#either he can be with her or he can't but she's got an interested neighbor

[handkinkbis]

As a fan of proper communication as a plot device here's what I would do as Shin Yu.

If he's being blackmailed into this relationship with Nayeon then tell Hong Jo exactly that. You don't need to share all the specifics, but especially IF the stalker has something to do with whatever blackmail, Hong Jo has a right to know about it at this point because it's putting her at risk too. Shin Yu might know more than he lets on.

It doesn't seem like Shin Yu and Nayeon spend any? significant? time together and there's no love between them so it's a contractual relation at best (clearly they're not sleeping together since Nayeon spends nights with her lover) and Shin Yu's been very publically chasing after Hong Jo anyway (at work, outside of work) so Hong Jo and Shin Yu really dating* won't influence how the fake relationship between Shin Yu and Nayeon is seen. Maybe he could be less obvious about it, but that too is on him. (Unless the brain condition is making him impulsive? Nothing is certain with this show lol.)

Keeping Hong Jo in the dark about it just seems like a tragedy in waiting because Shin Yu's chasing is getting her hopes up that Shin Yu will split with Nayeon eventually. If he's not going to, he needs to make that clear!

Use Your Words characternims! I still don't get why it hasn't been revealed why Shin Yu and Nayeon are marrying and why it's such a tightly kept secret, it just seems like a weird writing choice to use miscommunication and misunderstanding like this to drive the plot. Even if the reveal would clarify whether the magic in this universe is real, well... Dragging that reveal out also seems strange.

And unless Shin Yu's prevented magically from sharing with Hong Jo why he's entering into a loveless marriage with Nayeon, the withholding of something so key makes no sense.

I probably need to rewatch the show because everything seems unnecessarily confusing and I've probably missed so many details.

Another theory of mine is that Shin Yu's health condition has something to do with the messy plot/story telling since he's an unreliable narrator, but so much of the show is from Hong Jo's POV that it seems quite... unlikely? If he'd dreamt parts of the story then you'd expect him to be more of a central character in his own dreams so that's probably not it.

[yanderefarm]

yandere mad king introduction

same kinda vibe as before!! just letting you know more about him before I make part two!! i also have another request in my inbox for him. and yes he does have a boob window. and no I can't draw boobs

cw; violence, violence towards animals, nsft, yandere tendencies, manipulation, rough sex

Emil is called the mad king because he claimed the throne by killing his father and all his supporters. It wasn't out of malice but duty to his people but he doesn't mind people thinking poorly of him if it means they don't bother him.

He decided to marry your sister because of growing concern for the movements of your neighboring kingdom. He didn't actually care about her until she started to reject him so firmly.

He just likes things that are interesting. It was interesting that she was willing to let everyone die rather than be with him but its more interesting that you're willing to kill to keep them all safe.

He's bisexual, doesn't actually care if it's a man or woman he marries as long as they don't bore him. Of course the noblemen of his empire have more to say about this topic.

He'll probably kill them if they start acting homophobic towards you. His love for you is one thing but he also doesn't want anyone who's going to insult his decisions.

Once you get more comfortable with him he'll try to avoid you seeing any bloodshed or pain. Even if he had to execute his whole court he'd never let you witness it.

He's willing to be kind if you ask him cutely. He'd feel such a rush if you clung to him and begged for someone's life. That doesn't necessarily grant them mercy but it might give them a little more time.

If you're bigger than him and you act cute and pathetic its even more exciting. He loves the feeling of your larger body holding him and acting like he's your shield from anything you don't like.

If you're smaller than him it's cute too. He likes you sitting in his lap, head hidden in his chest too afraid to look.

If you're not scared, if you get a taste for the bloodshed that's interesting too. He'd love to guide your hands on his sword doing his dirty work.

If you show your stubborn side like your sister's he finds it fun. He likes to push you as far as he can. What can he do to get you to snap again? How far is too far?

Don't be stubborn until you're sure your family is safe though. Really don't want him to get his guillotine out again.

Speaking of!! Your family is/was made of 8 people. Your father is Elio and your mother is Estelle. Your eldest brother is Philip who is about 5 years older than you, then your sister Eliza who is only about 2 years older than you, then you, then after you is Isabella who is 15, your youngest brother is Anthony and he's 12, and finally the youngest child is Maria at 6.

If you're not like all into the fantasy of an entire royal family who isn't your actual real world family feel free to imagine it in an isekai way. I almost wrote it that way but decided it was a little too much. (Also if you don't mention where I got some of the names you get a cookie.)

Back to Emil. He will threaten your family up to and including the day of your wedding. He doesn't want you to back out last minute so until he slides that ring on your finger the knife is at their throats.

After your marriage is official he'll follow you around the castle sometimes. He'll watch you in the garden or stalk you through the halls. He ignores his work just to watch you read in the library.

He'll also adorn you with gifts if you want. You do have to give him the idea first. Either just asking him for something you like or slipping the hint to one of his close assistants.

It's not hard to guess he didn't have the happiest childhood so he doesn't really understand the idea of gifts or romance. He's just as likely to gift you a dead rat as he is a gold necklace if simply given the instructions to give something.

So yeah he's also not romantic. He's sweet don't get it twisted, he'd be kind and loving to you. He would adore you. But he's never been on a date and doesn't know how romance works.

You might never know how he attempted to court your sister but it might have been the reason for her stubbornness.

Still once he gets the hang of it he'll show his truest yandere tendency. Being a massive simp. Gifts, dates, touching, anything you tell him you like you'll get ten fold.

Honestly even if you didn't personally teach him what to do he'd probably just do disturbing versions of romance towards you. Dead rat gifts, poisoning your maids, chocolates full of razorblades, giving you your dead sister's head, messed up things.

He doesn't like being in pain but once he's in deep all you have to do is tell him to suffer and he would. You'd probably have to wait a few years into your marriage for that though. Butter him up first before you ask him to eat glass.

nsfw time!!

Just like romance he is a bit clueless about sex. If god (aka me) ever let him top he would cum first and then roll over and go to bed leaving you unsatisfied.

On your wedding night the maids will dress you both up in intimate garments and leave you to it. You don't have to sleep together then but if you decide to because he looks so pretty he'll let you use him however you want.

He'll be overly accommodating the first time you do it regardless of when. He needs to know what exactly you're doing before he starts to get more freaky with it.

The first time is so mind blowing for him. He didn't realize he could feel that good, he gets hearts in his eyes as he begs for more.

His favorite position is cowgirl or a mating press. He loves riding you and he's a total power bottom but his breeding kink trumps all.

His breeding kink is intense. It doesn't matter if you bring up breeding him first or not because his body knows it needs to be bred. He knows sex is for procreation and that's all he wants.

He begs for your babies, he begs to be a daddy. He doesn't like for you to waste a single drop of cum outside of his body. How could you waste it when he wants you to get him pregnant so badly?

If you jerk off alone, cum early during foreplay, or just try not to cum inside of him it doesn't matter. He'll scoop up any cum and either push it inside of him or suck it off his fingers.

He'll sneak into your room and steal your dirty underwear or dirty tissues to smell and lick clean. He knows it's a bit gross but he loves your smell and taste.

He could be ftm or cis it doesn't really matter because his behavior is the same.

He'd be down to get kinky too. Like previously stated he doesn't like pain but he would absolutely love it if you tried to hurt him during sex.

You can spit on him, choke him, slap him, scratch him, anything you want. He might pretend he'll fight back but he won't.

If you try to hurt him without proper warning he'd probably actually fight back at least a little bit. At a certain point he'd just trust you not to hurt him but it takes a while.

His absolute favorite is your dick buried balls deep inside of him and your hands tight around your neck. If you mating pressed him while you choked him he'd be putty in your hands. Tell him he can breathe when you cum and he'll cum so hard.

He doesn't hate soft vanilla sex either. Sometimes its really nice to be treated gently and adored. Run your hands over his scars and tell him he's pretty.

Call him your pretty princess and rub his stomach. Say he'd be a good daddy or mommy it doesn't matter which.

He'd probably cry if you did nothing but adore him. Overstimulate him for hours telling him how good he is and how he's so pretty and he'll sob.

Hell he'd probably start apologizing and begging for you to hate him for being such a horrible person. He's never known so much love as when he's with you.

After you're done either adoring him or breaking him he'd force you to cuddle him. Keep yourself buried inside him and hold him gently. You can play with his hair or kiss his bruises just as long as you stay with him.

[auspicioustidings]

https://www.tumblr.com/auspicioustidings/734619885087375360/i-cannot-write-for-shit-right-now-so-any-little

Hmmmm I’m seeing so many x single mom readers and not sure if this is something you’re even interested in BUT

Simon meeting his pretty new neighbor while she’s moving I and realizes she is either a.) heavily pregnant or b.) has a very young baby so Simon goes “hmmmm mine now :)” and helps her out a little? (Alternatively, if you don’t wanna do Simon for this, then maybe Price?)

(Also if you haven’t read @peachesofteal’s Light On fic, Simon x single mom reader, I implore if you to do so!!! It’s so good)

Peaches Light On fics, and I am being so deadass serious, give me such a flood of serotonin any time I see a new one. Everyone get your butt over there because they are the standard for single mother content as far as I am concerned!

That being said, I've put a bit of a twist on this so it's not really what you requested at all, sorry :') I could not do a similar idea to Peaches because there is nothing I can do to improve perfection!

Tactical Action

Words: 1.1k

CWs: mentions of death

“It's not a shame Price, it's fucking ridiculous.”

