#cs member writing

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

she walks in vengeance

she walks in vengeance, like the night of moon-dust hills and starry skies and all that's best of dark and light meet in her magic implanted eyes nothin' mellows her fierce fight the hive's own logic she defies

no shade or nightmare can impress the hate with which she gives her chase she glares on death without distress and kindles hope in the darkest place she won't never stab you in the back if she gonna stab, it's in your face

an' on her cheeks her black tears drip her three eyes glow with green soulfire she got a wish ball an' a tomb ship an' yet she hangs out with a liar who shoots his own crew from the hip an' loves her with his self entire

Art by @aghostsdestiny Poem by me (based on "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron).

Link to Ao3 if you wish to read/comment/send me kudos there.

Happy Valentine's Day!

[featherfang]

Another chapter is finally out, and it's a whopping 8k.

Let me know what you think! I'll be dropping art for it tomorrow.

[queen0funova]

The other day I had someone say they thought it sounded like I would be happier focusing on writing instead of coding (they're not really wrong but we're not getting into that)

I mentioned the comment to my dad yesterday and he responded with something that really pissed me off: "Well writing is going to become pretty obsolete soon thanks to AI like Chat GPT"

First of all, GPT is a stupid idiot. It can't even write a poem that doesn't rhyme when specifically directed to do so, or when it's told to remove the rhyme after failing to write a free verse poem in the first place.

It's never going to top human creativity. It won't make a rant about romantic attraction wrapped in a prayer to frozen yogurt. It won't pull off Amphibia's Rube Goldberg machine of Chekov's guns. It won't do a good job telling the story of a Latina, neurodivergent, bisexual girl. These are all human things that humans will do better than the stupid AI. I'm tired of people having more faith in Chat GPT than other people

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

I wrote Sunset for the @d2artevents Solar Embrace Volume 5 zine. It was based on the idea of Eris growing old while Drifter didn't, and how she might die, loved and cherished, after having had a long and happy life.

Here's my original post if you'd like to read the entire poem on Tumblr.

And here's a link to read it on Ao3 if you prefer.

I'm so happy it has art now. (And goodness, what art! I love the way the light is shining on them. It's beautiful.) It's the only time someone has left me a comment of "FUCK YOU! (affectionate)" on Ao3 and I still delight in that to this day.

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆

At sunset…

you’ll fall asleep

with your head against my chest

as I hold you

for that very last time…

as you slip away

safe and happy…

leakin’ soul fire as your magic fades

the last thing you feel

will be love

Commission for the lovely @imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese ✨

Read their full poem: “Sunset”

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Surgery

In which the Drifter requests medical assistance from Eris Morn.

Now with art from @h3xxthev3xx !!!

Link to Ao3 if you prefer to read it there

ACCESS: RESTRICTED DECRYPTION KEY: 7CP9SXMO2G$IKO-006 REP#: 062-DERELICT-AUDIO AGENT(S): AUN-326 SUBJ: RECENT VIP#1316 and ERI-223 INTERACTIONS - MULTIPLE RECORDINGS

RECORDING 77455.8 [BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

“Hey, Moondust!”

“What is it, Rat?”

“Serious question for you. I’ve been thinkin’-”

“A challenge for you, I’m sure.”

“Aww… you ruined it.”

“Ruined what?”

“Can’t tell you now. Maybe later.”

“Clearly it wasn’t that important.”

“Oh it was, but it can wait.”

“Speak plainly. What do you want?”

“Nope. Not telling you now. The moment is gone.”

[END TRANSCRIPT]

...

RECORDING 77456.4 [BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

“Hey, Three-Eyes.”

“I am returning your call. Your message said it was important.”

“Yeah, so, um… you do dissections, right? Cutting stuff up, like, medically? For science?”

“Generally, yes.”

“So you’d be good at using tweezers to pull bits of shrapnel out from being embedded in human flesh, right?”

“What have you done?”

“I was working on a grenade idea, more of a mine, really, and it worked! It worked real well, actually. I’m proud of it. Misjudged the range a bit, though. Made myself into a bit of a pincushion. Was wondering if you’d be willing to help me out.”

“You have a ghost. Use it.”

“Nope. Not gonna happen. But, if you’re busy, that’s fine. I’ll deal.”

“I… do you even have antiseptic there? Bandages?”

“Yeah, a bright light and tweezers too, just need you to be the hands.”

“I am on my way.”

[END TRANSCRIPT]

...

RECORDING 77456.5 [BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

“Ow.”

Plink.

“Do you prefer I stop?”

“Nope I prefer you keep going.”

“Then stop squirming.”

“It hurts.”

“You have punctured over one third of your body with foreign objects. Of course it hurts.”

“Ow.”

Plink.

“Upon cursory examination, that appears to be a shell casing.”

“Yeah I threw some in there. Ow.”

Plink.

“And this one… a finishing nail? From carpentry?”

“Yeah, tossed that in there too, whatever I had lying around, really. Ow.”

“A metal screw. Not pointed. For fastening metal, most likely, but rather small. From electronics, perhaps?”

Plink.

“Probably. I wasn’t paying much attention when I stuffed the thing. Oh dammit.”

“This one is curved and deeply embedded. I am trying to be gentle but if I do not pull it out, it is just going to work its way in deeper. It looks like broken glass.”

“Yeah I put some of that in there too. Ah shit. Fuck!”

“I have extracted it.”

Plink.

“That was probably the worst one. Just a few more and this leg will be done. Do you need a break?”

“Nope. Let’s get it over with.”

“I would let you squeeze my hand through the pain, but I need both of mine to remove what you’ve done to yourself.”

“Yeah, I know, thought’s real sweet though. Sweeter than you normally are. You must feel sorry for me. Ugh.”

Plink.

“Have you decided whether or not you will ask me what you were going to ask me before?”

“Nope. Now is definitely not the time. Ow.”

Plink.

“I am curious as to what has you so reserved. You are not normally bashful.”

“Ow.”

Plink.

“I don’t… I don’t even know what that means. But that hurts.”

“I spoke too soon. This one is another that is much deeper than expected. You are bleeding quite a bit. I recommend we stop.”

“Is that the last one?”

“In this leg, yes. I have not yet examined the rest of you.”

“Get it outta me.”

“Can I convince you to reconsider your ghost?”

“No. You take it out or I will.”

“The cleanest way to remove this will be to cut it out of you.”

“Then do that.”

“Why are you so stubborn about this?”

“Because I am.”

“Will you at least get your ghost to give you something for the pain? I am hurting you considerably.”

“No.”

“What about alcohol?”

“I have plenty of that, yeah.”

“Where is it?”

“Second door on the left, back cupboard up high has the strong stuff.”

“Do you have a preference?”

“Whiskey.”

“In a glass?”

“Nah. This ain’t a glass kinda situation.”

“I will return.”

[END TRANSCRIPT]

...

RECORDING 77456.6 [BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

“I told you I didn’t need a glass, Moondust.”

“This is for me, when I’m done. The rest of the bottle is yours.”

“I mean, the whole thing is mine, but fine, Doctor Three-Eyes, you can take your cut.”

“I shall, and the alcohol too. Now drink some of that while I clean up the rest of you and prepare the incision site.”

“You say such sexy things when you’re working. What? What’s that look for?”

“You are not normally this careless. What actually happened?”

“I am not in the habit of lying to you, Moondust. In fact, I don’t even know if I can. You see through everything. I do not think I have ever successfully convinced you something was true when it was not.”

“You are not in the habit of lying to anyone. You simply do not state the full truth, constantly deflect conversations, and allow people to believe whatever they want to be true without ever correcting them. It is what makes your methods of deception so effective.”

“You… you really do know me, Moondust. Ain’t no one ever been able to get in my head like you. Ow!”

“Drink more. You are still too sensitive for me to proceed.”

“Get me drunk, in a compromising position, and then stick things into me. I see how it is.”

“Keep insinuating that I’d behave in such a manner as to take advantage of you and you will be left to extract this distorted… spring? on your own.”

“I’m sorry. That was actually out of line. I trust you more than anyone. You know that. I was trying to make a joke and worded that way wrong. Didn't come out as flirty as it did in my head.”

“You are in considerable pain. “

“Don't forget the blood loss.”

“Drink more alcohol you… clumsy fool.”

“That has to be one of the gentlest insults you’ve ever thrown at me. You are being nice to me. What I was trying to say before was more that you are at this point literally trying to get me drunk. I might say anything.”

“Any confessions of undying love will not be held against you when you are sober.”

“Well there goes that plan out the window. How am I supposed to tell you of my undying love so you won't believe me when I'm drunk and I can deny it later if you don't feel the same way so it isn't awkward?”

“I have faith in your ability to be forthright and lewd without chemical assistance. And you have yet to show any reservations about being awkward in my presence so I doubt that is an issue. Also, drink.”

“Yes ma'am. Oh shit that stings.”

“Disinfectant usually does.”

“So let's say, hypothetically, I was truly madly deeply hopelessly in love with you, what would be the best way to go about getting you to love me back? Hypothetically.”

“Let me see the bottle. Not enough. Drink. Hypothetically, your premise is flawed, rendering the logic of the entire question unanswerable.”

“Come again?”

“There is an inherent assumption in what you have asked, hypothetically, which would itself be, again hypothetically, incorrect.”

“And what's that?”

“The assumption that I do not care for you already.”

“Wait what?”

“More. Drink.”

“Did you just say what I think you just said?”

“I said nothing. We were speaking hypothetically.”

“Ah, because I could have sworn you said you love me. Totally am starting to feel a buzz though so that may have been wishful thinking on my part.”

