his arms. The touches are a chaste enough exploration though tenderness soon awakens a longing that turns to desire. And how foreign it is for Kazuya to feel a desire unconnected to the urge for power or ownership. For this is a giving freely of the self, not a subjugation. The yearning that sings in his veins is echoed in her own and, leaning in to each other, their lips meet in a motion as inevitable and natural as the tides being drawn by the moon. The rest of the world seems to fade away as they give in to what feels like a personal gravity centred on them both alone. His arms snake around her waist to grip more tightly while her own entwine around his neck, anchoring him between her legs and pulled flush against her, with barely space to breathe between them. Much like the rest of him, Kazuya's lips have a slightly different feel in this form and the kisses are at first gently exploratory too, as if reacquainting oneself with something long thought lost. The familiar and the new combining with a heart-aching seamlessness.

When they pause to catch their breath, he raises a clawed hand to thread through her hair. It is much longer than it ever was before, and suits her. Though she would be stunningly beautiful regardless. Jun impulsively gives the corner of his mouth a languid kiss in response. “Unfortunate that I cannot return the gesture.” Her fingertips tapping the side of his head punctuate the point; for in this form his hair has been replaced with crystal ridges. Beautiful to look at, but more troublesome to grasp than his usual slicked-back style she had taken great pleasure in ruining the perfection of in the past. Kazuya smirks and kisses her again. Her moments of playful irreverence were endearing and have been sorely missed… along with everything else. The feel of her is intoxicating, compelling in how it fills a void he’d been able to convince himself until now was not present. Whereas for Jun, she had acknowledged his absence, held onto it as tightly as they hold each other now, refusing to let go of or deny what they'd meant to each other and unwilling to seek or settle for any pale echo of their connection. There was nothing to be gained from lying to oneself, in her view. It is perhaps this emotional honesty and spurning of denial that leads Jun to take control of the kiss, leaning up into him and assertively parting her lips, inviting in his tongue which she seeks out with her own. It is a delicate and slow dance, balancing passion with caution due to those fangs of his. The need for such precise care despite their growing desire only further heightens the mutual arousal, and when they break apart the second time both are trembling, breathing hard, drowning in emotions and sensations not felt for decades.

Jun barely has time to breathe his name before his mouth is on her neck, kissing and sucking, teeth grazing the delicate skin ever so carefully. The tilt of her head to expose more of herself to him and her soft gasps of pleasure are all the invitation he needs to work his way down to her shoulder until obstructed by her collar. A situation somewhat remedied by how swiftly she undoes her top two buttons, offering up her throat and more to her beloved with a carefree abandon. It is all too easy to get lost in the moment, in the taste of her skin, the fluttering pulse that betrays her racing heart, and the siren song of her gentle sighs. Provoking such reactions from her even still after all this time stokes his desire, this affirmation of want. It draws a noise from him of longing and frustration that he half-smothers against her collarbone. This seemingly insatiable appetite for her would be the death of him.

Kazuya is not the only one reeling from the reigniting of a flame long thought guttered out from absence. Cravings that were once deadened to a dull ache surface in full force. And, never the type to be overly passive, Jun unfastens the next two buttons, the fabric of her top hanging open and only held together by the belt around her waist. The mixture of her need to be touched and the exposure of her skin to the cool air makes her shiver and pull Kazuya closer, arms winding around his waist until her fingers meet at the ridges of his spine and trace downward 'til it flattens out into the base of his tail.

He shudders visibly at the touch.

"Kazuya…?"

Rather than respond with words, he attacks her neck with a renewed fervor, lightly palming one of her breasts and she arches her back to press even more firmly into his hand. They have both needed this, are capable of feeling little other than the intense mutual need to wrap around each other and be one. His kisses move lower, igniting a heated trail down her chest until he pauses, groans her name, and his claws move to caress her thighs, tracing up and down with a careful slowness. The control is admirable and he always had been careful with her, even moreso than she was with him; having often left her mark in the throes of passion.

Anchored between her legs like this and lowered almost to his knees, it is obvious to Jun what he desires even without it being stated aloud. His mouth was once well-practiced in pleasuring her, yet he does not say anything directly, as if it would be requesting a boon he does not deserve.

And gods did her body respond to his need. Heat floods her cheeks, throat, and pools lower to intensify the slowly growing ache that had begun to form in her since their lips touched. "Please," she invites, shifting a little in an attempt to figure the logistics of how to remove her shoes and clothing while Kazuya remains between her legs, though it seemingly needn't have been a concern as he soon realizes what she is attempting to do and thoughtfully helps her slip off the socks and shoes. Leggings and underwear are the next to go, moving in place to push them down while seated and likewise he assists again in sliding them down her legs. The stone is still cold against her bare skin despite how long she has been here, though the shiver running through her has little to do with the temperature.

His hands find her again, and this time his palms gliding along the bared skin from hips to her knees draws a shaky exhale from Jun's lips. Kazuya takes his time, appreciating the feel of her, indulging himself by relishing the moment. It has been far too long. Gently he parts her legs further, still moving slowly. It feels like the world is holding its breath in this place, and he does not wish to hurry. In fact he does not even begin to lower himself to his knees until Jun makes a small noise and telltale anticipatory tremble.

He had memorized her body once. Unlike his own, hers has not been scarred and ravaged by hardships but there are still subtle changes that marked the passage of time. A beautiful thing, he would never wish for her to be stagnant. Kazuya presses a kiss to her leg just above the side of her knee, gentle at first though getting firmer as he lazily works his way up her inner thigh. After getting close he deigns to give a gentle teasing bite then switches over and repeats the motion to her other leg. It draws a soft groan from her - while appreciative of his tenderness it is still a mild frustration to draw out what they both want. Jun utters his name quietly but he continues his willful meandering of soft kisses and light graze of fang with an indulgent stubbornness until it draws forth a “Kazuya, please.”

Satisfied at the vocalized desire, Kazuya shifts his attentions and gives a languid stroke of his tongue that just barely parts her folds. With an equally unhurried pace he works his way up to her clit, giving that delicate area the same slow stroke but then following it up with a kiss. Her body spasms and Jun cries out, grasping one of his horns with a hand to steady herself.

Three querying red eyes look up at her to gauge if he should stop, and Jun shakes her head. "I'm just a bit sensitive. It's been a long time." Reassured, Kazuya returns to the task. Her grip on his horn remains and Kazuya finds that he enjoys the pressure, and likewise it was ceding a measure of control to her; permitting her leverage to control his movement. The trust involved in such a thing heightens the intimacy and serves to make him crave her more. The taste and scent of her, every soft sound she makes.

Impulsively he shifts his wings to allow for her knees to be thrown over his shoulders, tilting her thighs up and farther apart. This draws a small gasp from her and she grips the horn even tighter while also placing her other hand behind her to brace herself. Kazuya barely waits for her recovery and buries his face between her legs again, returning to his leisurely ministrations.

Jun has never been an overly vocal lover but he can read the mannerisms of her body language like a well-studied book. The delicate flush on her neck, the way her legs tremble, every small shift in breathing. Non-verbal responses are his guide and he pays rapt attention. The wetness of her arousal is an indicator he savours in particular and after judging it sufficient he works his tongue inside her with the same gentle patience.

She gasps and lightly shivers, having gone untouched for so long the stimulation is extra intense. The feel of his tongue is incredible, stroking her walls and dimly she realizes the sensations are much stronger and go far deeper than his tongue was ever able to reach before. A side benefit of this new demonic form perhaps? It curls and writhes inside her, intensifying the heat and pleasure. All these years without him had left her wanting, a yearning for both the physical and emotional fulfillment that only he can give and now she takes it all, wordlessly asking for more.