Simon Riley was furious looking at the paperwork. It wasn't often that TF141 kept tabs on a promising rookie so when they did he expected nothing but excellence. What he did not expect was a large ‘Early Service Leaver’ stamp over an otherwise exemplary record.

“Their brother died in that warship collision, can't blame them for wanting out.”

“My brother was murdered, I kept fucking going.”

He had met you once when Johnny had dragged him. His Sergeant was both excited and annoyed that someone had gotten the new record for the 3rd selection phase. It made sense to get some feel for you then, if you were as good at escape, evasion and tactical questioning as the test scores suggested then the 141 needed to have you on their radar because the PMCs certainly would. 

You were a determined thing, shoulders back and addressing them with just the right amount of respect. Not arrogant, but not a pushover. Soap had been talking about how much he wanted to get his hands on you the whole drive back to base because he was a horny idiot and you were a challenge he found intriguing. Simon had just rolled his eyes and added your record to the small pile in Price's office. 

He knew a little of your background. Both parents gone, one sibling in the navy. Well one sibling now KIA. He could have understood taking leave, but to quit entirely? It made him angry, he thought it was a waste of potential. Price could see how it affected him and he sighed. 

“Go talk to them then. But do not get yourself reported for harassment and intimidation Simon, if they don't want back in then we make our peace with that.”

That was all the permission he needed. He probably should have taken Soap really, someone who could be comforting and coax you back. But fuck it, you were supposed to be good under pressure so he was going to give you some hard damn advice on not bloody giving up.

–

Exhausted didn't even begin to describe how you felt. This was the hardest thing you had ever done, but you were not going to just give up. You couldn't, not with this tiny thing relying on you. 

She had never even got to meet her parents. Your brother died just before the due date in that accident and then his girlfriend had died from complications in childbirth. You had promised her you would look after their baby if anything happened, made an oath that you'd not let her parents anywhere near such an innocent little thing. 

So you were on your own with nothing but grief and exhaustion and an ever dwindling death in service payment. They would pay part of your brother's pension out each month at least for the baby, but you were terrified that it wouldn't be enough to give her a life she deserved. She certainly deserved her parents and not her fathers ill equipped sibling, but you could only do your best even with the knowledge it would never be enough. 

You flinched when there was a hard knock at the door of your flat, freezing but taking a breath when the baby remained sleeping in your arms. You needed to move at one point you knew, a flat in a bit of a rough area was fine for a soldier (ex-soldier you reminded yourself) but not so much for a baby. 

The security you had upgraded as best you could at the moment and you checked the door camera to see Lieutenant Riley. Ghost. You had met him briefly once, but what was a legend like him doing here? Shit. You knew you looked a wreck but it wasn't like you could ignore him so you opened the door, bouncing baby girl gently to keep her sleeping. 

Simon's planned tirade died the moment he saw the situation. You had a baby. Oh that changed his tirade significantly. Your marital status had listed single, so he could only assume you had gotten yourself knocked up by some casual hookup. That was unacceptable in a soldier, so bloody stupid. 

“Shit” you cursed when she woke up, heading back inside and giving him a nod of invite.

You bounced her and tried to coo at her to go back to sleep. To please God go back to sleep. You never knew what she wanted, it felt like whatever you did was always wrong. And of course then she started wailing and the Lieutenant was in your flat closing the door behind him witnessing your absolute failure to take care of a baby. 

“Oh for Christ sake, give her here.”

Simon took the baby and hoisted the little thing up onto his shoulder, rubbing hard at her back. 

“When was the last time you fed her?”

“I- well, just before you got here. 10 minutes ago maybe? Just got her to sleep.”

“Did you burp her?”

“Oh. I…” you replied, straining yourself in an attempt not to cry. “No. I forgot.”

While his eyes were sharp on you his hands and voice were gentle and soothing for the baby. He was good at this. Did he have kids? Fuck was everyone just innately good at caring for babies but you? 

“Didn't stop to think if you could take care of her before having her?” 

“She's not mine. Well I suppose she is. I'm her only living relative, or only decent one at least. I, um… that warship accident from a few months back. My brother died during it and her mum passed during the birth. I'm her legal guardian now. I'm what she has sir, it was the best tactical action given the circumstance” you said, straightening up despite your exhaustion and prolonged terror at being responsible for such an innocent little thing. 

Simon cocked his head to the side as the baby on his shoulder burped and gurgled, now trying to get back to sleep. You were still a soldier he saw then, you were fighting back your emotions to give him a report on the situation. He reevaluated after the sitrep and took a moment to find the best course of action.

“Marry me then.”

“Sir?”

“We can get it done tomorrow. Might take a bit of time to get a decent house but we'll stay in my flat until then, better area. Still going to be out on assignment a lot but any death benefit would go to you and the widows pension would set you up for life. I'm what you have rookie, it's the best tactical action.”

“Yes sir.”

[joelswritingmistress]

Neighbors With Benefits: Chapter 13 (Joel x f!reader)

Pairing: Joel x f! Reader

Word Count: 2000

Warning: Angst

No one said anything for a moment. You were trying to process that your mother was standing right there. You were sure your mother was trying to process what she was witnessing. Joel just remained silent and it felt like everyone behind your mother in the lobby was on pause.

“Mom..” You took a deep breath and you knew the next sentence wasn't the one that should have come out of your mouth. “What… what are you doing here?”

“What am I..” She shook her head, noting that she wasn't the one who needed to provide an explanation. Her eyes transferred you to Joel and back to you. It all seemed to click and her mouth dropped open as the realization came to her.

You were scrolling through your mind for lies, but there were none to tell. You had to come clean. Your hand was on top of Joel's on the table as you ate breakfast in a hotel lobby early in the morning.

“Can I talk to you?” You just asked simply.

Your mother was still in a state of awe, though she finally thawed out enough to answer.

“Your father is right over there making a waffle.” She whispered the words as if he might hear her; but you suddenly realized you didn't want your father to catch the two of you like this. Neither did your mother; you knew that's why she said that.

You retrieved your plate having hardly touched it, whispering, “I'll meet you back upstairs,” to Joel. He went to open his mouth to speak but you shook your head and trailed your mother away from the lobby, tossing your plate of food in a garbage pail as you did.

When the two of you were settled in a nook by a pair of vending machines, you took a deep breath.

“I've been seeing Joel.” There was no hiding it or sugarcoating it. “I was trying to find the right time to tell you-”

“(Y/N), he's married.” She yell-whispered the words.

“They're separated,” you explained, “They're in the middle of a divorce.”

“Not according to Cecille.”

“She's.. lying.” You shook your head. “She came back out of the blue and Joel doesn't want anything to do with it.”

“Honey..” Your mother shook her head, and you knew she had your best interest at heart. “You can't..”

“Can't what?”

“You can't.. do this.”

“Well, it's a little late for that.” Your tone was stern and other than a few stray times as a teen, you had never spoken like that to your mother. The two of you were close and she was always understanding; but you felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“Have you.. you've..”

“What?”

“You spent the night here with him?”

You swallowed hard, knowing she already knew the answer. “We've been seeing each other since I got home early in the summer.” You added, “Yes, I've been spending the night with him.”

“Next door?”

You hesitated and then gave a nod. “I didn't want you to find out.. like this.”

“I don't even know what to say,” she said quietly, now the one clutching her necklace. “I can't.. I can't wrap my head around it.”

“He's not with Cecille, Mom.”

“He's not divorced, either, (Y/N).” Her motherly tone came out in full force. It halted you a bit.

“I know,” you confessed, “But they aren't living together anymore.”

“They just bought the house this year.”

“So-”

“So, this is a very slippery slope,” she went on. “He's older than you.”

“Dad’s older than you.”

“By two years,” she shot back. “Honey..” Your mother closed her eyes and put her first two fingers on the center of her forehead.

You knew this was a lot. From the outside perspective, especially - and finding out the way your mother just did.

“Mom, I really care about him.” You didn't dare drop the L-word. “And he cares about me.”

“He's too old for you.”

“Stop saying that. I'm an-”

“Adult? Then why are you sneaking around like a teenager?”

“Because look at the reaction you're having. If I had just brought him over for dinner and said he was my date, you would've had the same reaction.”

Fuck. You felt tears welding up in your eyes. You knew your mother’s first reaction was viable, but you were also going to stand up for your relationship with Joel.

“Please don't tell Dad yet.” You blurted that out because you couldn't handle this double reaction in one sitting. “I'll tell him eventually.”

Your mother put a hand on the side of her face now. The two of you stared at one another, not seeing eye to eye for perhaps the first time in your life - at least on something significant. It already stung deep down.

She let out a decompressing sigh and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I'm not going to tell him.” She added, looking around the corner, “You better get back.. upstairs. I don't know what his reaction would have been if he saw the two of you sitting there.” She shook her head.

“Mom, please just let me explain everything to you. This isn't as bad as it seems.” You looked her in the eye, “Please.”

She let out another deep breath from her chest. “Okay.” That was all she said. “Your father has probably already seen Joel.”

“He got him the room.”

“I know,” she concluded. “And the golf course comped him a second one, so we decided to make a staycation of it for the night.” In a slightly irritated tone she added, “That’s what I'm doing here.”

“I didn't mean..” you shook your head, “Mom, what's-”

She silenced you with a hand. “We’ll talk tonight. Just go upstairs before Dad sees you and we have to do this all over again.”

You were thankful that she would keep your secret for now, but, again, all of the feelings of elation were replaced with that of disappointment and dread. Lately, the highs in your world were skyrocketing but the lows made you feel dead and buried.

