#every day i dip another toe in hellfire

[thatonesongyouretryingtoremember]

FUN games to play with your close ADHD person!

Am I gaslighting you, or is it ACTUALLY your memory problems this time?

(and her twin sister) Is it your memory problems, or am I ACTUALLY gaslighting you this time?

[ecofmaster]

Being back to Making an actually good Clash Royale update every day until Supercell fixes their stupid game

I HAVE RETURNED FROM MY SLUMBER

So I already did a post explaining why I was gone and I'm not doing another sooooooooooooooooo

We're back babyyyyyy

And to celebrate I'm finally dipping my toes into evolutions

Day 31: Evolutions

Hey it's been one month

So I kinda avoided evos for a long time cuz I just hated their very idea. It just didn't fit in Clash in my opinion. But by now with literal midlatter hellfire commencing because of the mega knight Evo, I've accepted that this exists, so, I'm fixing them now!!

Evos are incredibly stupid and should not exist in Clash Royale. But while I don't think any change can make them good, I sure can try to make them better.

Change 1: level locking

So this is something I'm usually very against in Clash because of the grindy nature of this game, but for the purposes of today, I'm assuming my other updates already are in place.

So I think we should lock evos behind lvl 15. I already discussed making lvl 15 so much easier to get so I don't think that's a problem and other than that I just feel like having midlatter evos is so stupid. At the absolute very least lock it at lvl 11 goddammit

Change 2: Shards

Make shards buyable. And I don't mean with money. I honestly don't even give a shit if it's gems, gold, season tokens (well we already have that one but more shards for more tokens) we just need a better way of getting evos because at this point these is so stupid and crazy and a lot of times OP and we need a f2p way to get OP ones just so we aren't at a disadvantage bigger than the Goblin Queen's fat as-

So yeah that's evolutions. I don't want to do evos cuz again I hate that they're in Clash but it's a part of the game I can't ignore forever.

Okay but seriously what is the design for the Goblin Queen-

[moonchildreads]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love❤

aaaaaaa this one's hard!!! i've only written small town so far (which you can read here lol thank you for giving me the chance to shamelessly promote my work losty 🤎) so what i'm gonna do is share my fave five chapters instead!

chapter 3 - tonight she comes - this is when we meet our girlie dot, and it was my first time writing the hellfire club all together in the same room. here's where we start to explore their dynamic as a group and it's full of foreshadowing for things that haven't happened yet 👀

chapter 10 - that's what friends are for - this chapter has everything i love: the hellfire club spending time together, the gentle will they/won't they between eddie and dot, deep conversations with chrissy, dnd, and a lot of bickering. i consider this one to be one my best chapters and it was the longest i'd written at the time! 💕

chapter 13 - you give good love - another entry into one of the chapters i'm most proud of and, again, it includes a lot of the things i love about small town: wayne being a menace, chrissy being eddie's biggest supporter, dot and eddie realising that it isn't them individually vs the world. this was their first big fight, and i had been working on this fic for around a year by the time i posted this specific chapter so it'll always be special to me. got 3/3 laughs with the sponge bit amongst my friends so that's a win to me! 🧽

chapter 15 - don't you want me - the whole sleepover at gareth's will forever be one of the bits i've enjoyed writing the most about this fic. i adore that little gremlin and so much of him (and the rest of hellfire, really) is based on friends i've had throughout the years. there is something so very pure about a platonic friendship (stobin, am i right?) and if chrissy is eddie's steve, i wanted to give dot her very own robin in gareth. this was me officially confirming that both eddie and dot are bi/queer and bonding over rocky horror, which felt important to me as a queer girlie. it's my fic and i can do what i want, lol 💗💜💙

chapter 20 - self control - the moment everyone was waiting for!!! the love confession!!! it was messy, and so uniquely them, you can't take it and give it to anyone else because it's so dot and eddie that there's just no other way around it: if it had to happen, it was going to be like this. other things i loved about this chapter were allowing nancy to dip her toes into dealing with her grief over barb (more on that later lol), the hellfire class of '86 being there for one another, and finally getting to kick andy's bitch ass down!!!! 😈

honourable mention goes to chapter 14 - missing you, which is the mother's day chapter and deals with eddie and dot's mothers who passed away when they were children. i wrote this one while actively mourning someone i'm still thinking about every day and while i will probably be dealing with this for a long time, this chapter helped me purge a lot of my inner demons and helped heal more than i thought it would. it's my love letter to my person who isn't here anymore, and i know that she'd be proud of it because one of the last conversations i got to have with her was about me writing small town, and she was so happy and interested about it.

