#hoab

[annafayeink]

Hope on a Bullet

summary: After assassinating a corrupt CEO, a man on the run turns to an unlikely ally—the girl who worked at the hostel he stayed at before the crime. When the fallout from the investigation costs her everything, she reluctantly lets him crash for one night. But as danger closes in and trust turns into something deeper, they’re forced to navigate a fragile bond built on secrets, loss, and the lingering shadow of violence. How far can hope go when it’s built on the edge of a bullet?

warnings & tags: slow burn, eventual smut, multiple pov, hurt/comfort, chronic pain (and dealing with it)

Chapter Three

Gabriella leans on the counter, elbows pressing into the dark marble as her thumb scrolls lazily through her phone. It's nearly midnight, but the hostel isn't quite asleep yet. The muffled sound of laughter drifts from the common room upstairs, accompanied by the occasional crack of pool balls colliding with each other and landing in pockets. The rhythm is familiar, almost soothing, a reminder that even at this hour, life doesn't entirely pause.

Late shifts don't bother her much. Fewer people usually means fewer issues. Still, the electric buzz of the neon lights hanging on the walls grates on her nerves, and the cloying lemon scent of air freshener permeating the lobby always manages to irritate her sinuses. It's a deadly combo.

She exhales slowly, trying not to think about the fact that her shift won't end for another two hours.

Then the bell above the door chimes, cutting through her haze of boredom. Her eyes flicker to the new arrival—a figure bundled in a heavy jacket, hood up, and a cotton mask snug over their face.

“Cold out there, huh?” she asks flatly, more out of habit and politeness than any real interest. It's automatic, a reflex born of too many shifts making small talk with travelers who never stay too long. Her thumb continues its lazy scroll through a thread about the best ways to revive a dying monstera plant.

“Freezing,” comes the reply. “But seeing you is already warming me up.”

The voice has a hint of charm, like it belongs to someone who knows how to disarm a room without even trying. The playfulness in the tone makes her pause and glance up.

The man approaching the counter moves with an easy confidence, hands stuffed into his coat pockets. A black balaclava covers the lower half of his face, leaving only his dark eyes visible.

“Smooth,”she says, arching an eyebrow. “You rehearse that one?”

“Not at all,” he says, placing a hand over his chest in mock innocence as if he's been accused of a great injustice. “It just came to me. You must be my muse.”

Gabriella rolls her eyes pointedly at the cheesiness of the line. And yet, there's something about the exaggerated delivery that makes her lips twitch up involuntarily. “Right. Well, inspiration or not, we’ve got a two-night max for guys who think they’re Casanova.”

“That’s too bad,” he says, leaning forward slightly, resting his forearms on the counter like they’re old friends. She notices the way his dark eyes crinkle slightly at the corners, hinting at the grin hidden behind the mask. “I needed four.”

She snorts despite herself, shaking her head as she swivels toward the computer. Against her better judgment, she's actually amused. “What’s your name?” she asks, fingers poised over the keyboard.

He pulls out his wallet with a casual ease, sliding the ID across the counter. “Mark Rosario.”

Gabriella picks up the card and glances at it before focusing on him again. Her gaze lingers on the balaclava he still hasn’t removed. “What’s with the mask? Planning a robbery or something?”

She's teasing, but the response is quick. His eyes flick down to her name tag before he leans in just a little, like he’s letting her in on a joke. “Oh, Gabriella…” Her name rolls off his tongue like it's poetry. “You’re not afraid of me, are you?”

The audacity in his tone and the playful challenge catch her off guard and make her laugh. Honestly, who flirts with their face half-covered? She leans in too, just enough to match his energy. “You should know they don’t pay me enough to fight off cute thieves.”

He lights up at that, his expression practically boyish despite the mask. “You think I’m cute?”

She taps the ID lightly, a sly smile curling her lips. “The guy in this picture is,” she teases. “You? I don’t know. I can’t see your face.”

For a moment, like he’s deciding something, he pauses. Then, with deliberately slow movements, he tugs the mask down just enough to reveal a clean-shaven face and a grin that’s equal parts mischievous and charming.

“Better?”

Gabriella studies him for a beat longer than necessary, letting her smile widen just slightly. Strong jaw, features sharp but not harsh. And the smile is simply disarming. He is handsome, in an annoyingly self-aware way, but she refuses to give him that.

She holds up the ID next to his face, arching a brow as if weighing its credibility. “Well, it matches.”