Kazuya lets out a deep appreciative sound somewhere between a moan and a growl as he savours her taste. The vibration shoots straight to her clit and has her seeing stars, almost hitting her peak. "Kazuya…" The uttering of his name spurs him on, and he begins to fuck her more insistently with his tongue. His grip on her thighs tightens when he senses her drawing close to the edge, and when she reaches that crescendo with a gentle tremble and moan he slows down but does not stop entirely, gently continuing through her climax.

After cresting that high she feels like in her twenties again, love-drunk and half dazed from the rush of crossing multiple precipices and taboos. They hold each other in the tender aftermath until Jun lets go of the embrace first, finally coming back to herself enough to feel the discomfort of bare flesh on stone that was never intended for such activities. She dresses herself slowly, as if wanting to linger in the moment and not fully ready to let go of it.

#nsft #my writing #au: scorpio rising #jun kazama #kazuya mishima #kazjun #kazujun #sorry if you read this already but i'm reposting for those without an ao3 account since that version is locked to users only due to bots!!

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autumnmobile12 · 4 months ago

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The Summer Camp Ambush Simulation: Behind the WIPS: Deleted Scene from Ch 4

Okay, so originally the plan for the meeting in Chapter 4 was the Vanguard and UA teachers were going to have a falling out over what to do about Toga: UA arguing Toga's too young to take part, Vanguard firing back with how stupid that is.

And that was going to result in negotiations breaking down and UA deciding, "Well, since we can't agree, we might as well arrest the Vanguard once and for all," leading to an all out fight between the UA staff and the Vanguard.

Except in typical UA fashion, it's just a test.

Three reasons why this got deleted:

The whole plot of Ambush Simulation is the events of the Summer Camp Arc was just a test and pulling the same trick twice in one fic would've made it repetitive.

A situation where the UA staff is 'testing' the Vanguard is redundant. Everyone already knows they're a pretty formidable group. Granted, this could have been some payback for all the trouble they've caused over the years but...

I really didn't want to write anymore fight scenes than I had to, plus the chapter was getting long.

However, I did save some of the notes from that part and I want to share those interactions, so here is some of the deleted section:

...

“I trusted Mr. Aizawa’s judgment when he recommended the seven of you for this task,” said Nezu. “But now I fear we have reached an impasse. You are determined to not leave your young friend behind and while that is admirable, we simply cannot allow a high school student to take part. Especially not without a parent or guardian’s permission, which from what I hear of Miss Toga’s circumstances, that will be unlikely to obtain.”

“Well, since they’re no longer of use to us,” Miss Midnight rose to her feet, and Himiko realized she now had a crimson whip pulled taut across her shoulders. “What do you say we finally put an end to the Vanguard Action Squad. They’ve been a public nuisance long enough, don’t you think?”

“Sounds good to me,” said Mr. Eraser.

Himiko whipped her head around. What?

“Oh, hell, you gotta be fuckin’ kidding me!” Shuichi shouted. “We were set up?”

“What a devious twist,” Atsuhiro huffed. “I suppose that’s what comes of trusting Pro-Heroes, isn’t it."

Only Tenko seemed to be remaining calm, glaring daggers at the Principal. No, not at him. At Mr. Yagi? The skeletal man clenched his jaw and turned away, almost as if he were about to cry. What was going on? Were he and Tenko friends?

“You better run, little kittens,” Miss Midnight was saying in her sultry voice. Her whip cracked against the floor. “Tell you what, I’ll give you a headstart before I start my pursuit.”

...

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Magne was yelling. “Why go out of their way to drag us all here? They know where we live! They could have apprehended us at any time!”

“It doesn’t matter now,” Touya snarled. “Fuck, I can’t believe we were so stupid.”

This is hurting, Himiko thought.

“I think it does matter,” said Tenko.

“What are you even talking about? Even your uncle’s gone and betrayed you,” shouted Jin.

“That’s the thing, though. He would never do that to me.”

...

“So that’s it? It’s a test?”

Himiko looked around at the appalled expressions on her friends' faces, silent with shock until Touya finally muttered, “I really need to be nicer to Shouto.”

“Okay, so it’s just a profiency test. A demo,” Shuichi conceded. “How are we gonna handle the cement guy boxing us in like this?”

“Easily.” Touya stood up. “One of the main aggregates of concrete is sand. That means it melts.”

“Are you mad?” Atsuhiro grabbed his belt and yanked him back into a seat. “Sit down! You’re going to turn this whole stage into a cremation oven if you do that!”

#my hero academia #ambush simulation #alternate universe #behind the scenes #wips #archive of our own #boku no hero academia #bnha #league of villains #vanguard action squad #tenko shimura #dabi #magne #mr compress #twice #spinner #toga himiko #mha

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scham-wcan · 1 year ago

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"You are so fake." with Freezerburn perhaps? :D

"You are so fake."

Sorry for the delay, we'll be rolling these out again!

Hope this is good!

It was supposed to be a normal school day, for once, at Beacon Academy. Until someone had to just open their big fat mouth around Team RWBY's table that their test scores were being released that afternoon.

"I swear," Weiss spat, her hands planting onto the table as she thrusted herself up right. "If we do not have a cumulative average on this team above an eighty!" Her voice trailed off as soon as Ruby similarly sprung up and snatched her partner at the shoulders, shaking her intensely.

A jovial smile hardly matched the brutalist glare of Ruby's partner, as Ruby hurrahed in excitement. "Come on, Weiss. With all of those added 'mandatory' study periods we've been doing, we couldn't possibly come short this time!"

Aside from the duo, Blake had to repress a small smirk as she leaned to her own partner, the golden haired brawler looked as if the cafeteria had become a sauna--and she was sweating like it as well.

"You ready, Yang?" Blake cooed, similarly getting up as their red and white teammates made ready to leave.

Getting to her feet as if she were a new born horse with how shaky her knees had become, Yang groaned out quickly. "The Ice Queen is going to impale me on an icicle today, Blakey." She huffed, "I just feel it in my gut."

The entirety of the walk from the cafeteria and to the mailroom for their scholastics felt like Yang was dragging cement in her shoes, her eyes trailing ahead of her to the bobbing of a furiously determined white sheen of hair. It had gotten to the point where Yang was considering grabbing the folds of white and tearing it through the princess' tiara just to cause the drama now, and not wait for the inevitable.

When they had finally retrieved the letters of their exams, Yang could feel the paper in her hand laughing and practically taunting her.

"Alright, Team RWBY!" Ruby had gathered them all in the quad once more, their collective letters ready to be torn into. "Lets see what Weiss' long hours of torture and planning have made for us."

"Hey!" Weiss spat, her fingers already greedily tearing into the parchment regardless. Blake similarly patiently tore into her own, respecting the folds and bindings far more however.

The sisters were somewhat similar, the pair of them practically unfolding and turning the letter inside out to retrieve the whole page of their results from a bundle of shredded paper.

Her hand's could barely keep still even in an attempt to look calm, each word which Yang read dragging across her eyes in morose anxiety.

"93." Blake commented meekly, flicking the letter in a trash besides them. "History is simple." Shrugging simple as Ruby patted her on the back.

"H-hey!" Ruby laughed, bouncing slightly. "I-I got 90!" The page shaking alongside her as furious pride and the vanquish of horror abandoned the red leader.