i'm in the process of writing chapter 23 right now and hopefully i'll get it out this week if i can stop crying at work for more than five minutes lmao. again thank you losty for giving me the opportunity to talk about small town, i love this fic, and i love writing it and talking about it. 🥰

[thefreakymunson]

Hey it's me again here to request another request lol could you do one where Eddie is seeing reader in a bikini for the first and maybe it's a diy kind of bikini like a hellfire club bikini or Corroded Coffin bikini

It was a hot humid sumer day in Hawkins and the group of friends you had decided it was a good idea to go down to the Quarry for a midday dip in the water. You had been waiting for the perfect moment to debut your new bikini – one you had stitched together yourself out of an old Hellfire Club shirt Eddie had given you. There was holes in the bottom of it from years of him picking at the ends nervously and you decided upon inspecting it that it would make a great bikini top with some work.

You had covered up in a baggy t-shirt before Eddie picked you up in his van. He was wearing cut off black jeans and a loose white tank top, hair tied up in a sloppy bun. He leaned over and kissed your lips once you were seated in the passenger seat.

“You sure you’re going to be okay in that shirt? It’s going to be hot,” Eddie frowned, seeing the baggy black shirt that swallowed you whole.

“Yeah. This is just to cover up,” you smirked, “I’ve got an actual bathing suit on under.”

“….lemme see,” Eddie said, looking at you out the corner of his eye as he grinned.

“When we get to the quarry, sure.” You laughed, buckling your seat belt as he took off.

“Fine,” he huffed playfully.

You met the rest of the group there. The girls walked on ahead as the guys carried the coolers and rolled the keg up the hill to the secluded area under the shade trees. Someone started a radio and a joint was passed between the group as Eddie tapped the quarter barrel keg. While he was distracted, you took the time to pull your shirt off over your head before bringing the joint over to him.

While he was bent over, you placed the joint between his lips. He glanced up once at you once, then back down to the keg, and then immediately back up at you.

“Holy shit,” Eddie breathed harshly, plucking the joint from between his lips as he stared at you in disbelief.

“What?” You felt the heat rush to your cheeks at the way he was looking at you.

“Is that my old hellfire shirt?” He asked, biting his bottom lip as he walked closer to you.

His hand reached out, chasing the letters over your chest as he stared at you in a mix of awe and arousal. You nodded and laughed as he full on groped your chest, a similar goofy laugh leaving his mouth as you pressed yourself against him, leaning up and kissing his lips.

“It is,” you nodded, “Look okay?”

“Looks fan-fucking-tastic, baby.” He mumbled.

For the rest of the day, if he wasn’t touching you – everyone knew how clingy Eddie could be when it came to you – you were catching him staring at you with so much love and want in his eyes. It had been a year with him now and every time you caught him staring at you, the two of you’d share a small smile, and then the butterflies would come rushing back in your stomach.

Even after a year, he still made you giddy.

The sun had went down and it was getting chilly but the crowd wasn’t ready to go back home just yet. Eddie must’ve noticed you were shivering because he was gone for a few minutes and then you felt warmth. You looked back to see him draping his leather jacket over your shoulders with a soft smile. He pressed a kiss to your cheek as he wrapped his arms around your waist.

“Can’t wait to get you home,” he muttered in your ear, his hand sliding between your legs. Thankfully it was dark enough out and you were standing in the shadows so no one seen you, “Get you nice and warm all over again, baby.”

You laughed and playfully pushed his hand away as you turned to face him, standing up on your tip toes as you threw your arms around his neck.

“Ya gonna help me get out of this bikini first?” You smirked, tucking a stray strand of wild hair behind his ear.

“Been planning on it all day, baby.” He smirked, “I love it when you wear my clothes...but I love you even more when you’re naked.”

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Do you have any fanficions that are very science-y, if that makes any sense? Like, focused on scientific things, in the writing style or actual experiments incorporated into the story itself? I hope I'm making sense

Hi Nonny!

Ahhh yeah, though a lot of the fics I read have it deep in the fic, lol. BUT!!!! Guess what?? Your ask is the lucky one that spawns a new list I’ve been waiting forever to post the next part for a tonne of new fics, LOL!