First Cecille came back to town. Now, your mother catches you and Joel and is stuck in disbelief.

We knew there would be hurdles, you thought, noting that jumping them would be worth it. Still, in the moment, it didn't make you feel any better.

It wasn't long before Joel joined you back upstairs in the hotel room, leaving the two of you in another stalemate of stares for a moment.

“Did you talk to my parents?” You asked.

“Mostly your dad.”

“What did my mom say?”

“Nothing.” Joel shook his head, “She went back up to the breakfast line until your father and I were done talking.”

You plopped down on the bed and let out a sigh. “Fuck..”

“What did your mother say?”

“She’s under the impression that you and Cecille could possibly work things out. She reminded me that you weren't divorced. She pointed out our age gap,” you then added sarcastically, “You know, just the little things.”

Joel stood with his hands on his hips and you could tell he was thinking. You just hoped that this wouldn't put a damper on your relationship.

“I don't want this to ruin things.” You had tears in your eyes again. “I know my mom will come around eventually..” You hoped anyway.

“I have to figure out where I'm going to stay.”

“I can't believe Cecille just..” you didn't finish the sentence. You swallowed hard and shook your head.

“We have to figure some shit out.”

Your eyes lifted to meet his. You weren't sure what he meant by that but you simply agreed with a quiet, “Yeah.”

“I'm sorry things happened this way with your mother,” Joel said.

“I wish I had just told her.”

“Your old man is going to hate me.”

“She's not going to tell him,” you explained. “I asked if we could talk tonight just me and her. She agreed not to say anything.”

“I should call my brother.. see if I can stay on his couch for the time being.”

There was an extended silence and you finally looked back directly at Joel. It appeared, at least in your mind, that he was almost too scared to approach you.

“I don't want you to leave me,” you said honestly.

When he came and sat down beside you on the edge of the bed, you felt the tiniest hint of relief - even more so when he kissed your temple and put an arm around your shoulders.

“I have no intention of doing that.”

You turned to him and closed your eyes when his hand combed through your hair.

“I don't think I'm even capable of doing that,” Joel added.

“You say that now.”

“I mean it.”

Your eyes reopened when he stopped what he was doing and you looked back at him.

“You might be the one to end it,” he challenged, playfully lifting the corner of his mouth in a barely-there smirk.

“I'm not capable,” you echoed his words. “I'm in love with you.”

Joel brushed your hair back and kissed you on the lips, letting it linger. He let out a breath into your mouth as he parted. “I'm the one who’s done wrong here.”

“How?”

“Pursuing my neighbor’s daughter.”

“Adult daughter.”

“Daughter nonetheless.” He sighed, “I can see how bad this looks to your mom. I'm not even divorced yet. I'm in my forties.”

“I'm going to talk with her.” You let out a deep breath. “This is our relationship. What we do.. is ultimately our business. I'm not sixteen. I'm twenty-three.”

Joel ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah.” He looked around the room and then back to you.

“Don't leave me.” You wondered if you said it enough that it would be programmed in Joel’s brain and he wouldn't.

“Stop saying that.” He looked at you more directly now with a serious stare. “You mean a lot to me, (Y/N). As long as you want to work this out, it'll work out.”

You finally gave in and nodded, feeling more confident about everything after he spoke to you more sternly. “Okay.”

“Okay.” He pulled out his phone. “I have to text Tommy. I'm taking today’s events and assuming I'm uninvited to your parents' picnic.”

“I'm not going-”

“You need to go.”

“Why?”

“Keep the peace,” he told you, “Blowing off the party will only draw the wedge further between you and your mom. Go. Help her. Talk to her. It'll be good for both of you if you're there.”

“You're right,” you agreed with a nod. “Can I call you afterwards? Can I still see you?”

“Yeah.” Joel nodded. “I'll be waiting for your call.”

“Where does Tommy live?”

“In town.”

“Okay, good.” You were relieved to know he was close by.

Joel’s eyes were reading you like a book again and he pulled your body against his, hugging you to him and leaving another chaste kiss on your forehead.

“I'll meet you tonight wherever after you talk to your mom.”

“Fishing spot?” You asked, speaking next to his ear.

Joel pulled back to look at you more directly. He nodded. “Text me the time and I'll be there.”

“Okay.”

The two of you leaned toward one another at the same time and exchanged a short series of kisses. Joel let out a hearty breath through his nose before kissing you a final time.

“Okay,” he echoed.

@mellymbee @pedropascal111 @axshadows @mybritishstyle @untamedheart81 @amyispxnk @goodvibesonly421 @cosmic006533-blog @ashleyfilm @maybetomorrowgirl @rebeccawinters @cuteanimalmama @vickie5446 @writlingerz @drewharrisonwriter @churchofjoemiller

[gallusrostromegalus]

Hinamori can drive? How did that come about? Is she a "must follow all the rules" driver or a "hold on for dear life" driver?

Momo's posting in the living world was in a more rural area and she got started driving her neighbor's tractor for him when he got hurt and she was bored, and then the farm truck and that was FUN on the little mountain roads, so she went and got a driver's license and managed to scrape together enough cash to buy her neighbor's 20 year old P.O.S. compact, and in the span of four months went from "what's a car?" To getting heavily into maybe-not-totally-legal vehicular modifications and earning herself the nickname "Peaches The Freak" on the illicit mountain rally racing circuit for "driving like she can't die".

She didn't actually tell anyone this when she got back to soul society because she was a bit embarrassed to be so enthusiastic about such a niche interest, so nobody finds out about HOW Momo drives until she's in the human world with her boss and her co-lieutenant, and they need to transport a large number of small objects at speed and the most reasonable way to do that is in the back of a car.

"what do you MEAN you don't know how to drive? Momo gapes at Shinji and Hiyori. "You were in the living world for a whole century?!"

"THEY GOT TRAINS EVERYWHERE IT DIDN'T COME UP!" Hiyori shouts. "ITS NOT LIKE YOU KNOW EITHER!"

"No, I do." Explains Momo, getting into the driver's seat of a Subaru old enough to vote. "That's why it's so strange to me."

"SHOTGUN!" Bellowed Hiyori, leaping into the passenger seat. "Okay, it's a little weird that *I* don't know how to drive, I guess, but do you really want mirror image dingus back there out driving on the wrong side of the road, do you?"

"I'm sure he'd get the hang of it eventually!" Said Momo. "Okay, seatbelts everyone! -and gas, mirrors, seat adjustment- who was driving this car, captain Komamura? Okay, check for cops-"

"What's a seatbelt?" Asked Shinji from the backseat.

"-and we're clear!" Momo said, putting her foot down and accelerating at a speed that made the buildings stretch and streak by like they were about to enter hyperspace.

One hour and six minutes later, they reached their destination, having reached a top speed of 193 mph, Hiyori discovering the female version of a terrorboner, and Shinji discovering what it feels like to be a lone sock in the washing machine during the spin cycle.

[stinkylittleanon]

Hello! I wanna make a request

Can you do any character you like X neighbor who's sensitive to loud sounds?

If you don't want to please feel free to ignore xD Thanks!

I saw this request that you sent to someone else /lh /t

Welcome Home x Neighbor who is sensitive to loud noises!

This includes: Julie, Howdy, Wally, and Frank! Can be read as platonic or romantic!

Julie

I imagine Julie can be loud when she's excited, and at first she doesn't even know that she's hurting your ears!

But when you ask her to quiet down, and she asks why, you explain to her that loud sounds can hurt!

She's like "Ooooh! I'm sorry, Neighbor! I'll make sure to be extra extra quiet!"

And then she proceeds to start whispering EVERYTHING and now you can barely hear her

So you have to explain that it's just loud noises, as long as she doesn't get too loud you'll be fine!

She still doesn't get it, but she tries!

Definitely has the hardest time out of the bunch

Frank

Frank has to remind Julie to quiet down, and has the easiest time understanding what you mean.

While it doesn't happen to Frank himself, he knows that Julie has somewhat the same problem and he's learned more about it

You're thankful that he reminds Julie to quiet down when she yells!

"Julie, you're hurting the neighbors ears! Quiet down."

One time things got a bit chaotic on a holiday, and Frank immediately took you outside where it was quiet

You two talks about butterflies! Or any of your interests, of course!

It was sweet, and Frank does his best to help (without admitting it)

Howdy

Obviously has the best hands to cover your ears! Two sets o' them, to be exact!

He's done this before, when things got rowdy and he noticed you looked uncomfortable

He put all four hands on your ears, two on each, and told the others politely to quiet down in his shop

Gave you a good ol' hug after!

"Aww shucks, neighbor! You don't have to thank me, it's the least I could do!"

You don't need to explain it to him, he picks it up quickly after that incident

Gives you some noise-cancelling stuff with a discount! Anything for one of his best customers!

Wally

The first to know, he's always known.

You never have to worry about Wally being loud, his voice is always at the same tone and he's always speaking the same

Will invite you to go out with him when he wants to doodle outside, somewhere quiet! No loud noises to bother either of you!

Barnaby will join as well, here's your Barnaby cameo!

He can't really cover your ears since he's shorter than you, but he'll catch your attention and remind you of the things you bought to help with your sensitivity

"Neighbor, your earplugs." "Neighbor, don't forget your headphones." "Neighbor, let's grab your fidget toy."

The most 'attentive' neighbor to your problem, always notices and always tries to help.

[justagalwhowrites]

This so random, but I love the way you write Joel talking with other people about Beautiful in New in Town.

