#he just wants the world to revolve around him

[transcendenttransmogrify]

Moomins has become my special interest in the past few weeks.

I don't understand all of these " what are we" posts.. they just love each other.. have you never had a close homoerotic bestfriendship?Where your worlds revolve around one another and they are your favorite person and you are definitely in love with them. But yall cannot be together/don't want to be for some reason.

I also do not like that Snorkmaiden is made out to be jealous and envious of Snufkin and Moomin's dynamic. On the first day of Spring when Moomin fell very ill and Snufkin had not returned (he was always there the first day of Spring) Moomin grew very worried and upset. Snorkmaiden not only comforted Moomin, but saw how badly he needed Snufkin mentally, emotionally and for his physical healing. She set out to tell The Snork that they needed to go on a journey to find Snufkin because Moomin was "pining" for him.. to which The Snork said something shitty and homophobic- but I digress, Snorkmaiden and Moomin very deeply care for one another and it is showcased in incredible, meaningful ways throughout the show. Not hateful nor bitter. Perhaps themes of jealously arise but that would happen in any dynamic. So I don't appreciate that headcanon.

Love is beautiful and bountiful and I think Moomins does an excellent job capturing that feeling and showcasing it.

when i'm in a "what are we" competition and my opponents are these mfs

[muletia]

So. I just read the whole ‘optimus gets minified’ and I have to ask...

May I request one for Pedraking?🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇

— 🩷

𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢���𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐥. 𝟐 ༘⋆✿

predaking, ratchet, smokescreen ↳ all are obsessed with you btw

word count: 1300

you used the word “request” and I am currently not accepting them, but!! I love this concept and couldn’t resist adding two other characters…

Oh, no, he absolutely hates it

Predaking has no idea how this even happened. He went into recharge curled protectively around you, shielding you from the world and sharing his warmth, only to wake up small, confused, and utterly incapable of performing the one task his entire existence revolves around: protecting you

So how is he supposed to stay calm? How is he supposed to keep his cool when he’s defenseless? His strength, height, and power — all his greatest assets — have been stripped away. Without them, he can’t be a worthy mate for you. He wouldn’t dare even call himself that anymore. You don’t need a plushie; you need a strong partner, ready to push away any intruder and eliminate anyone who so much as approaches your love nest. In this form, he can’t offer you any of that. He can’t fulfill a single promise he made to you, which leaves him caught between fury and a crushing sense of inadequacy

But why aren’t you panicking? You look surprised, sure, but not terrified, even though you should be! You’re currently defenseless! What if someone decides to steal you away from him? And why are you cooing like he’s a sparkling and reaching out toward him? Oh, you want to pet him...

He won’t make it easy. Startled by your actions, he’ll jump away from you, insisting he doesn’t need your affection right now and that you should hold off until you figure out a solution to this mess.

But he has to stay by your side. He has to protect you, even in this form. He has to be braver, fiercer, compensating for his lost size with sheer determination. No, he won’t leave you for even a second. He’ll protect you with his entire body if necessary

So he returns to you and tries to block the entrance to your love nest, though at his current size, it’s far from impressive. Standing with his back to you, hawk-eyed and focused on the doorway, he doesn’t notice your hand snaking toward his helm. When it rests there and starts stroking, he freezes

Predaking will still try to resist. He’ll growl and brush off your affections, but with every stroke of your hand, his defiance melts away. Boldness gives way to an overwhelming need to be close to you, and soon there’s nothing left of it as he wags his tail, eagerly demanding more pets

It’ll take a long time before he remembers that he’s supposed to protect you 24/7, fully content to bask in your attention and curl up on your lap. Even your constant comments about how sweet and adorable he is stop bothering him surprisingly fast

Still, he will never accept being miniature. Being spoiled by you is undeniably delightful, but Predaking needs absolute certainty that he can defend you from hostile bots. He’ll keep searching for a way to undo this, but until then, you can enjoy your giant, adorable lap dog <3

If Predaking hates his situation, Ratchet downright loathes it

You’ve never heard so much grumpy complaining as during the size-change incident

How can humans live like this? It’s uncomfortable, impractical, weak. You can’t reach anything, the world feels so enormous. Anyone could step on you (payback for his own words, I guess), and you’re so fragile and delicate

And then there’s your behavior toward him. He doesn’t want to be treated like a sparkling. He doesn’t want your cooing and constant repetition of how adorable he is and how much you want to smother his entire faceplate with kisses (although, deep down in his spark, that’s the one thing he truly craves, as betrayed by a subtle blue blush)

He doesn’t know when you got it into your head that he needs your constant care. He can handle himself and intends to work tirelessly until he finds a way to undo this farce. Sure, he’s five times smaller, but that doesn’t mean he’s lost all his competence. He doesn’t need a nanny — especially one who keeps interrupting his work with comments about how adorable he is

But Ratchet is also a hypocrite because, truthfully, he does need you. The sudden shift in perspective is terrifying. Giants become behemoths; they loom over him, threatening to crush him. It’s easy to feel microscopic and overwhelmed, not hard to spiral into panic and uncertainty as wild thoughts conjure up visions of being stepped on. In those moments, Ratchet needs you by his side. He needs to grab onto the hem of your shirt, to feel that you’re there, that everything is okay. You won’t leave him or let anything harm him

Of course, once the fear subsides and Ratchet feels comfortable again, he reverts to his independent and grumpy self, but he’ll stop trying to push you away. He’ll appreciate your presence, even if he never really wanted you to leave him in the first place

The constant work will exhaust him quickly, especially in such a small and frail form, and then he’ll instinctively seek you out. He’ll choose the perfect moment when no one else is in the base, find you on the couch, and climb onto you, ignoring all your questions and comments. He’s tired, doesn’t know how to fix this, and needs you. Let him at least have a few kliks of napping in arms that surround him with safety

You can even kiss his forehead. After all, it’s only fair to repay all the kisses you’ve received from him, so he can feel for himself just how wonderful they are <3

Oh, and imagine a mini jealous Ratchet. He doesn’t like that you’re spending so much time talking to some young bot when you were supposed to be helping him, so he feels the need to take action and drag you away. But he’s so tiny and not at all intimidating that his “rival” can’t take him seriously... especially when he tugs at your clothes like a grumpy sparkling

Oh, so now he can be with you 24/7? Fantastic!

This entire situation is incredibly convenient for him. Sure, at first, he was a bit terrified and downcast that he couldn’t be the perfect partner for you, but he quickly discovered countless benefits to being minified

First and foremost, he gets to accompany you everywhere. He doesn’t leave your side, becoming your shadow. Even at his normal height, he tried to spend every free moment with you, but as a mini version, he’s with you always

Bathroom breaks? Smokescreen follows you, clutching onto the hem of your shirt (you’ll need to explain to him that just because he can fit in there with you doesn’t mean he should)

Feeling like stretching your legs after sitting too long and showering him with affection? He toddles after you, mimicking your every move

Taking a stroll around the base? Definitely not alone.

He’ll drain your energy before evening comes. Since he’s shrunk down to the size of a sparkling, why not act like one to get what he wants?