Weiss was quick to nod with a breath, looking similarly relieved. "Excellent work you two." Though her tone sounded more as if this was expected, and not briefly actually surprised. That satisfaction was quick to turn to her cold demeanor again as she looked to Yang. "What about you, Yang? Surely all of those hours at the desk must have been spent with actual effort and not you silently on your scroll?"

As the Schnee bore down on her, Yang's eyes had finally dragged herself to glare down at the results. Her tongue dry as sand as she coughed out fervently. "8-83." Her knees, had she not been caught by Blake, would have surely sent her plummeting down.

So weak had Yang's grip on the parchment had been that when Weiss snatched it for inspection, and studied the sheet for another moment, she had only been able to react with a flick of her eyes. "Huh, very good Xiao Long."

The three others of their team watched as Weiss disposed of both her and Yang's sheets, followed quickly by Ruby's.

"I am proud to say that Team RWBY have beaten my rudimentary expectations." Weiss smiled with a proud hum, crossing her arms as she returned to the grouping. Producing another cheer from Ruby as Blake seemed to blink.

Even as she brought back Yang from that self imposed terror, Blake quietly blinked. "Well, Weiss. We shared ours, what was your score?"

"It's unimportant." The question quickly dismissed, Weiss went for her scroll. "Oh, darn, would you look at the time."

"Come on, Weiss." Ruby snickered. "Just tell us the unbelievable score you got so we can be welcomed in your immense presence."

Glancing about the group for a moment, Weiss' crossed arms tightened around her form. "Eighrmyfree." She grumbled.

"What was that?" Yang scoffed, returning to the realm of Remnant once more. "I think you've got a Grimm in your throat, Ice Queen?"

"I got 83." Weiss huffed, "Alright, history of Vale is my worst subject." She hissed, glaring at the sky before dropping her vision back down onto Yang.

"You are so fake!" Yang said with a loud laugh, Blake now releasing her hold on Yang with a roll of her eyes. "I swear those study lessons were just as much for you then as for us."

"Please," Spitting, Weiss glared at the blonde. "If I hadn't helped you, your score would be worse than mine regardless."

"But it isn't worse, you scored the same as I did." Beginning to laugh, Yang summoned up her returning courage and threw her arm over the shoulders of the now roiling boiling Ice Queen. Looking to Blake and Ruby, the blonde gave a gentle point to Weiss. "Look guys, the most equally smart members of Team RWBY."

"I should get a picture." Ruby laughed in tandem.

"Absolutelynot!" Weiss growled, now trying to free herself from the blonde's vice grip.

#annafall #ask meme #weiss schnee #yang xiao long #freezerburn #ruby rose #blake belladona #scham writes i guess

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eclipse-studios · 1 year ago

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Tutoriel Bendy Props (Part 2 )

Hello and welcome ( back ) onto this ongoing series of BATIM props tutorial. Today, we’ll make the radio ! And a working one.

This time, Orion was a big helper. He deisgned the patterns, took all the measurements and worked out a way for that radio to swing !

This tutorial will only cover the radio because the process is kinda different from the other props ( that you can find here ), we took extra time and care because we DO wanna listen to Sammy Jam on loop. Best OST, can’t change my mind.

So, you’ll need :

EVA Foam, 5, 7 and 10mm ( or you can use cardboard. Like really, don’t feel pressured into buying those pricey materials if it’s JUST for the radio. Go ham on empty amazon packages and have fun. )

Foam Clay & Kwik Seal, those two are to buy only if you’re using EVA foam. They’re meant to seal the irregularities in foam.

Contact Cement & Hot Glue. Same here, Contact Cement is hardcore glue and isn’t that useful for cardboard, so use Hot Glue instead ! If you use extra-strong glue ( the ones in tiny packages ), be really careful not to put any on your skin ( it burns like hell ).

Yellow Ochre & Black acrylic paint

Cutter & Rotary Tool

little pieces of wood ( like lollipop sticks. )

Snap buttons

Strap ( anything from a rigid piece of cloth to leather is good for what we’re doing here. )

Hinge ( take it from a small box you don’t use anymore. oh, and maybe a screwdriver. )

a mini speaker ! the only thing you’re supposed to buy for the craft. Purchase the cheapest speaker you can find, since low quality speakers perfectly replicate the “no bass” feel of old radios. :)

If you’re looking for the cosplay materials we talked about, visit CosplayShop ( especially if you’re from Europe since they’re Belgian ), but don’t forget, you can use cardboard !

Step 1 : The pattern

The first thing to do is figuring out the pattern. If you already have your Bluetooth speaker, take it in account for the overall size of the radio.

You don’t need to understand all that complicated stuff, Orion figured it out for you.

Sorry for the shaky hand, I did it with my PC’s trackpad.

Step 2 : Cut the foam around your pattern.

The face and back sides will be cut in 0,7mm EVA Foam ( High Density ) ; then you cut the grill cloth in thinner foam, or using a real cloth. It’s important that part stays thin, for the sound to come out of it.

Above, you also have the pattern for the relief, that I also cut in 0,5mm Foam. Use a cutter for this !

The buttons are just two cylinders. Since they don’t need to be working, they’re pretty simple to make. Just make sure you don’t use a material that’s too thick, else it’ll be hard to bend.

The depth of the radio is just a 10cm wide piece of material, cut to the right size, that’ll vary with the perimeter of your own radio : don’t bother with the calculus, just test and cut a bit more each time until you got the right size.

After everything is cut nicely, you have to glue it with hot glue or contact cement. For perfect seams, I recommend you sand it gently before filling the holes with Foam Clay or Kwik Seal.

Now that your radio is in 3D, you have to make the base ! Use rigid, thicker foam / cardboard, or double it and stick it together. There should be around a centimetre between the edge of the base and the edge of the radio.

Now, don’t glue it if you wanna have access to the speaker inside. Screw and / or glue the hinge in order to open it. Place the hinge on the back side of the radio.

Now, the inside of the radio ! You gotta put a strap to stitch the speaker in place : we used a piece of leather but anything will do. To make it sit nicely, you can build a base to put it on. We built ours with both small pieces of wood and foam, because foam is easier to glue on foam than wood.

Now, it’s painting time ! This step is explained in the first part of these tutorials, but I’m sure you can figure it out with reference pictures !

Ta-da !

We personally use this radio as a prop when roleplaying to develop our Alternate Universe, Eclipse Studios ! By the way, we’re working on a new comic I think people will love…

Don’t forget to ask me if you need help for your own props, since I keep all my patterns and techniques.

I hope you enjoyed this post and this technic radio, and I’ll tell you soon about Eclipse Studios !

#biky and orion cosplay #eclipse studios #batim #bendy #bendy and the ink machine #sammy lawrence #batim cosplay #bendy props #cosplay #bendy cosplay #Bendy radio #sammy lawrence cosplay #Henry stein #Henry stein cosplay

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hamukosandwich · 1 year ago

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Making Kasumi's Rifle from Persona 5 Royal

Here's a process log of making Violet's gun from Persona 5 Royal for my cosplay!

To start with, I looked up a bunch of pictures and combed through gameplay footage to try to find good reference pictures of her gun. The best reference turned out to be pictures of Amakuni's scale figure that included her gun since the photos had clear shots of the gun from the side.

2. Then I made a pattern in Photoshop by tracing a picture of the gun from the figure and printed it out at the scale that I wanted it to be. To size it accurately to my proportions, I used nifegun.com.