For example when he’s talking to Tommy about how he’s in love with her but is worried it’s too soon to tell her. I’d love to see more of interactions like this! Him talking to Sarah about her, Tommy being annoyed about how obsessed he is. Him planning the engagement. He’s just so in love ahhhh

OMG Hi Bestie!

Joel is down so bad for her and I love it lol

I keep feeling like Joel is a deeply emotional person who tends toward attachment, he just is so traumatized in the OG timeline he can't let himself do it. So no-trauma Joel ends up being SO IN LOVE. Like he just adores his partner, thinks about her all the time, she is his area of special interest. I love it.

ANYWAY

I hope this is the vibe you wanted!

The Ask

Joel has a question for you. It just requires some planning first. Between the chapters First Thanksgiving and Second New Year in New in Town.

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female Reader (both from New in Town)

Warnings: STRAIGHT FLUFF Y'ALL But in general, 18+ only content, minors DNI

Length: 1.2k

“Over here!” Sarah’s arm went up from the corner of the restaurant, waving Joel over from the entrance. Joel smiled and thanked the hostess before heading for his daughter, trying not to feel nervous. 

He didn’t have a good reason to feel nervous. None of this should come as a surprise and he knew what his daughter was going to say. Probably going to say. 

OK, so he was nervous. 

“Hey old man!” Sarah got up, grinning before wrapping her arms around Joel’s neck. “Good to see you! I love that I only live a few minutes away now, we can just do things like meet up for lunch on a random Saturday…” 

“Me too, Baby Girl,” he smiled, giving her a squeeze. He really did love it. This, he thought, was how it was supposed to be. Sarah, having her own life and own interests but close enough that he could be a part of it. “Settling in OK?” 

“Yeah!” She nodded, sitting back down and sipping her cocktail. “I do really like the apartment, the gym is really nice and either my neighbors are really quiet or there’s actually decent soundproofing.” 

“Well I looked into the construction for a reason, Kiddo,” Joel smiled. “Not gonna let my baby girl move into a shoddy apartment.” 

Sarah laughed and shook her head as the server came over. Joel ordered a beer and the two of them ordered sandwiches even though Joel wasn’t sure he’d be able to eat any of it, the way his stomach was in knots. 

“So,” Sarah asked conspiratorially. “Been a while since I saw just you. Everything OK?” 

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “She’s got a hair appointment today…” 

“You know to tell her she looks good when she gets home, right?” Sarah teased. 

“She always looks good,” Joel smiled as the server put the beer in front of him. He took a long sip of beer, steeling himself before sitting back in his chair, watching his daughter across the table. “But I did want to see you without her here for a reason…” 

“OK…” She frowned a little, sitting forward, leaning on her arms on the table. “What’s up, Dad?” 

Joel looked at his daughter for a moment, marveling at her in a way. Sarah had always amazed him. From the day she was born it seemed like she did nothing but amaze him. But she had grown from an awe-inspiring girl to an incredible woman. She was still so young but had already accomplished so much, all while being uncommonly kind and thoughtful. Everything Joel had now he could only credit to Sarah. 

It’s why this conversation was so intimidating for him. He couldn’t do this without her blessing. 

“I was wondering,” he said slowly. “How you’d feel… if I proposed.” 

Her mouth dropped open for a moment before she clamped both hands over it, an excited squeal slipping through. Joel laughed a little as Sarah stomped her feet excitedly before she smacked both her hands on the table. She took a deep breath and looked like she was fighting to not smile hugely as she looked at him. 

“OK,” she said, excitement obvious in her voice. “OK, let’s talk about it.” 

Joel laughed again, anxiety easing. 

“Course, Baby Girl,” he said. “What do you want to know?” 

“Is this really what you want?” She asked, tone more serious now. “Or is this just what you think you should do? Because I know you grew up going to church and crap but you don’t have to marry someone just because you’re living with them, you know?” 

“I know,” he nodded, smiling a little. “That’s not part of it.” 

“Good,” Sarah said. “That’s good. So… Why?” 

“Because I love her,” Joel said, thinking about how to put how he felt about you into words. “She’s… Besides you, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Wake up every day wonderin’ how the hell I got so lucky that someone like her wants anything to do with me. She’s so kind, the kindest damn person I’ve ever met. She does this thing - it’s like she can read my damn mind - she just knows when I’m having a shit day and she knows exactly how to fix it, she just… she takes care of me. Don’t remember the last time someone did that. And she’s so smart, she’s so damn smart. I see how y’all are friends, you’re both the smartest damn people I’ve ever met… and she’s so funny. We watch those crappy movies and she…” Joel laughed and shook his head, remembering just a few nights earlier. “She says the funniest shit, I swear she’s funnier than the damn movie and she’s just… she’s the most fun I’ve ever had. Doin’ everything with her is better, everything is better when she’s there. I love her more than I thought it was possible to love anyone who wasn’t you and I wanna do everything with her. Everything, for the rest of my life.” 

Joel was quiet for a moment, taking a sip of beer as he watched Sarah from across the table. She was looking back at him, her eyes glistening and his stomach knotted for a second. What if he’d said the wrong thing? As much as he wanted this, he couldn’t do it without Sarah… 

“Oh Dad,” she said, her voice thick. She got up from her chair and came around the table, all but falling on him to hug him, kissing his cheek. He gave her a squeeze before she went back to her seat, drying her eyes on her wrists. “I’m so happy for you. I’m so happy for both of you. I wouldn’t think anyone would be good enough for either of you but, it turned out, you were just perfect for each other and I’m just so happy you found each other.” 

He smiled back, the pinch of tears in his own eyes. 

“Well, you knew it before we did,” he laughed a little. “Have you to thank for it, Baby Girl. All the best things I got in my life I have because of you.” 

She laughed back. 

“You’d have found each other eventually, with or without me,” she said. “You’re meant to be, I’m convinced. I couldn’t be happier that you want to propose, Dad. I couldn’t be happier for either of you.” 

He smiled, looking at his daughter for a moment. She’d grown so much since she was the silly little girl sitting across from him, learning how to drink through a straw or struggling to sit still for more than two minutes at a time. 

Her eyes went wide for a moment and she grabbed the table excitedly. 

“Have you picked a ring yet?” She demanded. “Because I have some thoughts…” 

Joel laughed, taking another drink. 

“I haven’t picked the ring,” he said. “Wasn’t going to take that step until I had your blessing.” 

“Well, you’ve got it!” She said. “Can I go shopping with you? I’m not saying I have great taste in jewelry but… I have great taste in jewelry.” 

He smiled, thinking of getting to spend his life with her and with you, getting to be happy forever. 

“Course you can, Baby Girl,” he said. “Course you can.” 

[romanarose]

Secret's Out

Art by @runa-falls who drew me and marc lolololol

Join my taglist!

Masterlist

Brother Best Friend!Marc Spector x fem!reader

Summary: Marc is your brothers roommate and best friend in college. When you attend the same school, you meet and fall in love with Marc Spector. You both try to keep it a secret, for fear of what he'll say... eventually though, the secret comes out.

Warnings: Brief smut, readers brother drinks alcohol, protected creampie, mentions of oral.

Immersability: Reader is not Jewish, or least knows nothing about holidays as she tries to learn. Picture above does nothing to describe reader, including height, I just thought it was cute and Em let me use it lol. Reader is fem and AFAB

A/N: Although I know no one owns the idea of collage AU's, I think in this fandom it's safe to say that @juneknight is a big inspo for a lot of us writing college au marc. June had said she doesn't mind other people writing college marc but I still wanted to give her credit for it as that series is something I love v v v much and is a fandom fav. If you havn't read any of it, check em out. June is amazing. Als, I feel like i've had similar conversations with people in different discord servers about this concept but I can't remember who or who said what? but y'all know how those convos go, everyone throwing things in. If you feel i ripped of something you said, know it was on accident and i can give you creds as well!

1.5k words

********************

Sex on a dorm bed was hard enough, but Marc insisted he wanted the bed raised so he could fit his mini fridge under there. 

And a pile of fucking junk, but thats neither here nor there. Marc looked like he packed up all his personal belongings into plastic bins. He must live far away, because he never went home, not even over thanksgiving break and he paid the extra money to stay over winter break coming up, citing he was Jewish so he didn’t really need to be home for christmas. But what about new years? And he never felt for Jewish holidays either. You know, because you had been looking into them all in order to properly greet him. 

A few weeks into classes your first year, your older brother introduced you and let you hang around them while you got oriented in your new school. You had told Marc ‘Happy Yom Kippur’ to which he politely smiled and thanked you, only for you to find out later that ‘happy’ wasn’t exactly the right verbiage. So, you did your best to research. It wasn’t until you were intently watching youtube videos on what everything on a passover seder symbolizes that you realized how hard you had fallen for him.

Lucky for you, your interest and effort had endeared you to him just as much. He fought his feelings for a long time. Your brother, AJ, had been his roommate freshman year and all four years since, and there was no goddamn way on this planet he’d let Marc date you, always telling you which guys to stay away from. He was one of those guys, wasn’t he? So he tried his best to avoid you.

Fate had other plans, a normal day where you showed up at their room looking for AJ had ended with you both tumbling into bed, starting a secret little affair. Marc was good at what he did, opening you up with his fingers first and spending so long with his head between your legs you wondered if he was even planning on getting off at all. But he did, oh god he did, blowing his load inside you and you both came with a loud groan that caused the next door neighbors to bang on the adjacent wall telling you to shut the fuck up.