Need a break from his constant presence and his unique talent for never shutting up? Well, you’re going to have a huge problem because simply interrupting a cuddling session already spells trouble. Trying to untangle yourself from his limbs while avoiding sharp edges of his armor, Smokescreen sprawls across your torso, pinning you to the couch. And even when small, he’s shockingly heavy, effectively trapping you in place. Now you can continue your cuddling and smooching session

He won’t feel a shred of shame or hesitation in using his charm, either. He knows perfectly well that you find him adorable, so he’ll use his big, puppy-like optics to manipulate you to his advantage — for example, to get another round of being carried in your arms

But the most affectionately unbearable he gets is when you need to leave the base. You can’t leave him alone! What if someone steps on him? Or he gets lost in the hangar? You have to stay by his side (forever) at least until Ratchet can fix him. Smokescreen has no qualms about clinging to your leg if it means keeping you near. And no force will pry him off until you say you’ll stay the night <3

[kaira-diaries]

Release: Request

Warning: (Fluff)(comfort) (brief mention of gun usage)

Word Count: 4k

A/N: okay so I fuckeddd up and didn't post this with the request itself, my bad, so this is me trying to fix that lmao. I loveddddd this request!!!

Request: @fluid-joe : Hi! I really like your writings! Can i request a Frontman x femreader? The prompt idea is kinda like a "hotel room for 2, only 1 bed" type of situation after a long day of work ( the reader is an assistant of the Frontman ). Thanks :)

Masterlist <-

____________________________

It had been one of those days—one that seemed to stretch on forever, dragging every second behind it like a stubborn weight. A day so exhausting, so unrelenting, that all you wanted was to escape. To close the door, shut out the noise of the world, and sink into the kind of silence that wraps around you like a thick, comforting blanket. Your body ached, your mind buzzed with a thousand unresolved thoughts, and the idea of human interaction felt impossibly heavy. You didn't want to speak, to listen, or to even exist in the same space as anyone else. All you craved was stillness, solitude, and a moment to simply breathe.

You'd spent the entire day immersed in a whirlwind of spectacle and scrutiny, sitting through four different games that seemed to blur into one endless cacophony of cheers, whistles, and distant gunshots. In-ho, ever the picture of control and precision, had been laser-focused, his sharp eyes dissecting every move, every interaction, every cog in the intricate machine of this international event. The grandeur of it all was lost on you, though—you were far from home, stranded halfway across the world, juggling the delicate art of serving booze, running errands, and fulfilling every whim and demand he tossed your way.

His orders had been crystal clear this morning, delivered with the kind of authority that left no room for interpretation. "You will stay within my sight at all times" There was no softness in his tone, no trace of flexibility. Why would there be? You were his assistant—his shadow, his tool, his extension—and only his. You bowed to no one else, took orders from no one else. That was the unspoken rule etched into the foundation of your position.

And so, you had followed him through the day like a silent ghost, your presence unnoticed by the crowds but vital to him. Even as your feet throbbed and your patience wore thin, you knew better than to falter. You were there to ensure his needs were met, to anticipate his desires before he voiced them, and to remain firmly anchored at his side. No complaints, no questions—just obedience.

The hotel was nothing short of magnificent, a masterpiece of modern luxury. Towering ceilings adorned with sparkling chandeliers reflected the soft glow of golden lights onto marble floors so polished they could have doubled as mirrors. The air was perfumed with a subtle blend of fresh-cut flowers and something faintly exotic, almost otherworldly. As the two of you stepped through the grand revolving doors, the bustling murmur of the lobby seemed to hush, if only for a moment.

He walked beside you, maskless, as if he owned not just the hotel but the very air within it. His presence demanded attention, though he didn't seek it—his sharp jawline, perfectly sculpted cheekbones, and piercing eyes were enough to turn heads effortlessly. You'd worked for him long enough to know that this reaction was standard, but still, it was hard not to be struck by his sheer perfection. He wasn't just handsome; he was unearthly, immaculate, as though he'd been carved from marble and brought to life.

And yet, for all his physical allure, he remained a mystery. Your conversations were short, clipped, and strictly business, like carefully choreographed exchanges in a dance you hadn't mastered but couldn't afford to stumble in. You knew better than to ask about the man beneath the surface—the life he lived outside of the games, the things that made him tick. Questions like that would have been a breach of the invisible wall he kept firmly in place.

You'd already handled the arrangements earlier that day, securing the room and picking up the key in advance, just as you always did—efficiently, seamlessly, without error. It was a double king-size suite, one of the finest in the hotel, complete with a sprawling balcony that promised a breathtaking view of the city's skyline, now glowing faintly against the encroaching twilight.

Pressed tightly against your chest were three hefty binders stuffed with player information, the edges of the pages worn from frequent use. Their weight was a constant reminder of the day's endless demands. Your shoes echoed sharply against the gleaming marble floor as you hurried toward the elevator, the sound swallowed by the luxurious quiet of the space. When the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, you stepped in beside him, clutching the binders like a lifeline.

He moved with his usual ease, his long, purposeful strides effortlessly carrying him forward, while you, in contrast, struggled to match his pace without breaking into an undignified jog. Your legs burned with the effort, but you said nothing—it wasn't worth the risk of slowing him down or, worse, irritating him.

When you finally reached the suite, you fumbled slightly as you retrieved the key, tapping it against the door's sensor until it blinked green. The door clicked open, and you pushed it inward, stepping across the threshold with a practiced confidence.

The room was beautiful, exactly as you'd expected—sleek modern design, polished floors, and a wall of glass that framed the glittering city skyline like a painting. But your breath hitched as your eyes scanned the suite and landed on the bed. One bed. Just one. And God, was it small. It wasn't the sprawling double king you had meticulously reserved, but a modest queen at best.

You froze for a moment, the binders still clutched in your arms like a shield. The air between you seemed to thicken as you carefully placed the binders down on the nearest surface, your movements stiff and deliberate, as though any sudden motion might make the situation worse. Turning toward him, you swallowed hard, the lump in your throat feeling like a boulder.

"This… this isn't what I had reserved," you stammered, your voice trembling slightly under the weight of his gaze. "I swear, I—"

But the look on his face stopped you cold. His expression was a perfect storm of irritation and restrained disbelief, his sharp features even more cutting in the dim light of the suite. It was the kind of look that silenced any further attempts at explanation. You knew better than to keep talking. Zip it, your mind screamed, and you obeyed, pressing your lips together tightly.

You stood there awkwardly, the tension in the room discernible as his piercing eyes swept over you, then the bed, and back again. Your heart pounded as you waited for him to speak, to issue a command, to say something—but the silence stretched, heavy and unrelenting, leaving you feeling small and exposed.

"It's fine," he said at last, his voice low and steady, though there was a trace of something softer there—resignation, perhaps. "I don't have the energy to make this into a thing."

He strode toward the bed without another glance at you, his movements slower than usual, as though the weight of the day was finally catching up with him. Sitting down, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and letting his head drop for a moment. "We'll survive one night."

You hesitated, the apology on the tip of your tongue, but the way he waved a hand in your direction made you stop. "Just… don't stress about it," he said, his tone carrying an edge of finality. "It's not worth the argument right now."

His exhaustion was evident in the slump of his shoulders, in the way his usual sharp edges seemed dulled for the moment. It wasn’t forgiveness exactly, but it was close enough to leave you rooted in place, unsure how to respond.

------

The silence between you was dense, broken only by the faint hum of the air conditioner and the occasional rustle of sheets. The bed was softer than you’d expected, the covers warm and inviting, but comfort was the last thing you felt. Laying under the heavy blanket, your heart raced despite the stillness of the room. The darkness pressed in around you, save for the faint glow spilling from the cracked bathroom door, a soft, golden light that stretched across the floor and climbed the walls.