3. After that, I cut out 3 layers of 5mm foam for the main part of the gun and 3 layers of 3mm foam for the lever/trigger section. Here I had them pinned together so I could double check the thickness/scale before gluing it all together. (I didn't take a picture of this part, but I also carved out space inside the gun to fit two small PVC pipes taped on top of each other to make the barrel on the inside and to give the floppy EVA foam a stable core.)

4. I glued it all together with contact cement. Here I also used a dremel to carve an indent into the side of the barrel at the front end. I also tested the primer I was planning to use (black Plastidip) on the lever/trigger part at the bottom.

5. Ignore how crusty everything looks here LOL but this is the part where I experimented a lot on how to smooth out the seams on the top, front, and bottom of the gun. I'm not 100% happy with the level of smoothness I ended up with, but this was a last minute 1-week build before a con so I settled with a couple layers.

First I tried foam clay but had a lot of trouble sanding it because the brand I bought was super cheap/sticky and would not dry. Then I moved on to wood filler, which was slightly better and actually sandable but I still wasn't really liking the gritty texture. So as a last resort I ended up using Bondo glazing putty (which is super toxic and not fun to be around--wear a respirator!) since it's my go-to when I'm working with 3D printed props. Bondo ended up working the best, but I still want to keep experimenting with other less-toxic methods for future foam props...

I also added some more panels here on top and on the sides to add some dimension.

6. I spray painted the gun black and brown and added googly eyes for rivet-like details.

7. Finished the gun by adding all the rest of the details! Glued a black plastic gem onto the front of the barrel with hot glue for the front sight, bought some brass embellishments like the little framing piece on the stock and the metal rivet on the forestock, and hand-painted the filigree on the side of the gun with a gold paint pen.

(Photos by @wickedapricot on Instagram)

Overall, I'm pretty happy with how it came out considering it was a one-week build and my first ever gun prop! This is also the second foam prop I've made, and I feel like I learned a lot from the process.

If I ever remake it, I'd really like to add a hinge to the lever to make it functional like it is in the game like in her introduction where she spins it by pulling the lever down. I'd also probably give myself like a month or more to work on it instead of a single week LOL I got so many mosquito bites from working on this in my hot garage at night in the summer 〒▽〒

If any other cosplayers are making her gun and want to use my pattern or have any questions about the materials/process, feel free to shoot me a message :^) I haven't seen any other cosplayers make her gun but it's such a cool design!

#persona 5 #cosplay #kasumi yoshizawa #violet #violet persona 5 #persona #persona cosplay #cosplay prop #cosplay tutorial

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justahopelessaromantic · 11 months ago

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Close in Comfort

Fandom: Be More Chill Ships: Arson Bros (Richjake) Summary: Then Rich came into his life. And everything went to shit.

Jake didn't know when it started.

Maybe it stemmed from the example his parent’s violent and illegal lifestyle set. Maybe something happened when he was a kid. He vaguely recalled rubbing his eyes and yawning as he crept down the stairs to ask his parents if he could sleep with them that night after a particularly bad dream when he was 3 before ending up with a black eye and a cracked skull from the fight in the living room, resulting in his parents fretting over him for over a week and vowing to never bring work home again (Ironic, seeing that baby Jake didn't mind and, as a matter of fact, thought sporting the scar and bruise look made him hella badass.) Maybe the hit did damage to his brain and that did it. Maybe he was born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline. Maybe it was the overwhelming ache that confronted him every morning and insisted on lingering with him almost every day, telling him that something desperate to his worthwhile survival (though he could never tell what) was missing. Maybe that was a symptom and not the cause.

What he did know what that he’d always been different from the other kids. And, yeah, he knew how incredibly cliché that sounded, but it was true! Sure, stuff like taking in interest in more violent hobbies as a child, such as tackle football, plucking the legs off of bugs whenever he spotted one, and roughhousing with the neighbors’ kids seemed normal enough, but a people person like him found it obvious that most toddlers weren't too thrilled by sneaking into their baba’s room and bingeing gory horror movies until his dad scooped him up and playfully dumped him into his bed, not even bothering to scold the giggling child for staying up so late or his viewing material.

That paled in comparison to the darker stuff he would get up to later though.

Throwing rocks at his neighbor's windows, subconsciously hoping the glass shards would cut them as they walked past it. Swinging his bat at the other team’s members when he lost a game and doing a disturbingly major amount of damage. Biting the kids on his block if they got under his skin. All of it concerned the adults in his life (save for his parents who only insisted it was simply a sign of the phenomenal criminal he would grow up to be) and himself. He developed a base sense that none of it was normal, despite in how right and natural it all felt.

Over time, his peers began avoiding him and his teachers began reprimanding him before his parents had the chance to blackmail them not to, so, to remedy the sting of his loneliness and harsh criticism, he bottled up those impulses deep down and made an effort to behave the best he could, gaining praise and popularity in the process. After the image of resident good boi Jake had been cemented, he figured he could handle it. That he could be a normal kid.

Then Rich came into his life.

And everything went to shit.

He didn’t pay much mind to Mrs. Mell’s announcement of a new student. At best, he’d have a new friend, which didn’t mean much, considering his surplux of friendships at the time. At worse, there’d be another kid copying off his tests in class. Yet, as he leaned against the playground’s fence pouring water on an ant farm and gossiping with Jenna while a particularly rowdy squabble spilled out of the courtyard and into the sand box, Jake took the time to squint and tilt his head to get a better view of the fight. And their he was. The new kid, drenched in bruises and fat tears spilling down his face, wildly swinging and clawing at his aggressors in a pathetically vain attempt to feign them off.

And yet, somehow, in his chaotic state, he still came off as the most gorgeous person Jake had seen. It was as if, suddenly, everything had clicked into place and the empty hole inside himself was filled instantly as waves of tranquility washing over him the more he stared at him. Like everything was right with the world and nothing else mattered as long as this kid was ok.

Maybe that explains why he felt such an intense, burning desire to protect him.

Tuning out his friend’s cries of confusion and throwing himself into the fray, Jake managed to scar each bully either mentally or physically, sending them running and/or crying. Swiping up the sky blue glasses on the ground, he slowly bent down and gingerly placed them back on the new student’s head, wide brown eyes hiding behind now slightly cracked frames locked with his in a way that made him feel things he couldn’t put into words even if he tried as he offered a soft smile and brushed a few tears away.

“Hi! My name’s Jake. What’s yours?”

“...Richard.” He muttered, shrinking back into himself and picking at a scratch one of the other kids left. Guess he wasn’t much of a conversationalist. Oh well, he could work with that.

“You got a really pretty name, Richard. It fits ‘cause you’re a really pretty guy.” He held out his hand and helped the now red-faced kid back up, almost falling down himself from the sheer shock of holding hands before tugging on his sleeve. “C’mon, I’ll show you where the nurse’s office is!” Fiercely shaking his head, Rich stumbled back as he...trembled? What was that about?

“Nuh-uh, can’t!”

“Why not?”

“‘Cause than they’ll see the scars and then they’ll get mad at my Daddy and take him away again and it’ll be all my fault!” He cried as he furiously scrubbed away tear streaks and dug his nails into his arm, unintentionally drawing blood from a fresh cut. Acting on impulse, Jake swept up his new friend in a tight hug and explained that he swore he wouldn’t let that happen, added how they couldn’t do that anyway ‘cause Rich getting hurt “is, like...illegal or something!”