“Clearly someone who shows up in the middle of the night to remove foreign objects from your flesh because you are too stubborn to get help from your ghost does not have any affection for you in the slightest. You obviously imagined that. Do you have scissors?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I'm cutting off your pants.”

“Now I know I'm dreaming.”

“Hmmm…”

[END TRANSCRIPT]

...

RECORDING 77456.8 [BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

“Are you ready?”

“Ready as I'll ever be to have a beautiful woman scar me for life.”

“You have more than one life. This is a non-issue.”

“Point.”

“I am beginning now.”

“Fuck.”

“Pausing for a moment here. I've got the object. I have a mostly clear path to pull it free.”

“Ok.”

“I'm going to have to wiggle it. This will be painful.”

“Eris Morn, mistress of pain, I submit to your will. Hurt me you beautiful three eyed witch.”

“Is it the alcohol or the pain that's making you so eloquent?”

“Probably both, plus that undying love.”

“Hold on to something that is not me. Three… two… one...”

[INTERMITTENT SCREAMING 43 SECONDS]

“Did you just freeze my ass with stasis?”

“To stop the bleeding, yes. You have needle and thread?”

“Yeah desk over there, bottom drawer.”

“And I'll find a pot within which to boil water within your kitchen area?”

“Yeah.”

“A clean pot?”

“I ain’t the one that leaves a burned wok lying around unusable for a month. I use my pots. They’re all clean. Trust.”

“Be still until I return.”

“You’ve got me frozen to the table. I couldn't move if I wanted to.”

“You're a resourceful creature. I'm sure you'd find a way if you wished to be free, but please don't.”

“I'm staying put. You say stay, I stay.”

[END TRANSCRIPT]

...

RECORDING 77456.8 [BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

“You keep doin sweet gentle stuff like brushing your chin against the top of my head like that I’m gonna start thinking you like me or something.”

“It is difficult to express reassurance to you any other way when my hands are coated in your blood.”

“If I’m good will you nuzzle my head again? Or is it if I wiggle? What gets me more head nuzzles, Moondust?”

“Be still, Rat. You are messing up my stitches.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re weirdly good at sewing human flesh?”

“No, but I accept the compliment.”

“It barely even hurts where you’re sewing. You really are good.”

“Thank the alcohol.”

“I’m thanking you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You know, there ain’t no one else I trust like this.”

“I know. It is an honour to have your trust. One I do not take lightly. I know how rarely it is given.”

“If by rarely, you mean pretty much not at all, yeah.”

“Are you going to tell me what you were going to ask me?”

“Now’s really not the time.”

“I think we have cleansed the last of your blood off of most surfaces and ourselves.”

“You patched me up real good. You make a fine surgeon.”

“Usually my subjects are not still alive.”

“You gonna stay and finish that drink?”

“I had forgotten. Yes. I shall. But first would you like help to your bed?”

“You and me in my bed? I like this.”

“Avoid putting weight on that side. You can, and will, rip the stitches if you exert it too much before you’ve healed.”

“I like this side of you, all sweet and nurturing. If I’d known you’d be this nice to me I’d… nah that was stupid and I won’t be doing that again.”

“Thank you.“

“Still proud of how well it exploded though. Gonna give some of them to Devrim to put around the farm. Should very effectively shred anything that comes to mess with the civilians. I really didn’t think I was in range. You know how careful I am.”

“I know. Sit. I will return.”

“You gonna come back and cuddle me? I’d like that.”

“No, but if you wish, I will sit with you while I finish my drink.”

“I’ll take what I can get.”

"I'd expect nothing less"

[SILENCE 8.25 MINUTES]

“Woman of my dreams, bringing me the bottle after putting me to bed. You really are the best, Three-Eyes.”

“Sit up.”

“Ok. Oh hello. You let me lie in your lap like this, you must feel sorry for me.”

“No. There is nowhere else to sit.”

“I disagree, this is half-way to cuddling right here. You like me. Ain’t no one sit like this with someone they don’t like.”

“I sewed your skin. That’s considerably more testament to me liking you than this, and this is at least comfortable for both of us.”

“It’s real nice. ‘Specially when you touch my face like that.”

“Hmmm…”

“I propose a toast.”

“To?”

“Why, to the most excruciating and intimate experience you and I have shared to date. The night Eris Morn sewed up the Drifter after he blew himself up.”

Clink.

“Hmmm…”

“You like it?”

“It tastes like… wood and paint thinner.”

“That’s just the first few sips. Flavour changes as you go.”

“Hmmm…”

“You should visit my bed more often, Moondust, it’s nice.”

“If you wish I will return tomorrow and change the bandages to make sure you aren’t getting infected.”

“I’d like that. You know… you could… stay.”

“And sleep with you in your bed?”

“Yeah. Don’t tell me that doesn’t sound real nice to you too. Not when you’re running your fingertips through my hair like that, like you’re already considering it.”

“Perhaps now is the time to ask me what you were going to ask me?”

“You sure those eyes don’t give you mind reading powers?”

“One does not need to read your mind, when they can read your body language, and between the lines of what comes out of your lips. You have not been discrete.”

“No, I have not. But, if you already know what I was going to ask you, what’s your answer then?”

[SILENCE 3.75 MINUTES]

“That… is worth getting blowed up for.”

“Please do not. Multiple lacerations and shrapnel from improvised explosive devices are not a prerequisite for my affection.”

“Can you let me know what the pre-”

“The pre-”

“The p-”

“You know, Moondust, it’s been a very long time, literally longer than I can remember, since someone was able to make my head spin with just a few kisses.”

“That is more likely being caused by a combination of shock, blood loss and alcohol.”

“Nah. Had all three lots of times. This is all you.”

“You’re trembling.”

“Yeah, it happens.”

“Let me get you under the blankets.”

“I ain’t cold. It’s just you feel so good. You feel so fucking good. Wait, where you going?”

“To take off my boots. Move over and get under the covers so that I may join you.”

“Oh hell yeah, you’re just making all my dreams come true right now.”

“Be careful of your stitches or you’ll bleed all over both of us and your bed.”

“Worth it.”

“Behave yourself or I will leave.”

“Yes ma’am. Ah shit, Eris, I can’t handle how soft and warm you are when I’m this drunk. I’m gonna cry.”

“You are inebriated and injured and I am choosing to stay. Alcohol induced emotional outbursts are to be expected and are a reflection of your trust, which is precious to me. I consider it an honour to hold you as you cry.”

[END TRANSCRIPT]

[kuiinncedes]

i complaining :c

[himewonu]

CATCH THESE FEELS! ; seventeen scenarios

in which things that best friend!seventeen do that make you realise you like them

starring friend! ot13 x gn! reader genre fluff, comedy, mutual pining ish, 95% of this is based on stuff that happened to me contains profanities, cheol is older than reader, super duper small angst in jun’s, soonyoung is taller than reader, kinda angsty in kwan’s, mentions of food, lots of teasing lmao word count 1.7k (woah🤯🤯)

from rhin，this was rotting in my drafts since july 2024 but im bringing it back now cs now i have enough ideas to write for each member..!

seungcheol ; when he teases you about your age

seungcheol is only a year older than you. he’s a third-year college student while you’re in your second year; it’s not a bad age gap. somehow, he still manages to tease you about it. the both of you were just walking around campus together until two of his friends asked to tag along. you don’t know them, but you’re aware they’re also third years.

although you thought they just wanted to talk to him, one of them asked you if you were in her biology class since she swears she’s seen you there before. you had to clarify you were a second-year student, and that took seungcheol to start telling them that you’re just a baby. he kept teasing you by calling you baby after that.

jeonghan ; when he asked you to guess his birthday for a whole month

you know a lot of things about jeonghan. you know his favourite colour, how many times he got robbed, and his next move when playing card games. you know everything but his birthday. ever since you knew him, he never told you his birthday. when you asked him, you expected his answer to be the date, but instead he told you to find out before the end of the month. he mentioned how he never tells anyone, so it’ll be hard. you proposed that you’d eventually find out, and it really did take you a month to find out.

you asked several of his friends, but he found out and kept bringing up that he doesn’t tell anyone. you kept asking for hints, and he gave you vague answers. eventually you had to do some deep stalking, and the night before the end of the month, you finally found out his birthday. after telling him and getting it right, he told you that it’s a secret between the two of you.

joshua ; when he agreed to be interviewed by you

you had a psychology project where you could talk about anything. so you decided to choose the psychology behind crushes as the topic. in order to find the answer to your hypothesis, you had to interview people about their crushes. one of them happened to be joshua, who you thought wouldn’t have a crush.

when you asked him if you could interview him, he was a bit hesitant at first since he wasn’t sure what to say during the interview. after convincing him, he agreed to the interview. during the interview, you found out that he’s one of the people that contradicts what you researched. it turns out he did have a crush, so that caused you to ask him who it was. in the end, he told you that he’ll tell you who it is eventually.

jun ; when he apologized first after you misunderstood each other

after you got into a misunderstanding with jun, you avoided him for three days. all you wanted to do was make up and tell him that you deeply care for him as a friend, but your other friends told you to not do anything and move on from him.

however, you bumped into him three days later and asked you if he could talk to you (which lowkey scared the shit out of you because he sounded serious). he ended up apologizing for his actions—even though it was no one's fault—and wishes he could still be friends with you. and yes, you easily forgave him because how can you ever get mad at someone like him?

