#cowards pay others to kill for them

[a-fandom-trashdump]

.

[threadmonster]

Okay, you know what though? My college experience may have sucked ass and I have too much debt not enough pay, but I can pull credentials in three different areas.

Shut up, I was an art student.

Shut up, listen to the fashion major.

Look here pal, I have a business and management degree.

The average joe just looks silly to argue (⁠◡⁠ ⁠ω⁠ ⁠◡⁠)

[thief-of-eggs]

I think, given his… erm, past, that Alastor would view murder as an appropriate form of showing affection.

He does it for all the hotel inhabitants. Everyone who starts to grow on him, who’s wellbeing he begins to care about, despite himself.

It happens with Charlie first. A sinner out on the streets talks a little too poorly about her and her hotel, her dreams, her ideas. She hears and it brings her down for only a moment (she always was one to recover quickly) but the short moment is enough for Alastor.

They find the sinner’s body impaled on the wrought iron fence the next morning. No one fully understands why Alastor seems particularly giddy about it.

The next time, it’s Angel. A client sees him outside of work, and seems to forget that he isn’t owed time he doesn’t pay for. Alastor’s shadow grows behind him, and after steering Angel and the others away, Alaator guides the man down a darkened alley.

He eats the man whole, enlarging his head to do so. He returns to the others with the man’s shiny golden tooth, which he’d spit out after devouring him, and he drops onto Angel’s hand without an explanation.

For Lucifer, it’s a bit more subtle, or at least harder to detect. Because Lucifer didn’t even know that the bodies he’s constantly finding outside his room belonged to individuals who’d once mocked his name. He hadn’t known that they’d belittled him, called him weak, called him a coward.

Alastor knew. Which is why, one by one, he picks them off. His memory is carved from stone, and he remembers each and every greatest offender.

And what better place to leave his kill than at Lucifer’s door? Like a cat presenting his master with a caught mouse, he brings his trophies back to Lucifer, depositing them where he is sure to find them and be proud.

Eventually, everyone figures it out- Alastor was never hiding it, but the others didn’t know to look for it either. They piece together that all it takes is an insult in front of Alastor, and suddenly the offender is missing, or perhaps they come across their body shortly after. Death is so common in Hell, that it takes them a while to get it.

When confronted he’ll shrug and hum, offering a half hearted wave of his hand. “I’m just doing my civic duty as patron of this hotel” he says, casually examining his claws.

No one really knows what to say. They are not used to love that is so vicious, so violent. So damning. Red paints not only Alastor’s heart but also his hands, staining him further with every act of affection.

It’s all he knows. The only way he understands to express his indebtedness to the others, the only way to carve out a bit of himself and present itself to the others for them to adore.

It’s unconventional, but so is everything that Alastor ever does.

And for the others… Well. In a place like Hell-? It’s not exactly a bad way to receive love, so long as it keeps them all safe.

[wtfaniii]

"Who are you?"

Note: I apologize if my English here isn't good, I'm Mexican and I'm just beginning to study languages, I didn't find much content from Hwang In-ho and I thought, why not write something myself? I hope you like it.

"Hey..." Gi-hun murmured as he sat down next to me, making me jump a little but I managed to keep the composure, I was still a little shaken up by the second game, I thought was going to die but if it hadn't been for Thanos and that tiny pill I would have surely lost my little patience and been eliminated. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know..." It was crazy, I thought I could play this without feeling on the verge of death but here I was, almost shaking and playing with my fingers, when I felt Gi-hun wrap me in a hug I was able to regulate my heartbeat.

We knew each other years ago when I offered to take care of he daughter for a few coins, then I had a relapse into drugs and I never spoke to him again.

Until now

"It's okay... we'll be fine" Him try to calm myself down "Come, come with us"

I stood up and walked with him to where the rest of his group mates were but Thanos' voice stopped us "Hey! Where are you two going? My friend belongs to the future victors" Gi-hun didn't pay attention but when we felt he presence approaching us I turned to face him.

I wasn't going to let myself be intimidated, yes, I'm scared of dying at the hands of a gunshot to the head but I can stand my ground when it comes to an irritating rapper.

But to my surprise 001 was already right in front of me staring at Thanos with a firm stance. The purple-haired boy stepped back without looking away as he certainly didn't want to receive another beating from him but he didn't want to look like a coward either.

When he turned to us his dark and tired eyes fell on mine "Thank you In-ho" said Gi-hun without removing his arms from my shoulders

Now I knew him name.

When I met his group I was able to introduce myself and release a bit of my tense emotions, they were nice despite the circumstances. "Are you American?" 001 asks sitting on my left side, briefly interrupting the conversation I was having with Gi-hun. "Do my eyes give me away?" I joked, looking back at him.

Unlike them, my eyes were not slanted for obvious reasons, actually, if I were in better circumstances I would say they are my best asset.

He smiled a little, a smile that would have gone unnoticed if I didn't observe each of his features, he was attractive, too much so. "It seems like you haven't played any of the games before"

"I played... a few years ago with him daughter" I said looking at Gi-hun talking to Jung-bae "I was his babysitter"

"Why did you leave?" He asked curiously, it was strange that he knew I had quit but I guess it was just his intuition.

"Let's just say that... I had some setbacks..." I muttered sadly while giving my arm a squeeze right in the area where it was painful to grab because of some needle marks, it was a past I would like to forget "But I have a lot of debts to pay so here I am" I added with a slightly happier tone "Here I earn the money I owe or die by gunshot, for me it's a win either way" I tried to lighten the mood but In-ho's furrowed brow let me know that I was only ruining it "Out there they will hunt me and kill me like an animal... at least here I will have a more or less decent death"

It seemed like he felt sorry for me, or at least that's what his gaze conveyed to me, yeah... maybe I'm a poor damned soul but what does it matter, I have positive thoughts about my destiny.

"If I survive, I'll be a preschool teacher. I love children."

Again, he smiled and nodded.

[...]

The third game's timer was coming to an end, there were only five seconds left and I was alone, there were groups of three people but my lack of socialization seemed to be my condemnation as well.

I closed my eyes and accepted my fate but I was surprised by arms that surrounded me and knocked me to the ground, my eyes met 001 who looked at me with conflict, it was a judging look but at the same time it conveyed to me as if he was having a battle with himself.

"We're going to die" I stammered as the counter hit zero and the pink-masked men entered.

"Don't say anything," he whispered in my ear, causing a shiver to run through me. The lights kept turning on and off, making my vision dim. One of the guards approached us and pointed his gun at us. However, when I saw my life flash before my eyes, In-ho raised his arm and put his hand up in a stop gesture, causing the individual dressed in pink and with a triangle on his mask to lower his gun and retreat

The screams of the other participants being killed filled my ears but despite all that noise In-ho's words were quite clear to me "If you say anything about this it's over for you and your friends" it could have seemed like a threat but behind that tone I also managed to perceive a sincere request.

I wasn't stupid, he had something to do with these games and I would find out what it was before telling Gi-hun.

[with-my-calamitous-love]

I HAVE A LOT OF REGRETS ABOUT THAT

osamu dazai x reader, 18 dark ages! dazai

you take care of dazai while he’s ill and in a rare moment of vulnerability.

for 🚬 anon! thank you for supporting 🤍

inspired by this is me trying

he didn’t think it was possible to be so ahead.

he was only 18, and had committed hundreds of crimes. he was a young man, and yet the star pupil of the mafia boss. he had only been in the world for less than a few decades, and yet knew the world better than anyone.

so was he ahead, or was he behind? perhaps he was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere.

his head is pounding, feeling the ache in his eyes. his body feels slack, like its giving up on him despite only just growing it itself. he’s weak, and hiding out in his apartment like a coward. if someone wanted to kill him, now would be the time to do it.

luckily, thats not what you’re here to do. much to his dismay.

he was wary at first, letting you in. he says the usual- that he’ll get you sick and that he can handle himself. but the man who’s wrapped in bandages clearly can’t take care of himself, even if its just a simple cold.

so you trudge in anyway, sighing at his empty fridge with only a few expired contents. how he was surviving was a mystery to you.

so you put together what you can, forging a soup with crab meat so he’ll actually eat it. you don’t know, but he’s watching you from his bedroom.

he’s not used to being taken care of.

truthfully, he could follow his fears all the way down. he could let his shiny wheels rust, and succumb to the realities of life. its what he always preaches about, anyway. he says he wants death, but more so just a reason to go on. whether there was one for him was a different question.

he sighs wearily when you bring a bowl of soup to him, only realizing how hungry he is when he can smell it wafting towards his nostrils. “thank you, darling.” he hums, not caring for the way it slightly burns his fingertips when he takes it from you.

normally, he’d call you an angel for taking care of him, and ask you to commit double suicide holding his hand. you know he’s tired when all he can manage is a thank you before he’s eating the soup like its his first meal in days. honestly, it might have been.

“how are you feeling?” you ask, sitting next to him on the bed. he almost smiles when you put hour hand against his forehead, feeling his temperature. maybe he loves your cold hands against his burning hot skin, or maybe he loves you. probably both.

he resigns to remain strong. because he doesn’t want to be an open wound. its hard to be anywhere these days when all he wants is you, but he can’t admit that. what would happen if he trusted? if he let himself be saved? who would he lose?

“i’m okay.” he says, curving his dehydrated lips into a smile.

you sigh.

his lies are a flashback in a film reel. you’ve seen them before, but they still hurt.