As always, gang, if you have a fic more tuned to what Nonny is ACTUALLY looking for, please add them here, LOL. Pt. 1 will have a lot more of what you’re looking for Nonny, since there’s a lot of my FFNet recs on that one, but both lists have great recs!! <3

IT’S AN EXPERIMENT! Pt. 3

See also:

It’s An Experiment!

It’s An Experiment! (Pt. 2)

The Perfect Place by SilverSmile (K+, 1,955 w., 1 Ch. || Humour, Romance, 5 and Ones, Fluff, Experiments, Bed Sharing) – Sherlock attempts to find the perfect place to sleep, but his little experiment proves to be far more difficult than expected.

A Study in Lace by KarlyAnne (E, 2,320 w., 1 Ch. || Est. Rel., Crafty Sherlock, Tiny Lace Panties / Lingerie, Domestics, Experiments, Oral, Masturbation) – “Why do you suppose he was doing that?” “Why do I suppose who was doing what?” “The room. The lace. The secrecy. He was playing with fire in everything he did, and didn’t care one bit. But he had a secret chamber, carefully concealed, solely for the purpose of making lace lingerie. Obviously for personal use. Why?" Part 1 of The Unintentional Crafts of Sherlock Holmes

Insomnia by TheSingingGirl (K+, 2,635 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Humour, Bed Sharing, Sleepy Sherlock) – Sleep is merely the next frontier in what has become the battle to keep Sherlock alive. It's because of this that John ends up in bed with a sociopath.

Undercurrents by entanglednow (E, 2,996 w., 1 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Disturbing Things, Crime Scene Fetish, Pseudo-Necrophilia, PWP, Masturbation) – “There, that's it, perfect, shut your eyes and don't move - and don't speak."

John's Missing Wednesday by PipMer (K+, 2,999 w., 1 Ch. || Pre-Slash, Pre-TSo3, Non-Con Drugged John, Friendship, Experiment) –  "Now John I'd poison. ... Sloppy eater – dead easy. I've given him chemicals and compounds that way, he's never even noticed. He missed a whole Wednesday once, didn't have a clue." – The Sign of Three. This is the story of that missing Wednesday.

Museums and Laboratories by RhododendronPonticum (T, 3,004 w., 1 Ch. || Romance, Angst, Obsessive Sherlock, Anxious Sherlock, Anxiety/Panic Attack, Separation Anxiety, Doctor John, Co-Dependent Sherlock) – If Sherlock's kitchen was his laboratory, then his bedroom was his museum.

Bathroom Accessories by Evenlodes_Friend (E, 3,324 w., 1 Ch. || Sex Toys, Butt Plug, First Kiss / Time, Romance, Horny Sherlock, John’s Patience Wears Thin, Humour, Bottomlock) – John discovers that Sherlock has been playing with some very adult toys in the bath.

After the Bombs by VampirePam (T, 3,337 w., 2 Ch. || THoB AU, Drugs, John’s PTSD, Panic Attack, Nightmares, Caring Sherlock, Cuddles, Bed Sharing, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) – In which the drugs Sherlock used to dose John trigger a severe episode of PTSD. When terrors old and new cause John to fall apart, Sherlock must rectify his mistake and pick up the pieces.

Experiment by Gwen's Blue Box (K+, 4,222 w., 3 Ch. || Non-Con Drugging, Hurt Comfort, Friendship) – Of course John has always known about his flatmate’s irregular sleeping habits, especially when they’re on a case. This time, however, the case is taking longer and longer, and soon John starts to worry. But there’s not much he can do, is there? Because drugging Sherlock isn’t an option. Not yet, maybe, but will it be soon? {{CW: John drugs Sherlock without his consent}}

Survival Strategies for the Domesticated British Butthole by Atiki (E, 6,183 w., 1 Ch. || Crack, Rimming, Anal Sex, Iced Lolly, Hair Removal, Depilation) – In which there’s a rimming disaster, Sherlock depilates his butt, everything goes very, very wrong and groceries are mistreated. This fic contains hair removal creme in a butthole, ice lollies in a butthole and John Watson's penis in a butthole. You have been warned.