You kept your gaze fixed on the ceiling, willing yourself to stay calm. You were telling the truth—this wasn’t your fault. It was an oversight, a mistake by the hotel staff. But no matter how many times you repeated that in your head, you couldn’t shake the nerves coiling tightly in your chest. You’d thought about apologizing again, but the idea of babbling, of stumbling over your words and making yourself look foolish, kept your lips sealed. Silence felt safer, even if it left the air between you unbearably heavy.

As you lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling, a flicker of movement caught your eye. Turning your head slightly, you noticed his shadow cast on the far wall, long and fluid against the faint glow of the bathroom light. He must’ve just stepped out of the shower. You could see the silhouette of him wrapping a towel around his waist, the sharp lines of his shoulders and the curve of his muscles etched in perfect detail. His broad chest tapered into a narrow waist, his movements deliberate and unhurried.

Your breath hitched when his shadow shifted again, his hand dragging through his damp hair. You could almost imagine the droplets of water running down his skin, tracing paths over those impossibly defined contours.

The casual way he pushed his fingers through his hair made the muscles in his arm flex, the movement mesmerizing in its simplicity.

You quickly averted your eyes, heat blooming in your cheeks as you stared back up at the ceiling. The room suddenly felt too warm, the covers too heavy, and you found yourself wishing for sleep to come quickly—to escape the weight of the moment and the unrelenting awareness of his presence just a few feet away.

The light flickered off, plunging the room into near-total darkness, save for the faint glow of the city skyline sneaking through the edges of the curtains. You turned onto your side swiftly, your back to him, not wanting to seem suspicious—as though you’d been caught doing something you shouldn’t. Your heart thudded against your ribs as you pressed your head deeper into the pillow, eyes clamped shut in an effort to feign sleep.

The room was silent save for the soft sounds of his movements. You could hear the muffled thud of footsteps against the carpet, the faint creak of the nightstand drawer, and then the gentle rustle of fabric. Each sound seemed louder in the quiet, every subtle noise pulling your focus as though your senses had heightened just for him.

The bed shifted beneath you as he climbed in, the mattress dipping under his weight. He moved with a surprising care, settling beside you in a way that felt almost cautious. Then you felt it—the nearness of him.

He was close. So close that the warmth of his body seemed to radiate through the covers, threading its way to you. And then there was his breath. Soft, steady, and impossibly near, it brushed against the tip of your nose, warming the skin there. You resisted the urge to shift, to move, to do anything that might reveal how acutely aware you were of the intimate proximity.

“We’ll need to stop by the facility once more tomorrow morning,” he said, his voice low and laced with a tired edge. “You know, say our goodbyes, show gratitude, or whatever the fuck.”

The words caught you off guard, pulling you from the precarious edge of sleep. Your eyes fluttered open, disoriented for half a second before they met his gaze. He was already watching you, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

For a moment, you froze. The weight of his stare was enough to pin you in place, and you were acutely aware of just how close he was. You’d almost forgotten—almost—that reading people wasn’t just a skill of his. It was second nature. He could read the subtlest shift in your body, the tiniest change in your breath, and right now, you felt entirely exposed under his scrutiny.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said, his tone neutral, though his eyes stayed locked on yours as if testing the truth of your reaction.

You swallowed hard, unsure how to respond, the heat from his breath still brushing faintly against your skin. “I wasn’t asleep,” you murmured, though your voice felt too soft, too uncertain.

His lips curved into the barest hint of a smirk, almost imperceptible. “You were trying to be.”

It wasn’t a question. He knew. Of course, he knew.

You shifted onto your back, the movement pulling the covers tighter around you. The soft fabric of your tank top clung to your body, the rise and fall of your chest matching the slow rhythm of your breath. As you shifted, your pendant tilted to the side, its ruby gleaming softly in the dim light.

He noticed it immediately. Without a word, his hand reached out, the fingers of his long, deft hand brushing lightly against the chain before carefully taking hold of the pendant. He turned it between his fingers, his touch deliberate and slow, as if studying it, feeling the coolness of the stone, tracing its edges.

You couldn’t help but watch him, feeling a strange mix of vulnerability and curiosity churn in your stomach. His gaze was fixed on the ruby, and for a fleeting moment, he seemed distant, absorbed in the weight of it.

“It’s a ruby,” you said softly, the words slipping out before you could stop them. “My birthstone.”

He didn’t respond right away, just continued to rub the stone gently between his fingers. There was something in his expression now—a shift, subtle but noticeable. The usual distance, the usual coldness, seemed to have faded slightly, replaced with something more curious, something more... attentive.

For the first time, you wondered if he actually wanted to know, if the stone had sparked something more than just idle interest in him. Something about the way he held the pendant so carefully, almost reverently, felt different from his usual detached demeanor.

You didn’t know why it unsettled you, this sudden change in his behavior. Maybe it was because he hadn’t spoken much about anything personal, not even once in all the time you’d worked together. And now here he was, paying attention to the smallest detail, a shift in his presence that almost felt like an invitation to talk. The air between you seemed charged, like the quiet moment had ripened with the possibility of something more, though you couldn’t tell what.

As he released your necklace, the chain slipping softly through his fingers, you felt an unspoken tension hang in the air between you. You bit your lip, uncertainty swirling inside you like a storm. But then, almost impulsively, you took a deep breath, deciding to take the leap of faith you’d been contemplating for what felt like forever.

“Mind if I ask you something?” The words left your mouth before you could second-guess yourself, and you immediately regretted the way your voice sounded—hesitant, fragile, like a plea for something you weren’t sure you could handle.

For a moment, his gaze flickered to you, and you could see the glint of weariness in his eyes. The usual sharpness that defined his expression softened, but only slightly. You could tell he was tired—exhausted, even—and the weight of the day seemed to hang on his shoulders like an anchor. Still, he met your gaze, his eyes steady, and gave a small nod.

“Sure,” he said, his voice low, though there was a hint of something unreadable beneath the simplicity of the word.

You swallowed, the words feeling heavier now that you had his attention. "Why do you do this," you began, carefully choosing each word. "I mean this business. This life."

It was a question you’d asked yourself in passing many times over the years, but now, with him so close, it felt like a raw, exposed piece of your curiosity—an inquiry into the thing that defined him, the thing that kept him in motion, kept him so relentlessly focused.

The moment you finished speaking, the air between you thickened, a tension invading the space as you waited for his response. You could hear your pulse in your ears, the beat steady but quick, the uncertainty making your breath catch in your chest. Would he answer? Would he brush it off like so many other things? Or would this be different?

His eyes remained locked on you, unreadable. His lips pressed into a thin line as he seemed to weigh the question, considering it in a way you hadn’t expected. The silence stretched, heavy with the weight of his thoughts, and you held your breath, hoping for a glimpse into the man you’d only ever seen from the outside.

He shifted slightly, the tension in the room growing as he processed your question. The usual control, the polished exterior that he wore so effortlessly, seemed to crack just a little—just enough for you to catch a glimpse of something deeper, something far darker. His jaw tightened as he sat up straighter, his gaze narrowing.

"You think I do this because I want to?" His voice was low, rough, like it had been scraped raw. His words were sharp, almost biting, but there was something in his eyes—something chillingly intense. "You think this is a choice? That any of this is a choice?"