“don’t give me that.” you say, clutching his bandaged hands. “let me care about you, ‘samu.”

for just a moment there, his smirk falls.

he’s used to being told that all his problems are mental. he’s used to getting wasted at bars, like all his potential. he’s used to downing everything he could have been, had he not been exposed to evil at such a young age.

evil expects evil from others. dazai himself was evil. so why weren’t you?

he doesn’t know. but he knows he’s anything but okay right now.

“i’m… tired. and my head is killing me.” he whispers, setting aside his near empty bowl of soup. he looks tired.

you don’t say anything, but he does let you gently push him onto the bed. his heart flutters when he feels you tuck the blankets around him, and end with a kiss on his forehead.

“you rest.” you hum. “i’m gonna go do your groceries. you need more than just instant food, ‘samu. but you are paying me back.”

he’s too tired to protest, and maybe he loves being taken care of. this is him trying.

[blessedbyahuntress]

Blessed by a Trickster

Chapter One: The Voice in my Head is Laughing at me

Prev Chapter/Next Chapter

Warnings: Reader is struggling with a voice in her head, but that's it

Word count: 979

Listen to: The Horse and the Infant

“Alright my brothers, listen closely.”

Your head snapped up at the sound of Odyseus’s words.

“Tonight we make the Trojans pay. Ten years of war they’ve killed us slowly.”

You let yourself close your eyes, thinking of all the times you had been weak and starved and miserable. Oh, how badly you wanted to inflict all of those feelings on the Trojans.

“But now we’ll be the ones who slay.”

A smile played across your lips.

“Think of your wives and your… children.” Odysseus faltered a bit when his gaze caught on you. You didn’t have a husband or a significant other. You were alone except for him, Eurylochus, and Polites.

He quickly regained his composure. “Your families wonder where you’ve been.”

“They’re growing old and yet you’re still here. Do what I say and you’ll see them again.”

Your eyes flew open, revealing a determined look in your eyes as you said with the rest of the crew, “Yes sir!”

“Diomedes will lead the charge, Agamemnon will flank the guards. Menelaus will let our mates through the gates to take the whole city at large. Y/N will shoot any ambush attack, and little Ajax will stay back. Nestor, secure Helen and protect her. Neo, avenge your father, kill the brothers of Hector.”

You drew an arrow from your quiver and shot a grin at Ajax. You were an outstanding archer, but the job could get lonely at times. You were glad that Little Ajax would be keeping you company, even if he wasn’t helping. He smiled right back at you, visibly relaxing.

“Yes, sir!”

“Find that inner strength now.” Odysseus drew his blade, making a rather eerie sound. “Use that well of pride. Fight through every pain now. Ask yourself inside.”

He stalked through the lines, stopping in front of you and Eurylochus. “What do you live for? What do you try for? What do you wish for? What do you fight for?”

You straightened, dipping your head in respect to your leader as you repeated the lines with the rest of the army, “What do you live for? What do you try for? What do you wish for? What do you fight for?”

Odysseus turned and you marched after him in turn with Eurylochus, who gave you a grim smile. “What do you live for?” You and your comrades said again.

“Penelope,” Odysseus murmured so softly in response, that only you and Eurylochus could possibly hear.

“What do you try for?”

“Telemachus.”

You drew your bow.

“What do you wish for?”

“I’m on my way.”

You notched your arrow.

“What do you fight for?”

“Attack!”

The men charged forward, while you picked your way to a higher vantage point. After a while, Polites joined you, guarding your back from stray swords and wild arrows. Your free hand gripped Little Ajax’s until you reached the top.

You let go of the small boy’s hand and taunt your bowstring. But instead of shooting, you glanced over your shoulder at Polites and offered your friend a small smile. “You should go now,” you said.

He shook his head. “Odysseus said to guard you, and I will.”

Your smile turned into an irritated scowl, but you turned your attention back to the battlefield below you; you knew there was no point in arguing.

You saw a man going to strike Neo while his back was turned. Coward, you thought bitterly, releasing the arrow. 

The arrow met its mark, as did all the others you shot. 

A couple of times Polites actually did come in handy, cutting away arrows that came whizzing toward you while your focus was mainly on the fight progressing below you. 

Each time he did this, you gave him such a genuinely grateful smile that it made his heart melt and his cheeks flush. Did you not know your own power over him when you smiled like that?

Suddenly everything was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

You followed all of the warrior’s gazes up to a balcony. The scene made you gasp.

There Odysseus stood, his face streaked with tears as he looked down at the bundle in his singular hand. The bundle hanging dangerously above a perilous drop. 

An infant.

For a moment Odysseus looked as if he might retract his hand and bring the baby back to his arms, but in this moment you had a second of clarity.

“This mere infant will grow into an avenger,” a voice spoke, clear as a running stream inside your head. While what it spoke of was so serious, the mysterious voice was followed up by a fit of giggles. “You must choose: kill the infant and save your friend, or don’t act and watch your king die. Consider carefully!” Then one last laugh and the voice in your head was gone.

You repositioned your bow, your fingernails digging into your palm as you aimed your arrow at the bundle, at the thin piece of fabric that Odysseus was dangling over a fatal drop.

“Y/N?” Polites asked. “What are you doing?”

Your only response was a soft whisper, “I’m sorry.” And then you shot.

Your arrow found its mark, tearing into the cloth that connected the swaddle to Odysseus’s hand. 

You watched the infant fall, faster and faster until it met the ground. Your heart fell with it as you dropped your bow and clutched your head.

“Y/N?” You faintly heard Polites’s voice. He was right next to you, wasn’t he? Why did it seem like he was calling from so far away?

“You can’t break now,” the voice from before entered your thoughts once more, without permission again. “You have to get up. Your friends still need you. The war may be over, but it’s not over for you. Get up.” Then, like the first time, the voice dissolved into obnoxious laughter.

[hiddenlife-manager]

Apollo x Fem Chubby Reader NSFW

cw… orgasmining, no mention of cum but inferred creampie, not edited, public sex, forest sex, slight emotional apollo, loving partner apollo, zeus mention, gentle sex, praise, doggy standing, breast mention, etc...

notepad… NEW FANDOM I LOVE APOLLO AND HERMES!! Not gonna lie this was long, but in a way I needed to use this to get out of writers block. Like I have been struggling mentally for some time and just have been bed rotting all summer due to avoiding stress. I think I plan on coming back though. School is about to start, I am trying to pay for it and the office is PISSING ME OFF LIKE ACCEPT MY MONEY!

You were walking through the forest; it was a dark night, and the moon was high up as you tried to get back to the Polis. You have traveled so far to the Temple of Apollo to meet the oracle. You were advised by your lover to travel from your polis to see the oracle. You were traveling from wagon to wagon, and thankfully, your Polis was down the path, and you were left to walk. You passed trees and looked down to see a lit-up Polis down the large hill. Through the forest trail, you would have to walk for an hour.

“Very well,” you mumbled as you fixed your peplos and began to walk. You were nervous, afraid that an animal would come up from behind you and try to kill you, but the trip to and from has been safe. To some, it would seem like godly intervention. It was as if you were being watched by a god; in a way, it was true. But like all the gods, he had limits on how to keep you safe without interfering. “Just a little more.” 

As you were walking, you could feel eyes on you. Looking up at the sky, you saw a hawk soaring through the sky, landing on a strong branch. You let a smile reach your lips. You raised your hand to your lips and smiled even brighter. You blinked once, and there you saw a tan, muscular man on a tree branch. His long blonde hair was swaying in the night breeze.

“How was the oracle?” He asked you, and there he hopped off the branch and down onto the ground like it was nothing; his cape blew in the breeze alongside his hair as if the winds were favoring him. He walked over to you; he clearly dimmed his own light from the moment he turned into his normal form. He placed his hands on your shoulder, and then one hand removed itself from it and grabbed your chin. “You look dirty, my dearest.”

“What do you expect from me? I have been traveling.” He nodded at your response and noticed that you were close home. He was the one who advised you to go to the oracle. He was the one who said it was best you got your prophecy from them and not him. “The oracle accepted the rabbit pelt you gifted me; she informed me that I will never marry if I stay with my current love.” You looked at him; you always thought maybe he would marry you, but it was clear it was just not possible. “I’m at a fork in the road: leave the one I love and marry another, or stay with the one I love and never be married. But I cannot have both.”

“I am sorry, my dearest; I was too much of a coward to tell you. So I had the oracles speak the truth.” He looked at you as you stared at him. He was confused as to why you were not yelling at him from the moment you saw him. Even on your trip home, you were just calm, no anger. “I would understand if we must part.” He raised his hand, placing it on your chubby cheek.

“I have been unmarried for so long that I have been barred from much of society in my own polis. I see no reason to change it. I have come to terms with the prophecy since the very moment the oracle told me in the temple. I was naive to think I could marry a god. That I will admit.” His hand was still on your chubby cheek; he looked down at you, and his other hand was placed on your waist. He loved the way you were so soft in his hold.

“I am sorry.”

“I chose this life the very moment we met; I will live a life of solitude if I must.” There, his hand shifted down to your neck from your cheek, and he leaned down to you. He was a god, after all; he would clearly be taller than you and the other mortals. He took your lips into a soft kiss; his lips were gentle, almost quivering; in a way, he was fearing you would pick another man. Your lips are slightly parted enough to invite him closer. He pressed you against a wooden tree, his hand still on your soft waist and your neck.