“Promise?” He sniffed.

“Promise.”

And with that, the two were off, running back to their classroom and leaving a pack of jerks and one immensely confused Jenna behind them.

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catrinauthor · 3 months ago

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The Face of Desire, Chapter 10

The curse was the size of a bus and was just as fun to get hit by.

It stood where it rammed her with a long tail whipping back and forth in satisfaction. The giant body was lizard-like in shape with six large legs protruding out of its torso. Black symbols covered its body and face, contorting and twisting as muscles moved under scaly blood-red skin.

Akemi groaned as she propped herself from the railing she landed into. She was able to cushion the blow but absorbing the impact didn’t make it any more enjoyable. The curse watched and hissed through its teeth, its big eyes following her movements through slitted pupils.

“You’ve got to be kidding me” she mumbled. She cracked her neck and back as she stood.

The curse hissed louder as she took a step towards it. It was the largest curse she had ever seen and she could tell by the thickness of its cursed energy that hung in the air that it was pretty powerful. Curses as big and nasty as this one normally stuck to more populated areas where cursed energy pooled, for something of that size to be in a medium populated beach city was strange.

A slimy blue tongue poked through sharp crooked teeth as it licked a drop of red blood from its face, making Akemi’s lip curl in disgust. She could feel there weren't any humans alive nearby, at least none that were moving. The mother and daughter had escaped into the treeline and the beach was clear. She had free range. It would be the biggest curse she had ever fought, the first curse actually. Excitement and adrenaline rushed through her, she needed to be careful but she also wanted to test out what her mother had taught her. At least until her mother showed up.

“Are you coming to me or am I coming to you?” She asked with a nervous smile. She readjusted the straps of her swimsuit.

The curse roared, sending spit flying in all directions and sank its claws into the sidewalk, launching itself at her once again with shattering speed. She wasn’t going to fall for that twice. She flashed to the side at the last minute letting It face plant in the warped railing behind her. The curse broke the railing and slid onto the beach kicking up sand as it tumbled.

‘Ole!’ She yelled in her head.

It righted itself and spat twisted metal of the railing from its teeth, sand stuck to its body as it stood on its back for legs and roared with a deeper anger than before. The broken windows of the convenience store behind her vibrated.

It was coming at her again, faster this time. She braced herself. Right when she could see the veins in its eyes and could smell its putrid breath she wound up her cursed energy and swung down, hard. One second it was in front of her, the next it was in a hole deeper than the crater it crawled from. The ground shook with the impact, windows rattled and more broken glass fell to the ground.

Most curses would have been gone with that but it was still there. She could feel it squirming around, right as she was going to deliver another blow it burst from the hole and whipped her with its tail. She absorbed the blow again but still slid back a few meters.

She looked the curse dead in its weird protruding eyes. Half of its head was missing as it pulled itself out of the hole. Deep purple blood flowed down its neck and jaw as its remaining eye darted around frantically. A few of its teeth were broken causing its tongue to hang out lamely. It growled at her as it used cursed energy to heal the gaping wound.

Akemi smirked. She began to run ready to hit it with another blast when something came straight for her face. She used her flashed out of the way and watched as a thick green liquid landed on a bench right behind where she was. Immediately the bench began to bubble and melt, even the cement beneath it turned to liquid where the green goo landed.

It had acid spit. Of course it had acid spit.

The curse laughed at her as it licked the acid from its teeth. “I…wil-l drin…k y…ou.” It grumbled from deep in its chest. It smiled and licked its teeth again.

“Thanks for the heads up.” She said right before teleporting to its side and throwing a kick of expanded space which shot the curse into the stone seawall. Its head snapped back and rocks went flying. She kept up the pace, continuing her assault. The sea wall that remained became splattered with purple blood that smelled like condensed sewage, only worse. She covered her entire body with her technique so it wouldn’t touch her and leave her with its disgusting smell. She shot hole after hole into its body relentlessly, if it tried to get up she pressed it down with her technique.The holes were not as big as she would like. She wanted them to take sizable chunks but she settled for the beach ball sized holes. The more she covered herself the less she could focus on the output making the holes smaller. Focusing her ability on multiple things was difficult and exhausting, but she was no stranger to exhaustion. Years of intense training had seen to that,

She was about to land another hit but she slipped and fell backward. Her butt hit the sand and she immediately bounced back up. That's when she saw the issue. A circle a few meters in diameter had formed under the curse turning the sand and rocks within it into the consistency of hot candle wax. With her technique protecting her she didn't notice it forming under her feet.

Akemi remembered what her mother had taught her. Single domain was what it was called. Or was it a simple domain? Apparently she didn’t remember that well.

The curse stumbled to its feet, the holes in its body were slowly closing as it healed itself. It was obnoxious how they could do that. As it stumbled closer to her with a jagged grin the circle continued to corrode everything in its path.

As it healed, spikes formed on its back that looked like large needles. It looked like the curse was gearing up for a large attack. Unfortunately, Akemi was the worst opponent it could have come across.

It spat venom at her face. She didn't even move this time. It stopped like it hit an invisible wall an inch from her face and slid down. The curse wasn’t the only one gearing up.

It came for her even faster than before. One second it was at the wall drenched in blood, the next it was right in front of her. Acid squirted from the needles on its back and its domain surrounded her forcing Akemi to cover herself in her technique once again. It opened its mouth wide to devour her whole.

If it could.

She grabbed its jaws, one hand on the lower and one on the upper, and held them open, It looked confused as its jaws refused to shut. She could see teeth lining the inside of its mouth all the way down its throat. Yellow goo began secreting from holes in the back of its throat ready to spit. She used her shin to land a blow that sent the curse spiraling across the sand right as it was about to send a mouthful of acid her way. No cursed energy needed.

Acid came out its mouth like vomit in glops. Akemi moved out of slippery melted sand beneath her. The corrosion smelled disgusting. Like garbage, sewage and burnt hair combined. Wait, burnt hair?

She whipped her head around and felt a steaming clump. Was it on fire?! She tore off her wig and threw it to the ground in a smoking heap. Her hairline burned from ripping it off so suddenly.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! I liked that one!” She yelled. The curse only snickered in amusement. She thought she covered herself in her technique fully but acid still slipped through and got her hair. She needed to practice more.

“You think it's funny?!” With a string of condensed space she pulled the curse to her. It gave a yelp as it was pulled off its feet and suddenly before her. With as much force as she pulled it, she hit and sent it flying down the beach. As it tumbled she looked at the hand she hit it with, for a moment the cursed energy she released glowed light red around her fist.

No time to figure that out, the curse was coming at her. Not as fast as it was before, it was missing a few legs. It looked like it was getting tired. Expending so much cursed energy for both its acid technique and the simple domain was taking its toll.

She ran to meet it but it stopped halfway when it sent another ball of acid at her. She dodged it easy enough but in the moment she dodged it the curse closed the gap. Five sickle claws came for her, she avoided it by ducking but it continued swiping for her. It pushed on her but she ducked and weaved its throws and jumped backward. It wasn’t using its simple domain anymore, she could redirect her cursed energy and get a good hit in…

Suddenly she was looking at the sky with her back on the sand. The curse was suddenly upon her with its simple domain working overtime. She covered herself head to toe as it kept her pinned down under its foot. The curse had pushed her back into the acid it spat before and tripped her. It had set a trap.

Even with her technique preventing the domain from touching her the pressure was immense. The sand around her became soft. Breaking down the tiny pieces of space that lie millimeters away from her skin she kept enhancing her technique around her. She broke it down over and over furthering the distance without increasing the size of the gap.