So started your dirty little secret, sneaking fucks in where you could, hooking up in the public bathroom next to the laundry room, quick kisses in unused classrooms. There was one time AJ was supposed to be gone for a 3 hour class, and walked in unceremoniously as Marc was balls deep inside you, the jingle of the keys and the sound of the key in the door only barely giving Marc enough time to throw you under the covers. AJ was quick to realize Marc had a girl in his bed, closing the door. Covering your mouth, Marc slowly began fucking you as he told AJ the come back later, AJ giving him some good-natured ribbing before announcing he would be at the dining hall. You were back on the verge of an orgasm by the time he left the door, the thrill of near getting caught culminating in cumming hard enough you bit Marc’s hand that still covered you.

 It was hard, you wanted to be out. Marc wanted to show you off, to show all the assholes in school how you, YOU were willingly dating him. Prettiest damn thing he’d ever seen. And you, you just wanted everyone to know who you belonged to. You knew Marc had a reputation, and you knew being his girl, you were safe.

Most of all, outside of the public image, you just wanted to be able to be together.

You helped Marc climb back on the bed despite the fit of laughter. After he finished, Marc rolled off you, but seemed to forget you were on a twin bed and promptly fell off. That’s where the bed being raised came in, adding a few feet for him to drop down. You would like to have thought you would have been a concerned girlfriend, but once you saw he didn’t land on his face or anything you couldn’t stop laughing, especially at his grumpy frown. Fucker was funny as shit without trying to be.

When he finally climbed back up, you two cuddled back under the covers and you began to kiss away his frown lines all over his face until they eased in a smile, kissing you back.

“I love you, you know.”

You did. You knew that with your whole heart. “Love you right back, Marc Spector.”

It wasn’t two minuets later when AJ walked in to see you laying on top of Marc, only covered by the blanket, he quickly closes his eyes. 

“GOD DAMMIT! WHAT THE FUCK!” He shouts, Marc quickly pulling the blanket up more and rolling over to cover you with his body. 

“GET OUT!”

“YEAH NO SHIT, SICKOS.”

AJ left, going to the lounge and you knew it was over. He knew it was you. You were shaking, your anxiety through the roof and Marc tried to calm you.

“Shh, baby, it’s okay, it’s gonna be okay, I’ll take the blame-”

“WHY WAS THE DOOR UNLOCKED!” You scream.

“I’m sorry, I forgot!” 

“I WAS ON TOP MARC, IF HE HAD WALKED IN HE WOULD HAVE SEEN ME NAKED! ANYONE COULD H-HAVE WALKED I-I-I-IN!!”

Marc took your face in hands, sitting up and gently coaxing you. “Hey, baby, look at me.” You open your eyes, lost inside his and you knew you were safe. “I’m sorry, I’m really fucking sorry. But you’re safe, it’s going to be okay. I swear. I’ll never forget to lock the door again, I promise.”

Tearful, you express your fears. “I don’t know if there’s going to be a next time.”

Marc’s soft eyes are in contrast to his tense face. “You’re a grown adult, baby. He might not like it, but he can’t stop us.”

“But he’s going to be mad at you! He’s your…”

He chuckled. “My only friend?”

“Your best friend.” You correct.

With a sign, he strokes your face, knowing you both had to go out there and face him soon enough. “You’re worth it, okay? Whatever happens, you’re worth it.”

Overcome with emotions, you tuck your head into Marc’s neck. “It’ll be okay.”

You both got dressed, Marc opening the door to the loud, his body symbolically in front of you. Neither of you thought that there was any chance your brother would hurt you, but it was the gesture and what it meant. Marc would always be your protection.

“J, listen man, I can explain-”

“C’mon dude, all you had to do was text me to stay out so I don’t have to walk in on you fucking my sister.”

Everyone was quite, that wasn’t the response they were expecting. “I wasn’t- we weren’t- we were done,”

You smack Marc’s arm, whispering ‘gross’ and then look to AJ. “So you’re not… mad? You sounded mad…”

“I was mad because it was nasty, I don’t need to see that. I don’t give a fuck what you guys do.”

Marc was hesitant, but you moved out from behind Marc to join at his side. He spoke next. “You don’t care?”

AJ laughed. “I don’t care for her,” He clarified, smiling. “For you.” AJ pushed past both of you and made his way to Marc’s minifridge, stealing a beer.

“What does that mean?” Marc asked, incredulous and only semi-distracted by his roommate's theft. Bigger fish to fry.

“I mean,” AJ finished the beer and handed the can to Marc. “You know she cries every time she watched Revenge of the Sith, right?”

Marc turned to you and you shrug. “They were brothers, Marc!”

AJ continued. “She once cried because she wanted to make pasta but we didn’t have sauce. Like laid down on the kitchen floor and cried.”

“I was hungry and to broke to order food!”

“I offered to drive you to walmart!”

“I was tired!”

“You she bites her toe nails”

Marc jumped back in. “that’s why you’re so flexible”

AJ had enough “DISGUSTING! GET OUT! OUT!” He pushed you both out of the room he claimed you had defiled. “Go be disgusting elsewhere, sickos.” He slammed the door in your face as you laughed, giddy that the secret was out and it went well.

“Well, that was not what I expected?” You wrap your arm around his middle, walking towards the elevator. 

“Yeah… I thought I was about to get decked.”

Just then, you hear your brother scream your name down the hall.

“Y’ALL BETTER GET YOUR GODDAMN NASTY ASS UNDERWEAR OUT O HERE WHAT THE GODDAMN FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!”

Marc turned to you. “You forgot your underwear?”

“I WAS PANICKED!” You defended yourself. “I COULDNT FIND THEM AND IM IN LEGGINGS SO I JUST ASSUMED I WENT COMMANDO.”

Sex was moved to your dorm from then on.

******************************

Sorry this came to me today again and i had to write it.

@fandxmslxt69 @runa-falls @campingwiththecharmings @whatthefishh @k-ra @ivystoryweaver @steven-grants-world @ahookedheroespureheart @littlenosoul @mikaelak @stevenandmarcslove @scarletthefierce @pikapuff-316 @del-ightfulling @missdictatorme

[toooster]

One of a Kind. | Criminal Minds AU| Chapter 5

Summary: I don’t want to write one 😪

Warnings: SA! Rape! Sexist cop! Swearing/cussing! Jackie Santori!

Words: 1.8k

A/n: this chapter is heavily based on that one episode in either the end of season two or start of season 3, (I don’t remember) which is why the warnings are there. Also I think this is the quickest I’ve updated in a while..in the middle of writing this I started crying and had to stop- so that’s why it took longer 😭

The new case was located in a city all too familiar to Aaliyah, the moment Spencer woke her up, her heart started racing.

What if she saw his mother? What if she saw his father? What if she saw his sisters? A million questions flooded into her head, making her heart pound.

Spencer, Derek, Emily, and Aaliyah all went to the victims house while JJ, Hotch, and Rossi went to the precinct.

About 20 minutes passed before Aaliyah noticed they were pulling into the victims neighborhood. Brookdale , why did that sound so familiar?

I stepped out of the SUV with Emily close behind me, the boys had already approached the door, waiting for us to join them.

After about 3 knocks the door opened to reveal a sweet looking older lady, about 75. She looked at me with a shocked expression, almost like she knew who I was.

Morgan started talking to her while I took a minute to scan my surroundings. Then I saw it. The big sign with Joey's face on it, that read "Live Like Joey Santori. #LLJS"

My heart sunk to my toes.

I was currently standing at the neighbor's house of my dead boyfriend's childhood home. "You coming?" Reid asked me as I stood there, almost as if I couldn't move.

I snapped out of it and walked in with Reid, the older woman sat on the couch as Morgan and Emily spoke to her. Every now and then she'd give me a look, like she was begging me to save her from all of this.

I'd give her sympathetic looks and then nod to whatever either of them had said, it continued like that for about 15 minutes before we got back in the car and headed towards the precinct.

As we walked through the doors, the smelled of strong, cheap cologne filled my nostrils. It smelt like high school all over again.

I sat down with one of the officers as we started looking through evidence, "so which one did you sleep with the get here?" He snorted, "excuse me?" I asked with disgust in my tone.

I was hoping I hadn't heard him right. "You heard me, a pretty girl like you doesn't just make her way to the BAU." He responded with another snort. "Ok Kermit, here's what we're not gonna do, make sexist jokes. I'm here because I worked my ass off, that's more than you can say, officer scoller." And with that I walked off.

If I hadn't, I probably would've slammed his head into a wall, what's with men lately I thought to myself. I dread for the day that Avi has to deal with this.

I'd only been in page for a couple hours, yet I was still waiting for the news that we could go home.

So far we knew nothing about our unsub or our victims. We had two 30 year old males, dead, missing their junk and hands. I could already tell this was going to be an interesting case.

"Where do we go from here? We've got nothing, no finger prints, nothin." Scoller huffed. Oh how I wish this unsub would take him too.

"We interview anyone who worked around the time the bodies were dropped, they were dropped in an Alley surrounded by bars, shops, and restaurants. Some had to of seen our unsub." Rossi spoke, "Our unsub is most likely a female, possibly a history of being sexual assaulted or raped." I added, "Why take their penises though?" Another officer asked, "It's a sign." Reid explained, "In cases like this, most women do it to show that they can't hurt anyone anymore."

"Hunt, your from around here right?" Hotch asked as everyone started to dismiss, "Yes, unfortunately." I replied. "Great. Take Reid with you to the crime scene, talk to anyone who might've seen a woman talking up guys." "Got it. Let's go Reid!" I yelled as I grabbed my keys.