His hand on your waist slowly lowered to your peplos, and he lifted it up. He moved it a bit and lifted it. His hand gripped your ass, his lips still moving against your own. He hated to show his worries; he hated that he fell for a mortal and could not marry them. He knew very well that his father would not agree to it; even if his father fell for a mortal, he knew the risks of being with them and would never approve of you. He sucked at your bottom lip, pulling away.

“I need you.” He whispered into your ear, and you nodded. He turned you around with his hand on your beautiful chub. He loved your rolls; he loved every single thing about you. To him, your beauty rivaled most mortals he has ever met. He fixed his skirt, and there his cock came out. He stroked it with one hand while the other caressed your ass. He played with your fat ass, and there he began to line himself up. “Take a deep breath, dearest.”

You opened your mouth to breathe in, and at that very moment, he shoved his cock into your cunt. You grabbed at the tree bark. Your hands tried to hold it, but all you could do was press against it. You cried out in the forest, causing Apollo to place his hands on your mouth and pull you back.

“We don’t want to attract the animals, dearest.” You nodded. His fingers slowly entered your mouth, and instinctively, you began to suck at his muscular fingers. His other hand is placed around your chubby tummy. He held you close, his thighs tensing as he thrust up into you. He was behind you, his head so close to your back. You could feel his breath against your skin. Each time he thrust into you, he had to fix your peplos, ensuring that your ass was bare so no fabric got in the way of his thrust. “So perfect, my dearest.” He whispered from behind you. He loved the way your mouth sucked at his fingers.

You continued to have him thrust into you from behind. Your back is against his chest. You two were being covered by the three in front of you, and if you shifted a little to the side, you could see the polis that have always hated you down the hill. You wondered if anyone could see you, but you did not care. All you wanted was to feel his cock going in and out of you. You felt so complete, and you loved him so much.

“Haah…. Uugh…” You found your moans to match the rhythm of his thrusts from behind. Each time he pulled out and pushed himself back into your pussy caused you to rip out sounds of pleasure. Your hands were still slightly placed against the tree, but in a way, you didn’t need to have your hands against the tree due to the position. You pressed your thighs together, and he lowered his hand from your chubby tummy to your thighs and spread them.

“You love this, don’t you?” You nodded desperately, drool now pooling from your mouth due to sucking at his fingers. He pushed you against the tree and bent you down harsher. He was no longer holding your ass, and he raised his other hand to your breast. He groped your breast, hidden behind your linen fabrics. He was enjoying the way your gasps and moans left your lips. He did not care that you two could get caught by animals. 

He smirked at the way you were so desperate, without even knowing you were pushing your ass back to him, wanting his cock to go deeper in your pussy. Your peplos were in disarray; your pins were shifted, causing a few to fall to the ground. His hands were now placed on your hip and your lower back.

“Yes, so good.” You cried out in pleasure, pressing your hands against the harsh bark of the tree. His hips continued to thrust, and he began to feel your walls clench against his cock. He groaned as he felt how welcoming you were. Your body was made for him, and his thrust began to get deeper and deeper. He was now becoming vocal; his grunts were louder than before. He loved you so much, and even if you two could never marry, he saw a future with you. He would love you despite the fact that you are going to age, and he will not. “Ah! Close! Ah!”

He smirked at the way you were so breathy; this was all he needed to feel at peace with you. His cock burried into your pussy and he was fucking you wherever he wanted. His thrust was still firm and deep, making you cry out. Your walls clenched even tighter around his cock, and when your breathlessness became incoherent mumbling, he knew you were so close. He himself felt it; his body tensed at the feeling of getting closer to the finish line. He felt his toes curl and thrust so deeply that his back arched and his head was thrown back with a loud groan.

As for you, you felt it hit you like a wagon running at full force toward you; your legs shook at the feeling of yourself orgasming. His cock was pulsing inside you, and as the feeling went through your body, you covered your mouth, trying to muffle the loud moan that ripped through you. Your legs failed, and Apollo made sure to keep your body up with his one arm. Despite your beautiful weight, you were as light as a feather to him.

“Careful dear.”

[razorblade180]

Streamer AU 7

Streamer AU 6 <-

Dearly Beloved plays

Weiss:Oh wow, this sounds nice.

Blake:You’re going to be saying that a lot.

Weiss:I absolutely believe it. Also can we discuss why this menu had multiple games.

Jaune:One hurdle at a time. We just need to focus on one.

Yang:Now I know you said no backseating, but you will be a coward if you don’t pick the hardest difficulty.

Ruby:Oh! We should have a death counter!

Weiss:Chat, you see how they want me to suffer?

“Do it!”

“It’s not that hard”

“No balls!”

“Godspeed”

“5 subs if you do”

Weiss:Don’t try and bribe me!

Blake:Weiss, as someone whose played this game way too many times to count, you can handle proud mode.

Jaune:This game might be easier for you than FFX. It’s not turned based, but it’s also not as evil.

Weiss:…I want those gift subs you promised. *hits Proud Mode*

Yang:Peer Pressure wins again!

“I’ve been having these weird thoughts lately…”

Ruby and Blake:Eeehehe~

Weiss:The game just started, shush!

The curious girl pays attention to the words, not looking at chat or even how Jaune himself is rather giddy. Clearly this game means a lot to them. Still, to be this excited so quickly when nothing has-

“🎶Oh~🎶”

The music came out swinging as the screen lit up with visuals. Suddenly, Weiss’s eyes lit up.

Weiss:Oh I might like this song already.

“🎶You’re giving me~ to many things, lately🎶”

Weiss:Oh fuck…

xxxxx

The opening ends and Weiss is left with her hands in front of her mouth as she tries to rationalize what she just experienced.

Ruby:Ah yes, the face of someone processing greatness.

Weiss:Listen, I’m so torn right now. That sounded fun. I kinda want to grab my keyboard and see if I can play the melody but that derail everything.

Yang:Weiss if you start doing that now, I promise you that it will happen for every track.

Weiss:Fiiiine. I will play the video game.

Photo Bunny gifted 5 subs

Jaune:Thank you Velvet. And just like that, your 100 sub goal is met.

Yang:Aye! Now she has to dress like a character from something she’s played, right? I vote Chica!

Weiss:Denied.

Blake:I’m sure she already has plans.

Weiss:Umm, should I be concerned about what I pick and give up?

Jaune:Would it stop you from picking the staff?

Weiss:*smiles* Probably not.

Jaune:Heh, then go ahead and pick it. It’s your play through.

Yang:Even in a game, you stick to your core.

Weiss:*gives up sword*

Yang:Or maybe not. Colored me surprised.

Weiss:You made me pick the hardest difficulty. I’m not giving up a shield.

Yang:Chat, she’s using critical thinking. It’s all over.

Ruby:We’re you trying to put her on the hardest path!?

Jaune:That’s actually evil.

Yang:Weiss is a big girl. She beat a Resident Evil game. This should be easy for her.

Weiss:This is why Jaune is my co-host and not you.

xxxxxx

Boy: What are you afraid of?

Weiss:….*squints*

Jaune:*smiling* What’s up?

Weiss turns the camera around to see a aburn haired boy with a very distinct choice of clothes.

Weiss:That’s Wakka! Is- Tidus!?

Jaune:Yes that’s your favorite boys

Weiss:Yaaaaay! Okay, this game is cool. Wait, who’s the girl?

Blake and Ruby:Nobody important.

Jaune:Ren is going to kill you both.

Lotus Chef: “SHE’S IMPORTANT TO ME!”

Ruby:Ren, I need you to pick better Final Fantasy characters.

Lotus Chef: “Says the Hope fan girl”

Ruby:Nora, get your man.

Weiss: “My journey begins at midday” wait, this changes things too?

Jaune:It’s your leveling curve basically. You’ll have steady growth the whole game.

Weiss:I can live with that. Yang on the other hand…

Yang:Oh I already knew your choices were gonna be. My interference stopped after you didn’t get rid of the shield. You’ll probably beat this game in four streams without much trouble.

Weiss:You almost sound disappointed.

Yang:There’s a boss I had to help Ruby with years ago. I just wanted to bond over hating it with you but it probably won’t happen now!

xxxxxxx

Weiss:I’ve known Riku for five minutes and I already don’t like him.

Blake:Please don’t slander my son.

Yang:You’d like him if he hated his dad.

Weiss:Correct. I’m biased, and will continue to be so. Tidus starting a journey to say his dad sucks is amazing. In case nobody has gotten it yet, he’s the costume I’m picking.

“Complete with no undershirt?”

Jaune:*casually times user out*

Weiss:Pfft-

Jaune:What?

Weiss:Nothing~ Just listening to the music. Man, this kid has big shoes.

Ruby:He’s supposed to resemble traits of Mickey Mouse.

Weiss:Oh yeah, so is anyone going to explain why this game had Donald Duck and Goofy on the cover?

Everyone:….

Weiss:Alright, fair enough I guess.

Yang:Enjoy the whimsy. Did you see a lot Disney growing up?

Weiss:My recitals when I was little were a few songs.

Jaune:That’s kinda adorable.

Weiss:Until the tunes get stuck in your head. Speaking of which, I can’t ignore this. Jaune, if you would?

She points over to her bed since he’s closest. He grabs her keyboard and hands it over to her. Weiss presses a few keys slowly, trying to guess the correct notes before suddenly playing the Destiny Island theme

Yang:Damn. Why are you huntress!?

Weiss:Music doesn’t pay bills often enough. This melody reminds me of a commercial I did for sunblock .

xxxxxxx

Sora and Kairi: *watching the sunset*

Weiss:…I think I’m going to like this game.