“Oh, lucky me.” His voice dips just enough to underline the irony, the corner of his mouth rising in a way that's almost too smug. “What's next, background check?”

Gabriella doesn't blink, playing along with a shrug. “Depends. You hiding anything else I should know about?”

His grin deepens, his confidence never wavering. “Just my good manners,” he says lightly. “But I promise to find them before the night’s over.”

She laughs, shaking her head, finally setting the ID down. “You’re unbelievable,” she giggles, typing in his details into the system.

“Unbelievably charming, I hope.” His voice has that same playful edge, but it softens just enough to keep it from being obnoxious. “But if I push my luck, you’ll kick me out before I even get a key. So I’ll behave. Scout’s honor.”

Her smirk lingers as she types. She’s heard her fair share of bad pickup lines from late-night check-ins, but there’s something about him that’s harder to dismiss. Maybe it’s the way his voice shifts between teasing and sincere, or the way he watches her—like he’s genuinely paying attention, not just passing through.

The faint clicking of the keyboard fills the space between them. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices him leaning on the counter again, his gaze steady and unflinching. She pretends not to notice, focusing on the screen instead, but she feels his presence on her skin like music-induced goosebumps.

“So,” he says, tone more conversational now, “is it always this quiet at night, or did I just luck out?”

“Quiet’s a gamble,” Gabriella replies with a shrug, wrinkling her nose. “Sometimes it's quiet. Sometimes drunk backpackers decide 2am karaoke is a great idea. You just never know.”

He chuckles. “The karaoke sounds entertaining, but I’ll take quiet.”

“You don’t seem like the karaoke type,” she says, sliding the ID back across the counter towards him. Their fingers brush briefly, their eyes meet, and they linger on each other a moment too long.

Gabriella feels something strange—like he’s letting her see just enough of him to make her curious, but keeping everything else locked away.

“I’m full of surprises,” he says, slipping the card back into his wallet. “What about you? Karaoke queen?”

She snorts. “I try not to embarrass myself in front of strangers.”

“Too bad. Bet you’d kill it.”

His voice is unexpectedly warm, and his laugh lines soften the sharpness of his features. There’s something very captivating about him that's throwing her off. For a moment, the banter feels less like an act and more like an attempt at real connection, but she knows better than to think too much about it.

“All right,” she says, clearing her throat and pulling up the room options. “We’ve got beds available in a mixed dorm or an all-male dorm. Any preference?”

For some reason, he hesitates. His head tilts slightly, and his gaze sharpens, studying her like he’s trying to figure her out. The pause stretches just long enough to feel deliberate. Was he weighing her reaction? Why?

“Male dorm,” he says finally, voice casual, like it doesn’t really matter.

Gabriella nods, fetching the keycard. “You’ll have two roommates. Hope you don’t mind,” she says, handing it to him.

“Not at all.”

His fingers brush hers briefly again when he takes the card, and she resents the way it makes her heart beat a little faster. She clears her throat, turning her focus back to the computer.

“Rooms are upstairs. Try not to charm the other guests,” she says with a pointed look. “Some of them might actually fall for it.”

“Only if they’re half as smart as you,” he replies with another grin, voice dropping just enough to make the words feel personal.

“Enjoy your stay, Mr. Rosario.”

“I will.” He steps back from the counter, balaclava still bunched around his neck. But just as he turns, he pauses. “By the way…”

She raises an eyebrow, curiosity flickering across her face.

“Your eyes,” he says quietly. “They’re too kind for a place like this.”

Her lips part in surprise and she blinks at him, unsure whether to laugh or scowl. Was he being sincere, or was this just another line? Something in his tone, though—low and almost wistful—made her chest tighten in a way she didn't like.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He doesn’t answer, just steps toward the elevator with an easy wave. “Just an observation. Thanks for the warm welcome. Try to get some rest tonight.”

As the elevator doors close behind him, Gabriella mutters under her breath, “Kind doesn’t pay the bills.”

But even as she shakes her head and turns back to her computer, her thoughts linger on his grin—and the way his words made her feel like she'd been seen. Her curiosity was piqued in a way that felt dangerous, like walking too close to the edge of something she didn't fully understand.

---

Click here for the tag list ✨

[maxwellhauskaffee]

I'm removing the person's ID from my response so don't @ them if you know their handle. But what in the dishonesty is this?