soonyoung ; when he teases you about your height

soonyoung is only a few inches taller than you. he’s the same height as all your friends, but he’s the only one that teases you about your height. no matter what, he’ll always find a way to make fun of it, whether it’s using your head as an armrest or pretending to not find you when he’s right in front of you. sometimes when he passes by you, he would lightly push your head since, according to him, it’s easy for him to place his hand on your head.

that goes for the same with patting your head when he goes up to you. one time, he asked you what your plans were for the weekend, and you mentioned how you’re going to help out with one of your relatives’ daycare. after hearing that, he joked how you’d fit in well with the kids. turns out, he did all of that because apparently teasing about a friend’s height is a way to get closer with them.

wonwoo ; when he studied with you (gone wrong)

when wonwoo saw you in the library, he was going to go nag you until he noticed you were studying. exam season started, and he did everything but study, so when he saw you flipping through papers, his instinct was to ask if you needed help.

despite taking up his offer, he did not help you at all and kept telling you that you got this and how the review is easy. in the end, you two ended up playing video games together and got nothing finished. although he did absolutely nothing, it's the thought that counts.

jihoon ; when he talks about you to his friends

you never thought jihoon would be the type to talk about anyone, especially his friends. he was reserved when you two would talk, only bringing up something about him or asking about you. the only time you found out he talked about you was when you gave him your lunch. you went to go check on your friends in a study hall until jihoon went up to you and asked you if you had any food.

you gave him your lunch that you never ate and left the hall to go after the bus. that evening, your friend told you that he was telling his friends that you made the fried rice for him. she may or may not have gotten into the conversation and asked him if he likes you—and his response was still confusing up to this day.

minghao ; when he smiled when you went on court

you're not very huge on sports, but if minghao's on your team, suddenly you just automatically become eager to play. you were far away when he and both of your friends were playing badminton. one of your friends called you over to take over her place as minghao's partner for doubles. when you both played together, he kept praising you even if you kept missing the birdie.

you weren't sure if you were the only one he did that to, so when you asked your friend what he said to her, she told you that he was silent and how he was kind of pissed that she kept missing the birdie, and she mentioned that the minute you stepped foot on the court to replace her, he smiled.

mingyu ; when he bought you frozen yogurt

you and your friend group were hanging out at the park when suddenly a few of them, including mingyu, were craving fro-yo. the shop was a five-minute walking distance from where you all were at right now, so you stayed back with the rest. before the others left, you told mingyu to treat you for free as a joke, and to your surprise, he came back with two bowls.

he gave you one that was your favourite flavour and filled with your favourite toppings. you've never told him what your favourites were, so you're not sure if he's been observing you or if it's just the bare minimum (but you're hoping it's the first option).

dokyeom ; when he gives you high fives every time he sees you

ever since you met dokyeom, you discovered that he was more of a physical person. he always gave people big hugs and shook everyone's hand when he met them on the spot. but never has he once done any of those to you right when your friend introduced you to him. the first time you two met, he waved, and never in your life have you wanted to give anyone a high-five so bad until his hand stayed up in the air.

you never did give him that five, but nowadays, whenever he has the chance, he would ask for that high five (and he does it all the time to the point where he stopped asking, and it was just automatic between you two)

seungkwan ; when he defends you

everyone knows you’re too nice to do anything wrong, but you know the only wrong thing you did was breaking up with your ex because you couldn’t admit you still like seungkwan. he’s one of the few who know why the relationship ended, and he doesn’t blame you. he was never bothered about it until his friend brought it up in a conversation.

his friend saw you two alone together, and he began to call you fucked up in the head for leaving your ex—since they were friends. seungkwan was quick to defend you by saying how his friend shouldn’t say that about you since he doesn’t know the whole backstory and that maybe it was never meant to be. even though his friend was right, you still appreciate seungkwan for doing that for you.

vernon ; when he sat with you alone in a theatre

your friend group all agreed to watch a musical produced by the theatre department of your university because who doesn't love the art of theatre? right before the show started, you and vernon went to go get some snacks and told the rest to find seats. unfortunately, by the time you two went inside the hall, the show was in the middle of a number, and you both couldn't find your friends anywhere.

so you spent the whole show sitting with vernon alone together in the back row, singing along to the songs and squealing whenever the leads kissed, while he just sat there in silence. perhaps you wished the romance scenes in this intensified with whatever you have with that man (maybe, maybe not, who knows).

chan ; when he hangs out with you

every time you’re with chan, there are always a few friends with you. you can’t bring yourself to just hang out with only him, so you’re only there when both of your friends are there as well. even though he’s only there for his friends, he still likes to acknowledge you by doing his weird greetings.

eventually your friend urged you to hang out with him alone, so you invited him to lunch one day. that day was a lot calmer than most days when you and he are with your friends. he still did his weird greetings, but you two got to learn more about each other. since that, he prefers the one-on-one conversations with you over having to talk to you in a big group.

svt masterlist .ᐟ

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Whoa!

I did not have "your writing appears in a youtube video" in my bingo card for this week, but I am overjoyed to find out it has!

Thank you https://bsky.app/profile/dlemms.bsky.social for making such a cool video and for your lovely reading of three of the four pieces I did for the @swordlogiczine in it! I'm very proud of the one story which did not get read (it's my Ides of March, Drifter & Eris, all-dialogue piece: Cultural Appropriation where the Lucent Hive have decided March 15 is a human 'holiday celebration' they can get behind).

But, I'm delighted the other three more Eris-focused pieces were included in the video, especially Iconoclasm, the collaboration I did with @crispy0nion, which ended up being featured in the zine itself, and which turned out so utterly gorgeous there have been murmurs of desiring it to be turned into an art print. (I'm foaming at the mouth over this idea - that would be so damn cool!)

@ dlemms did a fantastic job reading through the zine! Please give it a listen

[gaywineauntsstuff]

I just saw someone say that Tim was the only member of the batfamily who didn’t suck at math.

With the exception of Dick (acrobatics) and Cass (body language) none of the Batkids are THAT much better than the others at a certain skill

Yes Jason is a better shot

Yes Tim is a better detective

And on a technical level they’re much better

Sure

But that means that if they have a 0.001% chance of cracking a case or making a shot. There will be a noticeable difference between Tim being the character or say Damian.

Otherwise

Not particularly.

Think of each skill like a normally distributed curve okay with the mean being your average hero/olympian/hacker/genius

Right

The Batkids will be at the 96th percentile in the skill

With the exception of 1 of them being at the 99th percentile range

Unless you are writing something you can comfortably say is complex/difficult enough to warrant drawing attention to the 3% difference. It’s annoying to bring it up

I exclude Dick and Cass

Because Dicks introduction is the fact he can do something the rest of the kids can’t to the point where it’s an identifier within his own story. It’s how Tim found him, a signature only he can do.

And Cass because she is genuinely cartoonishly cracked in her own storyline and in batfamily stuff she’s borderline a mind reader

(Could also argue Jason for supernatural stuff and the all blades)

These are exceptions because yeah

If you told me Jason, Dick or Steph cracked a difficult case in a run I wouldn’t treat it as shocking information

If you told me Tim, Dick or Damian managed a tricky shot with a firearm in a dire situation (like what happens in the Grayson run) it would be interesting, surprising but like not? Shocking?

If you told me that Jason did a quadruple summersault off a building and landed on his feet I’d be confused as shit

And even WITH Dick and Cass the other kids are still FREAKISHLY good at D&Cs special skills but they both have unignorable signatures

This is a very long winded way of saying when an author simplifies a character down to

“Oh look nice flippy one”

“Smart one”

“Angry gun one”

“Pet collector”

It’s annoying because you basically ignore all the interesting overlap

Like guess what Dick literally has a habit of collecting strays (see the rabbit and 3 legged dog he lives with in his apartment in the new run)

Tim is fucking badass and is very good at dealing with explosives

Damian is canonically currently thinking of leaving the family business and no longer being a hero to maybe focus on helping people in other ways

Jason occasionally works with magic and demon bullshit

And every single one of them is a genius okay literally every single one of them could get a masters in physics, chem, bio and history in like 2 weeks flat.

Their stats are stacked

All of them know enough info to be able to do 99% of a task and yeah someone might call Tim or Dick in for detective help or Jason for muscle and restraining backup but in 99% of cases THE OTHER CHARACTERS SHOULD BE EQUALLY competent

[stuckinapatriarchalbullshitland]

New Year, New PR 🎪... aka Shit, here we go again

Hi, folks... I'm writing this post to respond once and for all to the complaints in my inbox about Camila's new PR circus, and for that, I'm going to leave this video here.

This video from yesterday could have passed for any other video from her time at Paris Fashion Week, but Camila's words hit me in a different way.

My Dignity

She said jokingly. My dignity, it doesn't sound like a joke to me. I think I know Camila well enough to know that she usually throws out her truths in a joking tone. She's done it before, especially regarding her crush on Lauren.

You remember: Who will you kiss under the mistletoe?

Me! Camila shouted loudly and Lauren patted her shoulder as if to say, "Shut up, you're exposing us."

Then Camila says, I'm joking, I'm joking

She wasn't joking, folks. Not then. Not now.

I could see her tired look, her lack of sleep. Her acting when she had to mention her "boyfriend" to everyone around her. Looking at the cameras while they were together, while he was counting money in the middle of the runway? Who does that?

Then, My Dignity, for me has another meaning

You have to look beyond the obvious, folks. We all know how this goes. That's why I don't understand the desperation and sadness of some CS members regarding this circus. Many of you think it's real because the guy isn't an artist or selling anything, but we know that's not important because he has the money and circuses are a business. What more do you need to know?

I think the same guy caught himself doing that in the middle of the runway. What I don't like and never will is what all this costs to Camila and Lauren.