My First, My Only, and My Forever by vintagelilacs (E, 6,220 w., 1 Ch. || Post-ASiB, Virgin Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Sherlock’s Bum, John’s Scar, Sherlock POV, Body Worship, Fingering, Bottomlock, Promise of Forever / Proposals, Misunderstanding, First Kiss/Time, Loss of Virginity, Virginity Kink, Seduction) – Sherlock narrowed his eyes. He was missing a vital piece of data, he was sure. John had been looking at him oddly ever since they left Buckingham Palace, and the ensuing incident with Irene Adler had only exacerbated his erratic behaviour. What was it? Why would he care that Sherlock was a virgin? There was nothing reminiscent of mockery or pity in his gaze. And then it hit him. John Watson was aroused.

Time on my hands by Mildredandbobbin (M, 7,179 w., 1 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-S3, One Night Stands, Mutual Pining, Virgin Sherlock, First Time, Sexual Exploration / Discovery, Desperation, Body Worship) – Virginity’s a construct, a concept—what does losing one’s virginity entail for a gay man anyway? Sherlock wants to fill that particular gap in his knowledge but John won’t, can’t, never will assist and there’s only so much desperately unspoken pining even Sherlock can take.

Speak My Language by Itsallfine (T, 7,479 w., 4 Ch. || Thanksgiving, Love Languages, Love Confessions, First Kiss, John Experiments in Sherlock) – When Mrs. Hudson introduces John and Sherlock to the concept of the five love languages, Sherlock descends into a dark mood and John’s curiosity gets the better of him. What is Sherlock’s love language, and why does the whole concept set him so on edge? Part 1 of A Holiday Triptych

Made for You by Raxicoricofallapatorious (K, 8,440 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Sci-Fi, Androids) – When John was shot in the shoulder he was decommissioned and his memory and personality was wiped. Sherlock was given the blank droid and he quickly learns that this droid is more than it seems. John just so happened to come back and no one can fathom how or why. Johnlock if you squint.

Ravish Me by amalnahurriyeh (E, 10,025 w., 1 Ch. || UST / RST, Makeup / Lipstick, Sympathetic Sally, Experiments, Pining John, First Kiss, Face Fucking / BJ’s, Cuddling) – Sherlock is experimenting with patterns of wear on lipstick in daily encounters. John is going to go insane.

You fit me, Sherlock Holmes by orphan_account (G, 10,077 w., 1 Ch. || It’s An Experiment, Bed Sharing, Slow Burn, Fluff and Angst, Idiots in Love, Mutual Pining, Questionable Science) – An unfortunate series of events leads to John accepting being a part of Sherlock's study in physical intimacy. As the days pass by, John realizes he might be in for more than he bargained for. He doesn't entirely mind.

Fucking Cake by Random_Nexus (E, 12,965 w., 1 Ch. || Pre-Slash, Humour/Crack, Inanimate Object Smut, Frottage, “For a Case” / “Experiment”, PWP / Kinky, Mutual Pining, Fluff) – Sherlock brings home a chocolate cake, John finds him about to have sex with said cake, then exceedingly weird hijinx ensue. Part 1 of "Fucking Baked Goods" - Sherlock BBC

Division by MrsNoggin (E, 19,542 w., 11 Ch. || Coffee Shop AU || First Kiss/Time, Fluff, Barista Sherlock, Clingy Sherlock, POV John, John’s Limp, Bed Sharing, Fluff, Sleepy Cuddles, Sensuality, Touching, Virgin Sherlock, Insecure John) – John likes mysteries. And every morning he dips into the local independent coffee bar with his newspaper and ponders another... one Sherlock Holmes.

Hellfire by testosterone_tea (E, 28,596 w., 9 Ch. || Fantasy / Magic / Mages / Elementals AU || Mage Sherlock, Elemental John, Developing Relationship, Torture, Powerful / BAMF John, POV Alternating, Dark / Blood Magic, UST, First Kiss) – Sherlock is a Mage that gets involved with a case involving Dark Summoning rituals, leading him to John Watson, a man with Berserker blood. The only thing is, Berserkers have been extinct for centuries. And of course, nothing involving Mycroft and his interfering ways is ever simple. This time, even Sherlock may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Never Change a Running System by Lorelei_Lee (E, 54,246 w., 18 Ch. || Pre-TRF, Romance, Humour, Drama, Sex Toys, Anal, Rimming, Masturbation, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Public Sex, First Kiss / Time, Virgin Sherlock / Loss of Virginity, Accidental Voyeurism, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Experiments, Naive Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Possessive Sherlock, Straight With an Exception John, Hand Jobs) – Sherlock discovers his sexuality – with far-reaching consequences for John.