He let out a slow, frustrated breath, his gaze flicking away from you, as if searching for the right words, or perhaps for some escape from the question itself. His hand moved, almost unconsciously, to rub at his temple, like the weight of the day had suddenly come crashing down.

"This life—this business—it's a cage," he muttered, his voice carrying a quiet venom. "One you can’t escape. You think you can just walk away from it, but you can’t. Not when you’re in it, not when it’s inside of you. People like me, we don't choose it. It chooses us. It never lets go."

He paused for a long moment, his gaze flickering back to you. There was a flicker of something—pain, maybe, or regret—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. His face hardened once more, the mask snapping back into place.

"That's why. Because there's nothing else. There never was."

The silence that followed his words felt suffocating, as if his truth had hung in the air, thick and inescapable. You could feel the weight of his answer settle between you, and for a moment, the room seemed impossibly small, the distance between you and him suddenly very real.

Your breath caught in youe throat as his words landed, heavy and final. The room felt as if it had shrunk, the space between you thick with the intensity of his response. You didn’t know what you expected, but it certainly wasn’t that—the rawness in his voice, the sharp bitterness laced into each word. It left you unsettled, as though you had touched something fragile, something dangerous, and the moment was far too real.

You sat up, the covers slipping off her shoulders as you pulled your knees toward your chest, your mind racing for something to say. The weight of his words pressed on you, but you knew you couldn’t remain silent—not now.

"That’s... that’s a lot," you murmured, your voice quieter than usual, softened by the unexpected weight of his confession. You weren't sure what you were feeling—sympathy, fear, something else—but the look in his eyes made you want to reach out, to offer something, anything. You couldn’t erase the tension in his voice, couldn’t take back the things he’d just revealed, but you couldn’t ignore it, either.

"I didn’t know," you said, your words tentative but sincere. "I didn’t know it was like that. I didn’t know you felt like that."

Your fingers curled slightly around the edge of the blanket, feeling the cool fabric against your skin as you looked at him, trying to read the deeper layers behind his walls. "I thought..." You trailed off, unsure of what you thought. You wanted to say you thought he had control, that he chose this life, but the words felt wrong now. You could see how damaged he was beneath the surface—how the very thing he tried so hard to hide was eating him alive.

"I don’t know what to say," you admitted, your voice small, vulnerable.

"But... I can’t imagine being in that place. Feeling like you don’t have a choice."

The weight of his silence was crushing, but you refused to back down. You had asked the question, had exposed that curiosity inside you, and now you had to deal with the consequences of it. He wasn’t the kind of man to open up easily, and you understood that.

The room seemed to hold its breath, the silence between you stretching, heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. His gaze softened for just a moment, and you caught it—something raw and fleeting in his eyes that made your heart stir. You couldn’t name it, but it pulled you closer, made you feel something more than just curiosity.

You watched him, his movements slow and deliberate as his hand ran through his damp hair again, but this time there was no mask. He wasn’t the same man who had controlled every conversation, every interaction. This was someone else—a man who was letting go, if only for a moment.

“I didn’t ask for this,” he said quietly, the words rough, like he was speaking a truth he rarely allowed anyone to hear. “But it’s the only thing that keeps me going.”

Your chest tightened as the weight of his confession settled over you. You could see it now, that vulnerability he so desperately kept hidden, the cracks in the armor he wore every day. And though you hadn’t expected it, it made you want to close the distance between you, to reach out and pull him out of that dark place. But you didn’t know how.

Everything between you had shifted, the air filled with something unspoken. You didn’t know if it was the closeness of the moment, or the rawness of his words, but your body moved before your mind could stop it. Slowly, you reached out, your hand trembling slightly as you extended it toward him. The space between you felt so small now, and for the first time in a long while, you didn’t want to let it remain.

His eyes flicked to your hand, and for a moment, everything stopped. Neither of you moved. Then, without a word, he took your hand in his, his fingers warm against yours. The slightest pressure, and the air between you thickened further, the connection undeniable.

You didn’t pull away. You leaned in instead, your face tilting slightly as your gazes met again, this time with an understanding that neither of you had voiced, but both of you felt. The silence seemed to hum with expectation. Without a word, there was a sense of understanding in his eyes, as he he sat up, moving closer, his lips barely grazing yours as his breath faltered.

Then, he kissed you.

It was urgent. Intense. There was no hesitation, no gentleness—just the overwhelming need to connect, to close the space between you that had always felt too wide. His lips were firm against yours, claiming, demanding. His hand found the back of your neck, pulling you even closer, as if he couldn’t get enough of you, as if the distance between you had never existed.

You felt yourself melt into the kiss, everything else fading away. The questions, the doubts, the uncertainty—all of it was forgotten in the heat of the moment. It was just you and him, tangled up in the urgency of the kiss, in the shared, unspoken need to be close, to feel something other than the weight of everything else in your lives.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, nothing else mattered.

[moonberry69]

Not that anyone asked, but here’s my take on Caleb. I am deeply in love with him, your Honor. Yes, I am still married to the fish but Robo Apple will be taking his rightful seat as 2nd husband.

Number 1, can we talk about how spoiled MC was with Caleb? Brat level spoiled. He spoiled her ROTTEN. He treated her like a princess. He doted on her to the absolute max and seemed to love every minute of it. That man did anything and everything she asked him to do and beyond. He bought her everything she wanted and then some. She’s probably never heard the word “no” come out of his mouth when it comes to what she wants. Drying her hair? Cooking her meals? Doing her laundry? Buying her small gifts or snacks? Making her little gifts? Nurturing and comforting her when she’s sick? Being her rock when she’s scared or upset? Doing her homework? Defending her against bullying? Supporting her through anything and everything? There doesn’t seem to be any limit to what he would do for her. His entire life has revolved around her, her feelings, her wants, and her well being, ALWAYS. Its seems like the only thing he really went after for himself was his career as a pilot until joining the Farspace Fleet. And with that, it appears he joined for her safety.

Sure, it could be argued that Caleb did all these things because he wanted her dependent on him. That he used this to be manipulative. If she’s dependent on him, she’ll always need him around. But I don’t think that’s really the case, at least, not entirely. Possibly, but I don’t think so.

I don’t think Caleb’s need to control MC comes from a lack of confidence in her ability to take care of herself, either. He did seem to be perfectly supportive of her becoming a hunter despite how dangerous the job is. Worried yes but supportive. The powerful people he is in league with are probably more than she could handle alone and that could have a lot more to do with his more blatant controlling nature. But, I still don’t think that’s all there is to it when it comes to his “control and protect” antics. We as MC in the story assume that he doesn’t believe in our strength but that’s because he lies about everything and consistently dismisses us when we say we can handle a situation. Our strength and capability are constantly underestimated. He’s done this is the past, as well (his bond memory comes to mind). What else are we supposed to think when he is constantly trying to cage us and asks for us to let him handle everything? I believe Caleb’s dependence on MC plays a huge role in his need to control. She’s his life line. His world doesn’t rotate unless she’s in it. Caleb the man starts and ends with MC. Based on his apartment description, his lack of socializing, etc. he’s been alive but hasn’t been living since the explosion. It would also explain his desperation in her needing his protection during the bond moment (again, just an example). Her losing him is fine. But if he lost her? He wouldn’t be able to bear it. Not having her be a constant in his life is one thing. Him living in a world where she no longer exists is another. He wouldn’t be able to cope.