Should be noted I haven't liked HoaB past episode 3 or some shit so the whole "you're a Viv / HoaB stan" doesn't work on me. However, for as much insanity I see from the Viv stans there's an equal amount of insanity from her haters. Especially since they seem to literally believe fictional people are real and go out of their way to abuse real people over said fictional ones...

With that said, how is muzzle merch meant to mean, "Viv hates her female characters and treats them like objects?" Why is this criticism only towards female characters and not the males? Who have similar merch? For example, here's some current merch of Loona where she's not in a muzzle or, in this person's views, being objectified.

Almost all of the poses and expressions of Loona are nonsexual in nature or her doing an action pose.

And as I said, there's the male characters.

Like - look at all this shit.

( source )

There's so much sexualized merch of the males. What's... What's op's point even standing on???

"But Loona's in a muzzle! The others aren't!" Ok? And that means... What? How does a depiction of Loona in a muzzle mean "Viv doesn't give a fuck about her female characters"? What specifically about that illustration juxtaposed against all of the others exemplified objectively prove that? If anything, Loona being the only one muzzled follows the canon of the show.

Hellhounds are on the lowest social ranking alongside imps albeit lower. It's why Blitzo was able to adopt Loona from a pound no less.

They are, in canon to the show, property like dogs are in America. This fact alongside the vet episode makes me think, "Loona is muzzled because she's objectively a dog in a world where they're a lower caste and she has anger issues."

Loona having anger issues is canon. Loona being treated as a non-sapient canine would be is canon.

And speaking of property, Blitzo doesn't treat Loona as property as others are shown to do. She is his daughter.

Blitzo loves Loona to a literal fault. He excuses her poor behavior to others, and rarely berates or scolds her. And publicly shows affection towards her and even lets her keep a job she doesn't even do properly.

You can argue Loona's writing is shitty, which - I'm not going to disagree. This video breaks it down extremely well. But having shitty writing doesn't mean a creator doesn't care about their character or the world they've built. Just go to A03. To say Viv doesn't care about Loona or her female characters* is a stretch?*

*( Except Millie, but again - poor writing. )

All I gotta' say to this insane discourse is:

[chephalopods]

Looking away ... Imagine the spawn of satan maybe fell in love with you ... Anyways....

[lightluxcollie]

Doggy! Loona Commission Done For VasirrKhajiit. Suprisingly the first time I've ever drawn her. ... https://www.sabercolliestudios.com

[mousegutzz]

millie and sallie mae's vas on hoab are on a very short list of people who can actually manage to do a southern accent and not assualt my ears. props (also they are very chatoic southern sistern coded; i.e. miranda lambert and carrie underwood and i adore this about them)

[hindahoney]

Do you think the story of the war rape of the Midianites in inherently bigoted?

The passage you're referring to is Numbers 31. The Midianites were descendants of Avraham and his wife Keturah. Relations between Midianite and the Hebrews were good at first: Moses' wife Tzipporah was a Midianite woman, and he served Jethro for forty years. They even used Hoab, Moses' brother-in-law, as a guide through the desert. However, when the Midianites worked with the Moabites to attack and curse the children of Israel, there were mass conversions to worship Moabite deities and assimilate into Midianite culture (Numbers 25:17-19: HaShem spoke to Moses saying:  “Treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them. They treated you as enemies when they deceived you in the Peor incident involving their sister Kozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader”) Midianites also severely oppressed the Israelites (In Judges: “Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help”)

So, with that background, you're talking specifically about this passage:

"Why have you kept all the women alive?" demanded Moses. "These are exactly the ones who were involved with the Israelites at Balaam's instigation, causing them to be unfaithful to God in the Peor incident, and bringing a plague on God's community. Now kill every male child, as well as every woman who has been involved intimately with a man. However, all the young girls who have not been involved intimately with a man, you may keep alive for yourselves."

The story in the Bible is that the women were part of a larger campaign to convert the Israelites to their religion and culture. It was working, so HaShem instructed Moses to stand up against them. It is a lesson against assimilation into idolatry. Were there problematic parts of the Hebrew Bible? Of course to modern standards they are, and they're not events that should be repeated. No one is arguing there are not parts of the Torah that are problematic.

But none of that is what you actually care about. This ask is a response to my assertion that Christian texts are antisemitic, which they are. I responded to an ask that essentially asked "If Christian texts are antisemitic, what should they use instead?" to which I said they're not going to use another text, they just need to acknowledge that the ones they use are antisemitic and call out antisemitism within their communities when they see it.