LJ1 is coming and maybe CC5 too. We don't know. What we do know is that we are seeing a Mattmila 2.0 that, oh coincidence, It started publicly on a beach too. Those are no longer coincidences, folks. They never were and never will be.

But I can't convince anyone to believe what I say and think. You're free to jump ship if you want. Camren has become a submarine, and we've already had our warning. All we have left to do is focus on what's important.

The girls and the music. That’s all. Have a great day 🫡

I forgot to put this

I don't believe much in these blind items, but sometimes they hit the mark, and as far as thinness goes, I believe it. Camila looks beautiful, but I hope it doesn't come at a price that will cost her. I hope Sinu is looking after her.

Another curious detail that I have let pass and that my friend @ra-raisa He told me. The place where Camila and her beard sat at the Chanel event. Next to Becky Armstrong

It was very strategic considering that Becky is related to a lesbian series from Thailand. Along with her beard, she seemed to give a cryptic message that she is anything but straight and that makes me laugh a lot because Becky and Camila drew a lot of attention in their fandoms.

Thanks for it, Becky ❤️

[httpsserene]

𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝟑𝐊 𝐕-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

welcome to the table of contents for my three-thousand followers celebration !!!

(this event ended on february 14th, 2024 -> requests are no longer being accepted for this celly.)

i’m amazed that we’ve reached this milestone, and so quickly at that! in under three months there were one thousand more of y'all !!! in that short period, i did succeed in staying active on tumblr and interacting with many of you—i got so many requests that i’m STILL working my way through, i’ve chatted to some of you through my inbox, and dm’s or replies, and i will forever be grateful for the endless support, laughs, and encouragement y’all have offered me.  sending love to my moots: ilysm. thank you for any bit of chatting you’ve had with me—i really do cherish every one of you, no matter how small or large our interaction has been. extremely happy to call you my moots < 3. @biancathecool @barnestatic @ashiekins @saintslewis @lorarri @ham1lton @loomiscorpse @vetteltea @hookhausenschips @shurisasthmaticgf @mauvecherie-writes @omgsuperstarg @justaf1girl @emjayewrites (i'm sorry if i've forgotten someone, i love you dearly, i promise x) and, of course, a huge ily & tysm to the members of the taglists! i would tag you here but there are too many of you (pls i love y'all down < 3) and it would break the post :) i can’t promise that i will be able to answer every ask, but i will try my hardest to do as many as i can. i love you all and thank you so much, loves. xoxox

i mainly write fem!black/poc!readers so if you would like another race/ethnicity for the !reader please send that in your request! please feel free to send a faceclaim too! i accept male! & gn!reader requests as well!

before sending your request check for: an approved driver(s) from the mechanic list below, you've specified which prompt list and number you are selecting, and that you've adhered to the blog guidelines !!!

THIS EVENT HAS ENDED. THE REQUEST DEADLINE WAS ON VALENTINES DAY, 2024. YOU CAN READ THE COMPLETED 3k vday celly fics here.

-> return to main nav | for mlist, recent & upcoming words, joining the taglist, blog guidelines, and author info.

choose your mechanic(s) — mv. 1 | ls. 2 | dr. 3 | ln. 4 | pg. 10 | ka. 12 | fa. 14 | cl. 16 | ls. 18 | yt. 22 | aa. 23 | ll. 30 | eo. 31 | fc. 43 | lh. 44 | ms. 47 | cs. 55 | gr. 63 | op. 81 | ob. 87

🚗 let’s take a look! — send me the @ of someone you want to show love to! it can be absolutely anyone: a writer, a moot, a friend, or a funny blog you love !!! be the positivity we all want to receive :)

🔦 shine the light right here! — ask me anything !!! questions, writing/smau help, my faves, fic recs, writer recs, would you rather, never have i ever, fmk, etc. xxxx

🛞  tread’s uneven: time for a tire rotation! — send me a driver and a prompt from this list of pre-relationship prompts, or these established relationship prompts, or these hurt/comfort prompts, and i’ll write a blurb or drabble for you xxx (prompt lists are made by me!)

🛢️ 3,000 miles: time for an oil change! — send me a driver and a random word/theme/vibe (literally !!! any word/theme/vibe) and i’ll make a tiny social media au for you !!!

🧽🪣 would you like a complimentary car wash? — send me any five (5) drivers and one (1) kink from this list, and i will rank the drivers in order of who i think is most to least likely to participate/avoid, or love/hate that kink !!! each driver will have a small blurb written xxx

🧾 the policy states: cuties don’t pay! — send me a driver and two (2) letters from this nsfw alphabet !!!

© httpsserene — photos used in header are from pinterest. mdni divider from @cafekitsune.

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Aieeeeee! I love it so much! <3<3<3

This is one of my favourite things I've written (in no small part because it involves Eris Morn in a corset).

Content warning for anyone wanting to read it: There's 2 chapters containing happyfunsexytimes that are clearly marked and skippable, and they do take on an entire ketch of pirates so there's considerable violence (and badassery) involved as well.

Thank you so much for this exquisite dawning gift! I love it so!

A gift for my dear friend, @imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese.

Drifter and Eris, inspired by Moon's fic "A Dance with Vengeance". The first ever Drifteris fic I read was this one, and I've dreamt of drawing this scene out for a very long time (stares intently at Chapter 2)! I'm happy I finally finished this up hehe.

More importantly, this wouldn't have been possible without the original pose reference from @/278Byaedeok, because I am terrible at figuring anatomy out!

in another world where I had enough patience I would've tried to do a background — or maybe a full-body pose, but I think this will do for now :)

[horanghaejamjam]

Jigsaw - {CS}

↪   Summary: You are the lead detective in an investigation surrounding one of the most infamous killers the city has ever seen. Unfortunately for you, Jigsaw knows you're onto him and has played you like a game at every turn, threatening the case and your status. Your determination to catch him finally gets you a lead, only for you to find yourself tangled in a special trap that he designed just for you. Let the game begin.

↪ Pairings: Jigsaw Killer Choi San x Female Detective Reader

↪   Rating: M 18+

↪   Genre: Non-idol/Slasher/Horror movie au/ Suggestive / Fluff/Friends to enemies to lovers

↪   Word Count: 5.7k

↪ Warnings/Contents: References to classic horror movies, mainly Saw, Silence of the Lambs, and Scream. Mentions of death/murder/being shot (not detailed). Seonghwa and Mingi both make cameos in this story with a few other members being mentioned. Swearing and implied smut (MDNI). San being a teasing little shit, makeout sessions, fondling over clothes.

↪ Side Notes: To the wonderful @pinkywritings hi darling I was your assigned Ghost Writer for the @atinyhalloweenproject. This is my first time writing for San and I had a lot of fun with it so I hope you enjoy it! Sorry it is so late I wanted to have it out by Halloween but due to the sudden weather change we haven't had power. I tried to make it longer to make up for that so hopefully it doesn't feel rushed and was worth the wait!

I honestly may do a part two to this or an expansion later on because I love the idea of Jigsaw San but we'll see.

↪ Click here to see my other Ateez stories

↪ Click here for other kpop masterlists

↪ Click here to join my fic taglist

“Police officials are seeking any leads in identifying the man known only to the public as the Jigsaw killer. He is believed to be linked in multiple disappearances and murders that have taken place around Seoul for the past three months. The victims were all found in various handmade traps and had a puzzle piece drawn somewhere visible on their body. At this time investigators have no leads and are asking the public for any knowledge they may have on this public threat.” 

The reporter's voice faded to nothing as the volume on the TV was lowered to zero. You groaned softly to yourself as you tossed the remote to the side, running your hands through your hair as you sat forward on your couch. It had been just over a month since you were assigned the Jigsaw murder case, the last detective backing out after the man in question threatened to target his family. The case was quickly transferred over to you, one of the best detectives in your field, but it was very quickly starting to test your patience. 

Whoever this Jigsaw was, he was a clever man. He left no trace, no evidence, nothing that would allow you to track him down. You went through surveillance, interviewed the family and friends of the victims, tried breaking down his traps for any clues, but any lead always led you right back to square one. You had tried to be patient, hoping that eventually he would slip up and give you something, but it was starting to sound like wishful thinking. Even worse, he knew who you were and started calling you out directly. You would find notes addressed to you, pictures, voice messages, all calling you out and taunting you. It was like he was playing some cruel game with you and you had no choice but to play along or risk losing everything. You couldn’t even walk to work anymore without some reporter chasing you down demanding an explanation or any evidence you had in the case. It came to a point where you only went to the office when called, and the rest of your work you did from home. 

Various evidence pictures and case files were thrown across your coffee table, a few rough notes scribbled in between. You had been looking at the same files for the past couple of hours, dissecting every last word to see if you had missed any connections. Your last victim had been found 72 hours ago, and you knew you only had a day at most before the next one. There were a few things you had discovered about Jigsaw, and the main one was that he worked on a schedule. Once someone was reported missing, it would be three days before their body turned up and the cycle would start again. Whoever this man was, he clearly enjoyed his patterns, and that is what you found yourself looking for, any pattern you may have missed. 

“Working from home again I see?” you practically jumped out of your skin as you heard the deep voice of your roommate behind you, turning around to see his tall frame leaning over the couch. 