Caleb is possessive, yes. It’s obvious he always has been based on his Tender Moments and Bond memory but he gave the tether he wanted MC on some slack. That could also be because, as he said, he was holding back. I don’t think his entire reason for being so controlling and possessive is ONLY because he wants her safe and wants her for himself. I think there are layers to it. Caleb is such a complicated character and I love and adore him. He has a lot of moving parts. I have the most overwhelming urge to coddle him and smother him with hugs.

I don’t believe Caleb is obsessed with MC herself, either. Hear me out! I think what Caleb is obsessed with is the need to keep her alive. This goes back to his dependence on her. His need to keep her alive at any cost and out of harm’s way drives him in to being obsessed. I don’t think his obsession is with her. I think he is just a scared, trauma ridden man that is deeply, maddeningly in love with a woman that he has dedicated his entire existence to, who, right now, is in severe, life threatening danger and has been harmed in the past. In that situation, who wouldn’t be a little obsessive?

I also can’t help but wonder if part of his reason for being so adamant about wanting to hide her away is because he has doubts in his own ability to keep her safe, especially now. He seems to be well informed about many of the powers at play behind the scenes of what the plan is for MC. Maybe he doesn’t know the plan itself but he seems to know at least some of the people. Enough of them to be terrified for MC. He may know that when the forces come down on MC to take her, in the end, he’s helpless to defend her. If he was with MC while she was being experimented on, he wouldn’t have been able to do anything to help her or protect her. He was forced to be a bystander and comfort her as he could. If that is the case, then him having doubts about his ability to save and protect her now would make sense.

We just really don’t know what Caleb experienced when he was a kid. I think if we knew more, a lot of Caleb’s “whys” would make total sense. It definitely seems like he was experimented on. Again, it could be that he saw and, possibly, understood what was happening to MC, since he didn’t seem shocked that she didn’t know who he was in one of the flashbacks at Gran’s house. Gran could have told him, of course, what the issue was with MC but based on some other flashbacks we are given, it seems like Caleb was around even before Gran was Gran. Until Infold confirms for us, that’s my theory. Either way, Caleb is clearly deeply traumatized. Whether it be from his own experiences, watching MC experience what she did, a mix of both, or something else, he isn’t well mentally. Throw in what he has gotten himself mixed up with currently and the man is sinking. We do know he’s a test subject now. Currently, it’s safe to assume he is sacrificing himself to protect MC. He wants nothing more than to save her. He wants to protect her peace, even if MC isn’t pleased with his methods. He does seem to hold on to hope that MC will understand. Which, to me, is kind of tragic.

Caleb comes off as if he wants MC to blindly trust him and put her faith in him, like she used to. It seems to throw him off that she doesn’t. He’s a bit naive in this department. MC can’t trust him because she knows he’s deceiving her, among other things. Caleb lies to protect, then asks for blind faith. MC recognizes it and then lies to keep Caleb at bay. They go in circles. Caleb is in vicious cycle of his own creation. MC can’t do what he’s pleading with her to do because of his own actions. He’s trying to fall back on how things used to be. He’s constantly bringing up memories and walks down memory lane. He’s clinging to what they had. The problem is nothing is the way it used to be. He doesn’t seem to be fully ready to accept it, yet. It’s painful to watch.

But, who knows? I could be completely off base and Caleb’s motives aren’t due to any of this and he really is just batshit nuts 🤷🏻‍♀️ Either way, I’ll take him.

[mythicalsymplegma]

As an anthropologist and art historian this historical misrepresentation pisses me off.

So the piece of art that is going around “claiming” to be evidence of the so called “Roman salute” is this one:

Oath of the Horatii

By Jacques-Louis David

Made in 1784

(Currently housed at the Louvre)

All the news sources claiming “Roman salute” are saying that that is the gesture they are making here so it proves Roman’s did it…which is completely ignoring the actual history of the art itself and the reason it was commissioned.

The story in the painting:

According to Wikipedia (I know but i didn’t have time to fully dive down the resources rabbit hole), the story behind this painting revolves around a dispute between Rome and Alba Longa:

The tldr is essentially these three brothers are volunteering to be tribute to fight this small battle to win the war, and they’re just stretching out their arms to reach for their swords their dad holds, in determination.

It is just THAT. The determination to fight for their city, and reaching out to their father, who holds the swords a loft, knowing 2/3rds will die, but they want to fight anyways.

They’re JUST reaching for their swords it’s not that deep.

Additionally the history behind the commission of this piece ISNT EVEN ROMAN.

Jacques-Louis David was fucking French!

Living before and during the French Revolution

Poor guys was just influenced by the times he was living in and the political tentions of the world around him.

The determination to fight, and to stand up for one’s loyalty to one’s country was the boiling water under his feet that caused him to paint this.

It was partly patriotism but mainly the determination to stand up and fight for what you feel is right.

TLDR: It’s not a fucking “Roman salute” that’s utter bullshit. It’s just three guys wanting to get their swords from their dad who’s afraid they’re going to die. It’s also a tad bit of determination from the FRENCH revolution.

Anyone claiming “Roman Salute” is just a Nazi.

Just in case anyone needs a history lesson:

The nazi salute IS the roman salute. Because. They specifically chose to use... the roman salute. To invoke the grandiose and history of the roman empire. Like. That was a specific choice they made when they were creating their empire. They didn't call it a nazi salute. THE NAZIS CALLED IT A ROMAN SALUTE.

They did not happen to create a salute that looks identical. They said "we like the roman salute because the romans created the idea of fascism, so we are going to use it." Fascism, if you didn't know, is derived from the ROMAN word for a symbol called the Fasces. It represents the ultimate power of a single leader over their subjects! I wonder why that would be really appealing for them as a symbol!

They were ALSO taking a little inspiration from us, Americans, because we were also using it in the early part of the 1900s!

Because Americans ALSO liked the whole "connection to the roman empire" part! If you think white people NOW have a boner for the roman empire, you should have seen them a century ago!

Americans, understandably, stopped using it, because we got in a war with the only other people who were using it more than we were and were creating some real fucked-up associations with it: THE NAZIS.

[yandereunsolved]

𐚁 Yandere High Honor Arthur Morgan (RDR2) 𐚁

One misstep in a mission led him into what could only be described as a more torturous cycle of love and abuse than he has ever felt before. Real smart of him to fall head over heels, quite literally, with someone hell-bent on locking him up. And maybe he'd be okay with that if you were the sheriff and he'd get to tease you before making some grandiose escape. But you had to be a bounty hunter—and an annoyingly good one at that.

You just don't give up. But neither does he.

He always manages to slip through your fingers, as your heart has evaded his. You'll get him this time or die trying.

He really could leave you in the dust with his trusty steed if he wanted, but it's cute how hard you try.

He pulls on the reins as he narrowly avoids another tree. Damn forests. Always growing those things.

He sneaks a look back at you so eagerly chasing after him, a deer after another one of its kind. How fortuitous.

He shouts at you, hoping to provoke your wrath, "Aye. What's the phrase? Seventh times the charm?"

He chuckles near lightheartedly, but you only hear a vicious cackle. With a single bullet from one of his twin Schofield revolvers, you feel your horse's legs buckle under you before you get a chance to respond. You swear this man can be in two places at once. By the time you have rolled off, not being able to spare a second to look for injuries, and stood up, Arthur is sitting on his high horse, quite literally, holding the revolver a couple feet from your head.