It kept pressing its weight on her. It wasn’t any close to touching her with its simple domain or its fist but she kept sinking in the melting sand, deeper and deeper.

It was trying to drown her.

Almost all her energy was going to increase the barrier. She couldn't use cursed energy to throw the curse off of her without compromising the one thing that was keeping her safe and solid. The liquid sand began pooling around her collarbones and covered her ears. Panic set in. She clawed at its leathery foot, ripping away its skin and muscle down to the bone without any cursed energy but it kept pushing harder and harder. It laughed mockingly as she sank deeper still.

Her heartbeat quickened, andredline set in. Everything was happening in slow motion. The way the sand suctioned cupped to her arms as she flailed. The blue tongue writhing around in its mouth behind yellow cracked teeth that went in every direction but straight. She remembered dueling with her mother. Even if her mother hit harder than this the curse could ever dream to, Akemi never once feared for her life. She would get beat up, maybe throw up from exhaustion but she never thought she wouldn’t be going home after.

Home.

She thought about her room. The murder mystery books that were still unread on her bookshelf collecting dust. The one that was opened half way on her nightstand. She had just gotten to the part where the detective found an important piece of evidence that could bring life to the long cold case.

She remembered the jewelry box on her dresser filled with weird presents from her mother. Amulets, chains, rings from eras old and new. She never wore any of them. Did that make her mom sad?

Her mother. Her friends. Samuel, Rin and Kenji. They still needed to eat seafood by the beach. Rin had her exams coming up. Samuel was going to college. Maybe they would go to college together.

She grit her teeth and sucked in air.

Akemi wasn’t going to die here.

Determination embroidered with anger bubbled like the sand around her. She clenched her teeth to the point they felt like they would crack. She squeezed the curses toes in her hands and pushed up with every ounce of strength she had. It felt like pushing a cement wall.

Shakily the foot began to rise and release its grasp from her chest. Veins popped on her forehead, she could see them in the glass reflection of the cursed confused eyes. It pressed down with everything it had, its own veins began to protrude from its neck with strain. Sweat dripped from Akemi's arms and face as she let out a roar. She kept folding the barrier around her as she pushed. She kept breaking it down further and the curse fought back. More, more, more. Even if it felt like there was nothing left to break down she forced it until heart felt like it would burst from stress. It was in the endless spiral that she found it.

A red light blinded the curse. By the time its vision came back it was on the ground and Akemi was standing over it. It tried to spit acid at her but only purple blood came pouring from its mouth. It tried to stand up but it couldn’t move.

A giant hole was where its chest was supposed to be. It pulled itself up by the one arm that remained attached to its upper body and clawed her, tearing the thin piece of skin which connected its upper half to its bottom in the process. Guts and blood trailed behind it.

Akemi wiped the singular drop of purple blood from her cheek.

“I guess I should thank you.” She said, staring at her hands flipping them back and forth. The tingling of the new cursed energy still lingered. As she was pushing the immensely heavy curse off of her she felt a surge of something new come from her chest. Before she knew what was happening the pent up energy and her desire to live exploded with a blinding red light. Whatever she was touching was gone. She had blasted the curse in half. “Without you I wouldn’t have known I could do that…”

It felt weird. It was like when she pushed something away but more intense and concentrated.

Right as the curses claw was going to touch her foot she kicked it in the head. It wasn’t the same impact as before, but it made the curse go limp and fall to the side. She looked around her but no one was there. Sweat dripped down her back and face, the sun was halfway down the horizon. She needed to find Sam.

She ran up and down the street yelling his name but there was no response. The further from the beach she got the more people there were. Ambulances and medical personnel lined the streets carrying injured civilians from the rubble of the destroyed buildings. A line of them went down the street ready to help those who were injured. White blankets covered those who it was too late to help. Police had begun taping off the area and closing down the streets. Everywhere there were screams and cries. It was chaos.

Sam wasn't here.

She went back to the beach. The convenience store windows had been blown to pieces. Broken glass covered the street and sidewalk glittering in the setting sun. The railings which followed the walkway to the beach were either gone or twisted. The police would soon make their way there and wonder what to hell happened. She kept calling Sams name but there was still no response. She couldn’t feel anything around her. There was nothing moving.

On a whim she went into the store. Isles of snacks lay in disarray. Bags of chips, cookies and crackers covered the floor. The shelves that held them were thrown everywhere and the cash register remained open and full of money. It was like a scene from a horror movie. A hole in the back of the store answered how the curse managed to get in. She walked down what used to be the main aisle, snacks crunched under her bare feet but she didn't feel it.

She got to the back of the store, close to the hole. The back alley was just on the other side. She stuck her head out of the hole but nothing was there but a path of destroyed dumpsters and trash cans. She went back inside and out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of blue in the open doorway of the mens restroom. Samuels swim shorts were blue.

“Samuel!” She screamed. He must have been unconscious which is why she didn’t feel him. Was he hurt? The ambulances weren’t far she could bring him. He wasn't too heavy.

She pulled open the door. What she saw was something she would never be able to erase from her mind for as long as she lived.

It was Samuel on the ground. His shoes, his shorts, his legs. Down to the large freckle on his left calf that looked like a heart.

Everything else was gone.

***Want to read more? Check out the full story on A03: The Face of Desire, by Catrin***

#jjk fanfic #fiction #a03 writer #jujutsu sorcerer #jujustsu kaisen x reader #original story #creative writing #jujutsu kaisen fandom #jujutsu kaisen fanfic #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu gojo #jjk #jjk gojo #jjk x reader #jjk original character #original character #new chapter

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stumbleuponhub · 1 year ago

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The Science of Strong Pools: Shotcrete

When it comes to building a robust and long-lasting swimming pool, one construction technique stands out as a powerhouse in the industry: shotcrete. The science behind shotcrete involves precision, durability, and a deep understanding of materials. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the fascinating world of shotcrete, shedding light on its construction process, the technology involved, and how it compares to the popular alternative, gunite pools. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear grasp of why shotcrete is the preferred choice for those seeking the utmost strength and resilience in their pool construction.

What is Shotcrete?

Unveiling the Concrete Innovation

Shotcrete, derived from the word "shot," which signifies the forceful projection of concrete, is a construction method that has revolutionized the way we build swimming pools. At its core, shotcrete is a versatile and high-strength material made up of aggregates, cement, and water. Unlike traditional concrete, which is often poured into molds and requires extensive formwork, shotcrete is pneumatically sprayed onto the pool's framework. This application process is what sets shotcrete apart and makes it a preferred choice for pool builders worldwide.

The Shotcrete Advantage

1. Unmatched Strength and Durability

The key to shotcrete's superior strength lies in its application method. During the spraying process, shotcrete is delivered at high velocity, resulting in better compaction and fewer voids in the material. This compaction ensures that the concrete mix is tightly packed, enhancing its structural integrity. As a result, shotcrete pools exhibit exceptional resistance to cracking and are built to withstand the test of time.

2. Faster Construction

Shotcrete's spray application makes pool construction more efficient. Compared to traditional concrete methods, which involve extensive formwork and curing time, shotcrete can significantly expedite the construction process. This not only saves time but also reduces labor costs, making it a cost-effective choice for pool owners.

3. Adaptability to Complex Designs

One of the standout features of shotcrete is its ability to adapt to intricate and custom pool designs. Whether you envision a freeform pool with irregular shapes or a pool with unique structural elements, shotcrete's flexibility allows builders to bring your vision to life with precision.