“For Fucks sake Mingi you almost gave me a heart attack!” you whined, reaching up to lightly smack at him, “what are you doing here anyways I thought you weren’t coming home tonight.” You and Mingi had been friends for as long as you could remember, having met back in high school and staying together through college and your time at the police academy. He was like a brother to you at this point and you trusted him so you didn’t mind if he saw your work, even if he technically wasn’t supposed to. Mingi always found your work to be fascinating and would bug you randomly about cases, which only grew more when you started investigating Jigsaw, though you assumed it was just because you got to bring your work home now. Just as you predicted, he made his way to the other side of the couch and took a seat next to you, picking up one of the crime scene photos to get a better look. 

“I was going to stay at Yunhos tonight but something came up and he had to cancel,” Mingi explained, running his thumb over the picture he was holding, “ouch this looks like it would have been painful, what is it?”

“That’s one of Jigsaw's latest traps,” you answered, snatching the photo away from him, “I’m looking through it to see if I can find any missing clues.” 

“Have you found anything?”

“Sadly no, he’s very good at covering his tracks. It’s been a month and we still don’t have any leads on this guy, it’s like he’s a ghost or something.” Mingi hummed softly as he continued to look through all the pictures, careful not to mess them up knowing you would yell at him if he did. 

“Now I’m no expert but, are you sure you’re only looking for one person?” he asked, catching you off guard. 

“What do you mean?”

“I mean all these crime scenes you’ve shown me have been pretty big and this says it only took three days, seems like a lot of work for one person if you ask me.” Mingi explained, “and that’s why your patterns wouldn’t line up like you want them to.” You blinked up at him dumbly for a moment as you processed his words, looking back down at the file you had basically memorized by this point. You didn’t want to admit it, but Mingi had a point. 

“You know that’s actually not a bad idea,” you muttered. 

“I can be helpful sometimes you know,” he bragged with a laugh, earning himself a punch to the shoulder. He didn’t have time to retaliate though as you were packing up all of your things and rushing towards the door, “Wait where are you going?”

“I need to check on something, don’t wait up for me!” you called back, pulling on your coat and running out the door as he called after you. In your rush you hadn’t realized that you dropped part of your case file on your way out, nor did you notice Mingi pulling out his phone to call someone as he closed the door to your apartment.

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

You made it to the crime scene in no time, an abandoned warehouse located just on the edge of the city. You parked your car a bit away and pulled out a flashlight as you made your way inside, ducking under the caution tape and pulling your jacket closer to yourself as you looked around. The clean up crew had gotten most of the scene cleaned by now, but the trap itself was still there. A weirdly broken mess of chains and blades that you wouldn’t have been able to put back together if you wanted to, making you wonder how Jigsaw even came up with the idea in the first place. You shook the thought out of your head and made your way to one of the blades, leaning down to inspect it carefully. It was sharp with a curve to it, but almost messy in design as if it was handmade. To test that theory you took a look at another one and noticed the same thing except this one was thicker and less curved despite being set up the same way. The chains themselves were also a bit sloppy when you looked at them closely, almost as if they had been done in a rush. It wasn’t as clean as Jigsaw's normal work, and now Mingis suggestion that you were dealing with more than one culprit seemed more plausible. 

You took your phone out to snap a picture just as the door to the warehouse opened, a new light pouring in and a familiar voice calling your name. 

“Over here!” you called back, flashing your light in his direction so he could see you. Quick footsteps made their way towards you before a familiar figure came into view. Park Seonghwa, a senior detective that had transferred over to your department a little over a year ago and assigned as your partner. You had been against the idea at first since your original partner had been killed only a few weeks prior during an investigation gone wrong. The chief had insisted it would be for the best though since you needed the help and Seonghwas cool and more collected nature would balance you out nicely which would prove to be true. Your impulsiveness had driven the older detective crazy a few times, but for the most part the two of you got along well and you could even consider him a friend. He was wearing a long black coat and matching gloves and his hair was long and falling into his face rather than slicked up like normal, probably because he had been at home resting when you called him. 

“Would you care to explain why you called me out here in the middle of the night when I haven’t heard from you in the last 48 hours?” Seonghwa questioned, unable to hide the annoyance in his tone. 

“I’ll make it up to you but I figured this couldn’t wait,” you muttered, going back to inspect the chain again, “I’m trying to prove a theory about something.” 

“That theory being?”

“What if Jigsaw isn't working alone?” you challenged, “what if it’s more than one person, that would explain why nothing lines up.” Seonghwas eyes widened a bit and you could have sworn you heard him mutter something under his breath, “what did you say?” 

“Oh nothing,” he brushed you off, “what made you so convinced of this new theory? Did you find something?” You froze for a second, not wanting to expose yourself for letting a member of the general public view the case file. 

“Just a hunch,” you lied, “but I mean look at the way this trap was built, it's messy compared to the others, almost as if it was made by someone else.”

“Or maybe Jigsaw just ran out of time and rushed on it,” he argued. 

“Can you just humor me for five seconds Seonghwa,” you groaned, “maybe I’m wrong yes but isn’t it at least worth looking into?” Seonghwa rolled his eyes but gave in, walking to the other side of the trap to get a better look. You were too distracted by your own work to pay much attention to him, meticulously looking through every detail of the trap despite not actually knowing what you were looking for. Your instinct was telling you that there was something there you were overlooking, something that was hiding in plain sight, you just had to figure out what that was. 

“Hey Y/N,” Seonghwa called out after a few minutes, “I think I found something.” Your head shot up and you quickly dusted yourself off before making your way over. Seonghwa was standing in the corner of the warehouse holding what looked to be a tape recorder. “I found it tucked away over here, may have gotten knocked around during the investigation,” he explained. 

“Does it say anything?” you asked, taking the recorder from his hands and pressing the play button. There was only static for a moment before a robotic voice spoke up, like someone was speaking through a voice changer. Despite that, you couldn’t help but feel like the voice seemed familiar to you, but it was hard to tell through the editing. 

“Hello Detective Y/L/N,” the tape addressed you, sending a chill through your body, “these past few weeks you have been running around in circles trying to discover who I am. You have been closer to the truth than you realize but you always end up blindsided by your work and, as a result, you overlook the answer that is right in front of you. I have enjoyed silently watching you up until this point but now it is getting quite boring so why don’t we make this a bit more fun? Do you like games, detective? I hope you do because I want to play a game with you. I have left a riddle for you, the answer to which will tell you all you need to know about who I am and what I do. You have 48 hours to find the riddle and tell me the answer or you will find yourself and those closest to you in a very undesirable situation. The timer starts the second this recording ends, let’s hope you are as clever as everyone says you are. Let the game begin.” 

  You felt your blood run cold as the tape came to an end, barely registering Seonghwas hand on your shoulder as you tried to process everything you just heard. Seonghwa tried talking to you but you ignored him, pushing his hand off and rushing back to your car, your partner not far behind you. 

“Where are you going? We should report this to the office first!” he called after you. 

“What good is reporting it going to do? You heard him Hwa I have 48 hours to figure out who this guy is or we’re all screwed, I can’t waste time.”

“So what you’re going to rush into something and get yourself killed?” he argued. 

“Better than doing nothing and getting everyone else killed,” you snapped back, “now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find this riddle he’s talking about.” Seonghwa called after you again but by this point you had gotten in your car and were already making your way back to your apartment. Part of you felt like going home was a bad idea, but you also couldn’t help but feel like something was pulling you to go there. The same feeling of familiarity that you got hearing the tape returned, making you feel more and more uneasy as you pulled into your apartment complex. Like you knew who Jigsaw was and yet the image of his face was blurred any time you tried to imagine him.

Mingi didn’t seem to be home when you got back, his shoes were gone and the light was off. You couldn’t focus on that though, as your attention was drawn to the stack of papers placed neatly on your coffee table. You carefully walked over and looked through the pile, recognizing pictures from all the different crime scenes you had investigated so far, each one marked with red ink. 

‘Y/N, doesn’t this random pattern seem a bit too random?’

‘This is quite close to home don’t you think?’

‘The truth has been in front of you the whole time.’

‘Why do I do what I do?’

‘Did you miss me?’

You ran your hand through your hair as you continued looking through the pictures, realizing that the riddle was basically going to send you on a scavenger hunt. It would take forever for you to go back through each crime scene and look back through everything to find out what he was talking about. Even worse, it was pretty late and you could feel exhaustion slowly taking over you, slouching over the coffee table and eventually laying against it as you fell asleep trying to decipher the riddle. 

You were jolted awake by the sound of your phone vibrating, groaning softly as you sat up and reached into your pocket for the device. You half expected it to be a call from Mingi or Seonghwa, but instead you were greeted with the same robotic voice from the night before. Only this time, you were able to hear his actual voice a bit more and it was one you swore you had heard before. 

“Good morning Sleeping Beauty, I hope my riddle didn’t keep you up all night,” the voice immediately woke you up, straightening your posture as you looked around. 

“Who is this?” you asked. 

“Aww I’m almost offended you don’t remember me, we go way back you know,” the voice responded, “I’ve missed you Y/N, and even if you don’t remember me now I know you miss me too.” You paused for a moment at his words before realizing now was not the time to worry about that. 

“Why are you doing this?” 

“That. my dear detective is for you to find out, you always did enjoy the thrill of a good challenge didn’t you? I figured you would have solved my puzzle by now but since I believe in giving people a fair chance I’ll give you another clue. One of those puzzle pieces doesn’t quite belong, once you find the answer I will be waiting for you in the place we last met, don’t keep me waiting Doll.” With that the call ended, causing you to groan in frustration and toss your phone to the side. 