"Sorry, partner. Seems like you winnin' jus' wasn't in the cards."

You raise your hands from your sides, keeping your fists closed, your small backup slip joint knife in one.

"Seems like you're hiding somethin', darlin', or is this just another one of your tricks?"

You realize you haven't responded to him at all, almost frozen. Damn it. Fuck it all. It's not time for your 'instincts' to kick in. You become disturbingly aware of the metallic copper taste overwhelming your taste buds.

"Come on now!" He gets off his horse, yours having limped off, not rideable in its condition anyhow.

"The big bad bounty hunter who has taken in some of Colm's men gets all shy when in my presence." He gets closer. He seemingly walks with ease, but you can see the tenseness of his muscles, a strange mix of conflicting emotions in his weary eyes.

"Seems you're easier than I thought," his chapped lips murmur into your ear, innuendo woven throughout his tone—unashamed, almost.

Your body goes into the motions before your mind has time to make a calculated decision. You open your slipjoint knife to slit his jugular. A dead bounty is better than a dead bounty hunter. His hand wraps around your wrist, twisting it, causing you to drop the knife. You fall to your knees in pain as his grip tightens, no joy in his eyes from harming you.

"A-Ah, hah... fuck me," you breathily moan out, the adrenaline that's pumping into your veins becoming feckless.

You don't know how willing I am to take you up on that offer.

Arthur shoves you onto the dewy ground. Your knees buckle beneath you as your chest makes itself well acquainted with the dirt. He straddles your hips, the familiar sound of rope moving in his… his rugged hands.

The world threatens to turn black on you, but you stay conscious out of spite.

"You'll rot in hell, Arthur Morgan. Arrested or not," you spit out through gritted teeth, your blood seeping into the earth and the collar of your clothes.

Your body sits somewhere between alert and comatose, trying to find a split moment to make your escape before hogtied.

He chuckles.

"You ain't the first person to tell me that. You are the most attractive," he gruffly huffs out.

His thighs squeeze your sides tighter as he roughly ties your wrists and knots them together. He lingers for a moment, admiring you in this position. But he is a respectable man, well, somewhat respectable. So he keeps an 'appropriate,' appropriate for an outlaw grip, on you as he binds your ankles.

"If I was a worse man, I'd kill you." If I was a better man, I'd let you go.

He makes it a point to show the difference in strength as he connects the bindings of your hands and ankles together. His hands wander to various limbs, holding them down as you begin to struggle, frustrated by how long he's taking. How embarrassing this is.

"Kill me or let me go! You won't do it, though, will you? Inside of that twisted, fucked-up mind of yours, you like me. Maybe I remind you of the innocent souls you've tortured, you sick—"

Your voice is dampened by the sweaty bandana he stuffs in your mouth and ties around the back of your head. You still try to shout, albeit quite muffled, and you're getting light-headed again.

Arthur wants to say, 'God, you look good this way. The things you do to a poor man like me.' But refrains. 'I really am too much of a sick, ugly fuck to expect love from you.'

"You talk too much, dear. This ole' trick should shut you up for a while."

He hoists you up onto his horse, securing you to it. In a last-ditch effort, you try to use the leverage of the horse to nudge the cloth out of your mouth. You get it a little ways out and cause one more uproarious ruckus with your mouth.

"Or I could take your tongue, but I suspect you like it."

You can tell by his tone that he isn't joking. You stop and quiet yourself. You almost want to curl up into yourself, but don't.

"Good job, darling. Seems you're finally leaning how to listen."

He talks to you sweeter than his horse. A shiver runs down your spine as your cheeks heat up, all involuntary, of course. As if it couldn't get any worse, he pats the top of your head, rubbing it as if you needed to be soothed like an animal in distress.

"We'll work on it. Together."

He mounts his filly, instructing her to start galloping. You don't know how long this ride will be or if you'll survive, although you suspect you will—and you'll have to play house or give in to whatever fucked-up fantasies are going on in that mind of his. You're too much of everything at this point. So you lie defeated, hogtied like some common criminal, on the back of the horse that belongs to one of the West's most notorious outlaws.

"I’m a poor, lonesome, cowboy." "Poor, lonesome, cowboy." "Poor, lonesome, cowboy." "Taking my darling back to camp."

[squish--squash]

on the topic of this post I made I also wanna talk about how nii satoru utilizes giving us, the readers, characters' backgrounds as a whole.

So far the characters we've seen flashbacks of/gotten backstories of have been Umemiya, Choji and Togame, Tsubaki, Hiragi and Sako and Kaji, Endo and Takishii, suzuri, and Sugishita (give or take a few more characters).

This might seem like a lot of characters, but the thing is, we're always given these flashbacks and backstories because we need them, or because they parallel to Sakura in one way or another.

Us getting Umemiya's backstory gives us a very big opening into learning WHY he is the way he is and why he does everything the way he does. It reveals to us why he focuses so much on eating with people and gardening, when it wasn't something we might've been wondering in the first place. As such a monumental guide and positive role model for Sakura, learning about Umemiya's past and how those key moments have effected him today allows us to realize just how much growing up Sakura still needs; while Umemiya's seemed to have completed his own journey in a way, Sakura is still leaps and bounds away from completing his own.

Choji and Togame and their history together with Shishitoren gives us more perspectives. With Togame, it gives us reasoning behind why he'd been choosing to act the way he'd been when we first met him, and creates depth by having us learn that he's not just some crazy evil guy who wants to stomp on people just for fun, he's been in agony for years. With Choji, it gives us another perspective on what it might look like for someone to find their way to the top with no further purpose, which is what Sakura's original goal was. He didn't want to be at the top so he could be a leader, he wanted at the top to prove himself and nothing more. With no further goal in mind, he could easily fall into a similar path as what Choji was walking down before the duel with Umemiya.

Tsubaki gives us hindsight and details on his own past and why he's so loyal to Furin and Umemiya, and why he is the way he is, which is important due to the themes surrounding his character involving self-acceptance and identifying with something outside of the norm. Both of those things are important to Sakura, with his unique looks and his overarching story revolving around the acceptance of others and himself. It was a backstory he, as well as us, needed to hear.

Suzuri's story rings similar to Sakura: both had upbrings that scarred them and let them down (as it's implied a LOT that Sakura's own past hasn't been nice to him in the slightest, and has given him below the bare minimum), but while Sakura ultimately chose to join Makochi, and later Furin, Suzuri did not have that grace of choice and instead could only choose what he could, which was leading his own gang through desperate measures. Like Choji, Suzuri's story can be real as a possible parallel to what Sakura could have been, but it also shows as a way to humanize Suzuri, who up until that point we saw as nothing but a mindless enemy.

Kaji's backstory and his mentorship to Sakura is important to us too, because we learn how far Kaji has come himself with the guidance of Hiragi that he uses to then help guide Sakura. It establishes a connection and bond between more of the Wind Breaker characters that makes them feel more fleshed-out and three-dimensional, and gives more depth to the world they live in.

etc etc... I'd add more but this post is getting too long. The point is, we're getting the backstories to our supporting cast and enemies because they build an increased depth to the overall story or increase our perspectives on characters that would otherwise remain flat or just simple. And we only get it when it matters, such as keep moments in the middle of an arc, or at the beginning to help. nii satoru isn't just throwing out information to us all willy-nilly, there's thought and care behind all of this.