Gunite vs. Shotcrete Pools: What Sets Them Apart?

Before we delve deeper into the science of shotcrete, it's crucial to address a common point of confusion in the pool construction industry: the difference between gunite and shotcrete. While both are pneumatically applied forms of concrete, there are distinct variations that set them apart.

Gunite Pools: Gunite is a mix of dry sand and cement, which is mixed with water at the nozzle just before it's sprayed onto the pool's framework. While it has been used for decades and offers some advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, it tends to be less dense than shotcrete. As a result, gunite pools may be more susceptible to cracking and water penetration over time.

Shotcrete Pools: Shotcrete, on the other hand, involves premixing concrete materials with water at a controlled ratio before being pneumatically sprayed onto the pool structure. This precise mixing process ensures a denser and stronger material, making shotcrete pools more resilient and durable in the long run.

The Science Behind Shotcrete

The Ingredients: Aggregates, Cement, and Water

At the heart of shotcrete's strength lies its carefully balanced mix of aggregates, cement, and water. Each component plays a vital role in creating a concrete blend that can withstand the challenges of pool environments.

1. Aggregates

Aggregates are the inert materials within the shotcrete mix, typically composed of sand, gravel, or crushed stone. These particles provide volume, stability, and reduce the overall cost of the concrete mix. The selection of aggregates is critical, as it influences the final appearance and strength of the shotcrete pool.

2. Cement

Cement acts as the glue that binds the aggregates together. In shotcrete, Portland cement is the most commonly used type. Its hydration process, where it reacts with water, creates a strong crystalline structure that gives shotcrete its impressive strength.

3. Water

Water serves as the catalyst for the cement's hydration process. Controlling the water-cement ratio is crucial, as an improper balance can lead to weaker shotcrete. Skilled shotcrete technicians meticulously adjust this ratio to ensure the mix's workability and strength.

The Application Process: Pneumatic Spraying

The distinctive feature of shotcrete is its application method. Instead of the traditional pouring of concrete, shotcrete is sprayed onto the pool structure using specialized equipment. This method offers several advantages:

1. Dry-Mix Shotcrete

Dry-mix shotcrete involves pre-blending the dry ingredients (aggregates and cement) and then feeding them into the nozzle of the pneumatic spray gun. Water is added at the nozzle, creating a high-velocity stream of shotcrete material. This approach is often used in swimming pool construction due to its precise control over the mix.

2. Wet-Mix Shotcrete

Wet-mix shotcrete, as the name suggests, involves premixing all the components (aggregates, cement, and water) to create a slurry, which is then pumped to the nozzle. While wet-mix shotcrete can be used in various applications, it may require more effort to control the mix's consistency compared to dry-mix shotcrete.

The Strength of Proper Application

The application of shotcrete requires skilled technicians who understand the intricacies of the process. Shotcrete professionals must control variables such as nozzle distance, angle, and the air pressure used during spraying to ensure the best results. The goal is to achieve maximum compaction and minimal rebound (overspray), leading to a dense, strong pool structure.

The Evolution of Shotcrete Technology

Over the years, shotcrete technology has evolved significantly, leading to even more robust and reliable pool construction. Some notable advancements include:

1. Fiber-Reinforced Shotcrete

Incorporating fibers, such as steel or synthetic materials, into the shotcrete mix enhances its tensile strength. This technology has become increasingly popular for its ability to minimize cracking and improve overall durability.

2. Shotcrete Additives

Additives, such as accelerators or retarders, can be introduced to the shotcrete mix to modify its setting time or improve specific properties. For instance, accelerators are used when rapid setting is required, while retarders slow down the curing process, beneficial in hot weather conditions.

Maintaining Your Shotcrete Pool

Building a shotcrete pool is just the beginning of your pool ownership journey. To ensure its longevity and keep it in pristine condition, proper maintenance is crucial. Here are some tips to help you maintain your shotcrete pool:

1. Regular Inspections

Schedule routine inspections to check for any signs of cracks, leaks, or structural issues. Early detection can prevent more significant problems down the line.

2. Water Chemistry

Maintain proper water chemistry by regularly testing and balancing the pool water. This includes monitoring pH levels, chlorine levels, and alkalinity to prevent corrosion and scale buildup.

3. Cleaning

Regularly clean the pool's surface and the filtration system to prevent algae growth, staining, and clogging.

4. Resurfacing

Over time, shotcrete pools may require resurfacing. Consult with a professional to determine when and how to undertake this process.

Conclusion

In the realm of swimming pool construction, shotcrete stands tall as a testament to engineering innovation and material science. Its precise application, coupled with a meticulously balanced mix, ensures that shotcrete pools not only withstand the test of time but also offer unmatched strength and durability. As you embark on your pool-building journey, understanding the science behind shotcrete can help you make an informed decision about the construction method that will best serve your needs. With shotcrete, you're not just building a pool; you're crafting a structure that will provide joy and relaxation for years to come.

#beautiful pools #gunite pool #shotcrete

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basuralindo · 1 year ago

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🌻💜

lmao I'm starting to blank out on stories to tell, so get ready to hear about rocks.

Okay, so, when I was little (like, 6-ish) I had a favorite rock. I mean, tbh I had several favorite rocks, but there was one I was convinced was magical and kept in my pocket all the time for good luck. I even refused to wear anything without pockets for a while because I wanted to keep it in my pocket at all times

I had found it at the beach, and it was different from any other stone I'd ever seen. It was jet black and the parts that hadn't been sanded down by the ocean were glossy like volcanic glass, but it definitely wasn't a lava rock. The texture was off, and it was way too light for its size despite being surprisingly resistant to chipping when thrown against cement. I was really big on doing experiments as a kid, so I tested and took note of the properties to the best of my six year old abilities, and my conclusion was magic.

Anyway, I still have it and this is the rock:

It fit my palm perfectly back then, so I figured it was meant for me.

Anyway, eventually I got over my fixation on this specific weird rock (if you recognize what it is, don't worry, I'm getting there), but kept it in a box for sentimental value and just kinda stopped thinking about it much.

Cut to years later, as an adult. I was walking around that same beach the day after christmas, which will be relevant in a moment, but note that the islands are notorious for things arriving late, being in the dead middle of the ocean and all. Anyway, I happened across a large, rounded black stone in the sand, picked it up, and was suddenly hit with nostalgia when it looked and felt like the exact same kind of rock from my childhood!

Yes, I kept it.

So I got excited of course, and was immediately informed (by an unreliable source, but not necessarily wrong) that some time in the 70's a large ship carrying a cargo of coal capsized off that coast, and chunks of coal had been washing up on the beach ever since.

So, yeah. I got a literal actual lump of coal for christmas, but a day late because you can't get shit on time in my hometown.

#and yeah that means I was fucking OBSESSED with a lump of coal as a child #still think it's a novelty though #ask game #ask meme #anon ask #asks #trash talk #basura lore #drop a sunflower. receive strange knowledge

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sophiaseo34 · 1 year ago

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A Quick Guide on Mortar Types and Uses

When it comes to construction projects, choosing the right type of mortar is crucial for ensuring the structure's strength, durability, and overall success. Mortar is the binding material that holds bricks, stones, or other building materials together, providing structural integrity and stability. However, not all mortars are created equal, and different types of mortars have specific properties and uses. By the end of this guide, you will have a comprehensive understanding of different mortar types, their uses, and the factors to consider when selecting and applying mortar. Let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of mortars to enhance your construction knowledge and expertise.