“I’ve had about enough of these damn games,” you huffed, rubbing your hands over your eyes. You looked through the pictures again before one in particular caught your eye. It wasn’t one of the Jigsaw crime scenes, but instead it was a picture of an older house, one that you recognized from your last murder investigation with your old partner, San. The memories slowly came back to you and that’s when it finally clicked for you, the puzzle and the reason the voice sounded so familiar to you. That was impossible though, San was dead, you had been at the hospital with him when the doctors told you there was nothing they could do. There was no way that San was still alive, and yet you would recognize his voice anywhere. Shaking your head, you grabbed your phone and stood up, calling Seonghwa and telling him to meet you at the house in question as you left your apartment and got in your car. The whole ride there you tried ignoring the feeling of dread that came over you, hoping that your intuition was wrong. 

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

Seonghwa was already at the house before you got there, leaning against the wall with a blank expression. “I take it you found the answer to your riddle?” he asked as you walked past him, leading him inside. 

“As much as I hope I am wrong I think I did,” you confessed, “and if I’m right the clue we are looking for should be here somewhere.” Seonghwa stood still in the middle of the room as you frantically looked around, digging through his pocket and following your movements with his eyes. 

“This isn’t one of the crime scenes,” he pointed out, “what exactly are we looking for?”

“Jigsaw said to find him at the place we last met and this place was the only one pictured that wasn’t one of the crime scenes,” you explained. Seonghwa hummed softly at your answer, but you ignored him as you continued looking around. 

“Why here then, what’s so special about this place?” you froze for a moment at the question, an action that didn’t go unnoticed. 

“This was the last place I investigated with my first partner,” you answered, “he was shot during the investigation and I thought he was dead but I’m starting to think I was wrong.” 

“You think it’s him,” Seonghwa stated rather than asked, to which you nodded. 

“I don’t know why he would do such a thing, but it all lines up.” Seonghwa sighed and glanced down at his watch before making his way towards you. 

“I’m surprised you know, you solved the riddle faster than we thought you would, we’re a bit ahead of schedule.” His words made your blood run cold, freezing as your head turned to look at him. 

“What did you just say?”

“I’m sorry about this Y/N,” Seonghwa apologized, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a syringe, “just know I don’t make the rules, I’m just the delivery guy.” Before you could react to his words he had grabbed you and injected you with what you assumed was some kind of anesthesia, your body going limp in his hold almost immediately and your vision going black. The last thing you remember hearing was his voice and footsteps approaching before you completely lost consciousness. 

When you returned to consciousness the first thing that you noticed was that you couldn’t move. Your arms and legs were handcuffed to a chair that also appeared to be bolted to the floor so you couldn’t tip it over. Tugging at your restraints, you glanced around to find that you were in some sort of workshop, various trap parts and gadgets tossed around multiple workbenches. At the front of the room were what appeared to be security monitors, each watching different parts of the city that you could just barely make out. 

“I have to hand it to you Y/N,” a voice said from behind you, “the last detective didn’t make it nearly as far.” The sound of footsteps echoed through the room before a figure appeared in your vision, wearing a full body red and black hood. Even though his face was covered by the hood, you could feel the presence of your former partner.

“How, I thought you were dead,” you whispered, not sure what to feel at the moment. In any other circumstance you would be over the moon to know he was alive, but how were you supposed to feel knowing he was the serial killer you had been anxiously tracking down. Shock, betrayal, anger, sadness, confusion, all of these emotions swirled through your brain like an endless whirlpool, pulling you in deeper and nearly bringing tears to your eyes. 

“Everyone did,” San replied, turning away from you to face one of his work benches, “the doctors said it was a miracle, that no one thought I would make it through the night let alone make a full recovery.” You could hear him messing with something, but couldn’t see what it was, struggling to look past his shoulder as he continued talking, “I tried to find you after you know? I thought you were the only one left that cared about me, and yet even you managed to turn your back on me.” 

“I always cared about you,” you argued, “that’s why I’m trying to understand why San, why did you do this?” It was at this point that he finally turned to face you, pulling the hood back so you could see him properly. He looked almost the same as you remembered, but there was a cold gaze in his eyes that almost made him feel like a stranger. This wasn’t the warm hearted and cheerful person you used to consider a friend, he was a killer. Despite this, however, you couldn’t help yourself from falling for his familiarity, almost as if you could convince yourself the old San was still in there, somewhere. 

“You never realize just how valuable life is until you are inches away from death,” he explained, “the adrenaline and the fight to survive, it almost feels like you are being reborn. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how corrupt the world we live in truly is, because no one really knows how to appreciate the life they are given until it is nearly taken from them. You may not understand it now but trust me my methods will help make the world a better place.”

“You’re killing people because you want them to appreciate life?” you questioned, wondering if he was actually being serious. There was no way a person's mind could be that twisted, right? 

“You think I’m a killer?” San asked, not needing a verbal response since your glare was enough confirmation, “that’s where you’re wrong you know. I have not killed anyone, all of my games are survivable as long as the player has the will to fight for it. Those who failed the games basically killed themselves.” You wanted to argue that putting people in these death traps still made him a killer but he cut you off, “Seven people have won so far, seven people who had that will to live and had the chance to be reborn. They understand what it truly means to be alive and now they help me spread my message. You may not understand me now, but I really do hope that you will be the next.” 

“So what, am I the next person that gets to be put in one of your death traps then?” you groaned, tugging at your restraints. San pouted a bit but shook his head. 

“Your game began the minute you took the case from Detective Kim,” he explained, “you and I always seemed to have an understanding so I had hoped you would pick up on my clues and join without a fight, but you were far too stubborn to listen. Eventually I had to cut my losses so I had my apprentices plant fake evidence to finally get you here, it was the only way.” Your heart dropped a bit at the word apprentices, your mind immediately going back to Seonghwa and how he was the one who brought you here. 

“So you’re telling me the whole time,” you trailed off. 

“Seonghwa was working for me, yes, Mingi as well, they both survived my games and agreed to help with the cause and when you took over my case I knew I could use them to guide you in the right direction,” San explained. He took a moment to glance at a clock on the wall before sighing and making his way over to you. San rested his hands on the arms of the chair and used them to prop himself up so he was leaning over you, “As much as I have enjoyed our little chat I’m afraid we do not have much time. I really do like you Y/N so I will give you a choice. Join me and together we can help change the world for the better.”

“And if I refuse?” you challenged. 

“Well then I guess we’ll have to play a game,” he hummed, leaning away from you, “The second I walk out of this room it will lock and a timer will start. Behind you are two doors, each with a different combination, one door will lead you to the exit, and the other will lead you to me. If you choose to leave then you will be free but you will lose your chance to catch me. If you choose to come after me, then you have a chance to learn the truth at the risk of your freedom. The combinations are hidden in this room and you will have exactly one hour to find them and leave through the door of your choosing, and trust me you don’t want to know what will happen if you run out of time.” San chuckled softly before pulling away and walking behind you, “This is your last chance to accept my offer Y/N, I would hate to lose you like this.” He waited for a moment but when you didn’t respond he sighed, “Very well, let the game begin.” You felt him place something into your hand, which you quickly realized was a key, before the door slammed shut and San was gone. 

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

It didn’t take you long to unlock yourself, taking a second to rub your wrists as you stood up and made your way cautiously around the room. You did your best to stay calm and not look at the clock as you examined the doors and then looked around for the combinations, which you quickly realized were hidden on his tools. The question was, do you free yourself and turn your back on the case, or do you risk it all and try to go after San. The rational part of your brain was screaming at you to just get out of there and not look back, and yet you quickly found yourself moving on autopilot. Before you could really process what you were doing, you had entered the code for the door labeled “Truth” and ran through it, stepping into a dark hallway and letting the door lock behind you. 

You took a moment to compose yourself before heading forward, placing your hands against the walls to help feel your way through the space. All the doors were locked until you came to one at the very end that was cracked open, revealing what looked to be a makeshift office space, with nothing but a desk and filing cabinet in the room. You poked your head through first, looking around for any sign of life before slowly stepping inside and making your way to the desk, only to gasp as you felt another body pin you to it. 

“I knew you would come after me,” San whispered, spinning you around so that you were facing him. Your body was pressed between his and the desk, his arms caging you on either side as your eyes locked. 

“I can’t let you get away with this,” you argued, trying to wiggle away from him but San was stronger so he held you in place. 

“Come on Doll, you and I both know that’s not why you came after me,” he teased, “maybe it was at first but if that was the case now you would be fighting me harder.” He was right, even if he was stronger you knew you could at least hold your own enough to get him away or subdue him long enough to call for help. Yet you couldn’t bring yourself to actually fight him off, struggling against him enough to save your pride but not enough to actually push him off. “So tell me,” San continued, “why did you really come after me, was it because you were curious about my work? Or, was it because deep down you missed me?” Honestly, you weren’t even sure if you knew the answer, your body having reacted before your mind could catch up. 

“This isn’t right,” you argued, reaching your hands up to push at his shoulders. 

“And yet here we are,” he teased, backing up enough to wrap his arms around you and pull you closer to him. Your bodies pressed together and your arms instinctually made their way around his neck which made him chuckle. “I always knew you were special, you understood me in a way that no one else ever did. Stay with me, nothing will be able to come between us.” San leaned down until your lips were centimeters apart, his breath tickling your lips with every word. You tried not to give into him, knowing that this was wrong, but you also couldn’t deny the thrill that ran through you just from being near him. You had always cared for San when you two were partners, hell there was even a time where you could argue that you did have a crush on him. That was back then however, when he was the sweet and easy going detective that decorated his desk with mini plushies and would whine if you forgot to get him a pastry on your morning coffee runs. This version of San wasn’t like that, even if the allure was still there, he was cold, twisted, and a killer. 