Blake:One of us. One of us.

Big Bags & Miniguns: “Sora’s shorts are killing me inside.”

Weiss:I’m focusing on the half jacket.

Jaune:I like that it has a hood.

Weiss:Gee, I wonder why you like it.

“Kairi cosplay when?”

Weiss:Give that to Ruby.

Ruby:Bet. I already have the hair! You have to be Donald.

Weiss:As i- why is it dark and stormy night?

xxxxxxxx

Weiss:Ya see, I knew Riku was bitch. He’s mad I beat him.

Blake:Play the game!

Weiss:Hahaha!

Jaune:Chat this going to be a fun stream.

[maxwell-grant]

So given the last issue's showing of what exactly were the other teams that Classic Heavy said that they'd killed in Issue 6, cementing the extent to which there's always been a whole bunch of other super spy/cartoon warfare elite teams in this world that we weren't privy to and the whole offscreen deaths of the mercenary community that happened at the hands of the Classic Team, TF2 Medic's involvement with the Classic Team raises two pretty funny possibilites:

1: Ludwig's been with them for months, ergo, he must have been with them for the massacres of all those other teams that occured during the six months the Classic Team's been hunting them, and at no point did it ever cross his mind or bother him that his friends could be next. He doesn't even understand why Sniper's upset at him about joining them, there wasn't any team left to betray (and black market research doesn't pay for itself).

2: Ludwig's been with them for months, but given he has spent those months mostly dicking around with animal body part experiments, that he apparently hasn't gotten to actually be Medic in line of duty often (given the "Finally! Some field work!" line above), and that Classic Heavy considered him a coward and deemed him unfit to be on the field and didn't want to hire him in the first place, it raises the possibility that Medic WASN'T there for all the offscreen massacres - but he very much wanted to be and so he settled for putting baboon uteruses on the Classic Team whenever they landed on his table. He wasn't even planning to betray Classic Heavy until the last minute, this was just Medic being Medic.

[alexa-fika]

Aight here me out

Buggy has a child but instead their like moody, grumpy and stuff (like Octavia and loona from helluva boss) but they love buggy and would do ANYTHING for him

Happy go lucky dad 🤝 looks like it would kill you would kill you child

Substitute Assistant ( Cross guild x f!child!reader)

A/N not gonna lie I totally forgot who loons was, it’s been a hot minute since I watched helluva, since we are talking about helluva boss here, specifically loona, do expect a few swear words here and there. This one is kinda a flop but hopefully it lives to your standards Cosmo, I am surprised it wasn’t a Whitebeard request 😂,

Reader here is replaced by Dokucha which stands for Reader in japanese

Dividers by @/saradika

“Here you go, asshole,” Dokucha growled, throwing a stack of paper on Crocodile’s desk, a task that they had called her father to do

Crocodile lifts his gaze from his work to the child, taking another look at the stack that now lay on their desk

“Where is the clown?”

“Why the hell do you care?! You have your stupid reports, now leave my dad alone asshole!”

“Should a child your age be using such words?” The voice of the swordsman drawls from the sofa next to them

“Shouldn’t grown men be over bullying others like little children?” She snapped back

At that Crocodile let out a low chuckle that slowly grew into a full-out laugh

“Well, Well seems the brat has more guts than that useless clown,” he grinned

“Don’t call him that!”

“Would you prefer us we call him a coward instead?” Mihawk questioned, taking a sip from the wine in his hand as he continued observing the child’s rage bubble more and more

“Shut up! You assholes know nothing of Dad! He has done many things and gathered people of all kinds with his charisma alone; unlike you, he doesn’t have to pay off or bully people into being his followers!”

Crocodile lets out a dangerous smile at her words

“Funny seeing how it was your father who borrowed money from me, money that he lost and got him where he is now, so by all means, go ahead and tell me more about paying people off.”

“Just leave him alone; you got the business you wanted. Now leave him the hell alone.”

“No can do, little jester, see those people that your father won with his ‘charisma’ have named him the president of the guild; he’s not going anywhere,” Mihawk spoke

“Whether you like it or not, it was Buggy’s decisions that brought him here; he has no one to blame but himself,” he finished, swirling his cup around and downing the liquid inside

She growled, turning around and leaving the room only to be stopped by Crocodile’s voice

“Be a good child and bring me a light, will you?”

“Why the fuck would I do anything for the likes of you.”

“Because if you don’t, then I have no trouble calling your father in instead. While we’re at it, I might have a friendly chat with him about his brat’s behavior.”

She grits her teeth at his response, glaring at him as he chuckles in response

“When you return, I have a few other jobs for you to do, so don’t be long now.”

“Fine,” she snarls, stomping her way out of the office

-

“Dokucha, where did you run off to? I missed you, my little star!” Buggy cheered as the small girl entered the room

“I was busy,” she mumbled

“How was your day today, Dad?” She questioned

“It’s so much better now that my favorite act is here!” Launching himself toward her, babbling about the different things they could do on their next performance

She chuckled as he draped himself over her, hugging him and nuzzling into him

“Hey, Dad?”

“And then Richie would app-hah? Yeah? “He asked, pausing his rambling

“I love you.”

He looks at her for a few seconds before he begins coming apart in surprise, fumbling to put his body together

“Little Star! You are just the cutest,” he cried, hugging her tight

“Okay, don’t go too far, old man,” she grumbled, trying to get away from the suffocating embrace

“Of course, anything for my little star!”

Again this was kinda weak but I hope you like it, obviously Dokucha is more mellowed out compared to Loona, and she doesn’t have that tsundere side with Buggy , hope you find the dynamic interesting

Taglist:

@imaginarydreams

@amethystviolin

@h0n3y-l3m0n05

[myceliacrochet]

Reblog if answer tysm!!

Buckle up people this one hurts.

Our society is pretty scared of people who are in great pain, even offended with them.

The feeling I get when speaking with Hala and reading her posts is, here is a person who has been undergoing psychological torture for 400+ days without relief.

True of all Palestinians in Gaza -- just the overwhelming impression I get with Hala.

And Hala Farid Suleiman al-Najjer is not someone who complains over small things. She maintains a trust in justice and goodness, in patient longsuffering and God's plan.

She is incredibly resilient

She is steadfast

She is screaming

She is screaming into the void

She is screaming at an unlistening world that has made and broken promises to her, a world that watches with glee as she and her people are tortured and killed.

I've said before that speaking with Hala can be disturbing. I'm scared of what I'm seeing happen to her.

Of course, we ought to speak in the active voice -- what Israel and the U.S. are doing to her right now, on purpose.

If your tax dollars have ever gone to the IDF, or if you are a person of privilege in some way (recognizing that that is not a criticism of you), here is a beautiful chance to pay some reparations and relieve some suffering.

A coward hides from the people who are suffering the most in the world, reprimands them, reviles them to mitigate his own cognitive dissonance.

A person of honor and courage loves.

Hala mentions in her GoFundMe that they pray that an angel will rescue them.

I believe in human angels -- a vast village of people working together to help.

You know, we mostly see on here the tip of the iceberg -- the Palestinians who have somehow been able to get vetted, show the exact right pictures, say the right things, learn how to use Tumblr.

It's my impression that Hala does not have the strength to do more than she is doing (which is a lot more than I would be able to do in her place).

Hala and her family much, much prefer that donations be sent through PayPal. They arrive faster, and this family needs swift relief.

Due to this, it is hard to track her donations, especially because it pains her to talk about any of this so I try not to pry. But it sounds like they have rarely ever gotten donations.

However, they also have a GoFundMe if the donation protection is important to you.

Vetting: Clean RIS, donation-protected GFM. I apologize that there is no vetting information for her and a couple of the Palestinians in my life. Use your own judgement. If it's a con, it's a weird one that doesn't follow the patterns I'm familiar with. Actually, it doesn't even follow the patterns of the kind of legitimate campaigns that are essentially manipulative (an understandable tactic when your family is dying). It's just screaming in despair and a wretched hope beyond hope.

Anyway, if you want to volunteer to help her apply for vetting, be put in contact with her, or offer verification info, please dm me.

@commissions4aid-international @wellwaterhysteria @mangocheesecakes @kyra45-helping-others @7bittersweet @321butz @monika-396 @erameteors @tortiefrancis @ot3 @amygdalae @ankle-beez @dykesbat @aristotels @komsomolka @prisonhannibal @rosawo7 @riding-with-the-wild-hunt @heritageposts @watermotif @stuckinapril @mavigator @lacecap @determinate-negation @deepspaceboytoy @paper-mario-wiki @kibumkim @socalgal @chilewithcarnage @ghelgheli @sayruq @rooh-afza @knownoshamc @the-awkward-reblobber @soft-sunbird @cockworkangels @dannyketch @cramenjoyer @oreobunny2 @fireyfobbitmedicine @muminshoom @thedigitalbard @timogsilangan @tboynut @wildfeather5002 @fancy-feast-official @honeytonedhottie @cheloneuniverse @roseillith @thelastharbinger

[riniworld]

fell into the darkness

yandere!mafia boss oc × hostage! reader

warning|| violence, mention of blood, guns, smoking, and a dead body.

reference|| you.

a/n|| it was supposed to be longer, but I'll split it to two parts.