The car ride was silent, which was unusual for Reid. He was always yapping about something, but it was a comfortable silence.

"We're here." I told Reid as I opened my car door, revealing cigarette buds all over the asphalt. Ew. I thought to myself as I stepped out of the car.

Reid followed me into a nearby bar, I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I could also hear his heartbeat going a mile a minute, why was he so nervous? I thought.

We walked to the bar, only to be welcomed by the worst sight ever. "Well what a surprise? You finally bring my grandbabies? Oh I hope you didn't bring them in this bar!" Jackie hissed.

"No and no. I'm here for work, so I need you to move." I hissed back at her, "Why can't you ever be kind? Who's this handsome young man? New boy you?" She asked, playing with Reid's tie.

I was quick to ripped it out of her hands, "No. Jackie, leave it. Have a nice day." I said as I pulled Reid by his tie towards the nearest bartender.

"Who was that?" Reid asked me as he smoothed his tie, "don't worry about it." I responded. "Hi. I'm Agent Hunt, this is Dr.Reid," I explained as I flashed my badge, "Was there a woman in your bar, around a week ago?" I asked, "she would've been flirtatious, any man that gave her the light of day she'd talk to. Short or tall, Attractive or not." Reid added.

"That's pretty much every chick that steps into this bar. Most women come here to get laid, so they take anyone." The bartender told us, "She would've been very provocative, even going as far as giving men money." I explained again.

"Now that you say that, there was this one girl. Real petite little thing, only about 4'9? Maybe 115 pounds? Brown hair, green eyes. She was hitting on all of us. I'm not even sure she was 21. She had a stack of cash in her bra, I guess guys found it attractive." "Great thank you. Is the bouncer that was there that night, here?" I asked.

"One sec, Gary! Is Buddy here?" He yelled towards the back of the bar, "Yeah, he's out back smoking a cigar." The man who I presume was Gary responded.

Reid and I went out back to talk to Buddy, only to find a 5'6 man with a bushy beard smoking a cigar. "I thought he'd be bigger.." I whispered to Reid.

"You buddy?" Reid asked, "yes sir. How can I help ya?" "We need to know the name of a girl that was here like Thursday." "Alrighty." he responded, "she was around 4'9, about 115 pounds. She had brown hair and green eyes, very flirty." I said as I read off of Reid's notebook.

"Oh ya! Uh Rosemary..uh Gomez?" He said slightly wary, "thank you." I responded before heading back to the car, Reid close behind.

As soon as the two got in the car Reid called Hotch to let him know what they'd found out. "Good work you two. I'll have Garcia send you and address so you can bring her in." Hotch said as he hung up the phone.

It only took Garcia about 5 minutes to find Rosemary’s address and give it to us.

We pulled up to her house, it was small and cute. Had a cute little welcome sign on the front door, little motivational rocks spread throughout the garden. If she hadn’t cut off a dudes penis I would’ve thought she was the sweetest person ever.

*knock lnock* “Can I help you?” The girl asked, she looked exactly like how they’d described her. “Hi, I’m Dr.Reid, this is Agent Hunt. We’re with the FBI. We need to speak with you.” As soon as it left Reid’s mouth she bolted.

“Damnit!” I yelled as I pushed the door out of my way and took after her, she wasn’t very fast. I tackled her to the ground and threw the handcuffs on her.

“Why’d you have to make it harder than it has to be?” I hissed at her as I yanked her up from the ground.

We headed back to the precinct, as she yelled and cussed us out the whole ride.

When we got back to the precinct I was insistent on interrogating Rosemary, Hotch didn’t like the idea but I felt she’d be more comfortable with a female if my hunch was right.

I started pacing the room as I put my hands on my hip. “You grew up in a single parent home, most likely only your father was present. You often craved male validation due to the fact your father never gave it to you, yet when you get said male validation you start to view the men as objects. Like once was done to you,” I stated, “you were raped or sexually assaulted by a male, most likely older. Any older male you see who reminds you of the man who did this to you, makes your blood boil. Which started the killings, you started getting validation form the killings, cutting off their genitals gave you a since of comfort. Knowing they couldn’t hurt anyone..yet they weren’t the ones who did it to you. Meaning the men or..man who did it to you is either dead or far far away.” I continued on.

She sat in front of me and stared blankly at the wall, she had tears welding in her eyes. Any moment she would break, and I knew that. So I kept going.

“You decided a long time ago not to have children, because the idea of a man..doing that to you again, even with consent made your skin crawl. The meer thought of having a son disgusted you.” I watched as she started to break down.

I had her right where I wanted her, “I’m right, aren’t I?” I asked her. “Stop it!” She yelled as she slammed her fist onto the table, “please just stop!” She begged.

“Is that what those men begged of you while you took away their manhood?” I questioned, she sobbed in front of me. I almost felt bad for her.

“I had to!” She confessed, “they would hurt other girls if I didn’t!” She yelled in between sobs. “They weren’t the ones who did it to you and you knew that! Those were innocent men! I mean killing your rapist I can understand but killing random men who did nothing is sickening.” I spoke with disgust lacing my voice, make sure she could hear it.

And with that I was done, but it was easy. Too easy almost. “Good job Hunt. That was scary, I’ll admit.” Morgan said as he patted me on the back, “what’s wrong?” Emily asked as she walked up behind me.

“I can’t help but feel bad for her..she went through so much. She was trapped in this cycle. She saw every man as her rapist, it was never ending for her.” “Yeah I understand. Unfortunately this is part of the job.” Emily said as she rubbed my back and walked off.

[zenaidamacrouras1]

how did you develop all of the backhoe sisters? and choose which characters to populate the holler with?

I don't know how to answer this in a way that isn't either super brief: chaos, whimsy and serendipity. Or super long and dull, "well then I thought this and then I thought that and in the end...."

Read the below with a grain of sand because this was a few years ago so it blurs together.

But what the hell.

For the sisterss, I wanted 5, I wanted bible names. I wanted one to have autism (Ruth) and one to have adhd (Poppy). I decided to make them all 3 years apart and then took Bucky's age and started subtracting and then had to make a chart of all their ages at all the varioes flashbacks and flashforwards.

I typically think of people in my real life who I find interesting and kind of mash a few together?? I try to give them negative character traits that either me or someone very close to me has, so that I can write that annoying aspect of them with some kind of compassion.

Otherwise they are just annoying.

I didn't fully understand them as kids till I had written the epilogue with them grown. Or at least envisioned it. So I just kinda trust the process and go back and retcon or whatever it's called when it's your own character.

I wanted Becca to be surly and tender and also career driven in a way Bucky wasn't.

I wanted Hannah to be on the cusp of extraordinary but completely awkward and uncertain about it. Peak teenager.

I wanted Ruth to be uncomfortable and never feeling like she fit quite in and also a brilliant and core part of the family. She is a big part of how the family functions, but she can't always see it. I feel so bad for her in her teen years. They are not great. It gets better for her.

I wanted Poppy to be a boisterous, joyful, messy, partially feral child.

Imma be real Sarah is the least fleshed out. Look I got tired. I think she is the most regular of all the siblings which is not a bad thing at all but it is sometimes hard for her. One of them had to be kinda normal I think. Sarah is sharp and well organized and likes thing in her life to be predictable and orderly. She is ambitious and driven about whatever she cares about but somewhat unpredictable in what she decides to care about.

Once I have a straw concept then I just put them in situations and see how they react. I figured people would get them confused as there are so many but I am happy if other people can tell I at least tried to make them not be a generic blur.

..

..

As far as the neighbors, I find it amusing to make Scott Summers a super boring normal guy. He's soooo boring. I mean he's a good person but zzzzzzzz..... I made him a super nice but boring normal person in Unpredictable Synchronicity too. Anyway im Backhoe they needed some nice middle class neighbors and honestly there are like no nice middle class people in the MCU. So Jean and Scott it is!

And Bucky needed another single parent in the holler and there aren't that many parents in the MCU plus I mean Maria is great even if she barely appears. It amused me for them to have this whole parallel romance in the background that Steve is barely paying attention to.

I was digging deep for MCU characters by the end. I went around and around for Ruth's partner she brings to the wedding, and who Sarah would marry.