“I can’t do this,” you argued, “you’re not the man I once cared about.” You tried to turn your head away from him, but he gripped your chin to force you to look at him. 

“Yes I am, behind all of this it is still me and I can prove that to you,” he whispered, “just let me show you.” When you shook your head again he huffed, loosening his grip for a moment before it tightened again, “Fine then, how about another game?” 

“I already won your stupid game though!” you challenged. 

“Yet you still haven’t learned,” he fought back, “the least you can do is give me a chance to convince you. If you don’t give in then I will go with you to the station and turn myself in, but if I win then you quit being a detective for good and you stay with me.” You gave him a questioning look, at this point more than positive that he had gone insane. However, if playing his dumb games meant putting an end to Jigsaw, then you were more than willing to oblige. 

“Alright fine, deal,” you reluctantly agreed. You only had a moment to register Sans smirk before he was pulling you against him again and connecting your lips. One hand stayed pressed against your back to keep you against him, while the other tangled itself in your hair, tugging slightly to get a reaction out of you. The kiss wasn’t rough or forced like you had expected, instead it was gentle and passionate, like he wanted to take his time with you. His lips were surprisingly soft against yours, and you began to slowly melt against his movements. You kissed him back and allowed him to have more control, whining softly against his lips when he tugged a bit harder at your hair. Your own hands trailed down his body, tracing his shoulders and chest for a few moments before daring to go a bit lower. San groaned as he felt you palm him over his robe, tightening his grip on your hair and deepening the kiss as his own hand reached down to grab at your thighs and your ass. 

All your resolve melted away at his touch and you found yourself giving into him completely, relishing in the way he invaded your senses. All rationality had left completely, replaced with an unusual desire as San explored your body. As desperate as he was, his touches remained soft and left you craving more whenever he pulled his hand away. San walked you back until you reached the desk, lifting you up enough to sit you on top of it and slotting himself between your thighs as he finally pulled away. You only had a second to catch your breath before you were pushed back slightly and pinned down by your hands. San hovered above you with a knowing smirk, taking a moment to enjoy your flustered expression before leaning down to whisper directly in your ear. 

“Looks like I won. Game Over!” 

Ateez taglist: N/A

Please see my pinned post to be added to the taglist.

[audreyscribes]

PJO ROMAN DEMIGOD HEADCANONS: ⚡ JUPITER/JOVE: KING OF THE GODS, GOD OF (DIURNAL) THUNDER AND THE SKY⚡

Author’s Note: Alright, when I was writing the Greek demigods h/cs, I did keep in mind some of them and their Roman counterparts (i.e. Hera demigod), so when that one anon asked about doing Roman demigods, I got curious and this is my attempt. I do understand why there isn’t a lot but I gave it a shot. It’s not going to be the same for the Greek version and it’s not going to be very detailed since Camp Jupiter and New Rome is more limited than the Greeks, and there are some overlaps between the two, so that’s why. Hope you like it and enjoy! ROMAN DEMIGODS H/CS MASTERLIST LINKS: [TUMBLR] // [AO3]

You’re going to be held in high regard since your godly father is Jupiter Jove himself. The King of the gods, chief deity of the Roman state, Central member of the Archaic Triad, Capitoline Triad; guardian of the state with Juno and Minerva, and the Dii Consentes. You’re respected based on the premise that Jupiter is basically head honcho of the Roman state. However, this brings a lot of pressure as people expect you to be a leader and be just like Jupiter, and be the embodiment of Roman values. 

You’re probably either more composed or learn how to be more composed with your emotions and actions; not only reflecting how the Roman gods are more strict, disciplined, responsible, and calm; but because of your environment. You’re the child of Jupiter so they automatically look to you as a figure of leadership which means they’re always watching you.

In terms of power, between Greek and Roman demigods, I have this idea that Greek demigods have more broad and abstract range while Roman demigods have a more limited yet technical use with more accuracy. So compared to a child of Zeus whose powers have lightning and thunder which means general electrokinesis; as a child of Jupiter your powers are more refined, so you can pull off more tricks and technical control. Hey, that means you can fly more in a barrel roll, breaking the sound barrier while the children of Zeus can just generally fly. 

Another power as a child of Jupiter may have is light based powers; based on one of Jupiter’s epithet as Jupiter Lucetius (Of the Light) where he was esteemed as purveyor of the universe. It makes sense if you consider lightning having the word ‘light’ and lightning does produce ‘light’, so unlike a child of Apollo, your light is more lightning in nature then the rays of the sun.

On a more not so serious note, you find yourself saying “By Jove!” more often than not; not only as a sign of exclamation of surprise or emphasis, but also because Jupiter is also called Jove, so you’re basically required to say something like “my god! or “good god”.  Then again, everyone else says that, aside from “by gods” or some variation of it, so you’re constantly on edge or wincing because they’re basically yelling “Your Dad!”

I have a feeling that the people of Rome see the Gods more as figures while the Greek see the gods as representation of their domains. So you’re going to be seen as either Jupiter himself or the representation of Roman values and rites; which makes you being pushed into the head of politics, management, and the such.

Following above, it feels like a very high school drama; where you’re the Prom Monarchy, the popular kid. I mention about the pressure but it also extends to your social life; there’s going to be unspoken and spoken words of who you should be hanging out with, who not to associate with and whatnot. In terms of your love life, like Jason and Reyna being expected to be together romantically, you also have the same treatment. Either it’s someone of your station or above it, in terms of respect to your parentage, and so forth.

In terms of demigods or legacies, you’re often pushed together with a child of Venus, due to Venus being the ancestor of the Roman people through her son Aeneas who survived the fall of Troy and fled to what is now Italy, and Julius Caesar as well. And when there’s news of a child of Hera/Juno? Oh Jove.

If it’s a child of Hera, all of the senate immediately begins to plan a political debate on how you and the child of Hera get together, or should they send a word of decree or plan a war to seize them. If it’s a child of Juno, I’m so sorry but you’re definitely forced to be with them because the two of you are the living representation and figures for the people of Rome, and the two of you existence together is a sign from the gods.

Despite this all, what Cohort you get into will depend on the reference letters and your honours. Just because you’re a child of Jupiter, doesn’t mean you’re exempt from placement. Much like Jason Grace, if you’re not put into the 1st cohort, expect a ton of criticism. Unlike being a child of Zeus, you have less freedom of existing with every aspect of Jupiter and his associations being placed upon you.

If you’re a legacy of Jupiter, which is more likely then not, you’re not that entirely unexempt from the same problems nor benefits then a direct blood of Jupiter. Maybe less so or not, but the pressure is still there. Of course, with being a legacy, your powers and aspects you have with Jupiter become more individualistic and specific, but nonetheless, the powers that you do have are very strong.  

[kinkteez]

Hi hi! This is a new poly-ATEEZ kink themed ask blog :)

I’m a lone typist for these eight beautiful, kinky muses. Please ask them anything about their love lives, polyamorous relationship, or kinky play that you want to know :) Some of them are a bit shy, but I promise you that they’re on board with sharing their experiences.

An important feature of this blog: You’re welcome to specify headcanons for the members in asks, and I’ll make them canon for the purposes of that ask & answer. This means: If for example you go “Jongho, as a trans man how do you feel about XYZ,”, then he’s trans for the purposes of that answer. If you specify that you’re asking a question of an autistic Yeosang, then Yeosang will be autistic for the duration of that interaction. If you ask omega Hongjoong which alpha has his favourite scent, I’ll decide who the alphas are on the spot. (This is not to say they can’t be autistic and trans (or omegas) unless specified; I’ll default to whatever version of them feels natural to me for each ask.)

What I’m saying is, there is no 100% “canon” version of this blog’s ateez members. They’re subject to change on my whims and yours. I can’t promise I’ll be on board with absolutely everything, but I’ll do my best.

HOWEVER, please don’t say things that go direcly against kink dymanics I have established. So like, I won’t be making Mingi into a hard dom, for instance. You’re very much allowed to ask him how he would feel about the idea of being a dom and suggest things for him to try, but I hope you can see the difference between those two things.

As for do’s and don'ts,

- DO feel free to ask blanket questions for all the members at once. Whoever has something interesting to say, will pop in. - DO get into angsty and dark themes if you’d like. don’t worry about making me uncomfortable, genuinely. - DO get creative and ask questions of any ship, poly of course included, that you want to hear from. - DO get cheeky and nosy with the boys, they don’t mind at all! - DO get just real nasty. Get unhinged. I’m a freak I’m a weirdo or whatever radiohead said. - DO feel free to tease the members lightheartedly, I promise that I and they will take asks in good faith. We’re all just here to have fun! - DO send asks about non-sexual kink, too.

- DON’T interact if you are a minor! This should go without saying. - DON’T assume that I’ll be able to answer every single ask I get, let alone super fast. If I simply don’t vibe with a question or can’t think of anything to say in response, I’ll answer it privately and let you know. This is completely fine and it’s not a problem if it happens, don’t worry :)

Kinks I don’t care for and will probably not want to write about: Public sex, blood play, scat, vomit, spit, food play, tickling

Meet the members:

SH: Hello everone! I'm Seonghwa, frequent wrangler of my very silly partners. I mostly dom, but I do make exceptions on occasion. Ask me anything you like; I'm not shy. If someone is keeping information from you, you can nudge me about it, and I will give them incentive to open up~

HJ: I'm Hongjoong. Hyung made me promise to participate in this, so I'll answer your questions. I guess. Don't get too nosy though.

YS: Pleased to meet you, I'm Kang Yeosang. I hope you enjoy what you find here. Although it is a bit embarrasing, I'll do my best to answer your questions. I... Like to do well. And to be good.