Being John Watson-ish by elwinglyre (E, 69,902 w., 17 Ch. || Bodysnatcher AU || Author John, Cranky Sherlock, Angst, Sexual Tension, First Kiss / Time, Falling in Love, BAMF John, Past Soldier John, Feelings, Inside Someone’s Brain, Shy Sherlock, Sherlock Loves John, POV Sherlock, Switchlock, Slow Burn, Internal Dialogue, Mental Turmoil) – When consulting detective Sherlock Holmes steps on one toe too many at a crime scene, he's consigned to a desk job in an archaic office on the seventh-and-a-half floor of the New Scotland Yard. It’s in this bleak office that Sherlock discovers a portal into the mind of renowned author John Watson. Grander than his mind palace, this new wonderland affords Sherlock new vistas of experimentation. To learn more about the mystery behind the portal, Sherlock seeks out and befriends Watson. But then it all goes wrong when others find the secret portal door—including the man whose brain he visits.

Northwest Passage by Kryptaria (E, 95,157 w., 27 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Canadian AU ||  BAMF!John, Canadian John, PTSD, Anal / Oral Sex, Rimming, Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Drug Rehab, Falling in Love, Pining Sherlock, Love Confessions, Sherlock’s Violin, Panic Attacks, Switching, Anxious / Protective Sherlock, Hugs for Comfort, Suicide Mentions, Healing Each Other) – Seven years ago, Captain John Watson of the Canadian Forces Medical Service withdrew from society, seeking a simple, isolated life in the distant northern wilderness of Canada. Though he survives from one day to the next, he doesn't truly live until someone from his dark past calls in a favor and turns his world upside-down with the introduction of Sherlock Holmes." Part 1 of Tales from the Northwest

The Adventure of the Silver Scars by tangledblue (NR [M], 142,458 w., 41 Ch. || S3 Fix-It, Post-HLV/ Post-TAB / Canon Compliant, Case Fic, No Baby, Angst, Humour, UST, Slow Burn, Angry John, Reconciliation, Not Nice Mary / Leaving Mary, Dependent Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Caretaker John, Fist Fights, It’s An Experiment, Virgin Sherlock, Dancing, Drugging, John Whump, Pet Names, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Scars) – It’s been thirteen months since Mary shot Sherlock and John finds he’s still pissed off about it. Sherlock had thought everything was settled: John and Mary, domestic bliss. But when John turns up at Baker Street with suitcases, the world’s only consulting detective might not be prepared for the consequences. A new case. Some old scores to settle. Certain danger. Concertos, waltzes, and whisky.

[kaetastic]

BATHTUB

pairing: Michael Langdon X Reader

summary: After a long night, Michael decides to join you in the water; except this time, he brought a camera.

word count: 1.7k

warning: Vaginal Fingering, Top!Michael, Teasing, Bathtub Fingering, Breast play.

note: I always have the good ideas before sleeping, hence why sleep is the killer of my ideas 😪 Will re-read later + possibly edit it again. I have another Duncan X Michael X Reader smut, but classes are starting tomorrow 😭😔

An exhausted sigh left her lips, eyes shut tight at the droopy feeling as sleep sung like a soft lullaby. The splashes of water caressing her skin felt heavenly. Head resting onto the walls of the tub, she could feel her consciousness ebbing away; draining as her battery charge blinked to rest. The gentle sizzling of the bubbles which reminded her of when she would drip water onto a hot pan floated on the surface of the warm water, seeped into her thoughts, relaxed and calmed, no worries in her head. 

Her hands that were placed onto the cold sides of the bathtub, exposed her skin to the air that was chillier than the temperature of the water she was indulging in. She dipped it in, not bothered to open her eyes as she smiled faintly, the warmth of the water engulfing her used to be shivering arm. Eddying her skin was the water, separated from the air with a sheer layer of bubbles. She focuses on the individual soothing drips of water as she pulls her arm out. She was in her own zen. 

Flickering onto her eyes were the faint illumination given off by the unscented candles (which were quite numerous) she had decided to lit, sat on the counter; the only light source to glow the dark shadows of the bathroom. Her eyes fluttered to an open when a very familiar cologne slipped through her nose, her head turning to face the door that was opened to display the strawberry locks she loved dearly.