This all comes to a head with the question, "why haven't we gotten a certain someone's backstory yet?" and that answer is very, sweetly simple. Because we don't need it. Because Wind Breaker is about him. We're getting backstories of other characters because Wind Breaker ISN'T ABOUT THEM, not as its core. We need backstories from other characters as a way to learn about them and their reasonings/motivations so we have complex and well-rounded characters, but without them needing a novel each, so we get stories that they relay or flashbacks to give us that information without taking a hit to the flow of the plot.

Plus, the series is ongoing. Who's to say we won't get an arc down the line that'll reveal a certain someone's backstory in a very important, key moment that'll make the entire wait worth it?

[coulsons-fullmetal-cellist]

Your Vampire: Chapter One

Fit as a Fiddle

(Max Phillips x f!reader)

Words: 1, 197

Summary: after being dumped by your fiancé, your friend and boss, Max Phillips comes to your rescue. You know his biggest secret…

Warnings: medical procedures mentioned, the worst ex in the world, mild swearing, lots of crying, no y/n, reader has nickname Garland

Check out masterlist here

“We need to talk.” That was what he said before you went into surgery.

It was hard to hear over the fog of anaesthesia lifting away. It was almost like floating underwater, but it wasn’t hard to understand what he was saying.

Yesterday, you were somewhat happily engaged to Jacob with plans to potentially start planning a wedding in the somewhat distant future. Now you didn’t even have a ring on your finger. The crushing pain creeping up your chest was worse than the pain from the surgery was going to be.

Then in walked your boss, Max Phillips with his three-piece suit and a bouquet of flowers.

“Hey Garland, how was surgery?”

You promptly burst into tears.

“He dumped me?”

“He what?”

“He dumped me!” you wailed. “I thought I was imagining it from the drugs wearing off but no, he definitely dumped me. Left a note just to confirm it and took my ring!”

“Did he dump you because you got cancer?”

“He didn’t exactly put it in those words but yes.”

“I always knew he was a prick but damn, that was a serious dick move.”

A fresh wave of tears started running down your face. Max started to hand you his handkerchief but realised the amount of tears and snot protruding from your face so he rethought his strategy. He handed you a nearby box of tissues.

“And I’ve got nowhere to go!” you said after blowing your nose.

“You don’t?”

“I won’t be living with Jacob anymore so now I’m technically homeless. I’ve just had surgery, and I’ve got nowhere to go.”

“Well my dear, I happen to be the solution to all your problems!” you looked up at him in confusion. “I happen to have a spare room.”

You felt like the Wicked Witch of the East in that a house fell on you. So you began to think of your next logical move. Being logical helped in situations where you didn’t want to drown in emotions.

But this only left you numb. You barely remember the change in location. Everything was too much of a blur to notice anything. The only thing you remember is ending up on a couch that must belong to Max watching the screen of what must be Max’s TV. Unsure of what you were watching, but the colours and movement distracted you enough from yourself. If left alone with your thoughts, you would fall into the depth of a sadness so dark, no light would pierce it. Also, you ran out of tissues.

Max noticed this and proceeded to help you out of this darkness.

“I’ve had a very nice bed made up for you. Are you just going to lie there like an adorable couch potato?”

You mumbled something resembling a yes.

Max sighed, unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat on the coffee table so he could face you from your bundle of blankets.

“Seeing as you’re going to wallow in your own misery, you won’t object to what I’m going to say: that pathetic excuse of a human being you call your ex-boyfriend is possibly the biggest prick in the known world. He’s as self-centred as the sun but actually nothing revolves around him. Any objections so far?”

You said nothing so he continued.

“I really should have made a PowerPoint but if it weren’t for you, he would have no chance at a promotion.”

You mumbled something and he leaned in to hear you repeat, “I knew he’d be up for promotion.”

“Well he’s only up for consideration for potential promotion. He made the wrong move in dumping you.”

“I hope it hits him in the face how much he’s messed up,” you said with more conviction.

“There we go! There’s the Garland I used to know. Now come, I have some therapy for you.”

Wrapping the blanket around yourself, you followed Max to see what he had hanging from the spiral staircase.

“You just happen to have a punching bag with Jacob’s face on?”

“Doesn’t everyone have one?” You rolled your eyes as he handed you a bat. Nodding his head towards the punching bag, he said. “Come on, you know you want to.”

You started off just poking the punching bag, it didn’t move. Then you gave it a small whack. That small whack released a tiny bit of anger in you, and it felt good. You gave it another whack. But your stitches were preventing you from releasing your maximum fury, so you put your rage on the photo. You ripped it off the punching bag and continued ripping it.

Max let out an impressed whistle as you ripped the photo with your teeth.

“Bloodthirsty, I like it. Feel better?” he asked.

You spat out the paper, “I’m hungry now.”

“Good, what do you feel like?”

“I have no idea.”

“I’ll heat you up some soup.”

“I’m starving.”

One serving of good food later, you felt somewhat normal. As normal as you could be after surgery and then being dumped by your fiancé post-surgery. The hour suggested it was time for bed, so Max led you to where he assigned your bedroom.

“Really? A four-poster bed?”

“Hey, it’s romantically classy.”

“What type of bed do you have?”

He put a hand on your shoulder, “You need some rest, my dear.”

You were too tired to realise he was avoiding the question. It was actual needing a good night’s rest tiredness, not the drifting through life tiredness. Before you felt like a ghost drifting through existence but now you felt almost human again. Almost like yourself again.

You woke up feeling refreshed and happy. But then the pain across your abdomen reminded you of your current life situation. Instead of burrowing under the high-quality bedding, you got out of bed. It was the first step to recovery.

You took the first proper look at your surroundings. The bedroom you came out of seemed to be the only room that offered any privacy. The rest of the house was open plan. The high ceilings hinted the building was much older than its modern furnishings. A spiral staircase led up to a small loft, but you didn’t need to climb up to know this was not where Max slumbered. The only other option was the only other door. You found it led to the basement. You didn’t feel the coldness of the stone steps in your fluffy sock covered feet.

As you slowly descended, you took note of the stonework mixed with modern patchwork to fill in the holes. A solid glass floor preserved the stone floor giving off a peaceful but ominous feeling.

The basement looked like a typical basement for a typical business guy. The gym equipment was so typical it was funny. What wasn’t typical or normal in any way was the door in the floor.

It didn’t look like a trapdoor, just an odd quirk made by the architect. As you pondered the strange design, the door opened.

Out emerged Max Phillips as if from a slumber.

The two of you stared at each other for an awkward moment.

“So, I’m a vampire,” he said.

“Yeah, I know.”

Lovingly tagging @chaithetics @cevans-is-classic @galaxyedging @letsgobarbs @peepawispunk @missladym1981 @kirsteng42 @o-sacra-virgo-laudes-tibi @ericamarie093 @yorksgirl

[gnstay]

Muse

Summary: The Salesman and his perfect wife. Her charm. Driven by obsession and love, they use Y/N’s beauty as a tool to navigate their dark mission, bound by loyalty and ambition.

Warnings: Psychological manipulation, dark themes, emotional distress, violence (implied), fluff (?) etc!

Characters: The Sales Man x F! Reader *Y/n*

Now Playing… Angel - Massive Attack

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The subway platform hummed faintly with the sound of trains coming and going, the air heavy with the metallic tang of the underground. The Salesman, dressed in his black suit, sat on a bench, casually shuffling a stack of ddakji cards in his hand. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes darted across the sea of commuters, searching for that look of desperation.