WY: It's your boy, Wooyoung! Get your gremlin mode switched on, and ask me and the others anything and everything! >:) Don't be afraid to get personal, trust me when I say we all like to share. I'm everyone's favourite sub and the best boy, but don't tell anyone I said that. Please.

CS: Hello readers, it's San here. I'll do my best to tell you everything you want to know, so please treat me and everyone kindly. For now, I myself am mostly a submissive, but I may be a bit curious about expanding my repetoire. Love you<3

JH: Hi hi, it's Jongho. Hwa hyung got this idea to share some of our kinky adventures, so here we are. I'm a switch, and I like to do whatever my partners need. I like to take care of them. Please treat us kindly, thank you!~

MG: what's up, it's mingi! and i'm not a sub! where did you get that idea. if you ask the others, they'll say i am, but they're lying. i just like to enjoy myself and not have to think. is that a crime?!

YH: Hello everyone, my name is Yunho. It's a little bit embarrassing to admit, but for kinky stuff, I am a bit of an all-rounder. I don't usually go super hard in either direction, I just like to have fun. Often. Stay safe out there :)

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Bergamot

Now with art by @laur-rants !

I wrote this one not to long ago so you may have seen it already, but I am posting it again because LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL ART!!! Aieeeeeee! Here is the story that goes with it. Link to the story on Ao3 if you prefer to read it there.

It is a time between... a time both before and after periods of great loss and grief, a rare interval of calm and quiet.

Eris Morn is in her apartment in the Last City. She is sitting at her reading table in the centre of her rooms. Her eyes are unbound. She is wearing simple comfortable civilian clothes in earthen tones. Sunlight spills in through the stained glass window, splashing geometric colours on the wooden floor. A cup of tea steams on the table beside the book she is inscribing with elongated spidery writing.

On the floor near one leg of the table, not far from Eris' feet, is another teacup containing one third whiskey, two thirds tea.

The Drifter, cross-legged on the floor in ripped jeans and a stained light grey t-shirt, is seated in front of a thin blanket. He is slowly reassembling a machine gun. Each piece of the gun is neatly positioned on the blanket in the order in which it was removed. Each component has been individually cleaned and oiled.

There is a soft clicking sound as the Drifter ratchets another bolt into position.

"Somethin' I always wondered..." he says, breaking their comfortable silence in a way that is gentle and not jarring.

"Yes?" Eris' voice is warm. The interruption is mildly irksome, but the source of it, the reminder of another person in the room, is welcome.

"This tea we're drinkin' right now. It's called Earl Grey."

Eris cocks her head and leans back in her chair, looking down at him. "It is. I am… surprised you know this."

He grins up at her. "And earl is a title, right? Like king or kell or warlord."

"Yes, it was."

"What do you think happened to the other colours of earls?"

Eris blinks all three of her eyes at the inanity of the question. "There have been multiple apocalypses which have afflicted humanity." She leans back over her book. "That information is lost."

The Drifter returns to his assembly. "I wonder if they fought each other." There is a soft clink of metal on metal in his hands.

Eris pauses, confused. "Who fought each other?"

"The other earls. Like Earl Blue and Earl Red and Earl Yellow. I wonder if they had wars over tea." He holds up part of a gun barrel and examines it carefully, closing one eye and turning it slowly.

"I do believe… in the small bits of history which remain… that tea was at one point a valuable commodity enough for wars to have been fought over it, economically." Eris dips her pen into the inkwell beside her and begins once more to write upon the page.

"Yeah," he laughs. "I seen how grumpy you get when you ain't got your tea… no shit wars would be fought over that."

"Tsch."

"I wonder if Earl Grey tea won out because he killed all the other colours of earls and took their tea." The Drifter snaps two metallic components together and examines the fit.

"Hmmm…" Eris continues writing.

"Maybe it's all the other earls teas combined?"

Eris looks up from the book, her three eyes staring straight ahead at the wall on the other side of the room. "As far as I am aware…" There is only the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice. "It is one specific genus of plant and the particular flavour is not actually the tea at all, it is engendered by the additive of another plant."

"Berg-a-mott." The Drifter says the word as though it were three separate words as he twists the barrel, screwing it into the chamber.

Eris turns her head sharply to look down at him again, her attention fully focused on him once more. "You know of it."

The Drifter smiles, not looking at her as he fits a small metal ring into a larger one. "It's a terrible tasting bitter and sour orange… that only still exists because of arcologies off Earth. It's entirely extinct on Earth right now."

"Is it? I did not know this. That explains why it is so difficult to find Earl Grey tea now." Eris places her quill down on one of the Drifter's coins, using the slight height difference between the coin and the table as a pen rest .

"Yeah. I asked Devrim. That man's amazing. He knows so much shit about tea."

Eris takes up her cup in both hands and sips the steaming liquid. "He does."

"So yeah… " He glances up at her briefly and his smile widens at having caught her attention enough to pull her away from her book. "Apparently Earl Grey tea used to be super common in the time before the Golden Age. It was a normal boring tea to people. But after the first collapse when like three quarters of all life on Earth got wiped out? No one bothered keepin' the bad tastin' oranges. They kept the tea, mind you. But not the berg-a-mott. But, before that, tea drinkers got out in all the remote pockets of humanity in this system and, like a lot of things, shit that people kept for comfort in the distant parts ended up being the only ones of those things left."

"Hmmm…" Eris inhales the vapour from the tea.

"But…" The Drifter puts down the half-assembled weapon and twirls a socket wrench in the fingers of his right hand before twisting his wrist so it seems to disappear. "That ain't the best part." His eyes sparkle as he reaches back and picks up his own cup of tea, extending it out toward hers.

Eris gives him a small smile and humors him, clinking her teacup against his in a toast.

"What is the best part?" She sips her tea again as he sips his.

He pulls one leg out from under himself and stretches it out, gesturing with his teacup as he speaks. "The fruit of the berg-a-mott orange tree…the bergamot orange?"

"Yes?"

He leans forward conspiratorially. "It isn't orange."

Eris blinks. "What?"

"It's green."

Eris leans on the armrest of her chair closest to him, resting her chin on her fist and fixes him with a dismissive gaze. "All oranges are green before they turn orange."

He leans forward even more, his elbow on one knee, his eyes filled with amusement as he looks up at her. "It never turns orange. It stays green. The orange isn't orange in the grey tea that isn't grey."

"Hmmm…" Eris sips her tea pensively at this information. "How do you know?"

"Because I found some in the Arcology on Titan and they were green."

"Maybe they just weren't ripe when you looked at them…" She says, her voice slightly condescending.

The Drifter licks his lips as he looks up at her, his grin widening as he drinks more from his cup.

Eris' three eyes narrow. "Why are you smiling like that?"

"No reason." His eyes glitter and his smirk widens, telling her there absolutely is a reason.

"You only smile like that when you're right and you know it."

He licks his lips again, places his teacup back into the saucer at her feet, and slides closer to her along the floor. "I might be right… and I might know it, yeah."

Eris frowns. "But… the only way you would know you are right about the bitter oranges being green is…"

"Hehehe." He looks away from her as he chuckles, his head near her elbow.

"You are growing them yourself."

He turns his face back to her, his expression smug. "Something that rare? Hell yeah. That's gonna be worth something to someone someday. They taste so bad they're inedible, but they sure do go nice in tea. If nothin' else, Devrim appreciates it, and apparently…" He reaches out a finger, slowly and gently brushing it along her arm. "...so do you."

Eris regards him closely.

"That is... wait…" She puts her teacup down and leans down to see his face. "Did you go on an entire expedition… to a nexus of one of the most dangerous infestations of Wrathborn and Taken in this system… just to obtain an obscure inedible orange… in order to replicate a type of tea for me?"

"Hehehe." He looks away again, his expression almost but not quite shy.

"You did."

He looks back at her, his breath quickening as she reaches down with one hand to bury her fingertips in his beard.

The Drifter leans against Eris' hand like a cat, rubbing her fingertips deeper into his beard, delighting in her touch.

Eris curls her hand tugging him slightly closer.

"I didn't do it just for you." He looks lovingly up at her, his eyes telling her the exact opposite. "Rare shit has value," he continues to justify. "I got all kinds of plants that ain't growin' nowhere no more. Soon as I started keeping a garden on the Derelict I realized bein' mobile and able to visit all these places on Earth, and off Earth, means I can keep shit alive that's long since died off."

She turns in her chair and reaches down with her other hand, cradling his face, beckoning him closer.

He rises to his knees, placing his own hands on the armrest next to her elbows.

Eris' three green eyes shift within the scarring on her face, strange yet also beautiful as she stares at him intently, studying his face.

"For someone who has refused to hope for so long… you have saved… and cultivated… and maintained… life. Life which otherwise would be extinguished. Something which both traditionally, and metaphorically, is… often seen as a symbol of hope itself."

"For completely selfish reasons, I assure you." The Drifter turns his head and softly kisses the palm of her left hand, his eyes closing as his lips linger on her skin.

"Hmmm…" The corner of Eris' mouth forms a wry smile at his obvious lie.

"And cuz I don't like starving," he continues, trying to add more evidence to his claim as he looks back up into her eyes. "That's the thing about always bein' hungry, Makes ya start payin' attention to where your food's gonna come from tomorrow, in addition to today."

She continues to look down at the devoted man on his knees in front of her while he continues to insist he is selfish.

"You just said they are so bitter they are inedible."

"Oh I think we both know from experience, Moondust, that damn near anything's edible if you're hungry enou-."

Eris silences his deceitful lips with a kiss.