[ask-shane]

this has already probably been asked, but what's yor opinion on the other bachelors and bachelorettes in town? (you don't have to do ALL of them! just do a few if you want!!)

i'm not one to usually talk aloud about my neighbors, but let's give this a shot. for all intents and purposes.

might as well go through the whole list while we're at it. and hey, just a fair warning: my opinion is always subject to change. i'm just speaking based on what i know for now.

alright. prepare for some blabbing. if you're not interested, there's your cue to bounce.

alex: alex is complicated. he's a little self-absorbed. and arrogant. but he's also not as mean as he seems. he just has this whole "bad boy" image he likes to put on for whatever reason. at his core, i think he's actually a pretty nice guy. we both like gridball and can chat over that so i can't really complain too much. sebastian: i hardly see this guy around. maybe during town festivals or at the saloon playing pool, yeah, but i can count on my fingers the amount of times we've talked one on one. it's possible he's just not much of a talker. i can't figure out if he's reserved or just doesn't have a lot to say. dude's doing his own thing most of the time and that's fine by me. elliott: his speech and outlook on life can come off as kinda pretentious or egotistical, though to be fair... if i were him, i'd be the same way. he's done well for himself. he's a little hard to catch since he never leaves the house, but if you get him talking about books, his passion is pretty admirable. it's just hard to connect with him because he always seems to have this "mysterious elusive writer" image up.

sam: i don't mind this guy, actually. he's my co-worker too which i guess is a good thing. he's laid-back and doesn't sweat the little stuff. super easy going, just wants to chill out and have a good time... we're not close buddies or anything, but from our short break room chats, it's clear he's pretty passionate about music. almost reminds me of myself when i was younger. he's got a good head on his shoulders. harvey: what can i say? he saved my life when i was at my lowest. i've got a lot of respect for the work he does and for taking me in that night. sure, he's dorky, but he's way smarter than i could ever dream of being, so who am i to judge? he's like the dream kid every parent wishes theirs could be. hope the guy's not overworking himself. knowing him though, he probably is... emily: she's one of the closer friends i have in this shitty town. she's been incredibly optimistic for as long as i've known her and normally that'd piss me off, but i actually find her tolerable. maybe it's the way she accepted me and stayed kind even when i was being a piece of shit. i gotta appreciate her for that.

abigail: i know she's pierre's daughter and that's about where my knowledge stops. like sebastian, i hardly ever see her, let alone find a reason to chat. she's a mystery to me. i do wonder if she has any hard feeling towards me, considering my job at joja right across from her dad's store. knowing the trouble that corporation's caused them, i'm not sure i'd forgive me either. hopefully she gets that it's not my call though.

haley: i never thought i'd say this out loud, but she's kind of the stereotype for spoiled city girl. she thinks she's all that and you just get the sense that she thinks she's better than you. she probably sees me as nothing more than dirt beneath her shoes for all i know. although honestly, i think it's just a defense mechanism for some deeper insecurity. i can see right through that.

penny: she's jas's teacher and also the only teacher for the kids in town. that's gotta be a handful. thankfully it seems like she really loves what she does. i have a feeling she just wants to do the right thing, which is hard to find in people these days. she also has to deal with pam's alcoholic instability at home but never gives up or lets herself become hopeless and i admire her for that. good for her.

maru: while i don't know her personally, i know she's accomplished. from what i've seen and heard from her proud dad, they work together on science research projects and whatnot. with a strong support system like hers she's set up for a future making headlines as an astronomer or something like that. she strikes me as someone who struggles to take things easy but that's pretty normal for goal-oriented people. i don't have much to say about her aside from that. leah: she's my neighbor, if you can even call it that. every time i see her art in the town square, i've gotta admit, it gets a nod of approval from me. i try not to knock other people's art, but every now and then i see these abstract pieces going for a million g that make me think i could've made them at home for a buck or two. so i gotta hand it to her. her craft is impressive.

[bringbackgoth]

Reasons why I haven't been online - please ignore our busted ass fence/yard, we work with what we got. This home has been in the fam since the 60s and we're trying to get funding to fix shit.

Dog Behavior Breakdown under the cut for anyone who cares, I'm mostly just analyzing the video for my own education(and encourage anyone to give their own notes)

It's encouraging to see that Daisy has incredible dog-language, and I'm happy to see Scoops is respecting(at some level) what she's broadcasting to him.

In the beginning of the video, you can see that he gets interested in smelling her rear - I believe she's either in heat or coming out of it - she signals to him that she's not okay with that by jumping away. He tries again, so she pivots and offers a play-bow to indicate that she's willing to play but she doesn't want him to keep sniffing her or engaging in breeding behavior.

He appears a bit confused for a moment but then understands what she's saying and play bows back at her, indicating that he's game to just have fun.

In a show of good faith he jumps to the side and bows again, then takes off, encouraging HER to chase HIM.

She chases him for a minute but then stops because she sees the neighbors dogs across the alley, he keeps running because he is acclimatized to those assholes lmao.

Scoops notices that she's stopped chasing and so he kind of stops and circles back, noticing the neighbor dogs are barking - it seems that Daisy is really interested in this and can't shake her focus until Scoops comes back and engages her back into his game of 'chase'.

She happily follows him away from the barking dogs but he's being pushy and wanting to be side-by-side with her.

As they round the tree he maybe puts his mouth against hers, which she does NOT like. She stops and he turns around to see why she isn't still running with him. Daisy is a bit stiff, but Scoops play bows to indicate that 'It's all cool, girl! I didn't mean anything serious!'. She reciprocates the bow, though it's not as confident as it was last time... 'ok, lets keep playing...'

Scoops takes this as a green light to do an Epic Cool Dude Move by trying to jump over her(he loves jumping over other dogs) and they engage back into Daisy chasing Scoops until he tries subtly to turn the tables.

Unfortunately there is a Stick Pile in the way which he crashes into(and which interrupts their rhythm)

Scoops recovers but they get back into a stare off like 'are we still playing?' and despite both of them indicating SEVERAL times that they want to PLAY, Scoops idiot boy brain seems to have switched back to 'stud' mode as he clearly tries to assert himself over Daisy with plans to mount her several times.

Unfortunately for Scoops, Daisy is NOT having it, and is quick to pivot and run, but he keeps trying to insist on it.

I stopped the video so I could yell at him and tell him to cut it out. After the reprimanding, they went back to playing.

[woncon]

Flufftober Day 6

Corn Maze

(but it's actually a corn field)

🎃 yunho x gn!reader

🎃 thanks to @wonsheep for helping me fix my grammar mistakes and for giving me advice how to convert a whole story into another language precisely ❣

🎃 flufftober masterlist | main masterlist

✁- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"No, not that way!"

The cow seemed unconcerned by your protests, craning her neck and taking a step closer to the mysterious field: the cornfield. Abigail had always been picky, sensitive to the soil and the quality of the grass, so you had to pay special attention to find tasty food for her. You herded her where the grass was tender and she could eat in peace. But by this time you'd got so far from the farm that you were brushing the neighbor's property line, the cornfield. And Abigail was intrigued by the prospect of a new delicacy.

"Over my dead body!" You blocked the cow's path. She gave a long, unhappy bellow and tried to go around you. You stepped in front of her again, opened your arms and looked at her defiantly. "You can't trample the crops. Turn around!"

She twirled her ears, the bell tingling in protest around her neck as she tossed her head a little. Her nose nudged you gently, and you knew that even with all your determination, you could not outmatch the strength of a cow that size. You could have easily distracted a calf, but not the macabre Abigail.

Luckily, Yunho showed up to bail you out of your predicament. He was carrying a large canvas sack, his shirt rolled up, the veins in his upper arms bulging. When he noticed you struggling with the cow, he furrowed his brows and smiled, his heart filled with warmth. Here were his favorite things from your dad's farm: you and Abigail.

He whistled. Abigail immediately jerked her head towards him. Yunho always gave her little treats. She wasn't disappointed this time either, the boy reached into the bag and held an apple in his hand. It was ripe, green, and for free. No longer interested in the yellow countryside, Abigail bobbed up to Yunho, accepting the snack, then rubbed her head to his hand gratefully.

"I'm sorry she almost stepped in the produce."

"Don't you usually keep bait with you?"

"I do. I had a small head of cabbage, but she stole it from me." You didn't look Yunho in the eye. So he must have known that your good heart got the better of you, and you gave the food to the begging cow yourself.

"Then it's a good thing my father hired me to bring you supplies."

Yunho's family had only one cow, an old, peaceful animal. They grew plants and traded with the surrounding farms. They provided all kinds of crops for you in return for milk and eggs.

"Yes, very good."

You were on your way back. Abigail clung to Yunho's side, snuggled close to him, watching his every move hopefully. She got another apple.

"How can I ever thank you for your help?"

Yunho laughed. Not because you were being ridiculous, but because you were so kind and innocent that it simply elicited that reaction. If he hadn't laughed, he would have told you how much he liked you.

"Do you insist?"

"Of course. But I don't have a lot of money saved up, so please be chivalrous."

"Money? No, no. Even our fathers don't trade in money."

"What would you like? Do you want a jug of milk? Gladly. As soon as we get back-"

"No, I don’t. My help is a theoretical value, difficult to measure in physical products."

"Then?"

"Kiss me."

You stopped dead in your tracks. For a few moments there was only Abigail's monotonous chewing and the late afternoon wind playing with the grass.

"Excuse me?"

"Here." Yunho pointed at his face.

You must do every task to the best of your ability and be grateful for everything, that's what your father taught you, so you didn't hesitate any longer, you stepped closer, leaned to the tall boy's face and pecked it shyly.

The taste of salty sweat remained on your lips. It wasn't bad. But your heart was beating so hard you thought it would burst out.

"Thank you for helping me."

"You're welcome. Now we're even."

You continued your way back home.

flufftober taglist (send an ask! <3)

@jaeheekangslover

@haechansbbg

[all-pacas]

Why was House stepping on their neck during Teamwork? Is it cause he could see the writing on the wall and wanted to save both of them some time? Why would he bother? Is it because he just likes knowing things the others don't and rubbing their faces in it? Or does genuinely care?

Can it be all of the above, lol

I think a few things are going on.

House wants a team. He's not interested in hiring again; once he has a team he really, really likes sticking with them. We see this in S8, where he spends several episodes talking about how he can't wait for Taub and Chase to come back long before they do. We see it here, with him actively recruiting 13 and Taub along with Chase and Cameron. He has three slots, he wants 13, Taub and…

He absolutely sees the writing on the wall. He helpfully spells it out for Chase: the marriage is over. And House isn't stupid; he knows that once Cameron and Chase split up, he's not getting them both on the team. But he can still get one.

House knows Cameron is on her way out.