!! there is no mention of obsession or yandere here, this is only an introduction !!

your life wasn't perfect, you knew that very well, losing your parents when you were young and getting thrown over and over to a different relative searching for acceptance in them,but no one wanted a 'burden' in their family, until you settled with one who doesn't have a family, getting to take care of yourself at such a young age,you accepted your life long ago, but to get to THAT is something to really get concerned about...

because being wanted by a mafia is not normal, and very questionable.

now, sitting on a cold floor, your hands tied behind your back, as you try to get a word from what the men who stands a few feet away from you is saying,some of them were giving you a weird look, like you are a small thing compared to them, and that makes you feel disgusted.

and, in seconds,the room fell silent as a man,in a black suit like all the others,enter, he has a scary aura, but doesn't seem like their boss based on how their body are still relaxed.

he walked to you, his footsteps echoing in the empty room, as he get closer and closer your heart start to beat faster, you try to maintain the uncaring facade, but god you were panicing and it was obvious in your eyes.

he stand in front of you, tall and intimidating, not even bothering to lower his head to look at you, only lowering his eyes, you have alot of questions but you don't know if you're in a good place to utter a word, not that you can speak anyway.

"you must wonder why you're here." his voice was scary,you can describe it as heavy even, it's just remind you how much you're in trouble "you have a debt, since a particular coward ran away, he left the responsibility on you, we couldn't risk you running away as well, so we had to take action quickly."

"a what?"

"a debt"

"i have no knowledge in that and i do not want to, i never took a debt from anyone, you must have taken the wrong person." surprisingly you said all that without your voice breaking.

he hum lowly, it was almost inaudible if you werent really anxious that you were aware of every sound in the room, he reached for something from inside his coat, you tensed up alarmed, but he only take out a file,open it and turn it in your direction.

"do you recognize this man?" it was a question, but he sounded really sure that you recognize the one in the file.

and oh you do, it's the relative you were living with!, you know he's a drunkard and unresponsible, but to get involved with a mafia? how stupid can someone be?

"everything's clear now?" he folds the file back.

you have been caught in a big problem and there is no way out "so what you want from me? its not like I'll get the money out of nowhere when I'm here."

"you won't, we're not dumb enough to expect a kid to pay it, you're more of..a hostage here"

you scoff "do you really think that old man will care if i was a 'hostage'?"

"I'm not losing anything in trying"

you frown when he say that, seems like there's no way you can escape or reasonate with them, and there is no confirming that they won't kill you if no one asked about you.

you noticed quite a few things in the days you've been here, one there is alot of debris here that might help with escaping, second the people guarding the room are acting unserious in guarding that means either they're underestimating you, or that there is more danger up ahead.

either way you brave yourself and by your leg you slowly brought a sharp metal object near, it took quite the time but it was worth it when you managed to cut the rope off of your hands.

you waited until the sun disappeared since this seems the time they get the most tired, now it was dark,only the shade of the moon's light is lightning the place, as you see the guards start to yawn and some of them can't even keep their eyes open, you very carefully and slowly started to move toward a dark corner which you spoted an iron stick in it and plus it would be hard to spot you there,you almost got caught a few times but they were too...dump? to notice that you were moving.

not until you were in the corner had they realized you were 'missing', but you were pretty spotable if they were in an awake state, as they start to panic and gathered together, you pick up the stick and ran toward them quickly hitting the first then swing it at the second, the third managed to take his gun out but you quickly hit it, making it fall down then before he can realize what happened you hit him on his head.

no time to take a breath you quickly ran to the door, luckly it wasn't locked, preparing to whatever was ahead you tighten your fist on the stick and walked cautiously,looking right and left, your heart beating fast and you're sweating,the debris on the ground break whenever you step on them,making you jump everytime,it was mentally exhusting.

though you don't think the walk for the exit was more than a ten minutes, it felt like a ten hours, as you made it out without trouble and safely, you take a deep breath, looking at the sky, like you've been trapped for years, but there's no time to rest, you start running away in the woods, trying to get as far as you can before someone come, you don't know where you're going nor where this path lead, but it's better than falling into the darkness of that place.

the medium sized office,was dimly lit by the sunshine, despite it being a really sunny day,the cigarette's smell filling the room, making it soffcating, despite it's kind of small size, the office felt like a maze, a creepy maze of fear and authority.

a man, wearing a formal suit,was standing by the window, wich was covered by curtains from the outside, his reflection was very clear in the clean window, his eyes were practically dead, no emotion, only a dark shade that was staring....staring at what? his reflection or at the souls of the two terrified men behind him.

they were literally shaking, their gaze was glued to the floor no one dare to make a sound, the one who did was now lying down with his blood leaking, like a silent warning.

"that's a shame." his voice held a heavy authority tone to it, it was dark,deep, terrifying, the men behind him held their breath in fear, that was his first words since he received the news about the hostage escaping, he drop the cigarette to the ground and smashing it with his foot.

how long was it? week? month? oh...it was only day and a night, but it feels like forever, you're tired, cold, hungry, and desperate.

you didn't think there was worse than living with that old man, but here you are, running from a big organization, even the police are looking for you, why are the police looking for you?! who do you trust anymore?!

as you walked through a corridor to avoid being seen by the THOUSAND of men scattered around the place, you don't think it's a debt case anymore, it's more of a challenge, a punishment.

you stopped as you stumbled upon a bar, what does door to a bar doing in the shade of corridors? but you're not complaining, that mean it's empty, and no one will find you there,you can rest for a few minutes.

when you enter, the smell of alcohol hit you, you look around inside, there is a decent number of people here, weird, since it's really hidden, but you're still not complaining.

you sit at a table in the corner,and put your head down on it,letting out a sigh, that's the most comfortable rest you had taken until now.

a moment later and a waiter approaches you, his footsteps making you jump in warning, god you were paranoid.

"good evening,would you like to have something?" his tone was polite, something you didn't hear in a while.

"i-uh no, I'm not carrying any money on me sorry, i just want to rest here for a few moments." you gave an apologic smile.

"then I'm sorry you can't sit here without ordering something, our policy doesn't allow that." his voice turn more stern.

"please i won't make any trouble, just for a few minutes I'm really tired." you were desperate.

"that's nothing i can decide in, please get out if you won't order anything."

"but-"

"what's happening?" a thick voice yell from afar, an old man approach you "What is all this fuss about? i can hear it from there."

"boss, this customer didn't order anything and refuse to leave." the waiter explained.

"sir i swear i won't do anything, i just want to sit, rest my legs for a few seconds."

the old man, who you think is the owner, look at you for a second before his expression change to one of a stun, then he smiled suddenly "oh of course you can sit here, tut tut you should know how to treat a customer!" the owner Scold the waiter then take him away quickly.

that was suspicious but you get to sit so everything's good, or that what you think.

half an hour has passed, your body is well rested but your mind was a mess scattered around the place, filled with thoughts about your fate from now on, will you have to leave the country? take a new identity?, they seem like they won't stop anytime soon, ha you want to laugh, you don't know what's funny that you managed to piss off an entire organization or that your life haa been destroyed in a matter of a day, you suddenly feel like drinking, but you don't have any money, how much worse can this get?

..a loud thud pulled you out of your thoughts, you turned around wandering what caused this noise, only to see five men wearing the same suit as the ones who took you, the same mafia.

you turn to the opposite direction, ducking your head down, how are you gonna get out of this?

"mind having a guest?" you were too consumed by your thoughts that you didn't notice someone has approached you, with a shudder you lift your head up, a tall man was standing in front of you and the four had already circled you, you start panicing internally, but you're sure it's abvious on your face as well.

"hm..you don't seem a big fan of my company." he was being sassy, but his unmoving face was scary, that you don't know what to make from him anymore.

you stand up slowly, backing away step by step, "you don't want to run." the man says, and that was enough to stops you in your tracks, then you became aware of your surroundings, the four men were ready to pull their gun out at any given moment, and the one in front of you is eerily calm.

but you weren't going to give up to your cruel fate, as a last chance attempt, you pick up an ashry that was on the table, then you turn around, wanting to make this a hit and run, but suddenly, everything seemed to come to a stop, the ashry fall from your hand, there's a sharp pain in your shoulder, it was intense but at the same time it wasn't feelable, then everything faded away when you feel yourself fall down.

the throbbing pain in your shoulder was the first thing you felt when you regained consciousness, you groaned as you open your eyes,you woke up in a room,normal room, and it was too bright that you had a few minuted to adjust to it.

everything was foreign, you felt out of place..

you try to sit up, but the pain in your shoulder prevented you so, and then the memories of the bar all came back to you, the encounter with the mafia there, and your try to escape.

you lift your head up, looking around slowly, then with a loud breath you put it back in disappointment, seems like they caught you, you don't have the strength to even panic right now, giving up to your fate will be much easier.

when your head cleared you realized that you were lying down on a bed, it's softeness was something you didn't feel in a long time,but you don't think it's time to fee relieved yet, since you don't know when things could turn to the worst.

you don't know how much time passed until someone came to the room,you still can't sit up straight so you just kept lying down, looking at the door intensely, but then to your surprise a nurse has come in following by a man behind her, why are they even taking the time to take care of you? when it's clear by now that no one will ask about you again.

when the nurse saw you awak she let out an `oh` in surprise, she walked to you, settled her kit on the table next to your head, which you only see it now.

"I'm surprised, with this wound to wake up in a span of two days is really impressive, you have such a strong body." she said, her voice was silky, comforting.

you only nod in her direction, not feeling like talking right now, then you move your attention to the man standing by the door,he seem to be one of them but he didn't do any move or sound yet so you didn't give a mind to him as you again shift your attention back to the nurse who was getting her tools ready.

she changed your bandages and gave you some instructions to keep the wound closed, it was quick and in minutes you were alone again.

you let out a sigh, thinking about all the things that happened in these past few days,who knew you'll be unlucky enough to get in this mess, but again you were unlucky all your life, it shouldn't be a surprise,you felt like crying, but nothing came out, only silence and a bunch of memories.