Beside him stood Y/N, his wife. She wasn’t just beautiful; she was magnetic, a force of nature wrapped in elegance. Her siren-shaped eyes scanned the crowd with an almost predatory look, yet there was warmth in her expression—a warmth designed to sooth. She wore a tailored black double-breasted blazer dress with pleated detailing at the skirt. It is paired with thigh-high black stockings and black platform heels, creating a sleek and commanding look. A leather expensive bag hanging from her shoulder. The glow from the subway lights reflected off her flawless skin, and every small gesture—adjusting her coat, brushing a strand of hair from her face—seemed effortlessly captivating.

The Salesman’s hand paused mid-shuffle as he stole a glance at her. He did this often, watching her like she was the most precious thing in the world. She wasn’t just his wife; she was his obsession, his reason for everything.

He leaned closer, his voice low and tender. “You’ve outdone yourself tonight, love. You look… beautiful.”

She smirked, not looking at him but instead scanning the platform. “Flattery doesn’t get us any closer to finding the right one, hun.”

It’s not flattery if it’s true, he murmured, his tone adoring. “You could stop every train on this line with just a smile. How lucky am I to have you all to myself?”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but a faint blush crept up her cheeks. “Focus,” she said, though her voice softened.

“That one,” she said suddenly, nodding toward a man in a rumpled suit. His shoulders were slumped, his tie ripped, and his shoes were scuffed. He sat on a bench a few feet away, his head in his hands as though he carried the weight of the world on his back.

The Salesman followed her gaze and smiled. “You always know, don’t you? It’s like a sixth sense.”

“I’ve had a good teacher,” she replied, glancing at him.

“No, Y/N,” he said, his tone suddenly serious. “You’re the teacher. I’m just your devoted student.”

She gave him a sidelong look, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Is that so?”

“I don’t know how I ever lived before you,” he admitted, his voice almost a whisper. “And I don’t ever want to find out.”

Y/N paused for a moment, her sharp focus flickering as she looked at him. There was something both endearing and unsettling about his intensity, the way his entire world seemed to revolve around her. But she thrived on it.

“Then let’s not waste time,” she said, her voice smooth and confident.

Y/N approached the man first, her movements slow and deliberate. She lowered herself onto the bench beside him, angling her body just enough to draw his attention. “You look like you’ve had a rough day,” she said gently, her voice soothed his nerves.

The man looked up, startled, his tired eyes meeting hers. “Uh… yeah,” he muttered, his voice hoarse. “You could say that.”

Y/N tilted her head, her dark hair falling gracefully over one shoulder. “Sometimes it feels like the world is working against you, doesn’t it?”

The man hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Feels like that all the time.”

Her hand dipped into her bag, pulling out a neatly wrapped sandwich. “Here. You look like you could use this.”

The man stared at the offering, his hunger betraying his hesitation. He accepted it slowly. “Thanks.”

As he unwrapped the sandwich, the Salesman approached, his ddakji cards in hand and a warm smile on his face. He didn’t sit right away, instead standing in front of the man, towering just slightly but without menace. “My wife has a habit of helping people,” he said with a chuckle. “I hope she’s not bothering you.”

The man shook his head, chewing a bite of the sandwich. “No. She’s… kind.”

“She’s perfect,” the Salesman said without hesitation, his eyes lingering on Y/N. “I’m just lucky she keeps me around.”

Y/N shot him a look, a mixture of affection and amusement, but said nothing.

The Salesman sat down on the man’s other side, flipping a ddakji card between his fingers. “You know, sometimes life feels like a game, doesn’t it? Full of chances, risks, and rewards.” He held the card up. “Care to play one? A simple game, nothing too serious.”

The man frowned, his suspicion returning. “What kind of game?”

Y/N leaned forward, her voice soft and enticing. “A chance to change everything. One decision. That’s all it takes.”

The man hesitated, his hands fidgeting with the sandwich wrapper. Y/N’s gaze stayed on him, her expression warm yet commanding, as though willing him to comply.

“I don’t have anything to bet,” the man said finally.

“Your time,” the Salesman replied smoothly. “That’s all I need. And if you win, you’ll get something far more valuable in return.”

The man’s curiosity won out, as it always did. “Alright. Let’s do it.”

The Salesman grinned, setting the game in motion. The sharp slap of the ddakji cards echoed across the platform. The man was clumsy at first, but as the Salesman encouraged him, his confidence grew. Y/N watched quietly, her eyes flicking between the cards and the man’s face, reading him like an open book.

When the man finally won, the Salesman handed him the invitation, its gold lettering gleaming under the fluorescent lights.

“Congratulations,” the Salesman said, his voice warm. “You’ve earned a chance to change your life.”

The man stared at the invitation, his hands trembling. “What… what is this?”

“An opportunity,” Y/N said, her voice as smooth as silk. “Follow the instructions, and everything will make sense.”

As they walked away, Y/N reached for her husband’s arm, holding onto him with affection. “You’re incredible,” he said softly.

“You’ve told me that a hundred times today,” Y/N replied, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

“Because it’s true,” he insisted, stopping to pull her close. “Everything I do, every move I make, it’s all for you. You’re my beginning and my end, Y/N. My only reason.”

Y/N’s smile faltered slightly, the weight of his devotion pressing against her. But she nodded, her voice firm. “And I’ll always stand by you. No matter what.”

They were bound together by love, ambition, and an obsession that no one—not even themselves—could escape. She was his muse.

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TikTok: @gnstay

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[fluffydice]

In all seriousness I think Saiki is a really good example of a person who is passively suicidal in a relatively normal setting. Especially someone who’s young and growing up under poor circumstances (his powers, etc.) Obviously people don’t actually have psychic powers, but a big thing about the media is that at the end of the day, Saiki is really just a normal kid. Having a show where the main character is depressed, yet this isn’t the main focus of the plot or his character, makes it one of the best representations of clinical depression for me personally.

[the-casbah-way]

to me the most insane thing about the thick of it fandom is the fact that everyone seems convinced that malcolm tucker is a) some kind of untouchable sherlock holmes type genius and b) an all-round sweet caring guy who only ever does bad or dubious things for purely good or logical reasons. we are not watching the same show, it would seem

[phasewashere]

i need to write vdm

[ravencromwell]

The poem evokes human greatness and human vulnerability. People are “godlike” in their courage and skill, but even the greatest mortals fall and clutch the dust between their bloody fingers. The beautiful word minunthadios , “short-lived,” is used of both Achilles and Hector, and applies to all of us. We die too soon, and there is no adequate recompense for the terrible, inevitable loss of life. Yet through poetry, the words, actions, and feelings of some long-ago brief lives may be remembered even three thousand years later.

--Emily Wilson's introduction to the Iliad

[good--merits-accumulated]

i fear i am endlessly predictable (writing new dps au which is once again fantasy with Arthurian elements)

[limielle]

nothing makes me more mad than when david gaider tweets lmfaoooo

[lloydfrontera]

i just realized how delightfully ironic it is that javilon rebelled because he thought it was shameful for the king and adeline to grant rakiel's request when just a few weeks later javilon will be fully enamored of him. completely gone for the man. like. yeah babe adeline had to live in his court for a couple weeks but you're gonna kneel at his feet and beg him to stroke your hair. you are not the same lmao