“Enjoying, love?” He crossed his arm, pushing all his weight to lean on one of his leg, body resting on the doorframe as he sent his casual, faint smile. The view enticed him, his eyes weren’t shameful to move from her exposed shoulders to her toes that peeked out of the water. She hummed, nodding with a content smile. “Rough day?” She curtly nodded her head, a frown playing on her lips as she remembered how bad the day started; regret seeped in, wishing she could restart the day again. Corners of Michael’s lips curled down, at the shift of change of demeanour; slightly irritated at the memory that played in her head.

Tugging his leather iconic robe off (that he would wear nearly every single day to his workplace), Michael folded it in half, hotdog style and once again. The long cloak now smaller in surface area, he placed it onto the marble counter. The only clothing that covered his chest was his plain black shirt and the silk tie; the colour he described as- red like hellfire. Pulling the tie off, he placed it on the cloak. He unclasped the cuffs that encased his wrist the whole day, he shook his hand, making sure he could still move it.

Noticing the subtle stare she rested on his figure, a smirk played on his lips. Clenching his hand, veins popped out to make an appearance. A barely noticeable gasp escaped her lips, to which she silenced herself by covering with her hand. A faint blush playing on her cheeks. He twirled to face her, taking two steps before kneeling beside the bathtub, “May I join?” Caressing her cheeks with the softest touch, a shiver flew down from her face to her toes- twitching at the coldness of his metal ring. The jewel that was embedded into the accessories mirrored the shine of the candle.

Y/N nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips at his suggestion. He grinned back, displaying his pearly white teeth that twinkled- pushing himself back up, he unbuttoned the top three buttons; exposing a tease of his pale chest. Before halting his finger that was ready to unclasp the fourth, as he remembered something, “I’ll come back, darling,”

He paced out of the bathroom before she could even ask him anything, her mouth pursed into a thin line as she watched his figure fade away into the hallway. She sighed, wiggling her hips to find a colder and more comfortable spot, humming when she found the perfect area. Her arms rested on the sides of the tub, shaking her legs as a catchy melody played in her head. Soft splashing created waves to crash onto the walls.

Michael entered the bathroom once again, this time holding something... quite questionable to bring in such a setting. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, pulling herself to rest her arms to hang off one side- she darted her eyes from the electronic to the man; not able to comprehend to the random object he had brought, “Well, I feel like we should make memories...” He suggested, quirking an eyebrow to her.

“Memories? What? We’re filming porn?” She chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief, the smile that she wore for his amusing joke faded away when she noticed his stoic expression; the air absence of his laughter. His eyes bore into her, not a slight of humour or comedy put into the idea. “Oh...” She bit her bottom lips at the thought, fingers curling onto the walls of the tub.

“I know you want to relax, but trust me,” Michael placed the camera onto his clothing, gently. Wincing at the faint clash between the hard surface and the electronic. Crouching next to the bath, Y/N’s chin rested on her crossed arm, finger tapping onto the tub as his face hovered in front of hers. “This will get it off your mind.”

His soft assurance made Y/N’s stomach flutter with butterflies, “I trust you Michael, but... I’m just-“ Before she could finish her sentence, he cut her off with his thumb caressing her lips that were left gaping open.

“Don’t. There’s no need to doubt yourself,” Michael assured, his warm thumb brushing her bottom lips, pulling it down gently. Which slipped into her warm cavern of a mouth, his eyes trained on his thumb; not moving it away as she continued to swirl her tongue around his finger, the tingly feeling flew from his fingers to his toes. A shudder nearly passing his body. Giving kitten licks on the underside of the thumb, she made sure to have a slow and languid pace. Hollowing her cheeks, she pulled away from the thumb with a ‘pop’. Wearing a proud smile as the bridge of saliva crack, landing onto the tile floor. “Fuck,” Michael groans, pushing himself off the floor, fingers unbuttoning the buttons; sighing in anger when it didn’t work out- his fingers on fire at the friction. Tugging his cotton shirt, the stubborn buttons flew with a clash, it drums onto the ground before resting still.

He was quick to remove the belt but once his eyes landed on the camera, he abandoned the task of tugging the belt off- now focused on starting the electronic up. Biting her bottom lip, she watches as the pants he wore did his legs justice, her eyes trailing down from his exposed shoulders to his butt. Michael smirked, glancing at the mirror to send her a smirk, knowing she was staring at him before continuing to start the Canon G7X.