Your chain of memories was interrupted when the door opened again, this time there stood the man who found you in the bar and behind him the one who was in the destroyed place that you were held hostage in.

you didn't have the strength to panic or anything, but you were afraid, and so much, especially from the one in the front, he seem to have something really creepy about him,something makes you don't want to look at him directly, he came to your side on the bed, and the other stayed by the door.

"i thought I'd visit you personally since my men were too dense to let you escape." like the first time you met him, his voice held no emotion at all, it's like he's just a monster without human basic things.

you gathered your strength to speak, nothing you'll say matter anymore to you "it's clear now that no one will ask or care about where am i, you won't gain anything from keeping me here." you spoke in a low voice, it wasn't your intention, but his aura makes you respect him uncontrollably.

he sat down on a chair, which again you only see now, then he lit up a cigarette and start smoking without saying anything in return, instead the man by the door speak.

"boss have thought of another use to you, you see, managing to escape from our men, and hiding for a day without being spotted has really impressed him,and so we searched for information on you, and your skill with computer plus sneaking will be of use to us." his tone was professional, not like the one before where he was speaking arrogantly.

`he's the boss then? ` you think, then you look at him, when he look back at you, you avert your gaze quickly, he was scary and it's not a joke.

"what do i make out of this?" you shift your attention back to the one by the door, your voice still uncontrollably low.

"you'll join us." he says, matter of a fact.

your eyes widen in surprise, and you stayed silent for five to ten minutes, debating how did it even come to here? you? with a mafia? but then hey...isn't it better than getting killed?

"that's too generous from the boss, you don't need that much time to accept." the one by the door speaks, his tone was impatient and a bit irritated.

"veto." the boss said in a scolding tone.

"sorry." he was quick to apologize, he seem to respect the boss alot, and it appear that his name is `veto`.

"I'll do it." you say without wavering, your voice gets a little bit higher.

maybe giving up to your fate isn't that bad.

[sidekick-hero]

(steddie | gen | 1.2k | tags: feelings realization (not his own), Kas!Eddie (flashback), smoking weed together, boys in love | @steddielovemonth prompt: Love is what makes you brave | AO3)

Eddie never claimed to be smart. It was not for nothing that it took him three tries and a very lenient high school administration - thanks to Hawkins' very own apocalypse - to graduate from high school.

It's not that he's dumb. It's more that he has what his uncle calls a scatterbrain. It's hard for him to focus on anything outside of the things he's really passionate about, like DnD or metal or fantasy. So it's not really surprising that he realizes that Steve is in love with him weeks after he's fallen for the boy himself.

And oh boy, did he fall for Steve Harrington. Hook, line and sinker.

It's new and exciting and scary. It takes up all the space in his head, and just as he read Lord of the Rings so many times that he can recite Aragorn's battle speech at the Black Gate, Eddie now spends all his time and energy learning everything there is to know about Steve Harrington.

He begins to pay attention to what people say about Steve and even more to what's said between the lines. He learns a lot by finally listening to all the times Dustin talks about Steve, which is often, singing his praises in his own, unique Dustin way.

Eddie focuses on what he can learn about Steve from the stories the others tell about a time when Eddie wasn't part of this weird little group of misfits and heroes, and collects all the clues like he's Sherlock fucking Holmes and Steve is his Moriarty.

Like how Robin and Steve have all these jokes from their Scoops days, even though they only really became friends later, during their run-in with the Russians. Yet Steve was willing to bait them into beating him instead of Robin, sacrificing himself so she could be spared before they ever established their platonic soul mateship.

It fits with the story Jonathan told him once, when they were smoking pot with Argyle, about Steve running back into a house with an honest-to-God monster in it to help Nancy and him fight it. And that was after Steve had come to Jonathan to apologize for their fight, even though he had reason to suspect that his girlfriend was cheating on him with Jonathan.

It's like puzzle pieces clicking together in Eddie's head.

At first, they don't fit with the things Steve tells him while they're out by the pool, sharing a joint and just talking. Steve goes on about all the times he was a coward, how he never stood up to his father or the bullies at school, even when he thought they were going too far.

But the things he says start to make sense to Eddie when Steve starts talking about how he only ditched Tommy and his other asshole friends because of Nancy. Because she made him realize how shitty he had become for fear of falling out of line and losing his status and his so-called friends.

Steve would never say he was brave.

But Eddie knows the truth.

Eddie knows that Steve is brave for the people he loves.

Love makes Steve brave.

And Steve loves fast and hard.

Once those two things become a certainty in Eddie's mind, other things fall into place.

Vecna sent him back to his friends as a spy, but they saw right through him, so he attacked them. He was faster and stronger now, thanks to whatever spell he was under, and he was vicious. They weren't his friends, they were the enemy. If he didn't kill them, they would kill him.

It makes him remember something he mostly tries to forget because it still hurts. It still fills him with shame and guilt. But now he thinks back to those weeks when he was under Vecna's control, a puppet dancing to his master's will.

Vecna had saved Eddie's body from dying when Dustin and the others thought he was already dead, but it came at a price.

Steve, the self-sacrificing idiot, managed to trap himself and Eddie in a room away from the others, his trusty nail bat at the ready. They faced each other, both ready to attack, to fight until one or both were dead.

And then Steve dropped the goddamn bat.

"I'm not going to fight you, Eddie. This isn't you. This isn't the guy who gave the outcasts and the nerds and the geeks a safe haven in the middle of the hell that is high school for them. This isn't the guy who decided to fight for a town that abandoned him and hunted him because he was different."

Steve took a step closer, so close that Eddie could see the flecks of green and gold in his hazel eyes.

"This isn't the guy who gave his life to save Dustin and buy us more time."

Warm hands closed around his own, clenched into fists and ready to strike, and cradled them gently.

"You saved us, Eddie. Because you are good. Because no matter how cruel the world was to you, you never stopped being kind." Another step towards the monster with his friend's face, but Steve never faltered, never hesitated.

"Please come back to us. Dustin needs you. Mike and Lucas need you."

Steve's arms wrapped around him, pulling him into their warm embrace, holding him tight as Steve said directly into his ear, "We need you, Eddie."

It hit Eddie right then and there, lying on the grass in Steve's yard with the pungent smell of the finished joint still in the air and the warmth of Steve's body seeping into his own where they touched from head to toe.

He never thought about it before because it couldn't have been. Steve had only known him a few days before the bats got him. And besides, he had been mooning over Nancy at the time, hadn't he?

But Steve risked his own life to get Eddie back. He could have killed Eddie, probably should have. Instead, Steve bravely stood his ground and reminded Eddie of his own humanity. Of all the love in his life and in his heart.

Steve falls hard and fast.

Love makes Steve brave.

Steve had only known Eddie, really known him outside of high school gossip, for a few days, but he risked his life to save Eddie.

Clumsy with the lingering effects of the weed in his body, Eddie turns his head to look at Steve, who's still staring up at the starry night sky. He takes in his profile, the sharp jaw line, the strong nose, the full lower lip. Steve is beautiful. He's good and kind and bitchy and secretly a giant dork. And he...

"You love me."

Eddie doesn't mean to just blurt it out, a thought that only formed a few minutes ago, but he's never been known for his brain to mouth filter and holy shit, Steve Harrington loves him.

Startled, Steve tears his eyes away from the stars to look at Eddie instead, his lovely hazel eyes wide as they search and hold Eddie's.

"I know," he finally says, leaning in even closer as if they were sharing a secret. "What gave it away?"

Instead of answering right away, Eddie bridges the infinitesimal gap between them and kisses Steve.

"I make you brave." At Steve's questioning look, Eddie adds, "Don't worry, you make me brave, too."

Before Steve can ask any more questions that Eddie's weed-addled brain couldn't answer anyway, he captures Steve's lips in another kiss before bravely rolling on top of him and showing him just how much Eddie loves him, too.

[specialagentartemis]

The Iliad swinging wildly between heart-wrenching tragedy and just. comedy of dumb shit the Greeks are doing.

Book 7 is a comedy one. Hector challenges the Greek army to choose a champion from among them to fight him in a one-on-one honorable duel to the death.

None of the Greeks volunteer because holy shit none of them want to fight Hector. Are you crazy.

Eventually Menelaus goes "I guess by rights of honor I should volunteer" and Agamemnon pulls him back, going, "bro. bro. I love you but you are a lousy fighter and Hector will kill you immediately. Don't Do It."

There continue to be crickets from the Greek ranks.

Then Nestor stands up and does his Old Man Yells At Cloud routine about how all the Greek heroes of this generation are Loser Coward Babies, unlike in HIS day, when he fought demigods and fucked Hercules or whatever.

This shames the Greek army so that a bunch of the step up and volunteer to face Hector. Only after eight men volunteer does Odysseus also volunteer, which is so funny to me,. He is explicitly the ninth and last man to step forward and volunteer. Guess he was waiting for a good enough number that he could retain his honor by making a good show of volunteering but when they drew lots have a decent 88% chance of not getting chosen. Like the Iliad doesn't say that's what he's doing but that reads to me what he's doing lol.

His bet pays off. Ajax gets chosen, and Hector is immediately like, oh fuck. I fucked up. I fucked up.