If your response to a Jew calling out antisemitism is "Well what about you!" your problem is deeper than one I can solve.

[missninapea]

Anon cause shy. Look, you need to take it easy and stop worrying. Wanting to only enjoy "morally good" things is impossible. Nothing is perfect, no creator is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, and bad people can make good art! Enjoy what you enjoy. Enjoying something made by a bad person doesn't make you a bad person, it makes you a human person. And also, chill out with blaming other people for your guilt. People enjoy different things and in different ways. Personally, I love a good good-faith criticism of HH/HoaB - and good-faith criticism of all of my favorite shows! I love taking something I love and picking it apart at the seams - but that's just one of the ways I enjoy something. I'm afraid I'm not going to stop doing something I enjoy because it makes you feel guilty - that's your feeling, and unfortunately, you're responsible for it. Thus, the "take it easy and stop worrying" bit from the start; ironically, you're not going to hell for liking HH/HoaB or anything else made by Vivzie.

Yeah, I'm very aware that Hazbin/Helluva are no where near perfect, I do enjoy them and I can politely be critical with them without putting down others and being rude. Viv is not perfect either. Most people don't support her, and that's okay. They don't have to. I can't make them. But what I only support is her shows, her beautiful artwork, and her accomplishments of making cartoons. But I don't support her actions and her as a person, 'know. Similarly to me liking the show Fairly Odd Parents, but I do NOT support Butch Hartman. And right now, I'm beginning to feel better about how it's okay to still love and enjoy stuff that others don't. I'll try very hard not to feel bad or guilty for people not sharing my interests and opinions. I can't give up. At the end of the day, we're all human and we're not perfect and make mistakes.

Thanks for the reminder. <3

[carbonateddelusion]

Ough yea. Me 🤝 You

Our opinion on HH and HOAB

And I am also not offended or whatever by the profanity cus my family punctuates our sentences with swears and we make suggestive jokes XD

yuh yuh I feel you

it feels a little disappointing ngl. I feel like Viv is probably surrounded by yes men who never ever bring up anything that might rub her the wrong way lest they be fired from the show

[jazzywirdo]

moxxie from hoab ; im a virgoooo

what's your sign?

[archivace]

SVATÁ KATEŘINA U CHUDENÍNA A BAVORSKÁ NĚMČINA

Bavorská němčina vs. standardní němčina (německá výslovnost a dialekty) Německy: Hallo Bavorsky: Servus. Německy: Ich habe houte Brötchen zum Frühstück gegessen. Anglicky: Měl jsem nějaké rohlíky na snídani. Bavorsky: I hoab heid a Fria a Semmel gessn.   píseň I hob heid frei od Haindling Heute habe ich zum Frühstück ein Brötchen gegessen (varianta) Vlastně si myslím, že jak 1, tak 2 jsou v pořádku. 1 lze použít, pokud je "heute zum Frühstück" považováno za jediný prvek, za jedinou specifikaci prostředí, ve kterém k pojídání housky došlo. "Zum Frühstück" není explicitní časový údaj, ale obecně odkazuje na část dne, takže je to svým způsobem obecnější časový odkaz. Je to něco jako "heute um fünf Uhr", což by bylo rozhodně přijatelné jako jeden celek. 2 se vyskytuje hovorově, kde předložkové vazby mohou následovat za druhou částí složeného slovesa. Před "zum Frühstück" bude pravděpodobně obvykle malá pauza. Je zajímavé, že ani jeden z tazatelů navrhovaných slovosledů není to, co by se učilo v učebnicích, ale jak jsem řekl, nemyslím si, že ani jeden z nich je, přísně vzato, zcela nepřijatelný. Další možná slovosledy: 1 lze použít, pokud je "heute zum Frühstück" zaslouženě za jediný prvek, za jedinou specifikaci prostředí, ve kterém došlo k připojení housky. "Zum Frühstück" není explicitní časový údaj, ale obecně odkazuje na část dne, takže je to svým způsobem obecnější časový odkaz. Je to něco jako "heute um fünf Uhr", což by bylo rozhodně přijatelné jako jeden celek. 2 se vyskytuje hovorově, kde předložkové vazby mohou následovat za druhou část složeného slovesa. Před "zum Frühstück" bude pravděpodobně obvykle malá přestávka. Je zajímavé, že ani jeden z navrhovaných slovsledů tazatel není tím, co by se učilo v učebnicích, ale jak jsem řekl, nemyslím si, že ani jeden z nich je přísně vzato, zcela nepřijatelný. Další možné slovosledy: 3) Heute habe ich zum Frühstück ein Brötchen gegessen. 4) Zum Frühstück habe ich heute ein Brötchen gegessen. 5) Ein Brötchen habe ich heute zum Frühstück gegessen.