Traditional Mortars

Traditional mortars have been used for centuries and are valued for their unique properties and compatibility with historical and restoration projects. Two prominent types of traditional mortars are lime mortar and cement-lime mortar.

Lime Mortar:

Lime mortar primarily comprises lime, sand, and water. It has been employed in construction for thousands of years and has stood the test of time due to its excellent workability and compatibility with various building materials. Here are some key characteristics of lime mortar:

Composition and Characteristics:

Lime used in mortar is typically derived from limestone or shells. It undergoes a process called slaking, where it is mixed with water to form calcium hydroxide.

Sand is the aggregate material added to the lime to provide bulk and increase the strength of the mortar.

Lime mortar exhibits a certain degree of flexibility, allowing it to accommodate minor structural movements without cracking.

Lime mortar is porous and breathable, allowing moisture to evaporate and preventing trapped moisture from causing damage to the building materials.

Uses and Applications:

Lime mortar is commonly used in restoration and preservation projects, especially for historic buildings, as it closely mimics the properties of original mortars.

Soft masonry is suitable for soft and delicate masonry materials like soft stones and historic bricks, which more rigid mortars may damage.

Cement Lime Mortar:

Cement lime mortar, as the name suggests, is a blend of lime, cement, sand, and water. It combines the advantages of both lime and cement to create a versatile mortar with improved strength and durability. Here are the key features of cement-lime mortar:

Composition and Characteristics:

Lime in cement-lime mortar contributes to workability, flexibility, and breathability.

The addition of cement enhances the compressive strength and binding properties of the mortar.

Sand provides bulk and contributes to the overall strength of the mortar.

Uses and Applications:

Cement-lime mortar is commonly used for general masonry applications in construction, including brickwork, blockwork, and stone masonry.

Its enhanced strength and durability make it suitable for exterior walls and structures exposed to weathering elements.

Cement Mortars

Cement based mortars are widely used in modern construction due to their high strength, durability, and versatility. They offer excellent bonding properties and are suitable for various applications. Two common cement-based mortars are Portland cement mortar and masonry cement mortar.

Portland Cement:

Mortar Portland cement mortar comprises Portland cement, sand, and water. It is the most commonly used mortar in contemporary construction due to its strength and durability. Here are the key characteristics of Portland cement mortar:

Composition and Characteristics:

When mixed with water, Portland cement is a fine powder that forms a strong adhesive paste. It acts as the binding agent in the mortar.

Sand is added as the aggregate material to provide bulk and improve the workability and strength of the mortar.

Uses and Applications:

Portland cement mortar is widely used for various masonry applications, including brickwork, blockwork, and stone masonry.

Its high compressive strength makes it suitable for load-bearing walls and structures that require high structural integrity.

Depending on the project's specific requirements, Portland cement mortar can be used for both exterior and interior applications.

Masonry Cement:

Mortar Masonry cement mortar is a blend of masonry cement, sand, and water. It is specifically formulated for masonry applications and offers improved workability and bond strength. Here are the key features of masonry cement mortar:

Composition and Characteristics:

Masonry cement blends Portland cement, limestone, and other additives. It is designed to enhance workability, adhesion, and durability.

Sand is added to provide bulk and improve the strength of the mortar.

Uses and Applications:

Masonry cement mortar is commonly used for general masonry applications, such as brickwork, blockwork, and stone masonry.

It can be used for applications requiring specific finishes, providing better workability and easier shaping and sculpting.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Mortar

Selecting the right mortar for your construction project involves considering several important factors. The following factors should be taken into account to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of the structure:

Structural Requirements:

Consider whether the mortar will be used in load-bearing walls or structures. In such cases, mortars with higher compressive strength, such as Portland cement mortar, may be more suitable.

If the structure is expected to experience movements or settlement, choosing a mortar with some flexibility, like lime mortar or polymer-modified mortar, can help minimize the risk of cracking.

Environmental Conditions:

Assess the structure's exposure to weathering elements, such as rain, freeze-thaw cycles, or extreme temperatures. Mortars with good weather resistance, such as cement-based mortars, are more appropriate for exterior applications.

In environments where the mortar may come into contact with chemicals, acids, or other corrosive substances, specialty mortars like epoxy mortar may be required due to their high chemical resistance.

Aesthetic Considerations:

Determine if the mortar's color and texture need to match or complement the surrounding materials. Different mortars may offer various aesthetic options, such as colored mortars or specialty finishes.

For restoration or preservation projects, choosing a mortar that closely replicates the properties of the original mortar, like lime mortar, can help maintain the historical authenticity of the structure.

Compatibility with Materials:

Consider the type of masonry units used, such as bricks, stones, or blocks, and ensure that the mortar selected is compatible with those materials. Some masonry units, especially soft or historical ones, may require more flexible or breathable mortars.

Assess the condition of the substrate surface. Certain substrates may require special mortars or surface preparation techniques to ensure proper adhesion and performance.

Tips for Proper Application and Use of Mortar

Using mortar correctly is essential for achieving a strong and durable construction. Consider the following tips to ensure the proper application and use of mortar:

Mixing Consistency:

Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the water-to-mortar ratio and mixing time. Use clean water and a clean mixing container.

Mix the mortar thoroughly until it is uniform, free of lumps or dry pockets. It should have a workable plastic consistency that holds its shape but is not too dry or too wet.

Application Techniques:

Apply mortar evenly and consistently to ensure proper bonding between the masonry units.

Use a trowel to scoop and spread the mortar onto the substrate, then comb the mortar with the notched edge of the trowel to create ridges. This helps improve the mortar's adhesion.

Apply mortar in small sections to prevent it from drying out before placing masonry units.

Proper Curing:

Protect newly applied mortar from drying too quickly, especially in hot or dry conditions. Use techniques such as misting with water, covering with plastic sheeting, or applying a curing compound.

Allow sufficient time for the mortar to cure and gain strength before subjecting it to heavy loads or adverse weather conditions. Follow the recommended curing time provided by the mortar manufacturer.

Joint Finishing:

Once the mortar has been set, use a pointing tool or jointer to finish the joints between the masonry units. This helps improve the appearance and weather resistance of the structure.

Ensure the joints are filled evenly and have a consistent shape and depth throughout the project.

Maintenance and Protection:

After the mortar has fully cured, implement proper maintenance practices to ensure its longevity. This may include regular cleaning, sealing, and repairing damaged or deteriorated areas.

Protect the mortar from excessive moisture infiltration, especially in areas prone to water penetration. Proper flashing and waterproofing measures should be taken to prevent water damage.

Safety Precautions:

When working with mortar, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask, to protect yourself from potential hazards.

Follow safety guidelines for handling and disposing of mortar materials to prevent injury and environmental damage.

Conclusion

Choosing the right mortar and using it properly is crucial for the success of any construction project. Traditional mortars have been used for centuries and offer unique benefits in terms of breathability and flexibility. Cement-based mortars provide high strength and durability, making them suitable for various applications. Specialty mortars offer specific properties for specialized needs. With the right mortar and proper application, you can ensure the success of your construction project and create a structure that stands the test of time.

At Stenco Constructions, we are committed to providing high-quality masonry work for your construction needs. Contact us today to discuss your specific project needs and let our experts assist you in choosing the right mortar for optimal performance and longevity. Don't compromise on the quality and durability of your structure. Reach out to us now and experience the difference in our products and services.

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