They throw spears at each other, then they throw rocks at each other, then the messengers from both armies run up to them and go. Guys. You have both fought very honorably, you both did great, yes I totally believe you can kill Hector/you can kill Ajax, but it's getting late, why don't we call off this duel to the death for the night. And Hector is like hmmmm you're right it's getting kinda dark I think it would be a great idea to call off this duel to the death for the night. This is completely unrelated to the fact that I am currently pinned under a boulder that Ajax threw at my head btw.

[starberry-cupcake]

UPDATING AGAIN!!! I probably won't be able to read in the next 2 days, so I wanted to do some catching up before that. Life, etc.

previously in harrowcita del 9:

this happened

CHAPTER 37

there's a training montage before the Beast arrives

the narrator (still undetermined, I'm starting to wonder if it's harrow but a harrow with all her memories or something, I don't know yet) says what we've been thinking the whole time

"the lyctors also did what they perhaps should have from the very start, and organized loosely planned, often contradictory sessions of instruction for Ianthe—and for you"

abysmal organizational skills, these people

harrow is wondering who of all her companions will betray the emperor

I think it's you, harrow, but I'm not certain yet

harrow is also wondering if she'll live or not, everyone's betting against her but I'm still holding my faith for the little feral kitten

doctor reverend emperor john tells harrow again that if she wants to be locked in with him in coward corner, she can do that

the emperor's hideout:

I suggest you do that, harrow, and while you're in there, you kill him

harrow lives, the emperor dies, we all win

harrow asks doctor reverend emperor john why he's such a coward

not with those words, exactly

I mean, I'm not saying he's a coward because he hides, he's a coward because he hides while his lyctors die for him

the emperor gives one of his Speeches about how when he resurrected nine planets, he became God and without him, the Houses die with him, because the star of their system would fail and become a black hole

I think it's a risk we'd all have to take if it kills him tbh, bring in the black hole

"so many people hate us" YOU DON'T SAY

harrow asks dr reverend emperor john who AL is

the emperor proceeds to change subject by asking harrow if her and yandere twin are practicing safe sex

to which harrow responds with "we don't even like each other"

and he's like "sorry, sorry, my bad"

BACK TO A.L. WHICH IS THE SUBJECT I'M INTERESTED IN

AL is indeed Annabel Lee though her real name is undisclosed

she was the emperor's bodyguard and the first resurrected and maybe the blueprint of the resurrection thing itself and also kind of everyone's sort of mother??? it's complicated

the First House apparently went out via rising sea levels and nuclear fission

as one does, if you didn't pay attention to captain planet

emperor clown says that she wasn't a human being and she struggled to pretend that she was

as if you guys behaved as human beings, but ok

and that she died after the first time they did the killing that brought them into this situation in the first place

we've heard a bit of this with teacher, in the gideon-less au

but she didn't die, according to him, the lyctors asked the emperor to kill her and he imprisoned her in the locked tomb

so the emperor here is maybe not telling the whole truth

which, again, confuses me, because how can exposition be real in an au that is not, unless there's something real in it in some way

there is new information in the gideon-less au that is relevant and also accurate to our present situation, even if the au isn't what actually happened

and it feels like a hotel california because the people who are alive in there, as time passes by, are the ones that died here

like, if you think about it, those that remain alive there are all the ones that died (the fifth, the kids, martita, real!dulcinea, protozoa, ortus)

the ones who are dying there are still alive here (camilla, palmolive, regina george twin, judith) except for duracell bunny nephew (because his soul is sailing the high seas), and mayonnaise uncle, who is my one outlier that ruins my theory

BUT HE SAID BTW that ominous thing to regina george twin, before pushing her off, about her sister being "out there"

also, palmolive said "kill us twice, shame on god" or something along those lines???

SO WHAT KIND OF PURGATORY STUFF ARE WE CAUGHT IN HERE??? IDK

ANYWAY, BACK TO THE CHAPTER

everything crashes because dr reverend emperor john tells harrow that AL would have liked her and that he would have liked to be her father

harrow proceeds to have a meltdown about that

which, fair, if this guy told me that, I'd also be devastated

NOW here's where I started wondering if harrow is the narrator

like there's two harrows or something

because the narrator says "you bereft idiot" and I think harrow's the only one who would dunk on harrow like that

I don't know, I'm probably not making any sense, but what if????

the emperor admits to being a fool which, fair

and harrow admits to having looked into the tomb

and the emperor says it's impossible that she bypassed the wards because he didn't include a way in and made a ward that wouldn't answer to anyone

he thinks whatever harrow thinks she saw wasn't what is there and that her parents died for nothing

harrow doesn't trust her mind one bit, so she questions what she really saw

and the emperor asks her who tampered with her temporal lobe

which accounts for the bleeding when she tries to remember, I think

I also think that she did it herself, maybe? or at least with her consent, but she doesn't remember

I think there's a plan here

in any case, harrow doesn't describe ice cube barbie to the emperor

she just runs away with more questions than answers, as usual

CHAPTER 38

if you thought harrow's mental turmoil would be taking a break, think again

this book really exhausts one emotionally huh

harrow is questioning all of the things she thinks she knows and can see with her own two eyes after the emperor told her she didn't really see the tomb or ice cube barbie

which is great, because now she sees not!dulcinea under her bed

she goes to fetch yandere twin and she sees nothing

I legit thought she was gaslighting harrowcita tbh

but then harrow doesn't see her anymore

I don't know, man, I don't trust anyone in this place

also, alleged gideon aka ortus tries to kill harrow one last time, for the road

he doesn't kill her, but tells her not to go into the river and to end herself without suffering because he failed her by not killing her

and he also says "this wasn't my idea"

harrow (and anyone reading) wants to know whose idea it was, but telling us would be just too straightforward for lyctors who do everything dramatically backwards

narrator says "you were always such a little bitch when you were angry"

IS THIS HARROW? IS IT? don't tell me

CHAPTER 39

the Beast is approaching and we have a terrible plan, so it's time to start it

harrow makes a comment about her sword and how "your dead self told you to carry" it

♥ we love the sword because we love gideon ♥

the Herald starts approaching and there's a very unpleasant energetic situation going on with its arrival

harrowcita does some meditation that sounds actually very cool

"You made yourself one inhalation and exhalation—reduced yourself to one sensation, following it from down at the toes up all the lines of your body to the crown of your head"

this situation of pain and suffering is gonna go on for over an hour, according to mercygirl

I mean, nobody told you to kill planets so, that's what you get

the chapter ends with a 10 minute mark until breach and with harrow walking to her death

but next freakin chapter starts with "nine months and 29 days before the emperor's murder" SO I GUESS WE WON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY AFTER

and this is where I have to stop, so until next time, I really won't know what happens and I'll have time to marinate all those wacky theories I just threw

[piratefishmama]

Fake it 'till you make it | Part 2

Steve went on his own. Dustin tried to call shotgun, tried saying he’d back Steve up cause his friend could be ‘jumpy’, but no. Steve had to do this on his own, because Dustin didn’t know. He could have told the little shrimp, he really could have, so far he’d come out to three people, and it’d gone surprisingly well, Robin not so surprising but his parents?

Damn. He’d have put his entire life savings on that going the other way.

The risk with Dustin, however, was his mother. Don’t get him wrong, Claudia was lovely, she always had a spot saved for him at the dinner table when his parents weren’t in town, she always greeted him with warmth and kindness, he didn’t have a single complaint about Claudia Henderson. He also unfortunately had no idea how she’d take a coming out if Dustin let it slip. The kid was talkative.

He couldn’t imagine no longer being able to see Dustin because his mother found out he wasn’t as straight as everyone thought. Couldn’t imagine the truth of life in a small rural ‘god fearing’ town, thrown in his face so cruelly, that people were small minded and based all their opinions on what everyone else was doing.

Especially when everyone else seemed to be following the bullshit the Church spewed.

Dustin would be safe, he trusted Dustin. But he simply couldn’t risk how talkative he was.

So he went on his own. Robin was working, he couldn’t kidnap Robin, Keith would kill them. Or at the very least dock their pay a little and glower. This, unfortunately, created one little problem that quickly presented itself when Steve found himself sat at a visible booth at Benny’s watching for anyone entering that door.

He didn’t know who Dustin’s ‘friend’ was, and Dustin’s friend didn’t know who he was, because Dustin had so wisely decided to not reveal that titbit of information over the phone.

All he knew, was that this friend was a guy and that he’d probably be there soon. So, disaster in the making, basically. He’d been there for five minutes, it’d been ten since the phone call, and so far three men had walked in.

All of them old older, it was early, Benny did early bird specials for the older folks in Hawkins, but he still looked up every time the door opened, looking for someone who might not belong, someone who stood out from the oldies, someone who—

Holy shit. Steve immediately ducked his head. Eddie Goddamn Munson. Eddie Munson in all his leather, chains, and curly haired glory walked in with his head on a swivel, eyes scanning the diner for someone who looked out of place, someone who’s identity he also wasn’t aware of. Steve could ditch.

He could ditch without hesitation, Eddie knew him, Steve could get the hell out of dodge, take the back door, and just run for the hills, suffer the inevitable cringe fest that was going to be the week away, take it like a champ. Maybe get a brief fling with someone he would never want to settle down with, or…

He peeked through his arms, Eddie was still looking, he was checking his watch, a little frown on his brow, what were the odds, honestly, that it was Eddie?