Německy: Ich komme aus Münster.(jsem z Munstru) Bavorsky: I kim aus Minga und bin du dahoam. (jsem z Mnichova - to je můj domov) Německy: Ich verstehe dich nicht.  Bavorsky: Ich versteh di net.  Nerozumím ti. Německy: I freue mich, dass du heute da bist. Aber ich freue mich dass du heute mit uns abhängst.Ale jsem rád, že jsi dneska s náma. Bavorsky: I grei me, dass to heid to bist. Německy: Hoite ist ein schöner Tag.  Bavorský: Hait je scheena pes. Německy: Rauf a Runtter Bavorsky: Aufi a Obi. Nahoru a dolů. Nahoru dolů (kapela po schodišti) Německy: Wo ist der Biergarten? Bavorsky: Wo ist der Biergartn? Anglicky: Kde je pivní zahrada?

Die Biergärten ist auf jeden Neukirchen beim heiligen blat in mir. Bavorská němčina vs. standardní němčina (německá výslovnost a dialekty) Německy: Hallo Bavorsky: Servus. Německy: Ich habe houte Brötchen zum Frühstück gegessen. Anglicky: Měl jsem nějaké rohlíky na snídani. Bavorsky: I hoab heid a Fria a Semmel gessn.

[annafayeink]

from Hope on a Bullet, chapter two.

Soon.

[maxwellhauskaffee]

Saw this post and I'm removing OP's name because I don't want them to be harassed or whatever. This is primarily about the topic.

I think it's a huge compliment because it means my art is so good it overrides whatever dislike or disgust someone may have concerning a theme, visual, or ship.

I deadass don't like most HoaB and HH ships. The characters are wasted potential and shallow imo. Specifically Stolas, Husker, Alastor ( omg... ), Vaggie, and Angel Dust. But the amount of Japanese and Korean artists who do banger art of them is insane.

[lyricsssdotin]

Mulaqat Lyrics

Singer:Prateek KuhadAlbum:Prateek Kuhad Yeh kaisi mulaqat haiJaise sadiyon se tum meri jaan hoAb kaise, main yeh samjhaaunKitne arso se tumhaara hi mujheIntezar hai Oh oh.. Tum jo paas aayi chumne ka yun bahaana lekeTabse tum meri ho dastaanChaand ko bulaakar tumne chamkaayi meri jo raateinTabse main tumahara hi hua Dono hi kalaiyon pe chaandi hai sajiHothon pe jo laali hai dil mein bas…

[lightluxcollie]

Commission Stream (8/9/24) Commissioned By

Tesser DeadDino905 BlackOwl Kigtoons

Image 1: Giant Drake. Image 2: Rabbit Cole becomes Millie's victim. Image 3: BlackOwl cosplaying as Octavia from HOAB. Image 4: Faye in another one of "those" situations.

[probablynotaskeleton]

HoaB/HBH is just SouthPark for people who are too scared to just be furries, and i mean that as derogatoraly as possible.

[pochaunnuswalker]

Guy torrys the muthafucking rapest I'm in here but ass naked see Jesus cats muthafuckas and if you got a problem with what I'm about to do come here broke dead ass dumnb muthafuckas never been shit to society ass dumb somebitches try me yaw ain't muthafucking tslki my g about shit goddamnit wanna muthafucking bet Chris Samuels and vigil e walk we r retardedvmuthafuckas try me and for. All those trryingto Joan on your gabgsrta ask Timothy and nercchi why I just hollared 5112 to to you retarded ass bitches an d yes Mr jr that's why Timothy's at home retardedbass dead sb somebitches yaw ain't got no muthafucking hoabs the liquor u didn't buy the symbol. What I just do to you and got out and took a pussy longer. Than normal muthafuckas try me if iaibr the richest bitchninthe universe and sevark other Galaxy's aas usual fucking beneathme a dead dumb never been shit to society dumb somebitches try e