Finally, he sighed in relief as he flipped the camera so they could see the display of his lover in the bubble bath. Excitement roared in her, somewhat ready for this. Angling it to face down, he smiled proudly when it captured her more- rather than her hair and head. As soon as he was happy with the setup, he tugged all his clothing off, not wanting to waste a second. She watched as he performed a show for her, her eyes stuck to focus on the semi-hard shaft that was suffocated in the confinement of his boxers. He pulled it down, her breathing hitched at the sight of his cock hardening as it was exposed to the air.

His fingers curled around his throbbing shaft, pumping it with a slow pace, his head thrown back as he imagines it was her hands around him. But he had to stop himself or he would have just undone himself there and then. Pressing the record button, the screen flashed, a sign of readying. Y/N shifted to the front as a sharp crash echoed through the room- his luxurious rings making contact with the hard counter; making space for him at the back; she leans her body forward, hair bulging as she feels the soft caress of his skin against her own. 

The warm water hugged the couple, the tip of Michael’s hair, that was curled in the morning untwirled to create soft waves; barely brushing against the water. Erotic moans left her lips with her eyes shut tight from the pleasure rippling throughout her body, biting her lips as she arched her back. His hands cup her breasts, fiddling with the nipples that were erect, displaying into the air, ready for him to indulge in. Swirling the erected but between his fingers, he watched as she writhes under him- but every time she would move, she would rub into his dick that started to harden.

Wrapping his hands around her thighs, he placed each on the sides of the tub, making her leg open- displaying her bubbles covered pussy for the camera. She clenched the tub, head thrown back to rest on his shoulder as he rubbed her folds with his index and middle fingers- spreading it open for the camera. 

A breathless moan left her lips as he slipped in his middle finger into her, with no problem- thanks to the lubrication of the water. He stopped until it reached his knuckles, curling his finger, her eyes rolled to the back of her head as he inserted another digit, adding thickness to before. The palm of his hands rubbed against her clit, she bucked her hips for more friction. He chuckled into her ear, the heat from his breathing warmed her ear. 

Almost like a teasing manner, he didn’t move his fingers, leaving it to be warmed in her; loving the way her walls would clench around his fingers. Only sheer movements of curling to push her to the edge. Her lips smacked, open- ready to utter something but all of it blurred to a clash as he glided a third finger, thrusting into her without warning. His ruthless pace left her breathless, mouth gaped open to let out intermittent gasps as he continued to pump in and out of her, palming her sensitive clit; he wore a smirk as she jerked her hips and grinded against his hand. And with few more thrusts and the strings of his name snapped as the last stroke of his fingers against her wall, she felt herself undone when the spark in her core zapped through her body.

“I need to be in you, now.”

[dentalrecordsmusic]

Off Your Radar - Issue #105: “Shallow Believer” by The Used

Originally published on Off Your Radar (one outstanding album each week, recommended and analyzed by over a dozen music writers and lovers).

Shallow Believer by The Used Released On February 19, 2008 Released By Reprise Records

I met my best friend on September 2, 2009 at Looney Tunes Record Store in West Babylon, NY. I arrived at the store at noon looking forward to watching The Used perform at the small humble shop thinking that I was getting on line early and beating the crowd to the front row. Boy, was I wrong. 

Outside, I was immediately met with a small group of teens around my age who had been sitting outside the shop on line from 7AM. I was hardcore, but I wasn’t that hardcore. I loved The Used, but it never occurred to me that it would be reasonable to show up to a concert 14 hours in advance. At 16, my life was deeply impacted after this very important day. 

For one, I had learned that if you were small and passionate about music, you needed to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to drive to the venue in order to get a good view of the stage. Secondly, I had just met the person who would alter my life on an outrageous scale. The person who I would form bands with, laugh with until my stomach was in knots, and dream, dream, dream. Then dream harder. Her name was Erin Calvert (she also writes for this very newsletter — you may have seen her at the top of this issue). I loved her. 

It’s really easy to make friends with strangers when you’ve been sitting on the sidewalk with them for literally eight hours in the sun discussing the only band playing that night. Art does that. It does not know social awkwardness, nor jealousy, nor faux interest. When you meet another person who loves something as animatedly as you, you already have common ground. My common ground with Erin is, and always has been, The Used. 