Knowing Dustin and his stupid DnD game? Pretty fuckin high that’s what the odds were. Eddie lived for that shit, it was a direct connection. He was going to kill that little snot. Maybe… if it didn’t work out. Because he wasn’t going to be a coward.

He was going to face his uncertainties like a badass. He was going to rise from his seat, and cross the very short distance, aaaand “Hey Munson, that you?” Be totally cool, completely ignore Benny’s curious eyes from behind his little judgement window, the window where he stood in the safety of his kitchen judging everyone who dared be weird in his diner.

“Not today Buckaroo, I’m busy” oh yeah he looked super busy.

“Cool, cool, super cool, you… come for the early bird specials often then?” Ohhhh he’d perfected the deadpan stare. He had that shit down. How did eyes that pretty so cut so deep? “Heh, sorry, look man I—I don’t mean any trouble, I was just—”

“M’not carrying shit, Harrington, the hell you want with that stuff this early anyway?” Stuff? Steve frowned a little, before visibly realising what Eddie was getting at, it looked like a genuine lightbulb went off behind his eyes. He knew because that little frown was broken by Eddie raising one eyebrow in curiosity.

“That’s not what I—shit, okay. Do over. Do you know Dustin? Dustin Henderson? Lil guy, bout yay high, curly hair, ridiculous meddler, no collar bones?” The frown was back, accompanied by the squinty eyes of suspicion. He knew Dustin, he had to know Dustin, it had to be Eddie, it had to be, nobody else had come in!

“I know the little shrimp, yeah, one of my little lost sheep, how do you know Dustin?” Holy shit it had to be him. Why else would the notoriously tardy Eddie Munson be up that early on a Sunday?

“Babysitting.” Eddie’s ever so expressive face seemed to slacken in surprise, Steve didn’t give him a chance to ask further as to why a rich guy like him had to babysit. He did it for free, he liked the little fuckers, explanation unnecessary. “You uh… wouldn’t happen to have uhm… gotten a call from him… about twenty minutes ago, would you?”

It took Eddie a minute. A little frown here, a squint there, a slight tilt of his body as he looked Steve up and down, not in a ‘you’re so hot oh my god’ way more in a ‘what the actual fuck’ kind of way.

Steve felt seen in the worst possible way, wanted to abort mission, just run away, that was a judgy bitch stare and he knew it, he’d COINED that stare, he was the master of it, and suddenly it was on him and he felt smaller than Dustin back in ‘83 with his baby squishy cheeks, and then— “Nope.” Eddie turned on his heel, ringed fingers waving in refusal, “nope, nope, nope—"

Steve should have let him go. Should have just chalked it up to Dustin having the worst friends ever outside of himself, Lucas, Will, Max, Jane, and maybe Mike. Maybe. On a semi-good day cause full good days didn’t exist with Mike.

But instead he was grabbing Eddie’s elbow and babbling “Wait-wait-wait, oh my god Eddie, please just wait, please” like some kind of moron. “You did right? It’s you?”

Eddie looked back and down at his own elbow, brows drawn tight in a frown, Steve let him go. Not out of fear just… slight intimidation. Eddie was scrappy! He was a biter and Steve didn’t wanna have to get a rabies shot.

“Fine, yeah I got a call, would have told him to shove his job up his ass if he’d have told me who it was for though, Steve.” Oof.

“Fair, that’s fair, can you just… maybe sit down and let me explain though? I’ll buy you breakfast!” Benny’s eyes hadn’t moved from them for the entire interaction, and he was feeling rightfully judged by it. Rich boy causing all that fuss and not one order of food. The audacity.

“Hmph, fine, but only because I haven’t had breakfast yet.” He pushed past Steve just to walk to the counter “Hey Benny! Can I get a full stack of pancakes and a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows? On his tab.” Eddie motioned to Steve over his shoulder with his thumb

“Sure thing, kid. An what do you want, Harrington?”

“Uh… breakfast bagel, eggs sunny side up with a uh… another coffee please.” He’d already had breakfast, but he was a big dude! And Dustin always claimed Second Breakfast was like… an acceptable thing. “Thanks Benny” the tank of a man nodded his head and got to cooking without further word. “I was uh, sat over here” Steve motioned to the booth he’d been in, which Eddie seemed to mull over for a moment, before deciding he was going to sit in a completely different booth. “Alright.”

Power move. Steve could respect that. He sat down opposite him. “Talk, Harrington.”

“You… don’t wanna eat first?”

“I’m not sittin here in awkward silence with the King of Hawkins High, waiting for food when I could be hearing the details, eating, then bailing. The longer I’m here with you the more chance some asshole has of seeing me here with you. Now speak.” Ouch… but again, fair.

He’d been a shit in high school, older students had not gotten a free pass from it either. He was trying now though! Trying to be better. Robin helped, but she also fuelled his bitchy side way more than Carol and Tommy ever did. The kids helped the most, they humbled him. Brainy little fuckers.

“Right… okay. So. My parents have gotten it into their minds that I should be in some kind of long term relationship by now, so they’ve been throwing people at me, constantly, people I wouldn’t date even if you paid me to date them. There’s this thing coming up, a week away with them in a chalet, an I’m positive they’re going to bring someone to try and set me up with them, I’m certain of it, an I’d be stuck with this person for a whole damn week suffering.” It was an actual real fear, he couldn’t handle that, he’d simply evaporate, he’d perish, he’d spontaneously pop out of existence, poof, bye. “So… the job is basically to come with and pretend like we’re dating so they get off my back.”

“I think you’re missing a very important detail here, Steve.” Eddie tilted his head to the left, his smile almost cruel, Steve chose to ignore it. Eddie had his right to be defensive. “I’m a guy”

“Not important at all. They’ve been throwing men at me too.” Thank god Eddie wasn’t drinking anything because it’d have been all over the table.

He damn near choked on his own saliva, choking out a shocked “W-What?”

“I’m… I’m—” He looked around him, at the old people enjoying their meals, at Benny inconspicuously cooking behind his judgement window, risking glances through the open space every now and then to make sure his patrons weren’t causing shit or trying to dine and ditch. Old people were slow, but they could be crafty. Only when he was certain that nobody was listening, did he take a breath and let out “I’m… bi. Bisexual. And they know. But instead of being all ‘aaaaah get out of my hooouse’ they’re just… throwing guys at me instead, it’s torture. Painfully awkward torture I feel like I’m going to cringe myself to death.”

“You’re…”

“I know, I know, haha King Steve, secretly a freak of nature, a queer hiding in plain sight.” He’d heard the hatred spat at people like him, he’d been one of the people spitting hate once upon a time, before he’d grown, before he’d learned. Before he’d understood himself. It was terrifying, knowing how awful it could be if it got out “please don’t tell anyone okay? I’m… I’m putting a lot of faith in you here and that’s terrifying… I just… Dustin vouches for you… an I know you have every right to get back at me for Highschool but—”

“N-no… no I—I wouldn’t… I’d never. That’s… shit, Harrington, no… highschool shit? That shit is in a whole different category, I’ll get you back for that in some way but… not like that… never like that." He could breathe easily, even if Eddie vowed to get him back some other way, it wouldnt be that way. "So… what do you want me to do, freak em out? Go nuts? Sacrifice a chicken in the lounge? Shout a hail Satan prayer in the attic? Usually that does the trick to get parents to stop trying to set their kids up, more often than not gets em banned from dating entirely, give you a break—”

“W-What? No… no I—listen, my parents don’t stick around for long after these holidays, they’re usually gone within a couple of weeks on some business trip, dads off trying to restructure the company values or some shit to include people like me, which is cool cause he didn’t even know about me when he started that I—I didn’t know he was doing that… but that takes time, an mom’s going with him cause she doesn’t trust him to work out the legal shit on his own.” Benny chose that moment to venture to their table to place two mugs down on the surface, then silently returned to his task of plating food “I need to convince them that we’re dating… for real, and have them go off on their own believing that we’re still dating so they leave me alone… at least until they come back in god only knows how many months’ time and I can tell them we split up. Is… is that something you can do?”

Eddie took a long sip of his hot chocolate, a little splodge of cream lingering on the tip of his nose when he put the mug down that Steve almost reached over to wipe away, almost, so close. “…Usually I’m more of a freak em out kind of date, a one night done send em running for the hills kind of thing, you’re saying this is a week?” Eddie wiped his own nose clean, stuck the finger in his mouth. Steve chose to focus on his own mug.

“Mmhm, in a chalet in Canada for a week, all paid for, it’s basically a free holiday… that I’ll pay you for, whatever your usual rate is for this kind of thing, I’ll even double it… I just… I’m really hoping you say yes.”

Plates were finally delivered to the table by Benny with a friendly “eat up, boys” said in passing. Eddie drizzled syrup on his stack, then cut into it and shoved a whole layered chunk into his mouth in silence, clearly processing everything.

He chewed in silent thought, weighing the pros, the cons, the potential cash haul from such a job… the shit he might have to do… the lines they might have to cross, the revelations Steve might have about him… then remembered Steve claiming to be Bisexual and realising that part might not be all that scary.

What a wild Sunday.

“Alright…” he finally answered after swallowing his bite. “It’s fifty bucks a date though, Harrington, if I’m generous an switch that to a night to accomodate such a batshit scheme, doubled like you said is a hundred bucks per night, that’s—”

“Money’s not an issue.” Not for a Harrington. Even if he worked minimum wage, he’d get that money somehow.

“Well shit… Alright then, big guy. I guess i’m hired.”

Part 4