HOUSE: Chase is relaxed, at ease, in lockstep with you again. I guess he finally told you that he iced Idi Amin Junior. Does that mean he can break the other nine commandments too? Taking the Lord's name in vain, sure, but coveting thy neighbor's wife? Is she hot? CAMERON: I've forgiven him. HOUSE: Not for murder. Not you. Doesn't matter how evil Dibala was. By every conscience-hugging, Mother Teresa-loving bone in your body, you should be leaving him, not leaving with him.

He doesn't believe her forgiveness act for a second. He's right, both metatextually and just… in general, it is out of character for Cameron to be okay with murder. He says in this scene and others: the marriage is over.

On the face of it, Cameron does seem like the more gettable one; Chase has been happily in his Boundaries Era while she's admitted to having trouble staying away. But on the other hand, he doesn't really try very hard with Cameron. She denies she doesn't forgive Chase; she calls him out for playing games; conversation over.

House moves on to Chase.

HOUSE: She thinks that you don't have anything to feel guilty about, because you didn't kill anybody. I did. She blames me for Dibala's murder, not you. CHASE: You were barely involved in that case. She knows that. HOUSE: But I created the big, bad, evil climate that allowed it to happen. CHASE: You're wrong. HOUSE: Powerful counter-argument. CHASE: Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to screw things up? HOUSE: You got the tense wrong. Things are already screwed up. Which is why you don't just want to work for me, you need to.

First of all, House is 100% right. Cameron is absolutely pinning the responsibility for this onto him. And that alone means Cameron is not gettable; he's not going to be able to recruit her. I'm sure if she decided to stay and Chase left he'd be happy enough to have her, but she won't. It's a done deal. Chase is his only option, so he plants the idea of Cameron not forgiving him in his head. Again, House is right. He has them down pat.

Cameron continues to be angry at and dismissive of House through the episode, and meanwhile Chase is starting to have doubts:

CHASE: You're mad at House, but you're not mad at me. CAMERON: Do you want me to be mad at you? CHASE: You blame House. Not me. CAMERON: I am mad at House because he's an ass. And I am mad at you, but I don't want to leave you. CHASE: What I did may be the worst thing I ever did. It may be the best. I'm either a murderer or a guy who stopped a mass murderer, but I did it. Me. And even if it destroys me, I’d do it again today. CAMERON: You don't mean that. This isn't you.

Cameron just confirmed what House said before, you know? This isn't you. You don't mean this. She's refusing to accept Chase is culpable. It's at this point that Chase asks House to rejoin the team. Cameron has not spoken to House again.

And then we have… the breakup.

CHASE: I told House I want to work for him again. Stay on the team. You were always more into it than I was, more interested in diagnostics. Unless House was right about why you want out.

Cameron doesn't deny it. She goes straight to House and accuses him of poisoning Chase, of killing Dibala.

(btw, it's kind of shitty that Cameron's last real lines on the show were breaking up with House. Like I get it. But oof.)

He does care, actually. House doesn't just fuck with people for the hell of it, you know? He almost always has an ulterior motive. This one is pretty obvious: he wants someone on his team. And based on how he goes recruiting and his attitude in earlier episodes: I think he wants Chase. Don't get me wrong; he'd have been okay with either. He does, in fact, care about Cameron and Chase. But whether it's because he thinks Chase is the easier get or because Chase is his favorite or what*, House seems to try a bit harder to recruit him. He gives Cameron a shot, but that goes nowhere. He gives Chase a couple.

By calling out the flaws in Cameron's logic (namely, that she refuses to actually admit this happened, that she's trying to blame House for it), one of two outcomes are going to happen. Either somehow Chase and Cameron work it out and talk it out and he gets them both (best case in House's mind, I think, but definitely the least likely), or they split up and he gets one of them. After their first conversation, it's pretty fucking clear that Cameron is uninterested and in exactly the denial he thought she was; after their first conversation, it's clear that Chase is uninterested but that he also got in Chase's head: unlike with Cameron, with Chase, House follows up.

I think House also is genuinely concerned about Chase. He helped him cover up the murder and told him to get therapy. He told Chase that Chase did nothing wrong (better a murder than a misdiagnosis — wild). There's also the interesting contrast in this episode: Cameron is avoiding looking at the truth, and Chase is doing his best to face it head on. Which one is gonna appeal more to House?

House does! Actually! Care about his team! This applies to both Chase and Cameron, he's not really picking sides, per se. But he's spent the last few weeks helping Chase out, and he knows that the divorce writing is on the wall — even if Cameron and Chase left together as planned, that solves none of their issues, just delays the inevitable. By rolling a bomb in, House at least gets to keep Chase.

[url-is-url]

At this point this is barely more than a doodle but, alive!Ember headcanons

I hc that she had lots of curly blonde Disney princess hair and big brown eyes and she absolutely hated both of these traits. Her aesthetic would have been somewhere between goth and like, proto-grunge. She's not a fire-themed ghost because she died in a fire, though she did, she's a fire-themed ghost because her other hobby besides music was arson. I imagine her being in high school in the very late 70s to early 80s - she would have died when Jack and Maddie were in undergrad - because that's when Siouxsie and the Banshees were big and her eyeliner is very Siouxsie imo. I also hc that Ann Wilson of Heart was her bi awakening.

My Ember is very, very auDHD. Her special interest is music, but like me she has "hyperfixate on ALL the things!" disease so she's not just into the playing and listening to music, she's also a huge geek about the audio tech side of things, and music history, and she can't be left alone with an instrument or she will try to play it even if she doesn't know how, and she's probably experimented with building her own instruments and recording gear. With her sensory differences, she can hear all sorts of shit that nobody else hears, and depending on the fic I do take this in a supernatural direction; sometimes she hears ghosts and shit even before she becomes a ghost herself.

So we've got a socially awkward child who hears things other kids can't hear and likes to set things on fire because it looks pretty and the crackling sound is a good stim. In the late 70s and early 80s. AKA... right when the Satanic Panic kicks off! I hc that she grew up in one of those judgemental small towns where everybody is all up in everybody's business, and about 60% of the other people in her town were convinced that either A) she was possessed by a demon, B) she straight up was a demon, or C) she was gonna be a serial killer when she grew up.

Enter Ember's biggest defender, her mom, the weirdest church lady. Mama McLain is inspired by two things: my own family history of southern folk magic, and the line in Hadestown that says "you might say [Orpheus] was touched... because he was touched by the gods themselves!". Mama McLain acknowledges that her daughter is a bit touched in the head, but she insists she's touched in the head by God/Jesus/Saint Gabriel, so mind your own biscuits. This is the kind of woman who whips out a dowsing rod when the neighbors need to build a new well, so she never blinked an eye about Ember claiming to be able to hear the trees growing if she held her breath, and if she's still alive she's perfectly aware that Ember is a ghost and keeps in touch with her accordingly. My mental image of Ember's dad is less firm, I imagine he's a long-haul truck driver and also very, very autistic (hence why being alone on the road so much doesn't make him crazy), so he thinks his daughter's eccentricities are Just Fine, Thank You. Father-Daughter Bonding Time consisted of Papa McLain tinkering on his truck while Ember tinkered with her record player and neither of them spoke to each other.

I know that ghost!Ember canonically has green eyes, but for some reason whenever I draw her I want to give her lavender eyes, so I did.

[outeremissary]

13 + 53 for Balthazar?

Thank you Nix! I hope this is coherent I should. Perhaps be in bed. But I was Compelled

[Amorous Asks]

13. Does your OC find other people's love lives interesting - or even compelling - to learn about? Or would they really rather not know?

Balthazar is really not interested in other people's love lives, at least not for their own sakes. He doesn't find other people's relationship drama especially gripping most of the time and he finds people's relationship successes absolutely cloying. One might call him a hater. But all things do have their uses, and there's plenty of information worth having about people's love lives. It's useful to know who is connected to whom and how, what predilections others have, how they interact with others and how that affects their self image, how these relationships are perceived... there's a lot that you can pull out of it. It's useful for building a sense of a person and a social setting. And if you're lucky, you can get things that let you exert some real pressure.

And, on occasion, sometimes people do have situations which are incredibly funny. There are so many ways people are willing to humiliate themselves for love. That, at least, is worth hearing.

53. Has your OC had to unlearn any cultural or societal messages about love and relationships as they have got older? Was this difficult for them?

Hm. I feel like one some level it's impossible for this not to happen to a person, but at the same time... I feel like there must be something I'm missing, but I can't think of anything specific. I think he has been situated from pretty much birth in a way that makes him extremely critical of a lot of messages about love. His mother abandoned him and his father when he was far too young to remember anything about her, and a lot of his childhood was shaped by on the one side his father's conviction that one day she was going to come back and she loved them very much and on the other the pity and mockery of every neighbor who had known her and could say with their own certainty that on no level was that true. He didn't have a lot of positive models of romantic love in his life outside his household either- there were a lot of failed or struggling marriages and unequal or ephemeral relationships out there. There was a concept of "love" as a mutually affirming, uplifting thing out there in fiction, but it seemed so distant from reality that the older he got the more cynical he became about it.

I'm not sure that it's a mainstream idea, but what he really internalized was that love was a kind of dangerous delusion people developed because they couldn't cope with the reality that relationships are just about using each other. And of course, anyone who wanted to make themself such a soft target was just asking to be taken for all they were worth. It's a dog eat dog world out there. On the other hand, people with genuine connections and stable relationships...? Those really did make him genuinely uncomfortable.

I feel like there's no way to write a conclusion here that doesn't sound incredibly cheesy, but like. So much of his arc as a person has wound up being about finding worth in genuine connection and stability with other people so. You know. Love is real and all. And that vulnerability really does have something to offer.