Since September 2, 2009, Erin and I have traveled across the north east attending every Used show we had the balls to drive to, adding up to over a couple dozen times (I’ve lost count). Sometimes we were in Connecticut. Other times it was New Jersey. Most of the time it was in New York. No matter where we found ourselves, we were always there as the first ones on line. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 5 AM. Rain, snow, shine — we seriously didn’t give a shit. We were there to see The Used. 

Not long before this, The Used had released Shallow Believer on February 19, 2008, a “compilation” record built on outtakes and B-Sides from the band’s previous three studio records. It was my favorite release by the band thus far in their career. Shallow Believer is indeed a compilation, but it doesn’t play like one. Not once does it feel like it was shuffled about and thrown together — there is a linear progression throughout it that reads more like a romance novel than a series of short stories. 

There was a period of time (which I would argue is still a part of the shtick today) when The Used touted their genre as being “gross-pop.” The band had dipped their toes into the sound during Lies For The Liars era most aggressively (see “Pretty Handsome Awkward,” “With Me Tonight,” “Paralyzed“), but their hearts were still firmly and strongly beating through the post-hardcore, sorta punk rock sound. Shallow Believer is, in my opinion, the definition of gross pop and (if I can so boldly say) the most unique and lovable thing the band has done so far. Erin thought so too as you can tell. 

From the very beginning, we have “Dark Days” which comes in like a lamb, roughs up some wolves, and goes out like a lamb again. It is bright, shiny, and new no matter when you hear it. One thing I’ve always appreciated about The Used is their childlike play with melody, and more especially, vocalist McCracken’s play with his vocal melody. “Dark Days” juggles some of the best of what The Used has to offer with a breath of cool, fresh air. Ending with a mellow piano outro and some crooning from McCracken, it is a gift to the alternative music world. 

“Into My Web” is another stunner laced with impressive timing and control. Attention to detail is peak here, with the number of sound effects and layers in both the vocals and instrumentals and the lyrics are cryptic and Poe-like. According to iTunes, I’ve listened to this song 522 times. I dare you to try and stop me from listening to it again. “See me drop my jaw as you fly like a butterfly…” sighhh, be still, my heart. 

Who can forget how epic and iconic “Choke Me” is? I don’t throw the word “perfect” around much because hardly anything is, but wow. This song (from the self-titled days) is hardcore at its finest. It’s endlessly clever, hilarious, and also terrifying. Branden Steineckert is a man on a mission here on the drums and it’s so exciting to hear him play so well with all this personality. McCracken is literally throwing up at the end of it. I love this song so much. 

I wish I could sit here all day and discuss every song on Shallow Believer, but I can’t. I’m saving room here to talk about how much I love every single millisecond of “The Back Of Your Mouth.” The horns, the performance and theatrics, the jazzy vocal melody and outrageousness of it all; it reminds me of a rolling circus with chainsaws for wheels and a ringleader named Rob McCracken chewing on bones of unidentified animals, shouting obscenities, and leading the chaos into hellfire. His shout into the second chorus, “The back of your mouth,” gives me the chills every time. The horn and vocal interlude is astounding, executed to a degree that I rarely see in music today. 

When I tell people that my favorite band is The Used, I mean it in more ways than I can describe in this one post. It means community, acceptance, vulnerability, daring to dream, and breaking rules to make something beautiful. It also means friendship. It means buying giant plastic balls and filling them with candy, toys, hot chocolate and tea and giving them to each member of the band at the meet-and-greet table after every show, outside every tour bus. To many, it seemed over-the-top to give gifts to bands on the road. To Erin and I, it was the very least we could do to give back to a band that had given us everything to believe in, including ourselves. 

After a plethora of meet-and-greets, photo ops, laughs, shared cigarettes, and breathtaking hugs, The Used have remained our band. We’ve had the fortune of meeting them too many times to count, and that’s only the icing on the cake to the amazing experiences we’ve had related to The Used. Shallow Believer was the spark to my unending, all-encompassing fascination with The Used, and I have that album to thank for my music journalism career, my relationship with my best friend, and my vivid sonic memories. After all these years, it brings me to tears thinking about all of the good times Erin and I have had with this band. The Used is in our bones like marrow, in the back of our throats like pills, and dug into our dirty fingernails. Here, now, eternally.

Catherine Dempsey is an emo kid seeking a hardcore band. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Read the rest of this newsletter’s issue here.